Masterman Ready [107]
do so. I believe it is because a sailor loves his ship. His ship is his wife, is a very common saying with us; and then you see, Master William, a vessel is almost a thing of life in appearance. I believe that's the reason, and of course if a vessel is she, a little boat must be a she also."
"Well, I think you have explained it very well, Ready. I suppose on Monday we shall set to at the storehouse, and alter it for our future residence?"
"Can't begin too soon, William," replied Ready; "I don't doubt but Mr. Seagrave has finished the hedge and ditch round the yams by this time, and if so, I expect Madam will not like to be left in the tents alone with Juno and the children, and so we shall all move back to the house again until we have altered the storehouse; I must say that I would rather your mamma remained in the tents until all was finished."
"Because you are afraid of a visit from the savages, Ready?"
"I am, sir, and that's the truth."
"But, Ready, if they do come, we shall see them coming, and would it not be better that we should all be together, even if we are obliged to conceal ourselves in consequence of not being prepared? Suppose the savages were to overrun the island, and find my mother, my little brother, and sister, defenceless, at the time we were obliged to retreat from our house; how dreadful that would be!"
"But I counted upon retreating to the tents."
"So we can all together, unless we are surprised in the night."
"That we must take care not to be. There's not three hours' dark in this season of the year. Well, William, I doubt not you may be right, and if they are all with us, Juno will be a great help, and we shall get through our work the faster."
"We had better let the question be decided by my father and mother."
"Very true, William; here's the point at last. We will haul the timber on the beach, and then be off as fast as we can, for it is getting late."
It was, indeed, much later than they had usually arrived at the little harbour, owing to the heavy load, which made the boat so long in coming round from the cove; and when they pulled in, they found Mr. and Mrs. Seagrave and the children all waiting for them.
"You are very late, William," said Mrs. Seagrave. "I was quite uneasy till I saw the boat at a distance."
"Yes, mamma; but we could not help it; we had a heavy load to bring round, and now our work is done."
"I am delighted to hear it, William; for I cannot bear you being away so long."
"And my work is done," said Mr. Seagrave; "the hedge and ditch were finished this morning."
"Well, then," observed Ready, "we must hold another council, but I presume it will not take very long."
"No; I expect not; it seldom does when people are of the same mind. Mrs. Seagrave won't be left here, Ready, and I don't want to leave her, so I presume on Monday we all start home again."
"Yes, sir; if you please," replied Ready.
"Juno, I hope you have a good supper," said William; "for I'm very hungry."
"Yes, Massa William; plenty fried fish; Massa catch 'em this morning."
Chapter LVI
The next day being Sunday was a day of repose, and as they had all worked so hard, they felt the luxury of a day of rest. In the afternoon, they agreed that on Monday they should make every preparation for quitting the tents, and returning to the house at the bay. They decided that the live stock should all be left there, as the pasturage was so plentiful and good, with the exception of one goat, which they would take back with them, to supply them with milk; and they also agreed that the tents should be left standing, with some cooking utensils, that in case William and Ready went round for the bananas or yams, or to examine the live stock, they should not be compelled to sleep in the open air, and should have the means of dressing their dinner. William and Ready were to carry the beds, etc., round to the bay in the boat, which they could do in two trips, and Mr. and Mrs. Seagrave, with the family, were to walk through the woods after taking a very early breakfast.
"Well, I think you have explained it very well, Ready. I suppose on Monday we shall set to at the storehouse, and alter it for our future residence?"
"Can't begin too soon, William," replied Ready; "I don't doubt but Mr. Seagrave has finished the hedge and ditch round the yams by this time, and if so, I expect Madam will not like to be left in the tents alone with Juno and the children, and so we shall all move back to the house again until we have altered the storehouse; I must say that I would rather your mamma remained in the tents until all was finished."
"Because you are afraid of a visit from the savages, Ready?"
"I am, sir, and that's the truth."
"But, Ready, if they do come, we shall see them coming, and would it not be better that we should all be together, even if we are obliged to conceal ourselves in consequence of not being prepared? Suppose the savages were to overrun the island, and find my mother, my little brother, and sister, defenceless, at the time we were obliged to retreat from our house; how dreadful that would be!"
"But I counted upon retreating to the tents."
"So we can all together, unless we are surprised in the night."
"That we must take care not to be. There's not three hours' dark in this season of the year. Well, William, I doubt not you may be right, and if they are all with us, Juno will be a great help, and we shall get through our work the faster."
"We had better let the question be decided by my father and mother."
"Very true, William; here's the point at last. We will haul the timber on the beach, and then be off as fast as we can, for it is getting late."
It was, indeed, much later than they had usually arrived at the little harbour, owing to the heavy load, which made the boat so long in coming round from the cove; and when they pulled in, they found Mr. and Mrs. Seagrave and the children all waiting for them.
"You are very late, William," said Mrs. Seagrave. "I was quite uneasy till I saw the boat at a distance."
"Yes, mamma; but we could not help it; we had a heavy load to bring round, and now our work is done."
"I am delighted to hear it, William; for I cannot bear you being away so long."
"And my work is done," said Mr. Seagrave; "the hedge and ditch were finished this morning."
"Well, then," observed Ready, "we must hold another council, but I presume it will not take very long."
"No; I expect not; it seldom does when people are of the same mind. Mrs. Seagrave won't be left here, Ready, and I don't want to leave her, so I presume on Monday we all start home again."
"Yes, sir; if you please," replied Ready.
"Juno, I hope you have a good supper," said William; "for I'm very hungry."
"Yes, Massa William; plenty fried fish; Massa catch 'em this morning."
Chapter LVI
The next day being Sunday was a day of repose, and as they had all worked so hard, they felt the luxury of a day of rest. In the afternoon, they agreed that on Monday they should make every preparation for quitting the tents, and returning to the house at the bay. They decided that the live stock should all be left there, as the pasturage was so plentiful and good, with the exception of one goat, which they would take back with them, to supply them with milk; and they also agreed that the tents should be left standing, with some cooking utensils, that in case William and Ready went round for the bananas or yams, or to examine the live stock, they should not be compelled to sleep in the open air, and should have the means of dressing their dinner. William and Ready were to carry the beds, etc., round to the bay in the boat, which they could do in two trips, and Mr. and Mrs. Seagrave, with the family, were to walk through the woods after taking a very early breakfast.