a THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES THH SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON. To Fred r-rom JJervk WE SUDDENLY FOUND OURSELVES FACE TO FACR WITH A HERD OF WILD BUFFALOES. see page 1 19. THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON: 01, ADVENTURES IN A DESERT ISLAND. LONDON FREDERICK WARNE AND CO. LTD. AN15 NEW YORK PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN. pz ur/ PREFACE THIS famous book is known in many languages, but its title is not always understood. The Swiss missionary who is said to have sailed from Tahiti for New Holland and was wrecked not ao very far from New Guinea did not bear the name of Robinson but was given that name by Kampe as appropriate to the Robinson Crusoe sort of life he led on his island. The two books have been classed together for years and are familiarly known to thousands. In Crusoe we have the resourceful individual ; in this book we have the resourceful family under the guidance of a worthy leader. Robinson Crusoe is based on the life of Alexander Selkirk on an island about 9000 miles away from the mouth of the Orinoco where Defoe makes the wreck occur on a voyage from Brazil to Barbados ; in this book the missionary's island is not shifted in position and the author has done no violence to geography, but he has let his imagination run riot in a collection of animals and plants, beyond the wildest dreams of any possible naturalist, that furnish ample opportunity for the incidents and adventures amid which the boys grow to manhood. It is to the boys that the success of the book is due, for they are alive and alert and differ from each other as boys of a family generally do, and they are not only read about but become the reader's friends, CONTENTS, 3NAI-. * L THI SHIPWRECK . IL THE LANDING . IIL A TOUR or DISCOVERY . . . .19 TV. RETURN FROM THB TOUR OF DISCOVBRY. NOC TURNAL ALARM .... 27 V. RETURN TO THE WRECK . . . .35 VL FLOATING THE HERD ... 40 VTL THE SECOND VOYAGE OF DISCOVERT . . 4.3 VTIL BRIDGE BUILDING ... 47 IX. A CHANGE OF RESIDENCE . . .53 X. ESTABLISHMENT UNDER THE GREAT TREE . 88 XI. ENCAMPMENT UNDER THE GRKAX TREK . . 63 XIL THE FIRST SABBATH .... 04 XIII. TOPOGRAPHY . ... 69 XIV. THE SJJ:DGB ..... 70 XV. FRESH SUPPLIES FROM THB WRECK . . 80 XVI. CASSAVA BREAD 8fl XVII. THE PINNACS . . .83 XVIII. GTMNASTIC EXERCISES . 9? XIX. EXPLORING EXCURSION , . . . 108 XX. USEFUL AND ORNAMENTAI \RT 109 XXI. NEW DISCOVERIES . 114 Viil CONTENTS. CHAP. XXIL SAGO MANTTFACVUHB BEES . . . 123 XXIIL TREATMENT OF BEES. THE STAIRCISK . . 129 XXIV. THE WILD Ass. THE HEATH-FOWI'S NESI . 136 XXV. FLAX. THE RAINY SEASON . . .114 XXVI. SPRING. THE SALT MINB . . 150 XXVIL THE CAVE DWELLING. HERRING FISHERY . 157 XXVIH. NEW EXPERIMENTS AND DISCOVERIES 161 XXLX. THE FARM-HOUSES. A LAKE. A BOAT . . 166 XXX. A WHALE. A PALANQUIN . . 176 XXXI. A EOA-CONSTRICTOB. DEATH OF THE ASS , 179 THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON. CHAPTER I. THE SHIPWRECK. THB storm had lasted for six dreary days, and on the seventh seemed to rage with redoubled fury. The ship had been so far driven to the south-east of our true course, that no one on board knew where we were. Every one was dejected, and exhausted with fatigue and watching. The masts were broken; the shattered vessel began to leak, and threatened every moment to go down ; the oaths of the sailors were changed to prayers, and each thought only how to save his own life. " Children," said I to my four sons, who were overcome with fear, " God can save us if he will ; but if this is destined to be our last hour, we must resign ourselves, without a murmur, to the divine ordinance ; we shall not be separated." My excellent wife dried her tears, assumed an aspect 01 composure, and cheered the children, who were clinging round her. We knelt down to pray for the help of our Heavenly Father ; and the fervour and emotion of my dear children proved to me that even the young can find in prayer consolation and peace. Fritz prayed that God would but save his dear parents and brothers, and seemed not to think of himself. All forgot for a moment the threatened danger, and I felt my trust in Providence in crease as I looked upon the pious little group. Suddenly we heard, amid the roaring of the waves, the 2 THE SWISS cry of " Land! land !" At the same instant the ship re ceived a violent shock ; the concussion threw us down ; we heard a loud cracking, as if the vessel were parting asunder ; we felt that we had got aground, and heard the captain cry, in a tone of despair, " We are lost ; launch the boats 1" These words went like a dagger to my heart, and the lamentations of the children were louder than ever. I then recollected myself, and sought to reassure them. " Courage," said I to them, " we are still above water, and the land is near. God helps those who trust in him. I will go and see if there does yet remain foi us some hope of safety." I went on deck, where I was instantly thrown down and drenched by a billow. Another, and yet another, followed. I struggled boldly with the waves, and succeeded in keep ing myself up, when I saw to my horror all the boats alongside ; the whole crew were already overboard, and the last of the sailors, as he sprang after his companions, cut the rope, and set them free. I cried, I implored, and conjured them to take us with them ; but in vain ; my voice was drowned in the roar of the tempest ; and the fury of the waves was such that it was impossible for the boats to venture back. All chance of escape now seemed over. I remarked, however, with returning hope, that the water did not enter the ship above a certain height. The stern in which the cabin was which contained all that was dear to me on earth, was so firmly jammed between tyro rocks that there seemed to be no immediate danger of its sinking. At the same time, I observed, towards the south, traces of land, which, notwithstanding its savage aspect, became now the haven of my almost expiring hopes. I returned to my family, and struggled to assume a calm demeanour. " Take courage !" I exclaimed on entering, " all is not yet lost the vessel, in striking between the FAMILY ROBINSON. 8 rocks, is fixed in a position where our cabin is beyond the reach of the waves ; and if the wind should settle to morrow, we may possibly reach the land." This assurance calmed my children. They passed at once from despair to the opposite extreme of confident hope ; they rejoiced that the heaving of the vessel had ceased, as, while it lasted, they were continually thrown against each other. But my wife saw through my assumed composure, and divined the grief that was at my heart. I made her understand by signs our actual situation, and I felt my courage sustained by seeing her resignation. " Let us take some food," said she, " with the body the mind is strengthened ; this will probably be a night of trial." The tempest continued with unabated fury, tearing away the planks from the devoted vessel with a fearful crashing, and making the whole vibrate so that we expected every moment it would go in pieces. My wife had prepared some refreshment, of which the children partook with an appetite that we could not feel. The three younger ones retired to their berths, and were soon in a profound sleep. Fritz, the eldest, watched with us, " I have been considering," said he, " how we might be able to save ourselves. If we could only find some cork jackets or bladders for mamma and my brothers, you and I don't need them, we could then swim with them to land." " A happy thought," I replied ; " let us try, during the night, to contrive some expedient to secure our safety." We accordingly sought in our little cabin for such emptj barrels as seemed large enough to keep a person afloat. These we tied together in pairs with our handkerchiefs, leaving a space between for each child, and fastened thi? new swimming apparatus under their arms. My wife pre pared the same for herself. This done, we collected some knives, string, tinder-box, and such little necessaries as 4 THE SWISS we could secure about our persons, hoping, even if the vessel went to pieces before morning, that we might thus be able to reach the shore. Fritz being by this time worn out with his exertion, threw himself down on his bed, and was soon asleep like the rest. As for me and my poor wife, we continued to watch, trembling at every wave which threatened to en gulf us. We spent that most dreadful night in prayer, and in arranging various plans. How gladly we welcomed the light of day, shining through an opening ! Towards dawn the wind began to abate, the clouds dis persed, and I watched the sun rise with renewed hope. I called my wife and children on deck, when the latter for the first time perceived with astonishment that we were alone. " Where are the sailors ?" they exclaimed ; " how are we to manage the ship alone ?" " My children," I replied, " He who has protected us till now will still extend a saving arm to us, if we do not give way to complaint and despair. Let all hands to work. God helps thotie who help themselves. Let us all consider what is best to be done now." " Let us leap into the sea," cried Fritz, " and swim to the shore." " Very well for you," replied Ernest, " but we cannot swim, and should all be drowned. Would it not be better to construct a raft, and go all together ?" " That might do," added I, "if we were strong enough for such a work, and if a raft was not always so dangerous a conveyance. But go and look about you, and see whether you cannot find something that may be useful to us in our present situation." At these words, all dispersed to different parts of the vessel. For my own part, I went to the provision room, to ascertain if we had still the means of present subsistence within our reach. My wife, accompanied by the youngest of our boys, visited the live stock and fed them, for they FAMILY ROBINSON. 5 were already severely suffering from hunger and thirst. Fritz went in search of arms and ammunition. Ernest laid hold of the carpenter's tools, while Jack set off to ransack the captain's cabin. But the instant the little fellow opened the door, two huge dogs sprang out, and leaped on him with such boisterous demonstrations of joy that he cried out as if they were going to devour him. However, hunger had rendered them so docile that they licked his hands, and he soon recovered his feet, seized the largest by the ears, and mounting his back, gravely rode up to me as I was coming from the hold. I could not help laughing ; I applauded his courage ; but recommended him always to be prudent with animals of that kind, who are often dangerous when hungry. The various explorers soon returned with their prizes. Fritz had found two fowling-pieces, as well as shot and well-filled powder-flasks. Ernest was loaded with an axe and hammer, a pair of pincers, a large pair of scissors, and an auger showed itself half out of his pocket. Francis had a large box under his arm, from which he eagerly produced what, he called little pointed hooks. His brothers laughed at his prize. " Silence," said I, " the youngest has perhaps made the most valuable addition to our stores. These are fishing-hooks, and may be more useful for the preservation of our lives than anything the ship contains. However, Fritz and Ernest have not done amiss." " As for me," said my wife, " I am the bearer of good news, since I am able to inform you that we have still safely on board a cow, an ass, two goats, six sheep, a ram, and a sow with young. I have fed them, and hope we may preserve them." " All that you bring," said I, " is excellent, save Master Jack's companions, who will d" and perhaps we may erect a dwelling under the roots of your favourite tree ; but among these rocks we must have a storehouse for our goods, and a retreat in case of invasion. With the facilities I have of blowing away some portion of the rock with powder, this place may be rendered an impregnable shelter The first thing we must think of, with a view to our proposed emigration, is to construct a bridge across the river." " A bridge !" said she in a tone of vexation ; " then when shall we get from here ? Why cannot we ford it, as usual ? The cow and ass could carry our stores." I explained to her how necessary it was for our ammu nition and provision to be conveyed over without risk of wetting, and begged her to manufacture sacks and baskets, and leave the bridge to me and my boys. If we succeeded, it would always be useful ; the stream was, no doubt, liable to floods, and must, at certain seasons, become im passable by any other means; and, for fear of danger from lightning or accident, I intended to make a powder- magazine among the rocks. The important question was now decided. I called up my sons, and communicated our plans to them. They were greatly delighted, though somewhat alarmed at the formidable project of the bridge ; besides, the delay was vexatious ; they were all anxious for the removal into the Land of Promise, as they choose to call it. FA STILT ROBINSON. 49 As soon as morning prayers were over, we proceeded to breakfast. The monkey sucked one of the goats as if it had been its mother. My wife milked the cow, and gave us boiled milk with biscuit for our breakfast, part of which she put in a flask for our refreshment during the day. We then prepared our boat for another expedition to the wreck, to procure planks and timber for our bridge. I took Ernest as well as Fritz with me, that we might accomplish our purpose with the less delay. We rowed vigorously till we got into the current, which soon carried as out of the bay. But we had scarcely arrived off a little island which lay to the left than we perceived a vast number of gulls and other sea-birds congregated about some object. Curious to know what could be the cause, I hoisted the sail in order to take advantage of a breath of wind which had sprung up. Fritz was the first to descry that the whole flock of birds were perched on the carcass of a huge fish, which had been cast ashore on the island. We brought the boat alongside, and, securing it to a large stone, we stepped on shore without disturbing the birds ; so intent were they on their prey, we might have killed numbers, even with our sticks. This fish was the shark which Fritz had so skilfully shot through the head the night before. He found the marks of his two balls. Ernest drew his ramrod from his gun, and struck so vigorously right and left among the birds that he killed some and put the rest to flight. We then cut off some portions of the rough skin of the monster, which it had occurred to me might prove useful in various ways, and especially as a substitute for a file or rasp, owing to ita extreme roughness. But this was not the only advantagf we gained by landing ; for I observed, to my great satis faction, that a number of planks and spars were strewed along the shores, which were admirably adapted for my 60 TfiE SWIM purpose, and would thus save the trcuole of going to the wreck. We selected as many as were suitable, and soon had them afloat. Our next care was to arrange them and bind them together into a raft, which we secured to the stern of the boat, and then, hoisting our sail, we turned its prow towards the shore. Thus, through this fortunate chance, we had accomplished in a couple of hours what I anticipated would have occupied us the whole day, and involved no slight amount of labour. We soon reached our landing-place ; and, securing our boat, and calling out loudly, we soon saw our friends run ning from the river ; each carried a handkerchief filled with some new acquisition, which they opened before us, displaying a store of crawfish, enough to furnish our table for several days. Little Francis was full of glee, telling me that it was he who had first discovered them ; while Jack recounted his exertions with the net, and his courage in wading into the water to get them. I congratulated both on their zeal and success, and assured them I would have gr^at satisfaction in eating a dish of their providing. Jack related that Francis and he set out to look for a proper place for the building of the bridge, when he suddenly called to his brother to observe that Fritz's jacket was covered with crabs. They added, that they could have secured many more had I not called them of! just as they were gathering them. Their supply, how ever, was already more than sufficient ; and I could not avoid reflecting with thankfulness that our lot had been cast where the means of subsistence was attainable with so moderate exertion, I commanded them to put the smaller ones back into the river, reserving only as many as we could eat. I went to look at the place which had struck Jack'i feucy as a site for the bridge. It was a very suitable one. /AMTLT ROBINSON. 51 but it was at a considerable distance from the nearest spot where it was possible to land the timber. Every day's experience, however, was rendering us more self-dependent. I called to mind the simple harness described as in use by the Laplanders with their reindeer. I tied cords to the horns of the cow as the strength of this animal is hi the head and then fastened the other ends round the piece of timber we wanted moved. I placed a halter round the neck of the ass, and attached the cords to this. We were thus enabled, by degrees, to remove all our wood to the chosen spot, where the sides of the river were steep and appeared of equal height. It was necessary to know the breadth of the river, to select the proper planks ; this Ernest ingeniously accomplished by tying a stone to the end of a ball of stout packthread, and throwing it across the river. We had thus at once a measure by which to determine the length of beams required. We found the breadth to be eighteen feet, and as it was neces sary to allow sufficient additional length to the timbers to make the whole secure, we choose some beams twenty- four feet long. How we were to get these across the river was another question, which I proposed we should discuss during dinner, to which my wife now summoned us. Our dinner consisted of a dish of crawfish and some very good rice-milk. But before we began she called on us to inspect two sacks she had made for the ass, which, in the absence of large needles, she had contrived to stitch by using a sharp nail for an awl. Notwithstanding her difficulties, she had succeeded in making very passable saddle-bags, which I failed not to commend as they deserved. We had no time, however, to spare for gossip* but despatched our meal in haste, and hurried back to our work. considering various plans for accomplishing oui 52 THE SWISS purpose, I secured the end of one of the long beams loosely to the trunk of a large tree, and then, attaching s long rope to the opposite extremity, I threw the loose end by means of a stone, to the opposite bank of the stream where we had previously fixed the block used in our boat, to a tree by the hook which usually suspended it. I passed my rope, and returning with the end to our own side, harnessed both the ass and the cow to it, and drove them rapidly from the shore. The device completely succeeded. The beam slowly rose into the air, turning round the trunk of the tree as a swivel, then advanced, and was finally lodged over the river, amidst the shouts of the boys, its own weight keeping it firm. Fritz and Jack, somewhat to my alarm, leaped on it immediately to run across. The chief difficulty was now removed. Three other beams were laid across by the same process, and, with the ready help of my sons, arranged at a convenient distance from each other. We then laid down planks close together across the beams, but not fixed, as in time of danger it might be necessary rapidly to remove the bridge. My wife and I were as much excited as the children, and ran across with delight. Thoroughly fatigued with our day's labours, we were glad to retire to our tent, where, after offering up our thanks to God, we were speedily in the enjoyment of well-earned repose. FAMILY ROBINSON. 68 CHAPTER IX. A CHANGE OF RESIDENCE. TIIE following morning my first thought was to warn the children of the necessity of caution and prudence in the journey we were now proposing, urging them not to wander from our side. We then prepared for departure. We assembled the cattle ; the bags were fixed across the backs of the cow and the ass, and loaded with all our heavy baggage ; our cooking utensils and provisions, con sisting of biscuits, butter, cheese, and portable soup, our hammocks and blankets, the captain's service of plate, were all carefully packed in the bags, equally poised on each side the animals. Having despatched a hasty break fast, we were about to set out ; but my wife remonstrated against leaving the fowls even for a single night ; above all, Francis must have a place ; he could not possibly walk all the way. I accommodated the little fellow behind the hammocks on the ass's back ; while the other boys set off in pursuit of the poultry and pigeons, from whence they returned without accomplishing anything else than putting themselves in ill-humour. Their mother laughed at them for their thoughtless folly, and scattering a few handfula of grain and crumbs of bread, she soon got the whole poultry and pigeons around her, and, decoying them by the same means into the fent, I closed it from the outside, and the wholp, with wings and feet tied, were soon safe in two hampers on the other side of the donkey. All our stores which we could not carry with us were now collected into the tent ; and having secured it as carefully as we could, and arranged all the larger casks and chests, both full and empty, around it, we took our 54 THE SWISS departure. Each of us carried a game-bag and a gan. My wife and her eldest son led the way ; the cow and the ass, with its rider, followed them ; the third division con sisted of the goats, driven by Jack, the little monkey seated on the back of its nurse and grimacing, to our great amusement ; next came Ernest with the sheep ; and I followed as the rear-guard. Our gallant dogs acted as aides-de-camp, and were continually passing from the front to the rear-rank. Our march was slow, but orderly and quite patriarchal. "We are now travelling across the deserts as our fathers did," said I, " and as the Arabs, Tartars, and other nomade nations do to this day ; but they have their camels and horses, while we must be con tent with our poor ass and cow. For my part, I hope this migration will be our last." My wife replied that our new destination, under the shade of her favourite trees, would amply repay all the toils of the journey. The sow had proved so mutinous, that, after one or two ineffectual attempts, we had given up the idea of bringing her off; but we were not long gone when she set off voluntarily in the same direction, testifying, however, by her short grunts, the extreme dissatisfaction with which she regarded our proceedings. New difficulties beset us as soon as the bridge was crossed; for the rich grass tempted our animals to stray, and all our orderly cavalcade was soon in total confusion. The dogs were now of the greatest use ; and, when we were once more in some order, I directed the leader to take the way along th coast, so as to avoid the repetition of this disaster. We had scarcely got fairly in motion again, when the dogs darted once more among the long grass, and pre sently a fierce barking and howling got up, as if they were engaged in combat. Fritz immediately prepared for action, Ernest drew near his mother, Jack rushed forward FAMILY ROBINSON. 65 with his gun over his shoulder, and I cautiously advanced, desiring them to be discreet and cool ; but Jack, with his usual impetuosity, leaped among the high grass to the dogs, and immediately returned, clapping his hands and crying out, "Be quick, papa! a huge porcupine, with quills as long as my arm !" Relieved of my greatest apprehensions by this announcement, I soon reached the spot, and really found a porcupine, whom the dogs were warmly attacking. It made a frightful noise, erecting and darting its quills so suddenly that the blood already flowed from several wounds in the heads of the dogs, abundantly accounting for their fierce howling. Jack, however, had no idea of being an idle spectator in this unequal combat. Drawing a pistol from his belt, he dis charged it directly into the head of the porcupine, which fell dead on the spot. Jack was very proud of his feat ; while Fritz, by no means satisfied to be thus outdone by his little brother, commented with covert jealousy on the imprudence and rashness of his conduct, and asked with ome acerbity if he did not see that he might have shot one of the dogs, or even one of us ? Jack was by no means inclined to make any such acknowledgment, and words were running high between them, when I interfered, and rebuked the spirit which Fritz was giving way to, showing that, though Jack was perhaps a little imprudent, he had exerted himself courageously for the common good, and urged on both to cultivate generous and brotherly feelings towards each other. Mamma was now summoned to see the curious animal her son's valour had destroyed. Her first thought was to dress the wounds made by the quills which had stuck in the noses of the dogs during their attach. Jack earnestly desired to carry his booty with him ; but even when dead we found it no easy matter to handle the 56 THE SWISS porcupine; however, with the help of some bundles of soft grass with which I enveloped it, we got it removed, and placed it on the donkey behind Francis. At last, we arrived at the end of our journey, and cer tainly the size of the trees surpassed anything I could have imagined. Jack had no doubt they were gigantic walnut- trees ; for my own part, I believed them to be a species of fig-tree probably the Antilles fig. I congratulated my wife on her discovery and judicious selection of this charming spot for our destined abode. " If we can only contrive to fix our tent," said I, " up among these branches, as you propose, we shall have little cause to dread the attack of any wild beast." We released our animals from their loads, and let them graze, only taking the precaution to shackle their fore legs, so as to prevent them from wandering far ; except the sow, who, as usual, took her own way. The fowls and pigeons were also restored to liberty, and left to their own discretion. While my wife and I were discussing the needful arrangements for our future habitation, we were suddenly startled by the report of a gun ; but the next moment the voice of Fritz reassured us ; he appeared with a large, beautiful tiger-cat which he had shot. " Bravo, my noble sportsman !" said I ; " you have ren dered good service to our fowls and pigeons ; the foe you have just slain would have made an end of them in a single night. Wage an exterminating war with all such enemies, or we shall not long have a chicken left." Ernest then examined the animal with his customary attention, and declared that the proper name was the margay, a fact Fritz did not dispute, only requesting that Jack might not meddle with the skin, as he wished to preserve it for a belt. I recommended him to lose no time in skinning it, and give the flesh to the dogs. Jack, at the same time? FAMILY ROBINSON. 57 determined to skin his porcupine to make dog-collars. Part of its flesh went into the soup-kettle, and the rest was salted for the next day. We then sought for some flat stones in the bed of the charming little river that ran at a little distance from us, and set about constructing a oooking-place. Francis had, meanwhile, been indus triously employed gathering dry sticks for a fire; and while my wife was occupied in preparing our supper, I amused myself by making some packing-needles for her rude work from the quills of the porcupine. These I readily perforated with a nail which I heated in the fire till the point was red hot, and then took hold of the head with a wet cloth. By this means a set of needles, of various sizes, were made in a very short time, to my wife's great satisfaction. I requested her, however, to be sparing in the use of our supply of twine and thread, as I had already thought of constructing a rope-ladder with which to reach the lower branches of the trees. These, how ever, were fully thirty feet from the ground ; and neither my song nor myself could throw a stone, to which I had fastened a cord, over one of the boughs. It was necessary to think of some other expedient. In the meantime, dinner was ready. The porcupine made excellent soup, and the flesh was well-tasted, though rather hard. My wife could not make up her mind to partake of it, but contented herself with a slice of ham and some cheese. As for the dogs, they made a hearty meal of the margay, the skin of which I assisted Fritz in stretching in the bed of the neighbouring rivulet, and securing it by means of large stones. 58 THE SWISS CHAPTER X. ESTABLISHMENT UNDER THE GREAT TREE, AFTER dinner, as I found we could not ascend at present^ I suspended our hammocks under the arched roots of our tree, and, covering the whole with sail-cloth, we had a shelter from the dew and the insects. While my wife was employed making harness for the cow and ass, I went with my sons to the shore, to look for wood fit for our use next day. We saw a great quantity of wreck, but none fit for our purpose ; but Ernest directed my attention to a quantity of bamboos, half-buried in the sand, which, when cleaned and stripped of their leaves, proved admirably adapted for the steps of my ladder. I cut them in pieces of about four or five feet long, and then the boys bound them into bundles for carrying home. I secured some of the slender stalks with which to make arrows for a plan I had already conceived, and we then proceeded towards a thicket where I hoped to obtain some flexible boughs. We approached with our wonted caution, for fear oi any reptiles or other dangerous animals, allowing Bill to precede us. We had scarcely reached its outskirts when Bill made a sudden spring and darted among the long underwood, immediately after which a troop of flamingoes rose on the wing with a loud rustling sound. Fritz, always ready, fired at them. Two fell, one quite dead, the other, slightly wounded in the wing, made use of its long legs so well that it would have escaped, if Bill had not seized it and held it till we came up to take posses sion. The joy of Fritz was extreme to have this beautiful creature alive. He thought at once of curing its wound, and FAMILY ROBINSON. 59 domesticating it with our own poultry. "What splendid plumage!" said Ernest; "and you see he is web-footed like the goose, and has long legs like the stork ; thus he can run as fast on land as he can swim in tho water/ "Yes," said I, "and fly as quickly in the air. These birds are remarkable for the power and strength of their wings. Few birds have so many advantages." My boys occupied themselves in binding their captive and dressing his wounds, while I sought some of the canes which had done flowering, to cut off the hard ends, to point my arrows, as I knew is practised among the natives of the Antilles. I then selected the largest canes I coulfl see, to assist me in measuring, by a geometrical process, the height of the tree. Ernest took the canes, I had the wounded flamingo, and Fritz carried his own game. Very loud were the cries of joy and astonishment at our approach. The children were delighted with the beautiful addition we had brought to our poultry ; but my wife was uneasy, lest it should require more food than she could spare. However, I assured her our new guest would need no attention, as he would provide for himself at the river side, feeding on small fishes, worms, and insects. His wounds I dressed, and found they would soon be healed ; I then tied him to a stake, near the river, by a cord long enough to allow him to fish at his pleasure, and in fact, in a few days, he learned to know us, and was quite domes ticated. In the meantime, the boys had tied the two long canes together, and set about measuring the height of our large tree ; but they soon came laughing, to report to me that I ought to have got them ten times as long to rsach even the lowest branches. "There is a simpler mode than that," said I, " which geometry teaches us, and by which the highest mountains can be measured." [ then showed the method of measuring heights by 60 THE SWISS triangles and imaginary lines, using canes of different lengths and cords instead oi mathematical instruments; and I satisfactorily established the height of the lower branches to be thirty feet, a fact which I was desirous of ascertaining, with a view to the construction of a ladder of the necessary length. I next desired Fritz to measure how much stout rope we possessed, and the little ones to collect all the small string, and wind it ; while I sat down on the grass and proceeded to construct arrows of the canes I had gathered, filling them with wet sand to give them weight, and feathering them from the dead flamingo. I then made a bow of one of the strongest bamboos ; arid no sooner did the boys see me thus equipped with a bow and arrows than they crowded round me, shouting joyfully, u A bow ! a bow and arrows ! Do let me try it ! and me ! and me also !" " Have a little patience," said I in reply ; " this is not made for mere amusement." I then obtained from my wife a ball of stout packthread, which her never-failing bag supplied. One end of the thread I secured to my arrow, and having unwound it, I shot ofi the arrow so that it passed over one of the stoutest of the lower branches and fell on the opposite side, carrying the thread with it. It was easy, by means of the thread, to draw a stout cord over the same bough, and having thus satisfactorily completed the preliminary steps, I now set about the construction of the ladder. Fritz had measured our ropes, and found two of forty feet each exactly what I wanted. These I stretched on the ground at about one foot distance from each other ; Fritz cut pieces of cane two feet long, which Ernest passed to me, and these I attached to the ropes by means of cords, with a space of about twelve inches between ; and Jack completed their fastening by driving a stout nail through each, and into the rope, so as effectually to prevent them FAMILY ROBINSON. (Jl from shifting. In a very short time our ladder was com pleted ; and, tying it to the end of the cord which went over the branch, we drew it up without difficulty. All the boys were anxious to ascend ; but I chose Jack as the nimblest and lightest, and sent him up the trees; Fritz followed him with a hammer and nails, and secured the ladder so firmly to the branch that I had no hesitation in ascending myself, having first attached its lower end to stakes, firmly driven into the ground. I carried with me a large pulley fixed to the end of a rope, which I attached to a branch above us, to enable us to raise the planks necessary to form the ground-work of our habitation. I smoothed the bough with my axe so as to prevent the fraying of the ropes, sending the boys down to be out of my way. A clear moonlight had enabled me to prolong my labours to a much later hour than usual, but I was now completely worn out, and descended with the intention of immediately retiring to rest. Great was my surprise on reaching the ground to find that the boys whom I had sent down before me had not been there. I was totally at a loss what to imagine ; but all anxiety was at once dis pelled by their voices being heard at that moment singing the evening hymn on one of the topmost boughs. They had slipped up the tree instead of descending, while I was too busy to observe them, and, filled with wonder and reverence at the sublime view below them, had burst out into the hymn of thanksgiving to God. I did not deem it necessary to make any very serious complaint when they soon after descended, but directed them to assemble the animals, and to collect wood, to keep up fires during the night, in order to drive away any wild beasts that might be near. My wife then displayed her work complete harness for our two beasts of burden. Supper was now ready, one 62 THE SWISS piece of the porcupine was roasted by the fire, smelling deliriously ; another piece formed a rich soup ; a cloth was spread on the turf; the ham, cheese, butter, and biscuits were placed upon it. Our supper done, my wife drew the poultry together by scattering crumbs and grains so as to accustom them to the spot. We soon saw the pigeons fly to roost on the higher branches of the trees, while the fowls perched on the ladder; the beasts were tied to the roots among which our hammocks were suspended. Some objections were expressed by the boys to the discomfort of these beds after the pleasant cushion of moss on which we had been sleeping ; but I ridiculed such effeminacy, and it was abundantly obvious by the looks of all that they were already too sleepy to be very difficult to satisfy. We had gathered several heaps of fagots and dry grass so as to form a circle around us. These we lighted as watch- fires, and soon all were sound asleep except myself, kept awake by anxiety for the safety of the rest. CHAPTER XL ENCAMPMENT UNDER THE GREAT TREE. MY mind was too much pre -occupied with anxieties for the others to permit me to sleep till near dawn. By degrees, however, I became more composed and free from apprehension, and at length fell into a sound sleep, from which I rose refreshed, and we were soon all busy at work. My wife, after milking the cow and goats, harnessed the cow and ass, and set out with Ernest, Jack, and Francis, to bring home a supply of drift-wood from the shore. In the meantime, I mounted the ladder with Fritz, and we set to work stoutly, with axe and saw, to rid ourselves of all useless branches. Some, about six feet above our foundation, we left, to suspend our hammocks from, and FAMILY ROBINSON. 6ft others, a little higher, to support the roof, which, at present, was to be merely sail-cloth. My wife succeeded in collecting us some boards and planks, which, with her assistance, and the aid of the pulley, we hoisted up. We then arranged them on the level branches close to each other, in such a manner as to form a smooth and solid floor ; and we made a sort of parapet round, to prevent accidents ; the sail-cloth was raised over the high branches, forming a roof; and, being brought down on each side, was nailed to the parapet. The immense trunk protected the back of our apartment, and the front was open to admit the breeze from the sea, which was visible from this elevation. We hoisted our hammocks and blankets by the pulley, and suspended them ; we then descended, and some portion of the day being still before us, we set about con- tructing a table and some benches from the remainder of our wood, which we fixed between the large roots of the tree, henceforward to be our dining-room. The younger boys collected the chips for fire-wood ; while their mamma prepared supper, which we stood in need of. Exhausted with a hard day's work, I threw myself at length on the grass, while my wife proceeded to dish a very comfortable stew, which she had prepared for us from the flamingo shot the previous day. Its companion seemed already becoming familiarised with us, while our little monkey leaped from one to another, mimicking all our gestures, and furnishing us with an endless source of amusement. The poultry, we were also glad to see, were still inclined to stay by us. To augment our satisfaction, our great sow, who had deserted us for two days, returned of her own accord, grunting her joy at our re-union. My wife welcomed her with particular distinction, treating her with all the milk we had to spare ; for, as she had no dairy utensils to make cheese or butter, it was best thus to dis- 64 THE SWISS pose of our superfluity. I promised her, on our next voyage to the ship, to procure all these necessaries. This she could not, however, hear of without shuddering. The boys now lighted the fires for the night. Our two dogs were secured to the roots of the tree as a protection against invaders, and we commenced our ascent. The labours of the day had been amply sufficient to make us welcome the hour of rest. The three boys mounted, one after the other, the moment the word was given. Their mother took it with more deliberation, and cautiously guarding each step, at length landed for tho first time on the aerie dwelling which had originated in her own sug gestion. My own ascent was the last and most difficult ; as, besides having little Francis on my back, I had de tached the lower part of the ladder from the roots, in order to admit of its being drawn up after me, so that it swung about very unpleasantly, greatly adding to the difficulty of this novel approach to our new dwelling. I got up, however, safely at last, and, having drawn the ladder after me, we all felt a sense of security, which amply repaid us for the labour we had expended. I deemed it, however, advisable to lay our guns within teach, and having thus provided against every danger, we were soon asleep, and did not wake till the sun shone brightly in upon us. CHAPTER XH. THE FIK8T SABBATH. NEXT morning, all awoke in good spirits ; I told them that on this, the Lord's day, we would do no work. We descended by means of our ladder ; and, while I proceeded with the boys to provide the animals with needful food, my wire prepared our breakfast of biscuits and warm milk. FAMILY ROBINSON. 65 This done, my children and their mother seated themselves on the grass, while I occupied a slight eminence before them; and having sung a part of the 119th Psalm, with which the boys were all familiar, I repeated the church service of the day, after which I sought to interest and instruct them by means of the following allegory : ** There was once on a time a Great King, who had two vast possessions, the one known as the Kingdom of Light and Reality, because unceasing activity and constant light prevailed there ; the other, situated on its northern frontiers, in the regions of ice and snow, and of which the sovereign alone knew the extent. The latter was called the Kingdom of Indolence and Night, because everything in it was inactive and dark. "The inhabitants of the first kingdom lived in the jnjoyment of uninterrupted felicity. The King held his court at a magnificent city, called the Heavenly Rest, where thousands of happy attendants waited to do his bidding, clothed in garments more beautiful than the rainbow, and purer than the snow for white was the colour of the Great King, as the emblem of purity. There were many degrees among them, but all were united together in the unchanging bonds of affection and sincerity, and none could conceive of a higher gratification than to be employed in the service of their royal master. u Not far from the frontiers, the Great King possessed a desert island, which he desired to people and cultivate, in order to make it, for a time, the abode of those of his subjects whom he intended to admit, by degrees, into his Heavenly City, a favour he wished to bestow on the greatest number possible. This island was called Earthly Abode ; and he who passed some time there worthily was to be received into all the happiness of the heavenly city. To attain this, the Great King equipped a fleet to transport 66 THE SWISS the colonists, whom he chose from the Kingdom of Night, to this island. Once arrived there, the benevolent sove reign bestowed upon them everything which he conceived calculated to insure their happiness. Admitted as they were to the enjoyment of light, and all the natural beauties which the newly-peopled island possessed, the colonists could not but contrast with joy the change from their former dull and gloomy abode. He further gave to each of them the promise that this island was to be only a probationary stage, and that all who fulfilled their duties as colonists, cultivated their new hinds, and acted in im plicit obedience to the laws he had appointed, should be admitted to the full privileges of citizens of the Heavenly Rest so soon as their period of probation had expired. In order the more effectually to carry out his plans, the King appointed his son to be the governor of the new colony, he having assembled them all, and set forth to them the obligations they were required to fulfil, as well as the penalties in case of neglect and disobedience, including for the idle, the contemptuous, and the wicked, the condem nation to perpetual slavery and banishment to labour in gloomy subterranean mines. The prince, moreover, told them that ships would be sent from time to time to bring off such as merited translation to the Kingdom of Light. *' All declared themselves delighted with the terms on which they were to be governed and admitted to higher privileges. But no sooner were they fairly established than each did as he. pleased, following only the dictates of his own pleasure, planting wild fruits which pleased the eye, rather than the useful seeds given them to sow and reap, and in all things consulting their ease, sloth, or self- will. A few laboured with courage, as they had been taught, rejoicing in the hope of the promise given them. *The great King was faithful to his word. From time FAMILY ROBINSON. 67 to time frigates arrived, bearing the name of some disease. These were followed by a large vessel called The Grave, bearing the flag of the Admiral Death. This flag was of two colours, green and black ; and appeared to the colo nists, according to their state, the smiling colour of Hope, or the gloomy hue of Despair. These vessels always arrived unexpectedly, and were usually unwelcome. The officers were sent out by the admiral to seize those he pointed out ; many who were unwilling were compelled to go ; and others, whose land was prepared, and even the harvest ripening, were summoned ; but these went joyfully, sure that they went to happiness. So soon as the colonists arrived, the Great King awarded the punishments and recompenses. Excuses were now too late ; the negligent were sent to labour in the dark mines, while the faithful were received into their glorious abodes of happiness." Such was the parable by means of which I sought at once to amuse and to instruct my family. I then proceeded to question my sons as to the ideas it had suggested to them, and drew them into various remarks on the ingratitude and folly of those people who despised the laws of so good a king, and disbelieved alike his promises and his threats ; and after we had united together in singing a hymn, I could not avoid expressing to my wife my sorrow that, in all my eagerness to recover what was valuable from the wreck, I had never thought of the Bible. " What would you say," said she, smiling, " if that also was to be found in this never-failing bag of mine ?" and, suiting the action to the word, she put in her hand and drew forth a copy of the Holy Scriptures, from which I selected such passages as applied to our situation. I then handed the book to one of the boys, and desired them to read a portion suc cessively aloud, after which I once more engaged in prayer, and besought a blessing on us all, and on the services in 68 ran Swiss which we had been employed. I was gratified to observe the solemn impression produced on the children's minds by this mode of occupying the morning of the Sabbath. Throughout the day we abstained from all unnecessary work ; and though the two youngest boys employed them selves in innocent recreations suited to their age, the day passed without any unbecoming neglect of the Sabbath. The next morning Ernest had used my bow very skil fully, which I had given him, bringing down some dozens of small birds, a sort of ortolan, from the branches of our tree, where they assembled to feed on the figs. This induced them all to wish for such a weapon. I was well pleased to encourage them in the use of an instrument which might hereafter become indispensable to our existence. Our supply of powder, I reflected, must become exhausted, and might, indeed, by some unforeseen accident, be destroyed in a moment. It was, therefore, of the utmost importance that we should be independent of it, and acquire a means, both of supplying our table and defending ourselves from enemies. " And why," thought I, " since the Caribs are trained in the use of the bow almost from their infancy, so that they learn to take unerring aim, even at the smallest birds, may it not be possible to train my children also to a little skill and dexterity?" My com mendation of Ernest's skill added to the anxiety of the boys to be equipped in a like manner, and I accordingly persevered till I had furnished Ernest and Jack with a quiver to contain a supply of arrows, and a good flexible bow. Fritz was the only one who seemed to watch my progress with indifference. He was engaged in preparing the skin of the rnargay ; and, as soon as I had set the rest to work with their bows and arrows, I showed him how to clean it, by rubbing it with sand in the river, till no vestige FAMILY ROBINSON. 69 of fat or flesh was left, and then applying butter to render it flexible. These employments filled up the morning ; the dinner hour drew on before we were aware. The boys had already used their novel weapons with such dexterity that we found a dish of wild pigeons cooked for us. I gave them leave to kill as many ortolans as they chose, for I knew that, half roasted, and put into casks, covered with butter, they would keep for a length of time, and prove an invaluable resource in time of need. As I continued my work, making arrows and a bow for Francis, I intimated to my wife that the figs which had attracted the wild pigeons to the trees would probably prove no less accept able to our own poultry, and thus enable her to husband our supply of grain. This was a great satisfaction to her. And thus another day passed, and we mounted to our dormitory to taste the sweet slumber that follows a day of toil CHAPTER TOPOGRAPHY. ERNEST and Jack resumed their bows and arrows on the following morning, and practised the novel weapons with undiminished ardour, while little Francis was impatient to be similarly equipped for the chase. Having finished a bow for him, his next demand was for a quiver to hold his arrows. The delicate bark of a tree, united with glue, obtained from our portable soup, formed an admirable quiver ; this I suspended by a string round the neck of my boy, and sent him off delighted, to try his skill along with his brothers. As we were sitting together, after dinner, I proposed 70 THE SWISS that we should give names to all the parts of our island known to us, in order that, by a pleasing delusion, we might fancy ourselves in an inhabited country. It would not only take away from us, in some degree, the feeling of being occupants of a strange land, but it would also be convenient for us in referring to places. The idea met with the liveliest approbation from all, and all were eager to suggest the titles for our new possessions. " It will be well," said I, " to designate each by the special events associated with it since our arrival, so as to fix the names more readily in our memory." To this all agreed, and, having thus arranged our preliminaries, I called on Fritz to begin by suggesting a name for the bay where we landed. ** The Bay of Oysters /" said he, "as we found them there in such abundance." " Oh, no !" said Jack, " let it be Lobster Say, since it was there that one of them caught me by the leg." " My advice," said my wife, " is that, in gratitude to God, we should name it Safety Bay' 1 We were all pleased with this name, which was forthwith adopted. " What shall be the name of the spot where our first dwelling was reared?" was my next question. Fritz suggested the name of Tent House, " Very good," said I ; " and the island at the mouth of Safety Bay f" Shark Island was acknowledged by all as the fittest name. Fla mingo Marsh, in like manner, commemorated the spot where we had cut our arrows. The promontory from whence Fritz and I had looked in vain for any traces of our shipmates was designated Cape Disappointment. Por cupine Plain marked the level ground between the river and our dwelling, where Jack had interfered to such good purpose. The stream itself was called Jackal ftiver, and the bridge Family Bridge. The most difficult point was, to FAMILT ROBINSON. 71 name our present abode. At last we agreed on the name of Falcon's Nest, This was received with acclamations, and I poured out for my young nestlings each a glass of sweet wine, to drink prosperity to Falcon's Nest. We thus completed for the present the geographical nomenclature of our little kingdom. When the heat of the day ws over, I proposed that we should for once have a ramble together. My sons had returned to their occupation as tanners Fritz to complete his belt, and Jack to make a sort of cuirass, of the formidable skin of the porcupine, as an armour for Turk. My proposition was immediately welcomed with delight. All threw down their work, and made ready to join me. But as in our present state it was desirable to combine utility with pastime, it was decided to go to Tent House to renew our supplies of ammunition and provisions, and, If possible, to bring away the geese and ducks with us to the vicinity of our new dwelling, where there was a stream abundantly large, and otherwise well suited to their habits. We chose the road leading to the rocks higher up the river, in preference to that by the coast, as it gave us the advantage of a pleasantly-shaded road, while we would find the bridge an advantage in returning with our sup plies. We set out; Fritz decorated with his beautiful belt of skin ; Jack also appeared with a pair of pistols stuck in his belt ; nor did little Francis forget bis bow and arrows, while the others carried each a gun and game-bag. My wife carried a large jar, which she intended to fill with a supply of butter. Turk walked before us, with his coat of mail, and Bill followed, keeping at a respectful distance from him for fear of the darts. Knips, as my boya called the monkey, leaped on his back as usual ; but the reception he met with there made him speedily jump off, chattering and grinning with pain. He soon discovered, 72 THE SWISS however, that Bill was free from any such source of dis comfort, and, mounting on his back, converted him intc his palfrey for the journey. The banks of the river afforded us a charming walk. For a time we pursued our route under the shade of the trees ; the boys ran about to the right and left, frequently getting entirely out of sight, until we reached the end of the wood. Here I thought it prudent to summon them together ; but before I had time to call them, the whole appeared running towards me at their utmost speed. Ernest was the foremost, and so soon as he recovered his breath, he presented me with three little apples of a green colour, exclaiming at the same time exultingly, " Pota toes ! Papa, we have found potatoes 1" The other boys followed, equally eager to announce their discovery. I was slow to believe in the certainty of so providential a dis covery ; but my wife said at once, " Come, let us not waste time discussing the probability of it, when we can ascertain at once if it be true." We hastened to the spot, and saw, with a degree of joy which it is difficult fully to express, a large area covered with plants which we could no longer doubt were those of the potato. " Well," said Jack, " if Ernest's superior knowledge discovered them, I will be the first to supply you with potatoes;" and he accordingly set to work with such zeal that we had soon a bag of fine ripe potatoes, which we carried on to Tent House. We had been much delighted with the new and lovely scenery 01 our road : the prickly cactus, and aloe, with its white flowers ; the Indian fig ; tne white and yellow jasmine ; the fragrant vanilla, throwing round its graceful festoons. Above all, the regal pine-apple grew in pro fusion, and we feasted on it, for tne nrst time, with avidity. Among the rich cactus plants and the prickly FAMILY ROBINSON. 73 aloes, I perceived a plant with large pointed leaves, -which I knew to be the karata. It is a plant with beautiful red flowers ; the leaves are an excellent application to wounds ; thread is made from its filaments, and the pith supplies an excellent tinder. The latter seemed to the boys by far the most valuable discovery, and indeed of much more importance than that of the potatoes. " The plant will at least prove a very useful one," said I, " since it will furnish your mother with the means of supplying her bag anew with one needful portion of its contents when the present store is exhausted." My wife was greatly delighted with the discovery. She had already felt some anxiety about the exhaustion of her useful little store, which, notwithstanding all her care, she could not hope would last long ; and she told the boys that she valued this unfailing source for the supply of so useful an article more than the most valued luxuries they could find for the table. " How happy it is for us," said she, "that you have devoted yourself to reading and study. In our ignorance we might have passed this treasure, without suspecting its value. But,' continued she, "I fear it will prove a very difficult operation to extract thread from this prickly leaf." " Not at all," said I, " we have nothing to do bnt to dry the leaf, either in the sun, or more rapidly before the fire. We shall then be able easily to separate the fibres from their covering." Fritz remarked that this plant might indeed be oi value. " But of what possible use," said he, " can these prickly shrubs and plants be that grow in such profusion around us?" "Of much," said I. "Many of these furnish the chief medicines employed in Europe ; others are useful in the arts or in manufactures. The Indian fig, for instance, is a most interesting tree. It grows in the most arid soil The fruit is said to be tweet and wholesome." 74 THE SWISS In a moment my little active Jack was climbing the rocks to gather some of these figs ; but he had not re marked that they were covered with thousands of slender thorns, finer than the finest needles, which terribly wounded his fingers. He returned, weeping bitterly and dancing with pain. Having rallied him a little for his greediness, I extracted the thorns, and then showed him how to open the fruit, by first cutting off the pointed end as it lay on the ground ; into this I fixed a piece of stick, and then pared it with my knife. The novelty of the ex pedient recommended it, and they were soon all engaged eating the fruit, which they declared was very good. In the meantime, I saw Ernest examining one of the figs very attentively. "Oh, papa," said he, "what a singular sight ! The fig is covered with a small red insect. I cannot shake them off. Can they be the cochineal?" I recognised at once the precious insect, of which I ex plained to my sons the nature and use. " It is with this insect," said I, " that the beautiful and rich scarlet dye is made. It is found in America, and the Europeans give its weight in gold for it." Thus discoursing on the wonders of nature and the necessity of increasing our knowledge by observation and study, we arrived at Tent Honse, and found it in the same state u we left it. We set to work immediately to collect necessaries. I opened the buttei-cask, and my wife and little Francis filled the pot ; Fritz collected the needful supply of powder and shot; while Ernest and Jack set off to capture the geese and ducks ; but they had become so wild that it would have been impossible if Ernest had not thought of an expedient. Tying a bit of cheese to a long string, he threw it into the water, where it floated, and it was greedily gobbled up by the voracious birds. As he retained a hold of the other end of the lice, FAMILY KOBINSON. .75 he was thus enabled to draw them all successively to land ; and, after securing their legs and wings, he cut off the string close to the beak, leaving them to digest the remainder with the cheese. We presented a somewhat grotesque cavalcade on our return. The potato-bags were laid across the backs of the two dogs, and the geese and ducks distributed among the party. They proved a very noisy as well as burdensome load ; but we reached our dwellings under tbe great trees at last, wearied indeed, but still in good humour and well pleased with the fruits of our day's ramble. My wife soon had her pot of potatoes on the fire. She then milked the cow and goat, while I set the fowls at liberty on the banks of the river. Our potatoes, along with a cup of milk, supplied us with a new and very acceptable supper ; and we then sought repose among the leaves. CHAPTER XIV. THE SLEDGE. I HAD remarked, as we came along the shore the previous evening, among various other things cast up by the waves, different pieces of wood which appeared to me well suited for making a sledge to convey our casks and heavy stores from Tent House to Falcon's Nest. At dawn of day I woke Ernest, whose inclination to indolence I wished to overcome, and leaving the rest asleep, we descended, and, harnessing the ass to a strong branch of a tree that was lying near, we proceeded to the shore. I had no difficulty in selecting proper pieces of wood ; we sawed them the right length, tied them together, and laid them across the bough, which the patient animal drew very contentedly. We added to the load a small chest we discovered half-buried in the sand, and we returned homewards Ernest leading the ass, 76 THE SWISS and I assisted by raising the load with a long pole, which I used as a lever when we met with any obstruction. My wife, who had felt some anxiety at our absence, was well pleased to see us return, and all were curious to ascertain what the box contained. I opened it, and found only some clothes of linen, wet with sea-water, but still of value to us, as our supplies in this respect were extremely limited. In my absence, the boys had busied themselves shooting the wild pigeons ; they had killed about fifty, but had consumed so much powder and shot, that I checked a prodigality so imprudent in our situation. I taught them to make snares for the birds of the threads we drew from the karata leaves we had brought home. This novel task had great attractions for the boys ; and I set Jack to work, with little Francis for his assistant, while I, with my two elder boys, began to construct the sledge. As we were working, we heard a great noise among the fowls, and Ernest, looking about, discovered the monkey seizing and hiding the eggs from the nests ; he had collected a good store in a hole among the roots, which Ernest carried to his mother ; and Knips was punished by being tied up every morning till the eggs were collected. On returning to dinner, we learned from Jack that he had been up in the tree during the forenoon, fastening his snares, and had discovered that the pigeons were making nests. This furnished me with an additional reason for forbidding all firing in future in the trees ; and I further warned the boys to watch lest any of our pigeons should get entangled in the snares. By persevering application to our task, we contrived to finish a very practicable sledge. Two long curved planks of wood, crossed by three pieces, at a distance from each other, formed the simple conveyance. The fore and hind parts were in the form of horns, to keev the load from FAMILY ROBINSON. 7/ off. Two ropes were fastened to the front, and my sledge was complete. The sight of it afforded my wife great delight, and she was impatient that I should set out for Tent House without delay. She had formed the project of preserving the wild pigeons shot by the boys, as a provision for the period of the year which we neces sarily looked forward to when such supplies would fail us, and required the cask of butter, as well as other stores, for the purpose. To this I had no objection ; and accord ingly, leaving Fritz in charge of the family, I once more selected Ernest as my companion, and, yoking the ass and cow to the sledge, we set off to our store-house. When we were departing, Fritz presented each of us with a little case he had made from the skin of the margay. They were ingeniously contrived to contain knife, fork, and spoon, and a small hatchet. Thus equipped, and with Bill as our guard, we set off along the shore, and soon crossed by Family Bridge to the store-house. After unharnessing the animals, we began to load. We took the cask of butter, the cheese, and the biscuit, all the rest of our utensils, powder, shot, and Turk's armour, which we had left there. We were so completely engrossed by our work- that we did not perceive, till it was finished, that the animals had strayed across the bridge, attracted by the abundance of fine grass on the other side of the river, and were now out of sight. I despatched Ernest with Bill to bring them back ; and, as I had no doubt of his speedy success, I em ployed the interval in refreshing myself with a bath in the sea. At the extremity of Safety Bay, I discovered a marsh in which a quantity of fine bulrushes were growing, and occupied myself hi cutting them. When Ernest had brought back our wanderers, he removed the first plank from the bridge, and by this simple means effectually pre vented their again straying beyond our reach. I desired 78 THE SWISS him also to fill a small bag with the salt which he had formerly noticed in the crevices of the rocks. He had not been absent long, when I heard him cry out, " Papa I papa ! a huge fish ! I cannot hold it ; it will break my line." I ran to his assistance, and found him hauling at a line to which an enormous salmon was attached, that had nearly pulled him into the water. I let it have a little more line, then drew it into a shallow, and secured it. It appeared about fifteen pounds weight; and we pleased ourselves with the idea of presenting this to our provident housekeeper. Ernest had formerly observed that the fish frequented this part of the coast, and ac cordingly brought his line with him ; he had taken about a dozen small fishes, which he had in his handkerchief, before he was overpowered by the salmon. I cut the fishes open, and rubbed the inside with salt to preserve them ; then placing them in a small box on the sledge, and adding our bags of salt, we harnessed our animals, and set off homewards. When we were about half-way, Bill left us, and, by her barking, raised a singular animal, which seemed to leap rather than run. The irregular bounds of the animal disconcerted my aim, and, though very near, I missed it. Ernest was more fortunate ; he fired at it and killed it. It was about the size of a sheep, with the tail of a tiger ; its head and skin resembled those of a mouse ; its forelegs were like those of a squirrel, while its hind legs seemed disproportionably large, like a pair of great stilts. After Ernest's pride of victory was a little subdued, he fell back on his science, and began to examine his spoil. I was at a loss at first to conceive what it could possibly be ; but Ernest began recalling his reminiscences in natural history, and it presently occurred to me that the strange animal we had secured could be none other than the kangaroo. FAMILY ROBINSON. 79 Ernest was anxious to preserve the skin unhurt, so I tied the four feet together, and, passing a stick through them, we carried it in this manner to the sledge. It formed a weighty addition to the load ; but, by proceeding slowly, and rendering assistance when any usual impediment occurred, we got along without much difficulty, and reached Falcon's Nest at a somewhat late hour. We had heard the voices of the boys sometime before we got sight of them ; but they were soon around us, inquiring after our success. The fish was received by my dear wife with much satisfaction. The butter, cheese, and biscuits were no less acceptable ; but the grand object of curiosity was the kangaroo. Fritz displayed a little jealousy, but soon surmounted it by an exertion of his nobler feelings, and only the keen eye of a father could have discovered it. He congratulated Ernest warmly, but could not help begging to accompany me next time. " I promise you that," said I, " as a reward for the conquest you have achieved over your jealousy of your brother ; but, remember, I could not have given you a greater proof of my confidence than in leaving you to protect your mother and brothers. A noble mind finds its purest joy in the accomplishment of its duty, and to that willingly sacrifices its inclination. But," said I, " to-morrow you shall be my companion, when I propose another voyage to the wreck." Our ordinary occupations terminated the labours of the day. I fed the tired animals, giving them some salt with their grass, a great treat to them. We then prepared and hung up the kangaroo, designing to salt and smoke such parts of it as we could not immediately consume. Our supper done, we concluded the day with our wonted services, and then withdrew to our hammocks, and were speedily asleep. bO THE 8WI38 CHAPTER XV. FRESH SUPPLIES FROM THE WRECK. I ROSE early, and descended the ladder, a little uneasy about our kangaroo, and found I was but just in time to save it from the dogs. They had so enjoyed their repast on the entrails which I had given them the night before, that they had apparently agreed together to break fast on the remainder. They had succeeded in tearing off the head, which was in their reach, and were devouring it in a sort of growling partnership. As we could not afford to have our watchmen turn robbers on our hands, I seized a stout cane and gave both the dogs so sound a beating that the noise they made awoke my wife, and brought her down to ascertain the cause. Without loss of time I commenced to strip the kangaroo of his elegant skin, and washing myself, and changing my dress after this unpleasant operation, I joined my family at breakfast. I then announced my plan of visiting the vessel, and ordered Fritz to make preparations. My wife resigned herself mournfully to the necessity. When we were ready to depart, Ernest and Jack were not to be found ; their mother suspected they had gone to get pota toes, an idea which somewhat relieved my mind. I charged her, however, to reprimand them on their return.
of the delicate flesh prepared for dinner, though my wife felt great repugnance in touching the green fat, notwith standing my assurance of its being the chief delicacy of an epicure. We salted the remainder, and gave the offal to the dogs. The boys were all clamorous to possess the shell ; but I said it belonged to Fritz, by right of con quest, and he must dispose of it as he thought best. " Then," said he, " I will make a basin of it, and place it near the river, that my mother may always keep it full ol fresh water." " Very good," said I ; " and we will fill our basin, as soon as we find some clay to make a solid foundation." " I found some this morning," said Jack ; " a whole bed of clay, and I brought these balls home to show you." I commended Jack for having thus used his eyes for the general behoof. "And I, too, have made a discovery," said Ernest. " Look at those white roots, something like the horse-radish. The plant they belong to is a large bush, and they must be a safe food, for I observed the sow eating them with great relish." On examining the root, I had little doubt that we owed to Ernest a valuable FAMILY ROBINSON. 85 addition to our food, since it appeared to be that from which the West Indians make their cassava cake, which would furnish us with a very palatable and nutritious substitute for bread, since it is from this that the well- known powder tapioca is made. We had completed the unloading of our sledge, and I now set off, along with the three elder boys, to bring home a second portion of our freight before night came on. We brought up two chests of our own clothes and property, some chests of tools, the cart wheels, and the hand-mill, likely now to be of use for the cassava After unloading, we sat down to an excellent supper of turtle, with potatoes instead of bread. " You must be greatly fatigued after the day's labour," said my wife, addressing me with a pleasant smile, " but I think I can produce a restorative that will be acceptable to you." She then brought a bottle and glasses, and filled us each a glass of clear, amber-coloured wine. I found it excellent Malaga. She had been down to the shore the previous day, and there found a small cask thrown up by the waves. This, with the assistance of her sons, she had rolled up to the foot of our tree, and there covered it with leaves to keep it cool till our arrival. We were so invigorated by this cordial, that we set briskly to work to hoist up our mattresses to our dormi tory, which we accomplished by the aid of ropes and pulleys. My wife received and arranged them, and, after our usual devotions, we gladly lay down on them to a night of sweet repose* 86 THE SWISS CHAPTER XVL CASSAVA-BREAD. I HOSE before daylight, and, leaving my family sleep ing, descended, to go to the shore to look after my vessels. I found our whole live stock already in motion, except the poor ass, on whom no inconsiderable portion of the pre vious day's labour had fallen. As he was the assistant I wanted, I was compelled to rouse him, a preference which did not appear to flatter him. Nevertheless, I harnessed him to the sledge, and, followed by the dogs, went forward to the coast, where I found my boat and raft safe at anchor. I took up a moderate load and came home to breakfast; but though the sun was now high in the heavens, our new mattresses had proved so agreeable that not one of the family was awake. They arose at my call, somewhat ashamed of their sloth, and, after a hasty break fast, we all proceeded to the shore, in order to complete the unlading of the boat and raft, as I was desirous of taking advantage of the next tide to remove them to Safety Bay. I sent my wife up with the last load, while Fritz and I embarked, and, seeing Jack watching us, consented that he should form one of the crew, for I had determined to make another visit to the wreck before laying up our transports in Safety Bay, being tempted thereto by the fresh sea breeze which promised an easy return with a new freight. Before, however, we reached the ship, the day was so far advanced that we had only time to collect hastily anything easy to embark. The boys ran about the vessel, bringing out objects of various kinds which struck their fancies, and Jack soon mounted the deck with a wheelbarrow he had got hold of, which would do famously, he said, for the visits to our potato field. Fritz announced a still more important discovery. He FAMTLT ROBINSON. 87 had found, between decks, the pieces of a small pinnace, all marked for putting together, and with complete fittings, including even two small guns. Gratified as I was by this discovery, I saw that it was impossible to remove it at present. I urged on the boys the necessity of not losing a moment, and we accordingly got hastily on board our transports a copper boiler, some plates of iron, tobacco graters, two grindstones, a barrel of powder, and one of flints. Jack did not forget his wheelbarrow ; and we found two more, which we added to our cargo, as well as some rope and sails that were lying at hand, and then sailed off speedily, to avoid the land wind, which rises in the evening. When we approached the shore, we were astonished to see a row of little creatures, apparently regarding us with much curiosity. They were dressed in black, with white waistcoats and enormous cravats; their arms hung down carelessly ; but from time to time they raised them as if they wished to bestow on us a fraternal embrace. "I believe," said I, laughing, "this must be the country of pigmies, and they are coming to welcome us." As we discussed the probable nature of this strange array we were drawing every moment nearer the beach, and I speedily perceived that the little mannikins were none other than a group of penguins, of which Ernest had killed one soon after our first landing. They are good swimmers, but, unable to fly, are very helpless on land. I steered gently to the shore, so as not to disturb them ; but, before I could prevent it, Jack had leaped out, and, wading ashore, began to lay about him with a stick right and left, so that he had knocked down some half dozen of the awkward birds before they could escape into the water. I scolded Jack for his useless rashness, for the flesh of the penguin is by no means a delicacy. CS THE SWISS The sun was already low on the horizon; go, after jecuring our raft and boat, we got out the three wheel barrows, into which we put the most portable objects we had brought, not forgetting the sheets of iron and the graters, and trudged home. Our dogs announced our approach, and all rushed out to meet us. A curious and merry examination commenced. They laughed at my grater* ; but I let them laugh, for I had a project in my head. Jack, who had brought some of the penguins in his wheelbarrow, got the same reward for his pains. I conceived, however, that they might prove a useful addition to our poultry-yard, and ordered him to secure each of them by the leg to that of one of the geese, who opposed the bondage very clamorously ; but necessity made them submissive. My wife had not been idle in our absence, as appeared from a large supply of potatoes and cassava root, whici had been laid in with the help of Ernest and Francis. As we sat at supper, I recounted our proceedings at the wreck, and failed not to describe the discovery of the pinnace. My wife was by no means inclined to share in my satisfaction at the latter discovery, as she dreaded maritime expeditions ; but she acknowledged that the possession of such a vessel as we described would help to lessen her uneasiness on our behalf. As we withdrew for the night, I charged the boys to make their appearance in good time in the morning, as we had an important business on hand ; and curiosity roused them all at an early hour. After our usual preparations for the day, I addressed them thus : " Gentlemen, I am going to teach you all a new business that of the miller and baker. Give me the plates of iron and the graters we brought yesterday." My wife was astonished ; but I .requested her to wait patiently, and she should have FAMILT ROBINSON. 89 bread, not perhaps light buns, but eatable cakes. But first she was to make me two small bags of sail-cloth. She obeyed me ; but at the same time I noticed she set a good potful of potatoes OK the fire, which was regarded as an omen that she had no great faith in my skill as a baker. I now spread a piece of coarse linen on the ground, and set each of the boys to work with a grater to rub down the manioc roots, which had been carefully washed, so that in a short time we had a heap of powdered or grated root. In its moist state it did not look rery promising, and, accor dingly, furnished the subject of some good-humoured jests among the little workmen, who, while enjoying the novel work of grating it, seemed to anticipate no great treat from a breakfast roll of scraped radishes. "Laugh now, boys," said I; "we shall see, after a while. But you, Ernest, ought to know that the manioc is one of the most highly esteemed of alimentary roots, forming the principal sustenance of many nations of South America, and often preferred by Europeans, who inhabit those countries, to wheaten bread." When a sufficient quantity of the root had been grated, I filled the two bags closely with the pollard, and my wife sewed the ends up firmly. It was now necessary to apply strong pressure to extract the juice from the root, as this juice is a deadly poison. For this purpose I laid them both on our table, and, placing planks above them, I then took a long oaken beam, and securing one end of it to a root of the tree, we employed our united efforts in drawing down the opposite end till it could be brought no further. To this we now suspended the heaviest substances we possessed hammers, bars of iron, and masses of lead. This acting upon the manioc, the sap burst through the cloth, and flowed on the ground copiously. When I thought the prsure was complete, w relieved the bags f THE SWISS from the lever, and, opening one, drew out a handful of the pollard, still rather moist, resembling coarse maize- flour. "It wants very little," I said, "to complete our success." I then took one of the iron plates I had brought from the ship, which was circular, and slightly concave in the centre, and, propping it up on stones over the fire, I kneaded a sufficient quantity of it together, adding a little salt to it, and spread it out on the iron plate. It soon began to give off its remaining moisture, and, by the time it was beginning to brown on the under side, I turned it so as to have it equally fired. The smell of my first cake was now so savoury that the boys were eager to partake of it; but I was too well aware of the danger incurred by rashly partaking of untried food, especiaUy from the known poisonous nature of the sap. I decided, therefore, that we should give the first taste of our new bread to the monkey and to one or two of the chickens. As soon, therefore, as it was suffi ciently cold, I gave some of the cake to two hens, which I placed apart, and also presented a piece of it to Master Knips, who ate it with so much relish and such grimaces of enjoyment that my young party were quite anxious to share his feast. I felt, however, that we could not exer cise too great caution, and we accordingly proceeded to our dinner of potatoes, to which my wife had added one of the penguins, which was truly rather tough and fishy ; but as Jack would not allow this, and declared it was a dish fit for a king, we allowed him to regale on it as much as he liked. During our repast, I warned the boys against imprudently partaking of strange fruits or vegetables they might see, however tempting, and described to them some of the poisonous berries and other fruits of tropical cli mates which are most attractive to the eye. I described, for instance, the nianchineel, with its fruit resembling a FAOTLY ROBINSON. 91 tempting yellow apple, with red spots, which is one of the most deadly poisons ; it is said that even to sleep under the tree is dangerous. On leaving the table, we went to visit the victims of our experiment. Jack whistled for Knips, who came in three bounds from the summit of a high tree, where he had doubtless been plundering some nest ; and his vivacity, and the peaceful cackling of some fowls, assured us our preparation was harmless. "Now, gentlemen," said I, laughing, " to work ! Let us not lose a moment, and we shall soon taste the fruits of our morning's labours." They kindled the fire anew, and heated the iron plate. In. the meantime, I broke up the grated cassava, strewed a portion of it upon the plate, and, after leaving it for a little till it was quite dry, I mixed it up with milk, and distributed about a cocoa-nut cupful to each. I next took some of what I had reserved for myself, and, pouring it out like a pancake, I watched it till it began to brown, and then turned it with a fork. The boys followed my example, and were soon impatiently nibbling at their half-fired cakes. After a little time, we had a quantity of nice yellow biscuits, which, with a jug of milk, made us a delicious collation. The pigeons and fowls, as well as the ape, came in for a share of this our first baking. We determined, without delay, to set about cultivating the manioc. The rest of the day was employed in bringing up the remainder of our cargo, by means of the sledge and oui new wheelbarrows. 92 THE SWISS CHAPTER XVH. THE PINNACE. THE next morning I decided on returning to the wreck The idea of the pinnace continually haunted my mind, and left me no repose. It was necessary that I should have all the aid I could command, and with difficulty I got my wife's consent to take my three elder sons, on promising her we would return the same day. The boys were de lighted with the project, and Ernest especially, who had not yet visited the wreck. To secure against all ordinary risk, each of us was provided with a cofk jacket, and, having laid in provisions for the day, we set sail in our tub-boat, with the raft in tow, and soon arrived at the vessel. The boys set to work with great zeal to load both the boat and raft with every portable thing they could lay hands on ; but the great matter occupying my mind was the pinnace, which I now began to fear, from the bulk of its materials, and the inaccessible part of the vessel where it was stowed away, must entirely baffle us. The boys, however, had no such fear. Having completed their load ing, they now joined me, and forthwith set to work with hatchets and crowbars to break up the deck so as to get it out. But the ship was stoutly built, large timbers im peded our efforts, and though we contrived to clear away a considerable space, evening set in without our having nearly effected our purpose, and we were forced reluc tantly to put to sea with our cargo, resolving to return to our work on the morrow. On reaching Safety Bay, we were gratified to find my wife and Francis there, who had established themselves at Tent House, intending to con tinue there till our visits to the vessel were concluded, that they might always keep us in sight, and spare us the un- FAMILY ROBINSON. 98 necessary labour of a walk after our day's work 1 failed not to thank my wife for this new token of her kind thoughtfulness and attention j and, in order to gratify her in return, I produced from our cargo two casks of salt butter, three of flour, several bags of millet, rice, and other grains, and a variety of useful household articles, well calculated to reconcile her to the idea of our re visiting the wreck, and which she removed with manifest satisfaction to our store-house. For a week we spent every day in the vessel, returning in the evening to enjoy a good supper, bringing back whatever seemed calculated to be of the slightest use to us ; and my wife, happily engrossed with her poultry and other household cares, became accustomed to our absence. With incredible labour we at length got the pinnace put together, and in a condition to be launched. Its construc tion waa light and elegant ; it looked as if it would sail well ; at the stern was a neat half-deck ; the masts and sails were like those of a brigantine. We caulked all the seams with tow dipped in melted pitch : completed all its equipment, even to two small brass guns, which we secured in their places. And there stood the beautiful little bark, immovable on the stocks! We admired it incessantly ; but what could we do to get it afloat ? The difficulty of forcing a way through the mighty timbers lined with copper that formed the side of the ship seemed insurmountable ; and we saw that, should a storm arise, the ship and pinnace must disappear together. Desperation at length suggested an expedient to me, which, while it endangered the risk of all, seemed to offer a, chance of success. I kept my project concealed, how ever, to avoid the vexation of a possible disappointment, but began to execute my plan. Having found a large cast-iron mortar, I filled it with gunpowder, and having 94 THE SWISS secured an oaken beam to the top, in which I had pre viously made a hole for inserting the match, I attached this huge petard, by means of ropes, to one of the largest bulk-heads, next the sea, taking care to place it where its recoil would not be likely to injure the pinnace. I then secured it to the adjoining timbers as strongly as possible by means of an iron chain ; and, having attached a long match, which should allow sufficient time for our escape, I ordered all the boys into the boat ; I then lighted the match with a beating heart, and hurried after them. Although the boys had lent a helping hand in fastening on the mortar, they had no idea of its contents, and were entirely ignorant of my project. As soon as we reached our harbour, I detached the raft, that I might return in the boat as soon as I heard the explosion. We began actively to unload the boat, and while thus employed a report like thunder was heard. All trembled, and threw down their load in terror. My wife was the first to recover presence of mind. "It seems," said she, " to proceed from the wreck. I shall not be sorry if it has gone to the bottom." I hastily coun selled the boys to get into the boat that we might go and see, while I stayed a moment behind to whisper a word of explanation to my wife. We rowed out of the bay so soon as I had jumped into the boat, and never made the voyage so quickly ; curiosity gave a strong stimulus to our exertions. I observed with satisfaction, as we approached, that the side nearest us remained unchanged, and was glad to see no appearance of flames, or ev?n of smoke. Instead of getting on board, however, as usual, I directed the boys to row to the oppo site side of the ship. The effect produced by the explosion was amazing. The greater part of the ship's side had disappeared, and the sea aroind was strewed with the FAMILY ROBINSON. 95 fragments. We saw our beautiful pinnace fully exposed to view, and quite uninjured, only leaning a little over the stocks. At the sight I cried out, in a transport that amazed my sons, " Victory ! victory ! the charming vessel is our own; it will be easy now to launch her." Fritz looked at me for a moment, and then, turning to his brothers, said, "Ah! now I comprehend it all. That machine we helped papa with was to blow out the side of the ship !" I hastily explained how I had effected this as we were getting on board. We had taken care to lay the keel of the pinnace on rollers, and now easily moved it to the opening ; then attaching a strong cable to her head, and fixing the other end to the most solid part of the ship, we easily launched her. It was too late to do any more now, except carefully securing our prize ; and we returned to my invaluable helpmate, to whom, wishing to give her an agreeable surprise, we merely said that the side of the ressel was blown out with powder, but we were still able to obtain more from it, at which she sighed, and in her heart, I have no doubt, wished the vessel and all it con tained at the bottom of tne sea. On returning on the morrow, we still found that we had a considerable amount of work before us, and twc whole days were spent in completing the rigging and equipment of our elegant little pinnace. When all was ready, my boys obtained permission, as a reward for their industry, to salute their mamma, as we entered the bay, iy firing our two guns. We found enough remaining in the wreck for an ample cargo, including many articles which had been too bulky for our voyage. Fritz was appointed captain, and Ernest and Jack stood to the guns ready to fire at the word of command, while I acted as pilot. The pinnace glided gracefully through the water 96 THE 8WI88 followed by the tub-boat in tow, laden with a variety of useful articles. An we neared the shore, the boys fired their salute, and their mother immediately rushed out of the tent, holding Francis by the hand, evidently alarmed ; but our joyful shouts soon re-assured them, and they were ready to welcome us with astonishment and delight. Fritz placed a plank from the pinnace to the shore, and, assisting his mother, she came on board. They gave her another salute, and christened the vessel The Elizabeth, after her. My wife praised our skill and perseverance. " But," said she, "you must not suppose that either Francis or I have been idle in your absence." We moored the little fleet safely to the shore, and followed her up the river to the cascade, where we saw a neat garden laid out in beds and walks. " This is our work," said she ; " the soil here, being chiefly composed of decayed leaves, is light and easy to dig. There I have my potatoes ; there manioc roots ; these are sown with peas, beans, and lentils ; in this row of beds are sown lettuces, radishes, cabbages, and other European vegetables. I have reserved one part for sugar- canes ; on the high ground I have transplanted pine apples and sown melons. Finally, round every bed I have sown a border of maize, that the high, bushy stems may protect the young plants from the sun." We were surprised and delighted at what she had accomplished in so short a time, and thus each of us enjoyed the innocent pleasure which the disclosure of our secrets gave rise to. My wife, now full of her garden projects, reminded me of the young fruit trees we had brought from the vessel ; she had been careful to keep them damp, but now longed to see them finally planted. I promised to look after them next day, and to establish my orchard near hei kitchen garden. FAMFLT ROBIKSON. 97 We unloaded our vessels, placed on the sledge all that might be useful for our immediate wants, and, having seen both the pinnace and our clumsy but very useful tub-boat safely secured, we set off for Falcon's Neet, where we arrived soon, to the great comfort of my wife, who dreaded the burning plain at Tent House. CHAPTER QTMNA.8TIO EXERCISES. AFTER onr return to Falcon's Nest, I requested my aoni to continue their exercises in gymnastics. I wished to develop all the vigour and energy that nature had given them, and which, in our situation, were especially neces sary. I, therefore, encouraged them to compete with one another in running, leaping, and wrestling, in archery and throwing the stone, and in climbing trees, or ropes sus pended from their highest branches, and corresponding in some degree to the rigging of the ship. I next taught them to use the lasso, an instrument by means of which the South Americans are able even to capture buffaloes and wild horses. I fixed two balls of lead to the end of a cord about a fathom in length, and, flinging off the one at t,he trunk of a tree, it coiled round it so firmly that, had it been a moveable object, I could readily have drawn it to me. The Patagonians use this weapon with wonderful dexterity. Having no leaden balls, they attach a heavy stone to each end of a cord about thirty yards long. If they wish to capture an animal, they hurl one of the stones at it with singular address. By the peculiar art with which the ball is thrown, the rope makes a turn or two round the neck of the animal, which remains entangled, without the power of escaping. The experiment delighted 98 THE SWISS the boys, and I had soon the pleasure of seeing them all practising the use of this novel weapon with increasing skill and dexterity. Fritz speedily acquired great freedom in its use, and I regarded it with satisfaction as one of the resources we had to fall back upon when our ammunition failed. The next morning the wind was blowing strong, and the sea considerably agitated. I therefore directed my atten tion for the day to home employments, and volunteered my services to my wife for any plans she had in view. After examining the state of our winter stores, and the plentiful supply of cassava-bread which she had made from our first flour, I proceeded to plant our young fruit trees in a piece of ground which I laid out for the purpose. The day passed in these employments ; and, as we had lived only on potatoes, cassava-bread, and milk for this day, we determined to go off next morning in pursuit of game to recruit our larder. At dawn of day we all started, including little Francis and his mother, who wished to take this opportunity of seeing a little more of the country. My sons and I took our arms ; I harnessed the ass to the sledge which contained our provision for the day, and which was destined to bring back the products of the chase ; Turk accompanied us, accoutred in his porcu pine mail, and the monkey joined the cavalcade, mounted on the more patient Bill. We crossed Flamingo Marsh, and reached the luxurious plain beyond it, which filled my wife and the younger children, who had not seen it before, with admiration. Fritz left us, accompanied by Turk. We soon heard the report of his gun, and an enormous bird fell a few paces from us ; but the bird was only slightly maimed, and de fended itself with vigour against both Turk and Bill, the latter of whom had thrown her rider and hastened to par- FAMILY ROBINSON. 99 take of the sport. I threw a handkerchief over its head, and, confused by the darkness, I had no difficulty in bind ing it, and in conveying it in triumph to the sledge. "W> were all in raptures at the sight of this beautiful creature, which Ernest pronounced to be a female of the bustard tribe. My wife hoped that the bird might be domesticated among her poultry, and, attracting some more of its species, might enlarge our stock of useful birds. We soon arrived at the Wood of Monkeys, where Fritz had his adventure with the poor little ape. Fritz amused his mother and brothers by relating the stratagem by which we obtained our first supply of nuts. Ernest looked up wistfully at the nuts; but there were no monkeys to throw them down. w lf one would only fall from the tree !" he exclaimed and he had scarcely uttered the word when a beautiful large cocoa-nut fell almost at his feet. He involuntarily sprang aside, when another followed it, to the astonishment of all. " It seems as if we had the fairy's wishing-cap," said one of the chil dren, and I was puzzled myself to account for it, as the nuts were still far from the state when they were likely to fall of themselves ; yet I could neither see bird nor monkey that could have occasioned it. All at once Jack shouted out, " Look, papa 1 here comes the magician. Here is the fairy a most ugly fellow." A large land-crab descended leisurely down the trunk of the tree. Jack boldly struck a blow at him, but missed, and the animal, opening its enormous claws, made up to its opponent, who fled in terror. The shout of merriment which his brothers set up recalled the fainting courage of the boy ; and proceeding now more deliberately, he threw off his coat, and, suddenly dropping it on the crab, he thus effectually checked its movements, and, going to his assistance, I killed it with a blow of my hatchet. They all crowded round the frightful 100 TBT SWISS animal, anxious to know what it was. I told tnem tnat it was a land-crab, which breaks off the cocoa-nuts, as we had now seen, in order to feast on them. Being unable to break the shell of the nut, of which they are very fond, they climb the tree, and break them off in the unripe state. They perforate them through the holes at the narrow end of the nut, and abstract the contents. They sometimes find them broken by the fall, when they can eat them at pleasure. The hideousness of the animal, and the mingled terror and bravery of Jack, gave us subject of conversation for some time. We placed our booty on the sledge, and con tinued to go on through the wood. Our path every instant became more intricate, from the amazing quantity of creeping plants which choked the way, and obliged us to use the axe continually. The heat was oppressive, and we got on slowly; when Ernest, always observing, and who was a little behind us, cried out, " Halt ! a new and important discovery ! n We returned, and he showed us that from the stalk of one of the creepers we had cut with our axe there was issuing clear, pure water. It was the liane rouge, which in America furnishes the hunter such a precious resource against thirst. Ernest was much pleased ; he filled a cocoa-nut cup with the water, which flowed from the cut stalks like a fountain, and carried it to his mother, assuring her that she might drink fearlessly ; and we all had the comfort of allaying our thirst, and blessing the Gracious Hand who had placed this refreshing plant in the midst of the dry wilderness for man's benefit. We now marched on with more vigour, and soon arrived at the Gourd Wood, where my wife and younger tons beheld with wonder the. growth of this remarkable fruit. Fritz repeated all the history of our former attempts, and cut some gourds to make his mother some egg-baskets, KAMILT ROBINBON. 101 and a laige spoon to cream the milk. While we all worked at making baskets, bowls, and flasks, Ernest, who had no taste for such labour, explored the wood. Sud denly we saw him running to us in great terror, crying, ** A wild boar, papa ! a great wild boar !" We called on the dogs, and hastened after them to the spot, with our guns ready in our hands. We soon heard barking and loud grunting, which proved the combat had begun, and, hoping for a good prize, we hastened forward ; but our alarm was speedily changed to mirth, on finding that the terrible wild boar was only our own great sow, which had escaped into the woods, and was now vehemently com plaining of the assault of Turk and Bill, who had seized her by her long ears. I called them off, and the sow speedily resumed her feast on a species of apple, which appeared to have fallen from the trees under which we then were. I lifted one of them, which resembled a medlar, and on cutting it open I found it contained a rich pulpy juice, with a very pleasant flavour, but did not venture to taste it till we had put it to the usual test. We collected a quantity, and returned to our party. Master Knips no sooner saw them than he seized on some and crunched them up with great enjoyment ; and the bustard, in like manner, freely partook of them. This satisfied me that the fruit was wholesome. My wife was especially delighted when I told her this must be the guava, from which the delicious jelly is obtained, so much prized in America. " But, with all this," said Fritz, " we have a poor show of game. Do let us leave mamma with the young ones, and set off to see what we can meet with." I yielded to his importunities, and, setting off with our guns, and accompanied by Jack, we left Ernest with his mother and Francis. We made our way through a thicket in front 102 THB SWISS of us towards a high, rock which we saw on the right. Jack boldly pushed on ahead, making us follow him occasionally by the sound of the breaking branches, which gave way before him, when he suddenly startled us with the announcement that he had seen a crocodile. I was inclined to smile at the boy's simplicity, knowing the unsuitableness of the locality for the monstrous reptile , but, as we cautiously approached, I recognised in the object of his apprehension a large iguana a species of lizard, the eggs and flesh of which are both esteemed as great delicacies. Fritz would have fired immediately, but I checked him, warning him that its scales were probably proof against his shot. I resolved to try the effect of a very different charm : remembering that the whole family of lizards are more or less affected by music, and that the natives are accustomed to subdue the iguana by its means, I approached him slowly, whistling a low and plaintive air, while I held in the one hand a stout stick, to which I had attached a cord with a noose, and in the other a slight wand. The animal awoke, and looked about, apparently listening with pleasure, moving his tail slowly and turning his head from side to side. I drew nearer, tickling him gently with the wand, and continuing the music without intermission. He lifted up his head and opened his formidable jaws. Watching my opportunity, I threw the noose round his neck, drew it, and, jumping on his back, I thrust the wand into his nostril, almost the only vulnerable part of this singular reptile. The blood flowed copiously, and it was soon dead, apparently without pain. Our prize, about five feet long, was a most unwieldy burden. After considering various expedients, I could find no better means of transport than by getting it on my back. Fritz and Jack presented themselves as pages, contending which should support my train, as they FAMILY ROBINSON. 103 called the tail, which, independently of the good humour inspired amongst us, considerably eased me of the weight, and in this way we reached the sledge. My wife had begun to feel anxious at our protracted absence, and was delighted to see us return, though my burden, which appeared in no degree attractive to her filled little Francis with terror. I soon, however, suc ceeded in satisfying them of the value of our prize ; and as my wife now warned us that it was growing late, we partook of the provisions we had brought with us, and prepared to return home. As the sledge was heavily laden, we decided to leave it till the next day, placing on the ass the iguana, the crab, our gourd-vessels, and a bag 01 the guavas, little Francis being also mounted. The bustard was loosened, and, securing it by a string tied to one of its legs, led it with us. We arrived at home in good time. My wife prepared part of the iguana for supper, which was pronounced excellent. The crab was also cooked ; but its tough and tasteless flesh met with little favour. The work of the day made us all welcome the return of bed-time, and, having mounted to our dormitory, we were all goon asleep. CHAPTER XIX. EXI-LOBING EXCURSION. Mr first thought, the next morning, was to fetch the sledge from the wood. I had a double motive for leaving it there, which I had refrained from explaining to my wife, to avoid giving her uneasiness. I had formed H wish to penetrate a little further into the country, and satisfy myself that it wu an island, and not a part of the 104 THE SWISS continent I set off with Fritz, taking Turk with us, and the ass. On arriving at the evergreen oaks we had passed on the previous day, we found our truant sow busy regaling herself on the acorns. We were in so far gratified by finding that our encounter with her the day before had not made her more inclined to avoid us. A little further on we saw some beautiful birds ; Fritz shot some, among which I recognised the large blue Virginian jay, and some different kinds of parrots. As he was reloading his gun, I was struck by singular sounds which we heard, some what resembling those of a muffled drum, and accompanied with a noise like that of the sharpening of a saw. My first idea was of music played by savages, and we advanced cautiously, and not without considerable trepidation, to discover the cause of these strange sounds. At length, gently drawing aside the close boughs of a thicket, we perceived a bird of brilliant plumage seated on the decayed stump of a tree. It spread its wings and tail, and strutted about with strange contortions, to the great delight of its mates, who seemed lost in admiration of him. At the seme time he made the sharp cry we heard, and, striking his wings against the tree, produced the drumming sound. I knew this to be the ruffed grouse, one of the greatest ornaments of the forests of America, and watched the whole proceedings with the most lively interest, being curious to see what would be the result of this singular natural comedy ; but my insatiable hunter soon pnt an end to the scene ; he fired at the bird, who fell dead, and his crowd of admirers, with piercing shrieks, took to flight. I reprimanded my son for so rashly killing everything we met with without consideration, and for the mere love of destruction. He seemed sensible of his error, and as FAMILY ROBINSON. 105 the thing was done, I thought it as well to make the best of it, ami sent him to pick up his game. We continued our march. Arriving at the guava trees, we refreshed ourselves with some of their fruit, and soon after reached the spot where we had left our sledge ; but as the morning was not far advanced, we determined to leave all here, and proceed in our projected excursion beyond the chain of rocks ; but we took the ass with us to carry our provisions, and any game or other object we should meet with in the new country we hoped to pene trate. Amongst gigantic trees, and through grass of pro digious height, we travelled with some labour, looking right and left to avoid danger, or to make discoveries. Turk generally led the way. We met with plains of potatoes and of manioc, amongst the stalks of which were sporting tribes of agoutis ; but we were not tempted by such game. On entering a pretty little grove, we observed a bush loaded with small white berries, which, after examining, I pronounced to be the curious fruit of the oandleberry myrtle, or wax tree, from which a species of wax is procured which may be made into candles. Pleased to find an object that I knew would be prized at home, I called on Fritz to help me in gathering these berries, which, though not edible, would be highly esteemed by his mother, who had already lamented that she should be compelled to lay by her most important avocations when ever the sun went down. As we proceeded on our route, a new curiosity attracted our attention. This was a colony of birds of a small size, and no way remarkable for beauty, their plumage being black. They lived in nests, sheltered by a common roof, in the formation of which they had probably laboured jointly. This roof was formed of clay and rushes, equally impenetrable to sun or rain, As we stayed to examine 8 106 THE SWISS this remarkable natural curiosity we perceived also various beautiful small parrots, of rich, green and golden plumage, hovering about the nests, and apparently seeking to force an entrance. This added to Fritz's curiosity, and he forth with climbed the tree; and, after some difficulty and various unsuccessful trials, he found one of the nests, containing a bird sitting on its eggs, and, inserting his hand, he drew forth, not one of the blackbirds, but a beautiful little parrot. The signals of distress sent forth by the prisoner soon collected a multitude of parrots around Fritz, fluttering about and attempting to peck at him, but he reached the ground in safety, and, with my permission, decided on carrying his prize home with him, where he hoped to tame it and teach it to speak. We now directed our route homeward. The gorgeous plumage of the birds, and wonderful beauty of the insects and flowers, constantly tempted us to pause, and excited in our minds renewed wonder and admiration. The singular bird-colony we had seen also led us to converse on the gregarious and social habits frequently manifested in various classes of the animal kingdom, from the vast herds of buffaloes and antelopes down even to the ant or bee ; and I mentioned particularly those immense ant hills of America, of which the masonry is finished with such skill and solidity, that they are sometimes used for ovens, to which they bear a resemblance. We also called to remembrance the singular habits of the beavers, which live in large communities on the banks of rivers, and, by their united labours, are able to construct dams across running streams of great size, and erect beaver villages on the banks of the still water provided for them by such means. Thus conversing, we walked pleasantly along, pursuing our way homeward by a new route. We had now reached some trees entirely unknown to FAMILY ROBINSON. 107 us. They were from forty to sixty feet in height, and from the bark, which was cracked in many places, issued small balls of a thick gum. Fritz got one off with diffi culty, it was so hardened by the sun. Having been accustomed at home to employ some of the resinous gums of the pine, as well as that of the cherry-tree, both as tements and varnish, he attempted to soften this with his hands, but found that heat only gave it the power of extension, and that by pulling the two extremities, and then releasing them, it immediately resumed its first form. He was struck with surprise, and sprang towards me, repeating the experiment before my eyes, and exclaiming, " Look, father, if this is not the India rubber which we were wont to use when drawing at home 1" I took hold of the object of his examination, and remarked, "I do believe you have made a most important discovery." He thought I was laughing at him, for we had no drawing to rub out here ; but, having satisfied myself that his con clusion was right, I proceeded to explain to him how many useful purposes it could be applied to ; we might make bottles, elastic bells, and many other useful articles even shoes of it. This interested him. How could we accom plish this ? " The caoutchouc," said I, " exudes, as you have seen, in the form of a milky sap from certain trees of the EitpJiorbium kind. In order to collect it in large quan tities, the natives make incisions in the bark, and receive it in vessels, in which it is prevented from solidifying by agitating and shaking them. In this state they cover little clay bottles with successive layers of it till it attains the required thickness. It is then dried in smoke, which gives it the dark brown colour. Before it is quite dry, it is ornamented by lines and flowers drawn with the knife, Finally, they break the clay model, and extract it from 108 THE SWISS the mouth, and there remains the India rubber bottle or shoe, soft and flexible. Now this is my plan for shoe- making : we will fill a stocking with sand, cover it with repeated layers of the gum till it is of the proper thick ness, then empty out the sand, and, if I do not deceive myself, we shall have perfect boots or shoes. Fritz now gave full play to his delight. "It is enough," cried he exultingly, " for one day, to have made such a discovery. It is delightful!" Anticipating the future comfort to be derived from our caoutchouc shoes, we continued our route through an interminable forest of various trees. The monkeys on the cocoa-nut trees furnished us with pleasant refreshment, and a small store of nuts besides. Among these trees I saw some lower bushes, whose leaves were covered with a white dust. I opened the trunk of one of these, which had been torn up by the wind, and found in the interior a white farinaceous substance, which, on tasting, I knew to be the sago extensively used in Europe. This, as connected with our subsistence, was a most important affair, and we accordingly collected the whole supply that the fallen tree yielded. We now returned to the Gourd Wood, placed all our treasures on the sledge, and took our way home. To avoid the thick underwood which had so impeded our progress on the previous day, we took a new course in the direction of the shore. By doing so we reached the sugar-cane plantation, which we had formerly discovered near Cape Disappointment, and, taking advantage of our means of conveyance, we added to our patient ass's load a large bundle of these useful canes. On reaching Falcon's Nest our various treasures excited the liveliest curiosity and satisfaction. My wife produced from the sledge the sago and the sugar-canes, while the boys were intent on examining the plumage of the jay and FAMILY ROBINSON. 109 parrots; but when Fritz produced from his pouch the beautiful little green parrot, still alive, their delight was beyond all bounds. We talked of the caoutchouc and new boots with great delight during supper, and after wards my wife looked with exceeding content at her bag of candleberries, anticipating the time -when we should not have to go to bed, as we did now, as soon as the sun set. CHAPTER XX. USEFUL AND ORNAMENTAL AKTS. ON the following day, my wife and the boys importuned me to begin my manufactory of candles. I remembered having seen the chandler at work, and I tried to recall to my mind all that I knew of the process. A little animal fat I knew was desirable to mix with the wax in order to make it produce a clearer light ; but I was compelled to proceed without. I placed a large shallow boiler on a moderate fire, and filled it with the berries. As the heat increased, the wax slowly melted and rose to the surface of the liquid which the berries yielded. This I carefully skimmed with a large flat spoon, and put it in a separate vessel which I placed near the fire to preserve it in a liquid state ; when this was done, my wife supplied me with some wicks she had made from the threads of sail cloth. These were attached, four at a time, to a small stick ; I dipped them into the wax, and placed them on the neighbouring bushes to harden. By the time that the last was dipped, I found the first already firm, so that I was able to repeat the process continuously until the wax had accumulated to a sufficient thickness round the wicks. The whole were then placed in a convenient sbdy place 110 THE SWISS to harden. That same evening one of the new candles was inserted in a clay socket and lighted on our table to the great delight of all, who felt in this apparently trivial luxury an object which recalled the most delightful asso ciations with our old European home. Its practical value, however, was great, as it enabled us to add many useful hours to a busy day. Our success in this important matter encouraged me to attempt expedients to supply other wants. My wife had long regretted that she had not been able to make butter. She had attempted to beat her cream in a vessel; but either the heat of the climate or her want of patience ren dered her trials unsuccessful. I was unwilling to waste time in the construction of a regular churn, as I greatly doubted my skill; but I fancied that by some simple method, like that used by the Hottentots, who put their cream in a skin and shake it till they produce butter, we might attain the same result. I therefore selected a large gourd in which only a small aperture had been made in the side, and, having carefully cleaned it inside, I nearly filled it with cream, and then, laying another piece on the hole, I bound it up firmly so that none should escape. I fastened a stick to each corner of a square piece of sail cloth, placed the gourd in the middle, and, giving a corner to each of my sons, directed them to rock the cloth with a glow, regular motion, as you would a child's cradle. The employment seemed to them excellent sport, and was kept up with great mirth and humorous jesting for nearly an hour. On taking off the cover, I had then the satisfaction of seeing my wife take from the gourd a supply of excel lent fresh butter. My next work was the construction of a two-wheeled cart our sledge being unfitted for some roads : the wheels I had broiight from the wreck rendered this less difficult t FAMILY ROBINSON. Ill and I completed a somewhat clumsy, but very useful vehicle. While I was thus occupied, my wife engaged the boys to assist her in planting some of our fruit-trees, and placing them in the most favourable situations. When I had completed my work, I went to their assistance. The vines we planted round the roots of our trees, and hoped in time to form a trellis-work. Of the chesnut, walnut, and cherry-trees we formed an avenue from Falcon's Nest to Family Bridge, which, we hoped, would ultimately be a shady road between our two mansions. We made a solid road between the two rows of trees, raised in the middle and covered with sand, which we brought from the shore in our wheelbarrows. To complete our avenue, we had to select from among the native trees those which seemed best adapted to our purpose ; and we also applied some of them to form a shelter from the sun, so as to pro tect some of the more delicate European plants from its scorching heat. We then turned our thoughts to Tent House, our first abode, and which still might form our refuge in case of danger. Nature had not favoured it; but our labour soon supplied all deficiencies. We planted round it such native trees as seemed to thrive best under an exposure to heat and drought ; the citron, pistachio, the almond, the mulberry, the Siamese orange, of which the fruit is as large as the head of a child, and the Indian fig, with its long, prickly leaves ; and as they grew with all the rapidity of tropical vegetation, our store-house, where all our most valuable property was secured, was soon sur rounded with a natural rampart, which not only concealed it from view, but was impenetrable to man or beast. Our bridge was the only point of approach, and we always carefully removed the planks after crossing it. We also placed our two cannon on s little elevation within the inclosure ; and, finally, we planted some cedars near 0121 112 THE SWISS usual landing-place, to which we might at a future time fasten our vessels. We were employed unceasingly for six weeks in this work, with the exception of each returning Sunday, which we joyfully spent as a day of rest. This continuous em ployment proved altogether conducive alike to health and to a contented cheerfulness of mind. The embellishment of our dwelling gave it new attractions in our eyes, and the planting and sowing of our orchard and garden gave us new sources of hope and anticipation, which helped to remove every tendency to repining at our lot. All went on well in our little colony. We had an abundant and certain supply of provisions ; but our wardrobe, not withstanding the continual repairing my wife bestowed on it, was in a most wretched state, and we had no means of renewing it, except by again visiting the wreck, which I knew still contained some chests of clothes and bales of cloth. This decided me to make another voyage ; besides, I was rather anxious to see the state of the vessel. We set sail accordingly on the following morning, and reached the wreck without difficulty. Though consider ably more shattered than when we saw it last, it still remained firmly jammed into the hollow of the rock on which it had struck, where, indeed, it seemed likely to remain till broken away piecemeal by the waves. Having now such facilities for convenient transport, I resolved to complete the work of despoiling the wreck of everything that could possibly prove useful. We secured the large chests, some of which contained an ample store of clothes. We also removed the whole remaining supply of the ship's ammunition and shot, and took with us such of the cannon is were not too heavy to be of use to us. From the latter we took the carriage-wheels ; and, returning day after day, we stripped the vessel of doors, windows, locks, FAMILY KOBINSON. 113 bolt*, spars, funnels, and every article that could be re moved. We then tore up the planks of the deck, in doing which we exposed four large copper cauldrons, which had been designed for a sugar manufactory. These proved too large for us to lift, so we tied them to some large empty casks, which we pitched completely over, so as to prevent their sinking when the ship went down. When we had completed our arrangements, I resolved to blow up the ship. We placed a large barrel of gun powder in the hold, and, attaching to it a match which would burn for a long time before it reached the powder, I returned hastily to the pinnace, and made for the shore. We arrived speedily in Safety Bay, and, having secured the pinnace, proceeded to Tent House. I proposed to my wife to sup on a point of land where we could distinctly see the wreck. Just as the sun was going down, a majestic rolling, like thunder, succeeded by a column of fire, announced the destruction of the vessel which had brought us from Europe and bestowed its great riches upon us. We could not help shedding tears as we heard the last mournful cry of this sole remaining bond that connected us with home. Our last aim had been accom plished ; yet, though it was the successful result of our own plans, we returned to Tent House that evening with a feeling of sadness as if we had lost an old friend ; though my wife, I believe, felt it a relief to her mind to know that we could no longer expose ourselves on a wreck which she had dreaded would go to pieces, carrying us with it into the deep* We rose early next morning, and hastened to the shore, which we found strewed with the fragments of the wreck, as well as some of its contents which had lain beyond our reach in the hold. We also observed other objects afloat at some distance, among which we recognised a group of 114 THE SWISS casks which we had little doubt supported the copper cauldrons we had secured to them on the previous evening. We jumped into the pinnace and made off to take them in tow. With the help of these large copper boilers, we ulti mately constructed a powder magazine, separated into three distinct compartments, by means of which our ammunition was effectually secured against damage either from fire or water. My wife, in assisting us in our final labours in connexion with the wreck, made the agreeable discovery that one of the geese and two of the ducks had each hatched a little brood, and had been found by her leading off their young families to the water. This reminded us all of our poultry and domestic comfort at Falcon's Nest ; and we determined to defer for some time the rest of our work at Tent House, and to return the next day to our shady summer-house. CHAPTER XXI. KEW DISCOVERIES. ON entering our plantation of fruit-trees, forming the avenue to Falcon's Nest, I was concerned to see my young plants beginning to droop, and I accordingly resolved to proceed to Cape Disappointment the next morning to cut bamboos to make props for them. No sooner did I mention my proposal than a host of reasons were pro duced, requiring that one and all should accompany me. Our supply of candles was nearly exhausted, and we must have more berries, for my wife now devoted the evening to her needle, and my own journal was written by candle light. Fritz took for granted he should be my companion. My wife wanted to collect some wild fowls' eggs to put below her hens. Jack must needs go to gather guavas for FAMILY ROBINSON. 115 himself; and even little Francis expressed his desire to see the sugar-canes growing. So on the following morning we all set off together, taking the cart, with the cow and ass, to convey provision, and a large sail-cloth to make a tent. The weather was delightful, and the whole family were in the highest spirits. We crossed the potato and manioc plantations and the wood of guavas, on which my boys feasted to their great satisfaction. The road was rugged, but we assisted to move the cart, and rested frequently. Our first halt was at the bird colony, from whence Fritz had brought his parrot. Ernest recognised the birds to be of the species of Loxia gregaria, the sociable grossbeaks. He pointed out to us their wonderful instinct in forming their colony in the midst of the candleberry bushes, on which they feed. We filled two bags with these berries, and another with guavas, from which my wife proposed to make jelly. We then proceeded to the caoutchouc-trees, and here I determined to rest awhile, to collect some of the valuable gum. We had brought some large gourd-shells with us for the purpose. I made incisions in the trees, and placed these bowls to receive the gum, which soon began to run out in a milky stream, and we hoped to find them filled on our return. We pursued our route, and, after passing the cocoa-nut trees, we at length found ourselves near the shore, midway between the sugar-cane and bamboo plantations, while in front of us was the great bay stretching off towards Cape Disappointment, which bounded our view on the light and extended far into the sea. The great beauty of the scene was so gratifying to all of us, that we at once decided to make this our resting- place and future station for halting in all such expeditions. We even momentarily entertained the idea of deserting 116 THE SWISS Falcon's Nest for the shade of these beautiful palm-trees. A very slight reflection, however, sufficed to dismiss from our minds all thoughts of forsaking our dear castle in the air, on which so much labour had already been satisfac torily expended. We determined, however, to make it our abode for the night, and accordingly loosed our animals that they might freely graze on the rich grass around us. After a light repast, we separated on our several employments some to cut sugar-canes, others bamboos, and, after stripping them, to make them into bundles, and place them in the cart. This hard work made the boys hungry; they refreshed themselves with the sugar, but had a great desire to have some cocoa-nuts. Unfortunately, there were neither monkeys nor crabs at hand to minister to our wants. The many attempts they made to climb the lofty, bare trunk of the palm ended only in disappointment and confusion. I went to their assistance. I gave them pieces of the rough shark's skin, which I had brought with me on purpose, to brace on their legs, and, showing them how to climb by the aid of a cord fastened round the tree with a running noose, a method practised with success by the savages, my little climbers soon reached the summit ; they then used their hatchets, which they carried at their belts, and a shower of cocoa-nuts fell down. Our little monkey, which had been watching their proceedings, suddenly leaped to a neighbouring palm-tree and nimbly mounted to the top, from whence he detached the nuts almost as quickly as Fritz and Jack with their hatchets. Ernest alone remained inactive ; and his brothers failed not to make his indolence the subject of their jests as we sat together discussing the fruits of their exertions. Ernest, however, regardless of their banter, sat looking up at the trees with an abstracted xir. Rising suddenly, and looking at the palms, he took F.LMILT ROBINSON. 117 a cocoa-nut cnp and a tin flask with a handle, and gravely addressed us thus, " Most honoured gentlemen and lady, it is most true that the climbing of these trees is neither easy nor pleasant to me ; but, since the accomplishment of this feat is deemed so honourable, I will also try this marvellous exploit, and see if I cannot bring down as valuable a prize as these nuts of my brothers." He then bound his legs with the pieces of shark's skin, and, with singular vigour and agility, sprang up a palm which he had long been attentively examining. His brothers laughed at his taking the trouble to ascend a tree that had not a single nut on it. Ernest took no notice of their ridicu .a, but, as soon as he reached the top, struck with his hatchet, and a tuft of tender yellow leaves fell at our feet. We were at first inclined to regard this as only a piece of mischievous and unprofitable bravado ; but, on attentively examining them, I perceived that the intelligent boy had detected for us the cabbage-palm, a source of food highly prized in South America for its delicate and nutritive qualities. After retaining his place for some time, he descended, and, producing the nut-shell he had carried with him, he said, with a triumphant air, " See, father, I have brought you a still greater treat, which I hope will prove to your mind." As he said this, he presented me with the shell, filled with a clear, rose-coloured liquor, which I recognised on tasting as genuine palm- wine, which is as pleasant as champagne, and, taken moderately, a great restorative. I passed it to my wife, who again per mitted the boys to partake of it ; and Ernest was praised and thanked by all, till he forgot all the scoffs he had received. As it was getting late, we set about putting up our tent for the night, when suddenly our ass, who had been quietly grazing neai us, set up a loud bray, and, after 118 THE SWISS tossing his head and kicking up his heels in the air, he set off at a gallop. Unfortunately, Turk and Bill, whom we sent after him, took the fancy of entering the plantation of the sugar-canes, while the ass had preferred the direc tion of the bamboos on the right. We began to fear the approach of some wild beast might have frightened the creature, and to think of assembling our fire-arms ; but the manner of the dogs on their return did not furnish any ground for supposing that they recognised the presence of any wild animals in our vicinity. To guard, however, against all danger, I made a large fire with the dried reeds which abounded near us, and having seen the others asleep, I replenished it from time to time till mid night, when, all being still, I crept into the tent to my bed of moss, and slept undisturbed till morning. The following morning, as no traces of our donkey appeared, which, I hoped, might have been attracted by the light of our fire and have returned, I selected Jack for my companion, leaving Fritz and Ernest with their mother, and, calling Turk and Bill, we set off to seek the ass. After an hour's fruitless search among the canes, we emerged beyond them, in an extensive plain on the borders of the great bay. The lofty cliffs extended before us, reaching here towards the shore, where they abruptly terminated in a precipitous cliff, apparently within tide- mark. A considerable river flowed into the bay here, and between the river and the rock was a narrow passage, which at high water would be overflowed. We thought it most likely that our ass had passed by this defile ; and we accordingly ascended the stream till we found a place where we could safely ford it. Beyond this the soil was soft and sandy ; and here we recognised the footprints of the ass, which encouraged us to proceed. After advancing some way, we recognised many other FAMILY ROBINSON. 119 foot prints, evidently of a considerable herd of animals, and some of them much larger than those of the ass. This added to our curiosity, and we resolved to continue our search ; we ascended a little hill which had hitherto limited our view, and here a most beautiful prospect opened upon us. With the help of our telescope we saw stretching before us an extensive and luxuriant landscape, but on which no traces of human culture or habitation were apparent. To our right rose the majestic chain of rocks that divided the island, and on our left was a range of undulating hills, dotted with groves of palms ; the beautiful stream meandered across the valley like a silver ribbon, bordered by rushes and other aquatic plants. Everything seemed to indicate the absence of human beings. The birds flew fearlessly around us, while our eyes were delighted with magnificent blossoms of tropical vegetation, and with the brilliantly-coloured insects that flitted about them. But, at a distance, we saw some specks, which I concluded were the animals we had first seen, and I resolved to go nearer, in hopes our ass might have joined them. We made towards the spot, and, to shorten the road, crossed a little wood of bamboos, the stalks of which, as thick as a man's thigh, rose to the height of thirty feet. I suspected this to be the giant reed of America, with which the natives supply their canoes with masts. When we had crossed the wood, we suddenly found ourselves face to face with a herd of wild buffaloes. I was taken completely by surprise ; but the herd, which was not numerous, stood gazing at us, apparently equally astonished with ourselves, and without any symptoms of anger. Fortunately the dogs were behind us, so that we had time to take measures for defence. "W e drew back a little, prepared our arms, and endeavoured to retreat, when the dogs arrived, and, notwithstanding our efforts 120 THE SWISS to restrain them, flew at the buffaloes. Escape was now impossible. The whole herd seemed to prepare themselves for an attack. They pawed the ground and bellowed fiercely, as if exciting each other to combat. The dogs, however, were in no degree intimidated, but, dashing in amomg the herd, they seized a young buffalo calf, and dragged it to the ground. The mother made at the aggressors, followed by the whole herd, when, just as we seemed in the crisis of our fate, I called to Jack, who had shown the utmost coolness and presence of mind, and we both fired at the same instant. The effect was wonderful. The whole herd stood for a moment as if petrified, and then, wheeling about, they dashed off through the river, and did not pause so long as they were in sight. The dogs still held their prize, and the mother, though wounded by our shot, tore up the ground in her fury, and was just about to make a dash at the dogs with her horns, when a well-directed shot laid her at her length on the ground. I sprang immediately forward, and, dis charging a pistol between the eyes, put an end to her life. All this had been so rapid, that we seemed now, for the first time, to breathe. I commended my courageous com panion for his great coolness and presence of mind, which had largely contributed to my own self-possession, while I failed not to render thanks to God for our deliverance. The dogs still held the young calf by the ears; it bellowed incessantly, and I feared they would either be injured or lose their prize. I was at a loss how to act, as I was anxious, if possible, to preserve it alive ; but Jack, with his usual promptitude, solved the difficulty. He unwound the lasso which he carried round his waist, and watching his opportunity when the young buffalo flung up his heels, he dexterously threw the ball so as to wind the cord round its hind legs, and then, giving it a sudden jerk, he threw FAMILY ROBINSON. 121 the animal to the ground. I now approached, replacing the lasso by a stronger cord, and used another to bind hia fore-legs loosely. Jack cried victory, and already thought how his mother and brothers would be delighted when he presented it ; but that was no easy matter. At last I thought of the method used both in Italy and Spain to tame the wild bulls, and I resolved to try it, though it was a little cruel. With Jack's assistance, I held the young buffalo's head, and with my clasp-knife I pierced the car tilage of the nose between the nostrils, and passing through this a stout cord, I secured it to a tree. The operation was successful ; and, as soon as the blood ceased to flow, I took the cord, uniting the two ends, and the poor suf fering creature, completely subdued, followed me without resistance. We could not think of altogether abandoning the buffalo we had killed. I therefore cut out the tongue as an espe cial delicacy, and some of the best parts from the loin. I also carefully skinned the fore-legs, remembering that the American hunters use these skins for boots, being remark ably soft and flexible. We permitted the dogs to feast on the remainder ; but while we were enjoying some of the provisions we had brought with us under the shade of a neighbouring tree, we soon saw that they were not to have an undisputed banquet. The air seemed to be filled with vultures and other birds of prey ; and, before we left, little remained but the bare skeleton. We employed our selves, meanwhile, in cutting down some of the gigantic reeds that grew round us. I selected the largest, as they made very useful vessels when separated at the joints. Jack, however, was cutting some of small dimensions, and I asked him jestingly if he was going to make a Pan-pipe to celebrate his triumphal return with the buffalo ? I was greatly pleased when he replied that he had not been 9 122 THE SWISS thinking of Ms own amusements, but was selecting such as he thought would enable him to make moulds for our candles and candlesticks. I complimented the boy on his thoughtful consideration ; and, as the day was far advanced, we collected together our various supplies, and set off on our return. The calf, intimidated by the dogs and galled by the rein, went on tolerably well. We crossed the narrow pass in the rocks, and here our dogs killed a large jackal which was coming from her den in the rock. The furious animals then entered the den, followed by Jack, who saved with difficulty one of the young cubs, the others being immediately killed. It was a pretty little gold-coloured creature, about the size of a cat. Jack petitioned earnestly to have it to bring up, and I made him happy by granting his request. When I found that the young buffalo no longer made any efforts at escape, I secured another cord to its horns, so as to use the other only as a check. We even ven tured, when we got fatigued, to lay our burdens across its back; and it was now so completely subdued that it moved alongside of us without any resistance. Although we were thus enabled to quicken our pace, it was almost night when we joined our family, and endless were the questions the sight of the buffalo produced, and great was die boasting of Jack the Dauntless. I was compelled to lower his pride a little by an unvarnished statement, though I gave him much credit for his coolness and resolu tion ; and, supper-time arriving, my wife had time to tell me what had passed while we had been on our expedition. Fritz and Ernest had, with great labour, felled a sago- palm seventy feet high, intending to extract its precious pith ; but this they had been unable to accomplish alone, and waited for my assistance. Fritz had also made a beautiful capture in a nest he had discovered in the rocks FAMILY ROBINSON. 123 at Cape Disappointment. It was a superb "bird, and, though very young, quite feathered. Ernest had pro nounced it to be the eagle of Malabar, and I confirmed his assertion. The Malabar or Indian eagle does not grow to a large size, so I made no objection to his desire to keep and tame it. I advised him to try if it could not be tamed as a falcon to pursue game. As, however, Jack had already obtained permission to keep the jackal cub, I deemed it right to announce that if these were to be re tained, each must promise to look after his own favourites, as they could not expect their mother to burden herself with such a strange medley of live stock. We then made a fire of green wood, in the smoke of which we placed the buffalo meat we had brought home, Jeaving it during the night, that it might be perfectly cured. The young buffalo was beginning to graze, and we gave him a little milk to night, as well as to the jackal. Fritz had taken the precaution to cover the eyes of his eagle, and, tying it fast by the leg to a branch, it rested very tranquilly. We then retired to our mossy beds, to recruit our strength for the labours of another day. CHAPTER XXH. SAGO MANUFACTURE BEES. AT break of day we rose, made a light breakfast, and I was about to give the signal of departure, when my wife directed my attention to the enormous sago-palm which the boys had felled with so much difficulty, and the valuable provision that might be obtained from it with a little trouble. I thought she was right, and decided to remain here another day ; for it was no trifling undertak- 124 THE SWISS ing to split up a tree seventy feet long. The labour, how ever, seemed well worth spending for such a purpose ; in addition to which, it occurred to me that, after the trunk was split up and scooped out, its two halves would make excellent pipes for conveying water from the cascade near Tent House to the garden which my wife had planted there. Such tools as we had we carried to the place where the tree lay. We first sawed off the head ; then, with the hatchet making an opening at each end, we took wedge! and mallets, and the wood being tolerably soft, after four hours' labour we succeeded in splitting it entirely. Our next work was to separate the true sago from the refuse, which we dried on a cloth in the sun, and tied up to carry home with us. The rest of the day we spent in loading our cart and collecting everything together for an early start homeward on the morrow. The two halves of the sago-palm were sufficiently light, notwithstanding their unwieldy size, to be placed on the cart ; and darkness having by this time set in, we kindled our watch-fires and withdrew for the night. The next morning the whole caravan began, to move at an early hour. The buffalo, harnessed to the cart by the side of the cow, took the place of our truant asa, and began his apprenticeship as a beast of draught. It is true, I led him by the cord in his nose, and thus restrained him when ever he was disposed to deviate from his duty. We re turned the same way as we came, that we might carry away the candleberries and elastic gum. Our water-pipes somewhat impeded our progress, and Fritz and Jack were sent on before to cut down such underwood as stood in the way. We reached the candleberry-trees without at jident, and placed our sacks on the cart. We did not find more than a quart of the caoutchouc-gum ; but it would be sufficient for our first experiment, and I carried it off. FAMILY ROBINSON. 125 In crossing the little wood of guavas, we were disturbed by the violent barking of the dogs, who were before us with Fritz and Jack. I was struck with terror lest they should have encountered some fierce animal, and rushed forward ready to fire. The dogs were endeavouring to enter a thicket, in the midst of which Fritz declared he had caught a glimpse of an animal larger than the buffalo, with a black, bristly skin. I was just about to discharge my gun into the thicket, when Jack, who had thrown himself on the ground to have a better view of the animal, got up in a fit of laughter. " It is nothing more," said he, " than that perverse old sow, which seems never wearied of play ing off her tricks upon us." Half merry and half angry, we now cleared an opening in the thicket, and there dis covered the lady lying, surrounded by several little pigs, only a few days old. We were glad to see our old friend so attended, and stroked her. She seemed to recognise and welcome us with a sociable kind of grunting, to which we replied by giving her some potatoes and cassava bread. We were divided in opinion about leaving the young family behind, or carrying the whole off with us ; but we decided on leaving them for the present where they were. At last we reached Falcon's Nest, which we already re garded with all the tender feelings of home. Our domestic animals crowded round us, and noisily welcomed us. I tied up the young buffalo, so as to accustom it to restraint, and also saw that the jackal cub was properly secured. Fritz fastened his eagle to a branch by means of a stout cord long enough to allow it freedom of motion; but having then imprudently removed the bandage from its eyes, it raised its head, erected its feathers, and, before any of us were aware of what it was about, it made a dart at our poor parrot, which was perched on a neighbouring branch, and had struck its talons into it before we could 126 THE SWISS interfere. Fritz was so indignant at the loss of his little favourite, that he would have killed its destroyer forth with; but Ernest begged he would not be so rash, as parrots were more plentiful than eagles, and it was his own fault for uncovering his eyes : the falconers always keeping their young birds hooded six weeks, till they are quite tamed. He offered to train it, if Frita would part with it ; but this Fritz refused. I told them the fable of the dog in the manger, which would neither let the ox eat of the hay nor eat it himself. The better feelings of Fritz soon prevailed ; he begged his brother to teach him the proper method of training the eagle, and offered to pre sent him with his monkey. Ernest then told him that the Caribs subdue the largest birds by making them inhale tobacco-smoke. Fritz laughed at this; but Ernest pro duced some tobacco, of which he found a considerable gupply in the sailors' chests. This he burned below the branch upon which the eagle was perched, at first some what to his brother's amusement, as he looked upon it as a hoax. The bird, however, soon became calm and quite motionless. Ernest then replaced the bandage on its eyes, after which he puffed the smoke into its head and nostrils till it became stupefied, and nearly as still as a stuffed bird. The same process, repeated for several days, completely succeeded ; and, Fritz acknowledging that his eagle grew tamer every day, the monkey was resigned to Ernest by universal consent. The next morning we set out early to our young plan tation of fruit-trees, to fix props to support the weaker plants. We loaded the cart with the thick bamboo canes and our tools, and harnessed the cow to it, leaving the buffalo in the stable, as I wished the wound in his nos trils to be perfectly healed before I put him to any hard work. We began at the entrance of the avenue to FAMILY ROBINSON. 127 Falcon's Nest, where all the trees were much bent by the wind. We raised them gently by a crowbar ; I made a hole in the earth, in which one of my sons placed the bamboo props, driving them firmly down with a mallet, and we proceeded to another, while Ernest and Jack tied the trees to them with the 1 mg, tough, pliant tendrils of a plant which we found near the spot. This occupied us during the whole day, while our work was enlivened by the conversation suggested by our employment. An inquiry by Fritz, as to whether our fruit-trees were wild, had excited the mirth of his lively but thoughtless brother Jack, who asked him, somewhat saucily, if he thought trees were to be tamed like eagles and buffaloes f This led me to explain to them the process of grafting and the culture of "fruit-trees. " Do we know the origin of all these European fruits ?" asked the inquiring Ernest. "All our shell fruits," answered I, " such as the nut, the almond, and the ches- nut, are natives of the East; the peach, of Persia; the orange and apricot, of Armenia ; the cherry, which was unknown in Europe sixty years before Christ, was brought by the pro-consul Lucullus from the southern shores of the Euxine; the olives come from Palestine. The first olive trees were planted on Mount Olympus, and from thence were spread through the rest of Europe ; the fig is from Lydia; the plums, with the exception of some natural sorts that are natives of our forests, are from Syria, and the town of Damascus has given its name to one sort, the Damascene, or Damson. The pear is a fruit of Greece ; the ancients called it the fruit of Pelopon nesus; the mulberry is from Asia, and the quince from the island of Crete." Our work progressed as we talked thus, and we had soon propped all our valuable plants. It was now noon, 128 THE BWISB and we returned to Falcon's Nest with keen appetites to a pleasant repast of our smoke-dried buffalo beef, accom panied with a dish prepared of the tender leaves of the cabbage palm. After dinner a subject was renewed which had re peatedly formed a topic of conversation between my wife and me. This was, to substitute a firm and solid staircase for the ladder of ropes, which was a source of continual fear to my wife, and which certainly was a tedious mode of approach to our lodging in the tree. It is true, that we only had to ascend it to go to bed, but bad weather might compel us to remain in our tree house ; we should then require frequently to be descending, and climbing back to it. The impossibility of constructing a flight of steps of such great length had always made me abandon the idea. We had observed, however, that a swarm of bees built their nest in the trunk, and this, coupled with other indications, led us to conceive that it was hollow, in which case the construction of winding stairs within the immense trunk was not likely to prove so difficult a matter. The boys seized the vdea with ardour ; they sprang up, and climbed to the tops of the roots like squir rels, to strike at the trunk with axes, and to judge from the sound how far it was hollow ; but they soon paid dearly for their attempt; the whole swarm of bees, alarmed at the noise made against their dwelling, issued forth, buzzing with fury, attacked the little disturbers, began to sting them, stuck to their hair and clothes, and soon put them to flight. My wife and I had some trouble to stop the course of their uproar and cover their wounds with fresh earth to allay the smart. Jack, whose temper was on all occasions rash, had struck fiercely upon the bees' nest, and was more severely attacked by them than the rest : it was necessary, so serious was the injury, to FAMILT KOBIN8ON. 129 cover the whole of his face with linen. The less active Ernest got up the last, and was the first to run off when he saw the consequences, and thus avoided any further injury than a sting or two ; but some hours elapsed before the other boys could open their eyes, or be in the least relieved from the acute pain that had been inflicted, When they grew a little better, the desire of being re venged on the insects that had so roughly used them had the ascendant in their minds : they teased me to hasten the measures for getting everything in readiness for ob taining possession of their honey. The bees in the mean time were still buzzing furiously round the tree. I pve- pared tobacco, a pipe, some clay, chisels, hammers, Ac. I took the large gourd, long intended for a hive, mounted it on a stand, and covered it with a slanting straw roof to shelter it from the sun and wind ; and as all this took more time than I anticipated, we deferred the attack of the fortress to the following day, and got ready for a sound sleep, which completed the cure of our wounded. CHAPTER XXIII. TREATMENT OF BEES. THE STAIRCASE. NEXT morning I awoke the boys an hour before dawn to assist me in removing the bees to the new abode I had prepared for them. Our first work was to stop with clay all the holes in the tree, with the exception of the one through which the bees were wont to enter ; this I plas tered up with clay, leaving only room to admit the bowl of my pipe, and then puffed the fumes of tobacco briskly into the nest, to stupify the bees. At first we heard a great buzzing in the hollow, like the sound of a distant 130 THE SWISS storm: the murmur ceased by degrees, and a profound stillness succeeded, when I withdrew my pipe. We now pi oceeded to cut out a piece of the trunk, about three feet square, immediately below the hole by which the bees entered. Before it was entirely separated, I repeated the fumigation, lest the stupefaction produced by the first smoking should have ceased, or the noise we had been just making revive the bees. As soon as I supposed them lulled again, I separated from the trunk the piece I had cut out, producing, as it were, the aspect of a window, through which the inside of the tree was laid open to view ; and we were filled at once with joy and astonish ment on beholding the immense and wonderful work of this colony of insects. There was such a stock of wax and honey, that we feared our vessels would be insufficient to contain it. The whole interior of the tree was lined v-'ith honeycombs. I cut them off with care, and put them in the gourds the boys constantly supplied me with. When I had somewhat cleared the cavity, I put the upper combs, in which the bees had assembled in clusters and swarms, into the gourd which was to serve as a hive, and placed it on the plank I had purposely raised; I then descended with the rest of the honeycomb, and filled a cask with it, which I had previously washed in the stream ; this we covered with sail-cloth and planks, lest the bees, attracted by the smell, should come to claim their own. We left out some comb for a treat at dinner, and my wife carefully put by the rest. To prevent the bees from returning to their old abode, we placed some burning tobacco in the hollow of the tree, the smell and fumes of which drove them from the tree when they wished to enter; and the queen-bee heaving fortunately been removed with the remainder to the new hive, they settled quietly, after a time, in their new habitation. We then carefully FAMILY ROBINSON. 131 separated the wax from the honey, straining off the latter into the cask, in a pure and very attractive state, while the wax was laid aside in a solid cake to be used along with our vegetable wax for our domestic manufactures. I had been surprised that the numbers of bees occupying the trunk of the tree should find room in the gourd, till I perceived the clusters upon the branches, and I thence concluded a young queen was among each of them. In consequence, I procured another gourd, into which I shook them, and placed it by the former ; thus I had the satisfaction of obtaining, at an easy rate, two fine hives of bees in activity. We now proceeded to examine the interior of the tree. I took a long pole, and tried the height from the window I had made, and tied a stone to a string to sound the depth. To my surprise, the pole penetrated without resistance to the very branches where our dwelling was, and the stone went to the roots. It was entirely hollow, and it was obvious, therefore, that this huge tree, like the willow of our country, derives all its nourishment through the bark, as, notwithstanding its hollow trunk, it ex hibited every appearance of the most vigorous luxuriance. I determined to begin our construction in its capacious hollow that very day. We began by cutting a doorway, on the side facing the sea, of the size of the door we had brought from the captain's cabin, with its framework, thus securing ourselves from invasion on that side. We then cleansed and perfectly smoothed the cavity, fixing in the centre the trunk of a tree, about twenty feet in length and a foot thick, completely stripped of its branches, in order to carry my winding staircase round it. We had prepared, the evening before, a number of boards from the staves of a large barrel to form our steps. By the aid of the chisel and mallet, we made deep notches in the inner part 132 THE SWISS of our tree, and corresponding notches in tne central pillar ; I placed . my steps in these notches, riveting them with large nails ; I raised myself in this manner step after step, but always turning round the pillar, till we got to the top. A second, third, and fourth trunk was fixed upon the first, and firmly sustained with screws and transverse beams, and finally we reached our branches, and terminated the staircase on the level of the floor of our apartment. To render it more solid, I filled up the spaces between the steps with plank, and also placed ropes down the sides to form a handrail. Towards different points, I made openings; in which were placed the windows taken from the cabin, which gave light to the interior, and favoured our observations outside. The con struction of this flight of steps formed our principal occupation for some weeks. We did not, however, labour at it uninterruptedly, nor in such a way as to convert our work into an oppressive toil. Different occupations re lieved us from time to time, and various domestic incidents lightened and diversified our proceedings. A few days after we had begun our stair, Bill gave birth to six puppies ; but the number being too large for our means of support, I selected the most vigorous- looking male and female, and drowned the rest ; the little jackal being placed with the two, Bill granted it the same privileges as her own offspring. A few days later, the two she-goats gave us two kids, and our ewes five lambs, so that our flocks were in no danger of disappearing. For fear these useful animals should take it into their heads to stray away from us, as our unfaithful ass had done, we tied round their necks some small bells we had found on the wreck, intended for trading Avith the savages, and which would always put us on the track of the fugitives. The training of the young buffalo also supplied us with FAMILY ROBINSON. 133 occupation in leisure tours. Through the incision in h;i nostrils, I had passed a small stick, to the ends of which I attached a strap. This formed a kind of bit, after the fashion of those of the Hottentots ; and by this I guided him as I chose, though not without ranch rebellion on his part. Finding that I thus had him completely under con trol, I resolved to break him in for riding as well as drawing. At first I made a point of leading him while one of the boys mounted, but by and by we made a saddle for it, and all the boys tried in turn to mount and ride our singular steed. He went with great swiftness, and was at first difficult to manage, but we not only acquired greater skill by practice, but the animal grew more tract able and docile, and, being treated with kindness, became familiar with all of UB. In the midst of this, Fritz did not neglect his eagle ; he daily shot some small birds, which he gave it to eat, placing them sometimes betwixt the buffalo's horns, some times on the back of the great bustard or the flamingo, or on a board, or at the end of a stick, in order to teach it to pounce like a falcon upon other birds. He taught it to perch on his wrist whenever he called or whistled to it ; but some time elapsed before he could trust it to soar without securing its return by a long string, apprehending its bold and wild nature would prompt it to take a distant and farewell flight from us. Our whole company, including even the phlegmatic Ernest, was infected with the passion of instructing animals. The monkey having become his exclusive property, he resolved to teach it some more use ful occupation than merely amusing by its mimicry. He and Jack made a little hamper of rushes, very light : they put three straps to it, two of which passed under the fore and one between the hind legs of the animal, and were then fastened to a belt in front, to keep the hamper steady 134 THE SWISS on the back of the mischievous urchin. This was at first resisted with every demonstration of dislike, but, as there was no escape, the monkey submitted ; the hamper was left on day and night, and being supplied with favourite morsels frequently dropped into it, he learned at length even to put it on himself. Thus equipped, Ernest taught him to mount the cocoa-nut trees, and others of the lofty palms for such fruit as he wanted, and thus, in a short while from being the idlest, Knips became one of the most useful of our dependents. He learned, however, to look on Ernest as his especial master, and to obey him im plicitly, being controlled alike by feelings of love and fear. Jack was not so successful with his jackal; for, though he gave him the name of " The Hunter," yet, for the first six months, the carnivorous animal chased only for himself; and, if he did bring anything to his master, it was only the skin of the animal he had just devoured ; but I charged him not to despair, and he continued zealously his instructions. One of my minor occupations during this period was the manufacture of candles. By means of mixing the bees' wax with that obtained from the candle-berry, and by using cane moulds, which Jack first suggested to me, I succeeded in giving my candles the roundness and polish f those of Europe. The wicks gave us most trouble, as we had no cotton. After various experiments I found the pith of a species of elder, which formed a very good substitute. I next set about my caoutchouc shoemaking, while I encouraged the boys to try their ingenuity in making flasks and cups, by covering moulds of clay with the gum, as I had explained to them. I adopted an effectual method of securing a pair of well-fitted boots. Taking a pair of my old worsted stockings, I filled them with sand, and covered this with a layer of clay, which I FAMILY ROBINSON. 135 dried in the sun. To this I attached a stout sole of buf falo leather, studded with tacks, which helped to fasten it to the stocking. I then poured the liquid gum over this so as to make it adhere to the stocking. Then, with a b rush of goats' hair, I covered it with layer upon layer 01 the elastic gum, till I thought it sufficiently thick, and when the whole was dry and firm, I shook out the sand, broke off the hardened clay, and found myself in posses sion of a strong flexible pair of waterproof boots, which fitted me as comfortably as the most finished workmanship of a European shoemaker. My boys were wild with joy, and all begged for a pair ; but I wished first to try their durability, compared with those of buffalo leather. I therefore made a pair for Fritz from the skin which I had taken from the buffalo's legs, only employing the caout chouc to fill up the seams. They cost me, however, much more labour, and proved, after all, so clumsy and unsatis factory a job, that Fritz got laughed at by his brothers in attempting to run in his awkward and mis-shapen boots. We had also been engaged in the construction of our fountain, which afforded a perpetual source of pleasure to my wife, and, indeed, to all of us. We raised, in the upper part of the river, a sort of dam, with stakes and stones, from whence the water flowed into our channels of the sago-palm, laid down a gentle declivity nearly to our tent, and there it was received in the tortoiseshell basin, which we had elevated on stones to a certain height for our convenience ; and it was so contrived that the redun dant water passed off through a cane-pipe fitted to it. On two crossed sticks were placed the gourds that served us for pails, and thus we had always the murmuring of the water near us, and a plentiful supply of it, always pure and clean, which the river, troubled by our water-fowl and the refuse of decayed leaves, could not alwaye give 136 THE SWISS us. The only inconvenience of these open channels was, that the water was liable to be somewhat heated from exposure to the sun ; but this I hoped to remedy in time, by employing, instead of the uncovered conduits, large bamboo canes buried in the earth. In the meantime, we were grateful for this new acquisition, and Fritz, who had suggested the notion, received his tribute of praise from all. CHAPTER XXTV. THB WILD ASS. THE HEATH-FOWL'S NEST. ONE morning, as we were engaged in giving the last finish to our staircase, we were disturbed by sounds of a most unwonted character, which proceeded from the neighbouring wood. I dreaded the attack of some beasts of prey ; and the dogs seemed, by their manner, to be preparing for an assault. I therefore put their spiked collars and side-guards on them, and directed the boys to get our fire-arms ready and prepare for a vigorous defence, while I assembled our cattle beneath the tree, so as to have them within range, and covered by our fire. The boys looked out in eager expectation ; and Jack made no concealment of his hope that he would see a lion at last, vowing that nothing would please him better than to obtain a near view of the king of beasts. The strange and discordant noises were soon renewed, and almost close to us. Fritz had been listening with earnest attention to the sounds that alarmed us while his brothers were discussing their cause, when suddenly, throwing down his gun, he exclaimed, after a hearty laugh. "It is our fugitive, the ass, come back to us, and FAMILY ROBINSON. 137 chanting his song of joy on his return." I listened, and a fresh roar, in sounds unquestionable, raised loud peals of laughter amongst us; and then followed the usual train of jests and mutual banter of the alarm we had one and all betrayed. Shortly after, we had the satisfaction of seeing among the trees our old friend Grizzle, moving towards us leisurely, and stopping now and then to browse ; but, to our surprise and delight, he was not alone. A fine young onagra, or wild ass, was at his side, which I conceived a strong desire to possess ; though all naturalists have declared it impossible to tame this elegant creature, yet I determined to make the attempt. I descended from the tree, taking Fritz with me, and giving strict orders to the rest to remain behind and make not the slightest noise. I then got ready, as soon as pos sible, a long cord, one end of which I secured to the root of a tree, while I made at the other end a running noose, held open by a slight twig, which would fall out as soon as the animal's head entered, while any attempt to escape would only draw the noose closer. I also prepared a piece of bamboo about two feet long, which I split at the bottom and tied fast at top, to form a pair of pincers for the nose of the animal. Fritz attentively examined my contrivance, without seeing the use of it. Prompted by the impatience of youth, he took his lasso, and proposed aiming at the wild ass with it, which he s?id was the shortest way of proceeding. I declined adopting this Patagonian method, fearing the attempt might fail, and this beautiful creature avail itself of its natural velocity to evade us beyond recovery. I therefore told him my project of catching it in the noose, which I gave him to manage, as being nimbler and more expert than myself. The two afises drew nearer and nearer to us v Fritz, hold ing in his hand the open noose, moved softly on from 10 138 THE SWISS behind the tree where we were concealed, and advanced as far as the length of the rope allowed him. The onagra started on perceiving a human figure ; it sprang some paces backward, then stopped, as if to examine the unknown form ; but as Fritz now remained quite still, the animal resumed its composure, and continued to browse. Soon after, he approached the old ass, hoping that the confidence that would be shown by it would raise a similar feeling in the stranger. He held out a handful of oats mixed with salt ; our ass instantly ran up to take its favourite food, and greedily devoured it. Its companion followed, sniff ing the air, and pausing with a startled look at every few steps, till it at length drew so near that Fritz, who was watching his opportunity, threw the noose, and the prize was ours. Startled by the motion of his hand, it made off immediately ; but the cord being round its neck, it was drawn so tight by the rapid motion of the affrighted animal, that it was thrown to the ground and almost strangled. I hastened forward immediately, and, after slipping our ass's halter over its head, and getting the bridle between its teeth, I relaxed the cord sufficiently to let it recover its breath. I then placed the split bamboo on its nose, drawing a string tightly at the open end, so as to compress it, much in the same way that blacksmiths do with a young horse when shoeing it for the first time. I then took off the noose, and tied the halter by two long cords to the roots of two separate trees, and left him to recover himself. By this time the rest of the family had collected to admire this noble animal, whose graceful and elegant form, so superior to that of the ass, raises it almost to the dignity of a horse. After a while it rose, and stamped furiously with its feel, trying to release itself; but the pain which the pincers gave it whenever it threw up its fcnad forced FAMTLT ROBINSOW. 189 it to moderate its violence, and, after a few ineffectual struggles, it lay down again. Fritz and I now tightened the opposite ends of the rope which we had secured to the halter, so as to allow it as little room to move as possible, while it enabled us to approach it with less danger. We also guarded against Master Grizzle playing truant again, and tied him fast with a new halter, confining his fore-legs with a rope. I then fastened him and the onagra side by side, and put before both plenty of good provender to solace their impatience of .captivity. We had now abundant work before us in the attempt to train the onagra. The boys confidently anticipated success, and reflected with satisfaction on the temporary loss of our donkey, which had led to our securing such a prize. I was less confident of success, but resolved to leave no means untried for its attainment. I did not con ceal that we should have many difficulties to encounter in taming it, though it seemed very young, and not even to have reached its full growth. But I was inclined to think proper means had not been hitherto adopted, and that the hunters, almost as savage as the animals themselves, had not employed sufficient art and patience, being probably unconscious of the advantages of either. I therefore de termined to resort to all possible measures. I let the nippers remain on its nose, which appeared to distress him greatly, though we could plainly perceive the good effect in subduing the creature ; for without them no one could have ventured to approach him. I took them off, how ever, at times when I gave it food, to render eating easier, and I began, as with the buffalo, by placing a bundle of sailcloth on its back to inure it to carry. When accus tomed to the load, I strode to render the beast by de grees still more docile by hunger and thirst ; and I observed with pleasure that, when it had fasted a little. 140 THF SWISS and I supplied it with food, its looks and actions were less wild. As it still continued, however, to be liable to paroxysms of fury, I made a muzzle so as to prevent it from biting, and fastened its legs by a stout cord, attached to them so loosely as to admit of its walking, without its being able to rear or kick behind. By this means we were able to approach it without danger, and it gradually grew so familiar with us that it suffered us to stroke and handle it without evincing impatience or displeasure. I continued for weeks to pursue, with the most persevering patience, every means I could think of for subduing this beautiful, but wild and fierce animal. At length it seemed to be so far accustomed to subjection that I resolved to try to mount it. I put the strongest bit we had in its mouth t and retained the cords on its legs, so as to restrain its motions ; but, notwithstanding this precaution, and every preceding means, it proved as fierce and unruly as ever, whenever it obtained any unusual degree of freedom. The monkey, who was first put on its back, held on pretty well by clinging to its mane, from which it was suspended as often as the onagra furiously reared and plunged ; it was, therefore, for the present impracticable for either of my sons to get upon it. The perverse beast baffied all our efforts, and the perilous task of breaking it was still to be perse vered in with terror and apprehension. I sometimes thought of abandoning the hopeless attempt of taming it, and restoring it to liberty. I remembered, however, one expedient which I had read of, as resorted to by the natives of South America under similar circumstances. I watched a favourable opportunity, and, leaping on the back of the onagra, as it was standing with head erect and ears thrown back, I seized the long ear of the affrighted animal between my teeth and held it till I had pierced it through; instantly it stood almost erect on its hind feet, FAMILY ROBINSON. 141 motionless and as stiff as a stake ; it soon lowered itself by degrees, while I still held its ears between my teeth. At last I ventured to release him ; he made some leaps, but soon subsided into a sort of trot, I having previously placed loose cords on his fore-legs. From that time we were his masters ; my sons mounted him one after another ; they gave him the name of Lightfoot, and never animal deserved his name better. As a precaution, we kept the cord on his legs for some time ; and as he never would submit to the bit, we used a snaffle, by which we obtained power over his head, guiding him by a stick, with which we struck the right or left ear, as we wished him to go. Now and then I mounted it myself, and not without an emotion of pride at my success in subduing an animal that had been considered by travellers and naturalists as abso lutely beyond the power of man to tame. Great was my gratification when I at length saw Fritz leap on the back of this graceful animal, freed from all its restraints, drive along our avenue like lightning, and gallop about with it, guiding it and leading it back, completely obedient to his will. During the time devoted to the training of Lightfoot, our poultry-yard had received considerable accessions. A triple brood of our hens had given us a crowd of little feathered beings ; forty of these at least were chirping and hopping about us, to the great delight of my wife. Some we kept near us, while others were allowed to colonize in the woods, where we could find them as they were wanted for our use. This increase of our poultry re minded us of an undertaking we had long thought of, and was not in prudence to be deferred any longer ; this wai the building, between rhe roots of our great tree, covered sheds for all our bipeds and quadrupeds. The rainy season, which is the winter of this climate, 142 THE SWISS was drawing near ; and, to avoid losing most of our stock, it was requisite to shelter it. We began by making a roof above the vaulted roots of our tree, and employed bamboo-canes for the purpose ; the longest and stoutest were used for the supports, like columns ; the slighter ones, Dound together closely, formed the roof itself. The jitervals we filled up with moss and clay, and spread over the whole a thick coat of tar, so as to make it completely water-tight. I then made a railing round it, which gave the appearance of a pretty balcony, under which, between the roots, were various stalls, sheltered from rain and sun, that could be easily shut, and separated from each other by means of planks nailed upon the roots ; part of them were calculated to serve as a stable and yard, part as a store-room, &c., and aa a hay-loft, to keep our hay and provisions dry in. Our dairy, larder, and dining-room were all united under one roof. This occupied us some time, as it was necessary to fill our store-room before the bad weather came ; and our cart was constantly employed in bringing useful stores. One afternoon, as we were returning with the cart loaded with an abundant supply of potatoes, which the ass and the buffalo were drawing together, as there was still some time before evening, I advised my wife to go home with the two youngest boys, whilst I went round by the wood of oaks with Ernest and Fritz, to gather as many sweet acorns as we could find room for. Ernest, as usual, had his monkey on his shoulder, while Fritz was mounted on his favourite Lightfoot. On arriving at the wood, we tied the onagra to a tree, and all three set to work to fill a sack with the fallen acorns, when we were startled by the cries of birds and a loud flapping of wings, and we concluded that a sharp conflict was going on between Master Knips and the inhabitants of the bushes from FAMILY ROBINSON. 143 whence the noisft came. Ernest went to see what was the matter, and we soon heard him calling out, "Be quick/ A fine heath-fowl's nest full of eggs; Knips wants to make a meal of them, and the mother is beating him." Fritz ran up directly, and speedily secured the two beautiful birds ; the cock being precisely similar to the one he had formerly killed. Ernest had had enough to do to hold in the rebellious monkey ; but he now filled his hat with the eggs, while I helped Fritz to tie the legs and wings of the birds. Ernest was overjoyed to carry the nest and eggs for his dear mamma. The monkey had served us well on this occasion ; for the nest was so hidden by a bush with long leaves, of which Ernest held his hand full, that, but for the instinct of the animal, we could never have discovered it. These long, sharp-pointed leaves Ernest intended for Francis, to serve as little toy- swords. It was now time to think of moving homeward ; my two sons filled the sack with acorns, and put it on Lightfoot. Fritz mounted, Ernest carried the eggs, and I took charge of the two fowls. We were all delighted with the good news we had to carry home ; and Fritz, anxious to be the first, set off at a gallop. My wife placed the valuable eggs under a brooding hen, as the female bird was too shy and frightened to hatch them in captivity. She was put into the parrot's cage, and hung up in the room, to accustom her to society. In a few days, we had the great satisfac tion of seeing the brood of wild chickens hatched, and running about after their foster-mother. They ate with avidity of the bruised acorns soaked in milk, and the other kinds of food which my wife was accustomed to give to our tame poultry. As they grew up, I plucked out the large feathers out of their wings, lest they should naturally take flight; but they and their real parent gradually became 144 THE SWISS BO domesticated that they daily accompanied our feathered stock in search of food, and regularly came back at night to the roost I had prepared for them in one of the loft* erected under our tree. CHAPTER XXV. FLAX. THE RAINT SEASON. FRANCIS, for a short time, was highly amused with his sword- leaves, and then, like all children, who are soon tired of their toys, he grew weary of them, and they were thrown aside. Fritz, happening to pick up some of these withered leaves, remarked how pliable they had become, and advised his brother to plait them into a whip to drive the goats and sheep with, for the little fellow was the shepherd. He was pleased with the idea, and began to split the leaves into strips, which Fritz plaited together into very good whiplashes. As they were working, I saw with pleasure the strength and flexibility of the bands. I examined them more closely, and was delighted to observe that they split into long tenacious fibres, so that I had little doubt we had thus accidentally discovered a plant of the same nature as the well-known Phormium tenax, or flax-plant of New Zealand. This was a valuable dis covery in our situation, and which, when I communicated it to my wife, almost overwhelmed her with joy. "This," said she, " is the most useful thing you have found ; lose not a moment in searching for more of these leaves, and bring me the most you can of them. I will make you stockings, shirts, clothes, thread, ropes in short, give me flax, looms, and frames, and I shall be at no loss in the employment of it." I could not help smiling at the FAMILY ROBINSON. 145 vivacity of her imagination, roused at the very name of flax ; but there was still great space between the leaves lying before us and the linen she was already sewing in idea. The boys, however, rejoiced in such an opportunity of gratifying their mother's wishes. Fritz was presently mounted on Lightfoot, and Jack on the buffalo, and both set off at their greatest speed to procure supplies. Whilst we waited for these, my wife, all life and animation, explained to me all the machines I must make to enable her to spin and weave, and make linen to clothe us from head to foot ; her eyes sparkled with delight as she spoke, and I promised her all she asked. In a short time our foraging party returned, each bringing a good load of the precious plant, which they laid at the feet of their mother with undisguised satisfaction. She gave up everything to begin her preparation. The first operation necessary was to steep the flax, which is usually done by exposing it in the open air, in the rain, the wind, and the dew, so as, in a certain degree, to dissolve the plant, ren dering the separation of the fibrous and ligneous parts more easy. It can then be cleansed and picked for spin ning. But, as the vegetable glue that connects the two parts is very tenacious, and resists for a long time the action of moisture, it is often advisable to steep it in water; and this, in our dry climate, I considered most expedient. My wife coincided with me ; she proposed to soak the flax in Flamingo Marsh, and to begin by making up the leaves in bundles, as they do hemp in Europe, fhis employed us during the remainder of the day. Next morning, the ass was yoked into the smaller cart, which was loaded with these bundles, and the whole cavalcade set off for the marsh with shovels and pickaxes. We there untied our bundles, and spread them in the water, press ing them down with stones, and leaving them in this state 146 THE SWISS till it was time to remove and set them in the sun to dry v and thus render the stems soft and easy to peel. In the course of this work, we noticed with admiration the in stinct of the flamingoes in building their cone-shaped nests above the level of the marsh, each nest having a recess in the upper part, in which the eggs are securely deposited, while the contrivance enables the female to sit with her legs in the water ; the nest is of clay, and so solid that they resist the water till the young are able to swim. In a fortnight the flax was ready to be taken out of the water. We spread it on the grass in the sun, where it dried so rapidly that we were able to take it home the same evening to Falcon's Nest, where it was put by till we had time to make the beetles, wheels, reels, carding-combs, &c., required by our chief for the manufacture. It was thought best to reserve this task for the rainy season, the premonitory symptoms of which had already warned us to lay in our stock of provisions for ourselves and the animals. We laboured incessantly with all the spirit of a harvest-home, bringing in waggon-loads of potatoes, manioc-root, sugar-canes, cocoa-nuts, sweet acorns, fodder for the cattle, and wood. We profited by the last few days to sow the wheat and other remaining European grains, taking advantage of the ground which we had broken up in removing the potato and cassava-roots. We also planted a considerable area with sugar-canes, and laid out some plantations of the most valuable palms in the imme diate vicinity of Falcon's Nest. These various proceedings kept us in constant employment; time was so precious that we did not even make regular meals, and limited ourselves to bread, cheese, and fruits, in order to shorten them, to return quickly to our work, and despatch it before the bad season should set in. Already various sudden showers warned us that the winter of the tropic- FAMILY ROBINSON. 147 was at hand; the weather became much more variable, and the nights exceedingly chilly. With all our exertions, however, the change came sooner than we had calculated on, and before we were quite prepared for it. The winds raged through the woods, the sea roared, mountains of clouds were piled in the heavens. They soon burst over our heads, and torrents of rain fell night and day, without intermission ; the rivers swelled till their waters met, and turned the whole country around us into an immense lake. Fortunately, the site we had chosen was sufficiently elevated to be beyond the flood, and our group of trees accordingly remained like a little island in the midst of the general inundation. We soon found, however, that our elevated abode was altogether unsuited for a tropical winter ; the rain entered it on all sides, and the hurricane threatened every moment to carry away the apartment and all that were in it. We were forced, therefore, to remove to an apartment in the erection we had made at the foot of the tree for our animals and stores. We were painfully crowded in the small space ; the neighbourhood of the animals and the various offensive smells made our retreat almost insupportable ; in addition, we were half-stifled with smoke whenever we kindled a fire, and inundated with rain when we opened a door. For the first time since our disaster we sighed for the comforts of our old Swiss home ; but action was necessary, and we set about endea vouring to amend our condition. In this state of things our staircase proved of the greatest value; the upper part of it was filled with numerous articles that gave us room below ; and, as it was lighted by windows, my wife often worked there, seated on one of the steps, with her little Francis at her feet. We crowded our beasts a little more, and gave a current of air to the places they had left. I placed outside the inclosure the 148 THE SWISS .,nimals of the country, which could bear the inclemency of the season, and every morning we sent out all the animals that could stand the exposure to the wet. That we might not lose them altogether, we tied bells round their necks ; Fritz and I sought and drove them in every evening that they did not spontaneously return. We generally got wet to the skin during the employment, which induced my wife to contrive for us a kind of clothing more suitable for the occasion. She took two seamen's shirts from the chest, and with some pieces of old coats she made us a kind of cloth hoods, joined together at the back, and well-formed for covering the head entirely. We dissolved some elastic gum, which we spread over the shirts and hood ; and the articles thus prepared answered every purpose of water-proof overalls, that were of essential use and comfort to us. We made as few fires as possible, as, fortunately, it was never very cold, and we had no provisions that required a long process of cookery. We had milk in abundance, smoked meat and fish, the pre served ortolans and cassava-cakes. The care of our animals occupied us great part of the morning ; then we prepared our cassava, and baked our cakee on iron plates. I had fixed a glass window in the wall, but the gloom of the weather, and the over-shadow ing branches of the trees, greatly abridged our light, a.nd made night come on early. We then lighted a candle fixed in a gourd on the table, round which we were all assembled. My thrifty wife laboured with her needle, mending the clothes ; I wrote my journal, which Ernest copied, as he wrote a beautiful hand; Fritz and Jack amused themselves by drawing from memory the plants and animals which had most struck their observation; while one and all contributed to teach little Francis to read and write. We read the lessons from the Bible in FAMILY KOBINSON. 149 and concluded the evening with devotion. We then retired to rest, content with ourselves and with o-.ir innocent and peaceful life. Our kind housekeeper often made us a little feast of a roast chicken, a pigeon, or a duck, from our poultry-yard, or some of the thrushes we had preserved in butter, which were excellent, and wel comed as a treat to reward extraordinary toil. Every four or five days we had fresh butter made in the gourd- churn ; and this, with some fragrant honey spread on our manioc-cakes, formed a collation that would have been a treat to European epicures. The remains of our repast were always divided among our domestic animals. We had now four dogs, the jackal, the eagle, and the monkey, to feed ; they relied with just confidence on their respective masters, who certainly would have deprived themselves to supply the wants of their helpless depen dents ; but if the buffalo, the onagra, and the swine had not been able to provide for themselves, we must have killed them, for we had no food for them. Their supply of hay and leaves gone, we fed the European cattle on the sweet acorns and roots which had been laid up for ourselves. They not only took this novel food with great relish, but it gave a very pleasant flavour to the milk, of which we had now an abundant supply from the ewes and the goats, as well as from the cow. In the course of our discomforts, it was unanimously resolved on, that we would not pass another rainy season exposed to the same evils. Even my good, gentle wife lost temper sometimes under the irritating inconveniences we were perplexed with, and insisted more than any of us on the plan of building elsewhere a more spacious winter residence ; stipulating, however, that we should return to our tree in summer. The discussion of the various pro jects for our future accommodation suiliced to beguile our 150 THE SWISS thoughts from present privations. We consulted a great deal on this matter. Fritz quoted Robinson Crusoe, who had cut a dwelling out of the rock, which sheltered him in the inclement season. The reference to Crusoe led us to reflect with gratitude and thanksgiving on our own more fortunate lot in being thus preserved for each other's aid and comfort, instead of being abandoned to such solitude as he endured. The final result of our delibera tions was, as soon as the weather should allow us, to go and survey the rocks round Tent House, and examine whether any of them could be excavated for our purpose. The last work of the winter was, at my wife's incessant request, a beetle for her flax and some car ding- combs. I filed large nails till they were round and pointed ; I fixed them at equal distances in a sheet of tin, and raised the sides of it like a box ; I then poured melted lead between the nails and the edge to fix them more firmly. I nailed this tin on a board, and the machine was fit for work. My wife was impatient to begin her manufacture ; and the drying, peeling, and spinning her flax became from this time a source of inexhaustible delight CHAPTER XXVI. SPRING. THE SALT MINE. I CAN hardly describe our delight when, after many days of unbroken gloom, the sky began to clear, the winds to be lulled, and the waters to subside. The sun dis persed the dark clouds of winter, and spread its vivifying rays over all nature; the air became mild and serene, We rapidly forgot, in new sensations, the embarrassments FAMILY ROBINSON. 151 and weary hours of the wet season, and looked forward to the toils of summer as enviable amusements. Our plantations of young trees were thriving vigorously, and the seed which we had sown was shooting through the moist earth. The air was perfumed with the odour of countless flowers, and lively with the songs and cries of hundreds of brilliantly-plumaged birds, all busy building their nests. This was really Spring in all its glory. Our first work was to restore our summer lodging in the tree, which the rain and the scattered leaves had greatly deranged, and in a few days we were able to inhabit it again. My wife immediately began with her flax. While my sons were leading the cattle to the fresh pastures, I carried the bundles of flax into the open air, where, by heaping stones together, I contrived an oven sufficiently commodious to dry it well. The same evening we all set to work to peel, beat, and comb it. My carding machine fully answered the purpose. I took this laborious task on myself, and drew out such distaffs, full of long soft flax, ready for spinning, that my wife was overjoyed, and begged me to make her a wheel that she might commence. At an early period of my life I had practised turnery for my amusement ; now, however, I was unfortunately destitute of the requisite utensils, but, devoting all my ingenuity and perseverance to the task, I at length com pleted two machines, which, though somewhat rude and clumsy, answered the purpose. My wife, indeed, was delighted with them, and set to work to spin with such eagerness, that she seemed to grudge the time required for a walk, or even the interruptions which the daily pre paration of the family meals made on her time. She employed Francis to reel off the thread as she spun it, and she would gladly have engaged the whole family in assisting her operations ; but the boys rebelled at the 152 THE SWISS effeminate work, except Ernest, whose indolent habits made him prefer it to more laborious occupation. One of our first proceedings was an excursion to Tent House, to ascertain if it had suffered from the winter's rains. We found our dwelling in a deplorable state. The storm had overthrown the tent, carried away some of the Bail-cloth, and injured our provisions so much, that great part was good for nothing, and the rest required to be immediately dried. Fortunately our beautiful pinnace had not suffered much it was still safe at anchor ; but our tub-boat was in too shattered a state to be of any further service. What excited the greatest regret in my mind was the discovery that two out of the three barrell of powder left in the tent were rendered wholly useless. The sight of such ravages redoubled the desire of all to provide winter quarters, where we should no longer be exposed to such irreparable losses. Still I had small hope from the gigantic plan of Fritz or the boldness of Jack. I could not be blind to the difficulties of the undertaking. We looked along the surrounding cliffs in the vain hope of seeing any opening that would even diminish the labour of excavation. However, it was necessary to try to con trive some sort of cave, if only for our gunpowder. After examining carefully the whole neighbouring rocks, I selected a perpendicular cliff, which was situated at a greater elevation, and commanded a beautiful view of the whole bay and the two banks of the river. It was altogether a much more attractive spot than Tent House. I marked out with chalk the dimension of the entrance I wished to give to the cave, then my sons and I took our chisels, pickaxes, and hammers, and began to try what impression could be made on the rock. We were resolved not to be easily daunted ; but the rock was hard, and the labour such as we were little FAMILY ROBINSON. 155 accustomed to ; and when evening arrived we were utterly exhausted, and yet had only penetrated a few inches from the surface. We returned, however, on the morrow, and renewed our work day after day. At the end of five or six days, when the surface of the rock was removed, we found the stone easier to work ; it seemed calcareous, and finally only a sort of hardened clay, which readily gave way to our tools ; and we began to hope. After a few days' more labour, we found we had advanced about seven feet. Fritz wheeled out the rubbish, and formed a sort of terrace with it before the opening : while I was working at the higher part, Jack, as the least, worked below. One morning, as he was hammering away at a long crowbar, in the hope of loosening a large mass of rock, he suddenly shouted, " Papa ! papa ! I have got through !" " Through what?" said I, supposing the boy was jesting; "not through your hand, I hope !" " No, no, papa," said he, " through the mountain !" On this Fritz set up a loud laugh. " Why not say through the world at once ! You hould have pushed on your tool boldly till you reached Europe, which they say is under our feet. I should have been glad to peep into that hole." Meanwhile, however, Fritz had been examining the object of his brother's exclamation, and, dropping his bantering tone, said, " Do come hither, father ; this is really extraordinary ; his iron bar seems to have got to a hollow place ; it can be moved in every direction." I approached, and found, on moving about the crowbar, that it could be pushed to its full length with ease, while the rubbish it displaced seemed to fall into a hollow, apparently very little below the level we were working on. On forcing away a considerable piece of rock, and inserting a long pole into the hole, it became evident that we had come upon a cavity of considerable size. My boys were now eager to break away the rock 11 154 THE SWISS and ascertain its full extent, and to enter immediately; but this I strictly forbade, for, as I leaned forward to examine it through the opening, a rush of mephitic air gave me a sort of vertigo. " Beware, my dear children," said I in terror, " of entering such places, for the loss of life might be the consequence." I explained to them that, under certain circumstances, carbonic acid is fre quently accumulated in caves or grottoes, rendering the air unfit for respiration ; producing giddiness of the head, fainting, and eventually death. I directed them to collect materials for kindling a fire; I took them some dried grass, and, setting it into a blaze, threw it into the hole, where it was immediately extinguished. Bundles of dried moss were now lighted by the boys and thrust blazing into the recess, but always with the same effect. It was obvious, therefore, that more effectual means must br resorted to. I recollected that we had brought from the vessel a chest that was full of grenades, rockets, and other fire works, which had been shipped for the purpose of making signals as well as for amusement. I despatched Fritz for these ; and, after throwing in some grenades, which made a most singular and loud reverberating noise, we lighted a few rockets, and fired them successively into the cavern ; they flew round like fiery dragons, disclosing to us the vast extent of the cave. A shower of stars, which concluded our experiment, made us wish the duration had been longer. It seemed as if troops of winged genii, carrying each a lamp, were floating about in that enchanted cavern. After having played off our fireworks, and waited till all was once more in darkness, I again threw in some bundles of lighted straw, which now blazed freely, and showed that all danger from impure air was removed ; but, for fear of deep pits, or pools of water, I would not venture in FAMILY ROBINSON. 155 without lights. I therefore despatched Jack, on his buffalo, to report this discovery to his mother, and bring all the candles that were left. I purposely sent Jack on the errand, for his lively and poetic turn of mind would, I hoped, invest the grotto with such charms that his mother would even abandon her wheel to come and see it. Delighted with his commission, Jack leaped upon his buffalo, and galloped off with an intrepidity that made me almost tremble for his safety. During his absence, Fritz and I busied ourselves in enlarging the entrance and re moving the rubbish, so as to afford a readier access to it. We had just finished when we heard the sound of wheels crossing the bridge. The large car drawn by the cow and ass was lumbering along with all the speed that the un equally yoked pair could be induced by their driver. Ernest, to muster, while Jack came prancing along before them astride on the buffalo, which he rode in the most fearless confidence. So soon as Jack saw the car, with his mother and brothers, fairly over Family Bridge, he came forward on the gallop, and, when he got to us, jumped off the beast, shook himself, took a spring or two from the ground, and, thus refreshed, ran up to the car to help his mother out. I immediately lighted some of the tapers, giving one to each, with a spare candle and flint and steel in our pockets. Thus provided I led the way, my sons followed me, my wife and little Francis bringing up the rear. We had not gone on above a few steps when we stopped, struck with wonder and admiration ; all was glittering around us. It seemed as if the walls and roof of the cavern were set with diamonds, which sparkled under the light of our tapers as if the whole were an illuminated temple. Huge crystal pendants hung suspended from the roof, or rose in masses from below, forming altars, pillars, and colonnades, and 156 THE SWISS giving to the whole an aspect of some fairy palace of romance. When we were a little recovered from our first astonish ment, we advanced with more confidence. The grotto was spacious, the floor smooth, and covered with a fine white sand, as if purposely strewed, and so dry that I could not see the least mark of humidity anywhere. From the appearance of the crystals, I suspected their nature, and, on breaking off a piece and tasting it, I found, to my great joy, that we were in a grotto of rock salt. We were charmed with this discovery. What an advantage this was to our cattle and to ourselves ! We could now pro cure this precious commodity without care or labour, and preferable in all respects to what we collected on the shore, which required to be refined. The acquisition was almost as valuable as this brilliant retreat was in itself, of which we were never tired of admiring the beauty. The only drawback to my entire satisfaction and delight arose from observing some large pieces of the crystallized salt which had evidently fallen from the vaulted roof. Such a separation might recur, and expose us to danger ; but, on examination, I found the mass above too solid to be de tached spontaneously, and I concluded that the explosion of the fireworks had given this shock to the subterranean palace. I directed my wife and three of the children to place themselves in the entrance, while Fritz and I tried in vain to knock off some of the pendant crystals in the suspected parts; we fired our guns, and watched the effect ; one or two pieces fell, but the rest remained firm, though we struck with long poles as high as we could reach. We were now satisfied of the security of our mag nificent abode, and began to plan our arrangements for converting it into a convenient and pleasant habitation. With the usual effects of novelty on voung minds, the FAMILY ROBINSON. 157 majority were for the immediate abandonment of Falcon'8 Nest for the cave. My wife and I, however, decided on adhering to the former as the most eligible summer quarters. There we went every night, and spent the day at Tent House, contriving and arranging our future winter dwelling. CHAPTER XXVH. TUB OAVE-DWELLING. HERRING FISHERY. THE inner portion of the rock, in front of the cavern, through which Jack had dug so easily, was so soft that we had little difficulty in proportioning and opening the place for our door. As, however, I anticipated that it would harden rapidly on exposure to the air, I resolved to lose no time in making such cuttings as appeared needful. In tending Falcon's Nest in future as a rural retreat for the hottest days in summer, the windows of the staircase became unnecessary; and as to the doors, I preferred making one of bark similar to that of the tree itself, aa it would the better conceal our abode, should we at any time experience invasion from savages or other enemies ; the doors and windows were, therefore, taken to Tent House, to be hereafter fixed in the rock. Having marked out the openings for the windows to suit the frames, we soon cut through the rock, making grooves for fitting them into. I took care not to break the stone taken from the apertures, or at least to preserve it in large pieces, and these I cut with the saw and chisel into oblongs an inch and a half in thickness, to serve as tiles. I laid them in the sun, and was gratified in seeing they hardened quickly ; I then removed them, and my sons placed them in order 158 THE SWISS against the side of the rock, till they were wanted for our internal arrangements. Having supplied our grotto with the needful light, I next proceeded to lay out its ample space for GUI winter dwelling. We began to subdivide the whole by one large partition. The right-hand division, which was to be our dwelling, I again partitioned off into three rooms, the centre one of which was to be the common sitting- room, with the boy's bedroom on one side, and our own on the other. The left portion of the cabin was divided into a kitchen, a workshop, and the stables ; behind these were the store-rooms and the cellar. The doors and timber- work which we had brought from the wreck enabled us to fit up very complete partitions, with doors opening from the rooms into the store-house and passages ; and, though our work went slowly on, we did not doubt that it would be sufficiently advanced to admit of our taking up our abode in it before winter set in. Our experience of the miseries of the rainy season through which we had just passed suggested many useful arrangements in laying out this commodious dwelling. I constructed a sort of chim ney in the kitchen, formed of four boards, and conducted the smoke thus, through a hole made in the face of the rock. We made our work-room spacious enough for the performance of undertakings of some magnitude, and it served also for our cart-house. The stables were formed into four compartments, to separate the different species of which our live stock now consisted. It is readily imagined that a plan of this extent was not executed without much time and labour, and that we satisfied ourselves in the first instance with doing what was most urgent, reserving much to be completed in the fitting- up of the interior during the unavoidable leisure of the following rainy season. Yet every day forwarded the FAMTLf BOBINSOK. 159 business more than we had been aware of; as we made a point of bringing something with us every time that we risited the cave, the removal of our various stores, both from Falcon's Nest and Tent House, and the proper dis posal of them in our new dwelling and store-rooms, pro gressed steadily. Our frequent residence at Tent House, the centre of our operations, led to some important discoveries, which we had not anticipated. Large turtles often came ashore to lay their eggs in the sand, by which means we obtained an abundant supply of this dainty food ; but we raised our desires to the turtles themselves, living, to eat when we chose. As soon as we saw one on the shore, one of my eons ran to cut off its retreat towards the sea. Meanwhile, we cautiously approached the animal, and, turning it dexterously on its back, we passed a stout cord through a hole in the shell, and, fastening this to a stake driven firmly into the ground, the prisoner was set on his legs again, when of course it made for the water, but could only ramble the length of its cord ; it seemed, however, very content, finding food with more facility along shore than out at sea, while it was ready for us whenever we chose to take it. Lobsters, crabs, mussels, and every sort of fish which abounded on the coast, plentifully supplied our table. One morning our attention was attracted by a singular phenomenon. Immense flocks of birds were hovering over a part of the sea which was singularly agitated. From time to time the surface, on which the rising sun now shone, seemed covered with little flames, which rapidly appeared and vanished. Suddenly, this extra ordinary mass advanced to the bay, and we ran down, full of curiosity. A shoal of herrings was approaching and entering the bay. My wife and children were lost in 160 THE SWISS admiration at the wonderful sight ; but I reminded them that, when Providence sends plenty, we ought to put forth our hands to take it. I sent for the necessary utensils, and organised my fishery. Fritz and Jack stood in the water, and such was the thickness of the shoal that they filled baskets, taking them up as you would water in a pail ; they threw them on the sand ; my wife and Ernest cut them open, cleaned them, and rubbed them with salt. At the end of a few days, we had several barrels of fine herrings salted and stored away among our winter pro visions. A still larger quantity was slit up and smoked in a fire of green moss, which effectually preserved them, and gave them a very pleasant flavour. The refuse of this fishery, which we threw into the sea, attracted a number of sea-dogs, of which we killed several for the sake of the skin and the oil. The skin, tanned and dressed, makes excellent leather. I was in great need of it for straps and harness to make saddles for Fritz and Jack to ride the onagra and buffalo, and we also wanted a fresh supply of soles, belts, and pantaloons. The fat yielded good lamp-oil, that might be substituted for tapers in the long evenings of winter ; moreover, it was useful in tanning and rendering the leather pliant. When time should allow, I purposed making soap with it; and this design excited my wife's zeal in the unpleasant, though ultimately useful, task we were engaged in. We also took care of the bladders, which were very large, for the pur pose of holding liquids. At this time I made some improvements in our sledge by placing it on the four gun-carriage wheels I had taken off the cannon from the vessel. By this alteration I ob tained a light and convenient vehicle, so low that we could easily place heavy weights upon it. Pleased with the operations of the w&ek. we returned with cheerful hearts FAMILY ROBINSON. 101 to Falcon'i Nest, to spend our Sunday there, or>d once more to offer our thanks to the Almighty for all the benefits h had bestowed upon us. CHAPTER XXVIII. NiiW EXPERIMENTS AND DISCOVERIES. THE completion of our dwelling proceeded amid various interruptions, as many employments diverted us from the great work. I had already observed that the rock-salt in our grotto rested on a bed of gypsum, and looked forward to the future use of it in the finishing our dwelling. I was fortunate enough to discover, behind a projecting rock, a natural passage leading to our store-room, strewed with fragments of gypsum. I took some of it to the kitchen, calcined it, and reduced it to a fine white powder, which I put into casks and carefully preserved for use. I had already formed the resolution of constructing our main partition walls with stone, and cementing them with the prepared gypsum ; and, as we frequently employed a spare hour in collecting and burning it, we had soon a consi derable supply laid aside. About a month after the appearance of the herrings, we were visited by other shoals of fish. Jack first discovered them at the mouth of Jackal River, where they had appa rently come to deposit their eggs among the scattered stones. I found them to be pretty large sturgeons, besides salmon, large trout, and many other fishes. Jack now strutted about in ecstacies. "What say you now, father?" cried he, " this is nothing like your little paltry fry ! A single fish of this troop would fill a tub !" " No doubt, ** answered I ; and with great gravity I added, " Prythee, 162 THE SWISS Jack, step into the river, and fling them to me one by one, that I may take them home to salt and dry." He looked at me for a moment with a sort of vacant doubt if I could possibly be in earnest, and then ran for his bow and arrows, declaring he would kill them alL He fastened the end of a ball of string to an arrow with a hook at the end of it ; he tied the bladders of the dog-fish at certain dis tances to the string ; he then placed the ball safe on the shore, took his bow, fixed the arrow in it, and, aiming at one of the largest salmon, shot it in the side. The fish tried to escape. I assisted him to draw the cord ; it was no easy task, for he struggled tremendously; but at length, weakened by loss of blood, we drew him to land. My young sportsman shouted with joy. At the same moment Fritz joined us. "Well done, brother Jack," cried he; "but let me, too, have my turn." Saying this, he ran back and fetched the harpoon and the windlass, and re turned to us, accompanied by Ernest. Fritz threw his harpoon, and landed, by means of the reel, some large salmon; Ernest took his rod and caught trout; and I, armed like Neptune with an iron trident, succeeded in striking some enormous fish. The greatest difficulty was to land our booty. Fritz had struck a sturgeon at least eight feet in length, which resisted our united efforts, till my wife brought the buffalo, which we harnessed to the line, and made ourselves masters of this immense prize. We had a great deal of labour in opening and cleaning all our fish. Some we dried and salted ; some of the salmon my wife boiled in oil, similar to the manner of preparing tunny fish in the Mediterranean. The spawn of the sturgeon, weighing not less than thirty pounds, I laid aside to prepare as caviare, a favourite dish in Russia and Holland. I cleansed the eggs from the skin and fibres that were mixed with them, washed them thoroughly in eea- FAMILY EOBIWSOW. 163 water, slightly sprinkled them with salt, then put them in a gourd pierced with small holes to let the water escape, and placed weights on theni to press them completely for twenty-four hours. We then removed the caviare in solid masses, like cheeses, took it to the smoking-hut to dry, and, in a few days, had this large addition to our winter provision. Our fishing also supplied us with oil and isinglass, from the latter of which I hoped to be able to form a useful substitute for window-panes, of which our stock was very small. In our fishing operations we had experienced great inconvenience from the want of our tub-boat. As soon, therefore, as I could find sufficient leisure, I had resolved to construct some substitute for it. I was anxious to try and make one of bark, as the savage nations do, and I proposed to make an expedition in search of a tree for our purpose, as all those in our immediate neighbourhood were much too valuable, either for their fruit or the shade they offered, to be injured. We had, as usual, several other objects in view in our proposed journey, and intended taking in our road a survey of our plantations and fields. Our garden at Tent House produced abundantly continual successions of vegetables. The peas, beans, lettuces, &c., were flourishing, and only required water, and our chan nels from the river brought this plentifully to us. We had delicious cucumbers and melons ; the maize was already a foot high ; the sugar-canes were in a prosperous condition ; and our plantation of pine-apples on the high ground promised to reward our labour with abundance of that delicious fruit. This state of general prosperity at Tent House gave us the most flattering expectations from our nurseries at Falcon's Stream. Full of these hopes, we all set out together one day for our former somewhat neglected 1G4 THE SWISS abode. We found our corn-fields were luxuriant in appearance, and for the most part ready for reaping. We cut down the barley, wheat, and rye. There were also small patches of peas, millet, and lentils, sufficient to supply us with seed for the following year. The richest crop was the maize, which suited the soil. But we found our harvest treasures had not failed to secure an abundant appreciation. Our dogs startled whole flocks of birds, which took to wing as we approached, while quails were seen running off in various directions, and several kanga roos escaped by their singular and prodigious leaps. After our first shock at the sight of these plunderers, we used some measures to lessen the number of them. Fritz unhooded his eagle, and pointed out the dispersing bustards. The well-trained bird immediately soared, and, pouncing on a superb specimen, brought him to the ground. Fritz hastened to the spot, and, replacing the hood, relieved the prize from his talons. Fortunately, it was not greatly hurt, and we were delighted on perceiving that it was a male, as we anticipated the advantages that we must reap from procuring a mate for the female bus tard which we had already tamed and added to our poultry. The jackal, too, who was a capital pointer, brought to his master several fat quails, which furnished us with an excellent repast ; to which my wife added a liquor of her own invention, made of the green maize crushed in water, and mingled with the juice of the sugar cane a most agreeable beverage, white as milk, sweet, and refreshing. The rest of the day was employed in picking the grains of the different sorts of corn from the stalks. We put by what we wished to keep for sowing into some gourd- Bhells, and the Turkey wheat was laid by in sheaves till we should have time to beat and winnow it. Meanwhile FAMILY ROBINSON. 165 Fritz set to work looking out the handnrill we had brought from the ship, which it was now desirable to bring into requisition. The next day we proceeded to carry out another project. Our live stock was now increasing so rapidly on our bands that we had reason to apprehend they might become a burden to us. We resolved, there fore, to try whether it might not be possible to naturalize them, so that they might support themselves and yet still be available to us when wanted. My wife selected from her poultry-yard twelve young fowls. I took four young pigs, two couple of sheep, and two goata. We could well afford to spare them for the experiment. These animals we placed in the large cart, along with provisions and such tools and utensils as we might need, not forgetting the rope ladder and the portable tent ; we then harnessed the buffalo, the cow, and the ass, and departed on our tour. Fritz, mounted on Lightfoot, rode before us, so as to guide the way, selecting, as usual, a new route, in order to acquire a more complete idea of the country we seemed destined for ever to inhabit. Our progress through unexplored districts was attended, as usual, with some new discoveries, one of which was of the utmost importance. Our attention was attracted by a little thicket of low bushes, which presented an appear ance as if covered with snow. Francis clapped his hands with joy, and begged to get out of the cart that he might make some snowballs. Fritz galloped forward, and re turned, bringing me a branch loaded with this beautiful white down, which, to my great joy, I recognised to be cotton. It was a discovery of inestimable value to us, and my wife, full of delight, began immediately to enume rate all the advantages we should derive from it when I should have constructed for her the machines for spinning and weaving the cotton. We gathered as much as our 166 THE SWISS bags would hold, and my wife filled her pockets with the seed, to raise it in our garden at Tent House. After crossing the plain of the cotton-trees, we reached the summit of a hill, from which the eye rested on a terrestrial paradise. Trees of every sort covered the sides of the hill, and a murmuring stream crossed the plain, adding to its beauty and fertility. We decided at once that this should be the site of our farm. We found a convenient group so situated that their trunks would suf fice for the main pillars of our dwelling. I also selected a tree suitable for the proposed boat we had in view. The day, however, was already far advanced ; and when Fritz and I returned from the latter search, we found the tent erected, and my wife and the boys busy making up very comfortable beds with the cotton which they had already picked. We retired to rest at an early hour, and slept peacefully under our canvas roof. CHAPTER XXIX. THE FABM-HOUSES. A LAKE. A BOAT. THE group of trees I had selected for our farm-house formed a tolerably regular parallelogram, the long side facing the sea. The dimensions of the whole covered a surface of about twenty-four feet by sixteen. I cut deep mortises in the trunks about ten feet distant from the ground, and again ten feet higher, to form a second storey; I then inserted beams five inches in diameter respectively in the mortises, and thus formed the skeleton of my building. I placed over this a roof of bark, sloping, that the rain might run off, and fastened the FAMILY ROBINSON. 167 pieces with the thorns of the acacia, which formed a tole rable substitute for nails. In peeling off the bark from some of the neighbouring trees to obtain material for roofing, we discovered both turpentine and gum mastic, which I hailed with satisfaction, as furnishing me with the means of overlaying my boat with a useful substitute for pitch. The instinct of our goats, or the acuteness of their smell, discovered for us another pleasing acquisition. We observed with surprise that they ran from a distance to roll themselves on some chips of a particular bark which lay on the ground, and which they began to chew and eat greedily. It proved to be cinnamon. We worked for some days at the farm-house. We formed the walls of thin laths, interwoven with long, pliant reeds, for about six feet from the ground ; the rest was merely a sort of light trellis-work, to admit light and air. The interior we subdivided into fitting accommodation for the various animals, reserving one small apartment for our own use when we should visit it. On the upper storey was a sort of hay-loft for the fodder. We filled the racks with the most favourite food of the various animals, and supplied the poultry with grain and fruits, so as to accustom them to the place; and we agreed that we would return frequently to repeat this process, till the animals became familiar with the place. Our work occu pied us longer than we had anticipated, and the provisions we had brought were nearly exhausted. I therefore sent Fritz and Jack to look after the animals at home, and bring back a fresh stock of supplies. For the latter pur pose they took the ass with them, and set off, each on his favourite steed. In the meantime, Ernest and I pro ceeded to explore the vicinity of our new dwelling, in the hope of meeting with some cocoa-nut palms or other con venient means of immediately replenishing our exhausted 168 THE SWISS larder. For some time we ascended the stream, and came to a marsh which bordered a small lake, the aspect of which was enchantingly picturesque. I perceived, with joyful surprise, that the whole surface of the swampy soil was covered with a kind of wild rice, ripe on the stalk, che mellow ears of which attracted flocks of birds. We succeeded in bringing down five or six of these ; and it pleased me much to observe the skill with which Ernest used his gun. Knips leaped off the back of his usual palfrey, Bill, and, making his way through the rich grass, began picking something which he ate with great relish. We ran to the spot to see what this was, and were re warded by the discovery of the chili, or pine strawberry, a delicious fruit, which was most refreshing. Ernest especially enjoyed them, but did not forget those who were absent. He filled Knips's little pannier, and covered them with large leaves, which I fastened down with reeds, lest he should help himself as we went home. I took, also, a specimen of the rice, that my wife might judge how far it was useful for culinary purposes. We proceeded round the lake, and found ourselves surrounded on every side with new and strange objects. This was one of the most lovely and fertile spots we had yet discovered in the country. Birds of all kinds abounded ; but we were particularly struck with a pair of black swans gracefully sailing on the water. We soon saw many more, some of them followed by their young train, Their plumage was perfectly black and glossy, except the extremities of the wings, which were white. Ernest would have tried his skill again, but I interfered, and forbade the wanton cruelty. But Bill found no such satisfaction in the mere sight of natural objects ; and, while we were admiring the graceful motions of the swans, one suddenly plunged into the water near us, and presently returned FAMILY ROBINSON. 169 with a most singular animal in her mouth. It resembled an otter in form, but was web-footed, and had an erect, bushy tail like the squirrel ; the head was very small, and the ears and eyes were almost invisible. A long, flat bill, like that of a duck, completed its strange appearance. This singular creature, which is known in Europe as the duck-billed platypus, was, like the black swan, first dis covered in a lake of New Holland. I told Ernest to secure it, as I should like to stuff and preserve a specimen. We now began to look for the shortest path for return ing to the farm, which we reached nearly at the same time with Fritz and Jack, who had well performed the object of their journey. We remained four days longer, and completed our new structure, and stored it with a good supply of fodder and grain. We also put our own apartment in order, so as to be ready for us whenever we chose to return, and then began arrangements for our departure. Directing our course towards a height in the vicinity of Cape Disappointment, we gathered on the -vray a quantity of fruit, which I recognised to be the stone pine, the kernel of which is pleasant eating. We ascended a little hill in the neighbourhood of the Cape ; here we had a view over the country which surrounded Falcon's Nest in one direction, and in others of a richly diversified land scape, comprising sea, land, and rocks. When we had admired for a short space of time the exhaustless beauties of the scene, we agreed with one voice that it should be on this spot we would build our second cottage. A spring of the clearest water issued from the soil near the summit, and flowed over its sloping side, forming murmuring cascades in its rapid course ; in short, every feature of the picture contributed to form a view worthy the homage of si taste the most delicate and refined. Here we placed 12 170 THE SWISS our tent, and immediately began to erect a building, formed in the same manner as our first farm-house. Profiting by our experience, we finished it in the short space of six days; and this new erection received the name of Prospect Hill. When we had completed this to our satisfaction, I set to work on my projected boat. I selected a sort of oak, the bark of which was closer than that of the European species* resembling more that of the cork-tree. The trunk was at least five feet in diameter. I traced a circle at the foot, and cut the bark entirely through ; Fritz, by means of the rope-ladder we had brought with us, and attached to the lower branches of the tree, ascended, and cut a similar circle eighteen feet above mine. We then took a perpen dicular slip from the whole length between the circles ; by this means we could introduce the proper utensils for raising the rest by degrees, till it was entirely separated We toiled with increasing anxiety, every moment dreading that we should not be able to preserve it from breaking, or uninjured by, our tools. We sustained it, as we proceeded, with ropes, and then gently let it down on the grass. Our business was next to mould it to our purpose, while the sub stance continued moist and flexible. The boys observed that we had now nothing more to do than to nail a plank at each end, and our boat would be as complete as those used by the savages ; but, for my own part, I could not be con tented with a mere roll of bark for a boat. I wished to have one that would look well by the side of the pinnace ; and this idea at once rendered them patient and obedient. We began by cutting out at each end of the roll of bark a triangular piece several feet long ; then, placing the sloping parts one over the other, I united them with pegs and the strong glue I had made from fish-bladders, and thus finished the ends of my boat in a pointed form. This FAMILY aOBINSON. 171 operation having widened it too much in the middle, we passed strong ropes round it, and again reduced it to the due proportion, and in this state we put it in the sun to harden and fix. Much, however, remained to be done before our boat could be considered completed. I there fore despatched two of the boys to Tent House for the sledge, that we might carry it home and finish it at our leisure. I had the good fortune to meet with some very hard, crooked wood, the natural curve of which would be admirably suitable for supporting the sides of the boat. We found also a^ resinous tree which distilled a sort of pitch that soon hardened in the sun, and of which my wife and Francis soon collected a sufficient quantity for my purpose. Before our departure, we collected several new plants for our kitchen garden ; and lastly, we made another trip to the narrow strait at the end of the wall of rocks, and planted a thick hedge of prickly bushes, so as to form through time a barrier against the attacks of wild beasts or of savages, as well as to retain our own animals, includ ing the pigs, which we had brought with us in order to colonise this new station, and prevent them straying to the open country beyond. We accomplished all these under takings to our entire satisfaction, and, in addition, we placed a slight drawbridge across the river beyond the narrow pass, which we could let down or take up at plea sure on our side. We now hastened our return to Prospect Hill, and, after a night's repose, we put the boat on the sledge, and loading it with such things as were worth re moving, including a large bamboo which we had cut and prepared for a mast, we returned to Tent House. As soon as we had despatched some necessary affairs, we resumed the completion of our canoe, and in two days it had received the addition of a keel, a neat liring of 172 THE, SWISS wood, a small floor, benches, a mast and triangular sail, a rudder, and a thick coat of pitch on the outside, so that the first time we saw it in the water, we were delighted to see the smart appearance it had in the water. We were now amply provided for marine excursions, having the pinnace when we chose to make a distant voyage, and the canoe for coasting observations. Our cow had, during our absence, given us a young buffalo calf; and, as each of the other boys had his favourite animal to ride, I determined that the bull should belong to Francis, and be trained for his use. I accord ingly began by piercing its nostrils, and attaching a cord to it, by which its little master could hold it in check. It rapidly grew under his care, exhibiting considerable do cility. Francis was delighted with his new charger, and determined to give him the name of Valiant. We had still two months before the rainy season, and we employed them in completing our abode at the grotto, with the exception of such ornaments as we might have time to think of during the long days of winter. We made all the partitions of wood, and that which separated us from the stables of stone, so as effectually to exclude any offensive effluvia. We soon acquired skul in our works , we had a plentiful supply of beams and planks from the ship; and by practice we became very good plasterers. We laid the whole floor with clay, which we overlaid with gravel, and beat it till it was smooth and firm. We then contrived a sort of felt carpet. We first covered the floor with sail-cloth, and strewed goats' hair mixed with wool over it; on this we poured a cement we had prepared with isinglass and gum. The whole was then rolled up, and beaten for a considerable time to compact it together. When this was dry, we repeated the process, and in the end had an admirable floor-cloth. Pleased with our sun- FAMILY ROBINSON. 178 cess, we made similar coverings for the floors of our sleep ing apartments, so as to protect us effectually against risk of damp during the approaching rains. By the time theso various works were completed, the indications of the coming winter began to make themselves felt. We therefore lost no time in completing all our needful stores and provender, and removing our cattle and poultry to our cave dwelling, so that we were completely prepared for every contingency when the rain at length should set in. The privations we had suffered the pre ceding winter increased the enjoyment of our present comforts. The season proved much more cold aud bois terous ; but we had now a warm, well-lighted, convenient habitation, and abundance of excellent provision for our selves and our live stock. In the morning, we could attend to their wants without trouble ; the rain-water, carefully collected in clean vessels, prevented the necessity of going to the river. We then assembled in the dining-room to prayers ; and after breakfast to the work-room. My wife took her wheel, or her loom, which I had, though with indifferent success, constructed ; however, it answered the purpose, and kept her in constant employment suited to her taste. I had also contrived to construct a turning- macliine with the help of the wheels of a gun, and I managed to produce some tolerably useful utensils. The turning-lathe was a special favourite with Ernest, who speedily acquired great dexterity in its use. After dinner, eur evening occupations commenced ; our room was lighted up brilliantly ; we did not spare our candles, as they cost no more than our own trouble in collecting and manufacturing the materials ; and we enjoyed the reflec tion in the elegant crystals above us. We had partitioned off a little chapel in one corner of the grotto, which we left as much as possible in its natural 17* THE SWISS state, and nothing could be more magnificent than this chapel lighted up, with its colonnades and pendants, and its walls covered with the glittering crystals, which re flected back the light with the most dazzling brilliancy. We had divine service here every Sunday. I had raised a sort of pulpit, from which I pronounced such discourses as I had framed for the instruction of my affectionate group of auditors. Jack and Francis had a natural taste for music: I made them flageolets of reeds, which they soon learned to play with considerable skill, and, when accompanied with their mother's sweet voice, this music in our lofty grotto had a charming effect. We had brought from the wreck a case of books be longing to the captain ; some had also been found in the officers' chests, so that we possessed a tolerably respectable library, which embraced collections of voyages and travels, works on navigation, and what interested us above all, various works on zoology, botany, and other branches of natural history ; in addition to which there were v_arious vocabularies and grammars of foreign languages. With the exception of Francis and Jack, we all knew French, besides German. Fritz and Ernest had some knowledge of English. As we looked forward to the. possibility of a European vessel visiting our island some day, the idea of our not being able to communicate with the voyagers stimulated all of us to devote some of our leisure hours to the study of that language. FAMILY ROBINSON. 175 CHAPTER XXX. A WHALE. A PALANQUIN. THE rainy season having at length elapsed, and as we could again gaze upon the aspect of external nature, we amused ourselves by a walk along the base of the cliff, and indulged in an exercise to which we had been long stran gers. Fritz had climbed an elevated peak among the rocks, and observed some black object of considerable magnitude, somewhat resembling an overturned boat, lying on the shore of the bay. We betook ourselves to the boat, and on reaching the object of our excursion, it turned out to be an enormous whale, stretched dead upon the strand, which I immediately resolved to turn to account by con verting it into a store of oil ; and we hastened back to the shore, in order to provide ourselves with the needful appliances. Dinner being over, which we despatched with the utmost haste, we prepared for our novel task. We at tached four tubs, formerly conjoined to our first boat, to the stern of our canoe, and furnished ourselves with hatchets and other needful implements. My wife, having been persuaded to accompany us, brought little Francis with her, and both of them loudly expressed their surprise at the enormous size of the creature, which was between sixty and seventy feet long, and nearly forty in diameter. Fritz and Jack put on cramps on their shoes, and mount ing on the back of the whale, proceeded to cut up the huge mass with their hatchets and knives, whilst Ernest and I employed ourselves in like manner on the sides. My wife and Francis carried the pieces, as we cut them off, to the tuba. The work was by no means pleasant, for 176 THE SWISS we were soon almost wading in oiL I also cut some long bands from the tough skin of the animal, of which I intended to make harness for our beasts of burden. Evening approaching, we hastened to tho shore with our valuable cargo, which, being aided by the ass and buffalo, we soon transported home. Next morning we started at dawn. My wife and Francis were left behind, as the work which we were about to engage in was such that we had no inclination they should share it. I had resolved to penetrate into the interior of the carcass to procure some portions of the intestines, fancying that I might be able to convert the larger ones into vessels adapted for holding the oil. We were led by our former experience to strip off nearly the whole of our clothes before we commenced operations. Collecting another cargo of the blubber, we abandoned the remains to the birds of prey that were flocking from every side, and then set sail for land. The day following we devoted to the extraction of the oil. Placing tubs on stands, and putting the blubber in them, we placed upon it some large stones, so as to press out the oil, which ran into the bags we had made from the intestines. This was pure oil. We next boiled the blubber in a cauldron, skimming off the oil as it rose to the surface. The refuse thrown into the river served to fatten the ducks and geese. Having promised the boys that I would try and con struct for them an apparatus calculated to diminish the labour of rowing, I set to work accordingly, and by means of some small wheels, originally destined for the sugar- manufactory, I constructed a machine that produced the desired effect. It consisted of a pair of small revolving paddles, to which I attached floats made of whalebone, and after various attempts I succeeded in perfecting an FAMILY ROBINSON. 177 engine that would cause these wheels to rotate in tbfi water on turning a handle. One morning, soon after dawn, we set off on an ex cursion. The strong current of Jackal River bore us rapidly from the shore. We made for the coast on the opposite side of the bay, near the Monkey Wood, with a view to ol tain a supply of cocoa-nuts and young trees, which we intended to plant on Whale Island. In making our way through the trees, we heard the cocks crowing, an indication of the neighbourhood of our farm-house, and an assurance of the safety of its occupants. Having ac complished our purpose, we re-embarked and rowed towards Prospect Hill. Here everything was in order, but our long absence had produced its natural effect ; the sheep and goats, as well as the poultry, fled as we ap peared. Finding that their racing was of little use, the boys set to work with their lassoes, and soon had the she- goats noosed, and obtained from them a very acceptable supply of milk. We wished to carry off some of the young poultry, and, after distributing a few handfuls of oats, we had no difficulty in securing as many as we wanted. Fritz and I gathered sugar-canes, and dug up some roots of this valuable plant, which we proposed to transfer to Whale Island. On returning home, I hoisted the sail, and, aided by our paddles, we soon reached Whale Island. We hastened to land and plant our roots and young trees. Whilst our work was proceeding, we were suddenly attracted by the shouts of Fritz; he had discovered a tortoise of pro digious size. This we secured after a hard struggling. Passing a cord through the shell, and emptying a barrel of water which we had brought with us, and plugging it tightly, we tied it with cords to the back of the tortoise, so as to prevent it from sinking. I then attached a spar 178 THE SWISS to the front of the shell, and secured to it a cord fastened at both ends, so as to supply the place of reins, and yoked the tortoise to the front of the boat. The project answered admirably; guided by the reins, the tortoise made swiftly for the shore, drawing the boat after it. Our noble prize supplied materials for many a good dish, and furnished an excellent basin, which we fixed in the Rock- house to hold water. Soon after the rainy season I had set to work on the construction of a weaving-machine to enable my wife to complete some necessary fabrics, as our garments had been so patched and repaired that they threatened to fall to pieces. Our winter's experience had determined us to increase the number of windows to our Rockhouse, so as to admit a greater amount of light and better ventilation. We had no glass, so some substitute was needful, and I manufac tured window-panes of isinglass. The thickness of the rock rendered it easy to place my new material beyond the reach of rain, and in other respects it answered the purpose, as it admitted as much light into our dwelling as was necessary. My sons had long urged me to supply them with saddles and horse-furniture. The spoils of the chase had furnished us with abundance of leather, and a long hairy moss furnished stuffing. We selected a number of pieces of the hard bent roots of trees for our frames, and equipped all our animals with saddles, stirrups, bridles, yokes, and collars. The annual return of the herring shoals called us to another employment. Our boat now greatly increased our facilities for their capture. As on former occasions, the herrings were followed by other fishes, of which we did not fail to avail ourselves. FAMILY ROBINSON. 179 Our sacks having begun to fail, we stood greatly in need of baskets to carry our potatoes and other roots, as well as the fruits ami nuts that we gathered. Collecting a quantity of reeds and rushes, we set to work. Our first attempts were somewhat clumsy, but ultimately we finished a number of baskets which had the essential requisites of lightness and strength. The completion of this work suggested another field for our ingenuity. Fritz proposed making a sort of carriage for his mother, a litter or sedan-chair, in which she could accompany us in long journeys without fatigue. He pro posed to weave a large and long sort of pannier of strong reeds, in which his mother might sit or recline, and which might be suspended between two strong bamboo-canes by handles of rope. He then purposed to yoke two of our most gentle animals, the cow and the ass, the one before and the other behind, between these shafts, the leader to be mounted by one of the children as director ; the other would follow naturally, and mamma would thus be carried without any danger of jolting. The idea struck me as a happy one. The manufacture of a palanquin was com menced forthwith, and we succeeded in making a very pretty osier-carriage, which answered its purpose tolerably well. The experiment was tried as soon as we had com pleted the vehicle. CHAPTER XXXI. A BOA-CONSTRICTOR. DEATH OP THE ASS. ONE morning we harnessed two of our animals. Two stout poles were placed across their backs, to which the palanquin was hung, and into which Ernest got, while Jack and Francis mounted on their steeds. Whilst watch- 180 THE SWISS ing the proceedings of the boys, my attention was ar rested by Fritz, who had been gazing for some time in the direction of Falcon's Nest, and suddenly exclaimed, " What can that be that is coming this way in so singular 4 manner?" He ran for our large telescope. No sooner had I obtained a distinct view of it than I exclaimed, " Fly every one to the cave !" We hastened to our cave- dwelling, and barricaded every door and window. We had recently constructed a large dove-cot on the rock above our habitation. To this we now ascended, and, as the serpent approached, Ernest discharged his gun. Jack and Francis immediately followed, but the creature gave no sign of their having done any execution. Fritz and I now took aim and fired, apparently with no better effect. But shortly after it glided away, and disappeared among the reeds in the marsh. The terror arising from this formidable visitor kept us for three live-long days prisoners to our grotto, during which no one ventured out. The enemy had given no new sign of his presence, and we might have presumed that he had withdrawn, if the agitation shown by the ducks and geese, and their abandonment of the spot where their nests were, had not assured us that the monster -n as still in the vicinity. Every moment our situation became more critical. We had no stock of provisions ; our fodder was rapidly disap pearing, and we seemed to have no alternative between starvation or a more sudden fate by the horrible reptile that lay in watch for us. I had thought of a resolute attack on the creature, but this, I felt, might cost the lives of several of us, and fail after all. Our dogs were powerless against such a foe, and our guns had already proved of no avail. The fodder in the cave that had remained over from the supply of the previous winter was so much re- FA MILT ROBINSON. 181 duced that we were obliged to abridge the supplies to the other animals in order that the cow, on which we were now, to a certain extent, dependent for our own subsis tence, might be cared for. In this dilemma, we deter mined to set the other animals at liberty. "We arranged that Fritz, mounted on his own favourite, the onagra, should endeavour to lead them by a ford near the mouth of the river across the open country. While we were setting the animals loose, my wife opened the door somewhat prematurely. The donkey, which happened to be nearest, no sooner saw the light than he bolted out and dashed along the sands, capering and kicking up his heels in evident delight at his freedom. As the poor animal approached the marsh, we saw the boa suddenly emerge from its concealment, and making for him with distended jaws. The donkey saw his danger, but he seemed paralysed with fear, and in another instant he was enveloped in the folds of the monster. The sight of the huge serpent crushing its victim and km-ading him into a shapeless mass was altogether horrible. When this seemed completed to its satisfaction it began to gorge its prey. We saw the entire mass disappear by degrees within its distended maw. When all was swal lowed, it appeared to He perfectly torpid and insensible. An opportunity now presented itself to us to overcome our assailant. I accordingly seized my loaded gun and set out, followed by Fritz and Jack, while Ernest with drew with Francis and his mother into the grotto. We were now satisfied that we had to deal with a boa- constrictor, the most formidable of all the serpent tribe. When within about twenty paces, Fritz; and I took delibe rate aim, and each lodged a bullet in its head. The serpent still glared on us with flashing eyes of impotent rage, but its body seemed to writhe and move as if with a 182 THE SWISS convolve struggle. Advancing together, we fired our pistols directly through the monster's eyes. We saw the boa contract the rings of its scaly body, a violent quiver ran through its frame, and the next instant it was stretched out dead on the sand. Our shout of triumph induced Ernest, my wife, and little Francis to join us. After the painful state of mental anguish we had been kept in for three days, we felt our deliverance little less joyfully than on our first landing from the wreck. We disinterred the mangled remains of the poor ass from his horrid sepulchre, and buried him in the earth near the scene of his death. Having determined to pre serve the evidence of our victory, we yoked our buffaloes to the dead serpent, and drew it to the vicinity of Rock- house. Dissecting and stuffing the huge monster was a source of great delight to the boys ; and, when completed, we wound it round a long pole, and placed it erect in the Museum, over the entrance of which Ernest now wrote, "No entrance for asses!" a sentence which, as it ad mitted of more than one meaning, was considered by all of us to be a good joke. Having escaped from the imminent danger with which we had been menaced, I could not rest satisfied till we had ascertained whether the boa had perchance left its mate in our neighbourhood, and resolved accordingly to explore the country. We sallied out, and, in addition to our usual arms, we carried with us some broad planks and long staves of uainboo, as well as bladders, to sustain us on the water, should it be necessary. On reaching the marsh, we readily recognised the traces left by the boa, and by placing our planks, one after another, on the yielding ground, we were able to explore the marsh thoroughly, nd satisfy ourselves that there was no further cause of apprehension in thi* quarter. FAMILY ROBINSON. 188 Going further on, we discovered that the stream which flowed into the marsh emerged from a vast cavern. The roofs and vaults of the cave were covered with stalactites, while the floor was strewn in part with a fine white earth, which, on examination, I became convinced must be fuller's earth. This natural soap is adapted for many uses, and especially for cleansing woollen fabrics, much better than any artificial soap. We filled our handker chiefs with it, and, on our return, found my wife well pleased with our journey when we showed her this as the result of it. On the following day, I suggested that the whole family should accompany me in an excursion to the further side of the great bay. Our preparations were on a suitable scale. We loaded the waggon with provisions sufficient to admit of an absence of some duration. We took also our tent, and an abundant supply of ammunition. My object was not only to follow up the traces of our late visitor, but also to erect in the gorge beyond the great bay such a barrier as should effectually prevent any wild animal from approaching us too closely from that di rection. We proceeded along the avenue in the direction of Falcon's Nest. We discovered traces of the boa's course as we advanced, but everything was in good order there; the whole of our live stock was in admirable condition. After having dined, Fritz and Jack, accompanied by Turk and the jackal, set off along the right bank of the Black Swan Lake, whilst I, with Francis and the two young dogs, took the opposite side; Ernest and his mother being .left, with Bill for their guard, to watcli our provisions, and collect as large a supply as possible of the nee now ripen ing in the marshy fens along the margin of the lake. We all returned without having seen any further traces of our hideous foe. As the boys were all wearied with their 184 THE SWISS long ramble, I lost no time in putting our tent in order, and making the needful preparations for camping out in safety. The following morning we set off in the direction of the sugar-cane field, and proceeded to explore the cane-brake. In so far as any traces of the formidable foes we dreaded are concerned, we were fortunately unsuccessful. We met, however, with a troop of large, grey-coloured swine, of which we brought down half-a-dozen. I fancied they would form a most valuable addition to our winter store, and forthwith we set about preparations for smoking and curing our supply of pork on the spot. These we con tinued for the three following days, making, meanwhile, excursions in various directions, one being left behind to superintend the fires with which our hams were being cured. WE now decided upon a more extended survey, and resolved to penetrate beyond the barrier which I had only once before passed, when Jack and I went in search of our stray ass. We arrived without accident of any kind at the barrier which guarded the defile, forming the boundary of what we now considered our own territory. Fritz was greatly pleased with the commanding position of a rising ground in its immediate neighbourhood, and urged upon me the propriety of erecting there a fortified station, which would enable us to defend the pass against all enemies, and we constructed a post somewhat in the Kamtschatkan's fashion, composed of boards, elevated OB four stakes a't the corners, and sufficiently high to be out of the reach of any wild animal. University of California SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY 305 De Neve Drive - Parking Lot 17 Box 951388 LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90095-1388 Return this material to the library from which it was borrowed. 00 133 490