“Yes,” replied I, “there is some up there;” and I pointed to one-third up the ravine. “I brought all this earth from there, and there is plenty of it; but what is the good of planting them?”
“Because,” said she, “one of the potatoes planted will, in a very short time, grow, and then it will produce perhaps thirty or forty potatoes at its roots as large as these; they are excellent things for food, and where there is nothing else to be had, may be the means of preserving life.”
“Well, that may be,” replied I, “and if we were going to remain on the island, it would be well to plant them; but as we are going away the day after to-morrow, what’s the use of it? I know that they are very nice, for I had some for supper last night.”
“But are we only to think of ourselves in this world, and not of others?” replied she, “Suppose, two or three years hence, another boat were to be cast away on this island, and not find, as we have, you here, with provisions ready for them, they would starve miserably; whereas, if we plant these potatoes, they may find plenty of food and be saved. Only think how glad your father and mother would have been to have found potatoes on the island when they were thrown on it. We must not live only for ourselves, but we must think and try to do good to others—that is the duty of a Christian.”
“I think you are very right,” replied I, “and a very kind person too. If you wish it, I will go and plant the potatoes this day. How am I to plant them?”
“They have a shovel in the boat,” said she, “for I saw them throwing the water out with it. Go down and get it, and then I will go with you and show you.”
I went down and the mate gave me the shovel, which I carried up to her. I found her cutting the potatoes into pieces, and she showed me how she cut them, leaving an eye in each piece, and explained the reason for it. I was soon very busy cutting away alongside of her, and before long the pail of potatoes was all ready to be planted.
We then walked to the ravine, and she showed me how to use the shovel, and I made the holes. Before noon we had planted all that we had cut, but we had still the two handkerchiefs full that we had at first brought up with us. We returned to the cabin, and I prepared the fish for dinner. After it was on the embers, she wished to have the screen put up beside her bed-place.
“Go down to the mate,” said she, “and ask him for the hammer and three or four nails. I know they have them in the boat.”
“I may as well take them down some birds for their dinner,” replied I, “for, they will want them.”