Swiss Family Robinson

s to return to the Calabash Wood, to fetch the sle

with their mother, intending to explore beyond the chain of roc

whit the worse for the fright we had given her the previous day-in fact, she appeared more friendly di

one a brilliant scarlet, the other green and gold. Fritz was in the act of reloading his gun, when an unaccountable noise struck our ears, and put

old prostrate log, was a beautiful bird, about the size of a cock, of a rich chestnut brown colour, finely mottled with dark brown and grey. On the shoulders were curious tufts

round the stump, were enjoying his performances, he spread out his tail like a fan, stiffened his wings, and began to strike with them in short,

as I imagine, by the wing strokes falling at times on the dec

play was at an end; my over-hasty son had changed the pretty comedy into a sad and needless tragedy. T

me extremely, and I blamed Fritz for firing without my leave. I f

ch was patiently awaiting ou

to explore, as I had intended, the line of cliff and rocky hills, which, at more or le

were walled in and isolated on this portion of the coast. Leaving Calabash Wood behind us, we advanced over ground covered with manioc,

alled by botanists Myrica cerifera, and with much pleasure explained to Fritz that, by melting and straining these berries, we might easily succeed in making c

airly, and diffuse an agreeable perfume. Having the ass with us, we lost no time in gathering

ny of birds, about the size of yellowhammers, but of plain brown plumage. The nests were built in a mass round the stem and among the branches of a tre

house common to all; twigs and small branches emerged here and there from the walls, and served as perches for the young birds,

saw among them many beautiful little parrots, who seemed in many i

d. He put his hand into several holes, which were empty; but at last his intended theft and robbery met with repulse and chastisement he little expected; for, reaching

w it from its retreat, crammed it into his pocket, buttoned up his coat and slid quickly to the ground, pursued by numbers o

but a very pretty, small, green parrot, with which he was greatly pleased, and which he at once dete

on our way; their cheerful sociable habits, and the instinct which prompted

and live together in a very remarkable way. Among insects, bees, wasps, and ants are well known as social architects

`it is most amusing to see how they carry on th

?' inquired I, to see how far he understood the process; `carry

va, which is produced from an egg. I know they are calle

hing the little ants of your native country, how delighted and astonished you woul

at they defy equally sunshine and rain. They are, within, divided into regular streets, galleries, vaults, and nurser

ays of King Solomon as a model of indust

y it does little harm, the large ants of foreign lands are most destructive and troublesome; it being very difficult to check their depredations

nd very narrow; it is destitute of teeth, and the tongue resembles somewhat a large great red earth-worm. It has immensely strong curved claws, with which it tears and breaks down and scratches to pieces the hard walls of the ant-heaps;

inches in length, has a shorter and more natural looki

is subject, as it interested my boy amazingly; and occu

road, thick leaves, we paused to examine them; they bore a round

so that he must needs stop to scrape off as much as he could. He rejoined me presently, attempting to soften what he had collected in his hands; but findi

gum is quite elastic! Can

able discovery that would be, indeed; a

her?' inquired Fritz. `I have only see

is a milky resinous juice which flows from certain trees in

o form bottles by smearing earthen flasks with repeated coatings of the gum when just fresh from the trees, and when hardened and suffici

d from the natives by the Spaniards and Portuguese have for years been brought to Europe, and cut into portions to be sold for use in drawing. Caoutchouc can be put to ma

herto had always bounded our excursions. In passing through the wood, I remarked a smaller sort of palm, which, among its grand companions, I had not previously notic

ollected that I had heard of them before as feeding on the sa

kindling a fire, and placing some half dozen, sprinkled

; and, putting one like a pat of butter on a baked potato, I boldly swallowed it, and liked it so much, that several others followed in

pting to penetrate it, and made our way towards the sugar-brake near Cape Disappointment. This we could not pass wi

d, everything placed on the sledge, and our patient beast began cal

e was as warm as usual-all we had to tell, listened to with the greatest interest, all we had

er; then, ascending to our tree-castle, and drawing up the ladder after us, we beto

the word candle on their lips. When they were thoroughly roused they continued to talk candles; all breakfast-time, candles were

of our experiment. In the first place, I knew that we lacked a very important ingredient-animal fat, which is necessary to make candles burn for an

d wax was rapidly melted, rising to the surface of the juice yielded by the berries. This we skimmed off and placed in a separate pot by the fire, ready for use, repeating the operation several times, until we had

proportions, and became real sturdy candles. Our wax being at an end, we hung these in a cool shady place to harden; and that same n

ith your ingenuity you would show me how to make butter. Day after day, I have the annoyance of seeing a large suppl

`not that I can claim the honour of the invention of my plan, that is due to th

small hole at one end and well hollowed-out and cleaned; this I

turn carpenter and make a cart to take the place of our sledge

by four cords attached to the corners. In this cradle they placed the gourd of cream,

k, `open the gourd and take the conten

s were delighted with the sight of

icle it was, but strong enough for any purpose to which we might put

, and chestnut trees we arranged in parallel rows so as to form a shady avenue from Falconhurst to Family-bridge; and betwe

others away over Jackal river, to adorn Tentholm. Tentholm had been the subject of serious thoughts to me for some time past, and I now tur

tacle to the attack of even savages, should they appear. Not satisfied with this, however, we fortified the bridge, and on a couple of h

leasant labour. We greeted each Sunday and its accompanying rest most gratefully,

unning, leaping, climbing, and swimming; I also saw, however, that it was having a less satisfactory effect upon their clothes

longer the vessel was likely to hold together. Three of the boys and I went off in the pinnace. The old sh

e slightest value must be left on board; rum

l guns, ball and shot, tables, benches, window shutters, bolts and locks, barrels of

at in tow, and after a few more

will be the end of the brave ship which carried us from Switzerland. I

might save. I made fast to it a couple of empty casks, that when the ship went up i

of the wreck. Darkness came on. Suddenly a vivid pillar of fire rose from the black wate

for the best; and yet that night we went to bed with a feeling o

nks and beams, the remnants of the wreck. I soon found, too, the copper cauldron which was successfully floated by the ca

s. She had discovered that two ducks and a goose had each reared a large family among the reeds by the river; and they

fford duck and green peas some day soon, an

s reminded me of our fa

ntention of payi

I noticed that several young trees in our avenue were considerably bent by the wind,

me. I consented; and next morning we started, bringing with us the cart, drawn by the cow and ass, and laden with everything necessary for an expedition of several days-a ten

of potatoes, manioc and cassavas, we came to the nests of the soc

the berries that we might renew our stock of candles. The berries were soon plucked; and I

ep your feet dry, Ernest.' To the caoutchouc tree we directed our steps, and were s

nded on one side by an extensive field of waving sugar-cane, on the other by a thicket o

h our tent here and stay here always instead

out on us at night. No, no, thank you, I much prefer our nest in the tree, or our impregnable position at Tentholm. We must make this our headq

nd some to collect sugar-cane. We then returned; and, as supper was still not quite ready and the boys were hungry, they decided to obtain some cocoa

slippery trunks; right vigorously they struggled upwards, but to no purpose; before they had

of shark's skin which I had previously prepared, and which I now bound on to their legs. Thus equipped they again atte

returned, and jestingly begged Ernest to produce the result of his labour. The professor had been lying on the grass gazing at the palms

he put it in his pocket. He ran to a tree, and, with an

pparently heard them; for, as it seemed in a fit of anger, he drew his knife and severed the leafy crest, which fell to the gr

to father; that is only half my contribution,

leaves at its summit is greatly prized by the South Americ

racter; come down and receive the thanks of th

t will be as fully appreciated as the first.' In a short time he slipped down the tree,

ich the greatest connoisseur w

ith a clear rosy liquo

excellent,' she exclaimed. `You

turn, and Ernest receive

ud bray, and, without the least apparent cause, pricked up his ears, threw up his heels, and galloped off into the thicket of bamboos. We followed

dden flight. I knew not whether he was aware, by instinct, of the approach of some fierce wild beast. I said nothing of this

ave been attracted by the light of the fires, and have returned. Alas, not a sign of him was to be seen.

earch, I left my elder sons to protect their mother, and bade Jack get read

or a while, and then again discovered it as we reached softer soil. Finally this guide failed us altogether, fo

arch. `For,' said he, `if we once get upon a hill we shall see such a lar

d the border of a wide plain, and on it, in the distance, I could see a herd of animals, browsing on the rich grass. It struck me that it might be the very herd to which our good donkey

ered an account of the giant cane of South America, which is greatly prized by the Indians on account of its e

ies. I explained this to Jack, and as we discussed the possibility of cutting one down and c

uffaloes. They looked up, and stared at us inquisitively, but without moving. Jack would

e dogs joined us; and, in spite of our shouts and efforts to

ith their horns, and then dashed madly towards us. We had not time to step behind a rock before the leader

ped off across the plain. They were gone, but the dogs still held gallantly to the calf. They

could but capture him alive, we might in time manage to tame him, and use him as a beast of burden. Jack's clever litt

and caught him by his hind legs. The noose drew tight, and in a twinkling the beast was upon the ground. We f

ooked at the poor beast, lying panting on

to fasten his forelegs together, a

ed less freely, passed a stout cord through the hole. I felt some repugnance at thus paining the animal, but it was a case of necessity, and I coul

f the most delicate parts, its tongue, and a couple of steaks, and, packing them in salt in my wallet, abandoned t

scordant cries, swooped down upon the buffalo. An amusing contest ensued; the dogs again and again drove off the intruders, and they, as often, returned reinforced by others who swarmed to the spot. Jack, with his usual i

t was getting late, I determined to give up for the pre

of the smallest of the reeds, the largest of whose joints would form capital little barr

s passively, and we presently induced him to submit to a package of our goods laid up

arance of a large jackal suddenly checked her further progress. Both dogs instantly flew at the animal, and though she fought desperately, quickly overpowered

thought it possible that the male jackal might be still lying in wait within the cave. We peered into the darkness, and af

of the brood he had managed to save, for Turk and Juno, without pity for their youth or beauty, had worried all the rest. I did not much regret this, however, for I firmly believe that, h

dwarf-palm, whose long sharp leaves form an excellent barrier if it is planted as a hedge. I determined to return and get some young pl

nswer a host of questions concerning their capture, and to give a minute account of the affray with the buffaloes. This he did, with graphic power c

ich Jack and I were heartily thankful, my wife and her

ranz and his mother had collected dry wood, of which a huge heap now stood before the

ned, they found the place ransacked and turned upside down. The provisions were eaten and gnawed, the potatoes thrown about, the milk drunk and spilt, every b

returned not a sign was to be seen of the disorder. No one would hav

ointment, had discovered a young eaglet which Ernest declared to be a Malabar or Indian eagle; he was much pl

g to have your mother troubled with the care of them all; each must look after his own, and i

prepared the buffalo-meat I had brought; I lit a large fire of green wood, and in the smoke of this thoroughly dried both the tongue

n foot, and began to

onhu

own, and I have been thinking too that if we could but split the tree, we might make a couple of long useful tro

abandon such a valuable prize as a sago-palm. I would put

ished, our task was less difficult, for with a heavy mallet we forced the wedge in further and further, until at length the trunk was split in twain. From one half of the trunk we then re

e other half of the trunk, `off with your coats and turn

heartily. As the dough was formed and properly kneaded, I handed it to my wife who spread it out on a cloth in the sun to dry. This new occupation kept us busy until the evening,

falo take the place of our lost donkey; after some persuasion he consented, and soon put his strength to the work and brought the cart along famously. As we had the trough slung under the cart we had to choose the clear

nied by the furious barking of the dog and shouts from Jack and Ernest. Thinkin

y glade, and I as nearly as possible followed their example, for in the centre, surrounded by a promising litter,

ned to the cart to obtain biscuits and potatoes for the benefit of the happy mother. Jack and Ernest meanwhile pushed further on, and brought back the

again, and received us with manifestations

e and uncovered his eyes. In a moment the aspect of the bird was changed; with his sight returned all his savage instincts, he flapped his wings, raised his head, darted to the full length of his

eature, he is but following his natural inst

ally to kill the bird, but I can't give him up; tell

mark of your gratitude. Take a pipe and tobacco, and send the smoke all round his head, so that he

he consented to make the attempt. He soon seated himself beneath the bird, who still struggled furiously, and puffed cloud after cloud upwards,

he hooded the bird, `capita