d the service."

The morning service was then performed in the new house. Violent as the
rain was, it did not penetrate through the thatch which had been put on.
Ready and William went out to secure the boat, which they were afraid
would be injured, and returned wet to the skin. The storm continued
without intermission the whole of the night, but they slept dry and
safe; and, when awakened by the noise of the thunder and the pelting of
the rain, they thanked God that they had found a dwelling in the
wilderness upon which they had been cast.

CHAPTER THIRTY.

When they all rose up the next morning, the clouds had cleared off, and
the sun was shining bright. Ready and Juno were the first out of the
house--Ready with the telescope under his arm, which he always took with
him when he went his rounds, as he termed it, in the morning.

"Well, Juno," said Ready, "this is a fine morning after the rain."

"Yes, Massa Ready, very fine morning; but how I get fire light, and make
kittle boil for breakfast, I really don't know--stick and cocoa-nut
trash all so wet."

"Before I went to bed last night, Juno, I covered up the embers with
ashes, put some stones over them, and then some cocoa-nut branches, so I
think you will find some fire there yet. I was going my morning's
round, but I will stay a little and help you."

"Tank you, Massa Ready; plenty rain fell last night."

"Yes, not a little, Juno; you must not expect to find the water at the
well very clear this morning; indeed, I doubt if you will see the well
at all. Here's some stuff which is not very wet."

"I got plenty of fire, too," replied Juno, who had removed the branches
and stones, and was now on her knees blowing up the embers.

"You'll do very well now, Juno," said Ready; "besides, William will be
out directly--so I'll leave you."

Ready whistled to the dogs, who came bounding out, and then set off on
his round of inspection. He first directed his steps to the well in the
ravine; but, instead of the gushing spring and the limpid clear water,
with which the cask sunk for a well had been filled, there was now a
muddy torrent, rushing down the ravine, and the well was covered with
it, and not to be distinguished.

"I thought as much," said Ready, musing over the impetuous stream;
"well, better too much water than too little." Ready waded through, as
he wished to examine the turtle-pond, which was on the other side of the
stream. Finding all right