Still, we must not be careless and we must keep a good
look-out even now. I don't want to fret your father and Mrs. Seagrave
with my fears on the subject, but I tell you what I really think, and
what we ought to do."
"I agree with you, Ready, and I will take care to be up before
daybreak, and examine very carefully with the spy-glass as soon as the
day dawns. You take the night part, and I will do the morning part of
the watching."
Chapter LVIII
For nearly a fortnight, the work upon the stockade continued without
any intermission, when a circumstance occurred which created the
greatest alarm and excitement. One day, as the party returned to
dinner, Mrs. Seagrave said with surprise, "Why, was not Tommy with
you?"
"No," replied Mr. Seagrave; "he has not been near us all day; he went
with us after breakfast, but did not remain a quarter of an hour."
"No, Missy; I tell Massa Tommy to help carry cocoa-nut leaves, and then
he go away directly."
"Goodness! where can he be?" exclaimed Mrs. Seagrave, alarmed.
"I dare say he is picking up shells on the beach, ma'am," replied
Ready, "or perhaps he is in the garden. I will go and see."
"I see him - oh, mercy! - I see him," said Juno, pointing with her
finger; "he in the boat, and boat go to sea!"
It was but too true: there was Tommy in the boat, and the boat had
drifted from the beach, and was now a cable's length away from it,
among the breakers.
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