170

VISIT TO THE SPRING.

The boat was soon unloaded, but they had some way to carry up the things. "We shall not mind

such a gale as we had the other day when our tents are pitched here, William," said Ready, "for we shall be protected by the whole width of the cocoa-nut grove. We shall hardly feel the wind, although we shall the rain, for that will come down in torrents."

"I must go and see how our spring gets on," said William," and get a drink from it."

"Do so; and then you can follow me down to the boat."

Willy reported the spring to be up to the brim with water, and that he had never drunk any water so excellent in his life. They then pushed off the boat, and, after rowing for about two hours or more, found themselves at the entrance of the cove, and Mrs. Seagrave, with Tommy by her side, waving her handkerchief to them.

They very soon pulled in to the beach, and, landing, received the congratulations of the whole party at their first successful voyage, and all expressed their delight at its having proved so much shorter than had been anticipated.

66

MRS. SEAGRAVE'S ANTICIPATIONS.

171

Tommy will go next time," said Master

Tommy.

"By-and-by, when Tommy grows a little taller," replied Ready.

"Massa Tommy, you come help me to milk the goats," said Juno.

"Yes, Tommy milk the goats," said the little urchin, running after Juno.

"You must be almost tired of eating nothing but salt meat and biscuit, ma'am," said Ready, as they sat down to their meal; "but when we are all safe on the other side of the island, we hope to feed you better. At present it is hard work and

hard fare."

"As long as the children are well, I care very little about it; but I must say that, after the last gale, I am as anxious as you to be on the other side of the island, especially after the account William has given me of it. It must be a paradise! When do we set off?"

"Not till the day after to-morrow, ma'am, I should think; for you see I must have another trip for the cooking utensils and the bundles which you have made up. If you will spare Juno to walk through the wood with Master William to

172

WORK FOR WILLIAM AND JUNO.

morrow, we will then have the tent ready for you and the children. Mr. Seagrave will remain with ma'am."

you,

66

Certainly, Ready and had they not better lead over the sheep and goats? It will be doing something."

“I thank you for thinking of it, maʼam; it will be so much time saved."

OLD Ready had his boat loaded and had made sail for the other side of the island long before the family were up; indeed before they were dressed he had landed his whole cargo on the beach, and was sitting down quietly taking his breakfast. As soon as he had eaten the beef and biscuit which he had taken with him, he carried up the things which he had brought, and commenced arrangements for

174

ARRIVAL OF WILLIAM AND JUNO.

setting up the tent, intending to await the arrival of William and Juno, that they might assist him in getting up the spars and canvass over it.

About ten o'clock William made his appearance, leading one of the goats by a string, followed by the others. Juno came after with the sheep, also holding one with a cord; the rest had very quietly joined the procession. "Here we are at last!" said William, laughing; "we have had terrible work in the woods, for Nanny would run on one side of a tree when I went on the other, and then I had to let go the string. We fell in with the pigs again, and Juno gave such a squall!”

"I tink 'em wild beast," said Juno. "Ah! what a nice place! Missis will like to live here."

"Yes, it is a very nice place, Juno; and you'll be able to wash here, and never mind about saving the water."

"I am thinking," said William," how we are to get the fowls over here; they are not very wild, but still we cannot catch them.”

"I'll bring them with me to-morrow, Master William."

"But how will you catch them?"

"Wait till they are gone to roost, and then you may catch them when you please."