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 order。〃

The first cask which was opened had a cake round it as hard as a board; but when it was cut through with the axe; the inside was found in a good state。

〃That's all right; sir; and I presume the others will be the same; the salt water has got in so far and made a crust; which has preserved the rest。 But now let us go to dinner; and to work afterwards。〃



Chapter L

After dinner they resumed their labour。 〃I wonder what's in this case?〃 said Mr。 Seagrave; pointing to the first at hand。 Ready set to work with his axe; and broke off the lid; and found a number of pasteboard boxes full of tapes; narrow ribbons; stay…laces; whalebones; and cottons on reels。

〃This has been sent out for some Botany Bay milliner;〃 said Mr。 Seagrave。 〃I presume; however; we must confiscate it for the benefit of Mrs。 Seagrave and Miss Caroline。 We will take them to them as soon as we have time。〃

The next was a box without a lock; the lid was forced up; and they found a dozen half…gallon square bottles of gin stored in divisions。

〃That's Hollands; sir; I know;〃 said Ready; 〃what shall we do with it?〃

〃We will not destroy it; Ready; but at the same time we will not use it but as a medicine;〃 replied Mr。 Seagrave; 〃we have been so long used to spring…water; that it would be a pity to renew a taste for spirituous liquors。〃

〃I trust we shall never want to drink a drop of it; sir; either as a medicine or otherwise。 Now for this cask with wooden hoops。〃

The head was soon out; and discovered a dinner set of painted china with gold edges。

〃This; Mr。 Seagrave; may be useful; for we are rather short of plates and dishes。 Common white would have served as well。〃

〃And be more suitable with our present outfit;〃 replied Mr。 Seagrave。

〃Here's a box with your name on it; sir;〃 said Ready; 〃do you know what is in it?〃

〃I have no idea; Ready; but your axe will decide the point。〃

When the box was opened; everything appeared in a sad mouldy state from the salt water which had penetrated; but on removing the brown paper and pasteboard; it was found to contain stationery of all sorts; and; except on the outside; it was very little injured。

〃This is indeed a treasure; Ready。 I recollect now; this is paper; pens; and everything requisite for writing; besides children's books; copy…books; paint…boxes; and a great many other articles in the stationery line。〃

〃Well; sir; that is fortunate。 Now we may set up our school; and as the whole population of the island will attend it; it will really be a National School。〃

〃Very true; Ready。 Now for that cask。〃

〃I can tell what that is by the outside; it is oil; and very acceptable; for our candles are nearly out。 Now we come to the most valuable of all our property。〃

〃What is that; Ready?〃

〃All the articles which I brought on shore in the different trips I took in the boat before the ship went to pieces; for you see; sir; iron don't swim; and; therefore; what I looked after most was ironware of all sorts; and tools。 Here are three kegs of small nails; besides two bags of large; and there are several axes; hammers; and other tools; besides hanks of twine; sailing needles; and bees'…wax。〃

〃They are indeed valuable; Ready。〃

〃Here's some more of my plunder; as the Americans say。 All these are wash…deck buckets; this a small harness cask for salting meat; and here's the cook's wooden trough for making bread; which will please Miss Juno; and in it; you see; I have put all the galley…hooks; ladles; and spoons; and the iron trivets; and here's two lamps。 I think I put some cotton wicks somewhere … I know I did; we shall find them by and by。 Here's the two casks; one of cartridges made up; and the other of gunpowder; and the other six muskets。〃

〃These are really treasures; Ready; and yet how well we have done without them。〃

〃Very true; sir; but we shall do better with them; and when we fit up the storehouse for a dwelling; Mr。 Seagrave; we shall be able to make it a little more comfortable in every respect than the present one; for you see there; all the fir…planking and deals; which William and I buried in the sand。〃

〃I really had quite forgotten them; Ready。 If I could but get the fear of the savages coming over out of my head; I really think we might live very comfortably even on this island。〃

〃Do you know; Mr。 Seagrave; I am glad to hear you say that; for it proves that you are more contented and resigned than you were。〃

〃I am so; Ready … at least I think so; but perhaps it is; that the immediate danger from the savages so fills my thoughts; that I no longer dwell so much upon our being taken off the island。〃

〃I dare say it is as you state; sir; but now let us go on with our search。 Here are the ship's compasses; and deep sea line and reel; also the land lead。 The stuff will be very useful for our little boat。〃

〃And I am very glad of the compasses; Ready; for with them I shall be able to make a sort of survey of the island; when I have a little time。 Your pocket compass is too small for surveying。 I shall take some bearings now; while I am here; as I may not be back again very soon。〃

〃Well; sir; I think if we open this other case; which I perceive has your name on it; it will be as much as we need do to…day; for the sun is going down; we can then make up some kind of bed; eat our suppers; and go to sleep。〃

〃I am very tired; Ready; and shall be glad to do as you propose。 That case contains books; but what portion of my library I do not know。〃

〃But you soon will; sir;〃 replied Ready; wrenching it open with his axe。 〃They are a little stained on the outside; but they are jammed so tight that they do not appear to have suffered much。 Here are one or two; sir。〃

〃Plutarch's Lives。 I am glad I have them: they are excellent reading for young or old; there is no occasion to open any more; as I know all the other books in the case are ‘History'; perhaps the best case which could have been saved。〃



Chapter LI

Mr。 Seagrave and Ready then set to work; and made a rough sort of bed of cocoa…nut branches; and; after eating their supper; committed themselves to the divine protection; and went to sleep。 The next morning they resumed their labour; and opened every other case and package that had been saved from the wreck; they found more hooks; four boxes of candles; three casks of rice; and several other useful articles; besides many others which were of no value to them。

A chest of tea; and two bags of coffee; which Ready had brought on shore; were; much to their delight; found in good order; but there was no sugar; the little which they had saved having been melted away。

〃That's unfortunate; sir。〃

〃We cannot expect to get things here; as though we were a hundred yards from a grocer's shop。 Now let us go to where we covered up the other articles with sand。〃

The sand was shovelled up; and the barrels of beef and pork and the deal boards found in good order; but many other things were quite spoilt。 About noon they had finished; and as they had plenty of time; Mr。 Seagrave took the bearings of the different points of land with the compasses。 They then shouldered their muskets; and set off on their return。

They gained the house in the bay; and having rested a little while at the storehouse; they proceeded on their way to the tents in the meadow。 They had about half a mile to go; when Ready heard a noise; and made a sign to Mr。 Seagrave to stop。 Ready; whispering to Mr。 Seagrave that the pigs were all close to them; loaded his musket; Mr。 Seagrave did the same; and they walked very softly to where they now heard their grunting; they did not see them till they were within twenty yards; and then they came upon the whole herd; the pigs raised their heads; the old ones gave a loud grunt; and then; just as Ready fired his musket; they all set off at full speed。 Mr。 Seagrave had no opportunity of firing; but Ready had shot one; which lay kicking and struggling under a cocoa…nut tree。

〃A piece of fresh pork will be quite a treat; Mr。 Seagrave;〃 said Ready; as they walked up to where the animal was lying。

〃It will; indeed; Ready;〃 replied Mr。 Seagrave; 〃we must contrive to carry the beast home between us。〃

〃We will sling it on the musket; sir; and it will not be very heavy。 It is one of those born on the island; and a very fine fellow for his age。〃

The pig was soon slung; and they carried it between them。 As they cleared the wood; they perceived Mrs。 Seagrave and William; who had heard the report of the musket; and had come out to meet them。

William took the load from his father; who walked on with Mrs。 Seagrave。

〃Well; William; what news have you?〃 said Ready。

〃Why; very good; Ready。 Yesterday evening; when I was tired of work; I thought I would take the boat; and try if there was any fish to he caught on this side of the island in the deep water; and I caught three large ones; quite different from those we took among the reefs。 We had one for breakfast and dinner to…day; and it was excellent。〃

〃Did you go out in the boat by yourself?〃

〃No; I took Juno with me。 She pulls very well; Ready。〃

〃She is a handy girl; William。 Well; we have had our survey; and there will be plenty of work for you and me; I can tell you; I don't t

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