As so many cocoa-nut trees had been cut down to build the house, there
were plenty of boughs lying in every direction, and William and Mr
Seagrave had soon procured sufficient. In a very short time the boat
was drawn up about ten yards from the water's edge, which Ready said was
quite sufficient; they then dug from under with their shovels until the
boat was sunk about half down in the sand.
Having filled in the sand all round her up to her gunnel, the boat was
then carefully covered over with the boughs, which were weighed down
with sand that they might not be blown away.
"I don't see why you should cover the boat up in this way, Ready; the
rain won't hurt her," observed William.
"No, sir, the rain won't do her any harm, but the sun will, when it
bursts out occasionally; for it's very powerful when it does shine, and
it would split her all to pieces."
"I forgot that," replied William. "What shall we do now?"
"Suppose, as we have two hours to dinner-time, you run for the lines,
William, and we'll try for some fish."
"We cannot all three of us fish with only two lines," said Mr Seagrave.
"No, sir; and as William knows how to catch them, suppose you remain
with him, and I will go up and collect wood and chips for Juno's fire.
She was hard pressed for it this morning, it was so wet; but, if once
piled up, it will soon be dry. Be careful, Mr Seagrave, not to hold
the lines tight in your hands, or you may be jerked into the water."
Mr Seagrave and William were very fortunate; before the two hours were
expired they had caught eight large fish, which they brought up to the
house slung on the boat-hook. Tommy hallooed loudly for fish for
dinner, and as they had caught so many, it was agreed that the dinner
should be put off until some could be got ready, and they were not sorry
to eat them instead of salt pork.
They had hardly sat down to table, when the rain came pattering down on
the roof, and in a quarter of an hour the storm was as violent, and the
thunder and lightning as terrific as on the day before. All outdoor
labour was again suspended. Mrs Seagrave, Juno, and Caroline took
their work, for there was plenty to do with the needle and thread, and
Ready soon found employment for the rest. William and Mr Seagrave
unlaid some thick rope, that Ready might make smaller and more useful
rope with the yarns. Ready took up his sailing needles, and worked
eyelet-holes in the canvas screens (which they had put up in a hurry),
so that they might be drawn to and fro as required.
As soon as Ready had hung up the curtains, he looked under the bedsteads
for a large bundle, and said, as he opened it, "I shall now decorate
Madam Seagrave's sleeping-place. It ought to be handsomer than the
others." The bundle was composed of the ship's ensign, which was red,
and a large, square, yellow flag with the name of the ship _Pacific_ in
large black letters upon it. These two flags Ready festooned and tied
up round the bed-place, so as to give it a very gay appearance, and also
to hide the rough walls of the cottage.
"Indeed, Ready, I am much obliged to you," said Mrs Seagrave, when he
had finished; "it is really quite grand for this place."
"It's the best use we can put them to now, madam," said Ready.
"I am afraid so," replied Mr Seagrave, thoughtfully.
"Ready," said William, after the candles were lighted, "you once
half-promised me that you would tell me your history; I wish you would
tell us some of it now, as it will pass away the evening."
"Well, William, I did say so, and I shall keep my word. When you have
heard my story, you will say that I have been very foolish in my time;
and so I have; but if it proves a warning to you, it will, at all
events, be of some use."
Ready then commenced his history as follows: