nd much more
pleasant; but we are more protected in the house by the cocoa-nut
grove."

"Yes; that is true, and it is very valuable during the rainy season; but
it makes it warmer in the summer time. I like the change, Ready, and
shall be sorry when we have to go back again."

"Now I must go, and help Juno to cut up the turtle," said Ready. "We
must make our larder among the banana trees."

"But what are we all to do, Ready?" said Mr Seagrave. "We must not be
idle."

"No, sir; but I think we must give up this day to putting everything to
rights, and making everything comfortable inside the tents; to-morrow we
will commence the ditch and hedge round the yam plantation. We need not
work very hard at it, for I don't think the pigs will venture here
again, as I mean to tie up all the dogs round the yam patch every night,
and their barking will keep them off."

"That will be a very good plan, Ready. What beautiful food there is for
the sheep and goats!"

"Yes; this must be their future residence for the best part of the year.
I think to-morrow we will begin a piece of the ditch, and show William
how to put in the cuttings of prickly pear for the hedge, and then, I
should propose that you and I go to the cove to examine the stores and
select what it will be necessary to bring round. I think you said that
you must go yourself?"

"Yes, Ready, I wish to go. When we have made our selection, I will
return, and then you and William, who is more used to the boat than I
am, can bring the stores round. I presume we shall not bring them
here?"

"No, sir, we will take them round to the storehouse. When we have done
that job, we must then commence our alterations and our stockade."

CHAPTER FORTY NINE.

The next morning they went with their shovels to the yam plantation, and
commenced their work. As the ground was soft and swampy, the labour was
very easy. The ditch was dug nearly a yard wide, and the earth thrown
up on a bank inside. They then went to where the large patch of prickly
pears grew, and cut a quantity, which they planted on the top of the
bank. Before night, they had finished about nine or ten yards of the
hedge and ditch.

"I don't think that the pigs will get over that when it is finished,"
said Ready, "and William will be able to get on by himself when we are
gone, as well as if we were with him."

"I'll try if I cannot shoot a pig or two," said William.

"Let it be a young one, then; w