el; with
the help afforded by them, the boat was soon hauled up high into the
brushwood, where it was considered by Ready to be perfectly safe.

"I meant to have worked upon her immediately," observed Ready; "but I
must wait now till the gale is over; and I did hope to have got on board
once more, and looked after some things which I have since remembered
would have been useful; but I strongly suspect," continued he, looking
at the weather, "that we shall never go on board of the poor vessel
again. Hear the moaning of the coming storm, sir; look how the
sea-birds wheel about and scream, as if to proclaim her doom; but we
must not wait here--the tents must be made more secure, for they will
have to hold up against no small force of wind, if I mistake not."

Ready, assisted by Mr Seagrave, now got out some heavy canvas and
lines, and commenced putting it as a double cover over the tents, to
keep out the rain; they also secured the tents with guys and stays of
rope, so as to prevent them being blown down; while Juno with a shovel
deepened the trench which had been made round the tents, so that the
water might run off more easily. During the time they were at work,
Ready had made Mr Seagrave acquainted with what they had discovered and
done during the exploring expedition, and the adventure with the pigs
made them all laugh heartily.

As the sun went down, the weather threatened still more; the wind blew
strong, and the rocky beach was lashed by the waves and white with
spray, while the surf roared as it poured in and broke upon the sand in
the cove. The whole family had retired to bed except Ready, who said
that he would watch the weather a little before he turned in. The old
man walked towards the beach, and leaned against the gunnel of the boat,
and there he remained with his keen grey eye fixed upon the distance,
which was now one opaque mass, except where the white foam of the waters
gleamed through the darkness of the night! "Yes!" thought he; "the
winds and the waves are summoned to do his bidding, and evenly do they
work together--as one rises, so does the other; when one howls, the
other roars in concert--hand in hand they go in their fury and their
force. Had they been called up but one week since, where would have
been those who have now been, as it were, intrusted to my weak help?
The father, the mother, the children, the infant at the breast, and I,
the grey-headed old man,--all buried fathoms deep, awa