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〃I tink 'em wild beast;〃 said Juno。 〃Ah! what a nice place! Missis will like to live here。〃
〃Yes; it is a very nice place; Juno; and you'll be able to wash here; and never mind about saving the water。〃
〃I am thinking;〃 said William; 〃how we are to get the fowls here; they are not very wild; but still we cannot catch them。〃
〃I'll bring them with me to…morrow; William。〃
〃But how will you catch them?〃
〃Wait till they are gone to roost; and then you may catch them when you please。〃
〃And I suppose the pigeons and the pigs must run wild?〃
〃The best thing we can do with them。〃
〃Then we shall have to shoot them; I suppose?〃
〃Well; William; so we shall; and the pigeons also; when they have become plentiful; if we remain here so long。 We shall soon be well stocked and live in plenty。 But now you must help me to get the tent up and everything in order; so that your mamma may find things comfortable on her arrival; for she will be very tired; I dare say; walking through the wood。〃
〃Mamma is much better than she was;〃 replied William。 〃I think she will soon be quite strong again; especially when she comes to live at this beautiful place。〃
〃We have a great deal of work to do; more than we can get through before the rainy season; which is a pity; but it can't helped; by this time next year we shall be more comfortable。〃
〃Why; what have we to do besides putting up the tents and shifting over here?〃
〃In the first place we have to build a house; and that will take a long while。 Then we ought to make a little garden; and sow the seeds which your father brought from England with him。〃
〃0h! that will be nice; where shall we make it; Ready?〃
〃We must put a fence across that point of land; and dig up all the brushwood; the mould is very good。〃
〃Then what next?〃
〃Then we shall want a storehouse for all the things we have got; and all that are in the wood and on the beach: and consider what a many trips we shall have to make with the little boat to bring them all round。〃
〃Yes; that is very true; Ready。 Have we anything more to do?〃
〃Plenty; we have to build a turtle…pond and a fish…pond; and a bathing…place for Juno to wash the children in。 But first we must make a proper well at the spring; so as to have plenty of fresh water: now there's enough for a year's hard work at least。〃
〃Well; let us once get mamma and the children here; and we will work hard。〃
〃I should wish very much to see it all done; William;〃 said Ready。 〃I hope my life will be spared till it is done; at all events。〃
〃But why do you say that; Ready? you are an old man; but you are strong and healthy。〃
〃I am so now; but what does the Book say? … ‘In the midst of life we are in death'。 You are young and healthy; and promise a long life; but who knows but you may be summoned away tomorrow。 Can I; then; an old man; worn out with hardships; expect to live long? No … no; William! Still I should like to remain here as long as I can be useful; and then I trust I may depart in peace。 I never wish to leave this island; and I have a kind of feeling that my bones will remain on it。 God's will be done!〃
For some time after Ready had finished; neither of them said a word; but continued their employment; stretching out the canvas of the tent; and fastening it down to the ground with pegs。 At last William broke the silence。
〃Ready; did you not say your Christian name was Masterman?〃
〃So it is; William。〃
〃It is a very odd Christian name! You were called after some other person?〃
〃Yes; I was; William; he was a very rich man。〃
〃Do you know; Ready; I should like very much if you will one day tell me your history … I mean your whole life; from the time you were a boy。〃
〃Well; perhaps I may; William; for there are many parts of my life which would prove a lesson to others: but that must be after we have got through our work。〃
〃How old are you; Ready?〃
〃I am turned of sixty…four; a very old age for a seaman。 I could not obtain employment on board of a vessel if it were not that I am well known to several captains。〃
〃But why do you say ‘old for a seaman'?〃
〃Because sailors live faster than other people; partly from the hardships which they undergo; and partly from their own fault in drinking so much spirits; and then they are too often reckless and care nothing for their healths。〃
〃But you never drink spirits now?〃
〃No; never; William; but in my early days I was as foolish as others。 Now; Juno; you may bring in the bedding。 We have two or three hours yet; William; what shall we do next?〃
〃Had we not better make the fireplace all ready for cooking?〃
〃It was what I was going to propose; if you had not。 I shall be here to…morrow long before any of you; and I will take care that supper is ready on your arrival。〃
〃I brought a bottle of water in my knapsack;〃 replied William; 〃not so much for the water; as because I want to milk the goats and take back the milk for baby。〃
〃You proved yourself not only thoughtful but kind; William: now while you and Juno fetch the stones for the fireplace; I will stow away under the trees the things I have brought in the boat。〃
〃Shall we let the goats and sheep loose; Ready?〃
〃Oh; yes; … there is no fear of their straying; the herbage here is better than on the other side; and there is plenty of it。〃
〃Well; I will let Nanny go as soon as Juno has milked her。 Now; Juno; let us see how many stones we can carry at once。〃
In an hour the fireplace was made; Ready had done all that he could; the goats were milked and let loose; and then William and Juno set off on their journey back。
Ready went down to the beach。 On his arrival there; he observed a small turtle: creeping up softly he got between it and the water; and succeeded in turning it over。 〃That will do for to…morrow;〃 said he; as he stepped into the boat; and laying hold of the oars; he pulled out of the bay to return to the cove。
Chapter XXII
Ready arrived at the cove; and proceeded to the tents; where he found the whole party listening to William; who was detailing what had been done。 The arrangements for the next day were made as soon as Ready joined them。 They then separated for the night; but Ready and William remained until it was dark; to catch the fowls and tie their legs; ready for their being put in the boat the next morning。 At daylight all were summoned to dress themselves as soon as possible; as Ready wanted to take down the tent in which Mrs。 Seagrave and the children had slept。 For; with the exception of Tommy; the others had slept upon some canvas; which they had spread out under the cocoa…nut trees。 As soon as Mrs。 Seagrave was dressed; the tent was taken down; and; with all the bedding; put into the boat。 Then; when they had breakfasted; the plates; knives and forks; and some other necessaries; were also put in; Ready laid the fowls on the top of all; and set off by himself for their new location。
After he was gone; the rest of the party prepared for their journey through the cocoa…nut grove。 William led the way; with the three dogs close to his heels; Mr。 Seagrave with the baby in his arms; Juno with little Caroline; and Mrs。 Seagrave with Master Tommy holding her hand