"And be more suitable with our present outfit," replied Mr Seagrave.

"Here's a box with your name on it, sir," said Ready; "do you know what
is in it?"

"I have no idea, Ready; but your axe will decide the point."

When the box was opened, everything appeared in a sad mouldy state from
the salt water which had penetrated; but on removing the brown paper and
pasteboard, it was found to contain stationery of all sorts, and, except
on the outside, it was very little injured.

"This is indeed a treasure, Ready. I recollect now; this is paper,
pens, and everything requisite for writing, besides children's books,
copy-books, paint-boxes, and a great many other articles in the
stationery line."

"Well, sir, that is fortunate. Now we may set up our school, and as the
whole population of the island will attend it, it will really be a
National School."

"Very true, Ready. Now for that cask."

"I can tell what that is by the outside; it is oil, and very acceptable,
for our candles are nearly out. Now we come to the most valuable of all
our property."

"What is that, Ready?"

"All the articles which I brought on shore in the different trips I took
in the boat before the ship went to pieces; for you see, sir, iron don't
swim, and, therefore, what I looked after most was ironware of all
sorts, and tools. Here are three kegs of small nails, besides two bags
of large, and there are several axes, hammers, and other tools, besides
hanks of twine, sailing needles, and bees'-wax."

"They are indeed valuable, Ready."

"Here's some more of my plunder, as the Americans say. All these are
wash-deck buckets, this a small harness cask for salting meat, and
here's the cook's wooden trough for making bread, which will please Miss
Juno; and in it, you see, I have put all the galley-hooks, ladles, and
spoons, and the iron trivets, and here's two lamps. I think I put some
cotton wicks somewhere--I know I did; we shall find them by and by.
Here's the two casks, one of cartridges made up, and the other of
gunpowder, and the other six muskets."

"These are really treasures, Ready, and yet how well we have done
without them."

"Very true, sir, but we shall do better with them, and when we fit up
the storehouse for a dwelling, Mr Seagrave, we shall be able to make it
a little more comfortable in every respect than the present one; for you
see there, all the fir-planking and deals, which William and I buried in
the sand."

"I