that--water and fresh provisions," said Jerry Bird, the
oldest seaman of the party. "If we did not meet with a hurricane or too
heavy a gale for the boat, we might of course get across. Such voyages
have been performed before now, but no man would willingly undertake one
if it could be avoided."

These observations of Jerry set Tom thinking. "We must calculate the
quantity of water we can carry, and go on an allowance from the first,"
he said to Desmond. "We must do the same also with regard to our yams
and all our other provisions, or, after all the pains we have taken, we
might run short, which would not be pleasant."

"I should think not," remarked Billy. "I don't mind how long we remain
in the boat, but I should not like to be on short commons."

The weather promising to be fine, the boat was anchored close in shore,
being also secured by an additional warp fastened to a stake driven into
the ground. Their intention was to carry their provisions and stores on
board the next morning and immediately sail. With the writing materials
he had found on board the schooner, Tom wrote a short account of their
adventures, and their intentions as to their _future_ proceedings, and
corked the paper up in a bottle. This they lashed carefully to a stake
close to the flag-staff, which they felt sure would be visited should
any vessel come off the island.

"At all events, our friends will some day or other learn what has become
of us if we are lost," said Desmond.

"Oh, pray don't talk about that," cried Billy; "I can't bear to think
about, anything so dreadful."

It was some time before Tom, who felt the responsibility of the
undertaking resting on his shoulders, could go to sleep. He thought
over what had to be done, and how he should act under the various
circumstances which might occur.

Just as the first streaks of dawn appeared in the sky, he awoke. He
immediately got up and went out to look at the state of the weather. As
far as he could judge, from the sheltered position of the hut, it was as
fine as it had been for some days past. "Thank Heaven, we shall
commence our voyage under favourable auspices, at all events," he said
to himself. Then he shouted--

"Rouse up there, rouse up!" His companions were quickly on foot. Billy
wanted to have breakfast immediately. Tom would not hear of it.

"No, no, we must get the cargo on board, and then we will take our last
breakfast on the beach," he answered.