Swiss Family Robinson

tained within it. Above all, I was bent on acquiring possession of the beautiful pinnace, and aware that our united efforts woul

hfully promised never to pass a night on board. I did so with reluctanc

a party, and merrily carried provision-b

ted the marsh there, and having fed them and seen they were thriving well, we buckled on each hi

ame first to hand, and load the raft to be ready for our retur

most un-get-at-able position at the further end of the hold, stowed in so confined and narrow a space, that it was impossible to think of fitting the p

ummaging out anything they liked to carry awa

perceived how carefully every part of the pinnace was arranged and marked with numbers, so that if only I could b

cried, as my sons came to see what plan I had devised, for so great was

eak down the compartment a

d to acknowledge that an immense amount of labour and perseverance would be required before we could call ourselves the

ise and pleasure, we found my wife and little Franz at Tentholm awaiting us. She had resolved to take up her quarters there during the time we shou

ith her plan, `and we shall work with the greater diligence, th

ur stores, is it not?' and he and his brothers exhibited two small casks of butter,

ther. We started early and returned at night, bringing each time a valuable freight from the old vessel. At length, with incredible labour

ze. I could not bear to think that our success so far should be followed by failure and disappointment. Yet no possible means of setting her free could I c

of oak to the top, through which I pierced a hole for the insertion of the match, and this great petard

an usual, and calmly desired them to get into the boat. Then lighting a match I had prepared, and which would b

ept her ready to put off at a moment's notice; my anxiety was unobserved by anyone, as I listened

, and then in fear and wonder, looked to me for some explanation. `Perhaps,' said my wife, as I did not s

low when we were caulking the seams of the pinnace. I shall

to reassure my wife by whispering a few words of explanation, and then joining

here a marvellous sight awaited us. A huge rent appeared, the decks and bulwarks were torn open, the water was covere

and confusion around them, were astonished to hear me shout, in enthusiastic delight, `Hurrah! She is ours! The lovely pinnace is won!

lped to make, was on purpose to blow it up!' cried they; and eagerly they followed me into the shattered opening, where, to my intense satis

ts of the explosion, and in the explanation I gave the

d been careful to place rollers beneath the keel, so that by means of levers an

work, the pinnace began to slide from the stocks, and finally slipped gently and steadily into the water, where she

ent back to Tentholm, where we accounted for the explosion; saying that having blown away one side

s about the pinnace. It was wonderful what martial ardour was awakened by the possession of a vessel armed with two real gu

tless be, we should have good cause to thank God if their fi

prise we were preparing for her had dawned upon my wife, and I permitted the b

hip, and spreading the

ftly through the water

the guns, and Fritz g

ttled out a thrilling

liffs, followed by ou

we could plainly see their alarm and astonishment; but speedily recognizin

ear, horrid, wonderful people, shall I scold you or praise you? You have frightened me out of my wits! To see a beautiful little ship come sailing in was startling enough, for I could not co

we had been forgiven for terrifying her with our vainglorious salute. `Wh

dustry, skill, and perseverance met with boundless praise, `Now,' said my wife, `you must co

walks; and she continued, `We don't frighten people by firing salutes in honour of our performances; although, by and by, I too shall want fire in a peaceable form. L

s beautiful! You have done wonders!

irrigate them, by leading water from the cascades in hollow bamboos. Up by the sheltering rocks I mean to have pineapples* and melons, they will look splendid when they spread there. To shelter the bed

nks pineapples grow

sunset approaches, we must return to the tent for supp

successful labour, as well as experiencing the joy of affording unexpected pleasure to others; and I especial

should like you to attend to the little fruit trees. I fear they have been too much neglected. I have wat

do not ask me to give up the sea altogether, I most willingly agree to your request, and wi

d in order, and carefully covered with sailcloths, fastened down by pegs all round. The pinnace, being provided with an anchor, was properly moore

oon comfortably reestablished in that charming abode, its peaceful shade seeming

ise. I did not attempt too much in the form of preaching, as I could not have secured the attention of my hearers to any long-winded discourses, but they were

ng, wrestling, and climbing; telling them that they must keep up the practise of these things, so as to grow

lf-reliant without an inward conscious

s the large blue eyes looked inquiringly up at me, `brave to do what is good and right, and to hat

I encouraged them by saying, I meant to prepare a curious new weapon for them, only they must promise no

each end, and had instantly to answer a storm of

, only, having no bullets, they fasten stones to their ropes, which are immensely longer than this. One end is swung round and round the mounted hunter's head, and

, alive; and in that case, the lasso is thrown, while riding in hot pursuit, in such a way as to make th

nce! Will you try it now? There is th

upon a live subject, but consented to make a trial of sk

ve no doubt whatever as to the feasibility of the wonderful performances I described; and I was assa

ishes were speedily gratified, and las

esides having, of course, the greatest muscu

erceived that a gale of wind was getting up. From the height of our t

n pinnace, safely moored in the harbour, and recollected that t

ir amusements. The good mother had much to show me demandin

en snared, partly cooked and preserved in lard. O

npromising condition of her dear little fruit trees, for, having been forgotten, they were s

terwards an excursion to the Calabash Wood, in order to manufact

ompleted until towards evening; and then all sorts of arrangements were made for an early start next day. My wife and Franz were to be of

tir, and everything quick

drawn by the donkey, was to be used for carrying home our gourd

d the procession, cla

ed, and behind trotted Juno not in very good spirits, poor dog!-because Mas

ne loaded with shot for game, another with

lay extended in all its beauty and fertility before our eyes. It was ne

barking was followed by the quick report of a gun, and a large bird,

nting in the same direction, and Juno, eager to join the chase, sprang aside so suddenly, that her rider was flung unceremoniously on the sand, as she darted to intercept the retreat of the ac

ificent bustard, struggled and fought fiercely. Watching my opportunity, I threw a large handkerchief over it, and with difficulty su

have y

cried the boys, start

Oh, that i

y, don't you remember, mother? Ah, ha! Old f

bustard, it is the mo

st likely the same, and I know she had a brood of young birds, and now th

and I daresay Mrs. Bustard here has forgotten all about them. Besides, she is badly wounded, and we must try to cure the

ove, which was the scene of the tragicomic adventure

m, gazing in fixed admiration at the grand height of the stem, and its beautiful graceful crown of leaves. The cluster of nuts b

Scarcely had he uttered these words, than, as i

g aside, looking timidly upwards, whe

ke the fairy tale of

h is granted as

away, than to bestow dainty gifts upon us,' said I. `I think there is most lik

aps old ones, and had fallen, in consequence,

tree, we all surrounded it, gaping a

e! What can it be? Flat, round, as big as a plate, and with a pair

as fixed on the trunk of the tree, down which a large land-crab commenced a leisurely descent. As it approached within reach, Jack hit at it boldly, when it

or a fresh onset; laying down all he was carrying, pulling off his jacket and spreading it wide out in both hands, he returned to the c

him with my hatchet, I struck several sharp blows on his bundle, whi

been so hideous, I should not have dealt so severely wit

since it takes the trouble to climb the trees for them; the difficulty of getting at the kernel, too, is considerable. You showed no little presence of mind, Jack, when you thought of catching it in your jac

interlaced them. Ernest was behind, and by and by called me back to see what proved to be an important discovery; from the several stalks of one of thes

fancy, mother,' said Ernest, as he showed it to her, `how cheering and refreshing to find this if one were

d the boys to cut enough to quench the thirst of the whole party, including our animals. This

and singular fruit caused much surprise and also amusement, for we were speedily established among the trees, where, as I chose and cut down the gourds most likely to be use

es, and attended to the hungry animals, unharnessing the ass to graze, and giving cocoanut milk to the poor little monkey, who had been obliged to travel in a covered basket for some time, lest he should be lost in the woods. The

had brought, so the boys proposed to go in search of a spring. I agreed to accompany them; Ernest also wished to join us, and a

in front, turned with a face of terror, shouting, `A

thick underwood beyond us. `After him, lads, after him!' cried I, hurrying forwards. `Call the dogs! S

nt after the dogs, who eagerly pushed on, and by the sounds we heard had evidently attacked the boar at no great distance. Terrific barking, snarling and grunting, guided us to the scene of action, and we beheld our

been wound to so high a pitch, that the discovery was quite a shock, and we felt half angry with the creature who had disappointed us; then

ood, brought Ernest and Jack from the

have been suppose we h

too recognized

a sort of a kind of presentiment that this was going t

ted by Ernest, who drew our attention to fruit resembling app

might be the poisonous manchineel, against which I once warned them, but on examining it, I was induced to pronounce a more favourable opinio

nd our own thirst increasing, we felt eager to p

which rose above the thickets, when he suddenly startled us

, in this dry, parched forest, where we c

e largest of the lizard species, and a truly formidable-looking fellow. I was glad to assure Jack that the strange creature he ha

would probably only wound the animal, and being extremely tenacious of life, it would c

failing, I commenced operations. I first attached a cord and running-noose to a stout stick, and holding a light switch i

e and more distinctly as I drew near the lizard; until, awaking, it seemed to listen with pl

to whistle the prettiest tunes I could think of; and the lizard gave signs of plea

he body, I was about to kill it by piercing the nostril-almost the only vulnerable part in this singular reptile-when Jack r

ooner he was dead the better, were for battering him with sticks; but I assuring them my method would kill him mo

as well as of the means by which the lizard was slain, called forth great admiration, since they neve

a great dislike to killing any creature and leaving it useless behind me;

s; for indeed our protracted absence alarmed them. We shouted joyously in reply, and our appearance, as we issued from the

yly possessed himself of some of our new-found apples, was discovered munching away and enjoying them amazingly-which instantly gave the boys a strong wish to eat some also; and as the bustard lik

petites, and we were glad to eat the provisions we had brought from h

sledge and the greater part of its load, but to leave it until the next day. The ass was laden with th

g; and at length, before night closed in, we all reached Falconhurst in safety. When supper was ready, we were thankful to recruit our e