st, already baked a large piece
of the pig for them to take with them, and boiled a piece of salt pork,
so that they were all ready to start.

"But, Ready," said Mrs Seagrave, "how long do you intend to remain
absent with William?"

"Why, madam, this is Wednesday; of course we shall be back on Saturday
night."

"My dear William, I cannot bear the idea of your being absent so long,
and as you will be on the water every day, I shall be in a continual
fright until I see you again."

"Well, mamma, I suppose I must write by the penny post, to let you know
how I am."

"Don't laugh at me, William. I do wish there was a penny post, and that
you could write every day."

Ready and William made every preparation for a continued absence. They
took their blankets with them, and a small pot for cooking, and when all
was prepared they bade Mr and Mrs Seagrave farewell. They were now to
pull to the bay, and leave their luggage, and then go round to the cove.
As they shoved off, William took the dog Remus into the boat.

"Why do you take the dog, William? he will be of use here in keeping the
pigs away, but of no use to us."

"Yes, he will, Ready; I must take him; for I have an idea come into my
head, so let me have my own way."

"Well, William, you can always have your own way, as far as I'm
concerned; if you wish to take the dog, there is an end of the matter."

They hoisted the sail, and as the breeze was fresh, were round to the
bay in a very short time. They took their provisions and stores up to
the house, and made fast the door, called the fowls, and gave them some
damaged rice which Ready had brought from the cove, and found, to their
great delight, that they had now upwards of forty chickens; some,
indeed, quite grown, and large enough to kill.

They then got into the boat again, and pulled away for the cove; the
wind was fresh, and against them, so they had a long pull; but, as Ready
observed, it was much better that it should be so, as, when the boat was
loaded, they could very quickly sail back again to the bay.

As soon as they arrived at the cove, they lost no time in loading the
boat; the nails, and iron work of every description, with the twine and
tools, composed the major part of the first cargo; and calling Remus,
who was lying on the sandy beach, they shoved off, hoisted their sail,
and in an hour had regained the bay, and passed through the reef.

"I am glad that this cargo has arrived safe, Will