ased every
hour, as by degrees I disclosed my history.

"Well," replied she, "if you will trust me, I will take charge of your
belt. To-morrow we will select out of the chest what will be best to
take with you, and then we will arrange as you wish."

After about an hour's more conversation, she went into the cabin, and
retired behind the screen which had been fixed up, telling me that she
did not mind Nero, and that I might go to bed when I pleased. As I was
not much inclined to go down to the seamen, I followed her advice and
went to bed; but I could not sleep for a long time from the noise which
the men made, who were carousing at the bathing-pool. The idea of
parting with Nero also lay heavy upon my heart, though the woman had
almost satisfied me that as soon as I was gone, the animal would resume
its natural habits, and care nothing for me.

I was up the next morning early, and went down with Nero to obtain the
fish which we required. I left some on the rocks for the seamen's
breakfast (for they were all sound asleep), and then returned to the
cabin, and prepared for our own. Mrs Reichardt, as I shall now call
her, soon came out to me, and when breakfast was over, proposed that we
should plant the remainder of the potatoes, before we packed up the
things in the chest. As soon as they were all cut, we set off to the
ravine, and had finished our task before noon, at which time there were
but few of the seamen stirring, they had remained up so long the night
before, drinking. The mate was one of those who were on their legs, and
he asked me if I thought we should have smooth water to launch the boat
on the following day. I replied in the affirmative, and went with Mrs
Reichardt to the cabin, and putting down the shovel, I hauled my chest
out on the platform to select what articles I should take.

While we were thus employed, and talking at times, the men came up for
the dried birds to take down ready for putting them in the boat on the
following day, and in two trips they had cleared out the whole of them.

"Have you used all the potatoes you brought up?" said one of the men;
"for we shall be short of provisions."

Mrs Reichardt replied that we had none left.

"Well then," said the man, "the mate says you had better bring down that
brute of yours to catch the rest of the fish in the pond, that we may
cook them before we start, as they will make two days' meals at least."

"Very well," replied I; "I will