PREPARATION FOR BREAKFAST.

103

"Then, Juno, you may as well take this bottle of milk, which I got for little Albert's breakfast." "Tankee, Massa William; dat very good of you."

"And you must be quick, Juno; for there's Tommy on his legs, and running about in his shirt."

When they arrived at the tent they found that every one was awake except old Ready, who appeared still to sleep very sound. Mrs. Seagrave had passed a very good night, and felt herself much refreshed. William made some touch-paper, which he lighted with one of the glasses from the telescope, and they soon had a good fire. Mr. Seagrave went to the beach, and procured three large stones to rest the saucepan on; and in half an hour the water was boiling and the tea made.

JUNO had taken the children down to the cove, and, walking out into the water up to her knees, had dipped them in all over, as the shortest way of washing them, and had then dressed them and left them with their mother, while she assisted William to get the cups and saucers and plates for breakfast. Everything was laid out nice and tidy between the two tents, and then William proposed that he should awaken old Ready.

READY TAKEN BY SURPRISE.

105

"Yes, my boy, you may as well now-he will want his breakfast; and, besides, he would not like to be away when we all meet to return thanks to God before we sit down to our meal."

William went and pushed Ready on the shoulder. "Ready, have you had sleep enough?” said William, as the old man sat up.

Yes, Master William. I have had a good nap, I expect; and now I will get up, and see what I can get for breakfast for you all."

"Do," replied William, laughing.

Ready was soon dressed, for he had only taken off his jacket when he laid down. He put it on, and came out of the tent; when, to his astonishment, he found the whole party (Mrs. Seagrave having come out with the children) standing round the breakfast, which was spread on the ground.

"Good morning, Ready," said Mrs. Seagrave, extending her hand. Mr. Seagrave also shook hands with him.

"You have had a good long sleep, Ready," said Mr. Seagrave," and I would not waken you after your fatigue of yesterday."

"I thank you kindly, sir; and I am glad to see that Madam is so well: and I am not sorry to see

106

ASSEMBLED AT BREAKFAST.

that you can do so well without me," continued Ready, smiling.

"Indeed, but we cannot, I'm afraid," replied Mrs. Seagrave; "had it not been for you and your kindness, where should we have been now?"

"We can get a breakfast ready without you," said Mr. Seagrave; "but without you, my good fellow, I think we never should have required another breakfast by this time; but we will tell Ready all we have done while we eat our breakfast : now, my dear, if you please." Mrs. Seagrave then read a chapter from the Bible, and afterwards they all knelt down while Mr. Seagrave offered up a prayer.

While they were at breakfast, William told Ready how they had gone on board, and what they had brought on shore, and he also mentioned how Juno had dipped all the children in the sea.

"But Juno must not do that again," replied Ready, "until I have made all safe; you know that there are plenty of sharks about these islands, and it is very dangerous to go into the water."

"Oh, Mr. Seagrave, what an escape they have had!" cried Mrs. Seagrave, shuddering.

"It's very true," continued Ready; "but they

DANGER OF SHARKS.

107

don't keep so much to the windward of the islands where we are at present; but still that smooth cove is a very likely place for them to come into; so it's just as well not to go in again, Juno, until I have time to make a place for you to bathe in in safety; but we have plenty to do before we think of that, and as soon as we can get as much as we want from the ship, we must decide whether we shall stay here or not.”

"Stay here or not, Ready! what do you mean?"

Why, we have not yet found any water, and that is the first necessary of life-if there is no water on this side of the island, we must pitch our tents somewhere else."

"That's very true," replied Mr. Seagrave; "I wish we could find time to explore a little."

"So we can, sir; but we must not lose this fine weather. It may be rough to-morrow, and then we shall not be able to get anything from the ship. We had better go now. You, sir, William, and me. You and William can remain on board to collect the things, and I will land them on the beach for Juno to bring up."

The whole day was spent in landing every variety of article which they thought could be