und the woman was fast asleep; her straw hat was off, but
she had lain down in her clothes. Her black hair was hanging about her
shoulders. Having only seen Jackson with his bushy beard, I had been
somewhat surprised when I first saw the men on their landing so
comparatively clear of hair on their face; my astonishment at the clear
white skin of a woman--and in this instance, it was peculiarly white and
pallid--was very great. I also perceived how much more delicate her
features were than those of the men; her teeth, too, were very white,
and Jackson's were discoloured and bad; I longed to see her eyes, but
they were closed. Any other difference I could not perceive, as she had
drawn the blanket close up to her chin.

"This is then a woman;" said I to myself: "yes, and it's very like what
I used to see in my dreams." I looked a little longer, and then,
hearing Nero coming into the cabin behind me, and afraid that she would
awake, I made a hasty retreat.

I remained at this part of the cabin considering what I should do. I
thought I would light a fire, and go down for a fish to broil on the
embers for her breakfast, so I called Nero to come down with me. On
arriving at the pool, I found all the seamen fast asleep under the tent
they had made with the boat's sails; and they appeared to be much the
same as Jackson used to be after he had got drunk the night before; I
presumed, therefore, that such was their state, and was not far wrong.
Nero went into the pool and brought out a fish, as I ordered him, and I
then walked to the boat to examine it. This took me half an hour, and I
was sorry that none of the men were awake, that so I might ask any
questions I wished. I examined the pitch-kettle, and the boat's sails,
and the breakers. Breakers are small casks, holding about six to seven
gallons of water, and are very handy for boats. I remained about an
hour, and then went back to the cabin, carrying a fagot on my shoulder,
Nero following with the fish in his mouth. We were met by the woman,
who came out of the cabin; she no longer had the blanket round her, for
it was a beautiful bright morning, and very warm.

"Nero is bringing you your breakfast," said I, "so you ought to like
him."

"I dare say I shall, if we are to be companions in future," replied she.

"Do you want anything?" said I.

"Yes, a little water, if you can get me some."

I filled the kid from the spring, put it down by her, and then took ou