nd set to work mixing them, whilst Bob, having
already washed down inboard, busied himself in casting off and easing up
the rigging preparatory to a regular overhaul, the first thing after
breakfast.

As soon as the meal was ready, Ella came down to the beach and waved her
pocket-handkerchief, the signal agreed upon; and we pulled ashore and
took a hasty meal, it being understood that the day would be a busy one,
I being desirous of finishing all before sunset, so as to make a start
again next day, there being nothing to detain us or to make it worth our
while to prolong our stay where we then were.

Breakfast over, Bob and I pulled back to the cutter, where we at once
commenced work in earnest, leaving Ella to amuse herself by strolling
along the shore and making her proposed collection of shells. By
dinner-time I succeeded in finishing the painting, giving the craft not
only a coat of black from her rail down to the copper, with a white
stripe or ribbon round the ornamental groove cut for that purpose in the
covering-board, but also a coat of pale stone-colour all round the
inside of her low bulwarks, as well as a touch of varnish on the teak
and mahogany-fittings of the deck.

This left me free to assist Bob in the afternoon, and such good progress
did we make that by sunset the rigging had been overhauled and lifted,
the mast-head examined in the eyes of the rigging, new service put on
where required, and everything got back into its place again, the
lanyards all set up, and the mainsail re-bent, which it badly required.

We then had a good wash and adjourned to the shore, where we found our
fair companion awaiting us with tea all ready, and a collection of most
beautiful shells to exhibit, the fruits of her day's gathering. As soon
as the meal was over, everything was transported on board again, and put
in its place; and I then rejoined Ella, who remained on shore, and we
had a very enjoyable ramble, enlivened with such conversation as lovers
delight in.

The next morning, as soon as breakfast was over, we all adjourned to the
shore once more; and whilst Ella, at my recommendation, took another
stroll about the island, Bob and I set to work upon the oysters. They
were all dead by this time, of course, and not only so, but in such a
condition that it taxed our resolution to the utmost to go through with
the task about which we had set ourselves.

But what will man not do for the sake of wealth? It is true,