The ewes had lambed, but both
the sheep and the goats began to suffer for want of pasture. For a week
they had no rain, and the sun burst out very powerfully; and Ready was
of opinion that the rainy season was now over. William had become quite
strong again, and he was very impatient that they should commence the
survey of the island. After a great deal of consultation, it was at
last settled, that Ready and William should make the first survey to
the southward, and then return and report what they had discovered.
This was decided upon on the Saturday evening, and on the Monday
morning they were to start. The knapsacks were got ready, and well
filled with boiled salt pork, and flat cakes of bread. They were each
to have a musket and ammunition, and a blanket was folded up to carry
on the shoulders, that they might sleep on it at night. Ready did not
forget his compass, or the small axes, for them to blaze the trees as
they went through the wood.
The whole of Saturday was occupied in making their preparations. After
supper, Ready said, "Now, William, before we start on our travels, I
think I may as well wind up my history. I haven't a great deal more to
tell, as my good fortune did not last long; and after my remaining so
long in a French prison, my life was one continued chapter of from bad
to worse.
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