" Ready waded through, as
he wished to examine the turtle-pond, which was on the other side of
the stream. Finding all right, he again crossed the water, where it was
now spread wide over the sandy beach, until he came to the other point
where he had moored his boat, both by the head and stern, with a rope,
and a heavy stone made fast to it, as an anchor.
From this point, as usual, he surveyed the horizon with his telescope;
not that he thought that there was a chance of a vessel arriving among
these islands; but, still, as it was possible, he took the trouble; but
never except when he went out in the morning alone, as he was aware
that the very circumstance of his so doing would make Mr. Seagrave
melancholy and unsettled. As usual, he dropped the telescope on his
arm, after his survey, saying to himself, "Little use doing that."
The gale having blown offshore, the boat had dragged her moorings, and
was so far out that Ready could not get at her.
"Here's a puzzle," said the old man; "how foolish of me not to have
made a line fast to the shore! I'll not trust myself to John Shark by
swimming to the boat."
"Let me see." Ready took the halyards and sheets belonging to the
boat's sails, which be had left on the beach, and bent one on to the
other until he had sufficient length of rope.
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