After some thought, I called in Jack's assistance, and
we got a very tall, strong bamboo, which would reach right up to the
vaulted roof. This we planted in the earthen floor, securing it well by
driving wedges in round it.
Jack ascended this pole very cleverly, taking with him a hammer and
chisel to enlarge a crevice in the roof so as to fix a pulley, by means
of which, when he descended, I drew up a large ship's lantern, well
supplied with oil, and as there were four wicks, it afforded a very
fair amount of light.
Several days were spent in arranging the different rooms. Ernest and
Franz undertook the library, fixing shelves, and setting the books in
order. Jack and his mother took in hand the sitting-room and kitchen,
while Fritz and I, as better able for heavy work, arranged the
workshops. The carpenter's bench, the turning lathe, and a large chest
of tools were set in convenient places, and many tools and instruments
hung on the walls.
An adjoining chamber was kitted up as a forge, with fire-place,
bellows, and anvil, complete, all which we had found in the ship,
packed together, and ready to set up.
When the great affairs were settled, we still found in all directions
work to be done. Shelves, tables, benches, movable steps, cupboards,
pegs, door-handles and bolts--there seemed no end to our requirements,
and we often thought of the enormous amount of work necessary to
maintain the comforts and conveniences of life which at home we had
received as matters of course.
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