Masterman Ready; Or, The Wreck of the Pacific

by Frederick Marryat

  CHAPTER FIFTY FIVE.

  On the Monday morning, William and Ready went away in the boat, asbefore, to bring round the various articles from the cove. It had beenarranged that they were not to return till the Saturday evening, andthat the dog Remus was to bring intelligence of them and their welfareevery afternoon. They worked hard during the week, and on Saturday theyhad completed their task; with the exception of a portion of the timbersof the ship, everything had been brought round, but had not been carriedup to the storehouse, as that required more time.

  On Saturday morning, they went for the last time to the cove, and Readyselected some heavy oak timber out of the quantity which was lying onthe beach, part of which they put into the boat, and the remainder theytowed astern. It was a heavy load, and although the wind was fair tosail back again to the bay, the boat went but slowly through the water.

  "Well, William," said Ready, "we have done a good week's work, and Imust say it is high time that it is done; for the boat is in rather acrazy condition, and I must contrive to patch her up by and by, whenthere is time."

  "We shall not want to use her very much after this, Ready," repliedWilliam; "a few trips round to the little harbour will be all that willbe required before we come back again to our old quarters."

  "That's true, William; but she leaks very much, and at all events I'llgive her a coat of pitch as soon as possible. For a slight-built littlething as she is, she has done hard duty."

  "Pray, Ready, why, when you speak of a ship or boat, do you always callit she?"

  "Well, William, I don't know why, but it is certain that we sailorsalways do so. I believe it is because a sailor loves his ship. Hisship is his wife, is a very common saying with us; and then you see,Master William, a vessel is almost a thing of life in appearance. Ibelieve that's the reason, and of course if a vessel is she, a littleboat must be a she also."

  "Well, I think you have explained it very well, Ready. I suppose onMonday we shall set to at the storehouse, and alter it for our futureresidence?"

  "Can't begin too soon, William," replied Ready; "I don't doubt but MrSeagrave has finished the hedge and ditch round the yams by this time,and if so, I expect Madam will not like to be left in the tents alonewith Juno and the children, and so we shall all move back to the houseagain until we have altered the storehouse; I must say that I wouldrather your mamma remained in the tents until all was finished."

  "Because you are afraid of a visit from the savages, Ready?"

  "I am, sir, and that's the truth."

  "But, Ready, if they do come, we shall see them coming, and would it notbe better that we should all be together, even if we are obliged toconceal ourselves in consequence of not being prepared? Suppose thesavages were to overrun the island, and find my mother, my littlebrother, and sister, defenceless, at the time we were obliged to retreatfrom our house; how dreadful that would be!"

  "But I counted upon retreating to the tents."

  "So we can all together, unless we are surprised in the night."

  "That we must take care not to be. There's not three hours' dark inthis season of the year. Well, William, I doubt not you may be right,and if they are all with us, Juno will be a great help, and we shall getthrough our work the faster."

  "We had better let the question be decided by my father and mother."

  "Very true, William; here's the point at last. We will haul the timberon the beach, and then be off as fast as we can, for it is gettinglate."

  It was, indeed, much later than they had usually arrived at the littleharbour, owing to the heavy load, which made the boat so long in cominground from the cove; and when they pulled in, they found Mr and MrsSeagrave and the children all waiting for them.

  "You are very late, William," said Mrs Seagrave. "I was quite uneasytill I saw the boat at a distance."

  "Yes, mamma; but we could not help it; we had a heavy load to bringround, and now our work is done."

  "I am delighted to hear it, William; for I cannot bear you being away solong."

  "And my work is done," said Mr Seagrave; "the hedge and ditch werefinished this morning."

  "Well, then," observed Ready, "we must hold another council, but Ipresume it will not take very long."

  "No; I expect not; it seldom does when people are of the same mind.Mrs Seagrave won't be left here, Ready, and I don't want to leave her,so I presume on Monday we all start home again."

  "Yes, sir; if you please," replied Ready.

  "Juno, I hope you have a good supper," said William; "for I'm veryhungry."

  "Yes, Massa William; plenty fried fish; Massa catch 'em this morning."