Swiss Family Robinson

o prisoners set at liberty could have felt more joy than we did as we stepped forth from our winter abode, refreshed our eyes with th

The seed we had sown was shooting through

abitable. My wife begged that I would now start her with the flax, and as early as possible I built a drying-oven, and then prepared it for her use; I also, af

damage done to Falconhurst was as nothing compared to the scene that awaited us. The tent was blown to the ground, the canvas torn to rags, the

rrival of the next rainy season. Fritz proposed that we should hollow out a cave in the rock, and though the difficulties such an undertaking would present appeared almost insurmountable, I yet det

pickaxes and crowbars, and began our undertaking. On the smooth face of the perpendicular rock I drew

been a satisfactory shelter for even Master Knips; but we still did not despair, and were presently re

ere falling heavily, Jack, who was working d

, my bar has gone th

' laughed Fritz, `perh

st not lose a

hrough the rock; I heard it crash down insid

pposition, I could turn it in any direction I chose. Fritz handed me a long pole; I tried the depth wit

ge enough for us to enter. I stepped near the aperture, and was about to make a further examination, when a s

fatal to those who breathe it. The safest way of restoring it to its original state is to subject it to the action of fire; a few handfuls of blazing hay thrown into this hole may, if the place be small, suffici

rculation, which then brings in more oxygen. The flame goes out if the oxygen supply is insufficient for its supply; in this case, it takes the fireworks

e fiery serpents, which went whizzing in and disappeared at apparently a vast distance from us. Some flew like radiant meteors round, lighted up the mighty circumfe

eriments, and I then again threw in lighted

ging on his buffalo, thundered away to Falconhurst

imbers of the bridge were soon again resounding under the swift but heavy tramp

ind, and we now, lighting these, shouldered our arms and entered. I led the way, sounding the groun

e of glittering crystal; the candles reflected on the walls a golden light, bright as the stars of Heaven, while great crystal pillars rose from the floor lik

and, so dry that I saw at once that we might safely take up ou

their nature. I tasted a piece. This was a cavern of rock-salt. There was

, would keep us in constant peril. I examined some of the masses and discovered that they had been all recently separated, and therefore concluded that the concussion of the air, occasion

d to Falconhurst with minds full of wonder at our new discov

ort of Falconhurst, which had at first seemed so great, now dwindled away in our opinion to nothing; it should be kept

ir were to be admitted, so we hewed a row of windows in the rock, whe

The opening in the trunk of the tree I determined to conceal with bark, as less likely

into our sitting, eating and sleeping apartments; the right-hand division, containing our kitchen and workshop, a

dwelling. We did not intend to be again smoke-dried; we, therefore, contrived a properly built fireplace and chimney; our stable arrange

ese creatures appeared at a time, we used to cut off their retreat to the sea, and, turning them on their backs, fasten them to a stake, driven in close by the water's edge, by a cord passed through a hole in their shell. We thus had fresh turtle continually within our re

he waters out to sea appeared agitated by some unseen movement, and as they heaved and boiled,

ging beneath the water, some skimming the surface. Then again they would rise and resume their harsh cries. The shining, sparkling mass then rolled onw

proached that it was a s

n I was assailed by a host of questions concerning t

ny fathoms deep. It is followed by numbers of great ravenous fish, who devour quantities of the herrings, while above hover birds, as you have just seen, ready to pounce down on stragglers n

e ingenuity of man it can find no escape. In one year millions of these fish are caught,

water with a bucket, throwing them to us on the shore. As quickly as possible we cleaned them, and placed them in casks

e. Our good fortune, however, was not to end here. A day after the herring fishery was over, and the shoal had left

ke of their skins and fat. The skins we drew carefully off for harness and clothing, and the fat w

returned to our labour with renewed vigour. I had noticed that the salt crystals had for their base a s

smooth and white, and as I had then no particular use to which I might put it, I plastered over some of the herring casks, that I might be perfect

s on lines across the roof. On the floor we lit a great fire of brushwood and moss, which threw ou

called to us that a lot of young whales were off the coast. We ran down and discovered the bay apparently swarming with great sturge

sh!' he exclaimed, `none of your paltry fry. How do you

ll me how they are to be caught, and I

st enough,' he replied,

us

ould set to work, he returned with his fishing appa

d had secured the arrow to the end of the string. Ar

d, to my surprise, struck one o

fish darted off, carrying arrow and all with

d the water around him; but we held the cord fast, and he had no chance of escape. Weaker and weaker grew hi

, who came up just as we completed his cap

ptune, with an iron trident, or more properly speaking, perhaps, a pitchfork. Soon the shore was strewn with a goodly number of the finest fish-monster after monster we drew to l

panting on the sand. We at length, when we had captured as many fish as we could possibly utilize, set about cleaning and preparing the

branes by which it is surrounded, washed it in vinegar, salted it, pressed out all the moisture caused by t

r-bladders from all those we had killed, I washed them and hung them up to stiffen. The outer co

e through a clean cloth, and spread it out on a slab of stone in thin layers, letting them remain until they were dry. The substa

rd for the time or season of the year. Peas, beans, wheat, barley, rye and Indian corn, seemed constantly ripe, while cucumbers, melons, and all sorts of other vegetables

nd it covered with barley, wheat, rye and peas in profusion. I turned

d the seed I brought from the wreck. The ground was ready tilled

to be duly appreciated. A tremendous flock of feathered thieves rose as we approached. Amongst them Fritz espied a few ruffed grouse, and, quick as thought, unhooding his eagle, he starte

ned triumphantly. Jack had not stood idle, for slipping his pet Fangs, he had started him among some quails who remained u

ost delicious drink my wife prepared for us; the stems of the young Indian c

had become too numerous with our limited means to supply them with food. In the large cart, to which we harnessed the buffalo, cow, and ass, we placed a dozen fowls, four young pigs, two couple of sh

n a large plain covered with curious little bushes; the branches of these

ome down from the cart and play snowballs. Th

d of dwarf cotton-tree. We approached nearer and found he was right-soft fine wool enclosed in pods, and still hanging on the bushes or lying on the ground, abounded

luxuriant grass at our feet stretching down the hillside, dotted here and there with shady trees, am

o find for our new farm? Pasture, wat

We soon found a group of trees so situated that the trunks would serve as posts for our intended building. Thither we carried all our tools, and

e trunks about ten feet from the ground, and again ten feet higher up to form a second storey. In these mortices I inserted beams, thus forming a framework for my building, and then

f the bark, some of which, to my great surprise, I found was that of the terebinth tree, and the rest that of the American fir. The goats, too,

ur yacht with tar and oil, you know, and cart-grease, too, with tar and fat. I do not know that you will equally appreciate the terebinth tree; a gum issues from incisions in the bark which

ht. Within we divided the house into three parts; one subdivided into stalls for the animals; a second fitted with perches for the birds, and a third, simply furnished with a rough table and benches, to serve as a sleeping-apartment for ourselves, when we sh

ht with us would be exhausted before we could hope to be able to leav

ursion in the neighbourhood, that we might know mor

that it was covered with the rice plant growing wild in the greatest profusion. Here and there only were there any ripe plants, and from

nce off; we followed the little animal and found him devouring delicious strawberries. Having enjoyed the fruit ourselves

rice seeds to show my wife,

sight of numbers of black swans, disporting themselves on the glassy surface, in which their stately forms and graceful movements were reflected as in a mirror. It was del

iderate; for all at once I heard a plunge, and saw her drag out of the water a most peculiar-looking creature, something like a smal

nder the belly; its feet were furnished with large claws, and also completely webbed, the head

to know what sort of animal it could possibly be. For want of a better, we gave it the name of the `Beast

time they encounter o

, and sure enough, in about a quarter of an hour, Fritz and Jack made their a

pplies, about fourte

d they do? Somet

ir orders intelligently, carrying out my intenti

lands), after providing amply for the wants of the an

assailed us with showers of fir-cones, uttering hideous and angry cries, and effectually checking our pr

les, and, showing them to me, I rec

kernel has a pleasant taste, like almonds, and from it we can, by pressing,

d my notice, and, on climbing it we were more than repaid for the exertion

lement, to be visited occasionally, and, after resting awhile and talking the matte

work, and in a few days the rustic abode was completed, and

rto I had met with none at all fit for my purpose, but, not despairing of success, I began, when the cottage was built, to examine carefully the surro

rough in a circle; I did the same at the foot of the tree, and then, from between the circles, we took a narrow perpendicular slip of bark entirely out, so that we could introduce the proper

gently down upon the grass. This seemed a great achievement; but our work was by no means ended, nor could we venture to

of the roll, and, placing the sloping parts one over the other, I d

in the middle, so that it was necessary to put ropes round it, and tighten them

ent situation, and forthwith dispatched Fritz and Jack with orders to bring the sledge (which now ran on wheels

wood naturally curved, just suited for ribs to

, it was time to rest for the night; but w

or my boat, and came at length to a small opening or defile in the ridge of rocks, where a little torrent rushed from its source down into the larger stream beyond; here we determined to make a halt, in order to erect a great earth wall across the narrow go

g it with piles of branches and thorns, and also we contrived a light drawbridge over the stream, so t

r way, we were glad to rest at Falconhurst before

angements, I flattered myself, were carried out in a manner quite worthy of a shipbuilder; a mast, sails and paddles were fitted, but my final touch, altho

ed and pitched, inflated, and made fast on each side of the boat, just above the level of the water. These fl

calf, and that there might never be any difficulty in managing him, I at a very early age, pierced his nose and placed a short stick in it

ild animals and defend us, like the fighting bull

ng one!' exclaimed his mother. `But do you mean to say ta

`as regards the race of Hottentots who inhabit the south

n their flocks and herds, and for their prote

ve the herd together in a mass, the calves and young cows being placed in the centre; around them the bulls and strong oxe

ng to meet the enemy; and should it be a mighty lion or other strong

not unusual to place a troop of these stout-hearted warriors in the van of the

description of these fine warlike animals, I think we had better trai

h on his hands. Fritz was content with the onager. Their mother was voted mistress of the old grey donkey. And I myself being superinte

l you undertake to look a

er and bigger, but still he carried it often, till at last he grew so strong that when it was quite a great big ox, he could lift it as easily as ever. And so you see, if I

ity, and his funny application

ll see about letting you mount him some day; but remember he will be a g

", father? Hear what a low

" will do

it beats your buffalo

ames. Fancy mother saying, "Here comes Franz on Grumble

o and Fawn, and so ended this

, so as to put the rooms and stalls for the animals in comfortable order for the next long rainy season, during which

producing a smooth hard surface, which did very well for most of the apartments; but I was am

ghly. On it we then laid wool and hair from the sheep and goats, which had been carefully cleaned and prepared, and rolled and beat it until it adhe

ime we had now passed on this coast, and discovered, to my surprise, that the very next day would be the anniversary of our escape from the wreck. My heart swelled with gratitude to the grac

cleared and set in order both outside and inside our dwelling: none, however, suspecting that there was any particular object in v

important day? We shall have to keep it in honour of our m

ht be mistaken, until I showed her how I had calculated regularly ever since the 31st of January, on which day we w

ed on the 2nd; therefore tomorrow is the anniversary of the day of our escape. As my booksel

ck, like Robinson Crusoe, and cut a notch in it every day, and count them

ertain the number of days in each month,

5 hours, 48 minutes and 45 se

ould get in a mess with those spare hours, minut

them all together, make a day, stick it in

in this our kingdom, and let you superintend and regulate everyth

lusions' to next day's festival and rejoicings; but I offered no explanation, and went to sleep, little gu

k next morning. I sprang up and found my wife as much alarmed as I was

ried I, turning to his hammock. Lo, it was

y dressing, when their voices were

se you with a right go

r the thoughtless way in which they had sought to do honour to the Day of Thanksgiving, witho

ood intention which had prompted the deed, and, satisfied that the day

t had taken place on the memorable days of the storm a year ago; for I desired that the awful events of tha

of joyful praise and thanksgiving, so that even the youngest among us was impressed and solemnized at the reco

announced for the afternoon a `Grand Display of Athletic Spor

what a gr

ly! Are we t

ill there be p

rcise,' replied I. `Shooting, running, riding, leaping, climbing, s

nd for the openi

waving my arms towards a shady spot, where the ducks and ge

inite amusement of the children, who began to bustle about in eager prepa

for you,' said I, producing a board roughly shaped like a kangaroo, and of about the size of one. This targ

of the creature, and the distance for firing measure

dy once; and Jack, by a lucky chance, shot the ears clean

ols ensued, in which Fri

ittle board as high as I possibly could up in the air, each in tur

e sedate Ernest succeeded quite as wel

encourage, foreseeing that a time might come when ammunition would fail; and in this practise I saw

o Falconhurst, by the most direct path. The first to reach the tree was to bring me, in

powers, took the lead at once, running in advance of Ernest, who started at a good steady pace,

th surprise towards the bridge, and Jack made his appearance, thundering along on his buffalo, wit

t sort of foot-race do

ck

to us; then flinging himself off,

rize, I caught Storm, and made him gallop home with me, to be in time to see the oth

and after hearing all particulars about the running, and that he had reached Falconhurst t

He ascended with remarkable agility the

arger trees, he played antics like a squirrel or a monkey: peeping and grinning at

ld not come near the grace and skill o

nt of their different steeds. I thought the riding was over, when little Franz appeared from the stable in the cave,

h a pretty little air of

uite new and wonderful! The great bull-tamer, Milo of

al, at the word of command, walk, trot and gallop in a circle round him

and the competitors found a plunge in salt wate

either exertion or weariness. Ernest exhibited too much anxiety and effort, while Jack w

our dwelling, my wife having preceded us in order t

reat state, with the pri

, bowing respectfully, stood before her, like the victors in a tournament of old, awaiting the reward

rize for shooting and swimming, a splendid doubl

he running-match, was giv

silver-plated spurs, and a riding whip, bo

hip made of rhinoceros hide, which we thought woul

ed to my wife a lovely work-box, filled with every imaginable requirement f

artillery in order to close with befitting dignity and honour so great a day. They gave me no peace till they had leave to squander some gunpowder, and th

were attracted thither, and as we had found those preserved last year of the greatest use among our stores of winter provisions, I would not miss the opportunity of renewing our stock;

had read in some account of the Palm Islanders, who make it of fresh caoutchouc mixed wit

resh caoutchouc from the trees, and as this involved a goo

stock of these useful vessels. I was beginning to propose an expedition to the Gourd-tree wood, regretting t

re flourishing, and crops of gourds and pumpkins

and began the manufacture of basins, dishes, plates, flasks and sp

h the caoutchouc, they broug

n animal which they called a marmot, but w

they had also collected, and a curious root which

fore "monkey pl

were at, we tied up the dogs, as well as Storm and Lightfoot, and crept near enough to see that the apes were most industriously grubbing up and eating roots. This they did in a way that nearly choked us with laughter, for when the roo

d the dogs, and the apes cleared out double quick, leaving plenty of the

ed in China 'ginseng', and there prized and valued beyond everything.

wholesome, that it is used as a sort of universa

permit it to be gathered, and guards

ed in Canada; it is cultivated in Pennsylvania, because the Amer

hen con

hing smashed or torn, and covered with mud and dirt; the fowls terrified, the sheep and goats s

conjuring up in her imagination hordes of savages who would soon

d? Did you discover the au

ttle monkey in at some small opening, and bid him unfasten the shutters-you know what nimble fingers they have. Then of course the whole posse of them swarmed into our nice tidy cottage and skylarked with every single thin

m flying quickly in a wedge-shaped flock at a great height in the air. They began gradually to descend, taking the direction of the lake, and separated into a number of small detachments which followed in a long straight li

had begun to play a quick march after a slow one, and rapidly descended to earth i

them. Many darted to the ground, and, just touching it, wou

ltitude, as though at the word of command, alighted on

mselves be surprised, and we came unexpectedly upon their outposts or sentinels, who instantly sprang into the air utter

but unwilling to miss the chance of securing at least one of th

bove them, then shot downwards like an arr

end itself; a struggle followed, and they came t

ful crane already dead. The eagle, luckily unhurt,

ands, got some turpentine and a b

em very palatable, either boiled or stewed; the monkey plant, however, if it really proved to be the

nt a supply of both roo