ot consider there had been a sufficient supply of
rope saved from the brig.

We had been anxious to go and see the vessel, and one day we set off
with the ship-builders at an early hour. Our surprise was very great to
find her perfectly ready for launching. Her masts and spars and rigging
lay under a shed on one side, and it seemed as if it would only be
necessary to put her in the water, and get the stores on board, to sail
away. But sail where? That was the question. Should I have any
satisfaction in sailing away without first looking for Walter? Would
our uncle consent to do this? The uncertainty took away some of the
satisfaction I should otherwise have felt.

The whole of the party now collected, when Mr Thudicumb announced that
the launch was that morning to take place. Hopes and tackle had been
arranged and secured to the rocks to assist in hauling her off, and I
was told that I was to throw a bottle of arrack at her bows, and to name
her. Having no bottle, I found that the arrack had been put into a
small gourd. It was hung from the bows, against which I was told to
swing it. No sooner had I done so, wishing the _Hope_ a prosperous
existence, than she began to glide off towards the water. Quicker and
quicker she went, and it seemed to me that she would slip away out to
sea; but ropes restrained her, and in another instant she floated calmly
in the bay. Loud cheers broke from our small company, and Roger Trew,
who had remained on board, waved his hat, and danced a hornpipe in his
glee at the success of their undertaking.

All things are ready for the voyage. The _Hope_ is to be rigged as a
cutter. The seams have been filled in with dammar; and though no paint
has been used, she appears to great advantage with the natural colour of
the wood. I thought we were all to go in her at once; but it is
considered better that she should first make a trial trip in search of
Walter. I was very anxious to go; but my uncle says he cannot allow me,
and that Grace and I, with the Frau and Oliver, must remain on the
island. Her crew, therefore, will consist of Mr Thudicumb as
commander, Dick Tarbox, Roger Trew, and Potto Jumbo as crew, with Mr
Hooker as passenger. He wishes to go, both on account of his anxiety to
find Walter, and also, as they will visit a number of islands and reefs
in their search, he expects to find numerous objects of natural history.

We were busily employed for several days in carryin