Part 16 (2/2)
”Don't you think that the best place will be close to the bananas? the ground is higher there, and the water is, you know, between the bananas and the yams”
”Very true, I think it will not be a bad place; let us walk there first, and reconnoitre the ground”
They walked to where the bananas were now throwing out their beautiful large green leaves, and decided that they would fix the tents upon the north side of theo and fetch all the things; it is a nice dry spot, and I think will do capitally”
They were soon hard at work, and long before sunset one tent was ready, and they had put their bedding in it
”Well, now, I suppose you are a little tired,” said Ready; ”I'ht to be, for you have worked hard to-day”
”I don't feel very tired, Ready, but it's not tio to bed yet”
”No; and I think we had better take our shovels and dig the pits for the water, and then we shall know by to-ood or not”
”Yes, Ready, we can do that before we get our supper”
They walked to where the ground between the bananas and yae 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 hich they had gone through
The nextthey did was to go and exa for water; they found the 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 et 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 o 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 co-house,” said Ready
”And I am sure,” replied Williahted with it”
”We shall have no want of bananas in a feeeks,” said Ready; ”look, they are all in blosso here, and go back We ht”
They went down to the boat, and sailed back as before; by ten o'clock in the e the rereed 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 Willia, and then they should all set off together through the wood to the new location The sheep and laoats and kids, were to be driven through the wood by Mr Seagrave; Willia 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 ell 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 as 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 exclai ”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 ith William to collect fuel to cook the dinner; Ready went to the pits to get so the different clumps of trees hich the meadoas studded
When Ready returned with the water, he called the dogs, and went back towards the yas went into the ya furiously, which pleased Toain in a drove all the pigs, followed by the dogs, and so close to Toht, and tuentles; ”the sooner we fence you out the better”
The pigs scarove 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, Williah 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 fro one of the turtles which re it into the bottoain for their new residence, and arrived in tihtful spot this is!” said Mrs Seagrave ”I think we ought always to o back to the house during the rainy season”
”It isthe summer, and much more pleasant; but we are rove”
”Yes; that is true, and it is very valuable during the rainy season; but it e, Ready, and shall be sorry e have to go back again”
”Now I o, and help Juno to cut up the turtle,” said Ready ”Wethe banana trees”
”But what are we all to do, Ready?” said Mr Seagrave ”We ive up this day to putting everything to rights, andcomfortable inside the tents; to-e 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 ht, and their barking will keep theood 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-in a piece of the ditch, and show Williae, and then, I should propose that you and I go to the cove to exa round I think you said that you o When we have made our selection, I will return, and then you and Willia the stores round I presu them here?”
”No, sir, ill take them round to the storehouse When we have done that job, we must then commence our alterations and our stockade”
Chapter XLIX
The nextthey ith their shovels to the yaround was soft and swa nearly a yard wide, and the earth thrown up on a bank inside They then went to where the large patch of prickly pears grew, and cut a quantity, which they planted on the top of the bank Before night, they had finished about nine or ten yards of the hedge and ditch
”I don't think that the pigs will get over that when it is finished,” said Ready, ”and Williaone, as well as if ith hi or two,” said Willia one, then; we o back Juno is carrying in the supper”