open sea, my father went on deck.

Mudge assisting us, we immediately set to work to get up such stores as
could be most easily reached, with some sails and several spars for
rigging a tent. While we were thus engaged, the mates got a hawser
ranged ready to carry the stream-anchor out ahead, to be ready to try
and haul the brig off at the top of high-water; the rest of the people
still labouring at the pumps.

My father now sent Pierce and Tommy Peck into the cabin, telling them to
eat a good breakfast, that they might be able to make themselves useful.
Harry, Mudge, and I followed; but we scarcely sat down a minute,
tumbling the food into our mouths as fast as we could, and drinking our
coffee while standing with the cups in our hands. Mudge was off again
almost immediately, to allow my father to come down and take his
breakfast. I was struck by the way in which my mother presided at the
table, Edith helping her as if nothing unusual had occurred.

Harry and I soon followed Mudge, whom we found engaged in stowing the
boat. We were assisting him, when we were again summoned to the pumps;
for they could not be allowed to rest for a moment, and the gang who had
just been working at them were quite tired out, and required their
breakfast.

All this time the sea, though it did not break over the vessel, was
striking her side, and every now and then made her give a lurch which I
thought would send the masts out of her. The tide having turned, was
now again rapidly rising; so the anchor was carried out ahead, and
preparations made to heave her off! As the tide rose the seas began to
beat with greater force against the side of the vessel, frequently
flying over her deck.

"Mudge," said my father, "I must no longer delay sending Mrs Rayner and
the young people on shore; I confide her and them to your charge,
feeling sure that you will act, according to the best of your judgment,
for their good. I trust that you will meet with no natives; but if you
do, and they appear to be hostile, you have arms with which to keep them
at a distance."

"Depend on me, sir," said Mudge; who now, with the men chosen to man the
boat, hauled her alongside.

My father went below, and returned conducting my mother and sister.
They were then carefully lowered into the boat, in which Mudge and the
crew were seated; Pierce went next; Harry, Tom, Popo, and I followed.

"Oh, may we have Nanny with us?" cried Edith, not even then forgetti