this as a warning to hasten our departure as soon as possible. We shall
have fine weather after this for a month or so, although we must expect
a breeze now and then. But we must work hard and do our best; and now,
if you please, you and Juno, William and I, will go and haul up the
boat as far from the beach as we possibly can, for the waves will be
high and run a long way up, and our boat will be our main dependence
soon."

The four went down as soon as Ready had sawed the ends of the spars
which had been cut off, into three rollers, to fix under the keel; with
the help afforded by them, the boat was soon hauled up high into the
brushwood, where it was considered by Ready to be perfectly safe.

"I meant to have worked upon her immediately," observed Ready; "but I
must wait now till the gale is over; and I did hope to have got on
board once more, and looked after some things which I have since
remembered would have been useful; but I strongly suspect," continued
he, looking at the weather, "that we shall never go on board of the
poor vessel again. Hear the moaning of the coming storm, sir; look how
the sea-birds wheel about and scream, as if to proclaim her doom; but
we must not wait here - the tents must be made more secure, for they
will have to hold up against no small force of wind, if I mistake not."

Ready, assisted by Mr. Seagrave, now got out some heavy canvas and
lines, and commenced putting it as a double cover over the tents, to
keep out the rain; they also secured the tents with guys and stays of
rope, so as to prevent them being blown down; while Juno with a shovel
deepened the trench which had been made round the tents, so that the
water might run off more easily. During the time they were at work,
Ready had made Mr. Seagrave acquainted with what they had discovered