"Only once, father. I saw a flight a long way off. Ready was not with me, and I could not tell what they were; but they were large birds, as big as pigeons, I should think. There is Ready coming round the point," continued William. "How fast that little boat sails! It is a long pull, though, for the old man when he goes to the cove." "Let us go down and help Ready carry up some of the things before dinner," said Mrs. Seagrave. They did so; and William rolled up the empty water-cask which Ready had brought with him. The turtle-steaks were as much approved of as the turtle-soup; indeed, after having been so long on salt meat, a return to fresh provisions was delightful. "And now to finish our well," said William, as soon as dinner was over. "How hard you do work, William!" said his mother. "So I ought, mother. I must learn to do everything now." "And that you will very soon," said Ready. They rolled the cask to the spring, and, to their astonishment, found the great hole which they had dug not two hours before quite full of water. "Oh dear," said William, "we shall have to throw all the water out to get the cask down." "Think a little, William," said Mr. Seagrave, "for the spring runs so fast that it will not be an easy task. Cannot we do something else?" "Why, father, the cask will float, you know," replied William. "To be sure it will as it is; but is there no way of making it sink?" "Oh yes. I know - we must bore some holes in the bottom, and then it will fill and sink down of itself." "Exactly," replied Ready. "I expected that we should have to do that, and have the big gimlet with me." Ready bored three or four holes in the bottom of the cask, and as it floated the water ran into it, and by degrees it gradually sank down. As soon as the top of the cask was level with the surface they filled in all round with the spade and shovel, and the well was completed. Chapter XXIV The next morning, as soon as breakfast was over, Mr. Seagrave observed: "Now that we have so many things to do, I think, Ready, we ought to lay down a plan of operations; method is everything when work is to be done: now tell me what you propose shall be our several occupations for the next week, for to-morrow is Sunday; and although we have not yet been able to honour the day as we should, I think that now we must and ought to keep it holy." "Yes, sir," replied Ready. "To-morrow we will rest from our labour, and ask God's blessing upon our endeavours during the six days of the week; and now, as to your proposition, Mr. Seagrave, shall we begin first with the lady?"