ll him what you say; I am
sure that he'll be pleased to hear it."

As they had a long way to go, it was late before they had brought in all
the articles collected. There were more than sufficient completely to
fill Dick's store.

The next morning, Pierre set to work on the firearms, and was busily
employed the whole day, singing merrily while at work, as if he had
entirely forgotten the loss of his companions. The rest of the party
were engaged in filling the water-casks, as well as a large number of
cocoanut shells. They also collected a quantity of fresh nuts, and all
the fruit and vegetables likely to keep during the voyage. Robson,
however, was in no hurry to put off; the sea, indeed, continued too
heavy to enable them to launch the boat. He examined her over and over
again, evidently unwilling, except compelled to do so, to make a voyage
in her. He suggested strengthening the outriggers, by carrying ropes
from the two ends under her bottom. He also advised that she should be
covered in more completely with canvas, which being laced down the
centre, spaces only being left here and there for her crew, would
prevent her filling should a sea break on board.

The first use Lord Reginald made of one of the muskets, when completed,
was to kill four deer and a couple of hogs. These Dick dried and
salted, that they might have sufficient provisions for their increased
numbers. He formed also two additional oars, that, should they meet
with calms, they might be able to pull, or enter an unknown harbour,
with less risk of running on a rock or reef.

Many months had passed away. To Dick they had been the happiest in his
life. Though ready enough to trust the _Janet_, he was in no hurry to
leave the island. Lord Reginald, perhaps, was the most anxious to
leave; still he did not shut his eyes to the danger of a voyage in so
frail a craft. Everything had been got ready for a start, when one
morning the party in the hut were awakened by a more violent upheaving
of the earth beneath them than they had yet experienced. On rushing out
of doors, they saw the whole island moved in a fearful manner, tall
trees waving to and fro, and masses of rock falling into the valleys
below.

"To the boat, to the boat!" cried Lord Reginald. "My friends, there is
not a moment to be lost. Should the volcano not burst forth, the sea
may recede and leave our craft far inland. The first thing we have to
do is to get her afloat."