deck, hut the steward has not been here these two hours: he went to
milk the goat for baby and has not returned. We have had no breakfast,
none of us."

"William, go on deck," replied his father; "Ready wishes to speak to
you."

William went on deck to Ready, who explained to him the position in
which they were placed; he pointed out to him the necessity of his
doing all he could to assist his father and him, and not to alarm his
mother in her precarious state of health. William, who, as it may be
expected, looked very grave, did, however, immediately enter into
Ready's views, and proceeded to do his best. "The steward," said he,
"has left with the other men, and when my mother wakes she will ask why
the children have had no breakfast. What can I do?"

"I think you can milk one of the goats if I show you how, while I go
and get the other things ready; I can leave the deck, for you see the
ship steers herself very nicely; - and, William, I have sounded the
well just before you came up, and I don't think she makes much water;
and," continued he, looking round him, and up above, "we shall have
fine weather, and a smooth sea before night."

By the united exertions of Ready and William the breakfast was prepared
while Mrs. Seagrave still continued in a sound sleep. The motion of the
ship was now very little: she only rolled very slowly from one side to
the other; the sea and wind had gone down, and the sun shone brightly
over their heads; the boat had been out of sight some time, and the
ship did not go through the water faster than three miles an hour, for
she had no other sail upon her than the main-topgallant sail hoisted up