aff.

"Oh! Ready, why did you not tell us this before?" exclaimed Mr
Seagrave.

"I wish you had not known it now, sir," replied Ready; "but, however, it
can't be helped; it was done out of kindness, Mr Seagrave."

"Yes, indeed it was, papa."

Mrs Seagrave dropped down on the rock, and burst into tears. Mr
Seagrave was equally excited.

"Does she see us, Ready?" exclaimed he at last.

"No, sir, not yet, and I waited till she did, before I made it known to
you," replied Ready.

"She is altering her course, Ready," said William.

"Yes, sir, she has hauled to the wind; she is afraid of coming too near
to the reefs."

"Surely she is not leaving us!" exclaimed Mrs Seagrave.

"No, madam; but she does not see us yet."

"She does! she does!" cried William, throwing up his hat; "see, she
hoists her ensign."

"Very true, sir; she does see us. Thanks be to God!"

Mr Seagrave embraced his wife, who threw herself sobbing into his arms,
kissed his children with rapture, and wrung old Ready's hand. He was
almost frantic with joy. William was equally delighted.

As soon as they were a little more composed, Ready observed: "Mr
Seagrave, that they have seen us is certain, and what we must now do is
to get our own boat out of the sand. We know the passage through the
reefs, and they do not. I doubt if they will, however, venture to send
a boat on shore, until the wind moderates a little. You see, sir, it is
blowing up very strong just now."

"But you don't think it will blow harder, Ready?"

"I am sorry to say, sir, that I do. It looks very threatening to the
southward, and until the gale is over, they will not venture near an
island so surrounded with rocks. It would be very imprudent if they
did. However, sir, a few hours will decide."

"But, surely," said Mrs Seagrave, "even if it does blow, they will not
leave the island without taking us off. They will come after the gale
is over."

"Yes, madam, if they can, I do think they will; but God knows, some men
have hard hearts, and feel little for the misery of others."

The brig had, in the meantime, kept away again, as if she was running
in; but very soon afterwards she hauled to the wind, with her head to
the northward, and stood away from the island.

"She is leaving us," exclaimed William, mournfully.

"Hard-hearted wretches!" said Mr Seagrave, with indignation.

"You are wrong to say that, sir," replied Ready: "excuse me, Mr
Seagrave, for being