others in the boat,
and spoke to them in a low tone, looking round at me, to ascertain if I
was within hearing.

After a minute or two they all separated, and then one of them said to
me--"Now, my lad, we're all ready. Go up to the cabin and bring down
your bundle and her basket, and tell the lady we are waiting for her."

"There's the shovel," said I, "and the boat's sail--must I bring them
down?"

"Oh, yes, bring them down, and also two or three seal-skins for the lady
to sit upon."

Off I went on my errand, for I was delighted with the idea of leaving
the island, and my patience had been almost exhausted at the time they
had taken in the stowage of the boat. As I hastened up the path, I
heard loud contention, and the mate's voice speaking very angrily, and I
stopped for a short time to listen, but the noise ceased, and I went on
again. I found Nero on the platform, and I stopped a minute to caress
him. "Good-bye, my poor Nero, we shall never see one another again,"
said I. "You must go back to the sea, and catch fish for yourself;" and
the tears started in my eyes as I gave the animal a farewell kiss.

I then went into the cabin, where I found Mrs Reichardt sitting very
quietly.

"They are all ready," said I, "and have sent me up for you; but I am to
bring down the boat's sail and some seal-skins for you to sit upon. I
can carry both if you can carry my bundle. Have you put the belt on?"

"Yes," replied she, "I am quite ready. I will carry the bundle, and the
books and spy-glass, as well as my basket; but we must pack them close,"
added she, "and roll the sail up round the yard, or you will not be able
to carry it."

We took the sail down, and got it ready for carrying, and I rolled up
the two best seal-skins, and tied them with a piece of fishing-line, and
then we were all ready. I shouldered my burden, and Mrs Reichardt took
the other articles, as proposed, and we left the cabin to go down the
path to the bathing-pool.

"Good-bye, Nero--good-bye, birds--good-bye, cabin--and good-bye,
garden," said I, as I went along the platform; and having so done, and
ordered Nero back with a tremulous voice, I turned my head in the
direction of the bathing-pool. I stared and then screamed, dropping my
burden, as I lifted up my hands in amazement--

"Look!" cried I to my companion. "Look!" repeated I, breathless.

She did look, and saw as I did--the boat under all sail, half a mile
from the pool, stagger