use him soon."

"What is that?"

"Poor Captain Osborn's pocket-compass. You see, William, the blazing
will direct us how to go back again; but it will not tell us what
course we are now to steer. At present, I know we are going right, as I
can see through the wood behind us; but by and by we shall not be able,
and then I must make use of the compass."

"I understand that very well; but tell me, Ready, why do you bring the
spade with us - what will be the use of it? You did not say yesterday
that you were going to bring me."

"No, William, I did not, as I did not like to make your mother anxious;
but the fact is, I am very anxious myself as to whether there is any
water on this island; if there is not, we shall have to quit it sooner
or later, for although we may get water by digging in the sand, it
would be too brackish to use for any time, and would make us all ill.
Very often there will be water if you dig for it, although it does not
show above-ground; and therefore I brought the spade."

"You think of everything, Ready."

"No, I do not, William; but, in our present situation, I think of more
things than perhaps your father and mother would: they have never known
what it is to be put to their shifts; but a man like me, who has been
all his life at sea, and who has been wrecked, and suffered hardships
and difficulties, and has been obliged to think or die, has a greater
knowledge, not only from his own sufferings, but by hearing how others