Off they went in different directions, and soon every one was shouting out a discovery of water. In fact, in that damp and well-watered country, springs can easily be found on every hill-side. The nearest one was the best, and by breaking away some of the earth and digging a hole with a stone in the clay of the bank, a well was rudely formed, which was suitable for all immediate needs. By the time they had finished these explorations, the tide was sufficiently low to admit of a search for their breakfast. All the boys went off, since all were equally interested. The search was perfectly successful, resulting in the capture of thirteen lobsters and a great quantity of shrimps. Bringing back their prey in triumph, they heated a large number of stones and cooked all the lobsters together, partly for the sake of keeping them better, and partly that they might have a good supply of ready-cooked provisions on hand. “Do you know, boys,” said Phil Kennedy, as they sat at breakfast, “I’ve got an idea?” “Good for you. What is it?” “Why, we ought to have a signal.” “That’s true.” “Well, my plan is to have a signal up there,” said Phil, pointing to the solitary tree on the top of the cliff. “How can you manage it?” “Why, turn that tree into a flag-staff by cutting off the branches., I can climb it, and if I can have the hatchet for a little-while, I’ll promise to get every branch off.” “Well, now, Phil,” said Bruce, “I call that a first-rate idea. But where will you get a flag?” “I’ll fasten my red shirt on.” “Hurrah!” cried all, clapping Phil on the back. “Phil, you’re a genius.” “Talking about signals,” said Tom Crawford, “a flag won’t be enough. We want something for nights and for foggy days. We ought to build a heap of dry brush and kindling, and be ready to light it at a moment’s notice. Perhaps it would be too much trouble to keep it going all night.” “Yes; it would,” said Bruce. “The best thing would be to have a pile ready to light. But the first thing to do is to build our camp, and we’ll have lots of brush ready for the pile. Phil can have the hatchet to trim the tree after we have cut the poles and things for the camp.” “What kind of a camp shall we have?” “A wigwam.” “Where’ll we get the birch bark?” “Explore the island.” “That’ll take too much time. We want a camp to-day, and a camp we must have. The best way will be to build an ordinary one of poles and spruce brush, and after that is built, we can look about for birch bark.” “And then I’ve got my oar to finish,” said Arthur, who had been working on it at intervals all the morning. “Well,” said Bart, “suppose we go to work at the camp first. We’ll want something to fasten it with. If you like, I’ll go and hunt after some roots that I know of. They’ll do first rate for ropes.” “All right; and we’ll go and cut the poles.”