salt?" replied William.

"No, not if at a good distance from the sea-beach; for you see, William,
the sand by degrees filters the sea-water fresh, and very often when the
sand runs in a long way from the high-water mark, if you dig down, you
will find good fresh water, at other times it is a little brackish, but
still fit for use."

"Look, Ready, at Romulus and Remus--how hard they are digging with their
paws there in the hollow."

"Thanks to Heaven that they are! You don't know how happy you have made
me feel: for, to tell you the truth, I was beginning to be alarmed."

"But why do they dig?"

"Because there is water there, poor animals. Now you see the advantage
of having kept them in pain for a few hours; it is in all probability
the saving of all of us, for we must either have found water or quitted
this island. Now let us help the poor dogs with the spade, and they
shall soon be rewarded for their sufferings."

Ready walked quickly to where the dogs continued digging: they had
already got down to the moist earth, and were so eagerly at work, that
it was with difficulty he could get them out of his way to use his
spade. He had not dug two feet before the water trickled down, and in
four or five minutes the dogs had sufficient to plunge their noses in,
and to drink copiously.

"Look at them! how they enjoy it! I don't think any Israelite felt more
grateful when Moses struck the rock than I do now, William. This was
the one thing wanting, but it was the one thing indispensable. Now we
have everything we can wish for on this island, and if we are only
content, we may be happy--ay, much happier than are those who are
worrying themselves to heap up riches, not knowing who shall gather
them. See, the poor animals have had enough at last. Now, shall we go
back to breakfast?"

"Yes," replied William: "I shall enjoy it now, and have a good drink of
water myself."

"That is a plenteous spring, depend upon it," said Ready, as they walked
back to where they had slept and left their knapsacks; "but we must
clear it out further up among the trees, where the sun cannot reach it,
and then it will be cool, and not be dried up. We shall have plenty of
work for the next year at least, if we remain here. Where we are now
will be a capital spot to build our house on."

As soon as the breakfast was over, Ready said, "Now we must go down and
explore the other point, for you see, William, I have not yet found a
pas