he cottage, the flag-staff was raised, and fixed in the ground, and the
flags all ready for hoisting; then Ready and William returned to the
fuel-stack, and each carried down as much stuff as they could hold, that
they might make a smoke to attract the notice of those on board of the
vessel. All this did not occupy much more than an hour, during which
the brig continued her course steadily towards the island. When Ready
first saw her the wind was light, but latterly the breeze had increased
very much, and at last the brig took in her top-gallant sails. The
horizon behind the vessel, which had been quite clear, was now banked up
with clouds, and the waves curled in white foam over the reefs of rocks
extending from the island.

"The breeze is getting up strong, William," said Ready, "and she will
soon be down, if she is not frightened at the reefs, which she can see
plainer now the water is rough, than she could before."

"I trust she will not be afraid," replied William. "How far do you
think she is off now?"

"About five miles; not more. The wind has hauled round more to the
southward, and it is banking up fast, I see. I fear that we shall have
another smart gale; however, it won't last long. Come, let us hoist the
flags; we must not lose a chance; the flags will blow nice and clear for
them to see them."

William and Ready hoisted up the ensign first, and below it the flag,
with the ship's name, Pacific, in large letters upon it. "Now then,"
said Ready, as he made fast the halyards, "let us strike a light and
make a smoke; that will attract their notice."

As soon as the cocoa-nut leaves were lighted, Ready and William threw
water upon them, so as to damp them and procure a heavy column of smoke.
The vessel approached rapidly, and they were watching her in silent
suspense, when they perceived Mr and Mrs Seagrave, Juno carrying
Albert, with Tommy and Caroline running down as fast as they could to
the beach. The fact was, that Tommy, tired of work, had gone out of the
house and walked towards the beach; there he perceived, first, the flags
hoisted, and then he detected the vessel off the island. He immediately
ran back to the house, crying out, "Papa! Mamma! Captain Osborn come
back--come back in a big ship." At this announcement, Mr and Mrs
Seagrave ran out of the house, perceived the vessel and the flags
flying, and ran as fast as they could down to where William and Ready
were standing by the flag-st