more safe if
quartered upon the rock, and thus entirely separated from the pirates;
but on reconsidering the question and talking it over with the others
the conclusion arrived at was that the rock was an exposed and sterile
spot for a habitation, in addition to which it possessed other
disadvantages; and that perhaps, for the present, it would be better not
to propose it.

At length the eventful day arrived on which the ceremony of laying the
keel of the new schooner was to be performed. The pieces of timber of
which it was to be composed--some of which had already formed part of
the keel of the old ship--had all been shaped, the blocks laid in
position, and every other preparation fully made; and nothing remained
but to lay down the keel-pieces on the blocks placed ready for their
reception, and to bolt them together.

In the fulness of his delight Johnson resolved that the day should be a
regular _fete_ day; and accordingly on the morning in question the
shipyard was gaily dressed with flags--of more than one nationality--
which were hoisted upon poles hastily set up for the purpose; and all
hands, clean shaven, and dressed in their best, prepared to assist in
the ceremony.

The proceedings were inaugurated by Johnson, who, attired in the full
uniform of a captain of the American navy, took up a position on one of
the keel-blocks, and from thence made an animated address to his
followers, in which he rapidly sketched the history of the band from the
day on which they had entered upon their present career by taking from
their officers the _Amazon_ tea clipper, in which they had sailed from
China for England, down to the present time. He reminded them of the
difficulties and misfortunes with which they had been obliged to
contend; how they had unfortunately lost the _Amazon_ upon an island
some hundreds of miles to the westward of their present position; how
they had been compelled to leave the island in open boats; of the
sufferings which they subsequently endured; and how by a lucky accident
they were finally enabled to obtain possession of the _Albatross_. He
next dwelt upon the good fortune which had since attended them; the many
valuable prizes they had taken; the rich store of booty they had
accumulated; and the steady augmentation of the numbers of the
brotherhood. Then, giving free rein to his fancy, he enlarged upon his
plans for the future. What had already been done was, he said,
nothing--a simple