"Cough, cough!"
Tuoyin coughed.
"Gulp!"
He took a sip of water.
Not far.
A large wooden raft was taking shape. No one wanted to die, not before. They couldn't build a raft without rope, but now, with excess clothing, they could make it into rope, and they made one.
On the island.
There was no hope, only escape.
Moreover.
What excited everyone was that one night, they saw a flicker of firelight in the far distance, and during the day, they had seen smoke, which gave them great hope, but swimming over there was clearly impossible.
So.
They decided to build a wooden raft.
Shrubs.
Tied together they would float; though not for many, ten or so could still manage. After spending four days, they finally made a big... straw heap raft.
"It's finally done."
"There's hope now."
"Get on the boat."
A cheer arose.
