This husk was very tough, and when a number of
the threads were joined together they formed excellent cordage. At
first we tied the different lengths together; but this was such a
clumsy and awkward complication of knots that we contrived, by careful
interlacing of the ends together before twisting, to make good cordage
of any size or length we chose. Of course it cost us much time and
infinite labour, but Jack kept up our spirits when we grew weary, and
so all that we required was at last constructed.
Planks were now cut off the chestnut trees of about an inch thick.
These were dressed with the axe--but clumsily, for an axe is ill
adapted for such work. Five of these planks on each side were
sufficient; and we formed the boat in a very rounded, barrel-like
shape, in order to have as little twisting of the planks as possible,
for although we could easily bend them, we could not easily twist them.
Having no nails to rivet the planks with, we threw aside the ordinary
fashion of boat-building and adopted one of our own. The planks were
therefore placed on each other's edges, and sewed together with the
tough cordage already mentioned. They were also thus sewed to the stem,
the stern, and the keel. Each stitch or tie was six inches apart, and
was formed thus: Three holes were bored in the upper plank and three in
the lower--the holes being above each other, that is, in a vertical
line. Through these holes the cord was passed, and, when tied, formed a
powerful stitch of three-ply.
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