"We only need use our eyes, William, and we shall love as well as
adore. Look at that shell - is it not beautifully marked? - could the
best painter in the world equal its colouring?"
"No, indeed, - I should think not."
"And yet there are thousands of them in sight, and perhaps millions
more in the water. They have not been coloured in this way to be
admired, like the works of man; for this island has been till now
probably without any one upon it, and no one has ever seen them. It
makes no difference to Him, who has but to wish, and all is complete."
For a few minutes after this conversation, Mr. Seagrave and William
were both silent. Mr. Seagrave then rose from where he was sitting:
"Come, William, let us now find our way back again; we have three
hours' daylight left, and shall be home in good time."
Chapter XX
Everything was now preparing for their removal to the leeward side of
the island. Ready had nearly completed the boat; he had given it a
thorough repair, and fitted a mast and sail. William and Mr. Seagrave
continued to collect and secure the various articles thrown on shore,
particularly such as would be injured by their exposure to the weather:
these they rolled or carried into the cocoa-nut grove, so as to be
sheltered from the sun; but there were so many things thrown on shore
day after day, that they hardly knew what they had: but they secured
case and cask one after another, waiting for a better opportunity to
examine their contents.
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