Then I tried another plan.
I made two large earthen vessels. They were broad and shallow. Each was about two feet across and not more than nine inches deep.
These I burned in the fire till they were as hard as rocks and as red as tiles.
I made also a hearth before my fireplace, and paved it with some square tiles of my own making. But, perhaps I ought not to call them square.
The hearth, when finished, was quite level and smooth. It was as pretty as I could have wished.
Next I built a great fire of hard wood. When the wood had burned down, I raked the hot coals out upon my hearth. I left them there till the hearth was hot through and through.
My loaves of dough were all ready. I swept hearth clean and then put the loaves down upon the hottest part of it.
Over each loaf I put one of the large earthen vessels I had made. Then I heaped hot coals on the top of the vessel and all round the sides of it.
In a short time I lifted the vessels and took out my loaves. They were baked as well as the best oven in the world could have baked them.
By trying and trying again, I at last learned to bake almost everything I wanted. I baked cakes and rice pudding fit for a king. But I did not care for pies.
I now felt quite contented and prosperous. For did I not have everything that I needed?
I had two homes on the island. I called them my plantations.
The first of these was my strong castle under the rock. I had enlarged it until my cave contained many rooms, one opening into another.
The largest and driest of these was my storeroom. Here I kept the largest of my earthen pots. Here also were fourteen or fifteen big baskets, all filled with grain.
My sitting room was not large, but it was made for comfort.
As for the wall in front of the castle, it was a wonderful thing. The long stakes which I had driven down had all taken root. They had grown like trees, and were now so big and so thick with branches that it was hard to see between them.
No one passing by would ever think there was a house behind this matted row of trees.
Near this dwelling of mine, but a little farther within the land, were my two barley fields. These I cultivated with care, and from them I reaped a good harvest. As often as I felt the need of more barley I made my fields larger.
Farther away was what I called my country seat. There was my pleasant summer house or bower, where I liked to go for rest.
In the middle of my bower I had my tent always set. It was made of a piece of sail spread over some poles.
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