catch no fish, they won't take bait,
neither will they when the weather is rough. Besides, I have only two
lines, and I might lose them both--then what would become of me? I
should starve."

"Well, then, you see under all circumstances, it was just as well to
plant the potatoes, for other people may come here and be in your
position."

"Yes, that is true, but we shall not be here long now, and you don't
know how glad I am to go. I want to see all the things that I have read
about in my books. I want to go to England and look for somebody; but
you don't know all that I know; some day I will tell you all--
everything. I am so tired of living here by myself--nothing to say--no
one to talk to--no one to care for, except Nero, and he can't speak. I
can't bear the idea of parting with him, though."

"Would you rather stay on the island with Nero, than go away without
him?"

"No," replied I; "go I must, but still I do not like to part with him.
He is the only friend that I ever had, that I can remember."

"When you have lived longer, and mixed more with the world, my poor boy,
you will then find how many sacrifices you will be obliged to make, much
more serious than parting with an animal that you are attached to. I
suppose you expect to be very happy if ever you get back to England?"

"Of course I do; why should I not be?" replied I; "I shall be always
happy."

The missionary's wife shook her head. "I fear not. Indeed, I think if
you live long enough, you will acknowledge that the happiest of your
days were passed on this barren rock."

"Jackson said otherwise," replied I. "He was always grieving at being
on the island, and not able to get back to England; and he told me so
many stories about England, and what is done there and what a beautiful
place it is, that I'm sure I shall like it better than being here, even
if I had somebody with me."

"Well, you are in the hands of God, and you must put your trust in him.
He will do with you as he thinks best for you--that you know, as you
read your Bible."

"No, I didn't know that," replied I. "God lives beyond the stars, a
long way off."

"Is that all you have gained by reading your Bible?" inquired she,
looking me in the face.

"No, not all," replied I; "but I do not understand a great deal that I
read; I want some one to tell me. I am so glad you came with the men in
the boat, for I never saw a woman before. I used to see somebody in my
dreams, and n