o such a distance, that no savage could come at all near
without being seen by anyone on the look-out, and giving us sufficient
time to get down again before he could use his spear."

"I believe that you are right there, Ready; but at all events I would
not attempt to do it before daylight, as there may be some of them still
lurking underneath the stockade."

"Certainly there may be, sir, and therefore until daylight we will not
begin."

Mr Seagrave then went into the house; Ready desired William to lie down
and sleep for two or three hours, as he would watch. In the morning,
when Mr Seagrave came out, he would have a little sleep himself.

"I can't sleep, Ready. I'm mad with thirst," replied William.

"Yes, sir; it's very painful--I feel it myself very much, but what must
those poor children feel? I pity them most."

"I pity my mother most, Ready," replied William; "it must be agony to
her to witness their sufferings, and not be able to relieve them."

"Yes, indeed, it must be terrible, William, to a mother's feelings; but
perhaps these savages will be off to-morrow, and then we shall forget
our privations."

"I trust in God that they may, Ready, but they seem very determined."

"Yes, sir; iron is gold to them, and what will civilised men not do for
gold?"

In the meantime, Mr Seagrave had gone into the house. He found the
children still crying for water, notwithstanding the coaxing and
soothing of Mrs Seagrave, who was shedding tears as she hung over poor
little Albert. Little Caroline only drooped, and said nothing. Mr
Seagrave remained for two or three hours with his wife, assisting her in
pacifying the children, and soothing her to the utmost of his power; at
last he went out and found old Ready on the watch.

"Ready, I had rather a hundred times be attacked by these savages and
have to defend this place, than be in that house for even five minutes,
and witness the sufferings of my wife and children."

"I do not doubt it, sir," replied Ready; "but cheer up, and let us hope
for the best; I think it very probable that the savages after this
second defeat will leave the island."

"I wish I could think so, Ready; it would make me very happy; but I have
come out to take the watch, Ready. Will you not sleep for a while?"

"I will, sir, if you please, take a little sleep. Call me in two hours;
it will then be daylight, and I can go to work, and you can get some
repose yourself."

"I am too anxiou