t the following day should be passed in packing up and
getting on board their luggage, and that the day after the family should
embark. William then mentioned the wish of poor old Ready as to his
burial. The commander of the schooner immediately gave directions for a
coffin to be made, and for his men to dig the grave at the spot that
William should point out.

CHAPTER SIXTY SEVEN.

The hurry and bustle of preparing for their departure from the island,
and the rapid succession of events which had been crowded together
within so very few days, had not allowed time for much thought or
reflection to Mr and Mrs Seagrave and William; at length, however,
every preparation had been made, and they were no longer urged by the
commander of the schooner to hasten their packing up and arrangements;
for everything had been sent on board during the afternoon, and it was
proposed that they should sail on the following day.

Now they had time to feel, and bitterly did they lament the loss of
their old friend, and deplore that he had not survived to sail with them
to Sydney. They had always indulged the hope that one day they should
be taken off the island, and in that hope they had ever looked forward
to old Ready becoming a part of their future household. Now that their
wishes had been granted--so much was the feeling of joy and gratitude
mingled with regret--that could he have been restored to them, they felt
as if they would have gladly remained on the island.

Captain Osborn, the commander, and the crew of the schooner had taken
leave of them for the night, and had gone on board, having made
arrangements for the interment of Ready, previous to their sailing, on
the following day. The children had been put to bed, and Juno had
quitted the house; Mr and Mrs Seagrave and William were sitting
together in their now half-dismantled room, when Juno entered; the poor
girl had evidently been weeping.

"Well, Juno," observed Mr Seagrave, with a view to break the silence
which had continued for some time previous to her entrance, "are you not
glad to leave the island?"

"One time I think I would be very glad, but now I not care much,"
replied Juno. "Island very nice place, all very happy till savage come.
Suppose they not kill old Ready, I not care."

"Yes, indeed," said Mrs Seagrave, "it is a sad blow to us all; I did
hope to have fostered the good old man, and to have been able to have
shown him our gratitude, but--"

"I