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diff --git a/34808-8.txt b/34808-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a45d2e6 --- /dev/null +++ b/34808-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,13896 @@ +Project Gutenberg's The Swiss Family Robinson, by Jean Rudolph Wyss + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Swiss Family Robinson + or, Adventures on a Desert Island + +Author: Jean Rudolph Wyss + +Illustrator: Milo Winter + +Release Date: January 1, 2011 [EBook #34808] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON *** + + + + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Mary Meehan and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + + + + The Swiss Family Robinson + + OR, Adventures on a Desert Island + + JEAN RUDOLPH WYSS + + + THE WINDERMERE SERIES + + WITH ILLUSTRATIONS BY + MILO WINTER + + RAND McNALLY & COMPANY + CHICAGO; NEW YORK + + Illustrations + _Copyright, 1916,_ + BY RAND MCNALLY & CO. + + THE RAND-MCNALLY PRESS + CHICAGO + + +[Illustration: _There stood Fritz with his gun to his shoulder pointing +it at a huge shark_] + + + + +THE CONTENTS + + +I. SHIPWRECKED + +II. THE FIRST EXPLORING EXPEDITION + +III. OUR HOME IN THE GIANT TREE + +IV. SOME USEFUL DISCOVERIES--A COMICAL INCIDENT + +V. A SECOND VISIT TO THE WRECK + +VI. HOW WE BUILT THE PINNACE + +VII. AT FALCONHURST AGAIN--BAGGING A BUFFALO + +VIII. IMPROVING OUR TREE DWELLING + +IX. THE SALT PALACE AND THE NEW FARMHOUSE + +X. THE WAR WITH THE APES--OUR HOME IN THE SALT PALACE + +XI. A DANGEROUS VISITOR AND ITS VICTIM + +XII. THE CRYSTAL CAVE--BAGGING A BEAR + +XIII. BREAKING IN A REFRACTORY STEED + +XIV. BUILDING THE CAJACK--A PLENTIFUL HARAVEST + +XV. ADVENTURES OF THE BOYS AT WOODLANDS--THE ELEPHANT TRAIL + +XVI. TEN YEARS AFTERWARD--A STRANGE MESSAGE + +XVII. HOW FRITZ FOUND THE FAIR STRANGER + +XVIII. A SAIL!--FAREWELL TO SHARK ISLAND + + + + +THE ILLUSTRATIONS + + +_There stood Fritz with his gun to his shoulder pointing it at a huge +shark_ + +_The monkeys seized all the cocoanuts within their reach and sent them +down upon us_ + +_Jack took the unsuspecting birds by surprise_ + +_"Help! or he will pull me into the water"_ + +_So greatly was the speed of the ostrich checked that Jack overtook him_ + +_Then the walrus sought refuge among these rocks_ + +_Up rose the hideous head and gaping jaws of a hippopotamus_ + +_There, with glaring eyes and his great tail swaying to and fro, I saw +an immense tiger_ + + + + +THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON + + + + +CHAPTER I + +SHIPWRECKED + + +For many days we had been tempest-tossed. Six times had the darkness +closed over a wild and terrific scene, and returning light as often +brought but renewed distress, for the raging storm increased in fury +until on the seventh day all hope was lost. We were driven completely +out of our course; no conjecture could be formed as to our whereabouts. +The crew had lost heart, and were utterly exhausted by incessant labor. + +The riven masts had gone by the board, leaks had been sprung in every +direction, and the water, which rushed in, gained upon us rapidly. + +Instead of reckless oaths, the seamen now uttered frantic cries to God +for mercy, mingled with strange and often ludicrous vows, to be +performed should deliverance be granted. + +Every man on board alternately commended his soul to his Creator, and +strove to bethink himself of some means of saving his life. + +My heart sank as I looked round upon my family in the midst of these +horrors. Our four young sons were overpowered by terror. "Dear +children," said I, "if the Lord will, he can save us even from this +fearful peril; if not, let us calmly yield our lives into his hand, and +think of the joy and blessedness of finding ourselves forever and ever +united in that happy home above." + +At these words my weeping wife looked bravely up, and, as the boys +clustered round her, she began to cheer and encourage them with calm and +loving words. I rejoiced to see her fortitude, though my heart was ready +to break as I gazed on my dear ones. + +We knelt down together, one after another praying with deep earnestness +and emotion. Fritz, in particular, besought help and deliverance for his +dear parents and brothers, as though quite forgetting himself. + +Our hearts were soothed by the never-failing comfort of child-like, +confiding prayer, and the horror of our situation seemed less +overwhelming. "Ah," thought I, "the Lord will hear our prayer! He will +help us." + +Amid the roar of the thundering waves I suddenly heard the cry of "Land, +land!" while at the same instant the ship struck with a frightful shock, +which threw everyone to the deck, and seemed to threaten her immediate +destruction. + +Dreadful sounds betokened the breaking up of the ship, and the roaring +waters poured in on all sides. + +Then the voice of the captain was heard above the tumult, shouting, +"Lower away the boats! We are lost!" + +"Lost!" I exclaimed, and the word went like a dagger to my heart; but +seeing my children's terror renewed, I composed myself, calling out +cheerfully, "Take courage, my boys! we are all above water yet. There is +the land not far off; let us do our best to reach it. You know God helps +those that help themselves!" With that, I left them and went on deck. +What was my horror when through the foam and spray I beheld the only +remaining boat leave the ship, the last of the seamen spring into her +and push off, regardless of my cries and entreaties that we might be +allowed to share their slender chance of preserving their lives. My +voice was drowned in the howling of the blast; and even had the crew +wished it, the return of the boat was impossible. + +Casting my eyes despairingly around, I became gradually aware that our +position was by no means hopeless, inasmuch as the stern of the ship +containing our cabin was jammed between two high rocks, and was partly +raised from among the breakers which dashed the forepart to pieces. As +the clouds of mist and rain drove past, I could make out, through rents +in the vaporous curtain, a line of rocky coast, and, rugged as it was, +my heart bounded toward it as a sign of help in the hour of need. Yet, +the sense of our lonely and forsaken condition weighed heavily upon me +as I returned to my family, constraining myself to say with a smile, +"Courage, dear ones! Although our good ship will never sail more, she is +so placed that our cabin will remain above water, and to-morrow, if the +wind and waves abate, I see no reason why we should not be able to get +ashore." + +These few words had an immediate effect on the spirits of my children, +who at once regarded our problematical chance of escaping as a happy +certainty, and began to enjoy the relief from the violent pitching and +rolling of the vessel. My wife, however, perceived my distress and +anxiety, in spite of my forced composure, and I made her comprehend our +real situation, greatly fearing the effect of the intelligence on her +nerves. Not for a moment did her courage and trust in Providence +forsake her, and on seeing this, my fortitude revived. + +"We must find some food, and take a good supper," said she; "it will +never do to grow faint by fasting too long. We shall require our utmost +strength to-morrow." + +Night drew on apace, the storm was as fierce as ever, and at intervals +we were startled by crashes announcing further damage to our unfortunate +ship. "God will help us soon now, won't he, father?" said my youngest +child. + +"You silly little thing," said Fritz, my eldest son, sharply, "don't you +know that we must not settle what God is to do for us? We must have +patience and wait his time." + +"Very well said, had it been said kindly, Fritz, my boy. You too often +speak harshly to your brothers, although you may not mean to do so." + +A good meal being now ready, my youngsters ate heartily, and retiring to +rest were speedily fast asleep. Fritz, who was of an age to be aware of +the real danger we were in, kept watch with us. After a long silence, +"Father," said he, "don't you think we might contrive swimming belts for +mother and the boys? With those we might all escape to land, for you and +I can swim." + +"Your idea is so good," answered I, "that I shall arrange something at +once, in case of an accident during the night." + +We immediately searched about for what would answer the purpose, and +fortunately got hold of a number of empty flasks and tin canisters, +which we connected two and two together so as to form floats +sufficiently buoyant to support a person in the water, and my wife and +young sons each willingly put one on. I then provided myself with +matches, knives, cord, and other portable articles, trusting that, +should the vessel go to pieces before daylight, we might gain the shore +not wholly destitute. + +Fritz, as well as his brothers, now slept soundly. Throughout the night +my wife and I maintained our prayerful watch, dreading at every fresh +sound some fatal change in the position of the wreck. + +At length the faint dawn of day appeared, the long, weary night was +over, and with thankful hearts we perceived that the gale had begun to +moderate; blue sky was seen above us, and the lovely hues of sunrise +adorned the eastern horizon. + +I aroused the boys, and we assembled on the remaining portion of the +deck, when they, to their surprise, discovered that no one else was on +board. + +"Hallo, papa! what has become of everybody? Are the sailors gone? Have +they taken away the boats? Oh, papa! why did they leave us behind? What +can we do by ourselves?" + +"My good children," I replied, "we must not despair, although we seem +deserted. See how those on whose skill and good faith we depended have +left us cruelly to our fate in the hour of danger. God will never do so. +He has not forsaken us, and we will trust him still. Only let us bestir +ourselves, and each cheerily do his best. Who has anything to propose?" + +"The sea will soon be calm enough for swimming," said Fritz. + +"And that would be all very fine for you," exclaimed Ernest, "but think +of mother and the rest of us! Why not build a raft and all get on shore +together?" + +"We should find it difficult, I think, to make a raft that would carry +us safe to shore. However, we must contrive something, and first let +each try to procure what will be of most use to us." + +Away we all went to see what was to be found, I myself proceeding to +examine, as of great consequence, the supplies of provisions and fresh +water within our reach. + +My wife took her youngest son, Franz, to help her to feed the +unfortunate animals on board, who were in a pitiful plight, having been +neglected for several days. + +Fritz hastened to the arm chest, Ernest to look for tools; and Jack went +toward the captain's cabin, the door of which he no sooner opened than +out sprang two splendid large dogs, who testified their extreme delight +and gratitude by such tremendous bounds that they knocked their little +deliverer completely head over heels, frightening him nearly out of his +wits. Jack did not long yield either to fear or to anger; he presently +recovered himself; the dogs seemed to ask pardon by vehemently licking +his face and hands, and so, seizing the larger by the ears, he jumped on +his back, and, to my great amusement, coolly rode to meet me as I came +up the hatchway. + +When we re-assembled in the cabin, we all displayed our treasures. + +Fritz brought a couple of guns, shot belt, powder flasks, and plenty of +bullets. + +Ernest produced a cap full of nails, an ax, and a hammer, while pincers, +chisels, and augers stuck out of all his pockets. + +Little Franz carried a box, and eagerly began to show us the "nice sharp +little hooks" it contained. "Well done, Franz!" cried I; "these fish +hooks, which you, the youngest, have found, may contribute more than +anything else in the ship to save our lives by procuring food for us. +Fritz and Ernest, you have chosen well." + +"Will you praise me too?" said my dear wife. "I have nothing to show, +but I can give you good news. Some useful animals are still alive; a +cow, a donkey, two goats, six sheep, a ram, and a fine sow. I was but +just in time to save their lives by taking food to them." + +"All these things are excellent indeed," said I; "but my friend Jack +here has presented me with a couple of huge, hungry, useless dogs, who +will eat more than any of us." + +"Oh, papa! they will be of use! Why, they will help us to hunt when we +get on shore!" + +"No doubt they will, if ever we do get on shore, Jack; but I must say I +don't know how it is to be done." + +"Can't we each get into a big tub, and float there?" returned he. "I +have often sailed splendidly like that, round the pond at home." + +"My child, you have hit on a capital idea," cried I. "Now, Ernest, let +me have your tools, hammers, nails, saws, augers, and all; and then make +haste to collect any tubs you can find!" + +We very soon found four large casks, made of sound wood, and strongly +bound with iron hoops; they were floating with many other things in the +water in the hold, but we managed to fish them out, and drag them to a +suitable place for launching them. They were exactly what I wanted, and +I succeeded in sawing them across the middle. Hard work it was, and we +were glad enough to stop and refresh ourselves with wine and biscuits. + +My eight tubs now stood ranged in a row near the water's edge, and I +looked at them with great satisfaction; to my surprise, my wife did not +seem to share my pleasure! + +"I shall never," said she, "muster courage to get into one of these!" + +"Do not be too sure of that, dear wife; when you see my contrivance +completed, you will perhaps prefer it to this immovable wreck." + +I next procured a long, thin plank, on which my tubs could be fixed, and +the two ends of this I bent upward so as to form a keel. Two other +planks were nailed along the sides of the tubs; they also being +flexible, were brought to a point at each end, and all firmly secured +and nailed together. I felt satisfied that in smooth water this craft +would be perfectly trustworthy. But when we thought all was ready for +the launch, we found, to our dismay, that the grand contrivance was so +heavy and clumsy, that even our united efforts could not move it an +inch. + +"I must have a lever," cried I. "Run and fetch the capstan bar!" + +Fritz quickly brought one, and, having formed rollers by cutting up a +long spar, I raised the forepart of my boat with the bar, and my sons +placed a roller under it. + +"How is it, father," inquired Ernest, "that with that thing you alone +can do more than all of us together?" + +I explained, as well as I could in a hurry, the principle of the lever; +and promised to have a long talk on the subject of Mechanics, should we +have a future opportunity. + +I now made fast a long rope to the stern of our boat, attaching the +other end to a beam; then placing a second and third roller under it, +we once more began to push, this time with success, and soon our gallant +craft was safely launched: so swiftly indeed did she glide into the +water that, but for the rope, she would have passed beyond our reach. +The boys wished to jump in directly; but, alas, she leaned so much on +one side that they could not venture to do so. + +Some heavy things being thrown in, however, the boat righted itself by +degrees, and the boys were so delighted that they struggled which should +first leap in to have the fun of sitting down in the tubs. But it was +plain to me at once that something more was required to make her +perfectly safe, so I contrived out-riggers to preserve the balance, by +nailing long poles across at the stem and stern, and fixing at the ends +of each empty brandy casks. Then the boat appearing steady, I got in; +and turning it toward the most open side of the wreck, I cut and cleared +away obstructions, so as to leave a free passage for our departure, and +the boys brought oars to be ready for the voyage. This important +undertaking we were forced to postpone until the next day, as it was by +this time far too late to attempt it. It was not pleasant to have to +spend another night in so precarious a situation; but yielding to +necessity, we sat down to enjoy a comfortable supper, for during our +exciting and incessant work all day we had taken nothing but an +occasional biscuit and a little wine. + +We prepared for rest in a much happier frame of mind than on the +preceding day, but I did not forget the possibility of a renewed storm, +and therefore made every one put on the belts as before. + +I persuaded my wife (not without considerable difficulty), to put on a +sailor's dress, assuring her she would find it much more comfortable and +convenient for all she would have to go through. She at last consented +to do this, and left us for a short time, reappearing with much +embarrassment and many blushes, in a most becoming suit, which she had +found in a midshipman's chest. We all admired her costume, and any +awkwardness she felt soon began to pass off; then retiring to our +berths, peaceful sleep prepared us all for the exertions of the coming +day. + +We rose up betimes, for sleep weighs lightly on the hopeful as well as +on the anxious. After kneeling together in prayer, "Now, my beloved +ones," said I, "with God's help we are about to effect our escape. Let +the poor animals we must leave behind be well fed, and put plenty of +fodder within their reach: in a few days we may be able to return, and +save them likewise. After that, collect everything you can think of +which may be of use to us." + +The boys joyfully obeyed me, and I selected from the large quantity of +stores they got together, canvas to make a tent, a chest of carpenter's +tools, guns, pistols, powder, shot, and bullets, rods and fishing +tackle, an iron pot, a case of portable soup, and another of biscuit. +These useful articles, of course, took the place of the ballast I had +hastily thrown in the day before. + +With a hearty prayer for God's blessing, we now began to take our seats, +each in his tub. Just then we heard the cocks begin to crow, as though +to reproach us for deserting them. "Why should not the fowls go with +us!" exclaimed I. "If we find no food for them, they can be food for +us!" Ten hens and a couple of cocks were accordingly placed in one of +the tubs, and secured with some wire-netting over them. + +The ducks and geese were set at liberty, and took to the water at once, +while the pigeons, rejoicing to find themselves on the wing, swiftly +made for the shore. My wife, who managed all this for me, kept us +waiting for her some little time, and came at last with a bag as big as +a pillow in her arms. "This is my contribution," said she, throwing the +bag to little Franz, to be, as I thought, a cushion for him to sit upon. + +All being ready, we cast off, and moved away from the wreck. My good, +brave wife sat in the first compartment of the boat; next her was Franz, +a pretty little boy, nearly eight years old. Then came Fritz, a +handsome, spirited young fellow of fifteen; the two center tubs +contained the valuable cargo; then came our bold, thoughtless Jack; next +him Ernest, my second son, intelligent, well-informed, and rather +indolent. I myself, the anxious, loving father, stood in the stern, +endeavoring to guide the raft with its precious burden to a safe +landing-place. + +The elder boys took the oars; everyone wore a float belt, and had +something useful close to him in case of being thrown into the water. + +The tide was flowing, which was a great help to the young oarsmen. We +emerged from the wreck and glided into the open sea. All eyes were +strained to get a full view of the land, and the boys pulled with a +will; but for some time we made no progress, as the boat kept turning +round and round, until I hit upon the right way to steer it, after which +we merrily made for the shore. + +We had left the two dogs, Turk and Juno, on the wreck, as being both +large mastiffs we did not care to have their additional weight on board +our craft; but when they saw us apparently deserting them, they set up a +piteous howl, and sprang into the sea. I was sorry to see this, for the +distance to the land was so great that I scarcely expected them to be +able to accomplish it. They followed us, however, and, occasionally +resting their forepaws on the out-riggers, kept up with us well. Jack +was inclined to deny them this, their only chance to safety. "Stop," +said I, "that would be unkind as well as foolish; remember, the merciful +man regardeth the life of his beast." + +Our passage, though tedious, was safe; but the nearer we approached the +shore the less inviting it appeared; the barren rocks seemed to threaten +us with misery and want. + +Many casks, boxes, and bales of goods floated on the water around us. +Fritz and I managed to secure a couple of hogsheads, so as to tow them +alongside. With the prospect of famine before us, it was desirable to +lay hold of anything likely to contain provisions. + +By and by we began to perceive that, between and beyond the cliffs, +green grass and trees were discernible. Fritz could distinguish many +tall palms, and Ernest hoped they would prove to be cocoanut trees, and +enjoyed the thoughts of drinking the refreshing milk. + +"I am very sorry I never thought of bringing away the captain's +telescope," said I. + +"Oh, look here, father!" cried Jack, drawing a little spyglass joyfully +out of his pocket. + +By means of this glass, I made out that at some distance to the left the +coast was much more inviting; a strong current, however, carried us +directly toward the frowning rocks, but I presently observed an opening, +where a stream flowed into the sea, and saw that our geese and ducks +were swimming toward this place. I steered after them into the creek, +and we found ourselves in a small bay or inlet where the water was +perfectly smooth and of moderate depth. The ground sloped gently upward +from the low banks of the cliffs, which here retired inland, leaving a +small plain, on which it was easy for us to land. Everyone sprang gladly +out of the boat but little Franz, who, lying packed in his tub like a +potted shrimp, had to be lifted out by his mother. + +The dogs had scrambled on shore before us; they received us with loud +barking and the wildest demonstrations of delight. The geese and ducks +kept up an incessant din, added to which was the screaming and croaking +of flamingoes and penguins, whose dominion we were invading. The noise +was deafening, but far from unwelcome to me, as I thought of the good +dinners the birds might furnish. + +As soon as we could gather our children around us on dry land, we knelt +to offer thanks and praise for our merciful escape, and with full hearts +we commended ourselves to God's good keeping for the time to come. + +All hands then briskly fell to the work of unloading, and oh, how rich +we felt ourselves as we did so! The poultry we left at liberty to forage +for themselves, and set about finding a suitable place to erect a tent +in which to pass the night. This we speedily did; thrusting a long spar +into a hole in the rock, and supporting the other end by a pole firmly +planted in the ground, we formed a framework over which we stretched the +sailcloth we had brought; besides fastening this down with pegs, we +placed our heavy chests and boxes on the border of the canvas, and +arranged hooks so as to be able to close up the entrance during the +night. + +When this was accomplished, the boys ran to collect moss and grass, to +spread in the tent for our beds, while I arranged a fireplace with some +large flat stones, near the brook which flowed close by. Dry twigs and +seaweed were soon in a blaze on the hearth; I filled the iron pot with +water, and giving my wife several cakes of the portable soup, she +established herself as our cook, with little Franz to help her. + +He, thinking his mother was melting some glue for carpentering, was +eager to know "what papa was going to make next?" + +"This is to be soup for your dinner, my child. Do you think these cakes +look like glue?" + +"Yes, indeed I do," replied Franz, "and I should not much like to taste +glue soup! don't you want some beef or mutton, mamma?" + +"Where can I get it, dear!" said she, "we are a long way from a +butcher's shop! but these cakes are made of the juice of good meat, +boiled till it becomes a strong, stiff jelly--people take them when they +go to sea, because on a long voyage they can only have salt meat, which +will not make nice soup." + +Fritz, meanwhile, leaving a loaded gun with me, took another himself, +and went along the rough coast to see what lay beyond the stream; this +fatiguing sort of walk not suiting Ernest's fancy, he sauntered down to +the beach, and Jack scrambled among the rocks, searching for +shell-fish. + +I was anxious to land the two casks which were floating alongside our +boat, but on attempting to do so, I found that I could not get them up +the bank on which we had landed, and was therefore obliged to look for a +more convenient spot. As I did so, I was startled by hearing Jack +shouting for help, as though in great danger. He was at some distance, +and I hurried toward him with a hatchet in my hand. The little fellow +stood screaming in a deep pool, and as I approached, I saw that a huge +lobster had caught his leg in its powerful claw. Poor Jack was in a +terrible fright; kick as he would, his enemy still clung on. I waded +into the water, and seizing the lobster firmly by the back, managed to +make it loosen its hold, and we brought it safe to land. Jack, having +speedily recovered his spirits, and anxious to take such a prize to his +mother, caught the lobster in both hands, but instantly received such a +severe blow from its tail that he flung it down, and passionately hit +the creature with a large stone. This display of temper vexed me. "You +are acting in a very childish way, my son," said I; "never strike an +enemy in a revengeful spirit." Once more lifting the lobster, Jack ran +triumphantly toward the tent. + +"Mother, mother! A lobster, a lobster! Ernest! look here, Franz! mind, +he'll bite you! Where's Fritz?" All came crowding round Jack and his +prize, wondering at its unusual size, and Ernest wanted his mother to +make lobster soup directly, by adding it to what she was now boiling. + +She, however, begged to decline making any such experiment, and said she +preferred cooking one dish at a time. Having remarked that the scene of +Jack's adventure afforded a convenient place for getting my casks on +shore, I returned thither and succeeded in drawing them up on the beach, +where I set them on end, and for the present left them. + +On my return I resumed the subject of Jack's lobster, and told him he +should have the offending claw all to himself, when it was ready to be +eaten, congratulating him on being the first to discover anything +useful. + +"As to that," said Ernest, "I found something very good to eat, as well +as Jack, only I could not get at them without wetting my feet." + +"Pooh!" cried Jack, "I know what he saw--nothing but some nasty mussels; +I saw them too. Who wants to eat trash like that! Lobster for me!" + +"I believe them to be oysters, not mussels," returned Ernest calmly. + +"Be good enough, my philosophical young friend, to fetch a few specimens +of these oysters in time for our next meal," said I; "we must all exert +ourselves, Ernest, for the common good, and pray never let me hear you +object to wetting your feet. See how quickly the sun has dried Jack and +me." + +"I can bring some salt at the same time," said Ernest; "I remarked a +good deal lying in the crevices of the rocks; it tasted very pure and +good, and I concluded it was produced by the evaporation of sea water in +the sun." + +"Extremely probable, learned sir," cried I; "but if you had brought a +bagful of this good salt instead of merely speculating so profoundly on +the subject, it would have been more to the purpose. Run and fetch some +directly." + +It proved to be salt sure enough, although so impure that it seemed +useless, till my wife dissolved and strained it, when it became fit to +put in the soup. + +"Why not use the sea water itself?" asked Jack. + +"Because," said Ernest, "it is not only salt, but bitter too. Just try +it." + +"Now," said my wife, tasting the soup with the stick with which she had +been stirring it, "dinner is ready, but where can Fritz be?" she +continued, a little anxiously. + +"How are we to eat our soup when he does come?" I asked; "we have +neither plates nor spoons, and we can scarcely lift the boiling pot to +our mouths. We are in as uncomfortable a position as was the fox to whom +the stork served up a dinner in a jug with a long neck." + +"Oh, for a few cocoanut shells!" sighed Ernest. + +"Oh, for half a dozen plates and as many silver spoons!" rejoined I, +smiling. + +"Really though, oyster-shells would do," said he, after a moment's +thought. + +"True, that is an idea worth having! Off with you, my boys; get the +oysters and clean out a few shells. What though our spoons have no +handles, and we do burn our fingers a little in baling the soup out." + +Jack was away and up to his knees in the water in a moment, detaching +the oysters. Ernest followed more leisurely, and still unwilling to wet +his feet, stood by the margin of the pool and gathered in his +handkerchief the oysters his brother threw him; as he thus stood he +picked up and pocketed a large mussel shell for his own use. As they +returned with a good supply we heard a shout from Fritz in the distance; +we returned it joyfully, and he presently appeared before us, his hands +behind his back, and a look of disappointment upon his countenance. + +"Unsuccessful!" said he. + +"Really!" I replied; "never mind, my boy, better luck next time." + +"Oh, Fritz!" exclaimed his brothers, who had looked behind him, "a +sucking-pig, a little sucking-pig. Where did you get it? How did you +shoot it? Do let us see it!" + +Fritz then with sparkling eyes exhibited his prize. + +"I am glad to see the result of your prowess, my boy," said I; "but I +cannot approve of deceit, even as a joke; stick to the truth in jest and +earnest." + +Fritz then told us how he had been to the other side of the stream. "So +different from this," he said; "it is really a beautiful country, and +the shore, which runs down to the sea in a gentle slope, is covered with +all sorts of useful things from the wreck. Do let us go and collect +them. And, father, why should we not return to the wreck and bring off +some of the animals? Just think of what value the cow would be to us, +and what a pity it would be to lose her! Let us get her on shore, and we +will move over the stream, where she will have good pasturage, and we +shall be in the shade instead of on this desert, and father, I do +wish----" + +"Stop, stop, my boy!" cried I. "All will be done in good time. To-morrow +and the day after will bring work of their own. And tell me, did you see +no traces of our shipmates?" + +"Not a sign of them, either on land or sea, living or dead," he replied. + +"But the sucking-pig," said Jack, "where did you get it?" + +"It was one of several," said Fritz, "which I found on the shore; most +curious animals they are; they hopped rather than walked, and every now +and then would squat down on their legs and rub their snouts with their +forepaws. Had not I been afraid of losing them all, I would have tried +to catch one alive, they seemed so tame." + +Meanwhile Ernest had been carefully examining the animal in question. + +"This is no pig," he said; "and except for its bristly skin, does not +look like one. See, its teeth are not like those of a pig, but rather +those of a squirrel. In fact," he continued, looking at Fritz, "your +sucking-pig is an agouti." + +"Dear me," said Fritz; "listen to the great professor lecturing! He is +going to prove that a pig is not a pig!" + +"You need not be so quick to laugh at your brother," said I, in my turn; +"he is quite right. I, too, know the agouti by descriptions and +pictures, and there is little doubt that this is a specimen. The little +animal is a native of North America, where it makes its nest under the +roots of trees, and lives upon fruit. But, Ernest, the agouti not only +looks something like a pig, but most decidedly grunts like a porker." + +While we were thus talking, Jack had been vainly endeavoring to open an +oyster with his large knife. "Here is a simpler way," said I, placing an +oyster on the fire; it immediately opened. "Now," I continued, "who will +try this delicacy?" All at first hesitated to partake of them, so +unattractive did they appear. Jack, however, tightly closing his eyes +and making a face as though about to take medicine, gulped one down. We +followed his example, one after the other, each doing so rather to +provide himself with a spoon than with any hope of cultivating a taste +for oysters. + +Our spoons were now ready, and gathering round the pot we dipped them +in, not, however, without sundry scalded fingers. Ernest then drew from +his pocket the large shell he had procured for his own use, and scooping +up a good quantity of soup he put it down to cool, smiling at his own +foresight. + +"Prudence should be exercised for others," I remarked; "your cool soup +will do capitally for the dogs, my boy; take it to them, and then come +and eat like the rest of us." + +Ernest winced at this, but silently taking up his shell he placed it on +the ground before the hungry dogs, who lapped up its contents in a +moment; he then returned, and we all went merrily on with our dinner. +While we were thus busily employed, we suddenly discovered that our +dogs, not satisfied with their mouthful of soup, had espied the agouti, +and were rapidly devouring it. Fritz, seizing his gun, flew to rescue it +from their hungry jaws, and before I could prevent him, struck one of +them with such force that his gun was bent. The poor beasts ran off +howling, followed by a shower of stones from Fritz, who shouted and +yelled at them so fiercely that his mother was actually terrified. I +followed him, and as soon as he would listen to me, represented to him +how despicable, as well as wicked, was such an outbreak of temper: +"for," said I, "you have hurt, if not actually wounded, the dogs; you +have distressed and terrified your mother, and spoiled your gun." + +Though Fritz's passion was easily aroused, it never lasted long, and +speedily recovering himself, immediately he entreated his mother's +pardon, and expressed his sorrow for his fault. + +By this time the sun was sinking beneath the horizon, and the poultry, +which had been straying to some little distance, gathered round us, and +began to pick up the crumbs of biscuit which had fallen during our +repast. My wife hereupon drew from her mysterious bag some handfuls of +oats, peas, and other grain, and with them began to feed the poultry. +She at the same time showed me several other seeds of various +vegetables. "That was indeed thoughtful," said I; "but pray be careful +of what will be of such value to us; we can bring plenty of damaged +biscuits from the wreck, which, though of no use as food for us, will +suit the fowls very well indeed." + +The pigeons now flew up to crevices in the rocks, the fowls perched +themselves on our tent pole, and the ducks and geese waddled off, +cackling and quacking, to the marshy margin of the river. We, too, were +ready for repose, and having loaded our guns, and offered up our prayers +to God, thanking him for his many mercies to us, we commended ourselves +to his protecting care, and as the last ray of light departed, closed +our tent and lay down to rest. + +The children remarked the suddenness of nightfall, for indeed there had +been little or no twilight. This convinced me that we must be not far +from the equator, for twilight results from the refraction of the sun's +rays: the more obliquely these rays fall, the farther does the partial +light extend; while the more perpendicularly they strike the earth, the +longer do they continue their undiminished force, until, when the sun +sinks, they totally disappear, thus producing sudden darkness. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +THE FIRST EXPLORING EXPEDITION + + +We should have been badly off without the shelter of our tent, for the +night proved as cold as the day had been hot, but we managed to sleep +comfortably, everyone being thoroughly fatigued by the labors of the +day. The voice of our vigilant cock, which, as he loudly saluted the +rising moon, was the last sound I heard at night, roused me at daybreak, +and I then awoke my wife, that in the quiet interval while yet our +children slept, we might take counsel together on our situation and +prospects. It was plain to both of us that, in the first place, we +should ascertain if possible the fate of our late companions, and then +examine into the nature and resources of the country on which we were +stranded. + +We therefore came to the resolution that, as soon as we had breakfasted, +Fritz and I should start on an expedition with these objects in view, +while my wife remained near our landing-place with the three younger +boys. + +"Rouse up, rouse up, my boys," cried I, awakening the children +cheerfully. "Come and help your mother to get breakfast ready." + +"As to that," said she smiling, "we can but set on the pot, and boil +some more soup!" + +"Why, you forget Jack's fine lobster!" replied I. "What has become of +it, Jack?" + +"It has been safe in this hole in the rock all night, father. You see, I +thought, as the dogs seem to like good things, they might take a fancy +to that, as well as to the agouti." + +"A very sensible precaution," remarked I. "I believe even my heedless +Jack will learn wisdom in time. It is well the lobster is so large, for +we shall want to take part with us on our excursion to-day." + +At the mention of an excursion, the four children were wild with +delight, and capering around me, clapped their hands for joy. + +"Steady there, steady!" said I, "you cannot expect all to go. Such an +expedition as this would be too dangerous and fatiguing for you younger +ones. Fritz and I will go alone this time, with one of the dogs, leaving +the other to defend you." + +We then armed ourselves, each taking a gun and a game bag; Fritz in +addition sticking a pair of pistols in his belt, and I a small hatchet +in mine; breakfast being over, we stowed away the remainder of the +lobster and some biscuits, with a flask of water, and were ready for a +start. + +"Stop!" I exclaimed, "we have still left something very important +undone." + +"Surely not," said Fritz. + +"Yes," said I, "we have not yet joined in morning prayer. We are only +too ready, amid the cares and pleasures of this life, to forget the God +to whom we owe all things." Then having commended ourselves to his +protecting care, I took leave of my wife and children, and bidding them +not wander far from the boat and tent, we parted not without some +anxiety on either side, for we knew not what might assail us in this +unknown region. + +We now found that the banks of the stream were on both sides so rocky +that we could get down to the water by only one narrow passage, and +there was no corresponding path on the other side. I was glad to see +this, however, for I now knew that my wife and children were on a +comparatively inaccessible spot, the other side of the tent being +protected by steep and precipitous cliffs. Fritz and I pursued our way +up the stream until we reached a point where the waters fell from a +considerable height in a cascade, and where several large rocks lay half +covered by the water; by means of these we succeeded in crossing the +stream in safety. We thus had the sea on our left, and a long line of +rocky heights, here and there adorned with clumps of trees, stretching +away inland to the right. We had forced our way scarcely fifty yards +through the long rank grass, which was here partly withered by the sun +and much tangled, when we heard behind us a rustling, and on looking +round saw the grass waving to and fro, as if some animal were passing +through it. Fritz instantly turned and brought his gun to his shoulder, +ready to fire the moment the beast should appear. I was much pleased +with my son's coolness and presence of mind, for it showed me that I +might thoroughly rely upon him on any future occasion when real danger +might occur; this time, however, no savage beast rushed out, but our +trusty dog Turk, whom in our anxiety at parting we had forgotten, and +who had been sent after us, doubtless, by my thoughtful wife. + +From this little incident, however, we saw how dangerous was our +position, and how difficult escape would be should any fierce beast +steal upon us unawares: we therefore hastened to make our way to the +open seashore. Here the scene which presented itself was indeed +delightful. A background of hills, the green waving grass, the pleasant +groups of trees stretching here and there to the very water's edge, +formed a lovely prospect. On the smooth sand we searched carefully for +any trace of our hapless companions, but not the mark of a footstep +could we find. + +"Shall I fire a shot or two?" said Fritz; "that would bring our +companions, if they are within hearing." + +"It would indeed," I replied, "or any savages that may be here. No, no; +let us search diligently, but as quietly as possible." + +"But, why, father, should we trouble ourselves about them at all? They +left us to shift for ourselves, and I for one don't care to set eyes on +them again." + +"You are wrong, my boy," said I. "In the first place, we should not +return evil for evil; then, again, they might be of great assistance to +us in building a house of some sort; and lastly, you must remember that +they took nothing with them from the vessel, and may be perishing of +hunger." + +Thus talking, we pushed on until we came to a pleasant grove which +stretched down to the water's edge; here we halted to rest, seating +ourselves under a large tree, by a rivulet which murmured and splashed +along its pebbly bed into the great ocean before us. A thousand +gayly-plumaged birds flew twittering above us, and Fritz and I gazed up +at them. + +My son suddenly started up. + +"A monkey," he exclaimed; "I am nearly sure I saw a monkey." + +As he spoke he sprang round to the other side of the tree, and in doing +so stumbled over a round substance, which he handed to me, remarking as +he did so, that it was a round bird's nest, of which he had often heard. + +"You may have done so," said I, laughing, "but you need not necessarily +conclude that every round hairy thing is a bird's nest; this, for +instance, is not one, but a cocoanut." + +We split open the nut, but, to our disgust, found the kernel dry and +uneatable. + +"Hullo," cried Fritz, "I always thought a cocoanut was full of delicious +sweet liquid, like almond milk." + +"So it is," I replied, "when young and fresh, but as it ripens the milk +becomes congealed, and in course of time is solidified into a kernel. +This kernel then dries as you see here, but when the nut falls on +favorable soil, the germ within the kernel swells until it bursts +through the shell, and, taking root, springs up a new tree." + +"I do not understand," said Fritz, "how the little germ manages to get +through this great thick shell, which is not like an almond or hazel +nut-shell, that is divided down the middle already." + +"Nature provides for all things," I answered, taking up the pieces. +"Look here, do you see these three round holes near the stalk? it is +through them that the germ obtains egress. Now let us find a good nut if +we can." + +As cocoanuts must be over-ripe before they fall naturally from the tree, +it was not without difficulty that we obtained one in which the kernel +was not dried up. When we succeeded, however, we were so refreshed by +the fruit that we could defer the repast we called our dinner until +later in the day, and so spare our stock of provisions. + +Continuing our way through a thicket, and which was so densely overgrown +with lianas that we had to clear a passage with our hatchets, we again +emerged on the seashore beyond, and found an open view, the forest +sweeping inland, while on the space before us stood at intervals single +trees of remarkable appearance. + +These at once attracted Fritz's observant eye, and he pointed to them, +exclaiming, + +"Oh, what absurd-looking trees, father! See what strange bumps there are +on the trunks." + +We approached to examine them, and I recognized them as calabash trees, +the fruit of which grows in this curious way on the stems, and is a +species of gourd, from the hard rind of which bowls, spoons, and bottles +can be made. "The savages," I remarked, "are said to form these things +most ingeniously, using them to contain liquids: indeed, they actually +cook food in them." + +"Oh, but that is impossible," returned Fritz. "I am quite sure this rind +would be burnt through directly it was set on the fire." + +"I did not say it was set on the fire at all. When the gourd has been +divided in two, and the shell or rind emptied of its contents, it is +filled with water, into which the fish, or whatever is to be cooked, is +put; red hot stones are added until the water boils; the food becomes +fit to eat, and the gourd-rind remains uninjured." + +"That is a very clever plan: very simple too. I daresay I should have +hit on it, if I had tried," said Fritz. + +"The friends of Columbus thought it very easy to make an egg stand upon +its end when he had shown them how to do it. But now suppose we prepare +some of these calabashes, that they may be ready for use when we take +them home." + +Fritz instantly took up one of the gourds, and tried to split it +equally with his knife, but in vain: the blade slipped, and the calabash +was cut jaggedly. "What a nuisance!" said Fritz, flinging it down, "the +thing is spoiled; and yet it seemed so simple to divide it properly." + +"Stay," said I; "you are too impatient, those pieces are not useless. Do +you try to fashion from them a spoon or two while I provide a dish." + +I then took from my pocket a piece of string, which I tied tightly round +a gourd, as near one end of it as I could; then tapping the string with +the back of my knife, it penetrated the outer shell. When this was +accomplished, I tied the string yet tighter; and drawing the ends with +all my might, the gourd fell, divided exactly as I wished. + +"That is clever!" cried Fritz. "What in the world put that plan into +your head?" + +"It is a plan," I replied, "which the negroes adopt, as I have learned +from reading books of travel." + +"Well, it certainly makes a capital soup-tureen, and a soup-plate too," +said Fritz, examining, the gourd. "But supposing you had wanted to make +a bottle, how would you have set to work?" + +"It would be an easier operation than this, if possible. All that is +necessary is to cut a round hole at one end, then to scoop out the +interior, and to drop in several shot or stones: when these are shaken, +any remaining portions of the fruit are detached, and the gourd is +thoroughly cleaned, and the bottle completed." + +"That would not make a very convenient bottle though, father; it would +be more like a barrel." + +"True, my boy; if you want a more shapely vessel, you must take it in +hand when it is younger. To give it a neck, for instance, you must tie +a bandage round the young gourd while it is still on the tree, and then +all will swell but that part which you have checked." + +As I spoke, I filled the gourds with sand, and left them to dry; marking +the spot that we might return for them on our way back. + +For three hours or more we pushed forward, keeping a sharp lookout on +either side for any trace of our companions, till we reached a bold +promontory, stretching some way into the sea, from whose rocky summit I +knew that we should obtain a good and comprehensive view of the +surrounding country. With little difficulty we reached the top, but the +most careful survey of the beautiful landscape failed to show us the +slightest sign or trace of human beings. Before us stretched a wide and +lovely bay, fringed with yellow sands, either side extending into the +distance, and almost lost to view in two shadowy promontories; inclosed +by these two arms lay a sheet of rippling water, which reflected in its +depths the glorious sun above. The scene inland was no less beautiful; +and yet Fritz and I both felt a shade of loneliness stealing over us as +we gazed on its utter solitude. + +"Cheer up, Fritz, my boy," said I presently. "Remember that we chose a +settler's life long ago, before we left our own dear country; we +certainly did not expect to be so entirely alone--but what matters a few +people, more or less? With God's help, let us endeavor to live here +contentedly, thankful that we were not cast upon some bare and +inhospitable island. But come, the heat here is getting unbearable; let +us find some shady place before we are completely broiled away." + +We descended the hill and made for a clump of palm trees, which we saw +at a little distance. To reach this, we had to pass through a dense +thicket of reeds, no pleasant or easy task; for, besides the difficulty +of forcing our way through, I feared at every step that we might tread +on some venomous snake. Sending Turk in advance, I cut one of the reeds, +thinking it would be a more useful weapon against a reptile than my gun. +I had carried it but a little way, when I noticed a thick juice exuding +from one end. I tasted it, and to my delight found it sweet and +pleasant. I at once knew that I was standing amongst sugar-canes. +Wishing Fritz to make the same discovery, I advised him to cut a cane +for his defense; he did so, and as he beat the ground before him, the +reed split, and his hand was covered with the juice. He carefully +touched the cane with the tip of his tongue, then, finding the juice +sweet, he did so again with less hesitation; and a moment afterward +sprang back to me exclaiming: + +"Oh, father, sugar-canes! sugar-canes! Taste it. Oh, how delicious, how +delightful! do let us take a lot home to mother," he continued, sucking +eagerly at the cane. + +"Gently there," said I, "take breath a moment--moderation in all things, +remember. Cut some to take home if you like, only don't take more than +you can conveniently carry." + +In spite of my warning, my son cut a dozen or more of the largest canes, +and stripping them of their leaves, carried them under his arm. We then +pushed through the cane-brake, and reached the clump of palms for which +we had been making; as we entered it a troop of monkeys, who had been +disporting themselves on the ground, sprang up, chattering and +grimacing, and before we could clearly distinguish them were at the very +top of the trees. + +Fritz was so provoked by their impertinent gestures that he raised his +gun and would have shot one of the poor beasts. + +"Stay," cried I, "never take the life of any animal needlessly. A live +monkey up in that tree is of more use to us than a dozen dead ones at +our feet, as I will show you." + +Saying this, I gathered a handful of small stones, and threw them up +toward the apes. The stones did not go near them, but influenced by +their instinctive mania for imitation, they instantly seized all the +cocoanuts within their reach, and sent a perfect hail of them down upon +us. + +[Illustration: _The monkeys seized all the cocoanuts within their reach +and sent them down upon us_] + +Fritz was delighted with my stratagem, and rushing forward picked up +some of the finest of the nuts. We drank the milk they contained, +drawing it through the holes which I pierced, and then, splitting the +nuts open with the hatchet, ate the cream which lined their shells. +After this delicious meal, we thoroughly despised the lobster we had +been carrying, and threw it to Turk, who ate it gratefully; but far from +being satisfied, the poor beast began to gnaw the ends of the +sugar-canes, and to beg for cocoanut. I slung a couple of the nuts over +my shoulder, fastening them together by their stalks, and Fritz having +resumed his burden, we began our homeward march. + +I soon discovered that Fritz found the weight of his canes considerably +more than he expected; he shifted them from shoulder to shoulder, then +for a while carried them under his arm, and finally stopped short with +a sigh. "I had no idea," he said, "that a few reeds would be so heavy." + +"Never mind, my boy," I said, "patience and courage! Do you not remember +the story of Aesop and his bread-basket, how heavy he found it when he +started, and how light at the end of his journey? Let us each take a +fresh staff, and then fasten the bundle crosswise with your gun." + +We did so, and once more stepped forward. Fritz presently noticed that I +from time to time sucked the end of my cane. + +"Oh, come," said he, "that's a capital plan of yours, father, I'll do +that too." + +So saying, he began to suck most vigorously, but not a drop of the juice +could he extract. "How is this?" he asked. "How do you get the juice +out, father?" + +"Think a little," I replied, "you are quite as capable as I am of +finding out the way, even if you do not know the real reason of your +failure." + +"Oh, of course," said he, "it is like trying to suck marrow from a +marrow-bone, without making a hole at the other end." + +"Quite right," I said, "you form a vacuum in your mouth and the end of +your tube, and expect the air to force down the liquid from the other +end which it cannot possibly enter." + +Fritz was speedily perfect in the accomplishment of sucking sugar-cane, +discovering by experience the necessity for a fresh cut at each joint or +knot in the cane, through which the juice would not flow; he talked of +the pleasure of initiating his brothers in the art, and of how Ernest +would enjoy the cocoanut milk, with which he had filled his flask. + +"My dear boy," said I, "you need not have added that to your load; the +chances are it is vinegar by the time we get home. In the heat of the +sun, it will ferment soon after being drawn from the nut." + +"Vinegar! Oh, that would be a horrid bore! I must look directly, and see +how it is getting on," cried Fritz, hastily swinging the flask from his +shoulder, and tugging out the cork. With a loud "pop" the contents came +forth, foaming like champagne. + +"There now!" said I, laughing as he tasted this new luxury, "you will +have to exercise moderation again, friend Fritz! I daresay it is +delicious, but it will go to your head, if you venture deep into your +flask." + +"My dear father, you cannot think how good it is! Do take some. Vinegar, +indeed! This is like excellent wine." + +We were both invigorated by this unexpected draught, and went on so +merrily after it, that the distance to the place where we had left our +gourd-dishes seemed less than we expected. We found them quite dry, and +very light and easy to carry. + +Just as we had passed through the grove in which we had breakfasted, +Turk suddenly darted away from us and sprang furiously among a troop of +monkeys, which were gamboling playfully on the turf at a little distance +from the trees. They were taken by surprise completely, and the dog, now +really ravenous from hunger, had seized and was fiercely tearing one to +pieces before we could approach the spot. + +His luckless victim was the mother of a tiny little monkey, which, +being on her back when the dog flew at her, had hindered her flight. The +little creature attempted to hide among the grass, and in trembling fear +watched the tragic fate of its mother. On perceiving Turk's +blood-thirsty design, Fritz had eagerly rushed to the rescue, flinging +away all he was carrying, and losing his hat in his haste. All to no +purpose as far as the poor mother ape was concerned, and a laughable +scene ensued, for no sooner did the young monkey catch sight of him, +than at one bound it was on his shoulders, and, holding fast by his +thick curly hair, it firmly kept its seat in spite of all he could do to +dislodge it. He screamed and plunged about as he endeavored to shake or +pull the creature off, but all in vain; it only clung the closer to his +neck, making the most absurd grimaces. + +I laughed so much at this ridiculous scene, that I could scarcely assist +my terrified boy out of his awkward predicament. + +At last, by coaxing the monkey, offering it a bit of biscuit; and +gradually disentangling its small sinewy paws from the curls it grasped +so tightly, I managed to relieve poor Fritz, who then looked with +interest at the baby ape, no bigger than a kitten, as it lay in my arms. + +"What a jolly little fellow it is!" exclaimed he, "do let me try to rear +it, father. I daresay cocoanut milk would do until we can bring the cow +and the goats from the wreck. If he lives he might be useful to us. I +believe monkeys instinctively know what fruits are wholesome and what +are poisonous." + +"Well," said I, "let the little orphan be yours. You bravely and kindly +exerted yourself to save the mother's life; now you must train her child +carefully, for unless you do so its natural instinct will prove +mischievous instead of useful to us." + +Turk was meanwhile devouring with great satisfaction the little animal's +unfortunate mother. I could not grudge it him, and continued hunger +might have made him dangerous to ourselves. We did not think it +necessary to wait until he had dined, so we prepared to resume our +march. + +The tiny ape seated itself in the coolest way imaginable on Fritz's +shoulder, I helped to carry his canes, and we were on some distance +before Turk overtook us, looking uncommonly well pleased, and licking +his chops as though recalling the memory of his feast. + +He took no notice of the monkey, but it was very uneasy at sight of him, +and scrambled down into Fritz's arms, which was so inconvenient to him +that he devised a plan to relieve himself of his burden. Calling Turk, +and seriously enjoining obedience, he seated the monkey on his back, +securing it there with a cord, and then putting a second string round +the dog's neck that he might lead him, he put a loop of the knot into +the comical rider's hand, saying gravely: "Having slain the parent, Mr. +Turk, you will please to carry the son." + +At first this arrangement mightily displeased them both, but by and by +they yielded to it quietly; the monkey especially amused us by riding +along with the air of a person perfectly at his ease. + +"We look just like a couple of mountebanks on their way to a fair with +animals to exhibit," said I. "What an outcry the children will make when +we appear!" + +My son inquired to what species of the monkey tribe I thought his +protégé belonged, which led to a good deal of talk on the subject, and +conversation beguiling the way, we found ourselves ere long on the rocky +margin of the stream and close to the rest of our party. + +Juno was the first to be aware of our approach, and gave notice of it by +loud barking, to which Turk replied with such hearty good will, that his +little rider, terrified at the noise his steed was making, slipped from +under the cord and fled to his refuge on Fritz's shoulder, where he +regained his composure and settled himself comfortably. + +Turk, who by this time knew where he was, finding himself free, dashed +forward to rejoin his friends, and announce our coming. + +One after another our dear ones came running to the opposite bank, +testifying in various ways their delight at our return, and hastening up +on their side of the river, as we on ours, to the ford at which we had +crossed in the morning. We were quickly on the other side, and, full of +joy and affection, our happy party was once more united. + +The boys suddenly perceiving the little animal which was clinging close +to their brother, in alarm at the tumult of voices, shouted in ecstasy: + +"A monkey! a monkey! oh, how splendid! Where did Fritz find him? What +may we give him to eat? Oh, what a bundle of sticks! Look at those +curious great nuts father has got!" + +We could neither check this confused torrent of questions, nor get in a +word in answer to them. + +At length, when the excitement subsided a little, I was able to say a +few words with a chance of being listened to. "I am truly thankful to +see you all safe and well, and, thank God, our expedition has been very +satisfactory, except that we have entirely failed to discover any trace +of our shipmates." + +"If it be the will of God," said my wife, "to leave us alone on this +solitary place, let us be content; and rejoice that we are all together +in safety." + +"Now we want to hear all your adventures, and let us relieve you of your +burdens," added she, taking my game bag. + +Jack shouldered my gun, Ernest took the cocoanuts, and little Franz +carried the gourds; Fritz distributed the sugar canes amongst his +brothers, and handing Ernest his gun replaced the monkey on Turk's back. +Ernest soon found the burden with which Fritz had laden him too heavy +for his taste. His mother perceiving this, offered to relieve him of +part of the load. He gave up willingly the cocoanuts, but no sooner had +he done so than his elder brother exclaimed: + +"Hullo, Ernest, you surely do not know what you are parting with; did +you really intend to hand over those good cocoanuts without so much as +tasting them?" + +"What? ho! are they really cocoanuts?" cried Ernest. "Do let me take +them again, mother, do let me look at them." + +"No, thank you," replied my wife with a smile. "I have no wish to see +you again overburdened." + +"Oh, but I have only to throw away these sticks, which are of no use, +and then I can easily carry them." + +"Worse and worse," said Fritz; "I have a particular regard for those +heavy, useless sticks. Did you ever hear of sugar-canes?" + +The words were scarcely out of his mouth when Ernest began to suck +vigorously at the end of the cane, with no better result, however, than +Fritz had obtained as we were on the march. + +"Here," said Fritz, "let me show you the trick of it," and he speedily +set all the youngsters to work extracting the luscious juice. + +My wife, as a prudent housekeeper, was no less delighted than the +children with this discovery; the sight of the dishes also pleased her +greatly, for she longed to see us eat once more like civilized beings. +We went into the kitchen and there found preparations for a truly +sumptuous meal. Two forked sticks were planted in the ground on either +side of the fire; on these rested a rod from which hung several tempting +looking fish; opposite them hung a goose from a similar contrivance, +slowly roasting while the gravy dropped into a large shell placed +beneath it. In the center sat the great pot, from which issued the smell +of a most delicious soup. To crown this splendid array, stood an open +hogshead full of Dutch cheeses. All this was very pleasant to two hungry +travelers, but I was about to beg my wife to spare the poultry until our +stock should have increased, when she, perceiving my thought, quickly +relieved my anxiety. "This is not one of our geese," she said, "but a +wild bird Ernest killed." + +"Yes," said Ernest, "it is a penguin, I think; it let me get quite +close, so that I knocked it on the head with a stick. Here are its head +and feet, which I preserved to show you; the bill is, you see, narrow +and curved downward, and the feet are webbed. It had funny little bits +of useless wings, and its eyes looked so solemnly and sedately at me +that I was almost ashamed to kill it. Do you not think it must have +been a penguin?" + +"I have little doubt on the matter, my boy," and I was about to make a +few remarks on the habits of this bird, when my wife interrupted me and +begged us to come to dinner, and continue our natural history +conversation at some future time. We then sat down before the appetizing +meal prepared for us, our gourds coming for the first time into use, and +having done it full justice, produced the cocoanuts by way of dessert. + +"Here is better food for your little friend," said I to Fritz, who had +been vainly endeavoring to persuade the monkey to taste dainty morsels +of the food we had been eating; "the poor little animal has been +accustomed to nothing but its mother's milk; fetch me a saw, one of +you." + +I then, after extracting the milk of the nuts from their natural holes, +carefully cut the shells in half, thus providing several more useful +basins. The monkey was perfectly satisfied with the milk, and eagerly +sucked the corner of a handkerchief dipped in it. Fritz now suddenly +recollected his delicious wine, and producing his flask, begged his +mother to taste it. "Try it first yourself," said I; Fritz did so, and I +instantly saw by his countenance that the liquor had passed through the +first stage of fermentation and had become vinegar. + +"Never mind, my boy," said my prudent wife, when she learned the cause +of his wry faces, "we have wine already, but no vinegar; I am really +pleased at the transformation." + +The sun was now rapidly sinking behind the horizon, and the poultry, +retiring for the night, warned us that we must follow their example. +Having offered up our prayers, we lay down on our beds, the monkey +crouched down between Jack and Fritz, and we were all soon fast asleep. + +We did not, however, long enjoy this repose; a loud barking from our +dogs, who were on guard outside the tent, awakened us, and the +fluttering and cackling of our poultry warned us that a foe was +approaching. Fritz and I sprang up, and seizing our guns rushed out. +There we found a desperate combat going on; our gallant dogs, surrounded +by a dozen or more large jackals, were fighting bravely. Four of their +opponents lay dead, but the others were in no way deterred by the fate +of their comrades. Fritz and I, however, sent bullets through the heads +of a couple more, and the rest galloped off. Turk and Juno did not +intend that they should escape so cheaply, and pursuing them, they +caught, killed, and devoured another of the animals, regardless of their +near relationship. Fritz wished to save one of the jackals that he might +be able to show it to his brothers in the morning; dragging, therefore, +the one that he had shot near the tent, he concealed it, and we once +more returned to our beds. + +Soundly and peacefully we slept until cock-crow next morning, when my +wife and I awoke, and began to discuss the business of the day. + +"It seems absolutely necessary, my dear wife," I began, "to return at +once to the wreck while it is yet calm, that we may save the poor +animals left there, and bring on shore many articles of infinite value +to us, which, if we do not now recover, we may finally lose entirely. On +the other hand, I feel that there is an immense deal to be done on +shore, and that I ought not to leave you in such an insecure shelter as +this tent." + +"Return to the wreck by all means," replied my wife, cheerfully. +"Patience, order, and perseverance will help us through all our work, +and I agree with you that a visit to the wreck is without doubt our +first duty. Come, let us wake the children, and set to work without +delay." + +They were soon roused, and Fritz, overcoming his drowsiness before the +others, ran out for his jackal; it was cold and stiff from the night +air, and he placed it on its legs before the tent, in a most life-like +attitude, and stood by to watch the effect upon the family. The dogs +were the first to perceive their enemy, and growling, seemed inclined to +dispose of the animal as they had disposed of its brethren in the night, +but Fritz called them off. The noise the dogs made, however, had the +effect of bringing out the younger children, and many were the +exclamations they made at the sight of the strange animal. + +"A yellow dog!" cried Franz. + +"A wolf!" exclaimed Jack. + +"It is a striped fox," said Ernest. + +"Hullo," said Fritz. "The greatest men may make mistakes. Our Professor +does not know a jackal when he sees one." + +"But really," continued Ernest, examining the animal, "I think it is a +fox." + +"Very well, very well," retorted Fritz, "no doubt you know better than +your father! He thinks it is a jackal." + +"Come, boys," said I, "no more of this quarreling; you are none of you +very far wrong, for the jackal partakes of the nature of all three, dog, +wolf, and fox." + +The monkey had come out on Jack's shoulder, but no sooner did it catch +sight of the jackal than it fled precipitately back into the tent, and +hid itself in a heap of moss until nothing was visible but the tip of +its little nose. Jack soothed and comforted the frightened little +animal, and I then summoned them all to prayers, soon after which we +began our breakfast. So severely had we dealt with our supper the +previous night that we had little to eat but the biscuits, which were so +dry and hard, that, hungry as we were, we could not swallow much. Fritz +and I took some cheese to help them down, while my wife and younger sons +soaked theirs in water. Ernest roamed down to the shore, and looked +about for shell-fish. Presently he returned with a few whelks. "Ah," +said he, "if we had but some butter." + +"My good boy," I replied, "your perpetual if, if, quite annoys me; why +do you not sit down and eat cheese like the rest of us?" + +"Not while I can get butter," he said; "see here, father," and he +pointed to a large cask, "that barrel contains butter of some sort or +another, for it is oozing out at the end." + +"Really, Ernest," I said, "we are indebted to you. I will open the +cask." So saying, I took a knife and carefully cut a small hole, so that +I could extract the butter without exposing the mass of it to the +effects of the air and heat. Filling a cocoanut shell, we once more sat +down, and toasting our biscuits before the fire, spread them with the +good Dutch butter. We found this vastly better than the dry biscuits, +and while we were thus employed I noticed that the two dogs were lying +unusually quiet by my side. I at first attributed this drowsiness to +their large meal during the night, but I soon discovered that it arose +from a different cause; the faithful animals had not escaped unhurt from +their late combat, but had received several deep and painful wounds, +especially about the neck. The dogs began to lick each other on the +places which they could not reach with their own tongues, and my wife +carefully dressed the wounds with butter, from which she had extracted +the salt by washing. + +A sudden thought now struck Ernest, and he wisely remarked, that if we +were to make spiked collars for the dogs, they would in future escape +such dangerous wounds. "Oh, yes," exclaimed Jack, "and I will make them; +may I not, father?" + +"Try, by all means, my little fellow," said I, "and persuade your mother +to assist you; and now, Fritz," I continued, "we must be starting, for +you and I are to make a trip to the wreck." I begged the party who were +to remain on shore to keep together as much as possible, and having +arranged a set of signals with my wife, that we might exchange +communications, asked a blessing on our enterprise. I erected a signal +post, and, while Fritz was making preparations for our departure, +hoisted a strip of sailcloth as a flag; this flag was to remain hoisted +so long as all was well on shore, but should our return be desired three +shots were to be fired and the flag lowered. + +All was now ready, and warning my wife that we might find it necessary +to remain all night on the vessel, we tenderly bade adieu and embarked. +Except our guns and ammunition, we were taking nothing, that we might +leave as much space as possible for the stowage of a large cargo. +Fritz, however, had resolved to bring his little monkey, that he might +obtain milk for it as soon as possible. We had not got far from the +shore, when I perceived that a current from the river set in directly +for the vessel, and though my nautical knowledge was not great, I +succeeded in steering the boat into the favorable stream, which carried +us nearly three-fourths of our passage with little or no trouble to +ourselves; then, by dint of hard pulling, we accomplished the whole +distance, and entering through the breach, gladly made fast our boat and +stepped on board. Our first care was to see to the animals, who greeted +us with joy--lowing, bellowing, and bleating as we approached; not that +the poor beasts were hungry, for they were all still well supplied with +food, but they were apparently pleased by the mere sight of human +beings. Fritz then placed his monkey by one of the goats, and the little +animal immediately sucked the milk with evident relish, chattering and +grinning all the while; the monkey provided for, we refreshed ourselves +with some wine and biscuits. "Now," said I, "we have plenty to do; where +shall we begin?" + +"Let us fix a mast and sail to our boat," answered Fritz; "for the +current which brought us out will not take us back, whereas the fresh +breeze we met would help us immensely had we but a sail." + +"Capital thought," I replied; "let us set to work at once." + +I chose a stout spar to serve as a mast, and having made a hole in a +plank nailed across one of the tubs, we, with the help of a rope and a +couple of blocks, stepped it and secured it with stays. We then +discovered a lug-sail, which had belonged to one of the ship's boats; +this we hoisted, and our craft was ready to sail. Fritz begged me to +decorate the mast head with a red streamer, to give our vessel a more +finished appearance. Smiling at this childish but natural vanity, I +complied with his request. I then contrived a rudder, that I might be +able to steer the boat; for though I knew that an oar would serve the +purpose, it was cumbrous and inconvenient. While I was thus employed, +Fritz examined the shore with his glass, and soon announced that the +flag was flying and all was well. + +So much time had now slipped away that we found we could not return that +night, as I had wished. We signaled our intention of remaining on board, +and then spent the rest of our time in taking out the stones we had +placed in the boat for ballast, and stowed in their place heavy articles +of value to us. The ship had sailed for the purpose of supplying a young +colony; she had therefore on board every conceivable article we could +desire in our present situation; our only difficulty, indeed, was to +make a wise selection. A large quantity of powder and shot we first +secured, and as Fritz considered that we could not have too many +weapons, we added three excellent guns, and a whole armful of swords, +daggers, and knives. We remembered that knives and forks were necessary; +we therefore laid in a large stock of them, and kitchen utensils of all +sorts. Exploring the captain's cabin, we discovered a service of silver +plate and a cellaret of good old wine; we then went over the stores, and +supplied ourselves with potted meats, portable soups, Westphalian hams, +sausages, a bag of maize and wheat, and a quantity of other seeds and +vegetables. I then added a barrel of sulphur for matches, and as much +cordage as I could find. All this--with nails, tools, and agricultural +implements--completed our cargo, and sank our boat so low that I should +have been obliged to lighten her had not the sea been calm. + +Night drew on, and a large fire, lighted by those on shore, showed us +that all was well. We replied by hoisting four ship's lanterns, and two +shots announced to us that our signal was perceived; then, with a +heartfelt prayer for the safety of our dear ones on shore, we retired to +our boat, and Fritz, at all events, was soon sound asleep. For a while I +could not sleep; the thought of my wife and children--alone and +unprotected, save by the great dogs--disturbed my rest. + +The night at length passed away. At daybreak Fritz and I arose and went +on deck. I brought the telescope to bear upon the shore, and with +pleasure saw the flag still waving in the morning breeze; while I kept +the glass directed to the land, I saw the door of the tent open, and my +wife appear and look steadfastly toward us. + +I at once hoisted a white flag, and in reply the flag on shore was +thrice dipped. Oh, what a weight seemed lifted from my heart as I saw +the signal! + +"Fritz," I said, "I am not now in such haste to get back, and begin to +feel compassion for all these poor beasts. I wish we could devise some +means for getting them on shore." + +"We might make a raft," suggested Fritz, "and take off one or two at a +time." + +"True," I replied; "it is easy enough to say, 'make a raft,' but to do +it is quite another thing." + +"Well," said Fritz, "I can think of nothing else, unless indeed we make +them such swimming belts as you made for the children." + +"Really, my boy, that idea is worth having. I am not joking, indeed," I +continued, as I saw him smile; "we may get every one of the animals +ashore in that way." + +So saying, I caught a fine sheep, and proceeded to put our plan into +execution. I first fastened a broad piece of linen round its belly, and +to this attached some corks and empty tins; then, with Fritz's help, I +flung the animal into the sea--it sank, but a moment afterward rose and +floated famously. + +"Hurrah!" exclaimed Fritz, "we will treat them all like that." We then +rapidly caught the other animals and provided them, one after the other, +with a similar contrivance. The cow and ass gave us more trouble than +did the others, as for them we required something more buoyant than the +mere cork; we at last found some empty casks and fastened two to each +animal by thongs passed under its belly. This done, the whole herd were +ready to start, and we brought the ass to one of the ports to be the +first to be launched. After some maneuvering we got him in a convenient +position, and then a sudden heave sent him plunging into the sea. He +sank, and then, buoyed up by the casks, emerged head and back from the +water. The cow, sheep, and goats followed him one after the other, and +then the sow alone remained. She seemed, however, determined not to +leave the ship; she kicked, struggled, and squealed so violently, that I +really thought we should be obliged to abandon her; at length, after +much trouble, we succeeded in sending her out of the port after the +others, and when once in the water, such was the old lady's energy that +she quickly distanced them, and was the first to reach the shore. + +We had fastened to the horns or neck of each animal a cord with a float +attached to the end, and now embarking, we gathered up these floats, set +sail, and steered for shore, drawing our herd after us. + +Delighted with the successful accomplishment of our task, we got out +some biscuits and enjoyed a mid-day meal; then, while Fritz amused +himself with his monkey, I took up my glass and tried to make out how +our dear ones on shore were employing themselves. As I was thus engaged, +a sudden shout from Fritz surprised me. I glanced up; there stood Fritz +with his gun to his shoulder, pointing it at a huge shark; the monster +was making for one of the finest sheep; he turned on his side to seize +his prey; as the white of his belly appeared Fritz fired. The shot took +effect, and our enemy disappeared, leaving a trace of blood on the calm +water. + +"Well done, my boy," I cried, "you will become a crack shot one of these +days; but I trust you will not often have such dangerous game to shoot." +Fritz's eyes sparkled at his success and my praise, and reloading his +gun carefully watched the water. But the shark did not again appear, +and, borne onward by the breeze, we quickly neared the shore. Steering +the boat to a convenient landing place, I cast off the ropes which +secured the animals, and let them get ashore as best they might. + +There was no sign of my wife or children when we stepped on land, but a +few moments afterward they appeared, and with a shout of joy ran toward +us. We were thankful to be once more united, and after asking and +replying to a few preliminary questions, proceeded to release our herd +from their swimming belts, which, though so useful in the water, were +exceedingly inconvenient on shore. My wife was astonished at the +apparatus. + +"How clever you are!" said she. + +"I am not the inventor," I replied; "the honor is due to Fritz. He not +only thought of this plan for bringing off the animals, but saved one, +at least, of them from a most fearful death." And I then told them how +bravely he had encountered the shark. + +My wife was delighted with her son's success, but declared that she +would dread our trips to the vessel more than ever, knowing that such +savage fish inhabited the waters. + +Fritz, Ernest, and I began the work of unloading our craft, while Jack, +seeing that the poor donkey was still encumbered with his swimming belt, +tried to free him from it. But the donkey would not stand quiet, and the +child's fingers were not strong enough to loosen the cordage; finally, +therefore, he scrambled upon the animal's back, and urging him on with +hand and foot, trotted toward us. + +"Come, my boy," I said, "no one must be idle here, even for a moment; +you will have riding practice enough hereafter; dismount and come and +help us." + +Jack was soon on his feet. "But I have not been idle all day," he said; +"look here!" and he pointed to a belt round his waist. It was a broad +belt of yellow hair, in which he had stuck a couple of pistols and a +knife. "And see," he added, "what I have made for the dogs. Here, Juno! +Turk!" The dogs came bounding up at his call, and I saw that they were +each supplied with a collar of the same skin, in which were fastened +nails, which bristled round their necks in a most formidable manner. + +"Capital, capital, my boy," said I, "but where did you get your +materials, and who helped you?" + +"Except in cutting the skin," said my wife, "he had no assistance, and +as for the materials, Fritz's jackal supplied us with the skin, and the +needles and thread came out of my wonderful bag. You little think how +many useful things may be had from that same bag; it is woman's duty and +nature, you know, to see after trifles." + +Fritz evidently did not approve of the use to which his jackal's hide +had been devoted, and holding his nose, begged his little brother to +keep at a distance; "Really, Jack," he said, "you should have cured the +hide before you used it; the smell is disgusting; don't come near me." + +"It's not the hide that smells at all," retorted Jack, "it is your nasty +jackal itself, that you left in the sun." + +"Now, boys," said I, "no quarreling here; do you, Jack, help your +brother to drag the carcass to the sea, and if your belt smells after +that you must take it off and dry it better." + +The jackal was dragged off, and we then finished our work of unloading +our boat. When this was accomplished we started for our tent, and +finding no preparation for supper, I said, "Fritz, let us have a +Westphalian ham." + +"Ernest," said my wife, smiling, "let us see if we cannot conjure up +some eggs." + +Fritz got out a splendid ham and carried it to his mother triumphantly, +while Ernest set before me a dozen white balls with parchment-like +coverings. + +"Turtles' eggs!" said I. "Well done, Ernest! where did you get them?" + +"That," replied my wife, "shall be told in due course when we relate our +adventures; now we will see what they will do toward making a supper +for you; with these and your ham I do not think we shall starve." + +Leaving my wife to prepare supper, we returned to the shore and brought +up what of the cargo we had left there; then, having collected our herd +of animals, we returned to the tent. + +The meal which awaited us was as unlike the first supper we had there +enjoyed as possible. My wife had improvised a table of a board laid on +two casks; on this was spread a white damask tablecloth, on which were +placed knives, forks, spoons, and plates for each person. A tureen of +good soup first appeared, followed by a capital omelette, then slices of +the ham; and finally some Dutch cheese, butter, and biscuits, with a +bottle of the captain's Canary wine, completed the repast. + +While we thus regaled ourselves, I related to my wife our adventures, +and then begged she would remember her promise and tell me all that had +happened in my absence. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +OUR HOME IN THE GIANT TREE + + +"I will spare you a description," said my wife, "of our first day's +occupations; truth to tell, I spent the time chiefly in anxious thought +and watching your progress and signals. I rose very early this morning, +and with the utmost joy perceiving your signal that all was right, +hastened to reply to it, and then, while my sons yet slumbered, I sat +down and began to consider how our position could be improved. 'For it +is perfectly impossible,' said I to myself, 'to live much longer where +we are now. The sun beats burningly the lifelong day on this bare, rocky +spot; our only shelter is this poor tent, beneath the canvas of which +the heat is even more oppressive than on the open shore. Why should not +I and my little boys exert ourselves as well as my husband and Fritz? +Why should not we too try to accomplish something useful? If we could +but exchange this melancholy and unwholesome abode for a pleasant, shady +dwelling place, we should all improve in health and spirits. Among those +delightful woods and groves where Fritz and his father saw so many +charming things, I feel sure there must be some little retreat where we +could establish ourselves comfortably; there must be, and I will find +it.' + +"By this time the boys were up, and I observed Jack very quietly and +busily occupied with his knife about the spot where Fritz's jackal lay. +Watching his proceedings, I saw that he had cut two long, narrow strips +of the animal's skin, which he cleaned and scraped very carefully, and +then taking a handful of great nails out of his pocket, he stuck them +through the skin, points outward, after which he cut strips of canvas +sailcloth, twice as broad as the thongs, doubled them, and laid them on +the raw side of the skin, so as to cover the broad, flat nail heads. At +this point of the performance, Master Jack came to me with the agreeable +request that I would kindly stitch the canvas and (moist) skin together +for him. I gave him needles and thread, but could not think of depriving +him of the pleasure of doing it himself. + +"However, when I saw how good-humoredly he persevered in the work with +his awkward, unskillful fingers, I took pity on him, and conquering the +disgust I felt, finished lining the skin dog-collars he had so +ingeniously contrived. After this, I was called upon to complete in the +same way a fine belt of skin he had made for himself. I advised him to +think of some means by which the skin might be kept from shrinking. + +"Ernest, although rather treating Jack's manufacture with ridicule, +proposed a sensible enough plan, which Jack forthwith put into +execution. He nailed the skin, stretched flat, on a board, and put it in +the sun to dry. + +"My scheme of a journey was agreed to joyously by my young companions. +Preparations were instantly set on foot: weapons and provisions +provided; the two elder boys carrying guns, while they gave me charge of +the water flask, and a small hatchet. + +"Leaving everything in as good order as we could at the tent, we +proceeded toward the stream, accompanied by the dogs. Turk, who had +accompanied you on your first expedition, seemed immediately to +understand that we wished to pursue the same route, and proudly led the +way. + +"As I looked at my two young sons, each with his gun, and considered how +much the safety of the party depended on these little fellows, I felt +grateful to you, dear husband, for having acquainted them in childhood +with the use of firearms. + +"Filling our water-jar, we crossed the stream, and went on to the +height, whence, as you described, a lovely prospect is obtained, at the +sight of which a pleasurable sensation of buoyant hope, to which I had +long been a stranger, awoke within my breast. + +"A pretty little wood in the distance attracted my notice particularly, +and thither we directed our course. But soon finding it impossible to +force our way through the tall, strong grass, which grew in dense +luxuriance higher than the children's heads, we turned toward the open +beach on our left, and following it, we reached a point much nearer the +little wood, when, quitting the strand, we made toward it. + +"We had not entirely escaped the tall grass, however, and with the +utmost fatigue and difficulty, were struggling through the reeds, when +suddenly a great rushing noise terrified us all dreadfully. A very large +and powerful bird sprang upward on the wing. Both boys attempted to take +aim, but the bird was far away before they were ready to fire. + +"'Oh, dear, what a pity!' exclaimed Ernest; 'now if I had only had my +light gun, and if the bird had not flown quite so fast, I should have +brought him down directly!' + +"'Oh yes,' said I, 'no doubt you would be a capital sportsman, if only +your game would always give you time to make ready comfortably.' + +"'But I had no notion that anything was going to fly up just at our feet +like that,' cried he. + +"'A good shot,' I replied, 'must be prepared for surprises; neither wild +birds nor wild beasts will send you notice that they are about to fly or +to run.' + +"'What sort of bird can it have been?' inquired Jack. + +"'Oh, it certainly must have been an eagle,' answered little Franz, 'it +was so very big!' + +"'Just as if every big bird must be an eagle!' replied Ernest, in a tone +of derision. + +"'Let's see where he was sitting, at all events!' said I. + +"Jack sprang toward the place, and instantly a second bird, rather +larger than the first, rushed upward into the air, with a most startling +noise. + +"The boys stood staring upward, perfectly stupefied, while I laughed +heartily, saying, 'Well, you are first-rate sportsmen, to be sure! You +certainly will keep my larder famously well supplied!' + +"At this, Ernest colored up, and looked inclined to cry, while Jack put +on a comical face, pulled off his cap, and with a low bow, called after +the fugitive: + +"'Adieu for the present, sir! I live in hopes of another meeting!' + +"On searching the ground carefully, we discovered a rude sort of nest +made untidily of dry grass. It was empty, although we perceived broken +egg shells at no great distance, and concluded that the young brood had +escaped among the grass, which, in fact, we could see was waving at a +little distance, as the little birds ran through it. + +"'Now look here, Franz,' said Ernest, presently, 'just consider how this +bird could by any possibility have been an eagle. Eagles never build on +the ground, neither can their young leave the nest and run as soon as +they are out of the egg. That is a peculiarity of the gallinaceous tribe +of birds alone, to which then these must belong. The species, I think, +is indicated by the white belly and dull red color of the wing coverts +which I observed in these specimens, and I believe them to be bustards, +especially as I noticed in the largest the fine mustache-like feathers +over the beak, peculiar to the great bustard.' + +"'My dear boy,' I said, 'your eyes were actively employed, I must +confess, if your fingers were unready with the gun. And after all, it is +just as well, perhaps, that we have not thrown the bustard's family into +mourning.' + +"Thus chatting, we at length approached my pretty wood. Numbers of birds +fluttered and sang among the high branches, but I did not encourage the +boys in their wish to try to shoot any of the happy little creatures. We +were lost in admiration of the trees of this grove, and I cannot +describe to you how wonderful they are, nor can you form the least idea +of their enormous size without seeing them yourself. What we had been +calling a wood proved to be a group of about a dozen trees only, and, +what was strange, the roots sustained the massive trunks exalted in the +air, forming strong arches, and props and stays all around each +individual stem, which was firmly rooted in the center. + +"I gave Jack some twine, and scrambling up one of the curious open-air +roots, he succeeded in measuring round the trunk itself, and made it out +to be about eighteen yards. I saw no sort of fruit, but the foliage is +thick and abundant, throwing delicious shade on the ground beneath, +which is carpeted with soft green herbage, and entirely free from +thorns, briars, or bushes of any kind. It is the most charming resting +place that ever was seen, and I and the boys enjoyed our mid-day meal +immensely in this glorious palace of the woods, so grateful to our +senses after the glare and heat of our journey thither. The dogs joined +us after a while. They had lingered behind on the seashore, and I was +surprised to see them lie down and go comfortably to sleep without +begging for food, as they do usually when we eat. + +"The longer we remained in this enchanting place, the more did it charm +my fancy; and if we could but manage to live in some sort of dwelling up +among the branches of those grand, noble trees, I should feel perfectly +safe and happy. It seemed to me absurd to suppose we should ever find +another place half so lovely, so I determined to search no further, but +return to the beach and see if anything from the wreck had been cast up +by the waves, which we could carry away with us. + +"Before starting, Jack persuaded me to sit quietly a little longer, and +finish making his belt and the spike-collars for the dogs, for you must +know that the child had actually been carrying the board on which these +were stretched all this time, so that they should get the full benefit +of the sun. As they were now quite dry, I completed them easily, and +Jack girded on the belt with great pride, placing his pistols in it, +and marching about in the most self-important style, while Ernest fitted +the collars on the two dogs. + +"On reaching the shore, we found it strewed with many articles, +doubtless of value, but all too heavy for us to lift. We rolled some +casks, however, beyond high-water mark, and dragged a chest or two also +higher on the beach; and, while doing so, observed that our dogs were +busy among the rocks. They were carefully watching the crevices and +pools, and every now and then would pounce downward and seize something +which they swallowed with apparent relish. + +"'They are eating crabs,' said Jack. 'No wonder they have not seemed +hungry lately.' + +"And sure enough, they were catching the little green crabs with which +the water abounded. These, however, did not apparently entirely satisfy +them. + +"Some time afterward, just as we were about to turn inland toward the +ford, we noticed that Juno was scraping in the sand, and turning up some +round substances, which she hastily devoured. Ernest went to see what +these were, and reported in his calm way that the dog had found turtles' +eggs. + +"'Oh,' cried I, 'then let us by all means share in the booty!' Mrs. +Juno, however, did not at all approve of this, and it was with some +difficulty that we drove her aside while we gathered a couple of dozen +of eggs, stowing them in our provision bags. + +"While thus employed, we caught sight of a sail which appeared to be +merrily approaching the shore beyond the cliffs. Ernest declared it must +be our raft. Little Franz, always having the fear of savages before his +eyes, began to look frightened, and for a moment I myself was doubtful +what to think. + +"However, we hastened to the stream; and crossing it by the +stepping-stones, came in sight of the landing place, where we joyfully +met you. + +"Now I hope you approve of the proceedings of your exploring party, and +that to-morrow you will do me the favor of packing everything up, and +taking us away to live among my splendid trees." + +"Aye, little wife," said I; "so that is your idea of comfort and +security, is it! A tree, I do not know how many feet high, on which we +are to perch and roost like the birds? If we had but wings or a balloon, +it would, I own, be a capital plan." + +"Laugh as much as you like," returned my wife, "my idea is not so absurd +as you make it out. We should be safe up there from jackals' visits +during the night. And I know I have seen at home, in Switzerland, quite +a pretty arbor, with a strong floor, up among the branches of a lime +tree, and we went up a staircase to reach it. Why could not we contrive +a place like that, where we could sleep safely at night?" + +"I will consider the idea seriously, my wife," said I; "perhaps +something may come of it, after all! Meantime, as we have finished our +supper, and night is coming on, let us commend ourselves to Almighty +protection and retire to rest." + +Beneath the shelter of our tent, we all slept soundly, like marmots, +until break of day; when, my wife and I awaking, took counsel together +as to future proceedings. + +Referring to the task she had the previous evening proposed for me, I +remarked that to undertake it would involve so many difficulties that +it was highly necessary to look closely into the subject. + +"In the first place," said I, "I am unwilling hastily to quit a spot to +which I am convinced we were providentially led as a landing place. See +how secure it is; guarded on all sides by these high cliffs, and +accessible only by the narrow passage to the ford, while from this point +it is so easy to reach the ship that the whole of its valuable cargo is +at our disposal. Suppose we decide to stay patiently here for the +present--until, at least, we have brought on shore everything we +possibly can?" + +"I agree with you to a certain extent, dear husband," replied she; "but +you do not know how dreadfully the heat among the rocks tries me. It is +almost intolerable to us who remain here all day, while you and Fritz +are away out at sea or wandering among the shady woods, where cool +fruits refresh, and fair scenes delight you. As to the contents of the +ship, an immense deal has been cast ashore, and I would much rather give +up all the remainder, and be spared the painful anxiety it gives me when +you even talk of venturing again on the faithless deep." + +"Well, I must admit that there is much right on your side," I continued; +"suppose we were to remove to your chosen abode, and make this rocky +fastness our magazine and place of retreat in case of danger. I could +easily render it still more secure, by blasting portions of the rock +with gunpowder. But a bridge must be constructed in the first place, to +enable us to cross bag and baggage." + +"Oh, I shall be parched to death before we can leave this place if a +bridge has to be made," cried my wife impatiently. "Why not just take +our things on our backs and wade across, as we have done already? The +cow and the donkey could carry a great deal." + +"That they will have to do, in whatever fashion we make the move," said +I; "but bags and baskets we must have, to put things in, and if you will +turn your attention to providing those, I will set about the bridge at +once. It will be wanted not once but continually; the stream will +probably swell and be impassable at times, and even as it is, an +accident might happen." + +"Well, well," cried my wife, "I submit to your opinion; only pray set +about it without delay, for I long to be off. It is an excellent idea to +make a strong place among the cliffs here; the gunpowder especially, I +shall be delighted to see stored here when we go away, for it is +frightfully dangerous to keep so much as we have close to our +habitation." + +"Gunpowder is indeed the most dangerous and at the same time the most +useful thing we have," said I, "and for both these reasons we must be +especially careful of it. In time I will hollow out a place in the rock +where we can store it safe from either fire or damp." + +By this morning's consultation we had settled the weighty question of +our change of abode, and also chalked out work for the day. + +When the children heard of the proposed move their joy was boundless; +they began at once to talk of it as our "journey to the Promised Land," +and only regretted that time must be "wasted," as they said, in +bridge-building before it could be undertaken. + +Everyone being impatient for breakfast that work might be begun at once, +the cow and goats were milked, and, having enjoyed a comfortable meal of +biscuit boiled in milk, I prepared to start for the wreck, in order to +obtain planks for the proposed bridge. Ernest, as well as Fritz, +accompanied me, and we were soon within the influence of the current, +and were carried swiftly out to sea. Fritz was steering, and we had no +sooner passed beyond the islet at the entrance of the bay, so as to come +in sight of its seaward beach, than we were astonished to see a +countless multitude of sea birds, gulls, and others, which rose like a +cloud into the air, disturbed by our approach, and deafened us by their +wild and screaming cries. Fritz caught up his gun, and would have sent a +shot among them had I permitted it. I was very curious to find out what +could be the great attraction for all this swarm of feathered fowl; and, +availing myself of a fresh breeze from the sea, I set the sail and +directed our course toward the island. + +The swelling sail and flying pennant charmed Ernest, while Fritz bent +his keen eyes eagerly toward the sandy shore, where the flocks of birds +were again settling. + +Presently he shouted: "Aha! now I see what they are after! They have a +huge monster of a fish there, and a proper feast they are making! Let's +have a nearer look at it, father!" + +We could not take our boat very close in, but we managed to effect a +landing at a short distance from the festive scene; and, securing the +raft by casting a rope round a large stone, we cautiously drew near the +object of interest. It proved to be a monstrous fish on whose flesh +these multitudes of birds were ravenously feeding; and it was +extraordinary to watch the ferocity, the envy, the gluttony, and all +manner of evil passions, exhibited among the guests at this banquet. + +"There was nothing on this sandy beach when we passed yesterday, I am +certain, father," said Fritz. "It seems strange to see this creature +stranded here." + +"Why, Fritz!" cried Ernest, "it must be the shark! your shark, you know! +I believe I can see where you hit him in the head." + +"You are right, I do believe, Ernest," said I, "though I think your +imagination only can distinguish the gunshot wounds among all the +pecking and tearing of the voracious birds there. Just look, boys, at +those terrific jaws, beneath the strangely projecting snout. See the +rows upon rows of murderous teeth, and thank God we were delivered from +them! Let us try if we can induce these greedy birds to spare us a bit +of the shark's skin; it is extremely rough, and when dry may be used +like a file." + +Ernest drew the ramrod from his gun, and charged so manfully into the +crowd that, striking right and left, he speedily killed several, while +most of the others took to flight. Fritz detached some broad strips of +skin with his knife, and we returned toward the boat. + +Perceiving with satisfaction that the shore was strewn with just the +sort of boards and planks I wanted, I lost no time in collecting them; +and, forming a raft to tow after us, we were in a short time able to +direct our course homeward, without visiting the wreck at all. As we +sailed along, extremely well pleased with our good fortune, Fritz, by my +direction, nailed part of the shark's skin flat on boards to dry in the +sun, and the rest on the rounded mast. + +"Will that be a good plan, father?" inquired he, "it will be quite bent +and crooked when it hardens." + +"That it just what I want it to be," said I; "we may happen to find it +useful in that form as well as flat. It would be beautiful shagreen if +we could smooth and polish it." + +"I thought," remarked Ernest, "that shagreen was made from asses' hide." + +"And you thought rightly," said I. "The best shagreen is prepared in +Turkey, Persia, and Tartary, from the skins of horses and asses. In +these skins the roughness is produced artificially; while the skin is +newly flayed and still soft, hard grains of corn are spread on the under +surface, and pressed into it as it dries. These grains are afterward +removed, and the roughness imparted to the appearance of the skin +remains indelibly; shagreen is useful in polishing joiners' work, and it +is made in France from the rough skin of a hideous creature called the +angel-fish." + +"Angel-fish!" exclaimed Fritz; "what a name to give to anything +'hideous,' father!" + +"There are bad angels as well as good ones," observed Ernest, in his +dry, quiet way; "it is better to leave people to see for themselves +which is meant." + +By this time we were close in shore; and lowering the sail, we soon had +our craft, with the raft in tow, safely moored to the bank. + +No one was in sight, not a sound to be heard, so with united voice we +gave a loud, cheery halloo, which after a while was answered in shrill +tones, and the mother, with her two boys, came running from behind the +rocks between us and the stream, each carrying a small bundle in a +handkerchief, while little Franz held aloft a landing net. + +Our return so soon was quite unexpected, and they anxiously inquired +the reason, which we soon explained; and then the mysterious bundles +were opened, and a great number of fine crawfish displayed; whose +efforts to escape by scuttling away in every direction, directly they +were placed in a heap on the ground, caused immense fun and laughter as +the boys pursued and brought them back, only to find others scrambling +off in a dozen different ways. + +"Now, father, have we not done well to-day!" cried Jack, "did you ever +see such splendid crawfish? Oh, there were thousands of them, and I am +sure we have got two hundred here at least. Just look at their claws!" + +"No doubt you were the discoverer of these fine crabs, eh, Jack?" said +I. + +"No! fancy young Franz being the lucky man!" answered he. "He and I went +toward the stream while mother was busy, just to look for a good place +for the bridge. Franz was picking up pebbles and alabasters, some +because they were so pretty, some to strike sparks in the dark, and +some, he insisted, were 'gold.' 'Jack!' 'Jack!' cried he presently, +'come and see the crabs on Fritz's jackal!' You know we threw it away +there, and to be sure it was swarming with these creatures. Are you glad +we have found them, father? Will they be good to eat?" + +"Very excellent, my boy, and we may be thankful that food for our wants +is thus provided day by day." + +When each party had related the day's adventures, and while the mother +was cooking the crawfish, we went to bring our store of planks to land. +Even this apparently simple operation required thought, and I had to +improvise rope-harness for the cow and the donkey, by which we could +make them drag each board separately from the water's edge to the margin +of the stream. + +Jack showed me where he thought the bridge should be, and I certainly +saw no better place, as the banks were at that point tolerably close to +one another, steep, and of about equal height. + +"How shall we find out if our planks are long enough to reach across?" +said I. "A surveyor's table would be useful now." + +"What do you say to a ball of string, father?" said Ernest. "Tie one end +to a stone, throw it across, then draw it back and measure the line!" + +Adopting my son's idea, we speedily ascertained the distance across to +be eighteen feet. Then allowing three feet more at each side, I +calculated twenty-four feet as the necessary length of the boards. + +The question as to how the planks were to be laid across was a difficult +one. We resolved to discuss it during dinner, to which we were now +summoned. And my wife, as we sat resting, displayed to me her +needlework. With hard labor she had made two large canvas bags for the +ass to carry. Having no suitable needle, she had been obliged to bore +the hole for each stitch with a nail, and gained great praise for her +ingenuity and patience. + +Dinner was quickly dispatched, as we were all eager to continue our +engineering work. A scheme had occurred to me for conveying one end of a +plank across the water, and I set about it in this way. There +fortunately were one or two trees close to the stream on either side. I +attached a rope pretty near one end of a beam, and slung it loosely to +the tree beside us; then, fastening a long rope to the other end, I +crossed with it by means of broken rocks and stones, and having a pulley +and block, I soon arranged the rope on a strong limb of the opposite +tree, again returning with the end to our own side. + +Now putting my idea to the proof, I brought the ass and the cow, and +fastening this rope to the harness I had previously contrived for them, +I drove them steadily away from the bank. To my great satisfaction, and +the surprise and delight of the boys, the end of the plank which had +been laid alongside the stream began gently to move, rose higher, +turned, and soon projecting over the water, continued to advance, until, +having described the segment of a circle, it reached the opposite bank; +I stopped my team, the plank rested on the ground, the bridge was made! +So at least thought Fritz and Jack, who in a moment were lightly running +across the narrow way, shouting joyfully as they sprang to the other +side. + +Our work was now comparatively easy. A second and third plank were laid +beside the first; and when these were carefully secured at each end to +the ground and to the trees, we very quickly laid short boards side by +side across the beams, the boys nailing them lightly down as I sawed +them in lengths; and when this was done, our bridge was pronounced +complete. Nothing could exceed the excitement of the children. They +danced to and fro on the wonderful structure, singing, shouting, and +cutting the wildest capers. I must confess I heartily sympathized with +their triumphant feelings. + +Now that the work was done, we began to feel how much we were fatigued, +and gladly returned to our tent for refreshment and repose. + +Next morning, while we breakfasted, I made a little speech to my sons on +the subject of the important move we were about to make, wishing to +impress them with a sense of the absolute necessity of great caution. + +"Remember," said I, "that, although you all begin to feel very much at +your ease here, we are yet complete strangers to a variety of dangers +which may surprise us unawares. I charge you, therefore, to maintain +good order, and keep together on the march. No darting off into by-ways, +Jack. No lingering behind to philosophize, Ernest. And now all hands to +work." + +The greatest activity instantly prevailed in our camp. Some collected +provisions, others packed kitchen utensils, tools, ropes, and hammocks, +arranging them as burdens for the cow and ass. My wife pleaded for a +seat on the latter for her little Franz, and assuring me likewise that +she could not possibly leave the poultry even for a night, nor exist an +hour without her magic bag, I agreed to do my best to please her, +without downright cruelty to animals. + +Away ran the children to catch the cocks and hens. Great chasing, +fluttering, and cackling ensued; but with no success whatever, until the +mother recalled her panting sons, and scattering some handfuls of grain +within the open tent, soon decoyed the fowls and pigeons into the +enclosure; where, when the curtain was dropped, they were easily caught, +tied together, and placed on the cow. This amiable and phlegmatic animal +had stood calmly chewing the cud, while package after package was +disposed on her broad back, nor did she now object even to this noisy +addition to her load. I placed a couple of half-hoops over all; and, +spreading sailcloth on them, put the fowls in darkness, and they rapidly +became quiet; and the cow, with the appearance of having a small wagon +on her back, was ready to start. + +Franz was firmly seated on the ass, amidst bags and bundles of all sorts +and sizes; they rose about him like cushions and pillows, and his curly +head rested on the precious magic bag, which surmounted all the rest. + +Having filled the tent with the things we left behind, closing it +carefully, and ranging chests and casks around it, we were finally ready +to be off, each well equipped and in the highest spirits. + +Fritz and his mother led the van. + +Franz (the young cavalier) and the sober-minded cow followed them +closely. + +Jack conducted the goats; one of these had also a rider, for Knips,[1] +the monkey, was seated on his foster-mother, whose patience was sorely +tried by his restlessness and playful tricks. + +[Footnote 1: German, Knipps, a mannikin.] + +The sheep were under Ernest's care, and I brought up the rear of this +patriarchal band, while the two dogs kept constantly running backward +and forward in the character of aids-de-camp. + +"We seem delightfully like those simple and pastoral tribes I have read +of," said Ernest, as we proceeded, "whose whole lives are spent in +shifting from place to place, without any wish to settle." + +"Yes," said I. "Among the Arabs, Tartars, and some other eastern +nations, this mode of life is natural. They for that reason are called +Nomads. + +"These tribes are amply provided with camels and horses, and effect +their journeys more quickly and conveniently than we are likely to do +with these deliberate quadrupeds of ours. Whatever you young folks may +think, I suspect your mother and I will be quite satisfied with one such +undertaking. At least I hope she will be contented with the nest she +intends me to build for her up in her wonderful trees." + +With honest pride I introduced my wife to my bridge, and after receiving +from her what I considered well-merited praise for my skill in its +construction, we passed over it in grand procession, re-enforced +unexpectedly on the opposite side by the arrival of our cross-grained +old sow. The perverse creature had obstinately resisted our attempts to +bring her with us, but finding herself deserted, had followed of her own +accord, testifying in the most unmistakable manner, by angry grunts and +squeals, her entire disapproval of our proceedings. + +I soon found we must, as before, turn down to the sea beach, for not +only did the rank grass impede our progress, but it also tempted the +animals to break away from us, and, but for our watchful dogs, we might +have lost several of them. + +On the firm open sands we were making good way when, to my annoyance, +both our dogs suddenly left us, and springing into the thick cover to +our right, commenced a furious barking, followed by howling as if in +fear and violent pain. + +Not for a moment doubting that some dangerous animal was at hand, I +hastened to the spot, remarking as I went the characteristic behavior of +my three sons. + +Fritz cocked his gun and advanced boldly, but with caution. + +Ernest looked disconcerted, and drew back, but got ready to fire. + +While Jack hurried after Fritz without so much as unslinging his gun +from his shoulders. + +Before I could come up with them, I heard Jack shouting excitedly, + +"Father! father! come quickly! a huge porcupine! a most enormous +porcupine!" + +Sure enough, the dogs were rushing round and round a porcupine, and +having attempted to seize it, were already severely wounded by its +quills. Each time they came near, the creature, with a rattling noise, +bristled up its spines. + +Somewhat to my amusement, while we were looking at the curious defense +this creature was making, little Jack stepped close up to it, with a +pocket pistol in his hand, and shot it dead, making sure of it by a +couple of hearty raps on the head, and then giving way to a burst of +boyish exultation, he called upon us to help convey his prize to his +mother. This it was not by any means easy to do. Sundry attempts +resulted in bloody fingers, till Jack, taking his pocket handkerchief +and fastening one corner round its neck, ran off, dragging it after him +to where his mother awaited us. + +"Hullo, mother! here's a jolly beast, isn't it? I shot it, and it's good +to eat! Father says so! I only wish you had seen how it terrified the +dogs, and heard the rattling and rustling of its spines. Oh, it is a +fearful creature!" + +Ernest, examining it carefully, pronounced its incisor teeth, its ears +and feet, to resemble those of the human race, and pointed out the +curious crest of stiff hairs on its head and neck. + +"I have read of another species," said he, "called the tuft-tailed +porcupine, which must be even more curious looking than this is. It has +short, flat quills, and a scaly tail ending in an extraordinary tuft, +like a bunch of narrow strips of parchment. It cannot be such a +disagreeable enemy to encounter as this fellow." + +"Were you not afraid, Jack," asked I, "lest the porcupine should cast +some of his quills like darts at you?" + +"Of course not," returned he, "I know well enough that is nothing but a +fable!" + +"A fable!" said I; "why, look at your mother! she is drawing five or six +spines out of each of the dogs!" + +"Ah, those stuck into them when they so fiercely fell upon it in their +attack. Those are the shortest quills, and seem very slightly fixed in +its skin. The long quills bent aside when Juno pressed against them." + +"You are perfectly right, my boy," said I; "there is no truth in the old +idea of shooting out the spines. But now, shall we leave this prickly +booty of yours, or attempt to take it with us?" + +"Oh, please, father, let us take it! Why, it is good to eat!" + +Smiling at the child's eagerness, and willing to please him, I made a +somewhat awkward bundle of the porcupine, wrapping it in several folds +of cloth, and added it to the donkey's load. We had scarcely started +when the porcupine quills entered the donkey's back, causing it to kick +and plunge. This I soon altered, and our party then resumed the march, +which, with little interruption, was continued steadily, until we came +in sight of our future place of residence. + +The wonderful appearance of the enormous trees, and the calm beauty of +the spot altogether, fully came up to the enthusiastic description +which had been given me. And my wife gladly heard me say that, if an +abode could be contrived among the branches, it would be the safest and +most charming home in the world. + +We hastily unloaded the ass and cow, securing them, as well as the sheep +and goats, by tying their fore-feet loosely together. The doves and +poultry were set at liberty, and we sat down to rest among the soft +herbage while we laid our plans for the night. + +Fritz soon left us, but presently two shots were fired, and he appeared +holding a fine tiger cat by the hind legs, which, with the intensest +delight, he exhibited to each in turn. + +"Well done, Fritz!" cried I. "Our cocks and hens would have had an +unfortunate night of it but for this lucky shot of yours. It is to be +hoped he has left no companion near at hand. You must be on the +lookout." + +"How curious it seems," remarked Ernest, "that God should create hurtful +animals like this." + +"To our feeble and narrow vision many of the ways of the Infinite and +Eternal Mind are incomprehensible," I replied. "What our limited reason +cannot grasp, let us be content to acknowledge as the workings of +Almighty power and wisdom, and thankfully trust in that 'Rock,' which, +were it not higher than we, would afford no sense of security to the +immortal soul. That animals should prey upon one another is a means of +preserving a due balance in the world of nature, and in many ways these +beasts of prey are also useful to man. What beautiful and warm furs are +procured by hunters just in those countries where no other covering +would defend the inhabitants from the wintry cold!--as, for instance, +the skins of bears, wolverines, and arctic foxes, wild cats, and many +others." + +"The skin of the seal, or sea dog, is also valuable," said Ernest. + +"It is," I replied, "and in its own element that creature preys on fish +as the dog did on land animals before his race became domesticated by +man. But now, Fritz, tell us how you obtained your prize." + +"Observing that something moved among the branches," said he, "I went +softly around the tree with my gun, and making sure the creature was a +wild cat, I fired and brought it down. It was severely wounded, but, +rising in a fury, it attempted to climb the tree, when I, luckily having +a loaded pistol, gave it a quietus. And do tell me, father, what sort of +a cat it is." + +"It is a mercy the brute did not fly at your throat instead of +attempting to escape," said I. "It belongs to a fierce and blood-thirsty +race--that of the ocelots or tiger cats, natives of the tropical parts +of America. I should say this was a margay, and it would have proved a +cruel foe, not only of our poultry, but also of our sheep and goats. I +am well pleased that you have rid us of it." + +"May I have the beautiful skin, father? And will you tell me what will +be the best use to make of it?" + +"I advise you to skin the animal very carefully, and of the handsome +black and yellow tail make a hunting-belt for yourself. The paws--let me +see--why, I fancy the paws might be made into famous cases for knife, +fork, and spoon, and look well hanging from the belt. The skin of the +body you had better preserve until you find some suitable use for it." + +"Oh, father, what a splendid plan!" cried Jack; "do tell me some good +use for my porcupine." + +"I think its feet may make cases also; at least, you may try. The +quills, I am sure, may be used for packing needles, and for tipping +arrows, and I should try to make defensive armor for the dogs out of the +rest. They may fall in with foes more dangerous than any we have yet +seen." + +"To be sure, father, the very thing!" shouted Jack in high glee. "I have +seen pictures of boar hunts, in which the dogs were protected by a sort +of leather coat of mail. That will be grand!" + +After giving this advice, I got no peace until I had shown my boys how +to act upon it, and in a short time each had his prize fastened up by +the hind legs, and carefully slitting the skin, was stripping it from +the carcass. + +Ernest, meanwhile, was fetching large flat stones in order to form a +fireplace, while Franz gathered sticks, as his mother was anxious to +prepare some food. + +"What sort of a tree do you suppose this to be, father?" inquired +Ernest, seeing me examining that under which we were encamping. "Is not +the leaf something like a walnut?" + +"There is a resemblance, but in my opinion these gigantic trees must be +mangroves or wild figs. I have heard their enormous height described, +and also the peculiarity of the arching roots supporting the main trunk +raised above the soil." + +Just then little Franz came up with a large bundle of sticks, and his +mouth full of something he was eating with evident satisfaction. + +"Oh, mother!" cried he, "this is so good! So delicious!" + +"Greedy little boy!" exclaimed she in a fright. "What have you got +there? Don't swallow it, whatever you do. Very likely it is poisonous! +Spit it all out this minute!" And the anxious mother quickly extracted +from the rosy little mouth the remains of a small fig. + +"Where did you find this?" said I. + +"There are thousands lying among the grass yonder," replied the little +boy. "They taste very nice. I thought poison was nasty. Do you think +they will hurt me? The pigeons and the hens are gobbling them up with +all their might and main, papa!" + +"I think you have no cause for alarm, dear wife," I said. "The trees +seem to be the fig-bearing mangrove of the Antilles. But remember, +Franz, you must never eat anything without first showing it to me, never +mind how good it seems. If birds and monkeys eat a fruit or vegetable, +it is usually safe to believe it wholesome," added I, turning to the +other boys, who, instantly taking the hint, coaxed Franz to give them +the figs he still had in his pocket, and ran to offer them to Knips, who +was closely watching the skinning of the tiger cat and porcupine, +apparently giving his opinion on the subject with much chattering and +gesticulation. + +"Here, Knips, allow me to present you with a fig!" cried Jack, holding +one out to the funny little creature. + +Knips took it readily, and after turning it about, and sniffing and +smelling it, he popped it into his mouth, with such a droll grimace of +delight and satisfaction that the boys all laughed and clapped their +hands, crying, "Bravo, Knips! you know a good thing when you see it, +don't you, old fellow! Hurrah!" + +My wife, with her mind set at rest on the question of the figs, now +continued her preparations for dinner. + +The flesh of the margay was given to the dogs, but part of the porcupine +was put on the fire to boil, while we reserved the rest for roasting. + +I employed myself in contriving needles for my wife's work, by boring +holes at one end of the quills, which I did by means of a red hot nail, +and I soon had a nice packet of various sizes, which pleased her +immensely. I also laid plans for making proper harness for our beasts of +burden, but could not attempt to begin that while so many wants more +pressing demanded attention. + +We examined the different trees, and chose one which seemed most suited +to our purpose. The branches spread at a great height above us, and I +made the boys try if it were possible to throw sticks or stones over one +of these, my intention being to construct a rope ladder if we could once +succeed in getting a string across a strong bough. + +Finding we could not succeed in that way, I revolved other schemes in my +mind, and meantime went with Jack and Fritz to a small brook close by, +where I showed them how to place the skins to steep and soften in the +water, with stones placed on them to keep them beneath the surface. + +When dinner was over, I prepared our night quarters. I first slung our +hammocks from the roots of the tree, which, meeting above us, formed an +arched roof, then covering the whole with sailcloth, we made a temporary +tent, which would at least keep off the night damps and noxious insects. + +Leaving my wife engaged in making a set of harness for the ass and cow, +whose strength I intended to employ the following day in drawing the +beams up to our tree, I walked down with Fritz and Ernest to the beach +to look for wood suitable for building our new abode, and also to +discover, if possible, some light rods to form a ladder. For some time +we hunted in vain; nothing but rough drift wood was to be seen, utterly +unfit for our purpose. Ernest at length pointed out a quantity of +bamboos, half buried in the sand. These were exactly what I wanted, and +stripping them of their leaves I cut them into lengths of about five +feet each; these I bound in bundles to carry to the tree, and then began +to look about for some slight reeds to serve as arrows. + +I presently saw what I required in a copse at a little distance. We +advanced cautiously lest the thicket should contain some wild beast or +venomous serpent. Juno rushed ahead; as she did so a flock of +flamingoes, which had been quietly feeding, rose in the air. Fritz, +instantly firing, brought a couple of the birds to the ground, the rest +of the squadron sailing away in perfect order, their plumage continually +changing, as they flew, from beautiful rose to pure white, as +alternately their snowy wings and rosy breasts were visible. One of +those which fell was perfectly dead, but the other appeared only +slightly wounded in the wing, for it made off across the swampy ground. +I attempted to follow, but soon found that progress was impossible on +the marsh; Juno, however, chased the bird and, seizing it, speedily +brought it to my feet. Fritz and Ernest were delighted at the sight of +our prize. + +"What a handsome bird!" exclaimed they. "Is it much hurt? Let us tame it +and let it run about with the fowls." + +"Its plumage is much more brilliant than that of the dead one," remarked +Fritz. + +"Yes," said Ernest, "this is a full grown bird, while yours is younger; +it is some years before they reach perfection. See what long active legs +it has, like those of a stork, while with its great webbed feet it can +swim faster than a goose. Earth, air, or water is all the same to the +flamingo; it is equally at home in any one of the three." + +"Well," said Fritz, "let us take the dead one to mother and get her to +introduce it to the other element, and see what it will make of that; if +it is young and tender, as you say, it should make a delicious roast." + +Fritz and Ernest then carried the birds and bamboos to the tree, while I +proceeded to cut my reeds. I chose those which had flowered, knowing +that they were harder, and having cut a sufficient quantity of these, I +selected one or two of the tallest canes I could find to assist me in +measuring the height of the tree. I then bound them together and +returned to my family. + +"Do you mean to keep this great hungry bird Fritz has brought?" said my +wife, "it is another mouth to feed, remember, and provisions are still +scarce." + +"Luckily," I replied, "the flamingo will not eat grain like our poultry, +but will be quite satisfied with insects, fish, and little crabs, which +it will pick up for itself. Pray reassure yourself, therefore, and let +me see to the poor bird's wound." + +So saying, I procured some wine and butter and anointed the wing, which +though hurt was not broken. I bound it up, and then took the bird to the +stream, where I fastened it by a long cord to a stake and left it to +shift for itself. In a few days the wound was healed, and the bird, +subdued by kind treatment, became rapidly tame. + +While I was thus employed my sons were endeavoring to ascertain the +height of the lowest branch of the tree from the ground. They had +fastened together the long reeds I had brought, and were trying to +measure the distance with them, but in vain; they soon found that were +the rods ten times their length they could not touch the branch. + +"Hullo, my boys," I said, when I discovered what they were about, "that +is not the way to set to work. Geometry will simplify the operation +considerably; with its help the altitude of the highest mountains are +ascertained. We may, therefore, easily find the height of the branch." + +So saying, I measured out a certain distance from the base of the tree +and marked the spot, and then by means of a rod whose length I knew, and +imaginary lines, I calculated the angle subtended by the trunk of the +tree from the ground to the root of the branch. This done, I was able to +discover the height required, and, to the astonishment of the younger +children, announced that we should henceforth live thirty feet above the +ground. This I wanted to know, that I might construct a ladder of the +necessary length. + +Telling Fritz to collect all our cord, and the others to roll all the +twine into a ball, I sat down, and taking the reeds, speedily +manufactured half a dozen arrows and feathered them from the dead +flamingo. I then took a strong bamboo, bent it, and strung it so as to +form a bow. When the boys saw what I had done they were delighted, and +begged to have the pleasure of firing the first shot. + +"No, no!" said I, "I did not make this for mere pleasure, nor is it even +intended as a weapon; the arrows are pointless. Elizabeth," I continued +to my wife, "can you supply me with a ball of stout thread from your +wonderful bag?" + +"Certainly," replied she, "I think a ball of thread was the first thing +to enter the bag," and diving her hand deep in, she drew out the very +thing I wanted. + +"Now, boys," I said, "I am going to fire the first shot," and I fastened +one end of the thread to one of my arrows and aimed at a large branch +above me. The arrow flew upward and bore the thread over the branch and +fell at our feet. Thus was the first step in our undertaking +accomplished. Now for the rope ladder! + +Fritz had obtained two coils of cord, each about forty feet in length; +these we stretched on the ground side by side; then Fritz cut the +bamboos into pieces of two feet for the steps of the ladder, and as he +handed them to me, I passed them through knots which I had prepared in +the ropes, while Jack fixed each end with a nail driven through the +wood. When the ladder was finished, I carried over the bough a rope by +which it might be hauled up. This done, I fixed the lower end of the +ladder firmly to the ground by means of stakes, and all was ready for an +ascent. The boys, who had been watching me with intense interest, were +each eager to be first. + +"Jack shall have the honor," said I, "as he is the lightest; so up with +you, my boy, and do not break your neck." + +Jack, who was as active as a monkey, sprang up the ladder and quickly +gained the top. + +"Three cheers for the nest!" he exclaimed, waving his cap. "Hurrah, +hurrah, hurrah for our jolly nest! What a grand house we will have up +here; come along, Fritz!" + +His brother was soon by his side, and with a hammer and nails secured +the ladder yet more securely. I followed with an ax, and took a survey +of the tree. It was admirably suited to our purpose; the branches were +very strong and so closely interwoven that no beams would be required to +form a flooring, but when some of the boughs were lopped and cleared +away, a few planks would be quite sufficient. + +I now called for a pulley, which my wife fastened to the cord hanging +beside the ladder. I hauled it up, and finding the boys rather in my +way, told them to go down, while I proceeded to fasten the pulley to a +stout branch above me, that we might be able to haul up the beams we +should require the next day. I then made other preparations, that there +might be no delay on the morrow, and a bright moon having arisen, I by +its light continued working until I was quite worn out, and then at +length descended. I reached the ground, but to my surprise found that +the two boys were not there. They had not been seen. + +A moment afterward, however, all anxiety was dispelled, for among the +topmost boughs I heard their young voices raised in the evening hymn. +Instead of descending, they had, while I was busy, climbed upward, and +had been sitting in silent admiration of the moonlight scene, high above +me. They now joined us, and my wife showed me the results of her labor. +She had made two complete sets of harness. I congratulated her upon her +success, and we then sat down to supper. On a cloth spread out upon the +grass were arranged a roast shoulder of porcupine, a delicious bowl of +soup made from a piece of the same animal, cheese, butter, and biscuits, +forming a most tempting repast. Having done this ample justice, we +collected our cattle, and the pigeons and fowls having retired to roost +on the neighboring trees, and on the steps of our ladder, we made up a +glorious fire to keep off any prowling wild beasts, and ourselves lay +down. The children, in spite of the novelty of the hammocks, were +quickly asleep. In vain I tried to follow their example; a thousand +anxious thoughts presented themselves, and as quickly as I dispelled +them others rose in their place. The night wore on, and I was still +awake; the fire burned low, and I rose and replenished it with dry fuel. +Then again I climbed into my hammock, and toward morning fell asleep. + +Early next morning we were astir, and dispersed to our various +occupations. My wife milked the goats and cow, while we gave the animals +their food, after which we went down to the beach to collect more wood +for our building operations. To the larger beams we harnessed the cow +and ass, while we ourselves dragged up the remainder. Fritz and I then +ascended the tree, and finished the preparations I had begun the night +before; all useless boughs we lopped off, leaving a few about six feet +from the floor, from which we might sling our hammocks, and others still +higher, to support a temporary roof of sailcloth. My wife made fast the +planks to a rope passed through the block I had fixed to the boughs +above us, and by this means Fritz and I hauled them up. These we +arranged side by side on the foundation of boughs, so as to form a +smooth solid floor, and round this platform built a bulwark of planks, +and then throwing the sailcloth over the higher branches, we drew it +down and firmly nailed it. + +Our house was thus enclosed on three sides, for behind the great trunk +protected us, while the front was left open to admit the fresh sea +breeze which blew directly in. We then hauled up our hammocks and +bedding and slung them from the branches we had left for that purpose. A +few hours of daylight still remaining, we cleared the floor of leaves +and chips, and then descended to fashion a table and a few benches from +the remainder of the wood. After working like slaves all day, Fritz and +I flung ourselves on the grass, while my wife arranged supper on the +table we had made. + +"Come," said she at length, "come and taste flamingo stew, and tell me +how you like it. Ernest assured me that it would be much better stewed +than roasted, and I have been following his directions." + +Laughing at the idea of Ernest turning scientific cook, we sat down. The +fowls gathered round us to pick up the crumbs, and the tame flamingo +joined them, while Master Knips skipped about from one to the other, +chattering and mimicking our gestures continually. To my wife's joy, the +sow appeared shortly after, and was presented with all the milk that +remained from the day's stock that she might be persuaded to return +every night. + +"For," said my wife, "this surplus milk is really of no use to us, as +it will be sour before the morning in this hot climate." + +"You are quite right," I replied, "but we must contrive to make it of +use. The next time Fritz and I return to the wreck we will bring off a +churn among the other things we require." + +"Must you really go again to that dreadful wreck?" said my wife +shuddering. "You have no idea how anxious I am when you are away there." + +"Go we must, I am afraid," I replied, "but not for a day or two yet. +Come, it is getting late. We and the chickens must go to roost." + +We lit our watch-fire, and, leaving the dogs on guard below, ascended +the ladder. Fritz, Ernest, and Jack were up in a moment. Their mother +followed very cautiously, for though she had originated the idea of +building a nest, she yet hesitated to entrust herself at such a terrific +height from the ground. When she was safely landed in the house, taking +little Franz on my back, I let go the fastenings which secured the lower +end of the ladder to the ground, and swinging to and fro, slowly +ascended. + +Then for the first time we stood all together in our new home. I drew up +the ladder, and, with a greater sense of security than I had enjoyed +since we landed on the island, offered up our evening prayer, and +retired for the night. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +SOME USEFUL DISCOVERIES--A COMICAL INCIDENT + + +Next morning all were early awake, and the children sprang about the +tree like young monkeys. + +"What shall we begin to do, father?" they cried. "What do you want us to +do to-day?" + +"Rest, my boys," I replied, "rest." + +"Rest?" repeated they. "Why should we rest?" + +"'Six days shalt thou labor and do all that thou hast to do, but on the +seventh, thou shalt do no manner of work.' This is the seventh day," I +replied, "on it, therefore, let us rest." + +"What, is it really Sunday?" asked Jack; "how jolly! oh, I won't do any +work; but I'll take a bow and arrow and shoot, and we'll climb about the +tree and have fun all day." + +"That is not resting," said I, "that is not the way you are accustomed +to spend the Lord's day." + +"No! but then we can't go to church here, and there is nothing else to +do." + +"We can worship here as well as at home," said I. + +"But there is no church, no clergyman, and no organ," said Franz. + +"The leafy shade of this great tree is far more beautiful than any +church," I said; "there will we worship our Creator. Come, boys, down +with you: turn our dining hall into a breakfast room." + +The children, one by one, slipped down the ladder. + +"My dear Elizabeth," said I, "this morning we will devote to the service +of the Lord, and by means of a parable, I will endeavor to give the +children some serious thoughts; but, without books, or the possibility +of any of the usual Sunday occupations, we cannot keep them quiet the +whole day; afterward, therefore, I shall allow them to pursue any +innocent recreation they choose, and in the cool of the evening we will +take a walk." + +My wife entirely agreed with my proposal, and having breakfasted, the +family assembled round me, as we sat in the pleasant shade on the fresh, +soft green grass. + +After singing some hymns and offering heartfelt prayers to the Almighty +giver of all good, I told the children I would relate to them a parable +instead of preaching a sermon. + +"Oh, that would be delightful! I like the parables in the Bible better +than anything," said Franz. "When can we hear you read out of the Bible +again, father?" + +"Ah, my little boy, your words reproach me," returned I. "While eagerly +striving to procure from the ship what would feed our bodies and provide +for their comfort, I blush to think that I have neglected the Bread of +Life, the word of God. I shall search for a Bible on my next return to +the wreck: although our own books were nearly all destroyed, I am pretty +sure to find one." + +At these words my wife arose, and, fetching her magic bag, she drew from +it a copy of the Holy Scriptures, which I thankfully received from her +hand; and, after reading aloud from its sacred pages, I spoke as +follows: + +"A great King, ruling in power and splendor over a vast realm of light +and love, possessed within its boundaries a desolate and unfruitful +island. This spot he made the object of his special care; and, lavishing +on it all the varied resources of his might and goodness, it bloomed in +beauty, and became the happy residence of a band of colonists, who were +charged not only with the cultivation and improvement of the soil, but +each, individually, was bound to cherish in his soul the spirit of love +and true allegiance to his Sovereign. While this faithful union was +maintained, the colony flourished; and the noblest virtues exalted and +rendered happy the existence of every member of the race. That a +discontented and rebellious spirit should ever have infected these +fortunate subjects of so loving a master, seems incredible, yet so it +was; disobedience and pride brought misery and punishment, the fair +prospects of the colony were blighted, the labors of the colonists were +unblessed, and total separation from the parent kingdom seemed +inevitable. A message of pardon--of free forgiveness--was nevertheless +accorded to these rebels; and to all who, humbly accepting it, molded +their future lives to the will of the Great King (now revealed in a +character even more gracious than before), was held out the promise of +removal at last from among the ruins caused by the great rebellion, to +the glory and undimmed splendor of the realm of Light and Blessedness." + +Having interested the children, I then, leaving allegory, pressed simply +and earnestly home to each young heart the truths I sought to teach; +and, with a short prayer for a blessing on my words, brought the service +to a close. + +After a thoughtful pause, we separated, and each employed himself as he +felt disposed. + +I took some arrows and endeavored to point them with porcupine quills. + +Franz came to beg me make a little bow and arrow for him to shoot with, +while Fritz asked my advice about the tiger cat skin and the cases he +was to contrive from it. Jack assisted with the arrow making, and +inserting a sharp spine at one end of each reed made it fast with +pack-thread, and began to wish for glue to ensure its remaining firm. + +"O Jack! Mamma's soup is as sticky as anything!" cried Franz; "shall I +run and ask for a cake of it?" + +"No, no, little goose! better look for some real glue in the tool-box." + +"There he will find glue, to be sure," said I, "and the soup would +scarcely have answered your purpose. But Jack, my boy, I do not like to +hear you ridicule your little brother's ideas. Some of the most valuable +discoveries have been the result of thoughts which originally appeared +no wiser than his." + +While thus directing and assisting my sons, we were surprised by hearing +a shot just over our heads; at the same moment two small birds fell dead +at our feet, and looking up, we beheld Ernest among the branches, as +bending his face joyfully toward us, he cried, "Well hit! well hit! a +good shot, wasn't it?" + +Then slipping down the ladder, and picking up the birds, he brought them +to me. One was a kind of thrush, the other a small dove called the +ortolan, and esteemed a very great delicacy on account of its exquisite +flavor. As the figs on which these birds came to feed were only just +beginning to ripen, it was probable that they would soon flock in +numbers to our trees; and by waiting until we could procure them in +large quantities, we might provide ourselves with valuable food for the +rainy season, by placing them, when half cooked, in cases with melted +lard or butter poured over them. + +By this time Jack had pointed a good supply of arrows, and industriously +practiced archery. I finished the bow and arrows for Franz, and expected +to be left in peace; but the young man next demanded a quiver, and I had +to invent that also, to complete his equipment. It was easily done by +stripping a piece of bark from a small tree, fitting a flat side and a +bottom to it, and then a string. Attaching it to his shoulders, the +youthful hunter filled it with arrows and went off; looking, as his +mother said, like an innocent little Cupid, bent on conquest. + +Not long after this, we were summoned to dinner, and all right willingly +obeyed the call. + +During the meal I interested the boys very much by proposing to decide +on suitable names for the different spots we had visited on this coast. + +"For," said I, "it will become more and more troublesome to explain what +we mean, unless we do so. Beside which, we shall feel much more at home +if we can talk as people do in inhabited countries: instead of saying, +for instance, 'the little island at the mouth of our bay, where we found +the dead shark,' 'the large stream near our tent, across which we made +the bridge,' 'that wood where we found cocoanuts, and caught the +monkey,' and so on. Let us begin by naming the bay in which we landed. +What shall we call it?" + +"Oyster Bay," said Fritz. + +"No, no!--Lobster Bay," cried Jack, "in memory of the old fellow who +took a fancy to my leg!" + +"I think," observed his mother, "that, in token of gratitude for our +escape, we should call it Safety Bay." + +This name met with general approbation, and was forthwith fixed upon. + +Other names were quickly chosen. Our first place of abode we called +Tentholm; the islet in the bay, Shark's Island; and the reedy swamp, +Flamingo Marsh. It was some time before the serious question of a name +for our leafy castle could be decided. But finally it was entitled +Falconhurst;[2] and we then rapidly named the few remaining points: +Prospect Hill, the eminence we first ascended; Cape Disappointment, from +whose rocky heights we had strained our eyes in vain search for our +ship's company; and Jackal River, as a name for the large stream at our +landing place, concluded our geographical nomenclature. + +[Footnote 2: Horst, in German, means "nest" or "eyrie."] + +In the afternoon the boys went on with their various employments. Fritz +finished his cases, and Jack asked my assistance in carrying out his +plan of making a cuirass for Turk out of the porcupine skin. After +thoroughly cleansing the inside, we cut and fitted it round the body of +the patient dog; then when strings were sewn on and it became tolerably +dry, he was armed with this ingenious coat of mail, and a most singular +figure he cut! + +Juno strongly objected to his friendly approaches, and got out of his +way as fast as she could; and it was clear that he would easily put to +flight the fiercest animal he might encounter, while protected by armor +at once defensive and offensive. + +I determined to make also a helmet for Jack out of the remainder of the +skin, which to his infinite delight I speedily did. + +Amid these interesting occupations the evening drew on, and after a +pleasant walk among the sweet glades near our abode, we closed our +Sabbath day with prayer and a glad hymn of praise, retiring to rest with +peaceful hearts. + +Next morning, I proposed an expedition to Tentholm, saying I wished to +make my way thither by a different route. We left the tree well armed; I +and my three elder sons each carrying a gun and game bag, while little +Franz was equipped with his bow and quiver full of arrows. A most +curious party we formed: Fritz, adorned with his belt of margay skin, +and Jack, with his extraordinary head-dress, looked like a couple of +young savages. Their mother and I walked together: she, of the whole +party, being the only one unarmed, carried a jar in which to get butter +from Tentholm; we were preceded by the dogs--Turk armed most effectually +with his cuirass of porcupine skin, and Juno keeping at a respectful +distance from so formidable a companion. Master Knips fully intended to +mount his charger as usual; but when he saw him arrayed apparently in a +new skin, he approached him carefully, and touching him with one paw, +discovered that such a hide would make anything but an agreeable seat; +the grimace he made was most comical, and chattering vociferously he +bounded toward Juno, skipped on her back, seated himself, and soon +appeared perfectly reconciled to the change of steed. The flamingo saw +us starting, and, having been much petted during the last day or two, +considered himself entitled to accompany us; for some time he kept +beside the children, following first one and then another as they +explored the wood on either side; their irregular course, however, at +length disgusted him, and, abandoning them, he walked sedately by my +side. We strolled on in the cool air, following the course of the +stream; the great trees overshadowed us, and the cool, green sward +stretched away between them at our feet. The boys roamed ahead of me, +intent on exploration. Presently I heard a joyful shout, and saw Ernest +running at full speed toward me, followed by his brothers. In his hand +he held a plant, and, panting for breath, and with sparkling eyes, he +held it up to me. + +"Potatoes! potatoes! father," he gasped out. + +"Yes," said Jack, "acres and acres of potatoes!" + +"My dear Ernest," said I, for there was no mistaking the flower and +leaf, and the light clear-green bulbous roots, "you have indeed made a +discovery; with the potato we shall never starve." + +"But come and look at them," said Jack, "come and feast your eyes on +thousands of potatoes." + +We hurried to the spot: there, spread out before us, was a great tract +of ground, covered with the precious plant. + +"It would have been rather difficult," remarked Jack, "not to have +discovered such a great field." + +"Very likely," replied Ernest, smiling; "but I doubt if you would have +discovered that it was a potato field." + +"Perhaps not," said Jack, "you are quite welcome, at all events, to the +honor of the discovery; I'll have the honor of being the first to get a +supply of them." So saying, he dug up, with hands and knife, a number of +plants, and filled his game bag with the roots. The monkey followed his +example, and scratching away with his paws most cleverly, soon had a +heap beside him. So delighted were we with the discovery, and so eager +were we to possess a large supply of the roots, that we stopped not +digging until every bag, pouch, and pocket was filled. Some wished to +return at once to Falconhurst, to cook and taste our new acquisition; +but this I over-ruled, and we continued our march, heavily laden, but +delighted. + +"How," said I, "can we thank the Giver of all these blessings, +sufficiently?" + +"Oh," said Franz, "we can say, 'We thank thee, O Lord, for all thy +goodness and mercy; and bless us for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.'" + +"That would not be sufficient," said Fritz. "Do you think it would be +enough, just to say to father and mother: 'Thank you for all you do,' +and not to show that we were really thankful, by loving them and doing +what we can to please them?" + +"You are quite right, Fritz," said I; "Franz did not say all that was +necessary, he should have added, 'Give me grace to do Thy will, and to +obey Thee in all things.'" + +As we thus talked, we reached the head of our streamlet, where it fell +from the rocks above in a beautiful, sparkling, splashing cascade. We +crossed and entered the tall grass on the other side. We forced our way +through with difficulty, so thick and tangled were the reeds. Beyond +this, the landscape was most lovely. Rich tropical vegetation flourished +on every side: the tall, stately palms, surrounded by luxuriant ferns; +brilliant flowers and graceful creepers; the prickly cactus, shooting up +amidst them; aloe, jasmine, and sweet-scented vanilla; the Indian pea, +and above all the regal pine-apple, loaded the breath of the evening +breeze with their rich perfume. The boys were delighted with the +pine-apple, and so eagerly did they fall to, that my wife had to caution +them that there were no doctors on our territory, and if they became +ill, they would have to cure themselves as best they might. + +This advice, however, seemed to have small effect on my sons, and +showing Knips what they wanted, they sent him after the ripest and best +fruit. + +While they were thus employed, I examined the other shrubs and bushes. +Among these I presently noticed one which I knew well from description +to be the karatas. + +"Come here, boys," I said; "here is something of far more value than +your pine-apples. Do you see that plant with long pointed leaves and +beautiful red flower? That is the karatas. The filaments of the leaves +make capital thread, while the leaves themselves, bruised, form an +invaluable salve. The pith of this wonderful plant may be used either +for tinder or bait for fish. Suppose, Ernest, you had been wrecked here, +how would you have made a fire without matches, or flint and steel?" + +"As the savages do," replied he; "I would rub two pieces of wood +together until they kindled." + +"Try it," I said; "but, if you please, try it when you have a whole day +before you, and no other work to be done, for I am certain it would be +night before you accomplished the feat. But see here," and I broke a dry +twig from the karatas, and peeling off the bark, laid the pith upon a +stone. I struck a couple of pebbles over it, and they emitting a spark, +the pith caught fire. + +The boys were delighted with the experiment. I then drew some of the +threads from the leaves, and presented them to my wife. + +"But what," said Fritz, "is the use of all these other prickly plants, +except to annoy one? Here, for instance, is a disagreeable little tree." + +"That is an Indian fig," said I. "It grows best on dry, rocky ground; +for most of its nourishment is derived from the air. Its juice is used, +I believe, medicinally, while its fruit is pleasant and wholesome." + +Master Jack was off in a moment when he heard of a new delicacy, and +attempted to gather some of the fruit, but in vain; the sharp thorns +defied his efforts, and with bleeding hands, and rueful countenance, he +returned. I removed the thorns from his hands, and making a sharp wooden +skewer, I thrust it into a fig, and quickly twisted it from its branch +and split it open with a knife, still holding it upon the skewer. The +rest followed my example, and we regaled ourselves upon the fruit, which +we found excellent. Ernest carefully examined the fig he was eating. +"What are these," he exclaimed presently; "little red insects! they +cling all over the fruit, and I cannot shake them off. Can they be +cochineal?" + +He handed me the fig, and I examined it attentively. + +"You are quite right, my boy," I said; "there is no doubt this is the +real cochineal. However, though it is worth its weight in gold to +European traders, it is of little use to us, I am afraid, unless any of +you care to appear in gay colors. The cochineal, you know, forms the +most lovely scarlet dye." + +"No, thank you," said Jack, "but we will take a lot of it when we go +home again. Now let us find something more useful to us." And they +thereupon plied me incessantly with questions concerning every plant and +shrub we passed. + +"Stop, stop," I said at length; "the most learned naturalist would be +much puzzled with many of these trees, and I who have never seen any of +them before, and know them merely by description, cannot pretend to tell +you the names, or explain to you the use of one-quarter of them." + +Discussing, however, the properties of such shrubs as I did know, we at +length reached Tentholm. Everything was safe, and we set to work to +collect what we wanted. I opened the butter cask, from which my wife +filled her pot. Fritz saw after the ammunition, and Jack and Ernest ran +down to the beach to capture the geese and ducks. This they found no +easy matter, for the birds, left so long alone, were shy, and nothing +would induce them to come on shore and be caught. Ernest at length hit +upon an ingenious plan. He took some pieces of cheese, and tied them to +long strings. This bait he threw into the water, and the hungry ducks +instantly made a grab at it; then with a little skillful maneuvering he +drew them on shore. While Jack and he were thus busily employed catching +and tying the rebels together by the feet, we procured a fresh supply of +salt, which we packed upon Turk's back, first relieving him of his coat +of mail. The birds we fastened to our game bags, and carefully closing +the door of our tent, started homeward by the seashore. After a cheerful +and pleasant walk, we once more reached our woodland abode. I released +the birds and, clipping their wings to prevent their leaving us, +established them on the stream. Then, after a delicious supper of +potatoes, milk, and butter, we ascended our tree and turned in. + +Having remarked a great deal of driftwood on the sands the preceding +evening, it occurred to me that it would be well to get some of it, and +make a kind of sledge, so that the labor of fetching what we wanted from +our stores at Tentholm might not fall so heavily on ourselves. + +I awoke early, and roused Ernest as my assistant, wishing to encourage +him to overcome his natural fault of indolence. After a little +stretching and yawning, he got up cheerfully, pleased with the idea of +an expedition while the others still slept, and we made our way to the +beach, taking with us the donkey, who drew a large broad bough, which I +expected to find useful in bringing back our load. + +As we went along, I remarked to Ernest that I supposed he was rather +sorry for himself, and grudged leaving his cozy hammock and pleasant +dreams at this untimely hour. + +"Oh, father, do not laugh at my laziness! Indeed, I mean to cure myself +of it. I am very glad to go with you. I intended to shoot some more of +the ortolans this morning, but there will be plenty of time afterward. +The boys will be shooting at them, I daresay, but I don't expect they +will have any great luck." + +"Why not, pray?" inquired I. + +"I don't believe they will know what shot to use at first, and, besides, +they will most likely shoot upward at the birds and be sure to miss +them, on account of the great height and thickness of the branches and +foliage." + +"Well, Ernest, you certainly possess the gifts of prudence and +reflection, as well as observation. These are valuable; but sudden +action is so often necessary in life, that I advise you to cultivate the +power of instantly perceiving and deciding what must be done in cases of +emergency. Presence of mind is a precious quality, which, although +natural in some characters, may be acquired in a certain degree by all +who train themselves to it." + +Once on the seashore, our work was quickly accomplished, for, selecting +the wood I thought fit for my purpose, we laid it across the broad, +leafy branch, and, with some help from us, the donkey dragged a very +fair load of it homeward, with the addition of a small chest, which I +raised from among the sand, which nearly covered it. + +We heard the boys popping away at the birds as we drew near. They +hastened to meet us, and inquired where we had been, looking curiously +at the chest, which I allowed them to open, while I asked my wife to +excuse our "absence without leave," and after submitting to her gentle +reprimand, I explained my plan for a sledge, which pleased her greatly, +and she already imagined it loaded with her hogshead of butter, and on +its way from Tentholm to Falconhurst. + +The chest proved to be merely that of a common sailor, containing his +clothes, very much wetted by the sea water. + +The boys exhibited an array of several dozen birds, and related, during +breakfast, the various incidents of failure and success which had +attended their guns. Ernest had rightly guessed the mistakes they would +make, but practice was making them perfect, and they seemed disposed to +continue their sport, when their mother, assuring them that she could +not use more birds than those already killed, asked if I did not think +some means of snaring them might be contrived, as much powder and shot +would be expended if they fired on at this rate. + +Entirely agreeing with this view of the subject, I desired the lads to +lay aside their guns for the present, and the younger ones readily +applied themselves to making snares of the long threads drawn from the +leaves of the karatas, in a simple way I taught them, while Fritz and +Ernest gave me substantial assistance in the manufacture of the new +sledge. + +We were busily at work, when a tremendous disturbance among our fowls +led us to suppose that a fox or wild cat had got into their midst. + +The cocks crowed defiantly, the hens fluttered and cackled in a state of +the wildest excitement. We hastened toward them, but Ernest remarking +Master Knips slipping away, as though conscious of some misdemeanor, +went to watch him, and presently caught him in the act of eating a +new-laid egg, which he had carried off and hidden among the grass and +roots. Ernest found several others. These were very welcome to my wife, +for hitherto the hens had not presented us with any eggs. Hereafter she +determined to imprison the monkey every morning until the eggs had been +collected. + +Soon after this, as Jack was setting the newly made snares among the +branches, he discovered that a pair of our own pigeons were building in +the tree. It was very desirable to increase our stock of these pretty +birds, and I cautioned the boys against shooting near our tree while +they had nests there, and also with regard to the snares, which were +meant only to entrap the wild fig-eaters. + +Although my sons were interested in setting the snares, they by no +means approved of the new order to economize the ammunition. No doubt +they had been discussing this hardship, for little Franz came to me with +a brilliant proposal of his own. + +"Papa," said he, "why should we not begin to plant some powder and shot +immediately? It would be so much more useful than bare grain for the +fowls." + +His brothers burst into a roar of laughter, and I must confess I found +it no easy matter to keep my countenance. + +"Come, Ernest," said I; "now we have had our amusement, tell the little +fellow what gunpowder really is." + +"It is not seed at all, Franz," Ernest explained. "Gunpowder is made of +charcoal, sulphur, and saltpeter, mixed cleverly together; so you see it +cannot be sown like corn, any more than shot can be planted like peas +and beans." + +My carpentering meantime went on apace. In order to shape my sledge with +ends properly turned up in front, I had chosen wood which had been part +of the bow of the vessel, and was curved in the necessary way for my +purpose. Two pieces, perfectly similar, formed the sides of my sleigh, +or sledge, and I simply united these strongly by fixing short bars +across them. Then, when the ropes of the donkey's harness were attached +to the raised points in front, the equipage was complete and ready for +use. + +My attention had been for some time wholly engrossed by my work, and I +only now observed that the mother and her little boys had been busily +plucking above two dozen of the wild birds, and were preparing to roast +them, spitted in a row on a long, narrow sword blade, belonging to one +of our ship's officers. + +It seemed somewhat wasteful to cook so many at once; but my wife +explained that she was getting them ready for the butter-cask I was +going to fetch for her on the new sledge, as I had advised her to +preserve them half-cooked, and packed in butter. + +Amused at her promptitude, I could do nothing less than promise to go +for her cask directly after dinner. For her part, she resolved in our +absence to have a grand wash of linen and other clothes, and she advised +me to arrange regular baths for all the boys in future. + +Early in the afternoon Ernest and I were ready to be off, equipped as +usual. Fritz presented us each with a neat case of margay skin to hang +at our girdles. + +We harnessed both cow and ass to the sledge, and, accompanied by Juno, +cheerfully took our departure, choosing the way by the sands, and +reaching Tentholm without accident or adventure. + +There unharnessing the animals, we began at once to load the sledge, not +only with the butter cask, but with a powder chest, a barrel of cheese, +and a variety of other articles--ball, shot, tools, and Turk's armor, +which had been left behind on our last visit. + +Our work had so closely engaged our attention, that when we were ready +to leave it and go in search of a good bathing place, we discovered that +our two animals had wandered quite out of sight, having crossed the +bridge to reach the good pasture beyond the river. + +I sent Ernest after them, and went alone to the extremity of the bay. It +terminated in bold and precipitous cliffs, which extended into the deep +water, and rose abruptly, so as to form an inaccessible wall of rock and +crag. Swampy ground, overgrown with large canes, intervened between me +and these cliffs. I cut a large bundle of the reeds, and returned to +Ernest. It was some time before I found him, comfortably extended full +length on the ground near the tent, and sleeping as sound as a top, +while the cow and the ass, grazing at will, were again making for the +bridge. + +"Get up, Ernest, you lazy fellow!" exclaimed I, much annoyed; "why don't +you mind your business? Look at the animals! They will be over the river +again!" + +"No fear of that, father," returned he, with the utmost composure. "I +have taken a couple of boards off the bridge. They won't pass the gap." + +I could not help laughing at the ingenious device by which the boy had +spared himself all trouble; at the same time I observed that it is wrong +to waste the precious moments in sleep when duty has to be performed. I +then bid him go and collect some salt, which was wanted at home, while I +went to bathe. + +On coming back, much refreshed, I again missed Ernest, and began to +wonder whether he was still gathering salt, or whether he had lain down +somewhere to finish his nap, when I heard him loudly calling: + +"Father, father, I've caught a fish! an immense fellow he is. I can +scarcely hold him, he drags the line so!" + +Hastening toward the spot, I saw the boy lying in the grass, on a point +of land close to the mouth of the stream, and with all his might keeping +hold of a rod. The line was strained to the utmost by the frantic +efforts of a very large fish, which was attempting to free itself from +the hook. + +I quickly took the rod from him, and giving the fish more line, led him +by degrees into shallow water. Ernest ran in with his hatchet and killed +him. + +It proved to be a salmon of full fifteen pounds weight, and I was +delighted to think of taking such a valuable prize to the mother. + +"This is capital, Ernest!" cried I; "you have cleared yourself for once +of the charge of laziness! Let us now carry this splendid salmon to the +sledge. I will clean and pack it for the journey, that it may arrive in +good condition, while you go and take a bath in the sea." + +All this being accomplished, we harnessed our beasts to the well-laden +vehicle, and replacing the boards on the bridge, commenced the journey +home. + +We kept inland this time, and were skirting the borders of a grassy +thicket, when Juno suddenly left us, and plunging into the bushes, with +fierce barking hunted out, right in front of us, the most +singular-looking creature I ever beheld. It was taking wonderful flying +leaps, apparently in a sitting posture, and got over the ground at an +astonishing rate. I attempted to shoot it as it passed, but missed. +Ernest, who was behind me, observed its movements very coolly, and +seeing that the dog was puzzled, and that the animal, having paused, was +crouching among the grass, went cautiously nearer, fired at the spot he +had marked, and shot it dead. + +The extraordinary appearance of this creature surprised us very much. It +was as large as a sheep, its head was shaped like that of a mouse; its +skin also was of a mouse color, it had long ears like a hare, and a tail +like a tiger's. The forepaws resembled those of a squirrel, but they +seemed only half-grown, while the hind legs were enormous, and so long +that, when upright on them, the animal would look as if mounted on +stilts. + +For some time we stood silently wondering at the remarkable creature +before us. I could not recollect to have seen or heard of any such. + +"Well, father," said Ernest at last, "I should say this was about the +queerest beast to be met with anywhere. I am glad I knocked it over. How +they will all stare when I carry it home!" + +"You have had a lucky day altogether, certainly," said I; "but I cannot +think what this animal can be. Examine its teeth, and let us see to what +class of mammalia it belongs. We may be led to guess at its name in that +way." + +"I see four sharp incisor teeth, father--two upper and two under, as a +squirrel has." + +"Ah! then he is a rodent. What rodents can you remember, Ernest?" + +"I do not know them all, but there are the mouse, the marmot, the +squirrel, the hare, the beaver, the jerboa----" + +"The jerboa!" I exclaimed, "the jerboa! now we shall have it. This is +really very like a jerboa, only far larger. It must be a kangaroo, one +of the class of animals which has a pouch or purse beneath the body, in +which its young can take refuge. They were discovered in New Holland, by +the great Captain Cook, and I congratulate you on being the first to +obtain a specimen in New Switzerland!" I added, laughing, as I +extemporized the name. + +The kangaroo was added to the already heavy load on our sledge, and we +proceeded slowly, arriving late at Falconhurst, but meeting with the +usual bright welcome. + +Very eager and inquisitive were the glances turned toward the sledge, +for the load piled on it surpassed all expectation; we on our part +staring in equal surprise at the extraordinary rig of the young folks +who came to meet us. + +One wore a long night-shirt, which, with a belt, was a convenient length +in front, but trailed behind in orthodox ghost fashion. + +Another had on a very wide pair of trousers, braced up so short that +each little leg looked like the clapper in a bell. + +The third, buttoned up in a pea-jacket which came down to his ankles, +looked for all the world like a walking portmanteau. + +Amid much joking and laughter, the mother explained that she had been +washing all day, and while their clothes were drying, the boys amused +themselves by dressing up in things they found while rummaging the +sailor's chest, and had kept them on, that Ernest and I might see the +masquerade. It certainly amused us, but made me regret that so little +belonging to ourselves had been saved from the wreck, in consequence of +which the children had scarcely a change of linen. + +Turning now to our new acquisitions, we excited great interest by +exhibiting each in turn; the large salmon, but more especially the +kangaroo, surprised and delighted everyone. + +Fritz alone wore a look expressive of dissatisfaction, and I saw that he +was envious of his younger brother's success. Vexed that so noble a +prize had fallen to Ernest's gun, instead of his own, he treated it +rather slightingly; but I could see that he was struggling against his +jealous feelings, and he, after a while, succeeded in recovering his +good humor, and joined pleasantly in the conversation. + +"What a famous day's sport you have had altogether!" said he, coming +close up to me. "It will be my turn to go out with you next, will it +not, father? Just about here there is nothing to shoot, and I have found +it very dull." + +"Still, you have been doing your duty, my dear boy; you were entrusted +with the care of the family, and a youth of manly character will not +depend for happiness on mere excitement." + +As the shades of night approached, we made haste to conclude the day's +work, by preparing the kangaroo, part for immediate use, and part for +salting. The animals were fed, and a plentiful allowance of salt made to +them. Our own supper of broiled salmon and potatoes was dispatched with +great appetite, and we retired, with thankful hearts, to sound and +well-earned repose. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +A SECOND VISIT TO THE WRECK + + +Next morning, while the breakfast was getting ready, I attended to the +beautiful skin of the kangaroo, which I was anxious to preserve entire; +and afterward, when Fritz had prepared everything in readiness for our +trip to the wreck, I called Ernest and Jack in order to give them some +parting injunctions. They, however, had disappeared directly after +breakfast, and their mother could only guess that, as we required +potatoes, they might have gone to fetch a supply. I desired her to +reprove them, on their return, for starting away without leave; but, as +it appeared they had taken Turk, I satisfied myself that no harm was +likely to befall them, although it was not without reluctance that I +left my dear wife alone with little Franz, cheering her with hopes of +our speedy return with new treasures from the wreck. + +Advancing steadily on our way, we crossed the bridge at Jackal River, +when suddenly, to our no small astonishment, Jack and Ernest burst out +of a hiding place where they had lain in wait for us, and were enchanted +with the startling effect of their unexpected appearance upon their +unsuspecting father and brother. It was evident that they fully believed +they might now go with us to the wreck. + +To this notion I at once put a decided stop, although I could not find +it in my heart to scold the two merry rogues for their thoughtless +frolic, more especially as I particularly wished to send back a message +to my wife. I told them they must hurry home, so as not to leave their +mother in suspense, although, as they were already so far, they might +collect some salt. And I instructed them to explain that, as my work on +board would take up a long time, she must try to bear with our absence +for a night. This I had meant to say when we parted, but my courage had +failed, knowing how much she would object to such a plan, and I had +resolved to return in the evening. + +On consideration, however, of the importance of constructing a raft, +which was my intention in going, and finishing it without a second trip, +I determined to remain on board for the night, as the boys had, +unintentionally, given me the chance of sending a message to that +effect. + +"Good-bye, boys, take care of yourselves! we're off," shouted Fritz, as +I joined him in the tub-boat, and we shoved off. + +The current carried us briskly out of the bay; we were very soon moored +safely alongside the wreck, and scrambling up her shattered sides, stood +on what remained of the deck, and began at once to lay our plans. + +I wanted to make a raft fit to carry on shore a great variety of +articles far too large and heavy for our present boat. A number of empty +water casks seemed just what was required for a foundation; we closed +them tightly, pushed them overboard, and arranging twelve of them side +by side in rows of three, we firmly secured them together by means of +spars, and then proceeded to lay a good substantial floor of planks, +which was defended by a low bulwark. In this way we soon had a +first-rate raft, exactly suited to our purpose. + +It would have been impossible to return to land that same evening, for +we were thoroughly fatigued by our labors, and had eaten only the light +refreshment we had brought in our wallets, scarcely desisting a moment +from our work. + +Rejoicing that we were not expected home, we now made an excellent +supper from the ship's provisions, and then rested for the night on +spring mattresses, a perfect luxury to us, after our hard and narrow +hammocks. + +Next morning we actively set about loading the raft and boat: first +carrying off the entire contents of our own cabins; and passing on to +the captain's room, we removed the furniture, as well as the doors and +window-frames, with their bolts, bars, and locks. We next took the +officers' chests, and those belonging to the carpenter and gunsmith; the +contents of these latter we had to remove in portions, as their weight +was far beyond our strength. + +One large chest was filled with an assortment of fancy goods, and +reminded us of a jeweler's shop, so glittering was the display of gold +and silver watches, snuff-boxes, buckles, studs, chains, rings, and all +manner of trinkets; these, and a box of money drew our attention for a +time; but more useful to us at present was a case of common knives and +forks, which I was glad to find, as more suited to us than the smart +silver ones we had previously taken on shore. To my delight we found, +most carefully packed, a number of young fruit trees: and we read on the +tickets attached to them the names, so pleasant to European ears, of the +apple, pear, chestnut, orange, almond, peach, apricot, plum, cherry, and +vine. + +The cargo, which had been destined for the supply of a distant colony, +proved, in fact, a rich and almost inexhaustible treasure to us. +Ironmongery, plumber's tools, lead, paint, grindstones, cart wheels, and +all that was necessary for the work of a smith's forge, spades and +plowshares, sacks of maize, peas, oats, and wheat, a hand-mill, and also +the parts of a saw-mill so carefully numbered that, were we strong +enough, it would be easy to put it up, had been stowed away. + +So bewildered were we by the wealth around us that for some time we were +at a loss as to what to remove to the raft. It would be impossible to +take everything; yet the first storm would complete the destruction of +the ship, and we should lose all we left behind. Selecting a number of +the most useful articles, however, including of course the grain and the +fruit trees, we gradually loaded our raft. Fishing lines, reels, +cordage, and a couple of harpoons were put on board, as well as a +mariner's compass. + +Fritz, recollecting our encounter with the shark, placed the harpoons in +readiness; and amused me by seeming to picture himself a whaler, +flourishing his harpoon in most approved fashion. + +Early in the afternoon, both our crafts were heavily laden, and we were +ready to make for the shore. The voyage was begun with considerable +anxiety, as, with the raft in tow, there was some danger of an accident. + +But the sea being calm, and the wind favorable, we found we could spread +the sail, and our progress was very satisfactory. + +Presently, Fritz asked me for the telescope, as he had observed +something curious floating at a distance. Then handing it back, he +begged me to examine the object; which I soon discovered to be a turtle +asleep on the water, and of course unconscious of our approach. + +"Do, father, steer toward it!" exclaimed he. + +I accordingly did so, that he might have a nearer look at the creature. +Little did I suspect what was to follow. The lad's back was turned to +me, and the broad sail was between us, so that I could not perceive his +actions; when, all of a sudden, I experienced a shock, and the thrill as +of line running through a reel. Before I had time to call out, a second +shock, and the sensation of the boat being rapidly drawn through the +water, alarmed me. + +"Fritz, what are you about?" cried I, "you are sending us to the +bottom." + +"I have him, hurrah! I have him safe!" shouted he, in eager excitement. + +To my amazement, I perceived that he really had struck the tortoise with +a harpoon; a rope was attached to it, and the creature was running away +with us. + +Lowering the sail and seizing my hatchet, I hastened forward, in order +to cut the line, and cast adrift at once turtle and harpoon. + +"Father! do wait!" pleaded the boy, "there is no danger just yet? I +promise to cut the line myself the instant it is necessary! Let us catch +this turtle if we possibly can." + +"My dear boy, the turtle will be a very dear bargain, if he upsets all +our goods into the sea, even if he does not drown us too. For Heaven's +sake, be careful! I will wait a few minutes, but the minute there is +danger, cut the line." + +As the turtle began to make for the open sea, I hoisted the sail again; +and, finding the opposition too much for it, the creature again directed +its course landward, drawing us rapidly after it. The part of the shore +for which the turtle was making was considerably to the left of our +usual landing place. The beach there shelved very gradually, and at some +distance from land we grounded with a sharp shock, but fortunately +without a capsize. + +The turtle was evidently greatly exhausted, and no wonder, since it had +been acting the part of a steam tug, and had been dragging, at full +speed, a couple of heavily laden vessels. Its intention was to escape to +land; but I leaped into the water, and wading up to it, dispatched it +with my ax. Such was its tenacity of life, however, that it did not +cease its struggles, until I had actually severed its head from its +body. + +As we were by no means far from Falconhurst, Fritz gave notice of our +approach by firing off his gun, as well as shouting loudly in his glee; +and, while we were yet engaged in securing our boats and getting the +turtle on shore, the whole family appeared in the distance, hastening +eagerly toward us; and our new prize, together with the well-laden boat +and raft, excited the liveliest interest; my wife's chief pleasure, +however, consisted in seeing us back, as our night's absence had +disturbed her, and she was horrified by the description of our dangerous +run in the wake of the fugitive turtle. + +Being anxious to remove some of our goods before night, the boys ran off +to fetch the sledge; while I, having no anchor, contrived to moor the +boats by means of some of the heavy blocks of iron we had brought. + +It required our united strength to get the turtle hoisted on to the +sledge, its weight being prodigious; we found it, indeed, with the +addition of the sapling fruit trees, quite a sufficient load. + +We then made the best of our way home, chatting merrily about our +various adventures. The first thing to be done on arriving was to obtain +some of the turtle's flesh and cook it for supper. To my wife this +appeared necessarily a work of time, as well as of difficulty; but I +turned the beast on its back, and soon detached a portion of the meat +from the breast with a hatchet, by breaking the lower shell: and I then +directed that it should be cooked, with a little salt, shell and all. + +"But let me first cut away this disgusting green fat," said my wife, +with a little shudder. "See how it sticks all over the meat. No one +could eat anything so nasty." + +"Leave the fat, whatever you do!" exclaimed I. "Why, my dear, that is +the very best part, and the delight of the epicure. If there be really +too much, cut some off--it can be used as lard, and let the dogs make a +supper of the refuse." + +"And the handsome shell!" cried Fritz; "I should like to make a +water-trough of that, to stand near the brook, and be kept always full +of clear water. How useful it would be!" + +"That is a capital idea," I replied, "and we may manage it easily, if we +can find clay so as to make a firm foundation on which to place it." + +"Oh, as to clay," said Jack, "I have a grand lump of clay there under +that root." + +"Well done, my lad! when did you find it?" + +"He found a bed of clay near the river this morning," said his mother, +"and came home in such a mess, I had regularly to scrape his clothes and +wash him thoroughly!" + +"Well, mother, I can only tell you I should never in all my days have +found the clay, if I had not slipped and fallen among it." + +"That I can well believe," returned his mother; "only, to hear you talk +this morning, one would have thought your discovery of clay the result +of very arduous search indeed." + +"When you have ended the question of the clay and the turtle shell," +said Ernest, "I should like to show you some roots I found to-day; they +are getting rather dry now. They look something like radishes, although +the plant itself was almost a bush; but I have not ventured to taste +them, although our old sow was devouring them at a great rate." + +"In that you did wisely, my boy. Swine eat many things injurious to men. +Let me see your roots. How did you discover them?" + +"I was rambling in the wood this morning, and came upon the sow, very +busy grubbing under a small bush, and eating something ravenously; so I +drove her away, and found a number of these roots, which I brought for +you to see." + +"Indeed, Ernest," I exclaimed, after taking the roots in my hand and +considering them attentively, "I am inclined to believe that you have +really made a brilliant discovery! If this proves to be, as I expect, +the manioc root, we might lose every other eatable we possess, and yet +not starve. In the West Indies, cakes called cassava bread are made from +it; and, already having potatoes, we shall be very independent if we +can succeed in preparing flour from these roots. Great care must be +taken in the manufacture to express the juice, otherwise the flour may +be injurious and even poisonous. + +"If we can collect a sufficient quantity, we will attempt bread-making. +I think I know how to set about it." + +Finding there was still time to make another trip with the sledge, I +went off with the elder boys, leaving Franz with his mother; and we all +looked forward with satisfaction to the prospect of the princely supper +they were to have ready for us, for our day's work had been none of the +lightest. + +"I have been thinking about my turtle, father," said Fritz, as we went +along; "is not the shell very valuable? Surely beautiful combs, boxes, +and a number of ornamental things are made of tortoise shell, and if so, +it seems a pity to use it for a water-trough." + +"Your turtle, Fritz, is only fit for eating, its shell is worthless as +regards ornament; whereas the species whose shell is prized so much is +unfit for food. Tortoise shell is subjected to the action of the heat, +the outer layer peels off, leaving a beautifully marked, +semi-transparent surface, which is susceptible of a very high polish." + +The sledge quickly received its second load from the raft. Chests, four +cart-wheels, and the hand-mill were placed on it, with all manner of +smaller articles, and we lost no time in returning to Falconhurst. + +The mother welcomed us joyfully, for she said we had been regularly +overworked during the last two days. "However, now you are come home to +rest," said she, "and you little think what refreshment awaits you here +in the shade. Come and see my cellar!" and she smilingly exhibited a +small cask, half sunk in the ground, and well sheltered with leaves and +branches. + +"Ah! you wonder where this came from," continued the mother; "well, I +found it myself on the sands, to-day, while you were all absent; and +fancying it was wine of some sort, I got it up here on purpose to be +ready for you. The boys are most anxious to know what sort of wine it +will prove to be." + +As the simplest method of ascertaining this, I inserted a straw at the +vent-hole, and presently announced, that in all my life I had never +enjoyed a more delicious draught of Canary sack. The mother was +immensely pleased to find that her exertions in my behalf had not been +thrown away, and the boys pressed around me, armed with straws, and +begging for a taste. + +After so strongly expressing my own enjoyment of the wine, it seemed +unreasonable to deny them this, and I let them come in turns, but was +speedily obliged to call a halt; for the rogues got so eager and excited +that I had to reprove them for their greediness, and warn them of the +risk they ran of being intoxicated. In fact, I blamed myself for +allowing them to have this strong wine as a beverage at all. They were +wholly unaccustomed to it, and were, besides, fatigued and very hungry. +Supper was more to the purpose; and, as the turtle proved delicious, it +was heartily enjoyed, and gave us strength to haul the mattresses we had +brought from the ship up into our sleeping rooms, so that very +refreshing slumbers closed the day. + +Early next morning I got up without rousing any of the others, intending +to pay a visit to the beach; for I had my doubts about the safety of my +vessels on the open shore. The dogs were delighted when I descended the +ladder, and bounded to meet me; the cocks crowed and flapped their +wings; two pretty kids gamboled around; all was life and energy; the ass +alone seemed disinclined to begin the day, and as I especially required +his services, this was unfortunate. I put his morning dreams to flight, +however, and harnessed him to the sledge; the cow, as she had not been +milked, enjoyed the privilege of further repose, and, with the rest of +the family, I left her dozing. + +My fears as to the safety of the boats were soon dispelled, for they +were all right; and, being in haste to return, the load I collected from +their freight was but a light one, and the donkey willingly trotted home +with it, he, as well as I, being uncommonly ready for breakfast. +Approaching the tree, not a sound was to be heard, not a soul was to be +seen, although it was broad day; and great was my good wife's surprise, +when, roused by the clatter and hullabaloo I made, she started up, and +became aware of the late hour! + +"What can have made us oversleep like this?" she exclaimed. "It must be +the fault of those mattresses; they are delightful, but really too +lulling; see, the children are sound asleep still." + +With much stretching and many yawns, the boys at last came tumbling down +from the tree, rubbing their eyes and seeming but half awake; Ernest +last, as usual. + +"Come, my boys," said I, "this will never do! Your beds were too +luxurious last night, I see." In my own opinion, however, I felt there +was something else to blame besides the comfortable mattresses, and I +made a mental resolve that the captain's fine Canary should be dealt +with very sparingly in future. "So now for prayers and breakfast," I +continued, "and then off to work. I must have our cargo landed in time +to get the boats off with the next tide." + +By dint of downright hard work, we accomplished this, and I got on board +with Fritz as soon as they were afloat; the rest turned homeward, but +Jack lingered behind with such imploring looks, that I could not resist +taking him with me. + +My intention had been simply to take the vessels round to the harbor in +Safety Bay, but the calm sea and fine weather tempted me to make another +trip to the wreck. It took up more time than I expected, so that, when +on board, we could only make a further examination of the cargo, collect +a few portable articles, and then avail ourselves of the sea-breeze, +which would fail us later in the evening. + +To Jack the pleasure of hunting about in the hold was novel and +charming, and very soon a tremendous rattling and clattering heralded +his approach with a wheel-barrow, in the highest spirits at his good +fortune in having found such a capital thing in which to bring home +potatoes. + +He was followed by Fritz, whose news was still more important. He had +found, carefully packed and enclosed within partitions, what appeared to +be the separate parts of a pinnace, with rigging and fittings complete, +even to a couple of small brass guns. This was a great discovery, and I +hastened to see if the lad was right. Indeed he was, but my pleasure was +qualified by a sense of the arduous task it would be to put such a craft +together so as to be fit for sea. For the present we had barely time to +get something to eat and hurry into the boat, where were collected our +new acquisitions, namely, a copper boiler, iron plates, tobacco-graters, +two grindstones, a small barrel of powder, and another of flints, two +wheel-barrows, besides Jack's, which he kept under his own especial +care. + +As we drew near the shore, we were surprised to see a number of little +figures ranged in a row along the water's edge, and apparently gazing +fixedly at us. They seemed to wear dark coats and white waistcoats, and +stood quite still with their arms dropping by their sides, only every +now and then one would extend them gently, as though longing to embrace +us. + +"Ah! here at last come the pigmy inhabitants of the country to welcome +us!" cried I, laughing. + +"Oh, father!" exclaimed Jack, "I hope they are Lilliputians! I once read +in a book about them, so there must be such people, you know, only these +look rather too large." + +"You must be content to give up the Lilliputians and accept penguins, my +dear Jack," said I. "We have not before seen them in such numbers, but +Ernest knocked one down, if you remember, soon after we landed. They are +excellent swimmers, but helpless on land, as they can neither fly nor +run." + +We were gradually approaching the land as I spoke, and no sooner was the +water shallow, than out sprang Jack from his tub, and wading ashore, +took the unsuspecting birds by surprise, and with his stick laid half a +dozen, right and left, either stunned or dead at his feet. The rest +escaped into the water, dived, and disappeared. + +[Illustration: _Jack took the unsuspecting birds by surprise_] + +As these penguins are disagreeable food, on account of their strong, +oily taste, I was sorry Jack had attacked them; but going to examine +them when we landed, some of the fallen arose from their swoon, and +began solemnly to waddle away, upon which we caught them, and tying +their feet together with long grass, laid them on the sand to wait until +we were ready to start. + +The three wheel-barrows then each received a load, the live penguins, +seated gravely, were trundled along by Jack, and away we went at a great +rate. + +The unusual noise of our approach set the dogs barking furiously, but +discovering us, they rushed forward with such forcible demonstrations of +delight, that poor little Jack, who, as it was, could scarcely manage +his barrow, was fairly upset, penguins and all. This was too much for +his patience, and it was absurd to see how he started up and cuffed them +soundly for their boisterous behavior. + +This scene, and the examination of our burdens, caused great merriment: +the tobacco-grater and iron plates evidently puzzling everybody. + +I sent the boys to catch some of our geese and ducks, and bid them +fasten a penguin to each by the leg, thinking that it was worth while to +try to tame them. + +My wife had exerted herself in our absence to provide a good store of +potatoes, and also of manioc root. I admired her industry, and little +Franz said, "Ah, father! I wonder what you will say when mother and I +give you some Indian corn, and melons, and pumpkins, and cucumbers!" + +"Now, you little chatterbox!" cried she, "you have let out my secret! I +was to have the pleasure of surprising your father when my plants were +growing up." + +"Ah, the poor disappointed little mother!" said I. "Never mind! I am +charmed to hear about it. Only do tell me, where did those seeds come +from?" + +"Out of my magic bag, of course!" replied she. "And each time I have +gone for potatoes, I have sown seeds in the ground which was dug up to +get them; and I have planted potatoes also." + +"Well done, you wise little woman!" I exclaimed. "Why, you are a model +of prudence and industry!" + +"But," continued she, "I do not half like the appearance of those +tobacco-graters you have brought. Is it possible you are going to make +snuff? Do, pray, let us make sure of abundance of food for our mouths, +before we think of our noses!" + +"Make your mind easy, my wife," said I. "I have not the remotest +intention of introducing the dirty, ridiculous habit of snuffing into +your family! Please to treat my graters with respect, however, because +they are to be the means of providing you with the first fresh bread you +have seen this many a long day." + +"What possible connection can there be between bread and +tobacco-graters? I cannot imagine what you mean, and to talk of bread +where there are no ovens is only tantalizing." + +"Ah, you must not expect real loaves," said I. "But on these flat iron +plates I can bake flat cakes or scones, which will be excellent bread; I +mean to try at once what I can do with Ernest's roots. And first of all, +I want you to make me a nice strong canvas bag." + +This the mother willingly undertook to do, but she evidently had not +much faith in my powers as a baker, and I saw her set on a good potful +of potatoes before beginning to work, as though to make sure of a meal +without depending on my bread. + +Spreading a piece of sailcloth on the ground, I summoned my boys to set +to work. Each took a grater and a supply of well-washed manioc root, and +when all were seated round the cloth--"Once, twice, thrice! Off!" cried +I, beginning to rub a root as hard as I could against the rough surface +of my grater. My example was instantly followed by the whole party, amid +bursts of merriment, as each remarked the funny attitude and odd +gestures of his neighbors while vehemently rubbing, rasping, grating, +and grinding down the roots allotted to him. No one was tempted by the +look of the flour to stop and taste it, for in truth it looked much like +wet sawdust. + +"Cassava bread is highly esteemed in many parts of the New World, and I +have even heard that some Europeans there prefer it to the wheaten bread +of their own country. There are various species of manioc. One sort +grows quickly, and its roots ripen in a very short time. Another kind is +of somewhat slower growth. The roots of the third kind do not come to +maturity for two years. The two first are poisonous, if eaten raw, yet +they are preferred to the third, which is harmless, because they are so +much more fruitful, and the flour produced is excellent, if the +scrapings are carefully pressed." + +"What is the good of pressing them, father?" inquired Ernest. + +"It is in order to express the sap, which contains the poison. The dry +pith is wholesome and nourishing. Still, I do not mean to taste my +cakes, until I have tried their effect on our fowls and the ape." + +By this time our supply of roots being reduced to damp powder, the +canvas bag was filled with it, and tying it tightly up, I attempted to +squeeze it, but soon found that mechanical aid was necessary in order to +express the moisture. My arrangements for this purpose were as follows: +A strong, straight beam was made flat on one side, smooth planks were +laid across two of the lower roots of our tree; on these we placed the +sack, above the sack another plank, and over that the long beam; one end +was passed under a root near the sack, the other projected far forward. +And to that we attached all the heaviest weights we could think of, such +as an anvil, iron bars, and masses of lead. The consequent pressure on +the bag was enormous, and the sap flowed from it to the ground. + +"Will this stuff keep any time?" inquired my wife, who came to see how +we were getting on. "Or must all this great bagful be used at once? In +that case we shall have to spend the whole of to-morrow in baking +cakes." + +"Not at all," I replied; "once dry, the flour in barrels will keep fresh +a long time. We shall use a great deal of this, however, as you shall +see." + +"Do you think we might begin now, father?" said Fritz. "There does not +seem the least moisture remaining." + +"Certainly," said I. "But I shall only make one cake to-day for an +experiment; we must see how it agrees with Master Knips and the hens +before we set up a bakehouse in regular style." + +I took out a couple of handfuls of flour for this purpose, and with a +stick loosened and stirred the remainder, which I intended should again +be pressed. While an iron plate, placed over a good fire, was getting +hot, I mixed the meal with water and a little salt, kneaded it well, and +forming a thickish cake, laid it on the hot plate, when one side +presently becoming a nice yellow-brown color, it was turned and was +quickly baked. + +It smelt so delicious that the boys quite envied the two hens and the +monkey, who were selected as the subjects of this interesting +experiment, and they silently watched them gobbling up the bits of cake +I gave them, until Fritz turned to me, saying, "Suppose the cake is +poisonous, what effect will it have on the creatures? Will they be +stupefied, or will they suffer pain?" + +"That depends upon the nature of the poison. Some cause violent pain, as +colchicum, hellebore, and aconite. Others produce stupefaction and +paralysis, as opium, hemlock, and prussic acid; while others again, as +strychnine, are followed by violent convulsions, or, as belladonna, by +delirium. The effects of course vary according to the quantity taken, +and such remedies should be applied as will best counteract the effect +of each poison: emetics in any case, to remove as much as possible of +the noxious substance, combined with oils and mucilaginous drinks to +soothe and protect the stomach in the case of irritants; stimulants, +such as spirits, ammonia, or strong coffee to rouse from the stupor of +the narcotics; and sedative drugs, which are perhaps in themselves +poisons, to counteract the over stimulation of the nerves caused by the +convulsant poisons. But now let us think no more of poisons; here is +supper ready and we need not be afraid to eat roast penguin and +potatoes." + +No sooner said than done; we left the fowls picking up the least crumb +they could find of the questionable food, and assembled to enjoy our +evening meal. The potatoes were, as usual, excellent, the penguin really +not so bad as I expected, although fishy in taste and very tough. + +Next morning everyone expressed the tenderest concern as to the health +of Knips and the hens; and lively pleasure was in every countenance when +Jack, who ran first to make the visit of inquiry, brought news of their +perfect good health and spirits. + +No time was now to be lost, and the bread-baking commenced in earnest. A +large fire was kindled, the plates heated, the meal made into cakes, +each of the boys busily preparing his own, and watching the baking most +eagerly. Mistakes occurred, of course; some of the bread was burnt, some +not done enough; but a pile of nice, tempting cakes was at length ready, +and with plenty of good milk we breakfasted right royally, and in high +spirits at our success. + +Soon after, while feeding the poultry with the fragments of the repast, +I observed that the captive penguins were quite at ease among them and +as tame as the geese and ducks; their bonds were therefore loosed, and +they were left as free as the other fowls. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +HOW WE BUILT THE PINNACE + + +Having now discovered how to provide bread for my family, my thoughts +began to revert to the wreck and all the valuables yet contained within +it. Above all, I was bent on acquiring possession of the beautiful +pinnace, and aware that our united efforts would be required to do the +necessary work, I began to coax and persuade the mother to let me go in +force with all her boys except Franz. + +She very unwillingly gave her consent at last, but not until I had +faithfully promised never to pass a night on board. I did so with +reluctance, and we parted, neither feeling quite satisfied with the +arrangement. + +The boys were delighted to go in so large a party, and merrily carried +provision bags filled with cassava bread and potatoes. + +Reaching Safety Bay without adventure we first paid a visit to the geese +and ducks which inhabited the marsh there, and having fed them and seen +they were thriving well, we buckled on each his cork belt, stepped into +the tub-boat, and, with the raft in tow, steered straight for the wreck. + +When we got on board, I desired the boys to collect whatever came first +to hand, and load the raft to be ready for our return at night, and then +we made a minute inspection of the pinnace. + +I came to the conclusion that difficulties, well nigh insuperable, lay +between me and the safe possession of the beautiful little vessel. She +lay in a most un-get-at-able position at the further end of the hold, +stowed in so confined and narrow a space, that it was impossible to +think of fitting the parts together there. At the same time these parts +were so heavy, that removing them to a convenient place piece by piece +was equally out of the question. + +I sent the boys away to amuse themselves by rummaging out anything they +liked to carry away, and sat down quietly to consider the matter. + +As my eyes became used to the dim light which entered the compartment +through a chink or crevice here and there, I perceived how carefully +every part of the pinnace was arranged and marked with numbers, so that +if only I could bestow sufficient time on the work, and contrive space +in which to execute it, I might reasonably hope for success. + +"Room! room to work in, boys! that's what we need in the first place!" I +cried, as my sons came to see what plan I had devised, for so great was +their reliance on me that they never doubted the pinnace was to be ours. + +"Fetch axes, and let us break down the compartment and clear space all +round." + +To work we all went, yet evening drew near, and but little impression +was made on the mass of woodwork around us. We had to acknowledge that +an immense amount of labor and perseverance would be required before we +could call ourselves the owners of the useful and elegant little craft, +which lay within this vast hulk like a fossil shell embedded in a rock. + +Preparations for returning to shore were hastily made, and we landed +without much relish for the long walk to Falconhurst, when, to our great +surprise and pleasure, we found the mother and little Franz at Tentholm +awaiting us. She had resolved to take up her quarters there during the +time we should be engaged on the wreck. "In that way you will live +nearer your work, and I shall not quite lose sight of you!" said she, +with a pleasant smile. + +"You are a good, sensible, kind wife," I exclaimed, delighted with her +plan, "and we shall work with the greater diligence, that you may return +as soon as possible to your dear Falconhurst." + +"Come and see what we have brought you, mother!" cried Fritz; "a good +addition to your stores, is it not?" and he and his brothers exhibited +two small casks of butter, three of flour, corn, rice, and many other +articles welcome to our careful housewife. + +Our days were now spent in hard work on board, first cutting and +clearing an open space round the pinnace, and then putting the parts +together. We started early and returned at night, bringing each time a +valuable freight from the old vessel. + +At length, with incredible labor, all was completed. The pinnace stood +actually ready to be launched, but imprisoned within massive wooden +walls which defied our strength. + +It seemed exactly as though the graceful vessel had awakened from sleep, +and was longing to spring into the free blue sea, and spread her wings +to the breeze. I could not bear to think that our success so far should +be followed by failure and disappointment. Yet no possible means of +setting her free could I conceive, and I was almost in despair, when an +idea occurred to me which, if I could carry it out, would effect her +release without further labor or delay. + +Without explaining my purpose, I got a large cast-iron mortar, filled it +with gunpowder, secured a block of oak to the top, through which I +pierced a hole for the insertion of the match, and this great petard I +so placed, that when it exploded it should blow out the side of the +vessel next which the pinnace lay. Then securing it with chains, that +the recoil might do no damage, I told the boys I was going ashore +earlier than usual, and calmly desired them to get into the boat. Then +lighting a match I had prepared, and which would burn some time before +reaching the powder, I hastened after them with a beating heart, and we +made for the land. + +We brought the raft close in shore and began to unload it; the other +boat I did not haul up, but kept her ready to put off at a moment's +notice; my anxiety was unobserved by anyone, as I listened with strained +nerves for the expected sound. It came!--a flash! a mighty roar--a grand +burst of smoke! + +My wife and children, terror-stricken, turned their eyes toward the sea, +whence the startling noise came, and then, in fear and wonder, looked to +me for some explanation. "Perhaps," said the mother, as I did not speak, +"perhaps you have left a light burning near some of the gunpowder, and +an explosion has taken place." + +"Not at all unlikely," replied I quietly; "we had a fire below when we +were calking the seams of the pinnace. I shall go off at once and see +what has happened. Will anyone come?" + +The boys needed no second invitation, but sprang into the boat, while I +lingered to reassure my wife by whispering a few words of explanation, +and then joining them, we pulled for the wreck at a more rapid rate than +we ever had done before. + +No alteration had taken place in the side at which we usually boarded +her, and we pulled round to the further side, where a marvelous sight +awaited us. A huge rent appeared, the decks and bulwarks were torn open, +the water was covered with floating wreckage--all seemed in ruins; and +the compartment where the pinnace rested was fully revealed to view. +There sat the little beauty, to all appearance uninjured; and the boys, +whose attention was taken up with the melancholy scene of ruin and +confusion around them, were astonished to hear me shout in enthusiastic +delight: "Hurrah! she is ours! The lovely pinnace is won! we shall be +able to launch her easily after all. Come, boys, let us see if she has +suffered from the explosion which has set her free." + +The boys gazed at me for a moment, and then guessing my secret, "You +planned it yourself, you clever, cunning father! Oh, that machine we +helped to make was on purpose to blow it up!" cried they; and eagerly +they followed me into the shattered opening, where, to my intense +satisfaction, I found everything as I could wish, and the captive in no +way a sufferer from the violent measures I had adopted for her +deliverance. + +The boys were deeply interested in examining the effects of the +explosion, and in the explanation I gave them of the principle and +proper way to manage a petard. + +It was evident that the launch could now be effected without much +trouble; I had been careful to place rollers beneath the keel, so that +by means of levers and pulleys we might, with our united strength, move +her forward toward the water. A rope was attached by which to regulate +the speed of the descent, and then, all hands putting their shoulders to +the work, the pinnace began to slide from the stocks, and finally +slipped gently and steadily into the water, where she floated as if +conscious it was her native element; while we, wild with excitement, +cheered and waved enthusiastically. We then only remained long enough to +secure our prize carefully at the most sheltered point, and went back to +Tentholm, where we accounted for the explosion; saying that having blown +away one side of the ship, we should be able to obtain the rest of its +contents with a very few more days' work. + +These days were devoted to completing the rigging, the mounting of her +two little brass guns, and all necessary arrangements about the pinnace. +It was wonderful what martial ardor was awakened by the possession of a +vessel armed with two real guns. The boys chattered incessantly about +savages, fleets of canoes, attack, defense, and final annihilation of +the invaders. + +I assured them that, brilliant as their victories would doubtless be, we +should have good cause to thank God if their fighting powers and +new-born valor were never put to the test. + +The pinnace was fully equipped and ready to sail, while yet no idea of +the surprise we were preparing for her had dawned upon my wife, and I +permitted the boys, who had kept the secret so well, to fire a salute +when we entered the bay. + +Casting off from the ship, and spreading the sail, our voyage began. +The pinnace glided swiftly through the water. I stood at the helm, +Ernest and Jack manned the guns, and Fritz gave the word of command, +"Fire!" Bang! bang! rattled out a thrilling report, which echoed and +re-echoed among the cliffs, followed by our shouts and hurrahs. + +The mother and her little boy rushed hastily forward from near the tent, +and we could plainly see their alarm and astonishment; but speedily +recognizing us, they waved joyfully, and came quickly to the landing +place to meet us. + +By skillful management we brought the pinnace near a projection of the +bank, and Fritz assisted his mother to come on board, where, breathless +with haste and excitement, she exclaimed, "You dear, horrid, wonderful +people, shall I scold you or praise you? You have frightened me out of +my wits! To see a beautiful little ship come sailing in was startling +enough, for I could not conceive who might be on board, but the report +of your guns made me tremble with fear--and had I not recognized your +voices directly after, I should have run away with Franz--Heaven knows +where! But have you really done all this work yourselves?" she +continued, when we had been forgiven for terrifying her with our +vainglorious salute. "What a charming little yacht! I should not be +afraid to sail in this myself." + +After the pinnace had been shown off, and received the admiration she +deserved, while our industry, skill, and perseverance met with boundless +praise: "Now," said my wife, "you must come with me, and see how little +Franz and I have improved our time every day of your absence." + +We all landed, and with great curiosity followed the mother up the river +toward the cascade; where, to our astonishment, we found a garden neatly +laid out in beds and walks; and she continued, "We don't frighten people +by firing salutes in honor of our performances; although, by and by, I +too shall want fire in a peaceable form. Look at my beds of lettuce and +cabbages, my rows of beans and peas! Think what delicious dinner I shall +be able to cook for you, and give me credit for my diligence." + +"My dear wife!" I exclaimed, "this is beautiful! You have done wonders! +Did you not find the work too hard?" + +"The ground is light and easy to dig hereabouts," she replied. "I have +planted potatoes, and cassava roots; there is space for sugar-canes, and +the young fruit trees, and I shall want you to contrive to irrigate +them, by leading water from the cascades in hollow bamboos. Up by the +sheltering rocks I mean to have pine-apples and melons; they will look +splendid when they spread there. To shelter the beds of European +vegetables from the heat of the sun, I have planted seeds of maize round +them. The shadow of the tall plants will afford protection from the +burning rays. Do you think that is a good plan?" + +"I do, indeed; the whole arrangement is capital. Now, as sunset +approaches, we must return to the tent for supper and rest, for both of +which we are all quite ready." + +The time passed in happy talk over our many new interests; everyone had +the pleasant sensation which attends successful labor, as well as +experiencing the joy of affording unexpected pleasure to others; and I +especially pointed out to my sons how true, genuine happiness consists +in that, rather than in mere self-gratification. + +Next morning, my wife said: "If you can exist on shore long enough to +visit Falconhurst, dear husband, I should like you to attend to the +little fruit trees. I fear they have been too much neglected. I have +watered them occasionally, and spread earth over the roots as they lay, +but I could not manage to plant them." + +"You have done far more than I could have expected, my wife," I replied, +"and provided you do not ask me to give up the sea altogether, I most +willingly agree to your request, and will go to Falconhurst as soon as +the raft is unloaded, and everything safely arranged here." + +Life on shore was an agreeable change for us all, and the boys went +actively to work, so that the stores were quickly brought up to the +tent, piled in order, and carefully covered with sailcloths, fastened +down by pegs all round. The pinnace being provided with an anchor, was +properly moored, and her elegant appearance quite altered the looks of +our harbor, hitherto occupied only by the grotesque tub-boat, and flat, +uninteresting raft. + +Taking an ample supply of everything we should require at Falconhurst, +we were soon comfortably re-established in that charming abode, its +peaceful shade seeming more delightful than ever, after the heat and +hard work we had lately undergone. + +Several Sundays had passed during our stay at Tentholm, and the welcome +Day of Rest now returned again, to be observed with heartfelt devotion +and grateful praise. + +I did not attempt too much in the form of preaching, as I could not +have secured the attention of my hearers to any long-winded discourse, +but they were interested in the Bible reading and simple instructions I +drew from it, and their young voices joined sweetly in favorite hymns, +which my wife sang from memory. + +In the evening I desired the boys to let me see their dexterity in +athletic exercises, such as running, leaping, wrestling, and climbing; +telling them they must keep up the practice of these things, so as to +grow strong, active men, powerful to repel and cope with danger, as well +as agile and swift-footed to escape from it. No man can be really +courageous and self-reliant without an inward consciousness of physical +power and capability. + +"I want to see my sons strong, both morally and physically," said I; +"that means, little Franz," as the large blue eyes looked inquiringly up +at me, "brave to do what is good and right, and to hate evil, and strong +to work, hunt, and provide for themselves and others, and to fight if +necessary." + +On the following day, the boys seeming disposed to carry out my wishes +by muscular exercise of all sorts, I encouraged them by saying I meant +to prepare a curious new weapon for them, only they must promise not to +neglect the practice of archery; as to their guns, I had no reason to +fear they would be laid aside. + +Taking a long cord, I attached a leaden bullet to each end and had +instantly to answer a storm of questions as to what this could possibly +be for. + +"This is a miniature lasso," said I; "the Mexicans, Patagonians, and +various tribes of South America, make use of this weapon in hunting, +with marvelous dexterity, only, having no bullets, they fasten stones to +their ropes, which are immensely longer than this. One end is swung +round and round the mounted hunter's head, and then cast with skill and +precision toward the animal he wishes to strike; immediately drawing it +back, he can repeat the blow, and either kill or wound his prey. +Frequently, however, the intention is to take the animal, wild horse, or +buffalo, or whatever it may be, alive; and in that case, the lasso is +thrown, while riding in hot pursuit, in such a way as to make the stone +twist many times round the neck, body, or legs of the fugitive, +arresting him even in full career." + +"Oh, father, what a splendid contrivance! Will you try it now? There is +the donkey, father! do catch the donkey." + +Not at all certain of my powers, I declined to practice upon a live +subject, but consented to make a trial of skill by aiming at the stump +of a tree at no great distance. + +My success surpassed my own expectations; the stump was entwined by the +cord in such a way as to leave no doubt whatever as to the feasibility +of the wonderful performances I described; and I was assailed by +petitions from the boys, each anxious to possess a lasso of his own +without a moment's delay. + +As the manufacture was simple, their wishes were speedily gratified, and +lasso practice became the order of the day. + +Fritz, who was the most active and adroit, besides having, of course, +the greatest muscular strength, soon became skilled in the art. + +That night a change came over the weather, and early next morning I +perceived that a gale of wind was getting up. From the height of our +trees I could see that the surface of the sea was in violent agitation. + +It was with no small satisfaction that I thought of our hard-won +pinnace, safely moored in the harbor, and recollected that there was +nothing to call us to the wreck for the next few days. + +My attention was by no means monopolized by my sons and their +amusements. The good mother had much to show me demanding my approval, +advice, or assistance, as the case might be. + +A good supply of wild pigeons and ortolans had been snared, partly +cooked, and preserved in lard. Of these she showed me her small cask +well filled. + +Then the nests of various pairs of tame pigeons were exhibited, but her +chief care was the unpromising condition of her dear little fruit trees, +for, having been forgotten, they were so dry and withered, that unless +planted without further delay, she feared we should lose them. + +This needful work we set about, therefore, at once, proposing afterward +an excursion to the Calabash Wood, in order to manufacture a large +supply of vessels and utensils of all sorts and sizes. + +Everyone was inclined for this expedition; consequently the planting of +the orchard was carried on with surprising vigor, but was not completed +until toward evening; and then all sorts of arrangements were made for +an early start next day. The mother and Franz were to be of the party, +and their equipment took some time, for we meant to make a grand family +excursion, attended by our domestic pets and servants! + +By sunrise we were all astir, and everything quickly made ready for a +start. + +The sledge, loaded with ammunition and baskets of provisions, and drawn +by the donkey, was to be used for carrying home our gourd manufactures, +as well as any other prize we might fall in with. + +Turk, as usual, headed the procession, clad in his coat of mail. + +Then came the boys with their guns and game bags. Their mother and I +followed, and behind trotted Juno, not in very good spirits, poor dog! +because Master Knips, who had no idea of being left alone, must needs +ride on her back. + +On this occasion I took two guns with me, one loaded with shot for game, +another with ball for our defense against beasts of prey. + +Flamingo Marsh was quickly crossed, and the magnificent country beyond +lay extended in all its beauty and fertility before our eyes. It was new +to my wife and two of the boys, and the lovely prospect enchanted them. + +Here Fritz and Jack turned aside into the bush, where presently loud +barking was followed by the quick report of a gun, and a large bird, +which had risen from the thicket, fell heavily to the ground before us. +Far from resigning itself, however, to death or captivity, it sprung to +its feet, and, unable to fly, rushed away with extraordinary speed hotly +pursued by the excited dog, while Fritz ran, panting, in the same +direction, and Juno, eager to join the chase, sprang aside so suddenly +that her rider was flung unceremoniously on the sand, as she darted to +intercept the retreat of the active bird. This she cleverly +accomplished, but its defense was maintained so fiercely, as it struck +out with its powerful legs and sharp claws, that neither Fritz nor the +dogs could master it. + +I hastened to their assistance, and found Juno holding on nobly by the +wing she had seized, while the bird, which proved to be a magnificent +bustard, struggled and fought fiercely. Watching my opportunity, I threw +a large handkerchief over it, and with difficulty succeeded in binding +its legs and wings. It was borne in triumph to the rest of our party, +who meantime had been reclining on the sand. + +"What have you got?" "What has Fritz shot?" cried the boys, starting up +at our approach. "A bustard oh, that is splendid!" + +"To be sure, it is the one we missed that day, don't you remember, +mother? Ah, ha! old fellow, you are done for this time!" said Jack. + +"I think this is a hen bustard; it is the mother bird," said Ernest. + +"Ah, yes, poor thing!" exclaimed my wife, in a tone of concern; "it is +most likely the same, and I know she had a brood of young birds, and now +they will be left unprotected and miserable. Had we not better let her +go?" + +"Why, my dear, kind-hearted wife, that was weeks and weeks ago! Those +little birds are all strong and big by this time, and I dare say Mrs. +Bustard here has forgotten all about them. Besides, she is badly +wounded, and we must try to cure the hurt. If we succeed, she will be a +valuable addition to our poultry yard; if we cannot, you shall roast her +for dinner." + +Resuming our march, we next arrived at the Monkey Grove, which was the +scene of the tragi-comic adventure by which Fritz became the guardian of +the orphan ape. + +While he amused us all by a lively and graphic description of the scene, +Ernest was standing apart under a splendid cocoanut palm, gazing in +fixed admiration at the grand height of the stem, and its beautiful, +graceful crown of leaves. The cluster of nuts beneath these evidently +added interest to the spectacle, for, drawing quietly near him, I heard +a long-drawn sigh, and the words: + +"It's awfully high! I wish one would fall down!" + +Scarcely had he uttered these words, than, as if by magic, down plumped +a huge nut at his feet. + +The boy was quite startled, and sprang aside, looking timidly upward, +when, to my surprise, down came another. + +"Why, this is just like the fairy tale of the wishing-cap!" cried +Ernest. "My wish is granted as soon as formed!" + +"I suspect the fairy in this instance is more anxious to pelt us and +drive us away than to bestow dainty gifts upon us," said I. "I think +there is most likely a cross-grained old ape sitting up among those +shadowy leaves and branches." + +We examined the nuts, thinking they were perhaps old ones, and had +fallen, in consequence, naturally, but they were not even quite ripe. + +Anxious to discover what was in the tree, we all surrounded it, gaping +and gazing upward with curious eyes. + +"Hullo! I see him!" shouted Fritz presently. "Oh, a hideous creature! +what can it be? flat, round, as big as a plate, and with a pair of +horrid claws! Here he comes! He is going to creep down the tree!" + +At this, little Franz slipped behind his mother, Ernest took a glance +round to mark a place of retreat, Jack raised the butt-end of his gun, +and every eye was fixed on the trunk of the tree, down which a large +land-crab commenced a leisurely descent. As it approached within reach, +Jack hit at it boldly, when it suddenly dropped the remaining distance, +and opening its great claws, sidled after him with considerable +rapidity, upon which he fairly turned tail and ran. We all burst into a +roar of laughter, which soon made him face about, and then, to our +infinite amusement, the little fellow prepared for a fresh onset; laying +down all he was carrying, pulling off his jacket and spreading it wide +out in both hands, he returned to the charge, suddenly threw his garment +over the creature, wrapped it well round it, and then pummeled it with +all the strength of his fists. + +For a few minutes I could do nothing but laugh, but then running to him +with my hatchet, I struck several sharp blows on his bundle, which we +opened carefully, and found within the land-crab perfectly dead. + +"Well, this is an ugly rascal!" cried Jack; "if he hadn't been so +hideous, I should not have dealt so severely with him. I wasn't a bit +afraid. What is the creature's name?" + +"This is a crab, a land-crab," said I, "of which there are many +varieties, and this, I think, is called a cocoanut crab, or at least it +deserves the name, for it is evidently very fond of eating these nuts, +since it takes the trouble to climb the trees for them; the difficulty +of getting at the kernel, too, is considerable. You showed no little +presence of mind, Jack, when you thought of catching it in your jacket; +in fact, it might have been more than a match for you otherwise, for +some are most determined fighters, and are very swift, too. Now let us +take it, as well as the nuts, to the sledge, and go on our way." + +Progress became difficult, for we were constantly stopped in passing +through the wood, by having to cut away the hanging boughs and creeping +plants which interlaced them. Ernest was behind, and by-and-by called me +back to see what proved to be an important discovery; from the several +stalks of one of these creepers flowed clear cold water, and I +recognized the "liane rouge," which is known in America, and is so +precious to the thirsty hunter or traveler. This is truly one of God's +good gifts to man! + +The boys were much delighted with this curious plant. "Only fancy, +mother," said Ernest, as he showed it to her, "how cheering and +refreshing to find this if one were lost and alone in a vast forest, +wandering for days and days without being near a natural spring of +water." + +"But are you certain it is safe to drink this?" asked she. + +I assured her it was so, and advised the boys to cut enough to quench +the thirst of the whole party, including our animals. This they did, +only finding it necessary, as with the sugar-canes, to cut air holes +above the joints. + +After struggling onward for a short time, we emerged from the thickets +into open ground, and saw the calabash trees in the distance. As we drew +near, their curious appearance and singular fruit caused much surprise +and also amusement, for we were speedily established among the trees, +where, as I chose and cut down the gourds most likely to be useful, +everyone engaged merrily in the work of cutting, carving, sawing, and +scooping some manner of dish, bowl, cup, jar, or platter, according to +his several taste or ability. + +We were to dine here, and after a time Fritz and Jack began to prepare a +fireplace, their great ambition being to heat the stones red hot, and +cook the crab in a hollow gourd. Their mother, therefore, left them to +their own devices, and attended to the hungry animals, unharnessing the +ass to graze, and giving cocoanut milk to the poor little monkey, who +had been obliged to travel in a covered basket for some time, lest he +should be lost in the woods. The wounded bustard had been completely +forgotten, and from heat and thirst was suffering greatly until her +friendly care revived it, and it was tied to a tree and allowed to move +about, its fierce spirit greatly tamed by adversity. + +The cooking operations came to a stand soon after the fire was lighted, +for it appeared that we had no more water in the jars we had brought, so +the boys proposed to go in search of a spring. I agreed to accompany +them; Ernest also wished to join us, and as our intention was to examine +merely the surrounding wood, I saw no objection to leaving their mother +and Franz for a short time. + +Very soon after our exploration began, Ernest, who was in front, turned +with a face of terror, shouting, "A wild boar! an immense wild boar, +father! Do come quick!" And sure enough, I heard a loud snorting and +puffing as some large animal passed hastily through the thick underwood +beyond us. "After him, lads, after him!" cried I, hurrying forward. +"Call the dogs! stand ready to fire!" And we pressed through the bushes +to the spot where Ernest had seen the creature. The ground was grubbed +up, and some potatoes lay about, showing that we had disturbed him at +his mid-day meal. Ernest and Jack were more disposed to gather the roots +than to follow up the chase. Fritz and I alone went after the dogs, who +eagerly pushed on, and by the sounds we heard had evidently attacked the +boar at no great distance. Terrific barking, snarling, and grunting +guided us to the scene of action, and we beheld our mastiffs one on each +side of a large respectable-looking pig, holding on by the great ears, +while the animal, on seeing us, appeared rather to beseech our +interference than to propose to offer a desperate resistance. + +In a moment the truth became apparent! The captive grunter was no fierce +native of the forest, but our own run-away sow! Our excitement had been +wound to so high a pitch that the discovery was quite a shock, and we +felt half angry with the creature who had disappointed us; then the +absurdity of the whole thing made us laugh heartily, and calling off the +dogs, the old lady was released from her ignominious position. Our +laughter resounding through the wood brought Ernest and Jack from their +potatoes, to see what was going on. + +"Much use you two would have been suppose we had required help," cried +Fritz, as they recognized their old friend. + +"Ah, well, you see," returned Jack, "Ernest and I had a sort of a kind +of presentiment that this was going to be the old sow. And just look at +our fine potatoes!" + +A good deal of joking on the subject ensued, but was interrupted by +Ernest, who drew our attention to fruit resembling apples on the +surrounding bushes, and on the grass beneath them. + +The sow was making amends for the fright and pain she had endured by +munching and crunching this fruit at a great rate. Fritz feared that it +might be the poisonous manchineel, against which I once warned them, but +on examining it, I was induced to pronounce a more favorable opinion, +and we collected a quantity in hopes that, if the monkey approved of it +as well as the old sow, we might be able to enjoy a feast ourselves. + +All this time not a drop of water had we seen, and our own thirst +increasing, we felt eager to procure some before returning to our +resting place. + +Jack preceded us, and we made our way toward a high rock, which rose +above the thickets, when he suddenly startled us by a loud cry of "A +crocodile! father! father! A crocodile!" + +"Nonsense, boy! A crocodile, of all things, in this dry, parched forest, +where we can't get so much as a mouthful of water!" + +On advancing to where Jack stood, I perceived that his mistake was not +so very silly after all, for I beheld an iguana, one of the largest of +the lizard species, and truly a formidable-looking fellow. I was glad to +assure Jack that the strange creature he had found was perfectly +harmless, and that its flesh being esteemed a delicacy, it would be a +valuable prize to carry back with us. + +In another moment Fritz would have fired, but arresting his hand, "Your +shot," I said, "would probably only wound the animal, and being +extremely tenacious of life, it would certainly escape; we must gain +possession of the sleeping beauty by a gentler method." + +"You are not going to kiss it, are you, father?" asked Jack, with a +grin. + +I tried to rebuke him for his impertinence, but, failing, I commenced +operations. I first attached a cord and running-noose to a stout stick, +and holding a light switch in my other hand, I began to approach the +creature with soft, slow steps, while the boys looked on with the utmost +curiosity. + +Presently I began very softly to whistle a sweet, yet very lively air, +which I continued more and more distinctly as I drew near the lizard; +until, awaking, it seemed to listen with pleasure--raising its head as +though better to catch the sounds, or to discover whence they came. + +When near enough, I began gently to stroke and tickle him with the wand, +continuing to whistle the prettiest tunes I could think of; and the +lizard gave signs of pleasurable contentment, stretching his limbs and +moving his tail in token of enjoyment. + +Suddenly, availing myself of a movement of his head, I cast the noose +over it, drew the cord tight, and placing my foot on the body, I was +about to kill it by piercing the nostril--almost the only vulnerable +part in this singular reptile--when Jack received such a slap from its +tail, which was furiously driving in all directions, as sent him rolling +over like a ninepin. At the same time he opened his jaws, when the boys +took fright at the row of sharp teeth, and thinking that the sooner he +was dead the better, were for battering him with sticks; but I assuring +them my method would kill him more quickly and without pain, thrust my +rod into his nostril, on which the blood flowed and the lizard soon +expired. + +The boys seemed to think me as wonderful a person as a snake charmer, +and the success of my stratagem, as well as of the means by which the +lizard was slain, called forth great admiration, since they had never +heard of the animal, nor of the method of capturing it so commonly +practiced in the West Indies. + +Now came the question of how we were to carry this unwieldy burden. I +had a great dislike to killing any creature and leaving it useless +behind me; so, without more ado, I fairly took it on my back and marched +off with it. + +As we came toward the Calabash Wood, we could hear the voices of the +deserted mother and child calling us in anxious tones; for indeed our +protracted absence alarmed them. We shouted joyously in reply, and our +appearance, as we issued from the woods, afforded them welcome relief +from their fears, although the dreadful creature on my back startled +them not a little. + +There was so much to tell, so much to be seen, that for a time hunger +and thirst were forgotten; and no one thought even of the water we had +vainly gone in search of, until Master Knips, having slyly possessed +himself of some of our new-found apples, was discovered munching away +and enjoying them amazingly--which instantly gave the boys a strong wish +to eat some also; and as the bustard likewise pecked at them without +hesitation, I felt sure there could be no danger; and on tasting them, I +concluded it was the fruit of the guava, a West Indian plant, which we +were delighted to have. + +Although refreshing, this fruit rather sharpened than appeased our +appetites, and we were glad to eat the provisions we had brought from +home, without waiting to cook anything, as we had originally intended. + +It was, in fact, high time to move homeward, and we thought it best not +to encumber ourselves with the sledge and the greater part of its load, +but to leave it until the next day. The ass was laden with the iguana +and the bustard; and little Franz, tired as he was, looked in vain for a +spare seat on its back. + +Our road home lay through a majestic forest of oak trees, beneath which +lay numberless acorns, some of which we gathered as we went along; and +at length, before night closed in, we all reached Falconhurst in safety. + +When supper was ready, we were thankful to recruit our exhausted +strength by eating heartily of a piece of broiled iguana, with potatoes +and roast acorns, which tasted like excellent chestnuts. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +AT FALCONHURST AGAIN--BAGGING A BUFFALO + + +The first thing to be done on the following day was to return to the +Calabash Wood, to fetch the sledge with the dishes, bowls, and baskets +we had made. + +Fritz alone accompanied me. I desired the other boys to remain with +their mother, intending to explore beyond the chain of rocky hills, and +thinking a large party undesirable on the occasion. + +Passing through the wood of evergreen oaks, we observed our sow feasting +on the acorns, evidently not a whit the worse for the fright we had +given her the previous day--in fact, she appeared more friendly disposed +toward us than usual, possibly considering us as her deliverers from the +jaws of the savage dogs. + +Many birds tenanted this grove, and were undisturbed by our movements, +until Fritz fired and shot a beautiful blue-jay and a couple of +parroquets, one a brilliant scarlet, the other green and gold. + +Fritz was in the act of reloading his gun, when an unaccountable noise +struck our ears, and put us instantly on the alert, because it appeared +like the dull thumping sound of a muffled drum, and reminded us of the +possible presence of savages. + +With the greatest caution we drew nearer the sound, concealing ourselves +among the low bushes and thick grass and creepers, until we reached an +open glade; where, standing on an old prostrate log, was a beautiful +bird, about the size of a cock, of a rich chestnut brown color, finely +mottled with dark brown and gray. On the shoulders were curious tufts of +velvet black feathers, glossed with green. He was ruffling his wings, +erecting his tail and neck feathers, strutting and wheeling about in a +most strange and stately fashion. After maneuvering for some time in +this manner, greatly to the edification of a party of birds resembling +him, but without any ruff, who, assembled round the stump, were enjoying +his performances, he spread out his tail like a fan, stiffened his +wings, and began to strike with them in short, rapid beats, faster and +faster, until a rumbling sound like very distant thunder was produced, +and the whirring wings enveloped him as in a cloud. This was the +drumming noise which had alarmed us, increased, as I imagine, by the +wing strokes falling at times on the decayed and hollow stump on which +the curious pantomime was acted. + +I was watching it with the utmost interest, when a shot from behind me +was fired, and in a moment the play was at an end; my over-hasty son had +changed the pretty comedy into a sad and needless tragedy. The +enthusiastic drummer fell dead from his perch, and the crowd of admiring +companions fled in dismay. + +The cruel interruption of a scene so rare and remarkable annoyed me +extremely, and I blamed Fritz for firing without my leave. I felt sure +the bird was the ruffed grouse, and a very fine specimen. We placed it +on the ass, which was patiently awaiting our return, and went on our +way. + +The sledge was quite safe where we had left it; it was early in the day, +and I resolved to explore, as I had intended, the line of cliff and +rocky hills, which, at more or less distance from the seashore, extended +the whole length of coast known or visible to us. + +I desired to discover an opening, if any existed, by which to penetrate +the interior of the country, or to ascertain positively that we were +walled in and isolated on this portion of the coast. + +Leaving Calabash Wood behind us, we advanced over ground covered with +manioc, potatoes, and many plants unknown to us; pleasant streamlets +watered the fruitful soil, and the view on all sides was open and +agreeable. + +Some bushes attracted my notice, loaded with small white berries, of +peculiar appearance like wax, and very sticky when plucked. I recognized +in this a plant called by botanists Myrica cerifera, and with much +pleasure explained to Fritz that, by melting and straining these +berries, we might easily succeed in making candles, and afford very +great satisfaction to the mother, who did not at all approve of having +to lay her work aside and retire to rest the moment the sun set. The +greenish wax to be obtained would be more brittle than beeswax, but it +would burn very fairly, and diffuse an agreeable perfume. Having the ass +with us, we lost no time in gathering berries enough to fill one of the +large canvas bags he carried, and we then continued our route. + +Very soon we met with another natural curiosity, the curious appearance +of which surprised us much. This was the abode, under one roof, of a +whole colony of birds, about the size of yellow hammers, but of plain +brown plumage. The nests were built in a mass round the stem and among +the branches of a tree standing alone, and a kind of roof formed of +grass, straws, and fibers covered them all, and sheltered the community +from rain and the heat of the sun. There were numbers of openings into +the irregular sides of the group of dwellings, the nests resembling +different apartments in a house common to all; twigs and small branches +emerged here and there from the walls, and served as perches for the +young birds, and resting-places and posts of observation for all. The +general appearance of the establishment reminded us of a huge +bath-sponge. The feathered inhabitants swarmed in and out by thousands, +and we saw among them many beautiful little parrots, who seemed in many +instances to contest possession of the nest of the lawful owners. + +Fritz, being an expert climber and exceedingly anxious to examine the +nests more closely, ascended the tree, hoping to obtain one or two young +birds, if any were hatched. He put his hands into several holes, which +were empty; but at last his intended theft and robbery met with repulse +and chastisement he little expected; for, reaching far back into the +nest, his finger was seized and sharply bitten by a very strong beak, so +that with a cry he withdrew his hand, and shook it vigorously to lessen +the pain. Recovering from the surprise, he again and more resolutely +seized the unkind bird, and, despite its shrieks and screams, drew it +from its retreat, crammed it into his pocket, buttoned up his coat, and +slid quickly to the ground, pursued by numbers of the captive's +relations, who darted from the other holes and flew round the robber, +screeching and pecking at him in a rage. + +Fritz's prize was not one of the real owners of the nests, which were +those of the sociable grosbeak, but a very pretty small green parrot, +with which he was greatly pleased, and which he at once determined to +tame and teach to speak; for the present it was carefully remanded to +prison in his pocket. + +This curious colony of birds afforded us matter for conversation as we +went on our way; their cheerful, sociable habits, and the instinct which +prompted them to unite in labor for the common good, appearing most +wonderful to us. + +"Examples of the kind, however," said I, "are numerous, in various +classes of animals. Beavers, for instance, build and live together in a +very remarkable way. Among insects, bees, wasps, and ants are well known +as social architects; in like manner, the coral insect works wonders +beneath the ocean waves, by force of perseverance and united effort." + +"I have often watched ants at work," said Fritz; "it it most amusing to +see how they carry on the various works and duties of their +commonwealth." + +"Have you ever noticed how much trouble they take with the eggs?" +inquired I, to see how far he understood the process; "carrying them +about in the warmth of the sun until they are hatched?" + +"Ah! that is rather the chrysalis of the antworm, or larva, which is +produced from an egg. I know they are called ants' eggs, but, strictly +speaking, that is incorrect." + +"You are perfectly right, my boy. Well, if you have taken so much +interest in watching the little ants of your native country, how +delighted and astonished you would be to see the wonders performed by +the vast tribes of large ants in foreign lands. + +"Some of these build heaps or nests, four or six feet high and +proportionately broad, which are so strong and firm that they defy +equally sunshine and rain. They are, within, divided into regular +streets, galleries, vaults, and nurseries. So firmly are these mounds +built, that with interior alterations, a deserted one might be used for +a baking oven. + +"The ant, although respected since the days of King Solomon as a model +of industry, is not in itself an attractive insect. + +"It exudes a sticky moisture, its smell is unpleasant, and it destroys +and devours whatever eatable comes in its way. Although, in our own +country it does little harm, the large ants of foreign lands are most +destructive and troublesome; it being very difficult to check their +depredations. Fortunately they have enemies by whose exertions their +numbers are kept down; birds, other insects, and even four-footed beasts +prey upon them. Chief among the latter is the ant-bear, or tamanoir, of +South America, a large creature six or seven feet in length, covered +with long coarse hair, drooping like a heavy plume over the hind +quarters. The head is wonderfully elongated and very narrow; it is +destitute of teeth, and the tongue resembles somewhat a great red +earth-worm. It has immensely strong curved claws, with which it tears +and breaks down and scratches to pieces the hard walls of the ant-heaps; +then, protruding its sticky tongue it coils and twists it about among +the terrified millions disturbed by its attack; they adhere to this +horrible invader, and are drawn irresistibly backward into the hungry, +toothless jaws awaiting them. + +"The little ant-eater is not more than about twenty-one inches in +length, has a shorter and more natural looking head, and fine silky fur. +It usually lives in trees." + +I was pleased to find my memory served me so well on this subject, as it +interested my boy amazingly; and occupied us for a considerable time +while we traveled onward. + +Arriving presently at a grove of tall trees, with very strong, broad, +thick leaves, we paused to examine them; they bore a round, fig-like +fruit, full of little seeds and of a sour, harsh taste. + +Fritz saw some gummy resin exuding from cracks in the bark, and it +reminded him of the boyish delight afforded by collecting gum from +cherry-trees at home, so that he must needs stop to scrape off as much +as he could. He rejoined me presently, attempting to soften what he had +collected in his hands; but finding it would not work like gum, he was +about to fling it away, when he suddenly found that he could stretch it +and that it sprang back to its original size. + +"Oh, father, only look! this gum is quite elastic! Can it possibly be +india-rubber?" + +"What!" cried I; "let me see it! a valuable discovery that would be, +indeed; and I do believe you are perfectly right!" + +"Why would it be so very valuable, father?" inquired Fritz. "I have only +seen it used for rubbing out pencil marks." + +"India-rubber," I replied, "or, more properly, caoutchouc, is a milky, +resinous juice which flows from certain trees in considerable quantities +when the stem is purposely tapped. These trees are indigenous to the +South American countries of Brazil, Guiana, and Cayenne. The natives, +who first obtained it, used to form bottles by smearing earthen flasks +with repeated coatings of the gum when just fresh from the trees, and +when hardened and sufficiently thick, they broke the mold, shook out the +fragments, and hung the bottles in the smoke, when they became firmer +and of a dark color. While moist, the savages were in the habit of +drawing rude figures and lines on the resin by way of ornament; these +marks you may have observed, for the bottles obtained from the natives +by the Spaniards and Portuguese have for years been brought to Europe +and cut into portions to be sold for use in drawing. Caoutchouc can be +put to many uses, and I am delighted to have it here, as we shall, I +hope, be able to make it into different forms; first and foremost, I +shall try to manufacture boots and shoes." + +Soon after making this discovery, we reached the cocoanut wood, and saw +the bay extending before us, and the great promontory we called Cape +Disappointment, which hitherto had always bounded our excursions. + +In passing through the wood, I remarked a smaller sort of palm, which, +among its grand companions, I had not previously noticed. One of these +had been broken by the wind, and I saw that the pith had a peculiar +mealy appearance, and I felt convinced that this was the world-renowned +sago-palm. + +In the pith I saw some fat worms or maggots, and suddenly recollected +that I had heard of them before as feeding on the sago, and that in the +West Indies they are eaten as a delicacy. + +I felt inclined to try what they tasted like; so at once kindling a +fire, and placing some half-dozen, sprinkled with salt, on a little +wooden spit, I set them to roast. + +Very soon rich fat began to drop from them, and they smelt so temptingly +good that all repugnance to the idea of eating worms vanished; and, +putting one like a pat of butter on a baked potato, I boldly swallowed +it and liked it so much that several others followed in the same way. +Fritz also summoned courage to partake of this novel food, which was a +savory addition to our dinner of baked potatoes. + +Being once more ready to start, we found so dense a thicket in the +direct route that we turned aside without attempting to penetrate it, +and made our way toward the sugar brake near Cape Disappointment. This +we could not pass without cutting a handsome bundle of sugar-canes, and +the donkey carried that, in addition to the bag of wax berries. + +In time we reached the sledge in Calabash Wood; the ass was unloaded, +everything placed on the sledge, and our patient beast began calmly and +readily to drag the burden he had hitherto borne on his back. + +No further adventure befell us, and we arrived in the evening at +Falconhurst, where our welcome was as warm as usual--all we had to tell +listened to with the greatest interest, all we had to show most eagerly +examined, the pretty green parroquet enchanting the boys most +particularly. + +An excellent supper was ready for us, and with thankful hearts we +enjoyed it together; then, ascending to our treecastle, and drawing up +the ladder after us, we betook ourselves to the repose well earned and +greatly needed after this fatiguing day. + +The idea of candle-making seemed to have taken the fancy of all the +boys; and next morning they woke, one after the other, with the word +candle on their lips. When they were thoroughly roused they continued to +talk candles; all breakfast-time, candles were the subject of +conversation; and after breakfast they would hear of nothing else but +setting to work at once and making candles. + +"So be it," said I; "let us become chandlers." + +I spoke confidently, but to tell the truth, I had in my own mind certain +misgivings as to the result of our experiment. In the first place, I +knew that we lacked a very important ingredient--animal fat, which is +necessary to make candles burn for any length of time with brilliancy. +Besides this, I rather doubted how far my memory would recall the +various operations necessary in the manufacture. Of all this, however, I +said nothing; and the boys, under my direction, were soon at work. We +first picked off the berries and threw them into a large shallow iron +vessel placed on the fire. The green, sweet-scented wax was rapidly +melted, rising to the surface of the juice yielded by the berries. This +we skimmed off and placed in a separate pot by the fire, ready for use; +repeating the operation several times, until we had collected sufficient +liquid wax for our purpose. I then took the wicks my wife had prepared, +and dipped them one after the other into the wax, handing them as I did +so to Fritz, who hung them up on a bush to dry. The coating they thus +obtained was not very thick; but by repeating the operation several +times, they at length assumed very fair proportions, and became real +sturdy candles. Our wax being at an end, we hung these in a cool, shady +place to harden; and that same night we sat up like civilized beings +three whole hours after sunset, and Falconhurst was for the first time +brilliantly illuminated. + +We were all delighted with the success of our experiment. + +"You are indeed clever," said my wife; "I only wish that with your +ingenuity you would show me how to make butter. Day after day I have the +annoyance of seeing a large supply of good cream go bad under my very +eyes, simply because I have no use to which to put it. Invent a plan, +please do." + +"I think that perhaps I can help you," I replied, after a little +consideration; "not that I can claim the honor of the invention of my +plan; that is due to the Hottentots. I will see what I can do. Jack, +bring me one of our gourd bottles." + +I took the gourd, one of those I had previously prepared, with a small +hole at one end and well hollowed out and cleaned; this I partially +filled with cream and then corked up the hole tightly. + +"Here, boys," said I, "you can continue the operation, while I turn +carpenter and make a cart to take the place of our sledge." + +I gave them their directions, and then set about my own work. They fixed +four posts in the ground, and to them fastened a square piece of +sailcloth by four cords attached to the corners. In this cradle they +placed the gourd of cream, and each taking a side rolled it backward and +forward continuously for half an hour. + +"Now," I cried, looking up from my work, "open the gourd and take the +contents to your mother with my compliments." + +They did so; and my good wife's eyes were delighted with the sight of a +large lump of capital fresh butter. + +With my son's assistance the cart was in time completed; a clumsy +vehicle it was, but strong enough for any purpose to which we might put +it, and, as it proved, of immense use to us in collecting the harvest. + +We then turned our attention to our fruit-trees, which we had planted in +a plot ready for transplanting. The walnut, cherry, and chestnut trees +we arranged in parallel rows, so as to form a shady avenue from +Falconhurst to Family-bridge; and between them we laid down a tolerable +road, that we might have no difficulty in reaching Tentholm, be the +weather bad as it might. We planted the vines round the arched roots of +our great mangrove, and the rest of the trees in suitable spots; some +near Falconhurst, and others away over Jackal River, to adorn Tentholm. +Tentholm had been the subject of serious thoughts to me for some time +past, and I now turned all my attention thither. It was not my ambition +to make it beautiful, but to form of it a safe place of refuge in a case +of emergency. My first care, therefore, was to plant a thick, prickly +hedge capable of protecting us from any wild animal, and forming a +tolerable obstacle to the attack of even savages, should they appear. +Not satisfied with this, however, we fortified the bridge, and on a +couple of hillocks mounted two guns which we brought from the wreck, and +with whose angry mouths we might bark defiance at any enemy, man or +beast. + +Six weeks slipped away while we were thus busily occupied, six weeks of +hard, yet pleasant labor. We greeted each Sunday and its accompanying +rest most gratefully, and on that day always, especially thanked God for +our continued health and safety. I soon saw that this hard work was +developing in the boys remarkable strength, and this I encouraged by +making them practice running, leaping, climbing, and swimming; I also +saw, however, that it was having a less satisfactory effect upon their +clothes, which, though a short time before remarkably neat, were now, in +spite of the busy mother's mending and patching, most untidy and +disreputable. I determined, therefore, to pay another visit to the +wreck, to replenish our wardrobe and to see how much longer the vessel +was likely to hold together. Three of the boys and I went off in the +pinnace. The old ship seemed in much the same condition as when we had +left her; a few more planks had gone, but that was all. + +"Come, boys," cried I, "not an article of the slightest value must be +left on board; rummage her out to the very bottom of her hold." + +They took me at my word; sailors' chests, bales of cloth and linen, a +couple of small guns, ball and shot, tables, benches, window shutters, +bolts and locks, barrels of pitch, all were soon in a heap on the deck. +We loaded the pinnace and went on shore. We soon returned with our +tub-boat in tow, and after a few more trips nothing was left on board. + +"One more trip," said I to my wife, before we started again, "and there +will be the end of the brave ship which carried us from Switzerland. I +have left two barrels of gunpowder on board and mean to blow her up." + +Before we lighted the fusee, I discovered a large copper caldron which I +thought I might save. I made fast to it a couple of empty casks, that +when the ship went up it might float. The barrels were laced, the train +lighted, and we returned on shore. + +The supper was laid outside the tent, at a spot from whence we might +obtain a good view of the wreck. Darkness came on. Suddenly a vivid +pillar of fire rose from the black waters, a sullen roar boomed across +the sea, and we knew that our good old ship was no more. + +We had planned the destruction of the vessel; we knew that it was for +the best; and yet that night we went to bed with a feeling of sadness in +our hearts, as though we had lost a dear old friend. + +Next morning all our sadness was dispelled, and it was with pleasure +that we saw the shore lined with a rich store of planks and beams, the +remnants of the wreck. I soon found, too, the copper caldron which was +successfully floated by the casks; this I got on shore, and hauling it +up among the rocks, stored under it the powder casks we had landed the +day before. Collecting all these valuables gave us some little trouble, +and while we were thus engaged my wife brought us good news. She had +discovered that two ducks and a goose had each reared a large family +among the reeds by the river; and they presently appeared waddling past +us, apparently vastly well pleased with their performance. We greeted +them joyfully. + +"Hurrah!" cried Ernest, "we'll be able to afford duck and green peas +some day soon, and imagine we're once more civilized mortals." + +The sight of these birds reminded me of our family at Falconhurst, and I +announced my intention of paying them a visit. + +Everyone was delighted and everyone would come with me. As we approached +Falconhurst I noticed that several young trees in our avenue were +considerably bent by the wind, and this resolved me to make an +expedition next day to cut bamboos for their support. As Fritz was the +only one besides myself who had visited Cape Disappointment and the +surrounding country, my wife and the younger boys begged hard to be +allowed to accompany me. I consented; and next morning we started, +bringing with us the cart, drawn by the cow and ass, and laden with +everything necessary for an expedition of several days--a tent, +provisions, a large supply of ammunition, and all sorts of implements +and utensils; for I intended to make a great collection of fruits and +the produce of different trees. It was a lovely morning, and passing +gayly through the plantations of potatoes, manioc, and cassavas, we came +to the nests of the sociable grosbeak, the sight of which charmed the +children immensely. + +We reached the wax trees, and there I called a halt, for I wished to +gather a sack or two of the berries that we might renew our stock of +candles. The berries were soon plucked; and I stored them away among the +bushes, marking the spot that we might find them on our return. + +"Now for the caoutchouc tree," said I; "now for the waterproof boots and +leggings to keep your feet dry, Ernest." To the caoutchouc tree we +directed our steps, and were soon busily engaged in stabbing the bark +and placing vessels beneath to catch the sap. We again moved forward; +and, crossing the palm wood, entered upon a delightful plain bounded on +one side by an extensive field of waving sugar-cane, on the other by a +thicket of bamboos and lovely palms, while in front stretched the +shining sea, calm and noiseless. + +"How beautiful!" exclaimed Jack, "let us pitch our tent here and stay +here always instead of living at Falconhurst. It would be jolly." + +"Very likely," replied I, "and so would be the attacks of wild beasts; +imagine a great tiger lying in wait in the thicket yonder, and pouncing +out on us at night. No, no, thank you, I much prefer our nest in the +tree, or our impregnable position at Tentholm. We must make this our +headquarters for the present, however; for, though perhaps dangerous, it +is the most convenient spot we shall find. Call a halt and pitch the +tent." + +Our beasts were quickly unyoked, the tent arranged, a large fire lit, +supper started, and we dispersed in various directions, some to cut +bamboos, and some to collect sugar-cane. We then returned; and, as +supper was still not ready and the boys were hungry, they decided to +obtain some cocoanuts. This time, however, no assistance was to be had +from either monkeys or land-crabs, and they gazed up with longing eyes +at the fruit above them. + +"We can climb," said Fritz, "up with you, boys." + +Jack and he each rushed at one of the smooth, slippery trunks; right +vigorously they struggled upward, but to no purpose; before they had +accomplished one-quarter of the distance they found themselves slipping +rapidly to the ground. + +"Here, you young athletes," cried I, "I foresaw this difficulty, and +have provided for it." So saying I held up buskins of shark's skin which +I had previously prepared, and which I now bound on to their legs. Thus +equipped they again attempted the ascent, and with a loop of rope passed +round their body and the trunk of the tree, quickly reached the summit. +My wife joined me, and together we watched the boys as they ascended +tree after tree, throwing down the best fruit from each. + +They then returned and jestingly begged Ernest to produce the result of +his labor. The professor had been lying on the grass gazing at the +palms; but, on this sarcastic remark, he sprang to his feet. +"Willingly," he exclaimed, and seizing a pair of buskins he quickly +donned them. "Give me a cocoanut shell," said he. I gave him one, and he +put it in his pocket. He ran to a tree, and, with an agility which +surprised us all, quickly reached the top. No sooner had he done so than +Fritz and Jack burst into a roar of laughter. He had swarmed a tree +which bore no nuts. Ernest apparently heard them; for, as it seemed in a +fit of anger, he drew his knife and severed the leafy crest, which fell +to the ground. I glanced up at him, surprised at such a display of +temper. But a bright smile greeted me, and in a merry tone he shouted: + +"Jack, pick that palm-cabbage up and take it to father; that is only +half my contribution, and it is worth all your nuts put together." + +He spoke truly; the cabbage-palm is rare, and the tuft of leaves at its +summit is greatly prized by the South Americans for its great delicacy +and highly nutritive qualities. + +"Bravo!" I cried, "you have retrieved your character; come down and +receive the thanks of the company. What are you waiting up there for?" + +"I am coming presently," he replied, "with the second half of my +contribution; I hope it will be as fully appreciated as the first." + +In a short time he slipped down the tree, and, advancing to his mother, +presented her with the nut-shell he had taken up with him. + +"Here," he said, "is a wine which the greatest connoisseur would prize. +Taste it, mother." + +The shell was filled with a clear, rosy liquor, bright, and sparkling. +My wife tasted it. "Excellent, excellent," she exclaimed. "Your very +good health, my dear boy!" + +We drank the rosy wine in turn, and Ernest received hearty thanks from +all. + +It was getting late, and while we were enjoying our supper before our +tent, our donkey, who had been quietly browsing near us, suddenly set up +a loud bray, and, without the least apparent cause, pricked up his ears, +threw up his heels, and galloped off into the thicket of bamboos. We +followed for a short distance, and I sent the dogs in chase, but they +returned without our friend, and, as it was late, we were obliged to +abandon the chase. + +I was annoyed by this incident, and even alarmed; for not only had we +lost the ass, but I knew not what had occasioned his sudden flight. I +knew not whether he was aware, by instinct, of the approach of some +fierce wild beast. I said nothing of this to my family, but, making up +an unusually large fire, I bade them sleep with their arms by their +sides, and we all lay down. + +A bright morning awoke us early, and I rose and looked out, thinking +that perhaps our poor donkey might have been attracted by the light of +the fires, and have returned. Alas! not a sign of him was to be seen. As +we could not afford to lose so valuable a beast, I determined to leave +no attempt untried to regain him. We hurriedly breakfasted, and, as I +required the dogs to assist me in the search, I left my elder sons to +protect their mother, and bade Jack get ready for a day's march. This +arrangement delighted him, and we quickly set out. + +For an hour or more we trudged onward, directed by the print of the +ass's hoofs. Sometimes we lost the track for a while, and then again +discovered it as we reached softer soil. Finally this guide failed us +altogether, for the donkey seemed to have joined in with a herd of some +larger animals, with whose hoof-prints his had mingled. I now almost +turned back in despair, but Jack urged me to continue the search; "For," +said he, "if we once get upon a hill we shall see such a large herd, as +this must be, at almost any distance. Do let us go on, father." + +I consented, and we again pushed forward, through bushes, and over +torrents, sometimes cutting our way with an ax, and sometimes plunging +knee-deep through a swamp. We at length reached the border of a wide +plain, and on it, in the distance, I could see a herd of animals +browsing on the rich grass. It struck me that it might be the very herd +to which our good donkey had joined himself; and, wishing to ascertain +whether this was so, I resolved to make a detour through a bamboo marsh, +and get as near as possible to the animals without disturbing them. The +bamboos were huge, many of them over thirty feet in height; and, as we +made our way through them, I remembered an account of the giant cane of +South America, which is greatly prized by the Indians on account of its +extreme usefulness; the reeds themselves make masts for their canoes, +while each joint will form a cask or box. I was delighted, for I had +little doubt that the bamboos we were among were the same species. I +explained this to Jack, and as we discussed the possibility of cutting +one down and carrying a portion of it home, we reached the border of the +marsh, and emerged upon the plain. There we suddenly found ourselves +face to face with the herd which we sought--a herd of buffaloes. They +looked up and stared at us inquisitively, but without moving. Jack would +have fired, but I checked him. "Back to the thicket," I said, "and keep +back the dogs!" + +We began to retreat, but before we were again under cover the dogs +joined us; and, in spite of our shouts and efforts to restrain them, +they dashed forward and seized a buffalo calf. This was a signal to the +whole herd to attack us. They bellowed loudly, pawed the ground, and +tore it up with their horns, and then dashed madly toward us. We had not +time to step behind a rock before the leader was upon us. So close was +he that my gun was useless. I drew a pistol and fired. He fell dead at +my feet. His fall checked the advance of the rest. They halted, snuffed +the air, turned tail, and galloped off across the plain. They were gone, +but the dogs still held gallantly to the calf. They dragged and tussled +with him, but with their utmost efforts they could not bring him to the +ground. How to assist them without shooting the poor beast I knew not; +and this I was unwilling to do, for I hoped that, if we could but +capture him alive, we might in time manage to tame him, and use him as a +beast of burden. Jack's clever little head, however, suddenly devised a +plan for their aid, and with his usual promptitude, he at once put it +into execution. He unwound the lasso, which was coiled round his body, +and, as the young bull flung up his heels, he cast it and caught him by +his hind legs. The noose drew tight, and in a twinkling the beast was +upon the ground. We fastened the other end of the cord round a stout +bamboo, called off the dogs, and the animal was at our mercy. + +"Now we have got him," said Jack, as he looked at the poor beast, lying +panting on the ground, "what are we to do with him?" + +"I will show you," said I; "help me to fasten his fore-legs together, +and you shall see the next operation." + +The bull, thus secured, could not move; and while Jack held his head I +drew my knife and pierced the cartilage of his nose, and when the blood +flowed less freely, passed a stout cord through the hole. I felt some +repugnance at thus paining the animal, but it was a case of necessity, +and I could not hesitate. We united the ends of the cord, freed the +animal, set him upon his legs, and, subdued and overawed, he followed us +without resistance. I now turned my attention to the dead buffalo, but +as I could not then skin it, I contented myself with cutting off the +most delicate parts, its tongue, and a couple of steaks, and, packing +them in salt in my wallet, abandoned the rest to the dogs. They fell +upon it greedily, and we retired under the shade to enjoy a meal after +our hard work. The dogs, however, were not to have undisputed possession +of the carcass; vultures, crows, and other birds of prey, with that +marvelous instinct which always leads them to a dead body, quickly +filled the air, and, with discordant cries, swooped down upon the +buffalo. An amusing contest ensued; the dogs again and again drove off +the intruders, and they, as often, returned re-enforced by others who +swarmed to the spot. Jack, with his usual impetuosity, wished to send a +shot in among the robber band, but I prevented him, for I knew that the +bird or two he might kill would be of no use to us, while his shot would +not drive away the rest, even had we wished it. Both we and the dogs +were at length satisfied, and as it was getting late, I determined to +give up for the present the search for the ass, and to return to our +camp. We again made our way through the bamboos, but before we left the +thicket I cut down one of the smallest of the reeds, the largest of +whose joints would form capital little barrels, while those near the +tapering top would serve as molds for our next batch of candles. + +The buffalo, with a dog on either side and the rope through his nose, +was following us passively, and we presently induced him to submit to a +package of our goods laid upon his back. We pushed rapidly forward, Jack +eager to display our latest acquisition. As we repassed the rocky bed of +a stream we had crossed in the morning, Juno dashed ahead, and was about +to rush into a cleft between the rocks, when the appearance of a large +jackal suddenly checked her further progress. Both dogs instantly flew +at the animal, and though she fought desperately, quickly overpowered +and throttled her. From the way the beast had shown fight, I concluded +that her young must be close by, probably within the very cleft Juno was +about to enter. + +Directly Jack heard this, he wished to creep in and bring out the young +jackals. I hesitated to allow him to do so, for I thought it possible +that the male jackal might be still lying in wait within the cave. We +peered into the darkness, and, after a while, Jack declared he could +discern the little yellow jackals, and that he was quite sure the old +one was not there. He then crept in, followed closely by the dogs, and +presently emerged, bearing in his arms a handsome cub of a beautiful +golden yellow and about the size of a small cat. He was the only one of +the brood he had managed to save, for Turk and Juno, without pity for +their youth or beauty, had worried all the rest. I did not much regret +this, however, for I firmly believe that, had he saved them, Jack would +have insisted upon bringing up the whole litter. As it was, I considered +that one jackal was, with our young bull, quite sufficient an addition +to our livestock. + +During the halt we had made I had fastened the buffalo to a small tree, +and as I was now again about to move on, I recognized it as the +dwarf-palm, whose long, sharp leaves form an excellent barrier if it is +planted as a hedge. I determined to return and get some young plants to +strengthen our hedge at Tentholm. It was late before we reached our +camp, where we found our family anxiously awaiting our return. + +The sight of the new animals delighted the children immensely, and in +their opinion amply compensated for the loss of our poor donkey. Jack +had to answer a host of questions concerning their capture, and to +give a minute account of the affray with the buffaloes. This he +did, with graphic power certainly, but with so much boasting and +self-glorification that I was obliged to check him, and give a plain and +unvarnished account of the affair. + +Suppertime arrived, and as we sat at that meal, for which Jack and I +were heartily thankful, my wife and her party proceeded to give an +account of their day's work. + +Ernest had discovered a sago-palm, and had, after much labor, contrived +to fell it. Franz and his mother had collected dry wood, of which a huge +heap now stood before the tent, sufficient to keep up a fire all the +rest of the time we should stay on the spot. Fritz had gone off shooting +and had secured a good bag. While they had been thus variously employed, +a troop of apes had visited the tent, and when they returned, they found +the place ransacked and turned upside down. The provisions were eaten +and gnawed, the potatoes thrown about, the milk drunk and spilt; every +box had been peeped into, every pot and pan had been divested of its +lid; the palisade round the hut had been partly destroyed, nothing had +been left untouched. Industriously had the boys worked to repair the +damage, and when we returned not a sign was to be seen of the disorder. +No one would have guessed what had occurred from the delicious supper we +were eating. + +After matters had been again arranged, Fritz had gone down to the shore, +and, among the rocks at Cape Disappointment, had discovered a young +eaglet which Ernest declared to be a Malabar or Indian eagle; he was +much pleased with his discovery, and I recommended him to bring the bird +up and try to train it to hunt as a falcon. + +"Look here, though, boys," said I, "you are now collecting a good many +pets, and I am not going to have your mother troubled with the care of +them all; each must look after his own, and if I find one neglected, +whether beast or bird, I set it at liberty. Mark that and remember it!" + +My wife looked greatly relieved at this announcement, and the boys +promised to obey my directions. Before we retired for the night I +prepared the buffalo meat I had brought. I lit a large fire of green +wood, and in the smoke of this thoroughly dried both the tongue and +steaks. We then properly secured all the animals, Jack took his little +pet in his arms, and we lay down and were soon fast asleep. + +At daybreak we were on foot, and began to prepare for a return to +Falconhurst. + +"You are not going to despise my sago, I hope," said Ernest; "you have +no idea what a trouble it was to cut it down, and I have been thinking +too, that, if we could but split the tree, we might make a couple of +long useful troughs, which might, I think, be made to carry water from +Jackal River to Tentholm. Is my plan worth consideration?" + +"Indeed it is," I replied; "and at all events we must not abandon such a +valuable prize as a sago-palm. I would put off our departure for a day +rather than leave it behind." + +We went to the palm, and with the tools we had with us attempted to +split the trunk. We first sawed off the upper end, and then with an ax +and saw managed to insert a wedge. This accomplished, our task was less +difficult, for with a heavy mallet we forced the wedge in further and +further, until at length the trunk was split in twain. From one half of +the trunk we then removed the pith, disengaging it, with difficulty, +from the tough wood fibers; at each end, however, I left a portion of +the pith untouched, thus forming a trough in which to work the sago. + +"Now, boys," said I, when we had removed the pith from the other half of +the trunk, "off with your coats and turn up your shirt-sleeves; I am +going to teach you to knead." + +They were all delighted, and even little Franz begged to be allowed to +help. Ernest brought a couple of pitchers of water, and throwing it in +amongst the pith, we set to work right heartily. As the dough was formed +and properly kneaded, I handed it to the mother, who spread it out on a +cloth in the sun to dry. This new occupation kept us busy until the +evening, and when it was at length completed we loaded the cart with the +sago, a store of cocoanuts, and our other possessions, that we might be +ready to start early on the following morning. As the sun rose above the +horizon, we packed up our tent and set forth, a goodly caravan. I +thought it unfair to the cow to make her drag such a load as we now had +alone, and determined if possible to make the young buffalo take the +place of our lost donkey: after some persuasion he consented, and soon +put his strength to the work and brought the cart along famously. As we +had the trough slung under the cart we had to choose the clearest +possible route, avoiding anything like a thicket; we, therefore, could +not pass directly by the candleberry and caoutchouc trees, and I sent +Ernest and Jack aside to visit the store we had made on our outward +journey. + +They had not long been gone when I was alarmed by a most terrible noise, +accompanied by the furious barking of the dogs and shouts from Jack and +Ernest. Thinking that the boys had been attacked by some wild beasts, I +ran to their assistance. A most ludicrous scene awaited me when I +reached the spot. They were dancing and shouting round and round a +grassy glade, and I as nearly as possible followed their example, for in +the center, surrounded by a promising litter, lay our old sow, whose +squeals, previously so alarming, were now subsiding into comfortable +grunts of recognition. I did not join my boys in their triumphal dance, +but I was nevertheless very much pleased at the sight of the flourishing +family, and immediately returned to the cart to obtain biscuits and +potatoes for the benefit of the happy mother. Jack and Ernest meanwhile +pushed further on and brought back the sack of candleberries and the +caoutchouc, and as we could not then take the sow with us, we left her +alone with her family and proceeded to Falconhurst. + +The animals were delighted to see us back again, and received us with +manifestations of joy, but looked askance at the new pets. The eagle +especially came in for shy glances, and promised to be no favorite. +Fritz, however, determined that his pet should at present do no harm, +secured him by the leg to a root of a fig tree and uncovered his eyes. +In a moment the aspect of the bird was changed; with his sight returned +all his savage instincts, he flapped his wings, raised his head, darted +to the full length of his chain, and before anyone could prevent him +seized the unfortunate parrot, which stood near, and tore it to pieces. +Fritz's anger rose at the sight, and he was about to put an end to the +savage bird. + +"Stop," said Ernest, "don't kill the poor creature, he is but following +his natural instincts; give him to me, and I will tame him." + +Fritz hesitated. "No, no," he said, "I don't want really to kill the +bird, but I can't give him up; tell me how to tame him, and you shall +have Master Knips." + +"Very well," replied Ernest, "I will tell you my plan, and if it +succeeds, I will accept Knips as a mark of your gratitude. Take a pipe +and tobacco, and send the smoke all around his head, so that he must +inhale it; by degrees he will become stupefied, and his savage nature +from that moment subdued." + +Fritz was rather inclined to ridicule the plan, but, knowing that Ernest +generally had a good reason for anything of the sort that he proposed, +he consented to make the attempt. He soon seated himself beneath the +bird, who still struggled furiously, and puffed cloud after cloud +upward, and as each cloud circled round the eagle's head he became +quieter and quieter, until he sat quite still, gazing stupidly at the +young smoker. + +"Capital!" cried Fritz, as he hooded the bird, "capital, Ernest; Knips +is yours." + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +IMPROVING OUR TREE DWELLING + + +Next morning the boys and I started with the cart, laden with our +bundles of bamboos, to attend to the avenue of fruit trees. The buffalo +we left behind, for his services were not needed, and I wished the wound +in his nostrils to become completely cicatrized before I again put him +to work. We were not a moment too soon; many of the young trees, which +before threatened to fall, had now fulfilled their promise, and were +lying prostrate on the ground, others were bent, some few only remained +erect. We raised the trees, and digging deeply at their roots, drove in +stout bamboo props, to which we lashed them firmly with strong broad +fibers. + +"Papa," said Franz, as we were thus engaged, and he handed me the fibers +as I required them, "are these wild or tame trees?" + +"Oh, these are wild trees, most ferocious trees," laughed Jack, "and we +are tying them up lest they should run away, and in a little while we +will untie them and they will trot about after us and give us fruit +wherever we go. Oh, we will tame them; they shall have a ring through +their noses like the buffalo!" + +"That's not true," replied Franz gravely, "but there are wild and tame +trees, the wild ones grow out in the woods like the crab-apples, and the +tame ones in the garden like the pears and peaches at home. Which are +these, papa?" + +"They are not wild," I replied, "but grafted or cultivated, or, as you +call them, tame trees. No European tree bears good fruit until it is +grafted!" I saw a puzzled look come over the little boy's face as he +heard this new word, and I hastened to explain it. "Grafting," I +continued, "is the process of inserting a slip or twig of a tree into +what is called an eye; that is, a knot or hole in the branch of another. +This twig or slip then grows and produces, not such fruit as the +original stock would have borne, but such as the tree from which it was +taken would have produced. Thus, if we have a sour crab tree, and an +apple tree bearing fine ribston pippins, we would take a slip of the +latter, insert it in an eye of the former, and in a year or two the +branch which would then grow would be laden with good apples." + +"But," asked Ernest, "where did the slips of good fruit trees come from, +if none grow without grafting?" + +"From foreign countries," I replied. "It is only in the cold climate of +our parts of the world that they require this grafting; in many parts of +the world, in more southern latitudes than ours, the most luscious fruit +trees are indigenous to the soil, and flourish and bear sweet, wholesome +fruit, without the slightest care or attention being bestowed upon them; +while in England and Germany, and even in France, these same trees +require the utmost exertion of horticultural skill to make them bring +forth any fruit whatever. Thus, when the Romans invaded England they +found there nothing in the way of fruit trees but the crab-apple, nut +bushes, and bramble bushes, but by grafting on these, fine apples, +filberts, and raspberries were produced, and it was the same in our own +dear Switzerland--all our fruit trees were imported." + +"Were cherries, father? May we not even call cherries Swiss? I always +thought they grew nowhere else." + +"I am afraid we cannot even claim cherries as our own, not even the name +of them; they are called cherries from Cerasus, a state of Pontus, in +Asia, whence they were brought to Europe by Lucullus, a Roman general, +about seventy years before Christ. Hazelnuts also came from Pontus; +walnuts, again, came originally from Persia. As for grapes, they are of +the greatest antiquity. We hear, if you remember, of Noah cultivating +vines, and they have been brought from one place to another until they +now are to be found in most parts of the civilized world." + +"Do you think all these trees will grow?" asked Fritz, as we crossed +Jackal River and entered our plantation at Tentholm: "here are lemons, +pomegranates, pistachio nuts, and mulberries." + +"I have little doubt of it," I replied; "we are evidently within the +tropics, where such trees as these are sure to flourish. These pines, +now, come from France, Spain, and Italy; the olives from Armenia and +Palestine; the figs originally from the island of Chios; the peaches and +apricots from Persia; plums from Damascus in Syria, and the pears of all +sorts from Greece. However, if our countries have not been blessed in +the same way with fruit, we have been given wisdom and skill, which has +enabled us to import and cultivate the trees of other lands." + +We thus talked and worked until every tree that required the treatment +was provided with a stout bamboo prop, and then, with appetites which a +gourmand might well have envied, we returned to Falconhurst. I think +the good mother was almost alarmed at the way we fell upon the corned +beef and palm-cabbage she set before us, but at length these good things +produced the desired effect, and one after another declared himself +satisfied. As we sat reclining after our labor and digesting our dinner, +we discussed the various projects we had in contemplation. "I wish," +said my wife, "that you would invent some other plan for climbing to the +nest above us; I think that the nest itself is perfect--I really wish +for nothing better, but I should like to be able to get to it without +scaling that dreadful ladder every time; could you not make a flight of +steps to reach it?" + +I carefully thought over the project, and turned over every plan for its +accomplishment. + +"It would be impossible, I am afraid," said I, "to make stairs outside, +but within the trunk it might be done. More than once have I thought +that this trunk might be hollow, or partly so, and if such be the case +our task would be comparatively easy. Did you not tell me the other day +that you noticed bees coming from a hole in the tree?" + +"Oh, yes," said little Franz, "and I went to look at them and one flew +right against my face and stung me, and I almost cried, but I didn't." + +"Brave little boy," said I. "Well, now if the trunk be sufficiently +hollow to contain a swarm of bees, it may be, for all we can tell, +hollow the greater part of its length, for like the willow in our own +country it might draw all its nourishment through the bark, and in spite +of its real unsoundness retain a flourishing appearance." + +Master Jack, practical as usual, instantly sprang to his feet to put my +conjecture to the proof. The rest followed his example, and they were +all soon climbing about like squirrels, peeping into the hole, and +tapping the wood to discover by sound how far down the cavity extended. + +They forgot, in their eagerness, who were the tenants of this +interesting trunk. They were soon reminded of it, however, for the bees, +disturbed by this unusual noise, with an angry buzz burst out, and in an +instant attacked the causers of the annoyance; they swarmed round them, +stung them on the hands, face, and neck, settled in their hair, and +pursued them as they ran to me for assistance. It was with difficulty +that we got rid of the angry insects and were able to attend to the +boys. Jack, who had been the first to reach the hole, had fared the +worst, and was soon a most pitiable sight, his face swelled to an +extraordinary degree, and it was only by the constant application of +cold earth that the pain was alleviated. They were all eager to commence +an organized attack upon the bees at once, but for an hour or more, by +reason of their pain, they were unable to render me much assistance. In +the meanwhile I made my arrangements. I first took a large calabash +gourd, for I intended to make a beehive, that, when we had driven the +insects from their present abode, we might not lose them entirely. The +lower half of the gourd I flattened. I then cut an arched opening in the +front for a doorway, made a straw roof as a protection from the rain and +heat, and the little house was complete. + +Nothing more, however, could then be done, for the irritated bees were +still angrily buzzing round the tree. I waited till dark, and then, when +all the bees had again returned to their trunk, with Fritz's assistance +I carefully stopped up every hole in the tree with wet clay, that the +bees might not issue forth next morning before we could begin +operations. Very early were we up and at work. I first took a hollow +cane, and inserted one end through the clay into the tree; down this +tube with pipe and tobacco I smoked most furiously. + +The humming and buzzing that went on within was tremendous; the bees +evidently could not understand what was going to happen. I finished my +first pipeful, and putting my thumb over the end of the cane, I gave the +pipe to Fritz to refill. He did so and I again smoked. The buzzing was +now becoming less noisy, and was subsiding into a mere murmur. By the +time I had finished this second pipe all was still; the bees were +stupefied. + +"Now then, Fritz," said I, "quick, with a hammer and chisel, and stand +here beside me." + +He was up in a moment, and, together, we cut a small door by the side of +the hole; this door, however, we did not take out, but we left it +attached by one corner that it might be removed at a moment's notice; +then giving the bees a final dose of tobacco smoke, we opened it. + +Carefully but rapidly we removed the insects, as they clung in clusters +to the sides of the tree, and placed them in the hive prepared for their +reception. As rapidly I then took every atom of wax and honey from their +storehouse, and put it in a cask I had made ready for the purpose. + +The bees were now safely removed from the trunk, but I could not tell +whether, when they revived from their temporary stupor, they might not +refuse to occupy the house with which I had presented them, and insist +on returning to their old quarters. To prevent the possibility of this +occurrence, I took a quantity of tobacco, and placing it upon a board +nailed horizontally within the trunk, I lighted it and allowed it to +burn slowly, that the fumes might fill the cavity. It was well I did so, +for, as the bees returned to consciousness, they left their pretty hive +and buzzed away to the trunk of the tree. They seemed astonished at +finding this uninhabitable, and an immense deal of noisy humming ensued. +Round and round they flew, backward and forward between the gourd and +tree, now settling here and now there, until, at length, after due +consideration, they took possession of the hive and abandoned their +former habitation to us, the invaders of their territory. By the evening +they were quite quiet, and we ventured to open the cask in which we had +stored our plunder. We first separated the honey from the honeycomb and +poured it off into jars and pots; the rest we then took and threw into a +vessel of water placed over a slow fire. It soon boiled and the entire +mass became fluid. This we placed in a clean canvas bag, and subjected +to a heavy pressure. The honey was thus soon forced out, and we stored +it in a cask, and, though not perhaps quite equal to the former batch in +quality, it was yet capital. The wax that remained in the bag I also +carefully stored, for I knew it would be of great use to me in the +manufacture of candles. Then after a hard day's work we turned in. + +The internal architecture of the tree had now to be attended to, and +early the following morning we prepared for the laborious task. A door +had first to be made, so at the base of the trunk we cut away the bark +and formed an opening just the size of the door we had brought from the +captain's cabin, and which, hinges and all, was ready to be hung. The +clearing of the rotten wood from the center of the trunk occupied us +some time, but at length we had the satisfaction of seeing it entirely +accomplished, and, as we stood below, we could look up the trunk, which +was like a great smooth funnel, and see the sky above. It was now ready +for the staircase, and first we erected in the center a stout sapling to +form an axis round which to build the spiral; in this we cut notches to +receive the steps, and corresponding notches in the tree itself to +support the outer ends. The steps themselves we formed carefully and +neatly of planks from the wreck, and clenched them firmly in their +places with stout nails. Upward and upward we built, cutting windows in +the trunk as we required, to admit light and air, until we were flush +with the top of the center pole. On this pole we erected another to +reach the top of the tree, and securing it firmly, built in the same way +round it until we at length reached the level of the floor of the nest +above. To make the ascent of the stairs perfectly easy we ran a +hand-rail on either side, one round the center pillar, and the other +following the curve of the trunk. + +This task occupied us a whole month, and by the end of that period, so +accustomed had we become to having a definite piece of work before us +that we began to consider what other great alteration we should +undertake. We were, however, of course not neglecting the details of our +colonial establishment. There were all the animals to be attended to; +the goats and sheep had both presented us with additions to our flock, +and these frisky youngsters had to be seen after; to prevent them +straying to any great distance--for we had no wish to lose them--we +tied round their necks little bells, which we had found on board the +wreck, and which would assist us to track them. Juno, too, had a fine +litter of puppies, but, in spite of the entreaties of the children, I +could not consent to keep more than two, and the rest disappeared in +that mysterious way in which puppies and kittens are wont to leave the +earth. To console the mother, as he said, but also, I suspect, to save +himself considerable trouble, Jack placed his little jackal beside the +remaining puppies, and, to his joy, found it readily adopted. The other +pets were also flourishing, and were being usefully trained. The +buffalo, after giving us much trouble, had now become perfectly +domesticated, and was a very useful beast of burden, besides being a +capital steed for the boys. They guided him by a bar thrust through the +hole in his nose, which was now perfectly healed, and this served the +purpose just as a bit in the mouth of a horse. I began his education by +securing round him a broad girth of buffalo hide and fastening to it +various articles, to accustom him to carrying a burden. By degrees he +permitted this to be done without making the slightest resistance, and +soon carried the panniers, before borne by the ass, readily and +willingly. + +I then made Master Knips sit upon his back and hold the reins I had +prepared for him, that the animal might become accustomed to the feeling +of a rider, and finally allowed Fritz himself to mount. The education of +the eagle was not neglected. Fritz every day shot small birds for his +food, and these he placed, sometimes between the wide-spreading horns of +the buffalo or goat, and sometimes upon the back of the great bustard, +that he might become accustomed to pounce upon living prey. These +lessons had their due effect, and the bird, having been taught to obey +the voice and whistle of his master, he was soon allowed to bring down +small birds upon the wing, when he stooped and struck his quarry in most +sportsmanlike manner. We kept him well away from the poultry yard, lest +his natural instincts should show themselves and he should put an +untimely end to some of our feathered pets. + +Neither was Master Knips allowed to remain idle, for Ernest, now that he +was in his possession, wished to train him to be of some use. With +Jack's help he made a little basket of rushes, which he so arranged with +straps that it might be easily fitted on to the monkey's back. Thus +equipped, he was taught to mount cocoanut palms and other lofty trees, +and to bring down their fruit in the hamper. + +Jack was not so successful in his educational attempts. Fangs, as he had +christened his jackal, used his fangs, indeed, but only on his own +account; nothing could persuade him that the animals he caught were not +at once to be devoured, consequently poor Jack was never able to save +from his jaws anything but the tattered skin of his prey. Not +disheartened, however, he determined that Fangs could be trained, and +that he would train him. + +These, and such like employments, afforded us the rest and recreation we +required while engaged in the laborious task of staircase building. + +Among minor occupations, I applied myself to the improvement of our +candles. Though the former batch had greatly delighted us at first, yet +we were soon obliged to acknowledge that the light they gave was +imperfect, and their appearance was unsightly; my wife, too, begged me +to find some substitute for the threads of our cotton neckties, which I +had previously used as wicks. To give the proper shape and smoothness to +the candles, I determined to use the bamboo molds I had prepared. My +first idea was to pour the wax in at the end of the mold, and then when +the candles were cooled to slip them out; but I was soon convinced that +this plan would not succeed. I therefore determined to divide the molds +lengthways, and then having greased them well, we might pour the melted +wax into the two halves bound tightly together, and so be able to take +out the candles when cool without injuring them. The wicks were my next +difficulty, and as the mother positively refused to allow us to devote +our ties and handkerchiefs for the purpose, I took a piece of +inflammable wood from a tree, a native of the Antilles, which I thought +would serve our purpose; this I cut into long slips, and fixed in the +centers of the molds. My wife, too, prepared some wicks from the fibers +of the karata tree, which she declared would beat mine completely out of +the field. We put them to the proof. + +On a large fire we placed a pot, in which we prepared our wax +mixture--half beeswax and half wax from the candleberries. The molds, +carefully prepared--half with karata fiber, and half with wooden splint +wicks--stood on their ends in a tub of cold water, ready to receive the +wax. They were filled; the wax cooled; the candles taken out and +subjected to the criticism of all hands. When night drew on, they were +formally tested. The decision was unanimous; neither gave such a good +light as those with the cotton wicks; but even my wife declared that +the light from mine was far preferable to that emitted by hers, for the +former, though rather flaring, burned brilliantly, while the latter gave +out such a feeble and flickering flame that it was almost useless. + +I then turned shoemaker, for I had promised myself a pair of waterproof +boots, and now determined to make them. + +Taking a pair of socks, I filled them with sand and then coated them +over with a thin layer of clay to form a convenient mold; this was soon +hardened in the sun, and was ready for use. Layer after layer of +caoutchouc I brushed over it, allowing each layer to dry before the next +was put on, until at length I considered that the shoes were of +sufficient thickness. I dried them, broke out the clay, secured +with nails a strip of buffalo hide to the soles, brushed that +over with caoutchouc, and I had a pair of comfortable, durable, +respectable-looking waterproof boots. + +I was delighted; orders poured in from all sides, and soon everyone in +the family was likewise provided for. + +One objection to Falconhurst was the absence of any spring close by, so +that the boys were obliged to bring water daily from the stream; and +this involving no little trouble, it was proposed that we should carry +the water by pipes from the stream to our present residence. A dam had +to be thrown across the river some way up stream, that the water might +be raised to a sufficient height to run to Falconhurst. From the +reservoir thus made we led the water down by pipes into the turtle's +shell, which we placed near our dwelling, and from which the superfluous +water flowed off through the hole made in it by Fritz's harpoon. This +was an immense convenience, and we formally inaugurated the trough by +washing therein a whole sack of potatoes. Thus day after day brought its +own work, and day after day saw that work completed. We had no time to +be idle, or to lament our separation from our fellow creatures. + +One morning, as we were completing our spiral staircase, and giving it +such finish as we were capable of, we were suddenly alarmed by hearing a +most terrific noise, the roaring or bellowing of a wild beast; so +strange a sound was it, that I could not imagine by what animal it was +uttered. + +Jack thought it perhaps a lion, Fritz hazarded a gorilla, while Ernest +gave it as his opinion, and I thought it possible that he was right, +that it was a hyena. + +"Whatever it is," said I, "we must prepare to receive it; up with you +all to the nest while I secure the door." + +Then arming the dogs with their collars, I sent them out to protect the +animals below, closed the door, and joined my family. Every gun was +loaded, every eye was upon the watch. The sound drew nearer, and then +all was still; nothing was to be seen. I determined to descend and +reconnoiter, and Fritz and I carefully crept down; with our guns at full +cock we glided among the trees; noiselessly and quickly we pushed on +further and further; suddenly, close by, we heard the terrific sound +again. Fritz raised his gun, but almost as quickly again dropped it, and +burst into a hearty fit of laughter. There was no mistaking those dulcet +tones--he-haw, he-haw, he-haw--resounded through the forest, and our +ass, braying his approach right merrily, appeared in sight. To our +surprise, however, our friend was not alone: behind him trotted another +animal, an ass no doubt, but slim and graceful as a horse. We watched +their movements anxiously. + +"Fritz," I whispered, "that is an onager. Creep back to Falconhurst and +bring me a piece of cord--quietly now!" + +While he was gone, I cut a bamboo and split it half-way down to form a +pair of pincers, which I knew would be of use to me should I get near +the animal. Fritz soon returned with the cord, and I was glad to observe +also brought some oats and salt. We made one end of the cord fast to a +tree, and at the other end made a running noose. Silently we watched the +animals as they approached, quietly browsing; Fritz then arose, holding +in one hand the noose and in the other some oats and salt. The ass, +seeing his favorite food thus held out, advanced to take it; Fritz +allowed him to do so, and he was soon munching contentedly. The +stranger, on seeing Fritz, started back; but finding her companion show +no signs of alarm, was reassured, and soon approached sniffing, and was +about to take some of the tempting food. In a moment the noose left +Fritz's adroit hand and fell round her neck; with a single bound she +sprang backward the full length of the cord, the noose drew tight, and +she fell to the earth half strangled. I at once ran up, loosened the +rope, and replaced it by a halter; and placing the pincers upon her +nose, secured her by two cords fastened between two trees, and then left +her to recover herself. + +Everyone hastened up to examine the beautiful animal as she rose to the +ground and cast fiery glances around. She lashed out with her heels on +every side; and, giving vent to angry snorts, struggled violently to get +free. All her endeavors were vain: the cords were stout, and after a +while she quieted down and stood exhausted and quivering. I then +approached: she suffered me to lead her to the roots of our tree, which +for the present formed our stables, and there I tied her up close to the +donkey, who was likewise prevented from playing truant. + +Next morning I found the onager after her night's rest as wild as ever, +and as I looked at the handsome creature I almost despaired of ever +taming her proud spirit. Every expedient was tried, and at length, when +the animal was subdued by hunger, I thought I might venture to mount +her; and having given her the strongest curb and shackled her feet I +attempted to do so. She was as unruly as ever, and as a last expedient I +resolved to adopt a plan which, though cruel, was I knew attended with +wonderful success by the American Indians, by whom it is practiced. +Watching a favorable opportunity, I sprang upon the onager's back, and +seizing her long ear in my teeth, in spite of her kicking and plunging, +bit it through. The result was marvelous, the animal ceased plunging, +and, quivering violently, stood stock still. From that moment we were +her masters, the children mounted her one after the other, and she +carried them obediently and quietly. Proud, indeed, did I feel as I +watched this animal, which naturalists and travelers have declared to be +beyond the power of man to tame, guided hither and thither by my +youngest son. + +Additions to our poultry yard reminded me of the necessity of providing +some substantial shelter for our animals before the rainy season came +on; three broods of chickens had been successfully hatched, and the +little creatures, forty in all, were my wife's pride and delight. We +began by making a roof over the vaulted roots of our tree, forming the +framework of bamboo canes, which we laid close together and bound +tightly down; others we fixed below as supports. The interstices were +filled up with clay and moss; and coating the whole over with a mixture +of tar and lime-water, we obtained a firm balcony, and a capital roof +impervious to the severest fall of rain. I ran a light rail round the +balcony to give it a more ornamental appearance, and below divided the +building into several compartments. Stables, poultry yard, hay and +provision lofts, dairy, kitchen, larder, and dining-hall were united +under one roof. + +Our winter quarters were now completed, and we had but to store them +with food. Day after day we worked, bringing in provisions of every +description. + +As we were one evening returning from gathering potatoes, it struck me +that we should take in a store of acorns; and sending the two younger +boys home with their mother and the cart, I took a large canvas bag, and +with Fritz and Ernest, the former mounted on his onager, and the latter +carrying his little favorite, Knips, made a detour toward the Acorn +Wood. + +We reached the spot, tied Lightfoot to a neighboring tree, and began +rapidly to fill the sack. As we were thus engaged, Knips sprang suddenly +into a bush close by, from which, a moment afterward, issued such +strange cries that Ernest followed to see what could be the matter. + +"Come!" he shouted; "come and help me! I've got a couple of birds and +their eggs. Quick! Ruffed grouse!" + +We hurried to the spot. There was Ernest with a fluttering, screaming +bird in either hand; while, with his foot, he was endeavoring to prevent +his greedy little monkey from seizing the eggs. We quickly tied the +legs of the birds, and removing the eggs from the nest, placed them in +Ernest's hat; while he gathered some of the long, broad grass, with +which the nest was woven, and which grew luxuriantly around, for Franz +to play at sword-drill with. We then loaded the onager with the acorns, +and moved homeward. The eggs I covered carefully with dry moss, that +they might be kept warm, and as soon as possible I handed them over to +my wife, who managed the mother so cleverly that she induced her to +return to the eggs, and in a few days, to our great delight, we had +fifteen beautiful little Canadian chicks. + +Franz was greatly pleased with the "swords" his brother brought him; but +having no small companion on whom to exercise his valor, he amused +himself for a short time in hewing down imaginary foes, and then cut the +reeds in slips, and plaited them to form a whip for Lightfoot. The +leaves seemed so pliable and strong that I examined them to see to what +further use they might be put. Their tissue was composed of long silky +fibers. A sudden thought struck me--this must be New Zealand flax. I +could not rest till I had announced this invaluable discovery to my +wife. She was no less delighted than I was. + +"Bring me the leaves!" she exclaimed. "Oh, what a delightful discovery! +No one shall now be clothed in rags; just make me a spindle, and you +shall soon have shirts and stockings and trousers, all good homespun! +Quick, Fritz, and bring your mother more leaves!" + +We could not help smiling at her eager zeal; but Fritz and Ernest sprang +on their steeds, and soon the onager and buffalo were galloping home +again, each laden with a great bundle of flax. The boys dismounted and +deposited their offering at their mother's feet. + +"Capital!" she exclaimed. "I shall now show you that I am not at all +behindhand in ingenuity. This must be retted, carded, spun, and woven, +and then with scissors, needle, and thread I will make you any article +of clothing you choose." + +We decided that Flamingo Marsh would be the best spot for the operation +of steeping or "retting" the flax, and next morning we set out thither +with the cart drawn by the ass, and laden with the bundles, between +which sat Franz and Knips, while the rest of us followed with spades and +hatchets. I described to my boys as we went along the process of +retting, and explained to them how steeping the flax leaves destroys the +useless membrane, while the strong fibers remain. + +As we were employed in making beds for the flax and placing it in them, +we observed several nests of the flamingo. These are most curiously and +skillfully made of glutinous clay, so strong that they can neither be +overturned nor washed away. They are formed in the shape of blunted +cones, and placed point downward; at the upper and broader end is built +a little platform to contain the eggs, on which the female bird sits, +with her long legs in the water on either side, until the little birds +are hatched and can take to the water. For a fortnight we left the flax +to steep, and then taking it out and drying it thoroughly in the sun, +stored it for future use at Falconhurst. + +Daily did we load our cart with provisions to be brought to our winter +quarters: manioc, potatoes, cocoanuts, sweet acorns, sugar-canes, were +all collected and stored in abundance--for grumbling thunder, lowering +skies, and sharp showers warned us that we had no time to lose. Our corn +was sowed, our animals housed, our provisions stored, when down came the +rain. + +To continue in our nest we found impossible, and we were obliged to +retreat to the trunk, where we carried such of our domestic furniture as +might have been injured by the damp. Our dwelling was indeed crowded: +the animals and provisions below, and our beds and household goods +around us, hemmed us in on every side; by dint of patience and better +packing, we obtained sufficient room to work and lie down in; by +degrees, too, we became accustomed to the continual noise of the animals +and the smell of the stables. The smoke from the fire, which we were +occasionally obliged to light, was not agreeable; but in time even that +seemed to become more bearable. + +To make more space, we turned such animals as we had captured, and who +therefore might be imagined to know how to shift for themselves, outside +during the daytime, bringing them under the arched roots only at night. +To perform this duty Fritz and I used to sally forth every evening, and +as regularly every evening did we return soaked to the skin. To obviate +this, the mother, who feared these continual wettings might injure our +health, contrived waterproofs: she brushed on several layers of +caoutchouc over stout shirts, to which she attached hoods; she then +fixed to these duck trousers, and thus prepared for each of us a +complete waterproof suit, clad in which we might brave the severest +rain. + +In spite of our endeavors to keep ourselves busy, the time dragged +heavily. Our mornings were occupied in tending the animals; the boys +amused themselves with their pets, and assisted me in the manufacture +of carding-combs and a spindle for the mother. The combs I made with +nails, which I placed head downward on a sheet of tin about an inch +wide; holding the nails in their proper positions I poured solder round +their heads to fix them to the tin, which I then folded down on either +side of them to keep them perfectly firm. In the evening, when our room +was illuminated with wax candles, I wrote a journal of all the events +which had occurred since our arrival in this foreign land; and, while +the mother was busy with her needle and Ernest making sketches of birds, +beasts, and flowers with which he had met during the past months, Fritz +and Jack taught little Franz to read. + +Week after week rolled by. Week after week saw us still close prisoners. +Incessant rain battered down above us; constant gloom hung over the +desolate scene. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +THE SALT PALACE AND THE NEW FARMHOUSE + + +The winds at length were lulled, the sun shot his brilliant rays through +the riven clouds, the rain ceased to fall--spring had come. No prisoners +set at liberty could have felt more joy than we did as we stepped forth +from our winter abode, refreshed our eyes with the pleasant verdure +around us, and our ears with the merry songs of a thousand happy birds, +and drank in the pure, balmy air of spring. + +Our plantations were thriving vigorously. The seed we had sown was +shooting through the moist earth. All nature was refreshed. + +Our nest was our first care; filled with leaves and broken and torn by +the wind, it looked indeed dilapidated. We worked hard, and in a few +days it was again habitable. My wife begged that I would now start her +with the flax, and as early as possible I built a drying-oven, and then +prepared it for her use; I also, after some trouble, manufactured a +beetle-reel and spinning-wheel, and she and Franz were soon hard at +work, the little boy reeling off the thread his mother spun. + +I was anxious to visit Tentholm, for I feared that much of our precious +stores might have suffered. Fritz and I made an excursion thither. The +damage done to Falconhurst was as nothing compared to the scene that +awaited us. The tent was blown to the ground, the canvas torn to rags, +the provisions soaked, and two casks of powder utterly destroyed. We +immediately spread such things as we hoped yet to preserve in the sun to +dry. The pinnace was safe, but our faithful tub-boat was dashed in +pieces, and the irreparable damage we had sustained made me resolve to +contrive some safer and more stable winter-quarters before the arrival +of the next rainy season. Fritz proposed that we should hollow out a +cave in the rock, and though the difficulties such an undertaking would +present appeared almost insurmountable, I yet determined to make the +attempt; we might not, I thought, hew out a cavern of sufficient size to +serve as a room, but we might at least make a cellar for the more +valuable and perishable of our stores. + +Some days afterward we left Falconhurst with the cart laden with a cargo +of spades, hammers, chisels, pickaxes, and crowbars, and began our +undertaking. On the smooth face of the perpendicular rock I drew out in +chalk the size of the proposed entrance, and then, with minds bent on +success, we battered away. Six days of hard and incessant toil made but +little impression; I do not think that the hole would have been a +satisfactory shelter for even Master Knips; but we still did not +despair, and were presently rewarded by coming to softer and more +yielding substance; our work progressed, and our minds were relieved. + +On the tenth day, as our persevering blows were falling heavily, Jack, +who was working diligently with a hammer and crowbar, shouted: + +"Gone, father! Fritz, my bar has gone through the mountain!" + +"Run round and get it," laughed Fritz; "perhaps it has dropped into +Europe--you must not lose a good crowbar." + +"But, really, it is through; it went right through the rock; I heard it +crash down inside. Oh, do come and see!" he shouted excitedly. + +We sprang to his side, and I thrust the handle of my hammer into the +hole he spoke of; it met with no opposition, I could turn it in any +direction I chose. Fritz handed me a long pole; I tried the depth with +that. Nothing could I feel. A thin wall, then, was all that intervened +between us and a great cavern. + +With a shout of joy, the boys battered vigorously at the rock; piece by +piece fell, and soon the hole was large enough for us to enter. I +stepped near the aperture, and was about to make a further examination, +when a sudden rush of poisonous air turned me giddy, and shouting to my +sons to stand off, I leaned against the rock. + +When I came to myself I explained to them the danger of approaching any +cavern or other place where the air has for a long time been stagnant. +"Unless air is incessantly renewed it becomes vitiated," I said, "and +fatal to those who breathe it. The safest way of restoring it to its +original state is to subject it to the action of fire; a few handfuls of +blazing hay thrown into this hole may, if the place be small, +sufficiently purify the air within to allow us to enter without danger." +We tried the experiment. The flame was extinguished the instant it +entered. Though bundles of blazing grass were thrown in, no difference +was made. + +I saw that we must apply some more efficacious remedy, and sent the boys +for a chest of signal rockets we had brought from the wreck. We let fly +some dozens of these fiery serpents, which went whizzing in, and +disappeared at apparently a vast distance from us. Some flew like +radiant meteors round, lighted up the mighty circumference and +displayed, as by a magician's wand, a sparkling, glittering roof. They +looked like avenging dragons driving a foul, malignant fiend out of a +beauteous palace. + +We waited for a little while after these experiments, and I then again +threw in lighted hay. It burned clearly; the air was purified. + +Fritz and I enlarged the opening, while Jack, springing on his buffalo, +thundered away to Falconhurst to bear the great and astonishing news to +his mother. + +Great must have been the effect of Jack's eloquence on those at home, +for the timbers of the bridge were soon again resounding under the swift +but heavy tramp of his steed; and he was quickly followed by the rest of +our party in the cart. + +All were in the highest state of excitement. Jack had stowed in the cart +all the candles he could find, and we now, lighting these, shouldered +our arms and entered. I led the way, sounding the ground as I advanced +with a long pole, that we might not fall unexpectedly into any great +hole or chasm. Silently we marched--the mother, the boys, and even the +dogs seeming overawed with the grandeur and beauty of the scene. We were +in a grotto of diamonds--a vast cave of glittering crystal: the candles +reflected on the walls a golden light, bright as the stars of heaven, +while great crystal pillars rose from the floor like mighty trees, +mingling their branches high above us and drooping in hundreds of +stalactites, which sparkled and glittered with all the colors of the +rainbow. + +The floor of this magnificent palace was formed of hard, dry sand, so +dry that I saw at once that we might safely take up our abode therein, +without the slightest fear of danger from damp. + +From the appearance of the brilliant crystals round about us I suspected +their nature. + +I tasted a piece. This was a cavern of rock salt. There was no doubt +about it--here was an unlimited supply of the best and purest salt! But +one thing detracted from my entire satisfaction and delight--large +crystals lay scattered here and there, which, detached from the roof, +had fallen to the ground; this, if apt to recur, would keep us in +constant peril. I examined some of the masses and discovered that they +had been all recently separated, and therefore concluded that the +concussion of the air occasioned by the rockets had caused their fall. +To satisfy ourselves, however, that there were no more pieces tottering +above us, we discharged our guns from the entrance, and watched the +effect. Nothing more fell--our magnificent abode was safe. + +We returned to Falconhurst with minds full of wonder at our new +discovery, and plans for turning it to the best possible advantage. + +Nothing was now talked of but the new house, how it should be arranged, +how it should be fitted up. The safety and comfort of Falconhurst, which +had at first seemed so great, now dwindled away in our opinion to +nothing; it should be kept up, we decided, merely as a summer residence, +while our cave should be formed into a winter house and impregnable +castle. Our attention was now fully occupied with this new house. Light +and air were to be admitted, so we hewed a row of windows in the rock, +where we fitted the window cases we had brought from the officers' +cabins. We brought the door, too, from Falconhurst, and fitted it in the +aperture we had made. The opening in the trunk of the tree I determined +to conceal with bark, as less likely to attract the notice of wild +beasts or savages should they approach during our absence. The cave +itself we divided into four parts: in front, a large compartment into +which the door opened, subdivided into our sitting, eating, and sleeping +apartments; the righthand division containing our kitchen and workshop, +and the left our stables; behind all this, in the dark recesses of the +cave, was our storehouse and powder-magazine. Having already undergone +one rainy season, we knew well its discomforts, and thought of many +useful arrangements in the laying out of our dwelling. We did not intend +to be again smoke-dried; we therefore contrived a properly built fire +place and chimney; our stable arrangements, too, were better, and plenty +of space was left in our workshop that we should not be hampered in even +the most extensive operations. + +Our frequent residence at Tentholm revealed to us several important +advantages which we had not fore-seen. Numbers of splendid turtles often +came ashore to deposit their eggs in the sand, and their delicious flesh +afforded us many a sumptuous meal. When more than one of these creatures +appeared at a time, we used to cut off their retreat to the sea, and, +turning them on their backs, fasten them to a stake driven in close by +the water's edge, by a cord passed through a hole in their shell. We +thus had fresh turtle continually within our reach; for the animals +throve well thus secured, and appeared in as good condition, after +having been kept thus for several weeks, as others when freshly caught. +Lobsters, crabs, and mussels also abounded on the shore. But this was +not all; an additional surprise awaited us. + +As we were one morning approaching Tentholm, we were attracted by a most +curious phenomenon. The waters out at sea appeared agitated by some +unseen movement, and as they heaved and boiled, their surface, struck by +the beams of the morning sun, seemed illuminated by flashes of fire. +Over the water where this disturbance was taking place hovered hundreds +of birds, screaming loudly, which ever and anon would dart downward, +some plunging beneath the water, some skimming the surface. Then again +they would rise and resume their harsh cries. The shining, sparkling +mass then rolled onward, and approached in a direct line our bay, +followed by the feathered flock above. We hurried down to the shore to +further examine this strange sight. + +I was convinced as we approached that it was a shoal or bank of +herrings. + +No sooner did I give utterance to my conjecture than I was assailed by a +host of questions concerning this herring-bank, what it was, and what +occasioned it. + +"A herring-bank," I said, "is composed of an immense number of herrings +swimming together. I can scarcely express to you the huge size of this +living bank, which extends over a great area many fathoms deep. It is +followed by numbers of great ravenous fish, who devour quantities of the +herrings, while above hover birds, as you have just seen, ready to +pounce down on stragglers near the top. To escape these enemies, the +shoal makes for the nearest shore, and seeks safety in those shallows +where the large fish cannot follow. But here it meets with a third great +enemy. It may escape from the fish and elude the vigilance of +sharp-sighted birds, but from the ingenuity of man it can find no +escape. In one year millions of these fish are caught, and yet the roes +of only a small number would be sufficient to supply as many fish +again." + +Soon our fishery was in operation. Jack and Fritz stood in the water +with baskets, and baled out the fish, as one bales water with a bucket, +throwing them to us on the shore. As quickly as possible we cleaned +them, and placed them in casks with salt, first a layer of salt, and +then a layer of herrings, and so on, until we had ready many casks of +pickled fish. + +As the barrels were filled, we closed them carefully, and rolled them +away to the cool vaults at the back of our cave. + +Our good fortune, however, was not to end here. A day after the herring +fishery was over, and the shoal had left our bay, a great number of +seals appeared, attracted by the refuse of the herrings which we had +thrown into the sea. Though I feared they would not be suitable for our +table, we yet secured a score or two for the sake of their skins and +fat. The skins we drew carefully off for harness and clothing, and the +fat we boiled down for oil, which we put aside in casks for tanning, +soap-making, and burning in lamps. + +These occupations interfered for some time with our work at Rock House; +but as soon as possible we again returned to our labor with renewed +vigor. + +I had noticed that the salt crystals had for their base a species of +gypsum, which I knew might be made of great service to us in our +building operations as plaster. + +As an experiment, I broke off some pieces, and, after subjecting them to +great heat, reduced them to powder. The plaster this formed with water +was smooth and white, and as I had then no particular use to which I +might put it, I plastered over some of the herring casks, that I might +be perfectly certain that all air was excluded. The remainder of the +casks I left as they were, for I presently intended to preserve their +contents by smoking. To do this, the boys and I built a small hut of +reeds and branches, and then we strung our herrings on lines across the +roof. On the floor we lit a great fire of brushwood and moss, which +threw out a dense smoke, curling in volumes round the fish, and they in +a few days seemed perfectly cured. + +About a month after the appearance of the herrings, we were favored by a +visit from other shoals of fish. Jack espied them first, and called to +us that a lot of young whales were off the coast. We ran down and +discovered the bay apparently swarming with great sturgeon, salmon, and +trout, all making for the mouth of Jackal River, that they might ascend +it and deposit their spawn among the stones. + +Jack was delighted at his discovery. + +"Here are proper fish!" he exclaimed; "none of your paltry fry. How do +you preserve these sorts of fish? Potted, salted, or smoked?" + +"Not so fast," said I, "not so fast; tell me how they are to be caught, +and I will tell you how they are to be cooked." + +"Oh! I'll catch them fast enough," he replied, and darted off to Rock +House. + +While I was still puzzling my brains as to how I should set to work, he +returned with his fishing apparatus in hand; a bow and arrow, and a ball +of twine. + +At the arrow-head he had fastened a barbed spike, and had secured the +arrow to the end of the string. Armed with this weapon, he advanced to +the river's edge. + +His arrow flew from the bow, and, to my surprise, struck one of the +largest fish in the side. + +"Help, father, help!" he cried, as the great fish darted off, carrying +arrow and all with it; "help! or he will pull me into the water." + +[Illustration: _"Help! or he will pull me into the water"_] + +I ran to his assistance, and together we struggled with the finny +monster. He pulled tremendously, and lashed the water around him; but we +held the cord fast, and he had no chance of escape. Weaker and weaker +grew his struggles, and, at length, exhausted by his exertions and loss +of blood, he allowed us to draw him ashore. + +He was a noble prize, and Fritz and Ernest, who came up just as we +completed his capture, were quite envious of Jack's success. Not to be +behindhand, they eagerly rushed off for weapons themselves. + +We were soon all in the water, Fritz with a harpoon, Ernest with a rod +and line, and I myself, armed, like Neptune, with an iron trident, or +more properly speaking, perhaps, a pitchfork. Soon the shore was strewn +with a goodly number of the finest fish--monster after monster we drew +to land. At length Fritz, after harpooning a great sturgeon full eight +feet long, could not get the fish ashore; we all went to his assistance, +but our united efforts were unavailing. + +"The buffalo!" proposed my wife, and off went Jack for Storm. Storm was +harnessed to the harpoon rope, and soon the monstrous fish lay panting +on the sand. + +We at length, when we had captured as many fish as we could possibly +utilize, set about cleaning and preparing their flesh. Some we salted, +some we dried like the herrings, some we treated like the tunny of the +Mediterranean--we prepared them in oil. Of the roe of the sturgeon I +decided to form caviare, the great Russian dish. I removed from it all +the membranes by which it is surrounded, washed it in vinegar, salted +it, pressed out all the moisture caused by the wet-absorbing properties +of the salt, packed it in small barrels, and stowed it away in our +storehouse. + +I knew that of the sturgeon's bladder the best isinglass is made, so +carefully collecting the air bladders from all those we had killed, I +washed them and hung them up to stiffen. The outer coat or membrane I +then peeled off, cutting the remainder into strips, technically called +staples. These staples I placed in an iron pot over the fire, and when +they had been reduced to a proper consistency I strained off the glue +through a clean cloth, and spread it out on a slab of stone in thin +layers, letting them remain until they were dry. The substance I thus +obtained was beautifully transparent, and promised to serve as an +excellent substitute for glass in our window-frames. + +Fortunately, in this beautiful climate little or no attention was +necessary to the kitchen garden, the seeds sprang up and flourished +without apparently the slightest regard for the time or season of the +year. Peas, beans, wheat, barley, rye, and Indian corn seemed constantly +ripe, while cucumbers, melons, and all sorts of other vegetables grew +luxuriantly. The success of our garden at Tentholm encouraged me to hope +that my experiment at Falconhurst had not failed, and one morning we +started to visit the spot. + +As we passed by the field from which the potatoes had been dug, we found +it covered with barley, wheat, rye, and peas in profusion. + +I turned to the mother in amazement. + +"Where has this fine crop sprung from?" said I. + +"From the earth," she replied laughing, "where Franz and I sowed the +seed I brought from the wreck. The ground was ready tilled by you and +the boys; all we had to do was to scatter the seed." + +I was delighted at the sight, and it augured well, I thought, for the +success of my maize plantation. We hurried to the field. The crop had +indeed grown well, and, what was more, appeared to be duly appreciated. +A tremendous flock of feathered thieves rose as we approached. Among +them Fritz espied a few ruffed grouse, and, quick as thought, unhooding +his eagle, he started him off in chase, then sprung on his onager and +followed at full gallop. His noble bird marked out the finest grouse, +and, soaring high above it, stooped and bore his prey to the ground. +Fritz was close at hand, and springing through the bushes he saved the +bird from death, hooded the eagle's eyes, and returned triumphantly. +Jack had not stood idle, for slipping his pet, Fangs, he had started him +among some quails who remained upon the field, and to my surprise the +jackal secured some dozen of the birds, bringing them faithfully to his +master's feet. + +We then turned our steps toward Falconhurst, where we were refreshed by +a most delicious drink the mother prepared for us: the stems of the +young Indian corn, crushed, strained, and mixed with water and the juice +of the sugar-cane. + +We then made preparations for an excursion the following day, for I +wished to establish a sort of semi-civilized farm at some distance from +Falconhurst, where we might place some of our animals, which had become +too numerous with our limited means to supply them with food. In the +large cart, to which we harnessed the buffalo, cow, and ass, we placed a +dozen fowls, four young pigs, two couple of sheep, and as many goats, +and a pair of hens and one cock grouse. Fritz led the way on his onager, +and by a new track we forced a passage through the woods and tall +grasses toward Cape Disappointment. + +The difficult march was at length over, and we emerged from the forest +upon a large plain covered with curious little bushes; the branches of +these little shrubs and the ground about them were covered with pure +white flakes. + +"Snow! snow!" exclaimed Franz. "Oh, mother, come down from the cart and +play snowballs. This is jolly; much better than the ugly rain." + +I was not surprised at the boy's mistake, for indeed the flakes did look +like snow; but before I could express my opinion, Fritz declared that +the plant must be a kind of dwarf cotton tree. We approached nearer and +found he was right--soft fine wool inclosed in pods, and still hanging +on the bushes or lying on the ground, abounded in every direction. We +had indeed discovered this valuable plant. The mother was charmed; and +gathering a great quantity in three capacious bags, we resumed our +journey. + +Crossing the cotton field we ascended a pretty wooded hill. The view +from the summit was glorious: luxuriant grass at our feet stretching +down the hillside, dotted here and there with shady trees, among which +gushed down a sparkling brook, while below lay the rich green forest, +with the sea beyond. + +What better situation could we hope to find for our new farm? Pasture, +water, shade, and shelter, all were here. + +We pitched our tent, built our fireplace, and leaving the mother to +prepare our repast, Fritz and I selected a spot for the erection of our +shed. We soon found a group of trees so situated that the trunks would +serve as posts for our intended building. Thither we carried all our +tools, and then, as the day was far advanced, enjoyed our supper, and +lay down upon most comfortable beds, which the mother had prepared for +us with the cotton. + +The group of trees we had selected was exactly suited to our purpose, +for it formed a regular rectilinear figure, the greatest side of which +faced the sea. I cut deep mortices in the trunks about ten feet from the +ground, and again ten feet higher up to form a second story. In these +mortices I inserted beams, thus forming a framework for my building, and +then, making a roof of laths, I overlaid it with bark, which I stripped +from a neighboring tree, and fixed with acacia thorns, and which would +effectually shoot off any amount of rain. + +While clearing up the scraps of bark and other rubbish for fuel for our +fire, I noticed a peculiar smell, and stooping down I picked up pieces +of the bark, some of which, to my great surprise, I found was that of +the terebinth tree, and the rest that of the American fir. The goats, +too, made an important discovery among the same heap, for we found them +busily rooting out pieces of cinnamon, a most delicious and aromatic +spice. + +"From the fir," said I to the boys, "we get turpentine and tar, and thus +it is that the fir tree becomes such a valuable article of commerce. So +we may look forward to preparing pitch for our yacht, with tar and oil, +you know, and cart-grease, too, with tar and fat. I do not know that you +will equally appreciate the terebinth tree; a gum issues from incisions +in the bark which hardens in the sun, and becomes as transparent as +amber; when burned it gives forth a most delicious perfume, and when +dissolved in spirits of wine, forms a beautiful transparent varnish." + +The completion of our new farmhouse occupied us several days; we wove +strong lianas and other creepers together to form the walls to the +height of about six feet; the rest, up to the roof, we formed merely of +a lattice-work of laths to admit both air and light. Within we divided +the house into three parts; one subdivided into stalls for the animals; +a second fitted with perches for the birds, and a third, simply +furnished with a rough table and benches, to serve as a sleeping +apartment for ourselves, when we should find it necessary to pay the +place a visit. In a short time the dwelling was most comfortably +arranged, and as we daily filled the feeding troughs with the food the +animals best liked, they showed no inclination to desert the spot we had +chosen for them. + +Yet, hard as we had worked, we found that the provisions we had brought +with us would be exhausted before we could hope to be able to leave the +farm. I therefore dispatched Jack and Fritz for fresh supplies. + +During their absence, Ernest and I made a short excursion in the +neighborhood, that we might know more exactly the character of the +country near our farm. + +Passing over a brook which flowed toward the wall of rocks, we reached a +large marsh, and as we walked round it, I noticed with delight that it +was covered with the rice plant growing wild in the greatest profusion. +Here and there only were there any ripe plants, and from these rose a +number of ruffed grouse, at which both Ernest and I let fly. Two fell, +and Fangs, who was with us, brought them to our feet. As we advanced, +Knips skipped from the back of his steed Juno and began to regale +himself on some fruit, at a short distance off; we followed the little +animal and found him devouring delicious strawberries. Having enjoyed +the fruit ourselves, we filled the hamper Knips always carried, and +secured the fruit from his pilfering paws with leaves fixed firmly down. + +I then took a sample of the rice seeds to show the mother, and we +continued our journey. + +Presently we reached the borders of the pretty lake which we had seen +beyond the swamp. The nearer aspect of its calm blue waters greatly +charmed us, and still more so the sight of numbers of black swans, +disporting themselves on the glassy surface, in which their stately +forms and graceful movements were reflected as in a mirror. It was +delightful to watch these splendid birds, old and young swimming +together in the peaceful enjoyment of life, seeking their food, and +pursuing one another playfully in the water. + +I could not think of breaking in upon their happy, beautiful existence +by firing among them, but our dog Juno was by no means so considerate; +for all at once I heard a plunge, and saw her drag out of the water a +most peculiar-looking creature, something like a small otter, but not +above twenty-two inches in length, which she would have torn to pieces +had we not hurried up and taken it from her. + +This curious little animal was of a soft, dark brown color, the fur +being of a lighter shade under the body; its feet were furnished with +large claws, and also completely webbed, the head small, with deeply set +eyes and ears, and terminating in a broad flat bill like that of a duck. + +This singularity seemed to us so droll that we both laughed heartily, +feeling at the same time much puzzled to know what sort of animal it +could possibly be. For want of a better, we gave it the name of the +"Beast with a Bill," and Ernest willingly undertook to carry it, that it +might be stuffed and kept as a curiosity. + +After this we returned to the farm, thinking our messengers might soon +arrive, and sure enough, in about a quarter of an hour Fritz and Jack +made their appearance at a brisk trot, and gave a circumstantial account +of their mission. + +I was pleased to see that they had fulfilled their orders intelligently, +carrying out my intentions in the spirit and not blindly to the letter. + +Next morning we quitted the farm (which we named Woodlands), after +providing amply for the wants of the animals, sheep, goats, and poultry +which we left there. + +Shortly afterward, on entering a wood, we found it tenanted by an +enormous number of apes, who instantly assailed us with showers of +fir-cones, uttering hideous and angry cries, and effectually checking +our progress, until we put them to flight by a couple of shots, which +not a little astonished their weak minds. + +Fritz picked up some of their missiles, and showing them to me, I +recognized the cone of the stone-pine. + +"By all means gather some of these cones, boys," said I, "you will find +the kernel has a pleasant taste, like almonds, and from it we can, by +pressing, obtain an excellent oil. Therefore I should like to carry some +home with us." + +A hill, which seemed to promise a good view from its summit, next +attracted my notice, and, on climbing it, we were more than repaid for +the exertion by the extensive and beautiful prospect which lay spread +before our eyes. The situation altogether was so agreeable, that here +also I resolved to make a settlement, to be visited occasionally, and, +after resting awhile and talking the matter over, we set to work to +build a cottage such as we had lately finished at Woodlands. Our +experience there enabled us to proceed quickly with the work, and in a +few days the rustic abode was completed, and received, by Ernest's +choice, the grand name of Prospect Hill. + +My chief object in undertaking this expedition had been to discover some +tree from whose bark I could hope to make a useful light boat or canoe. +Hitherto I had met with none at all fit for my purpose, but, not +despairing of success, I began, when the cottage was built, to examine +carefully the surrounding woods, and, after considerable trouble, came +upon two magnificent, tall, straight trees, the bark of which seemed +something like that of the birch. Selecting one whose trunk was, to a +great height, free from branches, we attached to one of the lower of the +boughs the rope ladder we had with us, and Fritz, ascending it, cut the +bark through in a circle; I did the same at the foot of the tree, and +then, from between the circle we took a narrow perpendicular slip of +bark entirely out, so that we could introduce the proper tools by which +gradually to loosen and raise the main part, so as finally to separate +it from the tree uninjured and entire. This we found possible, because +the bark was moist and flexible. Great care and exertion was necessary, +as the bark became detached, to support it, until the whole was ready to +be let gently down upon the grass. This seemed a great achievement; but +our work was by no means ended, nor could we venture to desist from it +until, while the material was soft and pliable, we had formed it into +the shape we desired for the canoe. + +In order to do this, I cut a long triangular piece out of each end of +the roll, and, placing the sloping parts one over the other, I drew the +ends into a pointed form and secured them with pegs and glue. + +This successful proceeding had, however, widened the boat, and made it +too flat in the middle, so that it was necessary to put ropes round it, +and tighten them until the proper shape was restored, before we could +allow it to dry in the sun. + +This being all I could do without a greater variety of tools, I +determined to complete my work in a more convenient situation, and +forthwith dispatched Fritz and Jack with orders to bring the sledge +(which now ran on wheels taken from gun-carriages), that the canoe +might be transported direct to the vicinity of the harbor at Tentholm. + +During their absence I fortunately found some wood naturally curved, +just suited for ribs to support and strengthen the sides of the boat. + +When the two lads returned with the sledge, it was time to rest for the +night; but with early dawn we were again busily at work. + +The sledge was loaded with the new boat, and everything else we could +pack into it, and we turned our steps homeward, finding the greatest +difficulty, however, in getting our vehicle through the woods. We +crossed the bamboo swamp, where I cut a fine mast for my boat, and came +at length to a small opening or defile in the ridge of rocks, where a +little torrent rushed from its source down into the larger stream +beyond; here we determined to make a halt, in order to erect a great +earth wall across the narrow gorge, which, being thickly planted with +prickly pear, Indian fig, and every thorny bush we could find, would in +time form an effectual barrier against the intrusion of wild beasts, the +cliffs being, to the best of our belief, in every other part +inaccessible. For our own convenience we retained a small winding-path +through this barrier, concealing and defending it with piles of branches +and thorns, and also we contrived a light drawbridge over the stream, so +that we rendered the pass altogether a very strong position, should we +ever have to act on the defensive. + +This work occupied two days, and continuing on our way, we were glad to +rest at Falconhurst before arriving (quite tired and worn out) at +Tentholm. + +It took some time to recruit our strength after this long and fatiguing +expedition, and then we vigorously resumed the task of finishing the +canoe. The arrangements, I flattered myself, were carried out in a +manner quite worthy of a ship builder; a mast, sails, and paddles were +fitted, but my final touch, although I prized it highly and considered +it a grand and original idea, would no doubt have excited only ridicule +and contempt had it been seen by a naval man. My contrivance was this: I +had a couple of large air-tight bags made of the skins of the dog-fish, +well tarred and pitched, inflated, and made fast on each side of the +boat, just above the level of the water. These floats, however much she +might be loaded, would effectually prevent either the sinking or +capsizing of my craft. + +I may as well relate in this place what I omitted at the time of its +occurrence. During the rainy season our cow presented us with a +bull-calf, and that there might never be any difficulty in managing him, +I at a very early age pierced his nose and placed a short stick in it, +to be exchanged for a ring when he was old enough. The question now came +to be, who should be his master, and to what should we train him? + +"Why not teach him," said Fritz, "to fight the wild animals, and defend +us, like the fighting bulls of the Hottentots? That would be really +useful!" + +"I am sure I should much prefer a gentle bull to a fighting one!" +exclaimed his mother; "but do you mean to say tame oxen can be taught to +act rationally on the defensive?" + +"I can but repeat what I have heard or read," replied I, "as regards the +race of Hottentots who inhabit the south of Africa, among all sorts of +wild and ferocious animals. + +"The wealth of these people consists solely in their flocks and herds, +and, for their protection, they train their bulls to act as guards. + +"These courageous animals keep the rest from straying away, and when +danger threatens, they give instant notice of it, drive the herd +together in a mass, the calves and young cows being placed in the +center; around them the bulls and strong oxen make a formidable circle +with their horned heads turned to the front, offering determined +resistance to the fiercest foe. + +"These fighting bulls will even sometimes rush with dreadful bellowing +to meet the enemy; and should it be a mighty lion or other strong and +daring monster, sacrifice their own lives in defense of the herd. + +"It is said that formerly, when Hottentot tribes made war on one +another, it was not unusual to place a troop of these stout-hearted +warriors in the van of the little army, when their heroism led to +decisive victory on one side or the other. + +"But," continued I, "although I can see you are all delighted with my +description of these fine, warlike animals, I think we had better train +this youngster to be a peaceable bull. Who is to have charge of him?" + +Ernest thought it would be more amusing to train his monkey than a +calf. Jack, with the buffalo and his hunting jackal, had quite enough +on his hands. Fritz was content with the onager. Their mother +was voted mistress of the old gray donkey. And I myself being +superintendent-in-chief of the whole establishment of animals, there +remained only little Franz to whose special care the calf could be +committed. + +"What say you, my boy--will you undertake to look after this little +fellow?" + +"Oh, yes, father!" he replied. "Once you told me about a strong man, I +think his name was Milo, and he had a tiny calf, and he used to carry it +about everywhere. It grew bigger and bigger, but still he carried it +often, till at last he grew so strong that when it was quite a great big +ox, he could lift it as easily as ever. And so, you see, if I take care +of our wee calf and teach it to do what I like, perhaps when it grows +big I shall still be able to manage it, and then--oh, papa--do you think +I might ride upon it?" + +I smiled at the child's simplicity, and his funny application of the +story of Milo of Crotona. + +"The calf shall be yours, my boy. Make him as tame as you can, and we +will see about letting you mount him some day; but remember, he will be +a great bull long before you are nearly a man. Now, what will you call +him?" + +"Shall I call him Grumble, father? Hear what a low muttering noise he +makes!" + +"Grumble will do famously." + +"Grumble, Grumble. Oh, it beats your buffalo's name hollow, Jack!" + +"Not a bit," said he; "why, you can't compare the two names. Fancy +mother saying, 'Here comes Franz on Grumble, but Jack riding on the +Storm.' Oh, it sounds sublime!" + +We named the two puppies Bruno and Fawn, and so ended this important +domestic business. + +For two months we worked steadily at our salt-cave, in order to complete +the necessary arrangement of partition walls, so as to put the rooms and +stalls for the animals in comfortable order for the next long rainy +season, during which time, when other work would be at a standstill, we +could carry on many minor details for the improvement of the abode. + +We leveled the floors first with clay; then spread gravel mixed with +melted gypsum over that, producing a smooth, hard surface, which did +very well for most of the apartments; but I was ambitious of having one +or two carpets and set about making a kind of felt in the following way: + +I spread out a large piece of sailcloth, and covered it equally all over +with a strong liquid, made of glue and isinglass, which saturated it +thoroughly. On it we then laid wool and hair from the sheep and goats, +which had been carefully cleaned and prepared, and rolled and beat it +until it adhered tolerably smoothly to the cloth. Finally it became, +when perfectly dry, a covering for the floor of our sitting room by no +means to be despised. + +One morning, just after these labors at the salt-cave were completed, +happening to awake unusually early, I turned my thoughts, as I lay +waiting for sunrise, to considering what length of time we had now +passed on this coast, and discovered, to my surprise, that the very next +day would be the anniversary of our escape from the wreck. My heart +swelled with gratitude to the gracious God, who had then granted us +deliverance, and ever since had loaded us with benefits; and I resolved +to set to-morrow apart as a day of thanksgiving, in joyful celebration +of the occasion. + +My mind was full of indefinite plans when I rose, and the day's work +began as usual. I took care that everything should be cleaned, cleared, +and set in order both outside and inside our dwelling; none, however, +suspecting that there was any particular object in view. Other more +private preparations I also made for the next day. At supper I made the +coming event known to the assembled family. + +"Good people, do you know that to-morrow is a very great and important +day? We shall have to keep it in honor of our merciful escape to this +land, and call it Thanksgiving-Day." + +Everyone was surprised to hear that we had already been twelve months in +the country--indeed, my wife believed I might be mistaken, until I +showed her how I had calculated regularly ever since the 31st of +January, on which day we were wrecked, by marking off in my almanac the +Sundays as they arrived for the remaining eleven months of that year. + +"Since then," I added, "I have counted thirty-one days. This is the 1st +of February. We landed on the 2d, therefore to-morrow is the anniversary +of the day of our escape. As my bookseller has not sent me an almanac +for the present year, we must henceforth reckon for ourselves." + +"Oh, that will be good fun for us," said Ernest. "We must have a long +stick, like Robinson Crusoe, and cut a notch in it every day, and count +them up every now and then, to see how the weeks and months and years go +by." + +"That is all very well, if you know for certain the number of days in +each month, and in the year. What do you say, Ernest?" + +"The year contains 365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes, and 45 seconds," +returned he promptly. + +"Perfectly correct!" said I, smiling; "but you would get in a mess with +those spare hours, minutes, and seconds in a year or two, wouldn't you?" + +"Not at all! Every four years I would add them all together, make a day, +stick it into February, and call that year leap year." + +"Well done, Professor Ernest! We must elect you astronomer royal in this +our kingdom, and let you superintend and regulate everything connected +with the lapse of time, clocks and watches included." + +Before they went to sleep, I could hear my boys whispering among +themselves, about "father's mysterious allusions" to next day's festival +and rejoicings; but I offered no explanations, and went to sleep, little +guessing that the rogues had laid a counter-plot, far more surprising +than my simple plan for their diversion. + +Nothing less than roar of artillery startled me from sleep at daybreak +next morning. I sprang up and found my wife as much alarmed as I was by +the noise, otherwise I should have been inclined to believe it fancy. + +"Fritz! dress quickly and come with me!" cried I, turning to his +hammock. Lo, it was empty! neither he nor Jack were to be seen. + +Altogether bewildered, I was hastily dressing, when their voices were +heard, and they rushed in shouting: + +"Hurrah! didn't we rouse you with a right good thundering salute?" + +But perceiving at a glance that we had been seriously alarmed, Fritz +hastened to apologize for the thoughtless way in which they had sought +to do honor to the Day of Thanksgiving, without considering that an +unexpected cannon-shot would startle us unpleasantly from our slumbers. + +We readily forgave the authors of our alarm, in consideration of the +good intention which had prompted the deed, and, satisfied that the day +had at least been duly inaugurated, we all went quietly to breakfast. + +Afterward we sat together for a long time, enjoying the calm beauty of +the morning, and talking of all that had taken place on the memorable +days of the storm a year ago; for I desired that the awful events of +that time should live in the remembrance of my children with a deepening +sense of gratitude for our deliverance. Therefore I read aloud passages +from my journal, as well as many beautiful verses from the Psalms, +expressive of joyful praise and thanksgiving, so that even the youngest +among us was impressed and solemnized at the recollections of escape +from a terrible death, and also led to bless and praise the name of the +Lord our Deliverer. + +Dinner followed shortly after this happy service, and I then announced +for the afternoon a "Grand Display of Athletic Sports," in which I and +my wife were to be spectators and judges. + +"Father, what a grand idea!" + +"Oh, how jolly! Are we to run races?" + +"And prizes! Will there be prizes, father?" + +"The judges offer prizes for competition in every sort of manly +exercise," replied I. "Shooting, running, riding, leaping, climbing, +swimming; we will have an exhibition of your skill in all. Now for it!" + +"Trumpeters! sound for the opening of the lists." + +Uttering these last words in a stentorian voice and wildly waving my +arms toward a shady spot, where the ducks and geese were quietly +resting, had the absurd effect I intended. + +Up they all started in a fright, gabbling and quacking loudly, to the +infinite amusement of the children, who began to bustle about in eager +preparations for the contest, and begging to know with what they were to +begin. + +"Let us have shooting first, and the rest when the heat of the day +declines. Here is a mark I have got ready for you," said I, producing a +board roughly shaped like a kangaroo, and of about the size of one. This +target was admired, but Jack could not rest satisfied till he had added +ears, and a long leather strap for a tail. + +It was then fixed in the attitude most characteristic of the creature, +and the distance for firing measured off. Each of the three competitors +was to fire twice. + +Fritz hit the kangaroo's head each time; Ernest hit the body once; and +Jack, by a lucky chance, shot the ears clean away from the head, which +feat raised a shout of laughter. + +A second trial with pistols ensued, in which Fritz again came off +victor. + +Then desiring the competitors to load with small shot, I threw a little +board as high as I possibly could up in the air, each in turn aiming at +and endeavoring to hit it before it touched the ground. + +In this I found to my surprise that the sedate Ernest succeeded quite as +well as his more impetuous brother Fritz. + +As for Jack, his flying board escaped wholly uninjured. + +After this followed archery, which I liked to encourage, foreseeing that +a time might come when ammunition would fail; and in this practice I +saw with pleasure that my elder sons were really skillful, while even +little Franz acquitted himself well. + +A pause ensued, and then I started a running match. + +Fritz, Ernest, and Jack were to run to Falconhurst, by the most direct +path. The first to reach the tree was to bring me, in proof of his +success, a penknife I had accidentally left on the table in my sleeping +room. + +At a given signal, away went the racers in fine style. Fritz and Jack, +putting forth all their powers, took the lead at once, running in +advance of Ernest, who started at a good, steady pace, which I predicted +he would be better able to maintain than such a furious rate as his +brothers. + +But long before we expected to see them back, a tremendous noise of +galloping caused us to look with surprise toward the bridge, and Jack +made his appearance, thundering along on his buffalo, with the onager +and the donkey tearing after him riderless, and the whole party in the +wildest spirits. + +"Hullo!" cried I, "what sort of footrace do you call this, Master Jack?" + +He shouted merrily as he dashed up to us; then flinging himself off and +saluting us in a playful way: + +"I very soon saw," said he, "that I hadn't a chance; so renouncing all +idea of the prize, I caught Storm, and made him gallop home with me, to +be in time to see the others come puffing in. Lightfoot and old Grizzle +chose to join me--I never invited them!" + +By and by the other boys arrived, Ernest holding up the knife in token +of being the winner; and after hearing all particulars about the +running, and that he had reached Falconhurst two minutes before Fritz, +we proceeded to test the climbing powers of the youthful athletes. + +In this exercise Jack performed wonders. He ascended with remarkable +agility the highest palms whose stems he could clasp. And when he put on +the shark-skin buskins, which enabled him to take firm hold of larger +trees, he played antics like a squirrel or a monkey, peeping and +grinning at us, at first on one side of the stem, and then on the other, +in a most diverting way. + +Fritz and Ernest climbed well, but could not come near the grace and +skill of their active and lively young brother. + +Riding followed, and marvelous feats were performed, Fritz and Jack +proving themselves very equal in their management of their different +steeds. + +I thought the riding was over, when little Franz appeared from the +stable in the cave, leading young Grumble, the bull-calf, by a bridle +passed through his nose ring. + +The child saluted us with a pretty little air of confidence, exclaiming: + +"Now, most learned judges, prepare to see something quite new and +wonderful! The great bull-tamer, Milo of Crotona, desires the honor of +exhibiting before you." + +Then taking a whip, and holding the end of a long cord, he made the +animal, at the word of command, walk, trot, and gallop in a circle round +him. + +He afterward mounted, and showed off Grumble's somewhat awkward paces. + +The sports were concluded by swimming matches, and the competitors +found a plunge in salt water very refreshing after their varied +exertions. + +Fritz showed himself a master in the art. At home in the element, no +movement betokened either exertion or weariness. + +Ernest exhibited too much anxiety and effort, while Jack was far too +violent and hasty, and soon became exhausted. + +Franz gave token of future skill. + +By this time, as it was getting late, we returned to our dwelling, the +mother having preceded us in order to make arrangements for the ceremony +of prize-giving. + +We found her seated in great state, with the prizes set out by her side. + +The boys marched in, pretending to play various instruments in imitation +of a band, and then all four, bowing respectfully, stood before her, +like the victors in a tournament of old, awaiting the reward of valor +from the Queen of Beauty, which she bestowed with a few words of praise +and encouragement. + +Fritz, to his immense delight, received, as the prize for shooting and +swimming, a splendid double-barreled rifle, and a beautiful +hunting-knife. + +To Ernest, as winner of the running match, was given a handsome gold +watch. + +For climbing and riding, Jack had a pair of silver plated spurs, and a +riding whip, both of which gave him extraordinary pleasure. + +Franz received a pair of stirrups, and a driving whip made of rhinoceros +hide, which we thought would be of use to him in the character of +bull-trainer. + +When the ceremony was supposed to be over, I advanced, and solemnly +presented to my wife a lovely work-box, filled with every imaginable +requirement for a lady's work-table, which she accepted with equal +surprise and delight. + +The whole entertainment afforded the boys such intense pleasure, and +their spirits rose to such a pitch, that nothing would serve them but +another salvo of artillery, in order to close with befitting dignity and +honor so great a day. They gave me no peace till they had leave to +squander some gunpowder, and then at last their excited feelings seeming +relieved, we were able to sit down to supper; shortly afterward we +joined in family worship and retired to rest. + +Soon after the great festival of our grand Thanksgiving-Day I +recollected that it was now the time when, the figs at Falconhurst being +ripe, immense flocks of ortolans and wild pigeons were attracted +thither, and as we had found those preserved last year of the greatest +use among our stores of winter provisions, I would not miss the +opportunity of renewing our stock; and therefore, laying aside the +building work, we removed with all speed to our home in the tree, where +sure enough we found the first detachment of the birds already busy with +the fruit. + +In order to spare ammunition, I resolved to concoct a strong sort of +birdlime, of which I had read in some account of the Palm Islanders, who +make it of fresh caoutchouc mixed with oil, and of so good a quality +that it has been known to catch even peacocks and turkeys. + +Fritz and Jack were therefore dispatched to collect some fresh +caoutchouc from the trees, and as this involved a good gallop on Storm +and Lightfoot, they, nothing loth, set off. + +They took a supply of calabashes, in which to bring the gum, and we +found it high time to manufacture a fresh stock of these useful vessels. +I was beginning to propose an expedition to the Gourd-tree Wood, +regretting the time it would take to go such a distance, when my wife +reminded me of her plantation near the potato field. + +There to our joy we found that all the plants were flourishing, and +crops of gourds and pumpkins, in all stages of ripeness, covered the +ground. + +Selecting a great number suited to our purpose, we hastened home, and +began the manufacture of basins, dishes, plates, flasks, and spoons of +all sorts and sizes, with even greater success than before. + +When the riders returned with the caoutchouc, they brought several +novelties besides. + +A crane, for example, shot by Fritz, and an animal which they called a +marmot, but which to me seemed much more like a badger. + +Aniseed, turpentine, and wax berries for candles, they had also +collected, and a curious root which they introduced by the name of the +monkey plant. + +"And pray wherefore 'monkey plant,' may I ask?" + +"Well, for this reason, father," answered Fritz: "we came upon an open +space in the forest near Woodlands, and perceived a troop of monkeys, +apparently engaged, as Jack said, in cultivating the soil! Being curious +to make out what they were at, we tied up the dogs, as well as Storm and +Lightfoot, and crept near enough to see that the apes were most +industriously grubbing up and eating roots. This they did in a way that +nearly choked us with laughter, for when the root was rather hard to +pull up, and the leaves were torn off, they seized it firmly in their +teeth, and flung themselves fairly heels-over-head in the most ludicrous +fashion you ever saw, and up came the root, unable to resist the +leverage! Of course we wanted to see what this dainty morsel was like, +so we loosed the dogs, and the apes cleared out double quick, leaving +plenty of the roots about. We tasted them, and thought them very nice. +Will you try one?" + +The plant was quite new to me, but I imagined it might be what is called +in China "ginseng," and there prized and valued beyond everything. The +children being curious to hear more about this ginseng, I continued: + +"In China it is considered so strengthening and wholesome that it is +used as a sort of universal medicine, being supposed to prolong human +life. + +"The emperor alone has the right to permit it to be gathered, and guards +are placed round land where it grows. + +"Ginseng is to be found in Tartary, and has lately been discovered in +Canada; it is cultivated in Pennsylvania, because the Americans +introduce it secretly into China as smuggled merchandise." + +Fritz then continued: + +"After this we went on to Woodlands; but mercy on us! what a confusion +the place was in! Everything smashed or torn, and covered with mud and +dirt; the fowls terrified, the sheep and goats scattered, the contents +of the rooms dashed about as if a whirlwind had swept through the +house." + +"What!" I exclaimed, while my wife looked horrified at the news, +conjuring up in her imagination hordes of savages who would soon come +and lay waste Falconhurst and Tentholm as well as Woodlands. "How can +that have happened? Did you discover the authors of all this mischief!" + +"Oh," said Jack, "it was easy to see that those dreadful monkeys had +done it all. First they must have got into the yards and sheds, and +hunted the fowls and creatures about; and then I dare say the cunning +rascals put a little monkey in at some small opening, and bid him +unfasten the shutters--you know what nimble fingers they have. Then of +course the whole posse of them swarmed into our nice tidy cottage and +skylarked with every single thing they could lay paws on, till perhaps +they got hungry all at once, and bethought them of the 'ginseng,' as you +call it, out in the woods yonder, where we found them so busy refreshing +themselves, the mischievous villains!" + +"While we were gazing at all this ruin in a sort of bewilderment," +pursued Fritz, "we heard a sound of rushing wings and strange ringing +cries, as of multitudes of birds passing high above us, and looking up +we perceived them flying quickly in a wedge-shaped flock at a great +height in the air. They began gradually to descend, taking the direction +of the lake, and separated into a number of small detachments, which +followed in a long, straight line, and at a slower rate, the movements +of the leaders, who appeared to be examining the neighborhood. We could +now see what large birds they must be, but dared not show ourselves or +follow them, lest they should take alarm. + +"Presently, and with one accord, they quickened their motion, just as if +the band had begun to play a quick march after a slow one, and rapidly +descended to earth in a variety of lively ways, and near enough for us +to see that they must be cranes. + +"Some alighted at once, while others hovered sportively over them. Many +darted to the ground, and, just touching it, would soar again upward +with a strong but somewhat heavy flight. + +"After gamboling in this way for a time, the whole multitude, as though +at the word of command, alighted on the rice fields, and began to feast +on the fresh grain. + +"We thought now was our time to get a shot at the cranes, and cautiously +approached; but they were too cunning to let themselves be surprised, +and we came unexpectedly upon their out-posts or sentinels, who +instantly sprang into the air, uttering loud, trumpet-like cries, upon +which the whole flock arose and followed them with a rush like a sudden +squall of wind. We were quite startled, and it was useless to attempt a +shot; but unwilling to miss the chance of securing at least one of the +birds, I hastily unhooded my eagle, and threw him into the air. + +"With a piercing cry he soared away high above them, then shot downward +like an arrow, causing wild confusion among the cranes. The one which +the eagle attacked sought to defend itself; a struggle followed, and +they came together to the ground not far from where we stood. + +"Hastening forward, to my grief I found the beautiful crane already +dead. The eagle, luckily unhurt, was rewarded with a small pigeon from +my gamebag. + +"After this we went back to Woodlands, got some turpentine and a bag of +rice--and set off for home." + +Fritz's interesting story being ended, and supper ready, we made trial +of the new roots, and found them very palatable, either boiled or +stewed; the monkey plant, however, if it really proved to be the ginseng +of the Chinese, would require to be used with caution, being of an +aromatic and heating nature. + +We resolved to transplant a supply of both roots to our kitchen garden. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +THE WAR WITH THE APES--OUR HOME IN THE SALT PALACE + + +On the following morning we were early astir; and as soon as breakfast +was over, we went regularly to work with the birdlime. The tough, +adhesive mixture of caoutchouc, oil, and turpentine turned out well. + +The boys brought rods, which I smeared over, and made them place among +the upper branches, where the fruit was plentiful, and the birds most +congregated. + +The prodigious number of the pigeons, far beyond those of last year, +reminded me that we had not then, as now, witnessed their arrival at +their feeding-places, but had seen only the last body of the season, a +mere party of stragglers, compared to the masses which now weighed down +the branches of all the trees in the neighborhood. + +The sweet acorns of the evergreen oaks were also patronized; large +flocks were there congregated; and from the state of the ground under +the trees it was evident that at night they roosted on the branches. +Seeing this, I determined to make a raid upon them by torchlight, after +the manner of the colonists in Virginia. + +Meantime, the birdlime acted well: the pigeons alighting, stuck fast. +The more they fluttered and struggled, the more completely were they +bedaubed with the tenacious mixture, and at length, with piteous cries, +fell to the ground, bearing the sticks with them. The birds were then +removed, fresh lime spread, and the snare set again. + +The boys quickly became able to carry on the work without my assistance; +so, leaving it to them, I went to prepare torches, with pine wood and +turpentine, for the night attack. + +Jack presently brought a very pretty pigeon, unlike the rest, to show +me, as he felt unwilling to kill it; and seeing that it must be one of +our own European breed, which we wished to preserve until their numbers +greatly increased, I took the trembling captive, and gently cleansed its +feet and wings with oil and ashes from the stiff, sticky mess with which +it was bedaubed, placing it then in a wicker cage, and telling Jack to +bring me any others like it which were caught. This he did; and we +secured several pairs, greatly to my satisfaction, as having necessarily +let them go free when we landed, they had become quite wild and we +derived no advantage from them: whereas now we would have a cot, and +pigeon-pie whenever we liked. + +When evening drew on, we set out for the wood of sweet acorns, provided +merely with long bamboo canes, torches, and canvas sacks. + +These weapons appeared very curious and insufficient to the children; +but their use was speedily apparent; for darkness having come upon us +almost before we reached the wood, I lighted the torches, and perceived, +as I expected, that every branch was thickly laden with ortolans and +wild pigeons, who were roosting there in amazing numbers. + +Suddenly aroused by the glare of light, confusion prevailed among the +terrified birds, who fluttered helplessly through the branches, dazzled +and bewildered, and many falling, even before we began to use the +sticks, were picked up, and put in the bags. When we beat and struck the +branches, it was as much as my wife and Franz could do to gather up the +quantities of pigeons that soon lay on the ground. The sacks were +speedily quite full. We turned homeward, and on reaching Falconhurst, +put our booty in safety, and gladly withdrew to rest. + +The following day was wholly occupied in plucking, boiling, roasting, +and stewing, so that we could find time for nothing else; but next +morning a great expedition to Woodlands was arranged, that measures +might there be taken to prevent a repetition of the monkey invasion. + +I hoped, could I but catch the mischievous rascals at their work of +destruction, to inflict upon them such a chastisement as would +effectually make them shun the neighborhood of our farm for the future. + +My wife provided us with a good store of provisions, as we were likely +to be absent several days, while she, with Franz and Turk, remained at +home. + +I took with me abundance of specially prepared birdlime, far stronger +than that which we used for the pigeons; a number of short posts, plenty +of string, and a supply of cocoanut shells and gourds. + +The buffalo carried all these things, and one or two of the boys +besides. I myself bestrode the ass, and in due time we arrived at a +convenient spot in the forest, near Woodlands, well concealed by thick +bushes and underwood, where we made a little encampment, pitching the +small tent, and tethering the animals. The dogs, too, were tied up, lest +they should roam about and betray our presence. + +We found the cottage quite quiet and deserted; and I lost no time in +preparing for the reception of visitors, hoping to be all ready for them +and out of sight before they arrived. + +We drove the stakes lightly into the ground, so as to form an irregular +paling round the house, winding string in and out in all directions +between them, thus making a kind of labyrinth, through which it would be +impossible to pass without touching either the stakes or the cords. + +Everything was plentifully besmeared with birdlime, and basins of the +mixture were set in all directions, strewn with rice, maize, and other +dainties for bait. + +Night came without any interruption to our proceedings; and all being +then accomplished, we retired to rest beneath the shelter of our little +tent. + +Very early in the morning we heard a confused noise, such as we knew +betokened the approach of a large number of apes. We armed ourselves +with strong clubs and cudgels, and holding the dogs in leash, made our +way silently behind the thickets, till, ourselves unseen, we could +command a view of all that went on; and strange indeed was the scene +which ensued! + +The noise of rustling, cracking, and creaking among the branches, with +horrid cries, and shrieks, and chattering, increased to a degree +sufficient to make us perfectly giddy; and then out from the forest +poured the whole disorderly rabble of monkeys, scrambling, springing, +leaping from the trees, racing and tumbling across the grassy space +toward the house; when, at once attracted by the novelties they saw, +they made for the jars and bowls. + +They seemed innumerable; but the confused, rapid way in which they +swarmed hither and thither, made it difficult to judge accurately of +their numbers. They dashed fearlessly through and over the palings in +all directions, some rushing at the eatables, some scrambling on to the +roof, where they commenced tugging at the wooden pegs, with a view to +forcing an entrance. + +Gradually, however, as they rambled over the place, all in turn became +besmeared with our birdlime on head, paws, or back or breast. The +wretched predicament of the apes increased every instant. + +Some sat down, and with the most ludicrous gestures, tried to clean +themselves. Others were hopelessly entangled in stakes and cordage, +which they trailed about after them, looking the picture of bewildered +despair. + +Others, again, endeavored to help one another, and stuck fast together; +the more they pulled, and tugged, and kicked, the worse became their +plight. + +Many had the gourds and cocoanut shells lumbering and clattering about +with them, their paws having been caught when they sought to obtain the +rice or fruit we had put for bait. + +Most ridiculous of all was the condition of one old fellow, who had +found a calabash containing palm wine, and, eagerly drinking it, was +immediately fitted with a mask, for the shell stuck to his forehead and +whiskers, of course covering his eyes; and he blundered about, cutting +the wildest capers in his efforts to get rid of the encumbrance. + +Numbers took to flight; but, as we had spread birdlime on several of the +trees around, many apes found themselves fixed to, or hanging from the +branches, where they remained in woeful durance, struggling and +shrieking horribly. + +The panic being now general, I loosed the three dogs, whose impatience +had been almost uncontrollable, and who now rushed to the attack of the +unfortunate monkeys, as though burning with zeal to execute justice upon +desperate criminals. + +The place soon had the appearance of a ghastly battlefield; for we were +obliged to do our part with the clubs and sticks, till the din of +howling, yelling, barking, in every conceivable tone of rage and pain, +gave place to an awful silence, and we looked with a shudder on the +shocking spectacle around us. + +At least forty apes lay mangled and dead, and the boys began to be quite +sad and down-hearted, till I, fully sharing their feelings, hastened to +turn their thoughts to active employment in removing and burying the +slain, burning the stakes, cordage, bowls, everything concerned in the +execution of our deadly stratagem. + +After that we betook ourselves to the task of restoring order to our +dismantled cottage; and seeking for the scattered flock of sheep, goats, +and poultry, we gradually collected them, hoping to settle them once +more peacefully in their yards and sheds. + +While thus engaged, we repeatedly heard a sound as of something heavy +falling from a tree. On going to look, we found three splendid birds, +caught on some of the limed sticks we had placed loose in the branches. + +Two of these proved to be a variety of the blue Molucca pigeon; the +third I assumed to be the Nicobar pigeon, having met with descriptions +of its resplendent green, bronze, and steely blue plumage; and I was +pleased to think of domesticating them, and establishing them at first +tenants of a suitable dwelling near the cave. + +"First tenants, father!" said Fritz; "do you expect to catch more like +these?" + +"Not exactly catch them; I mean to practice a secret art. Much can be +done by magic, Fritz!" + +Further explanation I declined to give. + +In a few days Woodlands was once more set in order, and everything +settled and comfortable, so that we returned without further adventure +to Falconhurst, where we were joyfully welcomed. + +Everyone agreed that we must go at once to Tentholm, to make the +proposed pigeon-house in the rock. Several other things there also +requiring our attention, we made arrangements for a prolonged stay. + +My plan for the pigeon-house was to hollow out an ample space in the +cliff, facing toward Jackal River, and close to our rocky home, fitting +that up with partitions, perches, and nesting places; while a large +wooden front was fitted on to the opening, with entrance-holes, slides +or shutters, and a broad platform in front, where the birds could rest +and walk about. + +When, after the work of a few weeks, we thought it was fit for +habitation, I set the other children to work at some distance from our +cavern, and summoning Fritz: + +"Now, my faithful assistant," said I, "it is time to conjure the new +colonists to their settlement here. Yes," I continued, laughing at his +puzzled look, "I mean to play a regular pigeon-dealer's trick. You must +know such gentry are very ingenious, not only in keeping their own +pigeons safe, but in adding to their numbers by attracting those of +other people. All I want is some soft clay, aniseed, and salt, of which +I will compound a mixture which our birds will like very much, and the +smell of which will bring others to share it with them." + +"I can easily get you those things, father." + +"I shall want some oil of aniseed besides," said I, "to put on the +pigeon-holes, so that the birds' feathers may touch it as they may pass +in and out, and become scented with what will attract the wild pigeons. +This I can obtain by pounding aniseed; therefore, bring me the mortar +and some oil." + +When this was strongly impregnated with the aromatic oil from the seeds +(for I did not propose to distill it in regular style), I strained it +through a cloth, pressing it strongly; the result answered my purpose, +and the scent would certainly remain for some days. + +All my preparations being completed, the pigeons were installed in their +new residence, and the slides closed. The European birds were by this +time quite friendly with the three beautiful strangers; and when the +other boys came home, and scrambled up the ladder to peep in at a little +pane of glass I had fixed in front, they saw them all contentedly +picking up grain, and pecking at the "magic food," as Fritz called it, +although he did not betray my secret arts to his brothers. + +Early on the third morning I aroused Fritz, and directed him to ascend +the rope ladder, and arrange a cord on the sliding door of the dovecot, +by which it could be opened or closed from below. Also he poured fresh +aniseed oil all about the entrance, after which we returned, and awoke +the rest of the family, telling them that if they liked to make haste, +they might see me let the pigeons fly. + +Everybody came to the dovecot, understanding that some ceremony was to +attend the event, and I waved a wand with mock solemnity, while I +muttered a seeming incantation, and then gave Fritz a sign to draw up +the sliding panel. + +Presently out popped the pretty heads of the captives, the soft eyes +glanced about in all directions; they withdrew, they ventured forth +again, they came timidly out on "the veranda," as little Franz expressed +it; then, as though suddenly startled, the whole party took wing, with +the shrill whizzing sound peculiar to the flight of pigeons, and +circling above us as they rose higher and higher, finally darting quite +out of sight. + +While we were yet gazing after them, they reappeared, and settled +quietly on the dovecot; but as we congratulated ourselves on a return +which showed that they accepted this as a home, up sprang the three blue +pigeons, the noble foreigners, for whom chiefly I had planned the house, +and rising in circles high in air, winged their rapid way direct toward +Falconhurst. + +Their departure had such an air of determination and resolve about it, +that I feared them lost to us forever. + +Endeavoring to console ourselves by petting our four remaining birds, we +could not forget this disappointment, and all day long the dovecot +remained the center of attraction. + +Nothing, however, was seen of the fugitives until about the middle of +the next day; when most of us were hard at work inside the cavern, Jack +sprang in full of excitement, exclaiming: + +"He is there! He is come; he really is!" + +"Who? Who is there? What do you mean?" + +"The blue pigeon, to be sure! Hurrah! Hurrah!" + +"Oh, nonsense!" said Ernest. "You want to play us a trick." + +"Why should it be 'nonsense'?" cried I. "I fully believe we shall see +them all soon!" + +Out ran everybody to the dovecot, and there, sure enough, stood the +pretty fellow, but not alone, for he was billing and cooing to a mate, a +stranger of his own breed, apparently inviting her to enter his +dwelling; for he popped in and out of the door, bowing, sidling, and +cooing, in a most irresistible manner, until the shy little lady yielded +to his blandishments, and tripped daintily in. + +"Now, let's shut the door. Pull the cord and close the panel!" shouted +the boys, making a rush at the string. + +"Stop!" cried I, "let the string alone! I won't have you frighten the +little darlings. Besides, the others will be coming--would you shut the +door in their faces?" + +"Here they come! here they come!" exclaimed Fritz, whose keen eye marked +the birds afar, and to our delight the second blue pigeon arrived, +likewise with a mate, whom, after a pretty little flirtation scene of +real and assumed modesty on her part, he succeeded in leading home. + +The third and handsomest of the new pigeons was the last in making his +appearance. Perhaps he had greater difficulty than the others in finding +a mate as distinguished in rank and beauty as himself. + +However, we fully expected them, and the boys talked of the arrival of +"Mr. and Mrs. Nicobar" as a matter of course. + +Late in the day Franz and his mother went out to provide for supper, +but the child returned directly, exclaiming that we must hasten to the +dovecot to see something beautiful. + +Accordingly a general rush was made out of the cave, and we saw with +delight that the third stranger also had returned with a lovely bride, +and encouraged by the presence of the first arrivals, they soon made +themselves at home. + +In a short time nest-building commenced, and among the materials +collected by the birds, I observed a long gray moss or lichen, and +thought it might very possibly be the same which, in the West Indies, is +gathered from the bark of old trees, where it grows, and hangs in great +tuft-like beards, to be used instead of horse-hair for stuffing +mattresses. + +My wife no sooner heard of it than her active brain devised fifty plans +for making it of use. Would we but collect enough, she would clean and +sort it, and there would be no end to the bolsters, pillows, saddles, +and cushions she would stuff with it. + +For the discovery of nutmegs we had also to thank the pigeons, and they +were carefully planted in our orchard. + +For some time no event of particular note occurred, until at length +Jack, as usual, got into a scrape, causing thereby no little excitement +at home. + +He went off early on one of his own particular private expeditions. + +He was in the habit of doing this that he might surprise us with some +new acquisition on his return. + +This time, however, he came back in most wretched plight, covered with +mud and green slime; a great bundle of Spanish canes was on his back, +muddy and green like himself; he had lost a shoe, and altogether +presented a ludicrous picture of misery, at which we could have laughed +had he not seemed more ready to cry. + +"My dear boy! what has happened to you? Where have you been?" + +"Only in the swamp behind the powder magazine, father," replied he. "I +went to get reeds for my wicker-work, because I wanted to weave some +baskets and hen-coops, and I saw such beauties a little way off in the +marsh, much finer than those close by the edge, that I tried to get at +them. + +"I jumped from one firm spot to another, till at last I slipped and sank +over my ankles; I tried to get on toward the reeds, which were close by, +but in I went deeper and deeper, till I was above the knees in thick +soft mud, and there I stuck! + +"I screamed and shouted, but nobody came, and I can tell you I was in a +regular fright. + +"At last who should appear but my faithful Fangs! He knew my voice and +came close up to me, right over the swamp, but all the poor beast could +do was to help me to make a row; I wonder you did not hear us! The very +rocks rang, but nothing came of it, so despair drove me to think of an +expedient. I cut down all the reeds I could reach round and round me, +and bound them together into this bundle, which made a firm place on +which to lean, while I worked and kicked about to free my feet and legs, +and after much struggling, I managed to get astride of the reeds. + +"There I sat, supported above the mud and slime, while Fangs ran yelping +backward and forward between me and the bank, seeming surprised I did +not follow. Suddenly I thought of catching hold of his tail. He dragged +and pulled, and I sprawled, and crawled, and waded, sometimes on my +reeds like a raft, sometimes lugging them along with me, till we luckily +got back to terra firma. But I had a near squeak for it, I can tell +you." + +"A fortunate escape indeed, my boy!" cried I, "and I thank God for it. +Fangs has really acted a heroic part as your deliverer, and you have +shown great presence of mind. Now go with your mother, and get rid of +the slimy traces of your disaster! You have brought me splendid canes, +exactly what I want for a new scheme of mine." + +The fact was, I meant to try to construct a loom for my wife, for I knew +she understood weaving, so I chose two fine strong reeds, and splitting +them carefully, bound them together again, that when dry they might be +quite straight and equal, and fit for a frame. Smaller reeds were cut +into pieces and sharpened, for the teeth of the comb. The boys did this +for me without in the least knowing their use, and great fun they made +of "father's monster toothpicks." + +In time all the various parts of the loom were made ready, and put +together, my wife knowing nothing of it, while to the incessant +questions of the children, I replied mysteriously. + +"Oh, it is an outlandish sort of musical instrument; mother will know +how to play upon it." + +And when the time came for presenting it, her joy was only equaled by +the amusement and interest with which the children watched her movements +while "playing the loom," as they always said. + +About this time, a beautiful little foal, a son of the onager, was added +to our stud, and as he promised to grow up strong and tractable, we soon +saw how useful he would be. The name of Swift was given to him, and he +was to be trained for my own riding. + +The interior arrangements of the cavern being now well forward, I +applied myself to contriving an aqueduct, that fresh water might be led +close up to our cave, for it was a long way to go to fetch it from +Jackal River, and especially inconvenient on washing days. As I wanted +to do this before the rainy season began, I set about it at once. + +Pipes of hollow bamboo answered the purpose well, and a large cask +formed the reservoir. The supply was good, and the comfort of having it +close at hand so great, that the mother declared she was as well pleased +with our engineering as if we had made her a fountain and marble basin +adorned with mermaids and dolphins. + +Anticipating the setting in of the rains, I pressed forward all work +connected with stores for the winter, and great was the in-gathering of +roots, fruits, and grains, potatoes, rice, guavas, sweet acorns, +pine-cones; load after load arrived at the cavern, and the mother's +active needle was in constant requisition, as the demand for more sacks +and bags was incessant. + +Casks and barrels of all sorts and sizes were pressed into the service, +until at last the raft was knocked to pieces, and its tubs made to do +duty in the storerooms. + +The weather became very unsettled and stormy. + +Heavy clouds gathered in the horizon, and passing storms of wind, with +thunder, lightning, and torrents of rain swept over the face of nature +from time to time. + +The sea was in frequent commotion; heavy ground swells drove masses of +water hissing and foaming against the cliffs. Everything heralded the +approaching rains. All nature joined in sounding forth the solemn +overture to the grandest work of the year. + +It was now near the beginning of the month of June, and we had twelve +weeks of bad weather before us. + +We established some of the animals with ourselves at the salt cave. The +cow, the ass, Lightfoot, Storm, and the dogs, were all necessary to us, +while Knips, Fangs, and the eagle were sure to be a great amusement in +the long evenings. + +The boys would ride over to Falconhurst very often to see that all was +in order there, and fetch anything required. + +Much remained to be done in order to give the cave a comfortable +appearance, which became more desirable now that we had to live indoors. + +The darkness of the inner regions annoyed me, and I set myself to invent +a remedy. + +After some thought, I called in Jack's assistance, and we got a very +tall, strong bamboo, which would reach right up to the vaulted roof. +This we planted in the earthen floor, securing well by driving wedges in +round it. Jack ascended this pole very cleverly, taking with him a +hammer and chisel to enlarge a crevice in the roof so as to fix a +pulley, by means of which, when he descended, I drew up a large ship's +lantern, well supplied with oil, and as there were four wicks, it +afforded a very fair amount of light. + +Several days were spent in arranging the different rooms. + +Ernest and Franz undertook the library, fixing shelves, and setting the +books in order. + +Jack and his mother took in hand the sitting room and kitchen, while +Fritz and I, as better able for heavy work, arranged the workshops. The +carpenter's bench, the turning lathe, and a large chest of tools were +set in convenient places, and many tools and instruments hung on the +walls. + +An adjoining chamber was fitted up as a forge, with fireplace, bellows, +and anvil, complete, all which we had found in the ship, packed +together, and ready to set up. + +When these great affairs were settled, we still found in all directions +work to be done. Shelves, tables, benches, movable steps, cupboards, +pegs, door handles, and bolts--there seemed no end to our requirements, +and we often thought of the enormous amount of work necessary to +maintain the comforts and conveniences of life which at home we had +received as matters of course. + +But in reality, the more there was to do the better; and I never ceased +contriving fresh improvements, being fully aware of the importance of +constant employment as a means of strengthening and maintaining the +health of mind and body. This, indeed, with a consciousness of continual +progress toward a desirable end, is found to constitute the main element +of happiness. + +Our rocky home was greatly improved by a wide porch which I made along +the whole front of our rooms and entrances, by leveling the ground to +form a terrace, and sheltering it with a veranda of bamboo, supported by +pillars of the same. + +Ernest and Franz were highly successful as librarians. The books, when +unpacked and arranged, proved to be a most valuable collection, capable +of affording every sort of educational advantage. + +Besides a variety of books of voyages, travels, divinity, and natural +history (several containing fine colored illustrations), there were +histories and scientific works, as well as standard fictions in several +languages; also a good assortment of maps, charts, mathematical and +astronomical instruments, and an excellent pair of globes. + +I foresaw much interesting study on discovering that we possessed the +grammars and dictionaries of a great many languages, a subject for which +we all had a taste. With French we were well acquainted. Fritz and +Ernest had begun to learn English at school, and made further progress +during a visit to England. The mother, who had once been intimate with a +Dutch family, could speak that language pretty well. + +After a great deal of discussion, we agreed to study different +languages, so that in the event of meeting with people of other nations, +there should be at least one of the family able to communicate with +them. + +All determined to improve our knowledge of German and French. + +The two elder boys were to study English and Dutch with their mother. + +Ernest, already possessing considerable knowledge of Latin, wished to +continue to study it, so as to be able to make use of the many works on +natural history and medicine written in that language. + +Jack announced that he meant to learn Spanish, "because it sounded so +grand and imposing." + +I myself was interested in the Malay language, knowing it to be so +widely spoken in the islands of the Eastern Seas, and thinking it as +likely as any other to be useful to us. + +Our family circle by and by represented Babel in miniature, for scraps +and fragments of all these tongues kept buzzing about our ears from +morning to night, each sporting his newly acquired word or sentence on +every possible occasion, propounding idioms and peculiar expressions +like riddles, to puzzle the rest. + +In this way, the labor of learning was very considerably lightened, and +everyone came to know a few words of each language. + +Occasionally we amused ourselves by opening chests and packages hitherto +untouched, and brought unexpected treasures to light--mirrors, +wardrobes, a pair of console tables with polished marble tops, elegant +writing tables and handsome chairs, clocks of various descriptions, a +musical box, and a chronometer were found; and by degrees our abode was +fitted up like a palace, so that sometimes we wondered at ourselves, and +felt as though we were strutting about in borrowed plumes. + +The children begged me to decide on a name for our salt-cave dwelling, +and that of Rockburg was chosen unanimously. + +The weeks of imprisonment passed so rapidly, that no one found time hang +heavy on his hands. + +Books occupied me so much that but little carpentering was done, yet I +made a yoke for the oxen, a pair of cotton wool carders, and a spinning +wheel for my wife. + +As the rainy season drew to a close, the weather for a while became +wilder, and the storms fiercer than ever. Thunder roared, lightning +blazed, torrents rushed toward the sea, which came in raging billows to +meet them, lashed to fury by the tempests of wind which swept the +surface of the deep. + +The uproar of the elements came to an end at last. + +Nature resumed her attitude of repose, her smiling aspect of peaceful +beauty; and soon all traces of the ravages of floods and storms would +disappear beneath the luxuriant vegetation of the tropics. + +Gladly quitting the sheltering walls of Rockburg to roam once more in +the open air, we crossed Jackal River, for a walk along the coast, and +presently Fritz with his sharp eyes observed something on the small +island near Flamingo Marsh, which was, he said, long and rounded, +resembling a boat bottom upward. + +Examining it with the telescope, I could form no other conjecture, and +we resolved to make it the object of an excursion next day, being +delighted to resume our old habit of starting in pursuit of adventure. + +The boat was accordingly got in readiness; it required some repairs, and +fresh pitching, and then we made for the point of interest, indulging in +a variety of surmises as to what we should find. + +It proved to be a huge, stranded whale. + +The island being steep and rocky, it was necessary to be careful; but we +found a landing-place on the further side. The boys hurried by the +nearest way to the beach where lay the monster of the deep, while I +clambered to the highest point of the islet, which commanded a view of +the mainland, from Rockburg to Falconhurst. + +On rejoining my sons, I found them only half-way to the great fish, and +as I drew near they shouted in high glee: + +"Oh! father, just look at the glorious shells and coral branches we are +finding. How does it happen that there are such quantities?" + +"Only consider how the recent storms have stirred the ocean to its +depths! No doubt thousands of shell-fish have been detached from their +rocks and dashed in all directions by the waves, which have thrown +ashore even so huge a creature as the whale yonder." + +"Yes; isn't he a frightful great brute!" cried Fritz. "Ever so much +larger than he seemed from a distance. The worst of it is, one does not +well see what use to make of the huge carcass." + +"Why, make train-oil, to be sure," said Ernest. "I can't say he's a +beauty, though, and it is much pleasanter to gather these lovely shells, +than to cut up blubber." + +"Well, let us amuse ourselves with them for the present," said I, "but +in the afternoon, when the sea is calmer, we will return with the +necessary implements, and see if we can turn the stranded whale to good +account." + +We were soon ready to return to the boat, but Ernest had a fancy for +remaining alone on the island till we came back, and asked my permission +to do so, that he might experience, for an hour or two, the sensations +of Robinson Crusoe. + +To this, however, I would not consent, assuring him that our fate, as a +solitary family, gave him quite sufficient idea of shipwreck on an +uninhabited island, and that his lively imagination must supply the +rest. + +The boys found it hard work to row back, and began to beg of me to exert +my wonderful inventive powers in contriving some kind of rowing-machine. + +"You lazy fellows!" returned I; "give me the great clockwork out of a +church tower, perhaps I might be able to relieve your labors." + +"Oh, father!" cried Fritz, "don't you know there are iron wheels in the +clockwork of the large kitchen-jacks? I'm sure mother would give them +up, and you could make something out of them, could you not?" + +"By the time I have manufactured a rowing-machine out of a +roasting-jack, I think your arms will be pretty well inured to the use +of your oars! However, I am far from despising the hint, my dear Fritz." + +"Is coral of any use?" demanded Jack suddenly. + +"In former times it was pounded and used by chemists; but it is now +chiefly used for various ornaments, and made into beads for necklaces, +etc. As such, it is greatly prized by savages, and were we to fall in +with natives, we might very possibly find a store of coral useful in +bartering with them. + +"For the present, we will arrange these treasures of the deep in our +library, and make them the beginning of a Museum of Natural History, +which will afford us equal pleasure and instruction." + +"One might almost say that coral belongs at once to the animal, +vegetable, and mineral kingdoms," remarked Fritz; "it is hard like +stone, it has stems and branches like a shrub, and I believe tiny +insects inhabit the cells, do they not, father?" + +"You are right, Fritz; coral consists of the calcareous cells of minute +animals, so built up as to form a tree-like structure. + +"The coral fishery gives employment to many men in the Persian Gulf, the +Mediterranean Sea, and other places. The instrument commonly used +consists of two heavy beams of wood, secured together at right angles, +and loaded with stones. Hemp and netting are attached to the under side +of the beams, to the middle of which is fastened one end of a strong +rope, by which the apparatus is let down from a boat, and guided to the +spots where the coral is most abundant. + +"The branches of the coral become entangled in the hemp and network; +they are broken off from the rock, and are drawn to the surface of the +water. + +"Left undisturbed, these coral insects, laboring incessantly, raise +foundations, on which, in course of time, fertile islands appear, +clothed with verdure, and inhabited by man." + +"Why, father, here we are at the landing place!" exclaimed Jack. "It has +seemed quite easy to pull since you began to tell us such interesting +things." + +"Very interesting, indeed; but did you notice that the wind had changed, +Jack?" remarked Ernest as he shipped his oar. + +The animated recital of our adventures, the sight of the lovely shells +and corals, and the proposed work for the afternoon, inspired the mother +and Franz with a great wish to accompany us. + +To this I gladly consented, only stipulating that we should go provided +with food, water, and a compass. "For," said I, "the sea has only just +ceased from its raging, and being at the best of times of uncertain and +capricious nature, we may chance to be detained on the island, or forced +to land at a considerable distance from home." + +Dinner was quickly dispatched, and preparations set on foot. + +The more oil we could obtain the better, for a great deal was used in +the large lantern which burnt day and night in the recesses of the cave; +therefore all available casks and barrels were pressed into the service; +many, of course, once full of pickled herrings, potted pigeons, and +other winter stores, were now empty, and we took a goodly fleet of these +in tow. + +Knives, hatchets, and the boys' climbing buskins, were put on board, and +we set forth, the labor of the oar being greater than ever, now that our +freight was so much increased. + +The sea being calm, and the tide suiting better, we found it easy to +land close to the whale; my first care was to place the boat, as well as +the casks, in perfect security, after which we proceeded to a close +inspection of our prize. + +Its enormous size quite startled my wife and her little boy; the length +being from sixty to sixty-five feet, and the girth between thirty and +forty, while the weight could not have been less than 50,000 lbs. + +The color was a uniform velvety black, and the enormous head about +one-third of the length of the entire bulk, the eyes quite small, not +much larger than those of an ox, and the ears almost undiscernible. + +The jaw opened very far back, and was nearly sixteen feet in length, the +most curious part of its structure being the remarkable substance known +as whalebone, masses of which appeared all along the jaws, solid at the +base, and splitting into a sort of fringe at the extremity. This +arrangement is for the purpose of aiding the whale in procuring its +food, and separating it from the water. + +The tongue was remarkably large, soft, and full of oil; the opening of +the throat wonderfully small, scarcely two inches in diameter. + +"Why, what can the monster eat?" exclaimed Fritz; "he never can swallow +a proper mouthful down this little gullet!" + +"The mode of feeding adopted by the whale is so curious," I replied, +"that I must explain it to you before we begin work. + +"This animal (for I should tell you that a whale is not a fish; he +possesses no gills, he breathes atmospheric air, and would be drowned if +too long detained below the surface of the water); this animal, then, +frequents those parts of the ocean best supplied with the various +creatures on which he feeds. Shrimps, small fish, lobsters, various +mollusks, and medusae form his diet. Driving with open mouth through the +congregated shoals of these little creatures, the whale engulfs them by +millions in his enormous jaws, and continues his destructive course +until he has sufficiently charged his mouth with prey. + +"Closing his jaws and forcing out, through the interstices of the +whalebone, the water which he has taken together with his prey, he +retains the captured animals, and swallows them at his leisure. + +"The nostrils, or blow-holes, are placed, you see, on the upper part of +the head, in order that the whale may rise to breathe, and repose on the +surface of the sea, showing very little of his huge carcass. + +"The breathings are called 'spoutings,' because a column of mixed vapor +and water is thrown from the blow-holes, sometimes to a height of twenty +feet. + +"And now, boys, fasten on your buskins, and let me see if you can face +the work of climbing this slippery mountain of flesh, and cutting it +up." + +Fritz and Jack stripped, and went to work directly, scrambling over the +back of the head, where they assisted me to cut away the lips, so as to +reach the whalebone, a quantity of which was detached and carried to the +boat. + +Ernest labored manfully at the creature's side, cutting out slabs of +blubber, while his mother and Franz helped as well as they could to put +it in casks. + +Presently we had a multitude of unbidden guests. + +The air was filled by the shrill screams and hoarse croaks and cries of +numbers of birds of prey, they flew around us in ever narrowing circles, +and becoming bolder as their voracity was excited by the near view of +the tempting prey, they alighted close to us, snatching morsels greedily +from under the very strokes of our knives and hatchets. + +Our work was seriously interrupted by these feathered marauders, who, +after all, were no greater robbers than we ourselves. We kept them off +as well as we could by blows from our tools, and several were killed, my +wife taking possession of them immediately for the sake of the feathers. + +It was nearly time to leave the island, but first I stripped off a long +piece of the skin, to be used for traces, harness, and other +leather-work. It was about three-quarters of an inch thick and very +soft, and oily--but I knew it would shrink and be tough and durable. + +I also took a part of the gums in which the roots of the baleen or +whalebone was still embedded, having read that this is considered quite +a delicacy, as well as the skin, which, when properly dressed and cut in +little cubes, like black dice, has been compared, by enthusiastic and +probably very hungry travelers, to cocoanut and cream-cheese. + +The boys thought the tongue might prove equally palatable, but I valued +it only on account of the large quantity of oil it contained. + +With a heavy freight we put to sea, and made what haste we could to +reach home, and cleanse our persons from the unpleasant traces of the +disgusting work in which we had spent the day. + +Next morning we started at dawn. + +My wife and Franz were left behind, for our proposed work was even more +horrible than that of the preceding day; they could not assist, and had +no inclination to witness it. + +It was my intention to open the carcass completely, and, penetrating the +interior, to obtain various portions of the intestines, thinking that it +would be possible to convert the larger ones into vessels fit for +holding the oil. This time we laid aside our clothes and wore only +strong canvas trousers when we commenced operations, which were +vigorously carried on during the whole of the day; then, satisfied that +we could do so with a clear conscience, we abandoned the remains to the +birds of prey, and, with a full cargo, set sail for home. + +On the way, it appeared to strike the boys (who had made not the +slightest objection to the singularly unpleasant task I had set them), +as very strange that I should wish to possess what they had been working +so hard to procure for me. + +"What can have made you wish to bring away that brute's entrails, +father? Are they of any use?" + +"There are countries," I replied, "where no wood grows of which to make +barrels, and no hemp for thread, string, and cordage. Necessity, the +mother of all the more valuable inventions, has taught the inhabitants +of those countries, Greenlanders, Esquimaux, and others, to think of +substitutes, and they use the intestines of the whale for one purpose, +the sinews and nerves for the other." + +We were right glad to land, and get rid, for the present, of our +unpleasant materials, the further preparation of which was work in store +for the following day. + +A refreshing bath, clean clothes, and supper, cheered us all up, and we +slept in peace. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +A DANGEROUS VISITOR AND ITS VICTIM + + +"Now for the finishing up of this dirty job," cried I merrily, as we all +woke up next morning at daybreak. And after the regular work was done, +we commenced operations by raising a stand or rough scaffold on which +the tubs full of blubber were placed and heavily pressed, so that the +purest and finest oil overflowed into vessels underneath. + +The blubber was afterward boiled in a caldron over a fire kindled at +some distance from our abode, and by skimming and straining through a +coarse cloth, we succeeded in obtaining a large supply of excellent +train-oil, which in casks, and bags made of the intestines, was safely +stowed away in the "cellar," as the children called our roughest +storeroom. This day's work was far from agreeable, and the dreadful +smell oppressed us all, more especially my poor wife, who, nevertheless, +endured it with her accustomed good temper. Although she very urgently +recommended that the new island should be the headquarters for another +colony, where, said she, "any animals we leave would be safe from apes +and other plunderers, and where you would find it so very convenient to +boil whale-blubber, strain train-oil, and the like." + +This proposal met with hearty approval, especially from the boys, who +were always charmed with any new plan; and they were eager to act upon +it at once, but when I reminded them of the putrefying carcass which +lay there, they confessed it would be better to allow wind and storms, +birds and insects to do their work in purging the atmosphere, and +reducing the whale to a skeleton before we revisited the island. + +The idea of a rowing-machine kept recurring to my brain. I determined to +attempt to make one. + +I took an iron bar, which when laid across the middle of the boat +projected about a foot each way. I provided this bar in the middle with +ribbed machinery, and at each end with a sort of nave, in which, as in a +cart wheel, four flat spokes, or paddles, were fixed obliquely. These +were intended to do the rowers' part. + +Then the jack was arranged to act upon the machinery in the middle of +the iron cross-bar, in such a way that one of its strong cogwheels bit +firmly into the ribs, so that, when it was wound up, it caused the bar +to revolve rapidly, of course turning with it the paddles fixed at +either end, which consequently struck the water so as to propel the +boat. + +Although this contrivance left much to be desired in the way of +improvement, still when Fritz and I wound up the machinery, and went off +on a trial trip across the bay, we splashed along at such a famous rate, +that the shores rang with the cheers and clapping of the whole family, +delighted to behold what they considered my brilliant success. + +Everyone wanted to go on board, and take a cruise, but as it was getting +late, I could not consent. A trip next day, however, was promised to +Cape Disappointment and the little settlement of Prospect Hill. + +This proposal satisfied everybody. The evening was spent in preparing +the dresses, arms, and food which would be required, and we retired +early to rest. + +Intending to be out all day, the house was left in good order, and we +departed on our expedition, provided, among other things, with spades +and mattocks, for I wished to get young cocoanut trees and shrubs of +different kinds, that, on our way back, we might land on Whale Island, +and begin our plantation there. + +We directed our course toward the opposite side of the bay. The sea was +smooth, my rowing machine performed its work easily, and, leaving Safety +Bay and Shark Island behind us, we enjoyed at our ease the panorama of +all the coast scenery. + +Landing near Prospect Hill, we moored the boat, and walked through the +woods to our little farm, obtaining some fresh cocoanuts, as well as +young plants, on the way. + +Before coming in sight of the cottage at the farm, we heard the cocks +crow, and I experienced a sudden rush of emotion as the sound recalled, +in a degree painfully vivid, the recollection of many a ride and walk at +home, when we would be greeted by just such familiar sounds as we +approached some kind friend's house. Here, but for the unconscious +animals, utter solitude and silence prevailed, and I with my dear +family, whose visit would have been hailed with delight in so many +homes, advanced unnoticed to this lonely cottage. So long had been our +absence that our arrival created a perfect panic. The original animals +had forgotten us, and to their progeny, lambs, kids, and chickens, who +had never seen the face of man, we seemed an army of fierce foes. + +The boys found it impossible to milk the goats, until, by the use of the +lasso, they captured them one after the other, bound their legs, then +giving them salt to lick, they soon obtained a supply of excellent milk, +which was poured from the cocoanut shells they used into calabash +flasks, so that we could take with us what was not required at dinner. + +The fowls were enticed by handfuls of grain and rice, and my wife caught +as many as she wished for. + +We were by this time very ready for dinner, and the cold provisions we +had with us were set forth, the chief dish consisting of the piece of +whale's tongue, which, by the boys' desire, had been cooked with a +special view to this entertainment. + +But woeful was the disappointment when the tongue was tasted! One after +another, with dismal face, pronounced it "horrid stuff," begged for some +pickled herring to take away the taste of train-oil, and willingly +bestowed on Fangs the cherished dainty. + +Fortunately there was a sufficient supply of other eatables, and the +fresh, delicious cocoanuts and goat's milk put everyone in good humor +again. + +While the mother packed everything up, Fritz and I got some sugar-cane +shoots which I wished to plant, and then we returned to the shore and +again embarked. + +Before returning to Whale Island, I felt a strong wish to round Cape +Disappointment and survey the coast immediately beyond, but the +promontory maintained the character of its name, and we found that a +long sandbank, as well as hidden reefs and rocks, ran out a great way +into the sea. + +Fritz espying breakers ahead, we put about at once, and aided by a light +breeze, directed our course toward Whale Island. + +On landing, I began at once to plant the saplings we had brought. The +boys assisted me for a while, but wearied somewhat of the occupation, +and one after another went off in search of shells and coral, leaving +their mother and me to finish the work. + +Presently Jack came back, shouting loudly: + +"Father! Mother! do come and look. There is an enormous skeleton lying +here; the skeleton of some fearful great beast--a mammoth, I should +think." + +"Why, Jack!" returned I, laughing, "have you forgot our old +acquaintance, the whale? What else could it be?" + +"Oh, no, father, it is not the whale. This thing has not fish bones, but +real good, honest, huge beast bones. I don't know what can have become +of the whale--floated out to sea, most likely. This mammoth is ever so +much bigger. Come and see!" + +As I was about to follow the boy, a voice from another direction +suddenly cried: + +"Father! father! a great enormous turtle! Please make haste. It is +waddling back to the sea as hard as it can go, and we can't stop it." + +This appeal being more pressing as well as more important than Jack's, I +snatched up an oar and hastened to their assistance. + +Sure enough a large turtle was scrambling quickly toward the water, and +was within a few paces of it, although Ernest was valiantly holding on +by one of its hind legs. + +I sprang down the bank, and making use of the oar as a lever, we +succeeded with some difficulty in turning the creature on its back. + +It was a huge specimen, fully eight feet long, and being now quite +helpless, we left it sprawling, and went to inspect Jack's mammoth +skeleton, which, of course, proved to be neither more nor less than that +of the whale. I convinced him of the fact by pointing out the marks of +our feet on the ground, and the broken jaws where we had hacked out the +whalebone. + +"What can have made you take up that fancy about a mammoth, my boy?" + +"Ernest put it into my head, father. He said there seemed to be the +skeleton of an antediluvian monster there, so I ran to look closer, and +I never thought of the whale, when I saw no fish bones. I suppose Ernest +was joking." + +"Whales are generally considered as fishes by those little acquainted +with the animal kingdom, but they belong to the class of mammals, which +comprises man, the monkey tribes, the bats, the dogs and cats, all +hoofed animals, whales and their allies, with other animals, the last on +the list being the sloth. + +"The name by which they are distinguished is derived from the Latin +word, 'mamma,' a breast, and is given to them because all the species +belonging to this class are furnished with a set of organs called the +mammary glands, secreting the liquid known as milk, by which the young +are nourished. + +"The bones of the whale differ from those of animals simply in being of +a hollow construction, and filled with air so as to render the carcass +more buoyant. The bones of birds are also hollow, for the same reason, +and in all this we see conspicuously the wisdom and goodness of the +great Creator." + +"What a marvelous structure it is, father!" said Fritz. "What a +ponderous mass of bones! Can we not make use of any of them?" + +"Nothing strikes me at this moment; we will leave them to bleach here +yet awhile, and perhaps, by sawing them up afterward, make a few chairs, +or a reading desk for the museum. But now it is time to return home. +Bring the boat round to where the turtle awaits his fate; we must settle +how to deal with him." + +It was soon decided that he must swim. I fastened the empty water-cask +to a long line, one end of which was made fast to the bow of the boat, +the other carefully passed round the neck and forepaws of the creature, +who was then lifted, so as to let him regain his feet, when he instantly +made for the water, plunged in, the cask floated after him and prevented +his sinking. We were all on board in a moment; and the worthy fellow, +after vainly attempting to dive, set himself diligently to swim right +forward, towing us comfortably after him. I was ready to cut the line on +the least appearance of danger, and kept him on the course for Safety +Bay by striking the water with a boat-hook, right or left, according as +the turtle was disposed to turn too much one way or the other. + +The boys were delighted with the fun, and compared me to Neptune in his +car, drawn by dolphins, and accompanied by Amphitrite and attendant +Tritons. + +We landed safely at the usual place, near Rockburg, and the turtle was +condemned and executed soon afterward; the shell, which was quite eight +feet long, and three broad, was, when cleaned and prepared, to form a +trough for the water supply at the cave, and the meat was carefully +salted, and stored up for many a good and savory meal. + +It had been my intention to bring a piece of land under cultivation +before the next rainy season, to be sown with different sorts of grain; +but many unforeseen circumstances had intervened to hinder this, and our +animals, unaccustomed to the yoke, were not available for the plow. + +I therefore gave up the idea for the present, and applied myself, with +Ernest's assistance, to completing the loom, which, although the +workmanship was clumsy, I succeeded in making quite fit for use. I had +fortunately in my younger days spent many hours in the workshops of +weavers and other artisans, and therefore I understood more than might +have been expected of their various crafts. + +Paste or size was required to smear over the threads; but we could not +spare flour for such a purpose, and I used isinglass, which kept the +warp moist perfectly well, and spared us the necessity of setting up the +loom in a damp uncomfortable place, which has often to be done to +prevent the over-drying of the web. + +Of this isinglass I also made thin plates, to be used as window-panes; +they were at least as transparent as horn, and when fixed deep in the +rock, and beyond the reach of rain, did good service in admitting light. + +Success encouraging me to persevere, I next began harness-making; the +spoils of the chase having furnished us with plenty of leather, with +which I covered light frames of wood, using the hairy moss or lichen for +stuffing, and ere long the animals were equipped with saddles, stirrups, +bridles, yokes, and collars, to the very great satisfaction of their +youthful riders and drivers. + +This occupation was followed by a great deal of work connected with the +annual return of the herring shoals, which now took place; to them +succeeding, as on former occasions, shoals of other fish, and many +seals. More than ever aware of the value of all these, we did not fail +to make good use of our opportunities, and captured large numbers. + +The boys were getting anxious for another shooting expedition; but +before undertaking that, I wished to do some basket-making, as sacks +were beginning to fail us, and there was constant demand for baskets in +which to carry and keep our roots and fruits. Our first attempts were +clumsy enough; but, as usual, perseverance was rewarded, and we produced +a good supply of all sorts and sizes. One very large basket I furnished +with openings through which to pass a strong stick, so that it might, +when heavily laden, be carried by two persons. + +No sooner did the children see the force of this idea, than they got a +bamboo, and popping little Franz into the basket, carried him about in +triumph. + +This amusement suggested a fresh notion to Fritz. "Oh, father," cried +he, "don't you think we might make something like this for mother, and +carry her much more comfortably than jolting along in the cart?" + +The boys shouted with glee at the proposal, and though their mother +thought the plan feasible enough, she confessed that she did not much +like the thought of sitting in the middle of a basket, and just looking +out now and then over the rim. + +However, I assured her it should be a well-shaped, comfortable +sedan-chair, or litter; and the next question was how it should be +carried, since the boys could not play the part of Indian +palanquin-bearers, either with safety to their mother, or with any +pleasure to themselves. + +"The bull and the buffalo!" cried Jack. "Why not use them for it? Let's +go and try them now!" + +Off ran the boys, and in a short time the basket was securely hung +between Storm and Grumble. Fritz and Jack sprang into their saddles, and +Ernest very gingerly deposited himself in the "cradle," as Franz called +it; they set forth at a most sober pace, the animals, who were perfectly +docile, appearing only a little surprised at the new arrangement. + +"Oh, it is so pleasant, mother, it is a delightful motion," cried +Ernest, as they passed us; "it swings and rocks really soothingly. +Quicker, Fritz! go quicker!" and the trot pleasing him equally well, the +pace gradually quickened, till the animals were going along at a rate +which shook and jolted the basket about most fearfully. Ernest called +and screamed in vain for a halt. His brothers thought it capital fun to +"shake up" the "professor," and made the circuit of the level ground +near Rockburg, finally pulling up in front of us, like performers +stopping to receive the applause of spectators. + +It was impossible to help laughing, the scene was so ridiculous, but +Ernest was very angry with his brothers, his reproaches provoked high +words in reply, and a quarrel was imminent, but I interfered, and showed +them how easily a joke, carried too far, would lead to disputes and bad +feeling, urging them to avoid on all occasions any breach of the +good-fellowship and brotherly love which was the mainstay of our +strength and happiness. + +Good humor was soon restored, Ernest himself helped to unharness the +beasts, and got some handfuls of salt and barley to reward their +exertions, saying that they must have some more palanquin-practice +another day. + +I was seated with my wife and Fritz beneath the shade of the veranda, +engaged in wicker-work, and chatting pleasantly, when suddenly Fritz got +up, advanced a step or two, gazing fixedly along the avenue which led +from Jackal River, then he exclaimed: + +"I see something so strange in the distance, father! What in the world +can it be? first it seems to be drawn in coils on the ground like a +cable, then uprises as it were a little mast, then that sinks, and the +coils move along again. It is coming toward the bridge." + +My wife took alarm at this description, and calling the other boys, +retreated into the cave, where I desired them to close up the entrances, +and keep watch with firearms at the upper windows. These were openings +we had made in the rock at some elevation, reached within by steps, and +a kind of gallery which passed along the front of the rooms. + +Fritz remained by me while I examined the object through my spyglass. + +"It is, as I feared, an enormous serpent!" cried I; "it advances +directly this way, and we shall be placed in the greatest possible +danger, for it will cross the bridge to a certainty." + +"May we not attack it, father?" exclaimed the brave boy. + +"Only with the greatest caution," returned I; "it is far too formidable, +and too tenacious of life, for us rashly to attempt its destruction. +Thank God, we are at Rockburg, where we can keep in safe retreat, while +we watch for an opportunity to destroy this frightful enemy. Go up to +your mother now, and assist in preparing the firearms; I will join you +directly, but I must further observe the monster's movements." + +Fritz left me unwillingly, while I continued to watch the serpent, which +was of gigantic size, and already much too near the bridge to admit of +the possibility of removing that means of access to our dwelling. I +recollected, too, how easily it would pass through the walls. The +reptile advanced with writhing and undulatory movements, from time to +time rearing its head to the height of fifteen or twenty feet, and +slowly turning it about, as though on the lookout for prey. + +As it crossed the bridge, with a slow, suspicious motion, I withdrew, +and hastily rejoined my little party, which was preparing to garrison +our fortress in warlike array, but with considerable trepidation, which +my presence served in a measure to allay. + +We placed ourselves at the upper openings, after strongly barricading +everything below, and, ourselves unseen, awaited with beating hearts the +further advance of the foe, which speedily became visible to us. + +Its movements appeared to become uncertain, as though puzzled by the +trace of human habitation; it turned in different directions, coiling +and uncoiling, and frequently rearing its head, but keeping about the +middle of the space in front of the cave, when suddenly, as though +unable to resist doing so, one after another the boys fired, and even +their mother discharged her gun. The shots took not the slightest effect +beyond startling the monster, whose movements were accelerated. Fritz +and I also fired with steadier aim, but with the same want of success, +for the monster, passing on with a gliding motion, entered the reedy +marsh to the left, and entirely disappeared. + +A wonderful weight seemed lifted from our hearts, while all eagerly +discussed the vast length and awful though magnificent appearance of the +serpent. I had recognized it as the boa constrictor. It was a vast +specimen, upward of thirty feet in length. + +I explained to the children that its name in South America is Boaguacu; +the first syllable of that word, with the Latin addition, which +indicates that it kills its prey by pressure, or "constriction," gives +the name by which it is commonly known. + +The near neighborhood of this terrific reptile occasioned me the utmost +anxiety; and I desired that no one should leave the house on any pretext +whatever, without my express permission. + +During three whole days we were kept in suspense and fear, not daring to +stir above a few hundred steps from the door, although during all that +time the enemy showed no sign of his presence. + +In fact, we might have been induced to think the boa had passed across +the swamp, and found his way by some cleft or chasm through the wall of +cliffs beyond, had not the restless behavior of our geese and ducks +given proof that he still lurked in the thicket of reeds which they were +accustomed to make their nightly resting place. + +They swam anxiously about, and with much clapping of wings and disturbed +cackling showed their uneasiness; finally taking wing they crossed the +harbor, and took up their quarters on Shark Island. + +My embarrassment increased, as time passed on. I could not venture to +attack with insufficient force a monstrous and formidable serpent +concealed in dense thickets amidst dangerous swamps; yet it was dreadful +to live in a state of blockade, cut off from all the important duties in +which we were engaged, and shut up with our animals in the unnatural +light of the cave, enduring constant anxiety and perturbation. + +Out of this painful state we were at last delivered by none other than +our good old simple-hearted donkey; not, however, by the exercise of a +praiseworthy quality, such as the vigilance of the time-honored geese of +the Capitol, but by sheer stupidity. + +Our situation was rendered the more critical from having no great stock +of provisions, or fodder for the animals; and the hay failing us on the +evening of the third day, I determined to set them at liberty by sending +them, under the guidance of Fritz, across the river at the ford. + +He was to ride Lightfoot, and they were to be fastened together until +safely over. + +Next morning we began to prepare for this by tying them in a line, and +while so engaged my wife opened the door, when old Grizzle, who was +fresh and frolicsome after the long rest and regular feeding, suddenly +broke away from the halter, cut some awkward capers, then, bolting out, +careered at full gallop straight for the marsh. + +In vain we called him by name. Fritz would even have rushed after him, +had not I held him back. In another moment the ass was close to the +thicket, and with the cold shudder of horror, we beheld the snake rear +itself from its lair, the fiery eyes glanced around, the dark, deadly +jaws opened widely, the forked tongue darted greedily forth--poor +Grizzle's fate was sealed. + +Becoming aware on a sudden of his danger, he stopped short, spread out +all four legs, and set up the most piteous and discordant bray that ever +wrung echo from rocks. + +Swift and straight as a fencer's thrust, the destroyer was upon him, +wound round him, entangled, enfolded, compressed him, all the while +cunningly avoiding the convulsive kicks of the agonized animal. + +A cry of horror arose from the spectators of this miserable tragedy. + +"Shoot him, father! oh, shoot him--do save poor Grizzle!" + +"My children, it is impossible!" cried I. "Our old friend is lost to us +forever! I have hopes, however, that when gorged with his prey we may be +able to attack the snake with some chance of success." + +"But the horrible wretch is never going to swallow him all at once, +father?" cried Jack. "That will be too shocking!" + +"Snakes have no grinders, but only fangs, therefore they cannot chew +their food, and must swallow it whole. But although the idea is +startling, it is not really more shocking than the rending, tearing, and +shedding of blood which occurs when the lions and tigers seize their +prey." + +"But," said Franz, "how can the snake separate the flesh from the bones +without teeth? And is this kind of snake poisonous?" + +"No, dear child," said I, "only fearfully strong and ferocious. And it +has no need to tear the flesh from the bones. It swallows them, skin, +hair, and all, and digests everything in its stomach." + +"It seems utterly impossible that the broad ribs, the strong legs, +hoofs, and all, should go down that throat," exclaimed Fritz. + +"Only see," I replied, "how the monster deals with his victim; closer +and more tightly he curls his crushing folds, the bones give way, he is +kneading him into a shapeless mass. He will soon begin to gorge his +prey, and slowly but surely it will disappear down that distended maw!" + +The mother, with little Franz, found the scene all too horrible, and +hastened into the cave, trembling and distressed. + +To the rest of us there seemed a fearful fascination in the dreadful +sight, and we could not move from the spot. I expected that the boa, +before swallowing his prey, would cover it with saliva, to aid in the +operation, although it struck me that its very slender forked tongue was +about the worst possible implement for such a purpose. + +It was evident to us, however, that this popular idea was erroneous. + +The act of lubricating the mass must have taken place during the process +of swallowing; certainly nothing was applied beforehand. + +This wonderful performance lasted from seven in the morning until noon. +When the awkward morsel was entirely swallowed, the serpent lay stiff, +distorted, and apparently insensible along the edge of the marsh. + +I felt that now or never was the moment for attack! + +Calling on my sons to maintain their courage and presence of mind, I +left our retreat with a feeling of joyous emotion quite new to me, and +approached with rapid steps and leveled gun the outstretched form of the +serpent. Fritz followed me closely. + +Jack, somewhat timidly, came several paces behind; while Ernest, after a +little hesitation, remained where he was. + +The monster's body was stiff and motionless, which made its rolling and +fiery eyes, and the slow, spasmodic undulations of its tail more fearful +by contrast. + +We fired together, and both balls entered the skull; the light of the +eye was extinguished, and the only movement was in the further extremity +of the body, which rolled, writhed, coiled, and lashed from side to +side. + +Advancing closer, we fired our pistols directly into its head, a +convulsive quiver ran through the mighty frame, and the boa constrictor +lay dead. + +As we raised a cry of victory, Jack, desirous of a share in the glory of +conquest, ran close to the creature, firing his pistol into its side, +when he was sent sprawling over and over by a movement of its tail, +excited to a last galvanic effort by the shot. + +Being in no way hurt, he speedily recovered his feet, and declared he +had given it its quietus. + +"I hope the terrible noise you made just now was the signal of victory," +said my wife, drawing near, with the utmost circumspection, and holding +Franz tightly by the hand. "I was half afraid to come, I assure you." + +"See this dreadful creature dead at our feet; and let us thank God that +we have been able to destroy such an enemy." + +"What's to be done with him now?" asked Jack. + +"Let us get him stuffed," said Fritz, "and set him up in the museum +among our shells and corals." + +"Did anybody ever think of eating serpents?" inquired Franz. + +"Of course not!" said his mother. "Why, child, serpents are +poisonous--it would be very dangerous." + +"Excuse me, my dear wife," said I. "First of all, the boa is not +poisonous; and then, besides that, the flesh of even poisonous snakes +can be eaten without danger; as, for instance, the rattlesnake, from +which can be made a strong and nourishing soup, tasting very like good +chicken broth--of course, the cook must be told to throw away the head, +containing the deadly fangs. + +"It is remarkable that pigs do not fear poisonous snakes, but can kill +and eat them without injury. An instance of this occurs to my memory. A +vessel on Lake Superior, in North America, was wrecked on a small +island, abounding in rattlesnakes, and for that reason uninhabited. + +"The vessel had a cargo of live pigs. The crew escaped to the mainland +in a boat, but the pigs had to be left for some time, till the owner +could return to fetch them, but with the small hope of finding many left +alive. + +"To his surprise, the animals were not only alive, but remarkably fat +and flourishing, while not a single rattlesnake remained on the island. +The pigs had clearly eaten the serpents." + +"But might not some other cause have been assigned for their +disappearance?" asked Ernest. "Suppose, for example, that a great flight +of secretary birds had arrived; they might have cleared the island of +rattlesnakes." + +"Oh, what is a secretary bird?" interrupted Franz. "I thought a +secretary meant a man who wrote letters?" + +"So it does, Franz, and the bird Ernest spoke of has curious long +feathers projecting from either side of its head, something like pens +stuck behind a man's ear; hence its name. + +"It is perfectly true that it lives on snakes, lizards, toads, and +frogs, but, Ernest, I cannot give up my pigs; for, in the first place, +the secretary bird is an inhabitant of Southern Africa, and is never +seen in North America, neither does it ever fly in a flock; still, so +ravenous is its appetite, that, no doubt, even one or two, had they by +some miracle found themselves on Lake Superior, would have been able to +give a very good account of the deadly reptiles, and at least shared in +the glory of their extermination." + +My wife having gone to prepare dinner, we continued talking as we rested +in the shade of some rocks, near the serpent, for a considerable time. +The open air was welcome to us after our long imprisonment: and we were, +besides, desirous to drive off any birds of prey who might be attracted +to the carcass, which we wished to preserve entire. + +My boys questioned me closely on the subject of serpents in general; and +I described to them the action of the poison fangs; how they folded back +on the sides of the upper jaw; and how the poison-secreting glands and +reservoir are found at the back and sides of the head, giving to the +venomous serpents that peculiar width of head which is so unfailing a +characteristic. + +"The fangs are hollow," said I, "and when the creature bites, the +pressure forces down a tiny drop of the liquid poison, which enters the +wound, and, through the veins, quickly spreads over the entire system. +Sometimes, if taken in time, cures are effected, but in most cases the +bite of a serpent is followed by speedy death." + +The children were much interested in my account of the snake-charmers of +India, how they fearlessly handle the most deadly of the serpent tribe, +the Cobra di Capello--or hooded cobra--cause them to move in time to +musical sounds from a small pipe, twine the reptile about their arms and +bare necks, and then, to prove that the poison fangs have not been +removed, make them bite a fowl, which soon dies from the effects. + +"How is it possible to extract the fangs, father?" asked Ernest. + +"No instrument is required," replied I; "I have read the account written +by a gentleman in India, who saw a snake-charmer catch a large cobra in +the jungle, and for the purpose of removing the fangs, hold up a cloth +at which the irritated snake flew and the fangs being caught in it, the +man seized the reptile by the throat, extracted them, and then squeezed +out the poison, a clear oily substance, upon a leaf." + +"What does the rattle of the rattlesnake look like? and how does it +sound?" + +"At the tip of the tail are a number of curious, loose, horny structures +formed of the same substance as the scales. A very good idea of the +structure of the rattle may be formed by slipping a number of thimbles +loosely into each other. + +"The rattlesnake lies coiled with its head flat, and the tip of its tail +elevated; when alarmed or irritated it gives a quivering movement to the +tail which causes the joints of the rattle to shake against each other +with a peculiar sound not easily described; all animals, even horses +newly brought from Europe, tremble at this noise, and try to escape." + +"What is the best thing to be done for the bite of a serpent?" inquired +Fritz. + +"Remedies are very various, very uncertain, and differ with the species +inflicting the bite. + +"Suction, ammonia, oil, the use of the knife, application of fresh mold, +lunar caustic, leaves of certain plants, all these and more are +mentioned. There is a creeping plant, called _Aristolochia indica_, the +leaves of which have in repeated instances done wonders for fearful +bites. It is found in many parts of the world, but most plentifully in +the hotter regions. + +"A mode of cure adopted by the natives of India, Ceylon, and parts of +Africa, is by the application of a remarkable object called snake-stone. +These are described as flattish, something like half an almond with +squared ends, rather light, bearing a very high polish, and of an +intense jetty black. + +"On being bitten by a cobra, the sufferer applies one of these 'stones' +to each puncture, where they adhere strongly for a time, five or six +minutes being about the average. They seem to absorb the blood as it +flows from the wound, and at last fall off, when the danger is +considered to be over. + +"But now we must leave this fertile subject of discussion, and I can +only say I sincerely trust we may never have cause to resume it from the +appearance of another serpent here of any sort, size, or description. + +"Come, Ernest, can you not give us an epitaph for our unfortunate friend +the donkey? + +"We must afford him more honorable sepulture than he enjoys at present, +when we proceed, as we speedily must, to disembowel his murderer." + +Ernest took the matter quite seriously, and planting his elbows on his +knees, he bent his thoughtful brow in his hands, and remained wrapt in +poetic meditation for about two minutes. + +"I have it!" cried he; "but perhaps you will all laugh at me?" + +"No, no, don't be shy, old fellow; spit it out!" and thus encouraged by +his brother, Ernest, with the blush of a modest author, began: + + "Beneath this stone poor Grizzle's bones are laid, + A faithful ass he was, and loved by all. + At length, his master's voice he disobeyed, + And thereby came his melancholy fall. + A monstrous serpent, springing from the grass, + Seized, crushed, and swallowed him before our eyes. + But we, though yet we mourn our honest ass, + Are grateful; for he thereby saved the lives + Of all the human beings on this shore-- + A father, mother, and their children four." + +"Hurrah for the epitaph! Well done, Ernest!" resounded on all sides, and +taking out a large red pencil I used for marking wood, the lines were +forthwith inscribed on a great flat stone, being, as I told the boy, the +very best poetry that had ever been written on our coast. + +We then had dinner, and afterward went to work with the serpent. + +The first operation was to recover the mangled remains of the ass, which +being effected, he was buried in the soft marshy ground close by, and +the hole filled up with fragments of rock. + +Then we yoked Storm and Grumble to the serpent, and dragged it to a +convenient distance from Rockburg, where the process of skinning, +stuffing, and sewing up again afforded occupation of the deepest +interest to the boys for several days. + +We took great pains to coil it round a pole in the museum, arranging the +head with the jaws wide open, so as to look as alarming as possible, and +contriving to make eyes and tongue sufficiently well to represent +nature; in fact, our dogs never passed the monster without growling, and +must have wondered at our taste in keeping such a pet. + +Over the entrance leading to the museum and library were inscribed these +words: + + NO ADMITTANCE FOR ASSES + +The double meaning of this sentence pleased us all immensely. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +THE CRYSTAL CAVE--BAGGING A BEAR + + +The greatest danger to which we had yet been exposed was now over, but +there remained much anxiety in my mind lest another serpent might, +unseen by us, have entered the swamp, or might appear, as this had done, +from the country beyond Falconhurst. + +I projected then two excursions, the first to make a thorough +examination of the thicket and morass; the next right away to the Gap, +through which alone the arch-enemy could have entered our territory. + +On summoning my sons to accompany me to the marsh, I found neither +Ernest nor Jack very eager to do so, the latter vowing he had the cold +shivers each time he thought how his ribs might have been smashed by the +last flap of the snake's tail; but I did not yield to their reluctance, +and we finally set about crossing the marsh by placing planks and wicker +hurdles on the ground, and changing their places as we advanced. + +Nothing was discovered beyond tracks in the reeds and the creature's +lair; where the rushes, grass, and bog-plants were beaten down. + +Emerging beyond the thicket we found ourselves on firm ground, near the +precipitous wall of rock, and perceived a clear sparkling brook flowing +from an opening, which proved to be a cave or grotto of considerable +size. + +The vaulted roof was covered with stalactites, while many formed +stately pillars, which seemed as though supporting the roof. The floor +was strewn with fine snow-white earth, with a smooth soapy feeling, +which I felt convinced was fuller's earth. + +"Well, this is a pleasant discovery!" said I. "This is as good as soap +for washing, and will save me the trouble of turning soap-boiler." + +Perceiving that the streamlet flowed from an opening of some width in +the inner rock, Fritz passed through, in order to trace it to its +source, presently shouting to me that the opening widened very much, and +begging me to follow him. + +I did so, leaving the other boys in the outer cave, and fired a +pistol-shot--the reverberating echoes of which testified to the great +extent of the place; and lighting the bit of candle I always carried +with me, we advanced, the light burning clear and steadily, though +shedding a very feeble light in so vast a space. + +Suddenly Fritz exclaimed: + +"I verily believe this is a second cave of salt! See how the walls +glance! and how the light is reflected from the roof!" + +"These cannot be salt crystals," said I; "the water which flows over +them leaves no track, and tastes quite sweet. I am rather inclined to +believe that we have penetrated into a cave of rock crystal!" + +"Oh, how splendid! Then we have discovered a great treasure!" + +"Certainly, if we could make any use of it; otherwise, in our situation, +it is about as valuable as the lump of gold found by good old Robinson +Crusoe." + +"Anyhow, I will break off a piece for a specimen. See, here is a fine +bit, only rather dull, and not transparent; what a pity! I must knock +off another." + +"You must go more carefully to work, or it will look as dull as the +first. You destroyed its true form, which is that of a pyramid, with six +sides or faces." + +We remained some time in this interesting grotto, but our light burnt +low after we had examined it in different directions; and Fritz having +secured a large lump, which exhibited several crystals in perfection, we +quitted the place, Fritz discharging a farewell shot for the sake of +hearing the grand echoes. + +On reaching the open air we saw poor Jack sobbing bitterly, but as soon +as we appeared he ran joyfully toward us, and threw himself into my +arms. + +"My child, what is the matter?" I cried anxiously. + +"Oh, I thought you were lost! I heard a noise twice, as if the rocks had +shattered down; and I thought you and Fritz were crushed in the ruins! +It was horrible! How glad I am to see you!" + +I comforted the child, and explained the noises he had heard, inquiring +why he was alone. + +"Ernest is over there among the reeds; I daresay he did not hear the +shots." + +I found Ernest busily engaged in weaving a basket in which to catch +fish; he had devised it ingeniously, with a funnel-shaped entrance; +through which the fish passing would not easily find their way out, but +would remain swimming about in the wide part of the apparatus. + +"I shot a young serpent while you were away, father," said he. "It lies +there covered with rushes; it is nearly four feet long, and as thick as +my arm." + +"A serpent!" cried I, hurrying toward it in alarm, and fearing there +must be a brood of them in the swamp after all. + +"A fine large eel, you mean, my boy. This will provide an excellent +supper for us to-night. I am glad you had the courage to kill it, +instead of taking to your heels and fleeing from the supposed serpent." + +"Well, I thought it would be so horrid to be pursued and caught that I +preferred facing it; my shot took effect, but it was very difficult to +kill the creature outright; it moved about although its head was +smashed." + +"The tenacity of life possessed by eels is very remarkable," I said. "I +have heard that the best mode of killing them is to grasp them by the +neck and slap their tails smartly against a stone or post." + +We made our way back more easily by keeping close to the cliffs, where +the ground was firmer, and found the mother washing clothes at the +fountain. She rejoiced greatly at our safe return, and was much pleased +with the supply of fuller's earth, as she said there was now very little +soap left. The eel was cooked for supper, and during the evening a full +account was given of our passage through the swamp, and discovery of the +rock-crystal cavern. + +It was most important to ascertain whether any serpent lurked among the +woods of our little territory between the cliffs and the sea. +Preparations were set on foot for the second and greater undertaking of +a search throughout the country beyond the river, as far as the Gap. I +wished all the family to go on the expedition, a decision which gave +universal satisfaction. + +Intending to be engaged in this search for several weeks, we took the +small tent and a store of all sorts of necessary provisions, as well as +firearms, tools, cooking utensils, and torches. + +All these things were packed on the cart, which was drawn by Storm and +Grumble. Jack and Franz mounted them, and acted at once the part of +riders and drivers. My wife sat comfortably in the cart, Fritz rode in +advance, while Ernest and I walked; we were protected in flank by the +dogs and Fangs, the tame jackal. + +Directing our course toward Woodlands, we saw many traces of the +serpent's approach to Rockburg. In some places, where the soil was +loose, the trail, like a broad furrow, was very evident indeed. + +At Falconhurst we made a halt, and were, as usual, welcomed by the +poultry, as well as by the sheep and goats. + +We then passed on to Woodlands, where we arrived at nightfall. All was +peaceful and in good order; no track of the boa in that direction; no +signs of visits from mischievous apes; the little farm and its +inhabitants looked most flourishing. + +Next day was passed in making a survey of the immediate neighborhood, at +the same time collecting a quantity of cotton, which was wanted for new +pillows and cushions. In the afternoon Franz was my companion, carrying +a small gun intrusted to him for the first time. + +We took Fan and Bruno with us, and went slowly along the left bank of +the lake, winding our way among reedy thickets, which frequently turned +us aside a considerable distance from the water. The dogs hunted about +in all directions, and raised duck, snipe, and heron. These usually flew +directly across the lake so that Franz got no chance of a shot. He +began to get rather impatient, and proposed firing at the black swans we +saw sailing gracefully on the glassy surface of the lake. + +Just then a harsh booming sound struck our ears. I paused in wonder as +to whence the noise proceeded, while Franz exclaimed, "Oh, father, can +that be Swift, our young onager?" + +"It cannot possibly be Swift," said I; adding, after listening +attentively a minute or two, "I am inclined to think it must be the cry +of a bittern, a fine handsome bird of the nature of a heron." + +"Oh! may I shoot it, father? But I wonder how a bird can make that +roaring noise! One would think it was an ox, it is more like lowing than +braying." + +"The noise creatures make depends more on the construction of the +windpipe, its relation to the lungs and the strength of the muscles +which force out the breath, than on their size. As, for example, how +loud is the song of the nightingale and the little canary bird. Some +people say that the bittern booms with his long bill partly thrust into +the boggy ground, which increases the hollow muffled sound of its very +peculiar cry." + +Franz was very anxious that the first trophy of his gun should be so +rare a bird as the bittern; the dogs were sent into the wood, and we +waited some distance apart, in readiness to fire. + +All at once there was a great rustling in the thicket, Franz fired, and +I heard his happy voice calling out: + +"I've hit him! I've hit him!" + +"What have you hit?" shouted I in return. + +"A wild pig," said he; "but bigger than Fritz's." + +"Aha! I see you remember the agouti! Perhaps it is not a hog at all but +one of our little pigs from the farm. What will the old sow say to you, +Franz?" + +I soon joined my boy, and found him in transports of joy over an animal +certainly very much like a pig, although its snout was broad and blunt. +It was covered with bristles, had no tail, and in color was a yellowish +gray. + +Examining it carefully, and noticing its webb feet and its curious +teeth, I decided that it must be a capybara, a water-loving animal of +South America, and Franz was overjoyed to find that he had shot "a new +creature," as he said. It was difficult to carry it home, but he very +sensibly proposed that we should open and clean the carcass, which would +make it lighter--and then putting it in a game bag, he carried it till +quite tired out; he then asked if I thought Bruno would let him strap it +on his back. We found the dog willing to bear the burden, and reached +Woodlands soon afterward. + +There we were surprised to see Ernest surrounded by a number of large +rats which lay dead on the ground. + +"Where can all these have come from?" exclaimed I. "Have you and your +mother been rat-hunting instead of gathering rice as you intended?" + +"We came upon these creatures quite unexpectedly," he replied, "while in +the rice swamp. Knips, who was with us, sprang away to a kind of +long-shaped mound among the reeds, and pounced upon something, which +tried to escape into a hole. He chattered and gnashed his teeth, and the +creature hissed and squeaked, and running up I found he had got a big +rat by the tail; he would not let go, and the rat could not turn in the +narrow entrance to bite him, but I soon pulled it out and killed it with +my stick. + +"The mound was a curious looking erection, so I broke it open with some +difficulty, and in doing this dislodged quite a dozen of the creatures. +Some I killed, but many plunged into the water and escaped. + +"On examining their dwelling I found it a vaulted tunnel made of clay +and mud, and thickly lined with sedges, rushes, and water-lily leaves. + +"There were other mounds or lodges close by, and seeking an entrance to +one I stretched my game bag across it, and then hammered on the roof +till a whole lot of rats sprang out, several right into the bag. I hit +away right and left, but began to repent of my audacity when I found the +whole community swarming about in the wildest excitement, some escaping, +but many stopping in bewilderment, while others actually attacked me. + +"It was anything but pleasant, I assure you, and I began to think of +Bishop Hatto in the Mouse Tower on the Rhine. Knips liked it as little +as I did, and skipped about desperately to get out of their way, though +he now and then seized a rat by the neck in his teeth. + +"Just as I began to shout for help, Juno came dashing through the reeds +and water, and made quick work with the enemy, all flying from her +attack. + +"My mother had great difficulty in forcing her way through the marsh to +the scene of action, but reached me at last; and we collected all the +slain to show you, and for the sake of their skins." + +This account excited my curiosity, and I went to examine the place +Ernest described: where I found, to my surprise, an arrangement much +like a beaver dam, though on a small scale, and less complete. + +"You have discovered a colony of beaver rats," said I to Ernest, "so +called from their resemblance in skill and manner of life to that +wonderful creature. + +"Muskrat, musquash, and ondatra are other names given to them. They +have, you see, webbed feet and flattened tails, and we shall find that +they carry two small glands containing the scented substance called +musk. The sooner we strip off the skins the better; they will be useful +for making caps." + +We went back to the house, and met Fritz and Jack just returned from +their excursion, reporting that no trace of serpents, great or small, +had been met with. + +Jack carried in his hat about a dozen eggs; and Fritz had shot a couple +of heath fowls, a cock and hen. + +We sat down to supper, Franz eager to partake of his capybara. Even he +himself made a face at the peculiar flavor of the meat. + +"It is the musk which you taste," said I; and I described to them the +various animals in which this strange liquid is found; the musk deer, +musk ox, crocodile, muskrat of India (also called soudeli, which taints +a corked bottle of wine, if it only runs across it), concluding with an +account of the civet, called also civet-cat. + +"The civet," said I, "is a handsome black and white animal, and the +perfume obtained from it was formerly considered a valuable medicine; in +the present day it is used chiefly as a scent. This odoriferous +substance is secreted, _i. e._, formed, in a double glandular pouch near +the tail, and the Dutch keep the creature in captivity, so that it shall +afford them a continual supply. + +"The method of removing the civet perfume is ingenious. The animal is +very quick and elastic in its movements, and having sharp teeth it is +not pleasant to handle. So it is put into a long, narrow cage in which +it cannot turn round, a horn spoon is then introduced, and the perfume, +a thick, oily stuff something like butter, is coolly scraped from the +pouch, the plundered civet being then released from strait durance, +until the supply is re-formed." + +Presently Jack ran for his game bag, producing some fruit which he had +forgotten. Several pale green apples, quite new to us, excited general +attention. + +"Why, what are those? Are they good?" I asked. + +"I hope so, for we sadly want something to take away the taste of +Franz's beast," said Jack: "but Fritz and I were afraid of eating some +awful poison or other, like the manchineel, so we brought them for the +inspection of the learned master Knips." + +I took one and cut it in two, remarking that it contained a circle of +seeds or pips, instead of the stone of the manchineel. At that moment +Knips slyly came behind me, and snatching up one-half, began to munch it +with the liveliest satisfaction, an example which the boys were so eager +to follow that a general scramble ensued, and I had some trouble in +securing a couple of the apples for myself and their mother. + +I imagined this to be the cinnamon apple of the Antilles. + +Everyone seeming wearied by the fatigues of the day, our mattresses and +pillows were arranged, and the inmates of Woodlands betook themselves to +repose. + +With early light we commenced the next day's journey, directing our +course to a point between the sugar-brake and the Gap, where we had once +made a sort of arbor of the branches of trees; as this remained in +pretty good condition, we spread a sailcloth over the top of it, +instead of pitching the tent, and made it very comfortable quarters for +the short time I proposed to stay there. + +Our object being to search the neighborhood for traces of the boa +constrictor, or any of his kindred, Fritz, Jack, and Franz went with me +to the sugar-cane brake, and we satisfied ourselves that our enemy had +not been there. It was long since we had enjoyed the fresh juice of +these canes, and we were refreshing ourselves therewith, when a loud +barking of dogs, and loud rustling and rattling through the thicket of +canes, disturbed our pleasant occupation, and, as we could see nothing a +yard off where we stood, I hurried to the open ground, and with guns in +readiness we awaited what was coming. + +In a few minutes a herd of creatures like little pigs issued from the +thicket, and made off in single file at a brisk trot; they were of a +uniform gray color, and showed short sharp tusks. + +My trusty double-barrel speedily laid low two of the fugitives; the +others continued to follow the leader in line, scarcely turning aside to +pass the dead bodies of their comrades, and maintaining the same steady +pace, although Fritz and Jack also fired and killed several. + +I felt certain that these were peccaries, and recollected that an +odoriferous gland in the back must be removed immediately, otherwise the +meat will become tainted, and quite unfit to eat. This operation, with +the help of my boys, I accordingly performed at once. + +Presently, hearing shots in the direction of the hut where we had left +Ernest and his mother, I sent Jack to their assistance, desiring him to +fetch the cart, that the booty might be conveyed to our encampment, +employing the time of his absence in opening and cleaning the animals, +thus reducing their weight. + +Ernest came back with Jack and the cart, and told us that the procession +of peccaries had passed near the hut, and that he, with Juno's help, had +secured three of them. + +I was glad to hear this, as I had determined to cure a good supply of +hams, and we made haste to load the cart; the boys adorned it with +flowers and green boughs, and with songs of triumph which made the woods +ring they conveyed the valuable supply of game to the hut, where their +mother anxiously waited for us. + +After dinner we set to work upon our pigs, singeing and scalding off the +bristles; I cut out the hams, divided the flitches, bestowed +considerable portions of the carcass on the dogs, and diligently +cleansed and salted the meat, while the boys prepared a shed, where it +was to be hung to be cured in the smoke of fires of green wood. + +This unexpected business of course detained us in the place for some +time. On the second day, when the smoking shed was ready, the boys were +anxious to cook the smallest porker in the Otaheitian fashion. For this +purpose they dug a hole, in which they burned a quantity of dry grass, +sticks, and weeds, heating stones, which were placed round the sides of +the pit. + +While the younger boys made ready the oven, Fritz singed and washed his +peccary, stuffing it with potatoes, onions, and herbs, and a good +sprinkling of salt and pepper. + +He then sewed up the opening, and enveloped the pig in large leaves to +guard it from the ashes and dust of its cooking-place. + +The fire no longer blazed, but the embers and stones were glowing hot; +the pig was carefully placed in the hole, covered over with hot ashes, +and the hole with earth, so that it looked like a big mole heap. + +Dinner was looked forward to with curiosity, as well as appetite; my +wife, as usual, distrusting our experiments, was not sanguine of +success, and made ready some plain food as a _pis aller_. + +She was well pleased with the curing-hut, which was roomy enough to hang +all our hams and bacon. On a wide hearth in the middle we kindled a +large fire, which was kept constantly smoldering by heaping it with damp +grass and green wood. The hut being closed in above, the smoke filled +it, and penetrated the meat thoroughly; this process it had to undergo +for several days. + +In a few hours Fritz gave notice that he was going to open his oven. + +Great excitement prevailed as he removed the earth, turf, and stones, +and a delicious appetizing odor arose from the opening. It was the smell +of roast pork, certainly, but with a flavor of spices which surprised +me, until I thought of the leaves in which the food had been wrapped. + +The peccary was carefully raised, and when a few cinders were picked +off, it looked a remarkably well-cooked dish. Fritz was highly +complimented on his success, even by his mother. + +The scented leaves were, I thought, those of a tree which I knew to be +found in Madagascar, called by the natives ravensara, or "good leaf." It +is said to combine the scent of the nutmeg, clove, and cinnamon. The +fruit is a species of nut, possessing the scent of the leaves in a more +delicate degree, and from it an oil or essence is distilled, which is +highly valued in native cookery. + +During the process of curing our large supply of hams and bacon, which +occupied several days, we roamed about the neighborhood in all +directions, finding no trace of the serpent, but making many valuable +acquisitions, among which were some gigantic bamboos, from fifty to +sixty feet in length and of proportionate thickness. These, when cut +across near the joints, formed capital casks, tubs, and pots; while the +long sharp thorns, which begirt the stem at intervals, were as strong +and useful as iron nails. + +One day we made an excursion to the farm at Prospect Hill, and were +grievously provoked to find that the vagabond apes had been there, and +wrought terrible mischief, as before at Woodlands. + +The animals and poultry were scattered, and everything in the cottage so +torn and dirtied, that it was vain to think of setting things right that +day. We therefore very unwillingly left the disorder as we found it, +purposing to devote time to the work afterward. + +When all was in readiness for the prosecution of our journey, we closed +and barricaded the hut, in which, for the present, we left the store of +bacon; and arranging our march in the usual patriarchal style, we took +our way to the Gap, the thorough defense of which defile was the main +object we had in view. + +Our last halting-place being much enclosed by shrubs, bamboos, and +brushwood, we had during our stay opened a path through the cane thicket +in the direction we were about to travel; this we now found of the +greatest assistance, and the loaded cart passed on without impediment. + +The ground was open and tolerably level beyond, so that in a few hours +we arrived at the extreme limit of our coast territory. + +We halted on the outskirts of a little wood, behind which, to the right, +rose the precipitous and frowning cliffs of the mountain gorge, while to +the left flowed the torrent, leaving between it and the rocks the narrow +pass we called the Gap, and passing onward to mingle its water with the +sea. + +The wood afforded us pleasant shelter; and standing high, and within +gunshot of the mouth of the rocky pass, I resolved to make it our +camping place. We therefore unpacked the cart, and made our usual +arrangements for safety and comfort, not forgetting to examine the wood +itself, so as to ascertain whether it harbored any dangerous animals. + +Nothing worse than wild cats was discovered. We disturbed several of +these creatures in their pursuit of birds and small game, but they fled +at our approach. + +By the time dinner was ready we felt much fatigued, and some hours of +unusually sultry and oppressive heat compelled us to rest until toward +evening, when returning coolness revived our strength. We pitched the +tent, and then occupied ourselves with preparations for the next day, +when it was my intention to penetrate the country beyond the defile, and +make a longer excursion across the Savannah than had yet been +undertaken. + +All was ready for a start at an early hour; my brave wife consented to +remain in camp with Franz as her companion, while the three elder boys, +and all the dogs, except Juno, went with me. + +We expected to find it somewhat difficult to make our way through the +narrowest part of the pass, which had been so strongly barricaded and +planted with thorny shrubs, but found on the contrary that the fences +and walls were broken down and disarranged. It was thus very evident +that the great snake, as well as the herd of peccaries, had made an +entrance here. + +This barricade was the first check that had been placed by hand of man +upon the wild free will of nature in this lonely place. + +With one consent storms, floods, torrents, and the wild beasts of the +forest, had set themselves to destroy it. + +We resolved to make the defenses doubly strong, being convinced that the +position was capable of being barricaded and fortified so as to resist +the invaders we dreaded. + +The prospect which opened before us on emerging from the rocky pass was +wide and varied. Swelling hills and verdant wooded vales were seen on +one hand, while a great plain stretched before us, extending from the +banks of the river toward a chain of lofty mountains, whose summits were +rendered indistinct in the haze of the distance. + +We crossed the stream, which we named East River, filling our flasks +with water, and it was well we did so, for in continuing our journey, we +found the soil become more arid and parched than we had expected; in +fact we soon appeared surrounded by a desert. + +The boys were astonished at the altered appearance of the country, part +of which had been explored when we met with the buffaloes. I reminded +them of the difference of the season; that the expedition had been made +directly after the rains, when vegetation had clothed with transient +beauty this region, which, possessing no source of moisture itself, had +become scathed and bare during the blazing heat of summer. + +Our march proceeded slowly, and many were the uncomplimentary remarks +made on the "new country." + +It was "Arabia Petrea," groaned one. "Desert of Sahara," sighed another. +"Fit abode for demons," muttered a third. "Subterranean volcanic fires +are raging beneath our feet." + +"Patience, my good fellows!" cried I; "you are too easily discouraged. +Look beyond the toilsome way to those grand mountains, whose spurs are +already stretching forward to meet us. Who knows what pleasant surprises +await us amid their steep declivities? I, for my part, expect to find +water, fresh grass, trees, and a lovely resting-place." + +We were all glad to repose beneath the shade of the first over-hanging +rock we came to, although, by pressing further upward, we might have +attained to a pleasanter spot. + +Looking back toward the Gap, we marked the strange contrast of the +smiling country bordering the river, and the dreary, monotonous plain we +had traversed. + +After gazing on the distant scene, we produced our store of provisions, +and were busily engaged, when Knips (our constant companion) suddenly +began to snuff and smell about in a very ridiculous way; finally, with a +shriek which we knew was expressive of pleasure, he set off at full +speed, followed by all the dogs, up a sort of glen behind us. + +We left them to their own devices, being far too pleasantly engaged +with our refreshments to care much what fancy the little rogue had got +in his head. + +When hunger was somewhat appeased, Fritz once more cast his eyes over +the expanse of plain before us, and after looking fixedly for a moment, +exclaimed: + +"Is it possible that I see a party of horsemen riding at full gallop +toward us! Can they be wild Arabs of the desert?" + +"Arabs, my boy! certainly not; but take the spyglass and make them out +exactly. We shall have to be on our guard, whatever they are!" + +"I cannot see distinctly enough to be sure," said he presently, "and +imagination supplies the deficiency of sight in most strange fashion. I +could fancy them wild cattle, loaded carts, wandering haycocks, in fact +almost anything I like." + +The spyglass passed from hand to hand; Jack and Ernest agreed in +thinking the moving objects were men on horseback; but when it came to +my turn to look, I at once pronounced them to be very large ostriches. + +"This is fortunate, indeed!" I exclaimed; "we must try to secure one of +these magnificent birds; the feathers alone are worth having." + +"A live ostrich, father! that would be splendid. Why, we might ride upon +him!" + +As the ostriches approached, we began to consider in what way we should +attempt a capture. I sent Fritz and Jack to recall the dogs, and placed +myself with Ernest behind some shrubs which would conceal us from the +birds as they came onward. + +The boys did not rejoin us for some little time; they found Knips and +the dogs at a pool of water formed by a small mountain stream, which +the monkey's instinct had detected; his sudden departure was thus +accounted for, and they availed themselves right gladly of his +discovery, filling their flasks, and hastily bathing before their +return. + +The ostriches continued to come in our direction, varying their pace as +though in sport, springing, trotting, galloping, and chasing each other +round and round, so that their approach was by no means rapid. + +I could now perceive that of the five birds one only was a male, the +white plumes of the wings and tail contrasting finely with the deep +glossy black of the neck and body. + +The color of the females being ashen brown, the effect of their white +plumes was not so handsome. + +"I do not believe we shall have a chance with these birds," said I, +"except by sending Fritz's eagle in pursuit; and for that we must bide +our time, and let them come as near as possible." + +"In what way, then, are ostriches caught by the natives of the African +deserts?" inquired Fritz. + +"Sometimes by chase on horseback; but their speed is so very great, that +even that must be conducted by stratagem. + +"When these birds are pursued, they will run for hours in a wide circle; +the hunter gallops after them, but describes a much smaller circle, and +can therefore maintain the pace for a longer time, waiting to make the +attack until the bird is fatigued. + +"Among the Bushmen, the hunter sometimes envelopes himself in the skin +of an ostrich, his legs doing duty for those of the bird, and his arm +managing the head and neck so as to imitate the movements of the bird +when feeding. The enterprising hunter is thus enabled to get among a +flock of ostriches, and to shoot them with arrows one after another. + +"When aware of an enemy they defend themselves desperately, using their +powerful legs as weapons, always kicking forward, and inflicting +dreadful injuries on dogs, and even on men, if attacked without due +precaution. But let us take up our positions, and keep perfectly still, +for the ostriches are at hand!" + +We held the dogs concealed as much as possible; the stately birds +suddenly perceiving us, paused, hesitated, and appeared uneasy. Yet as +no movement was made, they drew a few steps nearer, with outstretched +necks, examining curiously the unwonted spectacle before them. + +The dogs became impatient, struggled from our grasp, and furiously +rushed toward our astonished visitors. In an instant they turned and +fled with the speed of the wind; their feet seemed not to touch the +ground, their wings aiding the marvelously rapid progress. + +In a few moments they would have been beyond our reach, but as they +turned to fly the eagle was unhooded. Singling out the male bird the +falcon made his fatal swoop, and piercing the skull, the magnificent +creature was laid low. Before we could reach the spot the dogs had +joined the bird of prey, and were fiercely tearing the flesh and +bedabbling the splendid plumes with gore. + +This sight grieved us. + +"What a pity we could not capture this glorious bird alive!" exclaimed +Fritz, as we took its beautiful feathers; "it must, I am sure, have +stood more than six feet high, and two of us might have mounted him at +once!" + +"In the vast sandy deserts where nothing grows, what can flocks of these +birds find to live upon?" inquired Ernest. + +"That would indeed be hard to say, if the deserts were utterly barren +and unfruitful," returned I; "but over these sandy wastes a beneficent +Providence scatters plants of wild melons, which absorb and retain every +drop of moisture, and which quench the thirst as well as satisfy the +hunger of the ostriches and other inhabitants of the wilds. These +melons, however, do not constitute his entire diet; he feeds freely on +grasses, dates, and hard grain, when he can obtain them." + +"Does the ostrich utter any cry?" + +"The voice of the ostrich is a deep, hollow, rumbling sound, so much +resembling the roar of the lion as occasionally to be mistaken for it. +But what does Jack mean by waving his cap and beckoning in that excited +fashion? What has the boy found, I wonder!" + +He ran a little way toward us, shouting: + +"Eggs, father! Ostriches' eggs! a huge nest full--do come quick!" + +We all hastened to the spot, and in a slight hollow of the ground beheld +more than twenty eggs, as large as an infant's head. + +The idea of carrying more than two away with us was preposterous, +although the boys, forgetting what the weight would be, seriously +contemplated clearing the nest. + +They were satisfied when a kind of landmark had been set up, so that if +we returned we might easily find the nest. + +As each egg weighed about three pounds, the boys soon found the burden +considerable, even when tied into a handkerchief and carried like a +basket. To relieve them, I cut a strong elastic heath stick, and +suspending an egg in its sling at each end, laid the bent stick over +Jack's shoulder, and like a Dutch dairy-maid with her milk pails, he +stepped merrily along without inconvenience. + +We presently reached a marshy place, surrounding a little pool evidently +fed by the stream which Knips had discovered. The soft ground was +trodden and marked by the footsteps of many different sorts of animals; +we saw tracks of buffaloes, antelopes, onagas or quaggas, but no trace +whatever of any kind of serpent; hitherto our journey in search of +monster reptiles had been signalized by very satisfactory failure. + +By this brook we sat down to rest and take some food; Fangs presently +disappeared, and Jack calling to his pet discovered him gnawing at +something which he had dug from the marsh. Taking it for a root of some +sort, Jack brought it for my inspection. I dipped it in water to clear +off the mud, and to my surprise found a queer little living creature, no +bigger than half an apple, in my hand. It was a small tortoise. + +"A tortoise, I declare!" cried Fritz. "What a long way from the sea. How +came it here, I wonder?" + +"Perhaps there has been a tortoise-shower," remarked Ernest. "One reads +of frog-showers in the time of the ancient Romans." + +"Hullo, Professor! you're out for once," said I. "This is nothing but a +mud-tortoise, which lives in wet, marshy ground and fresh water. They +are useful in gardens; for although they like a few lettuce leaves now +and then, they will destroy numbers of snails, grubs, and worms." + +Resuming our journey, we arrived at a charming valley, verdant, +fruitful, and shaded by clumps of graceful trees. It afforded us the +greatest delight and refreshment to pass along this cool and lovely +vale, which we agreed to call Glen Verdant. + +In the distance we could see herds of antelopes or buffaloes feeding; +but as our dogs continually ranged a long way ahead of us, they were +quickly startled, and vanished up one or other of the narrow gorges +which opened out of the valley. + +Following the imperceptible windings of the vale, we were surprised, on +quitting it for the more open ground, to find ourselves in a country we +were already acquainted with, and not far from the Jackal Cave, as we +called the place where Fangs had been captured in cubhood. + +On recognizing the spot, Ernest, who was in advance with one of the +dogs, hastened toward it. We lost sight of him for a few minutes, and +then arose a cry of terror, violent barking, and deep, surly growls. + +As we rushed forward, Ernest met us, looking white as ashes, and calling +out: + +"A bear, a bear, father! He is coming after me!" + +The boy clung to me in mortal fear. I felt his whole frame quivering. + +"Courage, my son!" cried I, disengaging myself from his grasp; "we must +prepare for instant defense!" + +The dogs dashed forward to join the fray, whatever it was; and not long +were we in doubt. To my no small consternation, an enormous bear made +his appearance, quickly followed by another. + +With leveled guns, my brave Fritz and I advanced slowly to meet them. +Jack was also ready to fire, but the shock had so unnerved Ernest that +he fairly took to his heels. We fired together, one at each bear; but +though hit, the monsters were unfortunately only wounded. We found it +most difficult to take aim, as the dogs beset them on all sides. +However, they were much disabled, one having the lower jaw broken, and +the other, with a bullet in his shoulder, was effectually lamed. The +dogs, perceiving their advantage, pressed more closely round their foes, +who yet defended themselves furiously, with frightful yells of pain and +rage. Such was the confusion and perpetual movement of the struggle, +that I dared not fire again, seeing that even slightly wounding one of +our gallant hounds would instantly place him in the power of the raging +bears. + +Watching our opportunity, we suddenly advanced with loaded pistols to +within a very few paces of the animals, and firing, both fell dead, one +shot through the head, the other, in the act of rearing to spring on +Fritz, received his charge in its heart. + +"Thank Heaven!" cried I, as with dull groans the brutes sank to the +ground. "We have escaped the greatest peril we have yet encountered!" + +The dogs continued to tear and worry the fallen foe, as though unwilling +to trust the appearance of death. + +With feelings somewhat akin, I drew my hunting-knife, and made assurance +doubly sure. + +Seeing all safe, Jack raised a shout of victory, that poor Ernest might +gain courage to approach the scene of conflict, which at last he did, +and joined us in examining the dangerous animals, as they lay +motionless before us. + +Every point was full of interest, their wounds, their sharp teeth, their +mighty claws, the extraordinary strength of neck and shoulder, all were +remarked and commented on, and observing that the shaded brown hair was +tipped with glossy white, I thought that these might be the silver bears +mentioned in Captain Clarke's journey to the northwest coasts of +America. + +"Well, my lads," said I, "if we have failed to catch sight of serpents, +we have at least made good riddance of some other bad rubbish! These +fellows would one day have worked us woe, or I am much mistaken. What's +to be done next?" + +"Why, skin them, to be sure," said Fritz. "We shall have a couple of +splendid bearskin rugs." + +As this process would take time and evening drew on, we dragged the huge +carcasses into their den, to await our return, concealing them with +boughs of trees and fencing the entrance as well as we could. The +ostrich eggs we also left behind us, hidden in a sandy hole. + +By sunset we reached the tent, and joyfully rejoined the mother and +Franz, right glad to find a hearty meal prepared for us, as well as a +large heap of brushwood for the watch-fire. + +When a full account of our adventures had been given, with a minute and +special description of the bear fight, the mother related what she had +done during our absence. She and Franz had made their way through the +wood up to the rocks behind it, and discovered a bed of pure white clay, +which it seemed to her might be used for making porcelain. Then she had +contrived a drinking trough for the cattle out of a split bamboo. + +She had arranged a hearth in a sheltered place by building up large +stones, cemented with the white clay; and, finally, she had cut a +quantity of canes and brought them, on the cart, to be in readiness for +the building we had in hand. + +I praised the thoughtful diligence which had effected so much that was +of real and definite use. In order to try the clay, I put some balls of +it in the fire now kindled, to burn during the night, and we then betook +ourselves to rest under shelter of our tent. + +I awoke at dawn and aroused my little party. My first idea was to +examine the clay balls, which I found baked hard and finely glazed, but +too much melted down by the heat--a fault which, seeing the excellent +quality of the clay, I knew it would be well worth while to remedy. + +After breakfast, and our accustomed devotions, we harnessed the cart, +and took the way to the bears' den. Fritz headed the party, and, coming +in sight of the entrance to the cave, called out softly: + +"Make haste and you will see a whole crowd of wild turkeys, who seem to +have come to attend the funeral obsequies of their respected friend and +neighbor, Bruin, here. But there appears to be a jealous watcher who is +unwilling to admit the visitors to the bed of state!" + +The Watcher, as Fritz called him, was an immensely large bird, with a +sort of comb on his head, and a loose, fleshy skin hanging from beneath +the beak. Part of the neck was bare, wrinkled, and purplish-red, while +around it, resting on the shoulders, was a downy collar of soft, white +feathers. The plumage was grayish-brown, marked here and there with +white patches; the feet appeared to be armed with strong claws. This +great bird guarded the entrance to the cave, occasionally retiring into +it himself for a few minutes; but as soon as the other birds came +pressing in after him, he hurried out again, and they were forced to +retire. + +We stopped to observe this curious scene, and were startled suddenly by +a mighty rush of wings in the air above us. We looked up; at the same +moment Fritz fired, and an enormous bird fell heavily head foremost on +the rocks, by which its neck was broken, while blood flowed from a wound +in the breast. + +We had been holding back the dogs, but they, with Fritz, now rushed +toward the cave, the birds rising around them and departing with heavy, +ungainly flight, leaving only Fritz's prize, and one of the other birds +killed by the large one in its fall. + +With the utmost caution I entered the cave, and rejoiced to find that +the tongue and eyes only of the bears had been devoured; a little later +and we should have had the handsome skins pecked and torn to rags, and +all chance of steaks and bears' paws gone. + +On measuring the wings of the large bird from tip to tip, I found the +length exceeded eleven feet, and concluded it to be a condor; it was +evidently the mate of the "Watcher," as Fritz called the first we saw. + +To work we now went on the bears, and no slight affair we found it to +skin and cut them up, but by dint of perseverance, we at last succeeded +in our object. + +Determining to smoke the meat on the spot, we cut magnificent hams, and +took off the rest of the meat in slices after the manner of the +buccaneers in the West Indies, preserving the paws entire to be cooked +as a delicacy, and obtaining from the two bears together a prodigious +supply of lard, which my wife gladly undertook to melt and prepare for +keeping. + +The bones and offal we drew to some distance with the help of our +cattle, and made the birds of the air most welcome to feast upon it. +This, with the assistance of all sorts of insects, they did so +effectually that before we left the place the skulls were picked +perfectly clean, the sun had dried them, and they were ready for us to +carry off to our museum. + +The skins had to be very carefully scraped, washed, salted, cleansed +with ashes, and dried; which occupied fully two days. + +I was lamenting our distance from the rascusara tree, the leaves of +which had flavored our roast peccary so nicely, when I observed among +the brushwood which the boys had brought from the thickets around us, a +climbing plant, whose leaves had a very strong smell; the stem resembled +a vine, and the fruit grew in clusters like currants. Some were red, and +some of a green color, which I supposed to denote various degrees of +ripeness. They were hard, and the outer skin was quite thin. + +I recognized in this the pepper plant, a discovery particularly +agreeable at this moment. + +The boys soon gathered a large supply; the red berries were soaked in +salt and water for several days, then washed and rubbed, and finally, +becoming perfectly white, were dried in the sun. The treatment of the +green berries was simple; they were merely exposed to the sun's heat for +a day or two, and then stored: in this way we obtained enough, both of +black and white pepper, to last us a very long time. + +I took also a number of young plants, that we might have pepper growing +at Rockburg and our various settlements. Some roots of another plant +were also taken, which, from the pods, appeared to be a kind of bean. + +We were glad of this occupation during the tedious business of smoking +the bears' meat, and availed ourselves of the leisure time by also +preparing for stuffing the condor and the turkey buzzard, urubu or black +vulture--for I could not determine to which species the smaller bird +belonged. + +The four boys at length became so weary of inaction, that I determined +to let them make an excursion alone on the Savannah. Three of them +received this permission with eager delight, but Ernest said he would +prefer to remain with us; to which, as the expedition was to be entirely +one of pleasure, I could make no objection. + +Little Franz, on the other hand, whom I would willingly have kept with +us, was wild to go with his brothers, and I was obliged to consent, as I +had made the proposal open to all, and could not draw back. + +In the highest spirits they ran to bring their steeds (as we were fain +to call the cattle they rode) from their pasturage at a short distance. +Speedily were they saddled, bridled, and mounted--the three lads were +ready to be off. + +It was my wish that our sons should cultivate a habit of bold +independence, for well I knew that it might easily be the will of God to +deprive them of their parents; when, without an enterprising spirit of +self reliance, their position would be truly miserable. + +My gallant Fritz possessed this desirable quality in no small degree, +and to him I committed the care of his young brothers, charging them to +look up to and obey him as their leader. + +They were well armed, well mounted, had a couple of good dogs; and, with +a hearty "God speed and bless you, my boys!" I let them depart. + +We, who remained behind, passed the day in a variety of useful +occupations. + +The bears' meat, which was being cured in a smoking shed such as that we +set up for the peccary hams, required a good deal of attention from my +wife. Ernest had a fancy for making ornamental cups from the ostrich +eggs, while I investigated the interior of the cave. + +I found the inner wall to consist of a kind of talc, mingled with +threads of asbestos, and also indications of mica. Examining further, I +detached a large block, and found to my joy that I could split it into +clear transparent sheets, which would serve admirably for window panes. + +My wife saw this substitute for glass with unfeigned satisfaction, +declaring, that although she would not complain, yet the want of glass +for windows had been a downright trouble to her. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +BREAKING IN A REFRACTORY STEED + + +As evening approached, the bears' paws, which were stewing for supper, +sent forth savory odors; and we sat talking round the fire while +listening anxiously for sounds heralding the return of our young +explorers. + +At last the tramp and beat of hoofs struck our ears; the little troop +appeared, crossing the open ground before us at a sharp trot, and a +shrill ringing cheer greeted us as we rose and went to meet them. + +They sprang from their saddles, the animals were set at liberty to +refresh themselves, and the riders eagerly came to exhibit their +acquisitions and give an account of themselves. + +Funny figures they cut! Franz and Jack had each a young kid slung on his +back, so that the four legs, tied together, stuck out under their chins. + +Fritz's game bag looked remarkably queer--round lumps, sharp points, and +an occasional movement seemed to indicate a living creature or creatures +within. + +"Hurrah for the chase, father!" cried Jack. "Nothing like real hunting +after all. And just to see how Storm and Grumble go along over a grassy +plain! It is perfectly splendid! We soon tired out the little antelopes, +and were able to catch them." + +"Yes, father," said Franz; "and Fritz has two Angora rabbits in his bag, +and we wanted to bring you some honey. Only think! such a clever +bird--a cuckoo showed us where it was!" + +"My brothers forget the chief thing," said Fritz. "We have driven a +little herd of antelopes right through the Gap into our territory; and +there they are, all ready for us to hunt when we like--or to catch and +tame!" + +"Well done!" cried I; "here is indeed a list of achievements. But to +your mother and me, the chief thing of all, is God's goodness in +bringing you safe back to us. Now, let us hear the whole story, that we +may have a definite idea of your performances." + +"We had a splendid ride," said Fritz, "down Glen Verdant, and away to +the defile through our Rocky Barrier, and the morning was so cool and +fresh that our steeds galloped along, nearly the whole way, at the top +of their speed. When we had passed through the Gap we moderated our +furious pace and kept our eyes open on the lookout for game; we then +trotted slowly to the top of a grassy hill, from whose summit we saw two +herds of animals, whether antelopes, goats, or gazelles, we did not +know, grazing by the side of the stream below us. We were about to +gallop down and try to get a shot at them, when it struck me that it +would be wiser to try and drive the whole herd through the Gap into our +own domain, where they would be shut up, as it were, in a park, free and +yet within reach. Down the hill we rode as hard as we could go, formed +in a semi-circle behind the larger herd--magnificent antelopes--and, +aided by the dogs, with shouts and cries drove them along the stream +toward the Gap; as we came near the opening they appeared inclined to +halt and turn, like sheep about to be driven into the butcher's yard; +and it was all we could do to prevent them from bolting past us; but, +at length, one made a rush at the opening and, the rest following, they +were soon all on the other side of the frontier, and inhabitants of New +Switzerland." + +"Capital," I said, "capital, my boy! But I don't see what is to make +them remain inhabitants of our domain, or to prevent them from returning +through the Gap whenever they feel inclined." + +"Stop, father," he replied, "you interrupt me too soon; we thought of +that possibility too, and provided against it. We stretched a long line +right across the defile and strung on it feathers and rags and all sorts +of other things, which danced and fluttered in the wind and looked so +strange that I am perfectly certain that the herd will never attempt to +pass it; in fact, Levaillant, from whom I learned the trick, says, in +his 'Voyage au Cap de Bonne Espérance,' that the Hottentots make use of +the method for penning in the antelopes they have caught in the chase." + +"Well done," said I, "I am glad to see that you remember what you have +read. The antelopes are welcome to New Switzerland, but, my boy," I +added, "I cannot say the same for the rabbits you have there; they +increase so rapidly that if you establish a colony of the little +wretches your next difficulty will be to get rid of them." + +"True," he replied, "but my idea was to place them upon Whale Island, +where they would find abundant food, and at the same time in no way +trouble us. May I not establish a warren there? It would be so useful. +Do you know, my eagle caught these pretty little fellows for me? I saw a +number of them running about and so unhooded him, and in a few minutes +he brought me three--one dead, with whose body I rewarded him, and these +two here, unhurt." + +"Now, father," said Jack, interrupting him, "do listen to me and hear my +story, or else Fritz will begin upon my adventures and tire you out with +his rigmarole descriptions." + +"Certainly, Jack," I said, "I am quite ready to listen to you. First and +foremost, how did you bring down those beautiful little animals you have +there?" + +"Oh, we galloped them down. The dogs sniffed about in the grass while +Fritz was away after the rabbits, out popped those little fawns, and +away they went bounding and skipping, at the rate of thirty miles an +hour, with Storm, Grumble, and the dogs at their heels. In about a +quarter of an hour we had left the dogs behind and were close upon our +prey. Down went the little creatures in the grass, and, overcome with +terror and fatigue, were at our mercy. So we shouted to Fritz, and----" + +"My dear boy," said I, "according to your statement, Fritz must have +been seven miles and a half off." + +"Oh, well, father, perhaps we did not ride for quite a quarter of an +hour, and, of course, I can't say exactly how fast we were going; and +then, you see, the fawns did not run in a straight line; at any rate +Fritz heard us, and he and Franz and I leashed the legs of the pretty +creatures, and then we mounted again, and presently saw a wretch of a +cuckoo, who led us ever so far out of our course by cuckooing and making +faces at us, and then hopping away. Franz declared it must be an +enchanted princess, and so I thought I would rid it of its spell; but +Fritz stopped me shooting it, and said it was a 'Honey Indicator,' and +that it was leading us probably to a bees' byke; so we spared its life, +and presently, sure enough, it stopped close by a bees' nest in a hollow +mound. This was capital, we thought, and, as we were in a great hurry to +taste the honey, I threw in a lot of lighted lucifer matches, but +somehow it did not kill the bees at all, but only made them awfully +angry, and they flew out in a body and stung me all over. I rushed to +Storm and sprang on his back, but, though I galloped away for bare life, +it was an age before I got rid of the little wretches, and now my face +is in a perfect fever. I think I will get mother to bathe it for me"; +and off rushed the noisy boy, leaving Fritz and me to see to the fawns +and examine the rabbits. With these latter I determined to do as Fritz +proposed, namely, to colonize Whale Island with them. I was all the more +willing to do this because I had been considering the advisability of +establishing on that island a fortress to which we might retreat in any +extreme danger, and where we should be very thankful, in case of such a +retreat, to possess means of obtaining a constant supply of animal food. + +Having ministered to the wants of the antelopes, I tried to interest the +boys in my discovery of the block of talc, but just then their mother +summoned us to dinner. + +The principal dish in this meal consisted of the bears' paws--most +savory smelling delicacies, so tempting that their close resemblance to +human hands, and even the roguish "Fee-fo-fum" from Jack, did not +prevent a single member of the family from enjoying them most heartily. + +Supper over, we lit our watch-fire, retired to our tent, and slept +soundly. + +We had been working very diligently; the bears' meat was smoked, the +fat melted down and stored, and a large supply of bamboos collected. But +I wished to make yet another excursion, and at early dawn I aroused the +boys. + +Fritz mounted the mule, I rode Lightfoot, Jack and Franz took their +usual steeds, and, with the two dogs, we galloped off--first to visit +the euphorbia to collect the gum, and then to discover whether the +ostrich had deserted her eggs in the sand. + +Ernest watched us depart without the slightest look or sign of regret, +and returned to the tent to assist his mother and study his books. + +Our steeds carried us down the Green Valley at a rapid rate, and we +followed the direction we had pursued on our former expedition. We soon +reached Turtle Marsh, and then, filling our water-flasks, we arrived at +the rising ground where Fritz discovered the mounted Arabs. + +As Jack and Franz wanted a gallop, I allowed them to press forward, +while Fritz and I visited the euphorbia trees. A quantity of red gum had +exuded from the incisions I had made, and as this had coagulated in the +sun, I rolled it into little balls and stored it in a bamboo jar I had +brought with me for the purpose. + +As we rode after the boys, who were some way ahead, Fritz remarked: + +"Did you not tell me that the juice of that tree was poisonous, father; +why have you collected such a quantity?" + +"I did indeed say so," I replied; "it is a most deadly poison. The +inhabitants of the Cape of Good Hope use it to poison the springs where +wild animals assemble to quench their thirst; and they thus slaughter +an immense number of the creatures for the sake of their hides. I +intend, however, to use it to destroy the apes should they again commit +depredations, and also in preparing the skins of animals to protect them +from the attacks of insects." + +The two boys were still at some distance from us, when suddenly four +magnificent ostriches rose from the sand where they had been sitting. + +Jack and Franz perceived them, and, with a great shout, drove them +toward us. In front ran a splendid male bird, his feathers of shining +black, and his great tail plume waving behind. Three females of an ashen +gray color followed him. They approached us with incredible swiftness, +and were within gunshot before they perceived us. Fritz had had the +forethought to bind up the beak of his eagle so that, should he bring +down an ostrich, he might be unable to injure it. + +He now threw up the falcon, which, towering upward, swooped down upon +the head of the foremost bird, and so confused and alarmed him, that he +could not defend himself nor continue his flight. So greatly was his +speed checked that Jack overtook him, and hurling his lasso, enfolded +his wings and legs in its deadly coils and brought him to the ground. +The other ostriches were almost out of sight, so leaving them to their +own devices we leaped from our steeds and attempted to approach the +captured bird. He struggled fearfully, and kicked with such violence, +right and left, that I almost despaired of getting him home alive. + +[Illustration: _So greatly was the speed of the ostrich checked that +Jack overtook him_] + +It occurred to me, however, that if we could cover his eyes, his fury +might be subdued. I instantly acted upon this idea, and flung over his +head my coat and hunting-bag, which effectually shut out the light. + +No sooner had I done this than his struggles ceased, and we were able to +approach. We first secured round his body a broad strip of sealskin, on +each side of which I fastened a stout piece of cord, that I might be +able to lead him easily. Then, fastening another cord in a loop round +his legs that he might be prevented from breaking into a gallop, we +released him from the coils of the lasso. + +"Do you know," said I to the boys, "how the natives of India secure a +newly captured elephant?" + +"Oh, yes!" said Fritz; "they fasten him between two tame elephants. +We'll do that to this fine fellow, and tame him double quick." + +"The only difficulty will be," remarked Jack, "that we have no tame +ostriches. However, I daresay Storm and Grumble will have no objection +to perform their part, and it will puzzle even this great monster to run +away with them." + +So we at once began operations. Storm and Grumble were led up on either +side of the recumbent ostrich, and the cords secured to their girths. +Jack and Franz, each armed with a stout whip, mounted their respective +steeds, the wrappers were removed from the bird's eyes, and we stood by +to watch what would next occur. + +For some moments after the return of his sight he lay perfectly still, +then he arose with a bound and, not aware of the cords which hampered +him, attempted to dash forward. The thongs were stout, and he was +brought to his knees. A fruitless struggle ensued, and then at length, +seeming to accommodate himself to circumstances, he set off at a sharp +trot, his guards making the air re-echo with their merry shouts. These +cries stimulated the ostrich to yet further exertions, but he was at +length brought to a stand by the determined refusal of his four-footed +companions to continue such a race across loose sand. + +The boys having enjoyed the long run, I told them to walk with the +prisoner slowly home, while Fritz and I returned to examine the +ostrich's nest. The eggs were quite warm, and I was certain that the +mother had quite recently left the nest; leaving about half, I packed +the rest of the eggs in a large bag I had brought for the purpose, and +slung it carefully on the saddle before me. We soon caught up our +advance guard, and without other notable incident reached our tent. + +Astonishment and dismay were depicted on the face of the mother as we +approached. + +"My dear husband," she exclaimed, "do you think our provisions so +abundant that you must scour the deserts to find some great beast to +assist us to devour them. You must discover an iron mine next, for iron +is what ostriches chiefly live on, is it not? Oh! I do wish you would be +content with the menagerie you have already collected, instead of +bringing in a specimen of every beast you come across. And this is such +a useless monster!" + +"Useless! mother," exclaimed Jack; "you would not say so had you seen +him run; why, he will be the fleetest courser in our stables. I am going +to make a saddle and bridle for him, and in future he shall be my only +steed. Then as for his appetite, father declares it is most delicate, he +only wants a little fruit and grass, and a few stones and tenpenny +nails to help his digestion." + +The way in which Jack assumed the proprietorship of our new prize seemed +to strike his brothers as rather cool, and there was instantly a cry +raised on the subject. + +"Very well," said Jack, "let us each take possession of the part of the +ostrich we captured. Your bird, Fritz, seized the head, keep that; +father shall have the body, I'll have the legs, and Franz a couple of +feathers from the tail." + +"Come, come," said I, "I think that Jack has a very good right to the +ostrich, seeing that he brought it to the ground, and if he succeeds in +taming it and converting it into a saddle horse it shall be his. From +this time, therefore, he is responsible for its training." + +The day was now too far advanced to allow us to think of setting out for +Rockburg, so we fastened up the ostrich between two trees, and devoted +the remainder of the evening to making preparations for our departure. + +At early dawn our picturesque caravan was moving homeward. The ostrich +continued so refractory that we were obliged to make him again march +between Storm and Grumble, and as these gallant steeds were thus +employed, the cow was harnessed to the cart, laden with our treasures. +Room was left in the cart for the mother, Jack and Franz mounted Storm +and Grumble, I rode Lightfoot, and Fritz brought up the rear on Swift. + +At the mouth of the Gap we called a halt, and replaced the cord the boys +had strung with ostrich feathers by a stout palisade of bamboos. I also +took the opportunity of collecting a store of pipeclay, as I intended +during the winter months, which were close at hand, to try my hand at +china making. + +When we reached the sugar-cane grove, we again stopped to collect the +peccary hams we had left to be smoked; and my wife begged me to gather +some seeds of an aromatic plant which grew in the neighborhood, and +which had the scent of vanilla. I obtained a good supply, and we moved +forward toward Woodlands, where we intended to rest for the night, after +our long and fatiguing march. + +Our tent was pitched, and on our beds of cotton we slept soundly. + +Next morning early we examined our farmyard, which appeared in a most +prosperous and flourishing condition. The sight of all these domestic +animals made us long even more than ever for our home at Rockburg, and +we determined to hasten thither with all possible speed. + +The number of our pigs, goats and poultry had greatly increased since we +had last visited our colony; and some of these, two fine broods of +chickens especially, my wife wished to take back with her. + +We found that the herd of antelopes, which Fritz and Jack had driven +through the Gap, had taken up their abode in the neighborhood, and +several times we saw the beautiful animals browsing among the trees. + +While at the farm, we repaired both the animals' stalls and our dwelling +room, that the former might be more secure against the attacks of wild +beasts, and the latter fitted for our accommodation when we should visit +the spot. + +Everything at length being satisfactorily arranged, we again retired to +rest, and early next morning completed our journey to Rockburg. + +By mid-day we were once more settled at home. Windows and doors were +thrown open to admit fresh air; the animals established in their stalls; +and the cart's miscellaneous cargo discharged and arranged. + +As much time as I could spare, I devoted to the ostrich, whom we +fastened, for the present, between two bamboo posts in front of our +dwelling. + +I then turned my attention to the eggs we had brought, and which I +determined to hatch, if possible, by artificial heat. For this purpose I +arranged a stove, which I maintained at a uniform temperature, and on it +I placed the eggs, carefully wrapped in cotton wool. + +Next morning Fritz and I went off in the boat, first to Whale Island, +there to establish our colonists, the Angora rabbits, and then to Shark +Island, where we placed the dainty little antelopes. Having made them +happy with their liberty and abundance of food, we returned as quickly +as possible to cure the bearskins, and add the provisions we had brought +to the stores lying in our cellar. + +As we returned, we caught up Jack, making his way in great glee toward +Rockburg. He was carrying in a basket, an immense eel, which he and +Ernest had secured. + +Ernest had set, on the previous night, a couple of lines; one had been +dragged away, but on the other they found this splendid fellow. + +It proved delicious. Half was prepared for dinner, and the other half +salted and stowed away. + +We now, for a short time, again turned our attention to our duties about +the house. + +Thinking that the veranda would be greatly improved by some creepers, I +sowed, round the foot of each bamboo pillar, vanilla and pepper-seed, as +well as that of other creeping plants, which would not only give the +house a pleasanter aspect, but also afford us shade during the summer +months. + +I constructed a couple of hen-coops, too, for the hens and their little +chicks which we had brought from Woodlands, for I knew that if I left +them unprotected, the inquisitive dispositions of Knips and Fangs might +induce them to make anatomical experiments which would be detrimental to +the welfare of the youngsters. + +Ernest's rat skins were voted a nuisance within doors, and were tied +together and hung up outside; so powerful was the odor they emitted, +that even then Jack would pretend to faint every time he passed near +them. + +The museum received its additions: the condor and vulture were placed +there, to be stuffed when we should find time during the rainy season. +The mica and asbestos, too, were brought in for the present, not to lie +there idle, but to wait until I could use them as I intended, for china +and lamp-wicks. + +Having occupied two days in this way, we turned our attention to other +duties: the cultivation of a wheat, barley, and maize field, the +management of the ostrich's eggs, and the taming of the captives. + +As agriculture was, though the least to our taste, the most important of +these several duties, we set about it first. The animals drew the plow, +but the digging and hoeing taxed our powers of endurance to the utmost. + +We worked two hours in the morning and two in the evening. Fully did we +realize the words of Scripture: "In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat +bread." + +In the interval we devoted our attention to the ostrich. But our efforts +on behalf of his education seemed all in vain. He appeared as untamable +as ever. I determined, therefore, to adopt the plan which had subdued +the refractory eagle. + +The effect of the tobacco fumes almost alarmed me. The ostrich sank to +the ground and lay motionless. Slowly, at length, he arose, and paced up +and down between the bamboo posts. + +He was subdued, but to my dismay resolutely refused all food. I feared +he would die; for three days he pined, growing weaker and weaker each +day. + +"Food he must have!" said I to my wife; "food he must have!" The mother +determined to attempt an experiment. She prepared balls of maize flour, +mixed with butter. One of these she placed within the bird's beak. He +swallowed it, and stretched out his long neck, looking inquiringly for a +second mouthful. A second, third and fourth ball followed the first. His +appetite returned, and his strength came again. + +All the wild nature of the bird had gone, and I saw with delight that we +might begin his education as soon as we chose. Rice, guavas, maize, and +corn he ate readily--washing it down, as Jack expressed it, with small +pebbles, to the great surprise of Franz, to whom I explained that the +ostrich was merely following the instinct common to all birds; that he +required these pebbles to digest his food, just as smaller birds require +gravel. + +After a month of careful training, our captive would trot, gallop, obey +the sound of our voice, feed from our hand; and, in fact, showed himself +perfectly docile. Now our ingenuity was taxed to the utmost. How were we +to saddle and bridle a bird? First, for a bit for his beak. Vague ideas +passed through my mind, but every one I was obliged to reject. A plan +at length occurred to me. I recollected the effect of light and its +absence upon the ostrich, how his movements were checked by sudden +darkness, and how, with the light, power returned to his limbs. + +I immediately constructed a leathern hood, to reach from the neck to the +beak, cutting holes in it for the eyes and ears. + +Over the eyeholes I contrived square flaps or blinkers, which were so +arranged with whalebone springs that they closed tightly of themselves. +The reins were connected with these blinkers, so that the flaps might be +raised or allowed to close at the rider's pleasure. + +When both blinkers were open, the ostrich would gallop straight ahead; +close his right eye and he turned to the left, close his left and he +turned to the right, shut both and he stood stock still. + +I was justly proud of my contrivance, but, before I could really test +its utility, I was obliged to make a saddle. After several failures, I +succeeded in manufacturing one to my liking, and in properly securing +it; it was something like an old-fashioned trooper's saddle, peaked +before and behind--for my great fear was lest the boys should fall. This +curious-looking contrivance I placed upon the shoulders as near the neck +as possible, and secured it with strong girths round the wings and +across the breast, to avoid all possibility of the saddle slipping down +the bird's sloping back. + +I soon saw that my plan would succeed, though skill and considerable +practice was necessary in the use of my patent bridle. It was difficult +to remember that to check the courser's speed it was necessary to +slacken rein, and that the tighter the reins were drawn, the faster he +would fly. We at length, however, all learned to manage Master +Hurricane, and the distance between Rockburg and Falconhurst was +traversed in an almost incredibly short space of time. The marvelous +speed of the bird again revived the dispute as to the ownership, and I +was obliged to interfere. + +"Jack shall retain the ostrich," said I, "for it is most suited to him; +he is a lighter weight than either of you his elder brothers, and Franz +is not yet strong enough to manage such a fleet courser. But he is so +far to be considered common property, that all may practice on him +occasionally; and, in a case of necessity, anyone may mount him." + +Our field work was by this time over. The land had been plowed and sown +with wheat, barley, and maize. On the other side of Jackal River we had +planted potatoes and cassava roots, and all sorts of other seeds had +been carefully sown. + +We had not neglected the ostrich's eggs, and one day Fritz introduced me +with great glee to three little ostriches. But alas, the little +creatures were not destined to enjoy life long. One died almost as soon +as it was hatched, and the others, after tottering about on their +stilt-like legs for a few days, followed its example. + +I now found time to turn my attention to the bears' skins, which +required preparation before they would be fit for use as leather. They +had been salted and dried, and now required tanning. I had no tan, +however. This was unfortunate; but not to be deterred from my purpose, I +determined to use a mixture of honey and water in its place. + +The experiment proved successful. When the skins were dried they +remained flexible and free from smell, while the fur was soft and +glossy. + +This was not the only result of the experiment, for the honey-water +which I boiled appeared so clear and tempting, that it struck me that I +might prepare from it an excellent drink. I put by some of the liquid +before making use of it as tan, and reboiled it with nutmeg and +cinnamon. The preparation, which much resembled English mead, was +pronounced delicious, and the mother begged me to brew a large supply. +As our cellar was now well stocked with provisions for the winter, and +our other preparations were completed, I was able to turn my attention +to details of lesser importance. The boys had been clamoring for hats, +and as my success in so many trades had surprised me, I agreed to turn +hatter for the nonce. With the rat skins and a solution of india rubber, +I produced a kind of felt, which I dyed a brilliant red with cochineal, +and stretching this on a wooden block I had prepared, I passed over it a +hot iron, to smooth the nap, and by next morning had the satisfaction of +presenting to my wife a neat little red Swiss cap, to be lined and +finished by her for one of the boys. The mother admired the production +immensely, and lining it with silk, added yet more to its gay appearance +by adorning it with ribbons and ostrich feathers, and finally placed it +upon the head of little Franz. + +So delighted was everyone with the hat, that all were eager to be +similarly provided, and begged me to manufacture more. I readily agreed +to do so, as soon as they should furnish me with the necessary +materials, and advised them to make half a dozen rat traps, that they +might secure the water rats with which the stream abounded, and whose +rich glossy fur would serve admirably for felt. + +Every fifth animal that they brought me I told them should be mine, that +I might obtain material for a hat for myself and their mother. + +The boys at once agreed to this arrangement, and began the manufacture +of the traps, which were all so made that they should kill the rats at +once, for I could not bear the idea of animals being tortured or +imprisoned. + +While they were thus engaged I applied myself to the manufacture of +porcelain. I first cleaned the pipeclay and talc from all foreign +substances, and made them ready to be beaten down with water into a soft +mass, and then prepared my molds of gypsum plaster. These preparations +were at length made, and the molds received a thin layer of the +porcelain material. When this was partly baked, I sprinkled over it a +powder of colored glass beads which I had crushed, and which looked very +pretty in patterns upon the transparent porcelain. + +Some of my china vessels cracked with the heat of the stove, some were +very ill-shaped; but, after many failures, I succeeded in producing a +set of white cups and saucers, a cream-jug, a sugar-basin, and half a +dozen small plates. + +I must allow that my china was far from perfect; the shape of some of +the vessels was faulty, and none were really transparent; nevertheless, +the general appearance gave great satisfaction, and when the plates were +filled with rosy and golden fruit resting on green leaves, and fragrant +tea filled the cups, it greatly added to the appearance of the table. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +BUILDING THE CAJACK----A PLENTIFUL HARVEST + + +Scarcely had I completed my pottery, when great black clouds and +terrific storms heralded the approach of another winter. The rainy +season having set in, we were compelled to give up our daily excursions. + +Even in the spacious house which we now occupied, and with our varied +and interesting employments, we yet found the time dragging heavily. The +spirits of all were depressed, and even occasional rapid rides, during a +partial cessation of the rain, failed permanently to arouse them. Fritz, +as well as I, had perceived this, and he said to me: + +"Why, father, should we not make a canoe, something swifter and more +manageable than those vessels we as yet possess? I often long for a +light skiff, in which I might skim over the surface of the water." + +The idea delighted all hands, but the mother, who was never happy when +we were on the sea, declared that our chances of drowning were, with the +pinnace and canoe, already sufficiently great, and that there was not +the slightest necessity for our adding to these chances by constructing +another craft which would tempt us out upon the perfidious element. My +wife's fears were, however, speedily allayed, for I assured her that the +boat I intended to construct should be no flimsy cockle-shell, but as +safe and stout a craft as ever floated upon the sea. The Greenlander's +cajack I intended to be my model, and I resolved not only to occupy the +children, but also to produce a strong and serviceable canoe--a +masterpiece of art. + +The boys were interested, and the boat-building was soon in operation. +We constructed the skeleton of whalebone, using split bamboo canes to +strengthen the sides and also to form the deck, which extended the whole +length of the boat, leaving merely a square hole in which the occupant +of the canoe might sit. + +The work engrossed our attention almost entirely, and by the time it was +complete the rain had passed away and the glorious sun again shone +brightly forth. + +Our front door was just wide enough to admit of the egress of our boat, +and we completed her construction in the open air. We quickly cased the +sides and deck with sealskin, making all the seams thoroughly +water-tight with caoutchouc. + +The cajack was indeed a curious looking craft, yet so light that she +might be lifted easily with one hand, and when at length we launched her +she bounded upon the water like an india rubber ball. Fritz was +unanimously voted her rightful owner, but before his mother would hear +of his entering the frail-looking skiff she declared that she must +contrive a swimming dress, that "should his boat receive a puncture from +a sharp rock or the dorsal fin of a fish and collapse, he might yet have +a chance of saving his life." + +Though I did not consider the cajack quite the soap bubble the mother +imagined it, I yet willingly agreed to assist her in the construction of +the dress. + +The garment we produced was most curious in appearance, and I must own +that I doubted its efficiency. It was like a double waistcoat, made of +linen prepared with a solution of india rubber, the seams being likewise +coated with caoutchouc, and the whole rendered perfectly air-tight. We +so arranged it that one little hole was left, by means of which air +could be forced into the space between the outer covering and the +lining, and the dress inflated. + +Meanwhile I perceived with pleasure the rapid vegetation the climate was +producing. The seeds we had scattered had germinated, and were now +promising magnificent crops. The veranda, too, was looking pleasant with +its gay and sweet-scented creepers, which were already aspiring to the +summit of the pillars. The air was full of birds, the earth seemed +teeming with life. + +The dress was at length completed, and Fritz one fine afternoon offered +publicly to prove it. We all assembled on the beach, the boy gravely +donned and inflated the garment, and, amid roars of laughter from his +brothers, entered the water. Quickly and easily he paddled himself +across the bay toward Shark Island, whither we followed in one of our +boats. + +The experiment was most successful, and Ernest, Jack, and Franz, in +spite of their laughter at their brother's garment, begged their mother +to make for each of them a similar dress. + +While on the island we paid a visit to the colonists whom we had +established there the previous autumn. All were well; we could perceive +by the footprints that the antelopes had discovered and made use of the +shelter we had erected for them, and feeling that we could do nothing +more we scattered handfuls of maize and salt, and strolled across to the +other side of the island. The shore was covered with lovely shells, +many of which, with beautiful pieces of delicate coral, the boys +collected for their museum; strewn by the edge of the water too lay a +great quantity of seaweed of various colors, and as the mother declared +that much of it was of use, the boys assisted her to collect it and +store it in the boat. As we pulled back to the land I was surprised to +see that my wife chose from among the seaweed a number of curious leaves +with edges notched like a saw. When we reached home she carefully washed +these and dried them in the oven. There was evidently something +mysterious about this preparation, and my curiosity at length prompted +me to make an attempt to discover the secret. + +"Are these leaves to form a substitute for tobacco?" said I; "do you so +long for its refreshing smell?" + +My wife smiled, for her dislike to tobacco was well known, and she +answered in the same jocular tone: + +"Do you not think that a mattress stuffed with these leaves would be +very cool in summer?" + +The twinkle in her eyes showed me that my curiosity must still remain +unsatisfied, but it nevertheless became greater than ever. + +The boys and I had one day made a long and fatiguing expedition, and, +tired out, we flung ourselves down in the veranda. As we lay there +resting, we heard the mother's voice. + +"Could any of you enjoy a little jelly?" + +She presently appeared, bearing a porcelain dish laden with most lovely +transparent jelly. Cut with a spoon and laid before us it quivered and +glittered in the light. + +"Ambrosia!" exclaimed Fritz, tasting it. It was indeed delicious, and, +still marveling from whence the mother could have obtained a dish so +rare, we disposed of all that she had set before us. + +"Aha," laughed the mother, "is not this an excellent substitute for +tobacco, far more refreshing than the nasty weed itself? Behold the +product of my mysterious seaweed!" + +"My dear wife," exclaimed I, "this dish is indeed a masterpiece of +culinary art, but where had you met with it? What put it into your +head?" + +"While staying with my Dutch friends at the Cape," replied she, "I often +saw it, and at once recognized the leaves on Shark Island. Once knowing +the secret, the preparation of the dish is extremely simple; the leaves +are soaked in water, fresh every day, for a week, and then boiled for a +few hours with orange juice, citron, and sugar." + +We were all delighted with the delicacy, and thanked the mother for it +most heartily, the boys declaring that they must at once go off again to +the island to collect as many of the leaves as they could find. I agreed +to accompany them, for I wished to examine the plantations we had made +there. + +All were flourishing, the palms and mangroves had shot up in a most +marvelous manner, and many of the seeds which I had cast at random among +the cliffs in the rocks had germinated, and promised to clothe the +nakedness of the frowning bowlders. + +Away up among the rocks, too, we discovered a bright sparkling spring of +delicious water, at which, from the footprints around, we saw that the +antelopes must have refreshed themselves. + +Finding everything so satisfactory, we were naturally anxious to +discover how our colony and plantations on Whale Island had fared. It +was evident at a glance that the rabbits had increased; the young and +tender shoots of the trees bore the marks of many greedy, mischievous +little teeth. The cocoanut palms alone had they spared. + +Such depredations as these could not be allowed, and with the help of +the boys I erected round each stem a hedge of prickly thorn, and then +prepared again to embark; before we did so, however, I noticed that some +of the seaweed had also been gnawed by the rabbits, and wondering what +it could have been to tempt them, I collected some of it to examine more +fully at home. + +The skeleton of the whale, too, attracted our attention, for, picked +clean by the birds and bleached by the sun and rain, the bones had been +purified to a most perfect whiteness. Thinking that the joints of the +vertebrae might be made of use, I separated some ten or twelve, and +rolled them down to the boat, and then returned to the shore, towing +them after us. + +A scheme now occupied my mind for the construction of a crushing +machine, which would prove of the greatest service to us. I knew that to +make such a machine of stone was far beyond my power, but it had struck +me that the vertebrae of the whale might serve my purpose. + +I determined next morning to look out a tree from which I might cut the +blocks of wood that I should require to raise my crushers. + +My expedition was destined to be a solitary one, for when I went to the +stables for a horse, I discovered that the boys had gone off by +themselves with their guns and traps, and had left to me a choice +between the bull and buffalo. + +With Storm, therefore, I was fain to be content. I crossed the bridge, +but as I reached the cassava field I noticed to my great annoyance that +it had been overrun and laid waste by some mischievous animals. I +examined the footprints, and seeing that they greatly resembled those of +pigs, determined to follow the trail, and see who these invaders of our +territory would prove to be. The track led me on for some way until I +almost lost sight of it near our old potato field. For some time I +hunted backward and forward without seeing a sign of the animals; at +length a loud barking from Floss and Bruno, who were with me, announced +that they had been discovered. + +The whole family of our old sow, and she herself, were standing at bay, +showing their teeth and grunting so savagely that the dogs feared to +approach them. + +I raised my gun and fired twice among the herd; two of the pigs fell, +and the rest fled, followed by the dogs. I picked up the pigs, and +calling back the pursuers, continued my way through the forest. + +A tree suited to my purpose was soon found; I marked it and returned +home. + +Ernest, who had remained at home, assisted me to flay the young porkers, +and I handed them over to the mother to prepare for supper, by which +time I hoped the other lads would have returned. + +Late in the evening we heard the sounds of trampling hoofs, and +presently Jack appeared, thundering along upon his two-legged steed, +followed in the distance by Fritz and Franz. These latter carried upon +their cruppers game bags, the contents of which were speedily displayed; +four birds, a kangaroo, twenty muskrats, a monkey, two hares, and half a +dozen beaver rats, were laid before me. Besides these, Fritz threw +down, without a word of explanation, a bundle of thistles. + +The boys seemed almost wild with excitement at the success of their +expedition, and presently Jack exclaimed: + +"Oh, father, you can't think what grand fun hunting on an ostrich is; we +flew along like the wind; sometimes I could scarcely breathe, we were +going at such a rate, and was obliged to shut my eyes because of the +terrific rush of air; really, father, you must make me a mask with glass +eyes to ride with, or I shall be blinded one of these fine days." + +"Indeed!" replied I, "I must do no such thing." + +"Why not?" asked he, with a look of amazement upon his face. + +"For two reasons; firstly, because I do not consider that I _must_ do +anything that you demand; and, secondly, because I think that you are +very capable of doing it yourself. However, I must congratulate you upon +your abundant supply of game; you must have indeed worked hard. Yet I +wish that you would let me know when you intend starting on such a long +expedition as this; you forget that though you yourselves know that you +are quite safe, and that all is going on well, yet that we at home are +kept in a constant state of anxiety. Now, off with you, and look to your +animals, and then you may find supper ready." + +Presently the boys returned, and we prepared for a most appetizing meal +which the mother set before us. + +While we were discussing the roast pig, and washing it down with +fragrant mead, Fritz described the day's expedition. + +They had set their traps near Woodlands, and had there captured the +muskrats, attracting them with small carrots, while with other traps, +baited with fish and earthworms, they had caught several beaver rats, +and a duck-billed platypus. Hunting and fishing had occupied the rest of +the day, and it was with immense pride that Jack displayed the kangaroo +which he had run down with his swift courser. Contributions to the +garden had not been forgotten, and Fritz handed over to his mother +several cuttings from cinnamon and sweet-apple trees. Finally, when all +the other treasures had been displayed, Fritz begged me to examine his +thistles which he had gathered, thinking, he said, that it was a plant +used in the manufacture of wool. He was perfectly right, for I +recognized it at once as the "fuller's teazle," a plant whose sharp +little thorns, which cover the stem and leaves, are used to raise the +nap of cloth. + +We resolved to be up betimes the following morning, that we might attend +to the preparation of the booty, and as I now noticed that the boys were +all becoming extremely drowsy, I closed the day with evening devotions. + +The number of the creatures we killed rendered the removal of their +skins a matter of no little time and trouble. It was not an agreeable +task at any time, and when I saw the array of animals the boys had +brought me to flay, I determined to construct a machine which would +considerably lessen the labor. Among the ship's stores, in the surgeon's +chest, I discovered a large syringe. This, with a few alterations, would +serve my purpose admirably. Within the tube I first fitted a couple of +valves, and then, perforating the stopper, I had in my possession a +powerful air pump. + +The boys stared at me in blank amazement when, armed with this +instrument, I took up the kangaroo, and declared myself ready to +commence operations. + +"Skin a kangaroo with a squirt?" said they, and a roar of laughter +followed the remark. + +I made no reply to the jests which followed, but silently hung the +kangaroo by its hind legs to the branch of a tree. I then made a small +incision in the skin, and inserting the mouth of the syringe forced air +with all my might between the skin and the body of the animal. By +degrees the hide of the kangaroo distended, altering the shape of the +creature entirely. + +Still I worked on, forcing in yet more air until it had become a mere +shapeless mass, and I soon found that the skin was almost entirely +separated from the carcass. A bold cut down the belly, and a few touches +here and there where the ligatures still bound the hide to the body, and +the animal was flayed. + +"What a splendid plan!" cried the boys; "but why should it do it?" + +"For a most simple and natural reason," I replied; "do you not know that +the skin of an animal is attached to its flesh merely by slender and +delicate fibers, and that between these exist thousands of little +bladders or air chambers; by forcing air into these bladders the fibers +are stretched, and at length, elastic as they are, cracked. The skin has +now nothing to unite it to the body, and, consequently, may be drawn off +with perfect ease. This scientific fact has been known for many years; +the Greenlanders make constant use of it; when they have killed a seal +or walrus, they distend the skin that they may tow the animal more +easily ashore, and then remove its hide at a moment's notice." + +The remaining animals were subjected to the same treatment, and, to my +great joy, in a couple of days the skins were all off, and being +prepared for use. + +I now summoned the boys to assist me in procuring blocks of wood for my +crushing machine, and the following day we set forth with saws, ropes, +axes, and other tools. We soon reached the tree I had selected for my +purpose, and I began by sending Fritz and Jack up into the tree with +axes to cut off the larger of the high branches that, when the tree +fell, it might not injure its neighbors. They then descended, and Fritz +and I attacked the stem. As the easiest and most speedy method we used a +saw, such a one as is employed by sawyers in a saw-pit, and Fritz taking +one end and I the other, the tree was soon cut half through. We then +adjusted ropes that we might guide its fall, and again began to cut. It +was laborious work, but when I considered that the cut was sufficiently +deep we took the ropes and pulled with our united strength. The trunk +cracked, swayed, tottered, and fell with a crash. + +The boughs were speedily lopped off, and the trunk sawed into blocks +four feet long. + +To cut down and divide this tree had taken us a couple of days, and on +the third we carted home four large and two small blocks, and with the +vertebrae joints of the whale I, in a very short time, completed my +machine. + +While engaged on this undertaking I had paid little attention to our +fields of grain, and, accordingly, great was my surprise when one +evening the fowls returned, showing most evident indifference to their +evening meal, and with their crops perfectly full. It suddenly struck me +that these birds had come from the direction of our cornfield. I +hurried off to see what damage they had done, and then found to my great +joy that the grain was perfectly ripe. + +The amount of work before us startled my wife. This unexpected harvest, +which added reaping and threshing to the fishing, salting, and pickling +already on hand, quite troubled her. + +"Only think," said she, "of my beloved potatoes and manioc roots! What +is to become of them, I should like to know? It is time to take them up, +and how to manage it, with all this press of work, I can't see." + +"Don't be down-hearted, wife," said I; "there is no immediate hurry +about the manioc, and digging potatoes in this fine, light soil is easy +work compared to what it is in Switzerland, while as to planting more, +that will not be necessary if we leave the younger plants in the ground. +The harvest we must conduct after the Italian fashion, which, although +anything but economical, will save time and trouble, and as we are to +have two crops in the year, we need not be too particular." + +Without further delay, I commenced leveling a large space of firm, +clayey ground to act as a threshing floor: it was well sprinkled with +water, rolled, beaten, and stamped; as the sun dried the moisture it was +watered anew, and the treatment continued until it became as flat, hard, +and smooth as threshing floor need be. + +Our largest wicker basket was then slung between Storm and Grumble; we +armed ourselves with reaping hooks, and went forth to gather in the corn +in the simplest and most expeditious manner imaginable. + +I told my reapers not to concern themselves about the length of the +straw, but to grasp the corn where it was convenient to them, without +stooping; each was to wind a stalk around his own handful, and throw it +into the basket; in this way great labor was saved. The plan pleased the +boys immensely, and in a short time the basket had been filled many +times, and the field displayed a quantity of tall, headless stubble, +which perfectly horrified the mother, so extravagant and untidy did she +consider our work. + +"This is dreadful!" cried she; "you have left numbers of ears growing on +short stalks, and look at that splendid straw completely wasted! I don't +approve of your Italian fashion at all." + +"It is not a bad plan, I can assure you, wife, and the Italians do not +waste the straw by not cutting it with the grain; having more arable +than pasture land, they use this high stubble for their cattle, letting +them feed in it, and eat what grain is left; afterward, allowing the +grass to grow up among it, they mow all together for winter fodder. And +now for threshing, also in Italian fashion. We shall find it spare our +arms and backs as much in that as in reaping." + +The little sheaves were laid in a large circle on the floor, the boys +mounted Storm, Grumble, Lightfoot, and Hurry, starting off at a brisk +trot, with many a merry jest, and round they went, trampling and +stamping out the grain, while dust and chaff flew in clouds about them. + +My wife and I were incessantly occupied with hay-forks, by means of +which we shook up and moved the sheaves over which the threshers rode, +so as to throw them in the track. + +From time to time the animals took mouthfuls of the tempting food they +were beating out; we thought they well deserved it, and called to mind +the command given to the Jews, "Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that +treadeth out the corn." + +After threshing, we proceeded to winnowing; by simply throwing the +threshed corn with shovels high in the air when the land or sea-breeze +blew strong, the chaff and refuse was carried away by the wind and the +grain fell to the ground. + +During these operations our poultry paid the threshing-floor many +visits, testifying a lively interest in the success of our labors, and +gobbling up the grain at such a rate that my wife was obliged to keep +them at a reasonable distance; but I would not have them altogether +stinted in the midst of our plenty. I said, "Let them enjoy themselves; +what we lose in grain, we gain in flesh. I anticipate delicious +chicken-pie, roast goose, and boiled turkey!" + +When our harvest stores were housed, we found that we had reaped sixty, +eighty, even a hundred fold what had been sown. Our garner was truly +filled with all manner of store. + +Expecting a second harvest, we were constrained to prepare the field for +sowing again, and immediately therefore commenced mowing down the +stubble. While engaged in this, flocks of quails and partridges came to +glean among the scattered ears. We did not secure any great number, but +resolved to be prepared for them next season, and by spreading nets, to +catch them in large quantities. + +My wife was satisfied when she saw the straw carried home and stacked; +our crop of maize, which of course had not been threshed like the other +corn, afforded soft leaves which were used for stuffing mattresses, +while the stalks, when burnt, left ashes so rich in alkali as to be +especially useful. + +I changed the crops sown on the ground to rye, barley, and oats, and +hoped they would ripen before the rainy season. + +The shoals of herring made their appearance just as we finished our +agricultural operations. This year we pickled only two barrels of them; +but we were not so merciful toward the seals, which arrived on the coast +directly afterward. We hunted them vigorously, requiring their skins for +many purposes, more especially for the completion of the cajack. On the +little deck of that tiny vessel I had made a kind of magazine, in which +to store pistols, ammunition, water, and provisions, and this I meant to +cover with sealskin, so as to be quite water-tight. A couple of harpoons +furnished with seal bladders were to be suspended alongside. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +ADVENTURES OF THE BOYS AT WOODLANDS----THE ELEPHANT TRAIL + + +At last came the day when Fritz was to make his trial trip with the +cajack. Completely equipped in swimming costume--trousers, jacket, and +cap--it was most ludicrous to see him cower down in the canoe and puff +and blow till he began to swell like the frog in the fable. + +All trace of his original figure was speedily lost, and shouts of +laughter greeted his comical appearance. Even his mother could not +resist a smile, although the dress was her invention. + +I got the other boat out, that my wife might see we were ready to go to +his assistance the moment it became necessary. + +The cajack was launched from a convenient shelving point, and floated +lightly on the sea-green ocean mirror. Fritz with his paddles then began +to practice all manner of evolutions: darting along with arrowy +swiftness, wheeling to the right, then to the left; and at last, +flinging himself quite on his side, while his mother uttered a shriek of +terror, he showed that the tiny craft would neither capsize nor sink. +Then, recovering his balance, he sped securely on his further way. + +Encouraged by our shouts of approbation, he now boldly ventured into the +strong current of Jackal River, and was rapidly carried out to sea. + +This being more than I had bargained for, I lost no time in giving chase +in the boat, with Ernest and Jack; my wife urging us to greater speed, +and declaring that some accident could not fail to happen to "that +horrid soap-bubble." + +We soon arrived outside the bay, at the rocks where formerly lay the +wreck, and gazed in all directions for signs of the run-away. + +After a time we saw, at a considerable distance, a faint puff of smoke, +followed by the crack of a pistol. Upon this we fired a signal shot, +which was presently answered by another, and, steering in the direction +of the sound, we soon heard the boy's cheery halloo; the cajack darted +from behind a point of land, and we quickly joined company. + +"Come to this rocky beach," cried Fritz, "I have something to show you." + +With blank amazement we beheld a fine, well-grown young walrus, +harpooned and quite dead. + +"Did you kill this creature, my dear Fritz?" I exclaimed, looking round +in some anxiety, and half expecting to see a naked savage come to claim +the prize. + +"To be sure, father! don't you see my harpoon? Why do you doubt it?" + +"Well, I scarcely know," replied I, laughing; "but success so speedy, so +unexpected, and so appropriate, to an amateur Greenlander, took me by +surprise. I congratulate you, my boy! But I must tell you that you have +alarmed us by making this long trip. You should not have gone out of the +bay. I left your mother in grievous trouble." + +"Indeed, father, I had no idea of passing out of sight, out once in the +current, I was carried along, and could not help myself. Then I came on +a herd of walruses, and I did so long to make a prize of one that I +forgot everything else, and made chase after them when beyond the +influence of the current, until I got near enough to harpoon this fine +fellow. He swam more slowly, and I struck him a second time; then he +sought refuge among these rocks, and expired. I landed, and scrambled to +where he lay, but I took care to give him the contents of my pistol +before going close up, having a salutary recollection of the big +serpent's parting fling at you, Jack." + +[Illustration: _Then the walrus sought refuge among these rocks_] + +"You ran a very great risk," said I. "The walrus is an inoffensive +creature; but when attacked and wounded it often becomes furious, and, +turning upon its pursuer, can destroy, with its long tusks, a strongly +built whale boat. However, thank God for your safety! I value that above +a thousand such creatures. Now, what's to be done with him? He must be +quite fourteen feet long, although not full grown." + +"I am very glad you followed me, father," said Fritz; "but our united +strength will not remove this prodigious weight from among these rocks; +only do let me carry away the head, with these grand, snow-white tusks! +I should so like to fasten it on the prow of the cajack, and name it the +Sea-horse." + +"We must certainly carry away the beautiful ivory tusks," said I; "but +make haste; the air feels so excessively close and sultry, I think a +storm is brewing." + +"But the head! the head! we must have the whole head," cried Jack; "just +think how splendid it will look on the cajack!" + +"And how splendid it will smell, too, when it begins to putrefy," added +Ernest; "what a treat for the steersman!" + +"Oh, we will prepare for that," said Fritz; "it shall be soaked and +cleaned, and dried until it is as hard as a wooden model; it shall not +offend your delicate nose in the least, Ernest!" + +"I supposed the walrus to be an animal peculiar to the Arctic regions," +remarked Ernest. + +"And so it is," I replied; "though they may occasionally be seen +elsewhere; these may have wandered from the Antarctic seas. I know that +on the eastern coast of Africa is found a smaller species of walrus +called the dugong; it has long incisor teeth, but not tusks; and +certainly resembles a seal rather than a walrus." + +While thus speaking, we were actively engaged in the decapitation of the +walrus, and in cutting off long strips of its skin. This took some time, +as we had not the proper implements, and Fritz remarked that in future +the cajack must be provided with a hunting-knife and a hatchet; adding +that he should like to have a small compass in a box, with a glass top, +fixed in front of the hole where the steersman sits. I saw the necessity +of this, and I promised it should be done. + +Our work being accomplished, we were ready to go, and I proposed to take +Fritz and the canoe on board our boat, so that we might all arrive +together; but I yielded to his earnest wish to return alone as he came; +he longed to act as our avant-courier, and announce our approach to his +mother; so he was soon skimming away over the surface of the water, +while we followed at a slower rate. + +Black clouds meanwhile gathered thick and fast around us, and a +tremendous storm came on. Fritz was out of sight, and beyond our reach. + +We buckled on the swimming belts and firmly lashed ourselves to the +boat, so that we might not be washed overboard by the towering seas +which broke over it. + +The horizon was shrouded in darkness, fearful gusts of wind lashed the +ocean into foam, rain descended in torrents, while livid lightning +glared athwart the gloom. Both my boys faced the danger nobly; and my +feelings of alarm were mingled with hope on finding how well the boat +behaved. + +The tempest swept on its way, and the sky began to clear as suddenly as +it had been overcast; yet the stormy waves continued for a long time to +threaten our frail bark with destruction, in spite of its buoyancy and +steadiness. + +Yet I never lost hope for ourselves--all my fears were for Fritz; in +fact I gave him up for lost, and my whole agonized heart arose in prayer +for strength to say, "Thy will be done!" + +At last we rounded the point, and once more entering Safety Bay, quickly +drew near the little harbor. + +What was our surprise--our overwhelming delight--when there we saw the +mother with Fritz, as well as her little boy, on their knees in prayer +so earnest for our deliverance that our approach was unperceived, until +with cries of joy we attracted their notice. Then indeed ensued a happy +meeting, and we gave thanks together for the mercy which had spared our +lives. + +Returning joyfully to Rockburg, we changed our drenched garments for +warm, dry clothes; and, seated at a comfortable meal, considered and +described at our ease the perils of the storm. + +Afterward, the head of the walrus was conveyed to our workshop, where it +underwent such a skillful and thorough process of cleaning, embalming, +and drying, that ere long it was actually fixed on the prow of the +cajack, and a most imposing appearance it presented! + +The strips of hide, when well-tanned and prepared, made valuable +leather. + +Much damage had been done by the late storm. The heavy rain had flooded +all the streams, and injured crops which should have been housed before +the regular rainy season. + +The bridge over Jackal River was partly broken down, and the water tanks +and pipes all needed repair. So our time was much occupied in restoring +things to order. + +On going to work one day, near the cascade, we found a great number of +dark red berries scattered on the ground; they were about the size of +ordinary hazel nuts, with small leafy coronets at the tip. + +The boys thought them so inviting, that they tasted them at once, but +angry exclamations and much spitting and spluttering followed the +experiment; even Knips rejected them, and they would have been cast +aside with contempt, had not the smell induced me to examine them. I +decided that this was the fruit of the clove. + +Some plants were immediately set in the nursery garden, and my wife was +pleased to have this excellent spice wherewith to flavor her boiled rice +and other dishes, in lieu of pepper--a very welcome variety to everyone. + +Having a good supply of clay, brought from the bed near Falconhurst, I +proposed to use it for making aqueducts; and, observing how much the +recent rain had promoted the growth of our young corn, I determined to +irrigate the fields with the drainage from our crushing mill. + +The fishing season was again successful. Large takes of salmon, +sturgeon, and herring rewarded our annual exertions, and our storeroom +again assumed a well-stocked appearance. Much as I wished that we could +obtain a constant supply of these fish fresh, I was obliged to reject +the naïve proposal from Jack, that we should tether a shoal of salmon by +the gills to the bottom of the bay as we had secured the turtles. + +Many quiet uneventful days passed by, and I perceived that the boys, +wearied by the routine of farm work at Rockburg, were longing for a +cruise in the yacht or an expedition into the woods, which would refresh +both mind and body. + +"Father," said Fritz at length, "we want a quantity of hurdles, and have +scarcely any more bamboos of which to make them. Had we not better get a +supply from Woodlands? And you said, too, the other day, that you wished +you had some more of the fine clay: we might visit the Gap at the same +time." + +I had really no objection to propose; and it was shortly afterward +settled that Fritz, Jack and Franz should start together; and that +Ernest, who had no great desire to accompany his brothers, should remain +with his mother and me, and assist in the construction of a sugar mill, +the erection of which I had long contemplated. + +Before they started, Fritz begged some bear's meat from the mother, to +make pemmican. + +"And what may pemmican be?" she asked. + +"It is food carried by the fur-traders of North America on their long +journeys through the wild country they traverse; and consists of bear or +deer's flesh, first cooked and then pounded or ground to powder. It is +very portable, and nourishing." + +His mother consented to "humor him," as she said, although without much +faith in the value of the preparation; and in the course of two days a +stock of pemmican, sufficient for a Polar expedition, was fabricated by +our enthusiastic son. + +They were ready to start, when I observed Jack quietly slip a basket, +containing several pigeons, under the packages in the cart. + +"Oh, oh!" thought I, "the little fellow has his doubts about that +pemmican, and thinks a tough old pigeon would be preferable." + +The weather was exquisite; and, with exhortations to prudence and +caution from both me and their mother, the three lads started in the +very highest spirits. Storm and Grumble, as usual, drew the cart, and +were ridden by Fritz and Franz; while Hurry carried Jack swiftly across +the bridge in advance of them; followed by Floss and Bruno, barking at +his heels. + +The sugar mill occupied us for several days, and was made so much like +our other mills that I need not now describe it. + +On the evening of the first day, as we sat resting in the porch at +Rockburg, we naturally talked of the absentees, wondering and guessing +what they might be about. + +Ernest looked rather mysterious, and hinted that he might have news of +them next morning. + +Just then a bird alighted on the dovecot, and entered. I could not see, +in the failing light, whether it was one of our own pigeons or an +intruder. Ernest started up, and said he would see that all was right. + +In a few minutes he returned with a scrap of paper in his hand. + +"News, father! The very latest news by pigeon post, mother!" + +"Well done, boys! what a capital idea!" said I, and taking the note I +read: + + "Dearest Parents and Ernest: + + "A brute of a hyena has killed a ram and two lambs. The dogs + seized it. Franz shot it. It is dead and skinned. The pemmican + isn't worth much, but we are all right. Love to all. + + "Fritz. + + "Woodlands, 15th instant." + +"A true hunter's letter!" laughed I; "but what exciting news. When does +the next post come in, Ernest?" + +"To-night, I hope," said he, while his mother sighed, and doubted the +value of such glimpses into the scenes of danger through which her sons +were passing, declaring she would much rather wait and hear all about it +when she had them safe home again. + +Thus the winged letter-carriers kept us informed from day to day of the +outline of adventures which were afterward more fully described. + +On approaching the farm at Woodlands, the boys were startled by hearing, +as they thought, human laughter, repeated again and again; while, to +their astonishment, the oxen testified the greatest uneasiness, the dogs +growled and drew close to their masters, and the ostrich fairly bolted +with Jack into the rice swamp. + +The laughter continued, and the beasts became unmanageable. + +"Something is very far wrong!" cried Fritz. "I cannot leave the animals; +but while I unharness them, do you, Franz, take the dogs, and advance +cautiously to see what is the matter." + +Without a moment's hesitation, Franz made his way among the bushes with +his gun, closely followed by the dogs; until, through an opening in the +thicket, he could see, at a distance of about forty paces, an enormous +hyena, in the most wonderful state of excitement; dancing round a lamb +just killed, and uttering, from time to time, the ghastly hysterical +laughter which had pealed through the forest. + +The beast kept running backward and forward, rising on its hind legs, +and then rapidly whirling round and round, nodding its head, and going +through most frantic and ludicrous antics. + +Franz kept his presence of mind very well; for he watched till, calming +down, the hyena began with horrid growls to tear its prey; and then, +firing steadily both barrels, he broke its foreleg, and wounded it in +the breast. + +Meanwhile Fritz, having unyoked the oxen and secured them to trees, +hurried to his brother's assistance. The dogs and the dying hyena were +by this time engaged in mortal strife; but the latter, although it +severely wounded both Floss and Bruno, speedily succumbed, and was dead +when the boys reached the spot. They raised a shout of triumph, which +guided Jack to the scene of action; and their first care was for the +dogs, whose wounds they dressed before minutely examining the hyena. It +was as large as a wild boar; long stiff bristles formed a mane on its +neck, its color was gray marked with black, the teeth and jaws were of +extraordinary strength, the thighs muscular and sinewy, the claws +remarkably strong and sharp altogether. But for his wounds he would +certainly have been more than a match for the dogs. + +After unloading the cart at the farm, the boys returned for the carcass +of the tiger-wolf, as it is sometimes called, and occupied themselves in +skinning it during the remainder of the day, when, after dispatching the +carrier-pigeon to Rockburg, they retired to rest on their bearskin rugs, +to dream of adventures past and future. + +The following day they devised no less a scheme than to survey the +shores of Wood Lake, and place marks wherever the surrounding marsh was +practicable, and might be crossed either to reach the water or leave it. + +Fritz in the cajack, and the boys on shore, carefully examined the +ground together; and when they found firm footing to the water's edge, +the spot was indicated by planting a tall bamboo, bearing on high a +bundle of reeds and branches. + +They succeeded in capturing three young black swans, after considerable +resistance from the old ones. They were afterward brought to Rockburg, +and detained as ornaments to Safety Bay. + +Presently a beautiful heron thrust his long neck from among the reeds, +to ascertain what all the noise on the lake was about. Before he could +satisfy his curiosity, Fritz unhooded his eagle, and though vainly he +flapped and struggled, his legs and wings were gently but firmly bound, +and he had to own himself vanquished, and submit to the inspection of +his delighted captors. + +It was their turn to be alarmed next, for a large powerful animal came +puffing, with a curious whistling sound, through the dense thicket of +reeds, passing close by and sorely discomposing them by its sudden +appearance. It was out of sight immediately, before they could summon +the dogs, and from their description it must have been a tapir, the +color dark brown, and in form resembling a young rhinoceros, but with no +horn on the nose, and the upper lip prolonged into a trunk something +like that of an elephant on a smaller scale. It is a gentle creature, +but when attacked becomes a fierce opponent, and can wound dogs +dangerously with its powerful teeth. + +The tapir can swim and dive with perfect ease, and abounds in the +densely wooded swamps and rivers of tropical America. + +Fritz in his cajack followed for a time the direction in which the tapir +proceeded, but saw no more of it. + +Meanwhile the other two boys returned to the farm by the rice fields, +and there fell in with a flock of cranes, five or six of which they +caught alive, among them two demoiselles or Numidian cranes. These birds +they shot at with arrows arranged in a skillful and original way, with +loops of cord dipped in birdlime attached to them, so that it often +happened that the bird aimed at was entangled and brought down +uninjured. + +The young hunters seemed to have lived very comfortably on peccary ham, +cassava bread and fruit, and plenty of baked potatoes and milk. + +One trial of the pemmican was sufficient, and it was handed over to the +dogs. Fritz, however, determined again to attempt the manufacture, +knowing its value when properly prepared. + +After collecting a supply of rice and cotton, they took their way to +Prospect Hill; "and," said Fritz, as he afterward vividly described the +dreadful scene there enacted, "when we entered the pine wood, we found +it in possession of troops of monkeys, who resolved to make our passage +through it as disagreeable as possible, for they howled and chattered at +us like demons, pelting us as hard as they could with pine cones. + +"They became so unbearable, that at last we fired a few shot right and +left among them; several bit the dust, the rest fled, and we continued +our way in peace to Prospect Hill, but only to discover the havoc the +wretches had made there. + +"Would you believe it, father? The pleasant cottage had been overrun and +ruined by apes just as Woodlands last summer! The most dreadful dirt and +disorder met our eyes wherever we turned, and we had hard work to make +the place fit for human habitation; and even then we preferred the tent. +I felt quite at a loss how to guard the farm for the future; but seeing +a bottle of the poisonous gum of the euphorbia in the tool chest, I +devised a plan for the destruction of the apes which succeeded beyond my +expectations. + +"I mixed poison with milk, bruised millet, and anything I thought the +monkeys would eat, and put it in cocoanut shells, which I hung about in +the trees, high enough to be out of reach of our own animals. The +evening was calm and lovely; the sea murmured in the distance, and the +rising moon shed a beauty over the landscape which we seemed never +before to have so admired and enjoyed. The summer night closed around us +in all its solemn stillness, and our deepest feelings were touched; when +suddenly the spell was broken by an out-burst of the most hideous and +discordant noises. As by one consent, every beast of the forest seemed +to arise from its den, and utter its wild nocturnal cry. Snorting, +snarling, and shrieking filled the wood beneath us. + +"From the hills echoed the mournful howl of jackals, answered by Fangs +in the yard, who was backed up by the barking and yelping of his friends +Floss and Bruno. Far away beyond the rocky fastnesses of the Gap, +sounded unearthly, hollow snortings and neighings, reminding one of the +strange cry of the hippopotamus; above these, occasional deep majestic +roaring made our hearts quail with the conviction that we heard the +voices of lions and elephants. + +"Overawed and silent, we retired to rest, hoping to forget in sleep the +terrors of the midnight forest, but ere long the most fearful cries in +the adjoining woods gave notice that the apes were beginning to suffer +from the poisoned repast prepared for them. + +"As our dogs could not remain silent amid the uproar and din, we had not +a wink of sleep until the morning. It was late, therefore, when we rose, +and looked on the awful spectacle presented by the multitude of dead +monkeys and baboons thickly strewn under the trees round the farm. I +shall not tell you how many there were. I can only say, I wished I had +not found the poison, and we made all haste to clear away the dead +bodies, and the dangerous food, burying some deep in the earth, and +carrying the rest to the shore, we pitched them over the rocks into the +sea. That day we traveled on to the Gap." + +The same evening that the boys reached the rocky pass, a messenger +pigeon arrived at Rockburg, bearing a note which concluded in the +following words: + +"The barricade at the Gap is broken down. Everything laid waste as far +as the sugar-brake, where the hut is knocked to pieces, and the fields +trampled over by huge footmarks. Come to us, father--we are safe, but +feel we are no match for this unknown danger." + +I lost not an instant, but saddled Swift, late as it was, in order to +ride to the assistance of our boys, desiring Ernest to prepare the small +cart, and follow me with his mother at daybreak, bringing everything we +should require for camping out for some days. + +The bright moonlight favored my journey, and my arrival at the Gap +surprised and delighted the boys, who did not expect me till the next +day. Early on the following morning I inspected the footprints and +ravages of the great unknown. The cane brake had, without doubt, been +visited by an elephant. That great animal alone could have left such +traces and committed such fearful ravages. Thick posts in the barricade +were snapped across like reeds; the trees in the vicinity, where we +planned to build a cool summer-house, were stripped of leaves and +branches to a great height, but the worst mischief was done among the +young sugar-cane plants, which were all either devoured or trampled down +and destroyed. + +It seemed to me that not one elephant, but a troop must have invaded our +grounds. The tracks were very numerous, and the footprints of various +sizes; but, to my satisfaction, I saw that they could be traced not only +from the Gap, but back to it in evidently equal numbers. + +We did not, therefore, suppose that the mighty animals remained hidden +in the woods of our territory; but concluded that, after this +freebooting incursion, they had withdrawn to their native wilds, where, +by greatly increasing the strength of our ramparts, we hoped henceforth +to oblige them to remain. + +In what manner to effect this we laid many plans, during the night of my +arrival, when, sitting by an enormous watch-fire, I chatted with my +boys, and heard details of their numerous adventures, so interesting for +them to relate, and for me to hear, that everyone was more disposed to +act sentinel than retire to sleep. + +The mother and Ernest arrived next day, and she rejoiced to find all +well, making light of trodden fields and trampled sugar-canes, since her +sons were sound in life and limb. + +A systematic scheme of defense was now elaborated, and the erection of +the barricade occupied us for at least a month, as it was to be a firm +and durable building, proof against all invasion. As our little tent was +unsuited to a long residence of this sort, I adopted Fritz's idea of a +Kamschatkan dwelling, and, to his great delight, forthwith carried it +out. + +Instead of planting four posts, on which to place a platform, we chose +four trees of equal size, which, in a very suitable place, grew exactly +in a square, twelve or fourteen feet apart. Between these, at about +twenty feet from the ground, we laid a flooring of beams and bamboo, +smoothly and strongly planked. From this rose, on all four sides, walls +of cane; the frame of the roof was covered so effectually by large +pieces of bark that no rain could penetrate. + +The staircase to this tree-cottage was simply a broad plank with bars +nailed across it for steps. The flooring projected like a balcony in +front of the entrance door, and underneath, on the ground, we fitted up +sheds for cattle and fowls. + +Various ornaments in Chinese or Japanese style were added to the roof +and eaves, and a most convenient, cool, and picturesque cottage, +overhung and adorned by the graceful foliage of the trees, was the +result of our ingenuity. + +I was pleased to find that the various birds taken by the boys during +this excursion seemed likely to thrive; they were the first inmates of +the new sheds, and even the black swans and cranes soon became tame and +sociable. + +Constantly roaming through the woods, the children often made new +discoveries. + +Fritz brought one day, after an excursion to the opposite side of the +stream beyond the Gap, a cluster of bananas, and also of cacao beans, +from which chocolate is made. + +The banana, although valuable and nourishing food for the natives of the +tropical countries where it grows, is not generally liked by Europeans, +and probably this variety was even inferior to many others, for we found +the fruit much like rotten pears, and almost uneatable. + +The cacao seeds tasted exceedingly bitter, and it seemed wonderful that +by preparation they should produce anything so delicious as chocolate. + +My wife, who now fancied no manufacture beyond my skill, begged for +plants, seeds, or cuttings to propagate in her nursery garden, already +fancying herself in the enjoyment of chocolate for breakfast, and I +promised to make a cacao plantation near home. + +"Let me have bananas also," said she, "for we may acquire a taste for +that celebrated fruit, and, at all events, I am sure I can make it into +an excellent preserve." + +The day before our return to Rockburg, Fritz went again to the inland +region beyond the river to obtain a large supply of young banana plants, +and the cacao fruit. He took the cajack, and a bundle of reeds to float +behind him as a raft to carry the fruit, plants, and anything else he +might wish to bring back. + +In the evening he made his appearance, coming swiftly down stream. His +brothers rushed to meet him, each eager to see and help to land his +cargo. + +Ernest and Fritz were quickly running up the bank, with arms full of +plants, branches, and fruits, when Fritz handed to Jack a dripping wet +bag which he had brought along partly under water. A curious pattering +noise proceeded from this bag, but they kept the contents a secret for +the present, Jack running with it behind a bush before peeping in, and I +could just hear him explain: + +"Hullo! I say, what monsters they are. It's enough to make a fellow's +flesh creep to look at them!" + +With that he hastily shut up the bag, and put it away safely out of +sight in water. + +Securing the cajack, Fritz sprang toward us, his handsome face radiant +with pleasure as he exhibited a beautiful waterfowl. + +Its plumage was rich purple, changing on the back to dark green; the +legs, feet, and a mark above the bill, bright red. This lovely bird I +concluded to be the sultan cock described by Buffon, and as it was +gentle, we gladly received it among our domestic pets. + +Fritz gave a stirring account of his exploring trip, having made his way +far up the river, between fertile plains and majestic forests of lofty +trees, where the cries of vast numbers of birds, parrots, peacocks, +guinea fowls, and hundreds unknown to him, quite bewildered, and made +him feel giddy. + +"It was in the Buffalo Swamp," continued he, "that I saw the splendid +birds you call sultan cocks, and I set my heart on catching one alive, +which, as they seemed to have little fear of my approach, I managed by +means of a wire snare. Farther on I saw a grove of mimosa trees, among +which huge dark masses were moving in a deliberate way. Guess what they +were!" + +"Savages?" asked Franz, timidly. + +"Black bears, I bet!" cried Jack. + +"Your words suggest to my mind the manner and appearance of elephants," +said Ernest. + +"Right you are, Professor!" exclaimed Fritz gayly, the words producing +quite a sensation on the whole attentive family. "From fifteen to twenty +elephants were feeding peacefully on the leafy boughs, tearing down +branches with their trunks and shoving them into their mouths with one +jerk, or bathing in the deep waters of the marsh for refreshment in the +great heat. You cannot imagine the wild grandeur of the scene! The river +being very broad, I felt safe from wild animals, and more than once saw +splendid jaguars crouched on the banks, their glossy skin glancing in +the sunlight. + +"While considering if it would be simply foolhardy to try a shot at one +of these creatures, I was suddenly convinced that discretion is the +better part of valor, and urging my canoe into the center current, made +a rapid retreat down the river. For just before me, in the calm deep +water of a sheltered bay where I was quietly floating, there arose a +violent boiling, bubbling commotion, and for an instant I thought a hot +spring was going to burst forth--instead of that, up rose the hideous +head and gaping jaws of a hippopotamus, who, with a hoarse, terrific +snort, seemed about to attack me. I can tell you I did not wait to see +the rest of him! a glimpse of his enormous mouth and its array of white +gleaming tusks was quite enough. 'Right about face!' said I to myself, +and shot down the stream like an arrow, never pausing till a bend in the +river brought me within sight of the Gap, where I once more felt safe, +and joyfully made my way back to you all." + +[Illustration: _Up rose the hideous head and gaping jaws of a +hippopotamus_] + +This narrative was of thrilling interest to us, proving the existence of +tribes of the most formidable animals beyond the rocky barrier which +defended, in so providential a manner, the small and fertile territory +on which our lot was cast. + +During the absence of the adventurer we had been busily engaged in +making preparations for our departure--and everything was packed up and +ready by the morning after his return. + +After some hesitation I yielded to his great wish, which was to return +by sea in his cajack round Cape Disappointment, and so meet us at +Rockburg. + +He was much interested in examining the outlines of the coast and the +rugged precipices of the Cape. These were tenanted by vast flocks of sea +fowl and birds of prey; while many varieties of shrubs and plants, +hitherto unknown to us, grew in the clefts and crevices of the rocks, +some of them diffusing a strong aromatic odor. Among the specimens he +brought I recognized the caper plant, and, with still greater pleasure, +a shrub which was, I felt sure, the tea-plant of China--it bore very +pretty white flowers, and the leaves resembled myrtle. + +Our land journey was effected without accident or adventure of any kind. + +Jack, mounted as usual on Hurry, the ostrich, carried the mysterious +wet bag very carefully slung at his side, and when near home started off +at a prodigious rate in advance of us. + +He let fall the drawbridge, and we saw no more of him until, on reaching +Rockburg, he appeared leisurely returning from the swamp, where +apparently he had gone to deposit his "moist secret," as Franz called +it. + +We were all glad to take up our quarters once more in our large and +convenient dwelling, and my first business was to provide for the great +number of birds we now had on our hands, by establishing them in +suitable localities, it being impossible to maintain them all in the +poultry yard. Some were, therefore, taken to the islands; and the black +swans, the heron, the graceful demoiselle cranes, and our latest +acquisition, the splendid sultan cock, soon became perfectly at home in +the swamp, greatly adding to the interest of the neighborhood of Safety +Bay. + +The old bustards were the tamest of all our feathered pets, and never +more so than at meal times. They were unfailing in their attendance when +we dined or supped in the open air. + +Toward evening, as we sat in the veranda listening to Fritz's account of +his trip round the Cape, an extraordinary hollow, roaring noise sounded +from the swamp not unlike the angry bellowing of a bull. + +The dogs barked, and the family rose in excitement; but I remarked a +look of quiet humor in Fritz's eye, as he stood leaning against one of +the veranda pillars, watching Jack, who, in some confusion, started off +toward the marsh. + +"Come back, you silly boy!" cried his mother; "the child has not so much +as a pistol, and is rushing off alone to face he knows not what!" + +"Perhaps," said I, looking at Fritz, "this is not a case requiring the +use of firearms. It may be only the booming of a bittern which we hear." + +"You need not be uneasy, mother," said Fritz; "Jack knows what he is +about; only this charming serenade took him by surprise, and I fancy he +will have to exhibit his treasures before they reach perfection. Yes, +here he comes!" + +Lugging his "moist secret" along with him, Jack, flushed and breathless, +came up to us, exclaiming: + +"They were to grow as big as rabbits before you saw them! Such a shame! +I never thought they would kick up a row like that. Now for it!"--and he +turned out the bag. "This is 'Grace,' and this is 'Beauty.'" + +Two immense frogs rolled clumsily on the ground, and recovering their +feet, sat squat before us, swelling and puffing with a ludicrous air of +insulted dignity, while peals of laughter greeted them on all sides. + +"Ladies and gentlemen, these are two very handsome young specimens of +the famous African bullfrog," said Jack, pretending to be offended at +the mingled disgust and amusement occasioned by their appearance; "they +are but half-grown, and I hoped to maintain them in seclusion until they +reached full size, when I would have introduced them with proper éclat. +But since their talent for music has brought them precociously into +public notice, I must beg for your kind and indulgent patronage, +and--leave to take them back to the swamp!" + +Great clapping of hands followed Jack's speech. + +"Grace" and "Beauty" were examined, and commented on with much interest, +and voted decidedly handsome "in their way." + +Their general color was greenish brown, mottled and spotted with reddish +brown and yellow; the sides green and black; the under part yellow, +mottled with orange. The eyes were positively beautiful, of a rich +chestnut hue, covered with golden white dots, which shone with a +metallic luster. The skin of the body was puckered into longitudinal +folds. + +By general consent they were remanded to the swamp. + +Shortly after our return to Rockburg, my wife drew my attention to the +somewhat neglected state of our dear old summer residence at +Falconhurst, begging me to devote some time to its restoration and +embellishment. + +This I most willingly undertook, and we removed thither, as soon as the +boys had completed the arrangement of the artificial salt-lick to their +satisfaction. + +At Falconhurst things were quickly in good order, and we made a great +improvement by completing the broad terrace supported on the arching +roots of the trees--it was better floored--and rustic pillars and +trelliswork sustained a bark roof which afforded a pleasant shade. + +After this was done, I was compelled to consent to a plan long cherished +by Fritz, who wished to construct a watchtower and mount a gun on Shark +Island. After great exertion, both mental and bodily, this piece of +military engineering was completed; and a flagstaff erected, on which +the guard at this outpost could run up a white flag to signal the +approach of anything harmless from the sea, while a red flag would be +shown on the least appearance of danger. + +To celebrate the completion of this great work, which occupied us during +two months, we hoisted the white flag, and fired a salute of six guns. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +TEN YEARS AFTERWARD--A STRANGE MESSAGE + + +"We spend our years as a tale that is told," said King David. + +These words recurred to me again and again as I reviewed ten years, of +which the story lay chronicled in the pages of my journal. + +Year followed year; chapter succeeded chapter; steadily, imperceptibly, +time was passing away. + +The shade of sadness cast on my mind by retrospect of this kind was +dispelled by thoughts full of gratitude to God, for the welfare and +happiness of my beloved family during so long a period. I had cause +especially to rejoice in seeing our sons advance to manhood, +strengthened by early training for lives of usefulness and activity +wherever their lot might fall. + +And my great wish is, that young people who read this record of our +lives and adventures should learn from it how admirably suited is the +peaceful, industrious, and pious life of a cheerful, united family, to +the formation of strong, pure, and manly character. + +None take a better place in the great national family, none are happier +or more beloved than those who go forth from such homes to fulfill new +duties, and to gather fresh interests around them. + +Having given a detailed account of several years' residence in New +Switzerland, as we liked to call our dominion, it is needless for me to +continue what would exhaust the patience of the most long-suffering, by +repeating monotonous narratives of exploring parties and hunting +expeditions, wearisome descriptions of awkward inventions and clumsy +machines, with an endless record of discoveries, more fit for the pages +of an encyclopedia than a book of family history. + +Yet before winding up with the concluding events, I may mention some +interesting facts illustrative of our exact position at the time these +took place. + +Rockburg and Falconhurst continued to be our winter and summer +headquarters, and improvements were added which made them more and more +convenient, as well as attractive in appearance. + +The fountains, trellised verandas, and plantations round Rockburg, +completely changed the character of the residence which, on account of +the heat and want of vegetation, had in former days been so distasteful +to my wife. Flowering creepers overhung the balconies and pillars; while +shrubs and trees, both native and European, grew luxuriantly in groves +of our planting. + +In the distance, Shark Island, now clothed with graceful palms, guarded +the entrance to Safety Bay, the battery and flagstaff prominently +visible on its crested rock. + +The swamp, cleared and drained, was now a considerable lake, with just +marsh and reeds enough beyond it to form good cover for the waterfowl +whose favorite retreat it was. + +On its blue waters sailed stately black swans, snow-white geese, and +richly colored ducks; while out and in among the water plants and rushes +would appear at intervals glimpses of the brilliant sultan, marsh-fowl, +crimson flamingoes, soft, blue-gray, demoiselle cranes, and crested +heron, all associating in harmony, and with no fear of us, their +masters. + +The giant frogs, Grace and Beauty, delighted Jack by actually attaining +in time to the size of small rabbits; and, perfectly knowing their very +appropriate names, would waddle out of the marsh at his call, to eat a +grasshopper or dainty fly. + +Beneath the spreading trees, and through the aromatic shrubberies, old +Hurry, the ostrich, was usually to be seen marching about, with grave +and dignified pace, as though monarch of all he surveyed. Every variety +of beautiful pigeon nested in the rocks and dovecots, their soft cooing +and glossy plumage making them favorite household pets. + +By the bridge alone could Rockburg be approached; for higher up the +river, where, near the cascade, it was fordable a dense and impenetrable +thicket of orange and lemon trees, Indian figs, prickly pears, and all +manner of thorn-bearing shrubs, planted by us, now formed a complete +barrier. + +The rabbit warren on Shark Island kept us well supplied with food, as +well as soft and useful fur; and, as the antelopes did not thrive on +Whale Isle, they also were placed among the shady groves with the +rabbits, and their own island devoted to such work as candle-making, +tanning, wool-cleaning, and any other needful but offensive operations. + +The farm at Woodlands flourished, and our flocks and herds supplied us +with mutton, beef, and veal, while my wife's dairy was almost more than +she could manage. + +My boys retained their old love for giving names to the animals. They +had a beautiful creamy-white cow called Blanche, and a bull with such a +tremendous voice, that he received the name of Stentor. Two fleet young +onagers were named Arrow and Dart; and Jack had a descendant of his old +favorite Fangs, the jackal, which he chose to call Coco, asserting that +no word could be distinguished at a distance without the letter "o" in +it, giving illustrations of his theory till our ears were almost +deafened. + +Excellent health had been enjoyed by us all during these ten years, +though my wife occasionally suffered from slight attacks of fever, and +the boys sometimes met with little accidents. + +They were all fine, handsome fellows; Fritz, now twenty-four, was of +moderate height, uncommonly strong, active, muscular, and high-spirited. + +Ernest, two years younger, was tall and slight; in disposition, mild, +calm, and studious; his early faults of indolence and selfishness were +almost entirely overcome. He possessed refined tastes and great +intellectual power. + +Jack, at twenty, strongly resembled Fritz, being about his height, +though more lightly built, and remarkable rather for active grace and +agility than for muscular strength. + +Franz, a lively youth of seventeen, had some of the qualities of each of +his brothers; he possessed wit and shrewdness, but not the arch drollery +of Jack. + +All were honorable, God-fearing young men, dutiful and affectionate to +their mother and myself, and warmly attached to each other. + +Although so many years had elapsed in total seclusion, it continued to +be my strong impression that we should one day be restored to the +society of our fellow-men. + +But time, which was bringing our sons to manhood, was also carrying +their parents onward to old age; and anxious, gloomy thoughts relating +to their future, should they be left indeed alone, sometimes oppressed +my heart. + +On such occasions, I would not communicate the sense of depression to my +family, but, turning in prayer to the Almighty Father, laid my trouble +before Him, with never-failing renewal of strength and hope. + +My elder sons often made expeditions of which we knew nothing until +their return after many hours; when any uneasiness I might have felt was +dissipated by their joyous appearance, and reproof always died away on +my lips. + +Fritz had been absent one whole day from Rockburg, and not until evening +did we remark that his cajack was gone, and that he must be out at sea. + +Anxious to see him return before nightfall, I went off to Shark Island +with Ernest and Jack, in order to look out for him from the watch tower +there, at the same time hoisting our signal flag, and loading the gun. + +Long we gazed across the expanse of ocean glittering in the level beams +of the setting sun, and finally discerned a small black speck in the +distance which, by the telescope, was proved to be the returning +wanderer. + +I remarked that his skiff sailed at a slower rate than usual toward the +shore. The cannon was fired to let him know that his approach was +observed, and then we joyfully hurried back to receive him at the +harbor. + +It was easy to see, as he drew near, what had delayed his progress. The +cajack towed a large sack, besides being heavily laden. + +"Welcome, Fritz!" I cried. "Welcome back, wherever you come from, and +whatever you bring. You seem to have quite a cargo there!" + +"Yes, and my trip has led to discoveries as well as booty," answered he; +"interesting discoveries which will tempt us again in the same +direction. Come, boys, let's carry up the things, and while I rest I +will relate my adventures." + +As soon as possible all assembled round him. + +"I think my absence without leave deserves reproach instead of this warm +reception, father, and I must apologize for it," he began. "But ever +since I possessed the cajack it has been my ambition to make a voyage of +discovery along the coast, which we have never explored beyond the point +at which I killed the walrus. + +"In order to be ready to start without delay when a convenient +opportunity offered, I made preparations beforehand, such as +provisioning my skiff, fixing the compass in front of my seat, arranging +conveniently rifle, harpoon, ax, boat-hook, and fishing net. I also +resolved to take with me Pounce, my eagle, and this I always will do in +future. + +"This morning dawned magnificently; the calm sea, the gentle breeze, all +drew me irresistibly to the fulfillment of my purpose. + +"I left the harbor unperceived, the current quickly bore me out to sea, +and I rounded the point to the left, passing just over the spot where, +beneath the waves, lie the guns, cannon balls, ironwork, and all that +was indestructible about our good old wreck. And would you believe it? +Through the glassy clear water, undisturbed by a ripple, I actually saw +many such things strewn on the flat rocky bottom. + +"Pursuing my way, I passed among rugged cliffs and rocks which jutted +out from the shore, or rose in rugged masses from the water. Myriads of +sea fowl inhabited the most inaccessible of these, while on the lower +ridges, seals, sea bears, and walruses were to be seen, some basking +lazily in the sun, some plunging into the water, or emerging awkwardly +from it, hoisting their unwieldy bodies up the rocks by means of their +tusks. + +"I must confess to feeling anything but comfortable while going through +the places held in possession by these monsters of the deep, and used +every effort to pass quickly and unnoticed. Yet it was more than an hour +and a half before I got clear of the rocks, cliffs, and shoals to which +they resorted, and near a high and precipitous cape, running far out to +sea. Right opposite to me, in the side of this rocky wall, was a +magnificent archway, forming, as it first appeared to me, a lofty +entrance to an immense vaulted cavern. I passed beneath this noble +portal and examined the interior. It was tenanted by numbers of a small +species of swallow, scarcely larger than a wren, and the walls were +covered by thousands of their nests. They were rudely built, and their +peculiarity was that each rested on a kind of platform, something like a +spoon without the handle. I detached a number, and found that they had a +curious appearance, seemingly made of something fibrous and gelatinous, +and more like a set of sponges, corals, or fungi, than nests of birds. I +have brought them home in my fishing net." + +"If we had commercial dealings with the Chinese," said I, "your +discovery would be of value; these are doubtless edible bird's nests. +The bird is called the esculent swallow, and the trade in this strange +article of diet is a very large one. The nests are of different value, +but those which are quite new, and nearly white, are held in such esteem +that they are worth their weight in silver. + +"There are tremendous caverns in Java and other places where, at great +risk, these nests are procured; the annual weight obtained being upward +of fifty thousand pounds, and the value more than £200,000. + +"When placed in water and well soaked, they soften and swell, and are +made into soup of very strengthening and restorative quality. + +"I think you might try your hand on these, mother, just for curiosity's +sake." + +"I can't say I fancy the look of the queer things," said she, "but I +don't mind trying if they will turn to jelly; though boiling birds' +nests is cookery quite out of my line." + +"Oh, do, mother; let us taste birds' nests as soon as you can, though +the idea makes me fancy my mouth full of feathers!" laughed Jack. + +"It is really a most curious formation," said Fritz. "From whence are +the swallows supposed to get this kind of gelatine?" + +"It has never been exactly ascertained," I replied, "whether the birds +discover or produce this curious substance. But whatever may be its +basis, it is clear that a very large portion of it is furnished by +certain glands, which pour out a viscid secretion." + +"After laying in my store of nests," continued Fritz, "I pursued my way +through this vaulted cave or corridor; which, presently turning, opened +into a very lonely bay, so calm and lake-like, that, although of +considerable size, I concluded at once it must be nearly land locked. +Its shores, beyond the rocky boundary through which I penetrated, +extended in a fertile plain toward what seemed the mouth of a river, +beyond which lay rough, and probably marshy, ground, and a dense forest +of cedars, which closed the view. + +"The water beneath me was clear as crystal; and, gazing into its depths +and shallows, I perceived beds of shell-fish, like large oysters, +attached to the rocks and to each other by tufts of hairy filaments. + +"'If these are oysters,' thought I, 'they must be better worth eating, +as far as size goes, than our little friends in Safety Bay,' and +thereupon I hooked up several clusters with my boat-hook, and landing +soon after on the beach, I flung them on the sand, resolving to fetch +another load, and then tow them after me in the fishing-net. + +"The hot sun disagreed with their constitution, I suppose; for when I +came back the shells were all gaping wide open; so I began to examine +them, thinking that after all they were probably much less delicate than +the small oysters we have learnt to like so much. + +"Somehow, when a thing is to be 'examined,' one generally needs a knife. +The blade met with resistance here and there in the creature's body; and +still closer 'examination' produced from it several pearly balls like +peas, of different sizes. Do you think they can be pearls? I have a +number here in a box." + +"Oh, show them to us, Fritz!" cried the boys. "What pretty shining +things! and how delicately rounded, and how softly they gleam!" + +"You have discovered treasure, indeed!" I exclaimed; "why, these are +most beautiful pearls! Valueless, certainly, under present +circumstances; but they may prove a source of wealth should we ever +again come into contact with the civilized world. We must visit your +pearl-oyster beds at the earliest opportunity." + +"After resting for some time, and refreshing myself with food," pursued +Fritz, "I resumed my survey of the coast, my progress somewhat impeded +by the bag of shell-fish, which I drew after me; but I proceeded without +accident past the mouth of the stream to the further side of the bay, +which was there inclosed by a point corresponding to that through which +I had entered; and between these headlands I found a line of reefs and +sand-banks, with but a single channel leading out to the open sea; from +which, therefore, Pearl Bay, as I named it, lies completely sheltered. + +"The tide was setting strongly in shore, so that I could not then +attempt a passage through it, but examined the crags of the headland, +thinking I might perchance discover a second vaulted archway. I saw +nothing remarkable, however, but thousands of sea fowl of every sort and +kind, from the gull and sea swallow to the mighty albatross. + +"My approach was evidently regarded as an invasion and trespass; for +they regularly beset me, screaming and wheeling over my head, till, out +of all patience, I stood up, and hit furiously about me with the +boat-hook; when, rather to my surprise, one blow struck an albatross +with such force, that he fell stunned into the water. + +"I now once more attempted to cross the reef by the narrow channel, and +happily succeeding, found myself in the open sea, and speeding homeward, +joyfully saw our flag flying, and heard the welcome salute you fired." + +Here ended the narrative; but next morning Fritz drew me aside, and +confided to me a most remarkable sequel, in these words: + +"There was something very extraordinary about that albatross, father. I +allowed you to suppose that I left it as it fell, but in reality I +raised it to the deck of the canoe, and then perceived a piece of rag +wound round one of its legs. This I removed, and, to my utter +astonishment, saw English words written on it, which I plainly made out +to be: 'Save an unfortunate Englishwoman from the smoking rock!' + +"This little sentence sent a thrill through every nerve: my brain seemed +to whirl. I doubted the evidence of my senses. + +"'Is this reality, or delusion?' thought I. 'Can it be true, that a +fellow-creature breathes with us the air of this lonely region?' + +"I felt stupefied for some minutes: the bird began to show signs of +life, which recalled me to myself; and, quickly deciding what must be +done, I tore a strip from my handkerchief, on which I traced the +words--'Do not despair! Help is near!' + +"This I carefully bound round one leg, replacing the rag on the other, +and then applied myself to the complete restoration of the bird. It +gradually revived; and after drinking a little, surprised me by suddenly +rising on the wing, faltering a moment in its flight, and then rapidly +disappearing from my view in a westerly direction. + +"Now, father, one thought occupies me continually: will my note ever +reach this Englishwoman? Shall I be able to find, and to save her?" + +I listened to this account with feelings of the liveliest interest and +astonishment. + +"My dear son," said I, "you have done wisely in confiding to me alone +your most exciting discovery. Unless we know more, we must not unsettle +the others by speaking of it; for it appears to me quite possible that +these words were penned long ago on some distant shore, where, by this +time, the unhappy stranger may have perished miserably. By the 'smoking +rock' must be meant a volcano. There are none here." + +Fritz was not disposed to look at the case from this gloomy point of +view; did not think the rag so very old; believed smoke might rise from +a rock which was not volcanic; and evidently cherished the hope that he +might be able to respond effectually to this touching appeal. + +I was in reality as anxious as himself on the subject, but judged it +prudent to abate rather than excite hopes of success which might be +doomed to bitter disappointment. + +After earnest consultation on the subject, we decided that Fritz should +go in search of the writer of the message, but not until he had so +altered the canoe as to fit it for carrying two persons, as well as +provisions sufficient to admit of his absence for a considerable time. +Impatient as he was, he could not but see the wisdom of this delay. + +We returned to the house, and saw the boys busily opening the oysters, +which they had had no time to do the previous night, and greatly excited +as ever and anon a pearl was found. + +"May we not establish a pearl fishery at once, father?" shouted they. +"We might build a hut on the shore of the bay, and set about it +regularly." + +An excursion to Pearl Bay was now the event to which all thoughts +turned, and for which preparations on a grand scale were made. It was to +form, as it were, the basis of the more important voyage Fritz had in +view, and to which, unsuspected by the rest, he could devote all his +attention. + +I took an opportunity, one day, when all were present, to remark in a +serious tone: + +"I have been considering, dear wife, that our eldest son is now of an +age to be dependent on himself. I shall, therefore, henceforth leave him +at liberty to act in all respects according to his own judgment; and, +especially in the matter of voyages or excursions, he must not be +hampered by the fear of alarming us should he choose to remain absent +longer than we expect. I have such entire confidence in his prudence, +and at the same time in his affection for us, that I am certain he will +never needlessly cause us anxiety." + +Fritz looked gratefully toward me as I spoke; and his mother ratified my +words, embracing him affectionately, and saying, with emotion, "God +bless and preserve thee, my boy!" + +It took some time to make several raking or scraping machines, which I +invented for the purpose of detaching and lifting the oysters from their +native rocks; but that gave Fritz leisure to change the fittings of his +canoe, so as to have a spare seat in it. + +His brothers naturally concluded he meant to take one of them as +shipmate on board, and he allowed the mistake to continue. They occupied +themselves in making various articles they expected to be of use, and +bore the delay with tolerable patience. + +At last came the day, when, taking leave of the mother and Franz, we +went on board the yacht, accompanied by some of the dogs; while Jack, +proudly occupying the new seat beside Fritz in the canoe, shared with +him the honor of leading the way in the character of pilots. + +We passed safely through the rocks and shoals near Walrus Island into an +expanse of calm water, sheltered by jutting cliffs, where the sea +glanced like a mirror, and for the first time we observed the fairy-like +shells of the paper-nautilus sailing lightly over the dazzling surface. + +It was impossible to see these lovely seafarers without wishing to +obtain specimens; and the canoe accordingly gave chase, presently +securing half a dozen, which were handed to us in the yacht to be +carefully preserved for the museum, and the place was ever after called +Nautilus Creek. + +Further on we rounded a short promontory, flat, with an abrupt rock at +the extremity, to which we gave the name of Cape Pug-Nose; and then, at +some distance, appeared the grand cliffs of a headland running far out +to sea. + +This I supposed we should have to weather, but my pilots made no change +in our course, and, following the canoe, we soon came in sight of the +majestic archway which offered us a short passage to Pearl Bay. + +The wonderfully architectural appearance of the pillars, arches, and +pinnacles, surrounding and surmounting this noble entrance, struck me +with admiration, resembling parts of a fine gothic cathedral, and +inducing me to propose for it the name, Cape Minster. + +A perfect cloud of little swallows darted from the cavernous entrance on +our approach, divided into flocks, soared, wheeled, flew right and left, +and finally returned in a body as swiftly as they came, to the sides of +the long dark tunnel, which were festooned with their nests. + +We detached a number of these as we passed, taking care to leave those +containing eggs of young. The best were at a considerable height, but +the broken and shelving rocks afforded, in some places, footing for such +daring and active climbers as Fritz and Jack, and they quickly obtained +as many as we could possibly require. + +Our progress was much assisted by the tide, which, like a current, bore +us onward along the nave of this natural cathedral; aisles, transepts, +screens, and side-chapels appearing between the columns and arches which +in the "dim religious light" were revealed to our wondering eyes. + +On emerging into the dazzling sunshine, we found ourselves floating in +the calm expanse of Pearl Bay; but it was some minutes before we could +look around on the bright and lovely scene. + +Fritz had not over-rated its beauty, and the romantic islets which +studded its waters seemed to give the effect of a pleasant smile to +features already perfect. + +We cruised about for some time, surveying the coast with its fertile +meadows, shady groves, gently swelling hills, and murmuring brooks, +seeking a convenient landing place in the vicinity of the shallows where +lay the oyster-beds. + +This we found close to a sparkling streamlet; and, as the day was fast +declining, we made speedy arrangements for burning a watch-fire; after +which we partook of a hasty supper, and leaving the dogs, with Coco, the +jackal, to sleep on shore, we returned on board the yacht for the night, +anchoring within gunshot of the land. + +The coast being quite strange to us, I knew not what wild beasts might +frequent it; but, though I did not fear that any would approach us by +swimming, yet I was glad to have with us our lively little ape, Mercury +(the successor of our old favorite, Knips, long since gathered to his +fathers), for he occupied at night a cozy berth on deck, and was certain +to give vociferous notice should anything alarming occur. + +Fritz moored the cajack alongside, and came on board. The night passed +in peace, although for a time we were disturbed by the yelping of +jackals, with whom Coco persisted in keeping up a noisy conversation. + +We awoke at daybreak, and after breakfasting _a la fourchette_, we +repaired in haste with nets, scrapers, and all other requisites, to the +oyster-beds, where we worked with such diligence and success that in the +course of two days we had an immense pile of shells built up like a +stack on the beach, and left to decay. + +I collected a quantity of seaweed to spread over them, which was +afterward burnt to make alkali, when we returned to secure our harvest +of pearls. + +Every evening we went out shooting in the neighborhood, and kept +ourselves supplied with game of one sort or another. The last day of our +fishery we started earlier, intending to make a longer excursion into +the woods. + +Ernest set off first with Floss; Jack and Coco strolling after them. +Fritz and I were still employed in taking on board the last load of our +tools, when we suddenly heard a shot, a loud cry of pain or fear, and +then another shot. + +At the first alarm, the other two dogs rushed away from us toward the +spot, and Fritz, who had just called Pounce from his perch, to accompany +us in the ramble, let him fly, and seizing his rifle darted off in the +same direction. + +Before I could reach the scene of action, more shots were heard, and +then a shout of victory; after which appeared through the stems of the +trees the disconsolate figure of Jack, hobbling along like a cripple, +supported on each side by his brothers. + +When they came near me they stopped; and poor Jack moaning and groaning, +began to feel himself all over, as if to search for broken bones, crying +out: + +"I'm pounded like a half-crushed pepper-corn!" + +On examination I found some severe bruises. + +"Who or what has been pommeling the boy?" I exclaimed; "one would think +he had been beaten." + +"It was a huge wild boar," said Ernest, "with fierce eyes, monstrous +tusks, and a snout as broad as my hand." + +We took Jack down to the yacht, bathed his bruises, gave him a cooling +drink, and he soon fell fast asleep in his berth, where I left him and +returned to the shore. + +"Now, Ernest," said I, "enlighten me on the subject of this adventure! +What you and the boar did, is quite a mystery to me." + +"Floss and I were going quietly along," replied he, "when suddenly there +was a rustling and snorting close by, and a great boar broke through the +bushes, making for the outskirts of the wood. Floss gave chase directly, +and the boar turned to bay. Then up came Jack with Coco, and the gallant +little jackal attacked the monster in the rear. In another moment, +however, he was sent sprawling upon his back, and this so provoked his +master that he fired a hasty ill-directed shot. The brute's notice and +fury at once turned upon Jack, who prudently took to his heels, when I +attempted to check the career of the boar by a shot, which, however, +only slightly wounded it. Jack stumbled and fell over the root of a +tree, just as the animal came up with him. 'Help! murder,' shouted he; +and if the other dogs had not then arrived, and all together tackled the +boar, I fear it would have been a case of murder indeed! as it was, the +poor fellow got mauled and trampled upon dreadfully. + +"As I was waiting for an opportunity to fire without any risk of hitting +Jack, Pounce rushed through the air and darted upon the beast, and Fritz +came up quickly and shot it dead with a pistol. + +"While we were helping Jack along, and passing a place where the boar +had been grubbing, I noticed some such curious knotty roots or +tubercles, that I brought away specimens. Are they worth anything, do +you think? they have a strong smell." + +"If I may trust my nose," said I, "you have brought something by no +means to be despised. Yes!" I continued, putting them to my lips, "these +are very fine truffles! Taste them, Fritz." + +"Indeed, they are excellent," said he; "very different from the tough, +leathery things I remember in Europe; these are tender and well +flavored." + +"Because they are fresh," said I. "You have before tasted those only +which have been brought from a distance. They are found in different +parts of Europe, buried at a depth of ten or twelve inches in the soil +of oak or beech woods. A small dog is employed to hunt for them, who +perceives their musky odor in a singularly acute way, and at once +scratches at the spot where they lie." + +"Have the truffles no leaves or stalks," inquired Fritz, "by which they +might be found without the help of the dog?" + +"They have nothing of the sort," I replied; "they are discovered simply +by scent, and are considered to belong to the tribe of Fungi." + +By this time it was late; we took supper, made up the watch-fire, and +withdrew to our yacht, where we slept peacefully. + +Early next morning we proceeded to visit the field of battle. The wild +boar, which I had not before seen, proved to be much larger and more +formidable in appearance than I had imagined, and Jack's escape seemed +to me perfectly marvelous. + +The boys took it as a matter of course that we were to cut out hams and +flitches; and we therefore did so, though I warned them that they need +not expect much pleasure in eating bacon from a tough old African boar +like this. We conveyed the mighty hams to the beach, each on a sledge of +plaited boughs and twigs, and drawn by one of the dogs. The monstrous +head traveled in the same way, and we collected a large number of +truffles before quitting the forest. + +As soon as the dogs were released, they rushed back to the scene of +operations in the wood, comprehending that they were now free to feast +on what remained there. + +There was so much to be done in consequence of this affair that Fritz, +who had hoped to set out on his solitary expedition that day, deferred +it until the next; and was, therefore, fortunately with us, when late in +the evening we desisted from our labors, and, having supped, were +preparing to retire to rest. + +All at once a deep, fearful sound echoed through the neighboring woods. +It made our blood curdle in our veins. We listened with straining ears, +hoping it would not be repeated. With a shudder we heard the dread +voice roar again, yet nearer to us, and an answer peal from the +distance. + +"We must find out who are the performers in this concert!" exclaimed +Fritz, springing to his feet and snatching up his rifle. "Make the fire +blaze; get on board the yacht, and have all the guns in readiness. I am +off to reconnoiter in the canoe." + +We mechanically obeyed his rapid orders, while the bold youth +disappeared in the darkness; and, after heaping fuel on the fire, we +went on board and armed ourselves with cutlasses, besides loading all +the guns, waiting in readiness either to land again or to quit the +coast. + +We presently saw the whole pack of our dogs, as well as Coco, the +jackal, and the little ape, Mercury (who had been tempted by the +truffles to stay with them in the woods), come galloping at full speed +up to the fire. + +Mercury was evidently excessively discomposed at finding us gone; he +gnashed his teeth, and chattered, as though in fear, looking hopelessly +at the water, through which he could not venture. + +The dogs planted themselves by the fire, gazing fixedly landward, with +ears erect, and occasionally uttering a barking challenge, or a +suppressed howl. + +Meantime, the horrid roarings approached nearer, and I concluded that a +couple of leopards or panthers had been attracted by the scent of the +boar's carcass. + +But not long after I had expressed this opinion, we beheld a large, +powerful animal spring from the underwood, and, with a bound, and +muttered roar, approach the fire. In a moment I recognized the +unmistakable outlines of the form of a lion, though in size he far +surpassed any I had ever seen exhibited in Europe. + +The dogs slunk behind the fire, and the lion seated himself almost like +a cat on his hind legs, glaring alternately at them, and at the great +boar hams which hung near, with doubtless a mixed feeling of irritation +and appetite, which was testified by the restless movements of his tail. + +He then arose, and commenced walking up and down with slow and measured +pace, occasionally uttering short, angry roars, quite unlike the +prolonged, full tones we had heard at first. + +At times he went to drink at the brook, always returning with such +haste, that I fully expected to see him spring. + +Gradually his manner became more and more threatening; he turned toward +us, crouched, and with his body at full stretch, waved his tail, and +glared so furiously, that I was in doubt whether to fire, or retreat, +when through the darkness rang the sharp crack of a rifle. + +"That is Fritz!" exclaimed everyone; while, with a fearful roar, the +lion sprang to his feet, stood stock still, tottered, sank on his knees, +rolled over, and lay motionless on the sand. + +"We are saved!" I cried; "that was a masterly shot. The lion is struck +to the heart; he will never stir again. Stay on board, boys. I must join +my brave Fritz." + +In a few moments I landed; the dogs met me with evident tokens of +pleasure, but kept whining uneasily, and looking toward the deep +darkness of the woods whence the lion had come. + +This behavior made me cautious; and, seeing nothing of Fritz, I lingered +by the boat, when suddenly a lioness bounded from the shadow of the +trees, into the light diffused by the fire. + +At sight of the blazing fagots she paused, as though startled; passed +with uncertain step round the outskirts of the illuminated circle; and +uttered roarings, which were evidently calls to her mate, whose dead +body she presently discovered. + +Finding him motionless, her manner betokened the greatest concern; she +touched him with her forepaws, smelt round him, and licked his bleeding +wounds. Then, raising her head, she gnashed her teeth, and gave forth +the most lamentable and dreadful sound I ever heard; a mingled roar and +howl, which was like the expression of grief, rage, and a vow to be +revenged, all in one. + +Crack! Another shot: the creature's right forepaw was lamed; and the +dogs, seeing me raise my gun, suddenly gathered courage, and ran forward +just as I fired. My shot also wounded the lioness, but not mortally, and +the most terrific combat ensued. + +It was impossible to fire again, for fear of wounding the dogs. The +scene was fearful beyond description. Black night surrounded us; the +fitful blaze of the fire shed a strange, unnatural light on the +prostrate body of the huge dead lion, and on the wounded lioness, who +fought desperately against the attack of the four gallant dogs; while +the cries, roars, and groans of anguish and fury uttered by all the +animals were enough to try the stoutest nerves. + +Old Juno, staunch to the last, was foremost in the fray. After a time, I +saw her change her plan of attack, and spring at the throat of the +lioness; who, in an instant, raised her left paw, and at one blow the +cruel claws had laid open the body of the dog, and destroyed the life of +the true and faithful companion of so many years. + +Just then Fritz appeared. The lioness was much weakened, and we ventured +to go near enough to fire with safety to ourselves; and finally I +dispatched her by plunging a hunting-knife deep in her breast. + +Ernest and Jack were summoned from the yacht to witness the completed +victory; and I regretted having left them on board, when I saw how +greatly the noise and tumult had alarmed them, unable, as they were, to +ascertain what was going on. + +They hastened toward us in great agitation, and their joy on seeing us +safe was only equaled by the grief they felt on learning the death of +Juno. + +The night was now far advanced; the fire burnt low; but we piled on more +wood, and, by the renewed light, drew poor Juno from between the paws of +the lioness; and by the brookside, washed and bound up the torn body, +wrapping it carefully in canvas, and carrying it with us on board the +yacht, that it might be buried at Rockburg, whither on the following day +it was our purpose to return. + +Wearied and sorrowful, but full of thankfulness for our personal safety, +we at length lay down to sleep, having brought all the dogs on board. + +Next morning, before quitting Pearl Bay, we once more landed, that we +might possess ourselves of the magnificent skins of the lion and +lioness, whose visit, fatal to themselves, had caused such a commotion +during the night. + +In about a couple of hours we returned to the yacht, leaving the flayed +carcasses to the tender mercies of the birds of prey sure to be +attracted to them. + +"Homeward bound," sang out the boys, as they cheerily weighed anchor, +and prepared to stand out to sea. I could see, though he did not +complain, that poor Jack had not recovered from the boar's rough +treatment, and moved very stiffly. + +"You must pilot us through the channel in the reef this time, Fritz," +said I; adding, in a lower tone, "and then is it to be 'farewell,' my +son?" + +"Yes, dear father--Au revoir!" returned he, brightly, with a glance full +of meaning, while he threw into his canoe a cushion and a fur cloak. + +"Thanks, Fritz! but I'm going to honor them with the care of my battered +bones in the yacht here. You are awfully considerate, though, old +fellow," remarked Jack, not for a moment doubting that his brother +expected him to return, as he came, beside him in the cajack. + +Fritz laughed, and commended his decision. Then springing into his +skiff, he led the way toward the open sea. + +We followed, carefully, and soon passed the reef; after which the boys +were very busy with the sails, putting the vessel on the homeward +course, when, waving his hand to me, Fritz turned in the opposite +direction, and quickly vanished behind the point, which I afterward +named Cape Farewell. + +When missed by his brothers, I said he had a fancy to explore more of +the coast, and if he found it interesting he might, instead of only a +few hours, remain absent for two or three days. + +Toward evening, we sailed into Safety Bay. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +HOW FRITZ FOUND THE FAIR STRANGER + + +The mother and Franz, though somewhat startled by the unexpected absence +of Fritz, were delighted to see us return safely, and listened with +eager interest to our adventures. My wife shuddered, and scarcely +suppressed an involuntary scream as she heard of our desperate encounter +with the lion and his mate. Jack's danger and providential escape, too, +made her tremble; and so pale did he still look, that she could scarcely +believe he was uninjured. + +Tears came into Franz's eyes when he heard of the sad death of poor old +Juno; and he inquired most tenderly whether her remains had been brought +back, that they might be interred near the house which had been her home +for so many years. + +Next day he saw her buried carefully; and Ernest, at his request, +produced an epitaph, which was inscribed upon a slab of stone above her +grave. + + JUNO, + A servant true lies here; + A faithful friend, + A Dog, + To all most dear; + Who met her end + Fighting right bravely in her master's cause. + +The flesh of the wild boar and the truffles were handed over to the +mother, who received them with delight, promising us therefrom many a +savory dish. She would fain have had the boar's head, too; but my word +was pledged to Ernest that it should adorn his museum, and, though my +lips watered to taste it baked in Hottentot fashion, I would not break +my promise. + +This splendid head, therefore, together with the lions' skins, we +carried to the tannery on Whale Island, where they were cleaned and +dressed. + +Five days passed, but Fritz still remained absent. I could not conceal +my anxiety, and at length determined to follow him. All were delighted +at the proposal, and even the mother, when she heard that we were to +sail in the pinnace, agreed to accompany us. + +The boat was stored, and on a bright morning, with a favorable breeze, +we five, with the dogs, stepped aboard, and ran for Cape Minster. + +Our beautiful little yacht bounded over the water gayly, and the bright +sunshine and delicious sea breeze put us all in the highest spirits. The +entrance of the archway was in sight, and thither I was directing the +boat's course. Suddenly, right ahead, I saw a dark and shadowy mass just +below the surface of the water. "A sunken rock!" I thought to myself, +"and yet it is strange that I never before noticed it." I put down the +helm in a moment, but a catastrophe seemed inevitable. + +We surged ahead! A slight shock, and all was over! The danger was +passed! + +I glanced astern, to look again at the dangerous spot; but the rock was +gone, and, where but a moment before I had distinctly seen its great +green shadow, I could now see nothing. Before we had recovered from our +amazement, a shout from Jack surprised me. + +"There is another," he exclaimed, "to starboard, father!" + +Sure enough, there lay, apparently, another sunken rock. + +"The rock is moving!" shouted Franz; and a great black body emerged from +the sea, while from the upper extremity rushed a column of water, which, +with a mighty noise, rose upward, and then fell like rain all around. +The mystery was explained; for, as the great beast emerged yet further +from the water, I recognized, from its enormous size and great length of +head, the cachalot whale. + +The monster was apparently enraged at the way we had scratched his back; +for, retreating to a short distance, he evidently meditated a rush upon +us. + +Fearful stories occurred to me of the savage temper of this whale, how +he has been known to destroy boat after boat, and even ships, and with a +feeling of desperation I sprang to one of the guns. Jack leaped to the +other, and almost simultaneously we fired. Both shots apparently took +effect; for the whale, after lashing the water violently for a few +seconds, plunged beneath its surface, and disappeared. We kept a sharp +lookout for him, for I was unwilling to lose such a valuable prize, and, +reloading, stood toward the shore, in which direction he was apparently +making. Presently we again sighted him in shallow water, lashing +fearfully with his tail, and dyeing the waves around him with blood. +Approaching the infuriated animal as nearly as I dared, we again fired. + +The struggles of the whale seemed for a few moments to become even yet +more frantic, and then, with a quiver from head to tail, he lay +motionless--dead! + +The boys were about to raise the cry of victory, but checked the shout +upon their very lips; for darting behind a rock they espied a canoe +paddled by a tall and muscular savage, who now stood up in his skiff and +appeared to be examining us attentively. Seeing that we were standing +toward him, the swarthy native seized his paddle and again darted behind +a rock. An awful thought now took possession of me. There must be a +tribe of blacks lurking on these shores, and Fritz must have fallen into +their hands. We, however, I determined, should not be easily taken; and +our guns were loaded and run out. + +Presently a dusky face appeared, peeping at us from a lofty rock; it +vanished, and we saw another peeping at us from lower down. Then, again, +the skiff put out as though to make a further reconnoiter. All, even +Jack, looked anxious, and glanced at me for orders. + +"Hoist a white flag," said I, "and hand me the speaking-trumpet." + +I seized the instrument and uttered such peaceable words in the Malay +language as I could recall; neither the flag nor my words seemed to +produce any effect, and the savage was about to return to the shore. + +Jack hereupon lost patience, and in his turn took up the trumpet. + +"Come here, you black son of a gun," he exclaimed. "Come on board and +make friends, or we'll blow you and your----" + +"Stop! stop! you foolish boy," I said; "you will but alarm the man, with +your wild words and gestures." + +"No! but, see," he cried, "he is paddling toward us!" + +And sure enough the canoe was rapidly approaching. + +Presently a cry from Franz alarmed me. "Look! look!" he shrieked, "the +villain is in Fritz's cajack. I can see the walrus' head." + +Ernest alone remained unmoved. He took the speaking-trumpet: + +"Fritz, ahoy!" he shouted; "welcome, old fellow!" + +The words were scarcely out of his mouth when I, too, recognized the +well-known face beneath its dusky disguise. + +In another moment the brave boy was on board, and in spite of his +blackened face was kissed and welcomed heartily. He was now assailed +with a storm of questions from all sides: "Where had he been?" "What had +kept him so long, and why had he turned blackamoor?" + +"The last question," he replied, with a smile, "is the only one I will +now answer; the others shall be explained when I give a full account of +my adventures. Hearing guns fired, my mind was instantly filled with +ideas of Malay pirates, for I never dreamed that you could be here in +the yacht, so I disguised myself as you now see me, and came forth to +reconnoiter. When you addressed me in Malay you only added to my terror, +for it left not a doubt in my mind that you were pirates." + +Having in our turn described to him our adventure with the cachalot +whale, I asked him if he knew of a suitable spot for the anchorage of +the yacht. + +"Certainly," he replied, casting toward me a glance full of meaning; "I +can lead you to an island where there is a splendid anchorage, and which +is itself well worth seeing, for it contains all sorts of strange +things." And after removing the stains from his skin, and turning +himself once more into a civilized being, he again sprang into his canoe +and piloted us to a picturesque little island in the bay. + +Now that there could be no doubt as to the success of Fritz's +expedition, I no longer hesitated to give to my wife an account of his +project, and to prepare her mind for the surprise which awaited her. She +was greatly startled, as I expected, and seemed almost overcome with +emotion at the idea of seeing a human being, and that being one of her +own sex. + +"But why," she asked, "did you not tell me of this at first? Why wait +until the last moment with such joyful news?" + +"I was unwilling," I replied, "to raise hopes which might never be +realized: but now, thank Heaven, he has succeeded, and there is no need +for concealment." + +The boys could not at all understand the evident air of mystery and +suppressed excitement which neither their mother, Fritz, nor I could +entirely conceal. They cast glances of the greatest curiosity toward the +island, and as soon as the sails were furled and the anchor dropped, +they sprang eagerly ashore. In a body we followed Fritz, maintaining +perfect silence. Presently we emerged from the thicket through which we +were passing, and saw before us a hut of sheltering boughs, at the +entrance of which burned a cheerful fire. + +Into this leafy bower Fritz dived, leaving his brothers without, mute +with astonishment. In another moment he emerged, leading by the hand a +slight, handsome youth, by his dress apparently a young English naval +officer. The pair advanced to meet us; and Fritz, with a countenance +radiant with joy, briefly introduced his companion as Edward Montrose. + +"And," he continued, looking at his mother and me, "will you not welcome +him as a friend and a brother to our family circle?" + +"That will we, indeed!" I exclaimed, advancing and holding out my hands +to the fair young stranger. "Our wild life may have roughened our looks +and manners, but it has not hardened our hearts, I trust." + +The mother, too, embraced the seeming youth most heartily. The lads, and +even the dogs, were not behind hand in testifying their gratification at +the appearance of their new friend--the former delighted at the idea of +a fresh companion, and the latter won by her sweet voice and appearance. + +From the expression made use of by Fritz I perceived that the girl +wished her sex to remain unrevealed to the rest of the party until the +mother could obtain for her a costume more suited to her real character. + +The young men then ran down to the yacht to bring up what was necessary +for supper, as well as to make preparations for a camp in which we might +spend the night. This done the mother hastened to set before us a +substantial meal, while the boys, anxious to make their new acquaintance +feel at home among them, were doing their best to amuse her. She +herself, after the first feeling of strangeness had worn off, entered +fully into all their fun; and by the time they sat down to supper was +laughing and chattering as gayly as anyone of the rest. She admired the +various dishes, tasted our mead, and, without alluding once to her +previous life, kept up a lively conversation. + +The mere fact of meeting with any human being after so many years of +isolation was in itself sufficient to raise the boys to the greatest +state of excitement; but that this being should be one so handsome, so +gay, so perfectly charming, seemed completely to have turned their +heads; and when I gave the sign for breaking up of the feast, and their +new friend was about to be led to the night quarters which had been +prepared for her on board the yacht, the health of Edward Montrose was +proposed, and drank in fragrant mead, amid the cheers and acclamations +of all hands. + +When she was gone, and silence had been restored, Jack exclaimed: + +"Now, then, Fritz, if you please, just tell me where you came across +this jolly fellow. Did you take your mysterious voyage in search of him, +or did you meet him by chance? Out with your adventures, while we sit +comfortably round the fire." + +So saying, Jack cast more wood upon the blazing pile, and throwing +himself down in his usual, careless fashion, prepared to listen +attentively. + +Fritz, after a few moments' hesitation, began: + +"Perhaps you remember," said he, "how, when I returned from my +expedition in the cajack the other day, I struck down an albatross. None +but my father at the time knew, however, what became of the wounded +bird, or even thought more about it. Yet it was that albatross who +brought me notice of the shipwrecked stranger and he, too, I determined +should carry back a message, to cheer and encourage the sender. + +"I first, as you know, prepared my cajack to carry two persons; and +then, with a heart full of hope and trust, left you and the yacht, and, +with Pounce seated before me, made for the open sea. For several hours I +paddled steadily on, till, the wind freshening, I thought it advisable +to keep in nearer shore; that, should a regular storm arise, I might +find some sheltered bay in which to weather it. + +"It was well I did so; for, scarcely had I reached a quiet cove which +promised to afford me the protection I desired than the sea appeared one +mass of foam: great surging waves arose; and even in the comparative +calm of the bay I felt that I was in some danger. + +"I passed the night in my cajack; and next morning, after a frugal meal +of pemmican, and a draught of water from my flask, once more ventured +forth. The wind had subsided, and the sea was tolerably smooth; and, +keeping my eyes busily employed in seeking in every direction to detect, +if possible, the slightest trace of smoke, or other sign of human life, +I paddled on till noon. + +"The aspect of the coast now began to change: the shores were sandy, +while further inland lay dense forests, from whose gloomy depths I could +ever and anon hear the fierce roar of beasts of prey, the yell of apes, +the fiendish laugh of the hyena, or the despairing death cry of a +hapless deer. Seldom have I experienced a greater feeling of solitude +than while listening to these strange sounds, and knowing that I, in +this frail canoe, was the only human being near. Giving myself up to +contemplation, I rested my paddle, and allowed my cajack to drift slowly +on. + +"As I neared the shore, I noticed a large number of stranger looking +birds, who would sometimes flutter round me, and then dart back again to +the border of the forest, where they were feeding on what appeared to be +the pepper plant; they seized the berries in their great, ponderous +beaks, threw them up into the air, and then dexterously caught them in +their fall. Their beaks were really something extraordinary: they looked +as though they must give their owners a perpetual headache, from their +immense weight. The only thing that relieved the extreme ugliness of +these great appendages was their gorgeous color, which was only rivaled +by the gay hue of the plumage. I wish now that I had brought home a +specimen; but at the time I was so much amused by watching the grotesque +antics of the birds that I did not think of obtaining one. When I left +the spot, I settled in my own mind that they were toucans: was I right, +Ernest?" + +The Professor, unwilling to interrupt the narrative, merely gave an +oracular nod, and Fritz continued: + +"For some hours after this I paddled quickly on, sometimes passing the +mouth of a stream, sometimes that of a broad river. Had I been merely on +an exploring expedition, I should have been tempted, doubtless, to +cruise a little way up one of these pathways into the forest; but now +such an idea did not enter my head. On, on, on, I felt I must go, until +I should reach the goal of my voyage. + +"The shades of night at length drew on, and, finding a sheltered cove, I +moored my cajack, and stepped on shore. You may imagine how pleasant it +was to stretch my legs, after sitting for so long in the cramped +position which my cajack enforces. It would not do, however, to sleep on +shore; so after preparing and enjoying my supper, I returned on board, +and there spent the night. + +"Next morning Pounce and I again landed for breakfast. I lit my fire, +and hung before it a plump young parrot to roast. As I was so doing, I +heard a slight rustle among the long grass behind me. I glanced round, +and there, with glaring eyes and his great tail swaying to and fro, I +saw an immense tiger. + +[Illustration: _There, with glaring eyes and his great tail swaying to +and fro, I saw an immense tiger_] + +"In another moment his spring would have been made. I should have been +no more, and our young guest would have been doomed to, God only knows +how many, years of frightful solitude! + +"My gun was lying by my side. Before I could have stooped to pick it up, +the monster would have seized me. + +"Pounce saw and comprehended my danger: the heroic bird darted upon my +enemy, and so blinded him with his flapping wings, and the fierce blows +of his beak, that his spring was checked, and I had time to recover my +self-possession. I seized my gun, and fired; and the brute, pierced to +the heart, gave one spring, and then rolled over at my feet. + +"My enemy was dead; but beside him, alas! lay poor Pounce, crushed and +lifeless. One blow of the great beast's paw had struck him down, never +to rise again!" + +Fritz's voice shook as he came to this point; and, after remaining +silent for a moment or two, he continued hurriedly: + +"With a sad and desolate feeling at my heart, I buried the faithful bird +where he had met his death; and then, unable longer to continue near the +spot, I returned to my cajack, and leaving the great tiger lying where +he fell, paddled hastily away. + +"My thoughts were gloomy. I felt as though, now that my companion was +gone, I could no longer continue the voyage. The albatross, I thought, +may have flown for hundreds of miles before it reached me. This stranger +may be on different shores from these entirely; every stroke of my +paddle may be carrying me further from the blazing signal; who knows? + +"This feeling of discouragement was not, however, to be of long +duration; for in a moment more a sight presented itself, which banished +all my doubts and fears, and raised me to the highest pitch of +excitement. + +"A high point of land lay before me. I rounded it, and beyond found a +calm and pleasant bay, from whose curved and thickly wooded shores ran +out a reef of rocks. From the point of this reef rose a column of smoke, +steadily and clearly curling upward in the calm air. I could scarcely +believe my senses, but stopped gazing at it, as though I were in a +dream; then, with throbbing pulse and giddy brain, I seized my paddle, +and strained every nerve to reach it. + +"A few strokes seemed to carry me across the bay, and, securing my +canoe, I leaped upon the rock on which the beacon was blazing, but not a +sign of a human being could I see. I was about to shout, for as the fire +had evidently been recently piled up, I knew the stranger could not be +far off; but, before I could do so, I saw a slight figure passing along +the chain of rocks toward the spot on which I stood. You may all imagine +my sensations. + +"I advanced a few paces; and then mastering my emotion as best I could, +I said in English: + +"'Welcome, fair stranger! God, in his mercy, has heard your call, and +has sent me to your aid!' + +"Miss Montrose came quickly forward----" + +"Who? What?" shouted the boys, interrupting the narrative; "who came +forward?" and amid a general hubbub, Ernest, rising and advancing to his +brother, said in his quiet way: + +"I did not like to make any remark till you actually let out the secret, +Fritz, but we need no longer pretend not to see through the disguise of +Edward Montrose." + +Fritz, though much disconcerted by the discovery of the secret, +recovered his self-possession; and, after bearing with perfect +equanimity the jokes with which his brothers assailed him, joined in +three cheers for their new sister, and when the confusion and laughter +which ensued had subsided, continued his story: + +"Miss Montrose grasped my hands warmly, and guessing from my +pronunciation, I am afraid, that I was not in the habit of speaking +English every day of my life, said in French: + +"'Long, long, have I waited since the bird returned with your message. +Thank God, you have come at last!' + +"Then, with tears of joy and gratitude, she led me to the shore, where +she had built a hut and a safe sleeping-place, like Falconhurst on a +small scale, among the branches of a tree. I was delighted with all she +showed me, for indeed her hut and its fittings evinced no ordinary skill +and ingenuity. Round the walls hung bows, arrows, lances, and +bird-snares; while on her work-table, in boxes and cases, carved +skillfully with a knife, were fish-hooks of mother-of-pearl, needles +made from fish-bones, and bodkins from the beaks of birds, fishing-lines +of all sorts, and knives and other tools. These latter she told me were, +with a chest of wearing apparel, almost the only things washed ashore +after the wreck, when three years ago she was cast alone upon this +desolate coast. I marveled more and more at the wonderful way in which +this girl had surmounted obstacles, the quarter of which would +completely have appalled the generality of her sex. The hut itself was a +marvel of skill; stout posts had been driven into the ground, with cross +pieces of bamboo, to form a framework; the walls had been woven with +reeds, the roof thatched with palm-leaves, and the whole plastered +smoothly with clay, an open space being left in the center of the roof +for a chimney to carry off the smoke of the fire. + +"As we entered, a cormorant, with a cry of anger, flew from under the +table toward me, and was about to attack me fiercely. Miss Montrose +called it off, and she then told me she had captured and tamed the bird +soon after first landing, and since that time had contrived to train it +to assist her in every conceivable way; it now not only was a pleasant +companion, but brought her food of every description, fish, flesh and +fowl, for whether it dived into the waters, according to its natural +habit, struck down birds upon the wing, or seized rabbits and other +small animals upon the land, it laid all its booty at her feet. + +"Before darkness closed in, all the curiosities and ingenious +contrivances of the place had been displayed--the kitchen stove, cooking +utensils, skin bottles, shell plates and spoons, the fishing raft and +numberless other things--and then, sitting down with my fair hostess to +a most appetizing meal, she gave me a short account of her life: + +"Jenny Montrose was the daughter of a British officer, who had served +for many years in India, where she herself was born. At the early age of +three years she lost her mother. + +"After the death of his wife, all the colonel's love and care was +centered upon his only child; under his eye she was instructed in all +the accomplishments suited to her sex; and from him she imbibed an +ardent love of field sports. By the time she was seventeen, she was as +much at home upon her horse in the field as in her father's drawing +room. Colonel Montrose now received orders to return home with his +regiment, and as for certain reasons he did not wish her to accompany +him in the ship with the troops, he obtained a passage for her on board +a vessel which was about to sail at the same time. + +"The separation was extremely painful to both the old soldier and his +daughter, but there was no alternative. They parted, and Miss Montrose +sailed in the Dorcas for England. A week after she had left Calcutta, a +storm arose and drove the vessel far out of her course; more bad weather +ensued; and at length, leaks having been sprung in all directions, the +crew were obliged to take to the boats. Jenny obtained a place in one of +the largest of these. After enduring the perils of the sea for many +days, land was sighted; and, the other boats having disappeared, an +attempt was made to land. The boat was capsized, and Miss Montrose alone +reached the shore. For a long time she lay upon the sand almost +inanimate; but, reviving sufficiently to move, she at length obtained +some shell-fish, and by degrees recovered her strength. From that time +forth until I appeared she never set eyes upon a human being. To attract +any passing vessel, and obtain assistance, however, she kept a beacon +continually blazing at the end of the reef; and, with the same purpose +in view, attached missives to the feet of any birds she could take alive +in her snares. The albatross, she told me, she had kept for some time, +and partially tamed; but, as it was in the habit of making long +excursions on its own account, she conceived the idea of sending it also +with a message, that, should it by chance be seen and taken alive, it +might return with an answer. + +"Our supper was over, and, at length, both wearied out with the +anxieties and excitement of the day, we retired to rest, she to her +leafy bower, and I to sleep in the hut below. + +"Next morning, having packed her belongings in the cajack, we both went +on board; and bidding adieu to her well-known bay she took her seat +before me, and I made for home. + +"We should have reached Rockburg this evening had not an accident +occurred to our skiff and compelled us to put in at this island. The +boat was scarcely repaired when I heard your first shots. I instantly +disguised myself; and, never doubting that Malay pirates were near, came +forth to reconnoiter. Glad, indeed, I was to find my fears ungrounded." + +All had listened attentively to Fritz's story, but now a dreadful yawn +from Franz, followed by others from Jack, Ernest, and Fritz, and a great +desire on my own part to follow their example, warned me that it was +time to dismiss the party for the night. Fritz retired to his cajack, +the boys and I to the deck of the yacht, and the remainder of the night +passed quietly away. + +Next morning, as we assembled for breakfast, I took the opportunity of +begging Miss Montrose no longer to attempt to continue her disguise but +to allow us to address her in her real character. + +Jenny smiled; for she had noticed, as the young men met her when she +came from the cabin, a great alteration in their manner, and had at once +seen that her secret was guessed. + +"After all," she said, "I need not be ashamed of this attire; it has +been my only costume for the last three years, and in any other I should +have been unable to manage all the work which during that time has been +necessary." + +Our pleasant meal over, I prepared to start for home, but Fritz reminded +me of the cachalot, and although he confessed he should not care to +repeat the operation of cutting up a whale, he thought it would be a +pity to lose such a chance of obtaining a supply of spermaceti. + +I fully agreed with him; and embarking, we quickly reached the sandbank +on which the monster lay. No sooner did we come near, than the dogs +leaped ashore, and before we could follow, rushed round to the other +side of the great beast; snarling, growling, and howling ensued, and +when we reached the spot we found a terrific combat going on. A troop of +wolves were disputing fiercely with the dogs their right to the prey. +Our appearance, however, quickly settled the matter; two of the brutes +already lay dead, and those that now escaped our guns galloped off. +Among the pack were a few jackals, and no sooner did Coco catch sight of +these, his relations, than, suddenly attracted by his instinct, he left +his master's side, and in spite of our shouts and cries, joined them, +and disappeared into the forest. + +As it would have been useless and dangerous to attempt to follow the +deserter into the woods, we left him alone, trusting that he would +return before we again embarked. Fritz then climbed up the mountain of +flesh, and with his hatchet quickly laid open the huge skull; Jack and +Franz joined him,--Ernest having remained on the island, where we had +left the mother and Jenny,--and with buckets assisted him to bail out +the spermaceti. The few vessels we possessed were soon full, and having +stored them in the yacht, we once more embarked and arrived at the +little island shortly before the dinner hour. + +A capital meal had been prepared for us, and, when we had made ourselves +presentable, we sat down to it, and related our adventures. The account +of Coco's desertion was received with exclamations of surprise and +sorrow. "Yet," said Jenny, after a time, "I do not think you should +despair of his recovery, for animals in their native state seldom care +to allow those that have been once domesticated to consort with them. My +poor albatross even, though he was never thoroughly tamed, and certainly +did finally desert me, yet used to return at intervals; and I am pretty +sure that were you, Jack, to search the wood early to-morrow morning, +you would find your pet only too willing to come back to civilized life; +or, if you like, I will go myself and find him, for I should immensely +like to have a paddle in the cajack all by myself." + +Jack was delighted at the former suggestion, and though he would not +listen for a moment to Jenny's request to be allowed to go alone, he +agreed, if she cared for the fun of an early cruise, to accompany her in +the canoe next morning, and to return to the yacht in time to start for +Rockburg. + +At sunrise they were off, armed with "bait" in the shape of meat and +biscuit, and a muzzle and chain which Jack had manufactured in the +evening to punish the runagate for his offenses, should they catch him. +Arrived at the sandbank, they landed; and, after entering the forest and +shouting "Coco, Coco!" till the woods rang again, they presently espied +the truant, slouching disconsolately toward them, looking very miserable +and heartily ashamed of himself. + +With torn ears, and coat ruffled and dirty, he sneaked up. There was no +need to use the bait to entice him; and when the poor beast thus came, +unhappy and begging forgiveness, Jack had not the heart to degrade him +further with the muzzle and chain. He had evidently attempted to join +his wild brethren, and by them had been scouted, worried, and hustled, +as no true jackal; and, as Jenny had foretold, was now only too glad to +return to bondage and to comfort. + +Poor Coco had recovered his spirits slightly by the time the yacht was +reached; and, after a hearty meal, again took his place among the dogs, +whom I had little doubt he would never again desert. + +All was now bustle and activity; and breakfast over, we went aboard the +yacht. Fritz and Jack stepped into the canoe; and we soon left Fair Isle +and Pearl Bay far behind. + +The morning was delightful. The sea, excepting for the slight ripple +raised by the gentle breeze wafting us homeward, was perfectly calm. +Slowly and contentedly we glided on through the wonders of the splendid +archway, threaded our passage among the rocks and shoals, and passed out +to the open sea. So slowly did we make our way, that the occupants of +the cajack announced that they could not wait for us when they had once +piloted us out from among the shoals and reefs, and plied their paddles +to such good purpose that they were soon out of sight. Nautilus Bay and +Cape Pug-Nose were in due time passed, however, and Shark Island hove in +sight. With great astonishment Jenny gazed at our watch tower, with its +guard-house, the fierce-looking guns, and the waving flag upon the +heights. We landed, that she might visit the fortification; when we +displayed all our arrangements with great pride. When they and the herd +of lovely gazelles had been sufficiently admired, we again embarked, and +steered toward Deliverance Bay. On reaching the entrance, a grand salute +of twelve shots welcomed us and our fair guest to Rockburg. Not pleased +with the even number, however, Ernest insisted upon replying with +thirteen guns, an odd number being, he declared, absolutely necessary +for form's sake. + +As we neared the quay, Fritz and Jack stood ready to receive us, and +with true politeness handed their mother and Jenny ashore. They turned +and led the way to the house through the gardens, orchards, and +shrubberies which lay on the rising ground that sloped gently upward to +our dwelling. + +Jenny's surprise was changed to wonder as she neared the villa +itself--its broad, shady balcony, its fountains sparkling in the sun, +the dovecots, the pigeons wheeling above, and the bright, fresh creepers +twined round the columns, delighted her. She could scarcely believe that +she was still far from any civilized nation, and that she was among a +family wrecked like herself upon a lonely coast. + +My amazement, however, fully equaled that of my little daughter, when, +beneath the shade of the veranda, I saw a table laid out with a +delicious luncheon. All our china, silver, and glass had been called +into requisition, and was arranged upon the spotless damask cloth. + +Wine sparkled in the decanters, splendid pine-apples, oranges, guavas, +apples, and pears resting on cool green leaves, lay heaped in pyramids +upon the porcelain dishes. A haunch of venison, cold fowl, ham, and +tongues occupied the ends and sides of the table, while in the center +rose a vase of gay flowers, surrounded by bowls of milk and great jugs +of mead. It was, indeed, a perfect feast, and the heartiness of the +welcome brought tears of joy into the lovely eyes of the fair girl in +whose honor it had been devised. + +All were soon ready to sit down; and Jenny, looking prettier than ever +in the dress for which she had exchanged her sailor's suit, took the +place of honor between the mother and me. Ernest and Franz also seated +themselves; but nothing would induce Fritz and Jack to follow their +example. They considered themselves our entertainers, and waited upon us +most attentively, carving the joints, filling our glasses, and changing +the plates; for, as Jack declared to Miss Montrose, the servants had all +run away in our absence, and, for the next day or two, perhaps we should +be obliged to wait upon ourselves. + +When the banquet was over, and the waiters had satisfied their +appetites, they joined their brothers, and with them displayed all the +wonders of Rockburg to their new sister. To the house, cave, stables, +gardens, fields, and boathouses, to one after the other did they lead +her. + +Not a corner would they have left unnoticed, had not the mother, fearing +they would tire the poor girl out, come to the rescue, and led her back +to the house. + +On the following day, after an early breakfast, we started, while it was +yet cool, for Falconhurst; and as I knew that repairs and arrangements +for the coming winter would be necessary, and would detain us for +several days, we took with us a supply of tools, as well as baskets of +provisions, and other things essential to our comfort. + +The whole of our stud, excepting the ostrich, were in their paddocks +near the tree; but Jack, saying that his mother and Jenny really must +not walk the whole way, to the great amusement of the latter, leaped on +Hurry, and fled away in front of us. Before we had accomplished one +quarter of the distance, we heard the thundering tread of many feet +galloping down the avenue, and presently espied our motley troop of +steeds being driven furiously toward us. Storm, Lightfoot, Swift, +Grumble, Stentor, Arrow and Dart were there, with Jack, on his fleet +two-legged courser, at their heels. At his saddle-bow hung a cluster of +saddles and bridles, and bits all jangling and clanking, adding to the +din and confusion, and urging on the excited animals, who thoroughly +entered into the fun, and with tails in the air, ears back, and heels +ever and anon thrown playfully out, seemed about to overwhelm us. + +We stepped aside to shelter ourselves behind the trees from the furious +onset; but a shout from Fritz brought the whole herd to a sudden halt, +and Jack spurred toward us. + +"Which of the cattle shall we saddle for you, Jenny?" he shouted; +"they're all as gentle as lambs, and as active as cats. Every one has +been ridden by mother; and knows what a side-saddle means, so you can't +go wrong." + +To his great delight, Jenny quickly showed her appreciation of the +merits of the steeds by picking out Dart, the fleetest and most spirited +in the whole stud. + +The ostrich was then relieved of his unusual burden, the animals were +speedily equipped, and Lightfoot bearing the baskets and hampers, the +whole party mounted and trotted forward. Jenny was delighted with her +palfrey, and henceforward he was reserved for her special use. + +The work at Falconhurst, as I had expected, occupied us for some time, +and it was a week before we could again return to Rockburg. Yet the time +passed pleasantly; for though the young men were busy from morning to +night, the presence of their new companion, her lively spirits and gay +conversation, kept them in constant good humor. + +When the repairs were all finished, we remained yet a day or two longer, +that we might make excursions in various directions to bring in poultry +from Woodlands, stores of acorns for the pigs, and grass, willows, and +canes, to be manufactured during the winter into mats, baskets, hurdles, +and hen-coops. + +Many a shower wetted us through during these days, and we had scarcely +time to hurry back to Rockburg and house our cattle and possessions +before the annual deluge began. + +Never before had this dreary season seemed so short and pleasant; with +Jenny among us, the usual feeling of weariness and discontent never +appeared; the English language was quickly acquired by all hands, Fritz, +in particular, speaking it so well that Jenny declared she could +scarcely believe he was not an Englishman. She herself already spoke +French, and therefore easily learned our native language and spoke it +fluently before we were released from our captivity. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +A SAIL!--FAREWELL TO SHARK ISLAND + + +Many wondrous tales were told or read in turn by the boys and Jenny +during the long evenings as we sat drawing, weaving, and plaiting in our +cozy study. In fact this winter was a truly happy time, and when at +length the rain ceased and the bright sun again smiled upon the face of +nature, we could scarcely believe, as we stepped forth and once more +felt the balmy breath of spring, that for so many weeks we had been +prisoners within our rocky walls. + +All was once more activity and life; the duties in field, garden, and +orchard called forth the energy of the lads, while their mother and +sister found abundant occupation in the poultry yard and house. + +Our various settlements and stations required attention. Falconhurst, +Woodlands, Prospect Hill, Shark and Whale Islands were in turn visited +and set in order. The duty of attending to the island battery fell to +Jack and Franz. They had been busy all day repairing the flagstaff, +rehoisting the flag, and cleaning and putting into working order the two +guns. + +Evening was drawing on and our day's work over; the rest of us were +strolling up and down upon the beach, enjoying the cool sea breeze. They +loaded and ran out their guns, and paddling off with an empty tub in the +cajack, placed it out at sea as a mark for practice. They returned and +fired, and the barrel flew in pieces, and then, with a shout of +triumph, they cleaned the guns and ran them in. + +Scarcely had they done so when, as though in answer to their shots, came +the sound of three guns booming across the water from the westward. + +We stopped, speechless. Was it fancy? Had we really heard guns from a +strange ship? Or had the boys again fired? No! there were the lads +leaping into their canoe and paddling in hot haste toward us. They, too, +had heard the sound. + +A tumult of feelings rushed over us--anxiety, joy, hope, doubt, each in +turn took possession of our minds. Was it a European vessel close upon +our shores, and were we about to be linked once more to civilized life? +Or did those sounds proceed from a Malay pirate, who would rob and +murder us! What was to be the result of meeting with our fellow beings; +were they to be friends who would help us, enemies who would attack us, +or would they prove unfortunate creatures in need of our assistance? Who +could tell? + +Before we could express these thoughts in words the cajack had touched +the shore, and Jack and Franz were among us. + +"Did you hear them? Did you hear them?" they gasped. "What shall we do? +Where shall we go?" + +"O Fritz," continued my youngest son, "it must be a European ship. We +shall find her. We shall see our Fatherland once more," and in an +emotion of joy he grasped his brother's hands. + +Till then I knew not what a craving for civilized life had been aroused +in the two young men by the appearance of their European sister. + +All eyes were turned toward me. What would I advise? + +"At present," I said, "we can do nothing, for night is drawing on. We +must make what preparations we can, and pray for guidance." + +In the greatest excitement we returned to the house, all talking +eagerly, and till late no one could be persuaded to retire to rest. + +Few slept that night. The boys and I took it in turn to keep watch from +the veranda, lest more signals might be fired, or a hostile visit might +be paid us. But about midnight the wind began to rise, and before we +re-assembled to discuss our plans a fearful storm was raging; so +terrific was the sea that I knew no boat could live, and had a broadside +been fired at the entrance of the bay we should not have heard it +through the howling of the blast. For two days and two nights the +hurricane continued, but on the third day the sun again appeared, and, +the wind lulling, the sea went rapidly down. Full of anxiety, I readily +complied with the boys' desire to put off to Shark Island and discharge +the guns; for who could tell what had been the result of the gale; +perhaps the vessel had been driven upon the rocky shore, or, fearing +such a fate, she had left the coast and weathered the storm out at sea; +if so, she might never return. + +With these thoughts I accompanied Jack and Franz to the fort. +One--two--we fired the guns and waited. + +For some minutes there was no reply, and then an answering report rolled +in the distance. There was no longer room for doubt; the strangers were +still in the vicinity, and were aware of our presence. We waved the flag +as a signal to those on shore that all was well, and quickly returned. +We found the whole family in a state of the greatest excitement, and I +felt it necessary to calm them down as much as possible, for neither +could I answer the questions with which I was besieged, nor could I +conceal the fact that the visit of the vessel might not prove so +advantageous as they expected. + +Fritz and I at once prepared to make a reconnoissance; we armed +ourselves with our guns, pistols, and cutlasses, took a spyglass, seated +ourselves in the cajack, and with a parting entreaty from the mother to +be cautious, paddled out of the bay and round the high cliffs on our +left. For nearly an hour we advanced in the direction from which the +reports of the guns seemed to proceed. Nothing could we see, however, +but the frowning rocks and cliffs, and the waves beating restlessly at +their base. Cape Pug-Nose was reached, and we began to round the bluff +old point. In a moment all our doubts were dispelled, and joy and +gratitude to the Great Giver of all good filled our hearts. There, in +the little sheltered cove beyond the cape, her sails furled, and anchor +dropped, lay a brig of war with the English colors at her mast-head. + +With the glass I could discern figures upon the deck, and upon the shore +beyond several tents pitched under the shelter of the trees, and the +smoke of fires rising among them. As I handed the glass to Fritz, I felt +a sudden misgiving. "What," said I to myself, "can this English vessel +be doing thus far from the usual track of ships?" and I called to mind +tales of mutinous crews who have risen against their officers, have +chosen some such sheltered retreat as this; have disguised the vessel, +and then sailed forth to rob and plunder upon the high seas. + +Fritz then exclaimed: "I can see the captain, father; he is speaking to +one of the officers, and I can see his face quite well; he is English, I +am certain he is English, and the flag speaks the truth!" and he put the +glass again in my hand that I might see for myself. + +Still keeping under the shelter of the cliff, I carefully surveyed the +vessel. There was no doubt that Fritz was right, and my fears were once +more dispelled; all was neatness and regularity on board: the spotless +decks, the burnished steel and brass, and the air of perfect order which +pervaded both ship and camp, betokened that authority and discipline +there reigned. For some minutes longer we continued our examination of +the scene, and then, satisfied by the appearance of the camp on shore +that there was no chance of the brig quitting the coast for several +days, we resolved to return without betraying our presence, for I was +unwilling to appear before these strangers until we could do so in +better form, and in a manner more in accordance with our actual +resources. + +We again landed at Rockburg, where our family awaited our arrival in +eager expectation, and as fully as possible we told them of all we had +seen. They thoroughly approved of our caution, and even Jenny, whose +hopes had been excited to the highest pitch by our description of the +English vessel, and who longed to meet her countrymen once more, agreed +to postpone the visit until the following day, when, having put our +yacht into good order, we might pay our respects to the captain, not as +poor shipwrecked creatures begging assistance, but as lords and masters +of the land, seeking to know for what purpose strangers were visiting +the coast. + +The rest of the day was occupied in making our preparations. Our dainty +little craft was made to look her very best; her decks were scrubbed, +her brass guns burnished, all lumber removed and put ashore, and the +flag of England hoisted to her peak. The mother overhauled our +wardrobes, and the neatest uniforms were put ready for the boys and me, +for though neither my wife nor Jenny had ever dreamed of appearing +otherwise than they would have done had they been at home among +civilized people in Europe, yet we, accustomed daily to rough and often +even dirty work, had adopted just that costume which best suited our +comfort and inclination. We should indeed have surprised the smart +man-o'-war's men, had we appeared in our great, shapeless, wide-brimmed +hats, our linen coats and trousers, our broad leathern belts and hairy +buskins; so we next day readily donned the more becoming costumes. + +At the break of that eventful morn, when we were destined once more to +set our eyes upon our fellow-men, and to hear news of the outer world, +from which for so many years we had been exiled, we assembled in our +little breakfast room. The meal was eaten hurriedly and almost in +silence, for our hearts were too full, and our minds too busily +occupied, to allow of any outward display of excitement. Fritz and Jack +then slipped quietly out, and presently returned from the garden with +baskets of the choicest fruits in fresh and fragrant profusion, and with +these, as presents for the strangers, we went on board our yacht. + +The anchor was weighed, the sails set, and with the canoe in tow the +little vessel, as though partaking of our hopes and joyous expectation, +bounded merrily over the waters of Safety Bay, gave a wide berth to the +Reef, against whose frowning rocks the sea still lashed itself to foam, +and kept away for the cove where the English ship unconsciously awaited +us. + +The Pug-nosed Cape was reached, and, to the surprise and utter amazement +of the strangers, we rounded the point and brought up within hail. Every +eye on board and on shore was turned toward us, every glass was produced +and fixed upon our motions; for of all the strange sights which the +gallant crew may have looked for, such an anomaly as a pleasure yacht, +manned by such a party as ours, and cruising upon this strange and +inhospitable shore, was the farthest from their thoughts. + +Fritz and I stepped into our boat and pulled for the brig. In another +minute we were upon her deck. The captain, with the simple frankness of +a British seaman, welcomed us cordially, and having led us into his +cabin, begged us to explain to what good fortune he owed a visit from +residents upon a coast generally deemed uninhabited, or the abode of the +fiercest savages. + +I gave him an outline of the history of the wreck, and of our sojourn +upon these shores, and spoke to him, too, of Miss Montrose, and of the +providential way in which we had been the means of rescuing her from her +lonely position. + +"Then," said the gallant officer, rising and grasping Fritz by the hand, +"let me heartily thank you in my own name, and in that of Colonel +Montrose; for it was the hope of finding some trace of that brave girl +that led me to these shores. The disappearance of the Dorcas has been a +terrible blow to the colonel, and yet, though for three years no word of +her or of any of those who sailed in her has reached England, he has +never entirely abandoned all hope of again hearing of his daughter. I +knew this, and a few weeks ago, when I was about to leave Sydney for +the Cape, I found three men who declared themselves survivors of the +Dorcas and said that their boat, of four which left the wreck, was the +only one which, to their knowledge, reached land in safety. From them I +learned all particulars, and applying for permission to cruise in these +latitudes, I sailed in hopes of finding further traces of the +unfortunate crew. My efforts have been rewarded by unlooked-for +success." + +Fritz replied most modestly to the praises which he received, and then +the captain begged to be introduced to my wife and Miss Montrose. + +"And," he continued, "if it be not contrary to your rules of discipline +for the whole ship's company to be absent at once, I will now send a +boat for the remainder of your party." + +One of the officers was accordingly dispatched to the yacht with a +polite message, and the mother, Jenny, and the boys were presently on +board. + +Our kind host greeted them most warmly, and he and his officers vied +with one another in doing us honor. They proved, indeed, most pleasant +entertainers, and the time passed rapidly away. At luncheon the captain +told us that there had sailed with him from Sydney an invalid gentleman, +Mr. Wolston, his wife, and two daughters; but that, though the sea +voyage had been recommended on account of his health, yet it had not +done Mr. Wolston so much good as had been anticipated, and he had +suffered so greatly from the effects of the storm, which had driven the +Unicorn into the bay for repairs, that he had been eager to rest for a +short time on land. + +We were anxious to meet the family, and in the afternoon it was decided +that we should pay them a visit. Tents had been pitched for their +accommodation under the shady trees, and when we landed we found Mr. +Wolston seated by one of them, enjoying the cool sea breeze. He and his +family were delighted to see us, and so much did we enjoy their society, +that evening found us still upon the shore. It was too late then to +return to Rockburg, and the captain kindly offered tents for the +accommodation of those who would not find room in the yacht. The boys +spent the night on land. + +That night I had a long and serious consultation with my wife, as to +whether or not we really had any well grounded reason for wishing to +return to Europe. It would be childish to undertake a voyage thither +simply because an opportunity offered for doing so. + +Neither knew to what decision the feelings of the other inclined; each +was afraid of expressing what might run counter to those feelings; but +gradually it began to appear that neither entertained any strong wish to +leave the peaceful island; and finally we discovered that the real wish +which lay at the bottom of both our hearts was to adopt New Switzerland +as thenceforward our home. + +What can be more delightful than to find harmony of opinion in those we +love, when a great and momentous decision has to be taken? + +My dear wife assured me that she desired nothing more earnestly than to +spend the rest of her days in a place to which she had become so much +attached, provided I, and at least two of her sons, also wished to +remain. + +From the other two she would willingly part, if they chose to return to +Europe, with the understanding that they must endeavor to send out +emigrants of a good class to join us, and form a prosperous colony, +adding that she thought the island ought to continue to bear the name of +our native country, even if inhabited in future time by colonists from +England, as well as from Switzerland. + +I heartily approved of this excellent idea, and we agreed to mention it, +while consulting with Captain Littlestone on the subject of placing the +island under the protection of Great Britain. + +Then came the question as to which of our sons were best suited to +remain with us, and which to go away. + +This point we left undecided, thinking that in the course of a few days +they would probably make a choice of their own accord, which they did, +even sooner than we anticipated. + +After breakfast, it was proposed that Captain Littlestone should bring +his ship round to Safety Bay, that we might receive a visit from him and +his party, at Rockburg--where we invited the invalid, Mr. Wolston, and +his family, in hopes that his health might benefit by a comfortable +residence on shore. + +No sooner was this plan adopted, than Fritz and Jack hurried off in the +canoe to prepare for their reception, being followed in more leisurely +style by the brig and our yacht. + +But what words can express the amazement of our guests, when, rounding +the Rocky Cape at the entrance, Safety Bay, the beautiful domain of +Rockburg lay before them. + +Still greater was their astonishment, as a salute of eleven guns boomed +from the battery on Shark Island, where the royal standard of England +was displayed and floated majestically on the morning breeze. + +A glow of surprise and pleasure beamed on every countenance, and poor +Wolston's spirits appeared to revive with the very idea of peace and +happiness to be enjoyed in such a home. + +He was carried on shore with the utmost care and tenderness, and +comfortably established in my room, a camp-bed for Mrs. Wolston being +added to the furniture there, that she might be able conveniently to +attend on her husband. + +Meantime the scene at the harbor and all round Rockburg was of the +liveliest description; merriment and excitement prevailed in all +directions, as the beauties and wonders of our residence were explored, +so that a summons to dinner scarcely attracted notice. + +However, as a visit to Falconhurst was projected, the company was at +length induced to be seated, and to partake of our good cheer, but the +spirit of restlessness soon returned, and the young people kept roaming +about through our hitherto quiet lawns, avenues, and shrubberies, until +I was ready to believe their number three times what it actually was. + +Toward evening the excitement began to abate, and the party assembled +for supper with tolerable composure. + +Mr. Wolston was able to join us, as the rest he had enjoyed, and the +pleasure inspired by the hope of a residence among us, seemed to have +given him new life. This wish he now distinctly expressed in his own +name, and in that of his wife; inquiring what our intentions were, and +proposing, if agreeable to us, that they, with their eldest daughter, +whose health, like his own, was delicate, should make a long stay on +the island, while the younger daughter went for the present to her +brother at the Cape of Good Hope. + +In the event of his ultimately deciding to settle altogether among us, +Mr. Wolston would propose that his son should leave the Cape and join +our colony. + +With sincere satisfaction I welcomed this proposal, saying that it was +my wish and that of my wife to remain for the rest of our days in New +Switzerland. + +"Hurrah for New Switzerland!" + +"New Switzerland forever!" shouted the whole company enthusiastically, +as they raised their glasses, and made them touch with a musical ring, +which so expressively denotes a joyful unanimity of sentiment. + +"Prosperity to New Switzerland: long may she flourish"; echoed on all +sides. + +"Long life and happiness to those who make New Switzerland their home!" +added Ernest, to my great surprise, leaning forward as he spoke, to ring +his glass with mine, his mother's and Mr. Wolston's. + +"Won't somebody wish long life and prosperity to those who go away?" +inquired Jenny, with a pretty, arch look. "Much as I long to return to +England and my father, my inclination will waver if all the cheers are +for New Switzerland!" + +"Three cheers for England and Colonel Montrose," cried Fritz; "success +and happiness to us who return to Europe!" and while the vaulted roofs +rang with the cheering elicited by this toast, a glance from Jenny +showed him how much she thanked him for appreciating her wish, to return +to her father, notwithstanding her attachment to our family. + +"Well," said I, when silence was restored, "since Fritz resolves to go +to England, he must undertake for me the duty of bringing happiness to a +mourning father by restoring to him this dear daughter, whom I have been +ready to regard as my own, by right of her being cast on the shores of +my island. + +"Ernest chooses to remain with me. His mother and I rejoice heartily in +this decision, and promise him all the highest scientific appointments +in our power to bestow. + +"And now what is Jack's choice? The only talent I can say he possesses +is that of a comic actor, and to shine on the stage he must needs go to +Europe." + +"Jack is not going to Europe, however," was his reply. "He means to stay +here, and when Fritz is gone he will be the best rider and the best shot +in New Switzerland, which is the summit of his ambition. + +"The fact is," he continued, laughing, "I rather stand in awe of their +European schools, and should expect to find myself caught and clapped +into one if I ventured too near them." + +"A good school is exactly what I want," said Franz. "Among a number of +students there is some emulation and enthusiasm, and I shall have a +chance of rising in the world. + +"Fritz will probably return here some day; but it might be well for one +member of the family to go home with the intention of remaining there +altogether, and as I am the youngest I could more easily than the rest +adapt myself to a different life. My father, however, will decide for +me." + +"You may go, my dear son," I replied; "and God bless all our plans and +resolutions. The whole earth is the Lord's, and where, as in his sight, +you lead good and useful lives, there is your home. + +"And now that I know your wishes, the only question is whether Captain +Littlestone will kindly enable you to carry them out?" + +All eyes were fixed eagerly upon him, and after a moment's pause the +gallant officer spoke as follows: + +"I think my way in this matter is perfectly clear, and I consider that I +have been providentially guided to be the means of once more placing +this family in communication with their friends and with the civilized +world. + +"My orders were to search for a shipwrecked crew. + +"Survivors from two wrecks have been discovered. + +"Three passengers express a wish to leave my ship here, instead of at +the Cape, while, at the same time, I am requested to give to three +persons a passage to England. + +"Could anything suit better? I am most willing to undertake the charge +of those who may be committed to my care. + +"Every circumstance has been wonderfully ordered and linked together by +Divine Providence, and if England gains a prosperous and happy colony, +it will prove a fitting clasp to this fortunate chain of events. Three +cheers for New Switzerland!" + +Deep emotion stirred every heart as the party separated for the night. +Many felt that they were suddenly standing on the threshold of a new +life, while, for myself, a weight was rolled from my heart, and I +thanked God that a difficulty was solved which, for years, had oppressed +me with anxiety. + +After this nothing was thought of but making preparations for the +departure of the dear ones bound for England. Captain Littlestone +allowed as much time as he could spare; but it was necessarily short, so +that incessant movement and industry pervaded the settlement for several +days. + +Everything was provided and packed up that could in any way add to our +children's comfort on the voyage, or benefit them after their arrival in +England, and a large share of my possessions in pearls, corals, furs, +spices, and other valuables would enable them to take a good position in +the world of commerce. + +I committed to their care private papers, money, and jewels which I knew +to have been the personal property of the captain of our ill-fated ship, +desiring them to hand them over, if possible, to his heirs. A short +account of the wreck, with the names of the crew, a list of which I had +found, was given to Captain Littlestone. + +Fritz, having previously made known to me, what indeed was very evident, +the attachment between himself and Jenny, I advised him to mention it to +Colonel Montrose as soon as possible after being introduced to him, and +ask for his sanction to their engagement. I, on my part, gladly +bestowing mine, as did his mother, who loved the sweet girl dearly, and +heartily grieved to part with her. + +On the evening before our separation, I gave to Fritz the journal in +which, ever since the shipwreck, I had chronicled the events of our +life, desiring that the story might be printed and published. + +"It was written, as you well know," said I, "for the instruction and +amusement of my children, but it is very possible that it may be useful +to other young people, more especially to boys. + +"Children are, on the whole, very much alike everywhere, and you four +lads fairly represent multitudes, who are growing up in all directions. +It will make me happy to think that my simple narrative may lead some of +these to observe how blessed are the results of patient continuance in +well-doing, what benefits arise from the thoughtful application of +knowledge and science, and how good and pleasant a thing it is when +brethren dwell together in unity, under the eye of parental love." + + * * * * * + +Night has closed around me. + +For the last time my united family slumbers beneath my care. + +To-morrow this closing chapter of my journal will pass into the hands of +my eldest son. + +From afar I greet thee, Europe! + +I greet thee, dear old Switzerland! + +Like thee, may New Switzerland flourish and prosper--good, happy, and +free! + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Swiss Family Robinson, by Jean Rudolph Wyss + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON *** + +***** This file should be named 34808-8.txt or 34808-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/4/8/0/34808/ + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Mary Meehan and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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