really had quite forgotten them, Ready. If I could but get the fear
of the savages coming over out of my head, I really think we might live
very comfortably even on this island."

"Do you know, Mr Seagrave, I am glad to hear you say that, for it
proves that you are more contented and resigned than you were."

"I am so, Ready--at least I think so; but perhaps it is, that the
immediate danger from the savages so fills my thoughts, that I no longer
dwell so much upon our being taken off the island."

"I dare say it is as you state, sir; but now let us go on with our
search. Here are the ship's compasses, and deep sea line and reel, also
the land lead. The stuff will be very useful for our little boat."

"And I am very glad of the compasses, Ready; for with them I shall be
able to make a sort of survey of the island, when I have a little time.
Your pocket compass is too small for surveying. I shall take some
bearings now, while I am here, as I may not be back again very soon."

"Well, sir, I think if we open this other case, which I perceive has
your name on it, it will be as much as we need do to-day, for the sun is
going down; we can then make up some kind of bed, eat our suppers, and
go to sleep."

"I am very tired, Ready, and shall be glad to do as you propose. That
case contains books; but what portion of my library I do not know."

"But you soon will, sir," replied Ready, wrenching it open with his axe.
"They are a little stained on the outside, but they are jammed so tight
that they do not appear to have suffered much. Here are one or two,
sir."

"Plutarch's Lives. I am glad I have them: they are excellent reading
for young or old; there is no occasion to open any more, as I know all
the other books in the case are `History'; perhaps the best case which
could have been saved."

CHAPTER FIFTY ONE.

Mr Seagrave and Ready then set to work, and made a rough sort of bed of
cocoa-nut branches; and, after eating their supper, committed themselves
to the divine protection, and went to sleep. The next morning they
resumed their labour, and opened every other case and package that had
been saved from the wreck; they found more books, four boxes of candles,
three casks of rice, and several other useful articles, besides many
others which were of no value to them.

A chest of tea, and two bags of coffee, which Ready had brought on
shore, were, much to their delight, found in good order; but there was
no