grave was the first up on the ensuing morning; and when Ready
came out of the tent, he said to him, "Do you know, Ready, I feel much
happier and my mind much more at ease since I find myself here. On the
other side of the island everything reminded me that we had been
shipwrecked; and I could not help thinking of home and my own country;
but here we appear as if we had been long settled, and as if we had come
here by choice."

"I trust that feeling will be stronger every day, sir; for it's no use,
and indeed sinful, to repine."

"I acknowledge it, and with all humility. What is the first thing which
you wish we should set about?"

"I think, sir, the first object is to have a good supply of fresh water;
and I therefore wish you and William--Here he is. Good-morning,
William--I was saying that I thought it better that Mr Seagrave and you
should clear out the spring while I am away in the boat. I brought
another shovel with me yesterday, and you both can work; perhaps we had
better go there, as Juno, I see, is getting the breakfast ready. You
observe, Mr Seagrave, we must follow up the spring till we get among
the cocoa-nut trees, where it will be shaded from the sun; that is
easily done by digging towards them, and watching how the water flows.
Then, if you will dig out a hole large enough to sink down in the earth
one of the water-casks which lie on the beach, I will bring it down with
me this afternoon; and then, when it is fixed in the earth in that way,
we shall always have the cask full of water for use, and the spring
filling it as fast as we empty it."

"I understand," replied Mr Seagrave; "that shall be our task while you
are absent."

"Now, I have nothing more to do than to speak to Juno about dinner,"
replied Ready; "and then I'll just take a mouthful, and be off."

Ready directed Juno to fry some pork in the frying-pan, and then to cut
off some slices from the turtle, and cook turtle-steaks for dinner, as
well as to warm up the soup which was left; and then, with a biscuit and
a piece of beef in his hand, he went down to the boat and set off for
the cove. Mr Seagrave and William worked hard; and, by twelve o'clock,
the hole was quite large and deep enough, according to the directions
Ready had given. They then left their work and went to the tent.

"You don't know how much happier I am now that I am here," said Mrs
Seagrave, taking her husband's hand, as he seated himself by her.

"I trust it is