“It will, indeed, Ready,” replied Mr Seagrave; “we must contrive to carry the beast home between us.”
“We will sling it on the musket, sir, and it will not be very heavy. It is one of those born on the island, and a very fine fellow for his age.”
The pig was soon slung, and they carried it between them. As they cleared the wood, they perceived Mrs Seagrave and William, who had heard the report of the musket, and had come out to meet them.
William took the load from his father, who walked on with Mrs Seagrave.
“Well, William, what news have you?” said Ready.
“Why, very good, Ready. Yesterday evening, when I was tired of work, I thought I would take the boat, and try if there was any fish to be caught on this side of the island in the deep water, and I caught three large ones, quite different from those we took among the reefs. We had one for breakfast and dinner to-day, and it was excellent.”
“Did you go out in the boat by yourself?”
“No; I took Juno with me. She pulls very well, Ready.”
“She is a handy girl, William. Well, we have had our survey, and there will be plenty of work for you and me, I can tell you; I don’t think we can bring everything round in a week; so I suppose to-morrow we had better be off.”
“Well, I like boating better than ditching, I can tell you, Ready,” replied William. “I shan’t be sorry to leave that work to my father.”