During these home labours, the rain came on again in torrents, sometimes with squalls of wind, and at other times with thunder; after which the water fell like a cascade from the heavens: but we now felt our security, so that we worked and talked cheerfully we discussed our prospects, and all we planned to do; and it seemed as if our minds at this time were altogether engrossed with "bettering ourselves in life," that principle of action which follows man even into solitude. To dig, and to plant, and to sow, was the object now most prominent in our view, the ground being well soaked with rain. This induced me to talk over how and where I would put in the yams and coccos, sow the Indian corn, plant the fruit-seeds, and so forth; but, alas! one individual could accomplish but little of all this; yet resolution, and a good heart for my work, enabled me to perform more than could have been expected. My table needed not to be very elegant; so I got on apace with it, while Eliza worked as briskly at the boot-legs; and being only interrupted by our short refreshment, and now and then in listening to the storm, we kept on industriously till night; and finished our tasks together.

I took a look upon deck, before it was dark, between the rains, and saw the sky still more threatening. I shut the companion close, and returned below. We knelt down to prayer, and retired to our state-room to rest; which we were so happy as to find, notwithstanding the increasing of the storm; during which we slept soundly, and arose at dawn perfectly refreshed.

Saturday, 12th. This morning I again visited our stock, and plank-house; and found all well. We employed ourselves during the greater part of this day, the weather continuing bad, in various useful operations. Of necessity we had become our own boot-makers, tailors, sempstresses; but another occupation was now forced on our consideration, the contemplation of which was certainly not quite so agreeable; viz. washing our linen! Eliza had never washed even a lawn cap, though some young gentlewomen, more dainty about their headdress without, than what they put within it, consume no small time with starch and pinners; but my little wife had left all that to the maids; and, indeed, her delicate hands were quite unfit for the employment. I offered to manage the whole for her; but she said, "It was woman's work, and therefore her duty.". Nay," answered I, “ we may here make customs for ourselves! We will then superintend together; and I will make two washer-women, which you and I shall cause to do all the labour." "Indeed!" said she, smiling, "if you accomplish this, I shall tell it as a real tale of the tub!" I laughed at her allusion to the dean's allegory; and instantly, without explaining myself farther, set about planning my two wooden domestics. I kept in my mind's eye a battle-door; and cutting one of board, then shaped another of the same material, rather less. When finished, I put the small one into her hand, holding the other my own. "I will show you," said I, "how, on a smooth stone in the run of the spring, we can

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cause these wooden-headed damsels to beat our clothes as clean and cleverly as if they were the best laundresses in Bristol; and we shall then bleach and dry them in the sun.” — “ Excellent, dear Edward!” cried she; "I never should have thought on such an expedient.”—“ Nor I, perhaps,” I replied, “ if I had not heard that the people, in most hot countries, wash in this manner."

Towards evening it cleared up, and we were delighted to see a bright and tranquil sky. I hastened to make a fire on shore; that we might boil our tea-kettle. Eliza set the tea-things on my newly-made table, as a compliment to me; and I felt the attention kind, trifle as it may appear; but such are the pivots on which the happiness of married life depend. She saw I was pleased with what she had done; and with this little additional excitement to an habitual happy feeling, we sat down to our refreshing meal; and then disembarked, with Fidele.

The sand was firm every where, from the rain, so that we could have walked pleasantly without our boots. We looked at the stock, and passed over to the other side of the isthmus. The fountain was gushing impetuously into the brook it formed, whence it now ran like a small river into the lake. The ground I had turned up, and sown, appeared as I had left it; only, like all around, was well soaked with the rain. The pine-apple top had been a little disturbed by the wind; but that I soon rectified. There was a good deal of sea-weed, such as sailors call gulf-weed, thrown on the beach,

together with sea-fans, coarse sponges, reeds, and some shells; but we did not stop to gather any of them. I filled the canteen with fresh water from the spring; and taking a look at the cave, and its inmates, and also at the plank-house, we returned on board the vessel to rest.

CHAP. VI.

SUNDAY, 13th January. The dawn of day was auspicious; and we hastened on deck to greet the rising sun, whose glowing chariot rested on the wave, in all the gorgeous vision of diffusive radiance his spreading rays lighting up the sky around; his bright beams, but newly born, gleaming on the waters; his cheering warmth, of which we had been some days bereft, gladdening our hearts. We watched him, slowly emerging from the sea, with joy and admiration : then raising our thoughts from this sublime image, to the mighty God who had created it, we gave praise and thanksgiving to the only object of worship, for all the wonderful bounties of his providence.

We dressed ourselves as usual for the Sabbath, and read the morning service. When we went out to walk, we were amused with the various deposits on the beach, which the waves had thrown up during the tempest. Fidele, also, was busy at the water's edge, knocking about among the drift weed, and other things; and we observed him attempt to lay hold of something stirring there, but quickly jump away, and bark, and then return to the assault again. I took the pike from Eliza's hand, and, moving some of the weed, descried an im