“Yes,” said Alec, “and a mother too.  Would you like them to come over and take charge?  Yes?  Oh! la! la!!”

Then the simple fellow gambolled about like a young schoolboy, and exclaimed, “Never mind the boat, let me try and swim over.”

“Swim, Alec!  Don’t be a ninny.  Do you want to throw your life away in such madness?  Go down to the boat directly, and do not act like an ass.”

Away he sailed, and soon landed at the little pier, and was quickly surrounded by the inhabitants, who took him towards the cottages out of my sight.

He was gone so long that I became impatient for his return.  It almost seemed as if he had forsaken me; but at length I descried him putting off again, and soon he landed, wreathed in smiles, happiness beaming from his eyes.  He had settled everything.  Father, mother, and daughter were to come over at sunrise on the 3rd, so as to help us off and take final instructions.

The 1st and 2nd of September were occupied in taking in ballast, water, provisions, etc.; in overhauling all the ropes, sails, and gear, and in making a couple of beds of sacking stuffed with the softest hay we could get.  Then we had to bake and fish, so as to replenish our stock of food.  Fruit had to be gathered, two small kegs filled with water, and finally the treasure and all my little curiosities to be got aboard.

All this took us till long after dark on the 2nd, so that when Graviot, his wife, and daughter landed about five a.m. on the 3rd, we were both fast asleep, so much so indeed that they had difficulty in finding our whereabouts and awakening us.  At last, by rattling at the windows we were aroused, and turned out to bid the old couple and their pretty daughter, Marie, welcome to Jethou.

They were very quickly busy, Marie especially, for with Alec’s help she soon had the breakfast spread and all ready, and anyone with half an eye could see how matters stood between them.  All appeared quite settled.

After breakfast we all walked round the island together, so that I might point out what I required done during the absence of Alec.  I introduced them to “Flap,” the gull, who seemed to be rather shy of them, as they were the first human beings who had been permitted to interview him since I captured him fifteen months before, except Alec.  The goat, “Unicorna,” and her companion, or rather son, “Butt,” for she had had a son a couple of months after her landing, were next placed under Marie’s protection, while my dear old friend, “Eddy,” was handed over to Graviot pere, with strict injunctions to use him well and not to overload the poor fellow.  He seemed to know I was going to leave him, for he thrust his nose into my hand, and made a great fuss of me as I caressed him.

At eleven a.m., all being in readiness, I strode down the well-known pathway towards our little pier for the last time, and it was not without deep regret and dim eyes that I bade farewell to the home in which the past eighteen months of my life had been passed in perfect peace, contentment, and happiness.  I could not help a sigh as I thought that this was the last tide I should see rise around Jethou.  The last time I should see