mens of the plants which he had
collected.

"This," said Mr Seagrave, "is a well-known plant; and I wonder Ready
did not recognise it; it is hemp."

"I never saw it except in the shape of rope," replied Ready. "I know
the seed well enough."

"Well, if we require it, I can tell you how to dress it," replied Mr
Seagrave. "Now, William, what is the next?"

"This odd-looking, rough thing."

"That's the egg-plant: it bears fruit of a blue colour. I am told they
eat it in the hot countries."

"Yes, sir, they do; they fry it with pepper and salt; they call it
bringal. I think it must be that."

"I do not doubt but you are right," replied Mr Seagrave. "Why,
William, you should know this."

"It is like the grape-vine."

"Yes, and it is so; it is the wild grape; we shall eat them by and bye."

"I have only one more, papa: what is this?"

"You don't know it, because it has sprung up so high, William; but it is
the common mustard plant,--what we use in England, and is sold as
mustard and cress. I think you have now made a famous day's work of it;
and we have much to thank God for."

As soon as they had returned to the house, a consultation was held as to
their future proceedings; and, after some debate, it was agreed that it
would be advisable that they should take the boat out of the sand; and,
as soon as it was ready, examine the reef on the southward, to see if
they could find a passage through it, as it would take a long while to
go round it; and, as soon as that was accomplished, Mr Seagrave, Ready,
William, and Juno should all go through the wood, carrying with them a
tent to pitch on the newly-discovered piece of ground: and that they
should set up a flag-staff at the little harbour, to point out its
position. Of course, that would be a hard day's work; but that they
would, nevertheless, return the same night, and not leave Mrs Seagrave
alone with the children. Having accomplished this, Ready and William
would then put the wheels and axle in the boat, and other articles
required, such as saw, hatchets, and spades, and row round to the south
side of the island, to find the little harbour. As soon as they had
landed them, and secured the boat, they would then return by the path
through the wood.

The next job would be to rail in the yam plantation to keep off the
pigs, and, at the same time, to drive the sheep and goats through the
wood, that they might feed on the new pasture ground. Ready and Willi