The fact was, that they all perceived the danger of their position: if the savages did not leave the island, they would perish of thirst or have to surrender; and in the latter case, all their lives would most certainly be sacrificed.
Juno now returned: her suspicions were but too true. Tommy, pleased with the praise of being so quick in bringing the water, had taken out the spigot of the cask, and drawn it all off.
“Well,” observed Mr Seagrave, “it is the will of Heaven that all our careful arrangements and preparations against this attack should be defeated by the idleness of a child, and we must submit.”
“Very true, sir,” replied Ready; “all our hopes now are that the savages may be tired out, and leave the island.”
“If I had but a little for the children, I should not care,” observed Mrs Seagrave; “but to see those poor things suffer—is there not a drop left, Juno, anywhere?”
Juno shook her head.
Mrs Seagrave said she would go and examine, and went away into the house accompanied by Juno.
“This is a very bad business, Ready,” observed Mr Seagrave. “What would we give for a shower of rain now, that we might catch the falling drops!”
“There are no signs of it, sir,” replied Ready; “we must, however, put our confidence in One who will not forsake us.”
“I wish the savages would come on again,” observed William; “for the sooner they come, the sooner the affair will be decided.”