fect of
this unexpected sight. After a minute, he again put his telescope to
his eye, and then made her out to be a brig, under top-sails and
top-gallant sails, steering directly for the island.

Ready walked to the rocky point, from which they fished, and sat down to
reflect. Could it be that the vessel had been sent after them, or that
she had by mere chance come among the islands? He decided after a short
time that it must be chance, for none could know that they were saved,
much less that they were on the island. Her steering towards the island
must then be either that she required water or something else; perhaps
she would alter her course and pass by them. "At all events," thought
the old man, "we are in the hands of God, who will, at his own time and
in his own way, do with us as he thinks fit. I will not at present say
anything to Mr and Mrs Seagrave. It would be cruel to raise hopes
which might end in disappointment. A few hours will decide. And yet I
cannot do without help--I must trust William."

Ready rose, examined the vessel with his telescope, and then walked
towards the house. William was up, and the remainder of the family were
stirring.

"William," said Ready to him, as they walked away from the house, "I
have a secret to tell you, which you will at once see the necessity of
not telling to anyone at present. A few hours will decide the
question." William readily gave his promise. "There is a vessel off
the island; she may be the means of rescuing us, or she may pass without
seeing us. It would be too cruel a disappointment to your father and
mother, if the latter were the case."

William stared at Ready, and for a moment could not speak, his
excitement was so great.

"Oh, Ready, how grateful I am! I trust that we may be taken away, for
you have no idea how my poor father suffers in silence--and so does my
mother."

"I know it, William, I know it, and it is natural; they do their best to
control their yearnings, and they can do no more. But now we must be
quick, and at work before breakfast. But stop, I will show you the
vessel."

Ready caught the vessel in the field of the telescope, which he leant
against the trunk of a cocoa-nut, and William put his eye to the glass.

"Do you see her?"

"Oh yes, Ready, and she is coming this way."

"Yes, she is steering right for the island. I will put the telescope
down here, and we will go about our work."

William and Ready went to