trips in her along the coast, and were by her means able to catch many
more fish than they could have caught from the rocks.

A few seeds were found in the hut, and several plants which had been
left in the ground sprang up, so that they were able to restore the
garden, which had been destroyed, and also greatly to increase its size.

The discovery of some strong fibre enabled them to manufacture twine,
which served not only for fishing-lines, but as they improved in the art
of making it, they produced a fishing-net of fair size. With this they
caught at times far more fish than they could consume, so they pickled
the remainder with salt collected from the hollows of the rocks, and had
consequently a supply during stormy weather.

Happily in one of the chests were a couple of books on navigation, and
three or four others of an interesting character. By means of the first
Ralph was able to give instruction to the midshipmen in the science so
necessary to them in their professional career. He also made the model
of a ship's deck and rigging, which, while it afforded a source of
amusement, gave them a more thorough knowledge than they possessed of
seamanship, while the other books were read till nearly got by heart.
Thus the youngsters' time, which might otherwise have been utterly lost,
was usefully employed.

Flagstaffs were erected on high points at the northern and southern
sides of the island: and a board was nailed to the former, with a
direction carved on it to their cove. They were constantly on the
look-out; but months and months went by and not even a distant sail was
seen, to give them hopes that deliverance was near. At length, even
Ralph began to fear that they were doomed to a life-long imprisonment on
that unknown islet.

CHAPTER ELEVEN.

Bells were ringing; bonfires blazing throughout England. The battle of
Waterloo had been fought. Peace, broken by the return of Napoleon from
Elba, was restored; and the great agitator of Europe was a captive on
board a British man-of-war, about to sail for Saint Helena. Though the
nation was rejoicing, the hearts of many of all ranks, who had lost
loved ones on the field of battle, were mourning.

Jessie Flamank was not alone in her sorrow. She was resigned; but time
had not assuaged it, nor lessened her tender love for Ralph's memory.
She had, of late, ample work, as several ladies in the neighbourhood who
had heard her history were in the habit of sen