Masterman Ready; Or, The Wreck of the Pacific

by Frederick Marryat

  CHAPTER FORTY EIGHT.

  The boat was well loaded that afternoon, and they had a heavy pullround, and hard work afterwards to carry all the articles up. Williamand Ready were, therefore, not sorry when their work was done, and theywent to bed as soon as they had taken their supper.

  At sunrise, they went back to the bay in the boat, which they hauled up,and then proceeded to the house, where they found that everyone wasready to start. Mr Seagrave had collected all the animals, and theyset off; the marks on the trees were very plain, and they had nodifficulty in finding their way; but they had a good deal of troublewith the goats and sheep, and did not get on very fast. It was threehours before they got clear of the cocoa-nut grove, and Mrs Seagravewas quite tired out. At last they arrived, and Mr and Mrs Seagravecould not help exclaiming "How beautiful!"

  When they came to where the tents were pitched by the side of thebananas, they were equally pleased: it was quite a fairy spot. MrsSeagrave went into her tent to repose after her fatigue; the goats andsheep were allowed to stray away as they pleased; the dogs lay down,panting with their long journey; Juno put Albert on the bed while shewent with William to collect fuel to cook the dinner; Ready went to thepits to get some water, while Mr Seagrave walked about, examining thedifferent clumps of trees with which the meadow was studded.

  When Ready returned with the water, he called the dogs, and went backtowards the yam plantation. Tommy followed them; the dogs went into theyams, and were soon barking furiously, which pleased Tommy very much;when, of a sudden, out burst again in a drove all the pigs, followed bythe dogs, and so close to Tommy that he screamed with fright, andtumbled head over heels.

  "I thought you were there, my gentlemen," said Ready, looking after thepigs; "the sooner we fence you out the better."

  The pigs scampered away, and went into the cocoa-nut grove as they haddone before. The dogs followed the pigs, and did not return for a longwhile afterwards.

  It was late before the dinner was ready, and they were all very glad togo early to bed.

  At day dawn, William and Ready had again started, and walked through thecocoa-nut grove back to the house, to bring round in the boat thearticles of furniture and the clothes which had been left. Havingcollected everything in the house, and procured some more pork and flourfrom the storehouse, they completed the load by spearing one of theturtles which remained, and putting it into the bottom of the boat; theythen set off again for their new residence, and arrived in time forbreakfast.

  "What a delightful spot this is!" said Mrs Seagrave. "I think we oughtalways to make it our summer residence, and only go back to the houseduring the rainy season."

  "It is much cooler here, madam, during the summer, and much morepleasant; but we are more protected in the house by the cocoa-nutgrove."

  "Yes; that is true, and it is very valuable during the rainy season; butit makes it warmer in the summer time. I like the change, Ready, andshall be sorry when we have to go back again."

  "Now I must go, and help Juno to cut up the turtle," said Ready. "Wemust make our larder among the banana trees."

  "But what are we all to do, Ready?" said Mr Seagrave. "We must not beidle."

  "No, sir; but I think we must give up this day to putting everything torights, and making everything comfortable inside the tents; to-morrow wewill commence the ditch and hedge round the yam plantation. We need notwork very hard at it, for I don't think the pigs will venture hereagain, as I mean to tie up all the dogs round the yam patch every night,and their barking will keep them off."

  "That will be a very good plan, Ready. What beautiful food there is forthe sheep and goats!"

  "Yes; this must be their future residence for the best part of the year.I think to-morrow we will begin a piece of the ditch, and show Williamhow to put in the cuttings of prickly pear for the hedge, and then, Ishould propose that you and I go to the cove to examine the stores andselect what it will be necessary to bring round. I think you said thatyou must go yourself?"

  "Yes, Ready, I wish to go. When we have made our selection, I willreturn, and then you and William, who is more used to the boat than Iam, can bring the stores round. I presume we shall not bring themhere?"

  "No, sir, we will take them round to the storehouse. When we have donethat job, we must then commence our alterations and our stockade."