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masterman ready-第56章

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〃No; and I think we had better take our shovels and dig the pits for the water; and then we shall know by to…morrow morning whether the water is good or not。〃

〃Yes; Ready; we can do that before we get our supper。〃

They walked to where the ground between the bananas and yam patch was wet and swampy; and dug two large holes about a yard deep and square; the water trickled in very fast; and they were up to their ankles before they had finished。

〃There'll be no want of water; Ready; if it is only fit to drink。〃

〃I've no fear of that;〃 replied Ready。

They returned to the tent and made their supper off the salt pork and flour…cakes; and then lay down on the mattresses。 They were soon fast asleep; for they were tired out with the hard work which they had gone through。

The next morning; at sunrise; they were up again; the first thing they did was to go and examine the holes they had dug for water; they found them full and running over; and the water had settled quite clear; they tasted it; and pronounced it very good。

As soon as they had washed themselves; they went back and made their breakfast; and then set to work to get up the other tent。 They then cleared all the ground near the tents of brushwood and high grass; and levelled it nicely with their shovels inside。

〃Now; William; we have another job; which is to prepare a fireplace for Juno: we must go down to the beach for stones。〃

In another hour the fireplace was completed; and Ready and William looked at their work。

〃Well; I call this a very comfortable lodging…house;〃 said Ready。

〃And I am sure;〃 replied William; 〃it's very pretty。 Mamma will be delighted with it。〃

〃We shall have no want of bananas in a few weeks;〃 said Ready; 〃look; they are all in blossom already。 Well; now I suppose we had better leave everything here; and go back。 We must have another trip this afternoon; and sleep here to…night。〃

They went down to the boat; and sailed back as before; by ten o'clock in the morning they had regained the house; and then they made arrangements for their work during the remainder of the day。 It was agreed that the provisions necessary for a day or two; the table and chairs; the cooking utensils; and a portion of their clothes; should be taken round that afternoon; that Ready and William should come back early the next morning; and then they should all set off together through the wood to the new location。 The sheep and lambs (for they had four lambs); the goats and kids; were to be driven through the wood by Mr。 Seagrave; William and Ready and the dogs would be very useful in driving them。 As for the fowls and chickens; it was decided they should be left; as Ready and William could look after them on their occasional visits。



Chapter XLVIII

The boat was well loaded that afternoon; and they had a heavy pull round; and hard work afterwards to carry all the articles up。 William and Ready were; therefore; not sorry when their work was done; and they went 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 was ready to start。 Mr。 Seagrave had collected all the animals; and they set off; the marks on the trees were very plain; and they had no difficulty in finding their way; but they had a good deal of trouble with the goats and sheep; and did not get on very fast。 It was three hours before they got clear of the cocoa…nut grove; and Mrs。 Seagrave was quite tired out。 At last they arrived; and Mr。 and Mrs。 Seagrave could not help exclaiming 〃How beautiful!〃

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

When Ready returned with the water; he called the dogs; and went back towards the yam plantation。 Tommy followed them; the dogs went into the yams; and were soon barking furiously; which pleased Tommy very much; when; of a sudden; out burst again in a drove all the pigs; followed by the dogs; and so close to Tommy that he screamed with fright; and tumbled head over heels。

〃I thought you were there; my gentlemen;〃 said Ready; looking after the pigs; 〃the sooner we fence you out the better。〃

The pigs scampered away; and went into the cocoa…nut grove as they had done before。 The dogs followed the pigs; and did not return for a long while afterwards。

It was late before the dinner was ready; and they were all very glad to go early to bed。

At day dawn; William and Ready had again started; and walked through the cocoa…nut grove back to the house; to bring round in the boat the articles of furniture and the clothes which had been left。 Having collected everything in the house; and procured some more pork and flour from the storehouse; they completed the load by spearing one of the turtles which remained; and putting it into the bottom of the boat; they then set off again for their new residence; and arrived in time for breakfast。

〃What a delightful spot this is!〃 said Mrs。 Seagrave。 〃I think we ought always to make it our summer residence; and only go back to the house during the rainy season。〃

〃It is much cooler here; madam; during the summer; and much more pleasant; but we are more protected in the house by the cocoa…nut grove。〃

〃Yes; that is true; and it is very valuable during the rainy season; but it makes it warmer in the summer time。 I like the change; Ready; and shall be sorry when we have to go back again。〃

〃Now I must go; and help Juno to cut up the turtle;〃 said Ready。 〃We must make our larder among the banana trees。〃

〃But what are we all to do; Ready?〃 said Mr。 Seagrave。 〃We must not be idle。〃

〃No; sir; but I think we must give up this day to putting everything to rights; and making everything comfortable inside the tents; to…morrow we will commence the ditch and hedge round the yam plantation。 We need not work very hard at it; for I don't think the pigs will venture here again; 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 for the 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 William how to put in the cuttings of prickly pear for the hedge; and then; I should propose that you and I go to the cove to examine the stores and select what it will be necessary to bring round。 I think you said that you must go yourself?〃

〃Yes; Ready; I wish to go。 When we have made our selection; I will return; and then you and William; who is more used to the boat than I am; can bring the stores round。 I presume we shall not bring them here?〃

〃No; sir; we wil
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