hoisting up to-morrow morning to get the boat in. You see, with so
little strength on board, and no masts, we shall be obliged to
contrive."

Mr. Seagrave assisted Ready in getting the two spars aft, and laid on
the spot which was required. "There now, Mr. Seagrave, you may go down
below. William had better let loose the two dogs, and give them a
little victuals, for we have quite forgot them, poor things. I shall
keep watch to-night, for I have plenty to do, and plenty to think of;
so, good-night, sir."

Ready remained on deck, lashing the heads of the spars, and fixing his
tackles ready for the morrow. When all was done, he sat down upon one
of the hen-coops aft, and remained in deep thought. At last, tired with
watching and exertion, the old man fell asleep. He was awakened at
daylight by the dogs, who had been set at liberty, and who, after
walking about the ship and finding nobody, had then gone to sleep at
the cabin door. At daybreak they had roused up, and going on deck had
found old Ready asleep on the hen-coop, and were licking his face in
their joy at having discovered him. "Ay," said the old man, as he got
off the hen-coop, "you'll all three be useful, if I mistake not, by and
by. Down, Vixen, down - poor creature, you've lost a good master, I'm
afraid."

"Stop - now let me see," said Ready, talking to himself; "first - but
I'll get the log board and a bit of chalk, and write them down, for my
memory is not quite so good as it was."

Ready placed the logboard on the hen-coop, and then wrote on it with
the chalk:-- "Three dogs, two goats, and Billy the kid (I think there's