Surley had not mended matters by jumping into the pool and swimming about in its cool waters. As soon as he was out, off he set scampering about the island, scaring the wild-fowl, whisking his tail, and barking with delight at finding himself free after his long imprisonment on board ship. I felt very much inclined to follow his example, and to run about after him shouting at the top of my voice. I restrained myself, however, as the state of affairs was too serious to allow me to indulge in any such exuberance of spirits. We thanked the pirates, with as good a grace as we could command, for helping us to carry up the stores. "Oh, no need of thanks, mates," was the answer. "You won't find it very pleasant here, perhaps; but there's many an honest fellow worse off than you are, and there are not many who come aboard us who get away as well as you have done." We had too much reason to believe this assertion true to hazard a reply. Perhaps Jerry's tumble into the water had put them in good-humour; but whatever was the cause, they seemed inclined to help us, and volunteered to assist in cutting down some trees to build our hut, which the canvas would make tolerably comfortable. While so employed, however, they kept looking up constantly towards the schooner. "I say, Tom, don't you think that there is a chance of her making sail, and leaving us here?" observed one of them to the old pirate Tom Roguish. "No fear of that, mate," answered old Tom, shaking his head. "They know our value too well to do that. I've watched what has been going on for some time, and it's my belief Silva's party will find that they have made a mistake. The captain has been too wide awake to be taken by surprise, depend on that." "Hillo! what are they about now?" exclaimed another of the men. The schooner, which had stood still closer in towards the shore, had lowered another boat, at the same time firing a gun as a signal to recall the one which had brought us. We all ran down as fast as we could to the spot nearest to her, and we could see that several persons were being lowered into the boat.