按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
then left Ready； and went up to acquaint his father and mother with this unexpected event。
William soon returned with Mr。 Seagrave； and as the women were now able to sit up； they hauled up the canoe as far as they could； to prevent her being beat to pieces。 They found nothing in the canoe； except a piece of matting and the two paddles which had been used by the natives。
〃You see； sir；〃 said Ready； 〃it is very clear that these two poor women； having been left in charge of the canoe； have been blown off from the shore of one of the islands to the south…east； they must have been contending with the gale ever since the day before yesterday； and； as it appears； without food or water。 It's a mercy that they gained this island。〃
〃It is so；〃 replied Mr。 Seagrave； 〃but to tell the truth； I am not over pleased at their arrival。 It proves what we were not sure of before； that we have very near neighbours； who may probably pay us a very unwelcome visit。〃
〃That may be； sir；〃 replied Ready； 〃still these two poor creatures being thrown on shore here does not make the matter worse； or the danger greater。 Perhaps it may turn to our advantage； for if these women learn to speak English before any other islanders visit us； they will interpret for us； and be the means； perhaps； of saving our lives。〃
〃Would their visit be so dangerous； then； Ready？〃
〃Why； sir； a savage is a savage； and； like a child； wishes to obtain whatever he sees； especially he covets what he may turn to use； such as iron； &c。 If they came； and we concealed a portion； and gave up the remainder of our goods； we might escape； but still there is no trusting to them； and I would infinitely prefer defending ourselves against numbers to trusting to their mercy。〃
〃But how can we defend ourselves against a multitude？〃
〃We must be prepared； sir： if we can fortify ourselves； with our muskets we would be more than a match for hundreds。〃
Mr。 Seagrave turned away。 After a pause he said； 〃It is not very pleasant to be now talking of defending ourselves against savages； when we hoped two days ago to be leaving the island。 Oh； that that brig would make its appearance again！〃
〃The wind is going down fast； sir；〃 observed Ready； 〃it will be fine weather before the evening。 We may look out for her； at all events； for the next week I shall not give up all hopes。〃
〃A whole week； Ready！ Alas！ how true it is； that hope deferred maketh the heart sick。〃
〃It is a severe trial； Mr。 Seagrave； but we must submit when we are chastened。 We had better get these poor creatures up to the house； and let them recover themselves。〃
Ready then beckoned to them to get on their feet； which they both did； although with some difficulty。 He then went in advance； making a sign for them to follow； they understood him； and made the attempt； but were so weak； that they would have fallen if they had not been supported by Mr。 Seagrave and William。
It required a long time for them to arrive at the house。 Mrs。 Seagrave； who knew what had happened； received them very kindly； and Juno had a mess ready； which she put before them。 They ate a little and then lay down； and were soon sound asleep。
〃It is fortunate for us that they are women；〃 observed Mr。 Seagrave： 〃we should have had great difficulty had they been men。〃
〃Yes； sir；〃 replied Ready； 〃but still we must not trust women too much at first； for they are savages。〃
〃Where shall we put them to…night； Ready？〃
〃Why； sir； I have been thinking about that。 I wish we had a shed close to us； but as we have not； we must let them sleep in the storehouse。〃
We must now pass over a space of fifteen days； in which there was nothing done。 The expectation of the vessel returning was still alive； although each day decreased these hopes。 Every morning Ready and William were at the beach with the telescope； and the whole of the day was passed in surmises； hopes； and fears。 In fact； the appearance of the vessel and the expectation of leaving the island had completely overturned all the regularity and content of our island party。 No other subject was broached … not any of the work proposed was begun； as it was useless to do anything if they were to leave the island。 After the first week had passed； they felt that every day their chances were more adverse； and at the end of the fortnight all hopes were very unwillingly abandoned。
The Indian women had； in the meantime； recovered their fatigues； and appeared to be very mild and tractable。 Whatever they were able to do； they did cheerfully； and had already gained a few words of English。 The party to explore was again talked over； and arranged for the following Monday； when a new misfortune fell on them； which disconcerted all their arrangements。
On the Saturday morning； when Ready； as usual； went his rounds； as he walked along the beach； he perceived that the Indian canoe was missing。 It had been hauled up clear of the water； so that it could not have floated away。 Ready's heart misgave him； he looked through his telescope in the direction of the large island； and thought he could distinguish a speck on the water at a great distance。 As he was thus occupied； William came down to him。
〃William；〃 said Ready； 〃I fear those island women have escaped in their canoe。 Run up； and see if they are in the outhouse； or anywhere else； and let me know as soon as you can。〃
William in a few minutes returned； breathless； stating that the women were not to be found； and that they had evidently carried away with them a quantity of the large nails and other pieces of iron which were in the small kegs in the storehouse。
〃This is bad； William； this is worse than the vessel not coming back。〃
〃Why； we can do without them； Ready。〃
〃Yes； but when they get back to their own people； and show them the iron they have brought with them； and describe how much more there is to be had； depend upon it； we shall have a visit from them in numbers； that they may obtain more。 I ought to have known better than to leave the canoe here。 We must go and consult with Mr。 Seagrave； for the sooner we begin to work now； the better。〃
They communicated the intelligence to Mr。 Seagrave when they were outside。 He at once perceived their danger； so they held a council； and came to the following resolutions：
That it would be necessary that they should immediately stockade the storehouse； so as to render it impossible for any one to get in； and that； as soon as the fortification was complete； the storehouse should be turned into their dwelling…house； and such stores as could not be put within the stockade should be removed to their present house； or concealed in the cocoa…nut grove。
It was decided that nothing should be begun on that day； Saturday； that Sunday should be spent in devout prayer for help and encouragement from the Almighty； who would do towards them as his wisdom should ordain； and that on Monday； with the blessing of God； they would recommence their labour。
〃I don't know why； but I feel more courage now that there is a prospect of danger； than I felt when there was little or none；〃 said Mrs。 Seagrave。
〃How little do we know what the day may bring forth！〃 exclaimed Mr。 Seagrave。 〃How joyful were our antic