The Swiss Family Robinson

itz harpoons it-The turtle acts as "Steam Tug"-Safe ashore-Return home-Jack's clay field-A fresh discovery-The mother's cellar-A trip to the wre

ve them some parting injunctions. They, however, had disappeared directly after breakfast, and their mother could only guess, that, as we required potatoes, they might have gone to fetch a supply. I desired her to reprove them, on their return, for starting away without l

burst out of a hiding place where they had lain in wait for us, and were enchanted with the startling effect of their unexpected ap

told them they must hurry home, so as not to leave their mother in suspense, although, as they were already so far, they might collect some salt. And I instructed them to explain that, as my work on board would take up a

n going, and finishing it without a second trip, I determined to remain on board for the nigh

! we're off," shouted Fritz, as I joine

d safely alongside the wreck, and scrambling up her shattered sides, s

red for a foundation; we closed them tightly, pushed them overboard, and arranging twelve of them side by side in rows of three, we firmly secured them together by means of spa

re thoroughly fatigued by our labors, and had eaten only the light refreshme

er from the ship's provisions, and then rested for the night on spring

's room, we removed the furniture, as well as the doors and window-frames, with their bolts, bars, and locks. We next took the officers' chests, and

d a box of money, drew our attention for a time; but more useful to us at present was a case of common knives and forks, which I was glad to find, as more suited to us than the smart silver ones we had previously taken on shore. To my del

tools, lead, paint, grindstones, cart wheels, and all that was necessary for the work of a smith's forge, spades and plowshares, sacks of maize, peas, oats,

irst storm would complete the destruction of the ship, and we should lose all we left behind. Selecting a number of the most useful articles, however, including of cours

arpoons in readiness; and amused me by seeming to picture hims

e ready to make for the shore. The voyage was begun with considerable

rable, we found we could spread the sail

ng at a distance. Then handing it back, he begged me to examine the object; which I soon

teer toward it

nd the broad sail was between us, so that I could not perceive his actions; when, all of a sudden, I experienced a shock, and the thrill of line ru

ut?" cried I, "you are s

have him safe!" shouted

uck the tortoise with a harpoon; a rope was attache

hastened forward, in order to cut the line

ust yet? I promise to cut the line myself the instant it

ods into the sea, even if he does not drown us too. For Heaven's sake be care

s course landward, drawing us rapidly after it. The part of the shore for which the turtle was making was considerably to the left of our usual lan

peed, a couple of heavily laden vessels. Its intention was to escape to land; but I leaped into the water, and wading up to it, dispatched it

getting the turtle on shore, the whole family appeared in the distance, hastening eagerly toward us; and our new prize, together with the well-laden boat and raft, excited the liveliest interest; my

off to fetch the sledge; while I, having no anchor, contrived to moor

he sledge, its weight being prodigious; we found it, indeed, with

esh and cook it for supper. To my wife this appeared necessarily a work of time, as well as of difficulty; but I turned the beast on its back, and soon detached a

said my wife, with a little shudder. "See how it sticks

y best part, and the delight of the epicure. If there be really too much, cut

ake a water-trough of that, to stand near the brook, and b

y manage it easily, if we can find clay so as t

, "I have a grand lump of c

lad! when did

aid his mother, "and came home in such a mess, I had re

d never in all my days have found the clay

hear your talk this morning, one would have thought your d

oots I found to-day; they are getting rather dry now. They look something like radishes, although the plant itself

t many things injurious to men. Let me se

grubbing under a small bush, and eating something ravenously; so I drove he

s I expect, the manioc root, we might lose every other eatable we possess, and yet not starve. In the West Indies, cakes called cassava bread are made from it; and, already having potatoes, we shal

tity, we will attempt bread-making.

leaving Franz with his mother; and we all looked forward with satisfaction to the prospect of the

he shell very valuable? Surely beautiful combs, boxes, and a number of ornamental thing

e shell is prized so much is unfit for food. Tortoise shell is subjected to the action of the heat, the outer lay

ur cart-wheels, and the hand-mill were placed on it, with all manner

ou are come home to rest," said she, "and you little think what refreshment awaits you here in the shade. Come and see m

, to-day, while you were all absent; and fancying it was wine of some sort, I got it up here on pu

life I had never enjoyed a more delicious draught of Canary sack. The mother was immediately pleased to find that her ex

heir greediness, and warn them of the risk they ran of being intoxicated. In fact, I blamed myself for allowing them to have this strong wine as a beverage at all. They were wholly unaccustomed to it, and were, besides, fatigued and very hungry

and bounded to meet me; the cocks crowed and flapped their wings; two pretty kids gamboled around; all was life and energy; the ass alone seemed disinclined to begin the day, and as I especially required his services, this

, and the donkey willingly trotted home with it, he, as well as I, being uncommonly ready for breakfast. Approaching the tree, not a sound was to be heard, not a soul was to b

ed. "It must be the fault of those mattresses; they are delightful

t came tumbling down from the tree, rubbing their ey

se to blame besides the comfortable mattresses, and I made a mental resolve that the captain's fine Canary should be dealt with very sparingly in future

Fritz as soon as they were afloat; the rest turned homeward, but Jack lingered

make another trip to the wreck. It took up more time than I expected, so that, when on board, we could only make a further examinati

mendous rattling and clattering heralded his approach with a wheel-barrow, in the highest spi

great discovery, and I hastened to see if the lad was right. Indeed he was, but my pleasure was qualified by a sense of the arduous task it would be to put such a craft together so as to be fit for sea. For the present we had barely time to get something to eat an

and apparently gazing fixedly at us. They seemed to wear dark coats and white waistcoats, and stood quite still with th

y inhabitants of the country to

ans! I once read in a book about them, so there must be

ack," said I. "We have not before seen them in such numbers, but Ernest knocked

from his tub, and wading ashore, took the unsuspecting birds by surprise, and with his stick laid half a doze

ing to examine them when we landed, some of the fallen arose from their swoon, and began solemnly to waddle away, upon whic

, the live penguins, seated gravely, were trundle

rations of delight, that poor little Jack, who, as it was, could scarcely manage his barrow, was fairly upset, penguins and all. T

s, caused great merriment: the tobacco-grater

, and bid them fasten a penguin to each by the leg,

manioc root. I admired her industry, and little Franz said, "Ah, father! I wonder what you w

let out my secret! I was to have the pleasure of su

I. "Never mind! I am charmed to hear about it. O

I have gone for potatoes, I have sown seeds in the ground wh

n!" I exclaimed. "Why, you are a

rs you have brought. Is it possible you are going to make snuff? Do, pray, let

diculous habit of snuffing into your family! Please to treat my graters with respect, however, because

tobacco-graters? I cannot imagine what you mean, and to t

e flat cakes or scones, which will be excellent bread; I mean to try at once what I can

in my powers as a baker, and I saw her set on a good potful of potatoes before b

, beginning to rub a root as hard as I could against the rough surface of my grater. My example was instantly followed by the whole party, amid bursts of merriment, as each remarked the funny attitude and odd gestures

. One sort grows quickly, and its roots ripen in a very short time. Another kind is of somewhat slower growth. The roots of the third kind do not come to maturity for two years. The two first are p

pressing them, fath

y pith is wholesome and nourishing. Still, I do not mean to taste

purpose were as follows: A strong, straight beam was made flat on one side, smooth planks were laid across two of the lower roots of our tree; on these we placed the sack, above the sack another plank, and over that the long beam; one end was passed under a

we were getting on. "Or must all this great bagful be used at once? In

barrels will keep fresh a long time. We shall use

ather?" said Fritz. "There does not

or an experiment; we must see how it agrees with Master Knips

pressed. While an iron plate, placed over a good fire, was getting hot, I mixed the meal with water and a little salt, kneaded it well, and for

esting experiment, and they silently watched them gobbling up the bits of cake I gave them, until Fritz turned to me, saying,

ng to the quantity taken, and such remedies should be applied as will best counteract the effect of each poison: emetics in any case, to remove as much as possible of the noxious substance, combined with oils and mucilaginous drinks to soothe and protect the stomach in case of irritants; stimulants, such as spirits, ammonia,

questionable food, and assembled to enjoy our evening meal. The potatoes were, as usual, excel

nd the hens; and lively pleasure was in every countenance when Jack, who ran first

he boys busily preparing his own, and watching the baking most eagerly. Mistakes occurred, of course; some of the bread was burnt, some not done enough

at the captive penguins were quite at ease among them and as tame as the geese and du