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PEEFACE
The numerous English editions of the ‘‘Swiss Fam-
ily Eobinson,’’ which have been presented to the
juvenile public, would almost appear to render an ad-
ditional one superfluous.
The translator of the following pages, therefore,
wishes to explain the motives which have induced her
to attempt another translation.
In the editions referred to the translators appear
to have fallen into one of two errors: either the style
of the original German (which is at times obscure and
confused) has been too strictly followed, and the idiom
retained ; or by an unnecessarily free translation, and
the alteration of conversations and events by addi-
tions or omissions, traces of the original story have
been in a great measure lost.
In the following pages the translator has endeavored
to avoid these errors, and to render the German sen-
tences into good simple Saxon English, without alter-
ing the sense or meaning of the original text.
In translating a work of this kind, it should also be
remembered that boys from ten and twelve, to four-
teen and sixteen, do not use long or pedantic words,
neither should those who are represented as living in
the early part of the present century be made to utter
the slang of an English boy of our own times.
In this translation — which is made entirely from the
original German — the incidents and events are faith-
fully preserved unaltered, with one or two necessary
but slight exceptions. No interpolation or omission
could possibly improve the tissue of wondrous events,
5
PREFACE
which are often described in the original with a graphic
power and at times with poetic effect.
The author of the ‘‘Swiss Family Eobinson’^ was
Johann David Wyss, a descendant of an old citizen
family of the town of Berne in Switzerland. He was
an only son, and after completing his education, ob-
tained in 1766 the position of military chaplain, in
which it was necessary for him to preach in French and
in German. His regiment was at this time on service
in Sardinia, and while here he not only acquired a
knowledge of the Italian language, but made himself
acquainted with general literature and science, includ-
ing natural history, military tactics, and fortification.
In short, he acquired the knowledge of merchandise,
seafaring life and its technical terms, of various trades,
of farming, and other information which, as the. author
of the “Swiss Family Eobinson,’’ he so much re-
quired.
The story of the “Swiss Family Eobinson’’ was
originally related to his four children, but he never
had it printed — indeed, it is very possible he had no
intention of giving it publicity.
For our possession of it we are indebted to one of
his sons, the well-known Professor Johann Eudolf
Wyss, who, with a natural and praiseworthy ambition,
placed his father’s story in MS. (with a few altera-
tions) in the hands of a printer.
The first edition appeared in German, at Zurich, in
1813; but the story at that time only extended over
ten or twelve years, the arrival of a ship from Europe
at the end of that period enabling the Swiss family to
return to their native country.
Madame de Montolieu, when translating this tale
into French in 1824, suggested to the author’s son that
he should make a different ending to his story ; but he
was, as it appears, too much occupied as professor at
the Berne Academy to undertake such a task. The
6
PREFACE
accomplislied Frencli authoress, however, succeeded
in obtaining his permission to complete the story her-
self
The writer of the following pages has strictly ad-
hered to the form of the tale as it appears in the Ger-
man of Wyss, with the additions made by the Baroness
Montolieu in the more modern German editions.
7
s
CONTENTS
CHAPTER PAGE
Preface 3
Introduction 9
I Shipwrecked and Alone 15
II A Desolate Island 25
III A Voyage of Discovery 39
IV The Homeward Journey 52
V A Successful Voyage 63
VI A: Living Freight 72
VII Another Exploring Expedition 80
VIII Bridge-Building 87
IX The Journey to the Wonderful Trees ... 98
X A Night^s Lodging 110
XI A Castle in the Air 119
XII The Visit to Zeltheim 132
XIII The Sledge, the Masquerade, and the Kangaroo 146
XIV A Voyage to the Wreck — The Raft . . . 159
XV The Wheelbarrows and the Turtle . , . 172
XVI The Pinnace and the Petard 183
XVII The Walk to the Calabash Wood .... 195
XVIII The Canadian Fowl and the India-Rubber Tree 214
XIX Candle-Making — The New Cart 225
XX The Baby Jackal 242
XXI Grizzle^s New Friend 265
XXII Spring Days and the Salt Cavern .... 280
XXIII The Winter House in the Grotto .... 295
XXIV Little Frank and the Calf 314
XXV The Mischievous Monkeys 329
XXVI Jack^s Adventure — The Stranded Whale . . 347
XXVII Rowing by Machinery — The Turtle .... 366
CONTENTS
CHAPTER PAGE
XXVIII The Dreadptil Visitor — Poor Grizzle’s Fate . 378
XXIX Another Excursion — Fritz and the Rats . .396
XXX The Green Valley — The Bears 409
XXXI The Condor — Frank Hears the Cuckoo . . 423
XXXII The Ostrich Trainer 439
XXXIII The Young Rat-Catchers — The Canoe . . . 451
XXXIV The Crushing Machine — A Plentiful Harvest 462
XXXV The Drawbridge — The Hyena 477
XXXVI Fritz Relates the Adventures of Their Excur-
sion 487
XXXVII After Ten Years — Pearl Bay 501
XXXVIII The Mysterious Message — The Lions . . . 514
XXXIX The Search for Fritz — ^A Visitor .... 527
XL The Adventures op Fritz — Jenny’s History . 540
XLI The Welcome at Rock House — Conclusion . . 550
ILLUSTRATIONS
I Formed It into Bowls Frontispiece
FACING
PAGE
The Monkey Resumed His Place 56
We Retired to Our Airy Castle 144 ^
We Were in Raptures over Our Fountain 262
On a Rude Throne Sat the Mother 326
Out Rushed at Least a Dozen Rats 400
I Was Despairing When the Bird Returned .... 546 ^
INTEODUCTION
The story of the Swiss Family Eobinson^’ is
founded on the report of the captain of a Eussian
vessel, who, on one of his voyages, discovered a group
of fertile islands, situated towards the southeast
of Java, and not far distant from New Guinea. On
landing on one of these, the crew were greatly sur-
prised to find it inhabited by a family consisting of a
father, mother, and four sons, who informed the cap-
tain of the circumstances which had placed them in
such a position.
The father related that he had been a Swiss pastor
or clergyman, and in the Eevolution of 1798 had lost
all his property. He therefore resolved to become a
missionary, and for this purpose proceeded to England
with his wife and family, and there obtained an ap-
pointment to go out to Otaheite, and establish Chris-
tianity among these savage tribes. From thence he
intended to proceed to Port Jackson in New South
Wales (now Tasmania), and remain to work his way
in that newly-formed colony.
He and his family sailed from England with other
passengers having a similar intention, and continued
their voyage prosperously till they arrived near the
coast of New Guinea.
Here they were overtaken by a fearful storm, and
it is in the moment when its fierceness is at its height
that the author has chosen to commence his story.
The father of the family tells the tale, and the vicis-
13
INTRODUCTION
situdes through which he and his wife and children
pass, the wonderful discoveries they make, and the
dangers they encounter, form the story of the Swiss
Family Eobinson.
k
14
CHAPTER I
SHIPWEECKED AND ALONE
The storm, which had lasted for six long and terri-
ble days, appeared on the seventh to redouble its
fury. We were driven out of our course far to the
southeast, and all trace of our position was lost.
Sailors and passengers were alike worn out with
fatigue and long watching; indeed, all hope of saving
the ship had disappeared. The masts were split and
overboard, the sails rent, and the water in the hold
from a leak made us expect every moment to be swal-
lowed up in the waves.
Nothi ig could now be heard among the crew or the
passengers but earnest prayers to God for mercy! —
each commending his soul to his Maker, knowing that
His power alone could save them from death.
My children stood clinging to their mother, and
trembling with fear in our little cabin, and I endeav-
ored to cheer them by saying,
‘‘My children, God can save us if it is His will; if
not, we must resign ourselves to what He judges is
best for us, and to die will be to meet again in a better
world, where partings are unknown.’’
My poor wife on this wiped her tears and became
calm, to give courage to her boys; and yet I could
scarcely restrain my own grief, even while endeavoring
to comfort my family.
At last we knelt together and otfered our united
prayers to the Almighty for succor: my eldest boy
Fritz prayed aloud most earnestly, that God would
save his dear parents and brothers, seeming not to
15
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
think at all of his own safety. All else was forgotten
in the threatened danger, and yet the evident faith of
childhood in the power of the prayers they uttered re-
stored my own.
‘‘Will not the Lord hear and answer these prayers,’’
I thought, “offered in such childlike trust and confi-
dence 1 ’ ’
All at once was heard above the fury of the storm
the cry, “Land! land!” At the same moment we felt
a shock so violent that I believed the ship had struck
on a rock, and would immediately fall to pieces. The
sounds of cracking timber, and the rush of water over
the decks, quickly proved that I was not mistaken, es-
pecially when the voice of the captain made itself heard
in terrible tones, “We are lost! lower the boats!” —
and the words struck like a sword to my heart.
“Lost!” I exclaimed, in my terror; but the piteous
cries of my children aroused me. I must not allow
them to despair at this awful moment. ‘ ‘ Keep up your
courage!” I exclaimed: “God can help us still if we
trust in Him! I will go at once, and try to discover
whether some way of deliverance may not be left for
us.”
I went up quickly on deck, but as I endeavored to
advance, wave after wave passed over me. The first,
for which I was unprepared, dashed me to the ground ;
but I struggled to withstand the force of the next by
clinging to the side of the ship, and then what a sight
presented itself!
One boat was far out to sea, and a sailor — the last
to leap on board the other boat — ^was about to cut the
rope and let it drift away. When I realized the fact
that they were escaping, and had left me and my dear
ones to perish, I raised my voice in earnest entreaty.
I cried, I prayed, I implored them to return and rescue
us. All to no purpose. My voice was lost amid the
roar of the storm, and even had I been heard, the fury
16
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
of the waves made the return of the boats an impossi-
bility.
For a few moments I looked around me in despair.
Then, with a sudden hope, I observed the position of
the vessel. The bow had sunk forward, leaving the
stern high above the water as far as a kind of partition
situated amidships, which separated the captain’s and
the other cabins from the steerage of the ship.
Added to this, I found that the wreck was fixed in
this position between two rocks, and therefore likely
to remain in safety, especially if the storm abated. A
few moments served for me to realize the absence of
immediate danger, and then I turned my attention
towards the shore, which lay, as I supposed, to the
southward. A misty rain obscured the view, and per-
haps made it appear more barren and desolate; yet I
determined to strain every nerve in an etf ort to reach
a spot upon which I now placed my highest hopes of
safety. Still, I had to restrain the troubled thought
that all hope of human help had vanished, as I went
below to the cabin and addressed my dear ones hope-
fully.
‘^Take courage, my children,” I said as I entered,
‘‘all hope is not lost. The ship is fixed between the
rocks, and this little place of refuge is high above the
water. To-morrow, if the wind and waves subside, we
may be able to reach the land. ’ ’
The hopefulness of childhood enabled my boys to
receive this news with transports of joy. They passed
all at once from despair to unbounded confidence. All
doubts and difficulties vanished, especially as the roll-
ing of the vessel, which had so often dashed them to and
fro or against the side of the ship, had entirely ceased.
But my wife discovered my hidden anxiety in spite of
my calmness ; yet, while I saw this clearly, I knew by
her manner that her confidence in God was still un-
shaken, and this gave me renewed courage.
17
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
Her first act was to searcli in the steward’s room for
provisions, and with such success that a plentiful sup-
per was quickly prepared for us.
‘^Let us take food,” she said: ‘‘nourishment for the
body gives strength to the spirit, and we may have a
very disturbed night.”
And so it truly proved. The three younger boys
gladly retired to rest after supper, and were soon fast
asleep, overcome with fatigue and excitement. Fritz,
the eldest, a youth of fourteen, understood our posi-
tion more clearly than his brothers, and preferred to
share the watch with his parents. He was a thought-
ful boy, and we discovered after awhile one of his rea-
sons for wishing to sit up with us.
As night advanced the storm still continued, and the
waves broke over the lower part of the ship with un-
diminished fury. From time to time a cracking noise
told us that the planks and beams of the wreck were
strained by their force, and a continual trembling
caused a dread that every moment the vessel would
fall in pieces.
It was after one of these shocks that Fritz exclaimed,
“My father, do you think we could find any swim-
ming-belts on board for my mother and the boys ? You
and I could swim on shore if anything happened to the
wreck, but they cannot swim. ’ ’
“Not a bad thought, my boy,” I replied; “we will
search at once.”
But no swimming-belts could be obtained, and I de-
termined to contrive a plan which I hoped would prove
successful. In the steward’s cabin we found a num-
ber of empty flasks and tin water-cans strong enough
to support a light person in the waves. These we
fastened together with pocket-handkerchiefs, and tied
them under the armpits of the three boys and my wife,
who willingly adopted this means of safety. We also
supplied ourselves with knives, string, a tinder-box
18
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
and matches, and other useful but not cumbrous arti-
cles, and then seated ourselves to await calmly the re-
sult, hoping that, should the vessel fall to pieces, we
might be able to gain the shore partly by swimming
and partly by being borne on the waves.
^ Fritz, however, feeling more secure in the safety of
his dear mother and brothers, retired to rest and slept
soundly. I and my brave wife remained awake in
watchful anxiety, listening to each shock that threat-
ened a change in the position of the vessel. It was,
indeed, a sad night for us both : we passed it in prayer
and consultation respecting our future, till with thank-
ful hearts we observed the first glimmer of daylight,
and felt that we were safe. As morning advanced the
wind lulled, the sky cleared, and with joyful eyes we
gazed at the brilliant colors that glowed in the east as
the sun rose foretelling a bright day.
In a cheerful voice I roused the boys, and led them
with their mother on deck. Then for the first time
they became aware that we were alone on the ship.
^‘Oh, papa!’’ exclaimed Jack, ‘‘where are the sailors
and the other passengers ? How are we to continue the
voyage or get to land ? — are they gone ! — why did they
not take us?”
“My children,” I said, “our companions have left
us to our fate, but we must not despair. If we exert
ourselves and do all we can, God in His mercy will help
us ; still let us trust in Him without fear, and consider
what is best to be done. ’ ’ .
“Could we not make a raft, papa,” said Ernest,
‘ ‘ and get to shore all together ? ”
“It would certainly be an excellent plan if we had
the materials,” I replied.
‘ ‘ The sea is calm enough to reach the shore by swim-
ming,” remarked Fritz.
“Swimming would be all right for you,” said Ernest,
“but not for us, who can’t swim.”
19
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
yes, I forgot; but will those contrivances we
made in the night be safe for mamma and the boys,
papa 1 ’ exclaimed Fritz.
would rather adopt some other plan,’^ I replied;
^‘and now suppose we search the ship, and see if any
materials for a raft can be found.’’
At these words we all dispersed in different direc-
tions. I proceeded at once to the provision stores,
which, to my great satisfaction, were well supplied with
both food and water. My wife and the youngest boy
went to visit the animals ; Fritz ran to the armory-room,
and Ernest to the ship-carpenter’s workshop. Jack,
as he opened the door of the captain’s cabin, got a
little fright. Two large dogs sprang out, and, full of
joy, bounded upon him so roughly, that they threw
him down, and covered him with their caresses. This
performance, however, startled the little man, and he
at first cried out in alarm. But soon remembering that
the poor doggies must be hungry, he recovered him-
self quickly, rose to his feet, and mounting on the back
of the largest dog, he rode gravely towards me, just as
I appeared coming up from the ship’s hold.
I could not help laughing even while I praised his
courage, but not without advising him to be more cau-
tious in future with strange animals, otherwise it might
cost him dear.
One by one we returned to the cabin, each bringing
what he considered would be the most useful in our po-
sition.
Fritz brought powder, small shot, bullets, and two
sporting guns. Ernest held in his hand a hatful of
nails and a hammer, while from his pocket stuck out a
pair of pincers and a hatchet. Even little Frank had
a packet of fishing-hooks and lines, with which he
seemed very much pleased.
‘‘As to myself,” said my dear wife, “I have only
brought good news, yet I hope it will prove very valu-
20
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
able. I am delighted to tell you that there are still
alive on the ship a cow, a donkey, two goats, six sheep,
a ram, and a sow. I was only jnst in time to save them
from dying of hunger and thirst.’’
‘‘Yon have all done well,” I said at last, “yet I am
afraid Master J ack has brought two tremendous eaters
instead of anything useful ; we shall find it difficult to
feed them.”
“Oh! but, papa,” exclaimed Jack, “when we get
on shore the dogs will help us to hunt.”
“Yes,” I rephed, “but how are we to get there?”
“Can we not sail in tubs?” said Jack, “I have often
done so on the pond at home.”
“Happy thought!” I exclaimed; “let us begin at
once. Now for the nails, the hammer, a saw, and a
gimlet. We will see what can be found in the hold. ”
My wife and the boys, excepting Jack, followed me
to the hold with tools, and here we drew from the water
four large empty casks. These we dragged to the
lower deck, which was just above the water ’s edge, and
discovered with joy that they were all made of solid
wood and bound with strong iron hoops. The water in
the hold on which they floated had prevented them from
getting dry, and proved that they were watertight.
I found them exactly suited to my purpose, and set
to work at once to saw them apart through the middle.
We succeeded at last, after great exertion, and then
gladly refreshed ourselves with the wine and biscuits
which were contained in two other small casks. I con-
templated with pride the eight half-casks or tubs as
they stood side by side on the sloping deck, and felt
quite astonished to observe that my wife looked sad.
“I could never dare to trust myself on the open sea
in one of those things,” she said with a sigh.
“Do not alarm yourself too soon, dear wife,” I re-
plied: “my work is not yet finished; wait a little, —
you will find that these tubs are much better for us
21
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
than a wrecked vessel which is a fixture in the rocks. ’ ’
After a search I discovered a long and flexible plank,
and upon this I fastened my eight tubs, so that the
two ends of the plank might bend upwards and form a
keel. Two other planks I also found, and these we
nailed firmly to the tubs on each side, and brought
together at the ends to form the stem and stern. In
reality I had made a narrow boat divided into eight
compartments. All was strong and well fitted, and
appeared quite suitable for navigation, at least on a
calm sea and for a short distance.
But, alas! when my wonderful contrivanoe was fin-
ished, it was found so heavy that in spite of our united
efforts we were not able to move it an inch.
‘ ‘ Fetch me one of the capstan-rods, ’ ’ * I cried, ^ ‘ I
can use it as a lever.
Fritz understood, and ran to find one. Then I cut
off some pieces of wood from the sail-yards f for roll-
ers, and lifting the lower part of my boat with the iron
bar, Fritz placed them underneath, and now we could
move it easily where we pleased.
^‘How strange,” exclaimed Ernest, ‘^that one man
can do more with that thing than we could do with all
our strength ! How is it, papa ? ^ ’
‘ Hf we get safely to land, Ernest, I will explain this
to you ; the iron bar forms a lever which is one of the
six mechanical powers. Now, however, I am too
anxious about the boat to talk to you.”
While saying this I was fastening a rope to the tub-
raft with a strong knot, and after placing the two roll-
ers under it and giving it a slight push, we had the
pleasure of seeing our little vessel glide from the lower
deck towards the sea. But she descended with such
rapidity that had I not taken the precaution to fasten
* An iron bar used to turn the capstan when raising the anchor.
t The poles across the masts on which the sailors stand to unfurl or
furl the sails.
22
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
the rope to a beam on the wreck, she would have been
carried far out of our reach. Unfortunately, the boat
leaned so much on one side that no one would have
dared to embark in it ; but I saw in a moment what it
wanted. I quickly gathered up all the heavy things
around me, and threw them as ballast into the tubs.
The boat immediately righted itself, and my children
with eager joy rushed forward, in their haste disputing
who should first enter, and forgetting all idea of dan-
ger.
But I hastily stopped them. I knew we could not
venture to put to sea with any safety yet, for I saw
plainly that the slightest obstruction would capsize
the craft. To avoid this danger, therefore, I thought
I might contrive to manufacture some of those paddles
which savage nations use to balance their canoes even
against adverse winds.
I again set myself to work to procure this happy
means of safety, and with the help of Fritz I succeeded.
We found two long sail-yards, which were fastened, one
in front and the other at the hinder part of the boat,
so that they could be moved without in any way in-
terfering with the progress of our little raft.
To the end of each of these we fixed two little empty
casks which were to serve as a counterpoise, and at last
I believed that our arrangements were complete and
safe. It only remained for me to ascertain the best
means of escape from the wreck of the ship to the open
sea. I therefore embarked in one of the tubs, and di-
recting the boat towards a fissure in the side which
seemed to open a passage, I contrived, by the use of
the hatchet and the saw, to cut away the planks and
beams which stood in our way.
Nothing now remained but to secure the oars for our
voyage on the morrow. It was late when all this was
finished, and impossible to attempt to go on shore at
that hour. We were obliged, therefore, to pass an-
23
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
other night on the wreck, which threatened every mo-
ment to fall to pieces.
My wife, however, had prepared for ns an abundant
supper, which we greatly needed, for in an eager desire
to finish the tub-raft, we had taken nothing but the wine
and biscuits found in the casks.
At last we all gladly sought repose after the fatigues
of the day, but I took the precaution to request my boys
to attach the empty cans and flasks to their arms as a
means of safety, should anything happen to the ship.
I advised my wife also to dress herself in sailor’s
clothes, as more convenient for swimming should she
be thrown into the water.
She objected greatly at first, but eventually I con-
vinced her of the means of safety the dress would
prove in case of accident, and she retired from the
cabin to make the change.
When she reappeared, looking very embarrassed, I
could not help paying her a compliment, for the middy ’s
dress became her admirably. Perhaps my bright
hopes for the morrow made her forget her boyish ap-
pearance, and she retired to rest in her berth and slept
peacefully till morning.
24
CHAPTER II
A DESOLATE ISLAND
The next morning at daybreak we were all awake,
for hope as well as care is no friend to sleep. As
soon as we had knelt and offered our morning prayers
to God, I said to my children,
‘‘I hope now, that with the aid of the Almighty, we
shall soon be out of danger. And, first, let us provide
food and water for the poor animals enough to last for
several days; perhaps we may be able to return for
them, if we succeed in reaching the land. And will
you, my boys, collect together all that we shall require
to take with us for our most pressing wants, while I
attend to the animals T’
My first care had been to place on board our little
bark a barrel of powder, three fowling-pieces, guns,
pistols, and a supply of bullets, with a bullet-mold and
lead to prepare more when these were gone. To my
wife and each of the boys I gave a game-bag for future
use, but now filled with provisions found in the sea-
chests of the ship’s officers. Among these were tablets
of soup, dried meat, and biscuits.
I also loaded the two unoccupied tubs of the boat with
an iron pot for cooking, a fishing-line and rod, a box
of nails, a hammer, saw, hatchet, pincers, and a quan-
tity of sail-cloth, with which to erect a tent. So many
things were at last collected together to place in the
boat, that I had to set aside the least useful for objects
more precious.
When all was ready, we knelt once more to ask pro-
tection on our perilous voyage. I then placed the boys
25
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
each in a boat, and waited for my wife. Presently she
returned from the cabin carrying a large well-filled bag,
which she threw into the tub with little Frank, and 1
imagined that she only intended it to form a more
comfortable seat for her youngest boy.
We were about to follow the children into the boat,
when all at once the cocks began to crow and the hens
to cluck in such a mournful manner, that they appeared
to be complaining at being left behind.
‘‘I think we might manage to take them with us,” I
said; ‘‘for if they are not cared for now we cannot
expect them to be of use to us by and by. ’ ^
My advice was followed : two cocks and ten hens were
placed in the tubs, and I contrived a kind of lattice-
work roughly from splinters of wood, to keep them
from jumping out. The ducks, geese, and pigeons I
merely set free, feeling convinced that they would
find their way to land, either through the air or by
water.
At length, when we were all safely stowed away in
our tubs, I cut the cable and placed myself at the helm.
In the first tub was my wife, close behind her little
Frank ; the next two tubs contained the ammunition, the
sail-cloth, the tools, the provisions, and the chickens?
FWtz occupied the fifth; Ernest and Jack the sixth and
seventh; and I had taken the last for myself, that I
might guide the vessel containing my family by the
stern oar, which served for a ruMer.
Each of my elder boys took an oar, and, as well as
their mother and little Frank, wore the swimming-
belts I had contrived as a protection in case our strange
craft should be capsized.
It was just half -tide as we quitted the vessel, and I
counted upon that to carry us to land, and compensate
for the weakness of our rowers. The eyes of my chil-
dren were soon eagerly attracted by the green shore
before them, and they rowed with all their strength to
26
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
reach it ; but for a long time we appeared to make but
little progress.
Presently we were startled by hearing the two dogs,
which had been left on the wreck, whining piteously;
and in a few moments they sprang into the sea and
swam after us. They were too heavy for us to add to
the weight by taking them on board our frail bark.
Turk was a large English mastiff, and Floss, equally
large, a Danish hound. I pitied them, however, for I
feared they would not be able to swim such a dis-
tance; yet, now and then, they supported themselves
very cleverly, by resting their fore paws on the planks
which balanced the tubs, and followed us as a rearguard
without much trouble.
After awhile, finding we made but little progress, I
took another oar, and by guiding the boat into the cur-
rent of the flowing tide, our navigation became less
difficult, and we found ourselves approaching nearer to
the shore.
Its aspect was not very inviting: barren rocks and
the absence of all vegetation predicted for us a sad
prospect of hunger and suffering. The sea, however,
was calm, the sky without a cloud, and the waves
rippled gently against the shore; while around us
floated chests, casks, and bales of goods — the debris of
the ill-fated ship. In the hope that these stray casks
might contain provisions, Fritz and I hooked some of
them with our oars, and as I drew them near, I told him
to have nails and a hammer ready to fasten them to our
raft.
As we drew nearer, the land lost much of its wild
and sterile aspect, and Fritz, who has the eye of a fal-
con, declared that he could already distinguish trees,
and amongst them palms and cocoanut-trees.
‘‘Oh!^’ cried Ernest, who was fond of good things,
‘‘how nice it will be to have cocoanuts ! they are larger
and better than the nuts of Europe.’’
27
SWISS FAMILY RqBINSON
A difficulty now arose as to the most convenient point
on the coast for us to land, and I was beginning to re-
gret that I had forgotten to bring the telescope from
the captain’s cabin, when Jack drew from his pocket a
smaller one, and offered it to me with delight at being
able to gratify my wish.
This telescope enabled me to take precautions in
avoiding dangerous rocks, for the impetuous current
seemed driving us at its will. Presently I perceived a
narrow bay, towards which our ducks and geese were
rapidly swimming in advance of us, as if to lead the
way. ^
This creek in the shore presented also a much more
pleasant aspect, and as I guided our boat towards the
entrance, I found the water only just sufficiently deep
to float it; and we arrived at last, after some little
trouble, at a spot where it was so shallow that the shore
was on a level with the top of our tubs.
We all sprang out joyfully from the boat excepting
little Frank, who was obliged to be assisted by his
mother. The dogs, who had arrived as soon as our-
selves, bounded with joy and barked around us in the
wildest manner. The geese and ducks quacked loudly
to welcome us. To this and the barking of the dogs
were added the cries of the flamingoes, who flew away
as we appeared, mingled with the screams of the pen-
guins perched on the rocks. The appearance of these
wild birds was not disagreeable to me : I decided that
the land in which they found a home could not be so
sterile and desolate after all.
But these noises and confusion of sounds did not
make us forget that we were safe ; and our first act was
to fall upon our knees and thank God for having merci-
fully preserved us in the hour of danger, and pray to
Him to continue to grant us His -protection.
We then commenced unloading the boat, and, small
as our cargo appeared, I considered we had saved a
28
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
great deal, especially if we included the cocks and hens,
which were set free to roam for the present and find
food for themselves.
After choosing a suitable spot, we prepared to erect
a tent as a place of shelter for the night, and in this we
quickly succeeded, having all the necessary materials.
One of the poles, which had served to balance the boat,
was firmly fixed in the ground, and the end of another
pole placed on the top of it, the opposite end being
fixed in a crevice of the rock.
Over this framework we threw our sail-cloth, stretch-
ing it out as far as possible on all sides, and then fasten-
ing it firmly to the ground with a number of stakes.
For greater security our chests and other heavy
articles were placed round the cloth to keep out the
wind, and Fritz attached hooks to the edges in front,
that we might draw them together during the night.
Then I sent the children to gather as much moss and
grass as they could find, and lay it in the sun to dry,
so that we might have something softer than the hard
ground to sleep on at night.
While they were thus engaged, I piled up a number
of large stones at some distance from the tent, to form
a fireplace, on the borders of the little creek by which
we had reached the land. Branches of trees and dried
wood I found readily, and gathering armfuls, I placed
them on my stone hearth, and presently a fire — that
true friend of man — rose sparkling and flaming towards
the sky.
Upon this I placed our iron pot full of water, and
into it my wife threw one of the tablets, for she in-
tended us to have soup for dinner. Little Frank
watched the performance, and said presently.
Mamma, what is papa going to stick together U’
^‘Nothing, my hoy: I am making soup.’’
‘^Glue soup, mamma! Oh, I shan’t like to eat
that.”
29
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
she replied, ‘‘meat soup; what made you
think it was glueT’
“It looks like it, mamma; besides, we can^t get meat
here, there are no butchers’ shops.”
“Listen, my hoy,” said his mother: “these cakes,
that perhaps do look like glue, are made of the jelly of
good meat, well cooked, for persons to carry with them
to sea. It would be impossible for us to take fresh
meat enough to last for a long voyage, it would not
keep, so these meat and soup cakes are made to supply
its place.”
Meanwhile Fritz had loaded his gun and took his
way along the. banks of the stream. Ernest, remark-
ing that to seek for game upon a desert coast did not
appear very agreeable, turned towards the sea, while
Jack wandered among the rocks to search for shells.
I employed myself in drawing from the water the two
casks which we had secured in our transit from the
ship to the shore.
I discovered, however, that while the water at the
spot on which we landed was convenient for unloading
the boat, it had not depth enough to float it when heav-
ily laden. While I stood considering what was best
to be done, I heard Jack cry out as if in terror. Seiz-
ing a hatchet, I ran in the direction of his voice, and
saw him in the water up to his knees, and an enormous
lobster or crab holding him by the leg in one of his
claws, while J ack tried in vain to get rid of his enemy.
I at once jumped into the water ; the crustaceous ani-
mal no sooner perceived my approach than he let go
his hold and tried to escape ; but to allow this was not
my intention. I followed his movements with my eyes,
owing to the agitation of the water, and at length dis-
abling him with my hatchet, I brought him ashore, to
Jack’s great delight.
Burning with impatience to show his beautiful cap-
tive to his mother, he caught the creature in both his
30
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
‘‘I can improve it/’ she said, ‘‘by dissolving it in
fresh water, and straining it through a piece of linen. ’ ’
And so it proved, for the pure salt fell through, and
my wife threw it into the soup.
“Why could we not use sea-water?” asked Jack.
“Because it would be too bitter,” replied Ernest.
“The bitter taste is very strong when sea-water is
boiled. ’ ’
“Quite right, Ernest,” I said. “Sea-water contains
a bitumen very disagreeable to the taste, which does
not exist in crystallized salt. ’ ’
My wife now informed us that the soup was ready,
but Fritz had not returned. Where could he be?
While we waited, she remarked,
“How are we to eat the soup now it is prepared?
We cannot possibly lift a great burning pot to our lips,
nor fish out the biscuits with our hands, and we have
neither spoons nor cups. I think,” she added, laugh-
ing, “we are in the same predicament as the fox in
the fable, when the stork offered him his breakfast in
a jug with a long narrow neck!”
This idea was so comical that we all laughed heart-
ily, especially when Ernest said,
“If we only had cocoanut-shells divided in two, they
would make splendid cups!”
“No doubt,” I replied: “why don’t you wish we had
a dozen silver spoons at hand? Wishing is useless:
can you not invent something?”
‘ ‘ Those shells I saw would serve us for spoons cap-
itally!” said Ernest.
“A bright idea, my boy, — although, as our oyster-
shell spoons will have no handles, we shall be obliged
to burn our fingers in getting out the soup. However,
oyster-shells are better than nothing, boys, so run and
get as many as you can.”
Away started Jack to the place described. Ernest
followed slowly, and when he reached the spot, there
33
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
was Jack up to Ms knees in the water. As he stood
still dreading to wet his feet, Jack detached the oysters,
and threw them to his brother.
‘‘You can gather them up and help me carry them,’’
he said, “if you are so afraid of water.”
Ernest gladly assented, and they quickly obtained a
sufficient number; while he waited, however, he con-
trived to put a large shell in his own pocket. Pres-
ently they appeared at the tent, carrying a supply of
unopened spoons.
At this moment Fritz approached, walking slowly
with his hands behind his back, and his head bowed as
if in great trouble.
“I have found nothing,” he said, dolefully.
“Absolutely nothing!” I said.
“Nothing,” was the reply.
But his brothers slipping quietly beMnd him ex-
claimed,
“Oh, Fritz! and you’ve got a little pig! Where
did you find it! Did you kill it! Oh, do show it to
us.”
Fritz then, with a self-satisfied air, placed before
me the first result of his hunting exploits.
“You have succeeded, no doubt, Fritz,” I said
gravely; “but I cannot allow you to utter falsehoods
even in joke or to surprise us. The habit of untruth-
fulness in play easily leads to speaking falsely on
serious subjects.”
Fritz promised not to offend again. And then he
told us he had wandered to the other side of the creek,
and found the vegetation very different; green grass,
pleasant meadows, and such magnificent trees to shade
us from the heat.
“And, papa,” he added; “there are chests and
boxes and spars floating about from the wreck. Can
we not go and fetch them! If the animals were here
that we left on board, it would be easy to find food for
34
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
them; and how useful they would be, especially the
cow, to supply us with milk. Don’t let us stay in this
barren place. ’ ’
‘‘Patience, patience, my boy,” I said. “One thing
at a time. To-morrow we will try what can be done.
But, tell me, did you see anything of our fellow-pas-
sengers?”
“No, papa; not a single trace on sea or land. And,
papa, I think this place is an island; and,” he added
quickly, ‘ ‘ there are pigs here, because I have shot one ;
but I don’t think it exactly resembles the pigs in Eu-
rope, for its paws are more like those of a hare. I saw
several in the grass : they had no fear of me, so I ven-
tured quite close, and saw them sitting on their hind
legs, and feeding themselves like squirrels. If I had
not been afraid they would all escape from me, I
should have tried to catch one alive, for they appeared
almost tame. ’ ’
Ernest, in spite of his indolent habits, had been a
great reader, and was perhaps the most intellectual
of my boys. He had been examining the dead animal
carefully while his brother talked.
“This is not a pig at all, Fritz,” he said; “it has
hair like silk, and four large incisor teeth in front. I
believe it is an animal I’ve read about in my Natural
History called an agouti.”
“Indeed!” said Fritz; “listen to our great doctor
with his universal scientific knowledge. I believe it’s
a young pig after all.”
“Gently, gently,” I cried; “don’t be so hasty with
your jokes. Ernest, I believe, is right. I have never
seen the agouti; but the appearance of this animal
corresponds entirely with the descriptions I have read,
as well as the pictures. The agouti is a native of
America. It inhabits hollow trees, is mild and gentle
in its nature, and forms excellent food.”
While we were discussing this question. Jack was us-
35
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
ing his utmost efforts to open an oyster with his knife,
but without success.
^‘You will never succeed, Jack,’’ I said, unless
you place the oysters on the hot embers ; they will then
open of themselves.”
In a few minutes Jack brought me an open oyster.
‘^See, my children,” I said; ‘^this is considered a
great delicacy by epicures; let us taste it.” With
these words I swallowed the first oyster, not, certainly,
without repugnance, which, however, I concealed from
the hoys.
‘‘Do you like it, papa?” they asked.
“I have had enough for the present,” I replied; “but
I must leave you to judge for yourselves.”
The hoys, after looking more closely at the glutinous
object, appeared reluctant to make the attempt, but
they knew that they must each eat one to obtain a shell
for a spoon. Jack led the way, performing the task
heroically, and swallowing the oyster as if it were
medicine, with all sorts of grimaces, while his brothers
followed his example, yet with evident dislike.*
The empty shells, however, were at last obtained,
and we hastened to put our new-fashioned spoons in
use, yet not without burning our fingers as we dipped
them into the soup.
Then Ernest brought from his pocket the large mus-
sel-shell which he had concealed, and filling it with
soup, drew himself on one side, and, laughing at our
burnt fingers, set it down to get cool.
‘‘You take care of yourself, my boy, at all events,” I
said. “I hope you will procure dishes for us similar
to that by and by.”
“There are plenty more where that came from,” he
replied, laughing.
“I fear you are becoming selfish, Ernest,” I said;
* The Swiss must differ from us in disliking an edible which we
consider a luxury.
36
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
‘‘I think I ought to punish you by giving that soup to
the two dogs: you can wait as well as they can.’’
With all his faults Ernest was amiable in temper;
he rose at once, and placed it before the hungry ani-
mals, who swallowed it in the twinkling of an eye. But
what was that to assuage their hunger?
Suddenly, while we were enjoying our soup, they
spied the dead agouti, and before we could prevent them
they had devoured it.
Fritz started up in a rage, and seizing his gun, flew
at the dogs as if he would kill them, and when they
rushed from him in terror he threw stones after them,
which caused them to howl with pain.
My angry voice recalled him to himself, and when his
rage calmed down, I talked to him seriously about this
hasty temper which so pained me, for it appeared to
become worse instead of better, as he grew older. I
showed him that it had not only caused him to utter
rude and angry words before his younger brothers,
but had I not interfered he would have killed the two
faithful creatures who would no doubt be so useful to
us. He looked very much ashamed as I thus talked to
him, and owned he was wrong, and presently I ob-
served him trying to make friends with the dogs; I
hoped, therefore, that my words had done good.
As sunset approached, the poultry gathered round
us and began to pick up the crumbs, and then I discov-
ered the valuable contents of the bag which my wife
had placed in the tub with little Frank. She opened
it now and scattered oats, peas, and barley, which were
eagerly swallowed by pigeons and poultry. She
showed me also a quantity of wheat which she had
brought in her bag, and while I praised her thoughtful-
ness, I advised her to be economical with this precious
grain, which I hoped we might be able to sow if we had
to remain on the island. I promised also that, on my
next trip to the wreck, I would bring for the poultry the
37
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
damaged biscuits. Our pigeons, after tbeir supper,
took refuge in the clefts of the rocks, the fowls perched
themselves on the ridge of the tent, while the ducks
and geese went to roost among the rushes which grew
on the brink of the stream.
We also began to think about retiring to rest, but I
first took the precaution to load our guns and place
them within reach, in case of alarm. We then knelt
and offered our evening prayer, thanking God for His
care of us during the day, and after asking Him to
watch over us while we slept, we entered the tent.
My children were astonished to observe that night
came on almost suddenly after very little twilight.
This made me feel certain that we were near the
equator, or at least in some island situated within the
tropics. In countries near the Line the light changes
to darkness with great rapidity. I left the tent once
more to assure myself that all was quiet around us,
and on reentering, closed the opening after me, while
the cock, awakened by the rising moon, crowed his
evening chant. The heat of the d^ay was followed by
a cold night, which we felt more keenly on our beds of
moss. My wife and boys, however, were soon asleep.
We had agreed to watch alternately during the night,
but in spite of all my efforts I could not keep awake.
Unconsciously my eyelids closed softly, slumber fell
upon me, and this our first night on our land of safety
was passed calmly and without alarms.
38
CHAPTER III
A VOYAGE OF DISCOVEEY
At early dawn we were aroused by tbe crowing of
the cocks, and my wife and I consulted together
on the best plan to adopt in our proceedings during the
day. She agreed with me that not only was it neces-
sary to search for some trace of our fellow-passengers,
but also to explore the country before we decided
upon our future resting-place. She understood read-
ily that it would be impossible for the whole family to
venture on such an expedition. She proposed, there-
fore, that I should take Fritz, as he was the strongest
and the most useful, and leave the younger boys under
her care. I was thankful to find her reconciled to this
arrangement, and begged her to prepare breakfast
while I aroused the boys.
‘‘We have not much left for breakfast,’^ she said,
“only the remains of the soup.’’
“But where is Jack’s lobster?” I cried, “what has
he done with it?”
“Go and ask him,” she replied, “while I light a fire,
and place on the water to boil. ’ ’
The boys were soon awake, even Ernest did not re-
quire much to rouse him, and then I inquired of Jack
what had become of the lobster.
He ran at once to fetch it from a crevice in the rock,
where he had hidden it for safety.
“I was determined the dogs should not devour it,
as they did the agouti, papa,” he said.
“Certainly you take care of what belongs to your-
self, my boy,” I said, “but they are happier who care
for the wants of others. I think also you ought to
• 39
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
pve Up to Fritz the claws of the lobster which I prom-
ised you, to provide him with a dinner on his journey
to-day. ’ ’
journey! a journey!’’ they all cried; ‘‘are we
going?” and they began to jump and dance round me
like young kids.
“This time it is impossible,” I said; “we know not
what dangers we may meet. Fritz and I have strength
to struggle against them, and to bear the fatigue of a
long journey, which you could not. You must stay
here with your mother, in safety. We shall take Turk
with us, and leave Floss to guard you. Such a de-
fender and a loaded gun are not to be despised.”
Jack generously offered the whole of his lobster for
our use on the journey, but Ernest remarked dryly,
“They will no doubt find plenty of cocoanuts, and
that will be far nicer than your lobster, Jack.”
When I desired Fritz to take his gun and an ax,
with a gamebag, he blushed, and asked my permission
to choose another instead of his own.
To this I readily agreed, although I would not notice
the blush. I knew that he had injured his gun in try-
ing to strike the dogs on the previous evening, and I
felt pleased to see that he still remembered his outburst
of temper with shame.
I told him, however, to place two small pistols in his
belt, while I loaded the game-bag with powder and
shot, some biscuits and a bottle of water.
By this time breakfast was ready; it consisted of
the lobster and some biscuits. The flesh, however, of
the fish was so hard, and of such an unpleasant flavor,
that no one regretted its loss when Fritz placed what
remained in the game-bag.
“We ought to start soon, papa,” he said, “before
the heat of the day comes on.”
“Quite right, my boy,” I replied; “but we have for-
gotten something of great importance. ’ ’
40
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
‘‘Wliat is it he asked; “to say farewell to mamma
and the boysT^
“I know,’^ said Ernest, — “we have not had morning
prayers yet.’’
“ YeSj my boy, that is it. We are apt to forget God
too easily while we are thinking of the nourishment
of onr bodies and other requirements of this life, and
yet we never wanted His succor and protection more
surely than we do now.”
Jack, who was behind me, forgot himself in a love
of fun : he pretended to pull a rope, and shouted, ^ ‘ Bim
bom, bim bom, bibibom ! To prayers ! to prayers !” in
imitation of the church bells.
I turned quickly, exclaiming, “Wicked child, to mix
up jokes and fun with sacred things ; go away, I shall
not allow you to kneel with us. ’ ’
Jack withdrew and knelt at a distance, and then,
after beseeching God in His mercy still to protect us,
and especially to watch over us while we were sep-
arated, I implored pardon for the little one among us
who had so thoughtlessly otfended.
When I had finished. Jack came to me in tears, and
expressing his sorrow, asked me to forgive him, and
promised never to commit such a fault again. I read-
ily pardoned him, and felt thankful as I reflected that
whatever might be the faults of my children, they were
always ready to acknowledge themselves wrong, and
to seek forgiveness.
Before Fritz and I started, I called the younger
boys round their mother, and enjoined them to obey
her in everything implicity. I reminded her also to
be sure and keep a loaded gun close at hand, and not
to lose sight of our tub-boat, as in case of alarm it
would prove a place of refuge.
At last we separated, not without grief and hesita-
tion, for we knew not what might happen to us before
we met again : Fritz and I heard the sorrowful adieus
41
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
of those we left behind till we reached the banks of the
stream which we intended to cross.
The ground here rose abruptly, and was so rocky and
steep that we were obliged to follow the current for a
long time, to find a spot at which to cross and get far-
ther inland. I, however, rejoiced over this proof that I
had left my family safely protected by rocks as lofty
as I could desire for their defense.
After walking a long distance, the stream grew
narrower, and at length we reached its source, from
which it tumbled over rocks and stones down a preci-
pice, forming a cascade in its descent.
Across the narrowest part we contrived to leap from
stone to stone, and after a struggle over broken rocks
and tall withered grass, we reached the opposite bank
in safety; and by endeavoring to descend towards the
sea, I hoped we should meet fewer obstacles to our
progress.
We had not advanced a hundred steps, when we
heard a strange noise, and a rustling in the grass be-
hind us. I stopped, and saw Fritz fearlessly raise his
gun and wait calmly for the unknown enemy, which
proved to be no other than our dog Turk. In our
trouble we had forgotten to call him, and he had been
sent after us. I overwhelmed the animal with caresses,
and praised Fritz for his steadiness and caution, for
had he fired through fear he might have killed the dog.
‘^You see, my son,’’ I said, “how fatal our passions
are if not under control. Yesterday through your
anger, and to-day from fear, you might have destroyed
our best and most useful friends.”
While conversing thus we reached the sea-shore.
Here we stood still for awhile, looking in every di-
rection across the ocean, in the hope of discovering the
boats containing our fellow-passengers; but not even
in the sand could we find any trace of the footsteps of
man.
42
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
‘‘If I were to fire my gun from time to time, and they
should be on the land, they would perhaps hear it,^^
said Fritz.
‘‘Very likely,’’ I replied; “but these signals might
bring wild beasts upon us, which would not be very
agreeable.”
“Why should we trouble ourselves about those who
forsook us so cruelly?” asked Fritz.
“For several reasons, my boy,” I replied; “and
first, because we ought always to return good for evil,
and therefore if they could not be useful to us, we
might help them greatly, for they carried nothing away
from the wreck.”
Silently reflecting, we continued our walk inland,
and at the end of two hours arrived at the entrance of
a wood, not far from the sea. Here we halted, and
seated ourselves in the cool shade by a rippling brook
which flowed under the trees. Around us fluttered
happy birds of various kinds, twittering and singing
joyously; but they were less remarkable for sweetness
of song than for the brightness of their plumage.
Presently Fritz fancied he saw an ape among the
foliage, and the uneasiness of Turk, who barked furi-
ously, confirmed him in his idea. He rose to assure
himself that he was right, and, while looking up, and
regardless of his steps, he struck his foot violently
against something round which had fallen in his path.
He picked it up, and bringing it to me, he said,
“What is this, papa? I think it must be the nest of
some bird.”
I smiled as I replied, “It is a nut, my boy, a cocoa-
nut too.”
“Some birds make round nests, I know,” he per-
sisted.
“Certainly they do, but that is no reason that this
should be a nest. Ho you not remember that the cocoa-
nut has two shells, the outer one thin and covered with
43
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
fibres, and tbe inner one bard and containing a milky
fluid? Break it, Fritz, and yon will find tbe inner nut
or kernel inside. ’ ^
He obeyed, but tbe nut was evidently an old one, for
tbe inside of tbe kernel was quite decayed and unfit to
eat.
Fritz was disappointed : be bad expected to find tbe
sweet milk and tbe white lining to tbe inner shell, and
asked me a number of questions respecting tbe nut,
which I answered carefully; and after this lesson in
natural history I proposed that we should go farther
into tbe wood, where no doubt grew other cocoanut
trees, and perhaps meet with a fresher nut.
We succeeded at last in finding another, but even
this was unpleasant in taste, and contained no milk.
A little farther on and the wood became so thick that
we were obliged to cut our way through with the
hatchet. At last, when the trees grew farther apart,
we saw to our right, scattered here and there, solitary
trees of a peculiar species, which attracted the notice
of Fritz.
Presently his keen eyes espied two of such a singu-
lar appearance that he stopped to examine them, and
then cried, ‘‘Papa, only look at those trees, with large
bulbs growing on the trunks: do come and examine
them. ’ ^
I drew nearer, and found to my great satisfaction
a group of calabash-trees, loaded with fruit. Fritz
could not understand my pleasure.
“Whatever can those excrescences be?’’ he asked.
“We will soon discover the secret,” I replied.
‘ ‘ Gather one of them, and let us examine the interior. ’ ’
Immediately he placed in my hands a common gourd
or pumpkin, with a shell which seemed to me, however,
unusually soft.
“This gourd, Fritz,” I said, “has in general a hard
dry shell, of which cups, plates, and bottles can be
44
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
made. The flexible stem of the plant on which it grows
winds itself round the trunks and boughs of large and
strong trees, from which the gourd is suspended; and
can you guess for what reason T’
‘^Yes,’’ replied Fritz; ‘‘without this support the
weight of the gourd would break the branches of the
plant on which it grows. ’ ^
“You have guessed rightly,’’ I replied; “and it will
prove to you how wisely all things are arranged by
God.”
“And are gourds good to eat?” he asked.
“They are eaten sometimes,” I said, “although they
are not pleasant to the taste. The shell, however, is
very useful to savage nations: they make cups, and
plates, spoons, bottles, and even cooking vessels of it.”
“Vessels for cooking!” exclaimed Fritz; “why, that
seems impossible ; the shell would burn if placed on the
fire. ’ ’
“Of course it would,” I replied; “but they manage
to cook without doing so.”
“That is a curious idea, to cook without fire.”
“My boy, you jump to conclusions too quickly. I
did not say they cooked their food without fire. I wish
you would reflect before you speak. Let me now ex-
plain. The natives, when they use the gourd for cook-
ing, divide the shell into two parts, and fasten a handle
on each. Into these they pour water, as we should
into a saucepan, and place in it portions of fish, crab, or
anything else that they wish to cook. Bed-hot stones
are then thrown in, which boil the water, and while the
dinner is being quickly prepared, the shell remains
unhurt. ’ ’
“Perhaps if I had reflected, I should have guessed
how they managed,” said Fritz; “it is a very clever
plan, certainly.”
“And you are as clever as the friends of Columbus.
After he had discovered how to make an egg stand on
45
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
its narrowest point, they said anyone might have
thought of cracking it gently to flatten it, as he did.’’
‘‘I suppose I am like the friends of Columbus,”
said Fritz, laughing; “at all events, I shall be over-
joyed at being able to provide my mother with spoons
instead of oyster-shells, as well as cups and basins.”
Fritz took up a gourd as he spoke, and attempted to
divide it with his knife, but without success. The blade
appeared unable to penetrate the shell, and after notch-
ing his knife and spoiling the gourd, he threw the latter
away in a pet, wondering at the hardness of a shell
which seemed so soft.
“Do not be so hasty, my friend,” I exclaimed; “the
shell can be opened in another way ; — look here, Fritz. ’ ’
He wat led me with surprise as I tied a piece of
string tig v.ly round the gourd, which slightly opened
the bark ; I then drew it tighter, and inserted the point
of my knife in the opening; it became at once an easy
task to draw the string through the softer part within,
and so separate the shell into two unequal parts, each
forming a useful vase like a basin.
“What a pretty little saucepan!” exclaimed Fritz.
“Papa, how came you to think of such a clever way!”
“From the accounts I have read of voyages and
travels in savage countries,” I replied. “It proves the
advantage of reading, for in this way I learnt that the
natives who do not possess knives always open the
gourds with a piece of string.”
I then showed him how to form the shell into bottles,
spoons, and other articles, and as each appeared, he ex-
pressed his joy at the thought of the useful things he
should be able to take to his mother.
“They appear very fragile,” he said at last.
“That is easily rectified,” I replied; “fill them with
sand, Fritz, and bury them on the shore; the heat of
the sun will soon harden them.”
Fritz appeared greatly satisfied after performing
46
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
this task, for he had no inclination to carry on our
exploring expedition such a load as the spoons, cups,
and basins we had buried in the sand. But we marked
the spot, that we might find it again on our road home.
As we continued our walk, Fritz employed himself
in trying to form a small spoon for little Frank, from
a piece of the gourd he had thrown away. I also en-
deavored to fashion another from the cocoanut-shell ;
but I must own that our productions were not first-
rate.
‘‘We recognize the savages as our masters in this
respect, Fritz. Our spoons are very inferior to
theirs. ^ ’
“Never mind, papa; I shall keep them until we can
get better. And I quite approved of this intention.
While thus employed, we did not neglect to examine
carefully the country through which he passed ; but its
aspect was not inviting. At length, after walking for
nearly four hours, we arrived at a kind of peninsula,
which stretched far out into the sea, and terminated in
a small but steep hill, the summit of which appeared
a most convenient spot for taking a survey of the sea
and the surrounding country.
Up this we climbed with some difficulty; but when
we reached the top, a glorious prospect repaid us for
our trouble. Before us stretched the calm ocean
sparkling in the sunlight. To our left appeared ^a
small bay, of which the encircling shore was lost in the
distant boundary of sea and sky; while almost to the
water’s edge the rich verdure of the land, notwith-
standing its want of cultivation, displayed treasures
unknown in the continent of Europe.
After gazing with delight on this fertile spot, we
turned towards the sea, and examined with our glass
its vast expanse, but no trace of our companions could
be discovered. The same result followed our search
through the glass over the inland prospect. No habi-
47
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
tations of man nor signs of Ms presence could be dis-
covered.
The reflection that we were alone saddened me, even
while the appearance of nature in this fertile spot re-
lieved us of all fear that we might suffer from hunger.
Yet this at last consoled me; and I said, after some
minutes of silence,
‘‘Fritz, God has prepared for us another destiny to
the one we anticipated. He has chosen for us the life
of colonists, and our confidence in our heavenly Father
has not been misplaced. He orders all things for the
best, and we will try to be as happy as possible in our
lonely island.’^
‘ ‘ It matters very little to me, ’ ’ said Fritz. ‘ ‘ I would
rather be alone than have for our companions those
who so cruelly left us to our fate. We boys will soon
grow strong enough to help you, papa, and God will
preserve us.’’
“True, my son. I am glad to hear you say this: it
gives me courage. However, we must not remain here
any longer in this burning sun. Let us find a shady
spot in which we may rest while we take some refresh-
ment. ’ ’
As we descended the hill we perceived at some little
distance a grove of palm-trees ; but to reach it we had
to cross a large space of ground thickly overgrown with
tall reeds, so interlaced with each other that our prog-
ress was most difficult.
We advanced slowly and cautiously, for at every step
we feared that we should tread upon venomous snakes.
I therefore sent Turk on before, that he might give us
warning; and, as a further means of defense, I cut
from the reeds, which were tall and thic"k, one of the
strongest I could find, and carried it in my hand.
Very soon, to my astonishment, a glutinous liquid
ran between my fingers. I touched it with my lips, and
its sweet taste proved to me at once that we had dis-
48
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
covered a wild overgrowth of sugar-cane. I tasted it
again, aiid my certainty was confirmed, especially as I
found the juice very refreshing.
Presently I told Fritz, who was a little in advance of
me, to cut a reed as a protection, but I said nothing of
the sugar. I left to him the pleasure of finding it out
for himself.
He obeyed at once, seized the cane, and commenced
brandishing it over his head and striking the reeds
right and left, to frighten away the serpents. In so do-
ing he broke it, and set free an abundance of the juice,
which streamed upon his hands.
Without a word he tasted it, and immediately sucked
his fingers, laughing and jumping for joy as he cried,
‘‘Papa! oh, papa! it is the sugar-cane! Only taste
it ! I am sure it is sugar-cane. Ah, how delighted my
dear mother and the boys will be if I carry some home
for them!’^
While exclaiming in this way, he broke the cane in
pieces, and sucked it so eagerly, that I was obliged to
check him, for fear he should make himself ill.
“We should take in moderation anything that pleases
the palate,’^ I said, “or what we long for very much
may become hurtful.’’
“I can, however, cut down enough sugar-sticks to
carry with us, to refresh ourselves on our way home,
and that mamma and my brothers may share in the
pleasure of our discovery.”
“I can have no objection, Fritz ; but will it not be too
heavy a load to carry such a distance ! ’ ’
My advice fell powerless. Fritz cut down a dozen
of the finest and largest canes, and tied them in a
bundle, which he took under his arm. We then con-
tinued our way till the cane forest came to an end, and
we found ourselves in the grove of palm-trees.
Seating ourselves beneath the pleasant shade, we
were glad to rest while partaking of our frugal repast.
49
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
Presently a troop of monkeys, alarmed at onr appear-
ance as well as at the furious barking of Turk, sprang
to the tops of the trees with such rapidity, that we
could not follow their movements with our eyes.
As soon as they found themselves safe, they com-
menced jabbering at us with all their might, grinding
their teeth and uttering the most horrible cries.
I had only just time to notice that these creatures
had perched themselves on the cocoanut-trees, and
therefore that I could make them useful, when I saw
Fritz throw down his bundle of canes, seize his gun,
and point it at one of the monkeys.
My hasty cry arrested his hand.
‘^What are you about, Fritz? What advantage will
you gain by destroying even one of those poor ani-
mals?’’
<<Why should they not he killed?” he said, angrily.
^^Just look how they are showing their teeth at us.
I believe they are spiteful, malicious creatures.”
‘‘And do their menaces excite the anger of wise
Fritz?” I replied. “I am indeed astonished. If an
animal does us no injury, its death is useless, except
for food. We ought never to kill them for revenge;
and I think I know a better way to make them useful
than if you were to kill a dozen. I am going to try,
but take care of your head. If my stratagem succeeds,
they will give us a good return for saving their skins.”
I picked up some stones as I spoke, which I threw at
the monkeys, but not high enough to reach them.
Their rage at this increased to fury, and presently
they plucked and poured down upon us a perfect hail
of cocoanuts. The nuts fell around us in every direc-
tion, and we had to save ourselves as we best could in
the shelter of the trees, or by jumping aside to avoid
them.
Fritz laughed so heartily, that he had scarcely
strength left to escape ; but when the cocoanut shower
50
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
ceased, he gathered up as many as he could carry
with eager satisfaction.
Then we sought for a spot on which to sit and enjoy
our harvest of nuts, the shells of which we broke with
a hatchet ; and by making a hole at one end of the ker-
nel with a knife, and another on the opposite side, we
were able to suck the milk from it.* It was not ex-
actly to our taste, but after breaking the inner shell
we found a white part inside, which, being easily
scraped off with the new spoons, proved very agree-
able eating. The juice from the sugar-canes com-
pleted our delicious feast.
The remains of the crab, now despised, were given
to Turk, with a few biscuits, and as even then he did
not appear satisfied, we threw him some pieces of the
sugar-cane and cocoa-mits, which he pounced upon
eagerly, and crunched them between his teeth till not
a morsel remained.
After we had finished our repast, I selected a few of
the cocoanuts, the stalks of which still adhered; these
I tied together, to enable me to carry them more eas-
ily. Fritz took up his bundle of sugar-canes, and,
thus laden, we started on our walk homeward to rejoin
our family.
* The milky liquid is only found in the cocoanut while it is unripe.
As the nut ripens the milk congeals, and gradually grows firm and
white. When over-ripe, this white substance is hard, and very un-
wholesome; but in its most perfect state, this lining of the cocoanut
shell is firm, soft, and sweet.
51
CHAPTER IV
THE HOMEWAED JOURNEY
IN a very short time I discovered that Fritz began
to feel the bundle of canes lie heavily on his shoul-
ders. He shifted it from one to the other continually,
and at last, placing it under his arm, with a sigh he
exclaimed,
‘‘Really, papa, I never could have supposed these
reeds would prove so heavy; and yet I do wish to carry
them home, that mamma and my brothers may taste
them. ’ ’
“Patience and courage, my boy,’^ I replied. “Do
you not recall the fable of ^sop, in which he speaks
of a bread-basket, so heavy at the commencement of
a journey, and so light at the end of it? Your burden
will diminish in the same manner, for we shall have
occasion often to refresh ourselves before we reach
home. Give me, therefore, at once a cane, which shall
be to me a pilgrim’s staff as well as a cruse of honey ;
and I advise you to follow my example. Besides, if
you tie the rest tightly to the end of your gun, and
carry it across your shoulder, you will find the burden
much lighter. Necessity is the mother of invention,
and we need our inventive powers more especially
when our strength fails.”
As we continued our journey, Fritz remarked that
I was sucking the end of the cane he had given me,
and appeared refreshed.
“How cleverly you manage, papa,” he said; “I have
tried with all my efforts to obtain sugar from one of
the canes, but I cannot succeed.”
52
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
‘‘There is a cause for your failure/^ I replied; “re-
flect a little, and perhaps you will find it out.’^
After a few minutes of silence, he exclaimed,
“Papa, I have discovered the reason: suction re-
quires air to assist it. I believe if I make a hole just
above the first joint of the cane, that the juice will
come. ^ ^
While he thus spoke, he pierced a small opening
with the point of his penknife, and the sweet liquid
passed freely into his mouth.
“How wonderful it is, papa!’^ he said, as he walked
on, much refreshed; “but I cannot quite understand
why it should require this opening.’’
“ It is a natural law, ’ ’ I replied, ‘ ‘ that nature abhors
a vacuum, or empty space. Therefore, as by suction
you draw out the air from the hollow cane, the sugar
juice rushes in to fill up the vacuum. But, my boy,
we must not be extravagant with our refreshing liquid,
or we shall have nothing left to carry to the tent but
dry sticks. Do not let that trouble you, however, for
the heat of the sun will most likely turn the sweet juice
sour, after the canes have been cut and exposed to the
heat of the sun. At all events, I hope we shall have
enough left to show to your mother and brothers, what
a discovery we have made. ’ ’
“And if not,” said Fritz, “I have some bottles full
of cocoanut milk in my game-bag, tightly corked down,
that will be a treat for them. ’ ’
“Don’t make too sure, Fritz. You may find a bottle
full of vinegar instead of cocoanut milk when we reach
home. When taken out of its natural receptacle, it
quickly spoils.”
“Shall we try one now I” he asked. “It would be
unfortunate to find nothing but vinegar to offer to
mamma. ’ ’
A bottle was taken from the bag; and as we en-
deavored to force the cork out with a penknife, it burst
53
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
forth with an explosion like gunpowder, and the con-
tents flew into the air, frothing and foaming like cham-
pagne.
“The movement in walking has caused it to fer-
ment,’’ I said as I tasted the liquor, “and it is really
very pleasant and refreshing.”
Fritz followed my example so eagerly, that I was
obliged to warn him that drinking too much would in-
toxicate him, and give him a bad headache next morn-
ing.
“Mamma will like this,” he said, as we continued
our way.
“I fear not,” was my reply. “The heat will cause
a repetition of the fermentation, and the next stage
produces vinegar.”
While thus conversing, we arrived at the spot where
we had left our plates, basins, and spoons to harden
in the sand. We found them so dry and well pre-
served, that they could easily be carried in the game-
bag without inconvenience.
We had scarcely entered the wood in which we had
dined when Turk rushed past us, barking furiously at
a group of monkeys, who were enjoying their gambols
in perfect ignorance of our approach.
Alarmed at the barking of the dog, they sprang into
the trees out of his way — all but a female monkey, who
carried a little one on her back, and could not
escape.
Before we reached him, Turk had seized the poor
animal, and although Fritz rushed to the rescue, throw-
ing otf his hat and the sugar-canes, he arrived too late
to save her. The poor creature was dead, and Turk
preparing to devour it.
With angry indignation Fritz tried to drive the dog
away, but as I reached the spot I advised him to desist.
The unsatisfied hunger of Turk had rendered him
savage, and therefore dangerous. The conduct of the
54
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
baby monkey at this moment also diverted his mind
from the sad spectacle, and caused me great amuse-
ment.
It had fallen on the grass when Turk seized its
mother, and was looking at the dog and making all
sorts of grimaces. The instant the little one caught
sight of Fritz, with one spring he jumped on his back
and clung firmly to his hair. Neither cries nor blows
on the poor little creature could release Fritz of his
burden ; and seeing there was no danger, the annoyance
to Fritz and the grimaces of the little monkey rendered
it impossible for me to help laughing heartily.
I hastened, however, to remove the unwelcome
guest ; and, by caresses and gentleness, I succeeded in
relieving Fritz of his burden. I took it in my arms
as I would an infant, and my pity rose for its helpless-
ness. It was not much larger than a kitten, and evi-
dently incapable of providing for itself.
‘^The little creature has lost its mother, and has
taken you for its adopted father, Fritz, I said, joking
him. ‘^I wonder what resemblance he finds in you to
his own family r’
^^The little rogue laughed Fritz. ‘^I suppose he
discovered that I am a good-natured chap and kind to
animals, so he placed himself under my protection;
but he has pulled my hair terribly. ’ ’
‘^What shall I do with itV^ I said. ‘^If we take it
home, how are we to feed it in our poverty
‘‘Father,” said Fritz, “do let me keep it and bring
it up. We can feed it with cocoanut milk; or if we
get the cow and the goat from the ship, there will be
milk to spare. And perhaps the instinct of this little
creature may help us to discover if the fruits and vege-
. tables we find are fit for food.”
“I cannot object, my son,” I replied; “and I am
pleased to find you have no foolish resentment against
the poor little beast. You shall bring up your
55
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
protege; and, according to the manner in which it is
trained, its instinct will be useful or hurtful.’’
Meanwhile, the dreadful dog tranquilly finished his
horrible meal. But we did not wait for him, although
he could scarcely be blamed for his animal instincts;
in fact, the dog was half starved.
Taking the bundle of sugar-canes and the game-bag,
I allowed the little monkey to resume his place on the
shoulders of Fritz, and we continued our walk.
Presently we heard Turk trotting after us, and al-
though we overwhelmed him with reproaches for his
cruel conduct, he did not trouble himself, but walked
quietly behind Fritz.
The presence of the dog alarmed the monkey, and
in his fright he crept over the shoulder of Fritz and
nestled in his bosom for protection, becoming at last
very troublesome.
A sudden thought flashed across the youth’s mind.
He took a piece of string from his pocket, tied it round
Turk’s neck, and placed the little monkey on his back.
He then put the end of the string in the fore paw of the
tiny cavalier, and addressed Turk in these pathetic
words :
‘‘As you have killed the mother, it is but fair that
you should carry the child yourself.”
The dog at first objected to this arrangement, but,
by coaxings and threats, we induced him to submit.
The little monkey, who at first appeared to dislike his
new seat, finished at last by making himself comfort-
able.
This scheme of Fritz amused me greatly; and pres-
ently I said, with a laugh,
“We are approaching our home like two mounte-
banks going to a fair with a monkey and a performing
dog. What a clamor of rejoicing there will be when
the boys see us ! ”
Still advancing on our way as we talked, we arrived
56
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
near the stream which we had crossed at the falls in
the morning almost before we were aware. The dog
Floss, which had been left at the tent, scented ns from
afar, and saluted our approach by barking loudly.
Turk barked in reply with all his might, and so alarmed
his little cavalier, that he sprang from the dog’s back
to the shoulders of Fritz, and nothing could induce him
to descend. Then Turk, finding himself free, set off
to reconnoitre the country, and crossed the river by
swimming, that he might the more quickly join his
companions and announce our arrival.
Very soon the dear ones appeared, one after the
other, on the opposite bank, to welcome our approach
and to testify their joy at our happy return. We
crossed the river at the same spot as in the morning,
and very soon found ourselves in the arms of each
other.
But the children scarcely gave themselves time to
examine what we had brought before they commenced
jumping and shouting joyfully.
‘^Oh, a monkey! Fritz, where did you find itl Oh,
what a pretty little creature! I wish I knew what it
could eat. But what are those sticks fori And look
at those great things papa is carrying.”
These questions and cries crossed each other so
rapidly, that we knew not which way to turn or how
to reply.
When the first transports were over and they calmed
down a little, I said,
‘‘I am overjoyed to see you all once more, my dear
ones. We have returned in safety, thank God, and we
have brought you all sorts of good things ; but we have
not succeeded in finding any trace of our fellow-
travelers, nor indeed any signs of inhabitants in this
island. ’ ’
‘‘Let us praise God for uniting us once more in
safety,” said my wife; “and I thank Him that we can
57
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
still be bappy in our own society and love. And first
let ns relieve you of your burdens. ’ ’
Jack immediately took my gun, Ernest loaded him-
self with the cocoanuts, Frank carried the spoons and
plates made from the gourds, and my wife the game-
bag. Fritz untied the sugar-canes from his gun, and
asked Ernest to carry them, while he again placed the
little monkey on Turk’s back.
Ernest, although he carried the cocoanuts, could not
refuse ; but he appeared so laden, that his mother, out
of pity, took the nuts from him.
^‘Ah,” said Fritz, ^^if Ernest only knew what he had
given up, he would soon ask for them again. They are
cocoanuts, Ernest, the dear nuts that you are so fond
of.”
‘‘Cocoanuts!” he exclaimed. “Ah, mamma, let me
have them again. I can carry them easily, gun and
all.”
“No, no, my child; I shall, perhaps, hear you com-
plaining again presently how the load fatigues you.”
“I can throw away these sticks, then, and carry the
gun in my hand. ’ ’
“Throw away these sticks! will youF’ cried Fritz.
“Why, they are sugar-canes. Come here, Ernest, and
I will show you how to get at the sugar. ’ ’
“Sugar-canes! sugar-canes!” was the general cry,
as the boys all clustered round Fritz, and begged him
to relate how and where he discovered them.
And so one thing after another was described and
explained; yet, after all, nothing gave more complete
satisfaction than the cups, plates, and spoons made out
of the gourds from the calabash-tree.
When we reached the tent, I found a wonderful re-
past preparing for us at the cooking-place.
Upon a large fire burning on the stone hearth stood
the iron pot full of soup. From a piece of wood, which
rested at each end on two other pieces fixed in the
58
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
ground, hung a goose roasting, the fat falling into
dried oyster-shells underneath it.
Several kinds of fish were cooking on the hot stones ;
and, best of all, there stood at a little distance one of
the chests I had saved from the wreck. My wife and
the boys had contrived to drag it up from the river-
side and open it, and I could see it contained a large
number of Dutch cheeses wrapped in thin sheets of
lead.
All this was very tempting to travelers whose
hunger was far from being satisfied.
‘‘It appears to me, my dear children, that you cer-
tainly have not been idle during our absence; yet it
was almost a pity so soon to kill one of our geese. I
wished so much to spare the denizens of our farm-
yard. ’ ’
“Do not be uneasy, dear husband, said the wife;
“that is not one of our geese, but a wild bird with a
singular name which Ernest killed, and he assures me
it is very good eating.’’
“I believe it is a penguin, papa,” said Ernest; “and
I call it a booby because it allowed me to kill it so easy-
ily with a stick. After it was dead I felt sorry, for it
appeared so tame.”
“What sort of feet and beak has this bird?” I
asked.
“It has the feet of aquatic birds,” replied Ernest,
“for all the four toes are united by a membrane. The
beak is long, slender, and strong; a little curved at the
extremity, and exactly like the description of a pen-
guin which I read in my Natural History at home. I
have saved the head and neck to show you, papa.”
“I do not doubt you are right, my boy; and it proves
to you how much may be learnt by reading atten-
tively. ’ ’
“Come, now,” said his mother, “let us drop discus-
sion. Do you not observe how the eyes of Ernest are
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
fixed on the cocoanuts while he talks? Let him have
the pleasure of tasting as well as carrying them. ’ ’
“Willingly/^ I replied, ‘^but Fritz must show him
how to obtain the milk by suction; and the poor little
monkey must not be forgotten.”
^^But he won’t take anything, papa,” said Jack.
have tried him with all I can think of . ”
‘‘We must try him presently with the milk of the
cocoanut,” I said. “No doubt he will drink that.”
My wife summoned us to supper, and we all seated
ourselves on the ground, with the spoons, basins, and
plates made from the calabash-tree, which we found
most useful. I broke the outer covering of two cocoa-
nuts for them, and they quite enjoyed the white lining
of the inner shell after I had extracted the milk.
Some of this was saved for the monkey, and the boys,
after dipping the corners of their handkerchiefs in
it, were delighted to find that the little creature could
suck them eagerly, for now there was hope of rearing
him to a full-grown ape.
I promised to show the boys how to make spoons and
cups from the cocoanut-shells, which they were very
anxious to do; and the mother was delighted to find
she need not again serve out the soup in oyster-shells.
We enjoyed our supper, although no one liked to try
the penguin till I set them the example. It had rather
a taste of train oil ; however, we managed to eat some
of it.
I forgot to mention, that while we were enjoying the
fish, which were very good, Fritz asked if his niother
would not like to taste the cocoanut champagne.
‘ ‘ Taste it first yourself, Fritz, ’ ’ I said, ‘ ‘ so that you
may know what you are about to offer to your mother. ’ ’
“Ho!” he exclaimed presently, with a wry face, “it
is vinegar I”
“As I expected, my boy; but never mind, vinegar
is very good with fish ; ’ ’ and as I spoke I poured some
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
into my gourd basin, and the rest followed my ex-
ample.
Then, while we ate for dessert, cheese, cocoanuts,
and sngar-cane juice, each related his exploits, and
explained how the fish, the penguin, the cocoanuts,
the sugar-canes, and so on, were found.
It was near sunset by the time we had finished, and
necessary, therefore, to prepare our beds for the night.
My wife and the boys had provided a large quantity
of dry moss and grass to spread on the floor of our
tent, and we expected, in consequence, to find our beds
softer than on the preceding night.
The fowls were already gone to roost on the ridge
of the tent, and the geese and ducks had betaken them-
selves to their night quarters. And after offering our
evening prayer, we entered the tent. The baby ape
entered with us, and Fritz and Jack took the little
motherless creature to sleep between them, to protect
him from the cold.
My wife and the boys lay down to rest, and after I
had closed the entrance to the tent, I followed their
example, and, overcome with the fatigues of the day,
soon slept as soundly as they did.
We had not been asleep long, however, when I was
aroused by the restless movements of the fowls and the
barking and yelping of the dogs. Seizing my gun, I
rushed out quickly, followed by my wife and Fritz,
who were also armed.
In amazement I perceived, by the light of the moon,
that a great battle was going on at a little distance, be-
tween a number of jackals and our brave dogs. Al-
ready they had settled three or four of their assailants,
and those who remained surrounded them, hoping to
take them at a disadvantage; but the two courageous
animals kept them at bay and would not allow them to
approach. We were just in time to save them from
being overpowered. Fritz and I fired together, two
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
of the jackals fell dead on the sand; and onr second
volley wounded others, while the rest took to flight.
The dogs quickly dispatched the wounded, and after
waiting a few minutes to see if any returned, we were
about to reenter the tent, when Fritz asked permission
to bring the jackal he had killed away from the dogs,
who were proving their brotherhood to the wild ani-
mals of their species by devouring their remains. He
wished to preserve it, to show to his brothers in the
morning as a proof of his prowess, and his mother
readily gave him permission. Not without great ef-
forts, however, could he drag the dead body of the ani-
mal to the tent, for it was unusually large. He suc-
ceeded at last in hiding it among the rocks behind our
tent, and then we returned to the sleepers, who had
not been disturbed by the unusual noise.
We fell asleep again almost immediately, and did not
wake till the crowing of the cocks announced the return
of the sun.
62
CHAPTER V
A SUCCESSFUL VOYAGE
My first thoughts, on waking, made me anxious. So
many duties pressed upon me, that I at once be-
gan to consult my wife, and seek her advice.
‘‘What shall I undertake first to-day, dear wife?’’ I
said. ‘ ‘ I know a voyage to the ship is alDSolutely neces-
sary, if we wish to save the animals from starving;
and there are so many things on the wreck that would
he useful to us. On the other hand, we have much to
do here, and above all to construct a new dwelling-
place. ’ ’
“Do not be uneasy, dear husband,” she replied;
“with patience, order, and persevering diligence, all
will be accomplished in time ; and most certainly a voy-
age to the wreck is first necessary, for should a storm
arise, everything on board would be lost. ‘Take no
thought for to-morrow, for the morrow will take
thought for the things of itself,’ said the great Friend
of mankind, and we must not anticipate evil, but trust
in Him to guide us in all we do. ’ ’
This advice so agreed with my own wishes, that I
determined to follow it; and, after arranging that the
younger hoys should remain on shore with their
mother, and Fritz accompany me, I roused the sleepers.
“Up! up! children!” I cried. “It is bright day-
light, and we have so much to perform to-day. ‘The
morning hour carries gold in its mouth.’ ”
But the younger boys found it no easy matter to
rouse themselves so quickly; they yawned, stretched
and twisted about, to drive sleep from their evelids,
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
for a long time before they could feel quite awake.
Fritz, who had an object in view, was ready soon,
and rushed out of the tent to find the dead jackal,
which he had concealed among the rocks. The cold
night air had stiffened it, so that he could easily stand
it on its legs at the entrance of the tent, like a sentry.
Then he waited impatiently for his brothers to appear,
and wondered what they would say.
But Fritz had forgotten the dogs. No sooner did
they catch sight of one of their enemies on his legs,
than they rushed forward to attack it, barking and
yelping furiously ; and it was only with great difficulty
that he kept them from destroying the animal, which
they supposed to be alive.
Meanwhile those in the tent were wondering what
could be the matter with the dogs. But they were still
more surprised as they came out, one by one, at the
appearance of the strange animal keeping watch at the
entrance. The little monkey peeped out, with a Iciok
of fear; but no sooner did he perceive the jackal than
he rushed into the farthest comer of the tent, and
buried himself in one of the beds of moss so com-
pletely, that he entirely disappeared from our sight,
excepting the tip of his nose.
Many opinions were offered by the boys about the
strange animal. Ernest said it was a fox, Jack a wolf,
and Frank called it a yellow dog.
‘‘Ho, ho!’^ cried Fritz; “my learned Doctor Ernest,
you recognized the agouti, but you are mistaken now.
A fox, indeed!’’
“I intended to say a golden fox,” said Ernest.
“You might just as well talk of a golden wolf,” re-
plied Fritz, with an irritating laugh.
“How teasing you are, Fritz,” said Ernest, in a
fretful voice, “because I am mistaken for once: you
would not have known what it was yourself, if papa
had not told you, I dare say. ’ ’
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
“Come, come, my children, do not quarrel about the
animal,” I said; “Ernest, my hoy, you must not be so
sensitive when you make mistakes; and, Fritz, your
jokes are not always kind. Besides, your brothers
were all right in one respect. The jackal is said by
naturalists to belong to the same family as the fox,
the wolf, and the dog.”
My words produced peace, and then eager inquiries
were made about what had occurred in the night ; and
the boys listened to our account of the battle between
the dogs and the jackals with great interest. Then
we assembled once more for our morning prayer, and
asked God to guide and protect us during the day.
At breakfast we were obliged to content ourselves
with biscuits, which were so hard, that our teeth could
scarcely break them. In this extremity, Fritz asked
for cheese, and went behind the tent to procure some
from the cask. Ernest followed him, and presently
returned with a bright face, and exclaimed,
“Oh, papa, if we could only open that other cask!”
“What cask, and why!”
‘“Well, there is a large cask just outside, and
through a little crack some grease runs out ; and I am
sure it looks exactly like butter.”
“If what you say is true, my boy,” I exclaimed,
“you shall have the first slice of bread and butter, as
a reward for your discovery.”
We all sallied out to examine this wonderful cask,
and very quickly proved that the boy was right. An-
other difficulty arose, how should we contrive to ob-
tain the butter! Fritz wanted at once to take off the
first hoop, and open one end of the cask; but I told
him that the staves would become loosened and sep-
arate, and the heat very soon melt the butter.
I resolved at length to make an opening, large
enough to admit a little wooden spade, and with this
take out as much as we required at a time. My plan
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
succeeded, and in a few minutes we obtained a cocoa-
nut-cup full of beautiful salt butter. We softened the
biscuits easily now, by covering them with butter and
holding them to the fire till it melted, so that, after all,
we had a delicious breakfast. During our meal, the
dogs lay quietly by our side, and did not seem at all
anxious for their share of our breakfast. Presently
it occurred to me, that they could not possibly have es-
caped, in such a battle as theirs during the night, with
a whole skin. I examined the poor animals, and found
that they had been bitten and wounded in several
places, especially about the neck. My wife was
touched with compassion at the sight, and she pro-
posed to rub the places with butter, as a salve. I
spoke of the salt, but she quickly overcame that diffi-
culty, by washing the butter : then giving it to Jack, she
desired him to take the dogs under his care, and care-
fully anoint their wounds with the butter.
This plan proved successful : the animals very
shortly commenced licking their wounds, and in a few
days they were completely healed.
‘Mf we could find some spiked collars on the ship,’’
said Fritz, while Jack entered upon his task, ‘4t would
be a protection to our brave dogs ; for the jackals, hav-
ing once discovered traces of our whereabouts, will be
sure to pay us another visit. ’ ’
‘‘Oh!” cried Jack, “I can make some spiked collars,
and good ones too, if mamma will help me. ’ ’
“I can promise you that, little boaster,” replied his
mother: “and we shall see what powers of invention
you possess.”
“That’s right, my little man,” I said, “exercise the
inventive faculty, and if you produce something use-
ful, all the honor will be yours. But it is time for us
to commence our work. Get ready, Fritz : your
mother and I have decided that you shall accompany
me to the vessel, to assist in bringing away what still
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
remains, and you, my dears, must stay with your
mother. Be obedient to her, my children, and pray
to God to bring us back to you again in safety.’’
While Fritz prepared our little bark for the trip, I
planted upon a rock on the shore a pole, with a piece
of sail-cloth attached to it, to serve as a signal to us
on the wreck, from those on the shore. It was agreed
that, in case of danger, the flag should be lowered, and
a gun fired three times, to recall us.
I prepared my wife for the possibility that she would
have to remain with the hoys alone all night, and
begged her not to be alarmed because our work on the
wreck might detain us too late. But her courage con-
tinued unshaken.
We took only our guns and ammunition with us, for
we knew that sufficient provisions could be found on
the wreck. And as I was about to step into our tub-
boat, Fritz appeared with the little monkey on his
shoulder, being anxious, as soon as possible, to obtain
for the poor creature fresh milk.
We left the banks of the river in sadness and silence,
Fritz rowing with all his strength, and I steering.
When we reached mid-stream, we found that the river
had two openings into the bay and round a small is-
land. The current in one being stronger than the
other, I endeavored to steer the boat in that direction,
and with success.
This current carried us gently three-fourths of our
way, with very little exertion on our parts to maintain
the boat in a right direction, and by a far shorter route
than we had taken when we left the wreck.
We arrived safe at last, and moored our little boat
alongside the vessel, which we entered at the opening
already made when we escaped.
No sooner had we reached the deck, than Fritz, with
the little monkey in his arms, ran towards the place in
which we had left the animals, which, by their bleat-
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
ing, lowing, and granting, seemed delighted to see ns.
Hunger could not have caused this evident pleasure,
for they had plenty of food and water.
Without a word, Fritz placed the monkey near the
goat, while I looked on with amusement at his eager
anxiety to obtain suitable nourishment for the mother-
less animal. He had not to wait long. The goat
readily received it as her foster-child, and in a very
few minutes Master Monkey, with many grimaces, was
enjoying a delicious feast of goat^s milk.
After we had supplied the animals with fresh food
and water, we commenced a search for provisions for
ourselves, to give us strength to work, and quickly
found all we needed.
Then followed the question, What shall be done
first? Fritz proposed that we should have a sail for
our little boat.
^‘That does not appear to me at all necessary,’^ I
said, ^‘at least, when we have other things of ten times
more importance to attend to ; but what are your rea-
sons, Fritz?
‘‘Well,’’ he said, “while we crossed this morning, I
noticed that the. wind blew strongly in my face, yet the
current carried us on in spite of it. When we return,
the current will not help us, but the wind would, if we
had a sail. Besides, our boat will be heavy, when we
have on board so many things, and my single oar will
be of very little use.”
This idea of Fritz about a sail appeared so excel-
lent, that I determined to take his advice. A sail-yard
was quickly found, of which to make a mast, and an-
other, thinner, by which I could regulate the sail.
While Fritz bored a hole with a chisel in one of the
tubs, I went to the sail-room and cut oft a piece of
cloth, in the form of a triangle, which I fitted with
cords, pulleys, and rings, to the mast, so that I could
raise it and lower it at will. Then, with the assistance
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
of Fritz, I fixed it in our little boat, and fastened ropes
and cords to draw through the rings at the top and
sides; and Fritz, when he saw it all completed, ex-
pressed his delight, and declared that our little bark
was now quite fitted for a long voyage.
He had taken a survey of the shore through his glass,
and informed me that all appeared safe among our
dear ones on the land. At the same time he brought
me a little colored silk kerchief, which he. asked me to
fasten to the top of the mast, as a pennant. I smiled
to myself at this boyish vanity, in the midst of our pre-
carious position ; but I did what he asked me, and pres-
ently the little streamer was gayly waving in the wind.
^^Papa,’’ he said, after a few moments of silence,
^^you have given me a sail to save me from fatigue in
rowing, and now you ought to think of yourself. Can
we not find some way to enable you to steer with more
ease and safety!^’
‘^The idea is a good one,’’ I said, ‘‘and I think it
can be managed;” so I attached to each end of the
boat two thick cords, to one of which was adapted an
oar, and I found I could work it myself with as much
ease as the tiller, and thus make my steering more
sure.
All this occupied a long time, and I quickly found
that, unless we returned with an empty boat, we could
not possibly reach the shore before night. We had ar-
ranged, as a signal of our intention to remain on the
wreck all night, to raise a flag, and we hastened to do
so while daylight continued, that it might be more
easily distinguished.
The remainder of the day was employed in remov-
ing from our boat the stones and other useless things
we had thrown in as ballast, replacing them with ar-
ticles of more importance. To obtain these, we plun-
dered the ship like Vandals, and accumulated a rich
booty.
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
Foreseeing that we might have to remain a long
time in our solitude, we stowed away in our tub-boat
a large supply of powder and shot, to serve us in the
chase, and as a defense against wild beasts. All the
tools which had been stored in reserve appeared to us
of inestimable value.* It was, indeed, difficult to
choose, amidst so many useful articles. However, we
supplied ourselves with those most required in our
present need. Knives, forks, spoons, and cooking
vessels, and some silver articles, which we found in
the captain ^s cabin, with a splendid telescope, several
pewter plates and dishes, and a case of wine, well filled ;
gridirons, a roasting-jack, saucepans, kettles, and fry-
ing-pans,— all were carried to our boat and placed in
the tubs. Besides these, we provided ourselves with a
good supply of eatables, — two Westphalian hams, and
several bags of wheat, barley, oats, and other grain.
In fact, I was anxious to take as much as we could pos-
sibly carry, because the ship, being so deep in the
water, it was not unlikely that in the first storm she
would fall to pieces.
Fritz reminded me that our beds in the tent were
hard and cold at night. We therefore added to our
cargo the contents of several hammocks and a few
woollen coverlets. Fritz, who seemed to fancy we
could never be sufficiently armed, carried to the boat a
gun, a sword, a saber, a hunting-knife, and a small
barrel of powder, while I discovered a flask of brim-
stone and a roll of sail-cloth, which could not be left be-
hind.
By this time our little boat was so deep in the water,
that I should have been obliged to lighten it but for
the smooth and tranquil sea ; yet, as we determined to
* From the large stores on board, it might appear that the vessel was
laden with articles to establish a colony in one of the South Sea islands ;
this is afterwards stated in the original German as a fact, and accounts
for the quantity of needful things found in the wreck.
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
sleep on board the boat, we provided ourselves with
swimming vests, to be able to escape more easily in
case of danger.
As may be supposed, the night came on before we
had quite finished our work. I was therefore de-
lighted to see the blaze of a large fire on the rocks,
which our dear ones had lighted to prove that all was
well. In return we attached four ship’s lanterns to
the wreck as a signal that we were safe, and the re-
port of two guns from the shore told us that it was
recognized and understood.
After our evening prayer to Heaven for protection
to them and ourselves, we laid ourselves down to rest ;
and although our position in the little tub-boat was
not quite comfortable, we slept soundly from fatigue
till morning.
(
71
CHAPTER VI
A LIVING FREIGHT
Early the next morning, before it was light
enough to distinguish the opposite coast, I was
up on the deck of the wrecked vessel, and directing
my telescope towards the tent which sheltered my
family.
Meanwhile Fritz prepared a good breakfast, and we
placed ourselves while partaking of it in a position to
enable us to watch the shore. Very soon I saw with
joy my wife leave the tent and look earnestly towards
the ship. Instantly we hoisted a piece of white linen
in the air, and received in reply a triple salute from
the flag which we had placed on the shore. At this a
great weight was lifted from my heart, for I knew
that all was well with those I had left behind. As soon
as we had finished breakfast, I said,
‘^Now, Fritz, I think we ought to lose no time in get-
ting away from the vessel; but as I am assured that
those on shore are safe, my compassion is awakened for
the poor animals we are about to leave on the wreck,
and who are in danger every moment of perishing with
it. Willingly would I give up some of the things with
which we had loaded our boat, could we manage to get
them on shore.”
‘‘If we constructed a raft, we might take them all,”
said Fritz.
“A raft is not so easy to make as you imagine,
Fritz,” I replied, “especially without proper ma-
terials.”
After a slight pause, Fritz exclaimed,
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
Could we not fasten round the smaller animals the
cork girdles- that we made for ourselves? It would be
great fun to see them swimming like fishes.’’
‘‘It may be managed in some way, Fritz,” I replied,
eagerly. “Let us make the attempt at once.”
But these girdles with the tin water-flasks were too
weak to support the larger animals, and another plan
suggested itself.
Four empty casks were found, which we fastened to-
gether with a piece of sail-cloth, not close to each other,
but far enough apa2*t for the cloth to pass under the
animal and support it, while the casks hung on each
side like panniers. These were placed under the cow
and the donkey, and the sail-cloth and the tubs fast-
ened by straps across their backs.*
Bound the horns of the cow and the neck of the ass
was placed a cord, with a piece of wood at the end, so
that we might guide them in the water.
For the sheep and the goat the cork girdles were
found sufficient, but the sow was very troublesome,
and we had to tie her up before we could bind the float
around her. At last our task was completed. Each
animal had a string attached by which we could ^ide
it ; and then came the difficulty of launching our living
freight into the sea.
We led them to the lower part of the ship, and made
the first experiment by giving the donkey a push into
the water. He fell with great force, but recovered
himself quickly, and began to swim between his two
casks with a grace and ease that made Fritz clap his
hands in delight.
The cow’s turn came next, and as she was of far
more value to me than the ass, I confess I felt very
anxious; but I pushed her in gently, and with equal
success. The two casks supported her in the water.
* Just as the baskets in which little children ride are fastened on each
side of donkeys or ponies.
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
and she commenced swimming with the sang-froid
which characterizes her species.
We managed the smaller animals easily, excepting
the sow, who resisted furiously; and when at last she
was forced into the water, she swam so quickly away
from the boat, that to reach the guiding string would
have been impossible, so we were obliged to leave her
to her fate.
After this we did not lose a moment, but detached
our cables, jumped into our boat, and were very soon
in the open sea, surrounded by the animals. We
united all the strings and fastened them to the boat,
and commenced our voyage towards the shore with a
favorable wind, which filled the little sail and carried
us forward pleasantly. In fact, we found the assist-
ance of the wind of great service, for the animals
weighed heavily upon our little skiff ; and without the
sail, rowing would have been hard work.
All went on so favorably, that Fritz and I seated
ourselves in the tubs and took some refreshment.
While Fritz amused himself with his monkey, I again
fixed my telescope on the shore to observe my family.
They had shown themselves just before we started on
our homeward voyage, but I had seen no trace of them
since.
But our exertions in saving the poor animals from
the wreck would have been useless if the sharp eyes
of Fritz had not discovered in time a threatened dan-
ger.
‘^Good Heavens!” he exclaimed, all at once, ‘‘we
are lost! A monster fish is coming towards us!”
“Lost! How?” I cried, half angry, half alarmed.
But as Fritz seized his gun and loaded it, I saw the
creature approaching, and followed his example.
“Be ready to fire,” I said, quickly, as the monster
with lightning speed drew nearer, as if about to seize
the nearest sheep. At the same instant Fritz, who is a
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
good marksman, fired, and both balls entered the head
of the creature, which immediately plunged and disap-
peared. From time to time he rose to the surface at
a greater distance from us, showing the shining scales
on his body, while a long track of blood on the water
marked his course, and convinced us that the shot had
taken effect. However, I looked around me very care-
fully in case the monster should appear again, intend-
ing this time to give him a double dose.
^‘He has had enough of it,’^ said Fritz.
‘‘You have been unusually successful, my boy,’^ I
replied; “for these animals are not easily frightened,
and' it is very difficult to wound them with firearms.
From what I could see of it the monster is, I believe, a
shark ; and this voracious fish will return only too will-
ingly to a place where he knows that prey is to be
found.’’
After this Fritz reloaded his gun and I redoubled my
watchfulness, but the monster thought good to leave
us at peace. I therefore again seized the rudder, and
as the wind blew favorably towards the bay, I guided
our little ship in that direction, and, after a few turn-
ings and windings, arrived at a spot from whence the
animals might be able to land easily. I then set them
free from the rop.es ; and while I lowered the sail they
scrambled on to the beach, and presently our little
boat lay alongside the old landing-place.
No one was there to welcome us, which made me feel
anxious, for night was approaching, and I knew not
where to look for them.
But we had scarcely stepped on shore and relieved
the animals from the ropes that bound them to the
boat, when sounds of joy rang in our ears, and pres-
ently a little band came jumping and dancing towards
us, followed by their mother.
After the first transports of joy at this happy re-
union had passed and we became calm, I began to de-
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
scribe some of oiir exploits and the success of our ex-
pedition. But to my wife the greatest wonder ap-
peared to be that we had managed to bring the animals.
‘‘Fritz suggested the plan of bringing them on
floats,’’ I said. “I must give him the credit of that.”
“But you have carried it out famously,” said my
wife; “and I must thank you both, for you have saved
that which appears to me in our position the most
necessary and the most valuable.”
Presently little Frank disturbed our conversation
by crying out,
“What a pretty little red flag you have flying at the
top of the mast, Fritz ! See how it flutters in the
wind ! ”
Before Fritz could reply Ernest made his appear-
ance. He jumped on board and admired the mast,
the sail, and the little red pennant, and anxiously in-
quired how we had contrived to make it so cleverly.
I interrupted the conversation by saying that we had
our boat to unload.
This was not the kind of work to please Jack, so he
made his escape, and ran to see the cattle.
Fritz and I had only been able to release the cow from
the casks, therefore Jack found plenty of employment
in taking off the swimming-belts from the sheep and
the goats. Presently, however, he spied the donkey
with his tub panniers. These he tried in vain to re-
move ; and finding it beyond his power, he jumped upon
the donkey’s back in spite of the casks, and rode to
meet us in grand style, forcing the animal forward with
his hands and heels.
It was impossible to help laughing at the singular
spectacle; but as I lifted the little man down I felt still
more amused. He wore a belt covered with hair, in
which was stuck a pair of small pistols.
“Where on earth did you find that smuggler’s cos-
tume?” I asked.
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
‘‘I made it myself, papa,’’ lie replied. ‘‘And look
at the dogs. ’ ’
I turned at the words, and saw to my surprise that
each of them wore a collar stuck full of nails with the
points outward, and forming an excellent shield against
the attacks of wild beasts.
“Well,” I said, “this is a clever invention, my boy.
Is it all your own!”
“Yes, papa,” said Jack. “Mamma only helped me
when there was something to sew. ’ ’
‘ ‘ But where did you get the skin and the needle and
thread!”
“I brought needles and thread in my bag from the
ship,” said his mother; “and the collars are made of
the jackal’s skin as well as Jack’s girdle.”
Fritz felt rather annoyed at hearing that Jack had
cut up the jackal’s skin, but he concealed his displeas-
ure as well as he could. While Jack stood near him,
however, he exclaimed, suddenly,
‘ ‘ Oh, what an unpleasant smell ! Where does it come
from!”
“Perhaps it is my belt,” said Jack. “No wonder
it smells bad, for you left the dead animal exposed
to the sun to corrupt. My belt will lose the odor when
the skin is dry.”
“Ah, well,” I said, “till it is dry Jack must place
himself to leeward. ’ ’
At this the boys laughed, and exclaimed, “To lee-
ward, Jack! to leeward. Jack!” But Jack did not
trouble himself about sensitive noses. He strutted
up and down, quite proud of his girdle, and assumed
a martial air which was most amusing.
At last I said, “Come, my boys, throw the dead
jackal into the sea; Jack’s girdle will lose all smell
when it is dry.”
The boys readily obeyed, and then I gave them an-
other object of interest. I perceived that my wife was
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
making preparations for supper, and I whispered to
Fritz to fetch one of the Westphalia hams which still
lay in the tub. I saw by the looks of the hoys that
they longed to ask questions; but as Fritz in a few
minutes returned, there was a general cry,
^ ‘ Oh, what a treat ! A ham ! mamma, a ham ! How
nice it looks ! ^ ^
‘‘Ah!’^ exclaimed my wife, ‘^you must restrain your
longing till to-morrow; it will be so much nicer when
it is cooked. Besides, I have a dozen eggs for supper
which we found on our travels to-day, and Ernest
thinks they are the eggs of a turtle. I shall he able
to make a splendid omelette, for we have plenty of
butter, and you have brought a frying-pan from the
ship. ’ ’
am sure they are turtles’ eggs,” said Ernest;
“for they are like a white ball, and soft to the touch,
like parchment; besides, we found them among the
sand on the sea-shore. ’ ’
“You are quite right, my boy,” I said; “but how
did you discover them?”
“Oh!” said his mother, “that belongs to the history
of our day’s adventures, which you shall hear at an-
other time. ’ ’
“Very well,” I said; “cook the omelette, and while
we are at supper, we will listen to an account of your
day’s performances as our dessert. As to the ham, I
assure you it is very good even raw, as Fritz and I
found to-day by experience. However, I believe it will
be much better when cooked, so while you make your
omelette and fry a few slices of the ham for our sup-
per, we will go and look after the animals. ’ ’
At these words I rose, and the boys all followed me
gladly. Jack had succeeded in setting them all free,
excepting the sow, who would let no one approach her.
Ernest, however, called the dogs, and they quickly
checked her movements by seizing her ears and holding
78
/
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
her, while we removed the swimming girdle; then we
fetched a few knives, forks, spoons, and plates, from
the boat, and returned to the tent.
Our repast proved delicious. Fried ham, cheese,
biscuits, and a good omelette formed a splendid feast,
and there was plenty to spare for the dogs, the sheep
and goats, the chickens and pigeons, who quickly as-
sembled near us, to gather up what remained.
As to the ducks and geese, although they were close
at hand, they did not favor us with their society: they
preferred the delights of their own native element at
a little distance, in which they could enjoy themselves,
and where they found a delicate feast in tiny fresh
water-crabs and worms.
After supper, I sent Fritz to the boat for a bottle of
canary wine, from the case we had found in the cap-
tain’s cabin; and then I asked my wife to relate the ad-
ventures and discoveries made by herself and the boys
during the day. So interesting was the narrative, that
no one seemed to care for the wine, until a pause oc-
curred in the conversation.
The narrative will appear in the next chapter.
79
CHAPTER VII
ANOTHER EXPLORING EXPEDITION
‘ ^XTOW,’^ said my wife, ‘H think you will be pleased
l\l to hear my adventures. I have been ready to
relate them all the evening, hut to get in a word in the
midst of your wonderful descriptions was impossible.
However, there is an old proverb that says, ‘ The longer
the water is gathering, the fuller it will flow,’ and ‘Bet-
ter late than never. ’
“I need not say much about the occurrences of the
first day of your absence, for, in truth, I was too un-
easy to commence any undertaking with the boys, or
to leave our landing-place.
“This morning, however, I was on the beach early,
and noticed your signal that all was safe, with great
joy and a thankful heart, and after replying to it, I
sought for a shady place, that I might sit alone and
' reflect before calling the boys.
“I found a quiet spot near our tent, and, sitting
down, began to think earnestly of our position. It is
impossible, I said to myself, that we can remain on
this part of the island, even in our tent, exposed dur-
ing the day to the burning heat of the sun ; for his rays
through the sail-cloth which covers it are doubly op-
pressive.
“All at once I thought. While my husband and son
are working on the ship, cannot I and the boys try to
explore the country! We should gain courage and
strength, and perhaps find a more pleasant and shady
spot on which to dwell, than this exposed and rocky
coast. I recalled your description of the beautiful
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
fields and meadows through which you had passed,
and thought we could find the way by crossing the brook
at the falls, as you had done.
‘‘Having decided on this undertaking, I returned to
the tent, and found the hoys had risen, and Jack
busy with the skin of Fritz’s jackal. He had cut sev-
eral strips of it, about a hand’s breadth wide, and from
this he was scraping the flesh. I advised him to put it
aside till after breakfast, which he willingly did, after
nailing it to a tree to dry.
“After breakfast he again set to work diligently.
On the stretched strips of skin he placed pieces of sail-
cloth, cut to the same size, and of triple thickness.
These it was necessary to sew, and he therefore came
to me, with a request that I would sew the skins and
the sail-cloth together for him. I thanked him for the
honor he proposed, but when he tried to do it himself,
I took compassion on him, and consented to perform the
task, which, as you may suppose, was not at all agree-
able. This done, he obtained a sufficient number of
nails, which he drove through with the points out-
wards, and thus completed spiked collars for the two
dogs. But he was still unsatisfied; he required, he
said, a belt for himself, to hold two pistols, but I re-
minded him that the heat of the sun would dry the
skin and cause it to shrink, making it altogether use-
less.
“Ernest, half in mockery, advised him to nail the
belt and collars on a board, and expose them to the sun.
Jack took the advice in good part, and without deign-
ing to notice the mocking tone, nailed the articles to
a board, as his brother suggested.
“Then I told the boys of my proposed expedition,
and they all joyfully agreed to accompany me. With-
out delay we prepared for our journey. The boys col-
lected and prepared their guns, and provided them-
seives with ammunition, a cutlass, and an ax. I, car-
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
ried tlie provisions and water-flasks, as well as a light
gnn, which I took from Ernest, giving him instead a
fowling-piece, that could be loaded with ball. Thus
armed, we started on our journey, accompanied by the
two dogs, and hopeful of success. Turk, who had been
with you, appeared to consider himself our guide, and
marched on before us as if to lead the way, and in a
very short time we reached the spot at which you
crossed the brook, and succeeded, though not without
trouble, in reaching the opposite bank.
‘‘As we proceeded, I could not help reflecting that
our safety rested in a great measure on two young
boys, because they understood the use of firearms ; and
I felt thankful, dear husband, that you had allowed
your sons to.be accustomed to these weapons from
childhood.
“After filling our water-bottles with water from the
river, we continued our march, and presently came
upon a most beautiful and fertile spot. The prospect
on every side was glorious, and I felt my heart open
with hopeful delight. At a distance I could discern
what appeared to be a little wood, to which the way
seemed easy and straight before us ; but we presently
found ourselves in the midst of tall grass, as high as
the boys^ heads, through which it was impossible to
pass. By turning to the left, near the river bank, we
managed to avoid it, and were able to proceed without
further obstacle. Here we recognized your footmarks,
and followed them gladly, till we reached the little
wood, and came again upon the high grass, which
obliged us to turn to the right.
“Suddenly a strange noise frightened us all, and in
a moment a large bird rose from the grass at a little
distance, and flew over our heads. The boys hastily
raised their guns, but before they could fire the bird
was far away.
“ ‘Oh, what a pity!’ cried Ernest: ‘if I had only had
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
my light gun, or if the bird had not flown so quickly,
I would soon have had him down. ’
‘Ah, yes,’ I said; ‘but a good marksman is always
ready at a moment ’s warning. ’
“ ‘What bird was it, I wonder T said Jack.
“ ‘An eagle, I think,’ replied little Frank; ‘it was
so large.’
“‘As if all large birds were eagles!’ remarked
Ernest; ‘but we may as well examine the place from
which the bird rose, and discover what he was doing
there. ’
“Jack ran quickly to the spot, when suddenly another
and larger bird rose, with rustling wings, almost in
his face, startling the boy with its unexpected appear-
ance. He looked so completely struck dumb, that I
could not help laughing. However, he quickly recov-
ered himself, and we all went together to the place.
Here we found a kind of large nest, made apparently
of thick dry grass; it was empty, excepting a few
broken egg-shells, from which, no doubt, the young
birds had not long before escaped, and from the agi-
tation of the grass I had every reason to believe that
the brood were close at hand. But it would have been
impossible to follow them, for the movements soon
ceased altogether.
“ ‘Look here, Frank,’ said Ernest, ‘these birds can-
not be eagles, for they never build nests on the ground,
but on high rocks ; besides, their little ones cannot run
as soon as they are hatched, as chickens can. I no-
ticed, too, that they had white breasts, and red-tipped
wings, and feathers round the beak, so I think they
must be bustards, for that is the description I have
read of the bustard. ’
“ ‘I am glad we did not shoot the birds, after all,’
I said ; ‘ for what would the poor little ones have done
without their parents ? ’
“While talMng, we reached the grove of trees to
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
whicli we had directed our steps. A crowd of unknown
birds seemed to welcome us with their song, or flew
round us gayly. The boys followed them with their
eyes eagerly, and seemed inclined to point their guns,
but I prevented them from doing so.
^ You should never destroy God’s creatures,’ I said,
‘excepting for food, and then not cruelly; besides, it
would be foolish to waste powder and shot, as well as
a pity to kill these pretty little songsters.’
‘ ‘ But what wonderful trees they were in this grove !
I have never in my life seen such tall trees, and, far
from being a wood, as I supposed, there were scarcely
more than a dozen trees, but so leafy at their sum-
mits, that at a distance they appeared like a for-
est.
“What astonished me, also, was that the trunks
seemed to be supported by a kind of buttress. Enor-
mous roots appeared to have driven the thick stem out
of the earth, and raised it to the skies. However, it
was firmly fixed in the ground, and where the roots
left it the thickness was immense.
“Jack climbed up one of the outer roots, and meas-
ured the stem with a piece of string. Its circumfer-
ence was about eighteen feet; the height of the tree,
from the ground to the summit, might be about sixty
yards. The leaves were large and full, and the spread-
ing branches formed a delightful shade.
“The form of the leaf was like that of our nut-trees,
but I could discover no fruit. The grass growing
round the roots is thick and green, and there are no
signs of thorns or underwood, so that altogether this
grove of trees forms a delightful resting-place. So
much did it please us, that we determined to stay there
in the cool shade, and rest in this palace of the green-
wood, while we enjoyed our midday meal.
“The dogs, which we had left on the bank of the
river, soon found us out, and, to my astonishment,
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
did not appear hungry, but laid themselves down
quietly at our feet, and were soon fast asleep.
could not contemplate the richness and beauty of
this lovely spot without the idea arising in my mind,
that if we were able to establish ourselves on one of
these trees, we should he in perfect safety. I had
carefully examined the various scenes through which
we passed, but I could discover none so agreeable as
this. I resolved, therefore, to return to the tent, and
if the time permitted, collect some more of the debris
which the waves had cast on shore from the wreck.
‘ ‘ On our way home, I discovered by what means the
hunger of the dogs had been appeased: they were
catching crabs in the shallow water near the shore, and
separating the shells with their paws, while they ea-
gerly devoured their contents.
‘‘Presently, after turning from the river-bank, we
saw Floss scratching out from the sand something
round, and swallowing it with avidity. Ernest, who
was nearer to the dog, guessed what it was in a mo-
ment.
“ ‘ It is the egg of a turtle, ^ he exclaimed ; ‘ and I dare
say there are more. ^
“ ‘Let us save what we can,’ I cried, as we all ran to
the spot; ‘it will make a splendid supper for us.’
“It cost some trouble, however, to drive away the
animal from her prey, but we succeeded at last in rescu-
ing a dozen eggs, which we placed carefully in our
provision-bag.
“At this moment I glanced towards the sea, and saw,
to my astonishment, a little boat with a sail rapidly
approaching the shore. I hardly knew what to think,
although Ernest said it was his father and Fritz in the
boat.
“Frank was afraid it would contain savages, who
might land and eat us up. At last I perceived that
Ernest was right, and then we all turned to run round
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
the rocks hastily, and soon found ourselves in each
other’s arms.
‘‘You have now had a complete description of our
adventures yesterday,” continued my wife; “and all
I can say is, that a dwelling in one of these trees would
not only be delightful, but a place of safety from the
attacks of wild beasts, and I hope that to-morrow morn-
ing you will go with us to examine the wonderful trees. ’ ’
While listening to this recital, night came on, and
it was time for us to seek repose in sleep, after the
fatigues of the day.
We arranged ourselves once more in our places as
usual, but with much greater comfort, upon the mat-
tresses, and under the soft woolen coverlets, I had
brought from the wreck.
86
CHAPTER VIII
BEIDGE-BUILDIKG
Next morning my wife and I rose early, that we
might talk over the changes she appeared so anx-
ious to make, before the children were up.
In fact, I hesitated to decide, for to make a dwelling
upon a high tree in a grove seemed impossible.
‘Hf we were cocks and hens, now,’’ I said, ^‘and
could fly up and roost on the branches, the case would
be different.”
‘‘Oh, do not make a jest of it,” she replied; “there
is nothing absurd in my idea. At all events, now we
are not safe at night from the visits of jackals, or other
similar customers ; and I know that in our Fatherland
I once saw a linden-tree, on which persons could ascend
by a staircase to a pretty little bower, with a suitable
floor between the branches. Why could not we have
something of the same sort, and make a sleeping-place
in the trees of the grove?”
I did not answer my dear wife for some minutes,
for her suggestions made me reflect ; at last I said,
“I begin to think you are right, dear wife, for it
seems to me that you have been conducted by Provi-
dence to the most convenient spot on this island, as
much for our safety as for the means of obtaining food.
For if all that now remains on the wreck should be
lost by the destruction of the vessel, we might at least
have a convenient place to reside in, and fertile ground
to cultivate. The rocks which surround it will serve
as a protection. But let us have patience, and stay in
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
our present position, at least till we have brought from
the wreck all the useful things we can/’
‘‘I do not think it is necessary to wait for that,” said
my wife; ‘‘we have already more than we want for the
present, and you do not know what we suffer here from
the Heat of the sun, while you are on the sea. Set
aside your voyage for to-day, and let us go together
to this shady grove, where the rich fruits of the earth
and the beauties of nature are ready to our hands. ’ ’
“Your earnestness makes you eloquent, dear wife,”
I said, “and your reasoning convinces me; but you
forget that we cannot take our cattle and our other pos-
sessions to the opposite shore, without building a
bridge.”
“Then we must wait forever,” she replied, “if we
wait for that. I thought it would be easy for the ass
and the cow to carry what we most needed across the
river, and bring the other things by degrees.”
“We should have to do this even with a bridge,” I
remarked; “and besides, the river might overflow its
banks, and render a passage by any other means im-
possible. I and the boys, however, will commence at
once to construct a wooden bridge across the narrowest
part, if you will prepare bags and packing-cases for
our expedition.”
“I must entreat you to leave the gunpowder behind
in the rocks,” she remarked. “I always tremble when
I think of the large quantity we have so near us. ’ ’
“Certainly,” I replied. “Gunpowder is like fire, a
good friend when used with caution, but a fearful
enemy to those who are careless. After we are settled
in our new home, I will blow up a portion of the rock,
and bury the powder in the earth so carefully, that not
even a cat could scratch it up. And now all is ar-
ranged, let us call the children.”
The boys were quickly aroused, and on hearing the
plan of bridge-building, were full of eager delight, and
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
the idea of removing to the pleasant region of the grove
made the younger ones jump and dance for joy, and
name it at once their new home.
After our morning prayer we began to think of
breakfast, and while his mother prepared it, Fritz took
the little monkey to the goat, for his morning feast.
Jack slipped away to the cow, and tried to milk her
into his hat, but as he could not succeed, he laid him-
self under her, and she allowed him to draw from her
a splendid draught of warm fresh milk, as if he had
been a young calf.
At last he paused to take breath, and exclaimed,
Frank, come, the milk is beautiful; will you have
someF’
These words attracted our attention to him, and his
brothers laughed heartily at his scheme ; but his mother
reproved him seriously for being greedy, and not wait-
ing till the cow was milked. She then took a vessel
and commenced milking the cow, and, as Jack saw how
cleverly she succeeded, he said,
‘^Ah, if I had only known how to do it like that! for
I did feel ashamed of lying down like the monkey;
but I mean to learn by and by, and then I can help
mamma. ’ ’
When the cow was milked, the mother gave a cupful
to each of the children, and poured a part of what
remained into a saucepan, with some of the hard bis-
cuits, to make milk soup for our breakfast. The rest
she placed on one side, in a tin can, to preserve it for
cream.
Meanwhile I prepared our boat for a voyage to the
ship, being anxious to obtain as many planks and beams
as possible for building the bridge. After breakfast,
I went on board with Fritz and Ernest, for as it was
necessary to accomplish our task quickly, double help
was needed.
The boys exerted all their strength in rowing, that
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
we might reach the swift current, which had already
carried us on former trips so rapidly out into the bay.
Scarcely, however, had we arrived at the little island
that lay at the entrance, when I noticed a flock of sea-
gulls and other birds, flying here and there, over a spot
hidden by a heap of sand, and uttering cries and noises
so hideous, that we were almost deafened.
Fritz would have fired amongst them, had I not pre-
vented him: I was anxious to discover the cause of
such a great assembly of birds. I therefore directed
our boat towards the sea, that we might take the cur-
rent, and hoisted the sail, to catch the sea-breeze at
the same time, while Fritz rowed on quickly.
Ernest was charmed with our little sail, and the pen-
nant that waved from the top of the mast ; but Fritz,
whose eyes were fixed on the island, suddenly ex-
claimed,
‘‘Papa, I believe that those birds are feasting upon
a large fish, and have not had the politeness to invite
us.’’
I approached nearer to the shore, and saw that he
was right, and presently mooring our boat in shallow
water by means of an enormous stone, I jumped on
shore, followed by the boys.
There we discovered, extended partly in the water
and partly on the sand, the dead body of a monster fish,
on which the birds were regaling themselves so eagerly,
that they did not notice our approach until we were
within gunshot of them, and even then only a few took
to flight.
I felt astonished at the voracious appetites of the
feathered flock, as well as at their indifference, for so
greedy were they, that if we had wished for a slice
from the carcass ourselves, we could easily have de-
stroyed the intruders even with a stick.
“Oh!” exclaimed Fritz, “how could such an enor-
mous body get here! who could have dragged it to the
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
shore I yesterday there was no sign of such a creature
to be seen!’’
‘‘Why, Fritz,” cried Ernest, “I am sure this must
be the shark you settled so bravely yesterday; see, he
has three great holes in his head.”
“I believe it is, Ernest, for my gun was loaded with
three bullets.”
I readily confirmed their suspicions, as I pointed out
the gigantic size of the frightful throat and jaws, from
which we had mercifully escaped.
“Why, the creature must be twenty feet long at
least,” I added. “We must have a piece of the skin,
which I think can be made useful; but first let us get
rid of these greedy birds. ’ ’
Ernest immediately drew out the ramrod of his gun,
and struck at them right and left, and some were so
voracious that they remained on the prey, and were
knocked down and killed, while feasting, by Ernest.
The rest flew away, leaving a space from which Fritz
could cut a few strips of shark’s skin, as Jack had done
with the jackal. Then we returned to the boat with
our booty.
On reaching the shore, I saw with joy that a number
of planks and beams had been loosened from the
wreck, and cast on the sands by the waves, which would
spare me the trouble I anticipated of seeking them on
the vessel. I immediately determined to choose those
most suitable for building our bridge, haul them in by
means of a boat-hook, and attach them to our little
skiff in the form of a float by ropes.
We again put to sea with our floating cargo, and
with the wind in our favor.
While steering carefully homewards, however, I ad-
vised Fritz to nail the strips of the shark’s skin to the
mast in the sun to dry. He readily obeyed, while
Ernest, after examining the birds he had killed with
his ramrod, exclaimed,
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
^‘Papa, what can we do with these birds? are they
good to eat?’’
‘‘Not very, my child: sea-gulls are birds that live
chiefly on the flesh of dead fish, and they have in con-
sequence a fishy taste when cooked. There are several
species of these birds, and some of them are so vora-
cious, that in the whale fisheries flocks of them will
settle on pieces cut from the whale, with such avidity,
that they will allow themselves to be killed rather than
quit their prey.”
“No wonder I killed them so easily just now with
my ramrod,” replied Ernest, “if they are so greedy
and stupid.”
“Papa,” exclaimed Fritz, interrupting his brother,
“why did you tell me to nail the shark’s skin on the
mast? it will dry quite curved.”
“Perhaps it may, Fritz,” I replied; “but unless it
is rendered hard by drying we cannot make it useful,
and being curved will not matter, for it will be as use-
ful as if it were flat. When the rough points are
ground otf, and the skin smoothed and polished, it
forms a beautiful material called shagreen.”
‘ ‘ I thought, ’ ’ said Ernest, ‘ ‘ that shagreen was made
of ass’s skin.”
“Yes, Ernest, you are right. In Turkey, Persia, and
Tartary, the best shagreen is made from the skins of
the wild ass. It is harder and thicker than that of
the shark, but they soften and polish it by several
processes, which gives it a beautiful surface, and the
color is a bright green. ’ ’
We were now approaching the shore; I lowered the
sail, and presently we lay alongside the old spot, hav-
ing returned in less than four hours from the time we
started. We were not expected, therefore none of our
dear ones were there to welcome us, and this time I
was not alarmed at their absence. However, we raised
our voices loudly in chorus, and the sound was echoed
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
back from the rocks in every direction. Very soon
the mother and her two boys came running towards ns
in surprise at our speedy return. They each carried
a large and well-filled pocket-handkerchief, and Frank
dragged after him a fishing-net attached to a long
wooden rod.
When they reached us, many questions were asked
in wonder at our returning so soon; but Jack, who
could not restrain himself, interrupted these inquiries
by opening his handkerchief, and allowing to fall on
the ground before our eyes a number of magnificent
fresh-water crabs.
The mother and Frank followed his example, and
there they lay in a sprawling heap. Finding them-
selves free, however, they waddled away right and
left, with all their might, and the boys had enough to
do to prevent them from escaping; but the leaping,
stooping, and laughing, created a merry outbreak of
fun beyond description.
‘‘Oh, papa!’’ exclaimed Jack, “are we not rich?
There were such a frightful lot, more than a thousand,
I think, and we have caught at least two hundred. Are
they not large ? and what claws they have ! ’ ’
“But who discovered them?” I asked; “Jack, I sup-
pose it was you?”
“No, papa, it was our little Frank that performed
this exploit. I will tell you how it happened. While
mamma was sewing, I took the little monkey on my
shoulder, and went with Frank to the river, to try if
I could find a good place for our bridge. Frank
amused himself by picking up pebbles and throwing
them into the water, but every now and then he would
run to show me some more prettily marked than oth-
ers. All at once he came rushing back, exclaiming,
‘Jack! Jack! come and see, there is such a swarm of
crabs sticking to Fritz’s jackal!’ I followed him to
the water, and there I saw the dead jackal lying in a
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
shallow spot, and a whole legion of magnificent crabs
feasting upon it. I ran to tell mamma, and she brought
a fishing-net, but we took as many in our hands as by
the net, without any difficulty, and if you had not called
us we could have taken many more.^^
“There are quite enough. Jack,’’ I replied, “not only
to make a delicious supper, even if you throw the lit-
tle ones back into the water, which I should advise
you to do, but also to provide us with an unexpected
store sufficient for several suppers. Let us thank God,
that He has not only given us what is necessary, but
enough and to spare.”
After relating our own adventures, Ernest showed his
mother the sea-gulls, and she proposed to prepare the
mid-day meal, while I and the elder boys went to the
shore to bring away the floating planks and beams. It
proved a difficult task, for our united strength was far
from sufficient to draw these heavy beams even out of
the water.
I had given up all idea of making the ass or the cow
help us, when I suddenly remembered the plan adopted
by the Laplanders with the reindeer who draw the
sledges, and I was determined to try it. I placed a
cord round the horns of the cow and the neck of the
ass, and then passed it between their legs, and fastened
the end to a beam firmly. In this way we not only
brought piece after piece on shore, but were able also
to drag them to the spot chosen by our little engineer
as the most suitable for the bridge, and, indeed, so it
appeared.
The opposite banks approached each other closely,
they were firm and of equal height, and the trunks of
old trees which stood on each bank promised to form
an excellent support on which to rest the foundation
of the bridge.
While examining the spot, a question suggested it-
self.
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I said, ‘‘suppose our beams should not be
long enough to reach to the other side — the eye cannot
measure the distance exactly, and we have no mathe-
matical instruments — what shall we doV’
“Mamma has some packthread,’^ said Ernest;
“could we not tie a stone to one end, and throw it
across the river! We could easily measure the string
when we drew it back, and that would give us the exact
width across.”
“An excellent idea, Ernest,” I replied; “run, Jack,
and fetch the packthread.”
Jack quickly returned, and by the contrivance sug-
gested by Ernest, we soon discovered that the distance
from one side of the river to the other was eighteen
feet.
It appeared, therefore, quite necessary that the
beams should have three additional feet resting on each
shore, and this would require the under one, at least,
to measure twenty-four feet. Happily, we found more
than one which exceeded this length, and fully an-
swered our expectations.
There remained now one only difficulty to overcome.
The question arose, how could we throw such long
and heavy pieces of wood across the water!
While considering the subject the dinner-hour ar-
rived, and finding notliing more could be done, we re-
turned to the tent.
Our good housekeeper had prepared for us a dish
of crabs, which was very tempting. But before we
commenced dinner, she wished to show me the needle-
work which had employed her the whole morning.
She produced two immense bags, which she had
made out of a piece of sail-cloth, and sewn with pack-
thread.
“I had no needle large enough to hold the thread,”
said the mother, “so I contrived to sew with a nail,
and by patience and perseverance I have finished these
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traveling-bags. They will bang across the donkey ^s
back like panniers, and contain a great quantity of arti-
cles, when we change our home.^’
I expressed my pleasure, and praised my dear wife
for her ingenuity, and then we all seated ourselves to
partake of the dinner she had prepared for us.
It was passed over as quickly as usual, for we had
no time to lose, and then I and the boys returned to
work. As we approached the spot, a plan suggested
itself which got us out of all our difficulties.
I first placed a beam behind the trunk of a tree, to
which I fastened it at about four or five feet above
the ground with a strong cord ; to the other end of the
cord I tied a stone, and throwing it across the river, I
waded through the water after it. To a tree on the
opposite bank I adjusted a pulley, over which I threw
the cord, and returned with the end in my hand.
To this extreme end I tied the ropes which were still
round the necks of the cow and the ass, then passing
the beam round to the front of the tree, I led the ani-
mals away from the water. As they moved slowly
forward the beam rose gently, and then sank grad-
ually, guided by the pulley, till the end rested on the
opposite bank.
No sooner was this accomplished, than Fritz and
Jack sprang boldly on the beam, and danced lightly
and rapidly across the new bridge. I trembled as I
saw them, but I refrained from uttering a word of cau- .
tion, lest they should fall from sudden fear.
Now the first beam was laid, the difficulties of the
work were greatly removed. The second, and third
and fourth soon followed, and the foundation of ou.
bridge lay ready before our eyes.
We then cut a number of planks, of about eight or
nine feet long, to place across the breadth of the bridge,
but I did not nail them down firmly, as I wished to be
able to remove them from the bridge quickly in case
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of danger, to prevent the passage of enemies, whether
men or wild beasts.
It now seemed in every point perfect: the supports
were firm, and the passage across complete.
But the great exertion necessary had exhausted our
strength, and as evening approached, we were glad
to return to the tent and seek the refreshment and re-
pose which we so greatly needed. Once more we knelt
to offer our evening prayer, and to thank God for His
merciful care of us during the day.
CHAPTER IX
THE JOUKNEY TO THE WONDEEFUL TREES
ON waking the next morning my first thought was
to warn my children of the danger they would
incur if they crossed the bridge carelessly, as they had
done on the preceding night.
‘‘And you must remember,’’ I said, “that we are
now going into a region unknown and less protected by
nature than this. We know not what kind of animals
we may encounter, nor whether it is inhabited. It is
therefore necessary to be on our guard, and keep close
together in case of danger or attack.”
After this caution we knelt and offered our morning
prayer, and then proceeded to breakfast, which was no
sooner finished than I and the boys commenced prep-
arations for our journey.
Our first act was to load the ass and the cow with the
traveling-bags containing our provisions, our tools,
cooking utensils, and other useful things, the case of
bottled beer from the captain’s cabin, and a store of
butter from the cask not being omitted. At last I was
about to add some hammocks and bed-coverings to the
donkey’s load, when I was suddenly checked by my
wife, who said,
“We must not leave the chickens and pigeons alone
here all night, or there will be an end of them. Be
sides, I hoped that you would find room for little FranV
on the donkey’s back, and also for my bag. We know
not how soon we may need it. ’ ’
It was rather annoying to have to unpack, but for-
tunately I had left a space between the two sacks which
the ass carried, and the bed-coverings would make a
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soft seat for little Frank. So I placed him on the
donkey with the bag, which already bore the name of
the Magic Bag, placed behind for him to lean against,
and he sat as safely as if on a saddle, and without fear
of danger, even should his steed take it into his head
to gallop.
In the meantime the hoys had been endeavoring to
collect the fowls and the pigeons by driving them into
one spot. But all in vain. To catch them was impos-
sible; and they presented themselves empty-handed
and looking very much discomfited.
‘ ‘ Leave them to me ! ’ ^ exclaimed the mother ; “ I will
show you what to do. ’ ’
At these words she called the chickens to her in coax-
ing tones, throwing from her apron a few grains of
peas and crumbs of biscuits. They all came round her
quickly ; and, still scattering peas and barley from the
magic bag, she attracted them nearer the tent. The
rest of the corn she threw into the entrance; and as
the feathered tribe rushed in and pounced upon it
with eagerness, it was easy work to close the tent and
make them prisoners.
Then Jack carefully crept in, and, catching them one
by one, passed them through an opening in the tent to
us. Fritz and I tied their legs together and placed
them in panniers on the back of the cow.
To protect them from the sun we arranged some sail-
cloth over the two halves of a cask-hoop, which formed
an arch, and the darkness also kept them quiet.
The packing being finished, we collected all the arti-
cles necessary to leave behind, at least those that could
be injured by the heat of the sun or spoiled by rain,
and placed them within the tent, closing, the entrance
carefully.
To make it more secure we barricaded it with the full
and empty casks that remained, and left our store to
the kind protection of Heaven.
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I tlien arranged our little party for the journey. We
were all well armed, young and old, and full of spirits.
Fritz marched at the head of our procession with
his mother, followed by the cow and the ass and his
cavalier, little Frank. The goats, led by J ack, formed
the third detachment, the little monkey looking droll
on the back of his foster-mother. Ernest followed
with the sheep, and I walked last as the rear-guard.
The dogs rushed here and there as our adjutants.
As the procession moved on slowly Ernest remarked,
‘‘Papa, I think this is a delightful way of traveling,
and it is new to us. Are there not people who always
travel from place to place in this manner?’’
“Yes,” I replied; “even now the people of Tartary,
Arabia, and other tribes follow this sort of life, and are
called nomadic races. They use horses and camels,
however, which enable them to advance more quickly
than we can do with our crawling ass and our loaded
cow. The patriarchs of whom we read in the Bible
traveled or wandered from place to place after this
fashion. For my part, I shall be glad when our wan-
derings are over.”
“I hope,” said my wife, “that our new abode may
prove too delightful for us to have any wish to leave it.
At all events, the fault shall not be mine if we are
obliged to take another journey.”
Thus conversing, we arrived at the bridge, and at
this point the sow joined our procession. We had
found it impossible to make her follow the other ani-
mals from the tent; but when she discovered that we
had really left her behind, she hastened to overtake us,
and we all happily crossed the bridge together without
accident, the sow grunting her disapproval of the whole
affair.
On the opposite shore a new difficulty presented it-
self. The grass looked so fresh and tempting, that
our troop could not resist the temptation, but scattered
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themselves right and left to feast upon it. We should
have been quite unable to place them again in rank and
file hut for the help of our dogs, who, barking and chas-
ing, brought them again into order.
To avoid a second interruption I told Fritz to turn
to the left, towards the shore, through a part of the
country overgrown with tall rank grass not in the least
tempting to the animals.
We had scarcely proceeded any distance when the
dogs suddenly started forward and disappeared in the
thick grass; and presently their furious barking be-
came mixed with howls of pain, as if they were wounded
and struggling with some wild beast.
Fritz hastily advanced to the spot with his gun raised
and his finger on the trigger; Jack followed him fear-
lessly, carrying his pocket-pistol in his hand; while
Ernest, who was nervous and timid, ran behind his
mother, yet making ready to fire in case of danger. For
my own part, I felt the necessity of being cautious,
and followed the boys anxiously with my gun in readi-
ness, for it appeared probable that the dogs had at-
tacked a strong and furious beast, which might over-
power them. The boys, in their eagerness after any
novelty, reached the spot before me, and the next mo-
ment Jack cried out,
^ ‘ Papa, come, quick ! It is a large porcupine ! Such
an enormous beast ! Make haste ! ^ ’
I saw as I hastily approached that he was right, al-
though his description was a little exaggerated respect-
ing the size of the animal, which the dogs still con-
tinued to attack, yet retiring from their attempts in
useless rage at being wounded by the sharp points
which protruded from its skin. They could not ap-
proach it without receiving a number of small wounds,
which bled terribly. Their howls, in consequence, were
most horrible to hear.
Jack, without thought of consequences, at once drew
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liis pocket pistol from his belt, raised the trigger, and,
going as near the animal as he dared, took aim at the
head so correctly, that the creature fell dead at our feet
before we knew what the boy was about.
A shout of joy from the boys at this removal of their
alarming enemy followed Jack’s exploit, although
Fritz looked a little mortified at his younger brother ’s
success, and asked him why he was in such a hurry
rather indignantly; but Jack was not easily offended,
so he turned off the inquiry with a joke; in fact, he
was so anxious to secure his booty, that, after giving
it two strokes with the butt end of his gun to make
sure it was dead, he attempted to draw it from the spot
with his usual carelessness.
The next moment he threw the dead animal from him
in haste, and stood with bleeding hands, looking ter-
ribly embarrassed. But Jack was not one to be easily
conquered ; and in his anxiety to show his prize to his
mother he wiped his hands, and then, tying his pocket-
handkerchief round the neck of the dead porcupine he
dragged it by the ends to his mother.
^‘Look, mamma!” he cried; isn’t this a beautiful
prize? I killed it myself with my pocket pistol; and
it will be useful, for papa says the flesh is good to eat.”
Ernest approached coolly to examine the animal,
and said at last,
^^The creature has incisor teeth, and ears and feet
something like those of human beings.”
‘'Ah, yes,” said Jack; “but did you not see how he
rustled and bristled his quills against the dogs? He
is a frightful creature. ’ ’
“Papa, did you notice the tuft of hair on his head?”
asked Jack. “What is the use of it?”
“Only to give it the name of the tufted porcupine,”
I replied. “But tell me. Jack, were you not afraid
that the creature would shoot his quills into you?”
“I never thought about it,” he replied; “or if I had
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I should have known that the superstition about porcu-
pines shooting their quills is fabulous.’’
His mother and I were seated on the ground while
we talked, drawing out the pointed quills from the
muzzles of our brave dogs.
‘ ‘ Look here, ’ ’ I replied, holding up five or six quills
which we had extracted, ‘ ‘ these were stuck in the dogs,
Jack.”
‘H can quite believe that,” he replied; ‘‘but they at-
tacked him closely, and of course the quills stuck to
them and were dragged out of his skin while they strug-
gled.”
“You are right, my brave little man, ’ ’ I said. ‘ ‘ The
porcupine has no power of shooting his quills like ar-
rows. But now tell me what we are to do with your
game. Shall we take it with us, or leave it behind?”
“Oh, we must take it with us, papa!” cried Jack.
“Besides, it is good to eat, so please let us take it.”
I could not resist these entreaties. I therefore un-
wound the handkerchief from the animal’s head,
wrapped it in grass, stroked back the quills, tied it up
in some of our bed-clothes folded three times double,
and fastening the bundle across the back of the ass
behind Frank and the mother ’s wonderful bag, thought
all was safe.
After this we collected the animals and proceeded
again on our journey.
We had scarcely, however, advanced a hundred steps
before the ass began to bray, and presently to leap and
bound in the most comical manner, as if he were mad,
causing us all to shout with laughter, till he ended at
last by dragging away the bridle by which my wife
led him, and starting off at full gallop.
The danger to Frank now stopped our amusement.
Making a sign to the dogs, they started after the ass
at once, and brought him to a standstill before we could
reach him.
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‘‘Oh, what a splendid gallop!” exclaimed Frank as
we arrived at the spot.
“Yes, my child,” I replied; “hut we ought to thank
God that you did not fall off and break your limbs.
What could have induced this quiet, patient animal to
run away I cannot imagine. ^ ^
But, on examination of the animal’s burdens, I soon
discovered the cause. The pointed quills of the porcu-
pine had pierced the triple covering, and penetrated
to the skin of the poor animal in a most unpleasant
manner. No wonder he leaped and bounced under such
sharp, tickling sensations. The evil was soon removed.
I placed the porcupine upon the magic bag, and under
it I laid a thick bed-cover double; and, telling little
Frank not to lean back, we resumed our journey.
Fritz marched in advance of us, with his gun, always
ready, in the hope that, as a recompense for losing the
honor of killing the porcupine, he should meet with
some bustards, with which his mother could prepare
such a splendid dish.
We followed quietly, and arrived at last without
further incident in safety at the Promised Land, as
the boys called it.
“Oh, what magnificent trees!” exclaimed Ernest.
“And look at their height!”
“Indeed, they are magnificent!” I cried. “I have
never even imagined the existence of such trees! I
own, dear wife, that this is a wonderful place. If we
can climb these trees, and establish ourselves upon
them, we may feel perfectly secure against any ani-
mals, for I defy even a bear to climb trees so high,
especially with trunks possessing such a smooth bark
as these. ’ ’
We immediately commenced releasing the animals
of their load, and setting them free, to feed with the
sheep and goats. Their fore legs were tied loosely to-
gether with cords, that they might not wander far
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from the spot. The sow we left to do as she pleased.
As to the fowls and pigeons, they were at once set
at liberty, to their great relief. We then seated our-
selves to rest on the soft green turf, and to consult on
our future dwelling-place. And, first of all, it was nec-
essary to prepare a lodging, not only as a protection
from the cold night air, but also as a security from
the attacks of wild beasts, to which we should be ex-
posed if we remained on the ground. I knew, there-
fore, that by some means this lodging must be made on
the branches or roots of the trees.
While discussing the subject with my wife, Fritz had
wandered out of sight, and suddenly we heard the re-
port of a gun just behind us, then a second report, and
the words ‘‘He is hit! he is hit!’’ explained what our
young sportsman was about.
In a few moments he reappeared, carrying by its
hind legs an enormous tiger-cat, which he held up be-
fore us all proudly.
“Bravo, Master Sportsman!” I cried; “you have
rendered good service to our fowls and pigeons :
your friend there would have made sad havoc in our
farmyard this night, if you had not demolislied him.
These animals, however, are seldom alone, so you must
keep a careful watch for any of his companions who
may be prowling about. ’ ’
‘ ‘ I wonder why God created such dreadful animals 1 ’ ’
said Ernest.
“It is always difficult for us weak mortals to under-
stand why God has created this or that; but He is so
wise and good that we know there must be excellent
reasons for all He does although we are unable to ex-
plain or understand these reasons to our own satisfac-
tion. You are acquainted with one thing useful even
in the tiger-cat, Ernest, and that is the skin; and you
know also how many beautiful and warm furs are ob-
tained for winter clothing from the bear, the wild cat,
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the ermine, the Siberian squirrel, and many other ani-
mals which inhabit cold regions in the North.’’
‘‘And is not the seal-skin very useful ?” asked
Ernest.
“Yes,” I replied; “and although this creature is by
nature as voracious among fish as the wild dog orig-
inally was on land; still, he has been tamed by man
to become, like the house dog, a faithful and attached
friend. But, Fritz, now tell me how you managed to
kill this beast of prey, and where you found him.”
“I saw a movement first among the foliage of a tree.
I went quietly and stood at the foot, and there, on a
branch, I saw this monster. The first shot brought
him to my feet, but he was not dead, and as he tried to
rise I fired a second time, and he moved no more. ’ ’
“You may think yourself fortunate,” I said, “that
the creature did not fly at you after the first shot:
these animals will defend their own lives fiercely. I
think the one you have just killed is the margay, a
species of tiger-cat very common at the Cape of Good
Hope and in South America, and so voracious^ that
even our sheep and goats would not be safe against
such a formidable enemy.”
“Well, papa,” said Fritz, “now I have killed the
animal, can we not make use of his 'beautiful skin?
Look at the glossy black and brown spots on a golden
yellow ground!”
“Indeed you can,” I replied, “if you strip off the
skin carefully, excepting from the legs: of these you
can make cases for knives, forks, and spoons, and of
the tail a hunting-belt to carry your pistols.”
“But, dear papa,” said Jack, “what is the use of the
porcupine’s skin?”
“Why, my boy, it can be made very useful with a
little trouble,” I replied. “The quills form excel-
lent packing-needles and arrow-heads. We can also
construct another collar for each of our dogs to wear
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when they go to battle with wild beasts; indeed, we
might easily provide them with a kind of armor like
coats of mail ; the sharp points of the quills would keep
their enemies at a distance.
‘^That would be fun,’’ cried Jack, ‘Ho see our brave
dogs dressed up in such a fashion.”
After this the young people gave me no rest till I
had showed them how to remove the skin from the wild
cat and the porcupine without injuring it. I advised
them to tie each animal to the branch of a tree, by the
hind legs ; and by carefully separating them from the
flesh with a knife, the skins of the porcupine and the
tiger-cat were removed and nailed to a tree to dry.
Meanwhile Ernest and little Frank were busily em-
ployed, one in gathering stones to make a cooking-place
for his mother, and the other in collecting dry
branches of trees for a fire. Ernest quickly accom-
plished his task, and while I showed him how to arrange
the stones for a hearth, he questioned me about the
trees.
“Do you think these are nut-trees, papa!” he asked;
‘ ‘ the leaves are very much like those of our walnut. ’ ’
“Plants which have similar leaves do not always
belong to the same family,” I replied; “and in other
respects the trees on this spot appear to differ from
ours : the leaves are of a paler green, and almost white
on the under side. I believe them to be mangroves
or wild figs, for the roots form a kind of arch or curve,
and the trunks rise to a height almost beyond the power
of the eye to reach. ’ ’
“I thought that mangroves grew only near the bor-
ders of rivers, or on marshy ground,” said Ernest.
“You are partly right, my child,” I said; “but this
applies only to the dark mangroves, not to the red,
which bears little berries, and never reaches to such
a great height.”
Presently little Frank appeared with his arms full
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of dry wood, and something in Ms mouth, which he was
eating with a great relish.
‘‘IVe found something so nice!^’ he cried, with his
mouth full, ‘‘oh, so nice!”
“My child, what are you eating?” cried his mother,
anxiously; “it may be poisonous, and make you die.
Give me what you have in your mouth, for Heaven ^s
sake, and do not swallow the smallest piece!”
Frank in a fright allowed his mother to take from
his mouth what appeared to be the remains of a small
fig.
‘ ‘ Where did you get this ? ’ ’ she asked.
“Yonder, in the grass,” replied Prank, “there are
thousands of them ; the fowls and the pigeons are eat-
ing such a lot, and the one I tasted was so nice, that I
thought it wouldn ’t do me any harm. ’ ’
“Do not be alarmed, my dear; I trust there is no
danger,” I said to my wife, as she looked at me in-
quiringly: “these trees are a species of mangrove, and
bear a kind of fig which I believe is wholesome; but,
Frank,” I continued, addressing the child, “remember
you must never eat the fruit you find, or even taste it,
till you have shown it to me. As a rule, however, we
may consider any kind of vegetable or fruit eaten by
birds or monkeys, as wholesome food.”
“But, papa,” said Ernest, “cocoanuts are good, yet
the birds do not eat them.”
“Their shells are too hard and too large for birds to
manage,” I replied; “besides, Ernest, there is no rule
without an exception.”
Frank, however, had no sooner heard my statement
about the monkeys, than he ran otf in triumph to a tree
near those on which the skins of the porcupine and
the tiger-cat were nailed. Upon a root of this tree
the little monkey was seated, and Frank, who had two
figs in his pocket, presented one to Master Nip.
He seized it hastily, and began eating it with the
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most comical expressions of delight and the greatest
eagerness.
In their satisfaction at this discovery respecting the
figs, the boys, with Frank as their leader, shouted,
‘ ‘ Bravo ! bravo ! ’ ^ with all their might.
Meanwhile our clever housekeeper had lighted the
fire, and prepared for us a dinner of soup from pieces
of the porcupine, which I had divided into halves ; one
to be eaten fresh, the other salted. The flesh of the
tiger-cat we gave to the dogs. Until dinner was ready
I employed myself in forming needles of the porcu-
pine’s quills. To produce the eyes I made a nail red
hot, and pierced it through the thickest end of each
quill ; in a very little time I had manufactured a packet
of needles, which gave my wife a very pleasant sur-
prise.
I remembered, also, that we had no harness of any
sort for our beasts of burden, and I resolved by some
means to supply that deficiency. But, like many other
important wants, I knew it must be deferred to the
next day.
After finishing the needles, I and the boys made
choice of a tree which I considered would be the most
suitable for our future dwelling. I then tied stones
to the ends of pieces of rope, and tried to throw them
over the lower branches. The boys also exerted them-
selves, but we were too tired to succeed. It seemed
impossible, therefore, to establish our dwelling in the
tree on that day, and after marking the spot with a
heap of stones, gave up the idea. Very soon my wife
called us to dinner. We truly enjoyed the excellent
soup, and the flesh of the porcupine she had boiled for
us, with biscuits as a substitute for bread.
109
CHAPTER X
A night’s lodging
‘ ‘ T FEAR we shall be obliged to sleep on tbe ground
1 after all,” I said to my wife after dinner, ‘‘for
with all our etforts we cannot reach even to tbe lower
branches of these trees. However, as we shall want
to harness the animals, that they may bring wood and
beams from the beach, will you make some straps and
breastbands of skin and sail-cloth, that they may be
ready for us to-morrow?”
My good wife set herself to work immediately, with
the needles I had fashioned from the porcupine’s
quills, to make what I required. Meanwhile I fastened
the hammocks to the arched roots of the tree I had
chosen, and stretched over them a large piece of sail-
cloth, to protect us from the night dews. And then,
satisfied that we should at least have a shelter for the
night, I hastened with Fritz and Ernest to the beach,
hoping to discover some suitable materials with which
to construct a rope ladder.
The shore was strewn with beams and planks from
the wreck ; but these were too large and heavy for my
purpose, and would require so much preparation that
I began to fear disappointment, when Ernest suddenly
discovered a number of bamboo canes, half buried in
mud and sand.
With the help of the boys I joyfully disinterred the
useful reeds, and after scraping and cleaning them,
found to my great satisfaction that they would fully
answer my purpose.
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I then cut them into lengths of about four or five
feet each, and tied them into three bundles of equal
thickness, for myself and the boys to carry. I chose
also a few thinner canes, of which I intended to make
arrows for another purpose.
At a little distance from this spot we came to marshy
ground, on which grew a thick bush of green reeds, and
as they appeared hkely to become useful, I determined
to obtain a supply. According to our custom, we were
all well armed, and the dog Floss, who accompanied us,
appeared to consider herself our leader, and marched
in front.
As we approached the marsh, she suddenly started
forward as if she were mad, barking furiously amid
the reeds. The next moment a flock of superb flamin-
goes, which Floss had put to flight, rose in the air with
rushing wings above our heads.
Fritz, always alert and on his guard, instantly raised
his gun and fired, bringing down two of the hindmost.
One of them fell dead at a little distance, hut the other,
which was only slightly wounded in the wing, rose
quickly, and used his long legs as if he were on stilts
with the greatest swiftness.
Fritz started forward incautiously to secure the dead
bird, and at once sank up to his knees in the marshy
ground. Warned by his example, I followed the
wounded bird by a circuitous route, softly but as
quickly as possible: yet I should have failed to over-
take him had not Floss rushed forward, and seizing
the bird by the wing, held it firmly till I came up to
them.
The flamingo fought bravely for his life, beating me
with his wings with great force ; and it was only after
a struggle that I succeeded in mastering him.
I took him gently under my arm, and returned to the
place where I had left the boys.
^‘Oh, papa!’’ exclaimed Ernest, ‘‘have you caught
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Mm I Is he alive? Oh! I hope we shall be able to
make him tame!^’
Fritz was examming the dead flamingo, and pres-
ently he said,
‘‘Papa, the flamingo is web-footed, like the goose,
and yet he has long legs, and can run like the stork : is
not this unusual?’’
“No, my boy; there are many birds which possess
the swimming feet, and yet have long legs.”
“Have all flamingoes beautifully-colored plumage
like this?” he asked again. “I fancied as the birds
flew that some of them had not purple and rose-colored
wings. ’ ’
“Probably not,” I replied, “for I believe the young
flamingoes while growing are of a grayish white. It
is only when full grown that their feathers assume such
brilliant colors.”
WMle gathering the reeds, I remembered that the
savage nations used them particularly for pointed
arrows; yet the larger ones might prove useful in an-
other way. I therefore cut a few of the longest I could
find, saying,
“We shall be able to measure the height of the tree
with these, my boys. ’ ’
They laughed incredulously at this assertion, and
Ernest said,
“Why, papa, if you were to tie ten or a dozen of
those paltry reeds one upon the other, they would not
reach the lowest branch.”
“Have patience,” I said, with a smile; “you will
learn what I mean to do in time. ’ ’
Presently we arrived at our resting-place, laden with
the canes and our booty, and were received by Jack
and Prank with outcries of delight, especially when
they espied the living flamingo. The mother only did
not share in their joy.
“I fear,” she said, “that with so many living ani-
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mals, we shall find our supply of food for them quickly
disappear. ’ ’
I did not reply, for I was anxious to examine the
wounds of the poor flamingo. Unfortunately, I found
the outer pinion of both wings injured, one by the shot
from the gun, the other crushed by the dog’s teeth,
where she had caught it.
I managed, however, to anoint the wounds with but-
ter, and after binding them carefully with pieces of old
linen, I fixed a stake firmly in the ground near the
river, and tied the bird’s leg to it by a rope long
enough for him to walk about on the beach and to
reach the water ; then I left him to his fate.
By this time the boys were trying to measure the
height of the tree, by tying two of the longest pieces
of cane together; but they hardly reached the highest
point of the arched roots. I could see how impatient
they were for me to commencfe my measurement, even
while with youthful jokes they laughed at the idea of
my success.
They watched me with amusement and surprise, as
I placed tall reeds in the ground at equal distances
from each other, tied strings here and there, till I
formed angles, right-angles, and at last right-angled
triangles.
Fritz looked on with deep interest. I knew he had
learnt Euclid at school, and had a sufficient knowledge
of trigonometry * to comprehend what I was about.
Therefore, when my arrangements were completed, I
said,
^‘Well, Fritz, can you tell me now the height of this
tree!”
He looked thoughtful for a few moments, and then
said,
believe the height of this tree to the first branch
* The art of measuring by angles or triangles.
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
is thrfee times the length of the middle string which is
fastened to the trunk. ’ ’
‘‘Quite right,’’ I replied. “Now, Ernest, measure
the middle string with my foot rule, and tell me the
height to the branch. ’ ’
“Nearly forty feet, papa: three times thirteen are
thirty-nine.”
‘ ‘ W ell, ’ ’ exclaimed J ack, ‘ ‘ that is wonderful ! What
a good tiling you know it all, papa.”
“I learnt it in my young days, Ernest. Ah! my
boys, youth is the time to learn ; it is too late after the
cares of the world fall on our shoulders.”
“But, papa,” said Ernest, “this does not help us to
climb the tree.”
“Perhaps not yet, but it decides that we shall want
eighty yards of rope for the two sides of our ladder.
Measure the pieces which form the triangle again,
boys, and then Jack and Frank can wind it up into a
ball and take it to the mother, while I prepare some-
thing else.”
Fritz and Ernest hastened to obey, while I seated
myself on the grass, and hastily formed a bow with
one of the bamboo canes and a strong cord, and half a
dozen arrows from the pointed reeds. As they ap-
peared too light, I filled the hollow canes with wet sand,
and attached feathers of the flamingo to the lower end,
so that the arrow might fly straight in the air. When
this was ready, I felt with satisfaction that my purpose
was accomplished.
The appearance of the bow and arrow brought all
the young people round me, exclaiming in joyful ac-
cents.
“Oh! a bow! a bow and arrows! What are you
going to do, papa 1 Oh ! let me shoot ! And me ! And
me ! ”
“Patience, my children,” I cried; “this time I must
take the precedence; besides, it is work, and not in-
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tended for amusement, but use. Ask your mother if
she has a ball of strong coarse string to give us. ’ ’
In a few moments my wife appeared with her magic
bag.
will examine what it contains,^’ she said, with a
smile, as she put her hand in, and, drawing out the re-
quired ball of string, she offered it to me, saying,
“ There, my husband, is just what you want, a whole
skein of strong and coarse string from my enchanted
bag ! ’ ’
“Ah, mamma, laughed Ernest, “that certainly is
wonderful magic, to bring forth from a bag what you
have put there yourself!’’
i i There is really no mystery in it, ’ ’ said his mother.
“If we are thoughtful at the right time to place any-
thing useful where it can be easily and quickly found,
that is at least the best magic.”
At this moment Fritz appeared, and informed me
that the cord I had used measured more than a hun-
dred and forty feet, which was longer than we needed
for the ladder. I, however, took an arrow and fas-
tened it to one end of the skein of thread, which the
boys unwound, and, placing it on the bow, after one or
two trials I drew it towards the tree in such a direc-
tion, that the arrow passed over one of the branches
and fell on the other side, carrying the string with it,
and leaving it suspended in the air.
Carefully holding the end of the string, I fastened a
rope to it and passed it over the branch. The two ends
I nailed to the trunk, to keep it from slipping off while
we constructed our rope ladder.
First I cut otf a length of about a hundred feet from
the rope, and divided it into portions of fifty feet each.
These I laid side by side on the ground at about six
inches apart, the boys eagerly assisting me. Fritz cut
the bamboo canes into equal lengths of two feet each.
Ernest brought them to me. I placed them between the
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two ropes, fastened them tightly at each end, and then
desired Jack to drive a nail through the fastening, to
keep them from slipping ; and thus we completed a rope
ladder with forty strands in a very short time, to the
great delight and astonishment of the mother, who was
looking on.
I then attached firmly this wonderful construction
to one end of the cord which hung over the branch, and
by the means of the other end drew it up till the top
of the ladder reached the bough and hung suspended
from the tree, while the children in delight uttered
shouts of joy.
Each of them wished to mount first, but I chose J ack,
as being the lightest of the three elder ones, and the
most agile ; and I knew he would not try the strength
of my ladder so much as those who were larger and
heavier.
The youngster scrambled up as swiftly and saucily
as a cat, and reached the top in safety.
I now believed that Fritz might venture ; and when
he also reached the top and made the ladder fast to
the tree, I resolved to follow him myself and arrange
what was still necessary. I took with me a pulley, and,
by means of a strong cord, I fastened it to the highest
branch I could reach. This I knew would enable me
next day to draw up the beams and planks which I
might require. This work was finished by moonlight,
and with it the hardest day’s work we had performed
since our shipwreck came to an end. I descended the
ladder, satisfied with my success and full of confidence
in the future.
Presently I missed Fritz and Jack, and for a mo-
ment began to feel anxious, till I remembered that,
while I had been finishing my preparations at the top
of the ladder, they had climbed higher up the tree.
At the same moment there fell upon my ear from the
topmost branches the harmonious tones of two young
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voices singing the Evening Hymn. I listened with a
lightened heart ; and when it ceased I called to them to
come down to help me to collect the animals, and to
gather wood for a fire to burn all night and protect us
from wild beasts.
They descended quickly; and after I had fastened
the lower end of the ladder to one of the roots, we at-
tended to the wants of the animals and the poultry,
who were assembled round us, asking for food. After
they had eaten a good supper, I was pleased to see the
poultry and pigeons perch themselves to roost on the
rungs of our ladder, and the four-footed beasts creep
under the arched roots of the tree, near our hammocks,
and lay themselves down, perfectly free from care.
The flamingo was not forgotten. We gave him some
milk-sop, placed him in a corner near the trunk of the
tree, and tied him to a root, where he soon put his head
under his right wing, stood upon one leg, with the other
tucked up, and in that position slept in comfort.
By this time we gladly welcomed the hour for food
and rest; and while my wife prepared our supper we
gathered a quantity of wood and arranged it in a circle
round the tree, for I had determined to have fires
lighted as a protection, and to keep awake myself dur-
ing the night to replenish them.
By the time all this was finished my wife announced
that supper was ready, and we ran hastily to partake
of it, for indeed we were almost starving.
The boys brought in a supply of figs, which they had
picked up during the day, and these formed an excel-
lent dessert.
We had, however, scarcely finished supper before
one after another began to yawn; and at last, after a
short prayer, I sent my wife and the children to their
hammocks, which hung from the arched roots.
Then I lighted the wood which lay around us, and
prepared to watch the fire all night. Presently from
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the hammocks came sounds of murmuring and woe. I
inquired the cause, and was told that to lie in a ham-
mock was like being in a sack — they could neither move
hand nor foot, and that it was dreadful.
I laughed at their complaints, and told them how to
place themselves more comfortably.
‘‘Lay yourselves across,’’ I cried, “from one corner
to the other, wrap yourselves in the bed-covering, and
you will soon be asleep. If a sailor can sleep in a ham-
mock, I should think a young Swiss boy ought to be
able to do so.”
After a few sighs and attempts to place themselves
rightly, all became tranquil; and before long I knew,
by their gentle breathing, that my children were in the
arms of sleep ; but I slept not.
During the early part of the night I was very rest-
less. I could not satisfy myself of our security from
danger. From time to time, if one of the logs of wood
burnt out, I lighted another. At first it seemed easy
to descend from my hammock; but after midnight I
felt so unwilling to move, that I contented myself with
merely looking over to see if all was in order. At
last, towards morning, sleep overpowered me so com-
pletely, that I did not awake till late in the day, and
found that my wife and the boys had left their ham-
mocks, and were busily employed in preparing break-
fast.
118
CHAPTER XI
A CASTLE IN THE AIR
ON descending from my hammock after that anxious
night, I found that my wife, when she had milked
the cow and attended to the animals, had harnessed
the ass with the straps she had made the day previous,
in readiness for a journey to the beach, as she intended
to fetch the planks and beams for erecting our house
in the tree.
After breakfast and our morning prayers, she pro-
posed to take the younger boys, Ernest, Jack, and
Frank, with her for this purpose, while I and Fritz
were making all the measurements and preparations
in the tree.
I hesitated at first to allow her to undertake such
heavy work; but she said truly it would save time,
and with the help of the ass and the assistance of the
three boys, there would be no difficulty.
As soon as they had started, Fritz and I ascended
the tree, and found that the center of the trunk from
which the curving branches sprang was in every way
suitable for our purpose. These branches wj^re strong,
thick, and close together, and near the trunk, before
they bent downwards, almost horizontal for a con-
siderable length; I decided, therefore, to use these as
beams for a flooring.
On the upper branches, at about five or six feet
above us, I determined to hang our hammocks, and over
those a little higher up to stretch a large piece of sail-
cloth as a ceiling and roof for our aerial castle.
The space between the sail-cloth and the floor I
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cleared by cutting away branches that grew across it,
and by the time my wife and the boys returned with
their first load, everything was in readiness.
By the means of a pulley and a rope, which I had
fastened to a branch the night before, we were able to
draw up piece by piece the wood suitable for our floor-
ing.
To make it secure I placed double planks, and when
this was completed, Fritz and I erected, with pieces
of wood of about three feet long, a hand-rail all round
it, forming an enclosure which already appeared like a
room, though without as yet walls or ceiling, excepting
those formed by the foliage of the tree.
The whole morning was occupied in this work; my
wife and the boys having in the meantime brought up
three loads of planks and beams from the beach.
No one had even thought of dinner, so we were
obliged to be satisfied for this time with the cold re-
mains of last night ^s supper.
After our repast we returned to our work in the tree,
and, slinging up the hammocks on the branches, pre-
pared to raise the sail-cloth over all as a ceiling. This
was a far more difficult task, and but for the help of
the pulley, which we had to move for the purpose,
would never have been accomplished.
At length to our great joy we succeeded, and man-
aged to draw it over the upper branches ; and then, by
fastening the corners to our hand-rail on three sides,
we were Jble to leave the fourth side uncovered as a
means of entrance and light; and thus before sunset
this wonderful resting-place in the tree was completed
to our great satisfaction.
When Fritz and I at last desisted from our work, and
descended the rope ladder, we found several small
planks which I thought would be suitable for a table
and two benches. Tired as I was, I at once set to work,
and by nailing the planks on the highest parts of the
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roots for a table, and on the lower curves for benches,
I succeeded in forming a most useful addition to our
arrangements.
Throwing myself at last on one of the benches I had
just finished, I wiped the perspiration from my fore-
head, and said,
^^Dear wife, I am really. tired of this hard work, and
I mean to rest all day to-morrow. ’ ^
‘‘You not only can rest,” she replied, “but it will be
your duty to do so. I have been calculating the days,
and I find that to-morrow will be Sunday. We have
already passed one without keeping it, for you were
hard at work on the wreck.”
“I am indeed thankful to hear such good news,” I
replied; “and to-morrow the day shall be properly re-
membered. Indeed, now that we are settled and, for
a few months, in comparative safety, it would be un-
grateful in us not to lift up our hearts in thankfulness
to God for His protection hitherto, and to render to
Him more service on His day than our daily prayers. ’ ’
“I shall rejoice indeed,” replied my wife, “for this
day of rest without trouble or anxiety. The aerial
castle which you appear to have so solidly constructed
takes away my greatest fear, and deserves my warmest
thanks, dear husband. I mean to-night, for the first
time, to venture to mount to our new sleeping quarters,
for at least we shall be safer from the attacks of jack-
als or other wild beasts. We need not tell the children
to-night about to-morrow being Sunday,” she added;
‘ ‘ it will be such a pleasant surprise to them. And now
supper must be ready. Will you call the boys while
I prepare it on our new table ? ’ ’
In a few moments they eagerly answered the call,
and then the mother appeared with a large earthen pot,
which seemed to contain a mystery, — quickly solved,
however, as she removed the cover and drew from it
with a fork the flamingo shot by Fritz.
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intended to roast it/^ she said, ‘‘but Ernest re-
minded me that it was no doubt old and tough, so I
have stewed it. ’ ’
The idea of the young scholar advising his mother
on the subject of cookery greatly amused us, but we
found the advantage of his advice, for the stewed
flamingo with its rich dressing was so palatable, that
we ate it with extreme relish, every bone being picked
clean.
While we were at supper we were pleased to see
the wounded flamingo, mixing in a most friendly man-
ner with our poultry, who came as usual to beg for
crumbs. We had found him already so tame, that dur-
ing the afternoon I gave him his liberty. It was very
amusing to see him walking about quite gravely, and
making no attempt to run away.
Even the little monkey was overcoming his shyness,
and amused us with a thousand grimaces. He was not
forgotten by the boys, who laughingly rewarded him
for his tricks now and then with some nice little pieces
from their own share.
We had nearly finished supper when our sow, which
had not been seen all day, came to pay us a visit. Her
friendly grunt seemed to express her pleasure at hav-
ing found us again. My wife, after milking the cow
and supplying the boys with their usual quantity, gave
the remainder to the sow, hoping to attract the animal
to remain -near us. I felt inclined to find fault with this
apparent waste; but she said, rightly, that as we had
not enough vessels in which to preserve the milk, it
was better to obtain it only as we required it; and if
the supply was greater than we needed, to give it to
the animals, for in such a climate it would quickly turn
sour.
“Besides,’’ she continued, “I am able by this to
save the salt and grain, which is decreasing very fast.
By and by we may become clever enough to make
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butter and cheese, and construct vessels to bold the
milk/’
‘‘Salt is easily obtained from the rocks,” I said;
“and on our next voyage to the wreck we can bring
you plenty of grain.”
‘‘Oh, dear!” she exclaimed, “always that dreadful
ship ! There will be no peace for me till those voyages
are over! I am in agonies all the while you and the
boys are away.”
“But, my dear,” I replied, “there is no necessity
for such excessive fear on your part. I should not
venture unless weather and sea and sky are quite calm.
And while the way is open for us to save so many use-
ful things which still remain on the vessel, we ought
not in our present position to neglect it. ’ ’
While we thus conversed the boys lighted a fire round
our tree, to protect not only ourselves, but the animals,
who again sought shelter under the roots. Indeed, we
were all ready for sleep and rest. The three elder
boys ascended the ladder with lightning speed. Their
mother followed slowly and not without some fear, but
she arrived safe at last.
Little Frank still remained; and after unfastening
the lower end of the rope ladder from the roots, that I
might draw it up after me, I took the little one on my
back and prepared to ascend.
Our double weight caused the unfastened ladder to
swing slightly in the air, and rendered the ascent dif-
ficult.
Happily, however, we reached the top in safety, and,
to the great satisfaction of the children, drew up the
ladder after me; and they declared that they could
fancy themselves in a knight’s castle of olden feudal
times, with the drawbridge raised as a protection from
the enemy.
After the tranquillity of the preceding night I felt
it unnecessary to worry myself about keeping up the
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fire. We provided ourselves, however, with firearms,
that we might be ready to assist our watchful dogs in
case of alarm. I laid myself to rest in peace; indeed,
we were all so fatigued, that in a very few minutes we
were sleeping sweetly in our hammocks, and did not
wake till the sun was high in the heavens.
After such a night of refreshing sleep the boys arose
full of spirits, and inquired eagerly,
^‘What are we going to do to-day, papaT’
‘‘Nothing, my boys; not a single stroke of work.’’
“Ah, dear papa, you are joking!” cried one. “You
are making fun of us!”
“No, children,” I replied, “I am not joking: it is
Sunday to-day, and we will keep it properly. ’ ’
“Sunday!” cried Jack; “that is good news. I can
use my bow and arrow, take a walk, or be lazy, just
as I please.”
“That is a very improper speech, my boy,” I said.
“Sunday is God’s day, which He has fixed for us to
worship Him, serve Him, and offer Him thanks.”
“But, papa,” said little Frank, “there is no church
here; so we cannot go and hear the sermon, or listen
to the organ playing.”
“Just as if our father couldn’t preach us a sermon,
or help us to sing without an organ!” said Jack.
“Quite true, my child,” I replied, “and you know
that God is everywhere; and if we sincerely wish to
serve and praise Him and to do His will, we can do so
amidst the beauties of nature and beneath the blue
vault of heaven, which He has created, quite as accept-
ably as in the most splendid cathedral made by man.
And now let us consider seriously what we are about
to do. First we will sing a hymn and offer our morn-
ing prayers, and then I will relate to you a parable.”
“A parable! Oh, a parable from the Bible, papaF’
“My boys, we have not a Bible yet; but I hope in
my next visit to the ship to bring away a box of books
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
from the captain cabin, and no doubt a Bible is among
them. ^ ’
I saw Ernest’s eyes sparkle at the idea of having
books, but be did not speak, and as I knelt to offer our
prayers and thanksgivings to God for His merciful
care, the boys followed my example in silence.
Then we sang one or two hymns which we all knew
by heart; and my wife and the boys seating themselves
on the ground beneath our tree, I related to them my
parable.
THE COLONISTS OF A GREAT KING.
Once upon a time there lived a great Monarch, a
portion of whose kingdom was entitled the Realms of
Reality, or the Day, because there the purest and
brightest light shone continually, and darkness was
unknown. There also existed no idleness, but all the
inhabitants were active and constantly employed.
Upon the distant frontiers of this country, and on
the northern coast, was another division of the Great
King’s dominions, so extensive that none could ima^ne
or describe its boundaries ; yet in the eternal archives
a plan had been preserved, known only to the King
himself.
This second dominion was entitled the Kingdom of
Insensibility , or Darkness, because all who dwelt in it
were in a state of gloom and inactivity.
In the most fertile and most agreeable portion of
the Kingdom of Day the Great King had a Palace, sit-
uated in a beautiful place named the Celestial City.
Here he dwelt and held his court, which was more
brilliant than imagination can form any idea of.
Amidst his guards and his servants exalted in dignity
who were around him, the Great King sat, while each
waited to receive his orders, and to obey them with
pleasure and delight.
Those of his attendants who were highest in office
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were clothed in robes of a texture as soft as silk and
white as the snow, for white, the image of purity, was
a favorite hue with the Great King. Others carried
in their hands two-edged swords, that glittered in the
light, and their attire presented all the beautiful colors
of the rainbow. Each and all of these royal servants
held themselves in readiness to perform the will of
their Great Euler, at the first signal, and with the
rapidity of lightning.
Their happiness was increased when admitted to his
presence, and their countenances, resplendent with
sweet joy, bore the impress of peaceful calm and seren-
ity.
All sin, all uneasiness and trouble were absent; be-
tween them was one heart and one mind, a fraternal
regard for each other uniting them in one bond of un-
ion, and entirely preventing rivalry or jealousy.
The rest of the inhabitants of the Celestial City, as
well as others who were not so closely associated with
their Monarch, were still good, loyal, and happy, for
they were enriched by benefits frpm the Great King,
and received without ceasing marks of his goodness;
for all his subjects are equal in his eyes, and he loves
and treats them as his children.
Besides these great countries, the Great King had a
large and uninhabited island belonging to his domin-
ions, which he desired to cultivate; for at present it
was a species of chaos or' confusion.
This island he had destined to be for some years the
residence of a number of his citizens in the Land of
Darkness, whom he intended after a few years to re-
ceive into the Celestial City, if they rendered them-
selves worthy of such an honor by their obedience and
good conduct.
This island was to be their terrestrial home for a
certain time, to give them an opportunity of obtaining
such a glorious reward.
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
To carry out this intention, the Great King equipped
a fleet of ships, to convey these new colonists to the
terrestrial island from the Land of Darkness, and thus
awarded to them as his first benefit the enjoyment
of the beautiful light of nature, to them hitherto un-
known.
We can imagine what pleasure this afforded them,
especially when their eyes became accustomed to the
light, and the objects it disclosed. They knew also
that the opportunity of being admitted to the Celestial
City was now open to them, and what was required
by the King, — to cultivate the land and render it fer-
tile, never to relax in their efforts for this purpose,
and strictly to obey his commands.
To assist them in their duties, each received on ar-
riving at the island a portion of ground for himself,
and all the necessary tools and implements required
in his work ; and at various times instruction was given
to all by the Great King’s messengers, who were sent
as teachers and guides.
All the colonists seemed quite ready to obey the
commands of the Sovereign at first, and made the most
earnest promises of fulfilling the purpose for which
they were placed on the island.
But this state of things did not last long: many be-
came idle and indifferent, neglected their fields and
gardens, sowed inferior grain, or allowed weeds to
grow which choked the flowers in their growth, lost
their tools, and altogether forgot to obey the com-
mands of the Great King.
In vain the King’s messengers warned them that
they would be sent back to the Land of Darkness, and
punished for their conduct; the rebellious colonists
would not listen ; and at last the day arrived when the
King required an account of their doings, and came
himself to pass judgment upon them.
All their excuses then were of no avail: the disobe-
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dient were condemned to banislament to the Land
of Darkness f while those who had obeyed the King’s
commands accompanied him back to the Celestial City,
and became either happy citizens or were admitted as
members of the royal household, and raised to posi-
tions higher or lower according to the pleasure of the
Great King.
I paused as I finished my parable, and asked Fritz,
^‘Well, Fritz, what strikes you most strongly in this
allegory!”
< < The goodness of the Great King, papa, and the in-
gratitude of the colonists.”
‘‘And you, Ernest!”
“Why, papa, I think they were most foofish people
to act as they did, when they knew what an agreeable
life they might have in the Celestial City, if they were
obedient. ’ ’
“If I had been there,” said little Frank, “I would
have tried to deserve those beautiful dresses like the
rainbow. Ah! how grand they must be!”
“Ah! my children,” I said, “I have tried to repre-
sent to you in this allegory the conduct of God towards
men, and their behavior towards God. You know we
are placed here on earth by God as His colonists : we
know that we shall be judged by Him at the last day;
and those who have done good will be received into
the kingdom of heaven, and those who have done evil
will be sent into eternal darkness. We have to culti-
vate the mind and the soul, and to root up all those
weeds of pride, envy, hatred, angry passions, disobedi-
ence to parents, and many other wrong inclinations to
which grown people as well as children are liable, and
if these are not conquered or uprooted, we cannot ex-
pect to be admitted even as citizens to the Celestial
‘ City.y
With these words and a short earnest prayer, I
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
closed the services of this our new Sunday worship.
For a time our young people appeared to be thinking
seriously over what they had heard, and asking each
other questions, and at last they dispersed in different
directions.
I noticed, however, that they were unsettled and at
a loss for employment ; and remembering that we had
on this island no books, or Sunday-schools, or places
of worship to engage their attention, I called them
round me, and told them they might employ the rest
of the day in innocent recreations, which would be less
sinful in the sight of God than idleness, quarreling,
or waste of time. They were at liberty, therefore, to
choose their own favorite occupations. Little Frank
came to me at once with a request that, as he was not
allowed to have a gun, he might try to shoot with a
bow and arrow, and asked me to make a little one for
him.
I could not refuse him ; but first I had to grant Jack
permission to let him try to use my large bow, and also
to fix on the tips of the arrows some porcupine ’s quills
as points.
I acceded to his request, and showed him how to
fill the reeds with sand, and bind the points strongly
with packthread.
^^It would increase their strength if you could glue
them on as well,’^ I said.
wish I only knew where they sold glue in this
country,’^ he replied, with a laugh; ‘‘I would soon go
and buy some.’’
Ask mamma for one of those preserved soup tab-
lets,” said Frank. ‘‘She says it sticks to the fingers
just like glue.”
“What!” cried Jack; “do you, with your little
empty head, know better than we do ! ”
‘ ‘ The idea is not bad, ’ ’ I said ; ‘ ‘ and we should listen
to good hints from whatever source they may come.
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
Many famous inventions owe their origin to sources
even more simple than the suggestion of little Frank.
Go and fetch one of the tablets. We can boil it in a
cocoanut-shell, and discover what is the result.
While Jack was making this experiment, came Fritz
with a request that I would show him how to proceed
with his knife-and-fork case, which he wished to con-
struct of the skin of the margay. I advised him first
to clean it thoroughly, and then at length seated myself
on the grass to cut out and make a bow and arrows for
little Frank.
While thus employed, I reflected on the advantage
it would be to my sons if they were able while young to
use these weapons, for sooner or later our powder
might fail, and then our means of obtaining food in one
way would be lost. If the children of the wild Indians
at a very early age could bring down birds with ar-
rows from the tops of high trees at a distance of thirty
or forty paces, why should not mine acquire the same
skill with similar practice?
While thus reflecting, and busy at the bow and ar-
rows for little Frank, Ernest passed us ; and as at the
same moment Fritz showed me the wet skin of the
tiger-cat, I did not notice which way he went.
While I was giving new directions to Fritz about
the case, his mother said,
^‘I think we should be very careful of the captain’s
silver knife, fork, and spoon ; and if I were you, Fritz,
I would not wear the case in my girdle, for fear of los-
ing it. ’ ’
‘'But we saved it!” cried Jack. “It would most
likely have been lost in the wreck else ; so it would be
silly to give it back.”
“That may be your childish opinion, Jack, my boy,”
said I, “but it would be by no means honest.”
At this moment we heard a shot fired above our
heads, and suddenly at our feet fell two dead birds.
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Half angry and half alarmed, I looked np, and there
stood Ernest at the fence of our tree-castle sleeping-
apartment, and crying out triumphantly,
<< There ! there ! Have I not aimed well! Isn’t that
a good shot!”
He came down the rope ladder with unusual haste
as he spoke, and ran with Frank to pick up his prey,
which he brought to me. I found that one of the
birds was a kind of thrush, and the other a species of
small pigeon named by the ancients the ortolan, and
highly appreciated as a delicacy on account of its fat
and exquisite flavor.
I advised the boys not to shoot any more at present,
as the wild figs when ripe would attract large flocks
of these birds, and provide for us a new and agreeable
means of subsistence. The ortolans, if placed in casks
with melted butter poured over them, will keep good
for a length of time.
Very pleasant also was it to reflect that the figs
would supply a large quantity of food for our chickens
and pigeons, for I concluded rightly that they would
eat the fruit which was so alluring to wild birds. I
spoke of this to my wife when I took her the two birds
which Ernest had shot to be prepared for our dinner,
and she was as thankful as I was at one anxiety being
thus partly removed.
131
CHAPTEE XII
THE VISIT TO ZELTHEIM
WHILE waiting for dinner, Jack was eagerly try-
ing his bow and arrows, and shooting in every
direction. I had already completed a small how and
arrows for little Frank; but when I hoped to be able
to rest, he came to me with an earnest request that I
would also make him a quiver.
‘‘You know, papa,’’ said the little man, “it is quite
as proper to have a quiver for the arrows, as a powder
and shot-pouch for a ^n.”
I gave way to his wish, and stripping some flexible
bark from the branch of a tree, I glued it together in
the form of a quiver, which I hung across his shoulder,
to his great delight.
When I had finished this, Fritz appeared with his
tiger-cat’s skin and another inquiry; but as at this mo-
ment the mother called us to dinner, the boys gladly
threw aside their various employments, to seat them-
selves at the table. During the meal I made a propo-
sition which I thought would be quite to their taste.
“My boys,” I said, “would it not be very convenient
if we were to give names suitable to the different spots
we have visited since we landed.here ? We do not know
the real name of the country, nor whether it has been
already visited by some clever traveler, who has named
it and placed the name on a map. But we can do this
to those spots in which we have taken shelter, or where
anything remarkable has been discovered by us; so
that in future we may understand each other when
speaking of them. In time, also, we may fancy our-
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
selves in a country well inhabited, and in places which
we have known for a long time. ^ ^
“Oh!^’ cried Jack, ‘‘what a capital plan! Where
shall we begin ! At the bay in which we first landed ! ’ ’
“That should be named ‘Oyster Bay,’ ” cried Fritz:
“don’t you remember the quantity of oysters we
found?”
“No,” said Jack, “ ‘Crab’s Bay’ would be the best,
because one caught hold of my leg while we were there. ’ ’
“I think,” said his mother, “we ought to prove our
thankfulness to God for saving us by calling it Deliver-
ance Bay/^
This name was highly approved by all, and then I
proposed that our first resting-place should be called
Zeltheim, or our Tent Home; the isle at the entrance
to the bay, upon which we had found the dead shark,
was to be named {Haifif chins el) Shark^s Island; and
the marsh where Fritz had killed a flamingo {Flamant
Zumpf) Flamingo Marsh.
“And now,” I asked, “what title shall we give to our
aerial castle?”
Many names were proposed, but mine at last set
all others aside. I decided that (Falkonhurst) F al-
canas Nest was far the most appropriate, as well as
being a poetical name.
It was easy to give names to the remaining places
after this. The promontory on which Fritz and I
looked in vain for any traces of our fellow passengers
we named False Hope Point, and the river near our
tent home where the jackals fought with our brave
dogs. Jackal River.
After this arrangement was completed, dinner be-
ing ended, we each returned to our work. While Fritz
proceeded to finish his skin case. Jack came to ask my
assistance in making a coat of mail for Turk out of the
skin of the porcupine.
I first showed him how to clean it with sand and
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
ashes, then I assisted him in cutting out and forming
bands of the prickly skin. The inner side, while only
half dry, was placed on the back of the patient Turk,
and fastened round his body. Thus attired, he pre-
sented a most remarkable appearance; and in such
armor it seemed as if not even a hyena would be able
to overpower him.
Floss, however, greatly disapproved of Turk’s at-
tire ; for if he approached near her or attempted any
playfulness, the points of the quills pricked her so
sharply that she howled with pain, and kept at a re-
spectful distance. I therefore removed the coat of
mail from Turk’s back, until another could be made
for his comrade, and desired the boys only to put them
on at night, or when any danger of attacks from wild
beasts rendered it necessary.
Jack decided to make a cap for himself out of the
porcupine ’s skin, as well as Floss ’s coat of mail ; so he
stretched the remainder over the roots of the tree to
dry, that it might be ready when he had leisure to
use it in making these articles.
Meanwhile Ernest and Frank were busy with their
bows and arrows, and became quite expert, some-
times assisted by Fritz and Jack; but as the afternoon
passed away, and the heat became less oppressive, I
invited my family to accompany me in a walk.
‘‘Let us give up amusing ourselves,” I said, “and
close the day suitably by enjoying the freedom of na-
ture, and tracing the goodness and wisdom of its
Creator. Which road shall we take I”
“To Zeltheim, I think,” said Jack; “for we shall
want more powder and shot by and by, to enable us to
lay up a store of those beautiful birds on the fig-trees. ’ ’
“And I vote for Zeltheim also,” said his mother,
‘ ‘ Our butter is nearly all gone, Fritz has used so much
for his tanning performances, and the young gentle-
man endeavored to persuade me that to use good and
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
savory fat for cooking was much more economical than
using butter.’’
‘‘Ah, yes!” said Ernest; “and if we could manage
to bring over a few ducks and geese from the brook,
that would be capital!”
“Your reasons are all of importance,” I said, “so
we will turn our steps towards Zeltheim ; not by the old
way on the beach, however : we must try to find a new
route in the shadow of the ridge of rocks which borders
our river. We shall then be shaded from the sun till
we reach the point at which the Jackal Brook falls
over the pebbles in its course, and that is not far from
Zeltheim. It will be nearly sunset on our return, and
we can cross the bridge and come back by the old road
on the beach. If we keep a good look-out on the way,
we shall no doubt make new discoveries.”
My proposal was greatly approved, and we were
very soon ready to start. Fritz wore a girdle of
the tiger-cat’s tail; but his knife-case was not yet com-
pleted for him to wear it.
Jack marched proudly forward, his head covered
with the half-finished cap of the porcupine’s skin. We
were all armed in case of danger : even little Frank car-
ried his bow in his hand, and his quiver full of arrows
at his back. My wife alone was unarmed, excepting
with a large jar, to be re-filled with butter from the
cask at Zeltheim.
Turk, wearing again his coat of mail, marched in
front, in a well-behaved and quiet manner. The little
monkey, who preferred to ride on Turk’s back, with his
usual fancy for accompanying us, sprang to his accus-
tomed seat before we could prevent him ; but no sooner
did he feel the sharp points of the quills, than with sur-
prise and a terrible outcry he jumped to the ground,
chattering and showing his teeth savagely.
He did not intend, however, to be left behind, and
therefore, with some hesitation, and to the great as-
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
tonishment of Floss, lie leaped on her back, and seated
himself so firmly that no efforts of the animal could
shake him off. Floss at last gave way, and submitted
with good temper to her impertinent rider.
I was still more amused at finding that our good
flamingo had also joined our walking party in the most
familiar manner ; and when the children teased him in
play, he came to put himself under my protection, and
followed me closely with a grave and measured step.
Our walk by the brook proved most unusually agree-
able. During the whole route we enjoyed the pleasant
shade from large trees in full foliage, or from the ridge
of rocks which extended for a long distance between the
beach and the stream. The soft grass under our feet
formed a far more pleasant path than the pebbles and
sand of the shore. Altogether the place was so at-
tractive, that my wife and I did not hurry ourselves,
but sauntered along at our ease, while the boys ram-
bled hither and thither in search of new discoveries.
So we came to the end of the wood, and I was about to
call my young people and collect them together before
continuing our way, when I saw them approaching at
full gallop, and this time the deliberate Ernest arrived
first, but gasping for breath with joy and haste, and
unable to utter a word for a few moments respecting
the green roots which he held before my eyes.
“Papa!’’ he cried at last, when he recovered his
voice, “look! potatoes! potatoes!”
“What! what, my boy?” I exclaimed: “that is too
good news to be true, I fear ; but let me examine these
roots, I cannot believe it possible that you have really
found such a precious fruit!”
“I know they are potatoes, papa,” said Fritz, con-
fidently ; ^ ‘ and Ernest has been very lucky to discover
such a valuable plant for us.”
“I am still afraid,” said his mother, “there may be
other plants in this country with bulbous roots, re-
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
sembling potatoes. We are so ready to believe wbat
we earnestly wish for.^’
‘‘Let ns go to the spot in which Ernest has found
these bulbs/’ I said.
And with eager haste the boys led us to the place.
A few moments served to convince me of the joyful
fact that a little forest of potato plants in full flower
lay at our feet; and humble as the flowers might be,
they were of far more value to us than all the roses of
Persia. A portion of the plants had run to seed, in
another part they had withered ; but most of them were
in full bloom, and here and there young plants were
sprouting from the ground.
“Oh!” cried Jack, “I knew they were potatoes!
Oh! what a treat for us!”
And as he spoke he rushed forward, and kneeling
down, began to scrape away the earth and dig the roots
up with his hands. Master Monkey instantly sprang
upon the ground and followed his example; but he
scraped and dug more quickly and cleverly than J ack,
for he picked out the most beautiful and the ripest, and
after smelling each he threw it aside, so that in a very
short time quite a large heap of potatoes had been
gathered up. At last little Frank took upon himself
the task of running after the mischievous animal, and
drove him away.
The boys continued working some time longer with
their hands or a knife so diligently, that at last our
sack and game-bag were as full as possible of the valu-
able vegetable.
Then we continued our walk towards Zeltheim.
Ernest, however, proposed that we should at once
return to Falcon’s Nest, for two reasons: first, because
the potatoes were a heavy load; and secondly, that
we might cook them for supper, and have a feast. But
I reminded him that there existed still stronger rea-
sons that we should go on to Zeltheim. So we con-
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
tinned our walk pleasantly and in good spirits, in spite
of the heavy load.
^‘Children,’’ I said presently, ‘^how can we thank
God in the best way for all His benefits to us T ^
“Oh, I know,’’ said little Frank: “we can say onr
grace as we always do, ‘We thank Thee, O God, for
all Thy gifts; bless them to us for Jesus’ sake.
Amen.’ ”
“Oh, no, Franky, that is not long enough,” said
Fritz: “besides, our best way of showing our gratitude
to God is to love Him with all our hearts, and obey
him cheerfully. You know if we said to papa and
mamma, ‘I thank you for all your kindness to me,’ and
yet were disobedient and made them angry, our words
of thanks would be useless.”
“Quite right, my dear Fritz,” I said: “the benefits
we receive should awaken in our hearts love for the
Giver, and that love would make us always willing to
serve and obey His commands. People never will-
ingly offend those whom they love and who are dear
to them.”
While thus conversing we arrived at the rocky source
whence our little river rippled softly with a mur-
muring sound over the pebbles, forming as it fell a
charming cascade. But to reach the Jackal Brook we
had to struggle through the high grass with the chain
of rocks on our right, and as we emerged from it a
beautiful prospect lay before us, very different from
anything we had hitherto seen. The face of the shelv-
ing rocky wall presented a sight of wonderful mag-
nificence, resembling greatly a European conserva-
tory. The ledges and cliffs, like the shelves of a hot-
house, were rich in rare and blooming plants ; not, how-
ever, placed here by the hand of man, but growing
wild in rich luxuriance.
There were tropical plants of all descriptions, prickly
shrubs and flowers of every hue, which could only be
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
reared in hothouses at home; the Indian fig, the aloe,
crested with white blossoms, the tall stately cactus,
with its prickly leaf and amber flowers, the creeping-
plants ^ winding their tendrils over every stem, and
spreading perfume around us from their many-colored
blossoms.
But above all we were delighted to find fruit trees,
and among others, to our great joy, the royal anana,
which has been named the king of fruits.
After this the boys seemed inclined to disregard
the other rare trees and prickly grasses which grew
near, for they quickly recognized the costly fruit, and
knowing they were good to eat, began to gather them
eagerly.
The monkey, however, was beforehand with them,
and while perched on the tree and greedily eating,
his grimaces and chatter proved his delight.
The boys also devoured the delicious fruit with such
avidity, that I found it necessary to warn them that by
eating too many they would make themselves ill, and
their pleasure would be changed to pain.
Presently I discovered among the various prickly-
leaved plants a karatas, a kind of aloe, partly in bloom,
but chiefly covered with young shoots. This plant was
to me a welcome sight.
‘‘See, boys,” I called out: “this is a much more
valuable discovery than the ananas. The under foli-
age of this plant resembles the anana, but the stem is
far more elegant: observe how slender and upright it
grows, and then what a beautiful blossom ! ^ ’
‘ ‘ Oh, ^ ’ exclaimed Ernest, ‘ ‘ all that is nothing if there
is no fruit. The ananas are far more valuable, papa;
we will give up willingly all these flowers and leaves
to you, if we may keep the ananas.” And I could
see by their looks that all the rest agreed with him.
“Greedy boy,” I said with a laugh; “you are like
the rest of the world; you give up a true and lasting
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
advantage for the sake of a passing enjoyment. How-
ever, we will talk about this by and by ; now I want a
light. Will you strike one for me, Ernest? The flint
and steel are here. ’ ’ *
‘‘But, papa, there is no tinder here, nor a match,’’
said Jack; “we can’t get a light.”
“Of course not,” I said; “but tell me, Ernest, sup-
posing we had no tinder, and our supply was all used
up, how should we obtain a light I ’ ’
“We should be obliged to imitate the savages, and
rub two pieces of wood together till they caught fire. ’ ’
“A difficult performance,” I replied, “especially for
those who are not accustomed to it. I have no doubt
that after rubbing the wood together for a whole day,
you would not succeed in getting a light.”
“I suppose, then, we should have to wait patiently
till we found a more suitable tree with the wood already
prepared.”
“Not even then,” I said. “We burn linen now in a
tinder-box, but we cannot continue to do so here, for
linen is useful for better purposes, and we have not
more than we need ; would it not be well for us to find
our tinder ready prepared and growing?”
With these words I broke off a thin branch of the
karata-tree, peeled off the outer bark, took out the pith,
and then laying a piece on the flint, struck it with the
steel, and in a moment the new-fashioned tinder was
in a flame.
The boys looked on astonished for a few moments,
then they cried out joyfully,
“Oh, how wonderful! Hiurrah! Long live the tin-
der-tree ! ’ ’
“That is not the only use of this valuable tree,” I
* This story was written in the German language long before lucifer
matches were invented. A tinder-box containing half-burnt rag with
a flint and steel, and matches tipped with brimstone, were the only
means of obtaining a light in those days.
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
said; ‘‘and I am glad to be able to inform your mother
that when she wishes to mend our clothes, I can supply
her with thread.’^
‘ ‘ Ah ! indeed that will be a treasure to me, ’ ’ said my
wife. “It has troubled me greatly for a long time to
have only packthread to sew with. ’ ’
“Your trouble will be over now,’’ I said, “for in the
leaf of the karata is found all that you require.”
With this I split a leaf in her presence, and drew out
a quantity of very strong yet beautifully fine thread;
certainly not longer than the leaf, yet still long enough
to form a needleful. These I placed in her hands, to
her great satisfaction, while I remarked to the boys,
“You see, children, it is not safe to judge by appear-
ances. The karata, which you despise, proves far more
useful than the dainty ananas, which only tickle the
palate.”
“Yes,” cried Ernest, “I’ll own that now; but what
is the use of all the other prickly plants that grow
here in such abundance!”
‘ ‘ They are all useful in some way, no doubt, ” I re-
plied, “although we may not understand how. That
plantain is a most valuable tree,” I continued, point-
ing to it as I spoke: “it flourishes best on dry barren
soil, and produces the largest and most juicy leaves.
It appears, indeed, to derive its nourishment more
from the air than the earth, and bears a species of fig,
which in climates like this is very wholesome and re-
freshing, and is of course a great advantage.”
Hardly had I uttered these words, when Jack rushed
forward in haste to fill his pockets with the figs ; but,
being surrounded by prickly leaves, the points of wMch
ran into his fingers, rushed back crying and shaking
his hands most piteously. I laughed at him for his
imprudent haste, while I drew out the thorns from his
fingers, and then showed him how to handle the fruit.
I shook down a ripe fig into my hat, cut with my
141
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
knife the little sprouts from each end, then holding it
between my finger and thumb at these two points, I
pared off the prickly rind with my knife, and gave a
piece of the fruit to the boys to taste, which they ap-
proved of most highly.
To gather some themselves in this novel fashion was
now a most attractive performance. Fritz stuck one
on a pointed stick, and after stripping off the peel as
he would from a radish, politely offered it to his
mother, who praised him for his attention.
Meanwhile Jack, who held a fig on the point of his
knife, was turning it round in every direction and ex-
amining it attentively.
‘^Papa,’’ he said at last, there is such a lot of lit-
tle insects crawling about on this fig, quite at their
ease, and they are as red as blood.’’
‘‘Ah! another discovery,” I exclaimed; “let me look
at them. Why, my boy, they are cochineal, most truly
and surely. You have found out a most profitable use
of this fig-tree, at all events.”
“But what are cochineal P’ he asked.
‘ ‘ Insects that live on the leaf of this plant, which con-
tains red sap, or on the blood-red berries, from which
it obtains that bright red color. They are collected
principally in America, where people shake them from
the trees into a cloth; they are then dried, packed to-
gether, and form a very important part of the color
trade, as from these insects is produced the richest and
most beautiful scarlet.”
“Well,” said Fritz, “that fig-tree is a wonderful
plant, and we have already discovered two advantages
it possesses over the sweet-tasting ananas.”
“I can tell you of a third advantage belonging to our
fig-tree,” I said: “its branches are often used to form
a thick shelter and defense against wild beasts, or even
to serve as a protection from the attacks of men; and
although the enemy might be able to cut down this
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
fence, yet the performance would take a long time,
and give those in the house an opportunity to escape. ’ ’
exclaimed Jack, disbelieving, ‘‘I should think
the branches were too soft and weak for a fence and
as he spoke the little man took up an ax, and cut at a
branch which lay on the ground near with all his might.
At the same moment a half -withered leaf flew down,
and stuck through his thin trousers into his leg with
such force, that he uttered a loud cry, and wished he
had never touched the prickly plant.
I could not help laughing at the boy’s mistake, and
told him that to cut branches in pieces and to form a
fence of such plants as these was no easy task; and even
when erected by half -naked savages, it could only be
broken into by civilized men fully provided with fire-
arms.
‘‘But, papa,” said Jack, “what is the use of those
plants which l)ear no fruit nor feed insects!”
“I cannot be supposed to know the use of every
plant,” I replied; “but no doubt they are formed by
the great Creator for some wise purpose. These trees,
for instance, with tall stems and branches growing so
high, appear of the same species as those described by
Bruce in his travels in Abyssinia. The high and thick
branches form food for the elephant and the giraffe,
who are tall enough to reach them. Besides, do you
forget that the camel and the ass are fond of thistles
and thorns!”
“Oh, I forgot that,” said Ernest. “One would sup-
pose their throats and stomachs were lined with iron,
and that the thorns only tickle their palates as they
go down, and taste very nice.”
While thus talking we reached the shallow part of
Jackal Eiver, and stepping cautiously over the pebbles,
soon arrived at our tent. Everything remained as we
had left it, and in a very few minutes we set about the
business which had brought us to the spot.
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
Fritz ran to obtain a supply of powder and shot;
my wife and little Frank hastened to fill the jar with
butter from the cask; while Ernest and Jack repaired
to the pond, and tried to catch the ducks and geese.
But the creatures had been living alone so long that
they were quite wild, and would not even allow the boys
to approach them. They found at last that to catch
them they must use stratagem.
Ernest had in his pocket a piece of cheese, which he
broke into small portions, and tying them to the end of
long threads, threw them into the water as bait. In
a few minutes the geese and ducks were drawn on
shore.
I could not help laughing at this droll contrivance,
but I also advised the boys to draw out the thread from
the throats of the deceived creatures cautiously. They
heeded my request, and performed the operation with
such care, that not one of the animals appeared to have
suffered the least pain.
We then covered up each of our prisoners with our
pocket-handkerchiefs, so that only their heads and
necks were visible, and fastened them in pairs on our
shoulders outside the game-bags, where they traveled
very comfortably.
Our supply of salt was less than we had intended to
carry back, for the bag destined for the salt was now
full of potatoes ; but we managed to fill up the spaces
between them with salt, and hoped to make that quan-
tity last till we could again visit the tent. I was, how-
ever, obliged to remove Turk’s coat of mail, and fasten
on his strong back the heavy sack of potatoes and salt.
The mail coat was left behind, as we hoped in a day or
two to visit the tent again, for the butter-cask and a
larger store of salt.
A whistle and a call from me quickly assembled our
party, and laden with the rich spoil, for which we were
very thankful to God, we took the road to Falconhurst.
144
I
; ••
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
Our little caravan presented a droll appearance ; the
stretched-out necks of the ducks and geese on our shoul-
ders, who kept up a continual gabbling, added to the
ridiculous spectacle.
The gayety and gladness of our hearts made us for-
get the weight of our burdens ; and we made no com-
plaint till we arrived at Falcon’s Nest, and the cause
was removed.
Then our joy was doubled, and all fatigue forgot-
ten, for the mother, without delay, prepared to light a
fire and cook the longed-for potatoes. The delighted
boys ran here and there, eager with coaxing words to
help their mother as well as they could ; while I milked
the cow and the goat, so that we might have pleasant
drink to add to our enjoyable supper.
While the meal was preparing, I set at liberty the
imprisoned ducks and geese ; and after cutting the large
feathers of their wings, to prevent them from flying
away, I left them to become accustomed by degrees to
the new locality.
At length the much-praised and delicious potato
supper was ready, and we enjoyed it quite as much as
we had anticipated. After supper, not without heart-
felt thanks to God for His mercies, we retired, fatigued
and sleepy, to our airy castle, and enjoyed refreshing
rest and repose till the morning.
145
CHAPTEE XIII
THE SLEDGE, THE MASQUEEADE, AND THE KANGAEOO
I HAD noticed on the way home many things lying
on the strand which had been washed in from the
wreck, especially some pieces of curved wood, which
appeared to me suitable to form a sledge, which would
enable us to bring the butter-cask and other articles
to Falcon ^s Nest with ease. I immediately resolved
to rise early next morning, proceed to the shore, and
bring away whatever appeared useful for that purpose.
I decided also to take Ernest with me. He was by
nature indolent, and unwilling to rise in the morning
early, unless some strong motive for so doing pre-
sented itself; and I could leave Fritz as a protection
to his mother and the younger boys.
At the first glimmer of dawn I awoke, and roused
Ernest, who, at the prospect of going with me, rose
hastily ; and in a very short time we descended from the
tree, unnoticed by the happy sleepers whom we left
behind.
I decided to take the ass with us ; and that he should
not go empty, I cut down a strong brSnch of a tree and
fastened it to him by ropes, that he might draw it to
the beach, where I had no doubt it would be found use-
ful.
On the way I asked Ernest if he did not regret being
awakened so early, and whether he would have pre-
ferred to remain, and join his brothers in their shooting.
‘‘Oh, no, papa!” he replied; “now I am up I don^t
mind it a hit : jbesides, I like better to he with you, and
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
there will be plenty of birds left, for I am almost sure
that their first shots will fail.’’
‘‘And why, my boy?” I asked, surprised.
“Well,” he replied, “because they will forget to
draw out the balls from the guns and to replace them
with small shot ; and if they do, I believe the balls will
fly too low, and not reach halfway to the top of the
trees. ’ ’
“I dare say you are right, Ernest,” I replied.
“There is nothing better than thought and reflection
before we undertake anything of importance; and yet
in life a decision too long delayed is often fatal. Those
who in a moment of alarm or danger retain their com-
posure, and see promptly what they ought to do, pos-
sess that most precious quality called presence of
mind. ’ ’
Thus conversing, we arrived at the shore, and came
upon the spot on which lay the curved wood, and for
the present terminated our journey. Very quickly
these boards were laid on the branch of a tree brought
by the ass, while the smaller twigs which grew from
it served to prevent the wood from slipping.
As another means for this purpose we placed upon
it a sea-chest, which lay half buried in the sand, and
then turned our steps towards Falcon’s Nest.
The journey home was long and tedious. We had
to help the willing animal by the aid of two long poles,
which we employed as levers now and then to raise
the load and send it forward.
As we approached we heard in the distance the pop-
ping of guns, telling us that the destruction of the poor
little birds had already commenced. But on our ap-
pearance we were greeted with eager and joyful cries
as the boys hastened to meet us. My wife at first
gently reproached me for leaving her and the three
boys without warning or farewell; but when she saw
the wood, and heard that I hoped to make of it a sledge
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
for tlie purpose of bringing the butter-cask and other
articles to Falcon’s Nest, she was soon appeased.
The chest was eagerly opened and examined, but
found to contain nothing of importance. It was sim-
ply a sailor’s locker, and the clothes and linen it held
had been completely saturated and spoilt by sea-water.
We were not sorry to hear when breakfast was an-
nounced, and after breakfast I examined the result of
the gunshots we had heard, and found altogether that
the two boys had shot about five dozen grebes and
ortolans. I also discovered that both Fritz and Jack
had failed in their first shots, as Ernest had foreseen,
by forgetting to remove the balls and replace them with
shot, although they had quickly repaired this error, as
their large booty proved.
At the same time they had used so much ammuni-
tion, that when they wished to commence shooting
again, their mother interfered, and represented to them
that at such a rate their store of powder and shot would
soon fail, and that for the present she had birds
enough.
I fully agreed with this sensible advice, and re-
minded the boys that if they were so extravagant, we
should lose our means of defense as well as of obtain-
ing nourishment.
‘‘We must economize in every way, boys,” I said,
“until we are able again to visit the wreck and get in
a new stock of powder and provisions. Besides,” I
continued, “I do not wish you to shoot only for the
sake of trying your skill in killing the pretty creatures
God has created. They are necessary for us here on
this uninhabited island because we have no other means
of obtaining food, but I should be sorry for my children
to become cruel, or to see them find a pleasure in de-
stroying life. We have no right to kill any of God’s
creatures, unless they are dangerous wild beasts or
those we need for food.”
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
Children are often cruel from want of thought, and
I could see by the looks of my boys that I had placed
the subject before them in a new light. Even little
Frank said,
‘‘I know, papa, if we hadn’t killed the jackals they
would have kdled us and eaten us up, but it seems a
pity to kill thnse pretty little birds.”
/^So it does, Franky ; and we will not shoot any more
at present. If we want them by and by for food, I
will show you boys how to catch them in a trap that
will kill them at once, without causing them to linger in
pain, and save our powder and shot. ’ ’
At this moment a great commotion arose among our
poultry. They screamed and cackled and fluttered
about in such alarm, that I could only imagine a fox
was in the midst of them. We ran with all speed to
the spot, the mother accompanying us, under the im-
pression that a hen had laid an egg.
Ernest by chance caught sight of the monkey, and
saw him rush under , one of the arched roots with a
newly-laid egg in his paw; and as Ernest approached
he disappeared behind the tree, for he was longing to
make a meal of his stolen prize. From place to place
he led his pursuer ; but Ernest was too quick for him,
and at length in the grass found the egg, hidden with
three others. Eagerly he carried the four eggs to his
mother, who received them with joy and thankfulness.
We resolved to prevent this freebooter from any
future plunder by depriving him of his liberty while the
hens were laying, till we had found a safe place of
concealment for the eggs, intending, after a time, to
let the prisoner free, and discover if his instinct would
enable him to find out where the eggs lay hidden. My
wife, who was anxious to collect a number to be hatched
in case one of the hens should be inclined to sit, deter-
mined to hide them while Master Nip was tied up. Of
course, to be able to add a number of little chicks to our
149
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
farmyard would be a great advantage, and they were
concealed too cleverly for a monkey’s instinct to find
them.
After this disturbance I hoped to be able to com-
mence operations on my sledge, but I was again inter-
rupted. Jack, who had mounted our rope ladder to
search for a suitable spot on which to place the bird-
traps, came down hastily with the agreeable news that
a pair of our pigeons were building a nest among the
branches above.
I at once gave strict orders that there should be no
shooting in the trees, and that the idea of placing traps
for the birds must for the present be set aside; and
at last I found myself free to commence making my
sledge. The boys followed me to the spot at which I
had left the wood. As we walked, little Frank said,
‘‘Papa, why can’t we sow gunpowder instead of
those seeds to feed the animals? It would be much
more useful than fodder to us.”
His brothers laughed heartily at the little one’s
fancy, and Ernest exclaimed,
“Well, that is a wonderful proposal ! Why, Franky,
gunpowder is not a seed; it will not grow like oats!”
“Quite right, Ernest,” I said; “but how then is it
obtained?”
“I know,” he replied: “it is made of saltpeter, sul-
phur, and charcoal, mixed together.”
“And who was clever enough to discover that these
substances united would form gunpowder?” I asked.
“Eoger Bacon, a monk,” replied Ernest: “he was
a native of England, and lived in the thirteenth cen-
tury. ’ ’
At this moment the boys were called by their mother,
and I at once commenced the construction of my sledge.
The performance was very simple and quickly finished.
I united the two curved pieces of wood by three pieces
across, one in front and one behind, with a third in
150
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
the middle ; these were so placed that the carve of the
side-pieces stood highest in front. I considered it al-
together my most clever performance.
I then fastened the drawing-ropes to the outer
points, and my sledge stood complete.
As I now for the first time raised my eyes from my
work, and was about to join the. rest, I saw my wife and
the boys occupied in plucking the birds, while at least
two dozen were roasting before the fire on the blade
of a Spanish sword belonging to one of the ship’s of-
ficers, as a spit.
The contrivance appeared to me very ingenious, but
I could not help remarking that it was extravagant
to cook so many birds at once.
‘^No, no,” said my wife; ‘^we do not intend to make
a feast fit for company to-day ; but as I am expecting
you to fetch the cask of butter for me, I am half cook-
ing some of the birds, that they may be in readiness to
he wrapped in butter and preserved, according to your
instructions. ’ ’
I had nothing to say in reply, so I prepared to start
for our Tent Home with my sledge directly after din-
ner. The mother proposed during my absence to have
a regular wash-up of the clothes and linen, while the
boys were taking a bath. I promised that Ernest
should bathe on the journey, as I preferred to take him
with me instead of Fritz, who was more able to protect
those who remained behind.
After dinner we set out on our expedition, and in
addition to arms, each carried not only a hunting-knife,
but a beautiful case, most ingeniously made by Fritz,
containing a knife, fork, and spoon, in our girdles of
shark’s skin.
We harnessed both the cow and the ass to the sledge,
invited Floss to accompany us, hut sent Turk hack as
a protection to those at home, and with a fond fare-
well started merrily on our way.
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
As I knew the sledge would slide more easily on the
sandy shore than through the high thick grass, I drove
along the coast, and arrived without adventure at Zel-
theim. We unharnessed the animals, and left them to
find pasture, while we loaded the sledge, not only with
the butter-cask, but also with the powder-barrel, the
other cask of cheese, the bullets, small shot, and Turk’s
little coat of mail, which had been left behind on the
previous day.
We were so absorbed in this work, that we did not’
at first notice the absence of our animals, who, at-
tracted by the fresh green turf, had wandered away
across the bridge over the Jackal Brook to the op-
posite shore, and had quite disappeared. I desired
Ernest to go in search of them with the dog, while I
endeavored to find a convenient spot in which to bathe.
On arriving at Deliverance Bay, I for the first time
noticed a little creek, enclosed on one side by a marsh
full of splendid Spanish canes, and on the other by a
chain of rocks stretching far into the sea, and forming
a most secluded bathing-place.
I called Ernest in a cheerful tone, that I might show
him the spot ; and while waiting for him to appear, I cut
down quickly a number of the canes which grew near
me, with the hope of making them in some way useful
by and by.
As Ernest did not make his appearance, I became
anxious and went to look for him. What was my sur-
prise at discovering the youngster lying at full length
in a shady spot behind our tent, as sound asleep as
a dormouse; while the two animals I had sent him to
find were comfortably grazing un watched, and wan-
dering where they pleased!
‘‘Up, up! you lazy fellow!” I exclaimed, rousing the
sleeper: “why, these animals might have crossed the
bridge, and given us a pretty chase!”
“Oh, let them alone, papa, for that,” he replied, as
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
lie lazily roused himself. ‘‘I have taken away a few
planks from the bridge, and it’s not likely such timid
fellows would venture over it now. ’ ’
^^Your idleness has made you ingenious, Ernest,” I
replied, ^‘‘but it does not please me. To sleep away
the precious hours of the day, while there is anything
useful to be done, is not only a disgrace to those who
have strength to work, but a sin. And now, while I
take my bath, go and gather the store of salt,” I con-
tinued, seeing he looked ashamed at my reproof. ‘'I
will not be long, as I wish you also to have your turn.”
I found the sea bath most cool and refreshing, and
hastened as quickly as possible after coming out of
the water to search for the boy, that he might not lose
this opportunity. But on reaching the spot where the
salt was kept, to ascertain how much he had secured
to take with us, he was nowhere to be seen. I sought
for him in vain, and began to conjecture that he must
have gone to sleep again, when I suddenly heard his
voice exclaiming,
‘ ‘ Papa, papa, come quick ! A fish, an enormous fish !
I can scarcely hold him ! he is tearing away my line ! ’ ’
I ran hastily in the direction of the voice, and found
the boy on the borders of the river, stretched upon the
grass, and struggling with all his might to retain a fish
whose etforts threatened to draw him into the water,
line, rod, and all.
I quickly rendered him assistance, took the fishing-
rod from his hand, and lengthened the line to give the
fish a little freedom; and then gradually drew it into
shallow water, where it was stranded and unable to
escape. Ernest immediately stepped into the water,
and put an end to its struggles with a blow of his
hatchet.
I then drew the fish to shore, and found it was a
magnificent salmon of about fifteen pounds weight,
which would form a most excellent addition to our
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
store of provision, and very much please the mother.
‘‘At all events, Ernest,’^ I said, “this time you have
not been idle, but have worked, not only with your head,
but with your hands and feet, and indeed, your whole
body. I congratulate you with all my heart; for you
have not only acted bravely, hut you have provided us
with food which will last for several days, and prove
of great value to us.’’
I observed many smaller fish swimming about near,
having the appearance of herrings or trout : the latter
I would not interfere with, as I thought it most likely
they were young salmon. But I determined to clean
and prepare our booty, and sprinkle it with salt, that
we might carry it home in good condition.
While I performed this operation, and harnessed
the cattle to the sledge, I sent Ernest to have a bath.
He did not keep me waiting long, and we very soon
crossed the bridge on the way back to Falcon’s Nest.
We had scarcely traveled half the distance, and just
as we reached the high grass, our watchful companion
Floss rushed forward, barking loudly, and disap-
peared.
I followed her quickly, and saw a most singular-look-
ing animal flying from the dog, or rather escaping from
her, with most astonishing leaps.
I seized the moment when Floss sprang aside to raise
my gun and fire, but so rashly that I failed. Ernest,
who followed behind me, noticed the cause of my fail-
ure; for the wonderful leaps of the animal had even
bewildered the dog, and she appeared to have lost all
trace of him. But Ernest carefully marked these
movements, and presently saw the creature stoop and
hide himself in the long grass.
Carefully keeping his eye on the spot, he moved
nearer with silent footsteps, and raising his gun, shot
the animal dead.
We hastily ran with great curiosity to the scene of
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
combat, and with wonder and surprise discovered that
Ernest had killed one of the most singular creatures
that could be imagined. It was about the size of a
sheep, had a tail like a tiger, the face and skin of a
mouse, and ears as large as those of a hare. Its fore
paws, resembling those of a squirrel, were armed with
claws, but too short to be of use in walking, especially
as the hind legs were of a great length, and curiously
formed.
We stood for a long time in silence regarding this
singular creature, while I tried in vain to remember
whether I had ever seen an animal at all resembling
it. Ernest approached nearer to examine it closely,
and broke the silence by exclaiming,
‘^Oh, papa, what a curious animal! I have never
in my life shot anything so large. Am I not lucky?
What will mamma and my brothers say, I wonder ? ’ ^
‘Wou have indeed been successful,’^ I replied; ^‘but
I have still no idea to what species it belongs, or what
name it bears. We must examine the creature system-
atically, Ernest; and, first, look at its teeth.”
The boy examined the mouth.
‘‘It has four incisor teeth, papa, two upper and two
under, like a large squirrel,” he replied.
‘ ‘ Then he belongs to the same species, ’ ’ I exclaimed.
“Can you remember the names of any of the rodent ani-
mals, Ernest?”
“I know a few,” he replied. — “The mouse, the dor-
mouse, the squirrel, the hare, the beaver, and the jer-
boa.”
“The jerboa!” I exclaimed. “You have put me on
the right track. This creature has a similar form to
the jerboa, but travelers describe it as much larger;
and I quite believe that this one belongs to the species
of animals who have a pouch beneath the breast, in
which the female carries its little ones while they are
young. No doubt, therefore, you have shot a female
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
kangaroo. They were not known till the renowned
Captain Cook discovered them in New Holland.’’ *
We drew our booty to the sledge, and after placing
it carefully with the other treasures, continued our
journey towards Falcon’s Nest.
‘‘Can you tell me anything about these animals,
papaT’ asked Ernest, as we walked on slowly.
“I have read accounts from the hooks written by trav-
elers,” I replied; “but in a state of nature very little
is known of their habits, beyond what I have already
told you.f But by the hind legs, which are three times
as long as those in front, they are able to take most
astonishing leaps, not quite so high in proportion to
their size as the flea or the grasshopper, but equally
surprising. These animals feed upon grass, and some
kinds of roots, which they dig up with the fore feet like
hands, very rapidly. Now and then during this per-
formance they raise themselves on their hind legs and
tail, and peep above the tall grass or thick hushes, to
discover if they are in safety. Should there he any
appearance of danger, they are able by using the tail,
which is remarkable for its muscular strength, to spring
from the ground and mislead their pursuers, as the
creature you have shot misled and baffled our dog. De-
prived of its tail, the kangaroo would be a helpless crea-
ture, and quite unable to defend itself.”
We arrived at Falcon’s Nest on this occasion at a
late hour, but received a joyful welcome, especially
after a glimpse at the contents of the sledge, which my
wife and the boys proceeded to examine with wonder-
ing eyes.
Yet we were equally astonished at the appearance
presented by the young people who came to meet us.
One was wrapped in a long blue sailor’s shirt, stepping
* Now called Australia.
t These animals can be seen in our time in the Zoological Gardens,
and full accounts of them appear in modern Natural Histories.
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
every now and then on the hem as he walked ; another
wore a pair of trousers, the waistband of which reached
to his shoulders ; the third was tied up in a jacket which
descended to his knees, and gave him the appearance of
a walking portmanteau.
In this strange attire they approached us gravely,
seeming as proud of their masquerade as a prince on
the stage.
I imagined the meaning of this theatrical perform-
ance, and was informed by their mother that while the
clothes she had washed were drying, they had been
obliged to dress themselves in anjdhing they could find
in the sailor’s locker which I had brought from the
shore ; and they made so merry over it, that she decided
to permit them to continue in their masquerade
dress, that their father and Ernest might join in the
fun.
We laughed and admired the performance as much
as they could desire, and then proceeded to display the
contents of the sledge before their astonished eyes, —
the butter and cheese-casks, the canes, salt, salmon, and
at last, to crown the whole, the dead kangaroo; and I
felt it due to Ernest to explain his share in procur-
ing these additions to our store. All his brothers were
delighted with his prowess, excepting Fritz. I could
see how much he regretted that the splendid kangaroo
was his brother’s b^ooty and not his: I saw how he
struggled against the jealous feeling, and to be master
of himself ; and in this he succeeded so well, that he was
able to join in our conversation, and no one but myself
had remarked it. Yet it was not possible for him to
avoid casting an envious glance now and then at the
kangaroo ; and after one or two remarks which I un-
derstood, he said to me in a coaxing tone, and with a
smile,
‘‘You have found many new things to-day, papa;
but may I go with you on your next journey? There
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
is nothing for me to do here at Falcon’s Nest, and it is
so tedious.”
‘ ^ You shall, my dear boy, ’ ’ I replied ; ^ ‘ although what
pleases us most is not always the best for us. How-
ever,” I added in a low tone, have noticed your
struggles against the feeling of envy of your brother,
and how bravely you have conquered ; therefore I can-
not refuse your request, and I promise you, that on
my first expedition, you shall accompany me. I ex-
pect, however, that it will to-morrow be a voyage to
the wreck; and as I cannot answer for the discovery of
game on such an excursion, perhaps you would prefer
to remain here with your mother and brothers again^
as a protection ; but you shall please yourself, although
you must not allow a love for the chase to get the mas-
tery over you. To form a manly and decided character,
it is necessary to have a power over self. Great praise
is due to Ernest for his presence of mind, when we
first saw the kangaroo. My shot failed from over-
haste, his took effect from caution and firmness.”
We closed this day with our usual occupations.
After unloading the sledge I distributed salt to the
animals, which was to them a delicious feast. I fin-
ished the evening by opening and cleaning the kanga-
roo ; and after hanging it on a branch of a tree till the
morning, I gave the refuse to Turk and Floss, who evi-
dently considered it a delicious supper.
We then sat down to a famous supper of the fish
caught by Ernest, and some beautiful baked potatoes.
Supper was very soon finished, for we were tired out,
and longing for rest ‘and sleep, which soon gathered
us in its arms.
158
CHAPTER XIV
A VOYAGE TO THE WKECK — THE RAET
ON the following morning very early I descended
from the tree, while the others still slept, as I
wished to take off the beautiful skin of the kangaroo
before any other business was commenced.
It required great care to separate it from the flesh
without injury, and occupied such a long time, that
breakfast was ready before I had finished. I suc-
ceeded, however, wonderfully; and after washing my
hands, and making other trifling preparations, I joined
the rest at our roughly-made table on the tree-roots.
A voyage to the wreck had been decided upon, and
after giving Fritz orders to prepare everything in
readiness for the voyage, I called for Ernest and Jack,
to give them my instructions how to act during the
absence of Fritz and myself ; but they were not to be
found.
Their absence made me very anxious, and I asked the
mother if she had any idea what had become of them.
She knew nothing of their movements, but conjec-
tured that they might be gone to dig up some more
potatoes, which we again required. I contented my-
self with this reply, especially when I discovered that
Turk was missing, and had no doubt followed them as
their defender ; yet I advised my wife to reprove them
seriously on their return, for daring to venture alone
in this strange country.
Setting aside all other anxiety, Fritz and I said
farewell to the mother and Frank; and while I left
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
Floss as a protector, I reminded her of that Providence
in whom she trusted, and who would watch over and
take care of us in our voyage to the wreck this time,
and bless the means we used to secure our own safety.
Without delay we hastened forward, and had crossed
the bridge over Jackal River, when suddenly, to our
great astonishment, Ernest and Jack, with a shrill joy-
ous cry, sprang upon us from behind, evidently think-
ing it a good joke that they had taken their dear father
and brother by surprise.
I could not be indignant with these two good-tem-
pered lads, and spoil the joke by a scolding; but I gave
them a gentle rebuke, and explained to them how dis-
pleased I was that they should have left their mother,
and ventured alone in a country unknown. I refused
to take them with me as they wished, for their assist-
ance on the wreck was not required ; but principally I
was anxious for them to return to Falcon ^s Nest, be-
cause their absence would make their mother uneasy ;
and to leave her the whole day alone, or at least with
only little Frank, was out of the question.
I was glad of this opportunity, also, to send a mes-
sage to my wife, which removed a weight from my mind.
I had foreseen before we started that we should be
obliged to remain longer than usual on the vessel, for
the raft I wished to construct would most likely occupy
the whole day. But in parting I had not had the cour-
age to speak to my wife of a two days’ absence, because
she had so many times implored me not to stay longer
on the wreck than was absolutely necessary.
This time it did seem to be necessary for us to stay,
and save as many as possible of the useful articles so
requisite to us in our present position ; for at any mo-
ment the wreck might fall to pieces, and the opportu-
nity be lost.
I therefore desired them not to delay on their way
home, excepting to collect a little salt, that their mom-
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
■ ■ i
ing walk might not be quite lost, and also, to save their
kind mother from anxiety, by returning without fail
before noon, and on no account to forget to dehver
my message.
After wishing the boys farewell, we entered our little
boat and steered away from the shore to the current ‘
which flowed into Deliverance Bay, and arrived very
soon without accident at the wreck.
When we had safely moored our little boat alongside,
and mounted to the deck of the vessel, my first care was
to find materials for constructing a raft; for the tub-
boat was neither large enough nor of sufficient strength
to carry a heavy load.
In a very short time we found a number of water-
casks, as well as planks and beams, on the wreck, which
appeared quite suitable for our purpose.
The casks were emptied and tied together in rows
to form a square, and then, with nails and strong cords,
we fastened upon them — not without trouble, however
— several planks, as a flooring to the raft.
We succeeded at length in constructing a firm and
solid float, capable of carrying three times as many
articles as our little boat of tubs, and with far more
safety.
Yet, although we had worked most diligently the
whole day, the afternoon was far advanced before our
task was completed. We had scarcely even rested from
work during the few minutes in which we partook of
the cold provisions we had brought with us, and were
now too fatigued and exhausted to attempt to return
to the land.
I resolved, therefore, to remain on board all night;
and after taking precautions in case of a storm, we at
last found time to search for a supper among the
articles still remaining on the ship.
The night’s rest in the cabin was altogether delight-
ful, the elastic mattresses forming a far more pleasant
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
coucli than the hammocks at Falcon’s Nest. And in
consequence, our agreement to watch in turns and lis-
ten to the wind and waves for any change, completely
failed, for we slept soundly till sunrise.
We arose next morning with thankful hearts, and
offered our earnest gratitude to God for the merciful
Providence which had protected us from accident dur-
ing the night, and at once commenced actively the task
of loading our boats.
After plundering the cabins we had ourselves occu-
pied during the voyage, we took the locks from the
doors, the bolts from the shutters, and added all these
to our cargoes.
The contents of a couple of sea-chests, belonging
to the ship ’s officers, were to us a great treasure ; but
still greater were those of the ship’s carpenter and
the gunsmith. These chests we contrived to place on
the raft by means of rollers and a lever, after remov-
ing the heaviest of their contents a few at a time.
The captain’s trunk was full of all sorts of things,
some of them so costly that we were quite dazzled.
There lay gold and silver watches, chains, buckles,
studs, and a snuff-box ; most probably intended as pres-
ents, or as stock for a profitable trade which might be
commenced in a new colony. Besides these, a well-
lined cash-box full of doubloons and piastres presented
itself to our eyes, and Fritz had very nearly fallen into
the error of commencing our plunder with this tempting
box.
But I quickly pointed out other objects of greater im-
portance; for instance, a case of knives and forks,
which would prove far more useful to us than the cap-
tain’s gold and silver.
In addition to this, and equally valuable, were two
dozen beautiful young European fruit-trees, which
had been most carefully packed for the voyage. I rec-
ognized among them the pear, apple, orange, almond,
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
peacli, chestnut, and vine, the fruit which in our dear
native home we had so often enjoyed.
Presently we discovered a number of iron bars of
immense strength, then a grindstone, wagon and cart-
wheels, a complete set of smith’s tools, hatchets and
shovels, chains, iron and copper wire, a plowshare, a
hand-mill, and last, but not least, sacks full of maize,
peas, oats, and other grain ; in a word, a seemingly in-
exhaustible store of articles evidently destined for the
support of a European colony to be established in dis-.
tant lands.
There were even parts of a saw-mill, which it was
evident might be fitted together with a little trouble,
if we had strength enough to lift it.
And now the question arose, what should we take
with us of all these valuable things, and what leave be-
hind? It was impossible to think of removing the
whole enormous heap which we had collected together,
and yet I felt sad at heart as I reflected that we must
leave so many useful things on the shattered wreck,
which might be destroyed by the waves without a mo-
ment’s warning.
I decided at last to choose what appeared the most
useful, particularly powder and shot, iron, lead, grain,
the fruit-trees, and several tools, and of these to place
on the raft and in our tub-boat as much as we could
possibly carry. But while I was storing away the un-
necessary articles in a safe place, Fritz came to me and
asked, as a great favor, that he might bring away the
captain’s trunk and have one of the gold watches for
himself.
To this I could not object, and we hastened to place
this with the other articles on our boat and raft, and
prepare for the voyage to the island.
Among other things we had found a large magnetic
needle and a mariner’s compass.
On seeing two harpoons used in whale fishing, with
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a quantity of strong cordage quite new attached to
them, Fritz begged me to fasten one of the harpoons
to the bow of our little boat, that we might be ready in
case of attack from large fish or even a shark. The
request appeared so reasonable, that I readily gave my
consent.
We were not ready to start with our cargoes till
noon, for both the crafts were heavily laden, even to
the water’s edge. The raft was fastened to our tub-
boat by ropes firmly attached to each corner, and then,
not without fear of some disaster, we directed our
course towards the shore.
The wind lightened our work, filling the sail and
rendering the task of rowing less fatiguing. The sea
was calm, and we proceeded for a considerable distance
without meeting with the least impediment.
While thus pleasantly approaching the shore, Fritz
observed in the distance a large and strange-looking
body floating on the waves, and asked me to examine
it through the telescope.
I discovered at once that it was a turtle sleeping on
the surface of the water very comfortably, and totally
unconscious of our approach.
Fritz no sooner heard this than he begged me to
steer towards it, that he might examine the singular
creature more closely. It never occurred to me that
it was something more than curiosity which caused him
to make the request, and I steered at once straight
towards the sleeping animal.
Fritz had his back to me and the outspread sail
floated between us; I was therefore quite unaware of
his movements till a violent shock caused the boat to
turn and thrill, while a noise as of a rope running
through a reel was followed by a second shock and a
rapid rushing forward of the boat.
‘‘In Heaven’s name!” I cried, “what are you about,
Fritz! Do you mean to run us aground!”
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
‘‘Caught! caught!’’ cried the youth eagerly. “I
took him by surprise. Oh ! he must not escape ! ’ ’
I saw at once that my hoy had really struck the
turtle with the harpoon, and that the wounded animal
was swimming away rapidly, and drawing the boat
after him; for the harpoon was fastened by a rope to
the windlass.
I hastily lowered the sail, and rushed to the fore part
of the boat, in* order to cut the cord with my hunting-
knife and set the turtle free. But Fritz implored me
to wait, assuring me there was no danger.
“I can cut the rope instantly, if it is necessary,” he
said ; and at last I gave way, and with earnest injunc-
tions to him to be careful, I returned to the helm.
But, drawn by the turtle, we advanced with such fear-
ful rapidity that I had enough to do in steering to keep
our craft in a direct line, and so avoid being driven on
some rock.
I noticed also that the turtle was endeavoring to
reach the open sea against the wind, which blew to-
wards land. I immediately hoisted the sail, and the
creature, finding the resistance now too strong for him,
directed his way anew to the coast. By degrees we
were drawn into the current leading from Deliverance
Bay to the wreck, and at last reached a soft sloping
shore, where happily there was no danger of being
driven against the rocks, and not far from Falcon’s
Nest.
At length, with a shock like a shot from a gun, we
struck the shore, but by good fortune our boat pre-
served its balance. Without delay, I jumped into the
shallow water to reward the pilot who had conducted
us to such a good landing-place. By means of the rope
I reached the monster, who, with the harpoon in his
head, was still struggling to escape, and after one or
two blows from my hatchet he lay without signs of life.
Fritz uttered a loud and joyful cry of victory, and rais-
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
ing his gun, fired in the air a shot, which so excited the
surprise and curiosity of our little colony that they all
came running to the spot.
Fritz sprang from the boat with the head of the tur-
tle stuck on the end of his gun, and was received, as
well as myself, with a thousand congratulations and
questions without number.
After a few gentle reproaches from my wife, for
leaving her and the younger boys for a whole night
alone, the taking of the turtle was proudly described,
and we were all thankful to God that this adventure
had ended happily, without fatal consequences to us
or our boats.
I requested my wife to go with the boys and fetch
from Falcon’s Nest the animals and the sledge, that
we might place at least a part of our cargo in safety.
In the meantime the tide, having nearly reached the
ebb, retreated and left our boat and raft quite on dry
ground.
I took advantage of this, as we had no anchor, to
contrive by some means to moor our little craft safely
on shore. I rolled to the bow of the boat two immense
pieces of lead by the help of levers. Found these I
tied the ends of strong ropes, already attached to the
boat and the raft, so that they should not float away
when the tide rose.
The sledge arrived during this performance, and
we hastily commenced our landing. The first article
to be placed upon it was the turtle, which was of an
enormous size, and weighed at least three hundred-
weight, for with all our united strength it was as much
as we could do to place it on the sledge ; and to keep it
in its place we were obliged to pile up the mattresses
and other lighter articles round it.
It became necessary also for us to assist the two ani-
mals in drawing their heavy load to Falcon’s Nest, and
for this purpose we each exerted all our strength, some
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pushing, others pulling; and so we marched in joyous
procession towards home.
On arriving, our first care was to unload the turtle,
and to lay the animal on his hack, as otherwise we
could not remove the shell, or make use of the delicate
flesh. My wife doubted the possibility of taking off
the shell quickly, or, indeed, without a great deal of
trouble ; I therefore seized a hatchet, and with one blow
on the breast of the animal I separated a part from the
shell, and cut off as much of the flesh as would serve for
our supper. I advised the mother to cook this rich
food in the piece of shell, and to add only a very little
salt.
‘‘But I must first cut away this green fat which is
attached to the meat,’’ she exclaimed; “it appears to
be very disgusting.”
“No, no, my dear!” I cried, “that green fat is the
best part, and will give a most delicious flavor to our
dish this evening. But if you think there is too much,
remove what you think proper, and it can be salted
down with the flesh that remains. The head, the paws,
and the entrails we will give to the dogs.”
“And the shell,” cried Fritz; “could we not make
it into a water-trough? It would be so pleasant to
have clean fresh water for our bath, or to wash our
hands.”
“That would indeed be useful,” I replied, “if your
plan could be carried out ; but a trough requires some-
thing to support it, and for that we should want loam
or clay to cement our stones.”
“Oh! I can supply you with clay, then,” exclaimed
Jack, putting in his word. “There is a splendid heap
under the roots of our tree.”
“I am glad to hear such news,” I replied: “where
did you find it. Jack?”
“He brought it home this morning from the banks
of the river,” said his mother, “and was so besmeared
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
with mud and clay, that I was obliged to give him a
thorough good washing.’’
‘‘Ah, yes, mamma, but you know I told you I should
never have discovered the clay if my foot had not
slipped while I was walking on the shore, and in I went :
no wonder my face and hands were in such a dreadful
condition. ’ ’
“When you have decided about the water-trough,”
said Ernest, “I will show you some roots, papa, that
I have discovered; they are slightly withered, and I
was afraid to taste one, although our old sow eats
them up as if they were delicious. It appears to me
a sort of radish-root.”
“Let me look at these roots, Ernest,” I said: “you
were quite right not to taste one, for there are many
things suitable for animals which are injurious to hu-
man beings. How did you discover them!”
“I was rambling about this morning,” he replied,
‘ ‘ and I noticed the sow scraping among the shrubs, and
swallowing something very greedily; so I drove her
away, and found a number of roots she had dug up,
and here they are. ’ ’
After examining the roots carefully, I exclaimed,
“If I am not mistaken, my son, you have made a
valuable discovery, as useful as potatoes, sufficient of
itself to preserve us from starvation if other things
fail. I believe this is the manihot or yam, of which
beautiful cakes, called cassava cakes, are made in the
East Indies. But it must be carefully prepared, other-
wise it will not be edible, for it contains a dangerous
poison. However, you must show me the spot on
which you found the roots, and if there are any left
we can try at least to make bread of it ; and I think we
shall succeed.”
While talking, we had been still busily engaged in
unloading the sledge, and that task being now com-
pleted, I again set off with the three elder boys to
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
fetch another load from the boat before supper. The
mother and Frank remained behind, and I advised
them to prepare the flesh of the turtle, and cook it in
the shell, so that when we returned, tired and hungry,
we should find a royal dish awaiting us, fit for a prince.
On our way Fritz asked me if snutf -boxes and many
other beautiful things were not made of the shell of the
turtle, and if so, would it not be a pity to use it for a
water-trough.
I explained to him that the creature we called a turtle
was in reality a sea-tortoise, and that the beautiful and
useful shell belonged to the land-tortoise, of which
neither the eggs nor the flesh were considered suitable
for food, the latter being looked upon as carrion.
‘ ‘ Tortoise-shell, ’ ^ I said, ‘ ^ greatly resembles the shell
of the turtle which you have captured ; but it requires
a large amount of preparation to give it that bright
and transparent appearance which we admire in tor-
toise-shell combs, or other articles for ornament. The
shell, when removed from the creature, is subjected
to the heat of fire, which cleanses and purifies it, and
renders it capable of receiving a very high polish. The
turtle’s shell does not possess these qualities, and is
therefore less valuable.”
On reaching the shore, we hastily loaded the sledge
with as much as it would carry: the two chests, the
wagon-wheels, and the hand-mill, which the discovery
of the manihot rendered doubly important and precious
to us, — and as many smaller things as we could find
room for.
When we returned to Falcon’s Nest in the evening,
my wife received us with most unusual signs of joy,
and said, laughing,
‘‘I suspect you are dreadfully fatigued after two
such days of hard work ; but never mind, I have some-
thing here that will quickly cure all that. Come and
see the refreshing draught which I have discovered,
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
and exposed to the cool evening air, that you may drink
it in perfection.’’
I followed where she led, and saw a half -buried cask
covered with branches of trees to keep it cool, and
wondered what refreshing drink it could contain.
‘ ^ See ! ’ ’ she cried ; ^ 4t was for this that I visited the
beach this morning; it has evidently been washed on
shore from the wreck, and I have taken great care to
keep it cool, and preserve the freshness. The children
think it is Canary sack, and I hope they have guessed
rightly, that you may find it really refreshing.”
As we had no means of drawing out the wine but
through the bung-hole, I inserted a hollow cane as an
experiment, and drew up by suction a refreshing
draught of the most delicious Canary sack I had ever
tasted in my life, and thanked my dear wife for her
care and thoughtfulness in fetching home such a pre-
cious beverage.
The boys now eagerly surrounded me and begged to
be allowed to taste. I permitted them to drink by
turns, but they soon became so excited and greedy, and
so anxious for more, that I was obliged to send them
away, and carefully close the opening of the cask.
‘‘I am ashamed to see you so greedy,” I exclaimed;
‘4t is like an animal to long for that which tickles the
palate, and you forget the danger you incur of becom-
ing tipsy.”
By these remarks I restrained the eager boys, and
obliged them to desist, especially when I pointed out
the ill breeding their conduct displayed. So ashamed
were the young people of their greediness, that they
readily acknowledged their fault, and by attention and
obedience to their mother and myself for the rest of
the evening, endeavored to atone for it, and came
quietly to the supper of turtle which their kind mother
had prepared for us, and which proved simply deli-
cious. It was not, therefore, surprising, that when we
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
ascended to onr sleeping-rooms in tlie tree, and laid
onrselves down on the mattresses we had brought from
the ship we quickly sank into a sweet and refreshing
sleep.
CHAPTER XV
THE WHEELBAKROWS AND THE TURTLE
At daybreak next morning I rose, and descended
the ladder without the least noise, lest I should
arouse my still sleeping family. I was anxious also
to visit our vessels on the beach as quickly as possible.
Beneath the tree, however, I found plenty of life
and activity. The two watch dogs came springing
and jumping towards me, and asking, in their own in-
telligent manner, to be allowed to accompany me; the
cocks crowed and flapped their wings ; the hen clucked,
and the goat bounded over the soft grass. The ass
alone reposed comfortably, and appeared to be enjoy-
ing his morning dream, without the least inclination
for the walk which I wished him to take.
He was quickly aroused, however, and harnessed to
the sledge alone, for I would not disturb the cow, as
she had not been milked. I summoned the dogs to
follow me, and then we took our way to the beach.
There to my great comfort I found the boat and the
raft still safe: although the tide during the night had
risen, yet the pieces of lead and iron bars to which I
had fastened them had resisted its force, and kept
them from drifting away.
Without delay I placed upon the sledge a load which
I thought our good gray charger could draw without
difficulty, and with sufficient quickness to enable me to
return to Falcon’s Nest in time for breakfast.
The sun was, however, high in the heavens when I
reached the tree, and I was astonished beyond measure
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
to find the whole of my family still sleeping profoundly.
Not a creature was stirring.
I made as much clatter and noise as if a besieging
army was approaching, to arouse the sleepers. My
wife was the first to appear, and was not a little sur-
prised to find the day so far advanced.
^‘Well,’’ she exclaimed, ‘‘there must be a magic
power in those mattresses to make us sleep like this. I
have found the greatest difficulty in rousing myself, and
the poor children are still under the same magic influ-
ence. ’ ’
And in fact, when they were at last aroused, they
rubbed their eyes, yawned and stretched, and seemed
more than half inclined to fall asleep again.
“Up, up!’^ I cried in a still louder voice. “Brave
boys should wake at the first summons, and spring out
of bed with life and quickness.’’
After this, Fritz was the first to show himself, and
Ernest the last to creep down the ladder, for he had
always a strong disinclination to leave his bed. In-
deed, his mother had already prepared breakfast before
he made his appearance ; and I talked to him seriously
on the danger of giving way to the habit of late rising
in the morning.
After our usual morning prayers, we enjoyed a hasty
breakfast; and quickly removing the articles from the
sledge, we repaired again to the shore, for I was anx-
ious to have both the boat and the raft unloaded before
noon, that they might be ready to float as soon as the
tide served.
By the time we reached Falcon’s Nest with our last
load the tide had risen, and I hastily took leave of my
wife and the three younger boys, intending only to take
Fritz; but Jack seemed so anxious to accompany us,
that I at length gave him permission, to his great de-
light.
As soon as the tide was high enough to float the ves-
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
sels I steered at once to Deliverance Bay, for the beau-
tiful weather and the calm sea tempted me to venture
on another voyage to the wreck. At first this proved a
difficult task; yet, in spite of the wind, which blew
freshly from the sea, and the tide being against us, we
attained our object, and reached the current, which
carried us quickly to the ship.
By this time, however, it was too late to carry away
anything of importance, so I merely collected together
what could be packed quickly and without much trou-
ble. Jack, who ran here and there, making a tremen-
dous clatter, had already added small yet useful articles
to our store, and presently came up, in a tumult of de-
light, to show us a wheelbarrow which he had found.
But while he was exulting in its usefulness as a con-
veyance to carry the potatoes he had dug up to Fal-
con ^s Nest, Fritz came to tell us that he had discov-
ered something far more useful than a wheelbarrow
— the ship’s pinnace.*
I accompanied him to the spot, and found the pin-
nace packed carefully in the center of an enclosure,
every part complete, although separated, and even sup-
plied with two small cannon.
In the midst of my joy at this discovery I saw clearly,
however, that to raise the boat from its present posi-
tion, and to get it properly fitted together and launched
on the sea, would not only be a work of time, but re-
quire a large amount of strength, exertion, and skill.
This, however, was not the time to commence such
an undertaking ; so I overlooked the boys as they loaded
the raft, and advised them to choose the most useful
articles. Among others a copper kettle, a grindstone,
two large iron plates, a powder-cask, a box of flint
stones, which were most welcome to me, several tobac-
co-graters, and two more wheelbarrows besides Jack’s,
which he was not likely to forget. We had scarcely
* A kind of little ship with a four-cornered stern sail.
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
time to take a slight refreshment before we again set
sail, for I was anxious to avoid being met by a wind
from the land, which generally rose after sunset.
As we neared the shore we observed with astonish-
ment a group of figures standing in a long row, and
regarding us with great curiosity. They might have
been taken for little people wearing white waistcoats,
with arms hanging down at their sides, which from
time to time they raised softly, as if they wished to
welcome us with a brotherly embrace.
‘‘Well!’’ I exclaimed, laughing, “are we in a coun-
try inhabited by pigmies, who have hastened here to re-
ceive us!”
“No, papa!” cried Jack. “I believe they are Lilli-
putians, though rather larger, however, than those I
have read of.”
But as we approached nearer my knowledge of nat-
ural history came to my aid.
‘ ‘ They are birds called penguins, ’ ’ I exclaimed. ‘ ‘ I
can distinguish them more plainly now. They are as
easily caught as the boobies which Ernest drove from
the body of the dead shark. Although excellent swim-
mers, they are helpless on land, for they can neither
fly nor run from danger. In fact, these birds are easy
prey for the sportsman.”
While I thus spoke we were cautiously approaching
the land, that we might still longer enjoy this singular
spectacle; but no sooner had the boat reached a spot
where the water was shallow, than Jack sprang out of
his tub and waded to the shore. Before the penguins
had noticed him he was amongst them, and in a very
few moments had knocked down five or six of the birds.
Those that remained evidently considered this a very
unkind greeting, for they hastily plunged into the
water, swimming and diving so quickly, that they soon
vanished from our eyes.
Fritz grumbled bitterly at Jack for frightening the
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
birds and preventing him from having a shot at them,
but I laughingly told him that while he was considering
when and how he should use his gun, Jack had settled
the matter with a stick. At the same time I endeavored
to check in the thoughtless boys the disposition to de-
stroy God^s creatures unless they were absolutely
needed for food. I explained to them also that the
flesh of the penguin had an oily, fishy taste, which to
some persons was very disagreeable.
I then examined the prey, and found two birds dead,
but the rest only stunned; indeed, they had to a great
degree recovered themselves, and were very gravely
attempting to waddle away. We, however, seized them
quickly, and, after tying their legs together, left them
on the shore with the two dead birds, where they were
obliged to wait till we had discharged our cargo.
The approaching sunset, however, made it impossi-
ble for us to do much. We contented ourselves with
filling each a wheelbarrow as full as possible, so that
at least we might carry something to Falcon’s Nest.
We did not forget to take with us also the dead and
living penguins ; and at last set out on our way, each
driving a loaded wheelbarrow, for we had found three
on board.
When the singular procession reached Falcon’s Nest
we were welcomed by our watchful bodyguard with far-
resounding barks ; but as soon as they discovered that
the wheels they had heard belonged to friends, they
displayed their joy by springing and bounding upon
us in an ecstasy of delight; rather too much, indeed,
for Jack, who had the greatest difficulty in prevent-
ing the dogs from upsetting his barrow with their
gambols. Only by dealing blows right and left with his
little fists, which they scarcely felt, could he at last rid
himself of their politeness, while his angry efforts made
his mother as well as Ernest and little Frank, laugh
heartily.
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
My wife was, however, delighted with our harrows
and their contents, excepting that she looked rather
doubtfully at the iron plates and the tobacco-graters.
We lost no time in setting free the living penguins, hut
I tied them by the leg to a tree among our ducks and
geese, in the hope that by association with these com-
panions they would become tame, and by degrees recon-
ciled to their new abode.
My wife pointed out to me a splendid store of pota-
toes, which she and the two boys had collected during
our absence, and also a large number of roots similar
to those which Ernest had discovered on the day pre-
vious, which I recognized as manioc or tapioca — at
least, tapioca is prepared from this root — and of course
I warmly praised their industry.
‘‘Ah, yes, papa,^’ said little Frank; “but what would
you say to our field of Indian corn, and pumpkins, and
melons?’’
“Oh, you chatterbox!” exclaimed his mother; “you
have spoilt it all, and deprived me of a great pleasure.
I did not wish your father to know of this till the plants
were above the ground. It would have been delightful
to see his surprise when the green stalks appeared.”
“I am sorry, dear mamma,” I replied; “but the sur-
prise has only occurred a little sooner, and I am equally
pleased at the experiment. Where did you procure
seeds for such a purpose?”
“From the magic bag,” she replied, with a smile;
‘ ‘ and I sowed them in the soil after we had removed the
potatoes, without disturbing the small ones. I hope,
therefore, we shall have a splendid harvest when it all
grows up.”
“You have done well, dear wife,” I said, “and I hope
your plan will be successful.” ^
The tobacco-graters were lying on the ground near
us, and my wife, pointing to them, inquired,
“What use are those tobacco-raspers, dear husband?
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
I hope you do not intend us to take snuff or to smoke 1 ^
‘‘Truly not/’ I replied, laughing. “The thought of
introducing such dirty and unpleasant habits never
entered my mind. I have brought those graters for a
very different object. A little new bread will be a
great treat to us, and to obtain it these tobacco-raspers
are indispensable. I hope, therefore, you will no
longer look upon them with such disdainful eyes. ’ ’
“Well!” she exclaimed, “what tobacco-graters have
to do with new bread I cannot imagine. Besides, where
is the baking oven, even if you had flour!”
“These iron plates will supply the place of an oven,”
I replied : “flat cakes can be baked upon them, although
perhaps not loaves. And as for flour, that can be ob-
tained from the cassava-roots discovered by Ernest.
If you will make a small strong bag of sail-cloth, we
will try an experiment with our new pastry before we
sleep to-night.”
My wife readily agreed to get the bag ready, but I
could see that she doubted my judgment, for she filled
the newly-arrived copper kettle with potatoes, which
she placed on the fire, to be ready for our supper in case
the bread-baking should be a failure.
In the meantime I took a large piece of sail-cloth, and
spread it on the ground; and then, assembling my
young folks, commenced at once without delay to in-
struct them in the art of making bread from the cas-
sava-root. In the hands of each I placed one of the
tobacco-graters and a root, which, as well as the grater,
had been carefully cleaned and washed by their mother.
At my command each began to scrape the root he held
in his hand over the sail-cloth, and in a very short time
it was covered with what resembled moist sawdust, and
had not a very tempting appearance. The boys worked
readily and pleasantly, yet constantly making jokes
about bread being made from radishes, and calling it
famous fun.
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
^‘The cassava-root is not to be despised,’’ I said.
‘‘In America it forms the chief food of the natives,
who know very little of bread made from European
corn.* There is more than one species of cassava.
One sort grows and ripens quickly, another is not so
rapid in growth, and the third takes two years to come
to perfection. The first two are poisonous if eaten
raw; yet these are preferred, not only on account of
the fruit they bear, which ripens quicMy, but because
when the scrapings from the roots have been pressed
the finest flour is produced. ’ ’
“Why must it be pressed!” asked Ernest.
“To remove the sap or juice, which alone contains
the hurtful qualities. The dry pith is most whole-
some, and extremely nutritious. At all events, we will
be very cautious with our first attempt, and not ven-
ture to eat a morsel till the ape and the chickens have
tasted it; and if they receive no harm, we may eat
the cakes in safety.”
This arrangement was readily agreed to by all ; and
when we had scraped a sufficient quantity of the cas-
sava-root, I filled the bag which my wife had made
with the scrapings, and tied the mouth of it tightly
together, so that when pressed the poisonous sap
might flow out between the threads of the cloth.
To obtain the means of pressing, I had already
fixed upon, as a substitute for a pressing machine, a
contrivance in which the boys were greatly interested.
I laid two or three smooth planks on one of the roots
of the fig-tree which held our aerial castle, and placing
the bag of flour upon them, covered it with another
plank. Across this plank I laid one of our levers,
with one end under the arched root, and heaping up
on the other end lead, iron bars, and stones, with every
heavy article I could find. By this means the bag was
* America was not so well known to Europeans when this story was
written, in 1813, as it is now.
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
subjected to a strong pressure, and very soon the sap
was seen flowing to the ground beneath.
Presently my wife remarked, ‘‘If we have to press
and scrape the roots every time we make our bread,
we shall be employed the whole day in baking.’^
“Not so,’’ I replied: “when the cassava-flour is
once dry, it can be placed in a cask, and will keep
good for years. It is only necessary to be careful not
to take from it more at a time than we require for
baking, so that there may be always some left to fall
back upon in case of need.”
“Papa,” exclaimed Fritz, “I think we could com-
mence bread-making at once ; not a drop of sap is fall-
ing from the bag now.”
“I am quite willing,” I replied; “but before we at-
tempt to make bread for ourselves, a cake must be
baked for the chickens and the ape; and if they eat it
willingly, and without harm to themselves, we can very
safely follow their example.”
The bag was opened and the meal spread out to dry.
I then moistened a small quantity with water, and
made a small cake. The remainder I stirred up and
shook, that it might be again placed under the press.
This cake was then laid on one of the iron plates over
a clear fire, made as usual between large stones on the
earth; and as soon as the under side was brown, it was
turned, and when sufficiently baked, taken out to cool.
Meanwhile the boys attracted a few of the fowls and
the ape to the spot; but the cake exhaled such a deli-
cious odor that they looked with envy at the piece I
gave to the ape, and I believe, had I not firmly op-
posed their longing, they would also have helped them-
selves to a portion.
“If this is the poisonous root, will it stupefy the ani-
mals or cause them pain?” asked Fritz.
“There are two chief qualities of poison in these
plants which occasion death,” I replied. “One, which
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
is painful in the extreme, produces effects like those of
arsenic and sublimate; the other stupefying the sensi-
bilities of the nerves, or creating unnatural excitement
similar to the effects of opium or the poisonous fungus
sometimes mistaken for mushrooms. Taken in small
quantities, these poisons injure the health with linger-
ing disorders, which shatter the constitution and even-
tually end in death. They are therefore described as
slow poisons.
^‘The quick and almost sudden poisons require oily
or fat remedies, such as oil, buttermilk, barley-water,
and the like, to deaden the pain. The stupefying poi-
sons, on the contrary, require emetics or bitters to
relieve the stomach, and rouse the nerves from their
insensibility or irritation, and thus remove the effects
of the poison by a ‘ counter-irritant. ’ ’ ’
I noticed with satisfaction that while we talked the
fowls were eagerly eating up the crumbs, and Master
Nip devouring his piece of the cake with great rapidity.
‘‘What do they call this bread in America, papa?”
asked Fritz, presently.
“In the Antilles, where the root is chiefly found, they
call it cassava bread, ’ ’ I replied. ‘ ‘ But see, my dear, ’ ’
I continued, addressing my wife, “the animals have
eaten it all, and we must begin our baking performances
early to-morrow morning, if we find that our cassava
tasters are not the worse for what they have eaten.”
“And if they are all right, papa,” said Ernest, “it
will prove that my roots are not of the poisonous spe-
cies.”
“Yes, my boy,” I replied; “but I must still warn you
that there are many similar roots which are not only
poisonous in themselves, but also bear poisonous fruits
and flowers, and even leaves, which are sometimes use-
ful as medicine when prepared by chemists or doctors,
but are certain death if eaten from the plant. I hope,
therefore, you will be careful, as I have told you be-
181
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
fore, and never attempt to eat anything you find, how-
ever tempting it appears, till you have shown it to me.
And now we have said so much about poisonous ob-
jects we will turn to something more agreeable. We
can have confidence in the wholesome food which the
good mother has prepared for us. Boasted penguin
and potatoes will do us no harm.’^
We readily seated ourselves on the benches and at
the table which I had constructed with planks on the
fig-tree roots, to partake of supper. We found the
potatoes excellent; and although the flesh of the pen-
guin was fishy in taste and rather tough, it was not so
bad after all. And we could once more thank God for
His benefits as we retired, with appeased appetites,
to the longed-for rest in our castle on the tree.
182
CHAPTEE XVI
THE PINNACE AND THE PETAED
The following morning our first care was to visit
the fowls and the monkey, to ascertain if they
were injured by the cassava cakes; but they were all
as lively as ever; we therefore set to work eagerly to
bake for ourselves.
While pressing the flour, a large fire was lighted, and
that there should be no waste of fuel, a large sauce-
pan full of potatoes was placed upon it to boil, till the
embers became clear enough for baking.
By this time the cakes were ready to place upon the
iron plates. They were in the form of a semicircle,
so that I could easily grasp them, and the boys, who
enjoyed the fun, made some little cakes for themselves,
which they mixed in cocoanut-shells. Of course some
of these were slightly burnt, and others not half baked ;
but that was a trifling matter, for the fowls, the pig-
eons, and the dogs would eat them with as much relish
as if they were perfection.
Even the boys themselves could scarcely refrain
from breaking off pieces of the cakes before they were
thoroughly baked, and popping them into their mouths ;
for the smell, so like that of newly-baked bread, was
too tempting to be resisted.
In goo^d time, however, the loaves were finished, and
we had a large store of bread in our possession, to our
great satisfaction. The boys were so proud of their
performances, that each ate his own cakes for break-
fast; and certainly, with butter, I could almost fancy
I was eating hot rolls in our own dear country. A
183
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
large bowl of new milk added to our meal, made it a
repast fit for a king.
As I scattered the crumbs of this costly feast among
our feathered folk, I was surprised to observe that the
penguin, which we had made a prisoner, and tied to a
tree near the ducks and geese, seemed quite at home,
and followed their example in picking up the crumbs
without the least shyness. I decided, therefore, to
release him from confinement, and give him his liberty,
to his great satisfaction.
This success in bread-making, however, did not re-
move my strong desire to pay another visit to the wreck
with the boys, and by our united efforts endeavor to
manage the pinnace which we had discovered on the
previous day.
The good mother at first was not to be convinced
that anything could make it necessary for me to venture
again on the treacherous sea, especially as I wished to
take all the boys excepting little Frank. After much
explanation and coaxing, she at length unwillingly con-
sented, and then only on condition that I would give
my word to return the same evening, and on no account
remain another night on the wreck.
I reluctantly gave the promise she required, but her
fears made me uneasy, and I left her and Frank alone
at last with many sighs and a heavy heart.
The boys were delighted as usual at the prospect
of anything new. Ernest, especially, laughed joyously
at the thought that he was to accompany me with his
brothers once more. We packed up a good store of
provisions, including cassava cakes and potatoes, and
buckled on our cork belts. Our way led us to Deliver-
ance Bay, at which we arrived without adventure, and
after feeding the ducks and geese there, entered the
tub-boat, and with the raft in tow, proceeded on our
way.
Immediately on arriving at the wreck, I advised the
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
boys to load the raft and the boat with the first things
that came to hand, so that at least we might not return
empty to Falcon ^s Nest, and then I hastened to have
one more look at the pinnace.
Two points presented themselves of overpowering
difficulty. One was, that each part of the little vessel
had to be fitted together correctly. The enclosed place
in which this vessel lay was behind the officers ’ cabins,
and also quite on the opposite side of the wreck to
that at which we usually anchored our boat. There
appeared, indeed, not half enough room for us in the
space occupied by the pinnace to fit the various parts
together, or to release it from the stocks on which it
stood. Even if we succeeded in the former undertak-
ing, it would be quite impossible for us to move it with
every effort of our united strength. I contrived, how-
ever, to creep within the enclosure ; and, by the means
of the feeble light from two narrow slits in the wooden
partition, I discovered to my great satisfaction that
each piece of the vessel was carefully laid in its proper
place and, above all, numbered, and could therefore be
matched together with ease and correctness. Also
I had boldness enough to venture on an experiment
which would give us more room to launch the vessel
when finished.
While the boys were running here and there to find
articles for our lading, I stood considering what plan
I should adopt, but for some time without any result.
At length my resolution was taken, and without delay
I proceeded to work out the necessary preparations.
So many difficulties, however, still presented them-
selves, that it is more than probable I should not have
attempted the undertaking at all but for the strong
desire I felt to have in my possession such a beautiful
little vessel, a thousand times safer and more con-
venient than our tub-boat. At all events, I was con-
vinced that, with patience and perseverance, we should
185
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
be quite able to reconstruct the pinnace. And would
it not be a joyful success to rebuild such a ship, and
have in our possession a vessel so firm, and yet so light
and easy to steer? Yes, with the help of my boys I
would put the parts together, and hope that some means
for launching it on the water would be suggested to
me.
The evening arrived before anything could be done
to the pinnace, and we therefore without delay pre-
pared to return home with our load. What was our
surprise and pleasure on reaching Deliverance Bay to
see the mother and little Frank on the shore waiting
to receive us.
‘‘We are going to remain at Zeltheim,^’ said my
wife, “till you have cleared the wreck and finished all
your business on board. It will be a shorter voyage
for you, and we shall be constantly opposite and within
sight of each other. ’ ’
I could scarcely thank my brave wife sufficiently for
this precaution, more especially as I knew how little
she liked residing at Zeltheim; and I was glad to be
able to reward her self-denial by placing before her
eyes the articles we had brought with us — two casks of
butter, three of flour, a case of corn and rice, with a
number of useful articles, to be placed in our store-
house, which were to her of the greatest value.
Our voyages to the wreck till the pinnace was com-
pleted occupied a week. We started early every morn-
ing regularly, and returned home in the evening, heav-
ily laden from the wreck, to my wife’s great satisfac-
tion. Indeed, now that we were comparatively near to
each other, she let us depart without the least anx-
iety.
During our absence she and little Frank visited Fal-
con’s Nest almost daily, to look after the poultry and
give them plenty of provender as well as to fetch away
potatoes from the field close by. When we met to-
186
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
gether in the evening, we had plenty to talk about while
we enjoyed the delicious suppers which the mother had
provided for us from her stores.
All this time we had been earnestly employed in re-
constructing the pinnace, which was at last ready to
be navigated and set free from her prison. Her ap-
pearance was neat and elegant. She had a tiller at
her prow and a small quarter-deck, on which to raise a
mast and a sail like a cutter, and we could already fore-
see that she would be a good sailer, and, being of a
light build, would not draw much water. We had care-
fully caulked all the joints and openings, and then cov-
ered them with pitch or ship’s tar. On the quarter-
deck we placed the two little cannons, and secured them
with chains in the usual manner on board ship.
And, after all, there sat the beautiful thing, immov-
able in its prison; and yet it seemed as if impatient
and longing to dart into the sea, and to carry its masts
and spread its sails on the bosom of the ocean. As I
contemplated our work, I felt it impossible that all our
industry and efforts should come to nought. And yet,
before we could set the pinnace free, a storm might
arise and destroy it with the wreck. The thought of
such a disaster rendered me impatient ; and I at length
determined upon a plan which was certainly a great
risk, but no other way lay open to me, for to cut through
the planks which enclosed the vessel, or to make an
opening in the ship’s side, was out of the question.
But I said nothing to the boys of my intention.
I found in the steward’s room an iron mortar, such
as are sometimes used for cooking, and fastened it
upon a thick oaken board with hooks. Then with a
chisel I cut a groove in the board. In this groove I
laid a train of gunpowder, of such a length that it would
take more than an hour to reach the mortar when
lighted at the end by a match. I filled the mortar with
powder, again fastened the plank upon it, caulked every
187
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
crevice with tar, and bound the whole together with
chains.
I found myself at last in possession of a kind of
petard, which I considered the most likely means of
producing the elf ect I wished. This terrible instrument
I suspended in the enclosure occupied by the pinnace,
on the side from which I calculated as carefully as pos-
sible that the recoil of the explosion would not injure
our little craft. Giving the boys the order to go on
board our little tub-boat quickly, I returned, lighted
the fusee, and then, hastily embarking myself, steered
away speedily from the wreck.
As soon as we were at a safe distance, I drew the
ropes which bound the raft to the boat more tightly,
that the sudden concussion might not capsize it, if the
explosion took place before we reached the shore. For-
tunately, however, we had arrived at Zeltheim, and
were unloading the raft, when a sudden and frightful
noise on the sea, like the roar of cannon, so alarmed
my wife and the boys that they screamed in terror, and
turned to run away. My voice recalled them, but they
still kept at a distance, until my wife came towards me
and said,
“The sound came from the sea! and look at the
smoke ! Oh, dear husband, I hope you have been care-
ful not to leave fire near the powder!’’
i i Tiiere is nothing of that sort to fear, ’ ’ I said, with
a smile that surprised her while it gave her confidence ;
“but I think the explosion has something to do with
the pinnace. Boys, I must go back and see what has
happened : who will go with me ? ’ ’
Without a word the boys sprang into the boat, while
I remained for a few moments on the beach, to explain
to my wife and calm her fears.
We arrived at the wreck in a very short time, for
curiosity made the boys row quickly, and at the first
glance I saw with satisfaction that the form and po-
188
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
sition of the vessel remained unchanged, and that no
suspicious-looking smoke indicated fire. With a light
heart I steered round the wreck to the other side, and
there discovered the destruction caused by my petard.
A large portion of the ship’s side had been shattered,
and the fragments floated on the water ; while through
the welcome opening which yawned upon us, we could
see the pinnace standing unhurt, although leaning a
little on one side. I uttered a loud hurrah, which as-
tonished the boys, for the destruction and desolation
around had saddened them.
‘^It is won!” cried I: ‘‘the beautiful pinnace is ours
now! It will be easy to launch it on the sea if it is
uninjured. Let us go and examine it. ”
We climbed through the opening, and found to our
great delight that the pinnace was unhurt, and not a
trace of fire or flame could he discovered upon it.
The recoil of the mortar had, however, blown a piece
of the chain deep into the opposite partition wall,
where it stuck fast. After this inspection, I explained
to my boys the means I had used, and gave them a
hasty description of the wonderful power of the petard.
I after this examined the position of the boat more
carefully, and found that it would he easy with the aid
of a pulley and lever to push the pinnace on the water.
Fortunately, while reconstructing the little ship, I had
taken the precaution to place rollers under the keel,
which would render our task easier. I did not forget,
however, to attach a long rope to the inner end, to
prevent it from going out of our reach when once in
the water.
When all was ready, we threw our united strength
into the performance, and at last, though not without
some difficulty, we saw her glide slowly down into the
sea, and ride gracefully on the undulating waters, yet
held in check by the rope which moored her alongside
the wreck.
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
Leaving her safely in this position, we returned to
Zeltheim to relate our conquest to the mother ; but the
warlike spirit of the boys was awakened by the pros-
pect. A little ship completely rigged, and with two
cannons on board, seemed unconquerable, and fit to
resist a whole fleet of savages. Indeed, they almost
wished that an attack might come, that they might ex-
hibit their prowess; but I reminded them they ought
to thank God that He had not obliged them to prove
their new-born courage and valor by bloodshed and
fighting.
Our stately bark, however, could not be completely
rigged and freighted without two days of hard work.
We still kept it on the side of the wreck farthest from
the shore, for we wished to surprise the mother and
little Frank with its wonderful appearance, and there-
fore they were not to see it till it was complete. And
our movements on that side could not be clearly seen,
even through a telescope, from the shore.
When at last all was in readiness, it was impossible
to refuse the request of my boys, and, as a reward for
their efforts, allow them to give their mother a majestic
salute from our two guns, to embellish the surprise
which awaited her.
At once and speedily the guns were loaded, Fritz as-
suming the position of captain near the mainmast; his
brothers placed themselves by the guns, each holding a
match, which they were eager to light ; while I hastened
to spread the sail and adjust the rigging in readiness
for our voyage. At last I seated myself at the helm,
and, with joyful huzzas, we unmoored the little vessel
and turned towards home.
The wind was favorable, and blew fresh towards
the shore. The pinnace skimmed the transparent wa-
ter like a bird, and so swiftly, that I had some anxiety
respecting the fate of our tub-boat, which we had taken
in tow.
190
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
We reached Deliverance Bay, however, without ac-
cident ; and as we came in sight of Zeltheim I lowered
the largest sail of our new vessel, that I might be able
to manage her with less difficulty, and then I gave per-
mission to the boys to carry out the grand business of
the salute.
Ernest and Jack lighted their matches and stood
their guns. ‘ ‘ No. 1, fire ! No. 2, fire ! ^ ’ cried Fritz ;
and as the rocks reechoed the sound, he added to it by
firing two pistol-shots in the air and leading his broth-
ers in a succession of joyful hurrahs.
As the boat touched the shore, my wife, amidst all
her wondering astonishment, was able to nod to me a
friendly welcome, but she held little Frank close to
her as he stood, with wide-open eyes and quivering lip,
not knowing whether to laugh for joy or cry in fear.
As soon as we could find a convenient spot on which
to land, I sprang on shore ; and my wife, advancing to
meet me, exclaimed, breathlessly,
‘‘Oh, you dear dreadful people! what a mixture of
joy and fright you have made for us I When I saw the
beautiful little ship advancing, I could not imagine
where it came from; and the sound of the cannons so
darmed me, that had I not recognized your voice, we
should have-fled Heaven knows how far. But it is all
Dver now, and I must forgive the fright while I ad-
^nire the beautiful boat you have brought. It is most
elegant, and I shall not be afraid myself to accompany
you on the sea sometimes in such a perfect vessel as
that.’^
“Come on board now, mammal’^ exclaimed Fritz,
“and we can show you how comfortable and complete
the vessel is.’^
My wife and Frank stepped on the little deck of the
vessel. The boy was as much delighted as his mother,
who, after examining it and listening to the descrip-
tion of our exertions in fitting the parts together and
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
launching it, could not sufficiently praise our industry
and perseverance.
^‘But do not suppose Frank and I have been idle
during your absence,’’ she continued. ‘‘No, indeed;
we have been very busy the whole time ; and although
we cannot receive you with a salute of cannon, we have
found the means of providing dishes for the table.
Come with me now, and I will show you the result of
our work.”
We all landed quickly, after mooring the boat in
safety, and followed the mother curiously to a place
near which the Jackal stream falls in a tiny cascade
over the rocks; and beneath their shelter, in an open
space of ground, we saw, with astonishment, a complete
kitchen garden, considerably advanced in growth, and
divided into compartments by paths in all directions.
“This is my work and Frank’s ! ’ ’ exclaimed my wife,
“We found the earth soft enough for us to dig and
prepare.”
“Here,” she continued, pointing to the nearest bed,
“I have planted potatoes; yonder are fresh cassava-
roots ; on the other side I have sown lettuce and salad-
seeds, and near them I have left a space for you to
plant reeds and bamboo canes.”
Leading us farther on, she continued, pointing to
another division: “This will be our fruit garden. The
earth is ready to receive cuttings from the young
trees at Falcon’s Nest; and farther on I have sown ^
a quantity of each sort of the grain you brought from
the vessel; and above, in a shelf of the rock, I have
planted roots of the anana, because their clinging ten- {
drils will form a shade for the young' shoots from the \
heat of the sun. Water for the nourishment of my gar- \
den,” she added, “can be easily brought from the i
neighboring waterfall; so there is no doubt that the 4:
plants will grow and thrive wonderfully. ’ ’ 4
“You have performed wonders, dear wife!” I ex-
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
claimed, after we had examined the fruitful spot care-
fully ; and then, as the sunset was approaching, I and
the boys returned to the shore, to make the pinnace
and the other craft safe for the night, while the mother
prepared dinner for us ; indeed, we were all very tired
and hungry.
During dinner I bade the boys observe the wise or-
dering of Nature — that those who work and are indus-
trious, are sure to obtain a recompense in the benefits
she confers ; and also how much happier those are who
make efforts to help others than they who act only for
their own advantage.
During the week of our daily visit to the ship my
wife had more than once visited Falcon’s Nest, and
while at dinner she remarked,
^‘You have been so occupied with the wreck, dear
husband, that the young fruit-trees at Falconhurst are,
I fear, quite forgotten by you. The air appears to
have dried them very much, and had J not sprinkled
them now and then with water, and protected them
from the heat by branches of trees, they would by this
time have been perfectly useless. I should have
planted them in the cool earth long ago, and attended
to them more carefully, had not my time been so taken
up with the kitchen garden.”
‘‘You have done all you could under the circum-
stances, dear wife,” I replied; “and if you now request
me not to visit the wreck, I shall be quite willing to
place myself under your orders at Falconhurst. But
first we must unload our vessels, and place everything
as usual in safety. ’ ’
My wishes were soon accomplished, and the articles
which remained, after adding to our store, were care-
fully arranged, and covered with a piece of sail-cloth
fastened to the ground with pegs as firmly as possible.
The pinnace was also moored by a rope from the bow
to a strong post on shore.
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
We then loaded ourselves as well as the animals
with as much as we could carry of the articles we
considered the most useful, and took the road to Fal-
con’s Nest.
CHAPTEK XVII
THE WALK TO THE CALABASH WOOD
During our residence at Zeltheim, while daily vis-
iting the wreck, the second Sunday of our stay in
the island had occurred, and had been celebrated and
honored with much earnest devotion.
The day after our return to Falcon ^s Nest, as de-
scribed in our last chapter, was again the day of rest,
and was religiously observed by us with prayer and
praise. My wife had found, to my great joy, a Bible
in one of the seamen’s chests. After, therefore, sing-
ing a hymn, I read a chapter from the Gospels which
I knew my children would be able to understand, and
then related to them another but more simple allegory,
entitled
THE TKAVELEk’s TALISMAN.
A man and his wife were once traveling through the
Arabian Desert with a caravan, when by some acci-
dent they were separated from the rest of the company
and left alone, with but very little food or water. They
knew that although not far from the city to which
they were traveling, they were constantly in fear of
their strength failing before they could reach it. Dur-
ing the day the position of the sun showed them what
direction to take, either east or west; and the stars
by night, when his rays, which beat down upon them
with great fierceness, were removed.
It was useless, and would have been dangerous, to
hasten their steps in the hope of overtaking the cara-
van, and yet they were in terror by night of being at-
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
tacked by wild beasts, or of fainting by day and becom-
ing the prey of vultures. For two days and nights
they walked without meeting with a drop of water or
a single green spot on which trees grew to otfer them
a shade by the way.
On the third morning their supply of provisions and
water was quite exhausted, and the worn-out travelers
sank down on the burning sand and gave themselves
up for lost.
The wife, who seemed more hopeful than her hus-
band, tried to cheer him with the possibility that an-
other company of travelers might be on their way, and
arrive in time to save them from' death. She proposed
also to go in search of water; but he would not allow
her to leave him, and at length from fatigue and ex-
haustion he sank into a deep sleep.
The woman sat near him on the ground, longing to
go in search of water, yet fearing to leave her husband
alone. She was not so easily daunted by difficulties
as he, and, in spite of her fatigue, would have gladly
exerted her last strength in an effort to reach some
rocks which she fancied were visible in the distance,
in the hope that amongst them might be found a spring
of water.
‘‘I must try, at all risks,” she said to herself, as she
rose feebly from the ground ; but at the same moment
a gentle touch on the shoulder made her start and turn
quickly. An ethereal being stood by her side, and ex-
claimed,
Woman, fear not, I am a good fairy: here is the
talisman that will help you through all your difficul-
ties and dangers. Consult it now and on every oc-.
casion : it will never fail to direct your course through
the desert, and lead you to some refreshing oasis, where
food and water can be found in abundance.”
So saying, the fairy placed a small magic glass in
her hand and vanished.
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
For a few minutes the wife stood bewildered and
alarmed, then she raised her magic glass to her eyes,
and looked through it at the rocks. They were distant
no longer, and at their feet lay soft green turf, through
which ran streams of rippling water.
With renewed vigor at the sight she awoke her hus-
band, and, assisting him to rise, held before him the
magic glass. He was not sufficiently roused from sleep
to realize what he saw ; but he allowed her to lead him
forward, while she described what her own eyes so
clearly beheld.
In a few moments from behind the rocks came one of
the caravan. On seeing them approaching feebly, he
called others, and before long the fainting husband and
his brave wife were lying on the soft green turf, enjoy-
ing the sweet fresh water and the pleasant shade, with
the prospect of being borne by camels in a very short
time to the end of their journey.
think that woman must always have taken care
of the magic glass after this,” said Frank.
‘‘And I should love the good fairy always,” re-
marked Jack, “for giving it me.”
“Well, boys,” I said, “do you know any good fairy
who has given us a talisman!”
“Ah, papa,” said Ernest, “I know who you mean.
Mamma is our good fairy, and ”
“Let me finish it, Ernest!” exclaimed Fritz. “The
talisman mamma has found for us is the Bible.”
‘ ‘ Quite right, my boys, ’ ^ I replied ; ‘ ‘ and I hope you
will read and value this magic glass, which not only
guides us on our path through life, but when we look
through at ourselves, it shows us our faults and teaches
us how to correct them. ’ ’
After our midday meal I felt the necessity for giv-
ing the boys some employment, similar to that which
they enjoyed so much on a former occasion. I had no
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
wish to make my hours of instruction too long and
tedious, or to give them a distaste for religious teach-
ing, and make them turn a deaf ear to all I said ; on the
contrary, I had supplied them with enough to think
over now, and to make them anxious on another Sun-
day to hear more.*
They were at once ready to commence practicing
with their bows and arrows, and in leaping, running,
and climbing, which I considered of great importance
for their bodily strength, and also to give them confi-
dence in a moment of threatened danger.
Nothing makes a man so timid and fearful as a want
of physical strength and confidence in himself.
In addition to these exercises I advised my boys to
practice running up and down the rope ladder which
led to our sleeping-room in the tree, and also to learn
to raise themselves by a loose rope, which I suspended
from the balcony, as the sailors do on board ship.
At first I made knots here and there in the rope, as
supports for their hands and feet, to assist them in
the attempt; but after a little practice they managed
to climb and descend with very few knots, and at last
hand over hand and with legs crossed, as sailors do,
on a smooth rope and without any assistance.
While this was going on I was able to leave them to
their own resources while I prepared another well-
known weapon for their use.
I commenced by tying a bullet to each end of a piece
of rope about six feet long, and in a few minutes the
boys were all round me, eagerly inquiring what I was
doing, and whether it would be something useful or only
a toy.
* Young readers must remember that when the German story, of
which this is a translation, was written, very few pleasant Sunday
stories for children, such as now exist, had been published. These boys
also were on an uninhabited island, without churches, chapels, Sunday-
schools, or other pleasant religious services, all of which ought to make
Sunday a happy day for children.
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
‘‘Yon shall see me nse it presently,” I replied; “but
I will explain to yon at once that I am trying to make
a weapon which is much used by hunters in many lands,
chiefly, however, by the Patagonians, who inhabit the
southern extremity of South America. It is named
the lasso and was invented by these people, but is now
in use among the Mexicans and the settlers in South
America. Not having bullets, however, the Patago-
nians use stones, which they fasten firmly to a rope
much longer than this ; and yet they can swing the end
of the lasso in which a stone is tied round or over their
heads, while they hold the other end in one hand, with
such power and swiftness, that the animal they wish
to capture is caught by the flying rope, which twists
round its body and limbs and renders it unable to move:
The Mexicans are so skillful with the lasso, that they
will throw it while on horseback at full gallop after
their prey, and seldom fail to succeed in securing the
animal alive, or killing it.”
This description of Patagonian hunting was delight-
ful to the boys, and nothing would do but that I must
immediately make trial of the new weapon I had made,
and prove it on the stump of a not far distant tree.
It happened, fortunately, in spite of my unpracticed
hand, that my first throw was successful, and the rope
wrapped itself round the tree so securely, that the
boys were more eager than ever to try the new weapon.
I immediately prepared a lasso for each of the boys
and set them to work. Fritz, however, entered upon
the matter with great spirit, and, after a little practice,
became entirely master of the art. I was not surprised
at his dexterity, for he was the most active of the four
boys, and possessed a fearless spirit.
Added to this, being the eldest and tallest, he pos-
sessed not only more physical strength, but the knowl-
edge without which great strength is often useless.
The following morning on rising early I noticed from
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
our tree castle that the sea was much a^tated, the
wind unusually strong, and the waves dashing against
the shore.
I congratulated myself, therefore, on finding myself
at Falcon’s Nest, and on having decided to remain
here and find employment in peaceful agriculture. To
mariners and those accustomed to the sea, the wind
would have appeared merely a fresh breeze, but to us,
such inexperienced sailors, it would have been an act
of folly to venture on the ruffled waves in what, to our
ignorance, was a veritable storm.
I at once, therefore, readily placed myself under my
wife’s orders. And first she showed me how she had
occupied herself in her visits to Falcon’s Nest during
our daily absence on the wreck. There were large
casks of half-roasted birds preserved in butter, the
poultry were in excellent condition, the cow looked well
and happy, and the tame pigeons, which had built their
nests among the branches of the fig-trees, were now
sitting on their eggs in peaceful happiness. But when
we reached the young fruit-trees, which I had brought
from the wreck, I saw plenty of work before me, for
they were parched and dry with the heat, and, indeed,
almost withered. I felt it, therefore, necessary at once
to plant these trees, and as we were very anxious to con-
tinue our wanderings, we set to work with so much ac-
tivity, that we had finished our task even earlier than
T had expected.
The day, however, was too far advanced for us to
commence any travels, for the mother and Frank were
to accompany us this time, and we had so many prep-
arations to make, that evening arrived before we were
ready ; indeed, it was necessary to be very diligent after
sunset, to be in readiness to start early on the follow-
ing day.
At daybreak next morning, however, we were all on
foot, and the final preparations before our departure
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
were dispatched with haste. The ass and the sledge
were to accompany ns, not only to carry onr stock of
provisions and a flask of Canary wine, as well as
powder and shot, but also that the younger and weaker
of our party might ride sometimes, if they were tired.
We wished, besides, to bring back to Falcon ^s Nest on
our return a store of gourds, from which to make vari-
ous articles for our use.
At last we started in joyful spirits : Turk in his coat
of mail, as usual, took the lead. Behind him followed
the boys, all but little Frank, carrying arms. The
mother and I came next with the sledge ; and lingering
hindmost, and not at all pleased, crept Floss with
Master Nip on her back. As a double means of de-
fense I carried two rifles, one loaded with grape-shot,
for our hunting performances, the other with bullets.
Our road lay through the Flamingo Marsh, which we
soon left behind for the lovely region beyond it. My
wife and the younger boys, who had not seen the place
before, could do nothing but exclaim in admiration at
every turn.
Fritz, however, eager for a hunting adventure, left
the strand, and enticing Turk to join him, very soon
disappeared from our eyes in the tall grass. Pres-
ently we were startled by the dog’s noisy bark, and at
the same moment an enormous bird rose in the air, fol-
lowed by a shot from Fritz, which brought it to the
ground instantly. The creature was not dead, how-
ever, for with incredible strength it beat its wings in
its rage, scattering the dust as it ran, with Turk after
it.
Fritz followed, panting, and Floss, who could not
look on without wishing to take part in the fray, with
a sudden spring threw her little monkey rider from
her back to join in the chase, and by a shorter way take
the fugitive in the flank. Quick as lightning, she
caught the bird, and held it fast till Fritz came up to
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
lier; but tbe wonderful strength of the bird, and the
vigorous kicks he gave right and left to the dogs with
his powerful feet, were so violent that Fritz did not
dare to approach nearer. Even Turk, generally so
courageous, after receiving two blows on his head, slunk
away, and would not again return to the charge.
Fritz was, therefore, obliged to wait till I could reach
them; and being so heavily armed, I was unable to
make my way quickly, especially through the tall grass
in which they were hidden.
I was, however, greatly pleased, on reaching the
spot, to perceive that the captive was a magnificent
bustard. Being anxious to secure the bird without
killing it, I took out my pocket-handkerchief, and,
watching my opportunity, threw it suddenly over the
creature ^s head, so that it could neither see nor escape.
I then hastened to tie those vigorous legs together,
and after releasing the wounded wing from the jaws
of Floss, I tied another handkerchief over both wings
round the body; and at last the refractory animal was
conquered. I considered this prey an excellent ad-
dition to our farmyard, and wished, therefore, to pre-
serve it alive, in the hope of taming it.
Without delay, we carried it to our impatient and
curious traveling companions who were lying on the
strand, and waiting for us. Ernest and Jack rose as
we approached, and running to meet us, exclaimed:
‘‘Oh, what a beautiful bird! What a magnificent
creature ! ’ ’
“Oh!^’ cried Jack, “I know, it is a bustard; we saw
one rise once, but neither of us could shoot it. DonT
you remember, mamma
“I am not sorry you failed then,’’ she replied; “for
had you killed it, a brood of little birds would have
lost their mother; — and perhaps this bird has a nest
of young ones somewhere : it might be as well to let her
escape. ’ ’
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
no, dear wife!’’ I said: ‘‘if the wound in the
wing is dangerous, and we set the bird free, she will
die, and we shall lose an excellent and rich supply of
food. If the wound is curable, we shall be able to tame
the bird, and perhaps she may attract her mate to join
her in our farmyard. As to the young ones, they are
able to take care of themselves three weeks after they
are hatched, and do not need a mother’s care; besides,
the father bird is no doubt still with them, so do not be
unhappy on that account.”
During this discussion, I placed the wounded bird
carefully on the sledge, and we resumed our journey
to the cocoanut wood in which Fritz had met such a
tragi-comic adventure with the monkeys, and little
Nip’s mother had been killed by the dogs. His mother
and the boys were, therefore, eagerly anxious to see
this wood, and full of spirits they marched on before
us.
Ernest, a little in advance of the rest, quickly reached
the entrance to the wood, and then, stopping suddenly
as if seized with astonishment at the magnificent trees,
planted himself at the foot of a cocoanut-palm, which
stood a little apart from the rest, and regarded it with
a meditative air, till he espied the beautiful clusters
of nuts which hung from the higher branches. He ap-
peared quite overwhelmed with wonder and admira-
tion.
I placed myself where I could observe him unnoticed,
and watched with interest the varied feelings displayed
on his expressive face. At last he uttered a deep sigh,
and exclaimed,
‘ ‘ Oh, how terribly high the nuts are ! I wish I had
one.”
Hardly had he uttered these words when suddenly
a magnificent nut fell heavily to the ground at his feet
from the wonderful tree; and while Ernest, rather
startled, jumped aside and looked upwards, a second
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
nut followed the first, as much to my astonishment as
his.
^‘Why, papa!” cried the boy, ‘Hhis is just like a
fairy tale. No sooner is a wish formed in the mind
than it is granted.”
expect your good fairy, or the magician who per-
forms your wishes, Ernest,” I replied, ‘‘is seated on
the tree in the form of an ape, who is more anxious to
pelt us with the nuts than to supply us with dainty
dishes for our table.”
Cautiously the boy picked up the nuts and brought
them to me. They were scarcely ripe, and certainly
not at all withered, so that it was impossible to suppose
they had fallen from the tree on account of decay. I
therefore moved nearer to Ernest, and stood with him,
looking earnestly up at the tree, to discover if possible
the being that had sent down the fruit so mysteriously.
We changed our positions, standing each alone, and
still staring up, and presently, to our surprise, two
more nuts fell at our feet.
At this moment Fritz joined us with his mother and
the rest; and on hearing of the fallen nuts, he also
directed his keen gaze to the tree. Suddenly he
cried,
“Ah, ah! I have discovered him, papa! Such a
horribly hideous animal, as large as my hat, and with
two enormous claws like a crab. Ah! he is coming
down the tree.”
At this information little Frank ran behind his
mother for protection, and Ernest looked about for a
place of safety, while Jack stood in a threatening atti-
tude, with the butt-end of his gun raised to strike. We
all remained, however, with our eyes fixed on the tree
which could harbor such a hideous guest, and who was
about to show himself.
Slowly and steadily the creature glided down the
tree on the trunk; but before it could reach the ground,
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
Jack struck at it with the butt-end of his gun, hut fail-
ing to injure it, the animal sprang to the ground,
and, with gaping claws, marched towards his assail-
ant.
The little fellow defended himself bravely, but with
such eagerness, that all his strokes failed to reach the
animal, who jumped aside and avoided them with won-
derful dexterity. At last the boy stood still, removed
his knapsack and arms, and laid them on the ground,
took off his jacket, held it extended in both hands, ad-
vanced cautiously towards his adversary, and sud-
denly threw it over the animal; then, kneeling on the
ground, he rested his whole weight upon it, and, wrap-
ping the jacket completely round the creature ^s body,
immediately commenced thumping violently with his
fists the strange bundle, in which performance he ex-
erted his whole strength.
For some moments I could not for laughing help the
boy ; but, recovering myself, I seized the hatchet, and,
with a few strokes, put an end to the monster.
^‘Well, that is a disgusting, ugly animal!’’ cried
Jack, as I removed the jacket to make sure the crea-
ture was dead. ^ ^ If it had not been so hideous, I should
not have been in such a passion; but I had no fear.
What creature is it, papa?” ^
‘‘A species of crab,” I replied; ‘^or, perhaps I ought
to say, a land-crab. At all events, it is not of the same
species as the one on the sea-shore which seized you
by the leg. And this time you have not only shown
courage, but also, what is of greater importance, pres-
ence of mind, in thinking of your jacket, for you had
a vigorous adversary to overcome. This bold gentle-
man is, I believe, named the cocoanut crab, and lives
upon the nuts, the shells of which he opens as much
by skill as strength ; with its strong claws it could in-
flict serious injury, and is no mean adversary for a
boy to meet with and conquer. This little combat will
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show you how reason and good sense give man the
superiority and power over the most dangerous ani-
mals.’’
I now placed the dead crab and two of the nuts on
the sledge ; the shells of the other two I broke, that we
might obtain the milk, which was very refreshing. For
some time we proceeded on our journey very slowly,
on account of a thick growth of underwood and the
tendrils of creeping plants. Several times we had to
stop and cut with an ax a way for the ass and the sledge
to pass, till at length Ernest made a most agreeable
discovery, at least for the remainder of our journey;
and, overpowered as we were by great heat, it was
truly acceptable to us.
While cutting down the tendrils, which entwined
themselves across our path from tree to tree and in-
tercepted our progress, the boy, with his usual thought-
fulness, had noticed a kind of liquid sap exuding from
the divided ends of the tendrils.
On examining this sap he discovered that it was pure
and drinkable water; and, bringing it to his mother
and me, asked us to taste it.
‘^See here, children!” I exclaimed, as I complied
with his request; ‘^see what a wonderful gift from
heaven we have found ! Men traveling in hot climates,
perhaps for days, without finding water, and half faint-
ing from thirst, must indeed be thankful on reaching
a large forest which they are obliged to traverse, to
find in it such refreshing plants as these!”
The boys, after this, eagerly gathered a large quan-
tity of these tendrils, and I showed them how to obtain
the water more plentifully by making an incision at
each end, as we had done with the sugar-canes, to ad-
mit the air. We soon had enough to KW over and over
again the cocoanut-shells for ourselves, and also to
supply the animals.
After marching on for some distance through the
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thicket, we came at last to a clearing, and saw at a lit-
tle distance before us, near the sea-shore, the beautiful
calabash-trees, forming a sheltering wood. We were
not long in reaching this agreeable spot which I and
Fritz had already visited.
The splendid trees and their singular fruit, which
grew in such an unusual manner, excited great wonder
and surprise, and I hastened to explain to my wife and
the younger boys the varied forms and sizes of the
gourds, and also how easily we could make from them
a good supply of the vessels and ditferent articles we
needed.
In a short time a large number were collected, and
I and the boys at once commenced cutting and forming
whatever we considered most necessary.
Meanwhile my wife attended to the animals, and
examined the wound in the bustard’s wing, which she
found worse than she expected. She came, therefore,
to me, and explained that it was cruel to let the poor
creature lie on the sledge; so I removed the handker-
chiefs from the bird, leaving him free, excepting that
he was tied to a tree by the leg, and able to walk about
as far as the length of his cord.
After working for some time, I constructed an egg-
basket, then two vases for milk and cream, and with
the other half of the shells formed covers for each;
water-bottles, spoons, and nests for the pigeons and
fowls ; and from one of the largest gourds a beehive,
with an opening for the bees to pass in and out.
Frank admired it so much that he almost wished
himself small enough to have a house made for him
to live in out of one of the gourds.
The pigeons’ nests I determined to nail here and
there on the boughs of the tree on which our castle was
? laced ; and some of the nests for the ducks and geese
intended to take to the pond, in which they still re-
mained at Zeltheim, and to place the rest under the
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stately roots at Falcon’s Nest, so as to form of tlie
houses for the poultry quite a little village.
Noon came upon us by the time we had finished all
these articles, and then I released Fritz and Jack, who
had long been wishing to escape, that they might light
a fire and cook the crab. They soon came to a stand-
still, however, for after having made some stones red
hot to throw into a calabash-shell, they had no water
to fill it.
Ernest had not been successful in cutting out the
gourds for our porcelain manufacture: he broke all
that he took in his hand ; he therefore asked me to allow
him to go and seek for water. I gladly gave him the
opportunity to be useful, for I knew that while seek-
ing for water, he might make some other important
discovery.
He had scarcely been absent two minutes, when he
returned hastily, looking pale with fright, and crying
out with panting breath,
^‘Papa! papa! a wild boar! a wild boar! come and
see! He came quite close to me in the thicket, and
then rushed across the Wood.”
“Boys! boys!” I exclaimed, as I followed Ernest,
“on the track! on the track! This will be a splendid
capture ! ’ ’
I then called the dogs, who followed me immediately
at full gallop.
Ernest led the way to the spot where the animal had
so alarmed him, but no wild boar appeared. Nothing
could be seen excepting the turned-up earth, and what
appeared to be a few dried potatoes, which the animal
had very likely dug up.
Jack and Ernest were disconcerted at this sudden
damper to their zeal for shooting, and so employed
themselves coolly in gathering up the roots which had
been dug up, that they did not observe the dogs, who
were still following the scent of some animal. Fritz
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and I, however, stole cautiously after them, with guns
in complete readiness to fire, and, guided by their eager
barking and yelping, we in a short time reached the
spot.
As we approached, we heard amidst the barking and
yelping of our dogs such a terrible grunting, which
appeared to proceed from the same place, that we has-
tened forward, expecting a most formidable battle.
Our alarm was suddenly checked. There before us
stood our own respectable sow, her ears held firmly
by the two dogs. On seeing us, she seemed much more
inclined to ask our help and pity by her grunting, than
our courage in fighting. Our martial ardor gave way
to vexation as we recognized the poor animal. Yet,
after a pause of surprise, we could not resist a burst
of laughter, even while we hastened to release the poor
ill-used animal from the teeth of the dogs.
Meanwhile our brave potato-gatherers, finding the
barking of the dogs cease, and the sound of laughter
instead of shots proceeding from the wood, came run-
ning towards the spot. On their appearance, Fritz
could not resist joking Ernest on his wonderful dis-
covery of a wild boar, which had proved to be only our
own inoffensive sow.
This joking, however, Ernest received with a laugh
and a shrug of the shoulders ; yet the jokes might have
continued for a while longer, had not our two valiant
heroes at this moment discovered a number of what
appeared to be apples lying on the ground near us.
On looking up at the bushes which grew on the spot,
we saw a large number also hanging from the branches.
Those which had fallen on the grass we gave to our
sow, as some compensation for the pain and fright she
had endured; and as she swallowed them greedily, I
concluded that she was not much hurt.
The boys gathered a quantity of these apples to
carry home, yet Fritz expressed a fear that they might
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
belong to the poisonous fruit of which I had warned
them. I doubted this, on observing how much the ap-
ples were relished by the sow; especially as in exam-
ining one of them, I found that it did not contain a
hard kernel, but a number of small pips.
I still decided not to allow the boys to eat this fruit
until I had given one to Master Nip, and if the ape ate
it and incurred no danger, then they should be at lib-
erty to do the same in moderation.
But all this made us forget that we had promised to
find water for the cooking performances, and we were
only at last reminded of this promise by feeling thirsty.
I and the boys, therefore, went forward hastily to
search for water with greater diligence.
Jack, who was in advance of us, had scrambled up
a rocky mound at a little distance; but no sooner had
he reached the summit than he stood still with a hor-
ror-stricken face, as if unable to move, and exclaimed,
‘^Papa, papa, a crocodile! a crocodile!’^
‘‘A crocodile!^’ I replied; ‘^what, so far from the
water as this? That would indeed be singular.’’
As I spoke, however, we all with eager expectation
rushed to the spot; and I immediately recognized in
Jack’s frightful wild beast a kind of large lizard,
named the iguana, much esteemed as delicate eating in
the West Indies, and sleeping quietly.
‘‘This will be a prize,” I exclaimed to the boys, “if
we can capture this creature, as a present for your
mother. ’ ’
Fritz, with his usual sportsman’s zeal, raised his
gun to fire, but I checked him hastily.
“Steady, my boy,” I said. “You must not be so
rash. Your shot would most likely only wound the
animal without killing him, for these creatures have
a wonderful tenacity of life. We must use other means
to capture our booty.”
I immediately cut a strong switch, and fastened to
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the end of it a string with a slip-knot. In my left hand
I carried a large dry branch of a tree, and slowly ap-
proached the sleeping animal. The boys in silence
watched me cnrionsly without moving. As I drew
nearer, I commenced whistling softly, increasing the
melody in loudness by degrees.
The sleeper presently awoke, and appeared so en-
chanted, that he raised his head to listen, and perhaps
to see where the sound came from. I approached, with
caution, to avoid alarming the animal, near enough for
me to pass my slip-knot round his neck, still continu-
ing to whistle. The task was not difficult, for the ani-
mal appeared so infatuated with the music, that I suc-
ceeded in throwing the cord and tightening the knot
round his neck, and made him my captive with ease.
I then dragged him to the foot of the rock, and turned
him over on his back to kill him more speedily.
The animal resisted me furiously, and struck right
and left such tremendous blows with his tail, that I
had need of all my self-possession to avoid them. The
boys came hastily to my assistance; but. Jack standing
carelessly too near, a stroke from the tail threw him
on the ground head over heels. This so irritated the
boys, that they rushed forward to destroy the creature
with the butt-end of their guns.
I arrested their intentions, however, although the
row of sharp-pointed teeth which he displayed when
he opened his immense jaws was quite alarming
enough as they approached to drive them back.
I adopted a more merciful plan, by firmly piercing
the nostrils with my switch, which was followed im-
mediately by instant death and a very few drops of
blood.
As usual, after conquering our prey, this result was
attended with a triumphal cry of joy from us all, and
the boys expressed their wonder at the clever manner
in which I had captured and killed the iguana. We
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could not think of leaving snch a valuable booty be-
hind us, and as our sledge was a long way off, I re-
solved to carry the creature on my back, the boys fol-
lowing to support the tail, for the weight was enor-
mous.
However, we chose the shortest way to the mother
and Frank, but long before we reached them we heard
our names called in tones of anxiety and alarm. Our
long absence had alarmed them, because there had
been no usual firing; but when we replied to them
cheerfully, the tones changed to cries of joy, and all
trouble was forgotten. Many questions were asked,
and so much had to be related, that we began to feel
more hungry and thirsty than ever, and to long for
dinner. But on removing the strange and precious
burden from my shoulders, it was a pleasure to ob-
serve the surprise and delight depicted on their faces ;
and they soon acknowledged that we could not be
blamed for omitting to bring water under the circum-
stances.
All this occupied so much time, that I knew it would
be impossible to prepare a portion of the iguana for
dinner, so we were obliged to content ourselves with
the cold provisions we had brought from Falcon’s
Nest. Added to it, however, were a few potatoes,
which had been hastily placed in the glowing cinders
while the mother was waiting for the water-carriers,
who never came.
Master Nip had seized and eaten one of the apples
which I otfered him so eagerly, that I readily gave the
boys the permission they desired; and never, I believe,
was fruit so thoroughly enjoyed. The ape, not being
satisfied with those we gave him, found out our store
and stole several. Even the bustard, which we had
tied by the leg to a tree, came the length of his string
to seize an apple we threw to him.
I came to the conclusion at last that we had discov-
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ered a West Indian fruit named guava, for it was so
full of juice, that it supplied the place of water, and
our thirst was greatly relieved.
Altogether, the frugal meal had greatly refreshed
and strengthened us, and as the day was far advanced,
my wife proposed that we should prepare to turn our
steps homewards.
The days appeared to me to be growing shorter, and
I readily agreed to her suggestion.
During our absence the mother and little Frank had
loaded the sledge with the newly-constructed calabash
vessels, that they might be ready to take home with us.
These, however, not being dry, I decided to leave till
morning, and load our good gray horse Grizzle with
his usual traveling-bags, containing the dry calabash
utensils, the iguana, and on his back our youngest boy
as a rider. A cord was attached to the bustard, that
the mother and Frank might lead him, or at least drive
him before us, without much trouble.
After these preparations, we started at once on a
direct road to Falcon’s Nest, and, avoiding the guava-
tree grove, presently entered a wood of majestic oaks,
beneath which lay a quantity of acorns. On these the
bustard fed with great eagerness; and we arrived,
happily without accident, at Falcon’s Nest before sun-
set. There remained, therefore, time enough to un-
pack our booty, feed the animals, and prepare supper.
A piece of the iguana’s flesh, baked with potatoes
and roasted acorns which the boys had gathered up,
formed a delicious repast, and with thankful hearts
we retired to rest in our aerial chamber, and slept
soundly till morning.
213
CHAPTER XVin
THE CANADIAN FOWL AND THE INDIA-KUBBEB TREE
Fritz and I started next morning with the ass to
bring home the sledge and the remainder of the
gourd vessels. I advised the younger boys to remain
with their mother, for I had planned an excursion on
the chain of rocks, to be performed by Fritz and my-
self, and was unwilling that the weakness or timidity
of the younger boys should interfere with the success
of my undertaking, if they accompanied me.
On arriving at the green wood of oaks, we found the
sow peacefully feeding on the acorns with a good ap-
petite. We had not attempted to take her with us on
the previous evening, because she appeared more than
ever obstinate and unmanageable. I was glad, how-
ever, to observe that she was not the worse for the at-
tack upon her, but as tame as ever, and not in the least
shy or wild.
While passing through the wood, we gathered up a
large store of acorns, and as we walked without noise
on the green turf, we noticed a quantity of birds among
the branches of the trees. They allowed us to ap-
proach so closely that Fritz could not resist having a
shot, and brought down a jay and two small paroquets.
The color of the jay was a beautiful blue, and he had
a kind of crest on his head. One of the paroquets had
a rich red plumage; the feathers of the other were
green and gold.
While Fritz re-charged his gun, we heard at a little
distance a most singular noise, something like the
sound of a muffled drum. Fritz was instantly on the
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alert, for he, as well as myself, imagined it might be
the battle music of savages. We therefore crept softly
through the bushes which concealed the spot from
whence this unusual sound came.
Presently we came upon an open space less over-
grown with shrubs, in which lay a fallen and partly-
decayed trunk of a tree, and upon it stood a beautiful
bird, of about the size of a domestic cock, having round
his neck a magnificent collar of variegated feathers,
and making the most ridiculous grimaces and antics.
At first he twisted himself round and round, rolled
his eyes as if he were possessed, then ruffled the feath-
ers of his collar, producing by the movement a strange
noise ; then he spread his tail in the form of a fan, and
beat his wings with such velocity that a mist seemed to
envelope, like a cloud, the droll little performer. It
was evidently this beating of the wings which produced
the sound of the muffled drum, in the hollow and dry
spot occupied by the half -decayed trunk of the tree on
which he was perched.
This droll bird was surrounded by a number of oth-
ers, exactly like himself, but without the feathered
ruff round the neck : they no doubt were assembled to
witness his antics, and by the earnest attention with
which they watched him, seemed to be greatly de-
lighted.
All this so excited my curiosity, that I had deter-
mined to wait and see the end of the play; when sud-
denly, an unexpected shot from behind where I stood,
fired by my impetuous son Fritz, put an end to the com-
edy.
The inspired drummer fell from the stage and lay
stretched in the sand. The feathered and scared audi-
ence took to flight, and my anxious expectations of an
amusing termination to the play had vanished, and
left me nothing but empty disappointment.
This interruption of a remarkable theatrical per-
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
formance was not pleasing to me, and I could not re-
frain from reproving Fritz for his rashness; and by
so doing, greatly lessened his pride in having aimed
so correctly. However, as the creature was really
dead, and on examination proved to he a valuable prize,
I overlooked the eagerness of the sportsman.*
We packed the Canadian fowl on the back of the
ass, and continued on our way, till we arrived at the
spot where we had left the sledge in the calabash wood,
and to our great joy found everything in the best con-
dition.
The morning, however, was by this time far ad-
vanced, and I found it, therefore, necessary to hasten
forward on our proposed excursion to the chain of
rocks, and, if possible, discover whether we were on
the inner land of an extensive promontory, or on an
island surrounded by the ocean.
In our way to the rocks, we passed a small brook
similar to that near Falcon’s Nest, which offered a
welcome refreshment.
Leaving the guava wood behind us, we passed
through large plantations of manihot or cassava and
potatoes, which interrupted our progress not a little.
We were compensated, however, for the delay by the
beautiful appearance which the blossoms of these
plants presented to our eyes.
At a little distance farther on, we came upon a new
grove of trees of a singular form, while from the
branches hung a great number of curious clusters of
berries, exactly like wax. We plucked several of them,
and found that the warmth of our hands made them
stick to our fingers.
I remembered then having read that a kind of wax-
bearing plant grows in America, known in botany as
the Myrica cerifera. I was, therefore, greatly pleased
* This singular bird is a native of Canada, called by some naturalists
Tetrao tympanum, but it is better known by the name of the ruffed
grouse,
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
with this discovery; and Fritz, observing my satisfac-
tion, inquired,
‘‘Are those berries of any use, papa? They do not
appear good to eat.’^
“They are not useful as food, certainly, Fritz, I
replied; “but we shall no doubt he able to make wax
candles of them for the winter evenings, which will be
of great service to us ; for if properly made, they will
burn for a long time, and not only give forth a bright
light, but also an agreeable smell.”
The prospect of candle-making, and light during the
winter evenings, greatly pleased Fritz, and he gladly
assisted me in gathering as many berries as we could
cram into a sack for the ass to carry ; and we then con-
tinued our journey.
We had not proceeded far, when we came upon a
singular-looking object, built round the trunk of a tree,
which looked like a large umbrella.
As we stood gazing at it in surprise, I noticed sev-
eral birds rather larger than a yellow ammer or a
goldfinch, but with brown plumage, flying about, or en-
tering this strange dwelling by small holes at the sides
or underneath.
I saw at once that this singular formation consisted
of a great number of nests built on a tree round the
stem, at the point from which the lower branches
spring, by a colony of birds who appeared to be living
together in the most sociable manner.
Each pair of birds had its own nest; in fact, this curi-
ous construction was like a town full of houses, all
under one roof. This roof was in itself a wonderful
sight: being formed of straw and moss, and sloping
down from the trunk of the tree like the cover of an
umbrella, was, therefore, a complete protection from
both the sun and the rain.* The branches and houghs
* The birds who live in this sociable manner, and unite in building
such a wonderful residence, are on this account sometimes called um-
brella birds.
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
of the tree which these birds had chosen for their
building also overshadowed and partly concealed the
colonial residence, enabling the little creatures to slip
in and out of their nest-entrances without attracting
much attention. The tree was also in the depth of the
forest, yet itself far removed from those around it,
to give the bird colonists room for the town they wished
to build. And, indeed, they required a good space,
for the size was astonishing, and reminded me of an
immense swimming-bath, with little entrances all
round, as a means of ingress and egress to the swim-
mers.
The number, also, of the feathered inhabitants
greatly astonished me ; for they took alarm at our ap-
proach, and flew around us in a state of great excite-
ment, chattering angrily, and evidently ready to repel
by thousands of beaks any attack on their com-
munity.
While observing with admiration this wonderful
proof of bird instinct, I was surprised to see a species
of small parrot enter some of the nests, causing a great
commotion among the colonists, who opposed them
bravely ; but the intruders managed, in spite of angry
attacks, to obtain possession of some of the empty
nests.
On seeing this, Fritz, who very much wished to se-
cure a living parrot, and curious to examine these re-
markable nests more closely, threw his gun on the
ground and climbed up the tree.
On reaching the nearest branch which hung over the
building, he seized it with one hand, while he thrust
the other into the nearest nest-opening : — ^it was empty.
He shifted his position, and tried another, with the
same result. The third time he got rewarded for his
boldness as a nest-robber; for while feeling the soft
feathers of birds in the nest, a hard seed-cracking
beak seized his finger, and obliged him quickly to with-
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
draw his hand, and cry out with pain as he shook it in
the air.
But he had not lost his hold on the bough, and his
courage was not even daunted by this attack. He
again quickly thrust his hand into the nest, and seizing
the lovely biter, he brought him out in spite of his
screams into daylight, and, placing the bird hastily in
his pocket, descended the tree with speed. But the
cries of the little prisoner attracted the birds from
their nests, and they assembled round him in such
numbers, and in such a threatening attitude, that he
considered it advisable to beat a retreat.
When at last he felt himself safe, he drew his cap-
tive from his pocket, and on examination found he had
captured a kind of sparrow-parrot with a beautiful
green plumage.
Fritz was highly delighted with his prize, which he
again carefully placed in his pocket, to take home with
him, and teach it to talk.
As we continued our journey, our conversation nat-
urally turned on this wonderful colony of birds, and
their sociability with each other. Fritz asked if there
were many other creatures in the world living together
in such social communities, and whether the mechan-
ical power they displayed in building wonderful homes
for themselves could be the result of instinct.
‘‘This is a difficult question, Fritz, I remarked,
“for we might justly attribute the cleverness of which
you speak to reason; yet other animals possess it, es-
pecially those who form communities of their own.
The beavers build quite a village, in which a large num-
ber live together in great sociability and companion-
ship, and work pleasantly together. ^ Bees, wasps, and
drones also possess this social instinct very strongly,
as well as the coral insects and ants. ^ ’
“Ah, yes, papa, I have often watched the ants work-
ing together in their communities, building and pro-
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
viding their food for winter; it is a most amusing
sight. ’ ^
‘‘Have you also remarked,’^ I said, “how the ants
scatter their eggs about, to be hatched by the sunT^
“Oh, papa!’^ he exclaimed hastily, “I am not so
silly as to believe that what people call ants^ eggs are
really eggs, — at least, in the proper sense of the word.
Indeed, I know that they are the chrysalis of the ant-
worm, or larvae, which is a tiny little worm produced
from a very, very small egg. The sun after a certain
time opens the chrysalis-case, and a little ant comes
out, and begins to work directly, as the others do.’^
“Correctly explained, my dear boy,’’ I said; “but
if ants and their doings are so wonderful in our own
dear country, what would be your astonishment to
hear of the industry and work of those which are na-
tives of other lands ! They build for their eggs a kind
of oven or nest, from four to six feet high, and nearly
as broad: the walls and roof of this nest are so hard
and thick, that neither, rain nor sunshine can penetrate
it. In this enclosure are streets, galleries, vaults, and
store-cellars ; and it is so firmly built that it might read-
ily be used, with a little alteration, as a baking-oven for
the service of man.
‘ ‘ The ant itself is an ugly and unpleasant insect, for
the creatures destroy, by gnawing and tearing, every-
thing that comes in their way, and will steal all that is
useful for their storehouses, even when supposed to be
concealed from their view. Many other insects, as
well as birds and four-footed animals, are, however,
enemies to ants, upon which they feed. Among these
the great ant-bear or ant-eater is their most formidable
enemy, and by nature fitted for the work. He has on
his fore feet large claws, which enable him to tear down
and destroy their vaulted nests, or ant-hills, and com-
fortable dwellings ; and when the poor little creatures
are scattered in every direction and trying to escape or
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SWISS FAMILYt ROBINSON
to hide, he p\its out his long tongue, which is sticky
like glue on the surface, and to this they adhere, and
are drawn into his mouth by hundreds. This perform-
ance is so easy as well as agreeable to the ant-eater,
that in some countries it is said his appearance is gladly
welcomed, for in a very short time all the ant-hills cease
to exist. I have read also that in some countries the
savages eat them for food, so that ants cannot always
be so very repulsive.’’
While thus describing the natural history of ants to
my son Fritz, we had made tolerable progress, and
presently arrived at a little wood containing a singular
kind of wild tig-tree. The fruit was round, and full
of little seed-kernels in a soft fleshy pulp that had a
bitter taste. However, as we approached nearer, I
noticed a kind of sap or gum, which, after oozing from
the trunk of the tree, appeared to have become dry and
hard by the influence of the air and the sun’s heat.
Fritz declared that this new discovery reminded him
of the gum which flowed from the plum-tree in Eu-
rope, and also of gum-arabic, which was so useful, when
mixed with lime, to make paste. He therefore tried
to loosen some portions from the tree to take home
with him as a useful store for such a purpose.
While proceeding on our journey, Fritz amused him-
self by rubbing some pieces of the hardened gum
through his fingers, and found, to his surprise, that the
warmth of his hands softened it. A sudden thought
struck him. He took a piece of the softened gum in
both hands and stretched it out to a great length;
then, suddenly releasing one end, it sprang back to its
former size, proving at once that it was elastic.
‘‘Papa, papa, stop!” cried the boy, running after
me, for I had walked on quickly. I turned at the sound ;
and as he reached me almost breathless, he exclaimed,
“Look, papa! I believe that the trees we took for
wild figs are caoutchouc-trees, for this I am sure is
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
india-rubber. I stretched it out, and when I let go it
slipped back suddenly to its former size.’’
‘‘What a splendid discovery!” I exclaimed, with
great joy. ^‘It will indeed be of great service to us in
many ways. I will go back with you and examine the
tree.”
‘‘But, papa,” said Fritz, as we retraced our steps,
“can any use be made of india-rubber besides rubbing
out pencil-marks on paper
“Certainly, my boy,” I replied. “The caoutchouc-
tree produces a kind of milky sap, which oozes from
the trunk of the tree through an incision in the bark.
It was brought to Switzerland from France and Portu-
gal, but I believe it is a native of Brazil, Guiana, and
Cayenne, in South America. We have it sent to us at
home in the form of bottles. These are made by the
natives, who cut incisions in the bark, and, while it is
fresh and flowing, receive it into molds of the shape of
bottles, goblets, spoons, and many other articles, even
boots and shoes.”
“But why is our india-rubber so black!” asked Fritz.
“Because,” I replied, “when the liquid is dry and
thick, it is taken from the mold and hung up to harden
in smoke, which turns it black. ’ ’
By this time we had reached the cocoanut wood, and
recognized at the right the broad bay we had before
seen, and to the left the promontory of False Hope,
which seemed to be the termination of our excursion.
Here first it occurred to me that, among so many co-
coanut-palms, we might find one of those valuable trees
called the sago-palm.
I presently noticed a large trunk lying on the ground,
which had evidently been thrown down by the wind, in
this I found a quantity of sap of a floury nature, which
I tasted, and discovered that it exactly resembled Eu-
ropean sago.
I was confirmed also in my supposition by seeing a
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
number of white worms, usually found in the sap, on
which they fatten, and evidently large enough now for
the change to a chrysalis. These creatures I knew
were highly esteemed as a delicacy in the West India
islands., I quickly, therefore, collected enough to fill
a dish, and determined to taste them in spite of their
repulsive appearance.
For this purpose I hastily lighted a fire, and placed
before it three sticks, tied together at the top, to form
a triangle. I then, after sprinkling them with salt,
stuck the little worms on a wooden spit, and rested the
spit on the triangular sticks in front of the fire.
Fritz regarded my proceedings with surprise. He
could not imagine I really intended to eat these rep-
tiles, and evidently considered it a good joke, until I
placed potatoes in the hot ashes beneath my roast, that
the fat might drop upon them. It then appeared to
him beyond a joke.
But presently my cooking exhaled such a tempting
and delicious smell, that Fritz conquered his repug-
nance; I was not left, therefore, to enjoy this my first
experiment alone, for he was as ready to eat of the
new dish as myself. The fat, spread upon the baked
potatoes like butter, added greatly to their flavor.
After this unusual meal, we started again on our
journey, and presently reached a thick growth of bam-
boo canes, which we did not attempt to pass through,
for it seemed boundless. Turning, however, to the left,
towards a beacon that marked an outlet, we reached a
grove of sugar-canes, which grew just beyond, and
promised us at least some booty. It was not likely
that we should return home empty-handed, so we gath-
ered a large bundle of the sweet dainty and added it
to our ass’s load. Neither did we forget to refresh
ourselves on the way with the contents of some pieces
of sugar-cane.
On reaching the spot where we had left the loaded
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
sledge, and adding to it the articles which the donkey
had hitherto carried on his back, we harnessed him
to it.
Poor old Graycoat, therefore, was obliged to accom-
modate himself patiently and meekly to the task of
drawing the sledge home.
We reached Falcon ^s Nest, however, in good time and
without further adventure. The dear ones at home
were glad to see us, for our long absence had made
them rather anxious, and also greatly pleased with the
booty we had brought home.
The description of our journey and what we had seen
gave great satisfaction, but the delight of the younger
boys at the appearance of the green parrot threw all
else in the shade.
After supper, however, we were glad to climb to our
bedroom in the tree, draw up the rope ladder, and en-
joy refreshing sleep, after the fatigues of the day.
224
CHAPTER XIX
CANDLE-MAKING THE NEW CABT
‘ ‘ ANDLE-M AKIN Gr to-day ! Candle-making ! ’ ^
exclaimed the boys when they rose next morn-
ing; and they gave me no rest, after we had break-
fasted, till I promised to commence at once my attempt
at the construction of candles from the berries of the
wax plant. I knew, however, that a little grease or
tallow would improve the wax, and make my candles
burn longer and with more brilliancy; but as we had
nothing of the sort, I was obliged to do the best I could
with the berries, and hope to succeed.
First we placed as many berries as possible in a
large saucepan, and stood it over the fire to melt; in
a very short time these berries produced a considerable
quantity of beautiful green wax. This was thrown
into a large vessel while in a liquid state, and placed
near the fire. While the berries were melting, we pre-
pared a number of wicks from the threads of the sail-
cloth, and these were dipped into the wax quickly and
carefully, after being drawn out, and hung in the air,
till the wax became congealed and fixed firmly round
the wicks.
This operation we performed two or three times, till
the wicks had taken sufficient wax to form candles of
tolerably respectable shape and thickness. At last
we hung them up in a cool place to harden, and although
they were far inferior in roundness and size to those we
could purchase at home, yet when night came, and one
was lighted, it threw around us such a clear bright
light, that we were overjoyed with the result. There
would be no occasion now for us to go to bed at sun-
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
set, for this light would serve us in our tree-castle
sleeping-apartment in a most convenient manner.
This success in candle-making encouraged me to try
a second attempt of another description, which the
mother had long wished for. She had often a large
store of cream to spare, which would have made excel-
lent butter; but among the articles found on board ship,
we found no churn, and I therefore resolved to try
another plan, a description of which I had read.
I chose the largest of our calabash bottles, and after
filling it half full of cream, closed it tightly, that none
might run out. I then placed four stakes in the ground,
to these I tied a piece of sail-cloth by the four corners,
and laid the bottle upon it. At each side, between the
stakes, I placed one of the boys, and desired him to
roll it backwards and forwards, by alternately raising
the cloth, so as to keep it in constant agitation.
This performance proved capital fun, for the boys
were delighted with their work, and kept it up with
jokes and laughter for more than half an hour, for I
had warned them not to pause for a moment.
At the end of that time I opened the bottle, and
found, to our great joy, that there had been churned
some really good butter.
I had, however, another and much more difficult un-
dertaking on my mind, which for a long time seemed
impracticable. I had noticed that the sledge was not
only inconvenient, but also very heavy for our animals
to draw ; and as we had brought four cartwheels from
the wreck on one of our expeditions, I had long wished
to construct a little cart, or some vehicle suitable for
carrying different articles from one place to another.
As I now possessed the necessary tools and imple-
ments, such as a saw, wood, iron, gimlet and hammer,
nails and screws, I determined to try what I could do,
and after some trouble and difficulty, I succeeded in
constructing a sort of little carriage, which, though
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
not very elegant in appearance, would, I knew, be very
useful, especially in bringing home corn in the time of
harvest.
In the meantime, my folks at Zeltheim were employed
daily in transplanting the European fruit-trees which
I had brought from the wreck. The vines were placed
carefully near the arched roots, for they were grape-
vines, and required air and a shady place ; but the or-
anges, citrons, the shaddock,* the pistacio-nut, mulber-
ries, medlars, olives, cherries, and other fruit con-
taining kernels, were planted on the way to the bridge
over the Jackal Eiver, where they could obtain light
and warmth.
I wished also to make the rocks at Zeltheim a kind
of fortification, as all our ammunition lay there; and
although the vegetation was very rapid in this climate,
and a hedge of thorny plants would in a short time
form a protection against wild beasts round the spot,
yet something more was necessary to prevent interrup-
tion or interference from savages. I resolved, there-
fore, to choose two little elevations near the river, on
which to fix the two cannons from the pinnace, and also
to plant a thick hedge of thorns around the whole spot.
These engagements employed us entirely for six
weeks, and, by the mercy of God, this constant activity
had given health to our bodies and contentment to our
hearts. Each Sunday as it arrived had been regularly
kept, and the rest and refreshment of mind and body
gave us renewed courage to continue our daily labor.
Sunday services were always welcome, and I still
continued to encourage my boys in exercises which
strengthened the muscles, such as swinging, wrestling,
hauling and lifting ; and these they managed with such
great strength, that I hoped in time they would also
excel in running, climbing, archery, and swimming.
Religious exercises calmed the spirits of the young
* A kind of orange nearly as large as a child’s head.
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
people for the early part of the day, yet I was surprised
to find them as fresh and eager for gymnastic exertion
as if the week’s work had been mere play. Nothing is
so refreshing to mind and body as a change of employ-
ment.
But the hard work of six weeks had completely worn
out our clothes, and this, with other important reasons,
made me consider it necessary to return once more to .
the wreck. I also wished if possible to bring away one
or two more of the cannon, to place on the heights of
our fortification.
On the first fine day, therefore, I set out in the pin-
nace for the wreck, with the three elder boys. We
found everything just as we had left it; but the wind
and waves had loosened the beams and damaged the
powder-casks. The sailors’ chests, however, were in
tolerably good condition, and these we placed on board
the pinnace by means of the crane, as well as a box
containing a quantity of ball and shot, and two small
cannon; but the four-pounder was too heavy to be
moved, so we returned to land without it.
On the second trip, we towed our tub-boat behind
the pinnace, and quickly loaded it with planks, doors,
window-shutters, locks and bolts, and as many other
precious things as we could possibly carry. At last,
when it seemed as if we had plundered the wreck of
every useful article, I resolved to blow it up with gun-
powder, in the hope that the wind and the waves would
cast on shore wood and beams, as well as other articles
suitable for house-building, which were too heavy for
us to bring away in our boats.
Before leaving the wreck, however, I had discovered
a large heavy copper cauldron, used for refining sugar,
which I thought might be saved. I therefore attached
it to two empty casks, strong enough to support it, and
launched them all into the sea.
When ready to start, I discovered a powder-barrel
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
that we were obliged to leave behind : this I rolled into
the bold of the ship, and fastened to it carefully the end
of a fusee, spreading powder also for a considerable
distance from the cask to the very edge of the gang-
way. Then, after lighting the fusee and a piece of tow,
I sprang into the boat, where the boys were already
seated, and, with outspread sail, hastened towards the
shore.
We had scarcely reached the bay, when a roar of
majestic thunder resounded from the rocks, and at
the same moment a brilliant column of fire rising into
the air, announced that my plan had been completed.
A feeling of sadness came over me : it seemed as if
the last tie that hound us to our dear home was broken ;
and when my wife and Frank in great alarm met us
as we landed, she and the boys seemed overcome with
the same sad feeling. It was as if we had lost in the
ship an old and dear friend.
My wife was at first unable to understand my reasons
for this destruction of the wreck, but I explained the
matter, and begged her to wait till the morning.
A night ^s rest enabled us to shake off all feelings of
regret, especially when we saw the consequences on
the shore. The wreck had disappeared, but the beach
was strewn with wooden planks and beams, while on
the sea near the shore floated broken fragments of all
descriptions, and amongst them I discovered, with
great satisfaction, the copper cauldron floating between
the two casks to which I had fastened it.
Many days were employed in collecting all these use-
ful articles, and piling them in a heap on the shore ; but
my greatest anxiety was to fish out the powder-casks,
and place them for safety behind a rock, till we could
add them to our store of ammunition at Zeltheim. We
covered them with earth and moss, and piled some of
our planks of wood round them, as a greater security.
My wife, who was always anxious about the powder,
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
came herself to make sure there was no danger, and
she brought us also good news.
Two of the ducks and a goose which we had left at
Zeltheim had just brought off broods of ducklings and
goslings, who were swimming about on the brook in
all the delights of freedom. We tried to make them
used to us, and attracted the frolicsome little creatures
by throwing to them crumbs of biscuit. But this agree-
able occupation awoke such a longing desire to see
once more all our feathered folk at Falcon ^s Nest, that
we decided to return there on the following day.
On our road to Falcon’s Nest in the morning, I no-
ticed that the two rows of newly-planted fruit-trees had
grown so rapidly, that the slender stems seemed to bend
with weakness. I resolved, therefore, as soon as pos-
sible, to make another excursion to the promontory of
False Hope, and procure a number of bamboo canes,
to be planted near our trees, that the young stems might
be tied to them, as a support in case of a storm or
strong wind. In addition to this necessity for such a
journey, our store of bamboo canes, as well as of other
useful things, was quite exhausted ; and one of the hens
wanting to sit, my wife was anxious to place under her
some of the eggs of the Canadian fowl.
I decided, therefore, to start on this expedition very
soon, and as all my family were to accompany me, great
preparations were necessary, to supply us with pro-
visions, garden implements, and tools, as well as am-
munition.
With these we loaded both the sledge and the newly-
constructed cart, across which I had placed a seat, for
the youngest and the weakest to ride when they felt
tired. In our stock of provisions was included a bottle
of wine from the captain’s store, two bottles of water,
and no end of necessary ammunition, partly on the
cart and partly on the sledge, besides what we could
carry ourselves.
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
To enable the boys to climb the cocoannt-trees, I in-
vented a new contrivance, which I was convinced would
prove useful, not only to preserve their clothes from
destruction, but also to give them a light but firm hold
on the trunk. For this purpose I provided myself
with a piece of the shark’s skin, and formed pads, to
bind on their arms and knees when they climbed for
cocoanuts. We could not always expect to find apes
or crabs on the branches to throw down the nuts, and
therefore I wished the boys to learn the art of climb-
ing, and in that way obtain a supply for themselves.
We started on a beautiful morning in high spirits
from Falcon’s Nest, and I led my household by the
newly-discovered road to the plantations of potatoes,
manihot, and cassava-roots, through which Fritz and I
had passed, and at length reached the bird colony tree,
and the spot where I had been entertained with the
performances of the Canadian grouse.
My dear ones, who had not accompanied Fritz and
myself in that excursion, were very curious about the
places we had passed, and listened eagerly to the ac-,
counts we gave of what we had seen.
‘ ‘ Do you think we could procure any of the Canadian
fowl’s eggs now, papal” asked Jack.
‘^Better wait till our return,” remarked his mother.
‘‘How could we carry eggs so far without breaking
them I ’ ’
I felt this remark to be true, and as the wax-berry-
tree soon came in sight, the eggs were forgotten, while
the boys eagerly gathered berries enough to fill two
sacks, which were stowed away safely in a spot we
should pass on our way home.
^WFen we reached the india-rubber tree, I made sev-
eral incisions in the bark, from which the gum oozed
freely, and soon filled all our little vessels.
These also were left to their fate for our homeward
iourney, and we continued to advance till we reached
231
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
the cocoanut wood, and leaving it on the left, presently
arrived at an open spot situated between the grove of
sugar-canes and the bamboo-bushes, which lay at a
little distance beyond. Here we paused to admire a
beautiful landscape which lay stretched out before us.
On our left was the sugar-cane grove, to the right the
bamboos, and before us a splendid avenue of palm-
trees, beyond which could be seen the promontory of
False Hope, stretching out into the deep sea.
The prospect was so charming, and the spot so at-
tractive, that for a* time we felt almost inclined to re-
move from Falcon’s Nest, and take up our abode here.
But the safety of our night castle in the great tree,
and a multitude of other advantages which we enjoyed
at Falcon’s Nest, made us decide to remain at the dear
old home.
Here, however, we determined to make a halt for
our midday meal, so the animals were unharnessed
from the cart, and set at liberty, to graze on the rich
pasture beneath the shade of the palm-trees. We also
produced from our store of provisions enough for a
slight repast, while resting on the overshadowed turf ;
and then I and the boys set to work to cut down and
tie together bamboo and sugar-canes, in bundles of a
size suitable for placing on the cart conveniently.
This exertion aroused the only half-satisfied appe-
tites of the boys, which they were obliged to appease
by sucking sugar-canes, for the mother would not spare
a morsel of what she had saved for supper in the even-
ing.
At length they cast longing eyes on the cocoanuts,
which hung in clusters so temptingly from the palms.
They sought on the ground for some time, but in
vain, for fallen fruit, and then Fritz and Jack
started forward, and commenced climbing the trees.
They rose at first rapidly, but the trunk was too large
and too smooth for them to cling round it; they slid
232
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
down, therefore, to the ground, and measured, with
discouraged eyes, the height of the smooth and polished
stem.
In this dilemma I produced the rough pads of the
shark’s skin, and after fastening them to the arms
and knees of the two boys, I told them to try again,
as the rough surface would enable them to rest and
take breath by clinging round the stem with their
knees.
In addition to this, I bound a piece of rope round each
of their legs, to keep the pieces of shark’s skin firm,
and also round the tree, so that they might carry it
with them to the top, as it would help them to descend
more easily. I knew that savages and Negro slaves
adopted this plan when climbing, so I had no fear of
their not succeeding, and I saw the two boys swing
themselves up and reach the top of the tree more quickly
than I had even dared to hope.
Joyfully Fritz and Jack had made the attempt, and,
as they soon reached the crown of the tree, each took
an ax from his leathern girdle, and struck so bravely
the clusters of cocoanuts, that they fell to the ground
like hail, and we had to escape quickly out of the way,
lest they should fall on our heads.
They reached the ground with equal success, and
almost beside themselves with joy, received our earnest
congratulations that this wonderful gymnastic per-
formance on such a lofty tree had turned out so well.
Ernest alone appeared to take no part in the gen-
eral delight, and while Fritz and Jack were enjoying
their booty, they joked him upon the heroism he had
shown with no little sarcasm.
Upon this he looked serious, uttered a sigh, and re-
garded the summit of the palms with a meditative air.
At last, turning to me, he requested the loan of half a
cocoanut-shell for a drinking-cup. Then he rose from
the ground on which he had been lying, and exclaimed,
233
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
‘‘Honored sirs and madame! I confess tliat climb-
ing trees is not to my taste, yet as I perceive it has
brought to my brothers great honor, I must endeavor
to perform this marvelous exploit; and I hope to ob-
tain, by so doing, something quite as agreeable and of
equal value to the cocoanuts procured by my illustrious
brothers.’’
“Bravo! bravo!” I cried. “It is right that you
should not be behind your brothers in energy. I am
glad to see you roused, Ernest;” and as I spoke, I
bound the shark ’s-skin pads to his arms and knees,
while he slung the cocoanut-shell to the buttonhole of
his waistcoat. He hardly gave me time to arrange
the pads properly, before he started forward, and com-
menced climbing one of the smaller trees with such
rapidity, that he was at the top before I could believe
it possible.
A smothered burst of laughter from Fritz and Jack
startled me: they had discovered that Ernest was
climbing a tree on which grew no fruit.
Ernest heard the laugh with indifference, and mount-
ing to the very top, he took his ax from his girdle, and
with one or two strokes cut off the large delicately-
formed leaves from the crown ; and as they fell at our
feet, we turned aside to avoid them.
‘ ‘ Destructive boy ! ’ ’ exclaimed his mother ; “in a fit
of revenge at finding no fruit, he has destroyed a beau-
tiful palm-tree.”
“Do not be displeased, mamma,” said Ernest, from
the tree, “I have thrown down to you a beautiful palm-
cabbage, twenty times more pleasant to eat than cocoa-
nuts. This tree is the vegetable palm.”
“A cabbage!” exclaimed Frank; “I thought cab-
bages grew on a little stalk close to the ground. They
do in Switzerland.”
“The boy is right,” I exclaimed, as I examined a
leaf: “this is truly the vegetable palm, which is con-
234
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
sidered very wholesome for food, both in Europe and
India. It grows on the top of the tree and is most
pleasant eating. Ernest, from his love of reading, has
made a discovery quite unknown to his wise and mock-
ing brothers. ’ ’
Meanwhile the boy still sat calmly in the tree, sur-
rounded by leaves and branches, so that we could not
exactly see what he was about.
Suddenly he began to descend to the ground, and in
a few moments presented himself before his mother
and myself, with a small flask sticking out of his pocket.
Drawing it forth, he poured some of the contents into
the empty cocoanut-shell that hung from a button of
his jacket, and presenting it to me, said,
^^Here, papa, taste that! I hope you will like it, for
I know it is good, and will not make you tipsy, although
it is palm wine.’’
I quickly recalled what I had read of this tree, and
taking the shell from the boy’s hand, I exclaimed,
‘‘You are right, Ernest, the vegetable palm produces
also a pleasant-tasting and agreeable sap, and I
drink to your health and the success of your discov-
ery. ’ ’
Hereupon I took a good draught from the well-filled
shell, and found it so refreshing, that I immediately
passed it to the mother, for I knew there would soon
be not a drop left, when it got into the hands of the
boys. There was enough, however, for all to have a
taste, and Fritz and Jack readily acknowledged that
Ernest had proved himself, by his application of what
he had read on natural history, as much a hero as
themselves.
As the day was now far advanced, we resolved to re-
main for the night in this charming spot, and to build
a little cabin of branches and leaves to protect our-
selves from the cold wind and the dew.
I had fortunately brought with me a piece of sail-
235
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
cloth, with which we could cover our little hut, and pro-
tect it more securely from the night air.
While thus busily engaged, and near the completion
of our hut, we were agitated and startled by the ex-
traordinary behavior of the ass. He was grazing
peacefully near the spot, when he suddenly began to
spring and leap, raising his nose in the air as if he were
in the midst of fire and flame, then uttering a dreadful
he-haw^ he started off at full gallop.
Unfortunately, at this moment the two dogs were
absent, wandering in the grove of sugar-canes, so that
the ass disappeared amidst the bamboo-bushes before
we could send them to bring him back.
For a long distance we followed in his track with the
dogs on foot, but so quickly had he disappeared, that
we were obliged to give up all further search as hope-
less till the morrow. This circumstance, however,
alarmed us greatly, as we could only suppose that the
approach of some wild beasts had roused the poor ani-
maPs excitement. I determined, therefore, that after
gathering dry grass and moss for our beds, large fires
and torches should be lighted to surround our cabin.
These torches were easily made of dry sugar-canes,
about five or six feet long, which gave a brilliant light,
and would continue burning for many hours.
About a dozen of these were planted at a distance of
five or six feet in front and on each side of the entrance
to our hut, and a fire lighted within the space for my
wife to prepare our supper. The cool night air ren-
dered this fire very agreeable, and we were glad to sit
near it and warm ourselves.
After supper, we laid ourselves down on the soft
beds of grass and moss which the boys had collected,
with loaded guns close at hand in case of danger. My
wife and the boys, overcome with fatigue, were soon
asleep, and for a time I kept awake to replenish the
fire and keep the torches lighted; but as hour after
236
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
hour passed, and no wild beasts appeared to disturb
us, I gradually^sank into a refreshing sleep, and did
not wak^till the mother announced that breakfast was
ready.
During this meal we laid out our plans for the day’s
work. I had hoped that the night fires and lights would
have attracted the donkey to return ; but as he did not
appear, I resolved to take one of the boys and the two
dogs, and search for the fugitive through the bamboo
grove, and, at all events, return to the hut before even-
ing.
This time I chose Jack for my companion, to his great
delight, and as the dogs were to go with me, I left the
elder boys to protect their mother and little Frank, and
also to employ themselves in collecting sugar-canes,
palm wine, and cocoanuts, that we might all return to
Falcon’s Nest the following day.
Jack waited for me in joyful readiness, and we set
out well provided with arms and provisions, and at
once entered the grove of bamboo canes, in which for
a long distance, with the help of the dogs, we were able
to follow the donkey’s track. Jack and I reached
after a time the shores of a large bay, into which a
pleasant river flowed, the promontory to our right
forming, with some little breaks, the boundary of the
river, by a narrow ridge of rocks, low enough for an
animal to leap over.
I thought it possible, as we had lost all trace of the
ass’s feet, that he might have passed over these rocks,
and this, added to the hope of finding something new
and important beyond them, determined me to follow
in his supposed track, and as it was low water, discover
his footseps on the sand.
We climbed the rocky cliffs, and found, on reaching
the other side, a rushing river to the left, which over-
flowed its banks. The bed of this river was here so
deep, and the rush of its waters so rapid, that we had
237
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
great difficulty in finding a place wMcli we could ven-
ture to wade through. We happily succeeded at last,
and reached the opposite shore in safety.
On reaching the sands, I noticed with pleasure the
print of hoofs on the moist ground. Presently I ob-
served that these marks became more numerous, and,
to my astonishment, that some were larger than oth-
ers, and of a different shape.
We followed these hoof-prints curiously in the di-
rection they indicated.
The little chain of rocks ended after a time, and left
open before us a rich and fertile plain, with hills in
the background. Here and there appeared tiny for-
ests, verdant meadows, fruitful fields, — all presenting
a smiling picture of repose.
Quite in the distance, I imagined I could discern a
herd of some kind of animals ; but whether they were
cows or horses, or wild or tame, it was impossible to
decide. In the grass all traces of the'hoofs of the ass
were lost; but I would not quite give up hope, so I re-
solved to approach these unknown animals as closely
as possible, without being noticed by them, and find out
if the fugitive was in their company. As they moved
forward grazing on the borders of the river, we fol-
lowed them, hoping to be concealed by the grove of
canes through which we passed. We came, however,
Ijresently, to marshy ground, and here the canes were
remarkably thick and high, and the largest 1 had ever
before seen. They appeared to be a species of bam-
boo which is a native of America. The stems were as
thick as a man’s leg, and apparently from thirty to
forty feet high. The hollow of a single joint, from one
knot to another, appeared large enough to hold as much
liquid as a small cask, and the whole cane suitable for
the mast of a small boat.
At last, after struggling through this wonderful cane
grove, we came suddenly upon a heard of buffaloes,
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
grazing within a distance of about thirty or forty paces.
Although their number was small, yet their appearance
was so terrible, that I realized in a moment our dan-
gerous position, and my alarm deprived me so com-
pletely of my usual presence of mind, that I forgot to
load my gun.
Fortunately the dogs were within call, and the buf-
faloes seemed so unaccustomed to the sight of human
beings, that they merely stood still and stared at us
wonderingly, and appeared not in the least inclined to
attack us or defend themselves.
This circumstance no doubt saved our lives, for we
had time to load our guns, and to draw back a little,
as I had no wish for an alfray with such formidable
beasts. We were about to retire cautiously and pru-
dently, when the dogs unfortunately reached the spot,
and were seen by the butfaloes.
In an instant the frightful animals began to bellow,
paw the ground with their feet, and lower their horned
heads as if in preparation for an attack. I saw in a
moment, with a shudder, that they were about to throw
themselves upon the dogs, who were so fearless of
danger, that we in vain endeavored with all our power
to hold them back. All to no purpose, for they threw
themselves boldly upon a young buffalo that was about
half a dozen paces in advance of the others, and seizing
it by the ears, dragged it towards us.
A combat became now absolutely necessary, for we
could not allow our brave defenders to be overpowered ;
and with beating hearts Jack and I raised our guns and
fired.
The noise, the flash, and the smoke were like a thun-
der-clap to the terrified beasts, and to our great joy
they turned and fled with wonderful rapidity, and dis-
appeared. One only remained, a female, and evidently
the mother of the young buffalo which our dogs had
seized.
239
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
She had been wounded by the shot from my gun, and
the pain made her so furious, that she lost all fear,
and, in her eagerness to save her calf, threw herself
upon the dogs, whose fate would have been sealed had
I not quickly raised my gun, and with a second shot
brought her to the ground. I was then able to approach
more closely, and with my pistol put an end to her life.
After this I felt able to breathe again, for we had
been indeed near death, and eagerly I praised Jack
for his presence of mind, and for being so ready with
his gun. Yet we had still work before us, for the young
buffalo struggled violently, and fought with his feet
so fiercely, that I feared he would injure the dogs, —
and yet I knew not how to help them.
Jack, however, was ready with his sling; he drew it
from his pocket, and swung it so skillfully round the
animaPs hind legs, that he fell to the ground, and we
were then able to approach nearer, and tie them to-
gether firmly enough to prevent him from moving, and
also to release his ears from the hold of the dogs.
There was now but one way in which we could hope
to lead our captive home, — for I hoped to tame him
after a time, as he was evidently very young. I felt
unwilling to give him pain, indeed the act seemed cruel,
and I regretted being obliged to do it, although it is
still practiced in Italy and other countries where oxen
are used as beasts of burden.
I made the dogs hold down his head, while with a
sharp penknife I pierced a hole through the nostril, and
passed a string through it to form a leading-rein. It
bled a little, which took away slightly the animal’s
strength ; and at last I drove away the dogs, untied his
legs, and set him at liberty, still holding the leading-
rein. He attempted at first to escape, but the pain
caused by the string in his nostril checked him, and at
length he allowed himself to be led, and even followed
me in the most docile manner.
240
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
Before we left, I was anxious to make some use of
the dead buffalo, and to carry away portions of the
flesh, not forgetting to cut out the tongue, which, when
salted, is considered a great delicacy.
Some portions we laid in the sun to dry, while we
rested beneath the shade of the bamboo grove and took
a slight refreshment. I then gathered up as much as
we could carry of the buffalo, and left the rest for the
dogs, who fell upon it with eager appetite.
But their feast was soon interrupted by a flock of vul-
tures and other birds, who approached from all points,
and struggled with our dogs for the prey ; but as neither
one side nor the other would give way, they all com-
menced eating together with extraordinary voracity.
I recognized among the birds the royal vulture and
the condor, so called on account of the strange out-
growth on the upper part of his beak. Altogether it
was a strange sight to see them fighting for the prey,
and caused us great amusement. Jack, however, was
longing to send a few shots amongst them; but I re-
strained him, for I knew that birds that fed on carrion
were not good for food.
I now became anxious to reach home safely with the
supply of flesh for our dinner ; our dogs having feasted,
left the birds to their greedy work. I therefore cut
a few of the smallest canes to form molds for the wax
candles, and set out to return home. The poor buf-
falo, to avoid the movement of the cord in his nostrils,
which gave him pain, followed us so tamely, that we
were aWe at last to lay our booty on his back, and after
a little trouble induce him to carry it without opposi-
tion.
It was too late now to search farther for the ass, so
we proceeded straight towards the palm grove, where
the mother and the three boys were no doubt expect-
ing us, and wondering at our long absence.
241
CHAPTER XX
THE BABY JACKAL
But before we reached the palm grove, we met with
another adventure, which must be related. Not
long after leaving the bamboo grove, we again passed
between the river and the ridge of rocks, and came
upon a narrow defile.
All at once a jackal started out of its hole in front
of us, but, on perceiving our approach, turned to fly.
Our dogs, however, pursued it with such vigor, that it
could only regain its hole after a regular fight with
them.
The courage of the animal convinced me that it was
a mother defending her young. Jack was determined
to find the hidden nest; but fearing that he would be
attacked by the male, I restrained the ardor of the little
man, and fired my pistol in the direction taken by the
jackal. Nothing appeared, however, and I then al-
lowed Jack, whom the dogs followed with great curios-
ity, to creep into the dark corner, where reigned pro-
found obscurity.
In a few minutes he came upon a nest full of young
jackals, apparently not more than ten or twelve days
old, for their eyes were scarcely open. They were not
larger than a kitten, and had such beautiful golden
brown fur, that Jack took one in his arms, and brought
it to me, asking if he might not carry it home and tame
it, and perhaps, as he said, bring it up to follow him
like a dog, and be useful in the chase. I readily agreed
to this request, although I doubted his power of taming
a creature so savage by nature.
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
During this affair with the jackals, I had tied the
young, buffalo to a tree, and on examining this tree
attentively, I found that it was a dwarf vegetable palm,
with sharp pointed leaves, which I considered, if
planted at Zeltheim, would form an excellent hedge for
our fortifications; so I determined to secure a few
young shoots for that purpose.
Leaving the river, we found our way back to the
road, but night was approaching before we reached
the palm grove, and we were received with shouts of
joy by those who had been left behind in the morn-
ing.
Question after question had to be answered, when
they saw our buffalo and the baby jackal, as well as
the store of provisions we had brought. Jack de-
scribed our adventures in a most spirited manner, and
was listened to with such eager curiosity, that I had
scarcely time before supper to ask what they had all
been doing in our absence.
They informed me at last that they had visited the
promontory of False Hope, gathered wood for the
night, made new torches, and positively cut down a
large palm, which they believed to be the sago-palm.
During their absence, however, the hut had been in-
vaded by a troop of monkeys, which had drunk up all
the palm wine from the calabash bowls, scattered the
potatoes, stolen the cocoanuts, and so damaged the hut,
that my young people on their return from the hill were
more than an hour employed in repairing it.
Fritz, however, with much pride, brought me his
chief booty perched on his hand, a beautiful young
bird of prey only half fiedged, which he had taken
from a nest on the rocks at False Hope Point, dur-
ing the absence of the parent birds. Although
not fully fledged, I could see by the feathers that
it was not the European eagle, but evidently be-
longed to a species of that royal bird found on the
243
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
coast of Malabar. As these birds are easily tamed,
Fritz told me he hoped to train him as a hawk, to bring
down birds in the chase ; he, however, had been obliged
to bandage the bird^s eyes with a handkerchief, and
tie him with a string to a post, because he appeared so
wild and shy.
When all our recitals came to an end, it was time to
light the fire, and as the green wood laid upon it caused
a great smoke, I placed in it the pieces of the buffalo
stuck upon a fork, that they might be smokedried to
preserve them.
As night approached, we attended to all the neces-
sary preparations, and made up the fire, that our pieces
of salted flesh might still continue in the smoke. The
young bulfalo was fed with potatoes softened in milk,
and, to our great satisfaction, the cow received him in
a most friendly manner, when we tied him up near her. .
Jack gave his little jackal some bread and milk, and
the dogs having taken their posts as watchers, we
lighted the torches, intending to wake at the proper
time and re-light them if they went out. But on lay-
ing ourselves down to rest, we were iji a short time too
soundly asleep to be disturbed till sunrise by any such
arrangement.
After a light breakfast, I was about to give the signal
for starting, when I observed that my young people had
some project in their heads, which rendered thefn un-
willing to leave so early.
^‘What is this secret F’ I asked of my wife. -
‘‘Welly” she replied, “the boys are anxious to re-
move the pith from the fallen sago-palm before it is
spoiled ; and Fritz fancies we could make of the trunk
two pipes or channels, to conduct the water from the
Jackal Bay to Zeltheim. This would enable us to water
our plants in the dry weather, and be a great advantage
to us.”
This suggestion pleased me greatly. Ernest went
244
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
out at once to search for water, while we made ready
for our grand performance.
We succeeded in placing the trunk of the palm upon
two large boughs in a raised position, that we might
more easily cut it. The whole crown had been already
sawed off, and the wood not being hard, we soon
reached the pith by dividing the stem lengthwise. The
pith or sap was then carefully removed from each divi-
sion, excepting a corner in the lower one, which I
divided off to form a kind of trough, and into this I
placed the whole of the pith, to be made into dough.
The boys set up a great shout of joy, when I told
them that we all, excepting the mother, must at once
set to work, and knead the sago sap as dough is kneaded
for making bread. ,
Immediately our shirt-sleeves were turned up, and
after I had thrown water which Ernest had brought
into the trough, we all commenced kneading like bakers ’
men, till we had produced paste of a proper consist-
ency.
This I pressed through the tobacco raspers upon a
piece of cloth, which my wife had brought and laid on
the ground ; and as the round grains fell through the
holes of the graters, shb spread them out, that they
might dry in the sun.
We had now not only a good store of wholesome ma-
terial for making nice puddings, but also a sufficient
quantity rem^i^iing to be;kneaded into dough when we
had any spare time. The next performance required
immediate .attention; we had to convey the two halves
of the trunk of the sago-tree to Tent-home,* and place
them as channels or pipes, by which to bring water
from the Jackal Eiver to our tent.
This work required patience as well as activity, but
with all our efforts we could not get the task com-
pleted till after sunset. It was necessary, therefore,
* Zeltheim, in English, Tent-home.
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
to remain for another night in onr wooden cabin, and
when we at last gladly retired to rest, I determined to
return to Falcon ^s Nest on the following morning.
We rose early, and made an excellent breakfast from
the sago grains which we had brought into the hut,
and without loss of time made every preparation for
carrying our newly-acquired possessions to Falcon-
hurst.*
I was glad to find the wound in the nostrils of the
butfalo nearly healed, for I hoped to harness him to
our little carriage, in the place of the ass, with the cow.
He submitted without resistance, and when I went be-
fore, and led him by the string through his nose, I was
thankful to see that the poor animal was already
brought into subjection, and performed his task will-
ingly. In our way we passed the places where we had
left the sack of wax berries and the calabash cups con-
taining the gum from the india-rubber tree : these had
to be stowed away in the cart, and detained us so long,
that I sent Fritz and Jack on before with one of the
dogs. They went quickly forward, and were seen to
enter a grove of guava-trees at a little distance in ad-
vance of us.
Suddenly a most terrible noise reached our ears,
causing great alarm, for having lost sight of Jack and
Fritz, we believed nothing less than that a tiger or a
panther was attacking them. I therefore with great
caution, made ready my weapons, and flew to the as-
sistance of my children, fully prepared to join in the
bloody combat which I supposed was going on in the
thicket.
On arriving at the spot, what was my surprise to
see J ack lying at full length on the ground between the
shrubs. On seeing me he exclaimed,
‘ ‘ Oh, papa, how absurd ! It is our old sow again ; she
* Palconhurst, in English, Falcon's Nest. The translator uses some-
times the German words and sometimes the English.
246
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
must do it on purpose to make fools of us. We won-
dered what the dog was barking at, and now look
here!’’
Half inclined to be angry, and half amused, I heard
the familiar grunting, and stepped among the bushes.
There, sure enough, lay our sow, looking very happy,
with six or seven little pigs seemingly a few days
old.
This was a very agreeable sight, especially after my
alarm, and the sow herself seemed to understand that
I was pleased, for she saluted me with a friendly grunt,
and appeared not only to recognize us, but as if willing
in her joy to follow us with her young brood.
As, however, the little ones were so young, I decided
that we would leave them with the mother, and at a
future time fetch two of them to be brought up at Fal-
con’s Nest. The old sow and the rest must be left to
their fate; to take them now would be impossible, be-
cause of the injury they would certainly do to our young
plantations.
We left with her some potatoes, acorns, and biscuits,
and continuing our homeward journey without further
interruption, reached Falconhurst in safety.
Our first care was to arrange for the newly-arrived
guests. The young buffalo and the little jackal we were
still obliged to tie up, and even the stately eagle was
condemned to the same hard fate. Fritz gave him a
place on a fig-tree root not far from the parrot, who
was still tied by the leg; but, rather thoughtlessly,
Fritz had given the eagle a long string, which enabled
him to move to a great distance, and then unfortunately
uncovered his eyes.
In a moment the bird became wild and furious :
his aspect changed so terribly, that our domestic ani-
mals fled from his presence ; but the poor parrot, who
stood near and could not escape, was devoured before
we could prevent it.
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
Fritz in Ms anger would have killed the bird at once,
had not Ernest prayed for his life to be spared.
‘‘Give me your eagle, he exclaimed; “I will bring
him up to be as tractable and tame as a little dog. ’ ’
Fritz, however, would not give up his eagle, but he
promised to make Ernest a present of Master ISIip, the
monkey, if he would tell him how to tame the eagle.
“I accept the oifer,’^ replied Ernest; “but I am not
quite sure that it will succeed with an eagle as it does
with parrots in America. However, you can try.
Light a pipe, and blow some of the tobacco-smoke up
his nose till he is giddy and intoxicated: his wild and
savage nature will he calmed from that moment.”
Fritz laughed incredulously, but Ernest persuaded
him that at least it was worth a trial, so at last a pipe
and tobacco were fetched from the officer’s chest, and
Fritz placed himself in front of the bird, and smoked
such puffs under his nostrils, that he became completely
stupefied and stood immovable on his perch.
From that day the fierceness of the eagle vanished,
and he grew by degrees so tame, that even the domes-
tic animals lost all fear of him.
Quite ashamed of his doubts, Fritz gave the monkey
to his brother, and I believe he began to respect the hoy
who knew so well how to put in practice what he had
read.
The next morning I rose early, with the intention of
carrying out the project so long decided upon, namely,
to plant bamboo canes as a support to the young trees
on the road from Falcon’s Nest to Zeltheim.
I and the three boys started with our little carriage
well loaded with bamboo canes, and a handspike, to
make a hole in the earth. We left the mother and lit-
tle Frank at home, to prepare us a good dinner, and to
have the wax berries melted in readiness for the manu-
facture of more candles.
This time I left the young buffalo behind, for I wished
248
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
the wound in his nostrils to be quite healed before I
made him work again. Besides, the cow was strong
enough to draw the cart with all we required to-day.
So before we started, I gave the buffalo a handful of
salt, to win his confidence, which so pleased him, that
the poor animal became quite tame, and seemed ready
to follow us like a dog.
Our work began, almost as soon as we left Falcon’s
Nest, at the entrance to the road to Zeltheim, with the
walnut, chestnut, and cherry-trees. These had been
planted in rows, and were already much bent and
curved by the wind.
I, being the strongest, dug holes in the ground with
the handspike, and in these holes the boys placed a
bamboo cane by each tree, and tied it, as a prop to the
delicate stem, with a sort of fibrous leaf, which I took
for bast. While thus engaged, the conversation nat-
urally turned to the best manner of raising trees, and
the boys overwhelmed me with questions, to which I
could not always give correct answers.
‘‘Are the trees that you have planted here, wild or
tame, papa?” asked Fritz.
“Ha! ha! ha!” laughed Jack. “Just as if people
could tame trees as they can buffalo calves and bus-
tards!”
“You are very clever. Master Jack,” replied Fritz;
“but all wild creatures should be tamed, and mocking-
birds like you require a ring through the nose, like the
buffalo ! ’ ’
“Now that is too bad!” said Ernest.
“Be it known to you, most learned people,” I ex-
claimed, “that Fritz asked me a correct question, but
he did not use the right terms: he should have said
‘wild and cultivated plants,’ not ‘wild and tame/ Wild
plants are such as grow without care or attention from
man, and are indigenous to the soil. Those which are
not indigenous require training and care, and some-
249
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
times will not grow at all in other countries than their
own, excepting in conservatories or hothouses. Few
living creatures exist that cannot be tamed in some
way; and amongst human beings, even those we call
wild or savage are clever by nature, and possess minds
which can be improved by instruction, as plants are by
cultivation or grafting. ’ ’
‘‘Wliat is grafting?’^ asked Fritz.
Grafting,^’ I replied, “is performed by inserting a
little twig of a superior sort on the stem of a tree that
grows wild. Grafting takes place in those knots or
boles which lie between the bark and the wood. They
are often called eyes, and can be seen plainly in tim-
ber. In all cases of grafting this knot is used, and the
new twig attached to it. They then grow together,
and better fruit is produced.’^
“That is very wonderful,’^ remarked Ernest. “But
where do people get the branches of good trees to graft
on the wild ones ’
^ ^ Those we call in our home superior trees, grow wild
in some climates,’’ I replied, “because the earth and
the air are purer and richer. Many of the most valua-
ble fruit-trees of Northern Europe grow without cul-
tivation in the south of Europe and Asia, and others
in more distant parts of the world. For instance, crab-
apples grew wild in England in the time of the Eomans,
and in that country no other fruit was known then but
common nuts, crab-apples, and blackberries. By graft-
ing from foreign trees on the crab, and also on the
common nut and blackberry, most of the beautiful ap-
ples, filberts, strawberries, and raspberries have been
produced. It is the same in our country. Some fruit-
trees grow naturally; others are either produced by
grafting, or are brought from abroad and planted in
suitable ground. Again, in cold lands the trees that
grow in tropical heat could not be raised. Yet several
plants, trees, and flowers which Father Noah no doubt
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
cultivated were natives of Egypt, Greece, and other
parts of Southern Europe. We know that grapes grew
in these countries, because of the fabulous god Bac-
chus, who was called the God of Wine. Italy, no doubt,
received these fruits from Greece; and they were
brought in later years by the Eomans into Gaul, Spain,
and Germany, and through these countries into our
own Switzerland and England.
‘‘Can you tell us, papa,’’ asked Ernest, “where all
the different fruit-trees came from?”
“I think I can give you the names of a few trees.
Walnuts came originally from Persia, and hazel-nuts
from Pontus in Asia.”
“But cherries, papa,” interrupted Jack. “I have
seen plenty of them growing at home in Switzerland.
I hope they may be natives of Europe, and perhaps of
our own country. ’ ’
“No, my boy,” I replied. “Those you have seen
growing at home have been brought from other lands.
They are named cherries after Cerasus, a state of Pon-
tus in Asia, from which place they were first imported ;
and, if I remember rightly, they were brought into
Europe by the Eoman General Lucullus after the siege
of Pontus, seventy years before Christ. ’ ’
While thus conversing, we still made great progress,
and reached the end of our fruit-tree avenue very
quickly. After crossing the bridge over the Jackal
Eiver, we entered the plantation of our southern fruit-
trees, which I also wished to strengthen by placing
bamboo canes as a support.
Here had been planted lemons, pomegranates, pis-
tacio-nuts, mulberries, pines, and other tempting fruit-
trees, the sight of which made us long for the time when
they would bear fruit.
“What a beautiful land that must be,” remarked
Fritz, “where such delicious fruit is so plentiful and
cheap.”
251
(
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
‘‘The fruit of every land is beautiful/’ I replied,
“only where there is plenty of it, we are apt to call it
common; but to the inhabitants of other lands this is
not the case. Besides, the climate and temperature
differ greatly in various parts of the world, and trees
and plants require certain kinds of soil to make them
grow. The fruit-trees we have planted here will no
doubt flourish, for this island is evidently within the
tropics, and these trees are nearly all natives of South-
ern Europe or tropical climates. Pines grow in
France, Spain, and Italy ; olives in Armenia, Palestine,
and other countries bordering the Mediterranean.
Figs are produced in many southern countries, but
they came originally from the island of Chios, in the
Grecian Archipelago; peaches and apricots from Per-
sia ; plums from Damascus, in Syria ; pears of different
kinds from Greece. All these trees have been brought
to great perfection in our own country, as well as in
others which lie farther north.”
“But, papa,” exclaimed Jack, “what about apples?
They seem to be natives of Germany and Switzerland,
they are so common. IVe eaten lots of apples at
home.”
“I can well believe that,” I replied, laughing; “but
they also came originally from foreign lands, and ap-
ple-trees are found even in the cold climates of North-
ern Europe and Asia. No fruit is more likely to be im-
proved by cultivation than the apple ; and in countries
where they obtain proper soil, pure air, and sunlight,
they are brought to great perfection. Grapes also, of
every kind, grow in the open air in the south of Europe
and Asia, and are, perhaps, of the finest and richest
quality in Spain and Portugal, as from these countries
we obtain our best wines. Mulberries grow in Asia
and the islands of Greece. Silkworms, that spin that
beautiful web of silk from which silk dresses, ribbons,
satin, velvet, and other expensive articles are made,
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
feed upon the leaves of the mulberry-tree, and these
leaves appear, indeed, to be their natural and proper
food/;
While thus conversing, we were not idle, yet our work
was not finished till nearly noon, and we returned to
Falcon ^s Nest as hungry as wolves, just as the mother
had prepared for us a most excellent dinner, consisting
chiefly of the cabbage-palm.
We dined with good appetites, and while resting
afterwards in great comfort, I took the opportunity of
speaking on the subject which had occupied my mind
and the mother’s for some considerable time.
We had often found it difficult, and even dangerous,
to mount to our sleeping-chamber, and to descend by
means of the rope-ladder. An accident I knew might
easily happen, for the boys often mounted recklessly,
and for ourselves, a single false step might cause us
to fall.
After thinking and talking over the matter for some
time, I conjectured that a wooden staircase might be
contrived, even in the interior of the large trunk of our
tree.
‘‘Did you not tell me, wife,” I said, “that in the
trunk of this tree you had discovered a hole through
which bees were passing in and out, to and from a nest
inside I”
“Yes,” she replied, “and it is evidently hollow be-
yond the point at which I have seen the bees enter. If
it is hollow to the foot of the tree, it will help you
greatly to carry out your project.”
This idea of a staircase so excited the boys, that they
sprang and danced round the tree, and climbed like
squirrels as high as they could reach to examine the
hole, and to discover by the sound how far down the
cavity extended, by knocking against the trunk with
ax and hammer. But this daring performance cost
them dear; the noise so disturbed the bees, that a
253
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
swarm of them rushed out, and furiously attacked the
children with their stings. They rested in their hair,
on their clothes, and even pursued them as they fled
screaming in terror and pain ; and no one knows where
they would have run to, had I not stopped them, while
their mother laid cool moist earth on the wounds, and
soothed the pain.
J ack, who with his usual daring had been the first to
reach the hole, was terribly stung, and his swelled and
inflamed face was a piteous sight.
Ernest, on the contrary, always slow in his move-
ments, had only received one wound, for he had been
the last to mount, and the first to descend in haste
when the conflict commenced.
Nearly an hour passed before the pain was suffi-
ciently appeased to enable them to join in the more
careful examination of the tree ; yet they were so full
of resentment against the heroic bees, that they were
quite prepared to assist in an attack upon their ene-
mies, and I knew something must be done quickly, to
prevent my young people from disturbing me in the
night with their groans and complaints.
While the still restless and angry bees were buzzing
round the tree, I prepared certain materials with which
I hoped to calm them without destroying them. I col-
lected together tobacco, clay, a pipe, a knife, a hammer,
and all I thought necessary. My first anxiety, how-
ever, was to make for the bees a new beehive, and after
finding a large calabash gourd, I flattened the lower
half, that my beautiful little bee castle, when finished,
might stand firmly on a piece of board which I intended
to nail to a branch of the tree. I then cut a small
arched opening in front, for a doorway, and having
also made a straw roof to place over it, as a protec-
tion against sunshine and rain, my beehive was com-
plete.
This work occupied more time than I had antici-
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
pated ; I was, therefore, obliged to pat off the assault
on the bees till the next morning.
The impatience of the young people roused us all at
an early hour, and I commenced my undertaking by
stopping up the hole in the tree, through which the bees
passed in and out, with moist clay, only leaving room
for me to introduce my piece of hollow cane, which was
to serve as a tobacco-pipe. I then covered my head
with a piece of linen, and as the humming and buzzing
around me went on like a storm and a whirlwind, I
commenced smoking the tobacco.
Gradually the noise ceased, and after awhile, when
all was still, Fritz climbed to my side with chisel and
ax, and we began carefully and hastily to cut away
a portion of the tree about three feet square, excepting
at one corner, by which I allowed it to adhere, while I
again smoked both inside and outside the tree, till the
whole of the bees fell stupefied to the earth. The piece
of the tree which had been cut away was then removed,
and when through the opening the light entered, I dis-
covered that the trunk was hollow from the ground to
the floor of our sleeping-chamber on the branches.
We were filled with astonishment as the light re-
vealed the beautiful work of the bees just within the
tree, and overjoyed at finding such a large store of
wax and honey near the opening, for which, however,
we could scarcely find bowls and basins sufficient.
I had separated the honeycomb which clung to the
inside of the tree, when, hearing a humming noise, I
looked around me, and discovered that the air had re-
stored a few of the bees outside, and that they were
buzzing round the calabash bowls which contained the
honey.
On seeing this I hastily descended, cleaned out a lit-
tle cask, in which I placed all the wax and honey we
had found, fastened it firmly, rolled it away to a dis-
tance, covered it with a sail-cloth and branches of trees
255
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
full of leaf, that the bees might not be able to dis-
cover it.
I then mounted the rope ladder to our sleeping-
chamber, and nailing a piece of board firmly to one
of the branches, I placed my little hive upon it, covered
it with the straw roof, and descended to enjoy with the
rest a feast of tapioca cakes and honey.
I reminded the boys, however, that the bees would
not remain long in a state of stupor, and on their re-
covery would have no pity for the robbers of their pre-
cious store of honey, if the least drop was left to be
discovered by them. This hint was enough, and the
boys at once removed from the place all signs of honey
with the greatest care.
But to me another result of their recovery presented
itself : no doubt they would wish to return to the old
quarters; I must, therefore, hasten to prevent them
from doing so.
I took two handfuls of tobacco, and placed them on
a little board covered with clay. I then climbed the
tree, fixed the board horizontally in the hole I had cut,
and set fire to the tobacco at dilferent points. In a
few moments a cloud of smoke and vapor arose, which
I hoped would drive back the bees from their old
home, and leave us at liberty to occupy the hollow
tree.
My expectation was well founded. The bees, as soon
as they recovered from their stupor, approached the
tree in swarms to regain their former dwelling; but
the fumes of tobacco drove them back, and before even-
ing they had taken possession of their new hive in the
tree, and appeared to consider it as their home.
The honey-plunderers, therefore (myself and the
boys), resolved to appropriate the interior of the tree
to ourselves, and to examine it on the following morn-
ing. We were also obliged to put off the preparation
of the honey, for too many bees were still buzzing
256
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
about to permit us even to touch our store until after
sunset.
We therefore rested for awhile, till the darkness and
the cold air had driven the bees to their nest, and then
began our work.
After separating the honeycomb from the honey, it
was thrown into a vessel of water, and placed over a
slow fire, till the entire mass became a fluid. This was
then poured into a clean coarse bag, and the water
pressed from it. The honey and wax were then stood
aside to cool during the night.
In the morning, a large quantity of wax was found
floating on the surface, which was easily removed. The
pure honey remaining behind was carefully gathered
up, placed in the cask with the rest, and the cask then
buried in the ground.
We had now a promise for the future of as much
sweet good things as we could wish.
As soon as this was accomplished, and before the
warmth of the rising sun had awakened the bees, we
proceeded without delay to inspect the hollow trunk of
the tree, which I already imagined could be made so
useful.
The opening I had made was quite large enough for
me to pass through, and I took with me a string, with
a stone tied to the end of it, to enable me to measure
the height and width of the cavity. I found, to my
astonishment, that the tree was entirely hollow; and
although great difficulties would arise, yet, with en-
ergy and perseverance, a splendid staircase might be
erected.
I decided, therefore, at once to make a beginning
of my building, rejoicing in the thought that the boys
would have a new motive for activity, and add another
to the many forms of instruction of various kinds
which had been so lately presented to them.
It was above all things necessary to begin by cutting
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
in the trunk, on the side facing the sea, an opening
large enough to fit the door we had brought from the
captain ^s cabin on the wreck, with all that was neces-
sary to form an entrance, not only for ourselves, but
our animals.
I then, with the help of my boys, cleared away all
the decayed wood that remained in the hollow trunk of
the tree, and carefully cleaned the sides of the interior
as far up as we could reach. In the center was placed,
upright and firmly fixed in the ground, a strong beam,
of ab^out a foot in thickness and ten or twelve feet high,
around which I intended to fix my staircase in the
form of a spiral line. On this beam I cut notches, to
receive the ends of pieces of board, at a distance of
half a foot from each other, and made incisions to re-
ceive the other ends in the sides of the hollow tree
directly opposite, and thus formed the supports for
my winding stairs around the beam till they reached
the top.
The entrance-hole of the tree, which I had enlarged,
formed now a window, and gave us sufficient light for
our work. To this we added a second, as the steps
rose higher. A third opening was made to enable us
to reach our sleeping-room in the tree castle from the
staircase without the trouble of climbing our rope lad-
der.
A second tree-stem was now introduced and fas-
tened outside the steps, for us to hold by as we as-
cended to our sleeping-apartment. My winding stairs
were then complete, and if not exactly in accordance
with the rules of architecture, yet, in our opinion, were
most beautiful and useful.
A few days after its commencement our dog Floss
presented us with six pretty little pups. We could
not, of course, afford to bring up so many, but we kept
two — a male and a female. The rest were drowned.
Strange to say, the mother allowed Jack to replace one
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
of them with the young jackal, which he had found
great difficulty in feeding, and feared it would die.
Poor old Flo made no objection, hut gave her milk to
the stranger as kindly as to her own little ones.
About this time, also, our goats had two little kids,
and the sheep five lambs, which was a very pleasant
addition to our flocks ; hut, fearing these useful animals
might some day follow the example of the ass and leave
our protection, we tied to the necks of the goat and the
old sheep, little bells brought from the wreck, and
which the captain intended to barter with the savages.
We hoped, by means of the tinkling bells, to dis-
cover if they were inclined to stray, and to prevent it,
if possible; or, at least, if they did wander, to track
them by the sound.
The most important work I had in hand at this time,
next to the staircase, had been the training of the
young buffalo as a beast of burden, to supply the place
of the ass. The wound in his nose was quite healed;
and, by placing a small stick through the orifice, as
the Hottentots do, I could guide and lead him as horses
are led by a bit in their mouths. He had readily sub-
mitted to be harnessed with the cow in drawing a load,
but I wished also to teach him to carry things on his
back as well as a rider.
I began my process by throwing across his back a
large piece of sail-cloth, and this I secured by a broad
girth made of the skin of the dead buffalo ; then from
time to time I bound various heavy articles upon the
cloth; and when at last the basket, usually borne by
the ass and fully loaded, was placed on his back,^ he
performed his task willingly, to my great satisfaction.
To accustom the animal to carry a rider, I hoisted
Master Nip to that neck-breaking position as a first
experiment.
The animal was so light and so adroit in keeping his
eat, that the springs and bounds of the buffalo could
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
not throw him off. After awhile he got used to his
rider, and then the boys, one after another, mounted
him, and even little Frank was tempted to take a few
lessons in riding while I held him on the buffalo ^s back ;
and at last I considered that the boys might use the
buffalo calf as a riding-horse without any great dan-
ger.
Fritz meanwhile had not neglected the training of
his eagle. He fed him daily with dead birds, or little
kids which he shot, sometimes, from between the wide-
spreading horns of the buffalo, when he carried him on
his shoulder while riding. He taught him also to bring
down birds or other small prey, holding him in leash
like a falcon, and always rewarding him with some of
the game he caught.
But while the eagle was becoming accustomed to
his master, and had learnt to obey him, Fritz was
afraid to give him his freedom, for his bite would have
been dangerous, and he could not yet be trusted near
the poultry-yard, for we of course expected him to
follow the dictates of his nature.
Ernest, notwithstanding his inactive disposition, en-
deavored to train the little monkey which Fritz had
given him, and to regulate his capricious movements,
but with little success. However, with the help of
Jack, Ernest constructed a small cane basket to fasten
upon Nip^s back with a strap round his shoulders, but
to this the restless animal at first greatly objected.
However, partly by force, and partly by rewards of
nuts or some other tempting morsel, Nip was con-
quered, and would really carry a load that was, for
him, rather heavy.
’Midst all this Jack became anxious to train his
jackal, to which he had given the name of Hunter. The
little animal had grown very much since the old dog
Flo took to him so kindly, and would play with the pup-
pies in the most amusing manner ; they were sometimes
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
joined in their games by Nip, till they grew too big and
strong for him.
Jack had given the name of Hunter to his jackal,
hoping to make a pointer of him, and teach him to dis-
cover the game without killing it; but for the first six
months the animal made no progress, even after many
attempts, yet Jack did not despair of success, and
looked forward to the future very hopefully.
While my boys were thus occupied, I had been also
busily employed; indeed, there was always something
that wanted attending to, and at our times of rest and
recreation the mother generally took the opportunity
of suggesting what was necessary to be done.
In such like employments we all generally occupied
two hours of the day, while building the spiral stair-
case, when our undertaking would permit us to spare
that time for rest or recreation.
In the evenings we assembled together as usual in a
loving family circle, and the mother would then sug-
gest any needful or homely business that required at-
tending to. Among other wants candle-making was
very urgent, as our present store, which had lasted a
long time, was nearly used up.
Jack had proposed that in fabricating our next stock
of candles we should use the hollow of a bamboo cane
as a mold ; but it appeared to me not likely to answer
in spite of its cleverness, for I felt convinced that in
drawing the candle out of the mold I should injure it.
I therefore determined to divide the hollow cane first,
and after cleaning and greasing each with salt butter,
place the wax inside the two halves. These being
tightly bound together, and the joints outside stopped
up, that the wax might not ooze out while in a liquid
state, could be left till it became firm.
Another difficulty, however, arose, for the mother
was very unwilling to consent to the wicks being made
of the threads of our cotton neckties, or sail-cloth; I
261
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
decided, therefore, to try another experiment by which
to save these nsefnl articles. I chose a piece of in-
flammable wood from a tree which is a native of the
Antilles, and called touchwood. This I intended to
split into thin strips, fix them in the candle-molds, and
pour the melted wax round them.
But the mother had in the meantime thought of the
karata-tree ; she at once drew out the threads from sev-
eral leaves, cleaned and laid them to dry. Then plac-
ing a sufficient number together to form a wick of the
required thickness, she brought it to me with the hope
that my touchwood by this would be beaten out of the
field.
With some satisfaction I promised to try the inven-
tion. We had now all the means at hand for fire and
candle-making, and we therefore set to work with great
eagerness. I could also improve our candles greatly
now by mixing beeswax with the wax-herries. This
was placed as usual to melt over a slow fire. Each
half of the candle-molds, after being dipped in cold
water, was laid with the open part uppermost, that the
melted wax might be poured in. They were then lifted
carefully, bound together, and laid aside to grow firm.
In a few hours we could remove the molds from our
first experiment, and examine our candles with critical
eyes. There was still another trial to make, that we
might prove which answered best as a wick, the wood
splinters, the karata threads, or the cotton.
As by this time it was nearly dark, I lighted two of
our newly made candles, each containing a wick of a dif-
ferent material. The touchwood flamed strongly and
gave a bright light, while the karata-thread wicks burnt
feebly and seemed so ready to go out every moment,
that for a time we gave the preference to the touch-
wood. It was very soon, however, discovered that we
could not hope to save our clothing or the sail-cloth,
much as we wished to do so, it was too evident that cot-
262
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
ton as wicks to onr wax lights was the most suitable and
useful.
After completing this candle-making, I became anx-
ious to try my skill and my inventive powers in a new
and important undertaking, — the manufacture of boots
and shoes from the india-rubber-tree sap, and I at
once sent the boys for the vessels and hunting-flasks
in which the caoutchouc had been stored when we vis-
ited the wood and collected the sap.
On their return I commenced operations by filling a
pair of my old stockings with sand, and then covering
them with a thin coating of clay, and to make the shape
firm, laid them first in the shade and then in the sun to
dry. After this I melted the caoutchouc and laid it over
the stockings with a brush made of goat’s hair. As
this hardened, I put on a second and a third coating,
till it was of a proper thickness, and then hung up the
stockings till the gum became quite hard and dry.
Meanwhile I cut out a pair of soles of the size of my
shoe from the buffalo’s skin, which I had beaten with
a hammer to make it soft, and melting the india-rub-
ber on the sole of each stocking, I fixed the skin soles
to them, so that when dry they adhered quite closely.
After leaving them for an hour in the cold air to be-
come firm, I threw out the sand, and carefully sepa-
rating the stocking from the caoutchouc, I produced
a splendid pair of boots, of such a good shape that my
boys begged me to make them each a pair as soon as
possible, which I promised to do when other important
matters were accomplished.
One thing I was anxious should be completed, for the
children often grew tired of fetching water from the
river.
The channels made from the trunk of the sago-tree,
to conduct the water from the bay to Zeltheim, had
long been laid down, and by lengthening these chan-
nels, I found I could bring the water to Falcon’s Nest,
263
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
and use tlie shell of the turtle for a fountain, as we had
long ago proposed.
It was necessary, however, to have a support for the
shell-fountain, and this was done by placing on the
spot stones cemented together with lime, and raised
to a proper height. When this was completed, I con-
nected with the sago-palm water-pipes, a hollow cane,
through which the water could flow into the shell. In
front also was placed a calabash bowl, to receive the
overflow of the water.
Unfortunately our fountain, although all that we
could wish, stood exposed to the sun’s rays, which made
the water at times lukewarm ; still, we were in raptures
over our performance.
We consecrated the fountain with the water in which
our potatoes had been boiled for supper, and the songs
and frolics of the boys in their delight continued long
after the usual hour of retiring to rest.
And so every day brought its work : we had no time
to be idle, nor to lament over our separation from our
old home and the society of mankind. Each night we
lay down to rest after our evening meal, and slept in
peaceful contentment, after the toils of the day, that
sleep which only health and active employment can
secure.
264
CHAPTER XXI
grizzle’s new friend
ONE morning early, while busily engaged in com-
pleting a handrail to the staircase, a strange and
unusual sound was heard at a distance, something re-
sembling the roar of a wild beast, yet I could form no
opinion as to the animal from which the sounds is-
sued.
Our dogs, however, became restless, and seemed to
whet their teeth in readiness for an attack upon the
enemy. We also immediately set ourselves on the de-
fensive, and at once mounting to our castle in the tree,
loaded our guns ready for the charge.
This strange roaring continued for some time, and
at last I descended from our citadel and enticed our
domestic animals nearer to us, that we might keep
them in sight, and also arrayed our two faithful senti-
nels in their prickly collars.
Again mounting to the castle, I carefully scanned
the surrounding country with a glass, to discover if
possible our expected foe.
The roaring re-commenced, and this time evidently
nearer, so that I could distinguish a sort of panting
sound, as of a creature out of breath. I decided at
once, therefore, to descend with Fritz, and begged the
rest of the boys to remain with their mother, and keep
as still as possible. Our faithful dogs kept close at
hand, watching and listening.
As we stood thus in anxious expectation, the pe-
culiar sounds came near enough to be distinguished by
the sharp ears of Fritz. Suddenly casting aside his
265
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
gun, he rushed forward, and bursting into a loud laugh,
exclaimed,
‘^Papa ! papa ! it is the donkey come back ! Poor old
Grizzle! It is, truly; and he seems quite friendly/^
I felt almost at first inclined to be angry ; but follow-
ing the direction taken by Fritz, I came upon the
truant, who was, however, not alone. Another cry,
something resembling the he-hatv of our donkey, but
still different, sounded near him ; and the next moment
I observed at a short distance an animal of the same
race but of a far more graceful form, and almost as
elegant in its movements as a horse.
I recognized it at once as the onager, or wild ass,
and immediately various means were suggested to my
mind to enable me to make it my prisoner.
Again warning my children not to make the least
noise, I left the tree with Fritz, and crept cautiously
towards the place where the animals had stopped to
graze. Here I commenced my operations by tying a
slip-knot in the end of a piece of cord, and fastening
the other end to one of the roots of the tree. I then
placed a small stick in the slip-knot, to keep it open,
so that, when the rope was thrown over the head of
the animal, it would close round his neck and make him
a prisoner.
In addition to this, I took a piece of bamboo cane
about two feet long, which I split in two, and tied the
pieces together crossways, nearer to one end than the
other, to form in the smaller part a pair of pincers.
To the upper ends I attached pieces of string, by
which I could draw it together or loosen it as I pleased.
Fritz watched the performance with great curiosity
and no little impatience, as he could not discover the
use of my work, and begged me at last to allow him to
throw the lasso, and bring the animal more quickly
into our power. But this time I would have nothing
to do with Patagonian hunting, for I was very anxious
266
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
to secure this beautiful wild ass without alarming the
creature. I therefore held the boy back till the stran-
ger should approach a little closer; and in the mean-
time I endeavored to explain to him the use of my own
contrivance.
While we talked in whispers, the unconscious ani-
mals, grazing quietly, had wandered by degrees still
nearer to us. With a caution to Fritz, I gave him the
loop end of the rope, and taking the other end in my
hand, advanced with slow and cautious steps as near
to the wild ass as the length of the string would allow,
Fritz following closely.
The creature, who no doubt had never before seen
the face of man, sprang a few steps back at our sud-
den appearance, and stared at us in astonishment.
However, as Fritz did not move, the stranger again
began to graze quietly, and then the boy, knowing what
attracted our own animals, gradually advanced nearer
to our old friend Grizzle, and held out a handful of
oats mixed mth salt.
The ass did not hesitate a moment, but came forward
eagerly to take the favorite fodder.
The stranger, seeing this, also approached, raised
his head, made a rattling ^ noise through his nose,
scented the delicacy while still getting closer to it. At
last, not being able to control his curiosity and his long-
ing, he advanced to share the tempting morsels with his
companion.
Fritz at this moment quickly raised his hand, and,
with great dexterity, threw the noose over the head
and neck of the animal ; but the creature started back
with such a bound, that the jerk caused by the pull of
the rope threw him on the ground, and so tightened the
noose round his neck, that our poor prisoner lay pant-
ing for breath, with his tongue protruding, and nearly
strangled. I rushed quickly to loosen the string, and
instead of it threw over his head the halter belonging
267
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
to old Grizzle. I then placed on each side of his nose
the lower ends of the split bamboo cane, with which,
by pulling the strings at the upper ends, I could com-
press the nostrils, to make him submit to my will, as
farriers do while shoeing a restive horse.* After re-
moving the noose from his neck, and tying two long
pieces of rope to the strings which compressed the
pincers on the left and right of the nostrils, I fastened
the end of each to the nearest tree-roots, and left him
between the roots to recover himself, and to see by his
behavior whether anything more was necessary to
overcome and tame him.
Meanwhile, the rest of our house-folks had hastily
descended from the tree, and stood, with wonder and
delight, admiring the beautiful stranger. He was of
a slighter build than the ass, and far superior in ap-
pearance, yet the creature evidently partook of the na-
ture both of the horse and the ass.
Suddenly he sprang to his feet, with the evident de-
termination to escape, but the pain caused by the pres-
sure on his nostrils when he moved damped his activity,
and he at last became so quiet, that I ventured to lead
him gently beneath the sheltered tree-roots which
formed for the present our stables.
Here I tied him by a long string attached to the hal-
ter, which gave him room to move about, and yet to be
near us and in safety.
Now that we had the ass again actually in our pos-
session, I was anxious to secure the truant, so that he
might not wander from us so easily in future. I there-
fore placed him also in the stable, tied by a halter near
to the wild ass, making old Grizzle a prisoner for a few
days, as well as the onager, that they might become ac-
* At the time this story was written, when farriers used this cruel
instrument, few people had learned that not only horses, but other
animals, can be managed more easily by kind and gentle treatment than
by severity.
268
SWISS FAMILY ROBIN
customed to each other. I also wished to
to the fodder eaten by our domestic anim.
My greatest anxiety, however, was,
tame the newcomer, and teach him not
heavy burdens, but also to take a ride
This would cost us a great deal of troubLj
and, indeed, after many efforts, I feart
impossible to succeed, unless I adopted]
seemed to me most cruel and repulsive — "
mal in both ears.
My wife, who pitied the poor creatur
quired why I did so, and for what rea
‘ ^ I will explain to you, ’ ^ I replied, ‘ ‘
from a horse-tamer who was well a
success of this plan. He told me tl
ica resides a race of uncivilized F
with the natives for the skins and
inhabit that cold region, and recei\
articles from Europe. These peoj
hunting expeditions, especially in v
southern region, often meet with tril
which they make captive. But to tar
easy. They at first are usually quit*
and wildly refuse to receive on thei
rider or a load. At last their capto
adopt the plan of biting the ears ; and
so wild and intractable, becomes tame, \
be guided or ridden at the will of his owne^
fleet horses the natives ride, through woods
hedges, to the European settlements for a giv
tance, and carry on their profitable trade in skii
furs.’’ *
* These furs and skins form now an important article of commt
between America and most European countries. The traders with t
natives are not uncivilized Europeans, as they may have been whe.
this German story was written. We may hope, also, that horses art
tamed now without the cruel and unpleasant necessity of being obliged
to bite the ears.
269
S FAMILY ROBINSON
;eks our visitor was so far conquered, that
ridden with tolerable safety; but it was
tie his fore feet loosely together with a
might not use his natural swiftness in
with his rider. I was obliged for a time
imal, in consequence of having no proper
but I managed to contrive a kind of
h reins, by which the rider could himself
i right or left, as he pleased.
'me three of our hens presented us with
ens, so that a swarm of nearly forty
running and chirping around us in
» our farmyard reminded me again
contriving a more convenient place
\ls and feathered folk, which we
for. I felt more than ever anxious
ase I expected the approach of the
le winter in this region ; and to com-
ng in time would be impossible,
fore, to place a more substantial cov-
rched roots of our tree, the space un-
occupied by the animals and fowls as
id sleeping-place. To do this we had
canes, one across the other, over the
, and fill up the crevices with moss and
them firmly together. This covering
ith a mixture of tar and lime-water, which
roof firm, and being fiat, we could safely walk
' long after this was completed we set out one
ung to gather a store of potatoes, and on our way
jk I proposed to the mother to return home alone
ith little Frank, while I and the three elder boys con-
inued our way to the oak wood to gather up a couple
of bagfuls of sweet acorns.
Ernest had with him his little monkey, and Fritz sat
270
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
rider-like on the now quite tamed onager. We had not
yet filled the sacks, and as I wanted to try whether
the animal could be made to carry a load, I deter-
mined to make the experiment with the two sacks of
acorns.
On arriving at the spot, we fastened the steed, which
the boys had named Lightfoot on account of his swift-
ness, to a tree, while we hastily gathered up the acorns
and filled the bags. We had, however, scarcely fin-
ished our work, when the ape with a sudden spring dis-
appeared among the nearest bushes, and the next mo-
ment, the frightened scream of a bird and the rush of
flapping wings made us suppose that a great battle
was going on with a dweller among the bushes which
Master Nip had disturbed. Ernest, who stood nearest
to the battle-field, suddenly exclaimed joyfully,
“Papa ! here is a hen’s nest full of eggs ! The ape is
struggling with her, but Fritz can take her prisoner
while I hold Nip.”
At these words Fritz started forward without delay,
and rushing into the bushes, in a very short space of
time reappeared, carrying in his arms a beautiful liv-
ing female Canadian fowl, or “rufied grouse,” similar
to the one he had shot.
I was greatly pleased with this discovery, and helped
the boy at once to bind the legs and wings of the bird
together. Presently Ernest appeared coming out of
the bushes with his girdle stuck full of leaves, sharp
pointed like a dagger, which seemed to me to belong to
a plant called the “sword lily.”
The boy held out his hat to me, and exclaimed,
“Look, papa! These are really the eggs of the Ca-
nadian fowl. Won’t mamma be pleased?”
“But those leaves, Ernest,” I said, “what are they
for?”
“Oh, I stuck them in here that I might carry them
home for little Frank to play at soldiers with. They
271
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
are just like swords and he will be able to pretend to
fight and fence with them.’’
After finishing the work of filling up the sacks with
acorns, I placed them gently on the onager’s back, and
to my great satisfaction he received the load quietly.
Fritz then swung himself up between them, and we
turned our steps gladly homeward to Falcon’s Nest —
Ernest with the precious eggs in his hat, while I had
patiently undertaken to carry the Canadian bird.
Great was the mother’s pleasure when we reached
home with our treasures; and my wife managed the
hen so cleverly, that she induced her to again sit on
her eggs, and in a few days she presented us with fif-
teen beautiful little Canadian chicks, to our great de-
light.
A few days after our return to Falcon’s Nest, little
Frank was seated on the floor playing with the leaves
of the sword lily plant, when Fritz passed by and
said,
‘‘Let me make you a whip, Franky, of these leaves,
before they decay and become soft : it will help you to
keep the sheep and goats in better order ; but you must
split the leaves for me before I plait them.”
As the two boys were thus employed, I passed by,
and observed that the fibers of these leaves were tough
and pliable, and allowed themselves to be twisted and
bent with the greatest ease. I took a leaf in my hand
to examine it more closely, and found that it consisted
of long flexible fibers, joined to the stalk by a little
green thread.
I presently formed an opinion, yet not without some
hesitation, that this so-called sword lily plant was no
other than the New Zealand flax; and this discovery
in our present position, would, I knew, be of unspeak-
able value to us.
I could not rest until I had mentioned the subject to
my wife, although it was merely conjecture on my
272
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
part; but she almost astonished me by falling into
ecstasies over it, and exclaiming joyfully,
‘ ‘ Oh, what a splendid discovery ! The best you have
ever brought home. Please get me a leaf, that I may
know what it is like. From this I can make stockings,
shirts, and all sorts of wearing apparel, besides hav-
ing as much thread and string as we require.’^
I could not avoid laughing at the mother’s enthusi-
asm, and endeavored to moderate her zeal by pointing
out that the leaves were not yet made into linen, neither
had we enough for that purpose.
Fritz and Jack, who were listening with great inter-
est, suddenly and silently disappeared, and presently
I saw them riding away quickly to the wood, one on
the wild ass, and the other on the buffalo.
In a short time we heard our riders approaching at
a quick trot, and very soon they appeared, bearing be-
fore them on their steeds, like foraging hussars, im-
mense bundles of the flax-plant. Throwing themselves
off with joyful shouts, they placed before their mother
the flax-plant in abundance.
‘‘You have done well,” I said, “in bringing your
mother so much work, my boys, and in obeying her
wishes ; but we must all help in preparing this flax, for
a great deal is required to be done, and it must be
steeped for some time.”
“Steeped, papa?” said Fritz, “then we shall have to
make a fire?”
“No, my boy,” I answered; “flax-steeping does not
require heat, but moisture. ’ ’
“But, papa, you said the flax must be roasted. How
can that be done without fire?”
I smiled as I replied, “Boasting meat before a fire,
and steeping flax in water, are two very different per-
formances, Fritz, although the same word denotes
both.* Steeping is performed by placing hemp or flax-
* Rosten is the German word for to roasts as well as Bosten, to steep,
273
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
plants in water for a long time, until by degrees they
decay, and the ditferent fibers separate; the wooden
parts are then removed, and the tough and flexible
threads, which do not decay so quickly, are made fit
for spinning by tearing and breaking them with cer-
tain tools and implements.’^
‘‘But why do not these threads decay,” asked Fritz,
“as well as the other parts of the plants, if they are
so long exposed to wind and weather?”
“That might also easily occur,” I explained, “if
people did not understand the steeping process prop-
erly; but even then there would not be much danger
of the fibers becoming rotten, like the rest of the plant.
They possess a peculiar toughness or tenacity which
resists the destructive influence of moisture ; the plant
can, therefore, be placed in the water for a long time,
with not the least danger to the useful fibers. It is not,
however, of much consequence whether the flax is
steeped in flowing or still water, so long as it is under
the influence of the sun, the rain, or the dew. ’ ’
“I think, then,” remarked my wife, “that in a hot
climate like this, it would be advisable to lay our
flax to steep in the Flamingo Marsh, which is shel-
tered. ’ ’
This proposal was approved by all, and early on the
following morning the ass was harnessed to the little
wagon, on which the bundles of flax were laid, while
little Frank and Master Nip rode between them on the
seat. Taking with us also spades and hatchets, we
started eagerly for the spot which the mother had so
cleverly selected for our work.
On arriving at the marsh, the bundles of flax were
divided into smaller portions, and laid in the water,
with heavy stones upon them, that they might not rise
to the surface.
They are spelt and pronounced exactly the same, which accounts for
the mistake of Fritz.
274r
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
We then left them to their fate, the mother remark-
ing that the flax would be ready for drying in the sun,
or by fire, as soon as the stalks, which were now steep-
ing, became hard and brittle from decay.
While engaged in this work, we had several oppor-
tunities for observing, at various points of the marsh,
the wonderful cleverness and skill with which the fla-
mingoes build their nests. These nests are in the
form of an inverted cone, with a blunted point fixed
in the ground, the upper and broader part being raised
above the level of the water. In this broad part a lit-
tle hollow enclosure is formed, in which the eggs can
lie safely and conveniently. Over this the mother bird
places herself, standing in the water with her long legs,
and covering the eggs with the under part of her body,
which rests upon them.
These cone-’shaped nests are formed of glutinous
and sandy clay from the marsh, which hardens in the
sun ; and they are so firm, in consequence, that the wa-
ter can neither wash them away nor overturn them,
till the hatching-time is over, and the young birds are
old enough to go on the water themselves without dan-
ger.
We allowed the flax to remain in the water a fort-
night, and then drew it out and spread it in the sun to
dry. A single day accomplished this so thoroughly,
that we were able to remove it in the cart to Falcon ^s
Nest the same evening. ,
I however advised my wife to delay for a time her
intention of spinning the flax, to assist the boys and
myself in making preparations to meet the change of
weather, and in laying in a store of provisions both for
ourselves and the animals.
We were already warned of the approaching rainy
season by frequent showers ; the sky was covered with
clouds, and the weather had changed from its usual
warmth, and become cold and stormy, with violent
275
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
winds. In fact, winter I knew might come upon us in
a moment, without further warning.
Our first care was to gather in a store of potatoes
and manihot or cassava-roots, as plants which would
keep easily, and afford us the most agreeable food.
Cocoanuts and acorns also were not to be despised, nor
the cassava cakes, which could be easily made, although
we missed the bread made of the wheaten flour which
grows in our Fatherland ; indeed, this had always been
a terrible privation to us all. However, all the seeds
of European corn that remained from the store in the
mother ^s bag had been sown, in the hope that the rainy
season would cause them to germinate quickly, and
produce an abundant crop by the spring.
We also expected that our large plantation of sugar-
canes, and several different species of palm-trees,
would be benefited by the rain. At present we had a
store of preserved, half-cooked birds, dried fish, and
flesh from the game shot by the boys, in addition to the
denizens of our poultry-yard, which could be killed for
food if necessary.
The first storm came upon us before we had com-
pleted our arrangements: the wind roared, and the
rain fell in such torrents, that little Frank, with tears
in his eyes, inquired if another Deluge was coming.
These heavy rains made it impossible to remain in
our sleeping-apartment, and we were all obliged to take
refuge in the hollow trunk, with whatever provisions
we could find that were not already spoiled.
This homely dwelling was indeed crowded, and the
floor so occupied by household goods, beds, and living
creatures, that it was scarcely possible to move; and
above all, the smell from the neighboring stables,, the
lowing and clucking of the animals, and the horrible
smoke when we attempted to light a fire, made our sit-
uation at first almost unbearable.
All these difficulties, however, were by degrees over-
276
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
come : tlie animals were removed to a greater distance
under the tree-roots, and by piling up a number of our
tools and other articles on the winding staircase, we
made room enough for us to work during the day, and
lie down at night with comfort.
Cooking was dispensed with as much as possible, to
spare us the tormenting smoke, even at the expense of
hunger. Besides this, we were anxious to save our
dried wood in case of colder weather coming upon us ;
but we were thankful that, as yet, no severe cold trou-
bled us. What we should do in frost or snow, I knew
not.
As evening of the first day came on, I and Fritz, in
spite of the rain, had to search for the animals, and
bring them to shelter under the arched roots, as well as
to oMain for them the necessary food.
We made ourselves as comfortable as we could for
the night in our hollow tree ; but before I slept, I de-
termined to discover some other means of passing
through the winter in comfort, if the weather would
clear up for a few days to enable me to venture out.
But no change took place for nearly a week, and dur-
ing that time we could only subsist on the acorns, co-
coanuts, cold meat, and potatoes, that we had brought
to our retreat.
At present we had hay enough for the animals, and
a stock of grain for the poultry; but I decided that
when we were unable to supply them with sufficient
food, they must be turned adrift to forage for them-
selves, and we might also feed them now and then with
what remained of the store of fodder.
A slight change in the weather gladdened my heart,
for I was now able to make some little improvements
in our habitation, and with the help of Fritz bring in
a store of provisions from Zeltheim. The animals
being in the spaces under the arched roots, we had the
hollow trunk of our tree all to ourselves, and by the
277
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
time the rainy season set in we were becoming recon-
ciled to our position.
Fortunately the winter was not cold as well as wet,
or we should have suffered terribly. Yet my wife con-
sidered it necessary to contrive some outer covering
to protect Fritz and myself from the rain, each time
we made an excursion after the animals, or to obtain
fresh stores from Zeltheim.
She had found in one of the sailors ’ lockers two can-
vas shirts, to which she sewed hoods to cover our heads.
Over these she spread layers of caoutchouc, which ren-
dered them completely waterproof, so that we could
easily brave the rain without fear of getting wet.
During our stay in this hollow tree as a refuge from
the weather, we were still actively employed. We
carefully fed and sheltered the cow, for her milk was
our chief food. The boys took care of their pet ani-
mals, and my wife employed herself with her needle,
while I commenced a journal of the events which had
occurred since the shipwreck, and the story of our lives
in this foreign land.
My wife and the boys readily helped me when my
memory failed, and the questions and discussions that
arose on the subject created great amusement. Fritz
and Jack taught little Frank to read, hut my principal
work during these dark wintry days consisted in mak-
ing coarse and fine carding-combs for my wife to sep-
arate and prepare the fiax for spinning. For this pur-
pose I obtained from our stores a number of long nails,
some finer than others; these I rounded at one end,
and sharpened at the other with a file. For the coarse
comb I took the thicker nails, as near as possible of
the same size, and laid the rounded ends side by side
on a strip of tin, about an inch broad, to form the up-
per edge of the comb. I was careful to lay the nails
in an unbroken row, and after pouring melted lead in
the upper spaces between the nails to keep them firm
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
in their places, folded the tin over it; the lower parts,
and the sharp-pointed ends of the nails, forming the
teeth of the comb.
The fine comb I made in the same manner: they
were each about four inches long, and quite strong
enough to tear to pieces bushes of hemp or flax.
My wife was eagerly anxious to make a first trial of
the new machines, and constantly sighing for better
weather, when it would be possible to light a fire, that
she might dry the flax, and commence her first experi-
ment in combing and spinning the newly discovered
flax, and to satisfy her motherly heart in making clothes
for the boys.
CHAPTER XXII
SPRING DAYS AND THE SALT CAVERN
IT is impossible to describe our joy when, after so
many long weeks of confinement and privation, we
again gazed on the clear sky and the bright sunshine
lighting up the face of nature. With joyful cries we
escaped from our unhealthy prison to breathe the sweet
fresh air, and refresh our longing eyes with a sight of
the delicate green of budding spring and the lovely
verdure of field and meadow.
Nature had renewed her youth, and filled every liv-
ing creature with gladness and joy. We ourselves felt
inspired with new hope for the future. The sorrows
of the winter were all forgotten, and the work which
lay before us in the summer hours seemed, in our glad-
ness, but as child ^s play.
We commenced at once to examine the condition of
the land we had cultivated, and found, to our great joy,
that all was flourishing.
Our tree plantation was in excellent condition. The
seeds we had sown were springing up. The trees were
putting forth their young leaves of delicate green.
The ground was covered with flowers of every hue,
and their sweet fragrance was borne to us upon the
balmy air; while birds of the most brilliant plumage
made the woods resound with song to welcome the
laughing spring.
We very soon discovered, however, that our work
would begin at our castle in the tree, for the rain had
greatly damaged the sail-cloth roof, and dried leaves
had drifted into our sleeping-apartment. Many days
would be occupied not only to render it dry and clean
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SWISS FAMiy^Y ROBINSON
for our own use, but also the stalls of the animals under
the arched roots, which were greatly damaged by the
rains, as well as the staircase in the hollow trunk. In
short, we quickly found plenty of work.
While Fritz and I hastened to rectify the damage
done to our summer dwelling, Ernest and Jack turned
out the animals to graze upon the sweet fresh grass
in the meadows, for the sun had already dried up all
traces of rain and moisture.
The pet birds and those we had domesticated with
the fowls had not forsaken the old roost, although they
had wandered away in all directions, during our stay
in the hollow tree, to search for additional food.
I was glad, therefore, to find the seeds we had sown
growing up rapidly, for our supply of oats was nearly
exhausted.
The animals appeared, however, in very good con-
dition, and seemed not at all sorry to find their fowl-
house and the roosting-perches cleaned and comfort-
able.
As soon as our room in the tree and the platform
above the roots were made habitable, and the animals
and pets all attended to, my wife reminded me of the
flax, which required beating, carding, and combing, be-
fore it could be woven or spun into thread.
‘‘There will be many things for you to do at Tent-
home, she said; “for I expect you will find it greatly
damaged by the rain. And while you and the three
boys are absent at the work of repairing the tent, I
can stay here with little Frank and spin the flax, for
you are all terribly in want of clothes.
“But you must have a spinning-wheel and a spin-
dle, I replied. “Where is that to come from?”
“Oh,” she said, with a smile, “after building rooms,
and staircases, and rope ladders, and carts, you won’t
find much difficulty, I suspect, in constructing a spin-
ning-wheel for me.”
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
After this I could not refuse to help her, and we com-
menced proceedings by placing the bundles of steeped
flax in the sun to dry. Then followed the work of beat-
ing, stripping, and carding.
The boys, each with a long heavy piece of wood,
something like a flail used for threshing corn, beat the
flax till the flexible fibers were separated from the
softer parts. I then drew the fibers through the
coarse comb I had made, and passed them to my
wife, who carded these fibers through the finer
comb till the flax was in proper condition for being
spun.
We had succeeded so far wonderfully, and I there-
fore set about constructing a spinning-wheel or distatf
with great energy.
I chose the lightest of the wheels I had brought from
the wreck. Fritz prepared straps from the skin of the
dead butfalo ; and, after some difficulty, I succeeded in
forming a spinning-wheel, and spindle, and reel, which,
although rather clumsy in appearance, were received by
my wife with great satisfaction, for it seemed to her
all she could wish.
She at once set to work; and we left her with little
Frank, spinning yarn enough, she said, to provide
thread, yarn, stockings, and linen for a large supply
of clothes, to replace those we now wore, and which
were nearly worn out.
The journey to Zeltheim was undertaken to discover
what mischief the winter had done to the tent, and
whether its condition was as bad as that of the tree
castle sleeping-room.
We found, to our sorrow, that the damage done at
Falcon ^s Nest could not be compared to the terrible
destruction at Zeltheim.
Storm and rain had overthrown the tent, torn the
sail-cloth covering, and so completely soaked the stores
of provisions we had left there under shelter, that
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SWISS FAMII^Y ROBINSON
most of them would have proved perfectly useless had
we not quickly placed them in the sun to dry.
Fortunately, the well-built pinnace had sutfered no
damage, although the tub-boat was so completely
broken up, that there appeared no hope of its ever
again being fit for sea.
^ On a closer examination of our stores, I noticed par-
ticularly that the three powder-casks that had been
left under shelter at the back of the tent had received
considerable damage. Two of these casks were en-
tirely filled with water, and the contents so thoroughly
soaked, that we were obliged to throw them away.
This heavy and, to us, irreparable loss led me at once
to consider in what way I could contrive some more
convenient winter quarters, where such disasters could
not possibly occur, and also that we might be able in
future to preserve our arms and ammunition from the
wet during the rainy season.
My first idea on the subject, which was to hew out a
cave or a dwelling in the rocks, seemed, with our limited
strength, to be impossible, at least so as to have it
ready in less than three or four summers. Yet the
longing for a roomy and weather-tight winter dwell-
ing gave me no rest.
At last I determined to try, as an experiment, to
hew out at least a cellar to contain our powder-flasks,
that this valuable treasure might for the future be
preserved from injury.
While the mother was one morning busily engaged
with her spinning, I started from Falcon ^s Nest with
Fritz and Jack, fully determined, with the help of the
boys, to carry out my intentions.
We loaded ourselves with crowbars, pickaxes, and
hammers, and, approaching the chain of rocks, I looked
about for a spot where at least it might be possible to
dig out a vault in which to stow away a couple of pow-
der-flasks.
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
At last I made choice of a spot where the face of
the rock appeared smooth, steep, and almost perpen-
dicular, and from the top of which could be seen a most
extensive view of Deliverance Bay, together with the
shore of the Jackal River to the right, and the end of
the chain of rocks to the left.
Upon this I marked with charcoal the outline of an
opening to be hewn out of the rock, and then I and the
two boys undertook the troublesome office of stone-
breakers, only to be performed with the sweat of our
brows.
On the first day we made so little progress, although
we had struggled against every obstacle, that I became
quite dispirited, and despaired of being able to com-
plete even a common cellar, before the rainy season
again arrived. But on the following day we set to
work with renewed vigor, for I began to hope that the
hardness of the rock would lessen, as we got deeper in,
and become by degrees soft enough to be broken by
a spade.
We had penetrated into the rock to a distance of
about seven feet, when Jack, who was trying to bore a
hole through with a large handspike, suddenly cried
out joyfully,
‘ ‘ I am through, papa ! I am through ! ’ ^
‘ ‘ Through ! Through where ! ’ ^ I replied ; ‘ ‘ certainly
not through the whole mountain U’
‘‘Through into the mountain, of course, papa,” re-
plied the boy. ‘ ‘ Hurrah ! hurrah ! ’ ’
“Indeed he is right,” cried Fritz, who had hastened
to the spot : ‘ ‘ come and see, papa, it is wonderful ! The
iron spike has gone right through the rock into an
open space, for I can turn it round and round just as I
like.” ^
I quickly found this worth my attention. I seized
the handspike, and worked it about in the hole with
such force, that I very soon made an opening large
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
enough for one of the boys' to slip through. Most
eagerly they wished to make the attempt, but I held
them back, for when I approached nearer to the open-
ing to look through, a puff of foul air rushed into my
face, and caused me to feel, for a moment, quite sick
and giddy.
‘‘Listen, boys,^’ I exclaimed, as I drew back hastily
from the aperture: “do not attempt to enter that
dreadful cave, for the atmosphere inside is deadly. ’ ’
Anxiously they questioned me as to the reason of
this, and I then explained to them that atmospheric air
consisted of two gases, oxygen and nitrogen, and that
if one, or part of one, was removed, the air became im-
pure and unfit to be breathed by the lungs.
“Air,’’ I said, “is sometimes full of noxious gases,
which render it either combustible, or so heavy, that
it quickly destroys life, especially when it has been con-
fined for a long time in a limited space. It then loses
its elasticity, and persons who attempt to breathe it
are either suffocated or die instantly.”
“How can you prove, papa, that the air in this cave
is impure ? ’ ’
“There are many ways,” I replied, “of discovering
this, and one is by its terrible effects upon those who
breathe it ; but the simplest and safest is to place fire,
or a lighted candle, in the suspected air, and if they
continue to burn, we know it is pure enough for man
to breathe it ; but in impure air fire and lights are in-
stantly extinguished. Now fetch a quantity of dried
grass, and we will try the experiment.”
The boys instantly ran to obey, and presently re-
turned with large handfuls of grass and moss, which
I threw into the opening and set fire to it ; but in an in-
stant it was extinguished, proving at once the air in
the cave to be in the highest degree dangerous. We
had brought from the wreck, among other things, a
sea-chest containing rockets and bomb-shells, to be
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
used on board ship as signals at night or in case of
danger.
I fetched one of the rockets, and placed it on a mor-
tar, just within the portal of this nether world, in the
hope that by the explosion the malignant air spirit
might be driven from the spot.
With a thrilling report the rocket flew like a radiant
meteor through the horrible atmosphere, above the
ground, to the opposite wall of rock. Here it re-
bounded, sprang up, and burst with a hollow sound,
driving before it through the opening a stream of
noxious air, that drove us back some paces. The rocket
also produced another wonderful effect : it whizzed
round the save like a flaming dragon, lighting the whole
mighty circumference, and causing the wonderfully
beautiful roof to sparkle and glitter, as if by enchant-
ment.
After all these experiments, I waited for a little
while, and then a second time made trial of the dried
hay. A bundle was set on fire and thrown into the
cave: it fell flaming on the floor, and continued burn-
ing till.it was all consumed, proving at once that we
might safely venture to enter, without fear of danger.
I however hesitated to explore the cave in darkness,
as I could not be sure that water might not have ac-
cumulated on the ground, or that we might stumble
over something we could not see. I therefore at once
sent our active little Jack to Falcon’s Nest, that he
might tell his mother the news of our joyful discovery,
and bring her and his brothers back with him, as well
as a number of our wax lights, that we might enter the
wonderful vault together, and find out its extent.
During Jack’s absence, Fritz and I worked hard
at the opening, to make it broader and higher, and
also cleared away the broken pieces of rock, and all
the rubbish, that we might be able to walk into the
wonderful grotto without difficulty.
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
In about an hour the mother, with Ernest and Frank,
arrived in our little state carriage, or, more properly
speaking, our potato cart.
They quickly alighted, and we all entered the grotto,
each carrying a lighted wax candle. Fritz also was
provided with a tinder-box, in case the candle should
go out ; and I led the way cautiously, feeling the ground
with my feet, and followed by the boys and their
mother, rather fearfully, in spite of their curiosity.
Our two dogs were also of the party, yet, showing by
their uneasy, timid manner, that they did not quite ap-
prove of the position. \
We had not advanced very far before the appearance
of the grotto startled us by its wonderful beauty. The
candles we carried were reflected on the walls in golden
light like the stars of heaven, and the columns of
crystal which rose from the floor to the vaulted roof
sparkled and glittered in all the colors of the rainbow ;
it was as if we were standing in the hall of a king’s
palace, or beneath a stately dome of magic enchant-
ment.
Crystals also hung from the roof in fantastic forms,
which represented the vaulted arches of a cathedral or
the delicate tracery of gothic architecture.
The floor was covered with soft firm sand, and it
was a satisfaction to me to observe that it showed not
the least sign of being damp, and was therefore quite
healthful, even for a sleeping residence.
I examined more closely the crystal tapestry of this
wonderful grotto, believing at first that it was a sta-
lactite cave, like those which are found near our own
home.
All at once I recalled the descriptions I had read of
the salt-mines in Poland. I approached the wall, and
breaking olf a small piece, tasted it with the tip of my
tongue, and found, to my unspeakable joy, that we were
in a cavern of crystallized rock salt, which had for its
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
foundation gypsum, over and around wliicli the spark-
ling crystal hung in layers like a mantle or covering. ^
The discovery of this salt pleased me greatly, as it
would provide us with a never-failing store for our-
selves' and our cattle, with only the trouble of break-
ing it otf, and therefore would save the fatigue of
bringing heavy loads from the sea-shore.
On proceeding farther into the interior of this cav-
ern, we were surprised at the singular and statue-like
figures and shapes formed by the masses of salt, either
hanging from the roof or projecting from the walls. I
noticed, however, with some anxiety, that pieces of the
crystal had fallen in different places, and I knew that
such an accident would greatly endanger our safety if
we made it a dwelling, especially if caused by damp.
A nearer inspection showed me that this was not the
case, as not the least sign of moisture appeared in
the cavern. I came to the conclusion, therefore, that
the explosion of the rocket had created a concussion
in the air, by which a few loose pieces of the crystal
had been broken otf.
I however determined to make another experiment,
by firing my gun loaded with ball, and while carefully
watching for the result, I found that not even a loose
piece was broken otf by the vibration of the air, and
felt convinced at once, not only of the firmness of the
crystal, but also that this wonderful cavern might be-
come a most comfortable dwelling-place.
Plan after plan was proposed as the be^t to make
the beautiful cave useful, and all our industry and in-
ventive powers were excited in this fresh opportunity
of constructing an incomparable place, which would
recompense us for any exertions.
^ It was decided that Falcon’s Nest should still con-
tinue to be our summer residence, and our sleeping-
quarters at night; but the whole day was to be spent
at Zeltheim, while we were so busily at work in pre-
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
paring and fitting up our rock castle to make it habit-
able as a winter bouse.
Very little was now done at Falcon’s Nest beyond
wbat was absolutely necessary. In the morning we
attended to the animals, and provided them with food
for the day, while the mother prepared breakfast, and
a store of provisions to last till our return home in
the evening, tired certainly, but still able to enjoy a
good supper after our day’s work.
The first things to be thought of in our rock bouse
were light and air, and for that purpose the openings
of a row of windows in front were hewn out of the
rock. The openings were made to suit the size of the
windows in the officers’ cabins which we had brought
from the wreck.
The entrance to the cave was also made to admit the
door, now fixed in the hollow tree-trunk at Falcon’s
Nest, which I determined to remove to Zeltheim. The
opening in the hollow tree which admitted us to the
winding stairs could be easily replaced with bark, as
most likely to deceive wild beasts, and render their
plundering propensities useless, at least for a time,
till we could make another door.
The immense space within the cave made it easy to
divide it into two parts. The largest in front, into
which the door opened, was to contain our dwelling-
room and sleeping-chambers on the right, and the
kitchen, workshop, and stables on the left.
The smaller division behind, and so deep in the cave,
that no windows could be made in it, I determined to
use as cellars, storehouse, and magazines ; and by de-
grees I hoped to supply, mth the help of my boys, the
necessary doors and openings in the partition, as well
as other needful additions for a comfortable dwelling-
house.
The previous work of nature had accomplished for
us the great undertaking of a large building, with
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
strong walls and lofty roof ; it remained, therefore, for
us only to provide light and air, and the fitting up of
the interior. We applied ourselves earnestly to the
work, and in this, as well as other undertakings dur-
ing our stay on this lonely coast, proved what can be
done by activity and perseverance.
At Zeltheim, while engaged in this work, another
advantage presented itself, which had not yet been
made known to us.
Now and then, on the shore, large numbers of turtles
made their appearance. They, however, were trou-
blesome to capture, although we were not sorry to be
able to obtain such delicacies as their flesh provided,
as well as the eggs, which we frequently found in our
wanderings. I now became anxious not to lose more
time in catching this delicious prey, but, if possible,
secure some of them alive, that they might be ready
for food when required, as well as a certain supply
of eggs, and, perhaps, after a while, of young tur-
tles.
For this purpose I placed a rich bait within a space
surrounded by chains and ropes. When any of these
beautiful creatures approached the spot, it became
entangled in the fetters, and it was easy for the boys,
who were on the watch, to wade into the water, draw
it on shore, and, with my help, turn it over on its back,
that it might not escape.
I then bored a hole in the hinder part of the shell,
passed one end of a long string through the hole, tied
it firmly, and fastened the other end to a post fixed
near the water ^s edge. The creature was then turned
over on his feet, and, without a moment’s pause,
plunged into the water ; but, while he could move about
at his will, and obtain his own nourishment, as well as
enjoy his natural element, he still remained on the
sand, for the string kept him back from leaving the
shore. In this way we succeeded in capturing several
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
turtles for future use ; but another surprise, of equal
value, awaited us.
One morning, while returning from Falcon^s Nest
by the shores of the bay, and in haste to continue our
work in the grotto, we were startled by a most won-
derful spectacle.
The sea at some distance appeared to be in a strange
commotion, while the agitated and foaming waves
sparkled in the early morning light. Above this shin-
ing surface hovered numerous aquatic birds of every
description, — the sea-gull, the albatross, and many oth-
ers, their screams and cries reaching our ears even
at such a distance.
Presently the feathered flock, still hovering and
agitated, dived down to the surface of the water, rose
again, crossed each other’s path as they flew, and con-
ducted themselves so strangely, that we could not de-
cide whether it was play and amusement, or a battle,
on which we gazed.
The sea beneath them presented a most unusual
sight, as the morning sun rose and cast a glow of rosy
red over the eastern sky. The foam sparkled like tiny
flames, and the waves, as if moved by living creatures,
changed into a hundred different appearances every
moment.
The shining mass now rolled forward towards us in
a direct line across the Deliverance Bay, followed by
the flock of birds, while we, with all possible haste and
curiosity, quickened our steps towards the shore. In
our road, each tried to account for this unusual sight.
The mother supposed it to be a moving sandbank ; Fritz
laughingly declared that it must proceed from the cave
of t submarine Vulcan; and Ernest believed the ap-
pear nee to be caused by some frightful sea-monster
that \ as sporting in the waves.
As for myself, after due consideration I felt con-
vinced that a shoal or bank of herrings was approach-
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
ing our shores. No sooner had I stated this opinion
than I was overwhelmed with a flood of questions as
to what could be a ‘‘herring bank.’’
“A herring bank, or shoal,’’ I replied, “is the word
used to describe an immense number of herrings, which
swim together at certain times of the year, and appear
like a living sandbank in the sea. These herrings, in
their progress, attract a large number of great fish,
such as salmon, jean doree, dolphins, and the dog-fish,
to follow them. To these the herring is a delicious
morsel. They also attract hunters in the air, which
swallow them greedily, and are equally dangerous en-
emies: those birds which we saw hovering over the
crests of the waves, catch up easily those little fish
which venture near the surface. The herrings, there-
fore, swim with rapidity and eager anxiety towards
the nearest coast or shore, where the water is shallow,
and feel themselves at least safe from sea-monsters,
for these large fish require deeper water, especially
when hunting for prey. But they cannot escape from
the skillful means used by man to entrap them, who
also consider the arrival of these fish a welcome oc-
currence, for thousands of them can be caught at these
periods with very little trouble. It is said that in one
year millions of herrings are caught by man, in addition
to the number which become the prey of birds or fish;
and yet the roes of only a few herrings would contain
eggs enough to make up the usual quantity of the shoal
from year to year.”
With this and similar conversation we at last reached
Zeltheim, and the animals were scarcely unharnessed
from the cart before the whole of the immense shoal
of herrings rushed into the bay, and with such haste,
that they tumbled one over another, while their shining
scales sparkled in the sunlight, and presented the same
singular firelike appearance that we had observed on
the distant sea.
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
We liad no leisure time, however, to admire this
charming sight, while it was necessary to catch as
many fish as possible, now we had the opportunity.
I therefore made out a list of the duties to be per-
formed by each of us in this fishing business.
Fritz was to gather the fish in nets, and throw them
into baskets on the shore, — easily done, on account of
the immense numbers swimming about; Ernest and
Jack were to prepare and clean them, while the mother
sprinkled salt over them ; and little Frank was to lend
a helping hand to all.
I took upon myself the task of pickling the herrings,
and placing them in casks, which required the greatest
carefulness. I first covered the bottom of the cask with
salt, and then placed the herrings in a row, head to
tail, the long way of the cask; the second row I laid
crossways over the others; and so on, till I had piled
them up closely to the top of the cask, for I had very
little room to spare.
As soon as the barrels were full I covered them with
large leaves and a piece of sail-cloth, and upon this
placed pieces of timber, which I kept down by heavy
stones. The barrels were then carried to the cool
vaults at the back of our rock house, to be preserved
for our use with the greatest safety.
This work occupied quite four days, and detained us
entirely at Zeltheim for that time; yet, by working
early and late, we could not manage to fill more than
two casks with pickled herrings, although there were
quite enough fish for seven or eight.
Scarcely had this work of catching and salting her-
rings been completed, when other important business
presented itself. Among the herring-eating swarms
that had followed the shoal to our shores I observed
a number of dog-fish, who without the least shyness dis-
ported themselves in the water in the most comical
manner.
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
These creatures did not appear likely to prove suit-
able for our table, but I knew that their skin would
provide us with a supply of leather useful for saddles
and harness, as well as fur for clothing.
Besides leather, I could also procure from these ani-
mals a kind of oil to soften their own fur, and make
the skin flexible and pliant. It was therefore neces-
sary to destroy them for the sake of these useful arti-
cles, although I feared the flesh would prove unsuit-
able for food.
The skins, however, were drawn off with the fur still
on, and the fat melted for oil, which was then care-
fully placed in a cask, to be used in the future for
tanning and soap-making, as well as to be burnt in the
ship lanterns at night during winter.
We used the bladder of the dog-flsh for another pur-
pose, and that was to obtain a storehouse or reservoir
for crabs, to which it formed a tempting bait.
I found an empty sailor’s chest, in the sides of which
I bored holes, and, putting into it a number of heavy
stones, sank it to the bottom of the stream ; and in this
chest a number of crabs and lobsters were caught and
secured by the attractive bait of the dog-fish’s bladder.
The contrivance obtained and preserved for us a
constant supply of these shell-fish; indeed, the brook
became a complete reservoir for them, the chest being
secured to the shore by a chain fastened to a post. I
also formed another reservoir for herrings, in which
I placed a number of those we had caught, and they
very quickly peopled our fish-pond.
Our accustomed work at the cavern was, through all
these important undertakings, set aside for a time;
but we now found it necessary to continue the fitting up
of our rock castle home, lest a change in the weather
should occur before we expected it.
294
CHAPTER XXIII
THE WINTER HOUSE IN THE GROTTO
OUR work in the cave was still carried on with great
vigor, as there remained still a great deal to carry
out, and we had so often been interrupted with other
important duties.
On examining the cavern more attentively, I noticed
that the crystallized salt had for its base a species of
gypsum. I therefore inspected the walls of the inner-
most part, near our powder store, and found this min-
eral in large quantities.
I broke oft several portions with a pickax, and,
carrying them to our fireplace at Zeltheim, made sev-
eral pieces red hot in the fire. When these were cold,
I easily reduced them to powder, which, when mixed
with water, made a beautiful white plaster.
My first attempt at plastering was to cover the sides
of the herring-tubs, to prevent the air from penetrat-
ing through the cracks. The remaining four I left un-
touched, as I wished to try my hand at smoked herrings
as soon as possible.
I therefore, with the help of the boys, who were al-
ways ready for any new experiment, constructed a hut
of reeds and branches of trees closely twisted together,
similar to those built by the buccaneers in America of
whom I had read.
Across the interior of this hut, and very high up,
were placed ledges, in rows one above another, and
on these the herrings w®^® Under them we
lighted a fire of brushwood and damp moss, which
threw out a dense smoke. The hut was then closed, to
make it as much as possible air-tight.
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
After repeating this process for several days, our
herrings became dry and firm, and of a beautiful
golden-brown color. These we gladly laid up in our
storehouse.
About a month after the arrival of the shoal of her-
rings some very large fish appeared in the bay, and
were evidently making their way towards the river,
that they might deposit their spawn in the fresh water
between the rocks at the entrance. By this means the
young fish are able to reach the sea with ease.
Some of these fish were so large, that Jack imagined
they were young whales. I quickly showed him his
mistake. We walked to the banks of the river, and
there beheld a number of salmon and sturgeon sport-
ing in the waves, and certainly not so easily to be cap-
tured as herrings.
Jack instantly ran back to the cavern, and presently
returned with his bow, and arrows barbed with fish-
hooks, and a large skein of packthread, as well as two
bladders of the dog-fish.
I watched him with surprise as he fastened the blad-
ders to one end of his arrow, and a long string to the
other. He then fixed the other end of the string on the
shore under a heavy stone, and, with a good aim, shot
the arrow quickly from his bow into the body of a large
salmon.
‘‘Cleverly hit. Jack. Well done!^’ cried his broth-
ers, as the fish struggled in vain to escape; for the
string under the heavy stone on the shore kept him
back, while the bladders obliged him to float on the
surface, or otherwise he would have dived to the bot-
tom. This fish was, indeed, a prisoner; and we drew
him to shore, and quickly put him out of his misery.
This great success roused us all to make a similar
experiment.
Fritz went for a harpoon. I made my appearance
like Neptune with his trident, or, properly speaking, a
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
liay-fork. Ernest provided liimself with large fishing-
hooks and a line, and onr fishing performances began
again with great energy.
Jack again tried his bow and arrow, but with less
success : two of his shots failed ; and although the third
wounded another salmon, he had great difficulty in
bringing it on shore.
Ernest baited his hook with some tempting morsel,
and threw his line, hoping to get a bite from one of the
visitors; and when that occurred, he had to call his
mother and Frank to assist him to haul it on shore.
I struck two of the creatures, but I had to struggle
through deep water to secure them. At last, with
his harpoon, Fritz fixed a sturgeon of an enormous
size. Struck in the back of the head, the monster
struggled violently, and threw the water over us in
showers. Fritz was obliged to let out all the string,
and I had to fetch another harpoon, to prevent him
from escaping ; and by degrees we drew him into shal-
low water. Even then we were obliged to throw a
noose around his neck before he could be landed.
After resting awhile from these exertions, we com-
menced cleaning and cutting up the fish into pieces to
be salted, excepting a portion of the salmon, which I
gave to my wife to be cooked for our dinner, and ad-
vised her to boil it with a little of its own oil in water,
as they cook the tunny-fish in the Mediterranean.
‘^We have such a large supply of fish now,’’ said my
wife, ‘^that I think it would be advisable to throw away
the roes, the fins, and the tails, as well as the bladders,
for they make our dishes and the place smell so un-
pleasant. ’ ’
^‘Impossible, my dear!” I replied, with a grave face:
“from the roes of the sturgeon is prepared that deli-
cate dish named by the Eussians ‘caviare,’ and the
most excellent glue can be made from the bladder, and
those other parts you object to.”
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
My wife shook her head at this information, but as
I knew she was right about the unpleasant smell, I
at once set to work, that these materials might be got
rid of quickly.
The sturgeon’s roe, which weighed about thirty
pounds, was cleaned and rinsed several times, to re-
move from it the salt water, and while boiling, the scum
of brine was carefully skimmed off, till not a particle
remained. The whole mass was then placed into a
gourd-shell sieve with holes, till the water was pressed
entirely from it, and then left for twenty-four hours.
It was afterwards removed from the calabash mold,
and mixed with a kind of cheese, made with goat’s
milk. It only now required to be smoked in the hut,
and then removed to our storehouse in the rock, to be
preserved as a pleasant and nourishing food for us
during the winter.
The fish-bladders next required my attention, as
they needed to be separated from the fleshy parts, and
also cleaned with fresh water. This done, I cut them
into long strips, and after tying a string to each end,
stretched them in the sun to dry and become smooth.
The preparation of the fins and tails was really
tedious: they had to be skinned, cleaned, and boiled,
till they were changed into a perfect jelly, which, after
becoming firm, when cool, was thrown into a clean flask,
and when thoroughly dried in the sun, and quite hard,
was cut into strips and laid by for use. By this process
we obtained a supply of really useful glue, which I
hoped, when clarified, would not only serve to stick
articles together firmly, but also to form a semi-trans-
parent substance, to use for window-panes instead of
glass.
These undertakings being accomplished, I was able
to examine my wife’s kitchen garden at Zeltheim. It
appeared in a most flourishing condition, and likely
to supply us with vegetables of all kinds, and of most
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
excellent flavor, with very little trouble. It was also
agreeable to discover that the plants in this climate
had no particular or fixed period of the year for be-
coming ripe, hut that, during the whole summer, peas,
beans, and other agreeable vegetables continued to
grow and ripen. The moisture caused by the heavy
rains had no doubt produced this result, as well as the
supply of water which had been brought from the
Jackal Eiver by our sago palm-tree pipes. For this
little trouble, therefore, we had been richly repaid.
Besides kitchen vegetables of all kinds, our garden
contained cucumbers, gherkins, melons, as well as a
quantity of Indian corn or maize, in great abundance.
At a little distance from the garden was a sugar-cane
plantation in a flourishing condition; and the anana-
roots we had brought from the mountain ridge^ and
transplanted in good soil close by, promised to provide
us in the future with a splendid store of this incom-
parable fruit.
The universal success of the plants near Zeltheim
filled me with a pleasing hope that another experiment
we had made at Falcon’s Nest would be equally suc-
cessful, and one morning we started, full of spirits,
from Zeltheim, to visit the spot.
On our way to Falcon’s Nest we passed a large field,
in which the mother had sown a whole bushel of Euro-
pean corn, after the potatoes had been dug up.
Here we found seeds of all descriptions growing into
plants, and some quite ripe. In one part was barley,
in another wheat ; farther on we saw rye, peas, millet,
and field-beans, in such profusion, that, in the highest
state of wonder, I asked the mother where she had
found so many and such a variety of seeds.
brought them from the wreck when we first left
it,” she replied, ‘‘and I have still some remaining;
but after our first harvest, I expect we shall not need
them.”
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
‘‘I tliink the harvest of that maize-field yonder has
commenced already/’ I replied; ^^and the reapers are
there, in the shape of unbidden guests, who are com-
mitting robbery. ’ ’
While saying this, I led the way to the field, followed
by the rest.
As we approached nearer, we heard a sudden flap-
ping of rushing wings, and at the same moment about
half a dozen Canadian fowl, who had evidently been
enjoying themselves, rose in the air and took to flight.
Our dogs, who at once began to display their hunting
propensities, were almost startled by the strange cries
of an immense flock of smaller birds, who rose at once
in the air, having been evidently warned by others of
the same species, which appeared to act as sentinels.
I had seen these little creatures running along the
ground, but they also now took flight with the rest.
At last, to complete the number of unbidden guests,
two kangaroos sprang on the field, who, with tremen-
dous leaps, tried to escape in safety from our dogs,
which they readily succeeded in doing.
Fritz, however, had been on the alert the moment
he saw the Canadian fowls, and without delay released
his eagle, which he always carried behind him perched
on his game-bag. He uncovered the bird’s eyes, and
threw him aloft from his hand after one of the fugi-
tives.
He then sprang quickly on the back of the onager,
and followed his pupil with the swiftness of an arrow.
We watched this performance in the air with the great-
est curiosity. The eagle was not long in discovering
his prey, and flew over it at a great height, as if he
threatened to pounce down upon the bird at once.
The Canadian fowl no sooner caught sight of his
enemy, than he shrank from him in terror, and tried
to avoid the thrust by various movements, — drew him-
self together, stretched himself out, and at last sank to
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
the earth, terrified at the fierce eyes and frightful claws
of his enemy.
This loss of courage would have been fatal to the
Canadian fowl, for the eagle pounced upon him in a
moment, as he was . sinking earthwards, and, seizing
the poor creature with his claws, would no doubt have
made an end of him. But Fritz was close at hand, and
springing among the bushes, freed the claws of the
eagle from the bird’s feathers, and covered his eyes
with the hood; then, after tying the Canadian fowl’s
legs together, and covering him with a piece of canvas,
he seated the eagle again on his game-bag, and pre-
sented himself to us triumphantly.
Jack alone remained behind, with his young jackal,
to try his skill as a hunter. He had noticed that a few
of the birds with sentinels, which were evidently quails,
still remained in the field. The jackal, at the command
of his master, sprang in amongst them, and brought
out to the delighted Jack about a dozen, by the wings.
On our return with the captive Canadian fowl, the
youngster met us, and proudly showed us the result of
his instruction to the jackal. He received hosts of
congratulations; hut we were thirsty and exhausted,
and therefore anxiously turned our steps towards Fal-
con’s Nest.
On arriving. there, and complaining of the heat and
our thirsty condition, the mother offered us a new and
most refreshing drink, which she had prepared from
Indian corn, which, after being crushed and diluted
with water to clean it, was strained through a sieve, and
sweetened with the juice of a sugar-cane. This drink
was refreshing, and as agreeable and nourishing as
milk. The rest of the day we employed in shelling
and laying by the seeds we had brought with us, and
also made the necessary arrangements to start on the
next morning at daybreak to carry out a new under-
taking.
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
We chose especially a Canadian cock and two hens,
which we intended should establish a colony in the
wilderness, and increase in numbers, and seek their
supply of food for themselves. I decided also to take
four of the little pigs, and two pairs of goats, for the
number of our flocks and herds had already become
very considerable, and how to procure food for them
all was a cause of no little anxiety.
In the morning, after packing our wagon, supply-
ing our domestic animals with sufficient food and wa-
ter, as well as providing ourselves with arms and am-
munition, we started from Falcon’s Nest. The cow,
the buffalo, and old Grizzle were the beasts of burden ;
Fritz, on the now tame onager, rode foremost, as a
brave outrider, to discover if the way was clear, and
no danger presented itself.
We struck again upon a new path, between the strand
and the river, and presently found ourselves in the
region which stretches from Falcon’s Nest to the great
bay, and the place we named afterwards our watch-
tower, on the hill at False Hope Point.
By and by, we found no little difficulty in passing
through the high grass, and reaching the wood beyond
it. But here also a number of trailing plants, and an
overgrowth of brushwood, hindered our steps; it was
necessary, therefore, to take another road, or cut our
way through with ax and hatchet.
This difficult march, however,, came to an end at last,
and we reached the opposite edge of the wood, and saw
before us an open plain, on which grew a number of
small bushes, presenting a most striking appearance.
Little Frank, who was the first to notice this, presently
exclaimed,
“Oh, mamma, how pretty! Look, it has been snow-
ing ! It is real winter here, and not at all like the ugly
rain we have had.”
I was not surprised at the child’s mistake, for most
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
certainly there lay scattered on the bushes and on the
ground a white woolly substance, that glistened like
snow-flakes. I was about to express my opinion, when
the quick and inquiring mind of Fritz made him assert
as a fact what I only conjectured, that these bushes
were a kind of dwarf cotton-tree. They certainly bore
a kind of wool, which grew in boles or pods, like the
wool of the cotton- tree, and this welcome plant we had
now discovered in our travels^ The downy contents
of these pods we longed to possess, for quite a bushel
of fine soft wool lay in every direction, either scattered
on the ground like the round snowballs in our gardens
at home, or still enclosed in the pods, and hanging on
the ^reen stems of the bushes.
The joy expressed on this discovery was loud and
universal, particularly by the mother, who was in ec-
stasies over the number of articles with which this wool
would supply us, if I could only manage to make a
spinning-wheel and weaving machine for her.
While we were conversing on the possibility of my
success in such an attempt, the boys were gathering
up and plucking quantities of the wool, till all our
sacks were full ; but my wife eagerly filled her pocket
with seeds, in the hope that, if sown at Zeltheim, we
should be as successful in raising this useful plant as
we had been with former grain.
After walking onwards for a short time, we arrived
at the foot of a little hill, up which we climbed, and
from the top discovered a most delightful prospect.
Trees of every kind decked the hillsides, and beneath
flowed a clear rivulet, which in a verdant plain, evi-
dently fertilized by it, was lost to our view.
After descending the hill, my proposal to establish
our farm on this fertile plain received universal ap-
proval. The tent was, therefore, quickly raised, and
large stones collected to form a fireplace, that dinner
might be prepared. After a refreshing meal and rest,
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
I decided that it would be necessary to employ the re-
mainder of the day in the work that appeared the most
urgent. '
My wife and the boys took the trouble of separat-
ing and cleaning enough of the cotton wool to fill our
pillow-cases, that we might have soft pillows for our
heads at night. I employed myself in searching the
neighborhood for a suitable place in which to build our
farmhouse.
At a little distance I came upon a group of trees,
standing at such convenient spaces from each other,
that I decided immediately to make the trunks of these
trees the chief supports of our house.
After relating my success, we all retired early to
rest in the tent, to gain strength for our work on the
following morning, when I had arranged that the build-
ing of our farm should commence. The trees I had
chosen stood in the form of a parallelogram, or long-
sided square. The longest side, facing the sea, con-
sisted of three trees, one at each corner, and one in
the center. Inside the trunks of these trees, at about
ten feet from the ground, I cut notches, as also in the
three at .the back, which grew almost opposite.
The notches, however, in these, were only eight feet
high, as I intended to place beams across in a sloping
position, from front to back, to form a roof. These
beams were not more than five inches thick, and were
fastened firmly with nails to the trees at the side.
Across from tree to tree thin laths were placed, to form
the walls, and then fixed firmly to the cross beams above
with wooden pegs; and when this was completed, the
walls of our building looked like huge gridirons.
To make the roof secure, we covered it with pieces
*of bark already dried in the sun, in the form of tiles,
and, fitting one over the other, these were all firmly
nailed to the beams on which they rested.
While clearing up the rubbish and the broken pieces
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
of bark we bad used, I noticed a peculiar smell, and
took up one or two of the chips to examine them. I
then discovered that they were pieces of the bark of the
terebinth-tree, and contained turpentine. I hoped,
therefore, to make even these broken pieces of sj:ill
greater use than merely supplying us with fuel.
The acacia species, or mimosa-tree, which we found
at a little distance, had thorny branches, and these
thorns were very useful to us as nails.
We had to thank the goats for the next wonderful
discovery, which was indeed welcome. They were seen
to scrape among the fallen bark chips for certain
pieces, which they evidently considered as delicious
morsels, for they devoured them greedily. The boys,
whose curiosity was excited in the highest degree by
the performance of the goats, took up pieces of the bark
and tasted them. So aromatic and delicious was the
flavor, that Fritz at once pronounced the bark to be
cinnamon.
During our midday meal, the boys made many in-
quiries respecting these new discoveries, turpentine
and cinnamon ; they could think of nothing else.
Eespecting the first two, I explained that turpen-
tine and tar could be produced from the fir-tree, and
this fact was known by the ancient Greeks, and from
them it came to Venice, and is now an article of valu-
able commerce, especially with Norway, in which are
large forests of firs. Tar, when mixed with train oil,
forms pitch, which is also very useful; and when fat
is added, it makes a kind of grease for carriage and
cart-wheels.
‘^We shall now be able to prepare pitch for our
yacht,’’ I said, “which will be a great improvement
on caoutchouc, and render it stronger and firmer. The
terebinth-tree exudes a kind of gum, in some cases nat-
urally, but in others from incisions in the bark. This
gum, as it runs forth, hardens in the sun, and becomes
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
as transparent as amber. It is used when burnt as a
perfume, and if dissolved in spirits of wine, forms a
beautiful transparent varnish for porcelain, china, and
glass.
^‘Cinnamon,’’ I continued, ‘‘is the bark of the cinna-
mon-tree; the best comes from the island of Ceylon.
The young trees are chosen, because the coarser outer
bark can be easily removed, leaving a fine inner layer
of the cinnamon, which is peeled off, and after being
dried in the sun, is cut into strips of various lengths,
and rolled together in parcels.
‘ ‘ These parcels are most carefully sewed in pockets
containing cotton-wool, the pockets are wrapped in
matting, and at last the whole is tied up in ox-hides,
which by the sun or by fire have dried till they are as
hard as horn; they are then sent on board ship. By
these means the contents are not only secured from
plunder, but also from the possibility of losing their
aromatic flavor. ^ ’
After dinner we again proceeded to the building of
the farmliouse, which I knew would require many in-
dustrious days before it was completed. On this aft-
ernoon we commenced covering the walls with a kind
of latticework of creeping plants, twisted together as
closely as possible, to the height of about five feet.
The open part above to the roof was only partly cov-
ered with laths, also in a kind of latticework, leaving
large spaces between for air and light, and also to en-
able us to look out conveniently. The interior was
fitted up as much in accordance with my intention as
could be managed without much outlay of wood.
A partition, the length of the building from front to
back, divided the interior into two unequal parts. The
larger contained the principal entrance-door to the cat-
tle-stalls ; the smaller was to form sleeping-apartments
for ourselves whenever we paid a visit to the farm.
Within the larger partition we erected a smaller one,
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
with wooden palings, so arranged that, while the poul-
try could easily slip through to the principal door, the
animals were quite separated, and unable to intrude
upon them.
In both places we made proper troughs for their
food, and between the cattle-stalls and our sleeping-
chamber a secure door was placed. In a comparatively
short time we had the whole dwelling most comfortably
arranged ; for, although not very beautiful in outward
appearance, yet it was quite enough for us to feel sure
that we had made a really good shelter for the sheep,
goats, and fowls.
And in order to accustom them to the new home, we
took care to fill the feeding-troughs daily not only with
their usual food, but also with salt and other favorite
provender, both morning and evening. This plan so
attracted the colonists to their new stalls, that they be-
came quite accustomed to the place, and lost all in-
clination to run away.
I had calculated that this undertaking would most
likely be finished in three or four days, but it took us
more than a week, and our stock of provisions was by
the end of that time nearly exhausted. As I did not
wish to leave our new establishment until it was quite
completed, I sent Fritz and Jack to Falcon’s Nest to
obtain a fresh supply of necessary provisions.
The animals and poultry at Falconhurst would also
need more fodder, and I desired the boys to give them
enough to last for ten or twelve days. The two mes-
sengers took with them the ass to draw the cart, con-
taining string and bags, in which to pack all the store
of provisions they could find, and the onager and buf-
falo were the riding-horses. They started full of
spirits, and, with a slight touch of the whip, induced
our old Grizzle to follow them at a good trot.
During their absence I set out, with Ernest, to ex-
plore the surrounding country, not so much with the
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
intention of finding potatoes and cocoannts as from
a wish to become better acquainted with it. At a very
short distance from our new farm we came upon a little
brook, which flowed towards the wall of rocks, and
found ourselves in a road we already knew.
After awhile, however, we reached a large marsh,
which bordered a beautifully situated little lake. As
we walked round the marsh, I noticed with joyful sur-
prise that it was covered with the rice-plant, evidently
growing wild in great luxuriance. Some of the bushes
appeared to be young shoots, and the rice upon them
but half ripe.
Here and there I perceived fully-grown plants, cov-
ered with seeds, to which a large number of greedy
birds had been attracted. On our approach they flew
away with rushing wings, and we fired at four or five
Canadian fowls, but it would have been impossible to
secure even the one that fell had not the young jackal
rushed in among the rice-plants and brougM it to
us.
On proceeding farther. Master Nip made a welcome
discovery for us. As usual, he accompanied us with
his little basket on his back, and riding on his strong
patroness. Floss. Suddenly he sprang from his nag,
and rushed forward on all fours to a green bank at a
httle distance, and commenced plucking something and
devouring it with great enjoyment.
Ernest and I followed him, and quickly recognized,
in the wholesome and tempting fruit he was eating,
beautiful and sweet strawberries. We at once seated
ourselves on the ground, and refreshed our parched
lips with the delicious fruit. Some of the berries were
as large as my thumb, and not only quite ripe, but with
an aromatic flavor that resembled the anana or pine-
apple.
I thought, while regaling ourselves, of the dear ones
at home, and we gathered enough to fill Nip^s basket
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
to the very top. It was then covered with large leaves,
and over all a clean cloth carefully tied, for I feared
that if Master Nip found the basket too heavy, he
might be inclined to eat some, to lessen his load if it
were not closely covered.
I did not forget, also, to carry with me a few speci-
mens of the ripe rice-seeds for the mother, so that she
might ascertain as quickly as possible, by her cooking
skill, whether we had made a useful discovery.
Continuing our walk, we presently came to the spot
where the marsh was transformed into a tiny lake,
which we had already so much admired from a dis-
tance. Our delight was now greatly increased by the
appearance of a number of beautiful coal-black swans,
which were gliding in stately tranquillity on the lake,
their elegant forms mirrored in the dark blue wa-
ters.
The sight was so charming, that I would not, by any
hunting propensities, have attempted to disturb its
serenity; but our war-like companion Floss had no
such generous feelings. The dog had noticed a
strange movement in the water. She sprang in, and
quickly reappeared, dragging to the shore a singular
creature like a fish, which she had killed, and would
have devoured had I not run hastily to save it.
The curious animal puzzled me. It was web-footed,
had the tail of a fish, and a head proportionate to its
body, which was covered with long hair like fur, and
had eyes and ears so small as to appear as if formed
for concealment. But the most remarkable feature
of the animal was a duck’s beak on its snout.
These unheard-of combinations in one creature were
in appearance so ridiculous, that we laughed heartily ;
yet, while I examined the animal, I could not possibly
decide to what genus it belonged. I came to the con-
clusion at last to give it the name of ‘Hhe beast with
a bill.” Ernest, however, was very anxious to take
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
home this remarkable animal, and have it stuffed, to
be preserved as a curiosity.*
Laden with such booty, we now turned our steps
hack again to the newly-established farm ; and in less
than a quarter of an hour after our arrival, Fritz and
J ack, approaching at a sharp trot, returned from their
errand to Falcon’s Nest. They brought us a good
report of the animals, as well as proofs that they had
truly obeyed my orders.
I remarked also with satisfaction that the boys had
not only carried out my precise commissions intelli-
gently, but also brought with them many other articles
which they considered would be useful in completing
my plans and intentions.
On the following morning, after supplying the sheep,
goats, and poultry, which we intended to leave behind,
with sufficient fodder, we departed from the new farm,
which had been named Wood Grange, and took the
road to the promontory of False Hope.
After walking for a short distance, we reached a
wood, in which an enormous number of apes received .
us with unearthly cries, and pelted us with a hailstorm
of pine-cones; and it was only by firing our guns,
loaded with small shot, into the air, that we could dis-
perse our assailants.
Fritz picked up one of the cones with which the apes
had attacked us, and showed it to me. I was to rec-
ognize in it the cone of a pine-fir, that produces a most
agreeable oil when pressed, and appeared so likely to
be useful to us, that I desired the boys to gather up as
many as possible.
As soon as a large store had been collected, we de-
parted without delay from the wood of apes and fir-
trees, and arrived in a short time near the promontory
of False Hope. When we emerged from the wood, T
* This creature was no doubt the aquatic animal named the “duck-
billed platypus.”
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
had noticed at a short distance a rising ground, from
the summit of which I felt sure we should discover a
delightful prospect; and on reaching the foot, I at
once proposed that we should climb the steep ascent.
On arriving at the top, I found my expectations
more than realized, so beautiful was the country that
lay stretched out before our eyes in every direction.
I at once decided to make also here another establish-
ment ; as soon, therefore, as we had rested for a short
time, we commenced erecting a little cottage, or sum-
mer-house, on the brow of the hill.
This work was far easier to us now, in consequence
of our practice and experience at Wood Grange; and
it proceeded so rapidly, that in six days the cottage
was finished. We gave to this new settlement, at
Ernest’s suggestion the ‘high-sounding title of Pros-
pect Hill,
But this expedition had been undertaken by me prin-
cipally that I might search for a tree with a light,
strong, yet flexible bark, suitable to make a small boat.
Hitherto my search had been fruitless, but, in spite of
this, my hopes of finding the right tree were not
lost.
As soon, therefore, as the cottage was completed,
the boys and I conunenced our search in the surround-
ing neighborhood. After trying the bark of many
trees merely with my hand, we discovered two tall fine
trees resembling oaks, with trunks rising to a great
height before any branches sprang from them.
This bark, however, appeared to me to be a species
of cork, and, merely from its great toughness, would
have been suitable to my purpose, especially as it was
also easy to cut.
As soon as I had chosen my tree, I placed the little
rope ladder which we had brought with us on the low-
est branch, and fastened it firmly. Up this ladder
Fritz climbed, and, with a hand-saw, cut a circular
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
incision ronnd the trunk through the hark to the sap,
while I carefully made a similar incision near the root.
We then made another incision, from the upper to the
under circle straight down the stem, by which the bark
was separated from the tree in a curved form, and the
uncovered sap of the trunk was left to dry in the sun
by degrees.
The shell of bark we removed carefully and laid on
the grass unhurt; but even then not half of our work
was completed. The first thing advisable to be done
appeared to me the formation of the boat while the
bark was by nature still moist and flexible, and would
therefore be more easily brought into the shape of a
vessel.
My first act, therefore, was to cut through each end
of the piece of bark to the length of about three feet,
and then fold the pieces over to form the stem and
stern of my boat. In this position I nailed them firmly
together^ so that they might not become loosened by
the influence of water. This performance, however,
made my little ship too flat. I therefore bound it
round the sides with strong ropes while the bark was
moist, that it might remain in a proper shape when
dry.
At this point I felt that my boat-building could not
be finished without the necessary tools. I therefore
sent Fritz and Jack to Zeltheim for the sledge, to
which I had fastened two little wheels, brought from
the wreck, and belonging to the ship’s cannon, so that
the unfinished boat might be carried to a more con-
venient place to be completed.
During the absence of the boys, I searched the neigh-
boring woods and groves for pliable wood, that would
bend easily and form the ribs of my little ship.
Ernest, however, was fortunate enough to discover,
while searching with me, a kind of ligneous wood,
which generally grows in a curved form naturally, and
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
would, on that account, be most useful for the ribs of
tbe boat, without looking for flexible wood.
In tbe midst of this search we also made a very use-
ful discovery of a tree from which flowed a new kind
of gum. This gum could he used as glue in a liquid
state, and I had no doubt would become exceedingly
firm and hard when dry. The mother and little
Frank, on hearing this, immediately set about collect-
ing a large store, for I hoped also to he able to use it
instead of pitch or turpentine in finishing the boat.
It was late in the evening when the young people re-
turned with the sledge. We were by that time only
too glad to retire to rest, and leave the completion of
our undertaking till the morning.
313
CHAPTER XXIV
LITTLE FEANK AND THE CALF
WE rose early on the following morning, and were
soon busily engaged collecting the timber,
curved wood, and other articles necessary to the com-
pletion of the boat, which were laid on the sledge.
After breakfast the smaller , articles, with our pro-
visions, were placed on the cart drawn by old Grizzle,
the buffalo being harnessed to the sledge, and we then
started on our way to Zeltheim.
On reaching the bamboo grove, it was found neces-
sary to cut our way through with ax and hatchet,
which made the journey very tedious ; but the store of
canes we obtained would, I knew, be very useful, es-
pecially a large thick one, which I determined to use
as a mast for my new boat.
When at last free from the bamboo grove, I led the
way to the left through a narrow defile, formed by the
ridge of rocks on one side, and a small channel or gulf
on the other, which poured forth its rushing waters
into the bay at a little distance.
Through this narrow pass I and the boys, after pro-
ceeding for a few paces, came to a standstill, and here
I proposed to raise an earth wall, to prevent access to
our farm in this direction.
We dug the earth up and threw it in two heaps, to a
great height, the whole width of the pass, with a small
opening in the center, till the hollow appeared like a
deep grave. A small wooden gate was then placed
between the two heaps of earth, to allow us to pass
when we pleased; but against this portal we piled up
thorny and prickly plants, as high as the earth heaps,
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
and by this means made both a fortification and an en-
trenchment against intruders or wild beasts on our
farm, at least by this defile. On the protected side of
the pass we let loose the little pigs we had brought
from Zeltheim, that they might find a home for them-
selves, and before leaving the spot named the place
Swineford,
This work occupied two fatiguing days, and greatly
interfered with our journey. I however did not regret
sparing the time for such a purpose. It was not long
before we arrived at Falcon’s Nest, and here I decided
to stay for two hours, to enable my wife to prepare din-
ner, while we supplied the animals and the fowls with
food and water, and also obtained an hour’s rest for
ourselves.
Zeltheim, however, was not reached till late, and we
were so completely tired and overworked, that, after
taking some refreshment and unharnessing the animals
from the cart and sledge, we were glad to retire to
rest.
On the following morning I set to work in earnest,
with the help of the boys, to finish my boat-building.
The first important undertaking was to form the ribs,
with the curved and pliant wood we had brought, and
also to fix underneath, from end to end, a thin plank
for a keel. On the upper part rings were placed, to
receive the cordage and tackle of the rigging.
As ballast, I threw into the hollow of the boat a num-
ber of pebbles, which I cemented together by pouring
upon them a mixture of lime and clay. Over these
pebbles planks were laid, side by side, and a very useful
and convenient flooring or lower deck they made.
Across the boat hung movable planks, for seats, and
in the center of the lower deck or floor a large hole was
cut, to receive the bamboo mast, to which a triangular
sail had been attached.
The rudder I fixed at the stern with two strong door-
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
hinges, and a long handle was also placed in the inner
edge of the rudder as a tiller, by which whoever steered
the boat could guide it properly. My boat when fin-
ished promised to be very useful, and to carry us in
safety even against wind and tide; and although of
little cost, was to us of the greatest value.
For greater security, I finally thought of another
arrangement. I requested the mother to make for me
two air-tight leather bags of the dog-fish ’s skin : these
I covered carefully with a thin wash of pitch, filled them
with air, and fastened them by well-tarred ropes on
each side of the center of the boat, just low enough to
touch the water.
By this means it would, I knew, be almost impossible
for any accident to upset the boat, unless it were too
heavily laden.
During the rainy season a circumstance occurred
which I have been too much engaged to mention before.
Our cow presented us with a bull calf.
In the hopes of eventually taming the little animal
and making him useful, I determined to pass through
his nostrils, as I had done with the buffalo, a piece of
stick, to be replaced as he grew older by an iron ring,
with reins and bridle to guide or lead him.
This, however, could not be performed till the calf
was old enough to be weaned, and that time had now ar-
rived, for the young creature was already grown large
and strong, and quite at home amongst the other ani-
mals.
After the operation had been performed, Fritz re-
marked that we might now, with our two animals, ven-
ture on a Hottentot battle if we were attacked.
‘‘I cannot understand,” said his mother, ‘‘why there
should be fighting oxen in any country, or under any
circumstances. ’ ’
“I will endeavor to explain to you,” I said, “as
clearly as I can, why the natives of South Africa train
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
their oxen to fight. These people dwell in a country
infested with wild beasts, and their principal means
of support is derived from their fiocks and herds of
cattle and sheep; and to protect these they place one
or more of their fighting oxen in charge of the rest,
and wonderfully they perform their office.
‘^At the slightest appearance of danger the coura-
geous animals lead all the rest to a spot of pasture, and
group them together in a circle, the young calves and
the weaker cattle being enclosed in the center. These
fighting oxen place themselves outside the circle, and,
with raised heads and projected horns, face the enemy.
At times the appearance of these animals and their
loud bellowing alarm the enemy and put them to fiight ;
yet, even should this enemy be a lion, they will often
nobly sacrifice their own lives for the protection of the
flock.
‘‘It is said that in olden times, when these tribes
were at war with each other, and attacked the villages
or huts of their enemies, they would place these noble
champions as a vanguard of the army, and not seldom
the victory has been gained by their heroism alone.’’
The boys were delighted with this account, but they
all agreed that our little bull need not be trained to such
wonderful warfare. Yet still he required teaching to
become useful, whether to ride or drive ; and who was
to do it? Ernest had enough to do with his monkey;
Jack had his buffalo and young jackal; Fritz was sat-
isfied with his onager and eagle ; so there only remained
little Frank, with nothing to engage his attention or
require his teaching.
“Well, little man,” I said, “will you undertake the
education of the calf?”
“Oh, yes, papa,” he replied. “I’m not a bit afraid;
and I remember that story you told me once about a
man called Milo, and how he began when he was young
by carrying a calf on his shoulder uphill every day, and
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
that he became at last so strong, that when the calf
was grown to be a great ox, the man could carry him
just the same. And perhaps, if I begin now while
this calf is little, and teach him every day, I shall
grow stronger in knowing how to manage him when he
is big.”
I laughed at the little boy^s story and its applica-
tion ; and I told him that the calf would become a bull
very quickly, and long before Frank was a man. I
encouraged him, however, to try what he could do,
and advised him to use kind means, as the best way to
tame all animals, even sometimes wild beasts.
‘‘But, Frank,” I said, “what name is he to
have?”
“Oh, I shall call him Grumbler,” replied the boy;
“for he can’t bellow yet; only makes a humming noise
like grumbling.”
On hearing this, the boys began to discuss the ques-
tion of names for their own pets. Jack proposed to
name his buffalo Storm.
“It would be so grand,” he said, “to hear them say,
‘Here comes Jack, riding on the Storm!’ ”
This joke produced laughter, but there could be no
objection, so the name was fixed upon. To the two
puppies we gave names in accordance with their color
— Brown and Fawn — and with these the boys were
quite contented.
For two months after this we worked daily at our
salt cavern, fixing our partitions more firmly, or patch-
ing up the walls ; but our chief work now consisted in
arranging the inner rooms and the stalls for the ani-
mals, that they might be comfortable during the long
rainy season and the winter.
Most certainly we performed one piece of work well,
for such bunglers as we were in the previous use of
gypsum; for, in melting it into plaster, and filling up
the crevices in the walls to make them look smooth,
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
we were wonderfully successful, for it dried tolerably
clean and white in spite of our clumsiness.
The floor of our dwelling-room we covered with lime
and clay, in which we placed small pebbles, and stamped
them down, filling up the spaces between with gypsum
plaster, which I did not expect would be dry till the
end of the summer. I also began to see the importance
of using the wool and hair of our sheep and goats to
make carpets for our sleeping-chambers and living-
room.
For this purpose I adopted a very simple plan. I
wetted a piece of sail-cloth with fish-glue, and spread it
on the ground. Over this we scattered hair and wool
as evenly as possible, and then rolled up the cloth, beat
it with sticks, stamped on it with our feet, and worked
at it with all our strength till the hair was thoroughly
mixed.
I then drew from the sail-cloth a piece of felt, which
was laid in the sun to dry. Two smaller pieces were
also planned in the same way ; and we had now the sat-
isfaction of knowing that our rooms would be rendered
warmer by a contrivance which, though not a carpet,
would be equally useful to us.
All work at our winter castle vras, however, set aside
on the day following our carpet-making by another
important event.
On the morning of that day I awoke unusually early,
but I would not disturb my family, who were still slum-
bering peacefully. A subject which had occupied my
mind for days caused me to lie awake and think, instead
of rising.
After sundry calculations, I had discovered that the
anniversary of the day on which we had reached this
island in safety was near at hand, and while reflecting,
I felt convinced that it would fall on the following day.
Full of thankfulness for our deliverance from the
wreck, and our safety since, my heart rose in gratitude
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
to God for His mercy, as well as for*^His good gifts
and His protecting care since we had lived on the is-
land, and I determined not to let the day pass without
some marked celebration, as a proof of our gratitude.
Full of this determination, I arose and woke the boys
and my wife, and the latter hastened to prepare break-
fast, supposing that I was anxious as usual to get to
work quickly. Not having yet hinted at the approach-
ing festival, we each employed ourselves in little mat-
ters that could be easily accomplished. Indeed, I had
so arranged with the boys to perform these trifling
duties, that, until we were seated at supper, no one had
an idea of the decision I had made respecting the next
day.
At last I spoke.
‘‘My dear ones,’’ I said, “prepare yourselves for a
great festival : to-morrow is a day never to be forgot-
ten.”
They all looked at me with astonishment, and I has-
tened to explain that I had been making calculations,
and found that the next day would be the anniversary
of our arrival on the island, and that we had been here
twelve months.
“Is it possible?” exclaimed my wife: “have you not
made a mistake in your reckoning? The time appears
so short.”
“No, dear wife,” I replied; “we were wrecked on the
thirty-first of January. I discovered this by the al-
manac of last year, which I found on board. I have
marked off in every week since, the Sundays as they
arrived, till the end of December. Thirty-one days
have gone by since that date, and t( ; , there-
fore, is the first of February, the an; r of the
day in which we so mercifully reac < ^ i : I- island.
My bookseller has not sent me an a - * c !‘-r this
year,” I added with a laugh, “so I wai hi* . . ) keep
a regular daily account.”
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
‘^Ah, papa!” exclaimed Ernest, “did you have a
long pole, and make a notch in it for every day, and
longer ones for weeks and months, like Eobinson
Crusoe did!”
“No, my boy,” I replied, laughing, “but I think his
was a very good plan ; yet we ought to know how many
days there are in each month, as well as the number of
days in a year, to enable us to keep a correct account. ’ ’
“That is very simple,” he replied, “for the year
contains three hundred and sixty-five days, five hours,
forty-eight minutes, and fifty-seven seconds.”
“Perfectly correct, my young astronomer,” I re-
plied; “but all those hours, minutes, and seconds would
cause some difficulty in our reckoning by cutting on
a stick.”
“Oh, no! not in the least, papa,” replied the boy:
“besides, it is useful for us to know that in four years
the minutes and seconds make up another day, which
is added on to February, and so the fourth year is called
‘leap year.’ ”
“Excellent,” I replied: “we must make you our head
astronomer, Ernest, and give you the task of regulat-
ing our watches ; you should also invent a calendar of
your own, to belong specially to this high and mighty
kingdom.”
The boys laughed at the proposition, but Ernest took
my joke pleasantly: he was rather proud, sometimes,
of the knowledge he had acquired by reading, but he
was not an ill-tempered boy.
After we had retired to rest, I heard the boys talk-
ing over the festival for which they had been told to
prepare, and some little secret seemed to be the sub-
ject of conversation. Now and then they spoke in
whispers, but I made no remark.
At break of day on the following morning, we were
startled by the report of a cannon. We rushed from
our sleeping-room in the tree, filled with the greatest
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
astonisliment, and scarcely believing we bad beard
arigbt, or wbat tbe sound could mean.
Presently, as we were for a moment quite bewib
dered, I noticed that Fritz and Jack were absent, and,
while I felt inclined to be angry, I beard them laughing
as they ascended our staircase, and Jack exclaiming,
‘ ‘ Did we not rouse them from sleep quickly with our
thunder V’
Then fearing, by my looks and his mother’s, that
they had displeased us, Fritz exclaimed,
‘‘Pray forgive us, papa! but we thought certainly
that such a day of rejoicing as the anniversary of our
deliverance from shipwreck should be welcomed with
a salute of cannon, even without your permission. We
thought more of honoring the festival than of disturb-
ing your slumbers.”
We readily understood the feelings which had in-
fluenced the boys, and accepted willingly the intended
honor to the day for which we had such reason to be
thankful.
We sat and rested for a long time after breakfast,
talking over our plans for the day, one of which was to
visit our salt cavern, and there make a beginning, by
recording in my day-book the date of our happy deliv-
erance.
I then read a chapter in the Bible, and we sang a few
hymns, and afterwards knelt and offered up our heart-
felt thanks to God for His mercies in the past year,
and implored His aid and protection for the future. I
was anxious to impress upon my children that to the
blessing of God alone on our endeavors we owed our
present comforts, and even our lives.
The mother then informed us that she intended to
honor the day by giving us a splendid dinner of the
most precious of our stores ; and when we had enjoyed
it with thankful hearts, I said,
“Now, children, we will spend the remainder of the
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
day in joyful amusement. You must display your
gymnastics, and, as the combatants of ancient times,
struggle for the highest honors, while I and your
mother will be the spectators, and recompense the win-
ners with the prizes of victory. Trumpeter!’’ cried
I in a loud voice, in the direction of the spot occupied
by our fowls, ducks, and geese, who were resting in the
shade, ‘ ‘ give the first blast to summon the champions. ’ ’
The poor birds, surprised and alarmed at my sten-
torian voice, set up such an excited chorus of quacking
and cackling, that the boys shouted with laughter, and
then, joining their hands, danced round us with de-
light, singing,
“Come to the lists, most noble knight;
The trumpet summons you to the fight.
What shall we first begin?”
shooting match,” I replied. ‘‘And if you will
get for me some pieces of wood, an ax, and a saw, I will
soon prepare a target for you.”
In a very short time I had cut the pieces of wood into
something like the shape of the body, head, ears, and
tail of a kangaroo. This I nailed together, and set up
firmly in the ground, at about a hundred paces from
the standing-point, to form a target.
The three elder boys eagerly came forward to try
their skill in shooting at this target, and each was to
have twelve shots.
Fritz, who aimed direct at the head of the kangaroo,
succeeded twice; Ernest was successful only once in
striking the body; while Jack’s shot, by a mere chance,
passed through the animal’s ears, to his own great
amusement. Fritz, therefore, was proclaimed the win-
ner.
The next trial of skill consisted in firing in the air at
a stick, which I threw up ; and I was surprised to find
that the quiet, reflective boy Ernest was not far behind
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
his impetuous eldest brother in hitting the stick while
flying. As to Jack, in this trial he was nowhere.
Bow-and-arrow shooting came next, for I was very
desirous that my boys should excel in this exercise, in
case our store of powder should become exhausted. I
found, therefore, to my great satisfaction, that the
elder boys were really skillful marksmen, and that even
little Frank acquitted himself famously.
After a short pause for rest, I proposed a running
match; and for this purpose Fritz, Ernest, and Jack
were Co start together, at a signal from me, to Falcon’s
Nest, and bring my penknife, which I had left on the
table in our sleeping-chamber in the tree.
At my signal, Fritz and Jack started oft at a rapid
pace, while Ernest followed with steady, but not slow,
steps. I prophesied, therefore, at once who would be
the winner. I had calculated that the journey to and
from Falcon’s Nest would occupy an hour and a quar-
ter of quick walking, but when in less than that time
Jack galloped up on his buffalo, followed by the onager
and the ass, I felt almost inclined to be angry. For if
he intended me to consider him as the first to return,
it would be an unfair means of claiming the prize by
riding instead of walking.
^‘Oh, oh. Master Jack!” I exclaimed, ‘Hhe prize is
for walking, not riding on a buffalo. Where are your
brothers?”
‘‘They are coming, papa,” replied the boy, spring-
ing to the ground. “Your humble servant gave up
running from the first. I knew I had no chance when
I saw Ernest coming along at such a steady pace.
And when he and Fritz turned to come back, I mounted
Storm, to get here first, but Lightfoot and Grizzle fol-
lowed us without being invited.”
While the boy talked, I saw Fritz advancing, and
fifty paces behind him came Ernest, holding up the
penknife in triumph. As they drew nearer I said,
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
‘‘How is it you have the knife, Ernest, when Fritz
has arrived here in advance of you!^’
“I reached Falcon^s Nest just two minutes before
he did, papa,^’ replied the boy; “but I believe he would
have been the winner if he had not started off so rap-
idly. How long have we been, papa ? ’ ^
“Fifty minutes,^’ I replied, “and it generally takes
me an hour and a quarter to go to Falcon’s Nest from
here and hack, by the shortest way, so I consider that
you and Fritz have done well, and you are the winner
by two minutes. ’ ’ ^
“So you rode home, youngster,” said Fritz to Jack:
“a very fine way of winning a race!”
“Oh!” he replied, “you two left me behind so soon,
that I gave up trying; besides, you are both older and
stronger than I am. Anything more to win, papa ? ” he
asked, addressing me.
“Yes; when you have all rested there must be a
climbing match,” I replied; “the pads are here in
readiness for you.”
A few minutes’ rest sufficed, and then I was aston-
ished to notice the agility of Jack. He climbed the tree
like a squirrel, and completely eclipsed. his two broth-
ers.
But in riding, Fritz carried off the palm, although
J ack was not far behind him. He rode and galloped on
the onager without saddle or stirrups, he even jumped
off while his steed was in motion, and mounted again
by clinging to the animal’s mane, as the circus riders
do ; and Jack almost equaled him in cleverness.
Ernest, however, took no part in this horsemanship :
although he understood well how to ride and manage
a horse with saddle and bridle, he had no emulation
for practice on a buffalo or a wild ass.
But, to my surprise, a new competitor appeared in
little Frank, who requested to be allowed to display his
riding prowess on Grumbler, the young bull.
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
His mother had made him a saddle-cloth of kangaroo
fur, to which hung straps with loops to be used as
stirrups. Through the ring in the animaPs nose two
strings were fastened, as bridle-reins, and as the young
rider galloped up to us, we welcomed him with accla-
mations.
“Most learned gentlemen!’’ exclaimed the little fel-
low, as he brought the obedient animal to a sudden
stop, “you see before you the great bull-tamer, Milo
of Cretona ; will you allow me to show you some of my
performances ? ’ ’
Little Frank then put the animal through all his
paces: he made him walk and trot past us, and then
gallop, and, indeed, obey the voice and movements of
the boy in a manner that quite astonished me. In
the midst of a gallop, he would bring him up at a dead
stop, and yet keep a firm seat. Perhaps the saddle-
cloth, so cleverly made by his mother, had a great deal
to do with the boy’s success and the safety of his seat.
His brothers were delighted, and cheered him lustily,
while I encouraged him with the praise he deserved,
and was much pleased when he said,
“I shouldn’t have managed Grumbler so well, papa,
if mamma had not helped me.”
We finished the performances with swimming and
diving, and in this Fritz proved himself master of the
art. He was like a Newfoundland dog in the water,
and sported in it as if it had been his natural element.
Ernest was evidently afraid to go beyond his depth,
and soon gave up the attempt ; while Jack, being at first
too violent in his movements, was in a very short time
so exhausted, that I had to drag him out of the water.
Little Frank, however, in this his first attempt, suc-
ceeded so well, that I did not doubt he would become as
expert in swimming as in riding.
Later in the evening, when these performances were
over, we returned to Falcon’s Nest along the sea-shore.
326
CHAPTER XXV
THE MISCHIEVOUS MONKEYS
?
(I-
A SHORT time after the anniversary festival, I re-
called the fact that at about this period the pre-
ceding year a flock of ortolans and wild pigeons had
settled at Falcon ^s Nest. The store which the mother
had half cooked and preserved in butter was now al-
most exhausted, and I considered it advisable to obtain
some more of these birds to add to our supply of nour-
ishment during the coming winter. We therefore at
once took up our abode at Falcon ^s Nest for this pur-
pose.
I was, however, very unwilling to spare powder for
shooting them, and I fortunately remembered reading
that the West Indians and the dwellers in the Pelew
Islands, where these birds are plentiful, snare them
with a kind of sticky substance, which they prepare by
mixing oil with the gum of the India-rubber-tree. It
has the name of bird lime, and has been known to snare
even such large birds as peacocks and turkeys. We had
a small quantity of the India-rubber giim left, which
I had kept for the purpose of shoe and boot-making.
I therefore sent Fritz and Jack for a fresh supply, tell-
ing them to gather as much as they possibly could in a
day’s work.
The boys started joyfully on their expedition, taking
with them as many calabash vessels as they could
carry; my wife therefore reminded me that we ought
to add also to our store of these useful articles.
‘^But the calabash wood is at such a distance,” I
said.
^‘Oh,” she replied, smiling, believe we shall find
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VISS FAMILY ROBINSON
le gourds closer at hand than the calabash wood,
e fact is, dear husband, I planted last year a num-
r of young shoots of the gourd near some trees
our potato-field. I had almost forgotten them,
^ ^t if you like we will take a walk there, and ascer-
tain whether they have grown to perfection or
not.’’
I was greatly pleased and surprised at this informa-
tion, another of those surprises which my wife seemed
so fond of preparing for us; and calling Ernest and
Frank to he our companions, we started as soon as
possible for the plantation near Zeltheim.
j On reaching the spot, we found to our great satis-
/ faction that the plants were in a most flourishing con-
/ dition, but in dilferent stages of progress, — some in
/ flower, others with the fruit partly ripe, a number ripe
I but soft, and a large majority with the flesh of the fruit
decayed, but the shells as hard as horn. These we
chose as being the most suitable for our purpose, and
especially as the withered stems rendered them easy to
cut olf.
With a large number we returned home, and com-
menced at once cutting out and forming vases, bottles,
cups, and spoons, to add to our store.
While thus employed, we heard the young riders
approaching at full gallop on Storm and Lightfoot.
They had a large supply of the India-rubber gum ; but,
in addition to this, they brought us news of other dis-
coveries.
And, first. Jack displayed a small animal he had shot,
which he called a marmot, but it looked to me more
like a badger. Fritz produced a crane as the result
of his sport, and also two roots, one of which Ernest
said was anise-root, and the other the boys declared
must be called the monkey-plant.
‘‘Why do you give it that name*?” I asked.
“Well, papa,” said Fritz, “when we were not far
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
from Wood Grange, in an open spot near tlie wood, we
came upon a troupe of monkeys, who seemed to be full
of business. We alighted, tied up our animals and
the dogs, and then cautiously approached nearer. With
surprise we saw that the monkeys were digging up
roots from the ground in the most comical manner and
with ridiculous grimaces. Holding the roots with their
3eth, they threw themselves over head and heels, mak-
their bodies a kind of lever to dig them up. It
vas then swallowed greedily.
‘‘We were very curious to discover whether this root,
which the apes appeared to consider such a dainty bit,
vas pleasant to the taste ; I therefore untied the dogs,
who quickly drove away the monkeys, and left us free to
gather up as many roots as we could carry. I tasted
one, and found it rather agreeable. Can you tell us,
papa, what root it isT’
“The root is unknown to me,’’ I replied; “yet still
I can trace in it some resemblance to a plant very
highly esteemed in China, of which I have read. The
Chinese consider this root not only wholesome and
strengthening, but also valuable in medicine ; it is even
supposed to prolong life. On this account, the Em-
peror of China has a right to claim all land on which
this plant grows, and these places are guarded by a
sentry. It is also found in Tartary, and has passed
from thence into Canada and many other places in
America, by means of smugglers, who avoid pay-
ing duty to the Government, and can therefore sell it
cheaply.”
“What is the name of this plant, papa?” asked
Ernest.
“Ginseng,” I replied. “But before we attempt to
eat it we must try Master Nip and our poultry with a
piece. The other root is well known as a medicine or
in cookery, but it must not be eaten as food, although
it has such a fragrant smell. The seeds form almost
331
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
as powerful an opiate as laudanum. What else have
you to show me r ’
‘^We have brought another store of wax berries,
papa, ’ ^ said Fritz ; ‘ ‘ and, better still, we found a resin
flowing from the trunk of a tree, which seems like tur-
pentine, and we filled two of our calabash vases with
it.’’
‘‘It certainly resembles turpentine,” I said, as I ex-
amined it; “at all events, it can be used instead of it,
and will, no doubt, answer the same purpose.”
“Papa,” exclaimed Fritz, as I turned away with
the stores and the booty they had brought, “you have
not heard all about the wickedness of those dreadful
monkeys. Our new farm place is nearly destroyed ! ’ ’
‘ ‘ What ! by monkeys ? ” I exclaimed. ‘ ‘ Are you sure,
Fritz I ’ ’
“Who else could have done it, papa? for the animals
and the poultry are still living, but the poor fowls are
scattered in all directions, and the sheep and goats
wandering about in terror. Everything is torn or
destroyed — the cotton dragged from our beds and
thrown here and there, and the fodder mixed with the
dung-heap. It was a perfect scene of desolation.
“But our attention was soon diverted from the farm,
for while we stood looking in astonishment and regret,
we suddenly heard a great noise of rushing wings and
screaming in the distance, and presently observed a
large swarm of birds of passage passing over our heads
at such a great height that they appeared no larger
than sparrows. They continued their flight in perfect
order, one behind ancth :r, till, as they approached the
marshy ground ‘ r^ke, they began to sink lower
in the air, and pt- iy d scended swiftly and alighted
on the little field ot
“We followed c/jv -:r 4y nnd softly, but it was im-
possible even to rai - ‘ ■ * ttp. unnoticed, for they had
sentinels stationed v - Uv int, to give warning in
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
case of danger. I could see that they were cranes, but
to shoot one was impossible, and at last, at a slight
movement on my part, the whole flock rose in the air
with a wonderful sound of rushing wings. I instantly
unhooded my eagle, who rose rapidly in the air above
the cranes, and quickly brought one down dead at my
feet. There, as the eagle allowed it to remain, I at
once gave him one of the dead pigeons as a reward.’’
^‘You were fortunate to have him with you, Fritz,”
said Ernest. ‘^But does he not sit heavily on your
shoulder when Lightfoot gallops?”
‘‘No,” replied the boy, “for he flutters his wings
to keep himself from falling; and you know he is too
heavy to carry on my wrist, as ladies and gentlemen of
olden times used to carry falcons. We finished our
day’s work,” continued Fritz, “by gathering about a
bushel of rice, and I think our good coursers deserve
their supper as much as we do for helping us to bring
home such valuable spoils.”
At supper that evening the roots which we had
brought, having been tasted and greedily swallowed
by Master Nip, were cleaned and cooked for our sup-
per, and eaten with great relish.
“Dear children,” I cried, as I awoke the boys next
morning, “we must rise with the sun to-day, for we
have a great deal of work before us.”
No second word was needed. All were soon on their
feet; and, after our accustomed morning prayer and
breakfast, we hastened to commence work.
I first desired the boys to cut a few switches from
the bushes suitable to my purpose ; and while they were
thus engaged, I hastened to prepare the bird-lime by
mixing with the caoutchouc some clarified pine-oil. To
this I added liquid turpentine, and beat up and stirred
the whole mass together till it became a tough and firm
paste.
By the time my bird-lime was ready the boys re-
333
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
turned, and I employed them at once in spreading it
over the sticks, while I examined the trees to choose
the most suitable branches on which to place the
snares.
I noticed that a large number of ortolans and wood-
pigeons were already in flocks among the neighboring
trees, and I recalled the fact that about this time in the
last year a similar swarm had first attracted our no-
tice.
So thickly populated, indeed, were the branches now
by these feathered visitors, that even the random shot
of a blind' person would scarcely have failed to bring
down some of them.
I noticed particularly that oaks were the most at-
tractive trees, on account of the sweet acorns; and
after Jack had climbed these trees, with his usual agil-
ity, and placed the lime-sticks on the branches, I was
reminded of a custom among the inhabitants of Vir-
ginia, an American colony.
These people capture pigeons and other birds at
night by torchlight, and obtain large numbers in that
way. I determined, therefore, if our snares failed, to
adopt this plan.
About a dozen birds were quickly caught in the snares
with great ease, for they were not at all shy or afraid
of Jack as he sat among the branches, and evidently
suspected no danger. As one after another became
fixed to the lime-sticks, they struggled and fluttered to
get free, and in so doing fell to the ground, carrying
the sticks with them.
But the sack in which they were placed remained
still very light, although the twigs were cleaned and
again covered with bird-lime two or three times.
I knew, therefore, that by this plan we should not
obtain a sufficient store of birds for the winter; and
being anxious to save our powder and shot, I resolved
on the following evening to capture a large number by
334
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
a torchlight attack instead of bird-lime, and to make
our torches of wood tipped with turpentine.
While snaring the birds, Jack suddenly descended
from the tree, and bringing with him a beautiful pig-
eon, asked me whether it ought to be killed.
‘‘Oh, no!^’ exclaimed Ernest: “why, it is one of the
pigeons brought from Europe in the ship ; and see how
tame it is!’’
I perceived at once that the boy was right. I there-
fore took the little trembling captive in my hands,
rubbed the feet and wing-feathers with ashes to remove
the bird-lime, and then placed it in the hen-coop with
Jack’s fowls. I hoped also to catch its mate, as I was
anxious to have a number of these beautiful birds.
Fortunately the other tame pigeons were caught with-
out being injured, and before evening we had two pairs
of European pigeons in safe keeping.
On the other hand, the number of wild birds snared
was not sufficient to fill even one cask. The boys, in
climbing the trees so often to save the tame pigeons,
had slightly frightened them away. I therefore at once
determined to proceed after dark to the acorn wood,
and invade the great tribe of wood-pigeons and ortolans
in their night quarters, where I hoped to find them.
It grieved the mother to think that these pretty birds
must be killed ; but I explained to her, as well as to the
boys, that it was necessary to provide food for us on
a desolate island, where none could be obtained for
money.
“But,” I added, “for boys to set traps to catch birds
merely in sport, or for the sake of shooting them, is
displeasing to God, and shows a cruel disposition.”
As evening approached, I prepared for the night ex-
pedition. Our weapons were on this occasion very
unusual — ^merely long bamboo canes, sacks, and un-
lighted torches. The boys wondered greatly that such
instruments could be used in catching birds. How-
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
ever, we proceeded in the short twilight to the place I
had fixed upon, and so rapidly had darkness fallen
upon ns after sunset (as usual in this southern cli-
mate), that on reaching the spot the torches were at
once lighted.
By their light I discovered, as I had expected, an
immense swarm of birds roosting on the branches.
The light from the torches, as we stood under the trees,
awoke the birds. Dazzled and frightened, the poor
little creatures hopped and fluttered through the fo-
liage and from spray to spray, then becoming giddy,
we could easily, with our bamboo canes, knock them on
the head as they fell to the ground. To increase our
store, we beat the lower branches with our canes, which
brought down also a large number of birds.
So many now lay dead on the ground, that the mother
and little Frank had enough to do to gather them up
and place them in sacks : those which were only stunned
by the blows they had received I quickly put out of
their misery. As soon as two sacks were filled, I pro-
posed to return home to Falconhurst before our torches
had quite burnt out. The valuable booty was so heavy,
that only by suspending the two sacks upon two of the
bamboo canes, and placing the ends of each cane on the
shoulders of four of our number, two in front and two
behind, could we manage to carry them easily.
The mother and little Frank led the way with lighted
torches, so that our procession resembled that of a
funeral at night in the olden times.*
A short walk brought us to Falcon’s Nest, and after
carefully stowing away our precious booty in a safe
place, we gladly retired to rest.
Nearly the whole of the following day was employed
in plucking, cleaning, half baking, or stewing the birds,
before preserving them in oil or butter, and placing
* Funerals among Eastern nations still frequently take
light at night.
336
place by torch-
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
them in casks ; and we were as busy as if we had been
the keepers of an hotel, and were preparing a festival
dinner. By the time our work was finished, it was too
late to set out on the monkey-hunting expedition; it
was, therefore, put off till the morrow.
On the following morning soon after dawn we rose
and took a hasty breakfast. My wife had packed up a
supply of provisions for some days, in case we should
be detained by this war with the apes. We also
carried with us a quantity of bird-lime, for I knew
it was useless to attempt to gain the mastery over
these terribly destructive animals with firearms
alone.
We loaded the buffalo with the traveling-tent, and
Jack and Ernest, being not very heavy, seated them-
selves upon it. Our provisions and our arms were laid
on the onager, in front of Fritz, and I followed on the
ass. The mother and Frank remained at home, under
the care of Turk, while Floss and the young dogs ac-
companied us in a troupe.
When we arrived near Wood Grange, I chose a spot
surrounded by thick bushes, and made a halt. We un-
packed our baggage, unharnessed the animals, and
tied them to a tree by ropes long enough to allow them
to graze ; I then erected our tent, and after fastening
up the dogs, that they might not interfere and disturb
the apes, we approached the farm cautiously, that we
might not be noticed by the enemy.
Before leaving Falcon’s Nest, we had prepared a
number of little poles to take with us, as well as more
than half of our store of gourd and cocoanut-shells.
These poles were placed loosely in the earth round
the demolished farmhouse, two and two, and tied to-
gether lightly with string. Within was thus formed a
kind of labyrinth, leaving the entrance passages so nar-
row, that it was impossible to pass without touching
one or other of the poles, and by thus upsetting them,
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
the string would twist itself round the body or the feet
of the animal that entered.
At last we placed the cocoanut and calabash-shells,
containing rice, maize, and palm wine, in the labyrinth.
Over all these, as well as on the poles, the strings, and
even the trees, we lightly spread bird-lime.
By the time this business was completed the day had
far advanced, I determined, therefore, that we should
rest till the morning. Soon after sunrise, the noise
which sounded in the distance awoke us, and announced
that our enemies were approaching the farm. We
seized our arms, and divided ourselves into two parties,
leading the dogs by a string. Cautiously drawing
near, we hid ourselves in a spot from which we could
observe unseen a most ridiculous spectacle.
The monkeys commenced their performances by
climbing to the branches of the trees near the farm-
house, and yelling and chattering, sprang from bough
to hough, with a rush and confusion horrible enough to
bewilder a man’s brain.
Suddenly the whole swarm of ape rabble broke loose
from the trees, sprang from the lower branches to the
ground, and, evidently allured by the tempting bait,
hopped pell-mell after one another to the farmstead.
The procession seemed to have no end, and to count
the numbers was impossible, for they tumbled over one
another and crowded together in their haste.
Fearlessly they broke through the strings, pulled
up the poles, and while some rushed on the tempting
bait, others let themselves loose on the building, and
climbed to the roof.
Here they began to pull up the pine-wood pegs, and
at last pushed their way into the interior, expecting, no
doubt, as rich a booty as on their last visit.
But by degrees the chattering of the rabble changed
to cries of rage or fear, for not one of the whole num-
ber had escaped from being caught by the bird-lime
333
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
either in the head, the breast, the back, or the fore
paws.
Half ludicrous, half pitiable were the wonderful
grimaces they made, and the strange positions in which
they were fixed by the lime. Some were endeavoring
to clean it off ; others, attached to branches of trees or
confined by strings, gave themselves up to despair.
In some cases, when they attempted to help each other,
they stuck together, and then fought and struggled in
useless rage.
Many became entangled in the strings, and others,
being fastened to a pole, fell with it to the ground. I
was scarcely able to restrain my laughter at some, who
were not exactly hurt, but fixed in the most ludicrous
positions, either from greediness or a love of mischief.
Here was one with both hands stuck fast to pegs,
which he had seized to pull up. In their haste to be
the first to obtain a cocoanut-shell, two had grasped it
at the same moment, and were immediately stuck to-
gether; while a third, in his eagerness to drink the
palm wine in a calabash-shell, had tipped it up so greed-
ily, that it remained sticking to his forehead and whisk-
ers like a mask.
Those, however, were in the worst plight who had
become attached to the thorny branches of the acacia ;
and indeed the sight was so pitiable, that I at last de-
termined to put them out of their misery by letting the
dogs loose. The scene that followed was for a few mo-
ments terrible. The dogs rushed upon the imprisoned
apes, and tore them in pieces — several that were only
wounded and in agonies, I was obliged to put out of
their misery with a blow from my bamboo cane.
In a few minutes there lay before us a veritable bat-
tle-field. From the sight I turned away with a shud-
der, for not less than thirty or forty apes lay mangled
and dead on the spot.
My boys were quite sad and serious, and hoped they
339
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
should never again witness such a sight. Indeed, as I
told them, I regretted being obliged to make such a
slaughter, but in no other way could I get rid of the
mischievous animals.
^‘Ah! papa,’^ said Fritz, ^Hhey looked so like hu-
man beings, and seemed asking us to help them when
the dogs were let loose : it was that made it so dread-
ful.’’
I had noticed this myself with equal pain ; but now it
was over, I endeavored to divert the thoughts of the
boys by proposing to clean and prepare the farmhouse
for the reception of our animals once more.
This they readily agreed to, but first we had to dig
a pit and bury the bodies of the apes, which was indeed
a sickening performance. This being at last finished,
we collected together all the poles, pegs, string, shells,
and other articles used in the attack, and burnt them.
The farmstead had then to be thoroughly cleansed and
partially repaired to form a dwelling for the terrified
animals. This work occupied two days.
With little difficulty and a supply of tempting food,
the sheep, the goats, and the fowls were attracted back
to their old homes, and I earnestly hoped that nothing
would again interfere with their comfort after our
departure.
One day while thus engaged, I heard two or three
times the sound of something falling under the nearest
palm-tree. On going to discover the cause, I found
three beautiful birds which had been caught by the
lime, and, in their struggles to escape, had fallen to the
ground. They were still living, and on a closer in-
spection I discovered that we had made a splendid
capture.
These birds belonged to the pigeon tribe, and were
evidently from the Molucca Islands, in which country
they are named carrier pigeons, or Molucca doves.
This addition to our pigeon family made me truly
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
happy, and I resolved to commence building as soon
as possible a new and handsome pigeon-house.
When I mentioned this to Fritz, he said,
‘‘For three pigeons, papaT’
“No,’’ I replied, “for I hope to make these new-
comers associate in a friendly manner with the Euro-
pean pigeons; and besides, they will no doubt attract
others. ’ ’
“You will have to use sorcery, then,” he replied,
laughing.
^ ‘ ‘ Perhaps I may be obliged to make use of the magi-
cian’s wand,” I replied, “and by the result you will be
able to judge whether my sorcery is successful.”
All our arrangements at Wood Grange being at an
end, I led the way to Falcon’s Nest, which we reached
without further adventure, and were gladly welcomed
by the dear ones at home.
The captive pigeons were much admired, and the
mother readily agreed with me that it was necessary
to visit Zeltheim as soon as possible, and commence
the erection of a pigeon-house; other matters in the
cave also required completion.
As soon as the day for our departure was settled, a
store of provisions was got ready and placed on the
cart, with various necessary arms and tools; and we
started from Falcon’s Nest with the intention of re-
siding for a long period at Zeltheim.
The position for my pigeon-house, which I decided
was to be hewn out of the rock over our living-room,
was quickly chosen; the front faced the Jackal Eiver,
and without delay the work was commenced and con-
tinued for several weeks with but little interruption.
In consequence of the comparative softness of the rock,
an opening was soon completed; but I only penetrated
to the interior as far as about half the depth of the
pigeon-house, for the front and sides, which projected,
were to be made of wood.
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
The construction of this wooden frontage, in which
the pigeon-holes and entrances were to be placed, oc-
cupied some time, but when finished, quite repaid us
for the trouble. In each side an opening was made for
a window, and a wooden platform stood before the en-
trance for the birds to rest upon. The entire front
with pigeon-holes and entrance were covered by a slid-
ing trap-door, which could be drawn up or closed by a
string and a pulley in case of danger. A wooden rail
was also placed under the little window, on which to
fasten the rope ladder by iron hooks when we wished
to look in.
The arrangements of the interior were much more
difficult. Two side walls of wood and one behind were
required in the rocky portion, as well as a floor and a
ceiling. These difficulties, however, were at last over-
come, and the building was really a clever construction
for such bunglers as we were; in fact, the interior of
the pigeon-house, with its perches and partitions of
network, in which the nests were placed that the birds
might be separated from each other while building,
and all other necessary fittings, were finished with'
great neatness, considering the want of proper ma-
terials and my own inexperience in such work.
The pigeon-house being at last ready to receive
its feathered inhabitants, I said to Ftitz one morn-
ing,
‘‘My brave comrade, we must now practice some
kind of enchantment to attract a new colony of pig-
eons to this dwelling we have made for them. ’ ’
Fritz looked at me with such surprise as I spoke, that
I laughed as I explained, for he evidently did not un-
derstand me.
“Well, Fritz, the truth is that a secret plan, described
to me years ago by a pigeon dealer in our village, might
well be mistaken for witchcraft by ignorant people;
and the man who adopted it was certainly not honest,
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
for he attracted birds which were the property of oth-
ers. But here the pigeons are without owners, and
if those which belong to us can be made to attract other
birds, we shall soon have a large colony of pigeons to
till the house we have built; it will accommodate a
great number. ’ ’
‘‘And how can you make our pigeons attract oth-
ers?’’ asked Fritz: “it must be a very clever plan.”
“So it is, Fritz, yet extremely simple. Pigeons are
very fond of the odor of the anise-plant ; it will there-
fore be only necessary to rub the edges of the pigeon-
holes with oil made from aniseed, and the pigeons in
passing in and out will carry some on their wings, and
the aromatic odor will attract others to follow them to
their home.”
“What a simple experiment!” exclaimed Fritz,
‘ ‘ and almost like sorcery ! But how are we to obtain
the oil? ”
“Very easily,” I replied: “a few of the seeds of
the plant must be placed in a mortar, and pressed till
the oil is extracted. The whole mass must then be
strained through a cloth, to separate the seeds from the
oil, and this oil, when mixed with lime and salt, forms
a kind of paste.”
Fritz readily assisted in preparing this paste, which
produced a very agreeable and aromatic smell; and
in a very short time, the pigeon-holes having been
rubbed slightly with it, the pigeons, which had hitherto
been kept in a cage, were introduced to their new
abode.
When the younger boys arrived from Falconhurst,
and found the pigeon-house finished and the birds
placed in it, they were delighted beyond measure.
They climbed up the rope ladder which I had used while
working, they peeped in through the window in the
rock, and saw that the birds appeared quite happy,
hopping from perch to perch, and not seeming the least
343
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
afraid even when I drew up and let down the trap-
door, which entirely covered the pigeon-holes, and
made the birds prisoners.
Two days passed, and then I felt some curiosity as
to the result of my magic paste. On the third morn-
ing I awoke Fritz at an early hour, and desired him to
mount the rope ladder and again touch the edges of
the pigeon-holes with aniseed paste. We then returned
to our sleeping-chamber in the cavern, which had been
made habitable for summer, but was not yet suitable
as winter quarters, and woke the sleepers.
After a hasty breakfast, I made the announcement
that I intended to release the imprisoned pigeons. All
my family came out at once, and stood in the open air
beneath the pigeon-house. I then, in an imposing man-
ner, began to murmur a few indistinct words, while
with my stick I made magic circles in the air, and gave
a sign to Jack to draw up the trap-door by the string
which hung near him.
Presently we saw the pigeons appear at the entrance,
then they put out their heads timidly, and examined
the unknown world cautiously. Suddenly, with rush-
ing wings, they rose in the air, and were quickly out of
sight, and my wife and the children believed they were
lost to us forever.
Not so, however, for after a few turns in the air, as
if to stretch their wings, the flock returned, and ap-
peared ready to reenter the pigeon-house, as if it had
been their home for years.
But my pleasure at this sight was quickly damped,
for suddenly the three foreign birds, instead of follow-
ing the example of their European friends, suddenly
rose in the air and took the way to Falcon ^s Nest, so
that I at once gave them up for lost.
The four tame pigeons, however, made no attempt to
fly away, but fluttered round us in a most friendly man-
ner. We threw some peas on the ground, which they
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
picked up, and then returned to the pigeon-house with
the greatest readiness.
The absence of the foreigners occupied all our
thoughts and conversation. We could undertake no
employment out of sight of the pigeon-house ; but even-
ing arrived without any signs of the fugitives return-
ing.
Next morning, as they did not appear, all hopes of
their return seemed lost, and we were obliged to con-
tinue our work within the cave. About noon. Jack, who
had gone outside for a few moments, came rushing
hack, clapping his hands joyfully, and exclaiming,
‘‘Here he is! here he is truly! He has come back!’^
“Who has come hack!^’ we all asked; “where!
where!’’
“The blue pigeon!” cried Jack, still louder; “the
blue pigeon ! Hurrah ! hurrah ! ’ ’
“Nonsense!” cried Ernest, “it is not likely that one
would return alone.”
“I do not consider it nonsense,” I remarked, “for if
one is returning, the others are sure to follow.”
At this we all rushed out of the cave, and to our sur-
prise found not only one of our three fugitives, but a
second stranger, evidently his mate, standing on the
outer platform of the pigeon-house. Presently the
blue pigeon flew through the hole, and then nodded his
head and cooed to invite the stranger to follow him.
At last she was persuaded to enter, and we saw with
great satisfaction that this pair at least were likely to
remain in their new home. The children wished at
once to shut down the trap-door to secure the new
guest, hut I persuaded them from doing so, saying it
would be sure to frighten the new-comers.
“Besides,” I added, “we must leave the entrance
open for the other two, and not shut the door in their
faces.”
While I thus spoke, Fritz, who had turned his keen
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
eyes towards the distance, suddenly exclaimed, ‘‘Here
they come ! here they come I ^ ’ And in a very few min-
utes we saw approaching the pigeon-house another of
the blue pigeons and his companion.
My boys set up such cries of joy at this sight, that
the poor birds were quite startled, and would most
probably have flown away had they not been fatigued.
I, however, imposed silence, and, after some hesitation,
they entered the pigeon-holes and disappeared.
For a time after this all work was set aside, while the
mother and Frank went in to prepare our evening
meal. Presently the little fellow returned alone, and
approaching us, gravely placed his hand on his breast
as a herald-at-arms, bowed his head, and said,
‘‘Most noble and reverend sirs, I am commanded by
my honored mother, the queen of this island, to con-
gratulate you on the arrival from the Moluccas of an-
other superb visitor, Goldenwing, and his wife, who
have done us the honor to request admission for the
night to the beautiful hotel which you have con-
structed. ’ ’
In great amusement we rushed out, and there, on
the platform in front of the pigeon-holes, stood a third
pair of beautiful pigeons with gold-colored wings, who
were being invited by the recent arrivals to enter and
join them.
We waited and watched till we saw the two strangers
enter, and then repaired to our dwelling-room in the
cavern to enjoy our supper, and soon after we retired
to rest, well satisfied with the events of the day.
346
CHAPTEE XXVI
jack’s ADVENTUEE — THE STEANDED WHALE
DUEING the evening, and the whole of the next day,
we watched anxiously our pigeon colony, and saw,
to our great satisfaction, that the birds were becom-
ing quite reconciled to their new quarters. In a few
days they commenced building their nests, and for this
purpose collected various materials.
Among these I noticed a kind of green fibrous moss,
which I had sometimes seen hanging on old trees like
monster untrimmed beards. I now, however, remem-
bered having read that in the West Indies this moss
was used instead of horse-hair for stuffing mattresses
and other articles.
I at once mentioned this discovery to the mother, in
the hope that she might be able to find it useful. Her
imagination took fire at once at the sight of this
fibrous material, and my dear wife quickly expressed
her wish that we should gather as much as possible of
this moss, for after it had been cleaned and prepared,
she felt sure of being able to stuff saddles, mattresses,
pillows, and a hundred other articles for our use.
The pigeons also from time to time brought us mus-
catel-nuts, or nutmegs, which no doubt grew on some
spot still unknown to us. These my wife planted in
a piece of suitable ground, that in time we might have
the nutmegs also near our dwelling.
Our pigeons still occupied our eager attention. The
three foreigners and their mates were by this time quite
happy in their domicile, but the European pigeons mul-
tiplied so rapidly, that I feared our beautiful favorites
347
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
would be displaced, and at last driven away from their
new quarters.
Being rather puzzled to find food for so many, we
were at last reluctantly obliged to use the European
birds as a supply of nourishment for ourselves, by
roasting and cooking the overplus for dinner. We re-
duced our number to five pairs, besides the foreigners,
and for these it was easy to provide.
During all this time I and the boys continued our
work in the cave, with very little incident to vary our
daily duties, until Jack met with an adventure which
broke the monotony. One morning, after being absent
for two or three hours, he presented himself before us
in a most deplorable condition, covered from head to
foot with thick green mud. He carried, however, in
his arms a large bundle of Spanish canes, but he had
lost one of his shoes, and looked ready to cry when his
brothers laughed at his appearance.
‘^What have you been about?^’ I asked, checking the
laughter of the boys.
Gathering reeds behind the powder magazine in
the marsh. I wanted to make some baskets and cages,
and IVe got all these,’’ he rephed, holding them be-
fore me.
‘^Why, they are as dirty as you are. Jack; there was
no occasion to creep through the duck-pond for them. ’ ’
didn’t, papa: at least, not on purpose; but I saw
such beauties growing on the edge of the marsh, that
I couldn’t help trying to get at them. There seemed
to be tufts of firm earth growing here and there, and
I jumped from one to the other quite safely till I got
near the reeds, and then my foot slipped and in I went,
first up to my ankles, and then to my knees, and there
I stuck, and began to scream with all my might, but no
one came to help me, excepting my poor little jackal.”
‘‘Did he come to you?” asked Ernest.
“Yes, indeed,” replied the boy; “and set up such a
348
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
barking and bowling, that the sound echoed round the
rocks awfully. But he couldn’t help me, and no one
heard our cries. At last, in my terror, I thought of
the reeds: I could just reach them with my hunting-
knife. So I cut down this bundle and laid it on the
marshy pool, to form a kind of bank, and while I rested
my body upon it, I was able to set my legs free, but I
left one of my shoes behind.”
^‘So I perceive,” I replied; ‘^but how did you man-
age to get away at last, Jack!”
‘^Oh, papa, so funnily,” he said, laughing. got
astride the bundle of reeds, and caught hold of the
jackal’s tail. Of course he ran back to the dry ground
quickly enough, but I held fast, and so he dragged me
and the reeds to the bank in no time. But I never had
such a fright in my life as when I felt myself sinking
in the marsh. I thought it was all over with me. ’ ’
^^You ought to thank God for saving you, my boy,”
I said; ‘^and not only also for the poor animal being
there on the spot, but that you had the courage and the
presence of mind to act as you did.”
While the boy went with his mother to be cleaned
from the mud, I examined the reeds, and found they
were the finest species of Spanish cane, which, when
washed, would be useful for many things, and particu-
larly in preparing parts of a loom for my wife.
I commenced my task the same day by splitting two
of the largest reeds into four, to form a frame for the
warp. I then desired the boys to cut some of the more
slender into small pieces, and sharpen them, for the
teeth of the comb, telling them at the same time not to
say a word to their mother of what we were doing.
The treadle and the shuttle for the woof were soon
completed, and the curiosity of the boys made them ask
all manner of questions respecting this strange ma-
chine, especially as each part was carefully set aside
and hidden when finished.
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
At last I told them not to be surprised if they found
I had made a musical instrument called a ‘‘turn- turn/’
such as the Hottentots use, which would play a tune
when their mother beat time with her foot. They knew
I was in joke, and laughed merrily ; but when at length
the weaving-loom was finished and presented to their
mother, they quickly understood its value, and watched
her with the greatest interest while she practiced the
different movements.
Her great joy at this unexpected appearance of the
loom was sufficient reward to me for my trouble.
About this time the onager presented us with a beau-
tiful little foal, very much resembling herself. This
promised to be a great addition in the future to our
animals for riding; and as it grew older, its graceful,
rapid movements made me give him the name of Swift.
For several days after I had finished the loom we
employed ourselves in completing the preparations for
winter in the interior of our grotto. The distance of
fresh water was also a difficulty, and would be worse in
winter. To obviate this, I determined to erect a foun-
tain, and to connect it by pipes of hollow bamboo canes
with the sago-tree conduits at Zeltheim. An open cask
served as a basin for our fountain, and a smaller one
hung near as a kind of swinging trough, to receive the
overflow of the water. For the present, imperfect as
it was, it answered our purpose, and my wife assured
me it gave her quite as much pleasure as if it were a
marble basin supported by sea-horses or dolphins.
As we now each day expected the commencement of
the second rainy season, it became necessary, while
the weather remained favorable, to gather in from
our gardens and plantations a store of fruit, vegeta-
bles, and roots.
We all, therefore, employed ourselves in this work,
and very soon a good supply of potatoes, rice, guavas,
sweet acorns, pine-cones, anise-roots, and as many of
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
the cave, the upper end reaching the roof. Jack’s
agility made me choose him to climb this pole, and to
carry with him a pulley fastened to a stake, and a ham-
mer. Following my instructions, he drove into a cleft
of the. rock the wooden stake upon which the pulley
was fastened. A long string was passed through the
pulley, the ends of which reached the ground.
Jack now descended, and alighted on a mattress
which I had placed on the floor in case he should slip,
and held firmly one end of the string, while to the other
I fastened a large lantern which we had brought from
the wreck.
This lantern, being filled with oil and containing
four wicks, burnt brightly; and when I drew it up to
the roof at the top of the bamboo cane, the crystal walls
sparkled in its light, and we could see to the deepest
part of the cave.
We could continue our work now with greater ease;
and on the next day Ernest and Frank busied them-
selves in fitting up shelves against the wall of the in-
ner dwelling-room, to hold our books, which they ar-
ranged in rows in different divisions. Meanwhile the
mother and Jack placed the various articles used for
cooking on a kind of dresser, which I had formed of
planks against the wall in the outer room, while Fritz,
being the strongest of the boys, assisted me in fitting
up shelves and nails in the workshop for the glittering
instruments and tools contained in the captain’s chest,
and fixing in one corner his turning-lathe.
There was also a little forge that had belonged to the
ship’s smith, a pair of bellows, and an anvil, all of
which we placed together at the opposite corner. The
carpenter ’s bench stood in the center of our workshop,
and the tools and other articles of all sizes and shapes
were hung on the walls.
The enormous quantity of articles found in the chests
^ the ship’s carpenter, smith, cooper, and tanner as-
353
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
tonished me, for after all we had used there still re-
mained screws, nails, pegs, door-handles and hinges,
bolts and hooks, besides ladders and steps, and parts
of wheelbarrows ready to put together when wanted.
Ernest and Frank had in the meantime arranged our
books in classes, and I was surprised to find what a
number we had. Some of these we had brought with
us from Europe, and others were fortunately saved
from the wreck: Voyages and Travels, Natural His-
tories with colored engravings, and many other learned
and interesting books, besides a box of mathematical
and astronomical instruments, maps and charts, and
an excellent terrestrial globe.
I noticed also grammars and dictionaries of various
languages, and among them those of the English
tongue, which pleased me greatly.
.Fritz and Ernest had learnt English at school, and
could speak and write it a little during our stay in
England. I also had studied this language, which is
principally used among seafaring men. With French
we were all as well acquainted as with our own native
Swiss.
We talked over all this wonderful library during our
evening meal, and the boys were glad of the oppor-
tunity of continuing the study of languages.
The mother, who had become acquainted with a
Dutch family at the Cape of Good Hope, could express
herself very well in that language. Jack, however,
seemed to consider the Italian and Spanish languages
much more worth the trouble of learning. Spanish,
he said, was such a grand-sounding language.
After much talk, it was decided that we should all
study Getaan and French. English and Dutch were
to be carried on by the mother and her two elder boys.
Ernest, however, wished to learn Latin, as the root of
all languages, as well as to continue his favorite studies
of natural history and medicine.
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
For myself, I determined to search among the books
for a Malay grammar, for it was not at all unlikely
that we might have a visit from the natives of the East
India islands.*
I prophesied that, after awhile, our castle in the
rocks would become a perfect little Babel, in which we
should be addressing each other in the ditferent lan-
guages of Europe, creating as much confusion as those
foolish builders of a tower which they intended should
reach the sky.
There still remained useful articles in the chests
which we had not yet opened; and when at last we
found time to do so, many unexpected treasures pre-
sented themselves — several looking-glasses, two con-
sole tables with polished marble tops, a chest of draw-
ers, two well-furnished writing desks, and other fancy
articles.
In another chest we discovered a musical box, a
chronometer, and a sea-watch, which I own I did not
know how to use. In short, we found ourselves rich
beyond what we had imagined possible: and, indeed,
the twelve weeks in which we were shut up in our win-
ter quarters passed away so quickly that many articles
I had intended to make were not even begun. Among
these were a yoke for the ox and the butfalo, a pair of
carding machines for the cotton-wool, and a spinning-
reel, without which the mother’s work was at a stand-
still.
We were, however, lodged like princes, and perhaps
should have considered ourselves royal residents had
we not been reminded each moment that all this gran-
deur came from other sources, and that ^‘fine feathers
make fine birds.” However, my dear housefolk began
to consider that our winter residence ought to have
another name, and wished it to be rather a grand one.
I agreed at last that it should be called Rock Castle.
* Now included under the term Australasia.
355
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
Towards the end of August the rainy season came
to an end ; at least, so we had hoped ; but the weather,
although at times clear, became very stormy, and the
rolling waves that broke so fiercely on the shore, from
the force of the hurricane, were frightful. Rain,
thunder, and lightning continued for hours without
intermission, and lashed the ocean into fury. It
seemed as if all nature was given up to destruction,
and we were only too thankful for the shelter of our
rocky dwelling, for to have remained in safety at Fal-
con’s Nest during such weather would have been im-
possible.
At length the sky began to clear, and as by degrees
the wind and storm subsided, the rain ceased, and when
the sun appeared, we ventured to open the door of
our noble republic and again step out into the free
air.
With wonder I remarked the strange signs of vege-
tation around us, forming the most striking contrast
to the traces of destruction everywhere else visible.
We walked towards the chain of rocks near Jackal Bay,
and presently the sharp eyes of Fritz discovered some-
thing large and round that appeared to be lying on
the little island near Flamingo Marsh. He took it at
first for a sloop capsized in the storm.
I examined the object through my telescope, but
even then felt unable to distinguish what it could pos-
sibly be, although it was evidently not a vessel of any
kind. Having been so long shut up in the house, we
were all ready to embark on board our boat and sail
out at once to the spot. But the bark boat or pirogue,
which we had to fetch from its little dock near Fla-
mingo Marsh, was so filled with water, that after baling
it out and rearranging the rigging and tackle, we found
it too late to start till the following day.
We were ready very soon after breakfast the next
morning, and I went on board with Fritz and Ernest.
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
Jack, who was the most eager on the matter, placed
himself at the helm to steer.
As we approached, our various conjectures were
very amusing; but my impression, soon after we
started, proved correct — a large whale lay stranded on
the island, evidently thrown there by the violence of
the waves. I went round the island to discover a safe
landing-place, and entered at last a little creek, from
which we went on shore on a sandy beach.
I was pleased to find that this little island, which I
could cross in ten or fifteen minutes, was already in
some parts very fertile, and that by care and culture
its fertility could be greatly increased.
It appeared to be the resort of marine birds, for we
found several nests containing young ones, but these
my boys did not meddle with, although they collected
several eggs to take home to their mother.
Two ways presented themselves to enable us to reach
the stranded whale — one over the rocks, and the other
a longer distance, but on level ground. I chose the
former, and in my way climbed to a high point, from
which I could command the whole island. The boys,
however, chose the level road.
The landscape, although fertile, was deficient in the
growth of trees, and formed, in that respect, a great
contrast to Falcon’s Nest and the opposite coast near
Zeltheim, as well as the shore near Eock Castle, all
of which I could easily distinguish from the height on
which I stood.
Presently joyful shouts made me turn to the point
at which lay the stranded whale; but the boys, who
had not yet reached the monster fish, were standing at
the foot of the rocks near the shore, and calling to
me.
‘‘Papa, papa! please just stop a minute: we have
found such a quantity of shell-fish, and some pieces of
rock that look like coral; do come and look.”
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
I descended to the shore, and discovered that the
violence of the storm and the force of the waves had
thrown np quantities of shell-fish and broken off por-
tions of a coral rock.
“What is coral, papaT^ asked Jack.
“It is in some wonderful manner produced by a
small creature, a kind of polypus. Many thousands of
these creatures live in societies like ants ; they pile the
coral to form their curious dwellings one upon another,
until they become coral rocks of large size, and when
they reach the sea the surface of these rocks is ferti-
lized by rain and the influence of the atmosphere, and
they become coral islands.’’
“Why, papa,” said Fritz, “the coral might be said
to belong to the three natural kingdoms, the animal,
the vegetable, and the mineral, for it grows in the form
of the branches of trees and shrubs, it is the work of
a worm, and the coral is as hard as stone. ’ ’
“Your remark is quite right, Fritz; and indeed the
coral insect may be said to belong to the crustaceous
animals, and the cells which they build for dwellings
in such a wonderful manner are calcareous, and be-
come hardened by the influence of the water. ’ ’
“What an immense beast it is!” said Fritz, as we
approached the whale; “it does not appear half so
large at a distance. I wish it could be useful to us,
but I’m afraid there will not be much gained out of
such a great carcass. ’ ’
“Oh!” exclaimed Ernest, “you forget that the blub-
ber and the whalebone are useful as well as the skin;
yet I like all this supply of shell-fish best. ’ ’
“Well,” I replied, “I think this inspection will con-
tent us for the present. After dinner no doubt the sea
will have become calmer, and we can return and see
whether the stranded whale cannot be found as useful
as any other of our discoveries.”
The young people readily turned to retrace their
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
steps, excepting perhaps Ernest, who appeared to wish
to be left alone on the island, like a real Eobinson
Crusoe.
Thank God, my boy,’’ I said, cheerfully, ‘‘that He
has not gratified your wish, but surrounded you with
dear parents and brothers, instead of condemning you
to the lonely life of a man separated from all his spe-
cies. God has created man for society, and although
the entertaining story of Eobinson Crusoe is embel-
lished with poetic fancies quite delightful to read, yet
his lonely position must have been full of sadness.
We can look upon ourselves as a whole family of real
Eobinsons, but far better otf, because we have each
other for companions.”
By this time we had reached the boat, and stepped
on board. But the boys found it a heavy task to row
through the tossing waves, and I had to exert my
whole strength to st^eer, as well as to bale out the wa-
ter with which the dashing waves constantly filled
it.
“Ah!” I said, “if we could only find some large
clockwork wheels about the size of those in a tower-
clock, we might very possibly proceed without trou-
bling ourselves.”
“Why, papa,” said Fritz, “there are two large iron
wheels in our rock castle, and two spits which mamma
uses for roasting; could not we fix them on the boat?”
“Possibly,” I replied; “but until they are fixed we
must use our arms and shoulders at the oars. In the
meantime, dear Fritz, thank you for the hint, which
may perhaps be carried out.”
“Can coral be made useful, papa?” asked Jack, as
we walked from the shore to our home in the rocks.
“Yes,” I replied, “in many ways. It is ground to
powder and used by chemists in preparing medicine.
Necklaces and other ornaments made of the red coral
are worn by European ladies, and even those pieces
359
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
you have picked up can be placed as ornaments on the
shelves of our library. ’ ^
We talked about the coral insect during dinner, for
the mother and little Frank were delighted with the
pieces we brought home, and they both expressed a
wish to accompany us in the afternoon if the sea were
calm, that they might have a look at the great whale
and the coral reef.
should like to see this great creature,’’ said my
wife, ‘ ‘ and you can easily tow the empty herring-casks
behind the boat. You will he sure to find them use-
ful.”
‘^Of course I can,” I replied: ‘‘thank you for the
hint ; but the sea is a capricious patron, and although
it is calm now, it may not continue so, and, after de-
taining us till we were nearly starved, might send us
home across the marsh in a miserable condition.”
The weather, however, promised to he favorable, so
I determined to fasten behind our boat the empty her-
ring-casks, to be filled with the useful parts of the
whale, especially the train oil. I had long wished to
be able to burn a light in our lantern all night, and
therefore the blubber of the creature would supply us
with a most valuable store. The boys loaded the
empty casks with tools and firearms, and foot-straps
to enable them to mount the great fish.
Our progress with the boat was as difficult as in the
morning, although the sea was calmer, and was per-
formed amidst many sighs from the boys, as they
rowed against the tide: with all our efforts we could
not on this account land near the whale ; it was there-
fore necessary to place our boat and the casks in a
place of safety while we proceeded on foot to the spot
where it lay.
At first sight of the enormous mass, my wife and
Frank were quite startled; and no wonder, for I con-
jectured that the whale could not be less than sixty
360
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
feet long, and nearly thirty feet in thickness near the
head, and in weight it must have exceeded two hundred
tons.
The most remarkable thing appeared, however, to
be the fact that the head should be one-third the length
of the whole body, and the eyes not larger than those
of an ox. The interior of the jaw was lined with
long, dark, and flexible bones, some of them in the
roof of the mouth being at least ten or twelve feet
long.
These, I told the boys, were called ‘‘whalebone,’’
and very useful in many ways, as well as a most valua-
ble article of commerce.
Another circumstance that surprised us all was the
size of the tongue, which if removed would have
weighed nearly a thousand pounds. The deep abyss
of the frightful throat also created great surprise
among the boys, and Fritz expressed his wonder that
such an enormous monster should have such a small
gullet. And this wonder was natural, for it appeared
scarcely large enough to admit my arm.
‘ ‘ The whale cannot certainly be able to swallow any-
thing but small fish, ’ ’ said Fritz.
“The whale in this particular resembles slightly
some of our large land animals, ’ ’ I replied, ‘ ‘ excepting
that they live on plants and seeds as ordained by na-
ture. The whale, on the contrary, feeds on small fish,
and even worms and insects ; its special food is a small
sea-insect like a lobster, found in immense numbers
in the icy seas of the North and South Poles. These
are swallowed in large quantities by the whale in the
water he drinks. This water he sometimes discharges
through his nostrils with a force that resembles a wa-
terspout, especially when attacked by whale-fishers.
Such a volume of water, as it rises in the air with steam
and foam, will often capsize the boat, and endanger
the lives of the fishers. — But we must now commence
361
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
our work with this leviathan, or evening will come upon
us before we are aware. ’ ’
Fritz and Jack instantly slipped on the foot-straps,
and, mounting on the back of the whale, ran over the
monster from the tail to the head. I then desired
Fritz to cut off the upper lip with his hatchet, while I
separated the lower part from the jaw with my chop-
per. This exposed the whalebone, and gave me an
opportunity to remove from the head nearly a hun-
dred strips. The mother, assisted by Ernest and
Frank, then took possession of the whalebone, and car-
ried it to the boat, while I and the other boys were ex-
erting our utmost strength in separating from the
whale a portion of the skin.
All at once appeared a number of uninvited specta-
tors of our work.. The air was filled with carrion
birds of all descriptions, while their numbers seemed
to increase every minute. They whirled round us in
a circle, and at last alighted on the prey with such
greediness and boldness, that they positively snatched
away the pieces of flesh we had cut otf even before our
eyes.
The question now arose, which would prove the
stronger, the feathered or unfeathered claimants for
the dead whale! And we were obliged to strike right
and left with our tools to destroy our invaders.
Gladly the mother gathered up the dead and wounded
birds, for the sake of the feathers.
After this I separated from the whale a part of the
entrails and the sinews or muscles of the tail ; but these
I decided to leave till the morning, as I knew we had
already quite enough for a boatload. I only waited,
therefore, to cut a piece from the wonderful tongue,
which I had read was considered a delicate dish by
Europeans.
By this time evening was approaching, and after
loading our boat and the casks with a heavy freight,
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
we rowed out vigorously to sea, with eager anxiety to
reach home as soon as possible, and purify ourselves
after this horrible employment.
Next morning early we again started in our boat to
the island, but my wife and Frank remained on shore
this time, for the work would be, as I knew, most dis-
gusting and unpleasant, the entrails of the animal, and
other parts containing blubber or train oil, having to
be removed.
We found the Greenlander safe on the same spot, and
surrounded by a still greater number of these bold
carrion birds, that almost deafened us with their cries.
Before commencing our task, we dressed ourselves
in jackets, vests, and coarse shirts, which my wife had
searched for in one of the sea-chests, to preserve our
other clothes from pollution, and then the work began
in earnest.
After disembowelling the monster, we threw the
refuse to a distance, to attract the birds away from us,
only retaining those parts most suitable for producing
train oil, and also long pieces of the skin.
This work occupied the whole day, and we were be-
ginning to feel both hungry and thirsty, for we had
not been able to eat much while working. Before sun-
set, however, I felt satisfied with what we had obtained
from the whale. We therefore returned with our
spoils to the boat, and after a refreshing bath, during
which we found some large sea-shells, we hastened on
board and rowed towards home.
While on our way, J ack said,
^ ‘ Papa, what made you so anxious to bring away all
these disagreeable parts of the whale? What use are
they?’’
^‘Of great use to mankind,” I replied. “In coun-
tries where no trees grow to provide wood for casks,
and no hemp to make ropes, the inhabitants, such as
the Greenlanders, the Esquimaux, and the Samoiedans,
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
find substitutes for these articles in parts of the whale,
— the entrails for one purpose, and the sinews for the
other. The finer parts of the latter they use as thread
for sewing their clothes and boots, while the former is
as valuable to them as to us, for it produces lamp or
train oil. The sinews are also useful in many coun-
tries to make strings for musical instruments, little
air-balloons, and ’’
“What, papa!’’ they all exclaimed, “air-balloons!
Oh! you cannot mean those large ones which carry
people through the air!”
“No, my children,” I replied, “only those which are
to ascend in a room. Large air-balloons are made of
silk, and varnished with caoutchouc to render them air-
tight. This is covered with a net of silken string, to
which is attached the car or basket in which the aero-
naut is seated. The upper part of the balloon is then
filled with gas, and as gas is lighter than air, the bal-
loon rises and floats easily among the clouds, and often
above them.”
“But how is gas made!” asked Jack.
“You have seen gas often. Jack,” I said, “when a
coal in the fire sends forth a kind of light smoke in a
thin line ; this sometimes catches fire, and a little clear
flame bursts forth, causing a bright light. The smoke
which precedes the flame is so light, that burnt paper
or even leaves are carried upwards upon it. This gas
is now likely to be made useful for many purposes by
scientific men, who assert that, after a time, we shall
be able to light our streets and houses with gas, in-
stead of candles or oil lamps.*
After this, I explained to my boys something of the
process by which the strings of musical instruments
* The readers of this story will no doubt understand that in 1813
the streets, houses, and shop windows, even in cities, were lighted
only with oil lamps or candles. The custom of using gas, now so gen-
eral, was only talked about then as an experiment that might possibly
succeed.
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
are prepared from the entrails of animals. In the
midst of this conversation we reached the shore, where
the good mother was expecting us ; hut she did not re-
ceive us with a very friendly countenance, when she
noticed the unpleasant odor from our cargo, the rich-
ness and value of which she could not understand.
On arriving at Eock Castle, the whole of the un-
pleasant materials were concealed behind the rocks,
until they could be again brought out, and cleansed
and dried on the morrow; and then, after refreshing
ourselves with water and changing our clothes, the
mother admitted us at last into the rock house, where
a plentiful supper had been prepared for us, to our
great content.
365
4
CHAPTER XXVII
ROWING BY MACHINERY — THE TURTLE
WE commenced our unpleasant task early next
morning by loading the wheeled sledge with the
spoil, and carrying away the disgusting odor of train
oil as far as possible from our dwelling.
The result of this work, however, was not to be
despised. We filled several casks with rarefied fat
and oil thoroughly purified by fire, and during our ab-
sence the mother and Frank plucked and cleaned the
birds, some of which proved eatable, but the remainder
were not wasted, for the refuse formed a very accepta-
ble feast to our animals, including the ducks and
geese. The feathers also were of great value to us.
After all these undertakings were completed, my
wife proposed that we should establish a new col-
ony on the island on which- the whale had been
stranded, as it appeared to be free from apes and wild
beasts. This proposition gave me great pleasure ; and,
as usual with anything new, the boys were delighted.
They were ready to spring into the boat at once had
I not reminded them that we must wait for suitable
weather, and also that the boat required to be cleansed
from the consequences of its last cargo.
I then also recalled to Fritz his remark respecting
the two iron wheels and the roasting-spits. He was,
of course, eager to find them for me; and while the
boys cleaned the boat, I endeavored to carry out the
idea of assisting the progress of the new vessel by
wheels on each side, to be turned by wind, or water,
or both.*
*The original of this tale was written in 1813, therefore the move-
366
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
I chose the strongest of the spits, and passed it
through the two sides of the boat below the hanging
seats, resting it upon a square piece of iron in the
center, to which it was fastened. The ends projected
beyond the boat on each side, and upon these ends I
placed the wheels, to turn as on an axis. In each end
of the spit I managed to drill a hole for the linch-pin,
to keep the wheels in place.
In front of these I arranged two smaller wheels,
formed of whalebone, to turn in the wind like a wind-
mill, and the action of these as they touched the larger
wheels caused them to move, and propelled the boat
forward.*
When all this was finished, I proposed a trial trip
to the boys, which proposal they received with great
joy. Tliey wished to proceed at once to the island,
but it was already late, and we therefore could only
make this trial for a short distance towards Deliver-
ance Bay.
Our success was delightful. There was just enough
wind to turn the windmill wheels pleasantly, and we
glided along upon the water with surprising rapidity.
I promised, however, that on the following day we
would all embark on board the boat, and take with us
enough provisions for a long voyage, to the promon-
tory of False Hope, or Prospect Hill, and Wood
Grange, to inspect our little colony of animals.
This proposal caused great joy. Then followed the
preparation of arms and a store of provisions with such
earnestness, that at last the boys betook themselves,
tired, to bed, to dream of the morrow.
ment of wheels by steam was at this time very little known, and less
understood. The author had, however, no doubt heard of the talked-of
invention, and he lived long enough to see it carried out, not only for
steamships, but in railway traveling.
* This contrivance is often made use of in erecting a vane or weather-
cock.
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
Amongst this store was a piece of the whale’s tongue,
which my wife had salted and boiled. It was care-
fully packed in fresh leaves and placed in a tin can to
take with us, at the earnest request of Frank, who said
it looked delicious.
We were ready betimes next morning; and, after
placing our provisions on board, my wife and the boys
arranged themselves comfortably in the boat, while I
placed myself at the helm, and steered into the cur-
rent that flowed from the Jackal Eiver to the sea.
Very soon Whale Island was left behind, and my ma-
chine performed its part so cleverly, that we in a short
time found ourselves approaching the coast lying be-
neath Prospect Hill.
I steered for ai little distance along the shore, which
presented a most attractive appearance from the wa-
ter, although a great contrast to the wooded region of
Falconhurst, or the rocks at Zeltheim.
The landscape presented to our view a rising ground,
commencing to the right at the foot of the bridge of
rocks, which, with its fertile growth of plants and
shrubs in full flower, looked like a terrace garden. To
the left lay Whale Island, green even to the water’s
edge, while the dark blue waves of the ocean broke
over the shore with a rippling sound. Beyond lay the
trees of Wood Grange, decked in the pale green foliage
of spring, and crowned by the cocoanuts and palm-
trees of Prospect Hill.
I steered our little skiff to the shore near Wood
Grange, and, stepping out of the boat, we sought the
shade of some large cocoanut-trees which grew near;
I wished also to carry a few young plants back in the
boat, to increase our plantation at Zeltheim.
We had scarcely landed when the crow of a cock
in the distance reminded us of our European home
and of a legend of my country, that the crow of a cock
indicates to the tired traveler the existence of a home
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
concealed by trees, and a hospitable roof beneath which
he can be sheltered and made welcome.
I saw how deeply my wife was moved by the sound,
and I hastened to control my own emotion by entering
at once into the business of cutting shoots from the
cocoanut-trees, and speaking to the boys in loud tones.
After collecting all we required, we again stepped
into the boat, and steered towards Prospect Hill. I
remembered a little bay there, on which I determined
to land, beneath the shade of some tall mangrove-trees
which grow chiefly on the sea-coast. The mangrove
pushes forth from the roots long dry branches, which
cover the shore and protect it from the fury of the
waves.
We gathered several shoots also from these trees,
which were tied in bundles and placed in the boat, and
then we climbed up Prospect Hill, and descending on
the inland side, proceeded to our new farm. All ap-
peared in order and comfort, and the number of sheep,
goats, and fowls had greatly increased ; but I was sur-
prised to find that they fled at our approach, and not
only the lambs, kids, and chickens, but even the parent
animals and fowls who had been so tame.
My boys, after their voyage, had a longing for fresh
eggs and goats ’ milk ; but when at last they attempted
to catch one of the goats, she butted at them, and kept
them at a distance. I contrived after awhile to throw
a string round her hind legs, which brought her to a
standstill, and then they fed her with potatoes and
salt, while my wife milked her, and brought us two
cocoanuts full of the sweet fresh milk. One of these
we saved to drink with our dinner, the other my wife
poured into an empty flask to take home with her.
After this, Fritz released the legs of the goat and set
her free.
We had no difficulty in obtaining eggs, for when my
wife threw rice and oats to them, the hens rushed from
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
their nests, and the boys carried away a few eggs from
each.
By this time we were all ready for dinner, though
our provisions were cold, having been cooked at home,
for cooking on the journey would have delayed us too
long. We had been looking forward to the piece of
the whale’s tongue as a great treat; but the first taste
was enough : the supposed delicacy could scarcely have
been eaten by a sailor with the appetite of an ostrich,
and we were obliged to throw it to the jackal, the only
animal we had brought with us.
A search for sugar-canes, to take away the horrid
oily taste, was necessary before we could make our
dinner on what was left of the mother’s store and the
goats ’ milk.
After dinner we descended to the shore and stepped
on board the boat, with the intention of sailing round
Cape False Hope; but the cape well deserved its name,
for on reaching the other side of the promontory, we
came suddenly on a large sandbank running far out
into the sea. It was so high and so broad, that at low
tide I could have walked over it easily.
The spot was surrounded by rocks and reefs, and I
felt truly that I had brought all my dear ones into
great danger. I quickly steered my boat round from
the place, and fortunately found a current of water
in which it could float. We hoisted a sail, and a fresh
breeze springing up, carried us back quickly towards
Whale Island; but before we reached it, a singular
spectacle presented itself at the end of the sandbank.
It appeared to me at first like a ridge of black rocks ;
but as I examined it more attentively, I could distin-
guish a troupe of sea-dogs, roaring and barking, yet
seemingly at play with each other. We lost no time
after this in escaping from the neighborhood of such
dreadful animals.
On arriving at Whale Island, I went to work at once
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
to plant the young trees on this seemingly fertile spot,
with the ready help of the boys ; but when this was ac-
complished, they appeared disinclined to do anything
more than wander about and gather shell-fish and coral.
Presently I heard Jack approaching, and crying out
at the top of his voice,
^‘Papa! mamma! do come and see, I have found a
skeleton — a frightful thing! I am sure it must be the
skeleton of a mammoth. Do come.’’
^‘My boy,” I said, laughing, ‘‘you have seen the
skeleton of the whale, no doubt.”
“No, no,” he cried; “they are not fish-bones, papa,
but large, strong animal bones and joints. The whale
must have floated out Jo sea again ; this creature is
much longer and higher out of the water. ’ ’
I was about to follow him to this wonderful sight,
when another voice from an opposite direction cried,
“Papa, papa, pray come! Here is an enormous
turtle; he’s pulling me into the water — pray come!”
This appeal came from Ernest, and was of far more
importance than Jack’s skeleton, and, snatching up
an oar, I rushed to his assistance. A few ste'ps
brought me to the spot, where I found Ernest holding
by the foot an enormous turtle.
Quickly I approached, and, using the oar as a lever,
placed the end under the turtle to turn him over on his
back. It required, however, the united strength of
Ernest and myself to perform this task.
It was most certainly a creature of unusual size, and
I imagined would measure eight feet in length and
five in thickness. Being now unable to help himself
or turn over, we left the turtle in safety, while we all
hastened to another spot, to behold Jack’s skeleton of
a mammoth.
I quickly discovered that it was nothing more than
the skeleton of the whale, the flesh of which had been
so completely stripped from the bones by the birds,
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
that they stood out clean and white, with not a morsel
remaining. Even had I not recognized the creature
by its form, I should have felt no doubt on the matter,
for the prints of our feet were still visible in the sand
around it.
‘‘What on earth made you get such an idea into
your head, my boy,’’ I said, “that this was the skele-
ton of a mammoth?”
“Well, papa, it was not my own idea, but our learned
professor, Ernest, made me think it was a mammoth
by what he said in joke, I suppose.”
“And do you believe all that is told you, without
question?” I asked.
“Not always, papa; but I thought a whale would be
sure to have the bones of a fish, and not like those of
animals.”
“No, my little man,” I replied; “the whale partakes
of both natures, and, to enable it to swim, its bones are
hollow, and the cavities are filled with air ; but in their
form and appearance they certainly more closely re-
semble those of a land animal than those of a fish. The
bciies of birds are also hollow, and filled with air, which
renders them buoyant and able to fly. We perceive in
this the wisdom of the Creator, who gives to all crea-
tures the powers they most need to preserve life.”
“Papa,” said Fritz, “I think we might call this a
mountain of bones, as an author in our fatherland
once named the elephant. Can we not make some use
of it?”
“By-and-bye, perhaps: when the action of the waves
and the influence of the sun have whitened the bones,
we may find out what to do with our skeleton. But
we must get home before sunset, and I do not wish to
leave that great turtle behind, yet how we are to move
such an enormous mass I cannot imagine.”
“Papa,” cried Fritz, “why not make him tow us to
land as we did the turtle we caught in the boat?”
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
^ capital idea, my boy,’^ I replied; ^^come and as-
sist me in carrying it out. ’ ^
I jumped on board, followed by Fritz, and in a few
minutes I had emptied one of the fresh water-casks,
and tied it with a strong rope to the fore part of the
boat. The other end of the cord was fastened to the
shell and fore legs of the turtle, and after turning him
over, we hastily took our places in the boat.
I seated myself in the prow, with my hatchet in readi-
ness to cut the rope in case of danger.
Finding himself free to move, the turtle rushed into
the water, dragging the boat after him, but the rope
attached to the empty cask prevented him from diving ;
he, therefore, could only swim steadily towards the op-
posite shore, drawing our little skiff after him as if he
had been a towing-boat.
The boys were highly amused, and Ernest laugh-
ingly declared that our new aquatic carriage was like
Neptune ^s car, drawn by dolphins. I was able to guide
the boat towards Deliverance Bay by striking the water
with the oar to the right or left when I wished our sea-
horse to turn in an opposite direction. We landed
at last safe, and, after conducting the boat to its
place of shelter, I was obliged to take the life of
the turtle, for I feared his great size and strength
would render it impossible for us to keep him a pris-
oner.
I wanted the shell also for another fountain, and the
flesh was always an acceptable dish to us all. My wife
prepared a portion of it for our supper, of which we
all partook with an appetite, for our disappointment at
dinner-time in the whale’s tongue had made us rather
hungry.
It was my intention at the end of the rainy season
to set apart about an acre of land, in which to sow the
various kinds of seeds my wife had so carefully pre-
served ; but many other necessary duties had presented
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
themselves, so that the summer was too close at hand
for me to carry out my purpose.
My animals were also still unused to the yoke. I
resolved, therefore, to set aside the field work till just
before the next rainy season, and in the meantime,
with the help of Ernest, fulfill my promise of finishing
the loom for my wife.
My first efforts had produced but a rough machine,
which, however, had answered pretty well for a time,
but was now almost useless.
In my young days I had visited the workshops of
weavers, and knew something of other trades, which
knowledge helped me greatly in our present position.
To complete this task, however, I still required the
particular paste or weaver ’s glue with which they cover
the thread to prevent it from slipping.
In default of this necessary paste, I determined to
try if fish glue would answer the same purpose. I had
already contrived to make this gum clear and firm
enough to be used as window-panes, which had the
appearance of thin horn, and as these windows were
placed very deep in the rocky wall to keep out the rain,
they served the purpose admirably.
Among other examples of my handiwork, of which
I was rather proud, were two saddles and bridles,
which I had made at the oft-repeated request of my
boys, and the yoke. The saddletrees and the yoke I
constructed of light wood, and covered them with the
skin of the kangaroo and the fur of the seal-skin. To
stuff them I used the long moss of the old trees which
we discovered while the pigeons were building their
nests.
The leather for the bridles I made soft and flexible
by soaking it in oil, and indeed my saddlery and har-
ness-making were a complete success. The boys used
their saddles and bridles with great satisfaction, but
the animals were at first impatient under the yoke.
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SWISS FAMILY. ROBINSON
I managed them at last with firmness and kindness,
although they were naturally wilder than poor old
Grizzle the donkey.
^ This work occupied some days, and for a second
time we were visited by a shoal of herrings, of which
we gathered a large number to add to our store of pro-
visions. These were followed by the sea-dogs. The
fur and skins of these creatures were much more val-
uable to us now than on their former visit, as I had
been using a quantity of leather lately for various pur-
poses. We caught about twenty of these creatures of
various sizes, and although their flesh was too oily to
be eaten as food, we baited traps with it for the crabs
at the entrance of the Jackal Eiver, and found the skin,
the fur, the bladder, and the oil of the greatest use.
While thus occupied, the boys had several times pe-
titioned me to take them on a hunting or rather shoot-
ing expedition to different parts of the island.
I was quite ready to comply, but before doing so I
felt it necessary to make two large baskets or panniers,
for the mother to carry grain, fruits, or roots from the
field to our home during our absence. For this pur-
pose we gathered a quantity of willow rushes, which
grew in abundance on the borders of the Jackal Eiver.
For a first attempt at basket-making, I would not use
the beautiful reeds which Jack had collected in the
Flamingo Marsh.
When finished, our baskets were not very shapely,
but the trial taught us experience, and I decided to
keep these panniers, which were coarse and strong, for
carrying dust or clay, and make two larger and better
ones of the Spanish canes.
In this we were quite successful, and the boys, in
their delight at seeing them completed, determined to
give little Frank a ride. A bamboo cane was passed
through the two handles on each side of the basket,
Frank was lifted in, while Ernest and Jack took an
375
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
end of eacli pole on their shoulders, as if they were
palanquin-bearers, and started off at a run, to the great
delight of Frank.
^‘Papa,’’ cried Fritz, ‘‘could we not make a palan-
quin of this kind for dear mamma 1 It would be much
more pleasant for her than riding in our little cart,
when she goes with us on our long excursions. ’ ^
The boys were overjoyed at the idea, and their
mother said,
“It would certainly be very agreeable to ride like
a princess in a litter, and have nothing to do but
look over the rim of the basket at the world around
me. ’ ’
“The idea is not unreasonable,’’ I said, “and a suit-
able basket could easily be made ; but who is to carry
it? We have no slaves here, as they have in India,
to bear the poles on their shoulders, and you are not
strong enough, my boys, neither should I like to trust
your mother with such young bearers.”
“But, papa,” exclaimed Jack, “we have two very
strong bearers — Storm and Grumbler: I am sure they
would carry mamma carefully. May we try them now
with Frank?”
I gave the required permission readily, for I was
curious to discover how the little men would manage.
In a few moments Storm and Grumbler were saddled
and bridled, and placed, one in front and the other
behind the basket between the two poles, the ends of
which were firmly fastened on each side of their sad-
dles. I would not, however, allow Frank to remain
in the basket while his brothers were teaching the ani-
mals this new style of traveling; besides, I knew that
Frank had more power over Grumbler than either of
his brothers. The boy therefore mounted the young
ox, who was to take the lead, and Jack rode the buf-
falo behind. After a few runs the animals seemed to
understand what was required of them, the greatest
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
difficulty arising from the unequal steps, which gave a
jolting sensation to the palanquin basket.
This they assured me would soon be overcome, when
the animals had learnt to trot and gallop in step.
While drawing the heavy cart or sledge, they could
only walk; the movement together was therefore new
to them. Ernest now volunteered to seat himself in
the basket, the obedient animals kneeling to enable him
to step in ; then they rose and started off at a trot.
The position of the rider appeared delightful, a
slight swinging of the basket was not unpleasant; in-
deed, he lay back on the cushion as comfortably as if
it had been a couch with an elastic seat.
But this steady pace did not for long suit the riders
of the animals; all at once a touch of the whip sent
them off at full gallop, and the ease and comfort of
Ernest came to an end.
The basket swung from side to side so violently that
he could not keep his seat, but was thrown to the right
and left, while the riders sat firm in their saddles. In
vain he screamed to them to stop, — the boys had not
strength to draw rein for laughing, and indeed it waj>^
very amusing to see Ernest sometimes sitting up, some-
times on his back with his legs in the air, being jolted
about in a most ridiculous manner.
At last the animals came to a standstill of their own
accord, and kneeled to allow Ernest to alight, which
he did quickly, and looking very angry ; but I explained
to him that his brothers were only in fun, and the
good-natured boy soon forgot his knocking about, and
went to his mother for a handful of salt and barley to
reward the tired animals after their exertions.
All idea of a palanquin for the mother was, how-
ever, set aside by circumstances which shortly oc-
curred, and alarmed us greatly.
377
CHAPTER XXVIII
THE DREADFUL VISITOR — POOR GRIZZLE’S FATE
I WAS sitting next day with my wife and Fritz in
the shadow of some trees on high ground over-
looking the Jackal River, and talking of the improve-
ments I hoped to make in the palanquin basket.
Suddenly Fritz rose, and, advancing a few steps,
fixed his keen eyes on the road through which ran the
channels which conducted the water from the river to
Zeltheim and Falcon’s Nest. Presently he cried out,
‘‘Papa, what in the world is this creature I can see
in the distance? It looks like a thick cable-rope, and
seems to be coming nearer by rolling and twisting itself
on the ground, and not by walking.”
I rose at once, and saw, to my horror, an enormous
serpent rolling towards us on the sand, and sometimes
\;aising itself, like the mast of a ship, and looking
round as if for prey.
My wife, who noticed my alarm, although I did not
speak, rushed into our rock dwelling, while I called out
to the younger boys not only to follow her and shut
themselves in, but also to have their guns in readiness
to fire from the open window if necessary.
“What do you think it is, papa?” asked Fritz, in a
tone of alarm, as we stood together.
“I believe it is a serpent of a frightful size,” I re-
plied; “and there is no doubt we shall have a hard bat-
tle to conquer it.”
“Then I will not be the last in the field,” said the
brave boy. “I must fetch my double-barreled gun
and a couple of hatchets.”
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
‘‘Gently, gently, my son,’’ I said: “you must be
prudent. These creatures have a great tenacity of
life and enormous strength. You had better join your
brothers in the house, and hold my largest gun in readi-
ness, in case it is required. I will soon return for you
when I decide upon what is best to be done. ’ ’
Fritz left me very reluctantly, while I went cau-
tiously forward to discover, if possible, to which of the
serpent race the horrid creature belonged. In a few
moments I recognized the most dreadful of serpents —
a boa-constrictor — ^which was wriggling with rapid
movements towards the bridge over the river.
My first thought was whether it would be possible
to remove some of the flooring from the bridge before
he reached it ; but he came along so rapidly, that I gave
up the attempt.
It was indeed dreadful to see him pause now and
then, and raise his head and the upper part of his
body to the height of at least twenty feet, and look
about as if searching for prey.
Presently I saw Mm crossing the bridge at a rapid
rate, and, rushing back to our cavern home, I entered
quickly, and closed the door carefully and without
noise.
On entering the house, I found my young folks in
warlike attitude, and fully armed: not exactly, how-
ever, like a garrison behind a fortification, for until I
appeared their courage had been very low.
Fritz offered me his gun. I took it in silence, and
we then placed ourselves at an open window, from
which we could see for a greater distance without being
seen.
The monster had already left the bridge behind hiin,
when he suddenly paused and appeared startled, as if
he for the first time had discovered the track of human
beings.
On he came, sometimes rolling in rings on the earth,
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
and at others raising himself erect, as if instinct told
him that he was near his enemies. At all events, the
huge worm placed his enormous body just outside our
cavern home, and appeared about to wait for his prey
to show themselves.
Suddenly Ernest, most probably from an impulse of
fear, fired his gun. Jack and Frank followed his ex-
ample, and his mother also, to my astonishment.^ The
danger had given her courage to fight at the side of
her dear children. But these four shots, although not
one touched the creature, at least frightened him a
little, for he rolled away with great rapidity. At all
hazards, Fritz and I fired after him, but neither shot
appeared to have taken effect, for the monster very
soon disappeared from our eyes.
A sigh of relief escaped us all. A heavy weight had
been indeed removed for a time from our hearts, and
with one voice a hope was expressed that this dreadful
creature might have been wounded in some way by our
shots.
For myself, I regretted this failure bitterly. The
danger was, however, not yet over, and I strictly for-
bade either of the boys to leave the grotto for the next
few days without my express permission.
For three long terrible days fear of our dreadful
visitor kept us in our rock castle. Even the mother
did not venture beyond a few steps, to obtain water
or other needful provisions, and then only when Fritz
and I were unable to procure what she wanted.
Our enemy, however, gave not the least sign of his
presence, and we began to hope he had departed from
the marsh by a way through the rocks unlmown to us.
But the half-wild ducks and geese were evidently aware
of the presence of the serpent, for they seemed in a
constant state of agitation.
Every evening, when they returned from their sail
on the water, they would hover above their usual dwell-
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
ing-place among the reeds, beating their wings and
uttering cries of fear, till at last they would turn and
fly across the creek to Whale Island, and there take up
their night quarters.
My anxiety increased daily. The creature was no
doubt hidden among the rushes, and at any moment
might spring out and attack us or the animals if we
ventured to leave the cave. And to be shut up day
after day in our rock home, and see our provisions con-
tinually decreasing, while we dared not approach the
spots on which more could be obtained, was indeed a
painful position.
From this situation we were at last relieved by a
sad and distressing loss. Our useful old Grizzle, the
ass, saved the garrison now as completely as the geese
saved the Capitol at Eome in olden times, and deserved
equal honors.
We had but a small quantity of hay left to last till
the haymaking-time arrived, and the store at the cavern
was all gone by the third day. To go to Zeltheim for
more seemed impossible, yet I determined to make the
attempt next morning, and if it failed, turn out the
animals to And food for themselves.
On the fourth morning, therefore, Fritz and I de-
cided to start for Falcon’s Nest, leaving the mother
and the younger boys at home, with orders to shoot
from the window if necessary.
I determined to avoid the Jackal Eiver, and proceed
by a new road very cautiously; and I told Fritz, who
was to ride the onager, that if there should be the least
signs of the serpent, he was to gallop off at once to
Falcon’s Nest at full speed.
I stood giving my last injunctions to the boys, and
my wife was entreating Fritz and myself to be cau-
tious, when unfortunately she opened the door a little
too wide, in her earnestness, and old Grizzle, who had
been shut up and well fed for three days, rushed from
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his stall, and was galloping away towards the Flam-
ingo Marsh before I could stop him. We all called
him back earnestly by name, but to no purpose, and
Fritz, in his anxiety, would have followed him, had I
not firmly held him back.
In a moment we saw the serpent rear his head from
the rushes, spring with one bound upon our poor ass,
and enclose him quickly in the folds of his snaky body.
The boys and their mother rushed screaming to the
edge of the balcony, where I, unseen, was watching the
monster. With shuddering pity we saw the creature
wrap himself round the poor animal, raise his head
and thrust out his forked tongue, as if greedy for his
prey.
Shoot him, papa! shoot him!” screamed the boys.
‘‘Oh! do save our poor Grizzle!”
“It would be useless now, boys,” I replied ; “nothing
can save the ass, and firing would irritate the creature,
and perhaps draw him on to attack us. It will soon
be over now, and then, while the monster sleeps after
this full meal, I shall do my best to destroy him.”
As I spoke we turned away from the horrible sight,
and Fritz exclaimed,
“Papa, will the serpent swallow his prey whole!
Oh! it is too horrible to look at!”
“Serpents have no teeth,” I replied, “but their fangs
enable them to seize their prey, which they crush to
death with the folds of their body. Even the bones
are broken by this pressure, and^ they then lick it all
over with the tongue, which contains a peculiar kind of
moisture, to soften every part and make it easy to
swallow. But I do not consider this performance
more horrible than the way in which the lions and tigers
bite and tear their prey to pieces.”
“Do not talk any longer of these horrors,” said my
wife, “it is too dreadful.”
And she drew the younger boys into the cavern,
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
while I and Fritz approached the edge of the rock, to
wait till the body of our poor Grizzle was enclosed in
its living grave, that we might knock the monster on
the head before he had time or inclination to attack an-
other of our animals. This dreadful scene lasted from
seven o^clock in the morning till nearly midday.
I allowed a few hours to pass before I attempted to
interfere with our terrible enemy, and then, accom-
panied by Fritz, I directed my steps towards the border
of the marsh. Jack, still half afraid, followed cau-
tiously behind, while Ernest kept us in sight, though
at a considerable distance.
As I came near to the serpent, I confess that his size
and appearance made me tremble, for I knew at once,
by the marks on his skin, that I looked upon a veritable
boa-constrictor.
At a distance of about eighteen or twenty feet I fired,
and Fritz instantly followed my example. Our two
shots passed through' the head of the animal, and
seemed to have taken effect, for the upper half of the
body and the jaws remained immovable, hut the lower
part of the tail moved convulsively, and struck out
blindly in all directions. I approached nearer to finish
the matter with two pistol-shots, and in a few moments
the whole body lay at rest, without signs of life.
Jack now drew near, and being anxious to share in
the honor of killing the animal, fired into its body. In
a moment, as by a galvanic influence, the monster
moved, and a convulsive stroke of the tail knocked the
young sportsman over, and sent him rolling on the
ground.
This, however, was the last performance of the ter-
rible monster, for although the boy sprang up and
stood with an air of defiance before it, there was no
movement. Death, to. which the boa had given so
many, had at last made the serpent his prey.
We returned to our home in the rock with joyful
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shouts of victory, so clearly heard in the distance, that
Ernest joined us at once on the battle-field, and the
mother and Frank came out to meet us, scarcely believ-
ing that our terrible visitor was really dead.
have released the poor animals,’’ she said, ‘‘and
I think I heard cries of victory.”
“Yes, mamma,” I said, “the mighty enemy lies at
our feet now, and we must be thankful to God, not only
for His help in the battle, but also for enabling us to
make a safe home in the rocks.”
“I am glad the horrible monster is dead,” said Jack.
“Can we eat serpents?” asked little Frank.
“No,” replied his mother, “the flesh of a snake is
poisonous.”
“Not always,” I remarked; “and I believe in some
countries the flesh is eaten. Even in Europe the flesh
of the boa and the rattlesnake has been made into what
is called viper broth, which, it is said, has a flavor as
agreeable as chicken broth. This preparation has been
used by Europeans in cases where the bites of serpents
have caused great exhaustion, and has been found of the
greatest benefit in preventing death. Of course, the
head of the serpent, which contains the poison, has been
removed. But I have heard that animals exist who
can eat serpents without being injured by the poison. ’ ’
‘ ‘ Oh, papa ! What animals can they be ? ” exclaimed
Jack.
“Pigs, my boy; and I once read a story on this sub-
ject which greatly amused me.”
“Oh I do tell it us, papa,” they all exclaimed. “Is
it about pigs?”
“Yes,” I replied; and as they eagerly followed
closely to listen, I commenced my story.
‘ ‘ On one of the large lakes of America there was once
a pretty little island, but no human being could dwell
upon it on account of the immense number of rattle-
snakes with which it was infested. It happened at
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
one time that a vessel, with a large cargo of living
pigs, was wrecked near the island. The crew, however,
contrived to reach the shore, and land their living
cargo and themselves in safety. But it was impos-
sible for them to remain on such a dangerous island;
as quickly as possible, therefore, after the storm
ceased, they repaired their little vessel, and leaving
the pigs on shore to their fate, made their escape with
all speed.
‘‘The forsaken animals dispersed themselves on the
island, and in time their owner came with another ship
to look after them himself. What was his astonish-
ment to find the pigs in good condition, fat and well
fed. They had eaten up all the rattlesnakes, and com-
pletely cleared the island of these terrible creatures.
“Why, papa,’^ said Ernest, “then a few swarms of
the secretary birds would soon exterminate these ser-
pents if they were taken to countries where these crea-
tures liveT’
“You are under a little mistake, Ernest,’^ I said;
“partly right and partly wrong about the secretary
bird. ’ ^
“Papa,’’ said Frank, “what sort of a creature is a
secretary bird? I thought a secretary was a gentle-
man who writes; birds cannot write.”
“Not with a pen, Frank,” I replied, laughing; “but
they make strange scrawls with their feet in the sand,
which, of course, we cannot read. But, joking apart,
these birds have been so named because they have two
long feathers at the sides of their heads, which gives
them the appearance of a gentleman secretary with
pens stuck behind his ears.”
“How was I mistaken about these birds, papa?”
asked Ernest. “They do eat snakes, I know.”
“Yes, my boy,” I replied; “and on that account the
bird is sometimes known as the serpent-hawk. But
they are natives of Africa, especially at the Cape, yet
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
they have been found in the Philippine Islands. It
would also be impossible to send swarms into other
countries, even if they could bear the climate, for these
birds do not live in flocks, one or two pairs only being
found together in one place.’’
‘‘How can people know the ditference between the
poisonous and the harmless serpents T’ asked Fritz.
“Chiefly by the fangs,” I replied, “which they pro-
trude when alarmed or in danger. At such times the
creature rears its body to a great height in proportion
to its size, opens the glowing red upper jaw so fright-
fully, that the lower remains fixed, and displays two
threatening fangs, which at other times lie concealed
behind the gums in a kind of bag. These fangs are
hollow, but so hard and sharp, that they can easily pen-
etrate the thick leather of a boot. Under these fangs
lies a little bladder containing the poison, which, when
the creature uses, the fang is pressed, and a little drop
enters the wound and quickly spreads through the
veins and over the whole blood-vessels. Sometimes, if
taken in time, a cure may be effected, but in most cases
the sting of a serpent is followed by speedy death. ’ ’
“What poisonous serpents are natives of hot cli-
mates, like this where we dwell now?” asked Ernest.
“They are so numerous in hot countries, such as
Africa and India,” I replied, “that I could not pos-
sibly name them all ; but the most noted are the rattle-
snake and the spectacled serpent, so called because the
marks on the skin of the face resemble a pair of spec-
tacles. The skin of the neck, throat, and breast is so
flexible, that the creature, when angry, rears his head
and inflates the skin till it stands out like a collar round
its throat. And yet these snakes are very lively crea-
tures, and are exceedingly fond of dancing.”
‘ ‘ Dancing, papa ! ’ ’ cried Jack, incredulously. ‘ ‘ How
can they dance without feet? You are joking us,
papa.”
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
‘‘Not in the least, my son,’’ I said; “but by dancing
in this case is understood light and playful movements
in time to music, which Indian jugglers have cleverly
taught the spectacled snake to perform. The creature
raises itself on the small rings of its tail to the height
of two-thirds of its own length, spreads out its skin
collar round the spectacled head as much as possible,
and then moves its head and the upper part of the body
gracefully in time with the mournful music. Its eyes
are fixed on the hand of the snake-charmer as it is
waved backwards and forwards in time with the music.
These jugglers make a secret of their art, yet they ac-
knowledge that, to a certain extent, the snakes are
under the influence of a stupefying drug. It is not
positively known whether the poisonous fangs have
been removed from these creatures, yet some travelers
affirm that they have seen them still in the jaws of
several dancing snakes in India.”
“Is it believed that these snake-charmers really con-
quer them by sorcery, or are they cheating us, papa?”
asked Fritz.
“I do not suppose any civilized person would be-
lieve in conjuring, Fritz ; yet these men are children of
nature, and know that serpents have the power of fas-
cinating their victims and rendering them unable to
escape. They perhaps, therefore, imitate, as far as
they can, these wonderful actions of nature. I have
even heard that in South America the natives have a
little instrument which has the sound, when shaken,
of a rattlesnake, and that by this sound they allure
small animals, such as squirrels and rabbits, to their
snares. But we have talked long enough, my boys, and
we must not leave our dead enemy till the morning, for
the birds will be only too glad to eat the flesh, and spoil
the skin, which I should like to stuff. ’ ’
“That will be beautiful, papa!” said Ernest, while
Fritz and Jack ran quickly to get the buffalo and ox,
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
Ernest and Frank remaining with me, to keep off the
birds of prey from the serpent.
Our poor Grizzle had been only half swallowed by
the monster, and I thought it might be possible to re-
move the dead body from the serpent, by yoking Storm
and Grumbler to a rope fastened round its legs. This
was soon arranged, and at a touch of the whip the ani-
mals started forward suddenly, and drew forth from
the serpent ^s body the scarcely recognizable remains
of our poor servant.
His deep grave was dug quickly, and after laying his
mangled body in it, we threw in the earth, and covered
the top with pieces of broken rock.
‘‘Some of you should compose an epitaph on poor
Grizzle,’’ I said, after we had buried him.
“Oh I papa, Ernest must do that,” exclaimed his
brothers.
“Yes,” said Fritz, “he wrote one called a ‘New
Year’s Wish,’ when we were in our own country, and
it had eight lines. ’ ’
But Ernest shook his head, and looked uncomfort-
able, so I left him to himself, and presently saw him
seated alone, with his head on his hand and his elbow
on his knee for ten minutes, without moving, and look-
ing as serious as a great philosopher over a mathemati-
cal discovery.
In a very short time he approached me with a look
of great content, and said,
“Papa, I have written the epitaph; but you wonT
laugh if I let you read it, will you 1 ’ ’
“No, certainly not, my boy,” I said, as I took the
paper from him and read as follows :
“Here lies an honest, industrious ass.
Who once disobeyed his master’s call.
Which caused him a dreadful death, alas!
Yet made him a hero; for by his fall
He saved a family with children four.
And father and mother, on this lonely shore.”
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
I exclaimed, ‘^here are six stanzas, and the
ideas and the rhyme are very good, but the last two
lines have not the right number of feet. Try again,
my boy,^’ I said; am sure you can improve it.’^
He took my advice, and presently returned with the
lines corrected thus:
“He saved from death, on this lonely shore,
Father and mother, and children four.”
The lines were not bad for a boy of thirteen, and he
looked much gratified when I took out of my pocket
a large red pencil, which I always used for marking
wood, and wrote the verses on the rock. My next per-
formance, taking otf the skin of the boa to be stufed,
required also the aid of our two useful animals. Storm
and Grumbler; but my wife, who came to read poor
Grizzle’s epitaph, told us dinner was ready, and after
the events of the morning we were obliged to be con-
tent with cold provisions.
After dinner the boys were very anxious to know
how the serpent could be skinned.
^Ht seems a very difficult thing to manage,” said
Fritz.
^ ‘ There is but one way in which it is likely to be suc-
cessful,” I said, ^‘and I intend to adopt it.”
I commenced by cutting the skin entirely round the
throat, and after separating it from the flesh, care-
fully turned it back. The ox and the buffalo were then
attached by their harness to the trunk of the serpent,
just above the neck. I then showed Fritz and Jack
how to draw back the skin carefully while I led the ani-
mals gently forward, and the body of the snake grad-
ually freed itself from the skin as the boys loosened it.
It was rather a slow process, but we succeeded so
well, that the beautiful skin of the boa-constrictor was
removed almost without injury. It was then steeped
in salt water, and, after being cleaned with sand and
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
ashes, carefully stuifed with horse-hair and wool, and
placed in the sun to dry.
A great deal of fun occurred while stuffing the ser-
pent, which we were not able to attempt till the day
after taking off the skin. It was then hung to the
branch of a tree, and as there was a difficulty in reach-
ing the lower part near the tail. Jack volunteered to
get inside in his bathing-dress, and to fill the skin with
the moss and wool supplied to him by his brothers, and
stamp it down with his feet. When he arrived near
the neck, he put out his head in a frolicsome manner,
and exclaimed,
‘‘I’m not the worse for being swallowed by a boa, am
I, papa!”
Before evening our work was finished. We made
two globes of gypsum paste, varnished with fish glue,
for the eyes. We substituted for the tongue a piece
of iron wire, painted red with cochineal. And now
arose the question, where should we place such an enor-
mous creature to dry! And in what position in our
museum to suit his character!
After a little thought, I decided first to erect a strong
pole in the ground firmly, on a slight elevation, and
place the stuffed serpent in coils around it. The boys
entered into this arrangement warmly. The chest was
fixed to the pole in such a manner that the head, with
the mouth wide open, stretched forward with an aspect
so fierce, that the monster appeared about to spring
at us, while the glassy eyes glared frightfully.
In fact, the figure of the creature was so natural and
lifelike, that the dogs growled at it, and Storm and
Grumbler fled from it in terror. I determined, there-
fore, when it was thoroughly dry, to make room for
the frightful creature in our cave. The boys had al-
ready fastened a label over the mouth, on which was
written these words, —
“No Donkeys Admitted Hebe.”
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SWISS FAMILY. ROBINSON
The words had, as I knew, a double meaning, as the
figure was to stand at the entrance to our library. The
great danger to which we had been exposed by the ap-
pearance of the serpent was now happily over, yet I
could not rest satisfied until I had searched the island
to discover whether any other of these creatures were
to be found upon it.
I decided, therefore, upon two excursions, one to the
marsh and the duck-pond, the other to Falcon ^s Nest,
and to explore the country beyond those spots at which
the creature was seen. When about to start on the
first of these journeys. Jack and Ernest expressed a
strong wish to remain at the grotto, and Jack declared
that it made him shudder when he remembered how
the creature knocked him down with its tail.
‘^Oh, papa!’’ added the boy, ‘‘I really thought all
my ribs were broken.”
I overcame their fears, however, by a little persua-
sion, for I wished my boys to be brave and courageous
in times of danger; at the same time, I promised to
shield them from harm should any of these dreadful
serpents be discovered. I explained to them also that,
after exploring the island and finding no traces of these
creatures, we should feel much safer and more at ease
than now, when we were in fear of another from day
to day.
After this the boys plucked up courage, and we
started early one morning on our expedition to the
marsh. In addition to our arms, we carried with us
bamboo canes and wooden planks, some water-flasks,
made of the skins of the sea-dog, filled with air, to
enable us to float in case of danger on the marshy
ground.
On arriving at the marsh, we threw down our planks
across the ground, and stepped cautiously over, one
behind the other. We found many traces of the boa
in the reeds and rushes, which he had crushed down in
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
lying npon them, but no signs of eggs or young ones.
We returned, after a strict search, by the chain of
rocks, one end of which joined the marsh, and there,
to our surprise, came upon another grotto or cave,
from which flowed a little stream of clear sparkling
water. I and Fritz stepped in on a broad path beside
the stream, and found that the ceiling and walls of this
grotto were formed of glittering stalactite.
The ground on which we walked was composed of
soft earth as white as snow, and on examining it
closely, I found, to my great satisfaction, that it was a
mineral earth called alumine, used by fullers in cleans-
ing wool, and therefore known as fullers’ earth. I
filled my pocket-handkerchief with as much as it could
hold to take home to my wife, which made the boys in-
quire the use of it.
‘^It will be of great use to your mother in washing
our clothes,” I said; ‘‘for fullers’ earth is used by
fullers to cleanse wool before it is woven, and is also
one of the ingredients in making soap.”
“What are the other ingredients, papaF’ asked
Fritz. “We might make some for mamma.”
“The principal materials used in making soap are
alumine, potash, tallow, and sometimes turpentine;
but soap-making requires more experience in mixing
the materials properly than we possess.”
As we advanced I noticed that the stream got nar-
rower, and issued from a fissure in the rock at the back
of the cave. As the stones around this point were soft,
it was easy to remove them, and make an opening large
enough to admit Fritz and myself.
Leaving Ernest and Jack outside, we crept through
the hole, and found ourselves in total darkness. Fritz
therefore produced his tinder-box and two wax cau-
dles, which we quickly lighted, and stuck them on our
bamboo canes. At once appeared before us a large
lofty hall with a vaulted roof, and I knew, by the clear
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
burning of the candles, that the air was pure, and we
could advance without danger.
When our eyes became accustomed to the gloom, we
could see crystals sparkling from the walls and roof,
from which they hung in fantastic forms.
‘‘Oh, papa!’’ exclaimed Fritz, joyfully, “here is
another salt cavern. Look at the crystals.”
“I do not think they are salt crystals,” I replied,
“or the water of the brook would taste of it; but I am
of opinion that this is a cave of rock crystals.”
“Eock crystals, papa!” exclaimed the boy; “then
we have made a valuable discovery.”
“Not more valuable to us here,” I replied, “than
the bar of gold found by Eobinson Crusoe. ’ ’
“We can break otf a little piece, however,” he said,
‘ ‘ to adorn our museum. See, ’ ’ he continued, as he sep-
arated a portion from the wall, “it comes off easily.”
And then, with a start of surprise, he added, “but it is
not transparent.”
“No, Fritz; because you have destroyed the hexag-
onal shape of the stone by the way you broke it off.
The real form of a rock crystal is a pyramid with six
sides or faces, which form prisms and admit the light.
If this form is destroyed, it ceases to be transparent.”
“How wonderful!” replied Fritz. “And I suppose,
then, it is the number of sides or faces in a diamond
that make it sparkle.”
“Yes, Fritz; and these sides are cut and polished
with great skill, to make these wonderful stones more
valuable. Diamonds are found in carbon, but the best
mines are those of Golconda, in India.”
By this time our candles were burning low, and we
hastened to return to the outer grotto, after having
fired off a pistol to notice its effect on the crystals. On
reaching the outside. Jack startled me by throwing
himself into my arms, and sobbing and laughing to-
gether, as he exclaimed,
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
papa, I’m so glad you are come!”
‘‘Why, my boy? What is the matter?” I asked.
“Why are you glad and sorry at the same time?”
“I’m glad to see you and Fritz, papa,” said the boy,
“because I heard a noise like thunder in the cave twice,
and I thought the cave had fallen in and crushed you
both to death.”
“My dear boy, the thunder you heard first was only
the report of my gun, which I fired when I left the cave.
The second time was its echo. But why did not Ernest
remain with you?”
“Oh, he’s gone to that bed of rushes, so he did not
hear the noise that frightened me’”
I went hastily to look for the boy, followed by his
brothers, and found him seated, cross-legged, among
the reeds, and plaiting a curious construction of basket-
work with striped and pointed rushes, which I sup-
posed he intended for a flat fish-basket.
“And where are the fish?” I asked, as his brothers
joined me and began to joke him about his basket-mak-
ing.
“I have not been fishing,” he replied, “but I’ve shot
a young boa, about four feet long, I think. There he
lies over yonder, near my gun. ’ ’
Bather alarmed, I hastened to examine the creature,
for I knew that if this was a young serpent there must
be more on the marsh. One glance relieved me.
“My boy,” I exclaimed, laughing, “your boa is noth-
ing but a fine fat eel, which will provide us with a splen-
did supper this evening.”
“Is it?” he said; “then I have thrown a number
away into the water. I thought they were worms ; but
I had a great deal of trouble to kill the large one : he
kept moving even after I had cut his head off — it was
so dreadful!”
“These creatures have a great tenacity of life,” I
said, “and the worm species can, I believe, unite the
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
parts of their bodies when they have been divided by
the gardener’s spade. But we may as well return
home and tell the mother the discoveries we have made,
as well as show her the eel you have killed, Ernest,
thinking it was a young boa : your courage was equally
commendable, my son, although you were mistaken.”
We returned hj another way, over the rocks, with
more ease than by the marsh, for the ground was dry
and firm. On arriving at Eock House we found the
mother at the well busily employed in washing our
clothes, and gladdened her heart with the supply of
fullers’ earth. Ernest’s eel proved also very accept-
able, as well as the cleverly-made fish-basket. A de-
scription of the grotto in which we had found the piece
of rock crystal we left to be related at our dinner-hour.
395
CHAPTER XXIX
ANOTHEE EXCUESION — EENEST AND THE EATS
Being satisfied now that the neighborhoods of the
marsh and the duck-pond were free from all signs
of the serpent, I proposed to my family to accompany
me on a second excursion to Wood Grange.
This proposal was received with joy, and great prep-
arations were commenced, which occupied us nearly
a week. Provisions were placed in the cart sufficient
to last four weeks, together with our traveling-tent,
cooking utensils, tools, candles, torches to keep off
wild beasts at night, and plenty of arms and ammuni-
tion.
Thus equipped and provided, we started early on the
appointed day from Rock House. A seat was kept for
my wife in the cart drawn by Storm and Grumbler,
who also carried J ack and little Frank on their strong
backs. The cow was harnessed to the wheeled sledge,
and Fritz on Lightfoot rode a few paces in advance,
as a vanguard, whilst I and Ernest walked near the
two conveyances. We had arranged that when tired,
Ernest should ride instead of Jack for a time, and that
I should take the place of Fritz on the onager. The
four dogs and the jackal accompanied us at bank and
rear.
On our way to Wood Grange, and not far from the
sugar-cane groves, we discovered traces of the serpent
at some points, proving a struggle, by the disturbed
state of the sandy road ; but before we reached Falcon’s
Nest these traces had completely disappeared.
The^ poultry here,^ as v^ell as the goats and sheep,
were in good condition, and had greatly increased in
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
number. We threw to them a good store of fodder, and
the tame creatures followed us for some distance, and
seemed glad to see us.
We then pushed on to Wood Grange, and found the
animals in the farm well and happy, and not so wild
and frightened as at our last visit. The goats and the
sheep were the first to approach at our call when the
caravan stopped; the hens and chickens followed, in
fluttering haste and joyful cackling, and greedily swal-
lowed the grain and salt which was quickly thrown to
them. I decided to make this our first halting-place,
and to remain all night ; my wife, therefore, prepared
dinner, while I and the hoys strolled to the field to
gather all the cotton-wool we could find, to make pillows
for our use at night during the journey.
After dinner we started again to explore the neigh-
boring country, and, for the first time, little Frank ac-
companied us, armed with a small gun. I turned to
the left of Black Swan Lake, while Frank, Jack and
Fritz took the opposite direction. Ernest remained
to assist his mother in gathering rice from the rice-
field by the lake.
Each party had with it a detachment of our light
infantry. With Fritz and Jack marched Turk and
the hunter jackal. Floss and Master Nip remained with
Ernest and his mother, while the two young dogs. Fawn
and Brownie, followed me and Frank.
We kept to the shores of the lake as closely as pos-
sible, although several times obliged to go a long way
round, to avoid the marshy ground covered with
rushes, which grew near the water. I sent our four-
footed companions in, however, several times, and they
started many aquatic birds, and amongst them herons,
woodcocks, and wild ducks, who flew to the lake and
sported on its surface, or soared above it with flutter-
ing wings. Frank at last became quite impatient to
make his first trial, by firing amongst the birds.
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
Suddenly we were startled at hearing a strange noise
from amidst the rushes, almost resembling the bray-
ing of an ass. We stood quite still and listened at-
tentively.
Papa, I believe it is our little onager, Swift,
Frank exclaimed quickly.
^^No, my boy,’’ I replied, ‘‘it is too strong a voice for
such a young animal; besides, he could not have fol-
lowed us so quickly from Eock House, and without our
seeing him. No, Frank, I believe it is a bird called a
bittern. ’ ’
“Oh! papa, then it is game, and I may shoot it!”
cried Frank; “besides, it must be an immense bird,
with such a voice as that.”
“It can scarcely be called game, Frank,” I said, “for
the bittern is a species of heron, and the flesh has a
fishy and disagreeable taste. The bittern, however, is
not a large bird, although his voice sounds like that
of an ox or an ass ; he is, therefore, in many countries
known by the names of water-ox, marsh-ox, or moss-
cow. ’ ’
“How can a little bird have such a dreadful voice,
papa?” asked Frank.
“The lowing, crying, or whistling of animals or
birds, does not depend on their size, Frank, but on the
form of the throat, the size of the lungs, and, above
all, on the power of the muscles of the chest. You know
that the nightingale and the canary are small birds,
but they can sing very loudly. It is said, however, that
the bittern increases the sound of its voice by thrust-
ing its beak partially in marshy ground, and thus pro-
duces a deep hollow sound resemMing the lowing of an
ox.”
Prank scarcely listened to my account of the birds
and their voices, his anxiety was so great to bring down
a bittern by his first shot.
I whistled to the dogs and sent them to beat the
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
rushes, while Frank stood ready and listened, with
his gun pointed and his finger on the trigger.
In a few moments there was a rustle among the
reeds, followed by the report of a gun, then a cry of
joy, as the httle sportsman rushed in to seize his prey.
‘‘IVe hit it, papal IVe hit it he cried.
‘‘Hit whatr^ I asked, as I hastened to the boy.
“A wild boar,^^ he replied; “bigger than the one
Fritz shot.’’
“The agouti you mean, Frank; but I hope you have
not killed one of the little pigs from the farm.”
By this time I had reached the spot, and saw a
strange-looking animal lying dead on the ground, very
much resembling a pig, with a reddish-brown skin, and
a pointed nose, but evidently not a native of European
countries. The boy, however, was almost beside him-
self with joy at his success. On a closer inspection I
found that the creature was from three to four feet
long, had incisor teeth, and a divided upper lip, like
a hare. These peculiarities, with the fact that the
creature was tailless, and that the toes were united by
a membrane, convinced me that it was an amphibious
animal called a cavy.
I could now congratulate the little fellow on his suc-
cess in having shot such an animal, instead of a wild
boar. I told him also that it was a native of South
America, and really ought to be named the river-pig,
although called a cavy, or capybara, and that it be-
longed to the same class of animals as the beaver and
the agouti.
After listening to my account of the animal, Frank,
who was anxious to carry his booty to our tent and
show it to his brothers, tried to raise it from the
ground, but the creature was too heavy for him.
‘ ‘ Suppose you ' place your burden on Brownie ’s
back,” I said; “he is a strong dog, and will carry it
easily, especially as the distance is not very great.”
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
‘‘Papa/’ said the boy, “if you will help me, I think
I could make the load lighter for poor Brownie by open-
ing the cavy and taking out the inside. It’s disagree-
able, I know, but I’ll try to bear it.”
I praised the little man for conquering his disgust
in a case of necessity, and readily assisted him in mak-
ing the load lighter. Brownie and Fawn were not slow
in accepting the feast otfered them, and after the cavy
had been properly cleaned and prepared, it was placed
in my game-bag and fastened on Brownie’s back.
Then Frank and I turned our steps towards the tent at
Wood Grange, followed by the dogs Fawn and
Brownie.
On our way I looked anxiously for any trace of the
boa, but not a sign appeared. The apes also seemed
to have left the neighborhood, for not even one had
presented itself since our arrival at Wood Grange.
When we reached the tent I saw on the ground a large
number of dead rats, the massacre of which Ernest had
just completed. I inquired the meaning of what I
saw, in great astonishment, and also where these dis-
gusting animals had been found.
“My mother and I were gathering rice in the field,”
said Ernest, “and presently I noticed one or two ele-
vations rising a few inches from the marshy ground,
like mole-hills. Master Nip, who had his basket
strapped to his shoulder, ventured near one of these
hills, and in a few moments I saw him struggling with
a large rat, and trying to draw it from a hole.
“I ran to help him, and after killing the rat, poked
my stick into what was evidently a rat’s nest. Out
rushed at least a dozen rats : some of them I knocked
down with my stick, the others escaped into the water.
But the cries of the animals brought the whole colony
qpon me, and they began to attack my legs in a most
savage manner. I struck right and left, and killed
several, yet in spite of my exertions and the hissing
400
Out rushed iit
least a dozen rats
©CI.K
78(i59
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
and grinning of Master Nip on my shoulder, the furi-
ous animals returned to the attack.
‘‘I became at last terribly alarmed, and cried out
for help, but you were all too far otf to hear me, and I
began to wonder what the end would be, when suddenly
Floss presented herself, and, dashing in among the
enemy, with one grip of the neck laid many of them
dead at her feet, and scattered the rest. My mother,
who had heard something of the noise at the other end
of the field, now came to the spot, and looked with great
alarm at the dead rats which Floss and I had killed.
But when I explained how it happened, and that the
danger was over, she desired me to bring the dead
animals to the tent, because so many useful things
could be made of their skins. ’ ’
This account of the rats greatly excited my curios-
ity respecting them. I proceeded, therefore, to the
scene of the attack, and found, to my surprise, that
their nests bore a great resemblance to those of the
beaver.
‘‘My opinion is confirmed about these animals,’’ I
said to Ernest, after a close examination; “they are
musk rats, or ondatras, as they are called in North
America, to which they belong. They resemble the
beaver in many respects, especially in the cleverness
with which they build their houses, and in having a
bushy tail and webbed feet ; but the musk rat, or civet
cat as it is sometimes called possesses two glands un-
der its tail, containing a fatty substance, which, when
stale, produces musk, and is used as a perfume. I
think, however,” I continued, “that the sooner we re-
turn to the tent and commence skinning these rats the
better. ’ ’
We set to work quickly, and while thus employed,
Fritz and Jack returned from their excursion. Jack
carried in his hat about a dozen beautiful eggs,
wrapped in a kind of skin, and Fritz brought two
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
heath fowls, a cock and hen, in his game-bag. These
fresh supplies were at once taken care of, and then the
two boys hastened to help us in removing the skins of
the musk rats, and to listen to the story of his battle
with them, which Ernest eagerly related.
‘‘Why, they are nearly as large as rabbits,^’ said
Fritz: “how useful the fur will be!’’
I explained to him and Jack the nature and species
of the animal, as we carefully took off the skins, cleaned
them with ashes, salted them, and hung them up to
dry. The bodies, however, we were obliged to bury,
for they were so impregnated with the smell of musk,
that even the dogs would not touch them.
The cavy being now produced, Frank was made a
hero of by his brothers, when he showed them the re-
sult of his first shot. The creature was afterwards
skinned, and part of it prepared, and placed by the
mother on the spit to roast for our evening meal. But
we found the fishy taste so disagreeable, that very lit-
tle of it was eaten by any of us.
During dinner, the boys made many inquiries re-
specting the musk rat, and wondered why it carried
about with it such a powerful odor as musk.
“It is perhaps intended as an attraction to animals
who make this species their prey,” I replied. “The
beaver, the civet cat, or deer, and many other ani-
mals, have a very similar odor. The musk of the civet
cat which is found in Holland has a more agreeable
smell than that of other musk animals ; it is, therefore,
the most valuable in commerce.”
My natural history lesson came to an end when I
paused, for Ernest suddenly exclaimed,
“I wish we had some nice dessert, to take away the
taste of Frank’s cavy, papa.”
“Oh! I forgot,” cried Fritz, starting up; “perhaps
I have something for dessert in my game-bag;” and
presently he placed before us two small cocoanuts and
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
some pineapples, while Jack produced a small pale
green fruit, and asked me if it would be safe to eat it.
‘‘These apples looked so beautiful, that I wanted to
taste one,’’ said Jack; “but Fritz advised me not to
attempt it, as he thought the fruit resembled the pois-
onous manchinella. ”
I praised the caution of the boys, as I took up one of
the green-looking apples, and cut it in half.
“This is not the manchinella-apple,” I said, “for
that has a stone in the middle, and this has pips. ’ ’
While I was speaking. Master Nip crept round to
my side, and snatching up the half of the apple I had
divided, rushed away with it to a corner, and devoured
it greedily.
This was enough. The boys, laughing merrily,
pounced upon the rest of the fruit with such avidity,
that I could scarcely manage to save one or two for
the mother and myself.
The taste was most agreeable, and reminded me of
the cinnamon or clove-apple, which is found in the
Antillas, and is considered a delicious fruit.
I noticed after awhile that the boys looked tired ; we
therefore laid ourselves down in the old Wood Grange
hut which had sheltered us on former occasions, and
with the bags stuffed with the cotton-wool for pillows,
slept peacefully till morning.
We rose at daybreak, and after an early breakfast
started to continue the journey to the sugar-cane grove,
where we had already, on a former visit, erected a kind
of arbor of branches of trees closely interlaced. This
arbor was still in good condition, and therefore, in-
stead of pitching our tent, we threw the sail-cloth over
the top of the hut, rendering it in this mild climate quite
comfortable.
As I intended only to remain here till dinner-time,
there was plenty of work to be done in a few hours.
Fritz, Jack, and Frank at once started with me to
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
the sugar-cane grove, and I felt thankful to observe
that no traces of the serpent were visible in this di-
rection. As we walked, several canes were broken off,
and the sugar sucked from them with great relish by
us all. Not for long, however, could we enjoy this re-
freshing occupation, for the dogs commenced barking,
and a strange rustling noise was heard among the
canes.
We could not see while in the thicket; I therefore
led the way out cautiously into an open space. We
were scarcely clear of the canes, when what appeared
to be a whole herd of little pigs passed before us, and
I at first supposed they belonged to our old sow, which
had long been at liberty. But the number, and the
gray skin of the animals, told me I was mistaken;
their structure also, and the perfect order in which
they followed the leader of their fiight, were most re-
markable, and convinced me that they were not Euro-
pean pigs, but fair game ; yet I could not help regret-
ting when the two shots from my double-barreled gun
brought two of them to the ground.
Strange to say, the procession did not pause, but
actually passed the dead bodies of their comrades
with steady steps, and without breaking their ranks.
Fritz and Jack, following my example, fired also, and
while the troop passed on, unmindful of their fallen
companions, we shot down about a dozen of them, while
they were within reach.
On examining the dead, I recognized in the animal
a creature of the beaver tribe, called a peccary, and as
the flesh is considered very palatable, Fritz and I at
once carefully removed the musk-bag from each, with-
out breaking it. By this means the flesh was preserved
from a flavor that would have been very disagreea-
ble.
All at once we heard the sound of two pistol-shots
from the direction of our arbor, and as I knew they
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
must have been fired by Ernest and his mother, I sent
Jack to tell them we had plenty of game, and desired
him also to bring the cart to fetch it.
During his absence, finding our load rather heavy,
I proposed to Fritz that we should remove the insides
of the animals at once. Presently Ernest appeared,
and asked me the name of the creature, and, on hear-
ing that I believed it was a peccary, he explained the
cause of the shots we had heard.
“The troop passed near our arbor, papa,^’ he said,
“and mamma and I shot two, just by the bamboo
thicket. I hope peccaries are good to eat. ’ ’
By this time Jack had arrived with the cart, and
after placing the little pigs upon it, the boys covered
them with branches of trees and flowers. Frank and
Jack took their accustomed places on Grumbler and
Storm, while Ernest and Fritz seated themselves on
the cart, and I followed with the dogs. This proces-
sion arrived at last in triumph at the arbor, where the
mother was whiting so impatiently for us.
Perhaps we were almost as impatient, for the din-
ner-hour had long passed, and we had only been able
to appease our hunger and thirst by the juice of the
sugar-cane.
After a hasty but substantial meal, we commenced
the preparation of these little animals, which not only
resemble pigs in form, but also in the flavor of the flesh.
The legs and the sides we cut otf and salted; they
were then placed in sacks, and hung upon the branches
of a tree, with calabash vessels underneath, to catch the
drippings of the salt and water, which we frequently
threw over them.
On the following day the boys arranged our arbor to
form a smoke-house, similar to that at Zeltheim for
smoking the herrings, and in this the salted joints were
hung. The heads and other refuse were thrown to
the dogs and the jackal. I then proposed to the boys
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
that a whole pig, one of the youngest, should be cooked
for dinner after the fashion adopted in Otaheite.
The boys, with Fritz as their leader, commenced
operations by digging a deep hole in the ground and
burning in it a large quantity of reeds, dry grass, and
wood, in which were placed several stones, to remain
till they were red hot.
Meanwhile Fritz cleaned and singed the little pec-
cary, rubbed it with salt, and stuffed it with potatoes,
pieces of meat, and vegetables, chopped small and
well seasoned, and in this respect his cooking differed
from the Otaheitans^ who never use salt nor season-
ing.
Not being able to obtain banana-leaves, I advised
Fritz to wrap the animal in any leaves he could find,
and cover them with bark. Thus enveloped, it was
laid in the pit, covered with hot cinders and glowing
stones, upon which earth was thrown, until the whole
pit was hidden from sight.
During the progress of this cooking the smoke in the
hut, which was large enough to hold all our salted
joints, was doing its work well, and I had no doubt that
in two days large portions of the peccary would be
sufficiently smoked for the purpose of preserving them.
In about two hours Fritz considered that our roast
must be ready. The earth and stones were removed,
and a most agreeable odor of roast pork arose, accom-
panied by a flavor of spices, and presently the splen-
didly-roasted pig was lifted out of its Otaheitan oven
and placed on the table.
Fritz was triumphant over his successful experi-
ment, and his mother quite reconciled to the clever
barbarian cooking, which she had before laughed at as
absurd. I was a little puzzled to account for the aro-
matic flavor which our roast pig had evidently gained
while in the ground, till I remembered the bark used
by Fritz to envelope it. I immediately examined this
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
bark and the tree which produced it, and came to the
conclusion that it was a native of Madagascar, called
ravensara, which, in the language of that country, sig-
nifies good leaf. It unites the flavor of the nutmeg
with that of cloves and cinnamon, and an oil is ex-
tracted from the leaves which has the flavor of cloves,
and is useful in cooking.
As the smoke in the hut required attention for two
days longer before the hams would be ready, my wife
and one of the boys decided to remain near and attend
to it, while the rest of us again explored the neighbor-
hood. On our return at meal-times we generally
brought with us some booty, and the welcome news
that no trace of the boa could anywhere be found.
Among other things, we discovered a bamboo thicket,
containing reeds nearly sixty feet high, and thick in
proportion. I managed to saw off a few of them near
the first knot, for I hoped to make the hollow parts
useful as light casks and tubs. Eound the knots or
joints grew thorns, hard and sharp, which we gladly
collected to use as a substitute for nails.
The young bamboo shoots also which grew from
the roots of these gigantic canes we gathered in abun-
dance. A kind of ^m also exuded from them, and this
gum, when dried in the sun, had the appearance of
saltpeter or soda.
Oil our way to Prospect Hill one morning we passed
through Wood Grange, and I found, to my dismay, that
the monkeys had again attacked the farm buildings.
The goats and sheep had wandered away, the fowls
had become quite wild, and the stalls and poultry-
houses were so broken and destroyed that I knew it
would occupy several days to repair the damage. I
put this work off, however, for another opportunity,
as, the hams being now sufficiently smoked, we wished
to continue our excursion.
We took only one ham with us to add to our stock
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
of provisions, leaving the rest hanging in the hut, and
to preserve them from the attacks of wild beasts and
birds of prey, we piled up earth and sand to a great
height round the place, and stuck it full of thorns and
thistles, thus forming a complete barricade against
robbers.
During the two days of our stay near the arbor,
while the hams were being smoked, the boys and I cut
down several bushes in the cane thicket, to make a
pathway, for I knew we should otherwise be unable
to pass with our loaded vehicles. Early one morning,
therefore, our little caravan set out gayly to continue
the journey to unexplored parts of the island, and, with
patriarchal trust in Providence, proceeded on our way,
and passed through the cane thicket on the road we had
made with ease and comfort.
408
CHAPTER XXX
THE GREEN VALLEY — THE BEARS
After walking about two hours, we reached the
proposed limit of our wanderings, at the outskirts
of a small wood, and here I determined to halt.
The spot was tolerably cool and sheltered, the wood
being bounded on the right by an overhanging rock,
while to the left the outflow of a river emptied itself
into a large bay. The place appeared to present every
advantage of safety and convenience, and we at once
commenced making the necessary arrangements for
a long stay.
Within gunshot from us lay a narrow pass between
the river and the rock, which I hoped would lead to
the unknown country beyond. I chose a little thicket
for our halting-place, sufficiently raised for us to com-
mand the opening to the river’s bank, and to be ready
with our arms in case any danger presented itself.
While dinner was being prepared, I and the boys ex-
plored the immediate neighborhood, but found no
enemies worse than wild cats, which were hunting
birds and badgers, but they fled at our approach.
The morning passed quickly, and after dinner the
heat became so overpowering, that we could only sit
in the shade and rest, hoping that by the evening we
should find it cooler, and our strength sufficiently ren-
ovated to enable us to build another cabin of branches
of trees, or to pitch our traveling-tent.
This resting-time was employed in talking over
our plans for the long excursion we hoped to take on
the morrow. I was anxious to explore the broad plain
or savannah which we had seen on a former occa-
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
sion from Prospect Hill, as it had every appearance,
from the distance, of being rich and fertile pasture-
land.
I decided to take the eldest three boys with me, that,
as I laughingly said, we might have a strong force in
case of danger. My wife and Frank were to remain
at the tent, well armed, with the wagons, the animals,
and various articles the long-intended stay had made
necessary to bring with us.
After a substantial breakfast, we bade farewell to the
mother and Frank, and, surrounded by our four-footed
friends, started for the unknown land, and, taking the
narrow pass between the river and the rocks, arrived
at a spot from which could be seen the immense plain
stretched out before us.
It was indeed a wonderful landscape which we passed
to gaze upon.
To the left, on the opposite shore of the stream,
which we had already named the Eastern River,
stretched away to the far distant horizon a range of
woods and forests of palms and other trees in full and
splendid foliage.
Behind these rose a chain of steep barren mountains,
piled one above the other, while their summits reached
the clouds and were clearly defined against the sky.
We waded across the Eastern River to the opposite
shore, and looked back to the pleasant land we had left
behiud, on which rose green hills covered with woods
and groves in picturesque beauty.
Continuing our way towards the mountain range,
and leaving the verdant plains behind, we found, as we
advanced, that the contrast became more perceptible.
It was fortunate that I had filled my water-flask from
the brook, for here there was not the least trace of wa-
ter, or even moisture. The grass was burnt up, and
the land appeared dry, barren, and unfruitful. The
contrast presented by this arid spot to the verdure
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
and fertility of the plain we had left was truly re-
markable.
‘^Papa exclaimed Fritz, ^‘this country has changed
greatly since we were here last and met with the buf-
faloes.’^
‘‘We have never traveled so far as this, Fritz,” I
replied; “and besides, there is a cause for the appear-
ance it now presents. We saw it last year soon after
the rainy season had ended, and since then it has been
exposed for months to the glowing heat of the sun.
The soil is evidently rocky and sterile, and therefore
requires a great quantity of rain to soften it and to
produce vegetation.”
We continued to walk on, however, amid the sighs
and complaints of the boys, who now and then opened
their parched lips to find fault with the country, and
to speak of it as Arabia Petraea, or the Sahara of the
island.
“Arabia Petraea!” cried Ernest; “it is a thousand
times worse.”
“Ah!” exclaimed another, “it is a land only fit to
be inhabited by evil spirits. ’ ’
“Yes,” remarked Ernest; “and the ground under
our feet is burning hot. There must be subterranean
fire. No wonder everything is parched and dried
up.”
“Patience, patience, my boys!” I exclaimed; “you
forget the old proverb, ‘Wien all is wild, it will soon
be mild,’ and the Latin saying, per Augusta, ad Au-
gusta. No doubt we shall presently find a shadow un-
der the overhanging side of a mountain, as well as
water and refreshing verdure.”
At last, when overcome with heat and fatigue, we
reached a pleasant spot at the foot of a projecting rock,
and threw ourselves down to rest in its welcome
shadow, and to gaze in silence on the scene before us.
The blue mountains were clearly defined against the
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
horizon, at a distance of, perhaps, twenty or thirty
miles, while the river wandered in serpentine courses
through the broad plain, looking in the distance like
a thread of silver.
We had not been resting for long when Master
Nip, with most ridiculous grimaces, began to smell
about in all directions. Then, screaming hideously,
he started off at full gallop towards the rocks, fol-
lowed by the dogs.
I supposed at first that he had discovered a troupe
of monkeys, but we were too much overcome with heat
and thirst to follow them. We had, besides, just pro-
duced our provision store, and were too busily en-
gaged to move.
Presently Fritz, who had his eyes fixed on the dis-
tance, saw something that surprised him. Starting
up, he exclaimed,
‘^Papa, what ever is that yonder in the valley? It
appears to me like a man on horseback; and there is
another, and a third,’’ he added; ‘‘and now they are
all in full gallop. Can they really be the Arabs of
the desert?”
“No, certainly not,” I replied, with a laugh; “but
take my telescope, and tell me what you can make of
this wonderful sight.”
“It is stranger than ever, papa,” said the boy, as
he steadily looked through the glass. “The moving
objects look like herds of cattle, high-loaded wagons,
or wandering haystacks. Ha, ha! what can it all
be?’’
His brothers, in turn, looked through the glass, and
both Ernest and Jack declared that they believed the
great moving objects were men on horseback.
I then took the telescope myself, and discovered at a
glance that the moving figures were nothing but a few
gigantic ostriches.
“Oh, papa!” cried Jack, as I stated my conviction,
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
living o^ich! Oh, wouldn’t it be delightful to
ride one, and to have beautiful feathers for our hats!”
The birds were evidently approaching nearer to us,
and I therefore desired Fritz and Jack to call in the
dogs and search for the monkey, while I and Ernest
concealed ourselves in a bush, from which we could
watch the movements of the birds. Among these
bushes I was, however, startled at recognizing a plant
which frequently grows between the fissures of stones
or rocks. From the stem of this bush exudes a kind
of sap or gum, which, although a deadly poison, is very
useful as a medicine, and called by some persons wolf^s
milk*
After a long absence, Fritz and Jack returned with
the dogs and the ape. Master Nip had scented water,
and the whole party, the boys included, had refreshed
themselves with a bath, and refilled their water-flasks.
All this time the ostriches were approaching nearer
to the spot we occupied, so that we were able to ob-
serve them with perfect safety.
There were five, one of them a male bird, as the large
and beautiful tail-feathers plainly showed.
‘‘We must not startle them,” I said, “for if they
begin to run, we could never expect to overtake birds
of such fleetness : no horse could gallop so fast as an
ostrich, although Fritz’s eagle might rival them, by
flying as swiftly as they run.”
“How do the Arabs catch them!” asked Fritz.
“On horseback, sometimes; but oftener by strata-
gem,” I replied. “The ostrich, when he finds him-
self pursued, will run for hours in a circle of an im-
mense circumference. The hunter keeps within the
circle, but still follows, till the creature flags from fa-
tigue. He then crosses the circle, and the capture is
made.”
* Most probably wolf’s bane, or aconite.
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
‘‘Does the ostricli really bury bis beam in tbe sand,
and fancy no one can see bimT’ asked Ernest.
“It is said so/’ I replied, “and I believe there is
some truth in tbe assertion. But, bush 1 do not move,
tbe birds are near us, ” I added quickly, in a low voice.
The ostriches were by this time standing at a short
distance from us, behind a slight elevation. Coming
upon us so suddenly, they appeared startled and un-
easy; but as we stood still, and held back the dogs,
they seemed to take courage and approach nearer,
raising their arched necks, and gazing with surprise
at the unaccustomed spectacle.
Unfortunately, the impatient dogs at this moment
escaped from our hold, and rushed yelping and bark-
ing upon the ostriches. Away they flew like the wind,
one after the other, and seemed scarcely to touch the
ground with their feet. They appeared more like ships
at full sail in their flight, and were quickly almost lost
to us in the distance ; but Fritz had uncovered the eyes
of his eagle when the birds were first alarmed, and set
him free to follow them.
We saw the royal bird soaring above the fugitives,
and hastened to follow, in the hope of saving the one
he pounced upon. Eapid as were our movements, the
dogs were there before us. The beautiful male bird,
however, being a little in the rear, was quickly pounced
upon by the eagle, who, with one blow of his beak,
brought the creature to the ground.
We were too late to save the animal’s life, for the
jackal and the dogs were^ quickly upon him, and we
arrived at the spot only in time to gather up a few
of the most beautiful feathers.
“What a pity to kill such a beautiful creature!”
said Fritz; “I am sure he could have carried two of
us on his back quite easily. Why, he must be six feet
high, at least; and his neck would measure three feet
more!”
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
‘^What ca^ these creatures get to live upon in the
desert, I wcnderT’ said Ernest; ‘‘nothing grows
there. ’ ’
“It is said that the ostrich digests anything, — even
stones,” I replied, “but his usual food consists of
plants and shrubs; yet most animals who inhabit the
barren regions of a desert can live for days without
food. The camel, as you know, has a kind of second
stomach, in which he carries a sufficient supply of
water to last for many hours.”
While thus conversing, we were continuing our walk
towards a beautiful valley which I had seen in the dis-
tance, and presently Ernest and Jack turned aside to
follow the movements of the jackal, who was more like
a dog in his habits, and seemed now to make himself
their leader. All at once they stood still by some
withered shrubs, and beckoned to us to join them.
“Ostriches’ eggs! ostriches’ eggs!” cried the boys
joyfully, and throwing their hats in the air as we over-
took them ; and there at their feet, in a hole in the sand
exposed to the sun, lay twenty eggs as large as a child’s
head.
“That is a glorious discovery!” I said; “but do not
disturb the order in which the eggs are laid, or per-
haps the mother will forsake them.”
“What could we do with so many eggs?” asked
Fritz.
“Oh, I know,” cried Jack, — “take them home with
us, and lay them in the sand to be hatched" by the
sun. ’ ’
“That is more quickly said than done,” I remarked.
“Those eggs would weigh more than twenty pounds,
and who is to carry them? Besides, the ostrich only
leaves her eggs during the day to the heat of the sun
in these hot climates ; at night she sits on them herself,
covering them carefully.”
The boys, however, begged me to let them take home
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two eggs, to show their mother. I therefore cau-
tiously lifted two from the top, and, to enable the boys
to carry them easily, I tied each egg in a piece of cloth,
like a stone in a sling, and fastened the cloth to a
string, so that it hung loosely from the hand, and could
be carried without danger of breaking it.
Even in this way the eggs soon proved themselves
too heavy. I therefore cut a strong elastic stick of
heath, and tied one egg, in its cloth, at each end of the
stick, that the hoys might carry the eggs as the Dutch
milkmaids do their milk-pails. This had the effect of
decreasing the weight. We also set up in the sand
a cross made of two pieces of the heath-stem, that we
might easily find the nest when we came again.
On our way we noticed many signs of strange ani-
mals, such as buffaloes, antelopes, and onagers, but no
trace of the serpent.
At a little distance farther on we reached a spot
which, in this sterile region, proved truly refreshing,
for a little spring fiowed from the rock and formed
itself into a tiny brook.
We seated ourselves by its side, took out some of our
provisions, filled the water-flasks with fresh water, and
thoroughly enjoyed the rest. Presently Fritz, who was
watching the jackal, saw him at a little distance scratch
up with his feet a curiously formed creature. He rose
quickly, took it from him, and brought it to me to ex-
amine it.
^HFs like a little turtle,’’ said Ernest, ‘‘although it
is not larger than half an apple. ’ ’
“A turtle!” cried Fritz. “How could a turtle be
found so far from the sea as this?”
“Very likely it was brought by a shower of turtles
similar to the rain of frogs we read of in old ro-
mances.”
“Hallo, Dr. Ernest!” I cried, laughing, “you are
mistaken for once. This is really a small land-turtle,
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of the kind which lives in marshy ground and near
fresh water. It is found very useful in gardens. Al-
though it lives upon vegetables, yet it destroys snails
and other vermin. This turtle will bury itself in
marshy ground or mud during the hot weather, but
creeps out again gladly when the rain comes and ren-
ders the ground soft and muddy.
The boys contrived to carry with them two of these
little harmless creatures; and, after enjoying an hour
of refreshing rest, we again started forward on the
journey, and presently entered a green and fruitful
valley.
Here and there stood groves of trees in full foliage,
and so flourishing and fertile was its aspect, that it pre-
sented a striking contrast to the dry and sterile land
through which we had lately wandered. The cool fresh
breeze, also, after the burning sun and the intense heat,
was so refreshing, that, as we walked through it, we
decided to give it the name of the Green Valley.
Here and there in the distance could be distinguished
herds of buffaloes and antelopes peacefully grazing;
and no doubt we might have approached nearer to them
but for the dogs, which were always several paces in
advance of us.
Imperceptibly the valley had turned away to the left,
and brought us to a rising ground, and I was amazed
at finding that we had reached a spot opposite to the
place at which we had rested in the morning. We had
taken no game during the whole day, and had nothing
to carry back to the tent but the ostrich eggs. I hoped,
however, that on our way home we might be more suc-
cessful.
I was not, however, prepared for what really hap-
pened, although I remarked that our dogs were be-
coming wild, and looked so scared and uneasy, that we
were obliged each to lead them, excepting Floss, who
was so under command of her rider, Master Nip, that
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she seemed to have lost all spirit for hunting. In less
than half an hour we found ourselves near the place
where Fritz had caught the young jackal.
Ernest, looking pale and tired, crept on in front of
the party, leading the- way, accompanied by the dog
Fawn, to a rocky cave which appeared in the distance,
while we followed slowly, yet longing for its cool shel-
ter. Suddenly a cry of terror, the barking of the dogs,
and a low growl startled us. The next moment Ernest,
pale as death and without his hat, rushed from the
cave and threw himself into my arms, exclaiming,
^‘Papa, papa, don’t go in! There’s a hear in the
cave; and look, he’s coming out; he is indeed!”
I placed my arm for a moment round the boy, who
was trembling in every limb, and exclaiming, “Cour-
age ! courage ! my boy, ” I let the dogs loose, and, gun
in hand, rushed towards the cave, followed by Fritz.
To my horror we were met at the entrance by an enor-
mous bear, which the dogs were attacking furiously,
and I could see another within the cave.
Fritz set himself bravely to do battle with the lat-
ter, while I prepared to meet the first. We both fired
together.
Jack stood ready armed at a little distance, yet evi-
dently half afraid, but Ernest had rushed back as the
bears appeared, and was nowhere to be seen.
Our first shots, though they wounded the bears, were,
unfortunately, not mortal, and I hesitated to fire again
lest I should injure the dogs, who were dragging the
animals hither and thither, at the risk of their lives,
with the greatest bravery.
One of them, however, could not bite, for I had with
my shot broken his under jaw, and Fritz had wounded
the other in the fore paw; they had, therefore, lost
some of their natural strength, but not their courage.
Indeed, the pain and the attacks of the dogs rendered
them furious, and the struggles to defend themselves,
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
added to their loud growls and the yelping of the dogs,
rendered the scene truly fearful. The hears, some-
times erect, sometimes on all fours, fought bravely,
and, as I could see that the dogs were wounded and
bleeding, I expected every moment to see one or two
lie dead on the battle-field.
At the same time, the bears appeared to grow
weaker, and I therefore determined to approach
nearer, and watch my opportunity to fire when close
upon them. Making a sign to Fritz to follow, I went
forward cautiously, and choosing a moment when the
creatures were too much occupied with the dogs to
notice us, I shot one of them through the head, while
the ball fired by Fritz passed through the heart of the
other.
‘^God be praised I’’ I exclaimed, earnestly, as the
two terrible enemies, with hollow growls, fell dead at
our feet. ‘‘We have escaped great danger with His
help and protection.’^
After satisfying myself that the bears were really
dead, we approached nearer to examine the monsters,
and also to ascertain if the dogs were seriously injured.
They had certainly received some severe bites, and
their skin had been torn slightly by the animals ’ claws,
but all this I hoped to remedy on our return to the
tent. While thus employed. Jack, who had from the
distance witnessed our success, ran back to find Ernest,
exclaiming, ‘ ‘ Victory ! victory ! ” in a joyful voice ; and
presently Jack approached the field of battle, followed
timidly by Ernest, who had not yet overcome the ef-
fects of his first alarm.
Fritz and I could not help a feeling of pride as we
examined the monsters we had destroyed, — their size,
their strong teeth and terrible claws, the structure of
the limbs, and the wonderful thickness of the fur.
The boys stood by in wondering admiration and awe
as I spoke of the danger we had escaped, for these ani-
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mals would no doubt have discovered us in our home,
and perhaps at a moment when we were not prepared.
‘‘Are they not useful now they are dead, papaT’
asked Jack.
“Yes, my child, very useful: the flesh is much es-
teemed by the people of the countries in which bears
are found, and the fur alone of these we have killed
would form a most valuable article of commerce in the
fur trade. You observe that the color is a silvery
shining gray, and I believe, therefore, that these ani-
mals belong to the class of bears met with by Captain
Clark during his travels in the north-western coun-
tries of America, and named by him the silver bear. ’ ^
It was impossible, on this occasion, to carry home
our booty; I therefore at once decided to leave it in the
cave, and protect it as carefully as practicable from
the jackals and other beasts of prey.
With some difficulty, therefore, the dead bears were
dragged farther into the cave, and covered with
branches of trees, while in front of the entrance we
piled thorn-bushes and prickly leaves.
The eggs of the ostrich were also left behind, after
burying them carefully in the sand, for it was getting
late, and as the boys would have to walk quickly, they
did not wish to be burdened with heavy weights.
We did not reach the tent till after sunset, and were
received by the mother and Frank with a glad wel-
come. They had also been busy gathering a large heap
of wood for our watch-fires, and supper had been ready
for a long time. After relating our adventures, the
mother hastened to describe the performances of her-
self and little Frank during our absence.
They had discovered a path through the bushes
which led to the foot of a rock, and here they had found
a peculiar kind of white lime or pipeclay, of which my
wife thought we might be able to make china cups and
saucers and plates. They had also met with bamboo
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
cane suitable for pipes to convey the water which
flowed fresh and sparkling from a rock close by, and
not far from the farm.
‘‘A hole could be dug in the ground,’’ said my wife,
^‘to which the water could be conducted by the bam-
boo pipes, and what a boon this would be for our ani-
mals ! I broke off a large piece of the rock from which
the water flows,” she continued, ‘‘and with this and
the mixture of the white clay I constructed a fireplace
for cooking, much more convenient than stones. The
remainder of the day I and Frank employed in gath-
ering materials for the watch-fires, bamboo canes, as
well as a supply of white clay, all of which we brought
here on the cart drawn by the buffalo and the ox.”
“Papa,” said Frank, after I had thanked my wife
for her industry, “I saw some pieces of the white clay
in the fireplace burnt hard, and looking almost like
glass.”
“Like glass, eh, Frank!” I said. “Well, after the
watch-fires are lighted I will try it.”
I concluded it was of a vitreous nature, and could
easily be made useful for crockery, as my wife sup-
posed.
Earnestly the boy watched me as I softened the white
clay and formed it into the shape of two bowls, which I
then placed in the hot cinders of the watch-fire.
“We must leave them there all night, Franky,” I
said, “and perhaps by the morning we shall find two
pretty glass bowls.”
After the wounds of our brave dogs had been care-
fully washed, touched with ointment, and bound up,
they laid themselves down by the watch-fire, and
seemed much relieved.
The history of our day’s journey and adventures
with the ostriches, and the fight with the bears, how-
ever, occupied little Frank’s mind so completely, that
he could talk of nothing else but the fact that we were
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all to go to the bears’ cave next day, and not only help
in saving the beautiful fur and salting the flesh, but
also to bring home the eggs of the ostrich and the large
handsome feathers we had left behind.
Even when we retired to the tent, glad of the rest
we so much needed after our exertions. Prank could
not readily fall asleep for thinking of the morrow.
CHAPTEE XXXI
THE CONDOE — FKANK HEAES THE CUCKOO
Early next morning I arose, and waking my sleep-
ing household, proceeded at once to examine the
pipeclay bowls. They had become hard and glazed,
but in consequence of the great heat of the fire the
bowls were too brittle, and had the clay been formed
into cups and saucers, this fact would have rendered
them useless.
After offering our morning prayer and partaking
of breakfast, we harnessed the animals to the cart, and
started on the way to the bears ’ cave.
Fritz, who was a little in advance of us, no sooner
came in sight of the entrance, than he cried out,
‘ ‘ Make haste ! make haste ! Here is an immense flock
of turkeys; perhaps they have assembled to do honor
to the funeral of the poor slaughtered bears. And
there’s a sort of meddling fellow parading before the
cave, as if he were a sentinel placed there to prevent
the dead from being disturbed.”
The bird described by Fritz as a sentinel was of im-
mense size, with a bright red comb on his head, and
lappets of the same color under his throat. He had a
long beak, and a collar of white feathers round his
neck, which fell upon his purple-red breast. The rest
of the bird’s plumage appeared of a dark brown
speckled with white.
This large bird marched up and down in front of
the entrance to the cave like a sentinel, now and then
stepping in, but not to remain for long. Other and
smaller birds were inside, who, with loud cries and
rustling wings, drove him back.
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We had been watching this amusing spectacle for
some minutes, when a rushing sound of flapping wings
in the air startled us. We looked up, and saw an
enormous bird descending to the cave. At the same
moment Fritz fired, and the bird, in falling heav-
ily, struck his head against the rock and broke his
neck.
The dogs, who had been held in a leash, broke loose
at this, and rushed into the cave, putting to flight the
birds inside, who rose slowly in the air, followed by the
majestic watcher. Fritz fired again, but the ball
passed him by unhurt, and the bird, which was evi-
dently the king vulture, soared to the clouds majestic-
ally, and was soon out of sight.
Two, however, remained, as the result of Fritz’s
gunshots: one which very much resembled a turkey,
and the large one, which I imagined must be a condor
by its size, for it measured sixteen feet from its beak
to the tip of its tail.
I at last entered the cave, and found, to my satisfac-
tion, that only the eyes and the tongue of one of the
bears had been meddled with. Assisted by the boys,
I commenced at once to skin and cut up the animals,
and prepare the flesh by salting, as I had done with
our other booty.
This work occupied two whole days, during which
we had erected our tent outside the cave. At the end
of that period we loaded the cart with the skins and
the salted flesh, and journeyed with them to Prospect
Hill, that the latter might be smoked in the arbor.
This was more especially necessary for the hams,
which were large, and we hoped would prove as agree-
able eating as the boar hams of Westphalia. Next day
we returned to our tent outside the cave. The birds
of prey were totally unfit for food, as birds which feed
on carrion always are, but we plucked them, and
cleansed the feathers. Some of the condor’s wing-
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feathers were very beautiful, but not equal to those of
the ostrich.
I had always regretted that the tree from which the
bark was obtained that gave such an aromatic flavor
to the roasted peccary, should grow so far off. How-
ever, I told the boys that I had seen in this neighbor-
hood several bushes which I believed were the pepper-
plant.
I had noticed that clusters of berries, something
like currants, but not so large, grew on these bushes ;
but the clusters being fuller and the berries closer to-
gether, they bore a greater resemblance to bunches of
grapes.
The berries were varied in color, some being red,
others green or white. The boys readily promised to
assist me in collecting about a hundred young shoots
of these bushes, to plant at Falcon ^s Nest and Zelt-
heim, as well as at other places, when we returned
from our excursion.
My boys had been for some time anxious to com-
mence a journey over the island alone, but I could not
spare them until the bear hams and other portions
were thoroughly smoked and dried, and fit to be added
to our stores during the rainy season, without danger
of spoiling.
At len^h, no more smoking being required for the
hams, I told the boys they might prepare for their
journey. My information was received by three of the
lively youngsters with shouts of joy. Ernest alone
held back, and asked to be allowed to remain with his
mother ; and Frank entreated me to let him accompany
Fritz and Jack, instead of Ernest.
After some consideration I gave my consent, and
the joyful shouts were repeated. Lightfoot, Storm,
and Grumbler were soon saddled, and the three riders
sprang to their seats, waving their hands in farewell,
and looking happy and delighted. In front of each
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
cavalier hung the bag containing his store of pro-
visions, and in a belt round his waist were fastened his
pistol, knife, ax, and game-bag.
I and my wife watched them, as, accompanied by the
dogs, they rode away.
‘‘Ah,’’ thought I, “we must learn to trust them to
their own resources. They are growing manly and
strong, and if I were to die, I could even now trust the
mother and his three brothers to the care of Fritz.
Heaven will watch over them, and I believe that God,
in His Providence, will protect them this day from
harm.”
During their absence, while examining the rock at
the hack of the bears’ cave, I discovered a number of
long asbestos threads, which I knew when melted would
form talc. This I could make valuable to us for win-
dow-panes, being much clearer and more transparent
than the fish glue which I had used for the windows of
our rock house.
My wife received the news of this discovery with
great satisfaction ; she said it had always been a trou-
ble to her to have window-panes that were not trans-
parent.
As the evening approached, she placed on the stone
fireplace a pot containing two of the salted bears’ feet
to stew for supper, and then we seated ourselves, to
wait with anxiety and impatience for the return of our
boy hunters. At last we heard the clatter of hoofs
approaching at a sharp trot, and distant sounds of
joyful cheering. I went to meet the riders.
Like military hussars, they slackened rein when they
saw me, and sprang from their chargers, took otf the
saddles, and left the animals free to enjoy the sweet
grass and the fresh water from the brook at their own
free will. Then they hastened to join their mother at
the tent, who received them joyfully.
Jack and Frank each carried a young kid slung across
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
his shoulders, and the movement in Fritz’s game-bag
gave me the impression that it contained something
alive.
‘‘The chase for ever, papa!” cried Jack, in a loud
voice; “the chase for ever! And what splendid fel-
lows Storm and Grumbler are to run over level ground !
They so tired the little creature we followed for a long
distance, that we were able at last to catch it with our
hands.”
“Yes, papa!” exclaimed Frank; “and Fritz has two
such pretty rabbits in his bag. And we were very
nearly bringing you some honey, mamma, only we
stopped to hear the cuckoo.”
“Ah, but you forget the best!” cried F!ritz. “We
met a troop of antelopes, and they were so tame, we
might have brought one home easily had we wished.”
“Ah, stay, my boy,” I said; you have forgotten the
best: the goodness of God in bringing you all home
safely to the arms of your parents, and preserving you
from danger on the way. But presently you must give
us a straightforward account of your journey, from
the beginning, after you have rested.”
The boys on this hastily ran to refresh themselves,
by bathing their faces and hands and removing the
game-bags and arms from their girdles. The story of
their day’s adventures was then commenced by Fritz.
“When we left this morning,” he said, “we pro-
ceeded at a quick trot through the green valley, and
soon reached the narrow defile between the rocks and
the river, and came presently to a slight elevation,
from which we could see a large extent of country.
From this point we noticed a herd of pretty animals,
but I could not tell whether they were goats, ante-
lopes, or gazelles. A thought struck me that we might
drive them along the bank of the river towards Wood
Grange.
“We each separated, placing ourselves at three dif-
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
ferent points, and holding back the dogs. Frank was
to keep along the bank of the river, Jack placed him-
self at a distance from him, and I, mounted on the
onager, stood at a point opposite to Jack. We ad-
vanced cautiously towards the pretty creatures, and
came gradually nearer, but on seeing us many of them
started off at a rapid pace. Then they became con-
fused, and stood close together, staring at us wildly.
At this moment we let the dogs loose, and galloped
after them at full speed ourselves. The confused ani-
mals turned from us towards the narrow defile, as we
intended they should, for we had placed ourselves at
these different points to oblige them to do so.
“I wanted to drive them to Wood Grange, and I
knew this could only be done by making them prisoners
in the defile. To produce this result, we tied a piece
of string, at a distance of about four feet from the
ground, across the whole breadth of the pass. Upon
it we fastened the ostrich feathers from our caps and
some pieces of old rags we had in our game-bags. The
wind blew them wildly about, so that when the animals
attempted to go back, they were alarmed, and turned
to proceed, as I wished, towards Wood Grange; for
on one side was the water, opposite to it ourselves, the
dogs at various points, and behind them these alarm-
ing-looking feathers and rags. And therefore, papa,
as they could only go forward, I have really succeeded
in attracting them to our farm.^’
‘^Well done, my boy! The idea was a clever one.
But tell me,’’ I said, ‘‘what made you think of it?”
“I read an account of the methods adopted by the
natives of the Cape of Good Hope to tame antelopes,
by bringing them into association with other animals,
in a book named ‘Travels in South Africa,’ by Cap-
tain Levaillant, a naturalist, so I thought I would try
tha experiment. ’ ’
“I am glad you remember what you read, Fritz,”
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
I replied; ‘‘but where did you find the rabbits, and how
do you propose to keep them? Babbits multiply so
quickly, that our fields and gardens would soon be
overrun with them.’’
“Ah, but you forget, papa,” replied the boy. “We
have two small islands on which • these pretty little
creatures could live without being the slightest trou-
ble to us, and we should not only have their flesh as
an additional store of food for our table, but their
fur, which is quite as useful as the skin of the civet rat ;
and even if these creatures are as plentiful as rabbits,
their flesh is useless, because of the musk. Besides,
on our islands there are quantities of vegetables and
green food which grow without cultivation.”
“You are quite right, Fritz,” I said; “and I will
help you to carry out your plan with great pleasure.
Have you brought living rabbits?”
“Yes, papa; two. We saw a number of them scam-
pering about, and I sent up my eagle. He brought
me three — two alive and one dead. I gave him the
dead one as a reward. The two living rabbits are in a
basket cage now, papa. I put them in it as soon as
we arrived. I hope we shall be able to take them to
one of the islands very quickly.”
“Papa,” said Jack, impatiently, before I could an-
swer his brother, “isn’t it my turn to speak now? It’s
all on the tip of my tongue, and I want to tell you what
Frank and I did. ”
“Of course. Jack,” I replied, smiling; “and I am
quite ready to listen to your adventures. How did
you bring down those beautiful little kids?”
“In a gallop, papa; Frank and I together. Fritz
was some distance off, following the rabbits, and we
rode slowly behind him. Our dogs were sniffing about
in a restless manner over the thick grass, and pres-
ently they started two animals that we took for hares.
Oh, how they did run and spring along in front of us !
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
but we kept them in sight, and followed on Storm and
Grumbler at full gallop, sometimes even leaving the
dogs behind. In about a quarter of an hour they lost
breath, and fell panting on the ground. We sprang
off our saddles, drove back the dogs, and found that,
instead of hares, the creatures were two beautiful lit-
tle fawns. We lifted them in our arms and bathed
their delicate legs with palm wine, then slung them on
our shoulders, as you saw, and rode back to Fritz.
And that is the history of our hunting exploits.^’
^^And very successful, too,’’ I replied, ‘Gf you take
care of the little creatures and can tame them. I do.
not think they are fawns, however, but a kind of dwarf
antelope. And now tell me. Jack, what causes your
face to be so inflamed and swollen? One would think
you had been attacked by a swarm of mosquitoes.”
^*No, papa,” replied Jack, laughing; got my
wounds by meddling. We were trotting slowly to-
wards home, when I noticed a bird that flew past us
to a tree with a whirr and a rustle of the wings, and
then waited till we came up to fly off again to another
tree. Frank thought it might be an enchanted prin-
cess, who was attracting us to follow her, that we
might set her free from enchantment, but I felt a wish
to aim at it for its boldness. Fritz, however, laughed
at me for thinking of firing a gun loaded with ball at
a small bird.
‘Besides,’ he said, ‘you would not wish to kill a
cuckoo — the bird that tells us in Europe that spring is
come.’
“ ‘Its note doesn’t sound exactly like our cuckoo,’
I said.
“ ‘Perhaps not,’ replied Fritz; ‘but I think this is
one of those singular birds I have read of called the
honey cuckoo, who attracts the attention of travelers,
as if wishing to inform them that honey could be found
in a tree close by.’
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
‘‘On hearing this, Frank and I were quite ready to
follow the bird, and presently it alighted on a tree,
ceased its song, and stood still. We stopped also, and,
after examining the tree, found a bees’ nest in the
hollow trunk not far from the ground. We all talked
about what we ought to do to get some of the honey,
but in our wisdom there was very little common sense ;
for when Fritz at last proposed that we should suffo-
cate the bees with sulphur, I lighted a brimstone match
and threw it into the tree, never thinking of stopping
up the hole.
“In a moment the bees were upon me, those inside
as well as those who were returning home for the even-
ing. They attacked me in every exposed part — ^my
face, my hands — and some even got into my hair. I
could only at last leap on my buffalo, and gallop away
from my enemies. As soon as I got clear of them, I
touched my face with wet earth, but it still burns and
smarts terribly.”
“The meddling robber often punishes himself,” I
said, with a smile. “You have plenty of courage, my
boy, but very little caution. And now go at once to
your mother : she will bathe your face with something
to cool it and allay the pain.”
He came to me shortly after, to tell me how much
easier it was after his mother’s remedy, and then ran
to attend to his fawns, and to see that they were safe
and comfortably lodged for the night.
I went with the boys to examine the rabbits; they
were large and handsome animals, and I decided that
they should be carried to Whale Island as soon as we
returned to Falcon’s Nest or Eock Castle.
But my thoughts rested more earnestly on the bird
which my boys had met with. It appeared to be really
one of those which point out the position of honey, as
the boys had described. The fact troubled me. Why
should such birds exist here unless the island was in-
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
habited? Other circumstances also seemed to indi-
cate, in this region at least, the presence of man. Many
animals had presented themselves, such as apes and
buffaloes, as well as birds often domesticated, and I
could not get rid of the idea that the interior of the
island on which we lived was inhabited by human
beings.
This impression made me determined to erect a kind
of fortification on Whale Island, and to place there a
battery with two cannons, one at the entrance to De-
liverance Bay, the other inland, on the shores of the
Jackal Eiver.
After the antelope kids and the rabbits had been
cared for, I showed the boys the discovery I had made
among the rocks in the bears’ cave, of a species of
asbestos, and explained to them the great advantage
it would be to us to make talc for window-panes ; but
they scarcely looked at it, and were much more inter-
ested when the mother called them to supper. The
odor from the hears ’ feet was very tempting, but, un-
fortunately, they bore such a resemblance to human
hands as they lay on the dish, that Jack exclaimed, in
the words of the ogre in the story of ‘‘Jack and the
Beanstalk.”
“I smell the flesh of an Englishman!”
His mother was shocked at the suggestion, but the
boys laughed, and were glad enough to enjoy for their
supper the tempting morsels, in spite of Jack’s re-
mark. After we had finished, the watch-fire was
lighted, and we retired to rest in our tent.
I aroused my children early the next morning, as I
intended that there should be at least one more excur-
sion before returning to Kock House, where many ar-
rangements had to be made in preparation for the
rainy season, which was approaching.
We had worked well so far. The flesh of the bears
had been salted and smoked, and the fat melted down ;
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
we had also^ a large number of bamboo canes ; but I
wished to discover whether the ostrich had deserted
the eggs we had left in the sand, and also to obtain a
supply of gum from the euphorbia, or purple flower-
ing spurge. I had noticed this gum oozing from the
trunk of one of these trees on our last expedition, and
I knew it would be useful in many ways.
^ Fritz gave up his onager to me, and rode the foal,
little Swift, which promised to become a clever courser.
Ernest remained at home to help his mother, for the
quiet, indolent boy took very little interest in these
fatiguing excursions. Frank gladly joined us : he was
a spirited little fellow, and as fond of enterprise as
J ack.
We set out with the two old dogs, leaving Fawn and
Brownie as a body-guard to those who remained at the
tent. Jack rode the buffalo, and Frank the young ox.
We proceeded at once towards the green valley, and
this time took the direction we had followed on our
first visit to Wood Grange, and presently came to the
marshy ground where Fritz had caught the turtle.
Here we filled our water-flasks, and, proceeding om
wards, shortly afterwards arrived at the rising ground
from which we had seen the ostriches. We had given
it the name of the Arabian Watch-tower, because Fritz
had mistaken the birds for Arabs on horseback.
At this point I allowed Jack and Frank to press for-
ward, as they wanted to gallop, on condition that they
should not allow me to lose sight of them. Meanwhile
I remained to collect the gum of the euphorbia-tree
which grew at this spot. I had, on discovering the
tree, made incisions in the bark, from which the gum
had flowed abundantly. This was placed in the hollow
of a bamboo cane, which carried it splendidly.
As we continued on our way, we saw our advance
guard at a great distance in front, but still in sight, on
the broad level plain. Presently Fritz said,
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
‘‘Papa, did you not tell me this gum was poisonous?
Why have you gathered such a large quantity?’^
“I mean to use it to destroy the apes if they again
attack the farm,^^ I replied, “as well as the insects
that injure the trees and vegetables ; but I shall care-
fully avoid planting the euphorbia-tree itself near any
of our dwellings.’’
We now trotted on quickly after our cavaliers, and
found that they had halted within sight of a number
of ostriches. We joined them cautiously, and Fritz,
who wished very much to capture a living ostrich, had
the forethought to tie firmly the beak of his eagle, so
that, should he let the bird free to bring down one of
the ostriches, he would be unable to injure it. The
creatures were now advancing towards us, and, hastily
dismounting, I gave up the onager to Fritz, that he
might be able to follow the fugitive more speedily on
a stronger animal than the foal.
He was only just in time. Four magnificent birds
were seen approaching us at almost incredible swift-
ness, followed by the two young riders, who were driv-
ing the poor animals towards us, accompanied by the
dogs. They were close within gunshot before they
perceived us, and at this moment Fritz sent up his
eagle, which at once pounced upon the head of the
nearest ostrich, but, in consequence of his bound beak,
he could only beat his wings on the creature’s back,
without hurting him.
The eagle, however, so confused and alarmed the
bird, that he could not defend himself nor continue his
flight. Jack quickly threw the lasso, but instead of
catching only the legs, as he intended, the string be-
came also entangled in the wings. The bird at once
fell to the ground, while the boys set up shouts of joy
as they ran to the spot. Fritz called oft his eagle and
drove away the dogs, and I lost no time in endeavor-
ing to set the wings free and tie the legs. But the
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
struggles of the bird were fearful, and the violence
with which he kicked right and left with his entangled
legs made us fear to approach him.
I had begun to despair of making him a prisoner,
when happily I thought of covering his eyes by throw-
ing my handkerchief over his head. The moment I
did so the struggles ceased, and I rushed up quickly
to tie it round the neck. After this we had no further
trouble, all resistance ceased, and I was able to fasten
round his body a broad piece of dog-fish skin, with
two openings for the tips of the wings, and on each
side of this a piece of strong cord was attached, that
we might lead him easily. 1 also tied the two legs to-
gether loosely, with a cord of sufficient length to allow
him to run fast, but not to make his escape.
^^Do you remember having read of the manner in
which the natives of India secure the newly-captured
elephants 1 asked the boys.
‘‘Oh, yes,’’ cried Fritz, “they bind the wild animal
with strong leading-reins between two tame elephants,
and also fetter its trunk.”
“All right,” replied Jack, laughing; “but we ought
to have two tame ostriches to lead this one, and where
are we to find them?”
“True, my boy,” I replied, also with a laugh; “but
must they be ostriches? Have we not Storm and
Grumbler, such capital fellows to run?”
“Oh, papa,” cried all the boys, joyfully, “that is a
famous plan! it is sure not to fail!”
I at once commenced preparations : I led Storm and
Grumbler one on each side of the animal, who still lay
on the ground. I then added to the strings which I had
fastened to the skin of the dog-fish, two leading-reins,
one of which I attached to the bridle of Storm, and the
other to the horns of Grumbler. Then my little cava-
liers, Jack and Frank, mounted to their saddles, and
sat firmly waiting for what would follow.
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
I removed the handkerchief from the bird’s eyes,
and placed myself at a little distance to see the result.
For some moments he remained without moving, as if
sulky; then with a sudden spring rose to his feet, and
seeing no obstacle in his way, darted forward so
quickly that the sudden jerk of the reins brought him
on his knees. He was soon up again, and began to
struggle violently, and rush right and left, in vain at-
tempts to escape. But the strong necks of Storm and
Grumbler were proof against all these efforts, and
after one more attempt to beat his confined wings, he
gave way and sank again to the ground.
After allowing him a few minutes’ rest after his
struggles, a slight touch of the whip brought the cap-
tive to his feet, and as Storm and Grumbler at the
same moment moved forward, he seemed inclined to
accommodate himself to their steps, and was com-
pletely subdued. Presently the boys put their coursers
into a gallop: Fritz and I followed, and were greatly
amused to observe how the strides of the ostrich, which
were limited by the length of the string attached to his
legs, were still long enough to enable him to keep up
easily with the gallop of Storm and Grumbler.
After a long run, I told them to draw rein and walk
on slowly with their prisoner to the Arabian Watch-
tower, and wait there for us. Fritz and I then turned
our steps to the spot in which we had left the eggs of
the ostrich. I had brought with me a bag and some
cotton-wool to wrap them in. On reaching the place,
we found evident signs that the hen bird had been sit-
ting on her eggs, and it raised joyful hopes in our
minds that we might very soon find little ostrich chicks
running about, which the heat of the sun by day, and
the mo&er’s care at night, had brought into existence.
We only took possession, however, of a few, leaving
the rest to the mother’s care; and after packing our
fragile treasures in the cotton-wool, and placing them
436
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
in the bag, I mounted Swift with the eggs in front of
me, for they required to he carried most carefully,
and then started to rejoin the boys and their captive
at the Arabs’ Watch-tower. From thence we at once
proceeded to the tent at the bears’ cave, — for this day
at least we had obtained sufficient booty, — and passing
through the green valley on our way, we arrived safe,
rather earlier than we were expected.
The admiration expressed by my wife when she saw
the new arrival was quickly turned to anxiety.
‘‘I shall want you to discover an iron-mine next, if
your new companion can swallow iron, as I suppose
he can from what I have heard. And, my dear boys, ’ ’
she exclaimed, addressing Jack and Frank, ‘‘how else
do you suppose we are to feed that enormous creature ?
And where is he to live ? Besides, I cannot see that he
will he of any possible use.”
“Mamma, I will teach him to carry me on his back,”
exclaimed Jack, “as Storm does. And some day, if we
find that our island is joined to Africa or South Amer-
ica, I shall be able to get to these places in a few days,
and bring back all sorts of news. He flies like the
wind, mamma, and his name ought to be Hurricane:
and Ernest shall have Storm, if only I may learn to
ride the ostrich.”
“But, papa,” said Frank, almost in tears, “ought
Jack to have the ostrich all to himself? You know I
helped to hunt him, and Fritz’s eagle brought him
down.”
“Very good,” I said; “but in that case, as the un-
fortunate bird belongs to all three of you, it must be
divided into three parts. The head belongs to Fritz,
because that was the part which the eagle seized, and
you and Jack must each have half of the body, which
was tied to the animals you and he rode, with the one
wing and one leg.”
This proposal caused a laugh amongst the boys, for
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
I knew neitHer of them would agree to have the ostrich
destroyed. I however settled the matter in this way.
Jack succeeds in taming the creature, and teach-
ing him to receive a rider on his back, and to answer
the movements of the bridle and the knee like a horse,
then I am sure he will deserve to consider the animal
his own, as a reward for his exertions. From this
time, therefore, he is responsible for the training of
the ostrich.’^
It was now too late in the day to resume our journey,
but I untied the leading-reins from Storm and Grum-
bler, and set the prisoner free, to place him in safety
for the night. With the assistance of the boys, I care-
fully and firmly fastened the leading-reins round the
stems of two trees, between which the ostrich could
stand or lie down as he wished, but not escape.
The rest of the day we employed in packing up, ready
to take to the rock house, the many valuable things
we had discovered during these excursions.
438
CHAPTER XXXn
THE OSTEICH TEAIHEB
WE rose early next morning to proceed on onr way,
but the ostrich was still so untamed, that we
were obliged again to fasten him between Storm and
Grumbler. On this occasion the whole household was
included, as we intended to travel by the way of Wood
Grange and Falcon’s Nest to our home at Rock Cas-
tle.
Storm and Grumbler being in charge of the ostrich,
we harnessed the cow to the cart, which was loaded
with the tent and the recent discoveries. Room was
left for my wife to ride, while Jack and Frank rode
Storm and Grumbler : I mounted Lightfoot, and Fritz
was seated on Swift, the foal.
Altogether, our caravan presented a picturesque ap-
pearance. On passing the defile we halted, as the boys
wished to remove the feathers of the ostrich which
they had fastened on a string as a snare to the ante-
lopes. I was glad of the opportunity also to increase
our store of pipeclay, as I fully intended to try my
hand at making china, during our residence in our
winter home. We stopped again at the sugar-cane
grove, to collect the peccary hams which had been left
in the arbor to be smoked.
My wife asked me also to gather some of the aro-
matic seeds which grew in this neighborhood, one of
which had the scent of vanilla. I obtained a good sup-
ply for her, and while returning to the caravan, Fritz
and I observed that no trace of the footsteps of ante-
lopes and gazelles were visible in the sand; we hoped,
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
therefore, to find them safely domiciled at Wood
Grange.
On reaching the farm, we unharnessed the beasts,
tied up the ostrich between two trees, and, after a
hasty supper, retired to our tent, glad of the bundles
of cotton-wool for pillows, after such a long and fa-
tiguing day^s march.
Next morning we visited the farmyard, and to our
great satisfaction found that two of the hens had fine
broods of chickens, which my wife was anxious to re-
move to Eock House. We were beginning to long for
our home in the cave, which seemed more than ever
homelike, after so long an absence ; and it was decided,
therefore, that we should return there as soon as pos-
sible.
The rabbits and the young antelopes were still kept
in their cages, and the latter were becoming quite tame
and sociable, which greatly pleased me.
We found also that the flock of antelopes, driven by
Jack and Frank to our farm, had settled themselves
comfortably in the park-like spot, adding greatly to the
beauty of the scenery.
While at the farm, we carefully repaired the house
and animal-stalls, to render them still more safe
against the attacks of the apes or wild beasts, and also
to make the former ready for our own accommodation
when we re-visited the spot.
The number of pigs, goats, and poultry had greatly
increased since the colony had been formed: we saw
with pleasure the little pigs, kids, and chicks running
about, and seeming greatly to enjoy their freedom.
But they were rather shy of our approach, though not
so wild as on our first appearance, after the inroads
of the apes on their dwelling. Having arranged every-
thing to our satisfaction, we retired to rest, fully in-
tending to start early next morning for our grotto
home in the rock.
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
On arriving with the animals and our various acqui-
sitions which formed the cart-load, about noon, my
wife^s first performance was to open the door and win-
dows, to admit the fresh air.
The ostrich was set free from his leaders, and again
tied between two bamboo canes in front of the dwelling,
and there I determined he should remain till he be-
came quite tamed.
The ostrich-eggs were placed in warm water, and
those which we fancied contained young birds were
laid, wrapped in wool, in the drying stove, raised to a
certain heat by the aid of a thermometer, in the hope
that they might be hatched.
On the following day operations were commenced in
earnest, and, as the most important, a rabbit hutch was
constructed, as a dwelling for the Angora rabbits. A
comfortable nest was made for them by my wife in the
inner division, of cotton-wool and straw, and they were
then carried to Shark’s Island and set at liberty, to
their great delight.
My next care was for those gentle, graceful crea-
tures, the antelopes. We had brought them to Eock
House, but we could not allow them freedom, because
I feared the dogs might frighten the pretty little ani-
mals; and they were also evidently fretting and un-
happy in confinement.
We hastened, therefore, to take them to Whale
Island, after having erected a shelter for them, and
it was a pleasure to witness their delight when they
found themselves free, and able to spring and bound
as they pleased. A store of food was left on both
islands, to supply the animals till they had become
used to the spot and knew how to provide for them-
selveSi These arrangements for the rabbits and ante-
lopes occupied us for the whole of two days.
One of the little tortoises found at Wood Grange
I brought with me to Eock House, intending to place it
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
in onr vegetable garden, to destroy tbe snails and other
insects; but fearing tbe creature might also eat the
young plants, I sent Jack to place it among the rushes
near the duck-pond.
He had not been absent long on this commission,
when we heard loud calls from the neighborhood of the
marsh.
Fritz! Fritz!’’ cried the boy, ‘‘come and help
me, make haste ! and bring a bamboo cane with
you. ’ ’
Fritz obeyed the call quickly, while I wondered what
could be the cause of this commotion, although, after
all, it might only be one of Jack’s skirmishes with the
frogs. But presently, to my surprise, the three boys
appeared, in high glee, carrying a net in which was im-
prisoned a magnificent eel. Ernest had secretly laid
two nets on the previous day: one of them was empty
and torn, the other contained the delicious fish, which
the mother at once took charge of, and promised to
cook a portion of it for our dinner. The remainder
was to be boiled in salt and water and rubbed with
butter, to preserve it.
The verandah or balcony, which we had partly
erected while building the pigeon-house, stood in front
of our home in the rock. It was formed of tall slender
bamboo canes, and the beams of the roof, which sloped
from the rock, were attached to a long thick plank
which rested firmly on the canes. At the foot of the
bamboo supports I planted the young shoots of the
vanilla and pepper, as well as other creeping plants
which could be trained round them; not only to im-
prove the aspect of our rock house, but also to form a
pleasant shade during the hot weather. My wife was
equally busy in the house. With the help of one of
the boys, she placed the bear and peccary hams in the
store-chamber.
The hens and chickens we had brought from the farm
442
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
were kept in a hen-coop, and fed daily with barley and
crumbs, my wife having placed them in a shady spot
under her own eye, for we feared Master Nip or the
jackal might be inclined to make some unfortunate ex-
periments on their anatomy.
The bears ’ skins were laid in the sea near the shore
to purify them, and under great stones to prevent them
from being carried away by the waves, or dragged
from their position by sea-crabs.
The skins of the musk rats still emitted a powerful
odor ; we therefore tied them together, and hung them
in the open air under the roof of the verandah, that
the interior of the dwelling might be free from the
smell.
The condor and the vulture were placed in the mu-
seum, to be stuffed during the rainy season, when
work out of doors would be impossible. I also brought
in the mica, or pipeclay, and asbestos. With the for-
mer I hoped to make china vessels and window-panes,
and of the latter wicks for our lamp. Every edi-
ble article had been given to my wife to add to the
stores, but the gum of the euphorbia I took charge of
myself, wrapping it carefully in paper, on which
I wrote in large letters Poison, as a warning to my
boys.
These arrangements employed us two days, and now
several duties presented themselves, all apparently of
equal importance: the cultivation of an acre of land
to receive wheat, barley, and maize, the taming of the
ostrich, the management of the ostrich’s eggs, and the
preparation of the bears’ skins.
We decided that the field cultivation was the most
important, yet very fatiguing, as none of us had been
used to the heavy work of farm laborers or plowboys.
However, we set about it with a good will.
The animals, being now accustomed to the yoke,
were very useful in drawing the plow; but the plow-
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
share was a light one, and did not turn up the earth
deep enough, and we had, therefore, to dig, hoe, and
work with all our strength.
It was not possible to follow this laborious employ-
ment during the heat of the day ; we therefore worked
for two hours in the morning, and two in the evening.
Yet we fully realized the words of Scripture, ‘‘By the
sweat of thy brow shalt thou eat bread. ’ ’
During the intervals of rest from this heavy labor
I had noticed that our poor captive, the ostrich, ap-
peared untamable. I was therefore obliged at last to
use the means adopted in taming the eagle, and to
stupefy him with the fumes of tobacco.
The powerful effect it had rather alarmed me, for
he fell to the earth, and remained for some time mo-
tionless. When at last he raised his head, I length-
ened the string, that he might get up and walk round
the bamboo canes to which he was tied. My wife then
brought all kinds of nourishment which she thought
the creature would eat, but, although subdued and evi-
dently mourning over his fate, the poor captive re-
fused everything that was offered him for three whole
days, and became so feeble and weak, that we feared
he would die.
At length my wife determined to try to save the
creature’s life by an experiment. She made balls of
crushed niaize mixed with butter, one of which she
placed inside his beak. It was immediately swallowed
with ease, and a second and third eagerly looked for.
From that moment his appetite returned, and he ate
whatever was offered to him, and soon recovered his
strength.
But now all the wild nature of the bird had van-
ished, we began to doubt whether we should find enough
to feed him.
The boys were surprised one day to find the creature
swallowing small pebbles, but I explained to them that
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
the ostrich requires these to enable it to digest its food,
as other small birds need gravel.
At all events, Master Whirlwind, as Jack had named
him, lived principally on vegetables, maize, and acorns,
and became so tame, that we could do as we liked with
him: a welcome result, as the education could com-
mence at once.
In less than a month the ostrich had been trained
by Jack to walk and run with the boy on his back so
cleverly, that I began to consider how far we might
make him useful as a riding-horse.
I could easily contrive a saddle, but how could a bit
be made to suit a bird’s beak, or reins to guide an os-
trich 1
I was almost inclined to give it up, when I suddenly
remembered that the change from light to darkness,
or the contrary, greatly influenced the creature.
I determined, therefore, to construct a leathern hood,
something like that worn by the eagle, but of course
larger. It was to reach from the back of the head to
the commencement of the beak in front, and to have
holes cut in it for the eyes and ears.* Having fitted
this to the bird’s head, I fastened a ring on each side,
and my wife sewed on 'strings to tie it under his throat.
Over the eye-holes two square flaps were sewed, to
be raised or let fall by a connection with the bridle,
which was formed of a strap fastened at each end of
the rings at the beak. I hoped by this arrangement to
guide our feathered courser, for I had noticed that
darkness would immediately bring the creature to a full
stop, even while running swiftly. My plan was this :
If the rider wished to go straight forward, both
eye-holes would remain uncovered; then to make the
creature turn to the left, he must let down the little
* This hood must have resembled the hoods of horse clothing which
valuable horses wear when taken out by the grooms for exercise. These
hoods have no doubt been seen frequently by the readers of this story.
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
curtain over the right eye, or if to the right, the left eye
must be covered; and to stop him, the light must be
shut out from both eyes.
The performance, however, proved more difficult to
carry out than I had expected ; but by degrees and with
a little perseverance the tormented animal at last sub-
mitted, and in a very short time appeared to under-
stand the meaning of the covered or uncovered eyes,
and to obey the movement of the bridle.
I was rather proud of my contrivance, and I do not
hesitate to affirm that at the Cape of Good Hope I
should have received an English patent for my saddle
and bridle, and have been appointed saddler-in-chief
to the African ostriches.
I will here describe the saddle. It was placed near
the neck of the ostrich, partly resting on the shoulders
and partly on the back, being fastened by a girth un-
der the wings and across the breast. This position
was necessary, as the slope of the back would have
rendered it unsafe, and the shoulders are the strongest
part of a bird^s back.
We did not expect Master Whirlwind to act as a
beast of burden, but as a fleet courser; and, with Jack
as his rider, he soon proved his right to the name of
Whirlwind. His journeys between Falcon ^s Nest and
Eock House were performed with astonishing rapidity.
But the wondrous qualities of this fleet steed created
a little dissension among the boys, who were not at all
pleased that Jack should be the sole proprietor. Jack,
however, held fast to his new possession, and his broth-
ers could not conceal their jealousy. I was therefore
obliged to interfere.
must allow Jack to retain the ostrich,” I said,
“because he is not only lighter in weight than Fritz
or Ernest, but is more agile in his movements. Frank
is not strong enough yet to manage such a fleet horse.
At the same time, I only give up the ostrich to Jack on
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
condition that his brothers may use it occasionally,
or when it is wanted on any special service requiring
swiftness. ’ ^
By this time our field-work was completed, and sown
with wheat, barley, and maize. On the opposite shore
of the Jackal Eiver we had planted potatoes and the
cassava-root, and here and there other seeds were
scattered in the fertile soil, which in this climate, as
we knew, required no cultivation.
Long before the education of the ostrich was com-
pleted, Fritz had introduced me to three young os-
triches, which had been hatched in the oven by keep-
ing up a certain temperature. They were curious lit-
tle creatures, delicately formed, but with comical
heads, and looked like young cygnets, with their yel-
low down and swan-like throats,’ as they trotted about
on their long stilt-like legs.
One of them only lived a few hours, and although
the mother carefully watched the two remaining chicks,
and fed them with lightly boiled eggs and milk mixed
with cassava flour, they were all dead in three days.
The preparation and cleansing of the bears’ skins
formed our next employment. They had already been
salted and dried and scraped. I had no tan, however,
and to supply this deficiency I mixed honey with water,
and after boiling the mixture, and waiting till it be-
came sufficiently cool, I soaked the skins in this honey-
water for several days, till they were softened and fit
to use as leather.
I placed them in the shady arbor we had made near
the rocks, that they might dry as quickly as possible,
and before the commencement of the rainy season.
While boiling the honey-water for soaking the skins,
the liquid, after being skimmed, appeared so clear, that
it struck me I might save some of it as a refreshing
drink, before using any of it for the skins.
I therefore drew off enough to fill one of our bam-
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
boo-reed casks, and boiled it again with nutmeg, cinna-
mon, and spurge-leaves.
The result was most successful, for we tasted the
brew * and found it both agreeable and refreshing.
The cask was at once covered carefully, and carried
to a cool place in the rock cellars.
My work at the skins proved very successful: the
leather was without a crease, and free from the least
unpleasant smell, and the long fur so soft and shining,
that I felt delighted with the fruit of my labors.
My success in so many trades induced me next to
try hat making, and I determined that my first trial
should be a hat for Frank, of the civet rat or beaver’s
skin. After several attempts, I at length produced a
kind of felt, which I colored a bright red with cochi-
neal, and then dipped it in a solution of India-rubber
to make it water-tight. I next prepared a wooden
block, of the size and shape I required, and stretched
the softened felt upon it ; and after passing a hot iron
over the fur to smooth it, I left it to dry and get hard
on the block. ^
Next morning I had the satisfaction of presenting
to my wife and the boys, a well-made, light, firm, and
elegant little red Swiss hat. My wife admired it
greatly, and at once prepared to line it with silk, and
adorn it with a knot of ribbon and two large and two
small ostrich feathers. This clever production was
placed on the head of little Frank, and everybody said
it became him admirably.
As may be supposed, each of my boys begged me to
make similar hats for them, and I promised to do so as
soon as they could obtain for me the necessary ma-
terial, either civet rats or beavers. I advised them to
make half a dozen rat-traps, of a size large enough
* This pleasant drink is still made in many English counties. It
often appeared at the tables of the rich and noble in the time of the
Saxons, and is still named, as it was then, mead or metheglin.
448
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
to admit the water-rat, which has the most beautiful
fur and is the largest of the species. But I told them
these traps must be made to kill the animal at once,
not to torture or imprison it, with the prospect of a
horrid death from dogs.
I decided, also, that the fifth animal they brought
me of every five should be mine, that I might obtain
sufficient materials to make a bonnet for mamma and
a hat for myself. I made this arrangement to show
them the justice of paying the workman for his work.
The boys readily agreed to this arrangement, and
went to work quickly with the traps; for the rainy
season was close at hand, and might come upon us
without a moment’s warning.
My great success in so many trades, especially hat-
making, produced a strong wish to attempt the manu-
facture of porcelain; I therefore determined to look
over my store of materials, and then make my first trial.
Just behind the animals ’ sheds in the cave, the pots
and kettles and calabash vessels were arranged in
order. I therefore took some of these as patterns to
begin with. The store of pipeclay required cleansing
and washing, the asbestos had to be beaten down into
talc, and then mixed with water into a soft mass. The
unbeaten talc I gave to my wife for oil wicks. In one
of the chests brought from the wreck I found a num-
ber of glass beads of various colors, with which it
had been intended to barter among the savage natives
of the South Sea Islands. These I broke with a ham-
mer, and crushed to a fine colored powder.
All my materials being now ready, I found that I
needed molds for the different vessels. These molds
I made of gypsum, which also required drying and
baking before it could be used, so that my work did not
get on very quickly.
At last, however, I was able to press the porcelain
material into the molds, and place them in the oven.
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
When they were partly baked, I sprinkled the powder
of the glass beads over them, in the shape of stars.
After many failures, I succeeded at last in producing
a set of white china cups and saucers, a cream-jug,
sugar-basin, and six small plates, smooth and glossy,
and enameled with many colored stars.
The shapes of my china articles were far from per-
fect, but they gave great satisfaction, and when Fritz
filled the plates with rosy and golden fruit, resting on
green leaves, the table presented a very attractive ap-
pearance.
While busy with my china the rainy season com-
menced, and I could not, therefore, leave home to ob-
tain a fresh supply of materials for porcelain. I turned
my attention to the condor and the vulture. The skins,
which I carefully removed with the feathers, were
soaked in warm water, into which I had thrown a little
euphorbia gum to destroy the insects. I then sewed
them together and stuffed them firmly with cotton-
wool. Through the legs of the birds pieces of cork
were thrust, and also in the neck and under the shoul-
der of each wing, to keep these parts firm. I was at
first puzzled about the eyes, but at length determined
to make four balls of porcelain of the necessary size,
on which, while half baked, I painted the pupil of the
eye, and the eyes, when fixed in the head, added greatly
to the natural appearance of these birds of prey, for
they looked very fierce.
The condor, with outstretched wings, which were
supported by cane and strong wire, was fixed at one
side of our dwelling-room against the partition, and
the vulture on the highest of the book-shelves in a
standing position. Both birds were considered by ns
all as ornaments to our home in the rocks. In all these
performances the boys took great interest, and worked
with me diligently in every way to enable me to carry
out my intentions.
450
CHAPTEE XXXIII
THE YOUNG RAT-CATCHEES — THE CANOE
CLIMATE as well as other causes often produces a
languor or disinclination for active exertion, and
this was the case with us after the first few weeks of
the rainy season had passed away.
During that period the porcelain manufacture, the
bird-stuffing, and other useful employment within, and
occasional rapid rides on the ostrich during an hour’s
cessation of rain, as sometimes occurred, had made the
time pass tolerably quickly. But now, although I tried
to encourage the boys in their studies and in reading
interesting books, the time seemed to drag on heavily,
and restless inactivity was the result. At last Fritz
roused himself, and said to me,
‘‘Papa, could we not make a real Greenlander’s
canoe! We have a swift post-horse for traveling by
land; why should we not make a boat to cut through
the water with equal speed! We might extend our
sea voyages perhaps to other countries, and make so
many new discoveries.”
The proposition pleased us all greatly, excepting the
mother, who always felt anxious when we were on the
water, and therefore considered that, with the pinnace
and the boat, we had vessels enough. But when I ex-
plained to her that a cay ok ^ or Greenlander’s canoe,
was a very safe boat, covered with the skin of the dog-
fish, and almost as buoyant as a life-boat, she said no
more. We had plenty of wood and materials, and
time enough to finish the skeleton of the boat by the
end of the rainy season, so the boys were again roused
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
to activity, and we set about the boat-building with
eager interest.
The long thick pieces of whalebone, from their nat-
ural curve and elasticity, were very useful in forming
the two sides of the canoe. These were fastened
firmly together at each end, forming the stem and
stern, and fitted into a plank underneath as a keel. Split
bamboo canes built up the sides over the whalebone
curves; the keel, which was at least twelve feet long,
was strengthened by a band of copper running the
whole length, and in this I fixed an iron ring to moor
the boat.
The deck, which was also made of split bamboo
canes, extended over the whole of the canoe, excepting
at an opening in the middle, in which the rower could
sit and use oars or paddles.
All this occupied us so completely, that the rain
passed away and the sun shone out bright and clear
almost before our canoe was ready to be removed out
of the cave. Fortunately the entrance was wide
enough to let it pass, although we had to take the door
off its hinges for that purpose.
In our anxiety to finish it as quickly as possible, we
had scarcely noticed the rapid growth of the corn or
of the creeping plants round the veranda, which really
surprised me as we pushed the boat out. But this did
not delay the work. The sides were quickly covered
with the skin of the dog-fish, and in the fore part a
mast was fixed with a three-cornered sail. When at
length the little skiff was launched on the water, it
bounded like a leather ball, and floated so lightly that
it scarcely drew an inch of water.
But before Fritz, whom I considered the rightful
owner, could be trusted out to sea alone in this fragile
boat, his mother declared that she would try her in-
genuity in making him a swimming-dress. I advised
her to construct it like a double sack, with openings
452
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
for the head, arms, and feet. The material was to be
soaked in a solution of India-rubber, the double por-
tions, or rather the outside and the lining, being closely
sewed together round the edge, with only a little open-
ing, through which the space between could be inflated
with air like a balloon. The material having been
made air-tight, and the opening firmly stopped up with
cork, the air would cause the dress to float, and sup-
port anyone on the water who wore it.
While this work was in progress, I still had time to
examine the fields and meadows, and also to set the
animals at liberty to enjoy the sweet fresh grass and
their freedom. Again, with delight, I observed the
rapid vegetation which the heavy rains had produced.
The corn-field was flourishing, the scattered seeds had
germinated in the rich soil. The pigeons were exer-
cising their wings in the free air, and the creeping
plants had already begun to entwine themselves round
the bamboo supports of our verandah nearly to the
top.
At length one fine morning it was settled that Fritz
should attire himself in his swimming-dress, which he
had purposely inflated with air to prove it. When
he appeared he was welcomed with shouts of laughter.
The bathing-dress stuck out before and behind in a
most ridiculous manner, and made him look like a
hunchback.
With the greatest gravity he marched forward with-
out seeming to notice the laughter, entered the water,
and paddled like a duck across the creek to the shore
of Shark’s Island, and then, with a shout of triumph,
turned and swam back to us.
We all hastened on board the yacht, and rowed
lustily to meet our brave young water-stepper, and
congratulate him on his success ; but his naughty broth-
ers could only dance round him and laugh without
control.
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
The success of this first attempt caused us all great
satisfaction, and, in spite of their laughter, the three
younger boys entreated their mother to make for each
of them a swimming-dress of the same description.
While we were on Shark ^s Island we sought for the
young antelopes, and attracted them to approach us
by throwing handfuls of bruised maize, acorns, and
salt, of which all animals are exceedingly fond, hoping
by this to make them tame and glad to see us. We
noticed here and there footprints and other signs that
these little animals had found out the shelter we had
erected for them, and had evidently made their beds
of the leaves and rushes. They seemed quite at home,
so we left them without the least anxiety.
We strolled across the whole island to seek for ad-
ditions to our museum, and the boys found many beau-
tiful shells as well as pieces of delicately-formed coral.
On the shore also was discovered a large quantity of
seaweed of various colors. The observant mother
gathered, with the ready assistance of the boys, a tol-
erable boat-load, and on our return to Deliverance Bay
I observed that she separated from it a number of
peculiar leaves, notched at the edges like a saw, and
measuring about six or seven inches in length.
These she carefully washed and spread in the sun to
dry. They were afterwards more completely freed
from moisture in the drying oven, and then laid away
among our other stores.
I noticed all this care of apparently useless leaves
with wonder and interest, and at last I said, jestingly,
*‘Are these leaves to form a valuable substitute for
the tobacco-smoke which you admired so much on
board ship?”
She laughed at the joke, for I knew how greatly she
disliked tobacco, but she answered me in the same joc-
ular tone.
^‘Perhaps if we were to fill our mattresses with them,
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
it would make us sleep cooler in tlie very hot weather.”
But I knew, by the sly look in her eyes, that she had
no such intention, and my curiosity became greater
than ever. This curiosity was very soon pleasantly
gratified.
I returned to Eock House one hot day with the boys
after a fatiguing expedition to Falcon’s Nest, and al-
most as soon as we had thrown ourselves on the benches
in the veranda, my wife brought out to us a calabash-
shell full of the most beautiful transparent jelly I had
ever seen, and quite as tempting to the appetite as the
most hungry or thirsty person could wish for. When
cut with a spoon and a portion laid on plates for us, it
quivered and sent forth golden sparkles that glittered
in the light.
We all tasted it in wondering content, for it was not
only agreeable, but refreshing and cool, and we all truly
enjoyed the unexpected treat.
‘‘Ah, dear husband,” said the mother, laughing,
“this is an effort of genius by your chief cook. This
jelly is made from the leaves of the seaweed which
you treated with such disdain. I am glad you approve
of it.”
“Indeed we all do,” I replied. “But how on earth
did such an idea enter your head*? Where have you
seen this costly dish?”
“I met with it at Cape Town,” she replied, “while
staying with my Dutch friends: I have seen it made
there often, and these leaves which we found at Shark’s
Island are exactly similar. They are cleansed by ly-
ing in water, fresh every day, for a week, and are aft-
erwards boiled for a few hours with orange- juice, cit-
ron, and sugar; but not having citron, I used honey
and cinnamon, and I think my jelly is equally agree-
able.”
After this we all thanked the mother for her clever
confectionery, and the boys declared they would at once
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
go back to Shark’s Island and collect as many of these
wonderful leaves as they could find.
I was quite ready to return with them, to inspect
more carefully the growth of the trees and shrubs we
had planted there the previous year. All were in good
condition ; indeed, I was surprised to find how rapidly
the mangroves and cocoanut-palms had grown. Even
the small nuts which I had thrown by chance among
the clefts of the rocks had germinated, and promised
fair to clothe the nakedness of the frowning rocks with
their laughing verdure.
We made also a discovery which gave us great pleas-
ure.
In a spot almost inaccessible we came upon a clear
and plentiful spring of pure running water, which the
antelopes must have found out, for the traces of their
footsteps were easily distinguished near it.
After finding the plants on Shark’s Island in such a
flourishing condition, we were naturally anxious to
satisfy our hopes that Whale Island was also progress-
ing favorably. We therefore reembarked in the
yacht, and steered towards that territory as quickly
as possible. A visit to the rabbits was also necessary.
At a short distance inland from the sTiore we met
with large quantities of marine plants, which were a
welcome sight, for I hoped they would be acceptable
to our new colony of rabbits. But on arriving at the
island, although we saw nothing of them, their mis-
chievous performances soon became too evident. The
dainty animals had gnawed the bark of the young trees,
as the hares do in winter, and entirely eaten up the
palm-tree shoots which I had planted. The cocoa-
nut-stems they had spared, no doubt on account of the
resinous taste and the toughness.
To prevent the depredations of these impertinent
animals in future, I and the boys erected around the
stems of the young trees hedges of prickly thorns.
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
While thus employed, I noticed that some of the marine
plants had been partly eaten by the little depredators.
I tasted one of the leaves, bnt the flavor was most un-
pleasant, and the smell had something of the odor of
marsh rushes; yet other leaves of a very similar ap-
pearance had a taste of sugar, and I believed them to
belong to a plant called sweet seaweed.
I collected some, however, to carry with us, that it
might be washed and more carefully examined at home.
We left for our little colony a plentiful supply of
food, and before leaving the island proceeded to
the spot on which we had discovered the stranded
whale.
The skeleton still remained almost perfect. The
birds had removed all signs of the flesh, and the sun and
wind had bleached and purified the bones to a delicate
whiteness. We carried away ten or twelve joints of
the vertebrae, which I thought might be made useful.
A strong cord was passed through them, and on step-
ping into our boat I fastened the end of the string to
the stern, and towed them across the creek towards
Eock Castle.
I had for a long time proposed to make a kind of mill
for crushing wheat or corn, and it appeared to me that
the joints of the vertebraB we had brought from the
skeleton of the whale were large and strong enough
for that purpose. To make a stamping or crushing
machine of stone or hard wood was beyond my power.
Blocks of wood, however, were necessary to raise the
crushers, and to these the joints of the whale would
require to be fastened firmly.
For this purpose I needed the wood of a tree with a
straight trunk of a certain thickness, and also a fresh
supply of clay to add to my store of porcelain. The
boys, as I supposed, were rat-hunting; but on enter-
ing the house one morning to prepare for an excursion,
I found Ernest quietly reading his cherished books,
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
and not at all interested in the hunting exploits of his
brothers.
I would not disturb the hoy, but went out at once to
harness Storm to the wheeled sledge, for Jack had al-
most given up the buffalo to ride his fleet courser
Whirlwind, and, accompanied by Floss and Brownie, I
took the road to the forest near the Jackal Eiver
alone.
After crossing the bridge, I passed the potato and
cassava-field, and observed, to my great annoyance,
that it had been overrun and almost laid waste by some
animals, whose footmarks, which resembled those of
a pig, appeared in every part. I felt very angry with
these freebooters, and followed the track by the rocks,
which led me through a grove as far as our old potato-
field, but without catching sight of even one of them.
I began to despair of being able to discover what
animal it could be that had caused such destruction,
when the dogs commenced growling and barking furi-
ously at a little distance. I hastened to the spot, and
came suddenly face to face with our old sow and a half-
wild litter of eight little pigs, which appeared about two
months old. A young boar, one of the former brood,
now fully grown, was one of the party.
They grunted and showed their teeth, and altogether
appeared so wild, that the dogs kept at a respectful
distance ; but my anger at the destruction of our fields
overcame me, and, raising my gun, I fired twice among
them.
Three of the little pigs fell, and the rest fled, grunt-
ing and snorting, and disappeared among the bushes.
I called the dogs, who were rushing after them, and,
picking up the dead pigs, carried them to the sledge
and continued my way to the forest.
I very soon found a tree with a beautiful upright
stem, of about two feet in thickness, and quite suitable
for my purpose. This I marked, to distinguish it from
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
the rest; and after loading my sledge with clay from
the loam-pit close by, I turned my steps homeward.
I reached the house long before the boys returned,
although I had also missed the dinner-hour. How-
ever, I asked the mother to roast one of our little pigs
for supper, if I with the help of Ernest could prepare
it for cooking in time.
Late in the evening, just as we were beginning to
grow anxious. Jack arrived on his fleet steed, the oth-
ers following in the distance on Lightfoot and Grum-
bler, the latter laden with the booty in two sacks.
These sacks were quickly brought in and the con-
tents produced: four wild birds, twenty ondatras, a
kangaroo, a monkey, two animals of the hare species,
and half a dozen beaver rats, which greatly resemble
the ondatra or musk rat. The creatures like hares ap-
peared to me to be the animals spoken of by Butfon
as having black breasts and long tails, and named by
that naturalist a tolay.
While examining this assemblage of animals, no one
noticed the large bundle of thistles carried by Fritz,
and presently Jack exclaimed,
‘‘Oh, papa, what a capital fellow my ostrich is ! He
flew like the wind; and many times I lost my breath,
and could hardly see where I was going. You must
make me a mask with glass eyes, that I may be able to
see when he rushes on at such a frightful pace.’^
“No,’^ I replied; “no, my impetuous boy. I must
do no such thing.’’
‘ ‘ Why, papa ? Wliy must you not I ’ ’
“In the first place, because it is much more becom-
ing to petition your elders to comply with your wishes
than to say it must be done ; and secondly, it is advis-
able for young people to do as much as they can for
themselves, and not to be dependent on others for all
they want.”
As Jack remained silent, Fritz said,
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
have had good sport to-day, papa, and enjoyed
ourselves tremendously, and brought home a splendid
booty: animals, birds, and roots, and a famous supply
of skins and furs ; still, I should like a glass of muscatel
wine from the Eock House stores if the price is not
too high.’^
‘‘Well done, Fritz!” I exclaimed; “a glass of wine
you shall have, for you really deserve it after such a
successful day. Yet I wish you had not started on
such an expedition without speaking of it. And you
should now attend to the animals first, as brave riders
always do before they take care of themselves. ’ ’
Away ran the boys at this hint ; and when the useful
creatures had all been stalled and fed, the mother in-
formed the boys of the agreeable dish she was prepar-
ing for their supper : roast pig, fresh young salad, and
a basin of jelly. The boys watched her with a mix-
ture of droll curiosity and satisfaction as she brought
out one dish after another, and expressed their feelings
in noisy “bravos” as she at last placed on the table
a dainty cassava pudding, mixed with sugar, sirup, and
baked in butter, and near it a flask of mead. The whole
supply was so tempting, that as we seated ourselves I
said it was a feast worthy of the gods of Homer in
company with Olympian Jove.
During supper Fritz gave us a description of their
expedition. They had spent nearly the whole day in
the neighborhood of Wood Grange attracting the on-
datras to the traps with red carrots, and the beaver
rats by little fish or earth-worms. They had distin-
guished the musk rats by the smell, and the animals
with noses like beaks they had caught in traps. Part
of the time they spent in fishing, and some of the fish
they caught were cooked on a firehearth of stones for
their dinner.
“And what are all those thistles intended for,
Fritz?” I asked.
460
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
found them in my wanderings/^ he replied; ^‘and
the thorns are formed like hooks, so I thought the
plant might be useful for carding wool, or separating
the hairs of the animal fur. ’ ^ *
This discovery pleased me greatly: not only would
it be useful for the purpose named by Fritz, but also
in many other ways.
He had also brought a small cinnamon-tree to be
planted in the vegetable garden, and this was welcomed
by his mother with great satisfaction.
We decided to defer all preparation of the booty till
the following morning, and, as usual, after our even-
ing devotions, we retired to rest, tired out with the
day’s exertions.
* No doubt this was the plant called the teazle, used in the manu-
facture of wool. The hooked scales or thorns of the leaves raise the
nap on cloth. No machine can be made to produce the same effect so
readily.
461
CHAPTEE XXXIV
THE CRUSHING MACHINE — PLENTIFUL HARVEST
The removal of the skins from the animals killed in
hunting was always a troublesome undertaking,
especially to the boys, and I at length thought of a plan
which appeared likely to render the task easier, if I
could carry it out.
I searched, therefore, among our ship stores, and in
the surgeon’s chest found a large syringe which, with
a few alterations, would, I imagine, serve my purpose
admirably. I first perforated the stopper, and placed
in the piston an opening, in which I fixed two corks as
pegs, and at once had in my possession a machine for
compressing air, almost like an air-pump.
As the boys assembled to assist me in the unpleas-
ant work of skinning the animals, I marched up to
them with my surgical instrument under my arm, and
gave them a military salute ; upon which they shouted
with laughter, and exclaimed,
‘ ‘ Papa has a syringe ! What can it be for ? A chem-
ist’s shop, or a butcher’s chopping-bench?”
I passed over the laughter and the remarks, and si-
lently lifting the kangaroo from the ground, I hung it
by its hind legs to a tree, and cut a small opening in
the skin, just below the breast. Into this opening I
inserted the mouth of the syringe, and filled the cyl-
inder with air by blowing into it with all my strength.
I then drew the piston up and down, pumping the air
between the skin and the flesh of the animal.
Presently the skin puffed out in every part, altering
the shape of the animal in the most amusing manner,
and I quickly found that almost the entire skin was
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
separated from the flesh, only adhering at a few spots
of not the least importance. These I separated with
my knife, and removed the whole from the animal,
the performance of skinning it having occupied less
than half the usual time.
^‘Oh, papa, what a capital invention!’^ exclaimed
yhe boys.
‘‘Papa must be a conjuror,’’ cried Jack; “but I
can’t understand how it is done.”
“Very simply,” I replied: “between the skin and
the flesh of all animals there exist thousands of little
bladders or cells, formed of a fatty substance. If
these cells are filled with air they burst, and the skin,
having nothing to adhere to, separates from the flesh,
and is easily removed. This knowledge is not new:
the Greenlanders have been acquainted with it for
years. When they have killed a seal or sea-horse, they
blow between the skin and flesh, which causes the crea-
ture to swim more lightly as they tow it to shore ; and
the skin can be removed immediately with the greatest
ease.”
By the contrivance with the syringe, the trouble in
the work of skinning the animals, after this time, was
greatly lightened, and we finished in two days what
would otherwise have occupied a week.
This done, I determined on the following day to visit
the forest, and cut down, with the help of the boys, the
tree I had marked as suitable to make blocks for the
crushing-mill. We started early with a cart-load of
ropes, saws, axes, and other useful tools.
On our way, I pointed out to the boys the place where
I had killed the three little pigs, and the dreadful
havoc made by the old sow and her family. They
readily promised to help me in repairing the damage,
and in surrounding the potato-fields with a hedge of
thorns.
Arrived at the tree, I desired Fritz and Jack to climb
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
to the top, and saw off the highest and largest
branches, so that in falling the tree might not crush
its neighbors. To the upper part of the tree they then
tied ropes, that we might at a safe distance guide it,
in its fall, to the most convenient spot.
Fritz and I commenced cutting the stem at the side
opposite the cords with a perpendicular saw, used by
sawyers over a sawpit, one above and the other belov .
I however showed Fritz how to use it with me horizon-
tally. It was hard work, and occupied a long time ; but
when we had nearly cut it through, we all placed ou3>
selves at the ropes, and by pulling with our unittd
strength, we heard the trunk crack, saw it totter, and
at last fall slowly to the ground in an open space, with-
out accident to ourselves or injury to the other trees.
The branches and shoots were then lopped off, and part
of the trunk sawed into blocks four feet long. Smaller
blocks for other purposes were cut from the larger
branches, and the' remainder, with the young shoots,
we left to dry in the sun for firewood.
This work occupied us two days, and on the third
day I carried home four large and two small blocks,
and was at length able with these and the vertebrae
joints of the whale to complete my crushing machine
in a very short time. My wife tried it first with some
grains of rice ; but turning the small iron wheel, which
made the blocks move up and down something like a
sledge-hammer, was heavy and tedious work. The
bones of the whale, however, which were fixed in the
upper and lower blocks, being so hard and firm, the
rice was crushed to powder in a few minutes, and ren-
dered useful for cooking in many ways that were im-
possible while it remained whole.
While engaged in this undertaking, I had almost
forgotten the field in which had been sown wheat, bar-
ley, and maize before the rainy season. One evening,
however, we noticed that our domestic fowls returned
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
home with their crops full and apparently satisfied
after an unusual feast.
Suddenly it struck me that these turkeys and fowls
had come from the direction of the wheat-field, and
upon going to examine the damage done, I was as-
tonished to find the corn quite high, and the grain fully
ripe, although little more than four months had elapsed
since it had been sown. I knew, therefore, that in the
future we should be able to obtain two crops a year.
Pleasant as the fact appeared, yet at this moment
it troubled us, for it would be necessary at once to
cut and gather in the harvest, while we were in daily
expectation of the arrival of a shoal of herrings, and
probably a visit from the dog-fish.
My wife became very anxious over this accumula-
tion of work, for the potato and cassava-roots wanted
digging up, and she feared it would be impossible to
accomplish so much in a short time.
^ ‘ I trust it may be managed, dear wife, ’ ’ I said. ‘ ^ In
the first place, the herrings have not yet arrived, and
you forget that the potatoes are much more easily
dug up in this light earth than from heavy stony soil.
Besides, there will be no necessity to prepare the field
again, for the little shoots will grow and ripen without
any further care. As to the corn,’’ I added, ‘‘I have
decided to reap it and thresh it after the Italian
method, which is performed in much less time, and even
if we meet with any other losses, they will be more
than compensated for by the prospect of such a supply
of provisions and two crops of corn in a year.”
I prepared for gathering in the harvest by clearing
a large space in front of the veranda for a threshing-
floor. The ground, being composed of sandy soil, had
become hardened by the heat of the sun, and appeared
most suitable for the purpose. By frequently pour-
ing water upon the surface, which the sun dried up
quickly, and beating it with sticks and spades, and
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
even our oars, and tlien leading the animals across to
tread it down, the earth became as hard and smooth
as a threshing-floor. This completed, we repaired
early one morning to the corn-field with our sickles,
followed by Storm and Grumbler, cariying large bas-
kets or panniers on their backs to receive the grain.
The boys were rather surprised when I explained to
them the Italian method of reaping, which I wished
them to adopt, as it occupied less time. I told them
to take as many ears as they could hold in the left hand,
cut them from the straw as far down as could be
reached with the right hand, and throw them into the
baskets carried by the ahimals, who followed the reap-
ers closely, led by Jack or Ernest.
In a few moments they caught the idea, and went
rapidly to the work, following in my lead. I believe
we all, especially Fritz and myself, who were the tall-
est of the party, felt the comfort of not having to stoop
at our work. Our baskets were re-filled and emptied
many times during the day, and by evening the field
was reaped, and we had gathered a large store of corn
in the ear.
My wife, however, seemed to consider that it was
anything but economy to leave behind all the short
ears of corn, which could not be reached by the sickle,
as well as the straw, which would be so useful for the
stables and stalls.
‘Mt is made economical by the Italians, who are fa-
mous farmers,’’ I replied; ‘^for by cutting the com in
this way they also obtain food for their cattle. In a
few weeks grass grows to a good height amongst the
stubble, and then they mow it down all together close
to the ground. The short ears of corn remain among
the blades of grass, and the whole is turned over in the
sun as we make hay, and during winter forms a very
useful substitute for grass and corn in the Italian sta-
bles. We must, however, adopt the ancient method of
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
treading out tlie corn and threshing it, for we have
no other means of separating it from the husk.’^
Threshing was commenced next morning by spread-
ing the bundles of corn on the new threshing-floor, and
the four boys, each mounted on his usual steed, rode
the animals across it in every direction, and while the
heavy stamping of the hoofs separated the grain from
the husks, the dust and chaff flew in clouds around us.
Now and then the boys allowed the animals to pause
and rest, and the temptation to take a mouthful of
the corn that lay at their feet was too strong to be re-
sisted. My wife smiled as she observed this, and said,
‘ ^ They deserve a handful now and then for their ex-
ertions, but it will lessen our store, dear husband.’’
‘^Our threshing is nearly completed,” I replied,
‘‘and they have not eaten much; besides, it is said in
Scripture, ‘Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that tread-
eth out the corn.’ ”
While we were gathering up the corn and sifting it,
our feathered folk — cackling, gobbling, and quacking
— came to the threshing-floor to have their share. The
boys were about to drive them away, for they picked
" at the loose grain in the most hasty manner, but I pre-
vented them, saying,
“Let our pensioners have their share of the super-
fluity. What we lose in grain will he returned to us in
the improved condition of our poultry when we re-
quire them for our table.”
After all we had no cause to complain, for when I
had measured the produce of our harvest, I found that
we had nearly a hundred bushels of corn, including
wheat, maize, and barley, to add to our store.
It was necessary, however, if we wished to have a
second harvest this year, to prepare the field, and
again sow the seed as quickly as possible. The stub-
ble was, therefore, mowed down, and, with the maize-
stems, stowed away for firewood. While employed in
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
separating the short stalks containing ears of corn,
from the straw, we were surprised by the arrival with
rushing wings of a number of quails and a large flock
of partridges into the field. It was impossible to se-
cure more than one quail, which was knocked on the
wing by Fritz, for at every corner stood sentinel quails
to give the alarm. I determined, however, that at our
next corn harvest a harvest of quails should follow.
The stubble and maize-leaves were stowed away as
food for our cattle, with some of the straw. The best
we kept for stuffing paillasses. Some of the burnt
stems deposited ashes, which I discovered contained
soda or kali, and therefore could be made very useful.
I decided also to make a change in the corn-field for
the next harvest, and sow this time rye and oats. This
plan is said by farmers to improve the soil and render
it more productive.
We had scarcely finished all this work when the shoal
of herrings arrived; but we only stored two barrels
this time, after they were salted and smoked. I was
more anxious for the arrival of the dog-fish, as I re-
quired skins to finish more completely the canoe. I
wished also to make the deck water-tight, and to form
a kind of reservoir for water beneath it, in the stern
of the boat, as well as a place to carry arms and pro-
visions near the prow.
When this was completed, I prepared two harpoons,
to be supported on the water by bladders filled with
air, and fastened to the boat with straps.
Fritz now equipped himself for his first canoe voy-
age in his swimming-dress, and before springing on
board, he inflated it till he looked like a gigantic frog ;
then he stepped into the opening in the deck of the
canoe left for the paddler, took up his paddle, and pre-
pared to start.
His brothers greeted his comical appearance, as
before, with shouts of laughter, and even his mother
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
could not help joining them, although she felt anxious
for the boy’s safety.
^ To please and comfort her I prepared the yacht, that
his mother might follow him with me and the boys. I
wished also to be at hand to render him assistance in
case of danger. But the canoe was tossing on the
waves long before we could embark, amidst the loud
hurrahs of the paddler. To show us his power over
the management of the canoe, he began to perform all
sorts of tricks, to his mother’s great alarm. First he
paddled on ahead for a considerable distance ; he then
caused the canoe to rock fearfully ; and at last, to show
that it was too buoyant to sink under water, completely
capsized it.
As it righted itself, the shouts of delight uttered by
his brothers so elated Fritz, that he at once paddled
his canoe towards the entrance of the Jackal Eiver,
with such swiftness, that the current carried him out
to sea before he was aware of it.
This daring act alarmed me, and leaving the mother
and little Frank on the shore, I stepped into the boat
with Jack and Ernest, and started in pursuit of the
thoughtless voyager. We made our way towards the
reef of rocks on which the ship had been wrecked, as
I felt sure that was the direction Fritz had taken.
For a long time the yacht sailed steadily on, but no
signs of the canoe could be discovered, even through a
telescope. At last I saw in the distance a thin wreath
of smoke curling in the air, followed in a few moments
by the feeble report of a pistol.
It was a great relief to me to hear this sound, which
I knew must be a signal from Fritz, and after firing
an answering signal, I steered hastily and gladly to-
wards the spot from which the sound came, for I knew
we could reach it in ten minutes.
In less than that time we caught sight of our sailor,
and presently joined him, amidst loud acclamations
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
and shouts of welcome. But our astonishment was
great at observing a large yet not full-grown walrus
lying dead on a fragment of rock, which our young
hero of the sea had killed with a harpoon, — too large
for him to carry home on his canoe, but not for our
boat. Before questioning him about this animal,
however, I gave our young Greenlander a gentle re-
proof for going so far out to sea, and causing his
mother and myself great anxiety.
He excused himself by referring to the strong cur-
rent in the Jackal Eiver or creek, which he had been
unable to withstand. ‘^And then,’^ continued the boy,
came upon this walrus, which appeared such a won-
derful booty, that I could not bear to leave it behind.
He was swimming towards the canoe, papa, and as I
wounded him with one of the harpoons, he rushed to
that crevice in the rocks, carrying the harpoon in his
back, and dragging the canoe with him; so that I was
obliged to make an end of him at once with the other
harpoon. At last I fired two shots at the animal, that
he might not serve me and my canoe as the serpent
served poor Jack.’’
“Yours was a daring experiment, Fritz,” I said; “for
although the walrus is in general a timid animal, it
often becomes furious when wounded, and will turn
upon its enemies, and attack and tear with its long sharp
fangs the vessel in which they are sailing, however
strong it may be, and sometimes render it a complete
wreck. What then would have been the consequence
to a poor little seal-skin-covered canoe like yours? I
thank God that you are safe, my son, which is better
than if you had brought home a hundred walruses;
and even now I scarcely know what we are to do with
this captive. It must be at least fourteen feet long,
although by the shortness of its fangs I believe it is
not full grown.”
“Oh, papal” cried Fritz, “if it is too heavy to be
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
carried home in yonr boat, I should at least like to
keep the head with those two white teeth ; I would stick
it on the fore part of my canoe, which could then be
named the ‘Walrus.’ ”
“I should be very unwilling to leave those beautiful
teeth behind,” I replied. “But what we do must be
done quickly, for the air feels heavy, and foretells
stormy weather.”
“Don’t have the head cut in pieces, papa,” cried
Jack, “it would look beautiful on the canoe.”
“Ah!” said Ernest, “and in a little while it would
decay, and not produce a very pleasant odor for the
Greenlander in his canoe.”
“No,” said Fritz; “it must be taken home first, and
cleaned, purified, and dried, till it becomes as hard as
wood, like one I have seen at the, museum at home in
our native town. ’ ’
“Papa,” asked Ernest, “are not these animals na-
tives of Northern regions?”
“As a rule they are,” I replied; “but this walrus
may possibly belong to the South Polar Seas, which
are equally cold ; and there is a smaller species at the
Cape, called dugong.”
While thus talking, we had dragged the head of the
animal from the rock to our boat ; and when Fritz had
removed the harpoons, 1 with some difficulty cut off
the head. Fritz Remarked that it would be useful to
have a hatchet and a lance as well as a mariner ’s com-
pass on board, in case the rower should be driven out
to sea in a storm, to enable him to direct his course.
I quite agreed with him, and promised that these arti-
cles should be placed on board on the following day.
After finishing my business with the walrus, and
bringing the head safely on board the yacht, I wished
Fritz to join us and take the canoe in tow; but he
begged me to allow him to go back alone, and relate
his career on the water to the mother himself. With-
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
out delay lie stood oat to sea, while we, who were al-
ready beginning to feel tired, followed him, but more
slowly.
The dark clouds, which had for some time been
gathering in a threatening aspect, burst upon us sud-
denly in a frightful storm of wind and rain. Fritz
was already so far in advance of us, that we could not
see a trace of the boat, especially through the blinding
rain, and to make him hear amid the roar of the storm
would have been impossible. We fastened on hastily
the cork swimming-belts, and lashed ourselves to the
boat by leather straps, to prevent being washed over-
board by the waves.
I found at last that I had no power over the boat,
and, in alternate hope and fear, commended myself
and my children to God. I concealed my alarm, how-
ever, and tried to encourage hope and trust in my two
boys, who, I had no doubt, felt safer than I did in the
midst of all, because they had me for a protector.
Meanwhile the storm raged in all its fury. The
waves rose to the height of mountains, and seemed to
mingle with the dark clouds which descended to meet
them. Lightning flashed across the darkness, throw-
ing its lurid glare on the crests of the foaming waves.
One after another, gusts of wind threatened to capsize
us, while the foaming waves dashed over the deck of
our little skiif, and the rain fell in torrents.
At one moment we were riding at the top of an
enormous wave, and the next descending into the
trough of the sea, as into a deep gulf. But our boat
held on her way splendidly, the skins filled with air on
each side prevented her from sinking in the deep wa-
ter, and even amidst the foaming waves I could from
time to time turn her course in the right direction by
one move of the rudder.
In all this danger, and with strong hopes of safety
if our boat could hold out till the storm ceased, my
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
greatest anxiety arose from my ignorance of the fate
of Fritz. Indeed, I gave him np for lost, and could
only offer a silent prayer to God that He would enable
me to submit in a Christ-like spirit to His holy will if
my son were taken from me.
In these climates the storms cease almost as sud-
denly as they begin, and although the waves still rolled
and dashed furiously over us, yet when the rain ceased
and the air cleared, I found, to my great joy, that we
had been driven by the wind towards the entrance to
Deliverance Bay, and were approaching the well-known
creek between the rocks and Whale Island.
With a feeling of safety, my heart rose in thankful-
ness to God for His protecting care of myself and the
boys, and when we at last entered the bay, another
cause of thankfulness arose. We saw in the distance
the mother, with little Frank and Fritz, kneeling on the
strand, no doubt offering thanks to God for saving
Fritz, and praying that we might be delivered from
danger.
Great and overwhelming was our joy as we met, and
while clasped in each other ^s arms, knew we were
saved. After we had all knelt and mutually offered
our thanks to our merciful Father in heaven for this
happy deliverance, we hastened to Eock Castle to
change our wet clothes for dry ones, and over some
warm, well-spiced soup, to think and talk of the dan-
gers we had passed through.
After refreshing ourselves in this manner, the yacht
was drawn on shore, and, together with the cargo, con-
sisting of the head of the walrus, was dragged to the
Eock House on rollers by one of the animals.
Fritz and Ernest also fetched the canoe, and both
were placed side by side in one of those recesses in our
cave which we were constantly discovering, and mak-
ing useful by cutting entrances, to enable us to place
in them all the stores which required shelter. The ac-
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
commodations at Eock Castle were large enough to
admit even the pinnace, had we not built a dock for it
near Flamingo Marsh. The head of the walrus was
carried to the workshop, and, after being washed,
cleaned, and dried, was placed on Fritz ’s canoe, where
it presented a most imposing appearance.
The heavy rain which had fallen at such an unusual
season had so swollen the two streams which descended
from the rocks, that in several places, especially near
Falcon’s Nest, the water had overflowed its banks,
causing damage which required our constant exertions
to repair. The Jackal Eiver or creek even, which was
very deep, rose so high above its banks, that our bridge
was in danger, and the fountain at Falcon’s Nest was
almost destroyed.
One day while passing the spot from which the wa-
ter of the Jackal Eiver fell in a cascade, we found on
the ground clusters of berries, some of a bright red
and others of a dark brown, not larger than a com-
mon hazel-nut, and crowned with a bunch of little
leaves.
Their appearance was so tempting that the boys
eagerly gathered them up and tasted them. The con-
sequences were not pleasant. A sharp burning sen-
sation in the mouth made them reject the berries with
disgust, and spit and splutter to get rid of the taste,
which they owned was a punishment for their greedi-
ness.
I observed that Master Nip appeared to have no
desire to taste these berries, and I should have con-
sidered that they were poisonous, had I not recognized
in the shape and odor of the fruit a resemblance to
cloves. I was so pleased at this discovery, that I told
the boys to gather a quantity and carry them to the
mother, who welcomed the addition to her stores with
great satisfaction, and determined to obtain a young
plant for her nursery-grounds, and employ the cloves
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
in cooking as a substitute for pepper, till our pepper-
plants bore fruit.
The passage of salmon and sturgeon near our shores,
in consequence of the heavy rain, which caused the
rivers to overflow and carry them farther inland, af-
forded us a large supply of fish. I had read also that
the Hungarians and the natives of other countries
near the Danube scatter the washing of their flour-
mills over fields upon which the water has flowed, to
attract fish, which not only deposit their spawn, but
are more easily taken in shallow water. I therefore
adopted this plan, and my store of salmon and stur-
geon, with the roe and isinglass obtained from the lat-
ter, was, in consequence, most abundant.
Our days during this period had, for some time,
passed very peacefully, till one moonlight night I was
awoke by the fierce barking of the watch-dogs, min-
gled with a confused sound of growling, squeaking, and
trampling feet. I pictured to myself immediately an
assembly of jackals, buffaloes, bears, and boars, amus-
ing themselves or fighting with our dogs.
I sprang out of bed, hastily threw on a few gar-
ments, and, seizing the nearest gun, rushed to the en-
trance-door, the upper half of which was always open
at night to admit the cool air, and looked out in every
direction.
Presently I saw the head of Fritz out of the window
of his sleeping-room.
‘Hs that you, papaP^ he said, ‘^What on earth is
the matter V’
^‘Nothing very alarming,’^ I replied. believe
those dreadful pigs are up to some mischief again, and
that the dogs are after them. Let us go out and pre-
vent death and slaughter if we can.’’
Without a word Fritz scrambled through the win-
dow, half dressed, and we hastened together towards
the scene of the tumult. It was as I expected. The
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
pigs had managed to cross the bridge, and two of the
dogs had seized the young boar by the ears, while the
others were hunting the old sow and the little ones.
I was sorry to be obliged to beat our two watchful
companions, but they would not set the boar free with-
out it, and, to my surprise, when pursued, the whole
herd fled towards the bridge.
My boys had not, as I at first supposed, neglected to
remove the planks, which had been done every night
since the appearance of the boar on the potato-field,
but the pigs had crossed it by their own cunning. The
beams still remained, and the creatures must have fol-
lowed each other in single file with the utmost caution,
for these beams had spaces between them quite wide
enough for a young pig to slip through.
I determined, therefore, to rise early with Fritz on
the next day, and begin the construction of a draw-
bridge, which could be drawn up every evening, and
prevent us for the future from being aroused by such
uninvited guests.
476
CHAPTEE XXXV
THE DRAWBRIDGE THE HYENA
At breakfast next morning we related our night
adventures to the boys and their mother, and to
the latter the proposal to erect a drawbridge was most
acceptable, the younger boys being equally pleased at
the prospect of helping in such a new and useful un-
dertaking.
We commenced by fixing in the ground, on the Kock
House side of the river, two strong posts, the width
of the bridge apart, and across these, close to the
ground, I nailed two planks, one above the other, to
strengthen them, and a third at the top for the same
purpose. We then nailed the planks close together
across the beams, forming a much safer footpath over
the bridge than the loose planks had been.
At the opposite end we nailed a stronger board, to
hold the rings and bear the strain when the bridge was
raised. We also lengthened it, that a sufficient portion
for safety should rest on the shore.
At the end nearest our home four strong iron hinges
were placed, which connected it with the planks across
the two posts ; and by these hinges we hoped to raise
it easily every evening. For this purpose strong ca-
bles were passed through holes in the highest part of
the posts, and fastened in the rings at the opposite
side : strong iron staples were also fixed in the ground
behind the posts, to which the cable could be fastened
when the bridge was drawn up, to keep it firmly in its
place, iron hooks being fastened to the cable for this
purpose.
Our drawbridge occupied nearly a fortnight in build-
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
ing; and althougli tlie workmanship was rough and
clumsy, yet we were delighted with the performance.
Added to this was a feeling of safety at night from
the attacks of wild animals, which appeared to be more
numerous in the distant parts of the island, from which
we were now separated by the chain of rocks and the
Jackal Eiver, and protected by the cannon on the
shores of Deliverance Bay.
The boys were delighted to climb the tall posts of
the new bridge, and look over the country on the op-
posite side. In the distance they could distinguish the
gazelles and antelopes which they had driven to Wood
Grange from the Green Valley. Sometimes these lit-
tle creatures would approach the outskirts of the wood,
but, on seeing that they were watched, they would start
back with a rush, fly like the wind, and vanish from our
eyes.
‘‘What a pity it is that these elegant creatures can-
not be tamed,’’ said Fritz one day, “and learn to as-
sociate with us, like our domestic animals ! ’ ’
“If we had a bulfalo-lick,” said Ernest, “as they
have in Georgia, the antelopes would soon be here.”
“What ever is a buffalo-lickl” asked Fritz.
“It is a spot formed by nature, Fritz,” I said. “We
could not therefore have such a place here, although
there are places similar in our native land, and called
salt-licks, because the chamois hunter mixes saltpeter
with the soil to attract his prey to a certain spot. But
in America the place with such a singular name is re-
markable for its soil, which, formed by nature, covers
several acres, and consists of more than half salt. All
animals, whether wild or tame, are fond of salt.”
“Papa,” cried Fritz, “could we not lay out such a
place?”
“I have no objection,” I replied, “if you can obtain
a store of soil sufficiently moist: we have salt enough
in our salt cave to mix with it.”
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
^ ‘ Oh ! ^ ’ they all exclaimed, ‘ ^ that will be delightful !
We shall be able to attract so many animals, and per-
haps tame them. What must we do first!’’
“Well, I suppose I must agree to accompany you on
another excursion, for we shall require a large store
of porcelain earth, and several bamboo canes for an-
other purpose; so the earlier we are ready to start
to-morrow the better.”
Away ran the boys, full of glee at the prospect of
another journey : Ernest to find a suitable spot for the
salt-lick. Jack with a secret design about the pigeons,
while Frank declared he would get the old sledge
ready, and at once drew it from its place in the cave.
By this time the mother knew that another excur-
sion was in preparation ; but her greatest surprise was
occasioned by the request of Fritz, that she would pro-
vide them with pemmican for the journey.
“Pemmican!” she exclaimed, “what on earth is
that, and for what can you use it ! ”
“For our provisions, mamma,” he replied. “The
Canadian fur dealers in Canada take it with them on
their long journeys, and it is considered very whole-
some.”
“But how is it made, my son!” she replied, “or
where can you procure the materials!”
“Oh, mamma,” he said, laughing, “you have the
materials, but I do not like to give you so much trou-
ble. Pemmican can be made of bear’s flesh, mixed
with any other meat, and flour and eggs; and after
being chopped very small, it is fried. I can make it
myself if you will give me the slices of meat. ’ ’
But the mother, when she understood what was re-
quired, readily offered to help him, and before even-
ing a large store of pemmican, enough to last two days,
was in readiness, and placed in a bag with other pro-
visions. Such preparations for this journey were
made by the boys, — sacks, pannier-baskets, strings and
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
lassoes, bird-snares, and no end of gnns, tools, and im-
plements, were placed in readiness by our young free-
booters.
At last tbe longed-for morning dawned, breakfast
was dispatched hastily, and on the^ wheeled sledge was
placed Fritz ^s canoe, the traveling-tent, provisions
both for food and warfare, and a number of other
things.
While they were loading the cart, I remarked un-
seen that Jack was carefully yet secretly placing two
pairs of our European pigeons in one of the baskets.
They were large dark handsome birds, with a red cir-
cle round the eyes, which, if I do not mistake, Buffon
has named the ‘‘sultan pigeon.’^
“Now,’’ I thought to myself, “the youngster has
provided a substitute for his dinner, in case our store
of pemmican should not be to his taste. The old
pigeons, however, will not be a very tidbit, with their
tough flesh.”
The mother, who needed rest, wished for this time
to remain behind, and Ernest, who had been for a long
time whispering and tittering mysteriously with Fritz
and Jack, on hearing his mother’s remark, also ex-
pressed his wish to remain at home with her. To set-
tle the dispute which arose, I at once decided to remain
at home, and, with the help of Ernest, prepare a sugar-
press which I had long promised to my wife.
It was settled, therefore, that the eldest and the two
younger boys should go alone, and they at once set otf
in great glee, — Fritz and Frank on Storm and Grum-
bler, who drew the sledge, and Jack on the ostrich,
followed by the dogs. Fawn and Brownie, barking at
his heels.
I watched them till they had all passed safely over
the new bridge and were out of sight.
The making of my sugar-mill occupied all my spare
time, although Ernest and his mother both assisted.
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
But I need not describe my attempts, as they differed
very little from what I had used in making former
mills, but relate the results of the boys’ excursion,
which are much more amusing.
The evening of the first day had arrived, and I was
seated in the verandah with my wife, who was engaged
in sewing, and Ernest, to enjoy the rest and the cool
evening air. Our conversation turned upon our young
excursionists, and we wondered what adventures they
would have to relate. I could see, however, that the
mother looked anxious, and when we at length retired
to rest, she expressed her wish that the three boys
were safe at home.
‘‘Oh, mamma, they are all right,” said Ernest, and
as he spoke I noticed a twinkle in his eyes, that made
me feel convinced there was some secret arrangement
with his brothers, known only to himself.
I heard Ernest moving about next morning at an
unusually early hour, but he did not make his appear-
ance till breakfast-time, when he entered with a grave
step, hat in hand, and bowing low, yet with a pretended
air of dignity: he presented me with a letter, and
said,
“The postmaster of the Eock district presents his
humble respects to the nobly-born ladies and gentle-
men of this house, and hopes he shall be pardoned for
not being able to forward the dispatches from Sydney
Cove and Jackson’s Bay before this morning, owing
to the post having arrived too late last night.”
As I took the paper he bowed again, and stood wait-
ing for me to read it.
I was for a moment rather bewildered by this strange
address, and the paper placed in my hands. I ob-
served also that my wife looked pale, so I asked,
“What does this mean, my boy?”
“Papa,” exclaimed Ernest, “it’s all right, only fun:
you read it, and then you will understand the joke, and
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
I’ll have my breakfast meanwhile, mamma, please.”
I began to have some idea now of the secret which
the boys had so cleverly carried ont; but I concealed
my suspicions, and opening the packet, read aloud as
follows ;
“The Govebnor-Genebal of New South Wales to His Excellency
THE Governor of Rock Castle, Falcon’s Nest, Wood Grange,
Sugarcane Grove, and Prospect Hill, greeting.
“Most noble, well-beloved, and trusted Ally, — We have heard with
some displeasure a report that on this day three disreputable
young men have set out from your colony with the intention of
proceeding here, and living by poaching, hunting, and other dis-
honorable practices, which are sure to be injurious to the game in
this province, and cause great damage.
“Information has also been received, from which it appears that you
have the terribly destructive and fearful hyena in the woods of
your colony, and that one of these wild animals has broken into a
sheepfold at a place called Wood Grange.
“In consequence of these reports, we pray your Excellency to give up
these dreadful young men to justice, and use every means to de-
stroy the wild animals which still exist in your colony.
“Accept, most noble Ally, my best wishes.
“Given at Sidney Cove, in Jackson’s Bay, the twelfth day of the cur-
rent month, and the thirty-fourth year of the colony.
“(Signed) “The Governor, Philip Philipson.”
As I ceased reading Ernest burst into a loud fit of
laughter, and at last rushing from the table, began
dancing about so wildly that a little letter fell from his
pocket. I was about to pick it up, but he was too quick
for me ; and, holding it firmly, he exclaimed,
‘‘This is a private letter to me, papa, from Wood
Grange, but more likely, however, to be true than the
dispatch from good Sir Philip, who appears too ready
to<believe all he hears.”
“You are really puzzling me, Ernest,” I said,
gravely. “Did Fritz leave this letter with you, to be
given to me after he left, or has he indeed discovered
the traces of a hyena
“No and yes, papa,” said Ernest. “A carrier pig-
eon brought me the letter you read last evening,
but he arrived at the pigeon-house too late for me to
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
get at it. Another pigeon brought this letter, tied un-
der his wing, early this morning. I will read it to you
word for word.
“ ‘Wood Grange, the 15th of the present month.
“ ‘Dearest Parents and Brother, — A frightful hyena has killed two
lambs and a ram at Wood Grange. Our dogs caught it, and little
Frank shot at it so cleverly, that it fell dead immediately. It has
taken us the whole day to remove the skin. The pemmican stuff is
good for nothing.
“ ‘Love to all from your Son and Brother “ ‘Feitz.^
‘^Ha, ha!’’ laughed I; “that is a regular hunter’s
letter. God be praised that the affair with the hyena
ended so favorably as appears. He must have newly
arrived by the river at Wood Grange. Had he been
long there, he would have made fine havoc with our
sheep and goats.”
“I hope the boys will be careful,” said the mother.
‘ ‘ I only wish we could call them home, or fetch them
quickly. ’ ’
“It will be better to wait, dear mother,” said Ernest.
“No doubt there will be another letter by this even-
ing’s post,” he added, with a smile.
That evening, at an earlier hour, we saw a carrier
pigeon arrive at the pigeon-house. Ernest climbed up,
and found, tied loosely under its wing, the following
letter. It was certainly quite laconic.
“A peaceful night — this morning very hot — cruise on the Wood
Grange lake — captured a black swan, a royal heron, cranes — unknown
animal escaped — Prospect Hill to-morrow. Best love to all.
“Fbitz,
“Jack, ■■
“Fbank.”
This concise letter eased the mother’s mind not a
little, as it led us to conclude that no second hyena
could be in the neighborhood. The dispatch, however,
still remained unexplained; and we felt it was neces-
sary to wait, and hear from the boys a full account of
their movements on their return home.
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
Shortly after dinner on the fourth day of their ab-
sence another carrier pigeon arrived with the follow-
ing letter:
“The defile by the river is forced. As far as Sugarcane Grove all is
laid waste. The smoking hut has disappeared. The sugar-canes are
torn up and broken. Numbers of enormous footsteps of huge beasts
appear everywhere on the ground. Hasten, dear father, to our help.
We can neither go forward nor retreat; and although we are safe now,
we know not what danger is at hand.”
On the receipt of this letter I did not lose a moment.
Without delay I saddled the onager, and, telling my
wife to follow me with Ernest next morning, I sprang
upon my fleet courser, and galloped off at a quick
pace.
I accomplished in three hours a journey that usu-
ally took six, and my appearance was received by the
boys with shouts of joy. Without delay I proceeded
at once to see with my own eyes the terrible destruc-
tion, and knew immediately that the large footprints
in the earth were those of elephants, and sad was the
devastation and ruin they had left behind them.
The thick posts which I had erected to close the nar-
row pass by the river lay broken on the earth like
reeds; and a grove of trees, which we had planted to
form in time a pleasant summer-house, was destroyed,
both roots and branches. In the bamboo thicket the
young and tender plants were all eaten or torn up ; in-
deed, it appeared as if the elephant troop had been
accompanied by other animals, for I found several
smaller and fuller footprints in the soil, which seemed
to belong to the hippopotamus.
We gathered a large quantity of wood to keep fires
burning all night round the tent, as a protection against
the attacks of these animals in the night, Fritz and I,
with our guns in readiness, keeping watch during the
whole period of darkness.
About noon on the following day Ernest and his
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
motlier arrived, with the cow harnessed to the cart,
well loaded with provisions for a long stay; which ap-
peared necessary, for it was evident we should have
to erect a dwelling in the neighborhood as soon as we
had repaired the barricade at the entrance of the de-
file.
This done, I readily agreed to the earnest wish of
Fritz that we should build a summer-house something
after the plan adopted by the natives of Kamschatka.
In place of four posts I substituted the stems of
four beautiful trees, standing, in the form of a quad-
rangle, at a distance from each other of about twelve
feet.
At the height of twenty feet from the ground these
four trunks were united by four strong split bamboo
canes, on which we laid boards for a flooring. From
this floor we raised thinner bamboo canes for walls,
and to divide the space into apartments. The inner
branches of the trees were partly cut away and partly
entwined round the canes, which closed the openings
between them ; the outer branches I allowed to remain
as additional security.
To form a roof we trained the upper branches and
fastened them to the tops of the thin bamboo canes;
over these was laid bark to keep out the rain. The
staircase was merely a plank with places cut out for
steps, and a hanging rope to assist in climbing it,
something like a ladder on a ship^s side.
The space below the rooms was divided into stalls
for the cattle and a fowl-house. In front of them we
lengthened the flooring to form a balcony, similar to
that at Falcon’s Nest, and upon this the entrance-door
to the rooms opened. This balcony we could use as
an observatory, for it commanded an immense pros-
pect. The walls of the stables and fowl-house were
constructed of cocoanut-palm wood, cut in strips and
nailed obliquely across from one tree-stem to the other,
485
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
leaving space for an entrance, and forming a lattice-
work, which had a very pleasing effect.
This work scarcely gave us breathing-time during
the day for a whole month, but the boys made several
excursions to Falcon’s Nest and Eock House to look
after our domestic fowls and pigeons, and to bring
hack a report of the plantations and vegetable gardens.
We found time also on a few evenings to listen to the
story of their adventures during their four days’ ab-
sence on that memorable excursion, which must be re-
lated in another chapter.
486
CHAPTER XXXVI
FRITZ RELATES THE ADVENTURES OF THEIR EXCURSION
The evening chosen for this narrative was calm
and peaceful, and we had progressed so rapidly
with our summer-house, that we were able to seat
ourselves on the new floor and listen at our ease.
watched you cross the bridge in safety,’’ I said,
‘‘and yet I felt uneasy at the prospect of your ab-
sence.”
“Yes, papa,” said Fritz, “perhaps you did, but not
after you received the dispatches by our postman.”
“Certainly that relieved l)oth your mother and my-
self from anxiety, for the day at least on which we re-
ceived them ; and, indeed, I am thankful you had such
a means of communication, especially when you wished
to send for me. But how came you to discover these
carrier pigeons'? I was not aware that we had any
of the species.”
“Ernest found them out,” said Fritz: “they are de-
scribed in his Natural History as large, dark birds,
with purple throats, and a red circle round the eyes.”
“Ah, yes!” I replied, laughing; “I saw you take
those four pigeons, and was amused at the idea, for I
knew they would be tough eating ; yet by the whisper-
ing and mysterious consultations going on, I supposed
there was some surprise in store for us.”
“And so there was, papa, and a very useful mystery
too,” said Fritz; “but now let me tell you of our first
adventure with the hyena.
“Nothing occurred till we approached the farm, and
then we heard, to our surprise, loud bursts of human
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
laughter among the hushes, which appeared to alarm
the animals terribly. The dogs, who were in advance,
ran back to us snarling and growling, while the ostrich
at once bolted with his rider, and ran wildly into the
marshy rice-field.
‘‘ ‘There is something wrong, Frank,’ I said: ‘you
must be ready to fire, for it is as much as I can do to
hold in these animals. Keep close to me, and let us
discover what this unusual disturbance means.’
“Frank raised his gun, with his finger on the trig-
ger, and while I held in the butfalo and the ox firmly, the
brave little fellow approached the bushes and peeped
in. There stood a hyena with his paw on a ram he
had just killed, at about forty paces distance, and
laughing hideously. At this moment the dogs rushed
past Frank, and, barking and yelling, flew towards the
horrid beast; but before they could reach him Frank
had fired; the ball, passing through his fore leg, en-
tered his chest, and the monster fell to the earth.
“I heard the shot,” continued Fritz, “and, fastening
the frighted oxen to a tree, I ran to help Frank; but,
fortunately, I was not wanted : the two dogs had rushed
upon the animal, dragged away his prey from him,
and when I and Frank reached the place, we found the
creature quite dead. Our brave Brownie had seized
him by the throat and finished the business. We all
raised shouts of joy as Jack returned with the ostrich,
and wasn’t he astonished when he saw our horrid
enemy lying dead? The creature was as large as a
wild boar, and on his back, from the head to the tail,
he had thick black bristles standing on end. The dogs
would never have been able alone to kill such a fierce
strong creature, so it is well for us that Frankie was
so brave.”
“It makes me nervous to think of it,” said his
mother, “although I am glad Frank was not afraid:
that would have made it much more dangerous.”
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
‘‘I was a little afraid, mamma,’’ said the boy, ‘‘when
the creature laughed so horribly ; but I thought I could
hit him more easily while he was eating, and so I did,
and I felt proud of having killed such splendid booty. ’ ’
“And how did you manage the ostrich, Jack!’^
asked his mother.
“Oh! I covered his eyes, and he got over his fright
when the laughing was stopped.”
“The skinning was a difficult process, papa,” ex-
claimed Fritz; “we wanted you and the syringe to
help us; but the hyena’s skin is coarse and rough com-
pared to the bear’s. This was our first day’s work,
and when we reached Wood Grange I sent those let-
ters by the carrier pigeon, as you know, papa. We
had our supper in the tent, and laid down to sl^ep on
the bears’ skins, lighted fires round it, while one of us
kept watch in turns, with our guns in readiness.
“We had made up our minds to occupy the next day
in exploring Black Swan Lake, and I was to cruise near
the shore in my canoe, while Jack and Frank followed
on foot, as near the water as they could walk without
sticking in marshy ground, and at every point where
I expressed a wish to stop on our way back they set up
a tall bamboo cane.
“I wanted so much to take some black swans alive,
and almost on starting in the canoe, I came upon two
old birds with their young ones. I had some trouble
to catch even one, for the old birds beat me with their
wings, and tried to upset the canoe; but IVe got them
all safe, as you know, papa, in the river, fastened with
strings to the shore, and won’t they look beautiful in
the duck-pond at Deliverance Bay, or in the Jackal
Eiver, when we have tamed them I
“A few minutes after securing the young swans we
saw a beautiful bird standing on the shore, with long
legs, a purple breast, and a crest of crimson-tipped
feathers on its head. I threw a lasso of fine string
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
round its neck, and although it struggled very much,
I made it my prisoner. I think it is the royal heron,
papa, and I do hope it will live and become tame.
‘‘But I had a fright after this, though not so bad as
the boys who were walking : a great ugly beast rushed
out of the rushes just in front of them, hissing loudly.
We were so taken by surprise, that we never thought
of firing till it was out of sight. It was of a dark brown
color, and something like a young rhinoceros, but
without tusks, and it had such a long snout and
upper lip, — a most ugly animal: what could it have
been!’’
“By your description, Fritz,” I replied, “I believe
the creature was a species of tapir. These animals
frequent the banks of large rivers in South America ;
but they are very harmless.”
“A flock of cranes came next,” continued Fritz,
“just as we passed the corn-field, and these we fired at
with arrows. Four or five fell, as you have seen, papa,
but two of them are unlike the others, and have larger
wings.”
“I noticed it, my boy,” I replied: “these are Nu-
midian cranes, and among them is one of those called
the demoiselle crane, from the affected and fantastical
movements it performs on its legs, almost as if it was
dancing. ’ ’
“That evening, although we returned home very
tired,” said Fritz, going on with the narrative of their
adventures, “we enjoyed our supper of cold peccary
ham, cassava cakes, and potatoes baked in the ashes,
very much. Sometimes for dessert after dinner we
gathered guavas and other fruit. But, mamma, ’ ’ added
the boy, “you were right about the pemmican; it was
not at all nice, so we gave it to the dogs.”
“I dare say the instructions you gave me were not
quite correct,” she replied with a smile; “but we will
try again some day, perhaps the second attempt will
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
be more successful. But go on with your adventures,
Fritz. ’ ’
‘‘We intended to pay a visit next day to Prospect
Hill,’’ be said, “but on reaching the pine wood, we
found a whole troupe of monkeys seated on the
branches. They howled and chattered and gnashed
their teeth at us, pouring down upon us at the same
time a hailstorm of pine-cones. We had to run from
side to side to avoid them. At last I fired a few small
shots amongst the rebels, which sent them flying, and
we continued the rest of our journey in peace.
“But when we reached Prospect Hill, such a scene
of destruction presented itself! We have been too
busy, since you came, with the repairing here, to spare
time from our work to show it to you ; but, oh 1 papa,
you will be sorry when you see it.
“Every place is broken down and destroyed by
those dreadful monkeys. We could only unharness
the animals from the cart and the sledge: it was im-
possible to unload. The hut had disappeared, and we
were obliged to put up our tent for a sleeping-place.
However, I determined to try to exterminate these
mischievous animals.
“We had milked the goats before leaving Wood
Grange, and I placed a small quantity of milk in sev-
eral cocoanut-shells, with palm wine^nd bruised grain.
Into each of these I poured a few drops of the poison-
ous gum of the euphorbia-tree, which you had given
me, papa, in a calabash bottle for some purpose.
These cocoanut-shells I hung on the young palm-trees
close by, and placed a few on the fallen trunks of other
trees.
“All this employed us till late in the evening.^ Our
animals were lying down on the green turf enjoying
their rest when we returned to the tent; but before
entering it, the appearance of a strange light in the dis-
tant horizon, where the sea and sky seemed to meet,
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
induced us to climb to the bigb ground on Prospect
Hill, for I thought it must be a ship on fire. But
while we stood looking earnestly at the light, the round
disc of the moon, large and full, peeped above the
horizon, and presently such a glorious light streamed
over the sea and the country all round: it was quite
beautiful. I could have read a book in the moon-
light.
‘‘While we thus stood on the hill, there suddenly
sounded in our ears the loud snarling or hissing cry
of some strange animal, and the crackling of grass
and weeds under heavy feet, that seemed to be passing
over the rocks into the sea.
“Brownie and' Fawn as well as the jackal must have
heard it, for they all set up barking and howling in a
frightful manner; but the dogs could not rush out, for
we had tied them up in the tent for fear they should
touch the poisoned drink intended for the apes. We,
however, returned quickly to the tent, and after reno-
vating the fires we had lighted, laid down on our bear-
skins to sleep. But we had very little rest. The
moonlight roused the monkeys: we could hear them
snarling, chattering, and howling near us for hours,
and then all became so still that we fell asleep, and did
not wake next morning till long after sunrise.
“Oh, papal’^ continued Fritz, “what a dreadful
poison that euphorbia must be ! When we left our tent
the sight of so many dead monkeys horrified us. I be-
lieve our possessions are now safe at last. As quickly
as possible we threw the dead bodies into the sea, and
burned the cocoanut-shells and flasks that had con-
tained the poison.’^
“It was a dangerous performance, Fritz,’’ I said,
“and a sad necessity to destroy all those living crea-
tures so quickly; but do not let us talk about it. You
have not yet described the capture of those beautiful
birds with the long tail-feathers.”
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
''Ernest says they are called birds of Paradise,’^ he
replied, "and indeed they have the most beautifully
colored feathers I ever saw. We were walking
through high grass near the river, when the dogs
started quite a flock of them. I sent up my eagle, and
he brought down one, which fell trembling and terri-
fied in the grass; and as I saw another falling, I am
sure from fear, I held out my hands and caught it,
while Jack picked up the other; both were living and
unhurt. ’ ’
''I am glad these lovely creatures are not injured,
Fritz,” I replied, "and I think they will be easily
tamed, for they are as gentle as doves.”
While we remained at this spot and during the build-
ing of our new summer residence, I allowed the boys
to make short excursions in the neighborhood alone,
as a change, and they made several fresh discoveries
in consequence. Fritz on one occasion brought home
from the opposite shores of the stream two sorts of
fruit, differing in size, but not in appearance. One
of them he supposed to be young cucumbers, or gher-
kins ; but, on tasting them, I discovered that those he
had mistaken for gherkins were bananas, and the other
the valuable cocoanut from the seeds of which choco-
late is made. These seeds, which are exceedingly hit-
ter, are contained in a soft, fleshy fruit, with a sickly
taste. The banana was not much better, having the
flavor of a rotten pear.
It is strange that both these trees should produce
an unpalatable fruit which, by preparation, can be
made so pleasant and valuable. The cacao-seed, after
being removed from the fruit, is dried, pounded, and
mixed with spices to form delicious chocolate. The
banana is very much admired by the natives of both
the Indies, in which it grows, but when sent to Europe,
it is generally as a sweet preserve.
"If that be so,” said my wife, "I should like a few
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
seeds or young plants for my nursery. I can no doubt
also make a delicious preserve of tbe banana.’’
‘‘Of course you can, dear wife,” I replied; “and
Fritz can easily procure for you a few of tbe young
shoots ; but the cacao-seeds require a very watery soil,
so that it is too late in the season for them now. How-
ever, the fruit may keep till the rainy season, and then
the seed must be sown the instant it is taken from the
pulp. ’ ’
On the day before that on which our return to Eock
House was fixed, Fritz started in his canoe to obtain
for his mother a supply of young banana plants and
the cacao fruit, which were to be found only on the
opposite shore of the Eastern Eiver. Behind him, as
a sort of raft, he towed a bundle of reeds, which floated
on the surface of the water. This he brought back in
the evening with him fully loaded.
His brothers rushed to the strand, and chased the
canoe to secure the vegetable raft and its contents,
Ernest and Frank seized it as he neared the shore, and
at the same time one of them threw a loaded bag, that
had slipped half into the water, to Jack, and told him
to take care of it.
Away ran Jack with the bag, full of curiosity, behind
a bush, and opened it just wide enough for him to peep
in.
“Oh, you great fellow!” he cried, with a start;
“what a monster you are I You made me nearly jump
out of my skin.”
Then he closed the bag carefully, and, placing it
again half in and half out of the water, made it fast
to a tree. The reason of all these performances we
did not learn till later.
By this time Fritz had sprung on shore, carrying a
bird with its legs and wings bound, and full of joy, for
his booty was a beautiful sultan or water-fowl. The
legs and feet were red ; the chief color of the body and
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
wings a rich purple, changing on the back to dark
green, flecked with red spots, and on the throat to
brown. The creature was gentle, and appeared likely
to be tamed easily. The beauty of this new arrival
pleased the mother greatly, and she determined to take
it under her own immediate care.
Fritz had met with many strange adventures in his
cruise up the river, and his description of the beautiful
country through which he passed would have tempted
us to visit it, but for the creatures by which it was in-
habited.
Green fields, trees loaded with fruit on one shore;
and on the other, overhanging mountains and majestic
forests. Here and there troupes of birds with glorious
plumage, producing such an unheard-of mixture of
sounds, that their cackling, quacking, gobbling, and
screaming made him almost giddy. There were
guinea-fowls, peacocks, and numbers of other birds,
with a few sultan fowls, one of which he had managed
to capture.
Farther on he passed a whole forest of mimosa-trees,
in which from ten to twenty elephants were peacefully
feeding on the large branches of the trees, which they
tore down with their trunks with as much ease as Fritz
could have broken off a sugar-cane. They then entered
the river, and stood in the water as a means of cooling
themselves during the fierce heat of the day.
At a point farther down the river Fritz observed a
number of panthers, their splendidly-marked fur shin-
ing in the sun’s rays.
felt for a moment inclined to try my skill as a
marksman on one of these fellows,” he said ; ‘Hut while
I hesitated a rushing sound startled me, and I saw the
water, at about a stone’s throw in front of me, boiling
and foaming, as if some large spring had suddenly
burst forth beneath it.
“Suddenly there arose from the water a hideous ani-
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
mal, that made me shudder, its loud bellow resembling
in some measure the neighing of a horse; while the
creature, opening his wide jaws, displayed a row of
frightful teeth, which seemed to be stuck in the gums
like a regiment of Spanish lancers.
turned at once, and fled from the spot like an
arrow, rowing with all my strength till I reached the
current, while the perspiration rolled down my face. I
never looked back till, at a bend of the river, I lost sight
of the monster. I then took up my paddle again, and
did not feel safe till I had reached a point which I knew
was not far from our tent.^^
From this description I at once decided that the
neighborhood of the Eastern Eiver and the Green
Valley was, in spite of its verdure and beauty, infested
with wild animals, and among them the creature which
had so alarmed Fritz. It was no doubt the hippopota-
mus or sea-horse. He had, however, made many dis-
coveries, and had not only obtained the required plants
and seeds for his mother, but also a handsome water-
fowl.
During the absence of Fritz we had been all very
busy in preparing for our departure on the following
day.
The boy, however, had not lost his courage by the
alarming sights he had seen on this excursion, for he
begged me to allow him to return to Eock House in
his canoe.
He could, he said, double the promontory of False
Hope, and then keep inshore till he reached the Jackal
Eiver.
I readily gave my consent, for I felt it would be of
great importance for one of the boys, at least, to learn
the navigation of the island, and also to ascertain if it
were possible to reach the promontory, or the Arabian
Watch-tower, by a nearer way than by the open sea.
Early the following morning we started from home
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
with the cart and the sledge, well laden, and the nu-
merous feathered folk carefully packed in baskets.
I had decided to place the mountain fowl and the
cranes, with a few other birds, on the two islands ; the
black swans, the sultan fowl, and the royal heron were
to be set free on the marsh.
This marsh, near the duck-pond, had grown into a
lake since the heavy rains, and we hoped to tame the
new-comers by feeding them now and then with tidbits
from our own hands.
The old bustards were to retain the privilege of be-
ing near us at meal-times, as they were accustomed,
standing gravely waiting for their share.
On the evening of our arrival at Rock House, and
while seated in the veranda enjoying the cool fresh air,
Fritz returned, and hastened at once to relate his ad-
ventures. On reaching Cape False Hope, he had
skirted the opposite shore of the island, which we had
never yet reached by land, and found it in some parts
a chain of high rocks, and in others fertile country.
On many of the clefts of the rocks, and at their feet,
were groves of bushes covered with blossoms that filled
the air with their sweet perfume. These flowers were
small and white, with pink centers and petals tipped
with green. The heart-shaped leaves, however, as well
as the stalks, were thorny. He also found another
white flower with slender leaves, not unlike those of the
cherry-tree blossom.
This flower greatly resembled the China tea-tree,
and the hope that it would prove so greatly pleased the
mother. The former I took for the blossom of the
caper, which is a creeping plant growing in the crevices
of rocks and on old ruins.
While Fritz was relating and producing the results
of his cruise, a sudden noise was heard in the direction
of the duck-pond, which now bore the name of Swan
Lake since the river had overflowed its banks.
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
The sound was a hollow ghastly bellow, not unlike
the angry lowing of two fighting oxen, and our dogs
rushed out barking furiously. I started up hastily,
and called to Jack to bring me my double-barreled
gun, while the mother, Ernest, and Frank rushed into
the house. Fritz alone surprised me: he that was so
ready to seize his weapons, now stood leaning against
one of the supports of the veranda laughing most un-
mercifully. This, however, eased my mind : I re-seated
myself and said,
suppose you know it is nothing but the bellow of
a bittern or a marsh pig?^'
‘‘Or,’’ said Fritz, “most likely an evening serenade
from Jack’s giant frog.”
“Ho! ho!” I exclaimed; “this is one of the tricks
of that clever young gentleman, is it! I understand
now the mystery of the sack, and why he wished to
start before us on the way home!
“It is all right, wife,” I called out; “nothing but the
croaking of a frog.”
“A frog!” she exclaimed, as she answered my call,
followed by Ernest and Frank.
“Yes, mamma, a giant frog, which I brought home
for Jack on my last excursion. Is it a European
frog?”
“Oh, no,” I replied: “the giant frog is a native of
America, and sometimes grows to the size of a rabbit.
Another species which inhabits South Africa, where
the heat during both day and night at some parts of
the year is most oppressive, keeps up a continual croak-
ing. The giant frog croaks only at night, and his
music, when near at hand, is not very agreeable. I
hope, however, that our heron will soon put him to
silence, and in the meantime we will let him re-
main.”
Jack, who had rushed off quickly to the pond on hear-
ing the unearthly noise, came back while I was speak-
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
ing, and looked very mucli annoyed at the behavior of
his new plaything.
‘‘It is a great ugly thing, papa,’’ said the boy, “but
not half as big as a rabbit. I think it is what they call
a bull-frog; but if it wouldn’t croak so loud, I should
like to keep it and see how large it would grow. I
don’t think the heron or even the cranes could swallow
it now, even if they were to try.”
“You may keep him if you like, my boy,” said his
mother; “but don’t let him come near the house; and
as to his noise, we shall perhaps get used to it. ’ ’
After a few days’ rest, my wife begged me to plan
a last excursion for the summer to Falcon’s Nest, and
employ our energies in restoring and finishing the in-
side of our old summer palace. I willingly agreed to
her wishes, only waiting till the boys had finished the
butfalo-lick, which they were now busy in laying out.
In two days this was completed, and we all started
oif eagerly on our expedition to Falcon’s Nest.
We found everything as we had left it, but in a very
unfinished state. Our first work was to cut the sides
of the arched roots into shape and polish them. The
terrace upon these roots was repaired, and the flooring
covered with a mixture of tar and resin to make it
water-tight. A roof of bark was placed over the up-
per balcony, outside our old sleeping-apartment; this
roof also overhung the terrace beneath, and across
the railings of both we nailed lattice-work, so that we
really had now two balconies round the tree castle.
The tarpaulin over the sleeping-room was removed
to make room for a new roof, formed of bark and tree
branches, similar to that in our Kamschatka summer-
house at Wood Grange. When finished, the summer
palace presented an exceedingly attractive appear-
ance.
This beautifying completed, Fritz, as usual, had some
new plan to suggest. He proposed that we should
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
erect a battery on the heights of Shark’s Island, on
which to place our four-pounder cannon. This pro-
posal cost me a great deal of head-breaking thought.
I arranged my plans at last, and then embarked on
board the yacht and sailed to the island. The cannon
was first lifted from the carriage, and the latter raised,
by strong cords, a windlass, and pulley, to the top of
the rocks. The cords, which had many knots, hung
from the summit and served as steps for us to climb
up. It was a difficult task to raise the cannon and
place it on the wagon, but we succeeded by persever-
ance at last.
It stood with its mouth towards the ocean, and behind
it was built a guard-house of boards and bamboo canes.
A tall thick cane was also placed near the cannon, with
a loose flag, fastened to rings by a strong cord, to be
drawn up and down for the aid of any voyagers of our
colony when out at sea alone. This undertaking oc-
cupied two months, and there arose a tumult of delight
when the flag was hoisted for the first time, and a salute
of six shots, which reechoed from rock to rock, was
fired in honor of the occasion.
500
CHAPTER XXXVII
APTEB TEN YEAES PEARL BAY
CHAPTER after chapter of this story has been
added during the years that have rolled by since I
and my family were cast shipwrecked and alone on the
sea-girt shores of this island.
During the ten years which have elapsed I have en-
deavored to record, step by step, our doings, whether
in hunting, ship-building, or making discoveries which,
by intelligence and thought, could be turned to account.
I am now anxious to describe the result of these ex-
ertions, and I shall be satisfied if the design of the book
is suflSciently clear to the young reader to prove what
the members of a family who, even under trying cir-
cumstances, live piously and in harmony together, can
perform by industry and perseverance. By the bless-
ing of God on their endeavors, they are strengthened
and made successful, and fitted to become useful mem-
bers of society and of the community to which they
belong.
The story will prove also how innumerable are the
gifts of the Creator as seen in nature, if we search
for them, and that not one of these benefits can be too
trifling to be made useful and profitable to ourselves
by intelligence, industry, and a well-ordered mind.
But instead of pausing in my narrative, as a rush-
ing stream suddenly arrested in its course, I will glance
back, and give a short sketch of our work and its re-
sults during the ten years that we have remained on
the island.
Our boys have grown up, in a certain sense, different
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
in mind and person to children accustomed to associate
with others of their own age. Their physical powers
have been strengthened by labor, and their minds de-
veloped by the excursions and discoveries we have
made and conversed about.
Their knowledge of languages and literature has
been kept up by reading and study during the rainy
seasons, especially by Ernest, who is of a studious dis-
position, and less actively inclined than his brothers.
Fritz, however, is the most proficient in the English
language, which he reads and speaks with great cor-
rectness. They are all now healthy and handsome
young men.
Our dwelling-places, both at Eock House and Fal-
con ^s Nest, have, during the last few years, been much
improved, and were now not only attractive in appear-
ance, but convenient and healthful. Eock House es-
pecially formed a capital warehouse for our stores, as
well as an excellent winter residence.
The greater part of the year, however, we have spent
at Falcon ^s Nest, for there we had excellent shelter for
our fowls and stalls for the cattle and sheep, as well
as for the game we wished to preserve alive. Here
also were the bee-hives, which supplied us with honey
in great quantities. But the increase in the number
of bees, which obliged me to form several new hives,
had attracted a bird of beautiful plumage, named the
bee-eater, and this necessitated the destruction of all
we caught. Two, however, were preserved to adorn
our museum, which was still a great pleasure to us,
especially on a Sunday. The contents of this museum
have increased in number so rapidly that we have been
obliged to fit up another space in Eock House to be
entirely devoted to these curiosities.
Eock House has also been greatly beautified and im-
proved, both within and without. The veranda has
been extended by two wings, one at each side, and the
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
creeping plants at the foot of each bamboo column or
support, have grown luxuriously, and now twine round
them even to the roof, which they completely cover,
hanging down from the eaves in a most picturesque
manner, and forming a pleasant shade.
Close to the rock, and under one wing of the veranda,
stands the fountain, formed of the turtle’s shell, and,
as we often sit in the open air during the evening, the
splashing of the water, as it trickles into the fountain,
has a very pleasant and cooling sound. Another foun-
tain, constructed from a large hollow bamboo cane, has
been erected under the opposite wing, for the sake of
symmetry. This time we were not fortunate enough
to obtain a large turtle-shell for the purpose.
At the end of each wing, the roof of which covers
the fountains, two broad steps have been placed, and
the whole frontage presents the appearance of the
exterior of a house in China.
The landscape before us is in the highest degree ro-
mantic and charming, and forms a striking contrast to
the ridge of rugged rocks behind.
Between our dwelling and Deliverance Bay are
spread out in order and fertility shrubs and trees, both
European and natives of the soil; Shark’s Island is
covered with cocoanut-palms and pines. On the strand
a thick growth of mangrove-trees resists the advance
of the waves.
Near the crest of the rock on Shark’s Island stands
the guard-house, with its four-pounder cannon, and its
raised flag fluttering in the air. In the foreground lies
the old duck-pond, enlarged by an overflow of the sea,
which has covered great part of the Jackal Marsh, and
now forms a considerable lake.
On its dark blue waters float the majestic black
swans, their plumage forming a pleasant contrast to
the snow-white geese and many-colored ducks, but all
in social companionship.
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
Our gardens and plantations extend nearly to the
lake, and on the marshy ground round it, and through
the rushes, can he distinguished now and then the red
crest of the sultan marsh-fowl, the purple flamingo, the
red-tipped feathers of the stately herons, and the
Numidian crane, — all associating in perfect harmony
and quite domesticated. Beneath the stately trees
and shrubberies marches the ostrich, quite at his ease.
The cranes and bustards as usual keep close to our
fields, while the beautiful Canadian or heath-fowl, and
the mountain hen, can be heard rustling in the bushes.
Above us fly the pigeons here and there, or, seated
on the roof of the verandah, dress their beautiful
plumage before our eyes, their soft cooing mingling
with the sound of the trickling fountains. In fact, the
region once s.o wild and unfruitful seems to have van-
ished, and, as the consequence of our industry and
perseverance, its site has become a veritable Paradise
on earth.
On the shore of Jackal Eiver, from the highest
ground almost to the water ^s edge, grow orange and
lemon-trees, Indian figs, and many thorn-bearing
shrubs, so close together that it seems impossible for
even a mouse to slip in. I had some thoughts once of
cutting a road through this thicket, but in itself it pre-
sented such a bulwark against intruders, that I con-
sidered it safer to leave it.
The Spanish canes render the way round the marsh
equally impassable, and as the drawbridge is always
up as a rule, Eock Castle is truly protected on all
sides. At night the stillness is so great, that no sound
can be heard but the croaking of Jack^s bullfrog, which
has hitherto escaped the jaws of the heron or the
cranes.
Between our dwelling and the Jackal Eiver we had
preserved a little corner in which to raise the cotton-
plant, and at Wood Grange the cotton-fields are very
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
extensive. In fact, onr kitchen gardens, orchards,
plantations, corn-fields, and shrubberies were, at the
end of ten years, as productive and flourishing as I
could wish.
We had found some difficulty in keeping off thieves
from the com and fruit, in the shape of squirrels, par-
rots, and even the wild birds we had domesticated ; be-
sides sparrows, thrushes, field-mice, and similar rob-
bers by night. However, by scaring them at one time,
and a few small shots at another, we generally suc-
ceeded in saving our crops and securing a plentiful
harvest.
On Shark’s Island also the rabbits have multiplied
amazingly, and they have not only supplied us with
food from year to year, but also with their soft and
useful fur. Whale Island, though almost as fruitful
as Shark’s Island in vegetation, proved unsuitable to
the antelopes. Perhaps the island was too exposed
for these delicate little creatures, for they did not
thrive or increase in number till we removed them to
Falcon’s Nest.
Since then I have carried to Whale Island all our
arrangements for candle-making, tanning, cleansing
and combing wool, and all other work that has an of-
fensive smell. At first our workshops were in the open
air, now they are all covered in and roofed.
Wood Grange Farm is in a flourishing condition:
we have a large number of sheep, goats, pigs, and poul-
try, as well as oxen and cows.
Storm and Grumbler are still living, as well as the
good old cow from the wreck ; but our young cows now
also supply us with milk and cream, and we are pro-
vided with mutton, beef, and veal from our own herds
and flocks. Among the oxen and cows, however, are
some more favored than others.
One of them is a young pet cow, of such a pretty
creamy white, that we gave her the name of Snow; and
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
an ox with sucli a tremendous voice, that the hoys call
him Eoarer.
There are also young wild asses so fleet of foot, that
we have given them the names of Arrow and Brisk;
and one of Fawn^s pups was honored by Jack with the
curious title of Cocoa. The boys will sometimes even
now make it necessary for us to stop our ears as they
shout, ‘‘Oh! hallo! hio! Cocoa!’’
Hunter, the jackal, has been dead some time, and
his place supplied by another, found in a hole in the
rock, as before, by Fritz. He is not so tame as Hun-
ter the First, but quite as clever.
At Falcon’s Nest, as well as at Eock Castle and
Wood Grange, the kitchen gardens and potato-fields
have flourished wonderfully. The shoals of herrings
have never failed to visit us yearly; and with our large
and increasing farm stock, a supply of game has not
been so necessary; the store of guns and ammunition,
therefore, has lately been seldom invaded.
In fact, I found myself, at the end of ten years, the
owner of fields and meadows, orchards and planta-
tions, and three different residences, and as rich in farm
stock as a wealthy farmer in the dear old country.
We had all learnt experience in our industry. My
boys had grown from youth to manhood, and gained
both mental and physical strength.
Fritz, now in his twenty-fourth year, is of middle
size, but muscular, high spirited, and rather hasty.
Ernest, two years younger, is tall and slight, cool
and indolent, but far superior to his brother in intel-
lectual power and refined tastes.
Jack, at twenty, is nearly as tall as Fritz, and very
like him in many respects, but of a larger build, and
possessing smartness, with activity of mind and l3ody,
and great stability of character.
Frank, the youngest, is different in character from
all his brothers. The influence of Jack, however, has
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
been very great over the boy four years younger than
himself, and he often exerts that power. All of them
possess a candid straightforwardness of character, a
respect and adherence to religious duties, and so many
of those good impulses which spring from manly feel-
ings, that I can still easily influence them.
Such is our little colony at the end of ten years, dur-
ing which we have seen no human being excepting each
other; yet we still maintain the hopes of mixing once
more in the companionship of man. If at times I have
felt a sinking at the heart when I considered our iso-
lated condition, I have concealed my trouble from my
dear ones, and turned my thoughts with a prayer to
the Almighty that He would keep me always strong in
my hope and trust in Him.
My sons, when not employed in any work on the
estate, are still fond of making excursions, and are
often absent the whole day in search of new discov-
eries. The pinnace and the yacht have been preserved
and kept in good repair, and Fritz ^s canoe greatly
strengthened and improved. The pinnace still lies in
the dock I formed for her in days gone by, by damming
up a portion of the river near the Flamingo Marsh. We
have more than once been out to sea in this pretty boat
— ^my wife, the four boys, and myself — and have even
ventured almost out of sight of land; but a recollec-
tion of the storm we had once experienced made me
hesitate to take such a voyage often, although we al-
ways had the compass on board.
Fritz, as fearless as ever, often paddles his canoe
to a great distance ; and it is very unusual for him to
return without having made some new discovery, or
with a supply of sea-birds, dead or alive.
On one occasion, after paying a visit to the Green
Valley, he brought home a large capture of guinea-
fowls, and the boys at once hastened to build an en-
closure for them of bamboo canes of such an enormous
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
size, that it looked like a large bird-trap, with a trellis-
work of thin laths for a sloping roof. The birds were
attracted to this large cage by throwing a quantity
of seeds and berries on the ground within it, and after
awhile they became so tame and reconciled, that they
would come to our dinner-table for any little tidbits
we liked to throw to them. Many wild birds have been
brought alive by the hoys to these cages, and tamed in
the same manner with very little difficulty.
One day very lately Fritz started early in his canoe,
promising to return before nightfall; but evening ap-
proached, and no trace of his boat could he seen on the
sea, even with the telescope. Feeling anxious, I and
the boys proceeded at once to the dock, and, launching
the yacht, crossed to Shark ^s Island, and mounted the
heights on which our guard-house and cannon stood.
The flag was always hoisted while any of our party
was at sea as a beacon to help him to return; and
after again sweeping the horizon with my glass, and
seeing no signs of the canoe, I determined to fire a
signal from the cannon.
The report was reechoed from the rocks, but for a
long time no canoe was to be seen. At last a little
black spot was observed floating on the water, and
through the telescope we discovered it to be our
pseudo-Greenlander in his canoe. He neared us
slowly and with seeming indifference, as if in no hurry
to reach the coast; therefore Ernest, to rouse him, ex-
claimed to Jack, as if he were the officer on guard,
“Number One, fire!’’
Then we all raised a joyful hurrah, and descended
quickly to the strand, in hopes of meeting him when he
reached it, that he might return with us in the yacht to
Eock House.
But as Fritz approached the island, I understood in
a moment the cause of his slow movements: an enor-
mous booty floated, hound, at the side of the canoe,
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and by tlie head of the walrus in the bow lay a similar
bundle; and, above all, behind the boat, in the water,
a bag of considerable size was being towed, which must
have greatly interfered with the rower’s progress.
“Welcome, Fritz, welcome!” I exclaimed to the boy,
who was still at some distance. “What news from
land and sea do you bring? At all events, I perceive
you have brought a large booty, and I praise God that
you have returned safely at last.”
“Yes, I do thank Heaven,” he replied, “that I am
home again safe and well, with all my cargo ; besides,
I have made discoveries and met with adventures that
will, I know, be greatly appreciated. ’ ’
At home that evening, after a little rest and refresh-
ment to our traveler, we all seated ourselves with great
curiosity to hear an account of his adventures.
“I must ask you first, dear father,” said the young
man, “to pardon me for leaving this morning without
your knowledge, but I was anxious to start early on
an excursion I have long wished to make, and I did
not like to awaken you so soon. Besides, I knew that
my canoe, being light and easily paddled, would carry
me safely, even in case of a storm. I took with me a
supply of provisions and a flask of mead, filled my
water-skin, fixed the mariner’s compass right before
my eyes on the deck, and then bound a harpoon to the
stern, supplied myself with a boat-hook and some fish-
ing-lines, but not my best firearms, lest they should
get spoiled by the wet.
“I had, however, a couple of pistols in my girdle,
and my eagle was perched near me on the prow, as if
watching for prey. It was a beautiful morning, and
the calm sea attracted me irresistibly to carry out my
plan. I stepped on board the canoe, and, seating my-
self, paddled quickly towards the current from the
Jackal Eiver, which soon carried me out to sea, while
I carefully watched the bearings of the needles in the
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
compass, that I might know how to steer my way back
without failure.
‘‘As I passed the spot where our ship was wrecked,
I saw beneath the clear water a quantity of useful
articles lying at the bottom of the sea — cannons, iron
bars, and shot of all sizes — which I really think might
be raised at low water.
“I then turned my canoe in quite a dilferent direc-
tion from any we have ever taken at sea, yet keeping
near the coast, and continued for some distance under
broken and overhanging rocks.
“Numerous sea-Mrds of every description flew
screaming over my head, or, perched on the rocks,
seemed to watch my progress with suspicion. A little
farther on a number of marine animals, such as seals,
walruses, and sea-bears, were lying in the clefts of
the rocks, and seemed ready to spring from them upon
me, in spite of their enormous bodies.
I must own I was glad to escape from these wild-
looking creatures, by pushing my canoe farther out
to sea, and, after rowing for about an hour, entered a
current that led me to a narrow stream under arched
rocks, forming a rocky portal, which Nature, in mag-
nificent grandeur, had built, putting to shame the imi-
tations of man in their buildings of so-called Gothic
and Grecian architecture.
“Here and there were openings in the vaulted rocky
roof, which raised itself to many hundred feet above
the level of the sea. In this shadowy retreat a most
unusual number of sea-birds, which had built their
nests among the rocks, were flying about. They were
scarcely larger than a Wren, and their white breasts
contrasted pleasantly with the light green feathers of
the wings and the dark plumage of the rest of the
body.
“Thousands of their nests appeared on every side,
and seemed to be formed, not very skillfully, however,
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
of feathers and thistle-down. Strange to say, each of
these nests rested upon a kind of support resembling
a spoon without a handle.
“I separated one of the empty nests carefully from
the rock, and discovered that the interior was con-
structed’ of dry moss, mixed with a substance some-
thing like fish glue, which fixes it to the rocks, and I
have brought it home in my fishing-tackle bag for you
to examine.’^
‘‘From your description, Fritz, I should imagine
that this nest belongs to a bird named the sea-swallow.
The Chinese consider it a great delicacy for their ta-
ble, and it forms a valuable article of commerce in
China. I think, dear wife, we might make a trial of
this nest if you will cook it for us to taste; the nests
would be a great addition to our storehouse, if it proves
edible, as there are so many.’’
“Well,” said the mother, “my knowledge of cook-
ing is certainly sufficient to make a jelly of a bird’s
nest, if the thing is possible ; it must, however, be first
washed and cleaned.”
“Oh, yes, mother!” was the reply; “we will do that
if only you will give us the pleasure of tasting it this
evening. ’ ’
“Father,” said Fritz, “where can these sea-swal-
lows obtain the gelatinous stuff to fix their nests on
such curious supports!”
“It is not correctly known,” I replied; “but it is
said that these birds obtain it from the foam of the
sea, which they carry in their beaks and spread upon
the clefts in the rock in which they desire to fasten
their nests. But go on with your adventures, my boy, ’ ’
I added ; “ I am curious to know what other discoveries
you have made.”
“On leaving the rocky vault, which extended for
some distance,” continued Fritz, “I entered the wa-
ters of a magnificent bay, the shore of which appeared
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
in the highest state of fertility, and stretched far away
inland. Beyond rose high steep rocks, over which the
waters dashed. Behind this rocky wall the ground
had a marshy appearance, but a vast chain of clitfs
shut out the view.
While my little skitf floated swiftly over the clear
transparent waters, I noticed a quantity of shell-fish of
the bivalve or double shell kind, similar to the oyster, ly-
ing at the bottom of the sea. They appeared to be tied
together and fastened to the underlying rocks by fila-
ments or hair-like threads. I imagined these fish must
be as wholesome food as oysters, so I fished up a few
with my boat-hook, and, being near, I threw them on
shore, intending on my way back to place them in a
bag tied to the side of the canoe, and, by keeping it half
in the water, preserve them fresh.
‘ ‘ But when I reached the spot on my return, I found
that the heat of the sun had opened the shells, and that
the contents were unfit for food. I then fished up
about a bushel more, and these I have brought home,
not because I think they are fit to eat, but on account
of the little seeds which I found in the flesh when I at-
tempted to eat one. Some of these seeds are about
the size of a hazel-nut, and just like pearls. I
have brought home a large number in my bamboo
box. ’ ^
^‘Show them to me, Fritz,’’ I said hastily; and as
he placed them in my hand, I saw in a moment that
they were shining beautiful pearls.
‘‘You have made a valuable discovery,” I continued:
‘ ‘ these pearls are worth a large sum ; and yet here they
are as useless, as regards profit, as the doubloons in
the captain’s sea-chest. However, take care of them,
my son, they may be of use some day. ’ ’
“I ate my dinner after this discovery without the
oysters,” continued Fritz, “and then started on my
return home, pausing only once to fill my skin with
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
sweet fresh water from a spring, after having taken a
refreshing draught.
‘‘I noticed many sea-birds of different kinds after
leaving Pearl Bay, as I must now call it; and before
reaching the current which led into the open sea, an
albatross, frigate-birds, sea-gulls, and wild ducks flew
and fluttered impudently around me.
‘‘I managed to knock down one or two of the largest
birds, and to shoot others ; but I had some difficulty in
conquering the albatross, who was only slightly
wounded in the wing. He kicked with his feet and
struggled so violently that I expected he would escape.
‘‘At last I bound his legs and wings, and continued
my homeward journey. It certainly was a great re-
lief when I arrived in familiar waters, and saw the
welcome flag flying from the top of the rock.’’
Here ended, as I supposed, Fritz’s narrative; but
when he left me to attend carefully to the wounded
bird, and make him comfortable for the night, I
could not quite understand the reason of so much anx-
iety on his part respecting this bird’s fate. I discov-
ered the cause, however, before retiring to rest.
513
CHAPTEE XXXVIII
THE MYSTEEIOUS MESSAGE — THE LIONS
FTEE attending to the albatross, Fritz left his
mother and his brothers busily engaged in look-
ing at the birds he had brought home. Passing me in
the verandah, he, by a secret glance and a signal, made
me understand that he wished to speak with me pri-
vately.
I followed immediately, and joined him at a little
distance.
“Father,’’ he said, as soon as we were alone, “I
must take care of that wounded albatross: I did not
tell you all just now. While the poor bird was strug-
gling to escape, I saw wrapped round its leg a piece
of white linen, and after I had secured him I took it otf,
and found written on it in English, quite distinctly, the
following words: ^Who will rescue an unfortunate
English girl from a cave in the lonely rocks near to a
volcano?'^
The reading of these words caused me a kind of elec-
tric shock: I read them over two or three times. At
last I said,
‘ ‘ Fritz, can it be true ? A poor young creature alone
on a desert isle! Great God! What has she to live
upon? and how did she get there? Fritz, this troubles
me greatly.”
“Perhaps, father, I could send a message back by
the albatross,” said Fritz; “I think he will be able to
fly in a day or two.”
“Very well,” I replied; “but not a word of this to
the rest : it would make your mother anxious, and you
are not sure of being able to find this poor lost one.
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
I must, however, arrange for you to be able to go on
a voyage of discovery, without exciting any suspicion. ’ ’
Fritz readily agreed to this, and on the morning of
the third day after receiving the message, he wrote
on another piece of rag these words — Trust in God.
No doubt help is at hand.^^
This message Fritz tied on one of the legs of the
albatross, and the rag with the message he had re-
ceived on the other. Then taking the bird down to the
beach, he loosed his bonds and set him free. For a
few moments the creature stood as if stupefied, and
then suddenly rose in the air, and although he moved
his wing with difficulty, soon disappeared, to the great
joy of Fritz.
During that day I took the first opportunity, when
we were all seated together in the verandah, to remark
in a very grave tone,
^ ‘ I have been thinking, dear wife, that our eldest son
Fritz is now of an age to be dependent on himself. I
shall therefore from this time leave him free to act ac-
cording to his own judgment, and to take any excur-
sions or voyages alone which he considers necessary,
without asking permission. Of course if he asks my
advice I shall be ready to give it.’’
Fritz appeared overcome by my confidence in him,
while his mother, feeling proud of her son, rose, and
putting her arms round Mm, kissed him affectionately,
and exclaimed with tears in her eyes, ‘‘God bless and
preserve thee, my son!” then to conceal her emotion,
she hastened away to prepare the evening meal.
The boys, or young men as I should now call them,
were a little surprised at my remarks about Fritz ; but,
light-hearted as ever, they ran to their mother to beg
her to prepare some oysters for supper in the shell.
Frank, however, could not wait, and tried to open two
or three with his knife. He succeeded with two, and
found within them three large and three small pearls,
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which appeared so beautiful that a new idea struck the
boys.
we could make an oyster-bed in Deliverance
Bay,’^ said Ernest, ‘‘we should have pearls by bush-
els. ’ ^
“You might have pearls,’’ I said, “but not oysters
fit for food. This beautiful pearl is only formed in
the flesh of an oyster when it is diseased, or after the
shell has been injured.”
This information slightly damped the ardor of my
young people, yet they still determined that on the
first opportunity Fritz should take us to Pearl Bay,
that we might obtain a store of oysters for our new
oyster-bed.
With this excursion in prospect, Ernest also con-
structed a kind of scoop and a cutting machine, to re-
move the empty nests of the sea-swallows, of which
such beautiful jelly could be made. In the meantime
Fritz worked zealously but silently in making space in
his canoe for another seat, which revealed to me the
fact that he was encouraging hopes in his heart which
might never be realized.
His brothers very naturally imagined that Fritz was
trying to make his canoe suitable to accommodate one
of them as well as himself, and he did not undeceive
them.
We now began to prepare for an excursion to Pearl
Bay and the other places discovered by Fritz on his
last voyage; and a very rich store of provisions we
packed up for our journey. Fresh pemmican, cassava
cakes, pastry from wheaten flour, nuts, almonds, and
a cask of mead as a refreshing drink, — all these were
stowed away in our yacht.
We embarked at last on a day when the wind was
in our favor and the tide served, and encouraged by
the good wishes of the mother and Frank, who re-
mained at home. We were accompanied by Master
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
Nip the Second, Nip the First having been dead for
some years as well as poor old Turk. Floss, who was
still brave in her old age, was not left behind, while
Brownie and Fawn gladly joined us on hoard.
Fritz took the lead in his canoe to show us the way,
and Jack, who wished to be pilot, occupied the seat in
the canoe which Fritz had prepared for another pur-
pose. Following in his track, I determined to hoist
a sail till we reached more peaceful waters.
The various points touched by Fritz were pointed
out by him as we sailed along in the track of the canoe.
The sea was calm and smooth, and as transparent as
a looking-glass. The nautilus passed us in full sail.
We saw the shell-fish beneath the clear transparent
water, and numbers of sea-birds were skimming its
surface with rapid wing. As we passed this spot, we
gave it the name of Nautilus Bay,
At length we approached the grand portal to the
stream which ran beneath vaulted rocks, and were as-
tonished at the rugged grandeur of the spot. The
majestic beauty of these arched rocks struck me with
awe. The great Master Builder had here formed one
of nature ^s temples, far exceeding in beauty and ele-
gance the most stately cathedral ever erected by man.
The sea-swallows, however, diverted our attention
from the wonders of nature, and Ernest and Jack
begged me to allow them to land upon the rocks, and
cut down as many of these succulent nests as they could
find empty.
The passage beneath these vaulted rocks was very
pleasant, till on arriving in the broad beautiful bay to
which Fritz had given the name of Pearl Bay, I de-
cided to stay all night and sleep on board the yacht.
A fire was lighted on the shore, and we cast anchor
at a little distance. The dogs remained near the fire,
and Fritz, after mooring his canoe alongside the yacht,
came on board for the night.
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
We slept peacefully, except when disturbed by the
bowlings of the jackals on shore, which not only pro-
voked the dogs to bark, but also induced the jackal.
Hunter, to join in the howls.
At break of day we were all on the move, and after
a hearty breakfast continued our voyage, Fritz still
leading the way in his canoe. During this day we
managed to secure a large store of oysters, and I also
found on the shore a kind of vegetable kali or soda,
and collected a quantity to carry on board, as I well
knew it would be useful.
On arriving at the point to which Fritz had ex-
tended his exploring excursion, the young man came
on board while his brothers were absent, and said,
‘^Father, do you think you can find your way back
without my assistance? You know why I ask.’’
‘^Of course I do, my son. I quite understand your
anxiety to discover the volcanic island spoken of in
that mysterious message. Have you sufficient pro-
visions on board? For you must not go home to alarm
your mother.”
‘‘No, father, I will not do that. I have enough pro-
visions, and I hope to discover the volcanic island after
all. I shall therefore turn back to-morrow before you
and my brothers are up : you can easily tell them when
they miss me that I am acting independently in thus
leaving you, as you informed them I was at liberty to
do.”
But Fritz was not to leave us next morning as he
wished, owing to the appearance of a very unpleasant
visitor in the evening twilight. We had been prepar-
ing our supper on the shore, and Fritz was still in his
canoe, making arrangements for an early start in the
morning.
Fortunately our watch-fires were already lighted for
the night; yet that did not prevent us from hearing a
most fearful yet deep low roar, that echoed among the
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
rocks like tliiinder. I could imagine nothing less than
the approach of leopards or panthers, yet while the
sound sent a thrill of terror through the veins, I did
not imagine anything so dreadful as the presence of a
lion.
But we were not long in suspense. A huge beast
approached at three bounds, but was stopped by a
stream which flowed between the shore and the inland
country. I saw in a moment that it was an enormous
lion, such as are exhibited in menageries in Europe.
At finding this stop to his progress, the creature seated
himself on his haunches like a cat, and glared at us
with his fierce eyes. At the first sound of his awful
voice, the dogs and Nip had slunk away to the space
in front of the fire, which concealed them from the
enemy ; and for myself I seemed almost paralyzed, and
unable to recover my presence of mind. Presently
the lion rose on his four legs, and began pacing up
and down, as if searching for a convenient place to
spring across the stream, lashing his tail while he
walked with angry impatience.
Again the deep low growl sounded in our ears, as
the animal stooped to quench his thirst in the running
stream ; and after again wandering backwards and for-
wards without finding a spot narrow enough for him
to spring over, he laid himself down on his stomach,
and, lashing his tail in a rage, glared at us with flaming
eyes.
But before I could decide whether it was best to fire,
or to return to our boat, the sound of a shot passing
through the air in the growing darkness so startled us,
that Ernest exclaimed, in terror,
‘‘Father, Fritz has fired from his canoe!’’
At the same moment the lion sprang into the air,
gave an awful roar or groan, stood still for a few sec-
onds, staggered, fell on his knees, and remained with-
out movement.
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
‘‘We are saved 1'^ I cried, as we rushed back to the
boat. “The lion is shot to the heart! He will not
move again, thanks to Fritz! Eemain in the boat,
boys, while I go to assist him : he may still be in dan-
ger.’’
I sprang again on shore in shallow water, and the
dogs met me with joyful movements expressive of their
relief from the fear of danger ; but these gambols were
soon at an end. As I approached the spot where the
dead lion lay, a second, smaller, but not less formida-
ble beast came from the wood, and, with one bound,
alighted opposite the spot we had left to return to the
boat.
It was evidently the lioness, in search of her royal
mate, and well for us that they had not been together
at first. In a very short time she reached the place
where the monarch of the forest lay. She felt him
first with her paw, sniffed round the spot, licked his
bleeding wounds, and then, gnashing her teeth, uttered
a howl of distress that echoed horribly through the
night air.
Puff! another shot; and the lioness uttered a cry of
pain. She had been wounded in the right foot, but
she was still dangerous. I also fired my shot, break-
ing her jaw, and causing her to fall and utter howls of
pain and rage.
Our dogs now took courage, and rushed upon the
prostrate animal. Then followed a scene of fearful
warfare too horrible to describe. The darkness of
night, the growls of the lioness, the howls of the
wounded dogs, I can never forget. I remained for a
moment too overcome to fire a second shot, and in that
moment the monster, with one stroke of her uninjured
paw, crushed out the life of poor Floss, who had seized
her by the throat. Too late to save her was the sec-
ond shot of Fritz ; too late when I was able to venture
near, and thrust my hunting-knife into the breast of
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
-the lioness; too late when Fritz reached the battle-
field. The terrible beast was dead, hut it had cost us
the life of one of our dear old brave champions.
With cries of joy we called Ernest and Jack from
the boat to take part in the triumph. They came
hastily, and, with tears of satisfaction, threw them-
selves into our arms, for they had suffered painful
anxiety on our account. The watch-fires were again
replenished, and we returned with lighted torches to
examine the battle-field, and remove, with great regret,
the body of our brave Floss.
To our horror, we found that the jaws, as is usual
with bulldogs, had closed convulsively on the throat of
the lioness, even in death. We, however, removed the
poor animal; and Fritz and his brothers having dug
a deep grave, they buried our faithful Floss, not with-
out a few tears from her young masters, of which,
however, they were not ashamed.
Ernest was requested to write an epitaph on our old
companion, which he promised to do on the following
day, but this time in prose, not rhyme.
I examined the wounds of Brownie and Fawn; and
as they were not dangerous, I anointed them with a lit-
tle oil, and, leaving them plenty of water to drink,
they laid themselves down to rest near the watch-fires.
I and my boys, after taking some wine, which we so
truly needed, followed the example of the animals, and
rested in peace till morning.
We did not rise till late; and, after a substantial
breakfast, for we were very hungry, I decided that we
would not remain any longer in the neighborhood of
the forest, but proceed farther up the hay, to the spot
described by Fritz as being fertile and as verdant as
the Green Valley.
Fritz, who had promised me that he would put off
his visit to the volcanic island till the morrow, led the
way, and paddled in advance of us, the movement of
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
our yaclit in the calm still water having a soothing in-
fluence after the fearful disturbance of the previous
night.
I noticed, as we sailed along the coast, the entrance
to a little river, which flowed between a charming
country and the outskirts of the forest.
We entered this river, and, proceeding for a short
distance inland, anchored, thoughtlessly, on the banks
which bordered the forest.
Ernest and Jack immediately decided to land and
explore the country, Fritz remaining with me on the
boat. The two dogs, in spite of their battle on the
preceding night, readily followed the young men, and
the jackal, who had kept a respectful distance from
the Hons, hastily joined them.
We were conversing on the subject always upper-
most, as I afterwards discovered, in the mind of Fritz
— on the possibility of rescuing the English girl who
had sent the message.
‘‘Perhaps she has no food or water!’’ exclaimed
Fritz; “and in that case the delay of even a day is
dangerous. ’ ’
“She does not say that she is starving in the mes-
sage,” I replied; ‘ I almost regret that you did not
go at once instead of accompanying us on this voyage.
The fact is, I feared to allow you to venture on such
an uncertain expedition as the discovery of a volcanic
mountain. It must be at a great distance, for we have
seen no signs of even smoke from the highest points
of our island.”
Fritz did not tell me then, but I found out after-
wards, that he had made more than one short trip
in various directions, with the hope of discovering
even the smoke from a mountain-top, but without suc-
cess.
My two sons had not been absent an hour when we
were much startled at hearing a gun fired on shore,
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
and the report followed by a great cry and a second
shot.
Fritz, without a word, seized his gun, sprang on
shore, and rushed hastily to the spot, from which now
sounded the fierce barking of the dogs and the yells
of the jackal. I followed him quickly, and as we drew
near another shot whizzed by ; and presently the words
Victory! victory!’’ resounded through the air in joy-
ful tones.
Fritz was more rapid in his movements; and when
I at last overtook him, I was alarmed at seeing him,
with Ernest, supporting his brother Jack, who, pale
and trembling, seemed ready to fall.
‘‘My dear boy,” I exclaimed, “what has happened?
Where are you injured ? ’ ’
“I do not know,” he replied, his teeth chattering as
he spoke. ‘ ‘ Some monster attacked me, and I thought
it was another lion. ’ ’
“I believe Jack is not really hurt, father,” said
Ernest; “but we have had an encounter with a wild
boar — an enormous beast — ^with tusks at least six
inches long. He was digging in the soil, and when the
dogs attacked him, he rushed at poor Jack and knocked
him down : you know he is always so daring in danger,
and he went too close. My first shot disabled him, and
enabled Jack to get up, and the dogs, with the jackal
and my second shot, followed by one from Fritz, com-
pleted the victory.”
“I hope you are not really injured by the horrid
beast, ’ ’ I said, as I examined his chest and his arms ;
and, finding no external injury, I continued, “You have
had a serious shock, my boy, nothing more, I feel con-
vinced; yet to be thrown down by such a creature is
enough to shake the strongest nerves, especially after
what occurred last night, and I thank God that you
have escaped more terrible danger.”
I then gave the trembling patient a glass of canary
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
sack, a flask of whicli I kad fortunately brought with
me, and, leading him to our little cabin on board the
yacht, told him to lie down, as I hoped a little refresh-
ing sleep would calm his nerves.
‘‘Father,^’ said Ernest, when I returned to examine
the large booty he had secured, ‘‘this animal has made
a discovery for us. He was digging for truffles, and
there are quantities of them here. I thought at first
they were potatoes: I have a few here to show you.
Master Nip dug them up also, and ate a large quantity
before I could stop him.^’
“This is a splendid discovery, Ernest,’’ I said, after
examining the tubular root; “and, if I am not mis-
taken, they are of the best species. You must obtain
a supply to carry home to your mother.”
The boys tasted these roots, and pronounced them
similar to the common potato when raw, and not very
palatable.
“They are not generally cooked like potatoes,” I
replied, “but are cut open and dried before they are
used, in Europe.”
“Are they found in all European countries!” asked
Fritz.
“Sometimes in oak forests, but the largest quanti-
ties grow in France ; they are considered a great addi-
tion to sauces and stews at the tables of the rich in that
country. ’ ’
“Do they bear a flower, or have they a stem by which
they can be recognized!” asked Fritz.
“No; nothing appears aboveground, but their posi-
tion is discovered by the odor, which is very powerful.
To obtain a store for your mother you must take the
dogs with you: they will find out the whereabouts of
these roots. But now let us see what is to be done
with the monster which has caused us so much alarm :
it must not be left here for the dogs and the jackal to
devour. ’ ’
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
I made this remark because I could see that Fritz
was anxious to assist with the preparation of the boar,
and therefore unwilling to leave it till the next day.
‘‘Well,’’ exclaimed Fritz, as we advanced closer to
the monstrous animal, “this will he a good oppor-
tunity to replace our Westphalia hams: the haunches
of this creature will be of an enormous size.”
The preparation of the boar, the removal of the
skin, and the cutting up of the body into joints occu-
pied nearly the whole day.
Ernest requested that the head should be dried whole
and preserved for our museum, to which I readily con-
sented. The dogs and the jackal were feasted with
the refuse. They were, however, employed by Ernest
to discover the truffles, and obtained quite as many as
he wished.
Fritz broke off large branches from the trees, which
he interlaced one with the other to form sledges, by
which to carry our booty to the shore. In loading them
I noticed among the truffles some roots of a different
shape and color. On opening one I found it contained
a ball of yellowish wool, which I knew was the produce
of a tree growing in Nankin, a country of China, and
much used in Europe for the manufacture of a material
for dresses both of men and women.*
I was greatly pleased with this discovery, as I knew
my wife would be glad of the wool, to spin into thread
and weave into a material so usefully cool for our
dresses and her own.
The dogs drew two of the tree sledges, and Fritz and
Ernest the others, so that we reached the shore with
our booty and carried it on board without any accident.
Jack assisted in this work, for although he still looked
pale and shaken, his long sleep had refreshed him.
* Called Nankeen, and very fashionable at the time this story was
written, but now out of date and almost forgotten.
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
After our work was finished, we again stepped on
shore, and lighted a fire between stones, as usual, to
cook our supper. As soon as it was clear and glow-
ing, we placed the potatoes in the hot ashes and some
slices of the boar’s ham on the stones. I was glad
to observe that Jack enjoyed his supper of fried ham
and baked potatoes as greatly as the rest of us.
Next morning I decided to start early on the home-
ward voyage, for the flesh of the wild boar required to
be salted and smoked as quickly as possible. Besides,
we had been absent four days, and I knew the mother
would be anxious.
Another reason for this return presented itself. I
was unwilling to hinder Fritz from attempting the dis-
covery of the writer of the message, although I looked
upon it as a wild scheme, and likely to fail. However,
the yacht and the canoe could easily start together and
by degrees we should lose sight of Fritz, without caus-
ing any surprise to his brothers.
We sailed, therefore, next morning at an early
hour, and arrived, happily without accident, in De-
liverance Bay, to the great joy of the mother and
Frank, but the absence of Fritz I could see caused my
wife some little uneasiness. Part of our adventures
were hastily related, but we were so overcome with
fatigue, that fuller particulars were deferred till the
next day.
526
CHAPTEE XXXIX
THE SEABCH FOE FEITZ — A VISITOE
OUE adventures proved deeply interesting to the
mother and Frank, but created some little anxiety
in the mind of my wife, respecting the dangers we still
incurred in these voyages and excursions. Our de-
scription of the battle with the lioness, and the near ap-
proach of the lion, his glaring eyes, and his frightful
roar, filled her with apprehension. The account of
Jack’s danger, when attacked and thrown down by the
wild boar, made her tremble; and she could scarcely
be induced to believe that he was uninjured, especially
as he still looked pale.
Frank mourned over the death of poor old Floss with
true regret, while Ernest produced the epitaph he had
written to be placed over her grave.
I had not yet heard this effusion, and I asked him to
read it aloud. It ran as follows:
BENEATH IN THE COOL GROUND RESTS
FLOSS,
A FAITHFUL DOG,
AND ALSO A TRUE FRIEND.
BRAVE, STRONG, AND HEROIC IN THE HUNT
FEARLESS ON THE BATTLE-FIELD, AND
WATCHFUL FOR THE INTERESTS OF THOSE SHE SERVED,
SHE MET HER DEATH
from: the paw of a lion, which
SHE HEROICALLY ATTACKED
TO SAVE THOSE SHE LOVED
FROM A SIMILAR FATE.
‘‘Capital, Ernest!” cried Jack: “that epitaph shall
be placed on her grave as soon as possible. I’ll take
care of that.”
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
The flesh of the wild boar was, however, gladly re-
served by the mother, as well as the truffles and the
Nankin wool-pods. I had brought with me also a few
seeds of this plant to be sown in the vegetable garden.
The hams and other portions of the wild boar were
salted quickly, and prepared for smoking ; a few parts
only were saved to be eaten fresh. The head would
have been a delicious dish, I knew, if baked in the Hot-
tentot fashion; but I would not break my promise to
Ernest that he should have it in his museum.
I forgot to state that I had managed, before leaving
the spot, to take off the skins of the lions, as I knew
they would make beautiful mats for the feet in winter,
if carefully cleaned and dressed. My wife, however,
could not look at them yet without a shudder. These
skins, with that of the wild boar and the head of the
creature, were carried next day to our tannery work-
shop in Shark’s Island.
Five days passed, during which we worked hard at
dressing the skins, but Fritz still remained absent.
Our anxiety at length became so great, that I deter-
mined to follow him, at least as far as Pearl Bay.
My proposal created great satisfaction, and my wife
readily agreed to be of the party, especially when I ex-
plained to her that I intended to sail in the pinnace.
With a large store of provisions, we embarked one
fine morning with a favorable wind, and quitted the
peaceful home of Rock House amidst joyous hurrahs
and the barking of the dogs who accompanied us on
board. We very quickly reached the entrance to
Church River, as we had named the stream beneath
the vaulted rocks, and passed through the opening,
with such great force, however, that we came to a
standstill suddenly, and then it seemed as if we had run
aground on a sandbank.
The sudden shock threw us all together on the deck,
and I then believed we had struck upon some rocks,
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
for some object in front seemed to bar our passage.
All at once before our astonished eyes the obstruction
dissolved into water. At the distance of a few paces
we heard a great noise, and presently saw what ap-
peared to be an immense waterspout rise in the air, and
then fall in heavy showers like rain on the surface
of the sea.
‘^Father,” exclaimed Frank, who had been the first
to recover from the shock, “is not that one of those
waterspouts which are so dangerous to sailors
“I do not think this is a waterspout, Frank,’’ I re-
plied, “because it rose in two columns of water, and a
real waterspout has the appearance of a pillar. As it
sometimes bursts over a ship, it is of course a very
dangerous object to meet.”
I was about to express my opinion that what we had
seen was caused by electricity, when another shock,
though not so violent, induced me to believe that this
time we were really aground. But the object against
which we had struck was now evidently swimming, and
looking out, I saw an ungainly mass floating near us,
which I recognized as an enormous fish.
I instantly prepared my little cannon, to be in readi-
ness to fire at the monster when it again rose to the
surface. In a few moments it reappeared, and two
shots from the cannon took fatal effect. It struggled
violently for some moments, then swam hastily to a
sandbank, on which it sank, leaving a trail of blood
on the foaming surface of the sea. I believed the crea-
ture to be the cachalot whale, and I knew that the sup-
posed waterspout was caused by the jets of water
which these creatures throw into the air when they are
angry. No doubt it had been sleeping on the water
when we ran against it, and threw the jets from its nos-
trils in a rage at being disturbed.
I was anxious to examine it more closely, although
my wife complained of the danger incurred by having
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
anything to do with these monsters of the deep. I
reasoned her at last into compliance, and we ap-
proached the sandbank.
The monster appeared to be at least forty feet long,
and not quite dead, for he lashed the shallow water
with his tail so violently, that he completely covered
us with water and foam. We found it necessary and
also merciful, therefore, to put him out of his misery,
and the animal very soon breathed his last and moved
no more.
We were about to express our joy at this unexpected
triumph, when another circumstance suddenly at-
tracted our attention. At some distance we perceived
a canoe, with, as we believed, a savage inhabitant of
the country paddling along hastily towards us. As
soon as he found himself observed, he disappeared
behind a promontory.
I was rather alarmed at the thought that he was
gone to fetch others of his tribe ; we therefore re-loaded
the cannon, got our arms and ammunition ready, and
waited for his reappearance.
It was not long before a canoe with a single rower
again came in sight, and seemed also to be acting as a
spy upon our movements. I then decided to hoist a
white flag, as a token of our wish to be friendly, but in
vain. This savage also disappeared, and presently
one and then another showed himself on a point of land
at a little distance, and then vanished. Once more
the savage in the canoe presented himself. I therefore
immediately seized my speaking-trumpet, and uttered a
few words of our peaceful intentions in the Malay
tongue, that I had learned from a book of travels, but
with no result.
At last Jack, who was becoming impatient, took up
the speaking-trumpet, and pronounced, with great en-
ergy, a few nautical words in English, which, however,
appeared to be lost in the air.
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
But not SO. In a few moments we saw the canoe
approaching with the savage in it, paddling towards
us, and a green bough fastened to the p,row. As it
drew nearer a burst of laughter greeted the rower,
for in the swarthy savage we recognized our own Fritz,
who, with friendly signs and kisses, thrown to us com-
ically from his hand, paddled swiftly towards the
boat.
In a very short time he reached the pinnace, and
we took our brave boy on board, canoe and all, where,
amid much laughter, he was fondly kissed and wel-
comed, in spite of his blackened face. As soon as
we allowed our traveler to speak, he promised to give
us every explanation, which, he said, was impossible
while questions and inquiries fell upon him in a storm
on every side.
At last I drew him apart, and asked, in a low voice,
if his journey had been successful.
^‘Yes, father,’^ he replied, ‘‘entirely so; and I have
pleasant news for you.^^
I could not question my son further, as his mother
drew near, and insisted that he should wash the dark
stains from his face and hands, as she could not bear
to look at him with that face so like a negroes.
He went immediately to comply with her request;
and after washing his face and rubbing it with almond
powder, the young European was no longer a negro,
and stood once more before us in his own person.
His first question related to the firing he had heard
near the entrance to the bay.
“I was much alarmed,’’ he said; “for I never sup-
posed you would put out to sea in your pinnace now
she is rigged so like a yacht, and I imagined, therefore,
that it was a strange vessel with two guns similar to
ours. ’ ’
Thereupon I explained our adventure with the cach-
alot whale, which greatly interested him. I then
531
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
asked if he could recommend a suitable spot in which
to cast anchor.
“Oh, yes,’’ he replied, in a mysterious tone; “there
is a pretty little island not far from here. I will lead
you to it at once.”
I smiled at his eagerness as he lowered his canoe into
the sea again, while his mother and brothers looked on
in surprise, and wondered what great discovery he had
made which he was about to show us.
He unfurled the sails of the yacht, ran up the rig-
ging, drew the ropes, and, telling me which way to
steer, sprang lightly from the boat to his canoe, and
led the way, like a pilot, to a picturesque little island
in Pearl Bay.
During this little voyage I had only just time to give
the mother some account of the message which Fritz
had found tied to the leg of the albatross, and the reply
he had sent back by the same messenger. I wished
also to explain the object of his recent absence, and the
happy result of his enterprise, so that she might be
prepared for the appearance of the young English girl,
who, no doubt, was on the island to which he was lead-
ing us.
“Why did you not tell me this before?” she asked;
and I could see how much the news had startled her.
“I was unwilling to raise hopes that might not be
realized,” I replied; “but now, happily, there is no
longer need for concealment.”
The boys evidently suspected something, but I said
not a word to them.
“Let this young English girl make her own way,” I
said to myself. “If she is worth anything, she will
easily do that.”
We anchored on the shores of a little island, near a
beautifully situated wood, and Fritz immediately
landed, followed by myself and his brothers, who as-
sisted the mother to reach the shore.
532
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
I saw the young men glance with great curiosity at
a little cavity between the branches of a tall palm-tree,
which appeared to have been used as a resting-place.
Before it on the shore stood a fire-hearth, constructed
of pebbles, and in the center of the fire, instead of a
saucepan, was placed a beautiful, but gigantic, mussel-
shell.
Fritz was in advance of us, looking earnestly into
the wood, and as if he scarcely noticed that we had
landed.
Presently he raised his voice and shouted, as one
sailor shouts to another,
‘‘Ho! hallo there, up aloft!’’
We heard a rustling in the tree, and presently there
appeared, gliding lightly down the stem, instead of a
young girl, a beautiful youth, dressed in a rough shirt
and a tunic of skins.
The young stranger, on seeing us, stood still, looking
greatly embarrassed, and we were also too much taken
by surprise at first to speak.
Fritz came to the rescue. Taking off his plumed hat,
he led the young lad to his mother, and exclaimed,
“Let me introduce to you, my mother, the young
Lord Edward Montrose. Will you not welcome him as
a friend and a brother to our family circle!”
Without a moment’s hesitation we hastened to offer
our earnest welcome to the timid stranger, whose man-
ners were so refined and gentle, that he won our hearts
at once.
As the head of the family, I advanced, and, taking the
hand of the forsaken youth, promised him my friend-
ship and protection. He replied timidly in a few
words, and then turned to the mother, as if asking for
her motherly care.
My wife and I guessed rightly that Fritz would not
wish to betray the sex of the stranger to his brothers
while she wore this rude attire. The young men
533
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
were, however, at once attracted by the young lad,
and overjoyed at the prospect of a new companion.
Even the dogs welcomed his appearance, and frolicked
round him joyfully. My sons ran hastily to the yacht
and the canoe for the camp-table, and camp-stools,
and other necessary articles of crockery and table ap-
pliances, rather before the regular supper-hour, for on
this occasion they determined to prepare a royal feast
as a welcome to the visitor.
The mother, also, was not in the least sparing of her
supplies, and seemed ready not only to employ her skill
in preparing a rich repast, but also to make some de-
licious dishes with almonds, raisins, and cassava cakes
sweetened with sugar. In assisting the mother, how-
ever, during these performances, the young Edward
nearly betrayed his sex by the knowledge he displayed;
but the young men were still deceived ; and some flasks
of our best mead and a bottle of canary sack added to
the feast, rendered them almost boisterous in the gayety
of their spirits.
The appearance of a human being of any descrip-
tion, after so many years of isolation from our fellow-
creatures, would of itself create excitement; but this
gentle, modest, silent youth, who had been thus mys-
teriously discovered, was in himself so charming, that
I could quite understand their anxiety to make him
feel himself at home with them.
When I considered it advisable, however, to give the
signal for retiring, the stranger rose at once to proceed
to his home in the tree; but he was prevented by my
wife, who had prepared a more agreeable night’s lodg-
ing on board the yacht, and without a word he followed
her.
My sons having lighted the watch-fires, seated them-
selves round them to discuss the event of the evening
and a number of pineapples, while with strong curi-
osity questioning Fritz.
534
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
‘‘Whatever induced you to go in search of a
stranger?’^ asked Frank, “or, at least, how did you
know where to find himT’
Fritz, in reply, ^t once readily related his adventure
with the albatross, described the message which was
tied to^ its leg, and all that had occurred since, from
beginning to end; hut he so mixed up the name of
Jenny with that of Lord Edward Montrose, that his
brothers began to suspect something of the truth. A
question from Jack settled the matter.
‘ ‘ Did you not understand the Malay words, Fritz 1 ’ ’
“Yes,^’ he replied; “but they alarmed me still more,
for my head was full of Malay pirates, the young Ed-
ward having told me that they infested this coast. But
when I heard those English nautical terms, I believed
it was an English vessel coming in search of Miss
Jenny, and I — ’’
‘ ‘ Ha ! ha ! ha ! ’ ’ laughed the boys merrily ; and Ernest
exclaimed,
“You have betrayed your secret, Mr. Frederick:
your young lord is transformed into a young lady, and
our new brother into a gentle and amiable sister. Long
live Miss Jenny
Fritz was for a moment disconcerted, hut soon re-
covered himself, and joined heartily in the joyous
cheers of his brothers, till I at length reminded them
that it was time to retire to rest for the night.
I related to my wife the discovery made by our
younger boys, and on rising next morning she arranged
some of her own attire, by a little alteration, to suit
the young English girl who had been thus thrown upon
her motherly care and tenderness. She provided her
with a comb to smooth out her long golden tresses,
which had, on the evening previous, hung loosely on
her shoulders, giving her, in a boy’s dress, the appear-
ance of a youth of fourteen, and then presented her to
the family in her real character.
535
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
The young men came forward at once to address her
as ^‘Miss Jenny, feeling half inclined to joke her on
the deception she had practiced upon them; but she
looked so gentle and ladyhke, and blushed so painfully,
that they changed their tactics, and treated her with
brotherly kindness and respect.
For breakfast Fritz had made some chocolate for
Jenny, who had been accustomed to it in her native
country; and after we had finished, I was preparing
myself to hear some account of the young stranger,
and also from Fritz a description of his adventures and
doings during the five days of his absence. But he set
aside my curiosity by reminding me that the cachalot
whale must not be allowed to remain under the burn-
ing sun, if we wished to obtain anything from it.
‘‘Is any part of it edible F’ asked Ernest.
“I think not,” I replied; “but, like other whales, it
is useful for its oil, as well as for a beautiful white
waxy substance, known as spermaceti, found in the
enormous head, and which sometimes furnishes as
much as twenty tons. This will be very useful to us,
as it makes beautiful candles. My only trouble will
be to find vessels enough to carry it away.”
Then Jenny said modestly, “We use hempen sacks
in England. Would you not try them? They would
certainly carry the spermaceti, I think.”
This idea appeared so feasible that I had all our
sacks emptied, and after being well beaten on a flat
stone to thicken them, they were placed on board the
yacht, the young men following with the two dogs
and the jackal. Fritz, however, accompanied us in his
canoe.
We were not long in reaching the sandbank, where
the monster lay drying in the sun ; but no sooner were
we alongside than the dogs. Brownie and Fawn, rushed
towards it, and, before we could reach the spot, such
howling, barking, and snarling were heard behind the
536
#
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
stranded fish, that we fe^tred the dogs had met with
some dangerous enemies,
We arrived in time to see a troupe of wolves dis-
puting fiercely with our dogs their right to the prey.
Two of the wolves already lay dead on the sand, and
two others were being held firmly by the dogs : the rest
had fled. We also recognized among the wolves a few
jackals.
At this moment our tame jackal, which had remained
close to Jack hitherto, suddenly caught sight of his
fellows. Instinct was too strong for him: he started
forward with a bound to join them, quite disregarding
the calls or commands of his master.
Fritz would have fired at the deserter, but I pre-
vented him from doing so, because I feared that the
mother and the young stranger, whom we had left on
the island, would be alarmed if they heard firing.
Meanwhile, the wolves had been vanquished by our
brave body-guard, who returned to us, however, rather
the worse for the strife, with bleeding wounds and ears
greatly torn. Jack took charge of them, and, after
awhile, I saw with satisfaction that the poor animals
were licking each other ’s wounds, which I knew would
prove a far better remedy than any salve.
The way being now clear, I seized one of the sacks,
and held it open near the head of the creature, while
Fritz mounted the slippery side of the mountain of
flesh, and with one blow of his hatchet laid open the
skull; and by using a scoop, I quickly filled the sacks
one after another with a good store of spermaceti.
These we carried on board the yacht, with the four
dead wolves, and returned to the little island a short
time before the dinner-hour. The mother and Jenny
had provided for us a most excellent repast during our
absence.
I intended on the afternoon of this day to take the
skin from the wolves, and in this I required help from
537
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
all the boys. Jack, however, was anxious to reclaim
his jackal, and Fritz wished to carry the bags of sper-
maceti to Shark’s Island in his canoe. I was, there-
fore, rather in a difficulty.
‘‘I will recover the jackal,” said Jenny, with a smile,
‘‘if Fritz will lend me his canoe to-morrow. I am not
afraid of going alone,” she added: “when you hear
my history you will understand why. I shall only re-
quire some pieces of a wolf’s skin.”
I was surprised at this daring spirit in so young a
girl, but I agreed to her proposal willingly, for I could
see that my younger sons were inclined to treat the
matter as a joke. However, Jack remained at the is-
land with his two brothers to assist me in skinning the
wolves, while Fritz started in his canoe to carry the
bags of spermaceti to Shark’s Island.
During the evening and part of the night Jenny was
employed in the cabin with the mother in cutting out
and making for the jackal a muzzle of the pieces of
wolf’s skin. She rose early, and after breakfast was
provided with a flask of fresh water and a basket of
provisions. Fritz wished to assist her, but she sprang
lightly on board the canoe unaided, and paddled out
into the bay with a cleverness and ease that surprised
us all.
On reaching the sandbank, as she told us afterwards,
she passed round it at first, and landed on the banks of
the stream near the wood, but there appeared no signs
of the jackal. She had brought with her from the
canoe meat and water to tempt him, and at last she
stood still, and, raising her voice, called “Hunter!
Hunter!” in gentle and friendly tones; then she wan-
dered from point to point at a little distance, and called
his name again.
Presently she saw the poor animal slowly approach-
ing, and looking almost dead with hunger. She threw
him a piece of sopped biscuit, still cautiously ap-
538
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
preaching nearer, and at last placed before him some
pemmican moistened with water in a calabash-shell.
While he was eating it with famished eagerness, she
threw round his neck a piece of cord, speaking kindly
to him all the time, and then, still holding the end of
the cord, filled the calabash-shell with water, which he
drank eagerly. It was not difficult after this to place
the muzzle on his nose and lead him to the canoe. He
submitted without a struggle ; indeed, he seemed to be
fascinated with his new mistress, and even allowed her
to tie his hind legs loosely together and place him be-
fore her on the deck of the canoe.
All this occupied time, and it was not until nearly
noon that we espied the canoe approaching. As it
drew nearer we all stood on the shore and saw the little
maiden paddling bravely towards the land, with the
jackal seated gravely in front of her like a regular
passenger, and looking so comical with his new muzzle,
that the canoe was received on reaching the land with
shouts of laughter.
Hunter was quickly released from his muzzle and his
bonds, and, indeed, appeared so humbled and ashamed
of himself, that we had no doubt he had been scouted
by his own species and left to starve.
At all events, the young English girl was loaded
with thanks and congratulations by us all, and we felt
that in our isolated position we could not have met
with a companion so suitable as a daughter and sister
as Jenny Montrose.
539
CHAPTEE XL
THE ADVENTUEES OF FKITZ — JENNY HISTOEY
I NOW became anxious to return to Rock Castle, but
before doing so it was necessary to visit the spot,
near the burning mountain, at which Jenny had left
all she had saved from shipwreck.
I felt also that this was the time to hear an account
of the adventures of Fritz during his five days^ ab-
sence, and also a little of the history of this young
girl, whom we were anxious to receive as a dear daugh-
ter and sister.
After dinner, therefore, on the day of the jackal’s
return, we seated ourselves on the shore to listen to
Fritz. Jenny retired to her little recess near the tree
with a book Ernest had lent her. She shrank from
hearing a description of herself and her doings, and
judged rightly that Fritz would speak more freely
during her absence.
‘‘You will remember,” he began, “that when I pad-
died away from the boat, I intended to proceed at once
towards the open sea in my fragile canoe. I was full
of energy, but conscious of danger, and agitated with
a thousand fears respecting the safety of this poor
shipwrecked English girl. Still, I was hopeful of suc-
cess, and did not lose courage ; and after commending
myself to the care of Providence, I became more hope-
ful, and full of the idea that, if I dared this expedition,
it might lead to association with our species, and per-
haps furnish the means of our leaving this isolated po-
sition.
‘ ‘ On reaching the open sea, the wind, although light,
came from a quarter likely to carry me among danger-
540
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
ous rocks if it blew with greater force. I had, how-
ever, scarcely reached Pearl Bay when a gale arose,
which threatened to drive me on the rocky shore I
dreaded, and I dared not, therefore, venture farther
out to sea, lest the waves should overpower my little
skiff. Towards evening the wind lulled, and I thanked
God on my knees for my preservation.
could not, however, venture on shore, but I found
a corner for the canoe beneath an overhanging rock,
sufficiently protected from the wind, as well as inac-
cessible to wild beasts; and here, on a heap of sand
and broken rocks, between two large stones, I slept
peacefully, after eating my supper of cold meat, for
I feared to light a fire either for supper or breakfast,
lest it should attract savages to the spot.
“I had a refreshing night, even on my hard couch;
and on rising next morning, with lighter spirits, found
myself near a coast quite unknown to me. I still kept
close inshore, examining the summit of every elevation
of rock or hill, with the hope of discovering some signs
of a volcano.
‘‘The coast was sandy and barren, but I could see
outlines of thick forests in the distance ; and as I drew
nearer, I noticed that the boughs and lower stems were
covered with a wonderful growth of creeping plants. I
took these creepers for pepper-plants, for a large num-
ber of toucans, or pepper-birds, who feed on this fruit,
surrounded the canoe.
“I ceased paddling now and then for awhile, to watch
these birds, which were lively and even playful in their
movements. They would break off the little pepper-
grapes, throw them in the air, and catch them most
cleverly in their open beaks.
“Very shortly after this I found myself in a vast
extent of ocean, although really a bay, and in one point
an arm of the sea ran inland from it. This I deter-
mined to explore.
541
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
‘‘After remarking that the tide had just turned,
and would carry me onward for some distance, I rested
my paddle, and gave myself up to the enjoyment of
the splendid scenery which lay spread out on both
sides of the stream. At length, to my surprise, I dis-
covered that this beautiful country was not only oc-
cupied by birds of varied plumage, which made the air
melodious with their songs, but by elephants, hip-
popotami, and even glistening serpents.
“On making this discovery, I paddled quickly away
for miles, in spite of the heat, before I could find a
spot on which it appeared safe to land.
“After some hours I came upon a calm and peaceful
country, where no sound disturbed the stillness but the
twitter of birds, the humming of bees, and the rushing
of a waterfall from the distant rocks.
“Here I landed, and, finding a number of fine oysters
on the beach, I lighted a fire, and cooked some for my
supper; then, mooring my canoe to a large stone, and
pushing it from the shore, I determined to sleep on
board, as the safest place.
“Next morning I awoke early, and, with a thankful
heart, proceeded on my way till about noon, when, feel-
ing tired, I determined to land near a little wood, in
which a great number of parrots kept up a tremen-
dous chattering and screaming.
“Here, as all appeared safe, I released my eagle, un-
covered his eyes, and set him free to find his own break-
fast and mine. He very soon returned with a parrot,
which I gave him for himself, and then fired among
the trees, where I had observed many larger birds than
parrots, which I thought would be agreeable eating.
“Two fell, and while picking them up 1 heard be-
hind me a rustling among the trees, like the movements
of a sea-crab or a turtle. I turned at the sound, and
saw, with a sinking heart, an enormous tiger, at not
more than ten or fifteen paces distance from me! It
V 542
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
was too late to run, for with one bound he could have
reached me.
‘‘For a moment I stood motionless; and then upon
the tiger’s head pounced the eagle, dazzling the beast
with his broad flapping wings, and fiercely attacking
his head with his beak and claws.
“I took courage. The tiger, too much engaged in
defending himself, did not notice me. I saw he was in
my power, and, approaching nearer, shot him through
the head. But I could scarcely rejoice over my vic-
tory, for in his fall the eagle, whose talons were em-
bedded in the tiger’s skin, fell with him, and was
crushed to death beneath the animal’s weight.
“I lifted the remains of my faithful pet from under
the monster, and with tears carried it to the canoe,
feeling that his last act had been his greatest, for he
had saved my life at the expense of his own. I have
brought him home to be stutfed, and placed in our
museum. ’ ’
This account of the eagle’s death pained us all
greatly, although the excitement caused by the new ar-
rival had so occupied us, that the creature’s absence
had been unnoticed. No remark, however, was
made to interrupt Fritz, who continued his narra-
tion.
“I quitted the place in sadness, being too anxious
to continue my journey to spare time for skinning the
tiger, whose striped fur was very beautiful; yet, as I
paddled on, I was conscious of a feeling of discourage-
ment^ and I had almost made a determination to turn
back and give up attempting to discover the sender
of the message, when suddenly a number of lofty rocks
appeared in the distance, and from one of the peaks
rose a slight wreath of fire-tinged smoke through the
clear air.
“The sight filled me with new life. I paddled for-
ward with all my strength, and at length reached the
543
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
base of the mountainous rock, which rose from the
center of a small but fertile island.
‘‘I paddled for some distance along the coast before
I could discover a suitable landing-place, for the slopes
of the rock extended in some points to the water’s
edge. At last I reached a shingly beach, spreading in-
land for some distance, and bounded on the right by
a little forest that clothed the mountain’s side. I
sprang on shore like another William Tell, when he
escaped from the tyrant Gesler to be the savior of our
country, and after walking for a little distance, I came
suddenly on a bend in a chain of rocks, and the next
moment beheld, with joyful astonishment, the first
human being I had seen for many years besides those
of my own family, — a youthful figure dressed like a
boy, who was seated near the foot of a burning rock
by which I had been guided.
‘‘At last, when within a few paces, I said with deep
emotion, in English,
“ ‘Welcome, shipwrecked daughter of England! I
am come to rescue you. God in His mercy has helped
me to find you, and answer your appeal for aid.’
“I have often feared that my pronunciation of these
English words made them difficult to be understood.
However, after awhile Jenny seemed to comprehend,
and at last she spoke to me in French, as she does
now to us all ; but she was so agitated and timid, that
I could scarcely make her aware of the change that
awaited her in this lonely spot.
“I was myself almost too much overcome to explain;
but at length we became more composed, and able to
ask questions and make replies that were very satis-
factory.
“I seated myself by her side, and told her of our own
shipwreck, and how my parents, three brothers and
myself, had lived on an uninhabited island for ten
years, had cultivated the land, and made homes of our
544
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
own, and had now sheep and cattle and poultry in abun-
dance.
‘‘She seemed quite surprised at this recital, and
scarcely able to believe it; and yet, as she told me,
she had made herself a nest in the thick branches of
a tree in the forest, and that the things she had saved
from the wreck were stowed away in a grotto near
where we sat.
“ ‘I am wearing these boys’ clothes,’ she said,
blushing, ‘because I can climb the tree better, and
move about more freely, while I am alone ; but, before
you take me to your relations, I must change my
dress.’ ”
“And did she tell you about herself or her relations,
Fritz?” I asked, “or anything of the ship in which
she was wrecked?”
“Oh, yes, my father: she told me that her father, a
major in an English regiment, had been in India for
many years; that she had lost her mother when only
seven years old.”
But we heard in time the history of this young girl,
which shall here be related. After the death of his
wife, the major’s pride in his dearly loved and only
child made him determine, not only to take charge of
her education himself, but to bring her up to ride like
an Amazon, and even to be accustomed to the use of
firearms, — in short, to be fit for any society, and yet
able to act with courage and self-help in case of peril or
reverse of fortune.
“The natural aptitude of Miss Montrose made her,
with this training, a self-controlled, accomplished girl,
even at the age of seventeen, and as clever in the man-
agement of a gun and a horse as in more womanly ac-
complishments.
“About this time Major Montrose was promoted to
the command of a detachment of soldiers in the service,
who were going to Europe in a transport ship of war,
545
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
with a number of invalided soldiers. Of course his
only daughter could not accompany him on board a
man-of-war to England, and as the major was unwill-
ing to leave her behind in India, he took a passage for
her in a fast-sailing passenger-ship, and entrusted her
to the care of his friend Captain Grreenfield, who com-
manded the ship ; so that he hoped his daughter would
arrive in England, under proper care, as soon as him-
self.
^‘Miss Montrose, therefore, went cheerfully on board
the corvette Boreas, under the care of Captain Green-
field, and sailed two days before her father from the
Hooghly, at the mouth of the Ganges.
‘^The voyage for the first few days was very pleas-
ant and prosperous, but the appearance of a French
frigate* and a frightful storm drove the Boreas far
out of her course, and prevented her from reaching
the harbor of the island of Batavia, as the captain had
hoped to do.
‘‘Driven still farther eastward by stormy and ad-
verse winds, the ship at last struck on a rock on the
northern coast of New Guinea, and the sailors and
passengers had only time to throw themselves into the
boats on an unknown sea, and endeavor to find a shore
on which to land in safety. But the boats were soon
separated in the darkness of night, and the one con-
taining Jenny Montrose became a complete wreck on
the rocks which surrounded our lonely island, and,
strange to say, the young girl was the only one who
escaped with life.
“She described to me,’^ continued Fritz, “her re-
covery from the insensibility which had been caused
by the fierceness with which the waves had dashed her
on the shore; and after rousing hers.elf, and at once
submitting to circumstances, she determined to search
on the lonely shore for the means of nourishment to
* England and France were at this period at war,
■546
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
keep her alive, for she still hoped that the boat had
been saved, and would return for her.
‘‘A few articles washed on shore, some of which
were her own, and a sailor’s chest or locker, contain-
ing, among other useful things, a tinder-box* and
matches, were very acceptable. She could now light
a fire and prepare her own food, which consisted of
fish, oysters, mussels, and fruit of several kinds. The
rude boy ’s dress, which she had hastily assumed wh^n
the ship struck, she still wore, as you know, father,
when we found her.
Being a good swimmer, she knew it was a more
safe dress, in case of danger on the sea, than female
attire. Indeed, she assured me that, had she not
been able to swim when the boat was capsized, nothing
could have saved her. Yet most of all is Jenny thank-
ful that God in His great mercy not only saved her life,
but sent the wounded albatross, to be tended and cared
for till it was well enough to carry a message to those
who could rescue her.”
It was midnight before all this account of Jenny
Montrose and her rescue was finished. She had passed
us, with a pleasant good night, on the way to her sleep-
ing-berth on board the yacht, and we all rose to retire
to rest, full of gladness at this addition of a dear
daughter and sister to our family circle.
At breakfast next morning we assembled with the
feelings of near relationship to the young English
stranger, and more than ever anxious to take her to
our home at Eock Castle. I also wished her to look
upon my wife and myself as her parents till we could
communicate with Major Montrose.
I asked her if she could remember the date of the
shipwreck, but she had not kept account of the days
and weeks as they passed on that lonely island.
Fritz asked her how long a time had elapsed before
* Before lucifer matches were even thought of.
547
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
the albatross returned with our message in answer
to hers.
exclaimed Jenny, was getting quite sad
and despairing when the bird returned with those
words in English, ‘Trust in God, help is at hand,’
fastened to his leg. I was beginning to feel as if I was
the only human being in the world, and that I was left
all alone among the rocks to die ; but I shall never de-
spair again, for I have learnt to trust Him always.
Besides, has He not given me new parents and broth-
ers, whom I can love and trust? And I hope I shall
prove as useful and childlike to them as they can wish. ’ ’
“Dearest, much-valued daughter!” I exclaimed,
“you cannot be more thankful for meeting with us
than we are at being able to save you. A dear little
helper you will be to us, my daughter, and doubly
welcome as long as you remain with us on that ac-
count. ’ ’
“Perhaps, dear Jenny,” said the mother, “you may
be happier here, as a member of our little colony, than
in a world overladen with a host of cares in every class
of society. At all events, I am rejoiced to have found
a daughter who is so able and willing to help me in my
advancing years, and be to me truly as a daughter. ’ ’
When we had finished breakfast, all was bustle and
haste : the provisions and articles useful at meals were
quickly carried on board, with Jenny’s box and other
things brought from the cave under the burning rock;
Fritz hastened to prepare his canoe ; while his brothers
hoisted sail on board the pinnace, and got everything
in readiness for the voyage.
We started early. The morning was delightful, the
sea calm, excepting for a slight ripple, caused by the
gentle breeze which carried us towards our colony, and
I determined to proceed towards the promontory of
False Hope, and land first at Prospect Hill, which we
reached before sunset.
548
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
Witli great astonishment Jenny had observed our
watch-tower, with its guard-house, cannons, and flag,
on the heights of Shark ^s Island, near which we passed.
But her delight was still greater when we landed at
Prospect Hill, and proceeded through the farm and
plantations to our Kamschatka summer-house in the
trees. In front of it she paused, and exclaimed,
‘‘Why, this is Fairyland! I can scarcely believe it
is true.’’
But when seated at supper in the cool tent which we
erected, Jenny found it all true, and retired with the
mother to the dwelling in the tree to rest, feeling as if
a new life had been opened to her even on a desert isle.
I and the boys lighted our watch-fires, and slept peace-
ably in the tent.
549
CHAPTER XLI
THE WELCOME AT KOCK HOUSE — CONCLUSION
Next day the young men led their new sister to the
farm at Wood Grange. Her pleasure at once
more beholding a beautiful landscape and noble trees,
as well as verdant meadows, was almost childlike in
its earnestness. She was equally delighted with the
domestic animals in our farm — the sheep and cattle
grazing in the meadow, the goats with their kids, the
pigs, the fowls, the turkeys, guinea-hens, ducks, and
geese filled her with wonder when found on an island
which ten years before had been uninhabited.
Jenny Montrose was a lover of animals, and this
fact was quickly discovered by them, while she petted
and coaxed them, and made as much fuss as a little
maiden over a New Year’s gift of a doll.
After looking all over the farm we again set sail,
leaving Falcon’s Nest for another visit, proceeded at
once to Whale Island, the two young men, Fritz and
Frank, remaining behind to carry out plans of their
own.
The rabbits on this island greatly pleased our young
visitor. I told her she must now look upon them as
her own property, and that I hoped she would soon
have time and inclination to prepare and weave their
silky hair for her own use.
After leaving Whale Island we steered towards De-
liverance Bay, and on feaching the entrance a grand
salute of twelve shots reechoed from rock to rock.
Ernest, however, was not quite satisfied : he thought it
should have been thirteen. He had read, he said, that
a salute of honor should always be in odd numbers. I
550
SWISS^ FAMILY ROBINSON
therefore gave him permission to follow that rule in
our answer from the pinnace.
While passing Shark’s Island we saw Fritz and
Frank coming to meet us in the canoe. They were
soon alongside, and Fritz, in a loud voice, hailed us and
exclaimed,
‘^In the name of the whole colony of this island we
hid you welcome to Eock Castle, and we regret that we
have not had the honor of your companionship in this
voyage, but pur duties at the castle have rendered it
impossible. ’ ’
We were greatly amused at all this, but the joke was
not forgotten, as Fritz turned the canoe and piloted us
through the bay to our usual landing-place. The
young men sprang on shore, and stood ready to assist
the mother and their visitor with true politeness. Then
they turned and led the way to Eock Castle, through the
gardens, orchards, and shrubberies which lay on the
rising ground that rose gently to our dwelling.
Jenny’s surprise was at its height as she passed
these signs of cultivation, but it changed to wonder as
she gazed on the frontage of the castle in the rocks,
with its broad balcony, its fountains, its large pigeon-
houses, and the umbrageous foliage that crept over
columns and roof.
My surprise and my wife’s equaled the young girl’s
when I saw a table laid out in the veranda with every
article, new or old, European or the production of
the island. Home-made china, bamboo and cocoa-shell
vessels, glass tumblers, decanters, spoons, and forks,
from the captain’s chest, were upon the table, but not
empty.
Canary wine and mead in flasks, splendid pineapples
resting on green leaves, oranges in pyramids filled the
china dishes, fresh milk from the cow stood in cala-
bash bowls, while the center of the table was occupied
by dishes containing cold fowl, ham, and dried fish;
551
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
and at eacli end of the veranda was fastened a bird
with outstretched wings, from our museum. Over
the table was suspended a large piece of linen cloth, on
which had been placed many-colored flowers, forming,
in large letters, the following words:
‘^Welcome to Jenny Montrose, and may blessings at-
tend her entrance into the home of the Swiss Eobin-
sons.’^
Almost too much overcome to speak in reply to this
welcome, the young girl stood still till I took her hand
and led her to a seat between the mother and myself,
as the place of honor. Ernest and Jack also seated
themselves opposite to us; but Fritz and Frank, who
considered themselves the entertainers, would not sit
down, but waited upon us with table napkins on their
arms, carved the joints, poured out the wine, and
changed the plates, like waiters at an hotel. So gravely
and correctly did they fulfill the duties of their office,
that we often forgot to continue our meal while looking
at them.
After dinner the young men took upon themselves the
task of showing Jenny their beautiful Eock Castle, to
the maiden ^s great wonder and delight. In the house
and the cave, throng gardens and fields, to the winter
stalls of the animals, the cart, sledge, and boat-houses,
they led her with eager anxiety, not wishing to leave
a single corner unnoticed. At last the mother, fearing
the poor girl would be tired, went out and good-na-
turedly relieved her from the services of these thought-
less cavaliers, who were not a little disconcerted in
consequence.
On the following day we were all ready early, and
after breakfast started to pay a visit to Falcon’s Nest.
I considered it advisable for us all to go together, as
some repairs and arrangements were sure to be nec-
essary, which would detain us several days.
Our beasts of burden were all at Falcon’s Nest: we
552
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
had, therefore, to perform the journey on foot. Jack,
however, mounted the ostrich, to the great amusement
of J enny, and rode on quickly in advance. At the end
of a quarter of an hour he returned with a troupe of
animals, and amongst them the ox and the buffalo and
the onager. ^ Nothing could induce Jenny to ride any
of these animals, at least until she became more used
to them, and had an opportunity of trying when they
were not in a hurry. So the animals were driven back
to their grass in great content.
We found, as I expected, a great deal to do in re-
pairs to our aerial castle and the stables for the ani-
mals, for we had to be ready for the rainy season, which
was drawing near.
The young men were therefore busily engaged till
the evening every day, but the mother had a sweet and
useful companion in Jenny, who helped her in confec-
tionery and needlework. She quickly, however, be-
came accustomed to the beasts of burden, and allowed
J ack to place her on his buffalo, which she soon learned
to ride fearlessly.
The work at Falcon’s Nest employed us a whole
week, but it passed very pleasantly, although threat-
ening clouds and now and then a shower drove us all
to the shelter of our castle in the tree or to the gallery
round it over the stables. The presence of the young
girl and her gay talk were new to my boys, and seemed
to inspire them with fresh energy.
Before returning to Eock Castle we paid a visit to
Wood Grange, to gather in a store of rice and other
useful articles, especially straw for making mats and
baskets, small canes for hurdles and hen-coops, to be
made during our stay indoors while the rain lasted.
On our return to Eock Castle we formed quite a pro-
cession— beasts and birds, apes and dogs, carriages and
baskets, and Jenny on the buffalo, with Fritz as her
protector. Although it was pleasant as we rode along
553
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
to observe tbe varied scenery of wood and meadow,
rock and valley, and beyond all tbe great sea, yet we
were glad when we arrived to be able to make every-
thing ready in our winter home. Only just in time,
however, for the rains very shortly commenced, and
were accompanied by storms of thunder and light-
ning. We again heard the roaring of the waves as they
dashed against the shore, and knew by the howling
winds that the season of winter and rain had com-
menced.
But this lonely period passed far more pleasantly
than ever, thanks to dear Jenny, whose vivacity and
accomplishments made our hours of recreation pass
quickly. She taught us how to make mats, and
even carpets, of plaited straw and rushes, while she
amused us with tales of her life in England and In-
dia.
She induced me to recall memories of our own native
land, and listened earnestly to our descriptions of
Switzerland and its mountains and valleys.
In the evenings, when we were all assembled, she as-
sisted the boys in their study of the English tongue,
and made them speak it so constantly, that Fritz in par-
ticular, who had studied it alone, became quite pro-
ficient.
She already spoke French, so that she very soon ac-
quired the S\. iss language, which so- much resembles
it. In fact, this rainy season was a happy time; and
when at last the sunshine of spring chased away the
clouds, and the rain suddenly cleared, we could scarcely
believe that so many weeks had elapsed since we had
been first made prisoners.
But the beautiful spring, and the duties it brought
in field, orchard, and garden, aroused us to activity,
and Jenny was quite ready to join us, or to assist the
mother in her poultry-yard or kitchen.
Fritz and Jack expressed a wish one morning to
554
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
proceed to the heights of Shark’s Island, to examine
the coast from our guard-house, and discover whether
any signs of a wreck had been cast upon our shores
during the season of storms. I advised them to search
the horizon with the telescope, and also to fire two
signal-guns, in case of a ship being in any position
near us to require assistance.
The shipwreck of Jenny’s ship so near our coast
made us imagine it possible that a similar disaster
might happen.
The young girl, although she had learned to love us
all, especially ‘‘mother,” as she called her, would yet
sometimes express an anxiety to hear of her father.
We had no means of doing so, excepting through a ship
touching at the island, or approaching near it.
The young men proceeded at once to the heights of
Shark’s Island to carry out their wishes as well as my
own. I was not then acquainted with the longing for
their own country which the appearance of the little
girl from Europe had created in the minds of two of
my sons.
Their astonished excitement may therefore be un-
derstood when, after scanning the horizon and the coast
without result, they fired two signal-guns, and the re-
ports were answered from a distance westward by three
distinct shots.
The young men were at once overcome with a tumult
of feelings — joy and anxiety, doubt and hope. They
fell upon each other’s necks, and remained for some
moments speechless.
At last Fritz found words, and exclaimed,
‘ ‘ There are human beings close at hand, J ack ! God
has at last sent us the means of returning to our fa-
therland. Let us at once go and tell our father. ’ ’
They reached the shore by the shortest way, and,
jumping on board the canoe, rowed with all their
strength to the beach, where I stood.
555
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
“Wliat is itf What has happened T’ I asked, as I
noticed their excitement.
‘ ‘ Oh, father, father ! Have you not heard ? ’ ’ was the
reply, as they rushed into my arms.
I had not heard a sound, and I could not at all com-
prehend the meaning of this agitation.
^‘We heard three cannon-shots in answer to ours!^’
cried Fritz, rousing himself.
‘‘The echo of your own,’^ I replied; for I could not
imagine anything else possible.
“No, father,’’ he said; “we have often heard the
echo from our own firing, but not like this. The third
report was too long after ours to be an echo. ’ ’
I knew not what to think of this information. I had
never considered what I should do in the event of the
arrival of a European ship. But was this a European
ship, or Malay pirates,* or a ship with the crew and
passengers in danger on some dangerous coast? I
knew not. I therefore assembled my household, and
we took counsel together, for it was a matter too im-
portant to be settled with Fritz and Jack alone.
Meanwhile night drew near, and we put oif all
further discussion till the following day, and I then
gave orders to my three elder sons to watch with me
in turns, from hour to hour, in the veranda, and lis-
ten during the still night air for any signal-gun.
Although the first part of the night was calm, a storm
arose about midnight, and the howling wind and pelt-
ing rain-drops made it impossible to hear any sound.
For two days and nights the storm raged, and not
till the third morning broke, clear and bright, could I
venture to our guard-house. Jack accompanied me,
carrying a large flag, to be raised or lowered, as a sig-
* In olden times ships that had a crew of robbers were called pirate
vessels. These sea-robbers attacked richly-laden ships, and took all they
contained, often killing the crew and passengers to enable them to do
so.
556
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
nal to those at home whether we had good news or were
threatened with danger.
The sea was still rough, but the air clear, and I de-
cided at last that Jack should fire three times, and then
listen for the reply, for I still had my suspicions that
it was only the echo. J ack fired, leaving an interval of
two minutes between each shot.
We then listened attentively, and presently through
the air came the boom of a distant cannon ; a pause of
two minutes, and then a second and a third. Seven
shots altogether sounded in our ears.
Jack began dancing about like one inebriated, while
I hastily raised the signal-flag, and waved the otfier
brought by Jack over my head.
Suddenly I remembered that we knew not whether
the guns we had heard were fired by friends or ene-
mies.
‘^What a fool I have been to raise the flag,’^ I cried,
‘‘and perhaps raise false hopes!’’
I instantly re-charged the guns, and, telling Jack to
remain as sentinel, hastened back to Rock Castle.
I found my household in a state of great agitation,
and they came forward to meet me full of earnest in-
quiry and curiosity. I explained the shots we had
heard in reply, but I was obliged to tell the truth re-
specting my fears ; and then I announced my intention
of going in the boat with Fritz to explore the coast,
and, if possible, discover the vessel.
We took on board arms and sabers, with guns and
pistols, to be used only in self-defense, and the har-
poons to be carried as lances. We rowed away in si-
lence from Deliverance Bay, and steered to the left
round a rocky promontory that stretched far into the
sea, which we had never yet passed.
On reaching the extreme end of this point or cape,
we found ourselves at the entrance of a little bay, and,
cautiously advancing, we espied a large ship, evidently
557
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
European, with the English flag flung at the masthead.
Our hearts rose in earnest thankfulness to God at this
discovery, but I still felt the necessity of caution.
I could scarcely prevent Fritz from rushing into the
sea — indeed, I felt almost inclined to do the same my-
self; but I remembered that the Asiatic pirates often
carried the flags of other nations, for purposes of their
own. I however decided to venture nearer, and find
out to whom the vessel really belonged.
We rowed slowly forward, close within shore, exam-
ining the stranger curiously. It appeared to me to be
a small frigate, lightly laden, and with eight or ten
tolerably large guns on each side. She lay at anchor
at a distance from the land, as if for repairs, and on
the shore we saw three tents, from which smoke arose,
making us suppose it was the dinner-hour of the crew.
Presently on deck appeared an officer in the uniform
of the English navy, whom sharp-sighted Fritz consid-
ered must be the captain.
We immediately approached within hail of the ship,
and in a moment the question came through the speak-
ing-trumpet,
‘^What are youP’
‘ ^ Englishmen, ’ ^ was the reply by Fritz in English.
‘‘What shipT’
“No ship. We will come again.
Without another word we turned away, and rowed
quickly round the point. We had discovered that they,
the strangers, were English ; that the vessel was a man-
of-war frigate; and that now we could visit them on
more equal terms, and offer them hospitality.
This joyful news caused great excitement at home;
and the mother advised that we should get the pinnace
in readiness, and go in state to visit the English ship,
and not as adventurers in a poor little canoe.
This proposal was received with great acclamations.
Jenny was unusually excited; indeed, we were scarcely
558
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
able to sleep all night for thinking of the morrow’s
voyage, when we should meet so many of our fellow-
creatures, and perhaps learn news of the home we had
lost for so many years.
The pinnace was quickly prepared next morning,
and bedecked with flags as for a joyful occasion; and
before noon we were all on board, neatly attired, and
with a fair wind steering towards the point beyond
which was the bay in which the frigate lay at anchor.
As we approached within a short distance, we hoisted
the English flag.
Great was the astonishment of the ship’s company
as our pretty vessel proceeded proudly up the bay ; and
when within gunshot of the frigate we dropped anchor,
and greeted them from our deck with loud cheers.
Fritz and I then stepped on board the boat of the
pinnace, and rowed to the ship to pay our respects to
the captain. He received us with great politeness, and
after inviting us on board, led us to his cabin, and
brought out some old Cape wine, in a most friendly
manner.
He then inquired to what good fortune he owed a
visit from a gentleman carrying an English flag, and in
such outlandish seas as these.
I briefly explained the circumstances which had
brought me to a neighboring island, and how for ten
years I had struggled, with my wife and four sons,
against difficulties which were happily overcome. I
then mentioned the name of Jenny Montrose, and spoke
of her father, now Sir William Montrose, and Captain
Greenfleld, who was taking her to England, when his
ship was wrecked not far from our island, with an ac-
count of the young lady’s discovery.
All the parties I spoke of were known to the captain,
who told me his name was Littlestone, that he com-
manded the frigate Unicorn^ and was on his way to
the Cape of Good Hope with dispatches from New
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
South Wales. He had been driven by stress of weather
on the coast, hoping to find a friendly port; but as none
appeared, he had chosen this bay as a place of shelter,
and had anchored here for a time, till the damage done
to the ship might be made good. He had heard the
shots, and answered them, and was pleased to find that
they had been the means of leading us to visit the ship.
Before leaving I invited the captain to visit my
yacht, which he readily promised to do on the follow-
ing day. ^
Accordingly, the next morning a man-of-war’s boat
arrived with Captain Littlestone. He brought with
him an invalid gentleman named Wolston, who, with
his wife and two little daughters, aged ten and twelve,
had been saved from a wreck and carried on board the
frigate.
Mr. Wolston had intended to proceed to the Cape
and remain, where he hoped to recruit his health and
strength, but on hearing an account of our territory
from Captain Littlestone, he was anxious to be intro-
duced to us. We received our visitors cordially, and
poor Jenny seemed overjoyed at meeting one who knew
her father. I presented the captain with two baskets
of English and foreign fruit of our own cultivation,
which to sailors who had seen no land for weeks was
a great boon. It made him more than ever anxious to
visit the island and see the gardens and orchards which
could produce such fruit.
We returned to our island after a stay of two days
near the Unicorn^ and on the following day Fritz, in
his canoe, sailed to the Unicorn to pilot the man-of-
war’s boat, with the captain and Mr. Wolston, to our
shores. Their surprise at all they saw on the island,
as well as at the prosperous condition of our flocks and
herds, was only equaled by the wonder they expressed
at our dwellings, especially Eock Castle.
Mr. Wolston, indeed, expressed a wish to remain with
560
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
US on the island, if we could also receive his wife and
two daughters. To this arrangement we both readily
agreed, feeling naturally that the two girls, though
young, would be companions for Jenny.
‘‘And now. Miss Montrose,’’ said the captain, “what
am I to do for you? I cannot offer to take you as a
passenger in a man-of-war, as it is against the rules ;
but as soon as I reach England I will inquire about
your father, and no doubt a vessel will be sent to these
shores to enable you all to return to your native coun-
tries. T^at say you to that, my friend?” added the
captain, addressing me.
My wife and I had already talked the matter over,
so I was ready at once to reply.
“No, Captain Littlestone, I have no wish to leave
this pleasant island, nor the homes which are the result
of our own labor and industry, with the blessing of
God, and my wife also tells me she is willing to live
and die here ; but as to my sons — ”
I paused, for I could see by the eager glances of
Fritz and Jack what their answer would be.
“Father,” said Fritz, “Jack and I have been long-
ing for this opportunity of returning to Europe for
years. May we have your permission? Mother,” he
added, with deep emotion, “can you spare us?” And
he rose and placed his arm round her neck, for although
she had feared this result, yet she was scarcely pre-
pared to realize it.
“Talk it over, my friends — talk it over,” said the
captain, “and let me know your decision before I sail,
which will be no doubt in about a week.”
And so it was arranged. The man-of-war’s boat
was to bring Mr. and Mrs. Wolston and their two
daughters in a few days, and the decision respecting
our sons was to be sent back in a letter by the crew,
unless the captain came himself, which was not un-
likely.
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
As I expected, Captain Littlestone came himself,
and I was charmed with the little daughters of Mr.
Wolston. I knew that their residence with us would
incur great alterations, yet that was of no consequence
when we considered the advantage of companionship
for ourselves and our children.
It was at last decided that when a ship came from
England for Jenny Montrose, my two sons should ac-
company her to that country. Then the captain ad-
dressed me :
‘‘My friend,’^ he said, “you have laid the founda-
tion of a new colony among these islands. On reach-
ing England I shall lay the matter before the Govern-
ment, if you are willing to acknowledge that Govern-
ment and to become subjects of the King of England.*
The name I intend to propose for this colony will be
New Switzerland. Do you approve of this title T’
My heart was too full to speak for a few moments,
but at last I said,
“The name will be an honor to me, and I shall be
proud of being the subject, as a colonist, of the British
realm.”
This answer was received by my sons with shouts
of approval, and the universal cry, ‘ ‘ Hurrah ! hurrah I
New Switzerland for ever!”
And then, with warm congratulations and hopes of
meeting again, especially from my boys, the captain
stepped on board the man-of-war ^s boat, and, amidst
the hearty cheers of the sailors and the waving of
handkerchiefs from the shore. Captain Littlestone
sailed away from our island, standing up in the boat to
wave his cocked hat in farewell to us all.
Six months passed: the autumn was approaching;
but, as yet, no ship had reached our shores. Great
additions and alterations had been made in our dwell-
* In 1814 George III. was King.
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
ings^ Several chambers were formed by encroaching
upo:^ the interior of our salt cavern, to provide winter
accommodation for Mr. Wolston and his family. While
digging farther back in the cave, we, to our surprise,
came suddenly on another opening in the rock, at the
extreme end of the cave.
With the help of my sons, and the assistance of Mr.
Wolston, whose health had greatly improved, we
formed at this part of the cave a dwelling similar to
our own, and erected a veranda and pigeon-house:
the former, at the end of the six months, was already
covered with creeping plants.
As to the ladies, they had spinning-wheels and weav-
ing machines. They made linen and flannel and cloth
from the wool of the sheep; they knitted stockings,
made and mended our clothes, helped in the cooking
— for we all took our meals together — and, in short,
the younger ones were being trained by my wife to
make useful and clever housekeepers..
The books and drawing materials brought by Min-
nie and Lucy Wolston were a great advantage both to
themselves and Jenny. The latter was able to sketch
and paint landscapes and flowers from nature, and to
teach the two girls what she knew herself. She had,
however, more pupils in the rainy season, for, by the
light of spermaceti candles, the young men could amuse
themselves for hours with this pleasant accomplish-
ment, under Jenny’s guidance.
And so the six months wore away. The rainy sea-
son was just over, when one morning Jack, who had
been on the look-out for some time, heard a gun fired
at sea. He rushed into the field, where I was busy
with Fritz, exclaiming,
‘‘Father, there is a signal-gun! did you not hear
it!”
“No,” I replied; but at that moment sounded the
report of another.
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SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
Fritz threw down his spade.
‘‘Go and answer them, Jack,’’ he cried, as he ran
towards the shore: “it is the English ship we expect;
they want a pilot.”
I was left alone with a full heart, and for a few min-
utes was unable to move. These guns were a signal
that I should lose my boys, and my adopted daughter.
At last I turned towards Eock Castle, and found my
wife sitting at work in the veranda.
“It is come at last,” I said, sadly.
“What has come?” she asked in a trembling voice.
“The ship from England,” I replied.
She turned very pale, and said presently,
“It is God’s will: we cannot keep the young birds in
the nest always. ’ ’
Louder and stronger reports aroused us, and my
wife, rising, accompanied me to the shore, from which
we could look across the bay.
There in full sail came a stately ship, which pres-
ently entered Deliverance Bay, and approached as near
the shore as the depth of the water would allow. Then
from the deck rose cheers, that were reechoed from
the rocks, bringing Ernest, and Frank, and every in-
mate of the dwelling to the spot on which we stood.
“A ship from England!” exclaimed Jenny Mon-
trose; “it is come for me. Oh, mother, mother! how
can I leave you?” And she threw herself into the
arms of the adopted mother whose love she had won.
Ernest and Frank looked grave and were silent.
Meanwhile, on the beach was a great commotion: the
ship ’s boat was landing passengers, among whom were
Jack and Fritz.
“They are come for us, mother!” they exclaimed,
as they approached ; but her pale face and tearful eyes
checked their eager joy.
“Father,” said Fritz, “here is the captain. He has
brought letters for you and Miss Montrose.”
564
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
I took mine quietly. One of them was evidently a
Government dispatch, the others were from my friends
in Switzerland. Jenny seized hers, and ran away to
read it alone ; while my wife only had the presence of
mind to invite the captain to our home, and offer him
some hospitality.
It proved as I expected. An English vessel, with
emigrants to New South Wales, had been chartered to
call at a bay in a certain latitude and longitude, but
being rather alarmed at the appearance of the rocky
coast, the captain had fired two signal-guns, in the
hope of finding a pilot for his ship in these dangerous
waters. He understood, he said, that he had to take
back with him at least three passengers, a lady and
two gentlemen, and as he should sail in three days, he
hoped they would be ready to accompany him.
The captain spent a pleasant evening with us, and
promised to return on the morrow, and go over the
estate with me. He congratulated me on the coloniza-
tion of ‘‘New Switzerland,’^ and made himself alto-
gether very agreeable. But it was only by a great
effort that my wife, Fritz, and myself could converse
or listen.
We longed for an hour alone to talk over this sud-
den separation, and both my wife and I felt sure that
Fritz had another question to ask before he decided to
sail for England.
The brothers understood his wish to be alone with
his mother and me. Jenny seemed also a little con-
scious ; and when they retired to rest, she rose quickly
to follow their example.
But when she approached to wish my wife good
night, she could only throw her arms round her neck
and exclaim, amidst her tears,
“Dear mother, how can I leave you and dear father
after all? But papa’s letter requests my return to
England with the captain, and I must go.”
565
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
‘‘My dear daughter,’’ I said, for the mother seemed
unable to speak, “your father must be obeyed. We
have no right to keep you here. And now cheer up,
Jenny. You will, perhaps, be able to visit us again in
this island some day with your husband.”
She blushed and smiled through her tears as she
wished me good night, and then, with a hasty word to
Fritz, she d^isappeared.
“Father, do you know my secret?” he asked.
“My son, I do know it,” I replied; “but, without
the unqualified consent of Sir William Montrose, I
cannot encourage your hopes. Have you said any-
thing to Jenny?”
“No, father, not a word; and I only speak of it to
you now that I may be free to ask her father’s ap-
proval when we reach England. Mother,” continued
Fritz, “you have seen Jenny in her domestic charac-
ter. Could you receive her as a daughter?”
“With the greatest love and confidence,” she re-
plied; “and although you are both going to leave us,
it will be a happy day for me when I hear that she is
your wife.”
The young man’s heart seemed too full for words:
the tears stood in his eyes, and at last, with an effort,
he pressed my hand, took his mother in his arms, and
exclaiming “I bless God for my parents!” hurried
from the room.
Next day all was bustle and activity; the sailors’
chests were brought out and packed with everything
the mother considered necessary for the travelers.
The spirit of activity appeared to rule in the house-
hold, while many gifts were exchanged between the
young people, to be preserved as tokens of remem-
brance.
I gave the two young men a share of my possessions
with which to begin the world, and as a means of com-
merce,— among other things, pearls, coral, precious
566
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
stones, and other valuable productions of the island,
which I knew would be most precious in Europe.
I also gave them earnest advice, which was founded
on trust and confidence in God and my own experience.
I reminded them of my teachings during their child-
hood and youth, and begged them never to wander
from the paths of virtue, or forget the duty they owed
to our Heavenly Father, who had preserved them in so
many dangers during our stay on the island.
The young people were expected to be on board next
day at four o’clock. I had, therefore, invited the cap-
tain and the ship’s officers to a farewell dinner.
They arrived in the boat which was to take the lug-
gage on board, and I was glad of the opportunity to
place in the hands of the captain several articles in my
possession belonging to the captain of the ship in which
we had been wrecked, in the hope that possibly he might
be still living.
I had placed them in a casket, found in the captain’s
cabin, with the gold pieces and money, as well as a
paper containing an account of the shipwreck, which
I had compiled, and also a list of the officers and crew
of the ship, which was found in the casket.
The captain promised to make every inquiry, and to
place the casket in safe keeping. He was also glad
to supply me with guns and ammunition in exchange
for provisions. I had, therefore, sent on board cattle,
sheep, and poultry, as well as salted meat, dried fish,
vegetables and fruit of every kind, which were of the
greatest value to him and the passengers.
At dinner we endeavored to be cheerful and in good
spirits, for the sake of our travelers, and the agree-
able good humor of the visitors made this task less
difficult. At last, after two toasts, one to the pros-
perity of New Switzerland j and the other to the safe
passage of our ship, the leave-taking time came.
We preferred to say farewell on shore. The broth-
567
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
ers, althougli pale with emotion at this their first sep-
aration, kept up bravely; but when the last moment
came, they threw themselves into each other’s arms,
quite regardless of the eyes of strangers. Jenny clung
to the mother with streaming eyes, and almost unable
to speak. Then I took the young English girl in my
arms, and after an affectionate farewell to one whom I
one day hoped to call my own daughter, gave her up to
Eritz, who led her on board the boat.
Then came the worst parting of all — the mother from
her two tall sons; but they were brave and hopeful:
they embraced her fondly, and whispered hopes of an-
other meeting with cheerfulness and encouragement.
The mother’s was the last kiss. She seated herself on
a camp-stool near the shore, for she had no power to
stand. I stood by and held her hand. Ernest, behind
his mother, threw his arm round her shoulders, while
Frank, nearer the water, took otf his cap as the boat
moved, and gave three cheers, which were answered
from all on board.
We watched the progress of the boat, saw our dear
ones embark on board the vessel, and did not move
from the spot till the good ship had rounded the point
and was out of sight.
I had placed in the hands of Fritz before he left the
journal of our doings on the island after we were ship-
wrecked, and desired him to employ a printer in Eu-
rope, and have it published.
I hoped that this simply-written story of our lives
on the lonely island, if brought before the eyes of the
young, would point out to them what great results may
be achieved by industry and perseverance, in spite of
difficulties, and, above all, prove to them that the bless-
ing of God will certainly rest on any undertaking which
is carried on in a right spirit, and with a firm confi-
dence in His protection and assistance.
568
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
It is late in the night. On the morrow my dear ones
will be far away.
My story is told. May God be with ns and onr ab-
sent ones. I greet thee, Europe; I greet thee, old
Switzerland. May New Switzerland in the future be
strong and flourishing, pious and happy in herself as
thou.
569
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