168 
PREPARATIONS FOR ESCAPE. 
when the supply of these gave out, the leather from 
the chafing-gear of the brig for a time supplied their 
place. A much better substitute was found afterward 
in the gutta percha that had formed the speaking- 
tube. This was softened by warm water, cut into 
lengths, and so made available to its new uses. 
Blankets were served out as the material for body¬ 
clothing : every man was his own tailor. 
For bedding, the woollen curtains that had formerly 
decorated our berths supplied us with a couple of large 
coverlets, which were abundantly quilted with eider¬ 
down. Two buffalo-robes of the same size with the 
coverlets were arranged so as to button on them, form¬ 
ing sleeping-sacks for the occasion, but easily detached 
for the purpose of drying or airing. 
Our provision-bags were of assorted sizes, to fit under 
the thwarts of the boats. They were of sail-cloth made 
water-tight by tar and pitch, which we kept from pene¬ 
trating the canvas by first coating it with flour-paste 
and plaster of Paris. The bread-bags were double, the 
inner saturated with paste and plaster by boiling in 
