"Well then, Mr Seagrave, it appears to me that it will not do to remain
in the house, for we may, as I have said, be surprised by the savages at
any hour in the night, and we have no means of defence against numbers."

"I feel that, and have felt it for some time," replied Mr Seagrave.
"What shall we do, then; shall we return to the cove?"

"I should think not, sir," said Ready; "what I propose is this: we have
made a discovery on the south of the island, which is of great
importance to us; not that I consider the fruit and other plants of any
great value, as they will only serve to increase our luxuries, if I may
so call them, during the summer season. One great advantage to us, is
the feed which we have found for our live stock, and the fodder for them
during the rainy season; but principally, the patch of yams, which will
afford us food during the winter. They are of great importance to us,
and we cannot too soon protect them from the pigs, which will certainly
root them all up, if we do not prevent them. Now, sir, you know what we
had arranged to do, but which we have not done; I think the cocoa-nut
rails will take too much time, and it will be sufficient to make a ditch
and hedge round the yams; but it will be very tedious if we are to go
backwards and forwards to do the work, and Mrs Seagrave and the
children will be left alone. I therefore propose, as the weather is now
set in fair, and will remain so for months, that we pitch our tents on
that part of the island, and remove the whole family there; we shall
soon be very comfortable, and at all events much safer there than if we
remain here, without any defence."

"It is an excellent plan, Ready; we shall, as you say, be removed from
danger for the time, and when there, we may consider what we had best do
by and by."

"Yes, sir. Those women may not have gained the other island, it is
true, for they had the wind right against them for several days after
they went away in the canoe, and, moreover, the current sets strong this
way; but if they have, we must expect that the savages will pay us a
visit; they will, of course, come direct to the house, if they do come."

"But, Ready, you don't mean to say that we are to leave this side of the
island altogether, and all our comfortable arrangements?" said William.

"No, William, not altogether; for now I come to the second part of my
proposition. As soon as we have done our work at the yam plantation,
and m