The settlers employed the two days before the oven was built in collecting fuel.  Branches were cut all round the glade, and they picked up all the fallen wood under the trees.  They were also able to hunt with greater success, since Pencroft now possessed some dozen arrows armed with sharp points.  It was Top who had famished these points, by bringing in a porcupine, rather inferior eating, but of great value, thanks to the quills with which it bristled.  These quills were fixed firmly at the ends of the arrows, the flight of which was made more certain by some cockatoos’ feathers.  The reporter and Herbert soon became very skilful archers.  Game of all sorts in consequence abounded at the Chimneys, capybaras, pigeons, agouties, grouse, etc.  The greater part of these animals were killed in the part of the forest on the left bank of the Mercy, to which they gave the name of Jacamar Wood, in remembrance of the bird which Pencroft and Herbert had pursued when on their first exploration.

This game was eaten fresh, but they preserved some capybara hams, by smoking them above a fire of green wood, after having perfumed them with sweet-smelling leaves.  However, this food, although very strengthening, was always roast upon roast, and the party would have been delighted to hear some soup bubbling on the hearth, but they must wait till a pot could be made, and, consequently, till the oven was built.

During these excursions, which were not extended far from the brick-field, the hunters could discern the recent passage of animals of a large size, armed with powerful claws, but they could not recognize the species.  Cyrus Harding advised them to be very careful, as the forest probably enclosed many dangerous beasts.

And he did right.  Indeed, Gideon Spilett and Herbert one day saw an animal which resembled a jaguar.  Happily the creature did not attack them, or they might not have escaped without a severe wound.  As soon as he could get a regular weapon, that is to say, one of the guns which Pencroft begged for, Gideon Spilett resolved to make desperate war against the ferocious beasts, and exterminate them from the island.

The Chimneys during these few days was not made more comfortable, for the engineer hoped to discover, or build if necessary, a more convenient dwelling.  They contented themselves with spreading moss and dry leaves on the sand of the passages, and on these primitive couches the tired workers slept soundly.

They also reckoned the days they had passed on Lincoln Island, and from that time kept a regular account.  The 5th of April, which was Wednesday, was twelve days from the time when the wind threw the castaways on this shore.