ed
them by dint of hard labour and the due application of handspikes, to
move their craft down to the beach just above high water. It was close
to the spot where Dick had drawn the carpenter's chest on shore, and the
same tackle he had then rigged would serve to haul her up again after
they had made their experimental trip. This they resolved to do the
next morning. Dick proposed that they should lay down moorings, where
she could remain afloat. The bay was sheltered except from a southerly
wind, and should it come on to blow from that quarter they must either
run round to the other side of the island or haul her up again.

It was nearly dark by the time they had got their craft down to the
beach, and with hearts grateful to Heaven that they had thus far been
able to carry out their design, they returned to their hut. As may be
supposed, they spent their evening in discussing their arrangements.
They had still no small amount of work to accomplish, provisions to
prepare for their voyage, and the means of carrying water, which was not
the least of the difficulties they had to overcome.

Neither, however, was anxious to leave the island. Dick was perfectly
happy in the life he was leading, and dreaded, should he ever go on
board a man-of-war again, notwithstanding the hints thrown out by Lord
Reginald, that he should be separated from one for whom he had acquired
so deep an affection, and should be exposed to the same rough treatment
he had before had to endure. Lord Reginald was unwilling, in so frail a
bark, to run the risk of navigating those dangerous seas without a chart
for his guidance, and was fully impressed with the belief that ere long
some British man-of-war would be sent to search for them, or that they
might get on board some English merchantman. Notwithstanding this, he
was prepared, should it become necessary, to undertake the voyage, and
either to steer to the south of Java, or to run through one of the
numerous passages between the islands to the east of that island, and so
to reach Batavia. His belief was that the _Marie_ had been wrecked on
an island to the south of Floris or Sumbawa, at no great distance
probably from Timor.

So interested had they been in discussing these subjects, that it was
later than usual before they turned in. Dick, who from having been the
chief architect, was far more anxious than his companion to try their
new craft, was the first to awake. Quickly dressing, he