ks of powder and most of the cartridges were also put
there for security; but a cask of beef, of pork, and flour, all the
iron-work and nails, canvas, etcetera, were stowed away for the present
under the new house, which had, when built as a storehouse, been raised
four feet from the ground to make a shelter for the stock. This was
very spacious, and, of course, quite dry, and contained all they wished
to put in. Ready also took care, by degrees, to fill the large
water-butt full of water, and had fixed into the bottom a spigot for
drawing the water off.

"Well, Mr Seagrave," said Ready on the Saturday, "we have done a good
many hard weeks' work lately, but this is the last of them. We are now
comfortably settled in our new house: our stores are all under cover,
and safe from the weather, and so we may now take things a little
easier. William and I must repair the boat, so that we may take a trip
round to examine how the stock and yams get on."

"And the bananas and the guavas," said Tommy.

"Why, we have quite forgotten all about them," observed Mrs Seagrave.

"Yes, ma'am; we have been so busy, that it is no wonder; however, there
may be some left yet, and I will go round as soon as the boat is able to
swim, and bring all I can find."

"We must put our seeds and potatoes in before the rainy season, Ready."

"It will be better, sir, if we can find time, as we shall not have much
more fine weather now; at all events, we can get them in at intervals
when the weather is fine. Now I shall go my rounds for turtle.
Good-night, ma'am,--good-night, sir. Come, William."

William and Ready succeeded in turning six more turtles to add to their
stock, and having taken a careful survey with the telescope, they came
back, fastened the door of the stockade, and went to bed.

CHAPTER SIXTY.

Another week passed away, during which Ready repaired the boat, and
William and Mr Seagrave were employed in digging up the garden. It was
also a very busy week at the house, as they had not washed linen for
some time. Mrs Seagrave and Juno, and even little Caroline were hard
at work, and Tommy was more useful than ever he had been, going for the
water as they required it, and watching little Albert. Indeed, he was
so active, that Mrs Seagrave praised him before his papa, and Tommy was
quite proud.

On the Monday William and Ready set off in the boat to the little
harbour, and found all the stock doing well. Many of the ban