anas and
guavas had ripened and withered, but there were enough left to fill the
boat half full.

"We cannot do better than to leave the stock where it is at present,
William; they can run into the cocoa-nut grove for shelter if there is a
storm, and there is feed enough for ten times as many."

"Yes; but will you not dig up a few yams first?"

"I had quite forgotten it, William. I will go for the spade."

Having procured the yams, they set off on their return. Before they
arrived at the bay, the sky clouded over and threatened a storm. It did
not, however, rain till after they had landed, when a small shower
announced the commencement of the rainy season. The fruit was very
welcome to all of them, it was so long since they had tasted any.

The following day was beautifully fine, and everything appeared
refreshed by the rain which had fallen. It was, however, agreed, that
Ready and William should go round the next morning, bring home the
tents, and as many yams as the boat could carry. William and Ready went
out at night as usual, when Ready observed that the wind had chopped
round to the eastward.

"That will be bad for us to-morrow, Ready," replied William. "We may
sail to the harbour, but we shall have to pull back with the loaded
boat."

"I trust it will be no worse than that, at all events," replied Ready;
"but we must now return, and go to bed. I shall be up by daylight, so
you need not wake without you like."

"I can't help waking," replied William, "and I shall, therefore, be up
with you."

"Very well, I am always glad of your company."

The next morning, just before the day dawned, Ready and William
unfastened the door of the stockade, and went down to the beach. The
wind was still to the eastward, and blowing rather fresh, and the sky
was cloudy. As the sun rose, Ready, as usual, had his telescope with
him, and looked through it at the offing to the eastward. As he kept
the spy-glass to his eye for some time without speaking, William said:

"Do you see anything, Ready, that you look so long in that direction?"

"Either my old eyes deceive me, or I fear that I do," replied Ready;
"but a few minutes more will decide."

There was a bank of clouds on the horizon to the eastward, but as soon
as the sun had risen above them, Ready, who had the telescope fixed in
the same direction, said:

"Yes, William, I am right. I thought that those dark patches I saw
there were brown grass sails."