our judgment, Hargrave. For by
myself, I should never have thought of building such a craft," said Lord
Reginald. "She will be more perfect, however, when we get the bulwarks
and deck on her, the thwarts fitted, and the masts stepped and the sails
set, and we stand away from the island."

"I am in no hurry to go," said Dick. "If I had not felt it was my duty
to work and get her done, in case an outbreak of the volcano should
place your life in danger, I don't think I should have worked so hard."

"But yours is of equal value," said Lord Reginald.

"Pray don't say that; except my father and mother and my blind sister--
who have probably long since thought me dead--I have no one to care for
me, and you have numerous relations and friends; besides which, I hope
you will some day have the opportunity of serving our king and country,
and becoming one of England's admirals."

"Come, come, Hargrave, you are breaking through our agreement, and
professing to be of less value than I am. Your friends care for you, as
much as mine do for me, and more so probably, if the truth was known,
and as to my becoming an admiral, you have as great a chance as I have."

"I am sorry to have to differ from you," said Dick, laughing in spite of
himself. "However, we will get the craft ready and make a trial trip in
her, and then it may be wiser to stay here until we are driven off the
island, or some friendly ship comes in sight. Some day or other an
English vessel must pass this way, or the _Wolf_ herself may come to
look for us."

"Very little chance of that, or she would have come long ago," answered
Lord Reginald. "However, I agree with you that it will be better to
live on here as long as we have plenty of provisions, and trust to be
taken off by friends, than have to cruise about in an unknown sea
without a chart, with the chance of being picked up by Frenchmen, or of
running into an enemy's port."

Lord Reginald had now almost completely recovered his strength, and was
able to help Dick in a variety of ways. They were both up at daylight
every morning, their first visits being to their turtle-pen, and pig-sty
as they called the pit where the porker was confined. The first pig
caught, Dick had been compelled to kill, from its savage disposition,
while the one in the pit had become perfectly tame and grunted with
pleasure, whenever he approached with food. Had it not been for his
wish to finish the boat, he would at once ha