The Swiss Family Robinson

use of the karatas-Jack's greediness and its punishment-Ernest discovers cochineal-Arrive at Tentholm-The poultry rebellious-Return to Falconhurst-Ernest roused out early-We collect wood for a sledge-

i

ke, and the children sprang abo

father?" they cried. "What d

oys," I rep

ed they. "Why

but on the seventh, thou shalt do no manner of work.' This is

I won't do any work, but I'll take a bow and arrow and sh

that is not the way you are accu

to church here, and ther

here as well as

ch, no clergyman, and

any church," I said; "there will we worship our Creator. Come,

e by one, slippe

ldren some serious thoughts; but, without books, or the possibility of any of the usual Sunday occupations, we cannot keep them quiet the whole

breakfasted, the family assembled round me, as we sat

the Almighty giver of all good, I told the children I wou

n the Bible better than anything," said Frank. "When

bodies and provide for their comfort, I blush to think that I have neglected the Bread of Life, the word of God. I shall searc

it a copy of the Holy Scriptures, which I thankfully received from her h

rit of love and true allegiance to his Sovereign. While this faithful union was maintained, the colony flourished; and the noblest virtues exalted and rendered happy the existence of every member of the race. That a discontented and rebellious spirit should ever have infected these fortunate subjects of so loving a master, seems incredible, yet so it was; disobedience and pride brought misery and punishment, the fair prospects of the colony were blighted, the labors of the colonists

d earnestly home to each young heart the truths I sought to teach; and, wit

separated, and each employe

endeavored to point the

ger cat skin and the cases he was to contrive from it. Jack assisted with the arrow making, and inserting a sharp s

y as anything!" cried Franz; "sha

better look for some re

se. But Jack, my boy, I do not like to hear you ridicule your little brother's ideas. Some of the mo

t the same moment two small birds fell dead at our feet, and looking up, we beheld Ernest among the br

f its exquisite flavor. As the figs on which these birds came to feed were only just beginning to ripen, it was probable that they would soon flock in numbers to our trees; and by waiting until we

next demanded a quiver, and I had to invent that also, to complete his equipment. It was easily done by stripping a piece of bark from a small tree, fitting a flat side and a bottom to

summoned to dinner, and all r

by proposing to decide on suitable names for t

in inhabited countries: instead of saying, for instance, 'the little island at the mouth of our bay, where we found the dead shark,' 'the large stream near our tent, across

Bay," sa

ack, "in memory of the old fel

at, in token of gratitude for our e

ral approbation, and wa

name for our leafy castle could be decided. But finally it was entitled Falconhurst;[B] and we then rapidly named the remaining points: Prospect Hill, the eminence we first ascended; Cape Disappointmen

erman, means "n

of making a cuirass for Turk out of the porcupine skin. After thoroughly cleansing the inside, we cut and fitted it round the body of the patient

as she could; and it was clear that he would easily put to flight the fiercest a

ck out of the remainder of the skin, whic

nt walk among the sweet glades near our abode, we closed our Sabbath day w

upine skin, and Juno keeping at a respectful distance from so formidable a companion. Master Knips fully intended to mount his charger as usual; but when he saw him arrayed apparently in a new skin, he approached him carefully, and touching him with one paw, discovered that such a hide would make anything but an agreeable seat; the grimace he made was most comical, and chattering vociferously he bounded toward Juno, skipped on her back, seated himself, and soon appeared perfectly reconciled to the change of steed. The flamingo saw us starting, and, having been much petted during the last day or two, considered himself entitled to accompany us; for

atoes! father,

, "acres and acr

and leaf, and the light clear-green bulbous roots, "you have i

aid Jack, "come and feast your

out before us, was a great tract of gr

cult," remarked Jack, "not to ha

ng; "but I doubt if you would have d

s game bag with the roots. The monkey followed his example, and scratching away with his paws most cleverly, soon had a heap beside him. So delighted were we with the discovery, and so eager were we to possess a large supply of the roots,

ank the Giver of all thes

e, O Lord, for all thy goodness and mercy; a

ust to say to father and mother: 'Thank you for all you do,' and not to show th

y all that was necessary, he should have added, 'Give m

was most lovely. Rich tropical vegetation flourished on every side: the tall, stately palms, surrounded by luxuriant ferns; brilliant flowers and graceful creepers; the prickly cactus, shooting up amidst them; aloe, jasmine, and sweet-scented vanilla; the Indian pea, and above all the regal pine-app

t on my sons, and showing Knips what they wanted

hrubs and bushes. Among these I presently noticed one

at is the karatas. The filaments of the leaves make capital thread, while the leaves themselves, bruised, form an invaluable salve. The pith of this wonderful pla

; "I would rub two pieces of wo

rtain it would be night before you accomplish the feat. But see here," and I broke a dry twig from the karatas, and peeling o

nt. I then drew some of the threads from

e other prickly plants, except to annoy one? He

for most of its nourishment is derived from the air. Its juice is us

rns from his hands, and making a sharp wooden skewer, I thrust it into a fig, and quickly twisted it from its branch and split it open with a knife, still holding it upon the skewer. The rest followed my example, and we regaled ourselves

fig, and I examin

h it is worth its weight in gold to European traders, it is of little use to us, I am afraid unless

gain. Now let us find something more useful to us." And they thereupon plie

of these trees, and I who have never seen any of them before, and know them merely by descrip

e on shore and be caught. Ernest at length hit upon an ingenious plan. He took some pieces of cheese, and tied them to long strings. This bait he threw into the water, and the hungry ducks instantly made a grab at it; then with a little skillful maneuvering he drew them on shore. While Jack and he were thus busily employed catching and tying the rebels together by the feet, we procured a fresh supply of salt, which we packed upon Turk's bac

me that it would be well to get some of it, and make a kind of sledge, so that the labor of

e stretching and yawning, he got up cheerfully, pleased with the idea of an expedition while the others still slept, and we made our

he was rather sorry for himself, and grudged leaving hi

h you. I intended to shoot some more of the ortolans this morning, but there will be plenty of time aft

pray?" i

they will most likely shoot upward at the birds and be sure to miss them,

n necessary in life, that I advise you to cultivate the power of instantly perceiving and deciding what must be done in cases of emergency. Presenc

we laid it across the broad, leafy branch, and, with some help from us, the donkey dragged a very fair load o

hich I allowed them to open, while I asked my wife to excuse our "absence without leave," and after submitting to her gentle reprimand, I explained my p

a common sailor, containing his clot

guessed the mistakes they would make, but practice was making them perfect, and they seemed disposed to continue their sport, when their mother, assuring them that she could not use

ounger ones readily applied themselves to making snares of the long threads drawn from the leaves of the karatas, in a

turbance among our fowls led us to suppose th

of some misdemeanor, went to watch him, and presently caught him in the act of eating a new-laid egg, which he had carried off and hidden among the grass and roots. Ernest found several other

uilding in the tree. It was very desirable to increase our stock of these pretty birds, and I cautioned the boys against shooting

d of the new order to economize the ammunition. No doubt they had been discussin

t some powder and shot immediately? It would be s

ghter, and I must confess I found it

e had our amusement, tell the littl

rcoal, sulphur, and saltpeter, mixed cleverly together; so you see it canno

sel, and was curved in the necessary way for my purpose. Two pieces, perfectly similar, formed the sides of my sleigh, or sledge, and I simply united these strongly b

er and her little boys had been busily plucking above two dozen of the wild birds, and were preparing

e was getting them ready for the butter-cask I was going to fetch for her on the n

ly after dinner. For her part she resolved in our absence to have a grand wash of linen a

off, equipped as usual. Fritz presented us each wit

by Juno, cheerfully took our departure, choosing the way by

butter cask, but with a powder chest, a barrel of cheese, and a variety of other arti

go in search of a good bathing place, we discovered that our two animals had wandered q

ccessible wall of rock and crag. Swampy ground, overgrown with large canes, intervened between me and these cliffs. I cut a large bundle of the reeds, and returned to Ernest. It was some time

h annoyed; "why don't you mind your business? Look

e utmost composure. "I have taken a couple of b

the same time I observed that it is wrong to waste the precious moments in sleep when duty has to be

wonder whether he was still gathering salt, or whether he had lain

an immense fellow he is. I can scar

h of the stream, and with all his might keeping hold of a rod. The line was strained to the utmos

ish more line, led him by degrees into shallow wa

unds weight, and I was delighted to think o

ziness! Let us now carry this splendid salmon to the sledge. I will clean and pack it for t

sts to the well-laden vehicle, and replacing the

reature I ever beheld. It was taking wonderful flying leaps, apparently in a sitting posture, and got over the ground at an astonishing rate. I attempted to shoot it as it passed, but missed. Ernest, who was behind m

skin also was of a mouse color, it had long ears like a hare, and a tail like a tiger's. The fore-paws resembled those of a squirrel, but they s

the remarkable creature before us. I could no

bout the queerest beast to be met with anywhere. I am glad I

ink what this animal can be. Examine its teeth, and let us see to what cla

eth, father-two upper, and t

ent. What rodents can

e the mouse, the marmot, the squirrel

e class of animals which has a pouch or purse beneath the body, in which its young can take refuge. They were discovered in New Holland, by the gr

ur sledge, and we proceeded slowly, arriving late at

he load piled on it surpassed all expectation; we on our part staring in eq

belt, was a convenient length in front, b

sers, braced up so short that each litt

hich came down to his ankles, looked for

essing up in things they found while rummaging the sailor's chest, and had kept them on, that Ernest and I might see the masquerade. It certainly amused us,

est by exhibiting each in turn; the large salmon, but more

oble a prize had fallen to Ernest's gun, instead of his own, he treated it rather slightingly; but I could see that he was struggling

up to me. "It will be my turn to go out with you next, will it not, father?

entrusted with the care of the family, and a youth of manly

se, and part for salting. The animals were fed, and a plentiful allowance of salt made to them. Our own supper of broiled sa