Seagrave had soon procured sufficient. In a very short time the boat
was drawn up about ten yards from the water's edge, which Ready said
was quite sufficient; they then dug from under with their shovels until
the boat was sunk about half down in the sand.
Having filled in the sand all round her up to her gunnel, the boat was
then carefully covered over with the boughs, which were weighed down
with sand that they might not be blown away.
"I don't see why you should cover the boat up in this way, Ready; the
rain won't hurt her," observed William.
"No, sir, the rain won't do her any harm, but the sun will, when it
bursts out occasionally; for it's very powerful when it does shine, and
it would split her all to pieces."
"I forgot that," replied William. "What shall we do now?"
"Suppose, as we have two hours to dinner-time, you run for the lines,
William, and we'll try for some fish."
"We cannot all three of us fish with only two lines," said Mr.
Seagrave.
"No, sir; and as William knows how to catch them, suppose you remain
with him, and I will go up and collect wood and chips for Juno's fire.
She was hard pressed for it this morning, it was so wet; but, if once
piled up, it will soon be dry.
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