One day we were all enjoying ourselves in the Water Garden, preparatory
to going on a fishing excursion; for Peterkin had kept us in such
constant supply of hogs that we had become quite tired of pork, and
desired a change. Peterkin was sunning himself on the ledge of rock,
while we were creeping among the rocks below. Happening to look up, I
observed Peterkin cutting the most extraordinary capers and making
violent gesticulations for us to come up; so I gave Jack a push and
rose immediately.
"A sail! a sail!--Ralph, look; Jack, away on the horizon there, just
over the entrance to the lagoon!" cried Peterkin, as we scrambled up
the rocks.
"So it is, and a schooner, too!" said Jack, as he proceeded hastily to
dress.
Our hearts were thrown into a terrible flutter by this discovery, for
if it should touch at our island we had no doubt the captain would be
happy to give us a passage to some of the civilised islands, where we
could find a ship sailing for England, or some other part of Europe.
Home, with all its associations, rushed in upon my heart like a flood;
and much though I loved the Coral Island and the bower, which had now
been our home so long, I felt that I could have quitted all at that
moment without a sigh. With joyful anticipations we hastened to the
highest point of rock near our dwelling, and awaited the arrival of the
vessel; for we now perceived that she was making straight for the
island, under a steady breeze.
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