ish?" replied Mr Seagrave, with surprise.

"As God pleases, Mr Seagrave. I am an old man, and it is of little
consequence. I care little whether I am taken away a year or two
sooner, but I do not like to see blossoms cut off in early spring: I may
be of use if I remain, for I've an old head upon my shoulders, and I
could not leave you all to perish when you might be saved if you only
knew how to act. But here the seamen come--the boat is all ready, and
they will now take poor Captain Osborn with them."

The sailors came aft, and lifted up the still insensible captain. As
they were going away one of them said, "Come, Ready, there's no time to
lose."

"Never mind me, Williams; I shall stick to the ship," replied Ready. "I
wish you success with all my heart; and, Mr Mackintosh, I have but one
promise to exact from you, and I hope you will not refuse me: which is,
that if you are saved, you will not forget those you leave here on
board, and take measures for their being searched for among the
islands."

"Nonsense, Ready! come into the boat," replied the first mate.

"I shall stay here, Mr Mackintosh; and I only beg that you will promise
me what I ask. Acquaint Mr Seagrave's friends with what has happened,
and where it is most likely we may be found, if it please God to save
us. Do you promise me that?"

"Yes, I do, if you are determined to stay; but," continued he, going up
to Ready, and whispering to him, "it is madness:--come away, man!"

"Good-bye, Mr Mackintosh," replied Ready, extending his hand. "You
will keep your promise?"

After much further expostulation on the part of Mackintosh and the
seamen, to which Ready gave a deaf ear, the boat was pushed off, and
they made sail to the north-east.

CHAPTER SEVEN.

For some time after the boat had shoved off from the ship, old Ready
remained with his arms folded, watching it in silence. Mr Seagrave
stood by him; his heart was too full for utterance, for he imagined that
as the boat increased her distance from the vessel, so did every ray of
hope depart, and that his wife and children, himself, and the old man
who was by his side were doomed to perish. His countenance was that of
a man in utter despair. At last old Ready spoke.

"They think that they will be saved and that we must perish, Mr
Seagrave; they forget that there is a Power above, who will himself
decide that point--a power compared to which the efforts of weak man are
as nought."

"