Masterman Ready; Or, The Wreck of the Pacific

by Frederick Marryat

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN.

  When breakfast was over the next morning, Ready observed, "Now, MrSeagrave, we must hold a council of war, and decide upon an exploringparty for to-morrow; and, when we have settled that, we will find someuseful way of employing ourselves for the rest of the day. The firstquestion is, of whom is the party to consist?--and upon that I wish tohear your opinion."

  "Why, Ready," replied Mr Seagrave, "it appears to me that you and Ishould go."

  "Surely not both of you, my dear," interrupted Mrs Seagrave. "You cando without my husband, can you not, Ready?"

  "I certainly should have liked to have Mr Seagrave to advise with,ma'am," replied Ready; "but still I have thought upon it, and do notthink that William would be quite sufficient protection for you; or, atall events, you would not feel that he was, which is much the samething; and so, if Mr Seagrave has no objection, it would perhaps bebetter that he remained with you."

  "Would you go alone, then, Ready?" said Mr Seagrave.

  "No, sir, I do not think that would be right either,--some accidentmight happen; there is no saying what might happen, although there isevery appearance of safety. I should like, therefore, to have some onewith me; the question is, whether it be William or Juno?"

  "Take me," said Tommy.

  "Take you, Tommy!" said Ready, laughing; "then I must take Juno to takecare of you. No; I think they cannot spare you. Your mamma will wantyou when we are gone; you are so useful in gathering wood for the fire,and taking care of your little sister and brother, that your mothercannot part with you; so I must have either Juno or William."

  "And which would you prefer, Ready?" said Mrs Seagrave.

  "William, certainly, ma'am, if you will let him go with me, as you couldill spare the girl."

  "Indeed, I do not like it; I would rather lose Juno for a time," repliedMrs Seagrave.

  "My dear wife," said Mr Seagrave, "recollect how Providence haspreserved us in such awful dangers--how we are landed in safety. Andnow, will you not put trust in that Providence, when the dangers are, asI trust, only imaginary?"

  "I was wrong, my dear husband; but sickness and suffering have made me,I fear, not only nervous and frightened, but selfish: I must and willshake it off. Hitherto I have only been a clog and an incumbrance toyou; but I trust I shall soon behave better, and make myself useful. Ifyou think, then, that it would be better that you should go instead ofWilliam, I am quite content. Go, then, with Ready, and may Heavenprotect you both!"

  "No, ma'am," replied Ready, "William will do just as well. Indeed, Iwould go by myself with pleasure; but we know not what the day may bringforth. I might be taken ill--I might hurt myself--I am an old man, youknow; and then I was thinking that if any accident was to happen to me,you might miss me--that's all."

  "Pardon me," replied Mrs Seagrave; "a mother is foolish at times."

  "Over-anxious, ma'am, perhaps, but not foolish," replied Ready.

  "Well, then, William shall go with you, Ready;--that point's settled,"observed Mr Seagrave: "what is the next?"

  "The next is to prepare for our journey. We must take some provisionsand water with us, a gun and some ammunition, a large axe for me, andone of the hatchets for William; and, if you please, Romulus and Remushad better come with us. Juno, put a piece of beef and a piece of porkinto the pot. William, will you fill four quart bottles with water,while I sew up a knapsack out of canvas for each of us?"

  "And what shall I do, Ready?" said Mr Seagrave.

  "Why, sir, if you will sharpen the axe and the hatchet on thegrindstone, it would be of great service, and Tommy can turn it, he isso fond of work."

  Tommy jumped up directly; he was quite strong enough to turn thegrindstone, but he was much fonder of play than work; but as Ready hadsaid that he was fond of it, he wished to prove that such was the case,and worked very hard. Before they went to prayers and retired for thenight, the axe was sharpened, the knapsacks made, and everything elseready.

  "When do you intend to start, Ready?" said Mr Seagrave.

  "Why, sir, I should like to get off at the dawn of day, when the heat isnot so great."

  "And when do you intend to come back?" said Mrs Seagrave.

  "Why, madam, we have provisions enough for three days: if we startto-morrow morning, which is Wednesday, I hope to be back some time onFriday evening; but I won't be later than Saturday morning if I can helpit."

  "Good-night--and good-bye, mother," said William, "for I shall not seeyou to-morrow!"

  "God bless and protect you, my dear child!" replied Mrs Seagrave."Take care of him, Ready, and good-bye to you till we meet."

  Mrs Seagrave went into the tent to hide the tears which she could notsuppress.