hold of the cask by the chains, and lifting it up,
they carried it clean out of the water, and placed it on the rocks by
the side of the pool.

"Hand us the little kid out of the boat, Jim," said the man; "we'll soon
see if it's the right stuff."

He took out the spiles, drew off some of the liquor, and tasting it,
swore it was excellent. It was then handed round, and all the men took
some.

"We're in luck to-night; we're fallen upon our legs," said the first
man. "I say, Jim, put them dried chickens into the pitch-kettle along
with some taters out of the bag--they'll make a good mess; and then with
this cask of grog to go to, we shan't do badly."

"I say, old fellow," said he, turning to me, "you're a regular trump.
Who left you on shore to get all ready for us?"

"I was born here," replied I.

"Born here! Well, we'll hear all about that to-morrow--just now, we'll
make up for lost time, for we've had nothing to eat or drink since
Wednesday morning. Look alive, my lads! Get up the hurricane-house.
Jim, put the pail of water into the kettle, and send the islander here
for another pailful, for grog."

The pail was handed to me, and I soon returned with it full; and, as I
did not see that they had a pannikin, I brought one down and gave it to
them.

"You're a fine boy," said the mate (as I afterwards found out that he
was). "And now, I say, where do you hold out? Have you a hut or a cave
to live in?"

"Yes," replied I; "I have a cabin, but it is not large enough for all of
you."

"No, no! We don't want to go there--we are very well where we are,
alongside of the cask of rum; but you see, my lad, we have a woman
here."

"A woman!" said I; "I never saw a woman. Where is she?"

"There she is, sitting by the fire."

I looked round, and perceived that there was one of the party wrapped up
in a blanket, and with a wide straw hat on the head, which completely
concealed the form from me. The fact is, that the woman looked like a
bundle, and remained by the fire quite as inanimate. At my saying that
I never saw a woman, the man burst into a loud laugh.

"Why, did you not say that you were born on this island, boy?" said the
mate at last. "Were you born without a mother?"

"I cannot recollect my mother--she died when I was very young; and
therefore I said that I had never seen a woman."

"Well, that's explained; but you see, my lad--this is not only a woman,
but a very particular sort of a woman; a