diff options
Diffstat (limited to '6692-h/6692-h.htm')
| -rw-r--r-- | 6692-h/6692-h.htm | 3305 |
1 files changed, 3305 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/6692-h/6692-h.htm b/6692-h/6692-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a1716bf --- /dev/null +++ b/6692-h/6692-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,3305 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="us-ascii"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + The Swiss Family Robinson, by Mary Godolphin + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Swiss Family Robinson Told in Words of +One Syllable, by Mary Godolphin + +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 Told in Words of One Syllable + +Author: Mary Godolphin + +Release Date: June 3, 2009 [EBook #6692] +Last Updated: January 25, 2013 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON *** + + + + +Produced by Bruce Miller, and David Widger + + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h1> + THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON + </h1> + <h2> + TOLD IN WORDS OF ONE SYLLABLE + </h2> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + By Mary Godolphin + </h2> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h2> + Contents + </h2> + <table summary="" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto"> + <tr> + <td> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0001"> CHAPTER I. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0002"> CHAPTER II. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0003"> CHAPTER III. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0004"> CHAPTER IV. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0005"> CHAPTER V. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0006"> CHAPTER VI. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0007"> CHAPTER VII. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0008"> CHAPTER VIII. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0009"> CHAPTER IX. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0010"> CHAPTER X. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0011"> CHAPTER XI. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0012"> CHAPTER XII. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0013"> CHAPTER XIII. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0014"> CHAPTER XIV. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0015"> CHAPTER XV. </a> + </p> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h2> + CHAPTER I. + </h2> + <p> + WHEN one has a good tale to tell, he should try to be brief, and not say + more than he can help ere he makes a fair start; so I shall not say a word + of what took place on board the ship till we had been six days in a storm. + The barque had gone far out of her true course, and no one on board knew + where we were. The masts lay in splints on the deck, a leak in the side of + the ship let more in than the crew could pump out, and each one felt that + ere long he would find a grave in the deep sea, which sent its spray from + side to side of what was now but a mere hulk. + </p> + <p> + "Come, boys," said I to my four sons, who were with me, "God can save us + if it please Him so to do; but, if this is to be our last hour, let us bow + to His will—we shall at least go down side by side." + </p> + <p> + My dear wife could not hide the tears that fell down her cheeks as I thus + spoke to my sons, but she was calm, and knelt down to pray, while the boys + clung round her as if they thought she could help them. + </p> + <p> + Just then we heard a cry of "Land! land!" felt a shock, and it was clear + that we had struck on a rock, for we heard a loud cry from one of the men, + "We are lost! Launch the boat; try for your lives!" + </p> + <p> + I went at once on deck, and found that all the boats had been let down, + and that the last of the crew had just left the ship. I cried out for the + men to come back and take us with them, but it was in vain. + </p> + <p> + I then thought that our last chance was gone. Still, as I felt the ship + did not sink, I went to the stern, and found, to my joy, that she was held + up by a piece of rock on each side, and made fast like a wedge. At the + same time I saw some trace of land, which lay to the south, and this made + me go back with some hope that we had still a faint chance. As soon as I + got down stairs I took my wife by the hand, and said, "Be of good cheer, + we are at least safe for some time, and if the wind should veer round, we + may yet reach the land that lies but a short way off." + </p> + <p> + I said this to calm the fears of my wife and sons, and it did so far more + than I had a right to hope. + </p> + <p> + "Let us now take some food," said my wife. "We are sure to need it, for + this will no doubt be a night to try our strength." + </p> + <p> + My wife got some food for her boys, which we were glad to see them eat, + poor as it was; but we could not share their meal. Three out of the four + were put to bed in their berths, and soon went to sleep; but Fritz, who + was our first child, would not leave us. He said, like a good son, that he + would try to be of some use, and think what could be done. + </p> + <p> + "If we could but find some cork," said Fritz to me in a low tone, "we + might make floats. You and I will not need them, for we can swim, but the + rest will want some such means to keep them up." + </p> + <p> + "A good thought," said I. "Let us try to find what things there are in the + ship that we can thus make use of." + </p> + <p> + We soon found some casks and ropes, and with these we made a kind of float + for each of the three boys, and then my wife made one for her own use. + This done, we got some knives, string, and such things as we could make + fast to our belts. We did not fail to look for and find a flint and steel, + and the box in which the burnt rags were kept, for these were at that time + in use as the means to strike a light. + </p> + <p> + Fritz, who was now well-nigh worn out, lay down on his bed and slept like + the rest. As for me and my poor wife, we kept watch, each in fear lest the + next wave should lift the ship off the rock and break it up. + </p> + <p> + I need not tell you how glad we were when we saw the first gleam of light. + At dawn the wind did not blow so strong, the sky was clear of clouds, and + we saw the sun rise, and with it rose our hopes. I soon had my wife and + sons on deck. + </p> + <p> + "Where are the men?" said they. "How can we steer the ship?" + </p> + <p> + "My dear boys," said I, "He who has kept us safe till now will still aid + us. Let all hands set to work, and leave the rest to God." + </p> + <p> + At these words we all went to work with a will. My wife went to feed the + live stock; Fritz set off in search of arms, and the means to make use of + them; and Ernest made his way to the tool chest. Jack ran to pick up what + he could find, but as he got to one of the doors he gave it a push, and + two huge dogs sprang out and leaped at him. He thought at first that they + would bite him, but he soon found that they meant him no harm, and one of + them let him get on his back and ride up to me as I came from the hold of + the ship. + </p> + <p> + When the boys had done their search, and the spoil was brought on deck, we + thought we had found all that we should need. "As for me," said my wife, + "I have brought good news, for I find we have still on board a cow, an + ass, two goats, six sheep, a ram, a pig, and a sow, and I have found food + for them all." + </p> + <p> + "All that you bring will be of use," said I; "but I fear that Jack's dogs + will do us more harm than good." + </p> + <p> + "Not at all," said Jack, "for they can help us to hunt when we get to + land." + </p> + <p> + "Well said, Jack. And now let us see what we can do that will aid us to + get there." + </p> + <p> + We then took the casks that we had found, and Ernest and I soon cut them + in half. With these tubs we made a kind of raft, though it was no slight + task. The tubs, in fact, were a fleet of eight small round boats, made so + fast to some planks that no one of them could float from the rest. The + next thing to be done was to launch the raft. This we at length did, and + when the boys saw it slide down the side of the ship and float on the sea, + they gave a loud shout, and each one tried who should be the first to get + on it. I made it fast to the ship, and there left it. + </p> + <p> + I then told my wife to change her dress for that of one of the crew which + she had found, as her skirts would have got in her way when she had to + climb. She did not at first like this, but did so as soon as she saw the + truth of what I told her. + </p> + <p> + At last, when all was done, we went to bed, and slept as sound as if we + had been on land. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER II. + </h2> + <p> + WE were all up at the break of day, and knelt down to thank God that He + had kept us from harm through the night. + </p> + <p> + We then put all the things on the raft, and ten live hens and two cocks + were put in one of the tubs. Some ducks and geese we let go, in the hope + that they would swim to the shore; and a pair of doves were set free, as + they could fly to the land. + </p> + <p> + There was a place in the raft for each of us. In the first tub sat my + wife; in the next Frank, who was eight years old; in the third Fritz, not + quite twice the age of Frank; in the fourth were the fowls, and some old + sails that would make us a tent; the fifth was full of good things in the + way of food; in the sixth stood Jack, a bold lad, ten years old; in the + next Ernest, twelve years of age, well taught, but too fond of self, and + less fond of work than the rest; while I sat in the eighth, to guide the + raft that was to save all that was dear to me in the world. + </p> + <p> + As soon as the dogs (Bill and Turk by name) saw us push off from the ship + they leaped in the sea, swam near the raft, and kept well up with us. + </p> + <p> + The sea was calm; so that we felt quite safe. We made good use of the + oars, and the raft bore its freight straight to the land; but as we drew + near to the shore the sight of the bare rocks led us to think that we + might still be in need of food and drink when that which we had was gone. + </p> + <p> + As we got near, the coast lost its bare look, and we were glad to see that + there was no lack of trees. We soon found a bay, to which the ducks and + geese had found their way, and here we saw a place where we could land. + </p> + <p> + As soon as we had made the raft fast with a strong rope, we took out all + our wealth, and made a tent with the old sail cloth we had brought with + us, and stuck a pole in the ground to keep it up. This done, I sent the + boys to get some moss and dry grass to make our beds with. With the flint + and steel we soon set fire to some dry twigs, and my wife made a pot of + soup with what she had brought from the ship. + </p> + <p> + Fritz, who had charge of the guns, chose one, and took a stroll by the + side of a stream, while Jack went in search of shell fish, which he + thought he might find on the rocks. My share of the work was to save two + large casks which were near the shore. While I was up to my knees in the + sea I heard a shrill cry, which I knew to come from Jack. I got out at + once, took up an axe, and ran to his help. I found him with his legs in a + rock pool, where a large crab held him by his toes. It soon made off as I + came near; but I struck at it with the axe, and brought it out of the + pool. Jack then took it up, though it gave him a pinch or two ere he found + out how to hold it, and ran off in high glee to show what he had caught. + </p> + <p> + When I got back to the tent, I found that Ernest had brought us news that + he had seen salt in the chinks of the rocks, and that shell fish were not + scarce. + </p> + <p> + "Well, my boy, if you are sure you saw them, I will ask you to go back for + some. We must each do some work for the good of all." + </p> + <p> + He went, and soon found the salt, left by the sea on the rocks, which the + sun had made quite dry. There was some sand with it, but my wife did not + take long to find a way to cure that. She had been to a fresh stream with + a large jug; from this I saw her pour some on the salt, strain it through + a cloth, and let it drip in a cup, so that all the sand was left on the + cloth. + </p> + <p> + When the soup was made hot we had each a taste, and all said that it was + good. + </p> + <p> + "Be not in too great haste," said my wife, "we must wait for Fritz; but if + he were here, I do not see how we are to take our soup, for we have no + plates nor spoons." + </p> + <p> + "If we had but some large nuts," said Ernest, "we might cut them in half, + and they would make good bowls." + </p> + <p> + "Quite true," said I; "but as there are none, we may as well wish for delf + bowls and real spoons at once." + </p> + <p> + "Now I have it," quoth Ernest. "Let us use the shells I saw on the shore." + </p> + <p> + Off ran Jack to the shore, with Ernest at his heels, and back they both + came with large and small shells for us all. + </p> + <p> + Just then Fritz came in, with a look of gloom on his face, which I could + see was a sham. + </p> + <p> + "You do not mean to tell me you have come back with nought?" said I, as he + put out his hands as if to prove that such was the case. But Jack, who had + been round him, cried out, "No, no! he's got a pig!—such a fine one. + Tell us where you found it." + </p> + <p> + Fritz now brought forth his prize. When I saw it, I knew, from what I had + read, that it was not a pig, but a swift beast, known in these parts, that + lives on fruit and nuts, and hides in the earth. (*The Agouti.) + </p> + <p> + "I like the place much more than I do this spot," said he. "The shore lies + low, and there are planks, casks, chests, and all sorts of things, that + the sea has thrown up. Why not leave this place at once, and go there?" + </p> + <p> + "There is a time for all things," said I. "We must at least rest here for + one night." + </p> + <p> + We all sat down to take our soup with the shell spoons. Ernest took from + his coat a large shell, which he had hid till now, put it in the soup, and + then set it down to cool. + </p> + <p> + "You do not show want of thought," said I to him. "But I am not glad to + see that you think so of your-self, and do so much for your own ease, when + all the rest do so much for yours. Now, that shell full of soup you must + give to our two dogs. We can all dip our small shells in the pot, and you + must do as we do." + </p> + <p> + I knew he felt hurt at this, but he gave it to the dogs at once, and they + soon made quick work of their share of the soup. + </p> + <p> + The sun was low when our meal came to an end. The fowls came round us to + pick up the stray crumbs we had let fall, and my wife took out her bag of + grain and fed the cocks and hens, and sent them to roost on the top of our + tent. + </p> + <p> + We took care to load our fire-arms, in case we might need them in the + night; sang a hymn of praise to God, and then left our fate in His hands. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER III. + </h2> + <p> + As soon as I heard the cock crow, and saw by the light that it was break + of day, I got out of bed and spoke to my wife as to what we should do + next. + </p> + <p> + "First," said I, "Fritz and I will make a tour of the coast and try to + find some of the men who left the ship, for if they are here they may be + in want." + </p> + <p> + "But," said Fritz, who had heard me from his bed, "why should we search + for those who left us to die on the wreck?" + </p> + <p> + "Well, I will tell you," said I. "First, we should do to them as we would + wish them to do to us, not as they have done; next, we know that they took + no food with them, and we should not leave them to starve; and last, it + may be that they can help us, though now they stand more in need of our + aid." + </p> + <p> + The boys were soon up, and we all sat down to a good meal. That done, + Fritz and I got our guns. I put a pair of small arms in his belt, gave him + a game bag, and told him to take an axe. I took some food for us both, and + a full flask, out of which we could drink if we should stray far from a + stream. + </p> + <p> + When we took our leave, my wife and the three boys were in tears. The dog + Bill we left to guard the tent, but Turk went with us, and ran by our + side. + </p> + <p> + We soon got to the banks of a stream; but then had to make our way down + its course. It took us some time to reach the sea shore. There was not a + boat to be seen, or any sign that the ship's crew had found the land. We + left the shore, and went through a wood full of tall trees. Here Fritz + struck some hard thing on the ground with his foot, which we found to be a + CO-COA NUT. He gave it a blow with his axe, and broke the shell, and we + both sat down to rest, and eat the nut. + </p> + <p> + At the end of the wood we came to a plain which gave us a clear view of + the place. Fritz, who was on the look out, ran off with Turk to some + strange trees that he saw on the right. + </p> + <p> + When I got up to him, it gave me no small joy to find that it was a gourd + tree. + </p> + <p> + "Try," said I, "if you can get hold of one of those queer lumps that grow + on it." + </p> + <p> + With that he brought one down, and we had a look at it. + </p> + <p> + "Now, of this," said I, "we can make a plate, a dish, or a flask. Wild men + set great store by its shell, which they use to hold their food and + drink." + </p> + <p> + We then set to work to make plates of the gourds. When we had made some + eight or ten bowls, and some flat ones for plates, we laid them out in the + sun to dry, and then went on our way. + </p> + <p> + We could see, not far off, a grove of fine palm trees, but to reach them + we should have to pass through reeds and long grass. I knew this was just + the place to find snakes, so we each cut a cane, that we might beat them + off should we meet with any. As I took hold of my staff, I felt a gum or + juice ooze out of the end. I put my tongue to it, and found it of a sweet + taste. This led me to suck the reed, and I then knew that we had met with + the SUG-AR CANE. By this time Fritz had done the same, for I could see + that he held his cane to his mouth. + </p> + <p> + "Do not suck too much of it," said I, "or it will make you ill; but let us + cut some of the best and take them back with us, for those at home will + prize so great a treat." + </p> + <p> + It did not take us long to reach the place where the palms grew, and then + we sat down in the shade to eat the food we had brought with us. + </p> + <p> + "Do you see those nuts at the top of the trees, Fritz?" said I. + </p> + <p> + "To be sure I do; but they are far too high to reach. Look, look!" he + cried, "there are some MON-KEYS; let me have a shot at them." "Do not do + that," I said, and held his arm; "it will do us no good to kill them, and + I think I can make use of them." With that I threw some stones up at the + tree where they were, though they had got safe out of my reach. They then + made a loud noise, took hold of the nuts that were near, and flung them + straight at us. The trick made Fritz laugh, who soon had hard work to pick + up the nuts that were thrown at him. + </p> + <p> + We broke some of the nuts, and put the juice of the canes in the thick + white cream which forms close to the shell; and this made us a dish that + Fritz said was fit for a king. + </p> + <p> + Fritz and I then made fast some nuts to a string, which I tied round my + waist, while he took up his canes, and we both set off on our road home. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IV. + </h2> + <p> + ON our way back we took up the gourd bowls and plates, which we found + quite dry and hard as bone, and put them in our bags. We had scarce got + through the wood, when Turk made a dart in front of us, and we saw a troop + of apes rush out of the way. But he gave a leap and brought down one that + could not climb so fast as the rest, for she had a young one in her arms. + Turk made short work of the poor thing, for ere Fritz could call the dog + off, the ape was dead. The young one, as soon as it saw Fritz, sprang on + his back, put its paws in his curls, and would not let go. I at length got + the ape from Fritz's back, and took it up in my arms like a child. We + found that it was too young to seek its own food, and, as Fritz said he + should like to take it home, we put it on Turk's back. Turk did not at + first like this, but we soon got him to bear the ape, which held so tight + by the hair on the dog's neck that it could not well fall off. Fritz then + led Turk with a string, that he might not stray out of sight, or throw off + his charge, which I think he would have done had we not been on the watch. + </p> + <p> + It did not take us long to reach the bank of the stream near to our home. + </p> + <p> + I need not tell you how glad my wife and sons were to see us safe back, or + with what joy the boys took the "real live ape" out of Fritz's arms. + </p> + <p> + At length, when they got more staid, I told them that we had brought them + all sorts of good things, but that we had not met with any of the men of + whom we went in search. "God's will be done," said my wife, "let us thank + Him that you have come back safe to us. This day to me has been an age; + but put down your loads, for we must now go in and hear what you have to + tell." + </p> + <p> + Fritz and I then told them, by turns, where we found the things we brought + with us, how we made and dried the plates and bowls, cut the canes, and + caught the ape in the wood. Our tales had not come to an end when we were + told that it was time to sup. Ernest had shot a wild goose, and some fish + had been caught in the stream. With these, and the Dutch cheese that we + brought from the ship, we made a good meal; but the boys would not rest + till we broke some of the nuts, from which they drank the milk, made sweet + with the juice of the canes. I must tell you that we ate our food in great + state from our gourd rind plates, which my wife said she should prize more + than if they were made of pure gold. + </p> + <p> + That night the ape went to bed with Jack and Fritz, and we all slept in + peace till the cocks on the roof of the tent woke us up. + </p> + <p> + Next day Fritz and I went back to the wreck to save the live stock, and + get what else we had left that might be of use to us. We found it no light + task, for we had to make floats for the cow, the ass, the sheep, and the + goats, throw them in the sea, and tie them with ropes to our raft. We put + on board the raft a vast deal of food that had not been spoiled by the + sea, though the waves had made a breach in the sides of the wreck. We then + put to sea with our train of live stock made fast to the stern. + </p> + <p> + We had not gone far when I heard a loud cry of fear from Fritz, "We are + lost! We are lost! See what a great shark is on its way to us!" + </p> + <p> + Though pale with fright, he took aim with his gun, and shot the fish in + the head. It sank at once, but left a track of blood in the sea, which I + knew to be a sign that we were once more safe. We then got to land, and + made fast our freight to the shore. Ere we had done this our friends came + to give us what help they could to get the beasts out of the stream, and + take them up to the tent. The poor things were well nigh worn out; but we + took good care of them, and put them to rest on some dry grass that my + wife had laid out for them. + </p> + <p> + That night we did not sup on the ground. My wife had spread a cloth on the + top of a cask, and we each sat on a tub. With the knives and forks that we + had found in the ship we ate a dish of hot ham and eggs, nor did we fail + to test the wine that I had brought with me in a small cask from the + wreck. + </p> + <p> + Ere bed-time my wife had told me that while I was at the wreck she had + gone in search of some place in which we could build a house. + </p> + <p> + "And did you find one, my dear?" I said. + </p> + <p> + "Oh, yes," said she. "We can take you to a great tree that will serve us + well, if we can but get across the stream with our goods." + </p> + <p> + "But would you have us roost, like fowls, in a tree? How do you think we + could get up to our perch?" + </p> + <p> + "Was there not a large lime tree in our town in which they built a ball + room, with stairs up the trunk?" + </p> + <p> + "To be sure there was," said I; "and if we can not build in it, we can at + least make use of its shade, and dwell in a hut on the roots." + </p> + <p> + Ernest said that he took a string, and found that it was twelve yards + round. This led me to think that my wife's scheme was by no means a bad + one, and that I would have a look at the tree the next day. + </p> + <p> + When I had heard all they had to tell, we knelt down to pray, and then + sought a good night's rest, which the toils of the day made us much in + need of. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER V. + </h2> + <p> + WHEN I rose from my bed the next day, I said to my wife: "Does it not + seem, my dear, as if God had led us to this place, and that we should do + wrong to leave it?" + </p> + <p> + "What you say may be quite true, so far as it goes," she said; "but I must + tell you that the mid-day heat is more than we can bear, and that if we + stay here we may have to keep watch at night, for there are, no doubt, + wild beasts of some kind that will find us out; and we should not trust + too much to our dogs, who may lose their lives in a fight with them." + </p> + <p> + "I dare say you are right," said I; "but I do not yet see how we can cross + the stream. We shall first have to build a bridge." + </p> + <p> + The boys were now all out of their beds; and while my wife went to milk + the cow and cook some food, I made my plans known to them. They were all + glad when they heard that we were to leave, and each said he, would help + to build the bridge. + </p> + <p> + The first thing to be done was to find some strong planks; and Fritz, + Ernest, and I went down to the shore, and got in the boat, which the tide + took down to the bay. + </p> + <p> + On a piece of land which lay to the left we could see some large dark + thing, round which flew a flock of sea gulls. We put up a sail and caught + a gust of wind which had sprung up, and this soon brought the boat to the + spot. We made no noise, but crept up the shore step by step, and we got so + near that Ernest brought down some of the birds with a stick. Fritz was + the first to find out that what the sea gulls had just left was the huge + fish he had shot in the sea. We cut off some rough skin, which we thought + might serve for files, and then went back to the boat. I took a glance at + the shore ere I got in, and to my great joy saw some of the planks and + spars from the wreck lay on the ground not far off. Our next care was to + bind these so as to make a raft, which we tied to the stern of the boat, + and then, by the use of our oars, soon made our way up the stream to the + place where the bridge was to be built. Our young friends were glad to see + us back so soon, and ran to meet us; Jack had a cloth in his hand, in + which was a store of cray fish and crabs just caught in some of the nooks + of a rock up the stream. + </p> + <p> + "Do not fail to give God thanks," said I, "that our lot has been cast + where we can pick up more food than we can eat." + </p> + <p> + It would take a long time to tell how we brought all the wood up to the + spot, built piers of stone in the stream, and put the planks one by one in + the place; it was late at night when we left off work, and once more + sought our tent. + </p> + <p> + The next day we saw the sun rise, and took our first meal in haste, for we + knew we should have a long day's toil. All the stores that we could not + take with us were laid by in the tent, the door of which was made safe by + a row of casks, that we put round it. My wife and Fritz soon led the way; + the cow went next; then the ass, with Frank on its back. Jack led the + goats, and on the back of one of them sat the ape. Ernest took charge of + the sheep, and I brought up the rear as chief guard. We took care to cross + the bridge one at a time, and found it bore our weight well; but once or + twice we thought the cow would step in the stream, or fall off the boards, + when she went to the sides to drink. + </p> + <p> + Just as we had left the bridge, Jack cried out, "Be quick! here is a + strange beast with quills as long as my arm." The dogs ran, and I with + them, and found a large POR-CU-PINE, in the grass. It made a loud noise, + and shot out its quills at the dogs, and made them bleed. At this Jack + shot at the beast, which fell dead on the spot. My wife's first thought + was to dress the wounds made by the quills, which had stuck in the nose of + one of the dogs, while the boys made haste to pluck some of the quills + from the skin of their strange prize. + </p> + <p> + At last our march came to an end, and I saw for the first time the great + trees that my wife had told me of. They were of vast size, and were, I + thought, fig trees. "If we can but fix our tent up there," I said, "we + shall have no cause to dread, for no wild beasts can reach us." We sent + Frank off to find sticks, with which to make a fire, and my wife made some + soup of the flesh of the beast we had slain, though we did not like it so + well as we did the ham and cheese we brought with us. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VI. + </h2> + <p> + THE meal at an end, my first thought was to make some steps by means of + which we could reach the first strong branch of the tree. Ernest and I + went in search of some thick canes that grew in the sands hard by. These + we cut down, bound them to four long poles, and thus made a pair of steps + that would, we thought, reach far up the trunk. + </p> + <p> + On our way back from the sands, one of the dogs made a dart at a clump of + reeds, and a troop of large birds rose on the wing with a loud noise. + Fritz let fly at them, and brought down two at a shot. One of them fell + quite dead, but its mate, though hurt in the wing, made use of its long + legs so well that it would have got off if Bill had not held it. The joy + of Fritz, to have caught such a strange bird, was so great that he would + have us at once bind it by the neck and take it back with us. "Look," said + Ernest, "what fine plumes he has, and you see he has web feet like a + goose, and has long legs like a stork: thus he can run on land as fast as + he can swim." + </p> + <p> + "Yes," said I, "and he can fly with more speed through the air, for these + birds have great strength in their wings. In fact, few birds have such + means of flight as the FLA-MIN-GO." + </p> + <p> + My wife thought the great bird might need more food than we could spare. I + told her that it would feed on small fish and worms, and not rob our geese + of their grain. I then tied him to a stake near the stream; and in a few + days we were glad to find that he knew us, and would come at a call, like + a tame bird. + </p> + <p> + While I sat on the grass with my sons, late in the day, I thought I would + try to make a bow and thus save our shot. This I did with a long cane and + a piece of string, and then made a dart with a sharp point, which I shot + off and found it would go straight. The branch of the tree on which we + were to fix our hut was so high that our steps would not near reach it. I + tied some strong thread to the dart, and shot it over the branch; then + tied a piece of rope to the end of the thread, and drew that up, and at + last made a long row of cane steps, with a rope at each side, which we + drew up to the first strong branch. The boys were now all in haste to + climb the tree, but I chose that Jack, who was light of build and sure of + foot, should go up first and try the strength of our work. Fritz went up + next with some nails, and made the ropes fast to the tree, while I drove + stakes in the ground to keep them firm at the foot. It was now time for me + to mount, and up I went with an axe to lop off the twigs and smooth the + bough that was to form the ground of our new house. I sent the boys down + out of my way, and kept hard at work till it was late, for the sky was + clear, and the moon lent me her beams of light to see by. + </p> + <p> + When I came down my wife spread a good meal on the ground, which we ate as + best we could, and then made our beds of dry moss, round which we put + heaps of twigs. These we set light to, as watch fires to keep off wild + beasts and snakes. The toils of the day had made the boys tired, and they + were soon in a sound sleep, but my wife and I took it in turns to watch + through the whole night. + </p> + <p> + We were all out of bed as soon as light was in the sky, and set to work to + hoist up the planks that were to form the floor of our hut. These we laid + down on the branch, with their ends made fast to a cross piece of wood + that we had to fix to the trunk of the tree. Our nails were long, and we + drove each one of them home, so that we had no cause to fear the strength + of our work. By the time we had done this the day was far spent, and we + were all glad to lay by our tools and rest our limbs. That night we lit + our fires round the tree, tied the dogs to the roots, and went up to sleep + out of harm's way for the first time since we left the ship. When the + steps were drawn up we all felt that we were now safe at last, and that we + had brought the toils of the day to a good end. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0007" id="link2HCH0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VII. + </h2> + <p> + WE did not wake next day till the sun shone in upon us. I told my wife and + sons that as it was the Lord's day we would do no work. Our beasts and + birds had first to be fed. This was done by my wife, who then brought us + some hot milk, and made us sit down on the grass and take it. When our + meal was done, I got on a log in front of my sons, and we all sang a psalm + we knew by heart. Then I sought to teach them and spoke to them thus: + </p> + <p> + "There was once on a time a Great King, who had two vast realms, the Land + of Light and Truth, and the Land of Night and Sloth. Those who dwelt in + the first were full of life and joy. The King held his court at the Place + of Rest where all was bright. + </p> + <p> + "This King had a land, not far off, where those for whom he had so much + love should dwell ere they went one by one to the Place of Rest. This land + was the Home of Earth. He gave to his Son the right to rule the host that + dwelt in the Home of Earth, and set forth to think what they were to do, + and all the ills that would come to them if they did not do as they were + bid. + </p> + <p> + "At first they were all glad to hear the way in which they were to live, + and the terms on which they could reach the Land of Light and Truth. Sad + to tell, they soon broke the King's laws, and paid no heed to what they + knew to be his will. Still there were a few who did as they had been + taught, and dwelt in peace, in the hope that they would please the King + and at last reach the place where he held his court. + </p> + <p> + "From time to time ships came to the Home of Earth, and at last a great + ship was sent, the name of which was The Grave, which bore the flag of + Death. To the good it was a sign of hope, but the bad were thrown by the + sight of it into a state of gloom. These ships were not seen till they + came close to the shore, and then the crew were sent forth to find those + whom they were told to seize. Some went back with them full of joy, but + most were seen to weep and mourn their fate. So soon as they were brought + in sight of the Great King, the Prince took those who had done well, and + put a white robe on them; but those who went their own way when on the + Home of Earth, he sent down to toil in deep, dark mines till time shall be + no more." + </p> + <p> + When my sons had heard my tale to the end they all knew what it meant; I + then drew from them their views of what they ought to do to please and + serve the Great King. We then sang a hymn; and my wife drew from her bag + the BIBLE, which I gave to one of the boys, who read from it in a clear, + loud voice. When this was brought to a close, we all knelt down on the + grass to pray, and to ask God to bless the means we took to learn His + will. + </p> + <p> + We did no work that day, but took a long stroll up the banks of the + stream. + </p> + <p> + The next day Ernest and Jack tried their skill with the bow, and brought + down some small birds that came to the great tree in quest of figs. I gave + them leave to kill what they could; for I knew if put in casks made air + tight with grease, they would keep for a time, and might prove a boon, if + our stock of food should get low. + </p> + <p> + When we sat down to dine, the thought struck me that it would be well to + give some name to each part of the land that was known to us. This was at + first the source of some fun, for Fritz said we should call the bay where + we had found the shell spoons by the name of Spoon Bay; but Jack, who + still had a mark on his toe where the crab gave him a pinch, thought we + ought to term it Crab Bay. + </p> + <p> + "If you will let me give it a name," said my wife, "I should wish to know + it by some term that will make us bear in mind how good God was to lead + our raft there, and I don't think Safe Bay will be a bad name for it." + </p> + <p> + "So let it be," said I; and from that time Safe Bay had a name. "What + shall be the name of the spot where we spent our first night on shore? You + shall give that its name," said I to Fritz. + </p> + <p> + "Let us call it Tent House." + </p> + <p> + "That will do," said I. "And now for the spot at the mouth of Safe Bay, + where we found our planks?" + </p> + <p> + "Sharp Point," said Ernest. The place from which Fritz and I sought for a + trace of out ship mates was to be known as No Man's Cape. Then we had the + Boys' Bridge, which name I gave it from a wish to please my sons, who had + done so much to build it. + </p> + <p> + "But what shall we call the place which is most dear to us all?" + </p> + <p> + "Now, my dear," said I to my wife, "it is your turn. What shall we say?" + </p> + <p> + "Let us call it The Nest," said she; and with that I gave each of my young + birds a glass of sweet wine. + </p> + <p> + "Here's to 'The Nest,'" said I; "and may we live long to bless the day and + the means that brought us here." + </p> + <p> + When the heat of the day was past, I told my sons that I should be glad to + take a walk with them. My wife said that she should like to go with us; so + we left The Nest in charge of Turk, and bent our course to the banks of + the stream. On our way we went past some shrubs and rare herbs, which my + wife knew well how to make use of should we fall sick; and Ernest found a + large spot of ground on which grew a fine kind of PO-TA-TO. At these the + boys set to work with such zeal, that we soon had a full bag of the ripe + fruit. We then went on to Tent House, which we found in the same state as + when we left it to cross the stream on our way to the great tree. + </p> + <p> + We found that our ducks and geese had grown so wild that they would not + come near us; so, while my wife and I went to pick up such things as we + thought we might take back with us, Ernest and Fritz were sent to catch + them, and to tie their legs and wings, and in this way we got them at last + to The Nest. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VIII. + </h2> + <p> + IT took the whole of the next day to make a sledge, to which we tied the + ass, and drove to Tent House. On our sledge we put such of the casks which + held food, and took them back to The Nest. Fritz and I went once more to + the wreck, and this time we brought off chests of clothes, pigs of lead, + cart wheels, sacks of maize, oats, peas, and wheat. With a strong bar we + broke down some of the doors, and took such parts of the ship as we + thought would aid us to build our house, which as yet was far less safe + than I could wish. These we bound with cords, and made them float back at + the stern of the raft. + </p> + <p> + When we got to the shore my wife and the three boys were there to greet + us. My first care was to send for the sledge, and with this we took most + of our new wealth up to The Nest. + </p> + <p> + The next day I told my sons that they must now learn to run, to leap, to + climb, and to throw stones straight at a mark, as all these things would + be of great use to them in their new mode of life. + </p> + <p> + I next taught them to use the LAS-SO, by means of which men catch the wild + horse on the vast plains of the New World. I tied two stones to the ends + of a cord some yards in length, and flung off one of them at the trunk of + a young tree; the cord went round and round it in a coil and bound it so + tight that I could have drawn it to me had it not been fast in the ground. + This trick the boys were not slow to learn; and Fritz, in a short time, + could take an aim as well with a stone as he could with his gun. + </p> + <p> + As yet we had not seen much of the isle; for it took most of our time to + build the house. But one day we made up our minds that we would all start + on a tour. We rose at dawn, put the ass in the sledge, took what food we + thought we should need, and set out from The Nest just as the sun rose. + </p> + <p> + When we came to the wood where Fritz found the ape, he told them by what + means we got the nuts, but now there were no apes there to throw them + down. + </p> + <p> + "Oh, if one would but fall from the trees," he said. + </p> + <p> + The words had but just left his lips when a large nut fell at his feet. He + made a start back, and two more came down near the same spot. + </p> + <p> + As the nuts were far from ripe, I was at a loss to know how they could + fall off the tree, for I could not see an ape nor a bird near. + </p> + <p> + I went close up to the tree, and saw a large land crab on its way down the + trunk. Jack struck a blow at him with a stick, but did not hit the beast. + He then took off his coat and threw it on the crab's head, while I made an + end of him with an axe. I told them that these crabs climb the trees and + break off the nuts, as we had seen, and then come down to feast on them at + their ease. + </p> + <p> + "But how do they crack the nuts?" said Jack. + </p> + <p> + "They make a hole through the shell at the thin end, and then suck them + dry." + </p> + <p> + The dead crab was put in the sledge, and we went on through the wood. When + we came to the Gourd Wood, we sat down to make some more bowls and flasks + to take back with us. Ernest had gone to try what new thing he could find, + but he had not been from us long, when we heard him call out, + </p> + <p> + "A wild boar! A great wild boar! Come here, pray!" + </p> + <p> + We took up our guns, and went at once with the dogs to the spot. We soon + heard Turk give a loud bark, and just then we heard Ernest laugh, and saw + the two dogs come through a clump of brush wood, with our old sow fast by + the ears. She did not seem to like the way in which they had put an end to + her feast of fruit, so she ran back as soon as we told the dogs to let go + their hold of her ears. + </p> + <p> + "But with all our sport," said Fritz, "we have a poor show of game. Let us + leave the young ones, and set off to see what we can meet with." Ernest + sat down with Frank, and we left them and my wife at the gourd tree, while + Fritz and Jack set off with me to a high rock which we saw on the right. + </p> + <p> + "Fritz, look here," said Jack, as he made his way to the rock. + </p> + <p> + "What have you found now?" said Fritz. + </p> + <p> + "I don't know what it is, but it's a fine prize." + </p> + <p> + When I went up I saw at once that it was a large I-GUA-NA, the flesh and + eggs of which are both good for food. I had heard that these and such like + beasts will stand still if you play an air on a pipe. So I crept near, and + made a low sound with my lips, while I held in my right hand a stout + stick, to which I had tied a cord with a noose, and in my left hand a + slight wand. I saw it first move its tail, and then draw its head from + side to side, as if to look where the sound came from. I then threw the + noose round its neck, drew it tight, got on its back with a leap and + thrust the wand up its nose, which is the sole part of the beast where + there are no hard scales. It bled at once, and was soon dead, nor did it + seem to feel any pain. Our prize, which was near five feet long was no + slight weight to lift. I got it at last on my back, and thus we went back + to the gourd tree, where we found the rest quite safe. + </p> + <p> + It took us a long time to reach The Nest that night. My wife did her best + to dress some of the flesh of the land crab, but it was tough, and did not + taste so nice as the soup made from the beast that we had caught by the + nose. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0009" id="link2HCH0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IX. + </h2> + <p> + FRITZ and I spent the whole of the next day in the woods. We took the ass + and one of the dogs with us, but left all else at home. + </p> + <p> + Our way first lay through a dense wood, where we saw no end of small + birds, but such game could not now tempt Fritz to waste his shot. We then + had to cross a vast plain, and to wade through the high grass, which we + did with care, lest we should tread on some strange thing that might turn + and bite us. + </p> + <p> + We came at last to a grove of small trees, and in their midst I saw a + bush, which I knew to be the wax tree, for the wax grew on it like white + beads. I need not say how glad I was to find so great a prize. We had up + to this time gone to bed as soon as the sun went down, for we had no lamp + to use; but as we could now make wax lights, I told Fritz that we had + found what would add two or three hours per day to our lives. We took as + much of the wax as would serve us for some time, and then made our way out + of the grove. + </p> + <p> + "How came you," said Fritz, "to know so much of the queer beasts, trees, + and plants that we have found here?" + </p> + <p> + "When young," said I, "I used to read all the books that fell in my way; + and those that told of strange lands and what was to be seen in them had + for me as great a charm as they have for Ernest, who has read a great + deal, and knows more of plants than you do." + </p> + <p> + "Well," said he, "I will do the same if I but get the chance. Can you tell + what is the name of that huge tree on the right? See, there are balls on + the bark." + </p> + <p> + We went close to it, and found that these balls were of thick gum, which + the sun had made quite hard. Fritz tried to pull one of them off, but felt + that it clung tight to the bark, though he could change its shape with his + warm hands. "Look," said he, "I feel sure that this is the IN-DI-A RUB-BER + which we used to clean our school books." I took a piece of it in my hand, + and said, "To be sure it is. What shall we not find in this rich land?" I + then told him how the men in the New World made flasks of this gum, in + which form it is sent to all parts of the world. "And I do not see why we + should not make boots of it in the same way. We have but to fill a sock + with sand, then put gum all round it, while in a soft state, till it is as + thick as we need, then pour the sand out, and we shall have made a shoe or + a boot that will at least keep out the damp, and that is more than mine do + just now." + </p> + <p> + Not far from this we came to a bush, the leaves of which were strewn with + a white dust; and close by were two or three more in the same state. I cut + a slit in the trunk of one of these, and found it full of the white dust, + which I knew by the taste to be SA-GO. We took all of this that we could + get out of the tree, for it would add to our stock of food; and when our + bags were full we laid them on the back of the ass, and set off to find + our way back to The Nest. + </p> + <p> + "Each day brings us fresh wealth," said my wife; "but I think we might now + try to add to our goods." I knew that she had some fear lest we should one + day get lost in the woods, or meet with wild beasts, so I at once said + that we would now stay at home, at least for some days. + </p> + <p> + My first work was to make some wax lights, for my wife could then mend our + clothes at night, while we sat down to talk. This done, the next task they + gave me was to make a churn. I took a large gourd, made a small hole in + the side, and cut out as much as I could, so as to leave but the rind. In + this I put the cream, laid a piece on the hole, and bound it up so that + none could come out. The boys then held a cloth, and on it I put the + gourd, which they rolled from side to side. They kept up this game with + great mirth for near an hour, when my wife took off the string, and found + that the churn had done its work well. + </p> + <p> + As our sledge was not fit to use on rough roads, my next work was to make + a cart. I had brought a pair of wheels from the wreck, so that my task did + not prove a hard one. + </p> + <p> + While I was thus at work, my wife and the boys took some of the fruit + trees we had brought with us, and put them in the ground where they + thought they would grow best. On each side of the path that led from The + Nest to the Boy's Bridge they put a row of young nut trees. To make the + path hard we laid down sand from the sea shore, and then beat it down with + our spades. + </p> + <p> + We were for six weeks at this and such like work. We were loth to spare + any pains to make The Nest, and all that could be seen near it, look neat + and trim, though there were no eyes but our own to view the scene. + </p> + <p> + One day I told my sons that I would try to make a flight of stairs in + place of the cane steps with rope sides, which were, to tell the truth, + the worst part of our house. As yet we had not used them much, but the + rain would some day force us to keep in The Nest, and then we should like + to go up and down stairs with more ease than we could now climb the rude + steps. I knew that a swarm of bees had built their nest in the trunk of + our tree, and this led me to think that there might be a void space in it + some way up. "Should this prove to be the case," I said, "our work will be + half done, for we shall then have but to fix the stairs in the tree round + the trunk." The boys got up and went to the top of the root to tap the + trunk, and to judge by the sound how far up the hole went. But they had to + pay for their want of thought; the whole swarm of bees came out as soon as + they heard the noise, stung their cheeks, stuck to their hair and clothes, + and soon put them to flight. + </p> + <p> + We found that Jack, who was at all times rash, had struck the bees' nest + with his axe, and was much more hurt by them than the rest. Ernest, who + went to his work in his slow way, got up to it last, and thus did not get + more than a sting or two, but the rest were some hours ere they could see + out of their eyes. I took a large gourd, which had long been meant to + serve for a hive, and put it on a stand, We then made a straw roof to keep + it from the sun and wind, and as by this time it grew dark, we left the + hive there for the night. + </p> + <p> + Next day, the boys, whose wounds were now quite well, went with me to help + to move the bees to the new home we had made for them. Our first work was + to stop with clay all the holes in the tree but one through which the bees + were wont to go in to their nest. To this I put the bowl of a pipe, and + blew in the smoke of the weed as fast as I could. At first we heard a loud + buzz like the noise of a storm afar off; but the more I blew my pipe the + less grew the sound, till at last the bees were quite still. + </p> + <p> + We now cut out a piece of the trunk, three feet square, and this gave us a + full view of the nest. Our joy was great to find such a stock of wax, for + I could see the comb reached far up the tree. I took some of the comb, in + which the bees lay in swarms, and put it by on the plank. + </p> + <p> + We then put the gourd on the comb that held the swarm, and took care that + the queen bee was not left out. By these means we soon got a hive of fine + bees, and the trunk of the tree was left free for our use. + </p> + <p> + We had now to try the length of the hole. This we did with a long pole, + and found it reached as far up as the branch on which our house stood. + </p> + <p> + We now cut a square hole in that side of the trunk next the sea shore, and + made one of the doors that we had brought from the ship to fit in the + space. We then made the sides smooth all the way up, and with planks and + the staves of some old casks, built up the stairs round a pole which we + made fast in the ground. To do this we had to make a notch in the pole and + one in the side of the trunk for each stair, and thus go up step by step + till we came to the top. Each day we spent a part of our time at what we + could now call the farm, where the beasts and fowls were kept, and did odd + jobs as well, so that we should not make too great a toil of the flight of + stairs, which took us some six weeks to put up. + </p> + <p> + One day Fritz caught a fine EA-GLE, which he tied by the leg to a branch + of the tree, and fed with small birds. It took him a long while to tame, + but in time he taught it to perch on his wrist, and to feed from his hand. + He once let it go, and thought he would have lost it, but the bird knew it + had a good friend, for it came back to the tree at night. From that time + it was left free, though we thought that some day its love of war and wild + sports would tempt it to leave us for the rocks of the sea shore, where + Fritz had first found it. + </p> + <p> + Each of my boys had now some pet to take care of, and, I may say, to + tease, for they all thought they had a fair right to get some fun out of + the pets they could call their own; but they were kind to them, fed them + well, and kept them clean. + </p> + <p> + In what I may term my spare time, which was when I left off work out of + doors, I made a pair of gum shoes for each of my sons, in the way I had + told Fritz it could be done. I do not know what we should have done had we + not found the gum tree, for the stones soon wore out the boots we had, and + we could not have gone through the woods or trod the hard rocks with bare + feet. + </p> + <p> + By this time our sow had brought forth ten young pigs, and the hens had + each a brood of fine chicks. Some we kept near us, but most of them went + to the wood, where my wife said she could find them when she had need to + use them. + </p> + <p> + I knew the time must now be near when, in this clime, the rain comes down + day by day for weeks, and that it would wash us out of The Nest if we did + not make a good roof to our house. Then our live stock would need some + place where they could rest out of the rain. The thatch for The Nest was + of course our first care; then we made a long roof of canes for our live + stock, and on this we spread clay and moss, and then a thick coat of tar, + so that it was rain proof from end to end. This was held up by thick canes + stuck deep in the ground, with planks made fast to them to form the walls, + and round the whole we put a row of cask staves to serve for rails. In + this way we soon had a barn, store room, and hay loft, with stalls for the + cow, the ass, and what else we kept that had need of a place to live in. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0010" id="link2HCH0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER X. + </h2> + <p> + FRANK one day found some long leaves, to which, from their shape, he gave + the name of sword leaves. These he brought home to play with, and then, + when he grew tired of them, threw them down. As they lay on the floor, + Fritz took some of them in his hand, and found them so limp, that he said + he could plait them, and make a whip for Frank to drive the sheep and + goats with. As he split them up to do this, I could not but note their + strength. This led me to try them, and I found that we had now a kind of + flax plant, which was a source of great joy to my wife. + </p> + <p> + "You have not yet found a thing," she said, "that will be of more use to + us than this. Go at once and search for some more of these leaves, and + bring me the most you can of them. With these I can make you hose, shirts, + clothes, thread, rope; in short, give me flax, and make me a loom and some + frames, and I shall be at no loss for work when the rain comes." + </p> + <p> + I could not help a smile at my wife's joy when she heard the name of flax; + for there was still much to do ere the leaves could take the shape of + cloth. But two of the boys set off at once to try to find some more of the + flax. + </p> + <p> + While they were gone, my wife, full of new life, and with some show of + pride, told me how I should make the loom by means of which she was to + clothe us from head to foot. In a short time they came back, and brought + with them a good load of the plant, which they laid at her feet. She now + said she would lay by all else till she had tried what she could make of + it. The first thing to be done was to steep the flax. To do this we took + the plant down to the marsh, tied up in small bales, as they pack hemp for + sale. The leaves were then spread out in the pond, and kept down with + stones, and left there in that state till it was time to take them out and + set them in the sun to dry, when they would be so soft that we could peel + them with ease. It was two weeks ere the flax was fit for us to take out + of the marsh. We spread it out on the grass in the sun, where it dried so + quick that we took it home to The Nest the same day. It was then put by + till we could find time to make the wheels, reels, and combs which my wife + said that she would want to turn our new found plant to its best use. + </p> + <p> + We now made haste to lay up a store of canes, nuts, wood, and such things + as we thought we might want; and took care, while it was still fine, to + sow wheat, and all the grain we had left in our bags was soon put in the + ground. The fear that the rain might come and put a stop to our work led + us to take our meals in haste, and to make the days as long as we could + see. We knew the rain was close at hand, for the nights were cold; large + clouds could be seen in the sky, and the wind blew as we had not felt it + since the night our ship had struck on the rock. + </p> + <p> + The great change came at last. One night we were woke up out of our sleep + with the noise made by the rush of the wind through the woods, and we + could hear the loud roar of the sea far off. Then the dense storm clouds + which we had seen in the sky burst on us, and the rain came down in + floods. The streams, pools, and ponds on all sides were soon full, and the + whole plain round us met our view as one vast lake. By good luck, the site + of our house stood up out of the flood, and our group of trees had the + look of a small isle in the midst of the lake. + </p> + <p> + We soon found that The Nest was not built so well as we thought, for the + rain came in at the sides, and we had good cause to fear that the wind + would blow the roof off. Once the storm made such a rush at it that we + heard the beams creak, and the planks gave signs that there was more + strain on them than they could bear. This drove us from our room to the + stairs in the trunk, on which we sat in a state of fear till the worst of + the storm was past. Then we went down to the shed we had built on the + ground at the root of the tree, and made the best shift we could. All our + stores were kept here, so that the space was too small to hold us, and the + smell from the beasts made it far from a fit place for six of us to dwell + in; but it was at least safe for a time, and this was of course the first + thing to be thought of. To dress our food we had to make a fire in the + barn, and as there was no place to let out the smoke, it got down our + throats and made us cough all the day long. + </p> + <p> + It was now for the first time that my wife gave a sigh for her old Swiss + home. But we all knew that it was of no use to grieve, and each set to + work to do all he could to make the place look neat and clean. Some of our + stores we took up the stairs out of our way, and this gave us more room. + As we had cut square holes in the trunk of the tree all the way up, and + put in frames of glass that we got from the ship, my wife could sit on the + stairs, with Frank at her feet, and mend our clothes. Each day I drove + from the barn such beasts as could bear to be out in the rain. That we + might not lose them, I tied bells round their necks; and if we found that + they did not come back when the sun went down, Fritz and I went out to + bring them in. We oft got wet through to the skin, which gave us a chill, + and might have laid us up if my wife had not made cloth capes and hoods + for us to wear. To make these rain proof, I spread some of the gum on them + while hot, and this, when dry, had the look of oil cloth, and kept the + head, arms, chest, and back free from damp. Our gum boots came far up our + legs, so that we could go out in the rain and come back quite free from + cold and damp. + </p> + <p> + We made but few fires, for the air was not cold, save for an hour or two + late at night, and we did not cook more than we could help, but ate the + dried meat, fowls, and fish we had by us. + </p> + <p> + The care of our beasts took us a great part of the day; then we made our + cakes and set them to bake in a tin plate on a slow fire. I had cut a hole + in the wall to give us light, and put a pane of glass in it to keep out + the wind, but the thick clouds hid the sun from the earth, and the shade + of the tree threw a gloom round our barn, so that our day light was but + short, and night came on far too soon. We then made use of our wax lights, + and all sat round a bench. My wife had as much as she could well do to + mend the rents we made in our clothes. I kept a log, In which I put down, + day by day, what we did and what we had seen; and then Ernest wrote this + out in a neat, clear hand, and made a book of it. Fritz and Jack drew the + plants, trees, and beasts which they had found, and these were stuck in + our book. Each night we took it in turns to read the Word of God, and then + all knelt down to pray ere we went to bed. Ours was not a life of ease, it + is true, but it was one of peace and hope; and we felt that God had been + so kind to us that it would be a great sin to wish for what it did not + please Him to grant us. + </p> + <p> + My wife did all she could to cheer us, and it was no strange thing for us + to find that while we were out in the rain with the live stock, she had + made some new dish, which we would scent as soon as we put our heads in at + the door. One night it was a thrush pie, the next a roast fowl, or some + wild duck soup; and once in a while she would give us a grand feast, and + bring out some of all the good things we had in store. + </p> + <p> + In the course of our stay in doors we made up our minds that we would not + spend the next time of storm and rain, when it should come round, in the + same place. The Nest would serve us well in that time of year when it was + fine and dry, but we should have to look out for some spot where we could + build a house that would keep us from the rain the next time the storms + came. + </p> + <p> + Fritz thought that we might find a cave, or cut one out of the rocks by + the sea shore. I told him that this would be a good plan, but would take a + long while to do. By this time the boys were all well used to hard work, + and they thought they would much like to try their skill at some new kind + of work. + </p> + <p> + "Well," said I, "we will go to the rocks round Tent House the first fine + day that comes, and try to find some place that will serve to keep us from + the next year's storms." + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0011" id="link2HCH0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XI. + </h2> + <p> + I CAN not tell how glad we all were when we at last saw a change in the + sky, and felt once more the warm rays of the sun. In a few days the floods + sank in the earth, and left the ground of a bright green hue; the air grew + warm and dry, and there were no more dark clouds to be seen in the sky. + </p> + <p> + We found our young trees had put forth new leaves, and the seed we had + sown had come up through the moist ground. The air had a fresh sweet + smell, for it bore the scent of the bloom which hung like snow flakes on + the boughs of the fruit trees; the songs and cries of the birds were to be + heard on all sides, and we could see them fly from tree to tree in search + of twigs to build their nests. This in fact was the spring of the year, + when all things put forth new life; and we knew that the time was now come + when we could once more range the woods and till the soil, and this made + the boys leap for joy. + </p> + <p> + Some planks had been blown off the roof of The Nest, and the rain had got + in here and there; so our first job was to mend our house, and make it fit + to sleep in. + </p> + <p> + This done, Jack, Fritz, and I set out to Tent House. We found it in a sad + state. The storm had thrown down the tent, blown off some of the sail + cloth, and let in the rain on our casks, some of which held a store of + food. Our boat was still safe, but the raft of tubs had broken Lip, and + what there was left of it lay in splints on the shore. + </p> + <p> + Our loss in the storm had been so great that I felt we ought at once to + seek for some place on the rocks where we could put what was left. + </p> + <p> + We went all round the cliffs, in the hope that we might find a cave, but + in vain. + </p> + <p> + "There is no way but to hew one out of the rock", said Fritz, "we must not + be beat." + </p> + <p> + "Well said, Fritz," said Jack; "we have each an axe. Why not try this + cliff at once?" + </p> + <p> + I gave them leave to try, and we soon set to work at the rock. From this + spot we had a good view of the whole bay, and could see both banks of the + stream. + </p> + <p> + With a piece of chalk I made a mark on the side of the cliff, to show the + width and height that the cave should be cut. Then each took an axe to try + what kind of stuff our rock was made of. We found it a hard kind of stone; + and, as we were not used to this sort of work, we had not done much when + the time came for us to leave off. + </p> + <p> + We came back next day, and got on with more speed, though we thought it + would not take us less than six months to make the cave, if our work were + done at the same rate each day. + </p> + <p> + At the end of five or six days we had got through the face of the rock, + and we found the stone soft. In a day or two more we came to what was but + hard clay, which gave way at a slight blow from the axe. + </p> + <p> + "We need not fear now," said I, "for we shall soon have a hole as large as + we want." + </p> + <p> + With the earth we took out we made a ridge in front of the cliff. The boys + now got on so well, and dug so much out, that I had hard work to throw up + the earth on the bank. + </p> + <p> + One day, as Jack stuck his pick in at the back of the cave, which was now + more than eight feet from the front, a great mass of the rock fell in, and + he cried out, "Look here! I have got through." + </p> + <p> + "Through what?" said I. "Not through your hand, I hope." + </p> + <p> + "No, no, but through the rock." + </p> + <p> + At this, Fritz set up a loud laugh. + </p> + <p> + "Why not say through the world at once, and push your crow bar in till you + reach EU-ROPE, which, Ernest says, lies in a straight line from our feet. + I should like to have a peep down, such a hole, for I might thus get a + sight of our dear Swiss home." + </p> + <p> + Fritz and I went up to the wall and found that Jack was right, for he had + come to a clear space. His first thought was to jump in; but as I knew + that there might be foul air in the cave, I would not let him risk his + life. + </p> + <p> + The boys then set fire to some dry grass, and thrust it in the hole, but + it went out at once, which was a sure sign that the air was not fit to + breathe. + </p> + <p> + I knew that we had brought from the wreck a box full of fire works, which + were used on board to make signs to ships far out at sea. I sent Fritz to + Tent House for these, though I thought that they might be too damp to make + use of. When he came back, I set light to some of them, and threw them in + the hole. They flew round, and threw out a stream of sparks that lit up + the cave. When these were burnt out, we put in a heap of straw and threw a + light on it. This was now soon in a blaze, and gave us a clear view of the + cave; but it was too deep for us to see the end. + </p> + <p> + Our joy was so great that we sent Jack off home to The Nest to tell the + good news, and to bring back some wax lights. I did not deem it safe for + us to go in the cave in the dark, for there might be pools or deep dry + pits in the ground. + </p> + <p> + Fritz and I had just thrown up on the bank the last spade full of earth + that had been dug out, when we heard a loud shout. We got up on the top of + the cave, and saw that Jack had brought back a tribe at his heels. The + large cart, drawn by the cow and the ass, came on at a slow pace, led by + Jack on a black ox, and in it were my wife, Frank, and Ernest. + </p> + <p> + By the help of a flint and steel I soon lit some of the wax lights, and + gave one to each. I went in first and led the way, and the rest kept close + at my back. We had not gone on more than a few steps when we came to a + dead stop, struck with awe at the grand sight that met our view. The walls + and roof of the cave were lit up, as it were, with star-like gems, while + some hung down like glass drops from the roof, and some rose up from the + ground at its sides like blocks of spar. I broke off a piece and put it on + my tongue. + </p> + <p> + "What does it taste like?" said Jack. + </p> + <p> + "I find," said I, "that we are in a cave of rock salt." + </p> + <p> + "We shall not have to scrape the rocks to get our salt now," said Ernest, + "for there is more here than would serve a whole town for a lifetime." + </p> + <p> + When we went back to The Nest that night we laid out a plan for our new + home, for there could be no doubt that the cave was the best place for us + to dwell in, though we should still sleep in The Nest when we went on that + side of the stream. + </p> + <p> + The next day we all set to work; the floor of the cave was quite smooth, + and the walls dry, so that we could build at once. We first cut holes in + the sides of the rock to let in the light, and then brought frames and + panes of glass from The Nest, and put them in. We then brought all the + planks and wood we could find, and built a strong wall in the midst of the + cave. On the right side of this wall we made three rooms, two of which + were to be used as bed rooms, and one to take our meals in. On the left + side was a room for my wife to cook in, one to work in, to which we gave + the name of the shop, and a place with stalls in it for our live stock. At + the back of these was a store house, where we could keep our stock of food + and the whole of our spare goods. + </p> + <p> + I need not say that it took us some months to do all this, nor that we had + to toil hard day by day, from morn till night, ere we got to the end of + our task; but the end did come at last, and then the joy we felt that we + had done all this with our own hands more than paid us for our toil. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0012" id="link2HCH0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XII. + </h2> + <p> + OUR fields near Tent House had by this time brought forth good crops of + wheat, maize, beans, and peas; but as the work of the Cave had for some + weeks kept us on this side of the stream, we did not know in what state we + should find our crops at The Nest. + </p> + <p> + One day we all set out for our old home. We found our corn fields of a + rich brown hue, and saw that the wheat was, for the most part, fit to + reap. This, and a large patch of rye we cut down, and, as we did so, whole + flocks of birds took to wing when we got near them, while quails were seen + to run off at the sight of our dogs, who had no lack of sport that day. + </p> + <p> + We laid by the seed that was quite ripe till the time should come for us + to sow it, and put the rest in sacks. Some of the wheat was laid up in + sheaves till we should have time to beat out the grain. + </p> + <p> + When we left The Nest for the Cave, we could not find the hand mill that + we had brought from the ship. This now came to light, and we took care to + pack it up to take with us, as we should want it to grind our corn. + </p> + <p> + That night we slept once more in the great tree; but I must say that we + did not now sleep so sound there as we used to do, nor did we feel so safe + as we did in our rooms at Rock House. + </p> + <p> + The next day we were to start a plan by means of which our live stock + would not want so much of our care. They had bred so fast that we could + well spare some of them, and these I thought might be left in some place + to seek their own food, and yet be in reach should we want them. + </p> + <p> + My wife took from her hen roost ten young fowls, and I took four young + pigs, four sheep, and two goats. These we put in our large cart, with such + tools as we thought we should need, tied the black ox, the cow, and the + ass to the shafts, and then set off from The Nest. + </p> + <p> + We had to cross a wide plain, and here we met with some dwarf plants on + which, as Jack would have it, grew snow balls. + </p> + <p> + Fritz ran to see what they were, and brought me a twig to which clung + balls of snow white down. I held it up to show my wife, for I knew the + sight would please her still more than her sons. + </p> + <p> + "See," said I, "this is the COT-TON plant, which you have oft tried to + find. It seems to grow here as thick as weeds, and, if I am a judge, it is + of the best kind." + </p> + <p> + We got as much of this as our bags would hold, and my wife took care to + pluck some of the ripe seed, that we might raise a crop in our grounds at + Tent House. + </p> + <p> + At the end of the plain we came to the brow of a high hill, from which the + eye fell on a view the like of which we had not yet seen. Trees of all + kinds grew on the sides of the hill, and a clear stream ran through the + plain at its base, and shone bright in the rays of the sun. + </p> + <p> + We said at once that this should be the site of our new farm. Close by we + found a group of trees, the trunks of which, as they stood, would do for + the main props of the house. + </p> + <p> + I had long had a mind to build a boat, and here I at last came on a tree + that would suit. Fritz and I went for a mile or two in search of what we + could find, and by the time we came back my wife had put up our tent for + the night. We then all sat down to sup, and went to rest on beds made of + the bags of the white down that we brought from the trees on the plain. + </p> + <p> + The next day we rose at dawn. The trees which were to form the frame of + our farm house stood on a piece of land eight yards long by five wide. I + made a deep cut in each of the trunks, ten feet from the ground, and put + up cross beams to form a roof, on which we laid some bark in such a way + that the rain would run off. + </p> + <p> + We were hard at work for some days at the Farm House. The walls we built + of thin laths and long reeds, wove close for six feet from the ground, but + the rest we made of thin cross bars to let in both light and air. We made + racks to store bay and such like food for the live stock, and put by some + grain for the fowls, for our plan was to come from time to time to feed + them, till they got used to the place. + </p> + <p> + Our work took us more time than we thought; and as our store of food got + low, we sent Fritz and Jack home to bring us a fresh stock, and to feed + the beasts we had left at Tent House. + </p> + <p> + While they were gone, Ernest and I made a tour of the woods for some miles + round the new Farm. We first took the course of the stream that ran by the + foot of the hill. Some way up we came to a marsh on the edge of a small + lake, and here in the swamp grew a kind of wild rice, now ripe on the + stalk, round which flew flocks of birds. We shot five or six of these, and + I was glad to note the skill with which Ernest now used his gun. I took + some of the rice, that my wife might judge how far it was of use to us as + food. + </p> + <p> + We went quite round the lake, and saw plants and trees that were not known + to me, and birds that Ernest said he had not seen in any of the woods near + The Nest. But we were most struck with the sight of a pair of black swans, + and a troop of young ones that came in their train. Ernest would have shot + at them, but I told him not to kill what we did not want for use. + </p> + <p> + We did not get back till late in the day. Jack and Fritz, whom we met just + as we came round the foot of the bill, had done their task well, for they + had a good stock of food in a sack that lay on the back of the ass, and + they brought the good news that all was well at home. + </p> + <p> + We spent four more days at the Farm, and then left it in such a state as + to be fit for our use when we chose to go back to it. + </p> + <p> + The Farm House was but a part of our plan, for we had made up our minds to + build a sort of half way house, or cot, in which we could rest on our way + to the Farm. This took us six days to do. The spot we chose lay by the + side of a brook, and was just such a place as would tempt, one to stop and + rest in the shade of the trees, that grew on the bank. While at the brook, + I made a boat out of the tree we found at the Farm, and took it back with + us to Tent House in the cart. + </p> + <p> + We had still two months ere the rain would set in, and this left us time + to put the last touch to our cave. We laid the whole floor with clay, and + spread on it some fine sand, which we beat down till it was quite smooth + and firm. On this we put sail cloth, and threw down goat's hair and wool + made moist with gum. This was well beat, and, when dry, made a kind of + felt mat that was warm and soft to tread on, and would keep the damp from + our feet. + </p> + <p> + By the time these works were done, our cave was in a fit state for us to + dwell in. We did not now dread the rain, for we were safe out of its + reach, and there was no need that we should go out in it. We had a warm + light shop to work in by day, a snug place where we could take our meals + and dry bed rooms in which we could sleep in peace. Our live stock we kept + in a shed at the back of the cave, and our store room held all that we + could want. + </p> + <p> + When the rain at length set in, we all had some task that kept us close at + work in the cave. My wife took her wheel or her loom, both of which I had + made for her, for this kind of work fell to her share from choice. By the + help of the wheels of one of the ship's guns I had made a lathe, and with + this I could turn legs for stools and chairs. Ernest, too, was fond of the + lathe, and soon learned to do such work quite as well as I. + </p> + <p> + At dusk, when we had done our work for the day, we brought out our stock + of books, and sat down to read by the light of a lamp. + </p> + <p> + At times, Jack and Prank would play a tune on their flutes, which I had + made out of reeds; and my wife, who had a sweet voice, would sing some of + the old Swiss songs, that brought to our minds the joys of home. + </p> + <p> + Though we were by no means dull, nor in want of work to fill up our time, + we were glad when the time came for the rain to cease, and when we could + gaze once more on the green fields. We went out the first fine day, and + took a long walk by the base of the cliff. On the shore we found a dead + whale, which the sea had no doubt thrown up in the storm. We had long felt + the need of oil; for though we had a lamp, we had naught but our wax + lights to put in it, and these gave a poor light to read by. The next day + we cut up the whale, and put the flesh in tubs. It was far from a clean + job, for the oil ran down our clothes and made them smell; but as we could + change them for new ones, thanks to the hemp and my wife's skill, we did + not mind that, for the oil was now worth more to us than our clothes, + though at one time we should not have thought so. + </p> + <p> + One day we all set out on a tour to the Farm. Jack and Frank had gone on + first, while my wife and I were as yet close to the Cave. All at once the + boys came back, and Fritz said, "Look at that strange thing on its way up + the path. What can it be?" + </p> + <p> + I cast my eye on the spot and cried out, "Fly all of you to the Cave! fly + for your lives!" for I saw it was a huge snake, or boa, that would make a + meal of one of us, if we did not get out of its way. + </p> + <p> + We all ran in doors, and put bars up to the door of the Cave. A large dove + cote had been made on the roof, and to this we got up through a hole in + the rock. + </p> + <p> + Ernest took aim with his gun, and shot at the snake, so did Fritz and + Jack, but it gave no sign that they had hit it. I then tried my skill, but + it did not seem to feel my shot any more than theirs, though I was sure I + must have struck its head. Just as we took aim at it once more, we saw it + turn round and glide through the reeds in the marsh. + </p> + <p> + Our fears kept us for three long days in the Cave. The snake gave no sign + that could lead us to think it was still near, but the ducks and geese had + left the spot where their nests were, and this we knew to be a bad sign. + On the fourth day I went to the door, with a view to let out some of the + beasts to graze, for we were short of food for them. The ass was just at + my back, and as soon as it saw the light, made a rush to get out. Off it + went, straight to the sands, with its heels in the air, but just as it got + to the marsh we saw the boa glide out from the reeds, part its wide jaws + and make for its prey. The ass at once saw its foe, but stood still as if + struck with fear, and in less time than I take to tell it, our old friend + was tight in the folds of the boa. + </p> + <p> + This was a sad sight for all of us, yet we could not take our eyes off the + snake, but saw it crush the poor beast, and then gorge its prey. When it + had put the whole of the ass out of sight, it lay down on the sand quite + still, as if it had gone to sleep or died. + </p> + <p> + "Now is the time to seal the fate of our foe," said I to Fritz; and with + that we went out with our guns. When we got near, we both took a straight + aim, and each put a ball in its head. This made it move with a start, and + writhe as if in pain. + </p> + <p> + "See how its eyes glare on us with rage. Now load your gun, and let us put + a bit more lead in him." + </p> + <p> + Our next shot went in his eyes. It then shook as with a strong spasm, and + fell dead on the sand. + </p> + <p> + A shout of joy brought my wife and the three boys to the spot. The state + of fear they had been kept in for three whole days had made them quite + ill, but now the joy of Jack and Frank knew no bounds, for they leaped on + the snake and beat it as if they would go mad. + </p> + <p> + My wife said that the death of the boa took a great weight off her mind, + for she thought it would lie in wait for us near the Cave, starve us out, + and then kill us as it had done the poor ass. + </p> + <p> + We slit up the snake, and took out the flesh of the ass, which the boys + laid in a grave near Tent House. The boa's skin we hung up at the door of + the Cave, over which Ernest wrote the words, "No ass to be found here," + which we all thought to be a good joke. + </p> + <p> + One day late in the spring I went with my three sons a long way from the + Cave. My wife and Frank were left at our Half Way House, to wait till we + came back, but the dogs went with us. Our route lay far up the course of a + small stream, which had its source some miles north of the Farm House. The + ground was new to us, but we could not well lose our way, for on the right + stood a hill from which we could see the whole of the plain. + </p> + <p> + Ernest had gone with one of the dogs to a cave that he had spied at the + foot of the hill, but we saw him turn round and run back with Turk at his + heels. As soon as he thought his voice would reach us, he cried out, "A + bear! A bear! come to my help!" + </p> + <p> + We could now see that there were two great beasts at the mouth of the + cave. At a word from us both the dogs, flew to fight the bear that stood + in front. + </p> + <p> + Fritz took up his post at my side, while Jack and Ernest kept in the rear. + Our first shot was "a miss," as Jack said; but we took a sure aim the next + time, and both shots told. We would have let fly at them once more from + this spot, but as we thought we might hit our brave dogs, who were now in + the heat of a hard fight with their foes, we ran up close to them. + </p> + <p> + "Now, Fritz," said I, "take a straight aim at the head of the first, while + I fire on the one at his back." + </p> + <p> + We both shot at once; the bears gave a loud growl, and then, with a moan, + fell dead at our feet. + </p> + <p> + As it was now time to go back, we put the bears in the cave, but took care + to cut off their paws, which form a dish fit to grace the feast of a king. + </p> + <p> + We had a long walk back to the place where I had left my wife. The boys + told her what a hard fight the dogs had with the bears, and how Fritz and + I had shot them, and then gave her the paws. With the aid of Frank she had + fed our live stock and brought in wood to make up our watch fire for the + night, so we sat down to sup at once, and then went to rest. + </p> + <p> + Next day we put our beasts to the cart and drove as far as the bear's den. + As we came near to the spot a flock of birds flew out of the mouth of the + cave, two or three of which Fritz brought down with his gun. It took us + the whole day to cut up the bears. The hams were laid by to be smoke + dried; while my wife took charge of the fat and the skins. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0013" id="link2HCH0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIII. + </h2> + <p> + WE had now so much work to do, and the days and weeks came and went so + quick, that I do not think we should have known the time of year had it + not been for our log. + </p> + <p> + Some days were spent at the Cave, where we made our goods, ground our + flour, stored our food, and kept our tame live stock. Then we had to take + care of our crops in the fields near The Nest, and this took us two or + three days in each month. Once in ten days at least we went to the Farm on + the hill, and at the same time made a call at the Half Way House; so that + there was not a day that we had not our hands quite full. Now and then we + went out to hunt for sport or to add to our stock of beasts, which had + grown so large that there were few we could name that had not been caught + and brought home. We had birds of the air, fowls of the land, and beasts + of all kinds' from the great black ox of the plain to the small wild + RAB-BIT that came and made its hole close by our cave. + </p> + <p> + But there was one bird that we had not yet caught, though we had seen it + two or three times in the woods. This was the OS-TRICH. Fritz found a nest + with some eggs in it, and this led us to make a tour with a view to catch + one of the old birds. We rose that day ere it was light, and set out at + dawn, each on the back of a good steed. + </p> + <p> + As we should have to hunt through the woods, my wife was left at home; and + Ernest, who did not like rough work, chose to stay with her. We made it a + rule to take one of the dogs with us when we went out to hunt, but on this + day we thought it wise to let them both come. + </p> + <p> + Fritz took us straight to where he had seen the nest, which was not more + than a few miles up the stream. When we came in sight of the spot, we saw + four great birds, as if on their way to meet us. As they drew near we kept + the dogs well in, and made no noise, so that they did not stop till they + came near us. + </p> + <p> + Fritz had brought his Ea-gle with him, which he now let fly. At one swoop + the bird came down on the head of the Os-trich, held on with its beak, and + struck out its wings with great force, as if to stun it. + </p> + <p> + We now rode up close to the scene of war. Jack first flung a cord round + the legs of the bird, which made it fall to the ground. I then threw my + pouch on its head, and, strange to say, it lay down as still as a lamb. + </p> + <p> + I now tied both its legs with cords, but left it just room to walk. We + then made it fast to the two bulls that had brought Jack and Frank all the + way from home, and put one of them on each side. They next got up on their + steeds, and I took the pouch from the head of the bird. As soon as it + could see, it gave a wild stare, and then fought to get free. + </p> + <p> + The boys then put spurs to the flanks of their steeds, and when the bird + had made a few starts back, as if to try the strength of the cords which + held it, it set off with a run, and the bulls at each side made it keep up + a smart pace. + </p> + <p> + Fritz and I now went in search of the nest, which we soon found. I took + the eggs from it and put them in a bag I had brought to hold them, in + which I put some wool and moss, so that they should not break. + </p> + <p> + It did not take us long to get up to the two boys, who had gone on first, + and we were glad to find that the poor bird had made up its mind to its + fate, and kept up well with the pace of the bulls. + </p> + <p> + When we got in sight of home, my wife and Ernest, who had been on the look + out for us, came forth to meet us; and the strange way in which we brought + home our new prize made them laugh. I need not say that we took great care + of it. + </p> + <p> + The next day we built it a house, with a space in front for it to walk up + and down, round which were put rails, so that it could not get out. At + first it was shy, and would not take any food, so that we had to force + some balls of maize down its throat; but in a short time it took grain + from the hands of my wife, and soon grew quite tame. + </p> + <p> + The boys now set to work to break it in for use. They taught it first to + bear them on its back. Then they put a pair of string reins in its mouth, + and made it turn which way they chose to pull, and to walk, or run, or + stand still, as it was bid. Thus, in a month from the time we caught it, + the boys made it take them on its back to and from the Farm or The Nest, + in less than half the time an ox would go; so that it came to be the best + steed we had to ride on. + </p> + <p> + The eggs we found in the nest were put in a warm dry place, and though we + scarce thought our care would bring live birds out of the shells, we had + the joy to hatch three of them, and this led us to hope that we should ere + long have a steed for each of our sons. + </p> + <p> + My work at this time was by no means light. Our hats and caps were all + worn out, and with skins of the musk cat I had to make new ones. The + bears' skins were laid in the sun to dry, and of these we made fur coats, + which would keep us warm when the cold wet nights came round, and there + were some left to serve as quilts or rugs for our beds. + </p> + <p> + I now tried my hand at a new craft. I dug some clay out of the bed of the + stream, and taught the boys to knead it up with sand, and some talc that + had been ground as fine as road drift. I had made a lathe with a wheel, + and by its aid the clay left my bands in the shape of plates, cups, pots, + and pans. We then burnt them in a rude kiln, and though at least one half + broke with the heat and our want of skill, still those that came out whole + more than paid me for my toil, and kept up my wife's stock of delf. Some + of the jars were set round with red and blue beads, and these were put on + a shelf as works of art, and kept full of long dried grass. + </p> + <p> + The time was now at hand when we must reap our grain and store the ripe + crops that were still on the ground; and, in fact, there was so much to be + done, that we scarce knew what to do first. The truth must be told that + our wants did not keep pace with the growth of our wealth, for the land + was rich, and we had but a few mouths to fill. + </p> + <p> + We knew that we might leave the roots in the ground for some time, as the + soil was dry, but that the grain would soon spoil; so we made the corn our + first care. When it was all cut and brought home, our next task was to + thresh it. The floor of our store room was now as hard as a rock, for the + sun had dried it, and there was not a crack to be seen. On this we laid + the ears of ripe corn, from which the long straw had been cut, and sent + the boys to bring in such of our live stock as were fit for the work to be + next done. + </p> + <p> + Jack and Fritz were soon on the backs of their steeds, and thought it fine + fun to make them course round the floor and tread out the grain. Ernest + and I had each a long fork, with which we threw the corn at their feet, so + that all of it might be trod on. The ox on which Jack sat put down his + head and took a bunch of the ears in his mouth. + </p> + <p> + "Come," said Jack, "it is not put there for you to eat, off you go!" and + with that he gave it a lash with his whip. + </p> + <p> + "Nay," said I, "do you not know what God has said in his Word? We must not + bind up the mouth of the ox that treads out the corn. This brings to my + mind the fact that the means we now take to thresh our wheat were those + used by the Jews in the days of old." + </p> + <p> + To sort the chaff from the grain we threw it up with our spades while the + land or sea breeze blew strong. The draught which came in at the door took + the light chaff with it to one side of the room, while the grain fell + straight to the ground by its own weight. + </p> + <p> + The maize we left to dry in the sun, and then beat out the grain with long + skin thongs. By this means we got a store of the soft leaves of this + plant, which my wife made use of to stuff our beds. + </p> + <p> + When all the grain had been put in our store room, some in sacks and the + rest in dry casks, we took a walk one day to our fields, and found that + flocks of birds, most of which were quails, had come there to feed. This + gave us a fine day's sport with our guns, and the next year we did not + fail to look for them, so that the fields were made to yield a stock of + game as well as a crop of grain. + </p> + <p> + With but slight change in our mode of life, we spent ten long years in our + strange home. Yet the time did not seem long to us. Each day brought with + it quite as much work as we could do, so that weeks and months and years + flew past, till at last we gave up all hope that we should leave the isle + or see our old Swiss home, the thought of which was still dear to us. + </p> + <p> + But the lapse of ten years had wrought a great change in our sons. Frank, + who was but a mere child when we first came, had grown up to be a strong + youth; and Jack was as brave a lad as one could wish to see. Fritz, of + course, was now a young man, and took a large share of the work off my + hands. Ernest had just come of age, and his shrewd mode of thought and + great tact was as great a help to us as was the strength and skill of the + rest. + </p> + <p> + To crown all, it was a rare thing for them to be ill; and they were free + from those sins which too oft tempt young men to stray from the right + path. My wife and I did our best to train them, so that they might know + right from wrong; and it gave us great joy to find that what we told them + sunk deep in their hearts, and, like ripe seed sown in rich soil, brought + forth good fruit. + </p> + <p> + I need not say that in the course of ten years we had made great strides + in those arts which our wants had first led us to learn. When we first + came the land near Tent House was a bare waste; now it bore fine crops, + and was kept as neat as a Swiss farm. At the foot of the hill by the side + of Rock Cave was a large plot of ground, which we laid out in beds, and + here we grew herbs and shrubs, and such plants as we used for food. Near + this we dug a pond, and by means of a sluice which led from the stream, we + kept our plants fresh in times of drought. Nor was this the sole use we + made of the pond; for in it we kept small fish and crabs, and took them + out with a rod and line when we had need of food, and time to spare for + that kind of sport. In the ground round the mouth of the Cave we drove a + row of strong canes, bound at the top to a piece of wood, so as to form a + fence, up which grew a vine, and, at each side, plants that threw a good + show of gay bloom crept up to meet it. Shells of great size and strange + shapes were got from the shore, and these we built up here and there with + burnt clay, so as to form clumps of rock work, on which grew ferns and + rare plants. All this gave a charm to our home, and made the grounds round + it a source of joy when, we laid by our work for the day. In fact, we + thought there was now scarce a thing to wish for that we had not got. + </p> + <p> + Our cares were few, and our life was as full of joy and peace as we could + well wish; yet I oft cast a look on the sea, in the hope that some day I + should spy a sail, and once more greet a friend from the wide world from + which we had been so long shut out. This hope, vague as it was, led me to + store up such things as would bring a price, if we had the chance to sell + them; they might prove a source of wealth to us if a ship came that way, + or would at least help to pay the charge of a cruise back to the land we + came from. + </p> + <p> + It is but just to say that the boys did not share my hopes, nor did they + seem to wish that we should leave the place where they had been brought + up. It was their world, and the cave, to which we gave the name Rock + House, was more dear to them than any spot on the earth. + </p> + <p> + "Go back!" Fritz would say; "to leave our cave, that we dug with our own + hands; to part with our dear kind beasts and birds; to bid good-by to our + farms, and so much that is our own, and which no one in the world wants. + No, no! You can not wish us to leave such a spot." + </p> + <p> + My dear wife and I both felt that age would soon creep on us, and we could + not help some doubts as to the fate of our sons. Should we stay and end + our days here, some one of us would out-live the rest, and this thought + came oft to my mind, and brought with it a sense of dread I could not get + rid of. It made me pray to God that He would save us all from so dire a + fate as to die far from the sound of the voice of man, with no one to hear + our last words, or lay us in the earth when He should call us to our rest. + </p> + <p> + My wife did not share this dread. "Why should we go back?" she would say. + "We have here all that we can wish for. The boys lead a life of health, + free from sin, and live with us, which might not be the case if we went + out in the world. Let us leave our fate in the hands of God." + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0014" id="link2HCH0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIV. + </h2> + <p> + As Fritz and Ernest were now men, they were of course free to go where + they chose, and to come back when their will led them home. Thus, from + time to time they took long trips, and went far from Rock House. They had + fine boats and strong steeds, and of these they made such good use that + there was scarce a spot for leagues round that was not well known to them. + </p> + <p> + At one time, Fritz had been so long from home that we had a dread lest he + should have lost his way, or fallen a prey to wild beasts. When he came + back he told us a long tale of what he had seen and where he had been, and + how he had brought with him birds, beasts, moths, and such strange things + as he thought Ernest would like to see. When he had done, he drew me out + into our grounds and said he had a strange thing to tell me. It seems that + he found a piece of white cloth tied to the foot of a bird which he had + struck down with a stick, on which were these words: "Save a poor soul, + who is on the rock from which you may see the smoke rise." + </p> + <p> + He thought that this rock could not be far off, and that he ought to set + off at once in search of it. + </p> + <p> + "I have a thought," said he; "I will tie a piece of cloth, like that I + found, to the leg of the bird, and on it I will write, 'Have faith in God: + help is near.' If the bird goes back to the place from whence it came, our + brief note may reach the eye of the lone one in the rock. At any rate, it + can do no harm, and may do some good." + </p> + <p> + He at once took the bird, which was an AL-BA-TROSS, tied the strip of + cloth to its foot, and let it go. + </p> + <p> + "And now," said he, "tell me what you think of this. If we should, find a + new friend, what a source of joy it will be. Will you join me in the + search?" + </p> + <p> + "To be sure I will," said I; "and so shall the rest; but we will not yet + tell them of this." + </p> + <p> + They were all glad to take a trip in the large boat, but they could not + make out why we went in such haste. + </p> + <p> + "The fact is," said Jack, "Fritz has found some queer thing on the coast + that he can't bring home, and wants us to see it. But I dare say we shall + know what it all means in good time." + </p> + <p> + Fritz was our guide, and went first in his bark boat, or CA-NOE. In this + he could go round the rocks and shoals that girt the coast, which would + not have been safe for the large boat. He went up all the small creeks we + met with on the way, and kept a sharp look-out for the smoke by which he + would know the rock we came out to find. + </p> + <p> + I must tell you that once when he came to these parts with Ernest he met + with a TI-GER, and would have lost his life had it not been for his pet + Ea-gle. The brave bird, to save Fritz from the beast, made a swoop down on + its head. Fritz thus got off with a scratch or two, but the poor bird was + struck dead by a blow from the paw of its foe. This was a sad loss to + Fritz, for his pet had been a kind friend, and would go with him at all + times when he went far from home. + </p> + <p> + There was scarce a spot we came to that did not bring to the mind of one + of us some such tale as this, so that we were full of talk while the boat + bore us on. + </p> + <p> + We had been out some days, but could find no trace of what we went in + search. I rose from my berth at dawn, and went on deck with Fritz. I told + him that as we had no clue to the place, we must now give up the search. + He did not seem to like this, but no more was said. That day we spent on + shore, and came back to our boat to sleep at night. Next day we were to + change our course, and trace our way back, for the wind now blew from the + sea. + </p> + <p> + When I went on deck next day I found a short note from Fritz, in which he + told me that he could not give up the search, but had gone some way up the + coast in his small boat. "Let me beg of you," he wrote, "to lie in wait + for me here till I come back." + </p> + <p> + When he had been gone two days, I felt that I ought to tell my wife the + cause of our trip, as it might ease her mind, and she now had some fear + lest her son should not be safe. She heard me to the end, and then said + that she was sure he would not fail, but soon bring back good news. + </p> + <p> + As we were all on the look-out for Fritz, we saw his boat a long way off. + </p> + <p> + "There is no one with him in the boat," said I to my wife; "that does not + say much for our hopes." + </p> + <p> + "Oh, where have you been?" said the boys, all at once, as he came on + board. But they scarce got a word from him. He then drew me on one side, + and said, with a smile of joy, "What do you think is the news I bring?" + </p> + <p> + "Let me hear it," said I. + </p> + <p> + "Then I have found what I went forth to seek, and our search has not been + in vain." + </p> + <p> + "And who is it that you have found?" + </p> + <p> + "Not a man," he said, "but a girl. The dress she wears is that of a man, + and she does not wish at first that her sex should be known to more that + we can help, for she would not like to meet Ernest and the rest in that + state, if they knew that she was a girl. And, strange to tell," said + Fritz, "she has been on shore three years." + </p> + <p> + While I went to tell the news to my wife, Fritz had gone down to his berth + to change his clothes, and I must say that he took more care to look neat + in his dress than was his wont at home. + </p> + <p> + He was not long, and when he came on deck he bid me say no word to the + rest of whom he had found. He leaped like a frog in to his light craft, + and led the way. We were soon on our course through the rocks and shoals, + and an hour's sail, with the aid of a good breeze, brought us to a small + tract of land, the trees of which hid the soil from our view. + </p> + <p> + Here we got close in to the shore, and made our bark safe. We all got out, + and ran up the banks, led by the marks that Fritz had made in the soil + with his feet. We soon found a path that led to a clump of trees, and + there saw a hut, with a fire in front, from which rose a stream of smoke. + </p> + <p> + As we drew near I could see that the boys did not know what to make of it, + for they gave me a stare, as if to ask what they were to see next. They + did not know how to give vent to their joy when they saw Fritz come out of + the hut with a strange youth, whose slight make, fair face, and grace of + form, did not seem to match well with the clothes that hung upon his + limbs. + </p> + <p> + It was so long since we had seen a strange face, that we were all loth to + speak first. When I could gain my speech I took our new friend by the + hand, and told her in words as kind as I could call to my aid, how, glad + we were to have thus found her. + </p> + <p> + Fritz, when he bade Ernest and Jack shake bands with her, spoke of our new + friend as James, but she could not hide her sex from my wife, for her + first act was to fall on her breast and weep. The boys were not slow to + see through the trick, and made Fritz tell them that "James" was not the + name they should call her by. + </p> + <p> + I could not but note that our strange mode of life had made my sons rough, + and that years of rude toil had worn off that grace and ease which is one + of the charms of well-bred youth. + </p> + <p> + I saw that this made the girl shy of them, and that the garb she wore + brought a blush to her cheek. I bade my wife take charge of her, and lead + her down to the boat, while the boys and I stood a while to speak of our + fair guest. + </p> + <p> + When we got on board we sat down to hear Fritz tell how he came to find + Miss Jane, for that was her real name; but he had not told half his tale + when he saw my wife and her new friend come up on deck. She still had a + shy look, but as soon as she saw Fritz she held out her hand to him with a + smile, and this made us feel more at our ease. + </p> + <p> + The next day we were to go back to our home, and on the way Fritz was to + tell us what he knew of Miss Jane, for his tale had been cut short when + she came on the deck with my wife. The boys did all they could to make her + feel at home with them, and by the end of the day they were the best of + friends. + </p> + <p> + The next day we set sail at sun rise; for we had far to go, and the boys + had a strange wish to hear Fritz tell his tale. + </p> + <p> + When the boat had made a fair start, we all sat down on the deck, with + Jane in our midst, while Fritz told his tale to the end. + </p> + <p> + Jane Rose was born in IN-DI-A. She was the child of one Cap-tain Rose, + whose wife died when Jane was but a babe in arms. When ten years of age he + sent her to a first class school, where she was taught all that was fit + for the child of a rich man to know. In course of time she could ride a + horse with some skill, and she then grew fond of most of the field sports + of the East. As the Captain had to go from place to place with his troops, + he thought that this kind of sport would train her for the mode of life + she would lead when she came to live with him. But this was not to be, for + one day he told Jane that he must leave the East, and take home the + troops. As it was a rule that no girl should sail in a ship with troops on + board, he left her to the care of a friend who was to leave near the same + time. He thought fit that she should dress in the garb of a young man + while at sea, as there would then be no need for her to keep in her berth, + and he knew that she was strong and brave, and would like to go on deck, + and see the crew at their work. It gave the Captain pain to part with his + child, but there was, no help for it. + </p> + <p> + The ship had been some weeks at sea, when one day a storm broke over it, + and the wind drove it for days out of its course. The crew did their best + to steer clear of the rocks, but she struck on a reef and sprung a leak. + The boats then put off from the wreck, but a wave broke over the one in + which Jane left, and she was borne, half dead with fright, to the place + where we found her. She had been thrown high up on the beach, and though + faint and sick, got out of the reach of the waves. She did not know if + those who were in the boat with her had lost their lives, but she had seen + no trace of them since. + </p> + <p> + When she had strength to walk, she found some birds' eggs and shell fish, + which she ate, and then went in search of some safe place where she could + rest for the night. By good chance she had a flint and a knife; with these + she set light to some dry twigs, and made a fire, which she did not once + let out till the day she left. Her life was at first hard to bear, but she + was full of hope that some day a ship would come near the shore, to which + she could make signs for help. The wild sports of the East in which she + took part had made her strong of limb, and she had been taught to make + light of such things as would vex most of her sex. + </p> + <p> + She built a hut to sleep in, and made snares to catch birds. Some of them + she made use of for food, and some she let go with bits of cloth tied to + their legs, on which she wrote words, in the hope that they might meet the + eye of some one who could help her. This, as we knew, had led Fritz to + make his search, the end of which had brought as much joy to us as to the + young friend who now sat in our midst. + </p> + <p> + When Fritz had told us this, and much more, we came in sight of Safe Bay. + He then took Ernest with him in his small boat, and left us to go up the + stream as fast as he could to Rock House, so as to make the place look + neat by the time we brought home our guest. The two boys—for to us + they were still boys—met us on the beach. Fritz, with a look of + pride, gave his hand to Jane, and I could see a slight blush rise to her + cheek as she gave him hers. He then led her up the path, on each side of + which grew a row of young trees, and took her to a seat in our grounds. + There he and Ernest had spread out a feast of our best food—fish, + fowls, and fruit, and some of my wife's choice jam—whilst our burnt + clay plate made a great show on the board, for it was set out with some + taste. We had a wish to show Jane that, though the coast was a wild kind + of place, still there were means to make life a joy to those who dwelt on + it, if they chose to use them. As for Jane, the sight of our home, the + style of our feast, and the kind words of the boys, were things so new to + her, that she knew not what to say. + </p> + <p> + "I shall tell no more than the truth," she said, "when I say that what you + have shown me is of far more worth than all the wealth I have seen in the + East, and that I feel more joy this day than I have felt in all the days + of my life. I can use no terms less strong than these to show how much I + thank you." + </p> + <p> + This was just the kind of speech to please the boys, for there had been no + one to praise their work till now. When the meal was done, my wife brought + out some of her best wine, and we drank to the health of our guest in + great state, and with loud cheers. We then made a tour of our house and + grounds, that Jane might see the whole of the place that from this time + she was to make her home. It would take me a long time to tell what she + thought of all she saw, or the neat things she said in praise of our + skill, as we took her from place to place. My wife's room, in which were + kept the pots and pans to dress our food, and the plates, bowls, and cups, + out of which we ate, took her some time to view; for she had long felt the + want of such things as she now saw we had made for our own use out of what + we could find. + </p> + <p> + The next day we all went to The Nest, and when the rainy season came + round, Jane knew the place quite as well as we did. My wife found in her a + true friend, for she soon took a large share of the work off her hands, + and did it with so much skill, and with so strong a wish to please us, + that we grew to love her as if she had been our own child. + </p> + <p> + When the time came for us to keep in doors from the rain, the boys would + oft lay by their work, and sit to hear Jane talk of what she had seen in + the East, and Ernest and Fritz would read to her by turns such books as + she might choose. I was glad to see that this wrought a great change in my + sons, whose mode of life had made them rough in their ways and loud in + their speech—faults which we did not think of so long as there was + no one to see or hear them. + </p> + <p> + When the spring came, the boys went in our boat to the spot where they had + found Jane, which we now knew by the name of "Jane's Isle," and brought + back some beans, which were new to them. These we found to be COF-FEE. + Jane told us that they were by no means scarce, but that she had not made + use of them, as she knew no way to roast or grind the beans, which she + found in a green state. + </p> + <p> + "Do you think," said my wife, "that the plant would grow here?" + </p> + <p> + I then thought for the first time how fond she was of it. There had been + some bags on board the ship, but I had not brought them from the wreck; + and my wife had once said that she would like to see the plant in our + ground. Now that we knew where to get it, she told me that it was one of + the few things that she felt the loss of. When the boys heard this, they + set out on a trip to Jane's Isle, and while there they went to the spot + where she had dwelt for so long, and sought for what things she had left + when she came to live with us. + </p> + <p> + All these were brought to Rock, House, and I may tell you that Fritz set + great store by them. There were all sorts of odd clothes, which she had + made of the skin of the sea calf; fish lines wrought out of the hair of + her head; pins made from the bones of fish; a lamp made out of a shell, + with a wick of the threads which she had drawn from her hose. There were + the shells she used to cook her food in; a hat made from the breast of a + large bird, the tail of which she had spread out so as to shade her neck + from the sun; belts, shoes, and odd things of a like kind. + </p> + <p> + My wife, who had now a friend of her own sex to talk with, did not feel + dull when the boys left us for a time, so they had leave to roam where + their wish led them, and to stay as long as they chose. In the course of + time they knew the whole of the isle on which we dwelt. Ernest drew a map + of it to scale, so that we could trace their course from place to place + with ease. When they went for a long trip they took some doves with them, + and these birds brought us notes tied to their wings from time to time, so + that we knew where they were, and could point out the spot on the map. + </p> + <p> + I will not dwell on what took place now for some time, for I find that + each year was very much like the last. We had our fields to sow, our crops + to reap, our beasts to feed and train; and these cares kept our hands at + work, and our minds free from the least thought of our lone mode of life. + </p> + <p> + I turn to my log as I write this, and on each page my eye falls on some + thing that brings back to my mind the glad time we spent at Rock House. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0015" id="link2HCH0015"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XV. + </h2> + <p> + IN the spring time of the year, when the rain was past, Fritz and Jack set + off on a trip in their boat to Shark Isle. The day was fine, the sky + clear, and there was no wind, yet the waves rose and fell as in a storm. + </p> + <p> + "See!" cried Jack, "here comes a shoal of whales. They will eat us up." + </p> + <p> + "There is no fear of that," said Fritz; "whales will do us no harm, if we + do not touch them." This proved to be the case. Though any one of them + might have broken up the boat with a stroke of its tail, they did not + touch it, but swam by in a line, two by two, like a file of troops. + </p> + <p> + On Shark Isle, near the shore, we had thrown up a mound, and built a fort, + on which were set two of the ship's guns. These the boys made a rule to + fire off, with a view to let us know that they were safe, and to try if + the guns were still fit for use. This time they found their charge quite + dry, and the guns went off with a loud bang. + </p> + <p> + They had just put a plug in the hole of one of the guns, to keep out the + wet, when they heard a sound roll through the air. + </p> + <p> + "Did you bear that?" said Jack. "I am sure that noise must have come from + some ship at sea. Let us fire once more." + </p> + <p> + But Fritz thought they ought to go home at once and tell me what they had + heard. They both ran to the boat with all speed, and put out their + strength to reach home ere the sun went down. + </p> + <p> + The day was fine, and as the rain had kept us in doors for two months, we + were glad to go down on the beach for a change. All at once I saw the boys + come up the stream in their boat, at a great speed, and the way they used + their sculls led me to think that all was not right. + </p> + <p> + "What have you seen, that should thus put two brave youths to flight?" + said I. + </p> + <p> + Then they told me what had brought them back so soon. I had heard the + sound of the two guns which they had fired off, but no more. I told them I + thought their ears must be at fault, and that the sounds they had heard + were no more than those of their own guns, which the hills had sent back + through the air. This view of the case did not at all please them, as by + this time they well knew what sounds their guns made. + </p> + <p> + "It will be a strange thing," said I, "if the hope to which I have so long + clung should at last come to be a fact; but we must have a care that we do + not hail a ship the crew of which may rob and kill us for the sake of our + wealth. I feel that we have as much cause to dread a foe as we have + grounds of hope that we may meet with friends." + </p> + <p> + Our first course was to make the cave quite safe, and then to mount guard + where we could see a ship if one should come near the coast. That night + the rain came down in a flood, and a storm broke over us, and we were thus + kept in doors for two days and two nights. + </p> + <p> + On the third day I set out with Jack to Shark Isle, with a view to seek + for the strange ship which he said he knew must be in some place not far + from the coast. I went to the top of a high rock, but though my eye swept + the sea for miles round, I could see no signs of a sail. I then made Jack + fire three more shots, to try if they would give the same sound as the two + boys had heard. You may judge how I felt, when I heard one! two! three! + boom through the air. + </p> + <p> + There was now no room for doubt that, though I could not see it, there + must be a ship near Shark's Isle. Jack heard me say this with great glee, + and cried out, "What can we now do to find it?" + </p> + <p> + We had brought a flag with us, and I told Jack to haul this up twice to + the top of the staff, by means of which sign those who saw it would know + that we had good news to tell them. + </p> + <p> + I then left Jack on the fort with the guns, and told him to fire as soon + as a ship hove in sight. I bent my way at once back to Rock House, to talk + with my wife, Jane, and the boys, as to what steps we should now take. + They all met me on the beach, and made me tell them the news while I was + still in the boat. + </p> + <p> + "We know no more," said I, "than the fact that there is still a ship on + the coast. You must all now keep in doors, while Fritz and I go in search + of it." + </p> + <p> + We set off at noon, and went straight to the west part of the coast, where + we thought the sound must have come from. We knew a cape there from which + we could get a good view of the sea, and by the side of which lay a small + bay. + </p> + <p> + When we got round the cape, great was our joy to find a fine ship in the + bay. It was not far off from us, for we could see the ENG-LISH flag float + in the breeze from one of its masts. I seek in vain to find words by means + of which I can set forth in print what I then felt. Both Fritz and I fell + on our knees and gave thanks to God that He had thus led the ship to our + coast. If I had not held him back, Fritz would have gone into the sea with + a leap and swum off to the ship. + </p> + <p> + "Stay," said I, "till we are quite sure what they are. There are bad men + on the seas who put up false flags to lure ships out of their course, and + then rob and kill the crew." + </p> + <p> + We could now see all that took place on board. Two tents had been set up + on the shore, in front of which was a fire; and we could see that men went + to and fro with planks. There were two men left on guard on the deck of + the ship, and to these we made signs. When they saw us they spoke to some + one who stood near, and whom we thought had charge of the ship. He then + put his glass up to his eye and took a good view of us through it. + </p> + <p> + We did not at first like to go too near, but kept our boat some way off. + Fritz said he could see that the faces of the men were not so dark as our + own. + </p> + <p> + "If that be the case," said I, "we are safe, and we may trust their flag." + </p> + <p> + We both sang a Swiss song, and then I cried out at the top of my voice + these words: "Ship ahoy! good men!" But they made no sign that they heard + us. Our song, our boat, and, more than all, our dress, made them no doubt + guess that we were wild men of the wood; for at last one of the crew on + board held up knives and glass beads, which I knew the wild tribes of the + New World were fond of. This made us laugh, but we would not as yet draw + nigh to the ship, as we thought we ought to meet our new friends in our + best trim. + </p> + <p> + We then gave a shout and a wave of the hand, and shot off round the cape + as fast as our boat would take us. We soon got back to Rock House, where + our dear ones were on the look-out for us. My wife said we had done quite + right to come back, but Jane thought we should have found out who they + were. + </p> + <p> + That night none of us slept well; our guest thought there might now be a + chance for her to reach her home, and she dreamed she heard the well-known + voice of her sire call her to come to him. The boys were half crazed with + vague hopes, and lay for hours ere they went to sleep. My wife and I sat + up late to think and talk of the use that might be made of this chance. We + felt that we were now full of years, and should not like in our old age to + leave the place where we had spent the best part of our lives; still we + might do some trade with the land from which the ship came, if it were but + known that we were here, and we might hear news of our dear Swiss home. + </p> + <p> + At break of day we put on board our boat a stock of fruit and fresh food + of all kinds, such as we thought the crew of the ship would like to have, + and Fritz and I set sail for the bay. We took with us all the arms we + could find, so as not to be at a loss should the crew prove false to their + flag, and turn out to be a set of thieves. + </p> + <p> + As we drew near the ship I fired a gun, and told Fritz to hoist a flag + like theirs to the top of our mast, and as we did so the crew gave a loud + cheer. I then went on board, and the mate of the ship led me to his chief, + who soon put me at my ease by a frank shake of the hand. I then told him + who we were, and how we came to dwell on the isle. I learned from him, in + turn, that he was bound for New South Wales; that he knew Captain Rose, + who had lost his child, and that he had made a search for her on the + coast. He told me that a storm had thrown him off his course, and that the + wind drove him on this coast, where he took care to fill his casks from a + fresh stream that ran by the side of a hill, and to take in a stock of + wood. + </p> + <p> + "It was then," he said, "that we first heard your guns; and when on the + third day the same sound came to our ears, we knew that there must be some + one on the coast, and this led us to put up our tents and wait till the + crew should search the land round the bay." + </p> + <p> + I then made the crew a gift of what we had brought in our boat, and said + to Captain Stone, for that was his name: "I hope, sir, that you will now + go with me to Rock House, the place where we live, and where you will see + Miss Rose, who will be glad to hear some news of home." + </p> + <p> + "To be sure I will, and thank you much," said he; "and I have no doubt + that Mr. West would like to go with us." This Mr. West was on his way, + with his wife and two girls, to New South Wales, where he meant to build a + house and clear a piece of land. + </p> + <p> + We all three then left the ship in our boat, and as we came in sight of + Shark Isle, Jack, who was on the fort, fired his guns. + </p> + <p> + When we came to the beach, my wife and the rest were there to meet us. + Jane was half wild with joy when she heard that Captain Stone had brought + her good news from home. + </p> + <p> + We led them round our house and through the grounds and Mr. West took note + of all he saw. When we came to talk, I found that he had made up his mind + to stay with us. I need not say how glad I was to hear this, for he had + brought out with him a large stock of farm tools, of which we had long + been in want. + </p> + <p> + The boys were of course in high glee at all this, but I did not share + their joy so much as I could wish. The ship which now lay close to our + shore was the first we had seen since we came to the isle, and no one + could tell when the next might come. My wife and I did not wish to leave. + I had a love for the kind of life we led, and we were both at an age when + ease and rest should take the place of toil. But then our sons were young—not + yet in the prime of life—and I did not think it right that we should + keep them from the world. Jane, I could tell, would not stay with us, nor + did she hide from us the fact that her heart drew her to the dear one at + home, from whom she had been kept so long. So I told my wife that I would + ask my boys to choose what they would do—to stay with us on the + isle, or leave with Captain Stone in the ship. + </p> + <p> + Fritz and Jack said they would not leave us; Ernest spoke not a word, but + I saw that he had made up his mind to go. I did not grieve at this, as I + felt that our isle was too small for the scope of his mind, and did not + give him the means to learn all he could wish. I told him to speak out, + when he said he should like to leave the place for a few years, and he + knew Frank had a wish to go with him. + </p> + <p> + I thought this would give my wife pain, but she said that the boys had + made a good choice, and that she knew Ernest and Frank would make their + way in the world. + </p> + <p> + Captain Stone gave Jane, Ernest, and Frank leave to go with him, as there + was room in the ship now that the Wests were to stay with us. + </p> + <p> + The ship was brought round to Safe Bay, and Fritz and Jack went on board + to fetch Mrs. West and her two girls, who were glad to find that they were + not to go back to the ship, for the storm had made them dread the sea. + </p> + <p> + I may here say, by the way, that my wife soon found that her two sons grew + fond of their fair friends, and gave me a hint that some day we should see + them wed, which would be a fresh source of joy to us. + </p> + <p> + I have not much more to tell. The stores I had laid up—furs, pearls, + spice, and fruits—were put on board the ship, and left to the care + of my sons, who were to sell them. And then the time came for us to part. + I need not say that it was a hard trial for my wife; but she bore up well, + for she had made up her mind that it was all for the best, and that her + sons would some day come back to see her. I felt, too, that with the help + of our new friends, we should not miss them so much as we at first + thought, and this we found to be the case. + </p> + <p> + As the next day my boys were to leave me, I had a long talk with them. I + told them to act well their part in the new sphere in which they were to + move, and to take as their guide the Word of God. They then knelt down for + me to bless them, and went to their beds in Rock House for the last time. + </p> + <p> + I got no sleep all that night, nor did the two boys, who were to start the + next day. + </p> + <p> + As Ernest takes this Tale with him—which I gave him leave to print, + that all may know how good God has been to us—I have no time to add + more than a few words. + </p> + <p> + The ship that is to take from us our two sons and our fair guest will sail + from this coast in a few hours, and by the close of the day three who are + dear to us will have gone from our midst. I can not put down what I feel, + or tell the grief of my poor wife. + </p> + <p> + I add these lines while the boat waits for my sons. May God grant them + health and strength for the trials they may have to pass through; may they + gain the love of those with whom they are now to dwell; and may they keep + free from taint the good name of the Swiss Family Robinson. + </p> + <p> + THE END. <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Swiss Family Robinson Told in +Words of One Syllable, by Mary Godolphin + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON *** + +***** This file should be named 6692-h.htm or 6692-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/6/6/9/6692/ + +Produced by Bruce Miller, and David Widger + + +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. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +http://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +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 + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at http://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit http://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. +To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + + +</pre> + </body> +</html> |