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diff --git a/old/41659-8.txt b/old/41659-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 48c8587..0000000 --- a/old/41659-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,14479 +0,0 @@ -Project Gutenberg's The Swiss Family Robinson, by Johann David 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 - A Translation from the Original German - -Author: Johann David Wyss - -Editor: Johann Rudolf Wyss - -Illustrator: Walter S. Rogers - -Translator: William Henry Giles Kingston - -Release Date: December 19, 2012 [EBook #41659] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON *** - - - - -Produced by Tor Martin Kristiansen, Kara Shallenberg, Asad -Razzaki and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at -http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - -Transcriber's Note. - -The title page of this edition is a bit confusing. The author of the -original work 'Der Schweizerische Robinson' was Johann David Wyss, and -it was edited by his son Johann Rudolf Wyss. This edition was translated -by William Henry Giles Kingston. - - -[Illustration: IT WAS TAKING WONDERFUL, FLYING LEAPS.] - -_The Swiss Family Robinson._ _Frontispiece_--(_Page 88_) - - - THE SWISS FAMILY - ROBINSON - - A Translation from the Original German - - BY - JOHANN RUDOLF WYSS - - EDITED BY - WILLIAM H. G. KINGSTON - - ILLUSTRATED BY - WALTER S. ROGERS - - GROSSET & DUNLAP - PUBLISHERS NEW YORK - - PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - - - - -CONTENTS. - - - CHAPTER I. - - PAGE - - Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for - the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine - our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we - get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our - tub-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the - cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer - for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue - soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the - water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest - solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to - open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the - agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country, 1 - - - CHAPTER II. - - A morning consultation--Breakfast--Away on an expedition--Over the - stream and through the grass--An unexpected reinforcement--Search - in vain for our comrades--Rest by a stream--Fritz finds a "round - bird's nest"--Natural history of a cocoanut--Calabash trees--The - use of gourds--How to make a bottle--A lovely but lonely - scene--Sugar-canes--Monkeys of use--Cocoanut milk turned to - champagne--Turk kills an unfortunate mother monkey--Carry the - orphan home--Display our treasures--A sumptuous supper--Ernest's - penguin--Champagne turned to vinegar--A fight with jackals--A - curious sentinel--A visit to the wreck--We rig our craft--Stow a - cargo--Sleep on board--Floats for our herd--We embark--Encounter - a shark--Land--Relate our adventures, 19 - - - CHAPTER III. - - The mother relates her adventures--Proposes that we should build a - nest--How Jack treated the jackal skin--How the boys were - surprised by a bustard--How they found the mangrove tree--How - the dogs caught the crabs--We discuss the possibility of making a - house in the tree--To bed once more--We start for the wreck--The - shark again--Return to land--Franz's crawfish--Bridge - building--We pack up--A family removing in patriarchal style--A - prickly enemy--Jack shoots it--We reach our new home--Fritz rids - our poultry of an enemy--Little Franz finds the figs--Dinner--We - prepare materials for our nest--Flamingoes--Roast and tame--The - use of trigonometry--A cord carried over the bough--The rope - ladder made--We mount our tree--Sleep under the roots--The - building of the nest--Retire to roost for the first time, 44 - - - CHAPTER IV. - - A day of rest--A parable for the young people--Quiet - recreation--Geographical nomenclature--The margay and porcupine - skins made of use--An expedition to Tentholm--Potatoes, - potatoes--Tropical vegetation--The use of the karatas--Jack's - greediness and its punishment--Ernest discovers cochineal--Arrive - at Tentholm--The poultry rebellious--Return to - Falconhurst--Ernest roused out early--We collect wood for a - sledge--Master Knips turns thief--Franz's plan for the saving of - ammunition--Ernest and I take the sledge to Tentholm--Ernest's - laziness exemplified--He catches a salmon--We start for - home--Kill a kangaroo--And cook it, 73 - - - CHAPTER V. - - Jack and Ernest disappear--Fritz and I start for the wreck--The - boys' ambuscade--We form a raft--Ransack the vessel--Again - embark--A turtle in sight--Fritz harpoons it--The turtle acts as - "Steam Tug"--Safe ashore--Return home--Jack's clay field--A fresh - discovery--The mother's cellar--A trip to the wreck--The - pinnace--Jack's raid on the Lilliputians--A secret revealed--A - new method of grinding flour--Wholesome or - poisonous?--Bread-making in earnest, 92 - - - CHAPTER VI - - Now for the pinnace--Repeated visits to the wreck--The pinnace - built--How shall we cut her out--The difficulty solved--We fit - her out--Fire a salute--The mother's surprise--We visit - Falconhurst--Attend to our fruit trees--Athletics--The lasso--An - excursion--A bustard captured--Ernest discovers a magician--Jack - fights him--The Liane Rouge--We turn carvers--Ernest's alarm--The - old sow again--We discover a sleeping beauty--Return with it to - the camp--Knips pronounces our apples "good"--Return to - Falconhurst, 108 - - - CHAPTER VII. - - Fritz and I return to the Calabash Wood--Fritz shoots a ruffed - grouse--We come across waxberry bushes--Sociable grosbeaks--Fritz - captures a parrot--A lecture on ants--Caoutchouc trees--The - sago-palm and the edible worms--Return with sugar-canes to - Falconhurst--Candle-making--How to make butter without a - churn--Plant trees and adorn Tentholm--Last visit to the - wreck--The first ducklings on the island--Falconhurst again--An - excursion--We pitch our tent--Fritz and Jack ascend the cocoanut - trees--Ernest brings us a delicacy--Loss of Grizzle--Jack and I - go in pursuit--Giant bamboos--Encounter with buffaloes--The - buffalo calf--Find a jackal's lair--Reach our camp--What happened - in our absence--Fritz's pet--Sago manufacture--Meet with our sow - and her family again--How Ernest tamed the eagle, 127 - - - CHAPTER VIII. - - Prop our young trees--A lecture on grafting--A new idea - broached--Why should we not build stairs within the trunk of our - tree?--Jack finds one objection--I make a beehive, and we drive - the bees from the tree--Stair-making--Additions to our family of - domestic animals--The education of the "pets"--Shoemaking--We - lead water from the stream to Falconhurst--A strange animal - approaches--Our old ass and his companion--The onager - captured--Provisioning our winter quarters--Capture of ruffed - grouse--We discover flax--The rainy season, 151 - - - CHAPTER IX. - - Spring again--We begin to hew a cave--Jack makes a discovery--We - drive the foul air from the cavern--The mother and her boys join - us--We explore the cave--Fit it up as our winter quarters--The - herring-bank--We catch seals--Fishing on a grand scale--Isinglass - and caviare--We visit our plantations--An expedition to - establish a colony--The building of "Woodlands"--Jack and Fritz - return to Falconhurst for provisions--Ernest and I explore--A - "beast with a bill"--We build a canoe--Franz undertakes the - education of Grumble--We continue our work at the cave--Carpet - making--Thanksgiving-day--A startling salute--Athletics and - shooting--Prize giving--Manufacture of birdlime--Fritz and Jack - ride off for caoutchouc--Shoot a crane and badger--Find - "Woodlands" turned upside down by monkeys--Discover ginseng, 168 - - - CHAPTER X. - - Birdlime--A midnight raid--The massacre at Woodlands--Capture of - Molucca pigeons--A pigeon-house--Fritz and I prepare a conjuring - trick--Great success of our experiment--Lichen and nutmegs - discovered--Jack's adventure--The loom manufactured--Winter - stores prepared--The rainy season sets in--Interior of our house - arranged--We study languages--The return of spring--A stranded - whale--An account of coral--We go to work on the whale's - carcass--Remarks on the habits of the whale, 199 - - - CHAPTER XI. - - The blubber of the whale boiled and stored--A unique - machine--Expedition to Prospect Hill--Whale's tongue is voted no - delicacy--We land on Whale Island--Jack discovers a strange - skeleton--Turtle turning--Towed ashore--The loom - completed--Return of the herring shoals--Basket making--We - manufacture a sedan chair--Ernest's wild ride therein--A boa - constrictor appears--He retreats to the marsh--Suspense--Poor - Grizzle's fate--An awful scene--Death of the monster--An account - of snakes--Remedies for poisoned bites--Ernest writes Grizzle's - epitaph--The serpent stuffed and placed in the museum, 222 - - - CHAPTER XII. - - We examine the marsh--A cave discovered--We find the floor covered - with fuller's earth--Discharge our pistols--Jack's fright--Ernest - captures an eel--An expedition toward the Gap--Visit Falconhurst - and Woodlands and examine the country round--Franz shoots a - capybara--Ernest and Knips fight the rats--A lecture on - musk--Cinnamon apples--A peccary hunt--We prepare the peccary - meat--Disasters at Prospect Hill--An exploring expedition through - the Gap--We find our barrier broken down--Across the - desert--Strange objects in the distance--An account of - ostriches--An ostrich slain--We discover the nest--A mud - tortoise--We encounter bears--A desperate fight--Back again to - camp--We skin the bears and smoke their flesh--Pepper - found--Three of the boys start on an expedition--I discover talc, 242 - - - CHAPTER XIII. - - The boys return and give an account of their adventures--How they - captured the antelopes--How Fritz caught the rabbits and Jack - rode down the gazelles--How they followed the honey bird and Jack - tried to rob the bees' byke--We sup on the bears' paws--Across - the desert again--Sight three ostriches--The male bird - captured--We secure him between Storm and Grumble--The mother's - astonishment at our new pet--Return to Woodlands--Home again--We - establish colonies on Shark and Whale Islands--Turn our attention - to agriculture--The difficulties of ostrich training--My patent - saddle and bridle--I exercise my ingenuity in various trades, 268 - - - CHAPTER XIV. - - The rainy season again--The building of the cajack--The mother - invents a swimming dress--A visit to our colonies--Mysterious - seaweed--The mother's surprise--A visit to Whale - Island--Mischievous pigs--The three boys return from a day's - hunting--They display their treasures--A new skinning - apparatus--We make a crushing machine--An early harvest--We - prepare a threshing floor--Reaping in Italian fashion--Threshing - also in Italian fashion--Return of the herring shoals, 284 - - - CHAPTER XV. - - Trial of the cajack--Fritz kills a walrus--We carry home its - head--The storm--Where is Fritz?--Safe at last--The fishing - season--An expedition proposed--Three of the boys start for - Woodlands--Pigeon post--Encounter with a hyena--Wood Lake - explored--A tapir--Prospect Hill pillaged--A tragedy--The boys in - danger--We join them--We build a summer house--Discover the cacao - plant--Fritz ascends the stream--He sees elephants and - hippopotami--Jack's "moist secret"--We return to Rockburg--Grace - and Beauty--Shark Island is fortified, 297 - - - CHAPTER XVI. - - Ten years afterward--Our farms and farmyards--Fritz makes a voyage - of discovery--Cape Minster and the swallows' nest--Pearl - oysters--A magnificent bay--The strange message--An excursion to - Pearl Bay--Fritz proposes to search for the stranger, and - prepares his canoe for her reception--The pearl fishery--An - encounter with a wild boar--Jack's accident--Truffles--A midnight - alarm--The lion and his mate--Our enemies overcome--Juno's - death--We set sail for Rockburg--Fritz leaves us, 317 - - - CHAPTER XVII. - - Juno's epitaph--Fritz does not appear--We start in search of him--A - cachalot whale--The unexpected appearance of a savage--Fritz in a - dusky disguise--He leads us to Fair Isle, and shows us the - wonders therein--The stranger--Fritz narrates his adventures--How - he saw toucans--Encountered a tiger--Lost Pounce--Found the - Smoking Rock, and Jenny Montrose--The history of the - stranger--Wolves dispute our right to the whale--Coco joins his - brethren--Jack and Jenny search for the truant--We leave Pearl - Bay--A hearty reception--A visit to Falconhurst--Jack displays - our stud--The rainy season again, 338 - - - CHAPTER XVIII. - - Spring and its accompanying work--The mysterious guns--Who fired - them--A storm--Fritz and I reconnoiter--The English brig--We - visit her in the yacht--Captain Littlestone--We are cordially - welcomed--Mr. Wolston and his family--An earnest - consultation--Our visitors at Rockburg--The supper--Who is for - Europe and who for New Switzerland?--The decision--Farewell, 358 - - - - - THE - SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON - - - - -CHAPTER I. - - Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for - the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our - cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on - shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat - completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And - embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the - shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes - the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters - and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the - difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster - and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our - first night in the new country. - - -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 every one 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 began 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 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 reassembled 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 ax; 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. Other two -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 fore part 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 end -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-formed, 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; every one 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 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 fore-paws on the out-riggers, kept up with us well. Jack -was inclined to deny them this, their only chance of 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 to the cliffs, which here retired inland, leaving a -small plain, on which it was easy for us to land. Every one 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 chest 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, 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 results 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 -fore-paws. 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. - - A morning consultation--Breakfast--Away on an expedition--Over the - stream and through the grass--An unexpected reinforcement--Search - in vain for our comrades--Rest by a stream--Fritz finds a "round - bird's nest"--Natural history of a cocoanut--Calabash trees--The - use of gourds--How to make a bottle--A lovely but lonely - scene--Sugar-canes--Monkeys of use--Cocoanut milk turned to - champagne--Turk kills an unfortunate mother monkey--Carry the - orphan home--Display our treasures--A sumptuous supper--Ernest's - penguin--Champagne turned to vinegar--A fight with jackals--A - curious sentinel--A visit to the wreck--We rig our craft--Stow a - cargo--Sleep on board--Floats for our herd--We embark--Encounter a - shark--Land--Relate our adventures. - - -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, every one 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 stream 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 said, "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 -nutshell, 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 was -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. - -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 Æsop and his breadbasket, 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, hindered her flight. The little -creature attempted to hide among the grass, and in trembling fear -watched its mother. On perceiving Turk's bloodthirsty 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 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 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 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 lugsail, which had belonged to one of the ships' boats; -this we hoisted; and our craft was ready to sail. Fritz begged me to -decorate the masthead 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 midday 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 is 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. - - The mother relates her adventures--Proposes that we should build a - nest--How Jack treated the jackal skin--How the boys were - surprised by a bustard--How they found the mangrove tree--How the - dogs caught the crabs--We discuss the possibility of making a - house in the tree--To bed once more--We start for the wreck--The - shark again--Return to land--Franz's crawfish--Bridge - building--We pack up--A family removing in patriarchal style--A - prickly enemy--Jack shoots it--We reach our new home--Fritz rids - our poultry of an enemy--Little Franz finds the figs--Dinner--We - prepare materials for our nest--Flamingoes--Roast and tame--The - use of trigonometry--A cord carried over the bough--The rope - ladder made--We mount our tree--Sleep under the roots--The - building of the nest--Retire to roost for the first time. - - -"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, unskilled 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, from 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 woods, 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 in 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 midday 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, we 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 the 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 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. - -Every one 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 curious to find out what could -be the 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 got -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 wound 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 is 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 with 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 way 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 the 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,[A] -the monkey, was seated on his foster-mother, whose patience was sorely -tried by his restlessness and playful tricks. - -[A] German, Knipps, a mannikin. - -The sheep were under Ernest's care, and I brought up the rear of this -patriarchal band, while the dogs kept constantly running backward and -forward in the character of aides-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, following 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 defence -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 heavy raps on the head, and then giving way to a burst of -boyish exultation, he called upon us to help to convey his prize to his -mother. This it was by no 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 short 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. - -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 forefeet 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 wintery 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 become 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 bloodthirsty -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 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 the 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 resolved 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 trees, 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 was all 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-fires, 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. - - A day of rest--A parable for the young people--Quiet - recreation--Geographical nomenclature--The margay and porcupine - skins made of use--An expedition to Tentholm--Potatoes, - potatoes--Tropical vegetation--The use of the karatas--Jack's - greediness and its punishment--Ernest discovers cochineal--Arrive - at Tentholm--The poultry rebellious--Return to Falconhurst--Ernest - roused out early--We collect wood for a sledge--Master Knips turns - thief--Franz's plan for the saving of ammunition--Ernest and I - take the sledge to Tentholm--Ernest's laziness exemplified--He - catches a salmon--We start for home--Kill a kangaroo--And cook it. - - -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 Frank. "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 to 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 insure 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;[B] and we then rapidly named the 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. - -[B] _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 margayskin, 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 overruled, 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 them 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 accomplish 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 rightfully 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 not we 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 fore-paws 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 every one. - -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. - - Jack and Ernest disappear--Fritz and I start for the wreck--The boys - ambuscade--We form a raft--Ransack the vessel--Again embark--A - turtle in sight--Fritz harpoons it--The turtle acts as "Steam - Tug"--Safe ashore--Return home--Jack's clay field--A fresh - discovery--The mother's cellar--A trip to the wreck--The - pinnace--Jack's raid on the Lilliputians--A secret revealed--A new - method of grinding flour--Wholesome or poisonous?--Bread-making in - earnest. - - -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 -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-by, 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 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 that 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 your 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 -immediately 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 ourselves 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 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. - -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 usual 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 these 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 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 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 poison. The dry pith -is wholesome and nourishing. Still, I do not mean to taste my cakes, -until I have tried the 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 be -again 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 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 was -really not so bad as I expected, although fishy in taste and very tough. - -Next morning every one 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 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. - - Now for the pinnace--Repeated visits to the wreck--The pinnace - built--How shall we cut her out--The difficulty solved--We fit her - out--Fire a salute--The mother's surprise--We visit - Falconhurst--Attend to our fruit trees--Athletics--The lasso--An - excursion--A bustard captured--Ernest discovers a magician--Jack - fights him--The Liane Rouge--We turn carvers--Ernest's alarm--The - old sow again--We discover a sleeping beauty--Return with it to - the camp--Knips pronounces our apples "good"--Return to - Falconhurst. - - -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 than -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 from 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 caulking the seams of the pinnace. I shall go off at once and see -what has happened. Will any one 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 alternation 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 dinners 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-cane, 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 are 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; every one 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 actively -went 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 reestablished 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 him, "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. - -Every one 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 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-eyed 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, -every one 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 -midday 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 runaway 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 a truly 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 blow 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 -practised 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. - - Fritz and I return to the Calabash Wood--Fritz shoots a ruffed - grouse--We come across waxberry bushes--Sociable grosbeaks--Fritz - captures a parrot--A lecture on ants--Caoutchouc trees--The - sago-palm and the edible worms--Return with sugar-canes to - Falconhurst--Candle-making--How to make butter without a - churn--Plant trees and adorn Tentholm--Last visit to the - wreck--The first ducklings on the island--Falconhurst again--An - excursion--We pitch our tent--Fritz and Jack ascend the cocoanut - trees--Ernest brings us a delicacy--Loss of Grizzle--Jack and I go - in pursuit--Giant bamboos--Encounter with buffaloes--The buffalo - calf--Find a jackal's lair--Reach our camp--What happened in our - absence--Fritz's pet--Sago manufacture--Meet with our sow and her - family again--How Ernest tamed the eagle. - - -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 bluejay 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 near 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 -velvety 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, a 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 with 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 hand 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 is 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 tree-castle, 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 practise 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 cauldron 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 placed, 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 cauldron 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. - -Every one was delighted and every one 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 ammunitions, 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 grazing 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 your 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 nutshell 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 had 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 of 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 forelegs 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 he 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 quite 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 any one 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. - - Prop our young trees--A lecture on grafting--A new idea broached--Why - should we not build stairs within the trunk of our tree?--Jack - finds one objection--I make a beehive, and we drive the bees from - the tree--Stair-making--Additions to our family of domestic - animals--The education of the "pets"--Shoemaking--We lead water - from the stream to Falconhurst--A strange animal approaches--Our - old ass and his companion--The onager captured--Provisioning our - winter quarters--Capture of ruffed grouse--We discover flax--The - rainy season. - - -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 part 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 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 stairs; 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 paniers, -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 employment, 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 -length-ways, 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 I 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 every one 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. - -Every one 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 were 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 roofs 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 position 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. - - Spring again--We begin to hew a cave--Jack makes a discovery--We drive - the foul air from the cavern--The mother and her boys join us--We - explore the cave--Fit it up as our winter quarters--The - herring-bank--We catch seals--Fishing on a grand scale--Isinglass - and caviare--We visit our plantations--An expedition to establish - a colony--The building of "Woodlands"--Jack and Fritz return to - Falconhurst for provisions--Ernest and I explore--A "beast with a - bill"--We build a canoe--Franz undertakes the education of - Grumble--We continue our work at the cave--Carpet - making--Thanksgiving-day--A startling salute--Athletics and - shooting--Prize giving--Manufacture of birdlime--Fritz and Jack - ride off for caoutchouc--Shoot a crane and badger--Find - "Woodlands" turned upside down by monkeys--Discover ginseng. - - -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 inhabitable. 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 around 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 is 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 right-hand 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 foreseen. 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 sturgeons, 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." - -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 nourished -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 latticework 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 Cortona. - -"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." - -Every one 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 -his 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, with a neat -saddle of kangaroo hide, and 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 Cortona, 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 -moment 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 game-bag. - -"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. - - Birdlime--A midnight raid--The massacre at Woodlands--Capture of - Molucca pigeons--A pigeon-house--Fritz and I prepare a conjuring - trick--Great success of our experiment--Lichen and nutmegs - discovered--Jack's adventure--The loom manufactured--Winter stores - prepared--The rainy season sets in--Interior of our house - arranged--We study languages--The return of spring--A stranded - whale--An account of coral--We go to work on the whale's - carcass--Remarks on the habits of the whale. - - -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 then 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 beside. -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 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 saw 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 as 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 practise 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. - -Every one 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 fugitive 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 hencoops, 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 on 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 -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 -every one 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 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 carcase." - -"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 pounds. - -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 -molluscs, and medusæ 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 carcase. - -"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 to the head, where they assisted me to cut away the lips, so as to -reach the whalebone, a large 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 carcase 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 land. - -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 these 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. - - The blubber of the whale boiled and stored--A unique - machine--Expedition to Prospect Hill--Whale's tongue is voted no - delicacy--We land on Whale Island--Jack discovers a strange - skeleton--Turtle turning--Towed ashore--The loom completed--Return - of the herring shoals--Basket making--We manufacture a sedan - chair--Ernest's wild ride therein--A boa constrictor appears--He - retreats to the marsh--Suspense--Poor Grizzle's fate--An awful - scene--Death of the monster--An account of snakes--Remedies for - poisoned bites--Ernest writes Grizzle's epitaph--The serpent - stuffed and placed in the museum. - - -"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 cauldron 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 putrifying 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 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. - -Every one 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 every one 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 fore paws 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 floor 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 a 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 thoughts 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 if 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 unwilling, 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 -pretense 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 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, -careened 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 the 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 -for ever! 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 it 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 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. - - We examine the marsh--A cave discovered--We find the floor covered - with fuller's earth--Discharge our pistols--Jack's fright--Ernest - captures an eel--An expedition toward the Gap--Visit Falconhurst - and Woodlands and examine the country round--Franz shoots a - capybara--Ernest and Knips fight the rats--A lecture on - musk--Cinnamon apples--A peccary hunt--We prepare the peccary - meat--Disasters at Prospect Hill--An exploring expedition through - the Gap--We find our barrier broken down across the - desert--Strange objects in the distance--An account of - ostriches--An ostrich slain--We discover the nest--A mud - tortoise--We encounter bears--A desperate fight--Back again to - camp--We skin the bears and smoke their flesh--Pepper found--Three - of the boys start on an expedition--I discover talc. - - -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 archenemy 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 entrusted 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 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 carcase, 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 coudeli, 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 reformed." - -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 apples for myself and their mother. - -I imagined this to be the cinnamon apple of the Antilles. - -Every one 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 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 smouldering 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 up. - -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 outward 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 dear 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 a 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 -most 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. - -The 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 a lion as to be occasionally 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 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 be the will of God to -deprive them easily 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. - - The boys return and give an account of their adventures--How they - captured the antelopes--How Fritz caught the rabbits and Jack rode - down the gazelles--How they followed the honey bird and Jack tried - to rob the bees' byke--We sup on the bears' paws--Across the - desert again--Sight three ostriches--The male bird captured--We - secure him between Storm and Grumble--The mother's astonishment at - our new pet--Return to Woodlands--Home again--We establish - colonies on Shark and Whale Islands--Turn our attention to - agriculture--The difficulties of ostrich training--My patent - saddle and bridle--I exercise my ingenuity in various trades. - - -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 foremostly, 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 -tree. 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 sigh 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 the 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. - -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. 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 breeds 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 midday 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-seeds, -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 hencoops 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 addition: 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 lampwicks. - -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 untameable -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, any one 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 nonse. 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 every one 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. - - The rainy season again--The building of the cajack--The mother invents - a swimming dress--A visit to our colonies--Mysterious seaweed--The - mother's surprise--A visit to Whale Island--Mischievous pigs--The - three boys return from a day's hunting--They display their - treasures--A new skinning apparatus--We make a crushing - machine--An early harvest--We prepare a threshing floor--Reaping - in Italian fashion--Threshing also in Italian fashion--Return of - the herring shoals. - - -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 most 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 watertight -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 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 was 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 boulders. - -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 -vertebræ 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 vertebræ 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 earth-worms, 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 -vertebræ 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 watertight. A couple of harpoons -furnished with seal bladders were to be suspended alongside. - - - - -CHAPTER XV. - - Trial of the cajack--Fritz kills a walrus--We carry home its head--The - storm--Where is Fritz?--Safe at last--The fishing season--An - expedition proposed--Three of the boys start for Woodlands--Pigeon - post--Encounter with a hyena--Wood Lake explored--A - tapir--Prospect Hill pillaged--A tragedy--The boys in danger--We - join them--We build a summer house--Discover the cacao - plant--Fritz ascends the stream--He sees elephants and - hippopotami--Jack's "moist secret"--We return to Rockburg--Grace - and beauty--Shark Island is fortified. - - -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 runaway. - -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, but 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." - -"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 putrify," 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 great 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 Woodland 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 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 outburst 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 the 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 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 every one 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 -Kamschatchan 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 board 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. - -On 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 exclaim: - -"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 gaily, 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, uprose 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." - -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 Gentleman, 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 -trellis-work 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 watch-tower 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--Our farms and farmyards--Fritz makes a voyage of - discovery--Cape Minster and the swallows' nests--Pearl oysters--A - magnificent bay--The strange message--An excursion to Pearl - Bay--Fritz proposes to search for the stranger, and prepares his - canoe for her reception--The pearl fishery--An encounter with a - wild boar--Jack's accident--Truffles--A midnight alarm--The lion - and his mate--Our enemies overcome--Juno's death--We set sail for - Rockburg--Fritz leaves us. - - -"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 flamingos, 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 neared a high and precipitous cape, running far out -to sea. Right opposite 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 birds' 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 a 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 -sandbanks, 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 suppose 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 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 cosy 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 it daybreak, and after breakfast _à 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 -brushes, 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 be 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 movement of his tail. - -He then arose, and commenced walking up and down with a 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 every one; 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 faggots 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 fore-paws, 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, -wrapped 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. - - Juno's epitaph--Fritz does not appear--We start in search of him--A - cachalot whale--The unexpected appearance of a savage--Fritz in a - dusky disguise--He leads us to Fair Isle, and shows us the wonders - therein--The stranger--Fritz narrates his adventures--How he saw - Toucans--Encountered a tiger--Lost Pounce--Found the Smoking Rock, - and Jenny Montrose--The history of the stranger--Wolves dispute - our right to the whale--Coco joins his brethren--Jack and Jenny - search for the truant--We leave Pearl Bay--A hearty reception--A - visit to Falconhurst--Jack displays our stud--The rainy season - again. - - -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 gaily, 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 infuriate 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 minute 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," replied he, 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 gaily as any one 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 wished 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. - -"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, hams, 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 saddlebow hung a cluster of -saddles and bridles, the 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 hencoops. - -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. - - Spring and its accompanying work--The mysterious guns--Who fired - them--A storm--Fritz and I reconnoiter--The English brig--We visit - her in the yacht--Captain Littlestone--We are cordially - welcomed--Mr. Wolston and his family--An earnest consultation--Our - visitors at Rockburg--The supper--Who is for Europe and who for - New Switzerland?--The decision--Farewell. - - -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 -reassembled 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 reconnoitre; 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 masthead. - -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 had 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 custom 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 from 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 furthest 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 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 could 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 universal 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 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 journey 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! - - -THE END. - - - - -HAL KEEN MYSTERY STORIES - -By HUGH LLOYD - - -Boys! Meet Hal Keen, that lanky, nonchalant, redheaded youth whose -guiding star is the star that points to adventure, excitement and -mystery. Follow him in his hunts for clues and criminals. There are -plenty of thrills and shivers in these stories to keep you on your toes. - -THE SMUGGLER'S SECRET - -Hal Keen sets out to get to the bottom of a mystery that threatens the -safety of a whole community. - -THE MYSTERIOUS ARAB - -Mystery, excitement, murder in a scientist's camp in the jungles of -Africa, where hate, revenge, and suspicion lead to tragedy. - -THE HERMIT OF GORDON'S CREEK - -The disappearance of two airmail pilots leads to a mystery that centers -about an abandoned mine and a strange old man. - -KIDNAPPED IN THE JUNGLE - -A hint of buried treasure in the ruins of an old French mission leads -Hal deep into the Central American jungle. - -THE COPPERHEAD TRAIL MYSTERY - -Baffling and blood-curdling events center about the ranch where Hal Keen -and his friends had gone in search of gold. - -THE LONESOME SWAMP MYSTERY - -The lonely and mysterious swamp gave up its secret only after a series -of terrifying events taxed Hal's courage and ability. - -THE CLUE AT SKELETON ROCKS - -In this new thriller Hal Keen finds mystery and adventure in and about a -lonely lighthouse on Skeleton Rocks, off the Maine coast. - -THE DOOM OF STARK HOUSE - -Mystery and terror in an old house in the wilderness above Quebec where -Hal Keen is the guest of a strange family. - - -GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK - - -ADVENTURES _in the_ UNKNOWN - -By CARL H. CLAUDY - -Weird! Mysterious! Incredible! Astounding! - -Leap back a million years into the dark prehistoric ages. Speed through -the dangers of outer space beyond the stratosphere at a thousand miles a -minute. Meet the grotesque machine men of Mars. Break into the bounds of -the Fourth Dimension. You will meet in these thrilling, fascinating -stories many incredible beings and astounding sights that will stagger -your imagination. - -THE MYSTERY MEN OF MARS - -Seventy million miles from home! Three men--a daring scientist and two -adventurous boys--take off from the earth in a steel and aluminum sphere -that sails through space at 20 miles a second. On the planet Mars they -face destruction at the hands of beings who resemble mechanical bugs -more than men! - -A THOUSAND YEARS A MINUTE - -In the world of a million years ago--whence they have been propelled by -an old professor's invention--Alan and Ted find themselves pitted -against the dinosaurs, mammoths and savage ape men of a lost world. - -THE LAND OF NO SHADOW - -Through a violet coil frame in Professor Arronson's laboratory Ted and -Alan leap into the gray and terrifying land of the Fourth Dimension. -There they are shadowed by the ghostly forms of menacing, bodiless -shapes! - - -GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK - - -ZANE GREY BOOKS FOR BOYS - -Packed with all the thrill and color and action that have made this -author famous! - - -THE "KEN WARD" STORIES - -The Young Forester - -Kenneth Ward, a young eastern lad just out of preparatory school, goes -west on his summer vacation to join a friend, Dick Leslie, a government -forest ranger in Arizona. Ken, honest, loyal but hot-headed runs into -plenty of excitement and trouble when he finds that a big lumber steal -is going on. - -The Young Lion Hunter - -Ken Ward and his kid brother, Hal, spend a summer on a forest preserve -in Utah with Ken's pal Dick Leslie. The government rangers are out after -the mountain lions and the boys from the east are glad to share in the -thrilling work. - -The Young Pitcher - -When Ken Ward entered Wayne College to pursue his study of forestry he -discovered that as a freshman he was on the bottom rung and had to fight -to win his way to recognition. His first claim to fame comes when he -pummels a prominent sophomore in self-defense. - -Ken Ward in the Jungle - -Ken Ward and his younger brother Hal take a trip into the wilds of -Mexico--Ken to try his hand at field work in the jungle and Hal, who is -ambitious to become a naturalist, to collect specimens. The boys set out -to solve the mysteries of the Santa Rosa River, an unknown course of -about a hundred and seventy-five miles through uncharted jungle. - - -STORIES OF BASEBALL - -_Zane Grey's baseball is as real, as dramatic and as thrilling as the -western stories that made him famous._ - -The Redheaded Outfield - -The Redheaded Outfield--three fiery-pated players who introduce a little -boxing and plenty of comedy into the game will delight you. The -Rube--who is all that a rube should be--appears in a whole series of -these stories and is a character you won't forget. - -The Short-Stop - -Chase Alloway developed a mean curve that had the small town players -buffaloed. They called him "Chaseaway", the "Hoodoo" and "crooked eye" -and one small town team was all for having him tarred and feathered! A -story crowded with hard and fast baseball--and a dash of romance! - - -STORIES OF THE GREAT WEST - -The Last of the Plainsmen - -"He'd rope the devil and tie him down--if the lasso didn't burn," it was -said of "Buffalo Jones," one of the last of the famous plainsmen who -trod the trails of the old West. Killing was repulsive to him and the -passion of his life was to capture wild beasts alive. - -A real hunting trip--with constant danger threatening from wild beasts, -Indians and the hazards of wild country untouched by civilization. - -Roping Lions in the Grand Canyon - -A true story of Zane Grey's experiences capturing lions alive, which -makes ordinary hunting with guns seem, in contrast about as exciting as -a Sunday-school picnic. The account of how they captured six of the -tawny, fiery-eyed demons which infest the bottom of the Grand Canyon, -and got them into camp alive and growling, will enthrall the great host -of Zane Grey's boy readers. - -The Last of the Great Scouts - -_The life story of "Buffalo Bill" by_ HELEN CODY WETMORE _With Foreword -and Conclusion by Zane Grey._ - -"Buffalo Bill"--scout, pathfinder, hunter and Indian fighter is the most -famous of all that great company of frontiersmen who opened up the West -for civilization. Indeed no character in history makes a stronger appeal -to the imagination than this daring hero of the old west. - - -GROSSET & DUNLAP, Publishers, NEW YORK - - -_The_ AIR COMBAT STORIES _for_ BOYS By THOMSON BURTIS - -_Author of_ THE REX LEE STORIES - -Zooming into the war scene comes this new hero of the air, Lieutenant -Rudford Riley, who leads The Phantom Five, a group of airmen detailed -for special duty in the Royal Flying Corps during the early days of the -war when every take-off was an impudent challenge to death. The record -of their mad exploits over the front makes breathless reading, and their -adventures have the ring of truth in them for the author-flyer takes -them from his own rich experience as a war-time aviator. - -DAREDEVILS OF THE AIR - -Recounts Lieutenant Riley's adventures as leader of The Phantom Five -against the enemy in the air. - -FOUR ACES - -As commanding officer of Special Flight A, Rud Riley and Jerry Lacey, -the Manhattan Madman, are thrown into the thickest and hottest of the -air fighting. - -WING FOR WING - -Continues the record of the daredevil young airman's adventures as one -of the leading aces in the war. - -FLYING BLACK BIRDS - -Stormy Lake leads a squadron of picked daredevils called the Black Birds -against the famous German Red Devils led by Von Baer. - - -GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK - - - - -Transcriber's Note. - - -A few typographical and spelling errors have been corrected. - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's The Swiss Family Robinson, by Johann David Wyss - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON *** - -***** This file should be named 41659-8.txt or 41659-8.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/1/6/5/41659/ - -Produced by Tor Martin Kristiansen, Kara Shallenberg, Asad -Razzaki 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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