s; nevertheless, I was most eager
to get at him, the more so, when I ascertained that his resistance was
evidently decreasing. I continued to approach, and at last got near
enough to plunge my knife up to the haft in his head, which at once put
an end to the struggle.

But now another difficulty presented itself. In the ardour of the chase
I had been drawn nearly a mile from the island, and I found it
impossible to carry back the produce of my sport, exhausted as I was by
the efforts I had made in capturing him. I knew I could not swim with
such a burthen for the most inconsiderable portion of the distance. My
fish therefore must be abandoned. Here was a bountiful supply of food,
as soon as placed within reach, rendered totally unavailable.

I thought of Mrs Reichardt. I thought how gratified she would have
been, could I have brought to her such an excellent addition to our
scanty stock of food. Then I thought of her steadfast reliance upon
Providence, and what valuable lessons of piety and wisdom she would read
me, if she found me depressed by my disappointment.

CHAPTER THIRTY TWO.

As soon as I could disconnect my tackle from the dead fish, I turned my
face homewards, and struck out manfully for the shore; luckily I did not
observe any sharks. I landed safely without further adventure, and
immediately sought my kind friend and companion, whom I found, as usual,
industriously employed in endeavouring to secure me additional comforts.
If she were not engaged in ordinary woman's work,--making, mending,
cleaning, or improving, in our habitation, she was sure to be found
doing something in the immediate neighbourhood, which, though less
feminine, showed no less forethought, prudence, and sagacity.

Our garden had prospered wonderfully under her hands. The ground seemed
now stocked with various kinds of vegetation, of which I neither knew
the value nor the proper mode of cultivation; and we seemed about to be
surrounded with shrubs and plants--many of very pleasing appearance--
that must in a short time entirely change the aspect of the place.

She heard my adventure with a good deal of interest, only remonstrating
with me upon my want of caution, and dwelling upon the fatal
consequences that must have ensued to herself, had I been drowned or
disabled by falling from the rock, or devoured by the sharks.

"You may consider yourself, my dear son," she observed, with serious
earnestness, "to have been unde