uld
rather your mamma remained in the tents until all was finished."

"Because you are afraid of a visit from the savages, Ready?"

"I am, sir, and that's the truth."

"But, Ready, if they do come, we shall see them coming, and would it not
be better that we should all be together, even if we are obliged to
conceal ourselves in consequence of not being prepared? Suppose the
savages were to overrun the island, and find my mother, my little
brother, and sister, defenceless, at the time we were obliged to retreat
from our house; how dreadful that would be!"

"But I counted upon retreating to the tents."

"So we can all together, unless we are surprised in the night."

"That we must take care not to be. There's not three hours' dark in
this season of the year. Well, William, I doubt not you may be right,
and if they are all with us, Juno will be a great help, and we shall get
through our work the faster."

"We had better let the question be decided by my father and mother."

"Very true, William; here's the point at last. We will haul the timber
on the beach, and then be off as fast as we can, for it is getting
late."

It was, indeed, much later than they had usually arrived at the little
harbour, owing to the heavy load, which made the boat so long in coming
round from the cove; and when they pulled in, they found Mr and Mrs
Seagrave and the children all waiting for them.

"You are very late, William," said Mrs Seagrave. "I was quite uneasy
till I saw the boat at a distance."

"Yes, mamma; but we could not help it; we had a heavy load to bring
round, and now our work is done."

"I am delighted to hear it, William; for I cannot bear you being away so
long."

"And my work is done," said Mr Seagrave; "the hedge and ditch were
finished this morning."

"Well, then," observed Ready, "we must hold another council, but I
presume it will not take very long."

"No; I expect not; it seldom does when people are of the same mind.
Mrs Seagrave won't be left here, Ready, and I don't want to leave her,
so I presume on Monday we all start home again."

"Yes, sir; if you please," replied Ready.

"Juno, I hope you have a good supper," said William; "for I'm very
hungry."

"Yes, Massa William; plenty fried fish; Massa catch 'em this morning."

CHAPTER FIFTY SIX.

The next day being Sunday was a day of repose, and as they had all
worked so hard, they felt the luxury of a day of rest. In the
afternoon, they a