t's mizen. We don't want it. I'll carry
it up."

The mate threw the sail and yard over his shoulder, and followed me up
to the cabin. On our arrival, we found the missionary's wife sitting on
the platform, Nero lying not far from her, with the fish beside him.
The mate took off his hat, and saluted my new companion, saying, that he
hoped she was comfortable last night.

"Yes," replied she, "as much so as I could expect; but I turned this
good lad out of his cabin, which I do not wish to do again, and
therefore I requested the sail for a screen. Now, John Gough, what do
you intend to do?" continued she.

The mate replied, "I came up here to see what quantity of provision the
lad might have. By his account, it will not last more than a month, and
it will take some time before we can reach where we are likely to fall
in with any vessel. Stay here we cannot, for we shall only eat the
provision and lose time; therefore the sooner we are off the better."

"If you take all the provision, of course you will take the lad with
you?" replied she.

"Of course we will."

"And my chest, and my seal?" inquired I.

"Yes, your chest, certainly; but as for your seal, I do not know what to
say to that--he will be starved in the boat, and if you give him his
liberty, he will do well enough."

"What you say is very true," replied the woman. "I am afraid, boy, that
you will have to part with your friend. It will be better for both of
you."

I made no reply; for it cut me to the heart to think of parting with
Nero; but still I had sense enough to perceive that what they said was
right.

The mate then went into the cabin, and examined the heap of dried birds
which I had collected, and having made his calculation, said that there
were sufficient for three weeks, but not more.

"And when do you think of leaving this island?" inquired the woman.

"The day after to-morrow, if I can persuade the men, madam," replied he;
"but you know they are not very easy to manage, and very thoughtless,
especially now that they have so unexpectedly fallen in with liquor."

"That I admit," replied she; "but as they will probably take the liquor
in the boat, that will not make so great a difference."

"I shall go down and speak to them, now they're all sober," replied the
mate, "and will let you know in the evening; or to-morrow morning
perhaps, will be better." The mate then saluted her, by touching his
hat, and left us.

CHAPTER T