the storehouse for the axe. Ready selected a
very slight cocoa-nut tree nearest to the beach, which he cut down, and
as soon as the top was taken off with the assistance of William he
carried it down to the point.

"Now, William, go for a shovel and dig a hole here, that we may fix it
up as a flag-staff. When all is ready, I will go for a small block and
some rope for halyards to hoist up the flags as soon as the vessel is
likely to see them. At breakfast-time, I shall propose that you and I
get the boat out of the sand and examine her, and give Mr Seagrave some
work indoors."

"But the flags, Ready; they are round my mother's bed. How shall we get
them?"

"Suppose I say that it is time that the house should be well cleaned,
and that the canvas hangings of the beds should be taken out to be aired
this fine day. Ask your father to take the direction of the work while
we dig out the boat; that will employ them all inside the house."

"Yes, that will do, Ready."

During breakfast-time, Ready observed that he intended to get the boat
out of the sand, and that William should assist him.

"And what am I to do, Ready?" said Mr Seagrave.

"Why, sir, I think, now that the rains are over, it would not be a bad
thing if we were to air bedding, as they say at sea; it is a fine, warm
day; and if all the bedding was taken out of the house and well shaken,
and then left out to air, it would be a very good job over; for you see,
sir, I have thought more than once that the house does smell a little
close."

"It will be a very good thing, Ready," observed Mrs Seagrave; "and, at
the same time, Juno and I will give the house a thorough cleaning and
sweeping."

"Had we not better have the canvas screens down, and air them too?"

"Yes," replied Ready; "we had better air everything. We will assist in
taking down the screens and flags, and spread them out to air, and then,
if Mr Seagrave has no objection, we will leave him to superintend and
assist Madam and Juno."

"With all my heart," replied Mr Seagrave. "We have done breakfast, and
will begin as soon as you please."

Ready and William took down the canvas screens and flags, and went out
of the cottage with them; they spread out the canvas at some distance
from the house, and then William went down to the beach with the flags,
while Ready procured the block and small rope to hoist them up with.

Ready's stratagem answered well. Without being perceived by those in
t