"Then wet your finger, and try again."
William wet his finger, and held it up again. "Yes, I feel it now," said he; "but why is that?"
"Because the wind blows against the wet, and you feel the cold."
As Ready said this the dogs growled, then started forward and barked.
"What can be there?" cried William.
"Stand still, William," replied Ready, cocking his gun, "and I will go forward to see." Ready advanced cautiously with the gun to his hip. The dogs barked more furiously; and at last, out of a heap of cocoa-nut leaves collected together, burst all the pigs which had been brought on shore, grunting and galloping away as fast as they could, with the dogs in pursuit of them.
"It's only the pigs," said Ready, smiling; "I never thought I should be half-frightened by a tame pig. Here, Romulus! here, Remus! come back!" continued Ready, calling to the dogs. "Well, William, this is our first adventure."
"I hope we shall not meet with any one more dangerous," replied
William, laughing; "but I must say that I was alarmed."
"No wonder; for, although not likely, it is possible there may be wild animals on this island, or even savages; but being alarmed is one thing, and being afraid is another: a man may be alarmed, and stand his ground; but a man that is afraid will run away."
"I do not think I shall ever run away and leave you, Ready, if there is danger."