Instructions

A series of pictures was engraved on the brass plate. It had shown some signs of wear from rain and wind, but overall it was in good shape. There were no words on the plate. That was just as well, thought Fred, as it was unlikely that any of the trio would be able to read whatever the language was once used here.

The first picture showed a man stripping bark from a tree with some instrument. The second picture showed the man tapping a tool into the tree with a rock. On the third picture, there was a large picture of the spike-like tool, with two lines engraved toward its pointed end. The fourth picture showed some substance flowing from the tree into the bucket. The fifth picture showed the man grinding some oval-shaped leaves, and the sixth showed him mixing the powder with the substance in the bucket. The final picture showed the man patting the wound of the tree with some sand.

"It looks like the plaque is showing us how to get the sap from a tree," noted Fred.

"I am not so sure that it is the sap, or if it is, the sap does not flow very deep in this tree. It appears that in the second picture, the spike is driven to a depth between the two lines that I can see on the tool in the third picture. It appears that whoever made this has gone through a lot of trouble to illustrate how to do it. These tree may yield a valuable substance."

"What you say makes sense. We really should be getting back into the lagoon, though. I do not want to risk drying my lower half out."

"I agree, Fred. I would like to try tapping those trees sometime, though. Just like I would like to find out more about that brig."

The two made steady progress to the lagoon, where they soaked their lower halves in the waters of the lagoon.

Once they were in the lagoon, they had some decisions to make.

It was getting late, and the options for shelter were not enticing. The rock wall to the north was forbidding, and appeared to have little life. However, their experience showed that the shore should lie somewhere farther west, and the shore had a wealth of edible marine life. Neither Astra nor Fred knew how far that would be, though. It was a decision that could lead to a literal feast or famine. The other island was close, but did not appear to teem with life. The little patch of land that they were on now would provide a good place to sleep, but the prospects for a meal were uncertain. Clams and shellfish were absent here, and finding a meal would take some work. Perhaps they could graze for seaweed, or start some underwater hunting. They might also explore the little island that they were on again, this time with an eye for food.

After some deliberation, they

1. look for food in the waters just off the island.
2. go back inland.
3. continue the circuit of the lagoon, and hope that there are some shellfish further along, after they pass the rock wall.

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