ARTES
LIBRARY
1837
SCIENTIA
VERITAS
OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
PLURIOUS
UNUM
TUEBOR
}
·SI QUÆRIS PENINSULAM·AMŒNAM.
CIRCUMSPICE
GIFT OF
REGENT LLHUBBARD
Hubbard
Imag. Voy.
РТ-
2583
.w9
5423
1818
v.l
FRONTISPIECE.

-
Family Robinson Crusoe.
THE
SWISS
Family Robinson:
OR,
ADVENTURES
OF A FATHER AND MOTHER AND FOUR
SONS IN A DESERT ISLAND:
BEING
A PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION OF THE FIRST PRIN
CIPLES OF MECHANICS, NATURAL PHILOSOPHY,
NATURAL HISTORY, AND ALL THOSE BRANCHES
OF SCIENCE WHICH MOST IMMEDIATELY APPLY
TO THE BUSINESS OF LIFE.
TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN OF
M. WISS.
IN TWO VOLUMES.
VOL. I.
SECOND EDITION.
London:
PRINTED FOR M. J. GODWIN AND Co.,
At the JUVENILE Library, 41, Skinner-Street.
1818.
Wyss, Johann David von
Printed by Richard and Arthur Taylor, Shoe Lanej London.
S/ My 24
W
Rao
gift
CONTENTS.
Hubbard
5-23-24
CHAPTER I.
A shipwreck, and preparations for de-
liverance
PAGE.
1
CHAPTER II.
Alanding, and consequent occupations
19
CHAPTER III.
Voyage of discovery
46
CHAPTER IV.
Return from the voyage of discovery A.
nocturnal alarm
CHAPTER V.
Return to the wreck
77
104
A 2
CONTENTS.
1
CHAPTER VI.
A troop of animals in cork jackets
CHAPTER VII.
Second journey of discovery performed by
the mother of the family
PAGE.
123
142
1
•
CHAPTER VIII.
Construction of a bridge
167
CHAPTER IX.
Change of abode
187
CHAPTER X.
Construction of a ladder
215
CHAPTER XI.
The settling in the giant trec
CHAPTER XII.
The Sabbath and the parable
235
245
CONTENTS.
1
CHAPTER XIII.
Conversation, a walk, and important dis-
coveries
CHAPTER XIV.
Continuation of the preceding chapter, and
more discoveries
CHAPTER XV.
The imaginary bear-The sledge-A lesson
in natural philosophy
CHAPTER XVI.
A bathing, a fishing, the jumping hare,
and a masquerade
PAGE.
275
292
314
327
PREFACE.
THE following work has for its main
purpose to be of use to children and
the friends of children. For the first
however, it is not all children for
which it can pretend to be adapted,
but only such as are able to mix some
reflection with their reading, as al-
ready possess certain general ideas on
the subjects of natural history and
geography; in a word, such as have
acquired that portion of instruction
which is given from the age of eight
to fourteen years in most of the pri-
mary schools in large towns, and even
in villages.
For the second, I do not by the
friends of children particularly un-
viii
PREFACE.
derstand that class of individuals
who are engaged in philosophical re-
searches, theories, and experiments on
the subject of education; but such fa-
thers, teachers, and others, who delight
to employ their attention on the youth-
ful mind; who observe with pleasure
the actions and discourses of children;
who reflect naturally and without any
preconcerted system upon their facul-
ties, dispositions, and characters; who
find themselves prompted to infuse use-
ful knowledge into them through the
medium of conversation; and who will
not regard with disdain a simple and
well intended essay towards their im-
provement, merely because it pretends
to no novelty of theorems, and is not
founded upon the basis of a long series
of scientifical and metaphysical pro-
positions.
4
PREFACE.
ix
Prefaces are not intended for the
perusal of children; but the friends
of children will perhaps be gratified to
find in this some account of the origin
and object of the present work. In
such a detail they will perhaps find
motives for indulgence, if not for ap-
probation, and will proceed to the
work itself with less severity of ana-
lysis and criticism.
It is now nearly twenty years since
the writer of the following sheets be-
gan to throw together the hints of
his work in detached parcels. The
purpose he had, in view was to amuse,
to instruct, and to fashion the charac-
ter of four sons borne to him by an
exemplary mother: in doing this, he
conceived the idea of faithfully pour-
traying these four children in corre-
spondence with the germs of charac-
A 5'
X
PREFACE.
ter he already remarked in them. He
made them act and speak, exactly as
they were accustomed to act and
speak in the ordinary train of their
lives; with this difference only, that
he often strengthened and made more
prominent whatever of excellence or
of frailty he found in them, repre-
senting them rather such as he might
suppose them to become at a period
of greater maturity, than such as they
were at the moment of writing; enter-
taining the idea, that by this means.
he should render their faults the more
displeasing to them, and alarm them
the more with the consequences that
might result, and that he might ren-
der sound judgement and integrity
more lovely in their eyes. The por-
trait of the mother was drawn with all
that earnest esteem and affection which
PREFACE.
xi
she inspired in her husband, and which
she well deserved. On the one side
he was anxious to paint his family
just as it was, and on the other he
thought that the book so constructed
could not be without utility to children
of the softer sex; as in delineating his
wife he should present to them a mo-
del of the power given to the female
over the happiness of her family, both
as a wife and as a mother. Various
motives prevented him from intro-
ducing girls in his uninhabited island.
The first was, that he had himself no
girls, and that introducing them would
have spoiled the integrity of his paint-
ing several other motives may easily
be conceived.
It appeared to his apprehension, that
a book not less useful than entertain-
ing might be formed, by transporting
xii
PREFACE.
in fancy a single family from the civi-
lized world, and placing it in the
midst of savage nature. Such
Such a fa-
mily would necessarily derive great
advantage from the knowledge they
had acquired of the inventions and
contrivances of European society. To
give children an interest in the studies.
they pursue, it is necessary to excite
their curiosity, and to give them a
wish to learn. The lessons of mo-
rality and science that are interspersed
will then be read with pleasure, and
devoured with avidity. Scarcely any
thing appeared better calculated for
such a purpose, than a strange and
untried scene of action, and a multi-
tude of small incidents of a striking
nature, but entirely within the reach of
their early capacities to understand.
There is no book that has been
PREFACE.
xiii
more universally read and approved,
for the opening of the infant mind, than
The Adventures of Robinson Crusoe.
Every child is impressed with the con-
ception of this solitary and forlorn
individual, existing with no aids but
those of his own industry, and carry-
ing on, single-handed, the tremendous
battle which man, wherever he lives
alone, must have to fight with nature.
Robinson Crusoe shows us human na-
ture in its origin and in its weakness,
and proves to us what reflection and
labour are capable of effecting in the
most trying and perilous situations.
Here we are feelingly taught, how in-
estimably the social state, whether in
its domestic or its national form, toge-
ther with the arts and inventions that
accompany it, conduces to the well-
'
xiv
PREFACE.
being of every individual of whom it
is composed.
The persuasion of this truth deter-
mined the author to give his little
family fiction the form under which
it now appears, and to entitle it The
Swiss Family Robinson. It has how-
ever in many respects a different ob-
ject from that of the original work;
purposing, as it does, to instruct its
young readers in various sciences, -
particularly that of natural history,
and especially the natural history of
distant countries and climates. Some
things this book has in common with
its model: the shipwreck, the desert
island, and the resources drawn by
the hero from the wreck of his un-
fortunate vessel. In other points the
present work is entirely different; for
PREFACE.
XV
example, in painting the family scene,
in developing the different characters
of the members that compose it, and
in the perpetual attention given by
the father to instruct his children in
different sciences and arts, and to for-
ward and mature their moral and in-
tellectual natures. His own children
were especially delighted at finding
themselves brought forward as the
personages of this imaginary history,
and transported to the scene of a di-
stant ocean.
The sheets now laid before the
public were originally destined to re-
main unknown beyond the circle of
the family for which they were com-
posed; but one of the personages,
who is brought forward as a child
in the course of this narrative, having
felt in his own person the deep in-
xvi
PREFACE.
terest and lively pleasure which the
story excited, and recollecting how
many lasting advantages he had him-
self derived from the use of this book,
could not refrain from ultimately re-
solving to render the benefit of it
more general, and has voluntarily un-
dertaken the labour of giving to it
the form in which it now appears. The
very name of the interesting islander
which it bears, will awaken curiosity
in the young reader; and it is there-
fore confidently hoped that these new
Adventures will be graciously received
by those for whose instruction they
are destined. .
It only remains for the editor to
declare that he lays no claim to the
merit of any one incident in the story;
he has merely taken the liberty to
make some corrections in the style,
PREFACE.
xvii
and to endeavour to dispose and con-
nect the scattered fragments into a
regular story. His acquaintance with
natural history is unfortunately very
limited, nor has he had leisure to
make such researches as would have
been requisite to authenticate all the
facts brought forward. He has equally
to confess his incompetence with re-
spect to several of the arts that are here
put into action; he has therefore been
obliged to refer himself on these two
points to the judgement of the author,
and to adopt his descriptions as he
found them; he is at least well as-
sured that the writer had recourse to
the best authorities, and was exten-
sively acquainted with those books
of voyages and travels which are in
the highest esteem. Notwithstanding
which, it may however have happen-
xviii
PREFACE.
ed, that in the twenty years which
have elapsed since this work was
written, many new discoveries may
have been made, and many juster
principles and conclusions have been
established. It is therefore to be de-
sired, that such parents and teachers
as shall put this book into the hands
of the children under their care, or
shall read it with them, would have
the goodness to correct its errors, and
supply such omissions as they may
discover. In reality, it is very rarely,
and perhaps never, proper that chil-
dren should read by themselves; few
indeed are the individuals in those
tender years that are not either too
indolent, too lively, or too capricious
to employ themselves usefully upon
this species of occupation.
1
PREFACE.
xix
In the following Introduction will
be found a brief detail of what may
be supposed respecting the manner in
which the accompanying narrative has
been brought before the public.
INTRODUCTION.
*
It is well known that a Swiss, Coun-
sellor Horner of Zurich, sailed some
years ago round the world on board
a Russian vessel, the Podesta, com-
manded by Captain Kreusenstern.
They discovered a number of islands,
and one among the rest of a consi-
derable size and great fertility, situate
to the south-west of Java, near the
coast of Papua or new Guinea, hither-
to unknown to navigators, and which
appeared to them worthy to be exa-
mined. They landed accordingly;
and to the great surprise of the crew,
but particularly of Mr. Horner, they
found this Island, which they had
xxii
INTRODUCTION.
conceived to be uninhabited, already
in the possession of a European fa-
mily, who met them on the bank,
and saluted them in German. The
family consisted of a father, a mother,
and four sons of a robust and active
appearance, who willingly communi-
cated to Mr Horner the history of
their adventures.
The father had been a pastor or
clergyman of West Switzerland, who
having lost his fortune in the Revo-
lution of 1798, and reflecting on the
family he had to bring up, resolved to
become a voluntary exile, and to seek
in other climates the means of support.
He sailed accordingly with his wife
and children, four sons, from twelve
to five years of age, for England,
where he accepted an appointment of
missionary to Otaheite; not that he
INTRODUCTION.
xxiii
had any desire to take up his abode
in that island, but that he had con-
He
ceived the plan of passing from thence
to Port Jackson, and domiciliating
himself there as a free settler.
possessed a considerable knowledge of
agriculture, and, with the aid of his
sons, he hoped to gain for himself
there an advantageous establishment,
which his own country, convulsed
with the horrors of war, denied him.
He turned all that yet remained to him
into money, and then vested his little
property in seeds of various sorts
and a few cattle, as a farming stock.
The family took their passage accord-
ingly, satisfied with this consolation
that they should still remain together,
and sailed with favourable winds till
they came in sight of New Guinea.
Here they were attacked by a most
xxiv
INTRODUCTION.
A
destructive and unrelenting tempest;
and it is in this crisis of their adven-
tures that the Swiss Pastor, or Family
Robinson, begins the journal, which
he liberally consigned to the care of
Mr. Horner, who carried it with him
into Switzerland; and from the ma-
nuscript, thus brought over from one
of the remotest parts of the earth, the
following narrative has been faithfully
printed.
THE
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON.
CHAPTER I.
A shipwreck, and preparations for
deliverance.
ALREADY the tempest had continued
six terrible days; and far from subsiding on
the seventh, its fury seemed to increase: the
morning of the seventh dawned upon us with-
out bestowing the smallest prospect of hope,
for we had wandered so materially from the
right track, and were so forcibly driven to-
ward the south-east, that not a creature on
board knew where we were. The ship's
company were exhausted by constant labour
and watching, and the courage which had
hitherto sustained them, now began to fail.
The masts, shivered to pieces, had been cast
into the sea; several leaks appeared, and the
ship began to fill. The sailors forbore from
swearing, and were now employed in prayers,
or in making the absurdest vows as the con-
VOL. I.
B
2
THE SWISS
1
·
dition of their release from danger. Each
recommended his soul to God, but at the
same moment thought of contriving the best
means for preserving life.-My children,
said I to my four boys who clung to me in
terrible alarm, God can save us, for nothing
is impossible to him; we must however hold
ourselves resigned, and instead of murmur-
ing at his decree, rely that what he sees fit to
do is best, and that should he call us from
this earthly scene, we shall be near him in
heaven, and united through eternity.-Death
may be well supported when it does not sepa-
rate those who love.
My excellent wife wiped the tears which
were falling on her cheeks, and from this
moment became more tranquil; she encou-
raged the youngest children, who were lean-
ing on her knees; while I, who owed them
an example of firmness, was scarcely able to
resist the grief that assailed my heart at the
thought of what would most likely be the fate
of beings so tenderly beloved. We all fell
on our knees, and supplicated the God of
mercy to protect us; and the emotion and the
fervour of the innocent creatures are a con-
vincing proof, that even in childhood, devo-
tion may be felt and understood, and that
tranquillity and consolation, its natural ef-
fects, may at that season be no less certainly
experienced.
FAMILY ROBINSON.
CO
Fritz, my eldest son, implored in a loud
voice that God would deign to save his dear
parents and his brothers, generously unmind-
ful of himself: the boys rose from their pos-
ture with a state of mind so improved, that
they seemed forgetful of the impending dan-
ger. I myself began to feel my confidence
in Providence increase as I beheld the affect-
ing group. Heaven will surely have pity on
them, thought I, and will save their parents
to guard their tender years!
At this moment a cry of Land, land, was
heard through the roaring of the waves, and
instantly the vessel struck against a rock with
so violent a motion as to drive every one from
his place; a tremendous cracking succeeded,
as if the ship was going to pieces; the sea
rushed in, in all directions; we perceived
that the vessel had grounded and could not
long hold together. The captain in a mourn-
ful voice called out that all was lost, and bade
the men lose not a moment in putting out the
boats. The sounds fell on my heart like a
thrust from a dagger: We are lost! I ex-
claimed; and the children broke out into
piercing cries. I then recollected myself,
and endeavoured to be more composed; and
addressing them again, I exhorted them to
courage, by observing that the water had not
yet reached us, that the ship was near land,
and that Providence would assist the brave.
B 2
4
THE SWISS
Keep where you are, added I, while I
go and
examine what is best to be done.
I left my family and went on the deck. A
wave instantly threw me down and wetted
me to the skin; another followed, and then
another. I sustained myself as steadily as I
could; and when I could look around, a
scene of terrific and complete disaster met
my eyes: the ship was shattered in all direc-
tions, and on one side there was a complete.
breach. The ship's company crowded into
the boats till they could contain not one man
more, and the last who entered were now
cutting the ropes to move off. I called to
them with entreaties and prayers to stop and
receive us also, but in vain; for the roaring
of the sea prevented my being heard, and the
waves, which rose to the height of moun-
tains, would have made it impossible for a
boat to return. All hope therefore from this
source was extinguished, for while I spoke,
the boats and all they contained were driving
out of sight. My best consolation now was
to observe that while I spoke, the slanting
position the ship had taken would afford us
present protection from the water; and that
the stern, under which was the cabin that
inclosed all that was dear to me on earth, had
been driven to a considerable height between
two rocks, where it appeared immoveably
fixed. At the same time in the distance
FAMILY ROBINSON.
5
southward, I descried through clouds and
rain, several nooks of land, which, however
rude and savage in appearance, were the ob-
ject of every hope I could form in this distress-
ing moment.
Sunk and desolate from the loss of all
chance for human aid, it was yet my duty to
make every effort to appear serene before my
family: Courage, dear ones, cried I, on en-
tering their cabin, let us not desert ourselves:
I will not conceal from you that the ship is
aground: but we are at least in greater safety
than we should be if she were beating upon
the rocks: our cabin is above water; and
should the sea be more calm tomorrow,
we may yet find means to reach the land in
safety.
What I had just said, appeased the fears of
all; for they had the habit of confiding in
my assurances. They now therefore began to
feel the advantage of the ship's remaining
still; for its motion had cruelly annoyed them
by jostling them one against another, or what-
ever was nearest. My wife, however, more
accustomed than the children to read my in-
most thoughts, perceived the anxiety which
devoured me. I made her a sign which con--
veyed an idea of the hopelessness of our si-
tuation, and I had the consolation to see that
she was resolved to support the trial with
resignation: Let us take some nourishment,
6
THE SWISS
said she, our courage will strengthen with
our bodies; we shall perhaps need this com-
fort to support a long and melancholy night.
Soon after the evening set in: the tempest
and the waves continued their fury; the
planks and beams of the vessel separated in
many parts with a horrible crash. We
thought of the boats, and feared that all the
persons they contained must have sunk un-
der the foaming surge.
Papa, cried my youngest boy, six years
old, will not God assist us soon?
Hold your tongue, replied his eldest bro-
ther. Do you not know that it is our duty
not to prescribe to God, but to wait for his
assistance with patience and humility?
Well spoken, my boy, said I; but you
should not have reproved your brother so
sharply. The eldest instantly ran and kissed
the innocent little creature.
In the mean while, their mother had pre-
pared our meal, and the four boys partook
of it with an appetite to which their parents
were strangers. They afterwards went to bed,
and in a short time, in spite of the tempest,
they were snoring soundly. Fritz, the eld-
est, sat up with us. I have been examining,
said he after a long silence, how it may be
possible to save ourselves. If we had only
some instruments for swimming, some blad-
ders or cork jackets for my mother and my
FAMILY ROBINSON.
7
!
•
brothers, you and I, father, would soon con-
trive to swim to land.
That is a good thought, said I: we will
see if we can bring it to bear this very night,
for fear of the worst.
Fritz and I immediately looked about for
some small empty firkins, or canisters; these
we fastened two and two together with hand-
kerchiefs or towels, leaving about a foot
distance between them; this sort of swim-
ming-jacket we fastened under the arms of
each child, my wife, at the same time, pre-
paring one for herself. We all provided
ourselves with knives, some string, some
turfs, and other necessaries which could be
put into the pocket, proceeding upon the
hope, that if the ship should go to pieces in
the night, we should either be able to swim
to land or be driven thither by the waves.
Fritz, who had been up the whole of the
preceding night, and was fatigued with his
new and laborious occupation, now lay down
near his brothers, and was soon asleep; but
their mother and I, too full of anxiety to
close our eyes, kept watch, listening to every.
sound that seemed to threaten a further
change in our situation. We passed this
terrible night in prayer, in agonizing appre-
hensions, and in forming various resolutions
as to what we should next attempt. We
hailed with joy the first gleam of light which
$
THE SWISS
1
}
shot through a small opening of the window.
The raging of the winds had begun to
abate, the sky was become serene, and with
hope swelling in my bosom, I beheld the
sun already tingeing the horizon: thus re-
vived, I hastily summoned my wife and the
boys to the deck, that they might partake
of the scene. The children, half forgetful
of the past, asked with much surprise why
we were there alone, and what had become
of the ship's company? I led them to the
recollection of our misfortune, and then
added: Dearest children, a Being more pow-
erful than man has helped us to the present
moment, and will, no doubt, continue to
help us, if we do not abandon ourselves to
a fruitless complaining and despair. Observe,
our companions, in whom we had so much
confidence, have deserted us without mercy,
and that Divine Providence has given us pro-
tection! But, my dear ones, we must now
trust to our own exertions. Let us be will-
ing to help ourselves, and we shall obtain
support from Heaven. Let us never forget
this useful maxim, and let each labour ac-
cording to his strength. Now let us see
what in our situation it is best to set about.
Fritz advised that we should all throw
ourselves into the sea, while it was calm
and swim to land.--Ah! that may be well
enough for you, said Ernest, for you can
FAMILY ROBINSON.
9
swim; but we others should soon be drowned.
Would it not be better to make a float of
rafts, and get to land altogether upon it?
Vastly well, answered I, if we had the
means for contriving such a float, and if,
after all, it were not a dangerous sort of con-
veyance. Come along, my boys, let each
go a different way about the ship, and see
what he can do to be useful, and what he
can find to enable us to reach the land.
They now all sprang from me with eager
looks to do what I had desired. I, on my
part, lost no time in examining what we
had to depend upon in regard to provisions.
and fresh water, the first preservatives of life.
My wife and the youngest boy visited all the
animals, whom they found in a pitiable con-
dition, and nearly perishing with hunger and
thirst. Fritz repaired to the ammunition
chamber, Ernest to the carpenter's cabin,
and Jack to the apartment of the captain;
but scarcely had he opened the door, when
two large dogs sprung joyfully upon him,
and saluted him with such rude affection,
that, finding himself nearly thrown down,
he roared for assistance as if they had been
killing him. Hunger, however, had rendered.
the animals so gentle, that they licked his
hands and face, uttering all the time a low
sort of groan, and continuing their caresses.
till he was almost suffocated. Poor Jack ex-
B 5
10
THE SWISS.
erted all his strength in aiming blows at them
to drive them away: at last he began to sym-
pathize in their joyful movements, and put
himself upon another footing; he got upon
his legs; and gently taking the largest dog
by the ears, sprang upon his back, and with
great gravity presented himself thus mounted
before me as I came out of the ship's hold..
I could not refrain from laughing, and I
praised his courage: but I added a little ex-
hortation to be cautious, and not go too
far with animals of this species, who in a
state of hunger might be dangerous.
By and by my little company were again
assembled round me, and each boasted of
what he had to contribute. Fritz had two
fowling-pieces, some powder and small shot
contained in horn flasks, and some bullets
in bags.
Ernest produced his hat filled with nails,
and held in his hands a hatchet and a ham-
mer; in addition, a pair of pincers, a pair of
large scissars, and an auger, peeped out at
his pocket-hole.
Even the little Francis carried under his
arm a box of no very small size, from which
he eagerly produced what he called some lit-
tle sharp-pointed hooks. His brothers smiled
scornfully. Vastly well,. gentlemen, said I;
but let me tell you that the youngest has.
brought the most valuable prize: and this is.
FAMILY ROBINSON.
11
often the case in the world; the person who
least courts the smiles of Fortune, and in the
innocence of his heart is scarcely conscious
of her existence, is often he to whom she
most readily presents herself. These little
sharp-pointed hooks, as Francis calls them,
are fishing hooks, and will probably be of
more use in preserving our lives than all we
may find besides in the ship. In justice,
however, I must confess that what Fritz and
Ernest have contributed, will also afford us
essential service.
I for my part, said my wife, have brought
nothing; but I have some tidings to commu-
nicate which I hope will secure my wel-
come: what I have to tell, is, that I have
found on board the ship, a cow and an ass,
two goats, six sheep, and a sow big with
young, all of which I have just supplied with
food and water, and that I reckon on being
able to preserve their lives..
All this is admirable, said I to my little la-
bourers, and there is only master Jack, who,
instead of thinking of something that might
be useful, has done us the favour to present
us two personages who no doubt will be
principally distinguished by being willing to
eat more than we shall have to give them.
Ah! replied Jack; but I know that if we
can once get to land, you will see that they
will assist us in hunting and shooting.
12
THE SWISS
True enough, said I; but be so good as to
tell us how we are to get to land, and
whether you have contrived the means.
I am sure it cannot be very difficult, said
Jack with an arch motion of his head. Look
here at these large tubs. Why cannot each
of us get into one of them, and float to the
land? I remember I succeeded very well in
this manner on the water when I was visiting
my godfather at S***.
Every hint is good for something, cried I,
and I begin to think that what Jack has sug-
gested is worth a trial; the counsels of even
a child may be worth consideration, and
should be accepted with gratitude. Quick!
then, Jack, give me the saw, the auger, and
some nails; we will see what is to be done..
I recollected having seen some empty casks.
in the ship's hold; we went down, and
found them floating in the water which had
got into the vessel; it cost us but little
trouble to hoist them up and place them on
the lower deck, which was at this time-
scarcely above water. We saw with delight:
that they were all made of excellent wood,
well guarded by iron hoops, and in, every
respect in sound condition; they were ex-
actly suited for my object;. and with the as-
sistance of my sons I instantly began to saw
them in two. In a certain time I had pro-
duced eight tubs of equal size and of the pro-
FAMILY ROBINSON.
113:
per height. We now allowed ourselves some
refreshment from the wine and biscuit with
which some of these very casks were still
filled. I contemplated with perfect satisfac-
tion my eight little tubs ranged in a line. I
was surprised to see that my wife was still
dejected; she sighed deeply as she looked.
at them: Never, never, cried she, can I
venture to get into one of these.
Do not decide so hastily, my dear, said I:.
my plan is not yet complete, and you will
see presently that it is more worthy of our
confidence than this shattered vessel, which
cannot move from its place.
I then sought for a long plank capable of
being a little curved, and contrived to fasten
my eight tubs to it, leaving a space at each
end of the plank, reaching beyond the tubs,
and presenting an outline like the keel of
a vessel; we next nailed all the tubs to the
plank, and then the tubs to each other as
they stood side by side, to make them the
firmer, and afterwards two other planks of
the same length as the first, on each side of
the tubs. When all this was finished, we
found we had produced a kind of narrow
boat divided into eight compartments, which
I had no doubt would be able to perform a
short course in calm water.
But, unfortunately, our marvellous ma-
chine proved so heavy, that with the strength
14
THE SWISS
of all united, we were not able to move it
an inch from its place. I bade Fritz fetch
me a crow, who soon returned with it: in
the meanwhile I sawed a thick round pole
into several pieces, to make some rollers. I
now with the crow easily raised the foremost
part of my machine, while Fritz placed one
of the rollers under it.
How astonishing, said Ernest, that this en-
gine, which is smaller than any of us, can
do more than our united strength was able
to effect! I wish I could know how it is con-
structed.
I explained to him as well as I could, the
power of Archimedes's lever, with which he
said he could move the world if you would
give him a point from which his mechanism
might act, and promised to explain the na-
ture of the operation of the crow when we
should be safe on land..
One of the points of my system of edu-
cation was to awaken the curiosity of my
sons by interesting observations, to leave
time for the activity of their imagination,
and then to correct any error they might fall
into. I contented myself now, however,
with this general remark, That God suffi-
ciently compensated the natural weakness of
man by the gifts of reason, invention, and the
adroitness of the hands; and that human me-
→ditation and reflection had composed a science
=
FAMILY ROBINSON.
15
called mechanics, the object of which was,
to teach us how to make our own natural
strength act to an incredible distance and
with extraordinary force, by the intervention
of instruments.
Jack here remarked that the action of the
crow was very slow.
Better slow than never, Jack, replied I.
Experience has ever taught, and mechanical
observations have established as a principle,
that what is gained in speed is lost in strength;
the purpose of the crow is not to enable us
to raise any thing rapidly, but to raise what
is exceedingly heavy; and the heavier the
thing we would move, the slower is the me
chanical operation. But are you aware, what
we have at our command to compensate this
slowness?
Yes, it is turning the handle quicker.
Your guess is wrong; that would be no
compensation: the true remedy, my boy, is
to call in the assistance of patience and reason;
with the aid of these two fairies I am in hopes
to set my machine afloat. As I said this, I
tied a long cord to its stern, and the other
end of it to one of the timbers of the ship
which appeared to be still firm, so that the
cord being left loose would serve to guide
and restrain it when launched. We now put
a second and a third roller under, and apply-
ing the crow, to our great joy our construc-
16
THE SWISS
1
tion descended into the water with such a
velocity, that if the rope had not been well
fastened it would have gone far out to sea.
But now a new misfortune presented itself:
the machine leaned so much on one side that
my boys all exclaimed they could not venture
to get into it. I was for some moments in the
most painful perplexity; but it suddenly oc-
curred to me that ballast only was wanting to
set it straight. I drew it near and threw every
thing I could find that was weighty and of
small size into the tubs: by degrees the ma
chine recovered, and was at length quite
straight and firm in the water, and seeming
to invite us to take refuge in its protection.
All now would have thrown themselves at
once into it, and the boys began to push each
other, and dispute which should get in first.
I however drew them back, plainly perceiv-..
ing that at best the voyage would be hazard-
ous, and that the least motion of even one
of these boisterous children might upset it and:
cause us to be all drowned. In seeking for a
remedy for this inconvenience, I recollected.
that savage nations make use of a paddle for
preventing their canoes from upsetting.-
With this thought I once more set to work
to make one of these,. that the completion of
a contrivance which promised safety to so
many cherished beings might not be wanting.
I took two poles of equal length, upon
FAMILY ROBINSON.
17
which the sails of the vessel had been stretch-
ed, and having descended into the machine,
fixed one of them at the head and the other
at the stern in such a manner, as to enable us
to turn them at pleasure to right or left, as
should best answer the purpose of guiding
and putting it out to sea. I stuck the end of
each pole, or paddle, into the bung-hole of
an empty brandy keg, which served to keep
the paddles steady, and to prevent any inter-
ruption in the management of our future
enterprize.
There remained nothing more for me to
do, but to find out in what way I could clear
out from the incumbrance of the wreck and
get completely to sea. I got into the first
tub, and steered the head of the machine, so
as to make it enter the cleft in the ship's side.
where it could remain quiet. I then remount-
ed the vessel, and sometimes with the saw
and sometimes with the hatchet, I cleared
away to right and left every thing that could
obstruct our passage: and that being effected,
we next secured some oars for the voyage
we resolved on attempting.
We had spent the day in laborious ex-
ertions; it was already late; and as it would
not have been possible to reach the land that
evening, we were obliged, though much
against our inclination, to pass a second night.
in the wrecked vessel, which at every instant.
!
18
THE SWISS
threatened to fall to pieces. We next re-
freshed ourselves by a regular meal, for du-
ring the day's work, we had scarcely allowed
ourselves to take a bit of bread or a glass of
wine. Being now in a more tranquil and
unapprehensive state of mind than the day
before, we all abandoned ourselves to sleep;
not however till I had used the precaution of
tying the swimming apparatus round my three
youngest boys and my wife, as a means of
safety, if the storm should again come on and
should put the finishing stroke to the destruc-
tion of the vessel. I also advised my wife
to dress herself in the clothes of one of the
sailors, which was so much more convenient
for swimming, or any other exertions she
might be compelled to engage in. She con-
sented, but not without reluctance, and left
us to look for one that might best suit her
size. In a quarter of an hour she returned,
dressed in the clothes of a young man who
had served as volunteer on board the ship,
and which she had found in his chest. She
approached us with a natural timidity: but I
soon found means to reconcile her to the
change, by representing the many advantages
it gave her.
her. At length she joined in the
merriment her dress occasioned, and one
and all crept into our separate hammocks,
where a delicious repose prepared us for the
renewal of our labours.
FAMILY ROBINSON.
19
CHAPTER II.
A landing, and consequent occupations.
By break of day we were all awake and
alert, for hope as well as grief, is unfriendly
to lengthened slumbers. When we had fi-
nished our morning prayer, I said, We now,
my best beloved, with the assistance of heaven,
must enter upon the work of our deliver-
ance. The first thing to be done, is to give to
each poor animal on board, before we leave
them, a hearty meal; we will then put food
enough before them for several days; we
cannot take them with us; but we will hope
it may be possible, if our voyage succeeds, to
return and fetch them. Are you now all
ready? Bring together whatever we mean
to take, whatever is absolutely necessary for
our wants. It is my wish that our first cargo
should consist of a barrel of gunpowder,
three fowling pieces, and three carbines,
with as much small shot and lead and as
many bullets as our boat will carry; two
pair of pocket pistols and one of large ones,
not forgetting a mould to cast balls in; each
of the boys and their mother also, should
have a bag to carry game in; you will find
20
THE SWISS:
plenty of these in the cabins of the officers.
We added a chest containing cakes of porta-
ble soup, another full of hard biscuits, an
iron pot, a fishing rod, a chest of nails and
another of different utensils, such as ham-
mers, saws, pincers, hatchets, augers, &c.
and lastly some sail cloth to make a tent.
In short, the boys brought so many things;
that we were obliged to reject some of them,
though I had already exchanged the worth-
less ballast for articles of use for our sub-
sistence.
When all was ready, we stepped bravely
each into a tub. At the moment of our de-
parture we heard all the cocks and hens be-
gin to crow, as if they were conscious that
we had deserted them, yet willing to bid us
a sorrowful adieu. This suggested to me the
idea of taking the geese, ducks, fowls, and
pigeons with us; observing to my wife that
if we could not find means to feed them, at
least they would feed us.
་
We accordingly executed this plan. We
put ten hens and an old and a young cock
into one of the tubs, and covered it with
pianks; we set the rest of the poultry at li-
berty, in the hope that instinct would direct
them towards the land, the geese and the
ducks by water, and the pigeons by the air.
We were waiting for my wife, who had
the care of this last part of our embarkation,
FAMILY ROBINSON.
21
when she joined us loaded with a large bag,
which she threw into the tub that already
contained her youngest son. I imagined that
she intended it for him to sit upon, and also
to confine him so as to prevent his being
tossed from side to side. I therefore asked
no questions concerning it. The order of our
departure was as follows:
In the first tub at the boat's head, my wife,
the most tender and exemplary of her sex,
placed herself.
In the second, our little Francis, a lovely
boy six years old, full of the happiest dispo-
sitions, but whose character was not yet pro-
nounced.
In the third, Fritz, our eldest boy, between
fourteen and fifteen years of age, a handsome
curl-pated youth full of intelligence and vi-
vacity.
In the fourth was the barrel of gunpow-
der, with the cocks and hens and the sail-
cloth.
In the fifth, the provisions for the support
of life.
In the sixth, my son Jack, a light-hearted,
enterprising, audacious, generous lad, about
ten years old.
W
In the seventh, my son Ernest, a boy of
twelve years old, of a rational reflecting tem-
per, well informed, but somewhat disposed to
indolence and the pleasures of the senses.
22
THE SWISS
In the eighth, a father, to whose paternal
care the task of guiding the machine for the
safety of his beloved family was intrusted.
Each of us had useful implements within
reach; the hand of each held an oar, and
near each was a swimming apparatus in rea-
diness for what might happen. The tide was
already at half its height when we left the
ship, and I had counted on this circumstance
as favourable to our want of strength. We
held the two paddles longways, and thus we
passed without accident through the cleft of
the vessel into the sea. The boys devoured
with their eyes the blue land they saw at a
distance (for to us it appeared to be of this
colour). We rowed with all our strength,
but long in vain, to reach it: the boat only
turned round and round: at length, how-
ever, I had the good fortune to steer in such
a way that it proceeded in a straight line.
The two dogs we left on board, perceiving
that we had abandoned them, plunged immedi-,
ately into the sea and swam to the boat; they
were too large for us to think of giving them
admittance, and I dreaded lest they should
jump in and upset us. Turk was an English
dog, and Ponto of the Danish breed. I was
in great uneasiness on their account, for I fear-
ed it would not be possible for them to swim
so far. The dogs however managed the af-
fair with perfect intelligence. When they
}
FAMILY ROBINSON.
23
found themselves fatigued, they rested their
forepaws on one of the paddles, which were
now turned crossways, and the rest of their
bodies followed with very little effort.
Jack was disposed to refuse them this ac-
commodation: but he soon yielded to my
argument, that it was cruel and unwise to
neglect creatures thrown on our protection,
and who indeed might hereafter protect us in
their turn by guarding us from harm, and
assisting in our pursuit of animals for food.
Besides, added I, animals are created beings,
and God has given the dog to man to be his
friend and faithful companion.
Our voyage proceeded securely, though
slowly; but the nearer we approached the
land, the more gloomy and unpromising we
thought its aspect appeared. The coast was
occupied by barren rocks, which seemed to
offer nothing but hunger and distress. The
sea was calmn; the waves, gently agitated,
washed the shore, and the sky was serene;
in every direction we perceived casks, bales,
chests, and other vestiges of shipwrecks, float-
ing round us. In the hope of obtaining
some good provisions, I determined on en-
deavouring to secure two of the casks. I
bade Fritz have a rope, a hammer, and some
nails ready, and to try to seize them as we
passed. He succeeded in laying hold of two
of them, and in such a way that we found
24
THE SWISS
it easy to draw them after us to the shore.
Now that we were close on land, its hideous
aspect was considerably softened; the rocks
no longer appeared one undivided chain;
Fritz with his hawk's eyes already descried
some trees, and exclaimed that they were
palm-trees. Ernest expressed his joy that he
should now get much larger and better cocoa
nuts than those of Europe. I for my part was
venting audibly my regret, that I had not
thought of bringing with us a telescope that
I knew was in the captain's cabin, when
Jack drew a small spy-glass from his pocket,
and with a look of triumph that he was able
to compensate this neglect, instantly presented
it to me.
So, so, then, said I, you meant to keep
this spy-glass for yourself, and to let no one
else have the benefit of it! This was not fair ';
pleasures and pain, all should be in common
in such a situation as ours. Jack assured me
that he had forgot to give it to me sooner,
and that he had taken it for the benefit of all.
In reality, the glass was of great importance;
for with its aid I was able to make the neces-
sary observations, and consequently became
more sure of the route I ought to take. On
applying it to my eye, I remarked that the
shore before us had a desert and savage aspect,
but that towards the left, the scene was much
more agreeable: but when I attempted to
FAMILY ROBINSON.
25
steer in that direction, a current carried me
irresistibly towards the coast that was rocky
and barren. By and by we perceived a little
opening between the rocks, near the mouth
of a creek, towards which all our geese and
ducks betook themselves; and I, relying on
their sagacity, followed in the same course.
This opening formed a little bay, the water
of which was tranquil, and neither too deep
nor too shallow to receive our boat. I en-
tered it, and cautiously put on shore on a
spot where the coast was about the same
height above the water as our tubs, and where
at the same time there was a quantity suffi-
cient to keep us afloat. The shore extended
inland in a shelving declivity in the form of
an isosceles triangle, the upper angle of which
terminated among the rocks, while the mar-
gin of the sea formed the basis.
All that had life in the boat jumped eagerly
on land. Even little Francis, who had been
wedged in his tub like a potted herring, now
got up and sprang forward; but, with all
his efforts, he could not succeed without his
mother's help. The dogs, who had swam on
shore, received us as if they were appointed
to do the honours of the place, jumping round
us with every demonstration of joy: the geese
kept up a loud continual cackling, to which
the ducks, with their broad yellow beaks,
contributed a perpetual thorough bass: the
VOL. I.
C
26
THE SWISS
cocks and hens, which we had already set at
liberty, chuckled; the boys chattering all at
once; produced altogether an overpowering
confusion of sounds: to this was added the
disagreeable scream of some penguins and
flamingos, which we now perceived, some
flying over our heads, others sitting on the
points of the rocks at the entrance of the bay.
By and by the notes of the latter had the as-
cendant, from the superiority of their num-
bers; and their society became the more
unpleasant, from a comparison we could not
avoid making, between the sounds they ut-
tered, with the harmony of the feathered
musicians of our own country. I had how-
ever one advantage in perspective ;-it was
the reflection that, should we hereafter be
short of food, these very birds might serve
for our subsistence.
The first thing we did on finding ourselves
safe on terra firma, was to fall on our knees,
and return thanks to the Supreme Being who
had preserved our lives, and to recommend
ourselves with entire resignation to the care
of his paternal kindness.
We next employed our whole attention
in unloading the boat. Oh! how rich we
thought ourselves in the little we had been
able to rescue from the merciless abyss of
waters! We looked every where for a con-
venient place to build a tent under the shade
FAMILY ROBINSON.
27
of the rocks; and having all consulted and
agreed upon a place, we set to work. We
drove one of our poles firmly into a fissure
of the rock; this formed the ridge of our
tent, and rested upon another pole, which
was driven perpendicularly into the ground.
A frame for a dwelling was thus made secure.
We next threw some sail-cloth over the
ridge; and, stretching it to a convenient di-
stance on each side, fastened its extremities
to the ground with stakes. By way
By way of pre-
caution, we left the chests of provisions and
other heavy matters on the shore, and lastly,
I fixed some tenter-hooks along the edge of
one side of the sail-cloth in front, that we
might be able to inclose the entrance during
night by hooking in the opposite edge. The
next thing was to desire my sons to look about
and collect all the grass and moss they could
find, and spread it to dry in the sun, as it
would then serve us for beds. During this
occupation, in which even the little Francis
could take a share, I erected at a small di-
stance from the tent, and near a river from
which I hoped to be supplied with fresh wa-
ter, a kind of little kitchen. A few flat stones
that I found in the bed of the river, served
for a fire-place. I got a quantity of dry
branches with the largest I made a small
inclosure round it; and with the little twigs,
added to some of our turf, I made a brisk
02
28
THE SWISS
cheering fire. We put some of the soup-
cakes, with water, into our iron pot, and
placed it over the heat; and my wife, with
her little Francis for a scullion, took charge
of preparing the dinner. Francis, from their
colour, had mistaken the soup-cakes for glue.
Why, papa, said he, what are you going to
use glue for? Little blockhead, answered I,
what you have been thinking was glue, is ex-
cellent meat, reduced as you see to a jelly
by the process of cookery, and which being
dried, is in no danger of becoming stale. In
this state it will bear long voyages by sea,
where it would be difficult to take sufficient
animals for the use of the ship's company,
who would otherwise be kept constantly on a
less wholesome soup made from salted meat;
but ours, I assure you, Francis, will be excel-
lent. The poor child was hungry enough to
believe he should partake of it with joy.
In the mean while Fritz had been reload-
ing the guns, with one of which he had wan
dered along the side of the river. He had
proposed to Ernest to accompany him; but
Ernest replied that he did not like a rough
and stony walk, and that he should go along
to the sea shore. Jack took the road towards
a chain of rocks which jutted out into the sea,
with the intention of gathering some of the
muscles which grew upon them.
My own occupation was now an endea
FAMILY ROBINSON.
29
vour to draw the two floating casks on shore,
but in which I could not succeed; for our
place of landing, though convenient enough
for our machine, was too steep for the casks.
While I was looking about to find a more
favourable spot, I heard loud cries proceed-
ing from a short distance, and recognised the
voice of my son Jack. I snatched my hatchet,
and ran in an agony of apprehension to his
assistance. I soon perceived him up to his
knees in water in a shallow, and that a large
sea lobster had fastened its claws in his leg.
The poor boy screamed pitiably, and made
useless efforts to disengage himself I jumped
instantly into the water; and the enemy was
no sooner sensible of my approach, than he
let
go his hold, and would have scampered
out to sea, but that I indulged the fancy of
a little malice against him for the alarm he
had caused us. I turned quickly upon him,
and took him up by the body and carried him
off, followed by Jack, who shouted our tri-
umph all the way. He begged me at last to
let him hold the animal in his own hand, that
he might himself present so fine a booty to
his mother. Accordingly, having observed
how I held it to avoid the gripe, he laid his
own hand upon it in exactly the same man-
ner; but scarcely had he grasped it, than
he received a violent blow on the face
from the lobster's tail, which made him loose
30
THE SWISS
his hold, and the animal fell to the ground.
Jack again began to bawl out, while I could
not refrain from laughing heartily. In his
rage he took up a stone and killed the lobster
with a single blow. I was a little vexed at
this conclusion to the scene.-This is what
we call killing an enemy when he is unable
to defend himself, Jack; it is wrong to re-
venge an injury while we are in a state of
anger: the lobster it is true had given you a
bite; but then you on your part, would have
eaten the lobster. So I think the game was
equal. Another time I advise you to be both
more prudent and more merciful.-But pray,
father, let me carry it to my mother, said Jack,
fearless now of further warfare; and accord-
ingly he carried it to the kitchen, triumphantly
exclaiming, Mother, mother, a sea-lobster!
--Ernest, à sea lobster! Where is Fritz?
Where is Fritz? Take care, Francis, he will
Bite you. In a moment all were round him
to examine the wonderful creature, and all
proclaimed their astonishment at his enor-
mous size; while they observed that its form
Was precisely that of the common lobster so
Auch in use in Europe.
Yes, yes, said Jack, holding up one of the
claws; you may well wonder at his size
this was the frightful claw which seized my
leg, and I believe that if I had not had on my
thick sea pantaloons, he would have bit it
FAMILY ROBINSON.
314
through and through; but I have taught him,
what it is to attack me: I have paid him well.
Oh, ho! Mr. Boaster, cried I, you give a
pretty account of the matter. Now mine:
would be, that if I had not been near, the
lobster would have shown you another sort
of game; for the slap he gave you in the face
compelled you, I think, to let go your hold.
And it is well it should be thus; for he fought
with the arms with which nature had supplied
him, but you must have recourse to a great
stone for your defence. Believe me, Jack, you
have no great reason to boast of the adventure.
Ernest, ever eager about his meals, bawled
out that the lobster had better be put into the
soup, which would give it an excellent fla-
vour: but this his mother opposed, observ.
ing that we must be more economical of our
provisions than that, for the lobster of itself.
would furnish a dinner for the whole family,
I now left them and walked again to the scene.
of this adventure, and examined the shallow:
I then made another attempt upon my two
casks, and at length succeeded in getting
them into it, and in fixing them there se-
curely on their bottoms.
On my return, I complimented Jack on
his being the first to have procured us an
animal that might serve for our subsistence,
and I promised him for his own share, the
32
THE SWISS
famous claw which had already furnished us
with so lively a discussion.
Ah! but I have seen something too that
Is good to eat, said Ernest; and I should
have got it if it had not been in the water, so
that I must have wetted my feet;
Oh, that is a famous story, cried Jack;
I can tell you what he saw,some nasty
muscles: why, I would not eat one of them
for the world. Think of my lobster!
That is not true, Jack; for it was oysters,
and not muscles, that I saw: I am sure of
it, for they stuck against the foot of the
rock, and I know they must be oysters.
Fortunate enough, my dainty gentleman,
interrupted I, addressing myself to Ernest;
and since you are so well acquainted with the
place where these shell-fish can be found,
you will be so obliging as to dismiss your
fears about wetting your feet, and to return
and procure us some. In such a situation as
ours, every member of the family must be
actively employed for the common good,
and above all none must be afraid of wet-
ting his feet. Take example by Fritz and
your father: they bear a greater evil, the
scorching heat of the sun, without com-
plaining.
I will do my best with all my heart,
answered Ernest; and at the same time I
FAMILY ROBINSON.
33
will bring home some salt, of which I have
seen immense quantities in the holes of the
rocks, where I suppose it is dried by the sun.
I tasted some of it, and it was excellent.
Is it not left there by the sea, father?
-No doubt it is, Mr. Reasoner, for where
else do you think it could come from? You
would have done more wisely if you had
brought us a bag of it, instead of spending
your time in such profound reflections upon
an operation so simple and obvious; and if
you do not wish to dine upon a soup without
flavour, you had better run and fetch us a
little immediately.
He set off, and soon returned: what he
brought had the appearance of sea salt, but
was so mixed with earth and sand, that I was
on the point of throwing it away. My wife
however prevented me; and by dissolving, and
afterwards filtering some of it through a piece
of muslin, we found it admirably fit for use.
Why could we not have used some sea-
water, asked Jack, instead of having all this
trouble?
Sea water, answered I, is even more bitter
than it is salt; and it has besides a disagree-
able sickly taste. While I was speaking,
my wife tasted the soup with a little stick
with which she had been stirring it, and
pronounced that it was all the better for the
salt, and now quite ready. But, said she,
c 5
34
THE SWISS
Fritz is not come in. And then, how shall we
manage to eat our soup without spoons or
dishes? Why did we not remember to bring
some from the ship?-Why did we not think
of them?-Because, my dear, one cannot
think of every thing at once. We shall be
lucky if we do not discover that we have
forgotten even more important things.-But
indeed, said she, this is a matter which can-
not easily be set to rights. How will it be
possible for each of us to raise this large boil-
ing pot to his lips?
A moment's further reflection convinced
me my wife was right. We all cast our eyes
upon the
pot with a sort of silent and stupid
perplexity, and we looked a little like the
fox in the fable, when the stork desires him
to help himself from a vessel with a long
neck. Silence was at length broken, by all
bursting into a hearty laugh at our want of
every kind of utensil, and at the thought of
our own folly, in not recollecting that spoons
and forks were things of absolute necessity.
Ernest observed, that if we could but get
some cocoa-nuts, we might divide and empty
them, and use the pieces of the shells for
spoons.
Yes, yes, that is true enough, replied I;
if we could but get,-but we have them
not; our ifs will do but little good; and if
wishing were to any purpose, I had as lief
FAMILY ROBINSON.
35
wish at once for a dozen silver spoons; but
alas! of what use is wishing?
But at least, said the boy, we can use
some oyster-shells for spoons.
Why, this is well, Ernest, replied I, and is
what I call a useful thought. Run then
quickly, and get us some of them. But,
gentlemen, I must give you notice, that no
one of you must give himself airs because his
spoon is without a handle, or if he should
chance to grease his fingers in the soup.
Jack ran the first, and was up to his knees
in the water before Ernest could reach the
place. Jack tore off the fish with eagerness,
and threw them to the slothful Ernest, who
put them into his pocket handkerchief, having
first secured in his pocket, one shell he had
met with of a large size. The boys came.
back together with their booty.
Fritz not having yet returned, his mother
was beginning to be uneasy, when we heard
him shouting to us from a small distance,
to which we answered by similar sounds.
In a few minutes he was among us ;. his
two hands behind him, and with a sort of
would-be melancholy air, which none of us,
could well understand.-What have you
brought? asked his brothers; let us see your
booty, and you shall see ours.-Ah ! I have
unfortunately nothing, for I have seen no-
thing. What! nothing at all? said I.-
36
THE SWISS
Nothing at all, answered he. But now,
on fixing my eye upon him, I perceived a
smile of proud success through his assumed
dissatisfaction. At the same instant Jack,
having stolen behind him, exclaimed: A suck-
ing pig! A sucking pig! Fritz, finding his
trick discovered, now proudly displayed his
prize, which I immediately perceived, from
the description I had read in different books
of travels, was an agouti, an animal common
in that country, and not a sucking pig, as the
boys had supposed. "The agouti," says M.
de Courtills in his Voyage to St. Domingo,
"is of the size of a hare, and runs with the
same swiftness; but its form is more like
the pig, and he makes the same grunting
noise. He is not a voracious animal, but
is nice in the choice of his food. When his
appetite is satiated, he buries what remains,
and keeps it for another time. He is natu-
rally of a gentle temper; but if provoked,
his hair becomes erect, he bites, and strikes
the ground with his hind feet like the rabbit,
which he also resembles in digging himself
a burrow under ground: but this burrow has
but one entrance; he conceals himself in it
during the hottest part of the day, taking care
to provide himself with a store of patates and
bananas. He is usually taken by coursing,
and sometimes by dogs, or with nets. When
it is found difficult to seize him, the sports-
FAMILY ROBINSON.
37
man has only to whistle. As soon as the
agouti hears the sound, he is instantly still,
remains resting on his hind feet, and suffers
himself to be taken. His flesh is white, like
that of the rabbit; but it is dry, has no fat,
and never entirely loses a certain wild fla-
vour, which is extremely disagreeable to Eu-
ropeans. He is held in great esteem by the
natives, - particularly when the animal has
been feeding near the sea on plants impreg-
nated with salt. They are therefore caught
in great numbers, and for this reason the
species is much diminished."Where did
you find him? How did you get at him?
Did he make you run a great way? asked
all at once the young brothers. Tell me, tell
us all.... &c. I, for my part, assumed a
somewhat serious tone.I should have pre-
ferred, observed I, that you had in reality
brought us nothing, rather than to have heard
you assert a falsehood. Never allow yourself,
even in jest, my dear boy, to assert what you
know to be an untruth. By such trifles as
these, a habit of lying, the most disgusting
and frightful of vices, may be induced. Now
then that I have given you this caution, let us
look at the animal. Where did you find it?
Fritz related, that he had passed over to
the other side of the river. Ah! continued
he, it is quite another thing from this place;
the shore is low, and you can have no notion
38
THE SWISS
of the quantity of casks, chests, and planks,
and different sorts of things washed there by
the sea. Ought we not to go and try to ob-
tain some of these treasures? We will consi-
der of it soon, answered I, but first we have
to make our little voyage to the vessel, and
fetch away the animals; at least you will all
agree that of the cow we are pretty much in
want. If our biscuit were soaked in milk,
it would not be so hard, observed our glut-
ton Ernest.-I must tell you too, continued
Fritz, that over on the other side there is as
much grass for pasturage as we can desire,
and besides, a pretty wood, in the shade of
which we could repose. Why then should
we remain on this barren desert side?-Pa-
tience, patience, replied I, there is a time
for every thing, friend Fritz; we shall not
be without something to undertake tomor
row, and even after tomorrow. But, above
all, I am eager to know if you 'discovered in
your excursion any traces of our ship com-
panions?-Not the smallest trace of man,
dead or alive, on land or water; but I have
seen some other animals that more resembled
pigs than the one I have brought you, but
with feet more like those of the hare: the
animal I am speaking of, leaps from place
to place on the grass, now sitting on his
hind legs, rubbing his face with his front
feet, and then seeking for roots and gnawing
FAMILY ROBINSON.
30
them like the squirrel. If I had not been
afraid of his escaping me, I should have
tried to catch him with my hands, for he
appeared almost tame.
Ernest, after listening to the end of his
brother's speech, assumed the look and man-
ner of a deep observer; he turned the agouti
backwards and forwards to examine him on
all sides. After a long silence, he said with
an important air: I cannot be sure that this
animal, as you all believe, is a sucking pig;
his hair and his snout, it is true, pretty
much resemble those of a pig: but pray
observe his teeth; he has but four incisores
in front similar to the genus Voracious ani-
mals in general he has a greater resem
blance to the rabbit than to the hare. I
have seen an engraving of him in our book
of natural history; if I am not mistaken he
is named the agouti.
Ah! ha! said Fritz, here is a learned
professor, profound in the subject of natural
history!
And who this once is not mistaken, cried
I. Spare your raillery, Fritz, for it is really
an agouti. I do not myself know any thing
of the animal, but by his description in books
or engravings, with which the appearance of
this animal perfectly corresponds; he is a
native of America, lives under ground on
the roots of trees, and is, as travellers report,
40
THE SWISS
excellent food. But of this we will judge
for ourselves.
While we were speaking, Jack was trying
with all his might to open one of the oysters
with his knife; but he could not succeed. I
laughed heartily at his disappointment, and
put a few of them on the fire, where they
soon opened of themselves. Now then, boys,
you may have as fine and choice a regale as
if you were in a palace. I swallowed one
myself; but I have never been fond of
oysters; and the boys, observing the wry face
I made, all looked at me with surprise.-I
thought every body was fond of oysters, fa-
ther, said one of them.-I do not mean to
dispute the taste of others, replied I; but, for
myself, nothing but a craving hunger could
force me to make a meal of them; but you
can yourselves try the experiment, and per-
haps you will like them. This sort of shell-
fish is so little agreeable to the eye of those
unaccustomed to see them, that not one of
the boys had any inclination to touch them.
Shortly, however, Jack, in the character of
the most courageous, swallowed one hastily,
shutting and squeezing up his eyes as if it
were a medicine, and the others followed his
example; but one and all declared that the
oyster was a fish not at all to their taste, and
each hastened to dip his shell into the pot to
get out a little soup; but, as I had foreseen,
FAMILY ROBINSON.
41
and it was
Ernest was
cautious to
each drew out a scalded finger,
who could scream the loudest.
the only one who had been too
expose himself to this misfortune; he quietly
took his muscle-shell, as large and deep as a
small saucer, from his pocket, and carefully
dipping it into the pot, drew it out filled with
as much soup as was his fair share; and casting
a look of exultation on his brothers, he set it
down to wait till it should be cold enough to eat.
You have taken excellent care of your-
self, I perceive, said I. But now answer me,
dear boy, is the advantage worth the pains
you take to be better off than your compa-
nions? Yet this is the constant failing of your
character. As your best friend, I feel it to be
my duty to balk you of the expected success.
I therefore adjudge your dish of delicious
soup to our faithful followers, Turk and
Ponto. For ourselves, we will all fare alike,
you as well as the rest; we will simply dip
our oyster-shells into the pot till hunger is
appeased; but the picked dish for the dogs,
Ernest, and all the rest alike!
This gentle reproach sunk, I perceived,
into his heart; he placed the shell, filled
with soup, upon the ground, and in the
twinkling of an eye the dogs had licked up
every drop. We on our parts were almost
as sharp set as they, and every eye was fixed
on the pot, watching when the steam would
42
THE SWISS
3
subside a little, that we might begin dipping;
when on looking round we saw Turk and
Ponto standing over the agouti, gnawing and
tearing him fiercely with their teeth and
paws. The boys all screamed together;
Fritz seized his gun, and struck them with it;
called them the unkindest names, threw
stones at them, and was so furious, that, if I
had not interfered, it is probable he would
have killed them. He had already bent his
gun with the blows he had aimed at them,
and his voice was raised so high as to be re-
echoed from the rocks.
When he had grown a little cool, I se-
riously remonstrated with him on his vio
lence of temper. I represented to him what
distress he had occasioned his mother and.
myself for the event of a rage so alarming;
that his gun, which might have been so
useful, was now entirely spoiled; and that
the poor animals, upon whose assistance we
should probably so much depend, he had,
no doubt, greatly injured: anger, continued
I, is always a bad counsellor, and may even
lead the way to crimes; you are not igno-
rant of the history of Cain, who, in a moment
of violent anger, killed his brother.-Say no
more, my dearest father, interrupted Fritz
in a tone of horror.-Happy am I to recollect
on this occasion, resumed I, that they were
animals, and not human creatures, you treated
FAMILY ROBINSON.
43
thus. But an angry person never reasons;
he scarcely knows whom he attacks. The
most convincing proof of this, is, that you
just now fell upon two dumb animals in-
capable of judgement, and who most likely
thought that your agouti was placed there,
as the soup had been before, for them to eat.
Confess too, that it was vanity which excited
the furious temper you exhibited. If another
than yourself had killed the agouti, you would
have been more patient under the accident.
Fritz agreed that I was right, and, half
drowned in tears, entreated my forgiveness.
Soon after we had taken our meal, the sun
began to sink into the west. Our little flock
of fowls assembled round us, pecking here
and there whatmorsels of our biscuit had
fallen on the ground. Just at this moment
my wife produced the bag she had so myste-
riously huddled into the tub. Its mouth was
now opened; it contained the various sorts of
grain for feeding poultry, barley, peas, oats,
&c., and also different kinds of seeds and
roots of vegetables for the table. In the full-
ness of her kind heart she scattered several
handfuls at once upon the ground, which
the innocent creatures began eagerly to seizc.
I complimented her on the benefits her forc-
sight had secured for us; but I recommended
a more sparing use of so valuable an acqui-
sition, observing, that the grain, if kept for
44
THE SWISS
sowing, would produce a harvest, and that
we could fetch from the ship spoiled biscuit
enough to feed the fowls. Our pigeons
sought a roosting place among the rocks;
the hens, with the two cocks at their head,
ranged themselves in a line along the ridge
of the tent; and the geese and ducks betook
themselves in a body, cackling and quacking
as they proceeded, to a marshy bit of ground
near the sea, where some thick bushes af-
forded them shelter.
A little later, we ourselves began to follow
the example of our winged companions by
beginning our preparations for repose. First,
we charged our guns and pistols, and laid
them carefully in the tent: next, we as-
sembled all together and joined in offering up
our thanks to the Almighty for the succour af-
forded us, and supplicating his watchful care
for our preservation. With the last ray of the
sun we entered our tent, and after drawing
the sail-cloth over the hooks to close the en-
trance, we laid ourselves down close to each
other on the grass and moss we had col-
lected in the morning.
The children observed, with surprise, that
darkness came upon us all at once; that
night succeeded to day without an interme
diate twilight. This, replied I, makes me
suspect that we are not far from the equator,
or at least between the tropics, where this is
FAMILY ROBINSON.
45
of ordinary occurrence; for the twilight is
occasioned by the rays of the sun being
broken in the atmosphere; the more ob-
liquely they fall, the more their feeble light
is extended and prolonged; while on the
other hand, the more perpendicular the rays,
the less their declination: consequently the
change from day to night is much more sud-
den when the sun is under the horizon.
I looked once more out of the tent to see
if all was quiet around us, and then carefully
inclosed the sail-cloth across the entrance.
The old cock, awakened by the rising of the
moon, chaunted our vespers, and then I lay
down to sleep. In proportion as we had been
during the day oppressed with heat, we were
now in the night inconvenienced by the cold,
so that we were obliged to cling close to
each other for warmth. A sweet sleep began
to close the eyes of my beloved family; I
was secretly endeavouring to keep awake till
I was sure my wife's solicitude had yielded
to the same happy state, and then I closed
my own. Thanks to the fatigue we had un-
dergone, our first night in the desert island
was very tolerably comfortable.
46
THE SWISS
$
I
CHAPTER III.
Voyage of discovery.
WAS awaked at the first dawn of day by
the crowing of the cocks. I awoke my wife,
and we consulted together as to the occupa-
tion we should engage in. We agreed, that
the thing of the most importance was to seek
for such traces as might be found of our late
ship companions, and at the same time to ex-
amine the nature of the soil on the other side
of the river before we came to a determina-
tion about a fixed place of abode. My wife
easily perceived that such an excursion could
not be undertaken by all the members of
the family; and full of confidence in the
protection of Heaven, she courageously con-
sented to my proposal of leaving her with the
three youngest boys, and proceeding myself
with Fritz on a journey of discovery. I en-
treated her not to lose a moment in giving
us our breakfast. She gave us notice that
the share of each would be but small, there
being no more soup prepared.-What then,
I asked, is to become of Jack's lobster?-
That he can best tell you himself, answered
his mother. But now pray step and awake
the boys, while I make a fire and put on
some water.
FAMILY ROBINSON.
47
:
The children were soon roused; even our
slothful Ernest submitted to the hard fate of
rising so early in the morning. When I
asked Jack for his lobster, he ran and fetched
it from a cleft in the rock in which he had
carefully concealed it I was determined,
said he, that the dogs should not treat my
lobster as they did the agouti, for I knew
them for a sort of gentlemen to whom no-
thing comes amiss.-I am glad to see, son
Jack, said I, that that giddy head upon your
shoulders can be prevailed upon to reflect.
Happy is he who knows how to profit by
the misfortunes of others, says the prove b.
But will you not kindly give Fritz the great
claw which bit your leg (though I promised
it to you) to carry with him for his dinner
in our journey?
What journey? asked all the boys at once.
Ah! we will go too: a journey, a journey
-repeated they clapping their hands and
jumping round me like little kids. For this
time, said I, it is impossible for all of you to
go; we know not yet what we are to set
about, nor whither we are going. Your eld
est brother and myself shall be better able to
defend ourselves in any danger, without you;
besides, that with so many persons we could
proceed but slowly. You will then all three
remain with your mother in this place, which
appears to be one of perfect safety, and you
48
-
THE SWISS
shall keep Ponto to be your guard, while we
will take Turk with us. With such a pro-
tector, and a gun well loaded, who shall dare
treat us with disrespect? Make haste Fritz,
and tie up Ponto, that he may not follow us;
and have your eye on Turk, that he may be
at hand to accompany us; and see the guns
are ready.
At the word guns the colour rose in the
cheeks of my poor boy. His gun was so
curved as to be of no use; he took it up
and tried in vain to straighten it; I let him
alone for a short time; but at length I gave
him leave to take another, perceiving with
pleasure that the vexation had produced a
proper feeling in his mind. A moment after,
he attempted to lay hold of Ponto to tie him.
up; but the dog recollecting the blows he
had so lately received, began to snarl and
would not go near him. Turk behaved the
same, and I found it necessary to call with
my own voice to induce them to approach
us. Fritz then in tears entreated for some
biscuit of his mother, declaring that he would
willingly go without his breakfast to make
his peace with the dogs; he accordingly car-
ried them some biscuit, stroked and caressed
them, and in every motion seemed to ask
their pardon. As of all animals, without
excepting man, the dog is least addicted to
revenge, and at the same time is the most
1
FAMILY ROBINSON.
49
sensible of kind usage, Ponto instantly re-
lented, and began to lick the hands which
fed him; but Turk, who was of a more fierce
and independent temper, still held off, and
seemed to feel a want of confidence in Fritz's
advances. Give him a claw of my lobster,
cried Jack, for I mean to give it all to you
for your journey.
I cannot think why you should give it all,
interrupted Ernest, for you need not be un-
easy about their journey. Like Robinson
Crusoe, they will be sure enough to find
some cocoa-nuts, which they will like much
better than your miserable lobster: only think,
a fine round nut, Jack, as big as my head,
and with at least a tea-cup full of delicious
sweet milk in it!
Oh! brother Fritz, pray do bring me some,
cried the little Francis.
We now prepared for our departure: we
took each a bag for game, and a hatchet;
I put a pair of pistols in the leather band
round Fritz's waist, in addition to the gun,
and provided myself with the same articles,
not forgetting a stock of biscuit and a flask
of fresh river water. My wife now called
us to breakfast, when all attacked the lob-
ster; but its flesh proved so hard, that there
was a great deal left when our meal was fi-
nished, and we packed it for our journey
without further regret from any one.
The
D
1
50
THE SWISS
sea-lobster is an animal of considerable size,
and its flesh is much more nutritious, but
less delicate, than the common lobster.
Fritz urged me to set out before the ex-
cessive heat came on.-With all my heart,
said I, but we have forgotten one thing of
importance. What is that? asked Fritz
looking round him; I see nothing else to do
but to take leave of my mother and my bro-
thers. I know what it is, said Ernest, we
have not said our prayers this morning.-
That is the very thing, my dear boy, said I.
We are too apt to forget God, the parent
of all, for the cares of this world; and yet
never had we so much need of his support
and protection as in our present situation, and
particularly at the moment of undertaking a
Journey to an unknown soil.
Upon this our little pickle Jack began to
imitate the sound of church-bells, and to cry
Bome! bome! bidi bome; bidiman, bome,
To prayers, to prayers, bome, bome.
Thoughtless boy! cried I, with a look of
displeasure, will you then never learn that
there is a sacredness in devotion that, in a
well disposed mind, banishes for the time
every thought of levity or amusement? Re-
collect yourself, and let this be the last time
you force from me a reproof on a subject of
so grave a nature.
In about an hour we had completed all
FAMILY ROBINSON.
51
that was necessary to be done previous to our
departure, and were ready to set out. I had
loaded the guns we left behind, and I now
enjoined my wife to keep by day as near the
boat as possible, which in case of danger was
the best and most speedy means of escape.
My next concern was to shorten the moment
of separation, judging by my own heart of
the emotion of my dear wife; for it was im-
possible we could mutually be without the
most painful apprehension, as to what new
misfortune might occur on either side during
the interval. We all melted into tears-;
I seized this instant for drawing Fritz away,
and in a few moments the sobs and often re-
peated adieus of those we left behind were
drowned in the noise of the waves which we
were approaching on our way, and which
now turned our thoughts upon ourselves and
the immediate object of our journey.
The river we were about to pass was on
each side so steep as to be inaccessible, ex-
cept by one narrow slip near the mouth, on
one side, and from whence we had already
drawn our supply of fresh water; but there
was no means of effecting a passage across
from this place, the opposite shore being an
unbroken line of sharp, high, perpendicular
rocks. We therefore walked on, following
the course of the river till we arrived at a
cluster of rocks at which the stream formed
D 2
52
THE SWISS
a cascade: a few paces beyond, we observed
some large fragments of rock which had fal-
len into the bed of the river; by stepping
upon these, and making now and then some
hazardous leaps, we at length contrived to
reach to the other side. We had proceeded
a short way along the rock we ascended in
landing, forcing ourselves a passage through
overgrown grass mixed with plants, and ren-
dered more capable of resistance by being
half dried up by the sun. Perceiving, how-
ever, that walking on this kind of surface,
joined to the heat, would soon exhaust our
strength, we looked for a path by which we
might descend and proceed along the river, in
which direction we hoped to meet with fewer
obstacles, and perhaps might discover traces
of the boats and our ship companions.
When we had walked about a hundred
paces, we heard a loud noise behind us as if
we were pursued, and perceived a rustling
motion in the grass, which was almost as
tall as ourselves. I confess I was a good deal
alarmed, thinking that it was probably oc-
casioned by some frightful serpent, a tiger,
or other ferocious animal, which might in-
stantly devour us. But I was well satisfied
with the courage of Fritz, who, instead of
being frightened and running away, stood
still and firm to face the danger; the only
motion he made being that of seeing that his
FAMILY ROBINSON.
53
piece was fit to be discharged, and turning
himself to front the spot from whence the
noise proceeded. Our alarm, however, was
of short duration; for what was our joy on
seeing rush out, not an enemy, but our faith-
ful Turk, whom in the distress of the parting
scene we had quite forgotten, and whom no
doubt our anxious relatives had sent on to
us! I received the poor creature with lively
joy, and did not fail to commend both the
bravery and discretion of my son, in not yield-
ing to even a rational alarm, and for waiting
till he was sure of the object before he re-
solved to fire: had he done otherwise, he
might have destroyed an animal formed to
afford us various kinds of aid, and to contri-
bute by the kindness of his temper to the
pleasures of our domestic scene.-Observe,
my dear boy, said I, to what dangers the tu-
mult of the passions exposes us: the anger
which overpowered you yesterday, and the
terror natural to the occasion we have this
moment witnessed, if you had unfortunately
given way to it, might either of them have
produced to us an irretrievable misfortune.
Fritz assured me he was sensible of the
truth and importance of my remarks; that
he would watch constantly over the defects
of his temper and then he fell to caressing
the faithful and interesting animal.
Conversing on such subjects as these, we
54
THE SWISS
'
pursued our way.
way. On our left was the sea,
and on our right the continuation of the
ridge of rocks which began at the place of our
debarkation, about half a league behind us,
and ran in a direction nearly parallel with
the shore, the summit every where adorned
with a fresh verdure and a great variety of
trees; their ascent partly covered with tall
grass and partly with small clumps of bushes.
We were careful to proceed in a course as
near the shore as possible, fixing our eyes
rather upon its smooth expanse than upon
the land, at every instant in hopes to see
something of the boats. We did not how-
ever wholly neglect the shore, where we
looked about in all directions for the objects
of our search: but our endeavours were in
vain; no sign appeared of their having been
near the spot.
Fritz proposed to fire his gun from time
to time, suggesting that, should they be any
where concealed near us, they might thus be
led to know of our pursuit.
This would be vastly well, answered I, if
you could contrive for our friends to hear
the report of the gun and not the savages,
who are most likely not far distant, and would
be induced by the alarm to watch and sur-
prise us. I am thinking, father, interrupted
Fritz, that there is no good reason why we
should give ourselves so much trouble and
FAMILY ROBINSON.
55
ineasiness about persons who abandoned us
so cruelly, and thought only of their own
safety.-
There is not only one good reason, but
many, replied I: first, we should not return
evil for evil; next, it may be in their power
to assist us; and lastly, that they are most
likely at this moment in the greatest want of
our exertions. It was their lot to escape with
nothing but their persons from the ship, if
indeed they are still alive, while we had the
good fortune to secure provisions enough for
present subsistence, to a share of which they
are as fully entitled as ourselves.
But, father, while we are wandering here
and losing our time almost without a hope of
benefit to them, might we not better employ
ourselves in returning to the vessel and sav-
ing the lives of the animals on board?
-When a variety of duties present them-
selves for our choice we should always give
the preference to that which can confer the
most solid advantage. The saving of the
life of a man is a more exalted action than to
be employed in contributing to the further
comfort of a few quadrupeds, whom we have
already supplied with food for several days
longer, particularly as the sea is in so calm a
state, that we need entertain no apprehension
that the ship will be sunk or go entirely to
pieces just at present.
t
56.
THE SWISS
My son made no reply to what I said, and
we each seemed by mutual silent consent to
take a few moments for reflection.
When we had gone about two leagues,
we entered a wood situated a little further
from the sea: here we threw ourselves on
the ground, and under the shade of a tree,
by the side of a clear running stream, took
out some provisions and refreshed ourselves.
We heard on every side around us the chirp-
ing, singing, and the motion of unknown
birds among the leaves, and which in reality
were more attractive by their splendid plu-
mage than by any charm of note. Fritz as-
sured me that between the branches of the
bushes he saw some animals resembling apes:
this indeed was further confirmed by the
restless movements we had observed in Turk,
who began to smell about him, and to bark
so loud that the wood resounded with the
noise. Fritz stole softly about to be sure,
and raising his head to spy into the branches
above his height, he stumbled on a small
round body which lay on the ground: he
took it up and brought it to me, observ-
ing that he thought it must be the nest of
some bird.--What makes you of that opi-
nion? said I. It is, I think, much more like a
cocoa-nut.
But I have read that there are some kinds
of birds who build their nests quite round;
FAMILY ROBINSON.
57
and look, father, how the outside is crossed
and twined!
That is true, Fritz; but it is wrong from
a single view to be so positive. Do you not
perceive that what you take for straws crossed
and twined by the beak of a bird, is in fact a
coat of fibres formed by the hand of Nature?
Do you not remember to have read that the
nut of a cocoa shell is inclosed within a round
fibrous covering, which again is surrounded
by a skin of a thin and fragile texture? I see
that in the one you hold in your hand this
skin has been destroyed by time, and this is
the reason why the twisted fibres (or inner co-
vering) are so apparent; but now let us break
the shell, and you will see the nut inside.
We soon accomplished this; but the nut,
alas, from lying on the ground, had perished,
and appeared but little different from a bit
of dried skin, and not the least inviting to the
palate.
Fritz was much amused at this discovery.
How I wish Ernest could have been here!
cried he. How he envied me the fine large
cocoa-nuts I was to find, and the whole tea-
cup full of sweet delicious milk which was
to spring out upon me from the inside! But,
father, I myself believed that the cocoa-nut
contained a sweet refreshing liquid, a little
like the juice of almonds; travellers surely
tell untruths!
D 5
58
THE SWISS
Travellers certainly do sometimes tell un-
truths, but on the subject of the cocoa-nut
I believe them to be innocent. The cocoa-
nut is well known to contain the liquid you
describe, just before they are in a state of
ripeness. It is the same with our European
nuts, with only the difference of quantity;
and the circumstance is common to both, that
as the nut ripens the milk diminishes, by
thickening and becoming the same substance
as the nut. If you put a ripe nut a little way
under the earth, in a good soil, the kernel will
shoot and burst the shell; but if it remain
above ground, or in a place that does not
suit its nature, the principle of vegetation is
extinguished by internal fermentation, and
the nut perishes as you have seen.
I am now surprised that this principle is
not extinguished in every nut; for the shell
is so hard, it seems impossible for a softer
substance to break it.
The peach stone is no less hard; the ker-
nel notwithstanding never fails to break it, if
it is placed in a well nurtured soil.
Now I begin to understand. The peach
stone is divided into two parts like a muscle-
shell; it has a kind of seam round it, which
separates of itself when the kernel is swelled
by moisture-but the cocoa-nut in my hand
is not so divided, and I cannot conceive of
its separating.
FAMILY ROBINSON.
59
I grant that the cocoa-nut is differently
formed; but you may see by the fragments
you have just thrown on the ground, that
nature has in another manner. stepped in to
its assistance. Look near the stalk, and you
will discover three round holes, which are
not, like the rest of its surface, covered with
a hard impenetrable shell, but are stopped by
a spongy kind of matter; it is through these
that the kernel shoots..
Now, father, I have the fancy of gather-
ing all the pieces and giving them to Ernest,
and telling him all these particulars; I won-
der what he will say about it, and how he
will like the withered nut.
Now the fancy of your father, my dear
boy, would be to find you without so keen
a relish for a bit of mischief. Joke with
Ernest if you will about the withered nut;
but I should like to see you heal the disap-
pointment he will feel, by presenting him at
last with a sound and perfect nut, provided
we should have one to spare.
After looking for some time, we had the
good luck to meet with one single nut. We
opened it, and finding it sound, we sat down
and ate it for our dinner, by which means
we were enabled to husband the provisions
we had brought. The nut, it is true, was a
little oily and rancid; yet, as this was not a
time to be nice, we made a hearty meal, and
60
THE SWISS
then continued our route. We did not quit
the wood, but pushed our way across it,
being often obliged to cut a path through
the bushes overrun by creeping plants, with
our hatchet. At length we reached a plain,
which afforded a more extensive prospect and
a path less perplexed and intricate.
We next entered a forest to the right, and
soon observed in it here and there some trees
of a particular species. Fritz, whose sharp
eye was continually on a journey of disco-
very, remarked that some of them were of
so very extraordinary an appearance that he
could not resist the curiosity he felt to ex-
amine them closely.-O heavens! father, he
soon exclaimed, what a singular kind of trees,
with wens growing all about their trunks!
We both walked up to some of them, and I
perceived, with great surprise and satisfaction,
that they were of the gourd-tree kind, the
trunks of which bear fruit. Fritz, who had
never heard of such a tree, could not con-
ceive the meaning of what he saw, and asked
me if the fruit was a sponge or a wen.
-We
will see, I replied, if we cannot unravel the
mystery. Try to get down one of them, and
we will examine them minutely.
I have got one, cried Fritz, and it is exact-
ly like a gourd, only the rind is thicker and
harder.
It then, like the rind of that fruit, can be
FAMILY ROBINSON.
61
used for making various utensils, observed I;
plates, dishes, basons, flasks.
We will give
it the name of the gourd tree.
Fritz jumped for joy.-O heavens! cried
he in ecstasy, how happy my mother will be!
She will no longer have the vexation, when
she makes soup, of thinking that we shall all
scald our fingers!
What, my boy, do you think is the reason
that this tree bears its fruit only on the trunk
and on its topmost branches?
I think it must be because the middle
branches are too feeble to support such a
weight.
You have guessed exactly right.
But are these gourds good to eat?
At worst they are, I believe, harmless;
but they have not a very tempting flavour.
The negro savages set as much value on the
rind of this fruit as on gold, for its use to
them is indispensable. These rinds serve them
to keep their food and drink in, and some-
times. they even cook their victuals in them.
Oh father! it must be impossible to cook
their victuals in them; for the heat of fire
would soon consume such a substance.
I did not say the rind was put upon the
fire.
How droll! pray how are victuals to be
cooked without fire?
Nor did I say that victuals could be cooked
62
THE SWISS
without a fire; and my meaning was, that
there is no need to put the vessel that con-
tains the food upon the fire.
I have not the least idea of what you mean;
there seems to be a miracle.
So be it, my son.
A little tincture of en-
chantment is the lot of man. When he finds-
himself deficient in intelligence, or is too in-
dolent to give himself the trouble to reflect,
he is driven by his weakness to ascribe to a
miracle, or to witchcraft, what is, most likely,
nothing but the most ordinary operation of
art or nature.
Well, father, I will then believe in what
you tell me of these rinds.
That is, you will cut the matter short, by
resolving to swear on the word of another;
this is an excellent method for letting your
own reason lie fallow. Come, come, no such
idleness; let me help you to understand this
amazing phænomenon. When it is intended
to dress food in one of these rinds, the pro-
cess is, to cut the fruit into two equal parts,
and scoop out the whole of the inside; some
water is put into one of the halves, and into
the water some fish, a crab, or whatever else
is to be dressed; then some stones red hot,
beginning with one at a time, are thrown in,
which impart sufficient heat to the water to
dress the food, without the smallest injury to
the pot.
FAMILY ROBINSON.
63
But is not the food spoiled by ashes falling
in, or by pieces of the heated stones sepa-
rating in the water?
Certainly it is not very easy to make fine
sauces or ragouts in such a vessel; but a
dressing of the meat is actually accomplish-
ed, and the negroes and savages, who are
principally the persons to make use of what
is thus cooked, are not very delicate: but I
can imagine a tolerable remedy for even the
objection you have found. The food might
be inclosed in a vessel small enough to be
contained in our capacious half of a gourd,
and thus be cooked upon the principle so
much used in chemistry; the application of a
milder heat than fire. And this method of
cooking has also another advantage, that the
thing contained cannot adhere to the sides or
bottom of the vessel.
We next proceeded to the manufacture of
our plates and dishes. I taught my son how
to divide the gourd with a bit of string, which
would cut more equally than a knife; I tied
the string round the middle of the gourd as
tight as possible, striking it pretty hard with
the handle of my knife, and I drew tighter
and tighter till the gourd fell apart, forming
two regular shaped bowls or vessels; while
Fritz, who had used a knife for the same
operation, had entirely spoiled his gourd by
the irregular pressure of his instrument. I
64
THE SWISS
recommended his making some spoons with
the spoiled rind, as it was good for no other
purpose. I, on my part, had soon completed
two dishes of convenient size, and some
smaller ones to serve as plates.
Fritz was in the utmost astonishment at
my success. I cannot imagine, father, said
he, how this way of cutting the gourd could
occur to you!
I have read the description of such a pro-
cess, replied I, in books of travels; and also,
that such of the savages as have no knives,
and who make a sort of twine from the bark
of trees, are accustomed to use it for this
kind of purpose.
So you see what benefit
may be derived from reading, and from after-
wards reflecting on what we read.
And the flasks, father; in what manner
are they made?
For this branch of their ingenuity they
make preparation a long time beforehand.
If a negro wishes to have a flask or bottle
with a neck, he ties a very young gourd
round in the proper place with a piece of -
string, of linen, bark of a tree, or any thing
he can get hold of; he draws this bandage
so tight, that the part at liberty soon forms
itself to a round shape, while the part which
is confined, contracts, and remains ever after
narrow. By this method it is that they ob-
tain flasks or bottles of a perfect form.
FAMILY ROBINSON.
65
Are then the bottle-shaped gourds I have
seen in Europe trained by a similar prepa-
ration?
No, they are not; they are of another
species, and what you have seen is their na-
tural shape.
Our conversation and our labour thus
went on together. Fritz had completed
some plates, and was not a little proud of the
achievement. Ah, how delighted my mother
will be to eat upon them! cried he. But
how shall we convey them to her? They will
not, I fear, bear travelling well.
We must leave them here on the sand
for the sun to dry them thoroughly; this
will be accomplished by the time of our re-
turn this way, and we can then carry them.
with us; but care must be taken to fill them
with sand, that they may not shrink or warp
in so ardent a heat. My boy did not dislike
this task; for he had no great fancy to the
idea of carrying such a load on our journey
of further discovery. Our sumptuous ser-
vice of porcelain was accordingly spread upon
the ground, and abandoned to its fate.
We amused ourselves as we walked along
in endeavouring to fashion some spoons from
the fragments of the gourd-rinds. I had the
fancy to try my skill upon a piece of cocoa-
nut; but I must needs confess that what we
produced had not the least resemblance to
$
66
THE SWISS
those I had seen in the Museum at London,
and which were shown there as the work of
some of the islanders of the Southern Seas.
A European without instruments must al-
ways find himself excelled in such attempts.
by the superior adroitness and patience of
savages; in this instance too, of ourselves,
we had the assistance of knives, while the
savages have only flat stones with a sharp
edge to work with.
My attempt has been scarcely more suc-
cessful than your own, I cried; and to eat
soup with either your spoon or mine we ought:
to have mouths extending from ear to ear.
}
True enough, father, answered Fritz; but
it is not my fault. In making mine, I took
the curve of my, bit of rind for a guide; if
I had made it smaller, it would have been
too flat, and it is still more difficult to eat with
a shovel than with an oyster-shell. But I
am thinking that they may serve till I have
learned to improve upon my first attempt,
and I am quite sure of the pleasure they will
afford my mother. I imagine it pleases God
sometimes to visit his creatures with distress,
that they may learn to be satisfied with a
little.
That is an excellent remark, my boy, said
I, and gives me more pleasure than a hun-
dred crowns would do. Fritz burst into a
fit of laughter.-You do not rate my remark.
FAMILY ROBINSON.
67
very high when you say this, father, cried he,
for of what use would a hundred crowns be
to you at present? If you had said a good
soup or a hundred cocoa-nuts, I should be
much prouder for having made it.
But as it is, my son, you have a right to
be proud. I am well pleased to find you are
beginning to estimate things according to
their real value and usefulness, instead of
considering them as good or bad, like chil-
dren, upon feeble views. Money is only a
means of exchange in human society; but
here, on this solitary coast, nature is more
generous than man, and asks no payment for
the benefits she bestows.
While these different conversations and
our labours had been going on, we had not
neglected the great object of our pursuit,-
the making every practicable search for our
ship companions. But our endeavours, alas,
were all in vain.
After a walk of about four leagues in all,
we arrived at a spot where a slip of land
reached far out into the sea, on which we
observed a hill or rising piece of ground of
considerable height. On a moment's re-
flection we determined to ascend to its sum-
mit, which could not fail to give us a clear
view of all adjacent parts; this would save
us the fatigue of further rambles. We ac
cordingly accomplished the design.
68
THE SWISS
We did not reach the top of the hill
without many courageous efforts and a plen-
tiful perspiration: but when there, it pre-
sented a magnificent scene of wild and soli-
tary beauty, comprehending a vast extent of
land and water. It was, however, in vain
that we made use of our spying glass; no
trace of man appeared. A highly embel-
lished nature presented herself; and though
deprived of human succour, we were in the
highest degree sensible of her thousand
charms. The shore, rounded by a bay of
some extent, the bank of which ended in a
promontory on the further side; the agree-
able blue tint of its surface; the sea, gently
agitated with waves, in which the rays of the
sun were reflected; the woods of variegated
hues and verdure, formed altogether a pic-
ture of such new and exquisite delight
that, if the recollection of our unfortunate
companions, already perhaps ingulfed in this
very ocean, had not intervened to depress
our spirits, we should have yielded to the
ecstasy the scene was calculated to inspire.
In reality, from this moment we began to
lose the consolatory hope we had hitherto
entertained, and a certain sadness stole invo-
luntarily into our hearts. We, however, be-
came but the more sensible of the goodness
of the Divine Being in the special protection
afforded us, in permitting us to find a home
FAMILY ROBINSON.
69
I
where there seemed to be no cause for fear
of danger from without, where we had not
experienced even the want of food, and
where there seemed to be a prospect of future
safety for us all. We had encountered no
venomous or ferocious animals; and, as far
as our sight could yet reach, we were not
threatened by the approach of savages.
remarked to Fritz that we seemed destined
to a solitary life, and that it was a rich coun-
try which appeared to be allotted us for a
habitation; at least our habitation it must
be, unless some vessel should happen to put
on shore on the same coast, and be in a
condition to take us back to our native land.
And God's will be done! added I, for he
knows what is best for us. Having left our
native country, fixed in the intention of in-
habiting some more propitious soil,* it was
natural to expect that we must at first en-
counter difficult adventures. Let us, there-
fore, consider our present situation as no
disappointment in any essential respect. We
can pursue our scheme for agriculture. We
shall learn to invent arts. Our only want
is numbers.
As for me, answered Fritz, I care but little
about being so few of us. If I have the
happiness of seeing you and my mother
* See the Introduction.
770
THE SWISS
well and satisfied, I shall not give myself
much uneasiness about those wicked unkind
ship companions of ours.
Do not say that, my boy; they were not
all bad people; and the greater part of them
would have become better men here, because
they would not have been exposed to the at-
tacks of seduction. Social intercourse, com-
mon interests, united exertions, mutual ser-
vices and counsels, together with the reflec-
tions which would have grown in such a
state as this, are agents capable of powerfully
contributing to the well-being of the indivi-
dual, and to a happy and successful industry.
We, however, of ourselves, observed
Fritz, form a larger society than was the lot
of Adam before he had children; and, as we
grow older, we will perform all the neces
sary labour, while you and my mother enjoy
a serene repose.
Your assurances are as kind as I can de-
sire, and they encourage me to struggle with
what hardships may present themselves.
Who can foresee in what manner it may be
the will of Heaven to dispose of us? In
times of old, God said to one of his chosen :
"I will cause a great nation to descend from
thy loins."
And why may not we too become patri-
archs, if it please God to continue our lives?
Why not? you ask-and I have not now
FAMILY ROBINSON.
71
1
time to answer. But come along, my young
patriarch, and let us find a shady spot, that
we may not be consumed with the intensity
of the sun's heat before the patriarchal con-
dition can be conferred upon us. Look yon-
der at that inviting wood: let us hasten thi-
ther to take a little rest, then eat our dinner,
and return to our dear expecting family.
We descended the hill, and having re-
gained the shore, made our way to the
wood of palms, which I had just pointed out
to Fritz; but not without considerable diffi.
culty, for our path lay through a quantity
of reeds, entwined with other plants, which
greatly obstructed our march. We advanced
slowly and cautiously, fearing at every step
we might receive a mortal bite from some
serpent that might be concealed among
them. We made Turk go before us, to
give us timely notice of any thing dangerous.
I also cut myself a stalk of the reeds of un-
common length and thickness, the better to
defend myself against an enemy that might
attack me from the ground. It was not
without astonishment that I perceived a glu-
tinous kind of sap proceed from the divided
end of the stalk. Prompted by curiosity, I
tasted this liquid, and found it sweet and of
an agreeable flavour, so that not a doubt re-
mained in my mind that we were passing
through a fine plantation of sugar-canes. I
again applied the cane to my lips, and sucked
72
THE SWISS
it for some moments, and soon after felt
myself singularly refreshed and strengthened
from its use. I determined not to tell Fritz
immediately of the fortunate discovery I had
made, preferring that he should find the
pleasure out for himself. As he was at some
distance on before, I called out to him to cut
a reed for his defence. This he instantly
did, and, without any remark, used it simply
for a stick, striking lustily with it on all
sides to clear a passage. This motion occa-
sioned the sap to run out abundantly upon
his hand, and he stopped to examine so
strange a circumstance. He lifted it up,
and still a larger quantity escaped. He now
tasted what was on his fingers. Oh! then
for the exclamations.-Father, father, I have
found some sugar!-some syrup! I have a
sugar-cane in my hand!
hand! Run quickly, fa-
ther! We were soon together, jointly par-
taking of the pleasure we had in store for his
dear mother and the younger brothers. In
the mean time Fritz eagerly devoured the
single cane he had cut, till his relish for it
was appeased. I thought this a profitable
moment to say a word or two about ex-
cesses; of the wisdom of husbanding even
our lawful pleasures; of the advantages of
moderation in our most rational enjoyments.
But I was so thirsty, and the sap was so
delicious!
Your excuse is like that of the drunkard,
FAMILY ROBINSON.
73
who tells you he drinks immoderately be-
cause he is thirsty, and because wine has a
pleasant flavour; while, however good the
excuse, it does not protect the person from
being deprived of his reason.
Well, father, I will observe. But I will
take home a good provision of sugar-canes,
however. I shall only just taste of them
once or twice as I walk along. But it will
be so delightful to regale my mother and my
little brothers with them!
I have not the least objection; but do not
take too heavy a load, for recollect you have
other things to carry, and we have yet far
to go.
Counsel was given in vain. He persisted
in cutting at least a dozen of the largest
canes, tore off their leaves, tied them together,
and, putting them under his arm, dragged
them as well as he was able through thick
and thin to the end of the plantation. We
arrived without accident at the wood of
palms, which we had passed through in
the morning; here we stretched our limbs
in the shade, and finished our repast. We
were scarcely settled, when suddenly a great
number of large monkeys, terrified by the
sight of us and the barking of Turk, stole
so nimbly, and yet so quietly, up the trees,
that we scarcely perceived them till they had
reached the topmost parts From this height
VOL. 1.
E
74
THE SWISS
they fixed their eyes upon us, grinding their
teeth, making most horrible grimaces, and
saluting us with frightful screams of hostile
import. Being now satisfied that the trees.
were palms, bearing cocoa-nuts, I conceived
the hope of obtaining some of this fruit in
an unripe and milky state, through the
monkeys. Fritz, on his part, prepared to
shoot at them instantly. He threw his bur-
dens on the ground, and it was with diffi-
culty I could prevent him from firing, by
pulling his arm in another direction.-What
are you going to do, said I, in this youthful
ardour of yours? What use or what plea-
sure can it be to you to destroy one of these
monkeys?
Ah, father, why did you not let me kill
him? Monkeys are such malicious, mis.
chievous animals! Look how they raise their
backs in derision of us!
And is it possible that this can excite your
vengeance, my most reasonable Mr. Fritz?
To say the truth, I am not myself a patron
of the race of monkeys, who, as you say,
are naturally prone to be malicious. But as
long as an animal does us no injury, or that
his death can in no shape be useful in pre-
serving our own lives, we have no right to
destroy it, and still less to torment it for our
amusement, or from an insensate desire of
revenge.
FAMILY ROBINSON.
75
We could as easily roast a monkey as any
kind of game.
Many thanks for the hint! A fine repast
you would have provided us! Thanks to
our stars, too, we are each too heavily loaded
to have carried the dead body to our kitchen,
and I shrewdly suspect that it would not
have found the way thither of its own ac-
cord. Does not your large bunale of sugar-
canes convince you that I speak the truth?
But the living monkeys we may perhaps find
means to make contribute to our service.-
See what I am going to do ;-but step aside,
for fear of your head. If I succeed, the
monkeys will furnish us with plenty of our
much desired cocoa-nuts.
I now began to throw some stones at the
monkeys; and though I could not make them
reach to half of the height at which they
had taken refuge, they showed every mark
of excessive anger. With their accustomed
habit of imitation, they furiously tore off,
nut by nut, all that grew upon the branches
near them, to hurl them down upon us; so
that it was with difficulty we avoided the
blows; and in a short time a large quantity
of cocoa-nuts lay on the ground round us.
Fritz laughed heartily at the excellent suc-
cess of our stratagem; and as the shower of
cocoa-nuts began to subside, we set about
coilecting them. We chose a place where
E 2
76
THE SWiss
2
we could repose at our ease, to regale our-
selves on this rich harvest. We opened the
shells with a hatchet, but not without having
first enjoyed the sucking of some of the
milk through the three small holes, round
which we found it easy to insert a knife, and
let the milk escape. The milk of the cocoa-
nut has not in reality a very pleasant flavour ;
but it is excellent for quenching violent thirst.
What we liked best, was a kind of solid
cream which adheres to the shell, and which
we scraped off with our spoons. We mixed
with it a little of the sap of our sugar-canes,
and it made a delicious repast; while Turk
obtained for his share, what remained of the
sea-lobster, which we now regarded with dis-
dain, and to which we added a small quantity
of biscuit. All this, however, was insuffi-
cient to satisfy the hunger of so large an ani-
mal, and he sought about for bits of the
sugar-canes and of the cocoa-nuts.
Our meal being finished, we prepared to
leave the wood of palms. I tied together
such of the cocoa-nuts as had retained the
stalks, and threw them across my shoulder.
Fritz resumed his bundle of sugar-canes.
We divided the rest of the things between
us, and continued our way towards home.
FAMILY ROBINSON.
77
CHAPTER IV.
Return from the voyage of discovery.
A nocturnal alarm.
My poor boy now began to complain
heavily of fatigue; the bundle of sugar-canes
galled his shoulders, and he was obliged to
move it from place to place. At last, he
stopped to take breath.-No, cried he, I never
could have thought that a few sugar-canes
could be so heavy. How sincerely I pity the'
poor negroes who carry them in even larger
quantities, and to a greater distance! I should
however be so glad, if my mother and my
brother could but partake of our booty!
A little patience and a little courage, dear
Fritz, replied I, will enable you to accom-
plish this wish; recollect Esop's bread-
basket, which at first was so overwhelming
a burden, but which at last became so light.
We can cause it to be the same with your
sugar-canes, if we consent to diminish them
by sucking a certain number of them on the
road; as a precedent, you may dispose of
one to me, and I will use it at one moment
as a walking-stick, and at another as a sugar-
plum. Take you one, also; the rest we will
8
THE SWISS
bind together and put at your back, hang-
ing them upon the barrel of your gun, by
which means you will carry them with ease.
In such a situation as ours we must learn to
call forth all our intelligence; reflection and
the faculty of invention must be made to
compensate our want of means.
It
While we were conversing and proceed.
ing on our way, Fritz perceived that from
time to time I sucked the end of my sugar-
cane, and he would needs do the same.
was in vain, however, that he tried; scarcely
a drop of the sap reached his eager lips.
-What then is the reason, said he, that
though the cane is full of juice, I cannot
get out a drop?
The reason is, answered Į, that you make
use neither of reflection nor of your imagi-
nation.
Ah! I recollect now, is it not a question
about air? Unless there were a particular
opening in the cane, I may suck in vain, no
juice will come.
You have well explained the difficulty;
but how will you manage to set it right?
Father, lend me your cane an instant.
No, no, that will not do; what I wish is,
that you should yourself invent the remedy.
Let me see; I imagine that I have only to
make a little opening just above the first
knot, and then the air can enter.
1
FAMILY ROBINSON.
79
Exactly right. But tell me what you
think would be the operation of this opening
near the first knot; and in what manner can
it make the juice get into your mouth?
The pith of the cane being completely
interrupted by each knot in its growth, the
opening that I might make below, could have
no effect upon the part above; in sucking
the juice, I draw in my breath, and thus ex-
haust the air in my mouth; the external air
presses at the same time through the hole
I have made, and fills this void: the juice of
the cane forms an obstacle to this effort, and
is accordingly driven into my mouth. But
how shall I manage when I have sucked this
part dry, to get at the part above?
Oh, ho! Mr. Philosopher, what should
prevent you, who have been reasoning so
well about the force and fluidity of the air,
from immediately conceiving so simple a pro-
cess as that of cutting away the part of the
cane you have already sucked dry, and ma-
king a second perforation in the part above,
so that
Oh, I have it, I have it, I understand ;-
but if we should become too expert in the-
art of drawing out the juice, I fear but few
of the canes will reach our good friends in
the tent.
I also am not without my apprehensions,
that of our acquisition we shall carry them
80
THE SWISS
:
only a few sticks for fire-wood; for I must
bring another circumstance to your recollec-
tion: the juice of the sugar-cane is apt to
turn sour soon after cutting, and the more
certainly in such heat as we now experience;
we may suck them therefore without com-
punction, and without regret at the diminu-
tion of their numbers.
Well then, if we can do no better with
the sugar-canes, at least I will take them a
good provision of the milk of cocoa-nuts,
which I have here in a tin bottle; we shall
sit round on the grass and drink it so deli-
ciously!
In this too, my generous boy, I fear, you
will also be disappointed. You talk of milk;
but the milk of the cocoa-nut, no less than
the juice of the sugar-cane, when exposed to
the air and heat, turns soon to vinegar. I
would almost wager that it is already sour;
for the tin bottle which contains it is parti-
cularly liable to become hot in the sun.
O heavens, how provoking! I must taste
it this very minute. The tin bottle was
lowered from his shoulder in the twinkling
of an eye, and he began to pull the cork
with all his strength; as soon as it was loose,
the liquid flew upwards in a brisk stream,
and with a loud noise and frothing like
champain.
Bravo, Mr. Fritz! you have manufactured
FAMILY ROBINSON.
81
there a wine of some mettle. I must now
caution you not to let it make you tipsy.
Oh, taste it, father, pray taste it, it is quite
delicious; not the least like vinegar; it is
rather like excellent new wine; its taste is
sweet, and it is so sparkling! do take a little,
father. Is it not good? If all the milk re-
mains in this state the treat will be better even
than I thought.
I wish it may prove so: but I have my
fears; its present state is what is called the
first degree of fermentation; the same thing
happens to honey dissolved in water, of
which hydromel is made. When this first
fermentation is past, and the liquid is clear,
it is become a sort of wine, or other fermented
liquor, the quality of which depends on the
materials used. By the application of heat,
there next results a second and more gra-
dual fermentation, which turns the fluid into
vinegar. But this may be prevented by ex-
traordinary care, and by keeping the vessel
that contains it in a cool place. Lastly, a
third fermentation takes place in the vinegar
itself, which entirely changes its character,
and deprives it of its taste, its strength, and
its transparency. In the intense temperature
of this climate, this triple fermentation comes
on very rapidly, so that it is not improbable
that, on entering cur tent, you might nd
your liquids turned to vinegar, or even to
£ 5
82
THE SWISS
a thick liquid of ill odour: we may there-
fore venture to refresh ourselves with a por-
tion of our booty, that it may not all be
spoiled. Come then, I drink your health,
and that of our dear family. I find the li
quor at present both refreshing and agree-
able; but I am pretty sure that, if we would
arrive sober, we must not venture on fre-
quent libations.
Our regale imparted to our exhausted
frames an increase of strength and cheerful-
ness; we pursued our way with briskness,
to the place where we had left our gourd
utensils upon the sands; we found them per-
fectly dry, as hard as bone, and not the least
mis-shapen. We now therefore could put
them into our game bags conveniently
enough; and this done, we continued our
way. Scarcely had we passed through the
little wood in which we breakfasted, when
Turk sprang furiously away to seize upon a
troop of monkeys, who were skipping about
and amusing themselves without observing
our approach towards the place of their mer-
riment. They were thus taken by surprise;
and before we could get to the spot, our fe-
rocious Turk had already seized one of them:
it was a female monkey who held a young
one in her arms, which she was caressing
almost to suffocation, and which incumbrance
in reality deprived her of the power of esca-
FAMILY ROBINSON.
83
ping. The poor creature was killed, and af-
terwards devoured; the young one hid him-
self in the grass, and looked on grinding his
teeth all the time that this horrible achieve-
ment was performing. Fritz flew like light-
ning to force the ferocious Turk from his
prey. He lost his hat, threw down his tin
bottle, canes, and other burdens, but all in
vain; he arrived too lat to prevent the mur-
der of the interesting mother.
The next scene that presented itself was
of a different nature, and comical enough;
it afforded me considerable amusement.-
The young monkey, on perceiving Fritz,
sprang nimbly on his shoulders, and fastened
his feet securely in the stiff curls of his hair;
nor could the squalls of Fritz, nor all the
shaking he gave him, make him let
go his
hold. I ran to them, laughing heartily, for
I saw that the animal was too young to be
capable of doing him any injury, while the
expression of the panic in the features of the
boy, made the most diverting contrast with
the grimaces of the monkey, whom I in vain
endeavoured to disengage.-There is no re-
medy, Fritz, said I, but to submit quietly
and carry him; he will furnish an addition
to our stock of provisions, though less allu-
ring, I must needs confess, than that we could
wish to take to your mother. The conduct
of the little animal displays a very surprising
84
THE SWISS
intelligence; he has lost his mother, and he
adopts you for his father; perhaps he dis-
covered in you something of the air of a fa-
ther of a family.
Or rather the little rogue found out that
he had to do with a chicken-hearted fellow,
who shrinks with aversion from the idea of
ill-treating an animal which has thrown itself
on his protection. But I assure you, father,
he is giving me some terrible twitches, and I
shall be obliged to you to try once more to
get him off.
With a little gentleness and management
I found means to succeed. I took the crea-
ture in my arms as one would an infant, and
I confess I could not help pitying and caress-
ing him. He was not larger than a kitten,
and quite unable to help himself: its mother
appeared to us to be at least as tall as Fritz.
What shall I do with thee, poor orphan?
cried I, and how in our state of necessity
shall I be able to maintain thee? We have
already more mouths to fill, than food to put
into them, and our workmen are too young
to afford us much hope from their exertions.
Father, cried Fritz, do let me have this
little animal in my own keeping. I will take
the greatest care of him; I will give him all
my share of the milk of the cocoa-nuts till
we get our cows and goats; and who knows?
his monkey instinct may one day assist us
FAMILY ROBINSON.
85
in discovering some different kinds of whole-
.some fruits.
I have not the least objection, answered I.
You have conducted yourself throughout this
tragi-comic adventure like a lad of courage
and sensibility, and I am well satisfied with
every circumstance of your behaviour. It
is therefore but just that the little protegé
should be given up to your management
and discretion; much will depend on your
manner of educating him; by and by we
shall see whether he will be fittest to aid us
with his intelligence, or to injure us by his
malice; in this last case we shall have no-
thing to do but to get rid of him.
While Fritz and I were conversing on the
subject of his adoption of the young monkey,
Turk was employed in taking his fill of the
remains of its unfortunate mother. Fritz
would have driven him away from so canni-
bal-like a repast: but besides the difficulty
of restraining him, we had to consider, that
we might ourselves be in danger from the
pressing hunger of so powerful an animal;
all the food we had before given him in the
day seemed to be nothing for his voracious
and unbounded appetite.
We now again thought of resuming our
journey, and accordingly left the ferocious
Turk to pursue his sanguinary dispositions;
the little orphan jumped again on the shoul-
86
THE SWISS
der of his protector, while I on my part
relieved my boy of the bundle of canes.-
Scarcely had we proceeded a quarter of a
league when Turk overtook us full gallop.
Fritz and I received him without the usual
marks of kindness, and reproached him with
the cruel action he had committed, as if he
could feel, and understand us; but he showed
no sign of giving himself any concern about
the matter, following quietly behind Fritz
with an air of cool and perfect satisfaction.
The young monkey appeared uneasy from
seeing him so near, and passed round and
fixed himself on his protector's bosom, who
did not long bear with so great an inconve-
nience without having recourse to his inven
tion for a remedy. He tied some string
round Turk's body in such a way, as to ad-
mit of the monkey's being fastened on his
back with it, and then in a tone really pa-
thetic addressed the dog as follows: Now,
Mr. Turk, since it was you who had the
cruelty to destroy the mother, it is for you
to take every care of her child. At first the
dog was restive and resisted; but by degrees,
partly by menaces and partly by caresses, we
succeeded in gaining his good will, and he
quietly consented to carry the little burden;
and the young monkey, who also had made
some difficulties, at length found himself per-
fectly accommodated. Fritz put another
FAMILY ROBINSON.
87
string round Turk's neck, by which he might
lead him, a precaution he used to prevent
him from going out of sight. I must needs
confess, we had not the sin of too great haste
to answer for, so that I had sufficient leisure
for amusing myself with the idea, that we
should arrive at our home with something of
the appearance of keepers of rare animals
for show. I enjoyed in foresight the jubila-
tions of our young ones when they should
see the figure we made. Ah! cried Fritz,
I promise you, brother Jack will draw from
the occasion materials enough for future ma-
licious jokes. Do you then, my son, said I,
take as an example your admirable mother,
who never fails to make allowance for the
buoyant spirits so natural to youth. Your
reflections on their faults, which, thanks be
to heaven, are such as to do injury to none,
give me no pleasure; I am aware of their
existence without the aid of your observa-
tions, and I beg you will leave to me the task
of correcting them.
May I however observe, father, that I
wish we could cure Turk of his passion for
attacking living animals, and tearing them
to pieces? It was, I assure you, a most
frightful spectacle; the more so, that mon-
keys so much resemble our own species that
I could scarcely convince myself he was not
killing a man.
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THE SWISS
There was reason enough to be disgusted
with the sight though it were only an animal
you saw so treated; but, for all this, it
would in our situation be dangerous to teach
our dogs not to attack and kill, if they can,
what unknown animals they meet with.-
You will see that Turk will soon regard your
little monkey as a member of our family;
already he is content to carry him on his
back. But I assure you we must not dis-
courage him in his fancy for attacking wild
beasts: Heaven bestowed the dog on man
for his safe-guard and defence, and the horse
the same: they may be considered as our
allies against the different tribes of pernicious.
animals. How conspicuous is the good-
ness of the Almighty in the natural disposi-
tions he has bestowed on these useful crea-
tures, who at all times discover so much af
fection for man, and so easily submit to the
slavery of serving him! A man on horse-
back, and accompanied by a troop of well
conditioned dogs, has no occasion to fear
any species of wild beasts, not even the lion,
nor the hyena; he may even baffle the vo-
racious rapidity of the tiger.
I see clearly how fortunate we are in the
possession of two such creatures, who feel
the strongest attachment to our persons and
are ever ready to protect us from danger;
but what a pity it was that the horses we
FAMILY ROBINSON.
89
had on board should have died during our
voyage, and have left us with only an ass!
Let us take care how we treat even our
ass with disdain. I wish we had him safe
on land. Fortunately he is a powerful crea-
ture of his species, and not of the common
kind. We may train him to do us the same
services as are performed by the horse; and
it is not improbable that he will even improve
under our care, and from the excellent pas-
ture he will find in this climate.
In such conversation as this, on subjects
equally interesting to both, we forgot the
length of our journey, and soon found our-
selves on the bank of the river and near our
family before we were aware. Ponto on the
other side announced our approach by a vio-
lent barking, and Turk replied so heartily,
that his motions disturbed the tranquillity of
his little burden, who, in his fright, jumped
the length of his string from his back to
Fritz's shoulder, which he could not after-
wards be prevailed upon to leave. Turk, who
began to be well acquainted with the country,
ran off to meet his companion and announce
our arrival; and shortly after, our much-loved
family appeared in sight on the opposite shore,
exhibiting every demonstration of unbounded
joy at our safe return. They advanced along
by the course of the river, till they on one
side, and we on the other, had reached the
90
THE SWISS
place where we had crossed it in the morning.
We re passed it again in safety, and threw
ourselves into each other's arms. Scarcely
had the young ones joined their brother,
than they again began their joyful exclama-
tions: A monkey, a live monkey! Papa,
mamma, a live monkey! Oh, how delight-
ful! how happy shall we be! How did you
catch him? What a droll face he has I-He
is very ugly, said little Francis, half afraid to
touch him. He is much prettier than you,
retorted Jack; only see, he is laughing; I wish
I could see him eat.-Ah! if we had but some
cocoa-nut! cried Ernest; could you not find
any? Are they nice ?-Have you brought me
any milk of almonds? asked Francis. Have
you met with any unfortunate adventure?
interrupted my wife. In this manner, ques-
tions and exclamations succeeded to each
other without interval, and with such rapidity
as not to leave us time to answer them.
At length when all became a little tranquil
I answered them thus: Most happy am I
to return to you again, my best beloved, and
God be praised! without having encounter-
ed any new misfortune. We have even
the pleasure of presenting you with many
valuable acquisitions; but in the object
nearest my heart, the discovering what
has become of our ship companions, or of any
individual of them, we have entirely failed.
FAMILY ROBINSON.
91
Since it pleases God that it should be so,
said my wife, let us endeavour to be content,
and let us be grateful to him for having
saved us from their unhappy fate, and for
having once more brought us all together:
I have laboured this day under an unusual
uneasiness about your safety, and imagined
a thousand evils that might beset you. The
day appeared an age. But now I see you
once more safe and well, I trust I shall again
return to my tranquillity. But put down
your burdens; we will all help you; for
though we have not, I assure you, spent the
day in idleness, we are less fatigued than you.
Quick then, my boys, and help to take the
loads from your father and your brother.-
Now then sit down and tell us your adventures.
Jack received my gun, Ernest the cocoa-
nuts, Francis the gourd-rinds, and my wife
my game-bag. Fritz distributed the sugar-
canes, and put his monkey on the back of
Turk, to the great amusement of the chil-
dren, at the same time begging Ernest to
relieve him of his gun. But Ernest, ever
careful of his own accommodation, assured
him, that the large heavy bowls with which
he was loaded, were the most he had strength
to carry. His mother, a little too indulgent
to his lazy humour, relieved him of them:
and thus we proceeded all together to our tent.
Fritz whispered me, that if Ernest had
92
THE SWISS
known what the large heavy bowls were, he
would not so readily have parted with them.
Then turning to his brother, Why, Ernest,
cried he, do you know that these bowls are
cocoa-nuts, your dear much-desired cocoa-
nuts, and each containing the sweet nice milk
you have so much wished to taste?
Are they indeed? are they really and truly
cocoa-nuts, brother? Pray return them to
me quickly; I will carry them if you please,
and I can carry the gun too without finding
it heavy.
No, no, Ernest, answered his mother, I
do not intend to be teased with any more of
your heavy sighs and moanings about being
fatigued; for I am certain you would begin
again before we had gone a hundred paces.
Ernest would willingly have asked his mother
to give him the cocoa-nuts and take the gun
herself, but this he dared not do:-I have
only, said he, to get rid of these sticks, and
carry the gun in my hand.
I would advise you not to give up the
sticks either, said Fritz drily; I know you
will be sorry if you do; and for this good
reason the sticks are sugar canes!
Sugar-canes! cried he. Sugar-canes! ex-
claimed they all; and, surrounding Fritz,
made him give them full instructions on the
sublime art of sucking sugar-canes.
My wife also, who had always entertained
FAMILY ROBINSON.
93
a high respect for the article of sugar in her
household management, was quite astonished,
and earnestly entreated we would inform her
of all particulars. I instantly complied with
her request, giving her every explanation
respecting our journey, and our new acqui-
sitions, which I alternately exhibited for her
inspection. No one of them afforded her
more pleasure than the plates and dishes, be-
cause to persons of decent habits they were
articles of indispensable necessity. We now
adjourned to our little kitchen, and with great
delight observed the preparations going for-
ward in it for an excellent repast. On one
side of the fire we saw a turnspit, which my
wife had contrived by driving two forked
pieces of wood into the ground, and placing
a long even stick, sharpened at one end, across
them. By this invention she was enabled
to roast different kinds of fish, or other food,
with the help of little Francis, who was in-
trusted with the care of turning it round from
time to time. On the occasion of our re-
turn she had prepared us the treat of a goose,
the fat of which ran down into some oyster-
shells placed there to serve the purpose of a
dripping-pan. And besides a dish of fish,
which the little ones had caught, the iron
pot was upon the fire, provided with a good
soup, the agreeable odour of which increased
our appetite. By the side of these most ex-
94
THE SWISS
hilarating preparations, stood one of the casks
which we had recovered from the waves, the
head of which my wife had knocked out, so
that it exposed to our view a cargo of the
finest sort of Dutch cheeses contained in
round tins. All this display was made to
excite the appetite of the two travellers, who
had fared but scantily during the day; and
I must needs observe, that the whole was very
little like such a dinner as one should expect
to see on a desert island.
You indeed but barely did yourselves jus-
tice, my dear ones, in saying that you had
not been idle during our absence, cried I.-
I see before me what must have cost you con-
siderable labour. I am however a little sorry
that you have killed one of our geese so soon;
we must employ the utmost economy in the
use of our poultry, which may be of service
in a time of need.
Do not make yourself uneasy on this sub-
ject, said my wife; for what you see is not
one of our geese, but a kind of wild bird, and
is the booty of your son Ernest, who calls
him by a singular name, and assures me that
it is good to eat.
Yes, father, I believe that the bird which
I have caught is a kind of penguin, or we
might distinguish him by the surname of
Stupid. He showed himself to be a bird so
destitute, of even the least degree of intelli-
FAMILY KOBINSON.
95
gence, that I killed him with a single blow
with my stick.
What is the form of his feet, and of his
beak? asked I.
His feet were formed for swimming; in
other words, he was what is called web-
footed; the beak was long, small, and a
little curved downwards: I have preserved
his head and neck, that you might examine
it yourself; it reminds me exactly of the
penguin, described as so stupid a bird in my
book of natural history.
You now then perceive, my son, of what
use it is to read, and to extend our know-
ledge, particularly on subjects of natural his-
tory and the productions of nature in gene-
ral; by this study and knowledge, we are
enabled to recognise at the moment, the ob-
jects which chance throws in our way, whe-
ther we have seen them before or not. Tell
me now what birds there are with feet form-
ed like those which you have just described,
and which are so formed to enable the crea-
ture to strike the water and prevent himself
from sinking.
There are, the man of war bird, cormo-
rants, and pelicans, father.
By what mark do you distinguish the kind
to which you just now said the penguin or
Stupid belonged?
Upon my word, interrupted his mother,
96
THE SWISS
་
I must give the answer myself: and it will
consist of a petition, that you will take some
other time for your catechism on birds: when
once you have begun on any particular sub-
ject, one never sees the end of it. Now to
my mind there is a time for every thing;
Ernest killed the bird, and was able to tell
his kind; we on our parts shall eat him
what more therefore is necessary? Do you
not see that the poor child is thinking all
the while of his cocoa-nuts? Let me inter-
cede on his behalf, and prevail upon you to
let him have the pleasure of examining and
tasting them.
;
Ah! thank you, my good mother; I shall
be very glad if papa will consent.
Father.-Well, well, you have my full
permission. But first you will be obliged to
learn from Fritz the best manner of opening
them, so as to preserve the milk and one
word more; I recommend to you not to for-
get the young monkey, who has no longer
his mother's milk for food.
Jack. I cannot prevail upon him to taste
a bit; I have offered him every thing we have.
Father-This is not surprising, for he
has not yet learned how to eat; you must
feed him with the milk of cocoa nuts till we
can_procure something more suitable.
Jack I will give the poor little creature.
my share with all my heart.
FAMILY ROBINSON,
97
Ernest. I have however the greatest de-
sire to taste this milk myself, just to know
what it is like.
And so have I, said the little Francis.
However, gentlemen, the monkey must
live, said Jack a little maliciously.
And we and our children must live tog,
answered their mother. Come then, the
supper is ready, and the cocoa-nuts shall be
for the dessert.
We seated ourselves on the ground; my
wife had placed each article of the repast in
one of our newly manufactured dishes, the
neat appearance of which exceeded all our
expectations. My sons had not patience to
wait, but had broken the cocoa-nuts, and al-
ready convinced themselves of their delicious
flavour; and then they fell to making spoons
with the fragments of the shells. The little
monkey, thanks to the kind temper of Jack,
had been served the first, and each amused
himself with making him suck the corner
of his pocket-handkerchief, dipped in the
milk of the cocoa-nut. He appeared de-
lighted with the treatment he received, and
we remarked with satisfaction, that we should
most likely be able to preserve him.
The boys were preparing to break some
more of the nuts with the hatchet, after hav-
ing drawn out the milk through the three
little holes which I have already observed are
VOL. 1.
F
98
THE SWISS
found near the stalk of the cocoa-nut, and
which are guarded by a soft substance which
may easily be pierced.-I pronounced the
word halt, and bade them bring me a saw;
4
the thought had struck me, that by divi-
ding the nuts carefully with this instrument,
the two halves when scooped, would remain
with the form of tea-cups or basons already
made to our hands. Jack, who was on
every occasion the most active, brought me
the saw. I performed my undertaking in the
best manner I could, and in a short time
each of us was provided with a convenient
receptacle for food. Accordingly my wife
put the share of soup which belonged to
each, into those basons or vessels. The ex-
cellent créature appeared delighted that we
should no longer be under the necessity, as
before, of scalding our fingers by dipping
into the pot; and I firmly believe, that never
did the most magnificent service of china
occasion half the pleasure to its possessor, as
our utensils, manufactured by our own hands.
from gourds and cocoa-nuts, excited in the
kind heart of my wife. Fritz asked me if he
might not invite our company to taste his fine
champain, which he said would not fail to
make us all themerrier-I have not the least
objection, answered I, but remember to taste
it yourself, before you serve it to your
guests. Heran to draw out the stopple and to
:
}
FAMILY ROBINSON.
99
}
taste it...... How unfortunate! said he, it is
already turned to vinegar.
4
·
Į
What is it? vinegar, did you say? ex-
claimed my wife. How lucky! it will make
the most delicious sauce for our bird, mixed
with the fat which has fallen from it in roast-
ing, and will be as good a relish as a sa-
lad. No sooner said than done. This vine-
gar produced from cocoa-nut proved a most
agreeable corrective of the wild and fishy
flavour of the penguin, and without which I
am afraid we should have found it not very
palatable. The same sauce considerably im-
proved our dish of fish also. Each boasted
most of what he himself had been the means
of procuring; it was Jack and Francis who
had caught the fish in one of the shallows,
while Ernest was employed with very little
trouble to himself in securing his penguin
the Stupid. My poor wife had herself per-
formed the most difficult task of all, that of
rolling the cask of Dutch cheeses into the
kitchen, and then knocking out its head.-
But if it was she who had most exerted
herself, it was she also who received the
highest commendations; for one and all
agreed, that nothing we had tasted since we
left the ship, was half so agreeable to our
appetites as this cheese which she served for
our dessert.
By the time we had finished our meal, the
F 2
100
THE SWISS
+
sun was retiring from our view; and recol-
lecting how quickly the night would fall
upon us, we were in the greatest haste to
regain our place of rest. My wife had con-
siderately procured for us a tenfold quantity
of dry grass, which she had spread in the
tent, so that we anticipated with joy the pro-
spect which was now afforded, of stretching
our limbs on a substance somewhat approach-
ing to the quality of mattresses, while, the
night before, our bodies seemed to touch the
ground. Our whole flock of fowls placed.
themselves as they had done the preceding
evening; we said our prayers, and, with an
improved serenity of mind, lay down in the
tent, taking the young monkey with us, who
was become the little favourite of all. Fritz
and Jack contended for a short time which
should enjoy the honour of his company for
the night; and it was at last decided that he
should be laid between them; after which,
each would have a hand in covering him.
carefully, that he might not catch cold. We
now all lay down upon the grass, in the or-
der of the night before, myself remaining
last to fasten the sail-cloth in front of the
tent; when, heartily fatigued by the exer-
tions of the day, I as well as the rest soon.
fell into a profound and refreshing sleep.
But I had not long enjoyed this pleasing
state, when I was awakened by the motion of
1
FAMILY ROBINSON.
101
the fowls on the ridge of the tent, and by a
violent barking of our vigilant safeguards,
the dogs. I rushed out instantly; my wife
and Fritz, who had also been alarmed by the
noise, followed me: we each took a gun,
and sallied forth to their assistance.-Shall
you, my dearest, have the courage to fire,
if it should be necessary? said I to my wife.
Most certainly, said she, if, as you say, it
should be necessary. I can depend upon my-
self for daring to do whatever can be the
means of preservation to our dear children.
At the same time it would perhaps be better
that I should leave to you the task of firing,
while I can undertake to load your guns,
and to hand them to you as fast as you may
want them.
Best of all, said I; so let us not lose a
moment in examining what enemy it is we
have to deal with. Our dogs continued
barking with the same violence, and at inter-
vals even howled. We had not proceeded
many steps from the tent, when to our great
astonishment, we perceived by the light of
the moon a terrible combat. At least a
dozen of jackalls had surrounded our brave
dogs, who defended themselves with an al-
most unexampled courage. Already the
fierce champions had laid three or four of
their adversaries on the ground, while those
which remained, began a timid kind of moan-
1
102
THE SWISS
ing, as if imploring pity and forbearance.—
Meanwhile they did not the less endeavour.
to entangle and surprise the dogs, thus thrown
off their guard, and so secure themselves the
advantage. But our watchful combatants
were not so easily to be deceived; they took
good care not to let the enemy approach
them too nearly.
.
1
I, for my part, apprehended something
much worse than jackalls.-We shall soon
manage to set these gentlemen at rest, said I.
Let us fire both together, my boy; but let.
us take care how we aim, for fear of killing.
the dogs; your mother shall give us the
word of command; mind how you fire, that.
you may not miss, and I shall do the same..
We fired, and two of the intruders fell in
stantly dead upon the sands. The others
made their escape; but we perceived it was
with great difficulty, in consequence, no
doubt, of being wounded:. Turk and Ponto
afterwards pursued them, and put the finish.
ing stroke to what we had begun; and thus.
the battle ended: but the dogs, true Cari-
bees by nature, made a hearty meal on the
flesh of their fallen enemies. Their doing.
this was a proof of the keen hunger they ex-
perienced; for dogs do not readily feed on
foxes, and the jackall is a more fierce and
mischievous species of the fox, than the ani-
mal known by that name in Europe. My
FAMILY ROBINSON.
103
wife, seeing that all was now quiet, entreated
us to lie down again and finish our night's
sleep; but Fritz asked my permission to let
him first drag the jackall he had killed, to-
wards the tent, that he might be able to ex-
hibit him the next morning to his brothers.
Having obtained my consent, he ran to fetch
him, and, with great difficulty, succeeded in
his plan, the animal being of the size of a
large dog. I however observed to Fritz, that
if Turk and Ponto were still hungry, we ought,
to give them this last jackall in addition, as a
recompense for their courageous behaviour.
We had now done with this affair. The
body of the jackall was left on the rock, by
the side of the tent, in which were the little
sleepers, who had not once awaked during
the whole of the scene which had been pass-
ing. Having therefore nothing further to
prevent us, we lay down by their side till day
began to break, and till the cocks, with their
shrill morning salutation, awoke us both.-
The children being still asleep, afforded us
an excellent opportunity to consult together
respecting the plan we should pursue for the
ensuing day.
C
1
104
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CHAPTER V.
Return to the wreck.
I BROKE a silence of some moments, with
observing to my wife, that I could not con-
quer my alarm at the view of so many cares
and such a variety of exertions to be made!
In the first place, a journey to the vessel.
This is of absolute necessity; at least, if we
would not be deprived of the cattle and va-
rious other useful things, all of which from
moment to moment we risk losing, by the
first approach of a heavy sea.-So many
things to think of, so much exertion to be
made, for the comfort of all in this desert
spot! What ought we to resolve upon?
For example, should not our very first en-
deavours be employed in contriving a better
sort of habitation and a more secure retreat
from wild beasts, also a separate place of ac-
commodation for our provisions? I own I
am at a loss what to resolve on first.
All will fall into the right order by degrees,
observed my wife; patience and regularity
in our plans will go as far as actual labour.
I cannot, I confess, help shuddering at the
thought of this voyage to the vessel; but if
FAMILY ROBINSON.
105
you judge it to be of absolute necessity, it ap-
pears to me that it cannot be undertaken too
soon. In the mean while, nothing that is
immediately under my own care shall stand-
still, I promise you. Let us not be over
anxious about to morrow; sufficient unto the
day is the evil thereof. These were the words
of the great and true friend of mankind, and
let us use so wise a counsel for our own be-
.nefit.
I will follow your advice, said I, and with-
out further loss of time. You shall stay here
with the three youngest boys; and Fritz, being
so much stronger and more intelligent than
the others, shall accompany me in the under-
taking.
At this moment I started from my bed,
crying out loudly and briskly: Get up, chil-
dren, get up; it is almost light, and we have
some important projects for today; it would
be a shame to suffer the sun to find us still
sleeping, we who are to be the founders of a
new colony!
At these words Fritz sprang nimbly out
of the tent, while his little brothers began to
gape and rub their eyes, to get rid of their
sleepiness. Fritz ran to visit his jackall, which
during the night had become cold and per-
fectly stiff. He fixed him upon his legs, and
placed him like a sentinel at the entrance of
the tent, joyously anticipating the wonder and
F 5
106
THE SWISS
exclamations of his little brothers at so sin-
gular and unexpected an appearance. But
no sooner had the dogs caught a sight of him,
than they began a horrible barking, and set
themselves in motion to fall upon him instant-
ly, thinking he was alive. Fritz had enough
to do to restrain them, and succeeded only
by dint of coaxing and perseverance.
In the mean time, their barking had awaked
the younger boys, and they ran out of the
tent, curious to know what could be the oc-
casion. Jack was the first who appeared, with
the young monkey on his shoulders; but
when the little creature perceived the jackall,
he sprang away in terror, and hid himself at
the furthest extremity of the grass which
composed our bed, and covered himself with.
it so completely, that scarcely could the tip of
his nose be seen.
The children were much surprised at the
sight of a yellow-coloured animal standing
without motion at the entrance of the tent.
-Oh heavens! exclaimed Francis, and step-
ping back a few paces for fear; it is a wolf!
No, no, said Jack going near the jackall
and taking one of his paws; it is a yellow
dog, and he is dead; he does not move at
all. It is neither a dog nor a wolf, inter-
rupted Ernest in a consequential tone; do
you not see that it is a golden fox ?-Best of
all, most learned professor! now exclaimed
FAMILY ROBINSON.
107
Fritz. So you can tell an agouti, when you
see him, but you cannot tell a jackall; for
jackall is the creature you see before you,
and I killed him myself in the night!
Ernest. In the night, you say, Fritz!
In your sleep, I suppose...
Fritz.-No, Mr. Ernest; not in my sleep,
as you so good-naturedly suppose, but broad
awake and on the watch to protect you from
wild beasts! But I cannot wonder at this
mistake in one who does not know the dif
rence between a jackall and a golden fox!
Ernest.-You would not have known it
either, if papa had not told you.....
Come, come, my lads, I will have no dis-
putes, interrupted I. Fritz, you are to blame
in ridiculing your brother for the mistake he
made. Ernest, you are also to blame for in-
dulging that little peevishness of yours. But
as to the animal, you all are right and all are
wrong; for he partakes at once of the nature
of the dog, the wolf, and the fox; and for
his skin, it is really of a golden tint! The
boys in an instant became friends; and then
followed questions, answers, and wonder in
abundance.
And now, my boys, let me remind you,
that he who begins the day without first ad-
dressing the Almighty, ought to expect neither
success nor safety in his undertakings. Let
10
108
THE SWISS
us therefore acquit ourselves of this duty be-
fore we engage in any other occupation.-
Having finished our prayers, the next thing
thought of was breakfast; for the appetites
of young boys open with their eyes. Today
their mother had nothing to give them for
their morning meal but some biscuit, which
was so hard and dry, that it was with diffi-
culty we could swallow it. Fritz asked for a
piece of cheese to eat with it, and Ernest cast
some searching looks on the second cask we
had drawn out of the sea, and which was
standing in our kitchen, to discover whether,
as we supposed, it also contained Dutch
cheeses. In a minute or two he came up to
us, joy sparkling in his eyes. Father, said he,
if we had but a little butter spread upon our
biscuit, do you not think it would improve it?
That indeed it would; but-if-if; these
never-ending ifs are but a poor dependance.
For my part, I had rather eat a bit of cheese
with my biscuit at once, than think of ifs,
which bring us so meagre a harvest.
Ernest. Perhaps though, the ifs may be
found to be worth something, if we were to
knock out the head of this cask.
Father. What cask, my boy? and what
are you talking of?
Ernest. I am talking of this cask, which
is filled with excellent salt butter. I made a
FAMILY ROBINSON.
109
little opening in it with a knife; and see, I
got out enough of it to spread nicely upon
this piece of biscuit.
That glutton instinct of yours for once is
of some general use, answered I; and justice
requires that I should also commend, with
moderation, the excellence of your nose. But
now let us profit by the event.
Who will
have some butter on their biscuits? The boys
surrounded the cask in a moment, while I
was in some perplexity as to the safest and
most speedy method of getting out its con-
tents. Fritz proposed taking off the topmost
hoop, by which means one of the ends could
be got out. But this I objected to, observing,
that we should be careful not to loosen the
staves, as the great heat of the sun would
not fail to melt the butter, which would run
out, and thus be wasted. The idea occurred
to me, that I would make a hole in the
bottom of the cask, sufficiently large to take
out a small quantity of butter at a time; and
I immediately set about manufacturing a
little wooden shovel, to use it for the pur-
pose. All this succeeded vastly well, and
we sat down to breakfast, somé biscuits and
a cocoa-nut shell full of salt butter being
placed upon the ground, round which we
all assembled, and none of us failing from
time to time to wish for a fairy's wand, to
enable us to add a little milk from the cow,
110
THE SWISS
or from some cocoa-nuts, to quench our
thirst. We however toasted our biscuit, and
while it was hot, applied the butter, and
contrived, without the fairy's wand, to make
a hearty breakfast.
Our dogs allowed us to finish our meal in
tranquillity. They were sleeping by our
side; but I remarked, that their late en-
counter with the jackalls had not concluded
without their receiving several wounds, which
I now, for the first time, observed in various
parts of their body, and principally round
their necks. Fearing the heat might bring
on inflammation, I desired Jack, the valiant,
to wash a small quantity of the butter
thoroughly in fresh water, and then to anoint
the wounds with it while they continued
sleeping. This he effected with much skill
and tenderness. The dogs awoke, but did
not attempt the least resistance, seeming to
be sensible of the benefit he was conferring
on them; they themselves assisted the cure,
by frequently licking the parts; so that in a
few days they were as well as before.
One of the things we must not forget to
look for in the vessel, said Fritz, is a spiked
collar or two for our dogs, as a protection to
them, should they again be called upon to
defend themselves from wild beasts, which I
fear it is too probable will be the case.
Oh! says Jack, I can make some spiked
FAMILY ROBINSON.
111
collars, if my mother will give me a little
help.
That I will most readily, my boy; for I
should like to see what new fancy has come
into your head, cried she.
Yes, yes, pursued I, as many new inven
tions as you please; you cannot better em-
ploy your time; and if you produce some-
thing useful, you will be rewarded with the
commendations of all. But now we myst
think of setting ourselves to some occupa-
tion. You, Mr. Fritz, who, from your su
perior age and discretion, enjoy the high
honour of being my privy counsellor, must
make haste and get yourself ready, and we
will undertake to-day our voyage to the ves-
sel, to save and bring away whatever may bẹ
possible. You younger boys will remain
here, under the wing of your kind mother;
I hope I need not mention that I rely on
your perfect obedience to her will, and gene,
ral good behaviour.
While Fritz was getting the boat ready,
I looked about for a pole, and tied a piece
of white linen to the end of it; this I drove
into the ground, in a place where it would
be visible from the vessel; and I concerted
with my wife, that in case of any accident
that should require my immediate presence,
they should take down the pole and fire a
gun three times as a signal of distress, in
112
THE SWISS
consequence of which I would immediately
return. But I gave her notice, that there
being so many things to accomplish on
board the vessel, it was very probable that
we should not be able to return the same
day; in which case I, on my part, also
promised to make them signals. My wife
had the good sense and the courage to con-
sent to my plan. Though she was well aware
that it could not but be dangerous to pass a
night alone with the children, without my
protection, she yet preferred the risk, to that
of my returning late from the vessel. She,
however, extorted from me a promise that
we should pass the night in our tubs, and
not on board the ship. We took nothing
with us but our guns and a recruit of powder
and shot, relying that we should find plenty
of provisions on board; yet I did not refuse
to indulge Fritz in the wish he expressed to
let him take the young monkey, he feeling
the most eager impatience to see how the
young creature would like some milk from
the cow or from a goat.
We embarked in silence, casting our
anxious looks on the beloved objects we
were quitting. Fritz rowed steadily, and I
did my best to second his endeavours, by
rowing from time to time, on my part, with
the oar which served me for a rudder. When
we had reached to a considerable distance, I
FAMILY ROBINSON.
113
remarked, that besides the opening by which
we had the first time made land, there was
another that formed the mouth of the river,
and the current of which was visible a good
way into the sea.
To take advantage of this current, and to
Irusband our strength by means of it, was my
first thought and my first care. Little as I
knew of the management of sea affairs, I
however succeeded in keeping our boat
in the direction in which it ran, by which
means we were drawn gently on, till it had
conducted us to within a short distance of the
vessel, without our having any other trouble
than that of keeping in the same line: at
length, in consequence of the gradual di-
minution of the force of the current, we were
again obliged to have recourse to our oars;
but our arms having now rested for some
time, we were ready for new exertions. A
little afterwards we found ourselves safely
arrived at the cleft of the vessel, and fasten-
ed our boat securely to one of its timbers.
Scarcely had we got out of the boat, than
Fritz proceeded with his young monkey on
his arm to the main deck, where ne found
all the animals we had left on board as-
sembled. I followed him with great readi-
ness, well pleased to observe the generous
impatience he betrayed, to relieve the wants
of the poor abandoned creatures, who, one
114
THE SWISS
and all, now saluted us by the cry or the
sounds natural to its species! It was not so
much the want of food, as the desire of see-
ing once more their accustomed human com-
panions, which occasioned them to manifest
their joy in this manner, for they had a por-
tion of the food and water, we had left them,
still remaining. The first thing we did was
to put the young monkey to one of the goats,
that he might suck; and this he did with
such evident pleasure, and such odd grimaces,
that he afforded us much amusement.
We next examined the food and water, of
the other animals, taking away what was half,
spoiled, and adding a fresh supply, that no,
anxiety on their account, might afterwards
interrupt our enterprise. Nor did we neglect,
the care of renewing our own strength by a
plentiful repast.
}
J
While we were seated, and appeasing the
calls of hunger, Fritz and I consulted, what
should be our first occupation; when, to my
great surprise, the advice he gave was, that
we should immediately contrive a sail for our
boat. In the name of Heaven, cried I, what
makes you think of this at so critical a mọ-
ment, and when we have so many other things.
of indispensable necessity to, arrange? We
will think of a sail when we have leisure,
with all my heart, for in reality, I at the
moment experienced great uneasiness at the
FAMILY •
115
ROBINSON.
thought of passing the night at a distance.
from my family.
>
All you say is true, father, said Fritz;
but let me confess, that I found it very dif-
ficult to perform the task, of rowing for: se:
long a time, though I assure you I did my
best; and did not spare my strength. Iob,.
served that, though the wind blew strong
in my face, the current nevertheless carried
us on. Now, as the current will be of no,
use in our way back, I was thinking that:
we might make the wind supply its place..
Qur, boat will be very heavy when we haye:
loaded it with all the useful things we mean
to take away, and I am afraid I shall not
be strong enough to row to land so do
you not think that a sail would, be a goodi
thing just now?
Ah ha, Mr. Fritz! You wish to spare
yourself a little trouble, do you? But to
speak seriously, I perceive much good sense
in your argument, and feel obliged to my
privy counsellor for his good: advice. The
best thing we can do is, to take care and;
not overload the boat, and thus avoid the
danger of sinking, or of being obliged to
throw some of our stores over-board. We
will, however, set to work upon your sail,
which, though it save your labour in row-
ing, will be at least a little troublesome at
116
THE SWISS
present. But come, let us look about for
what we want.
•
I assisted Fritz to carry a pole strong enough
to serve for a mast, and another not so thick
for a sail-yard. I directed him to make a
hole in a plank with a chisel, large enough
for the mast to stand upright in it. I then
went to the sail-chamber, and cut off from an
ample piece of sail-cloth enough to make a
triangular sail in the edges I made holes,
and passed cords through them. I then
sought for a pulley, that I might fasten it to
the top of the mast, and thus be enabled to
raise and lower my sail at pleasure. Thus
prepared, I hastened to join Fritz, who was
earnestly working at the mast. As soon as
he had done, we placed the plank that he
had perforated, upon the fourth of our tubs,
and made it fast. The pulley was suspended
from a ring at the top of the mast, and the
cord, attached to the sharpest angle of the
sail, was passed through it. The sail formed
a right-angle triangle, one side of which
touched the mast, and was fastened to it.
The shortest side was also fastened with
cords to a pole, stretching from the mast be-
yond the circumference of our bark, and of
which one end was fastened to the mast, and
the other, by means of a cord, to the helm,
in such a manner that I could, from my po-
FAMILY ROBINSON.
117
sition, either weather the sail, or let it go
altogether. In the foremost and hindmost
bench of our little bark, we made holes with
a piercer, and passed cords through them, by
means of which we could guide the sail from
the right to the left side of us, and back
again, without being obliged to turn the boat
entirely round.
While I was thus occupied, Fritz had been
taking observations through a telescope of
what was passing on land, and which we had
already done several times. He imparted
the agreeable tidings that all was still well
with our dear family. He had distinguished
his mother walking tranquilly along the shore.
He soon after brought me a small streamer,
which he had cut from a piece of linen, and
which he entreated me to tie to the extremity
of the mast, and he appeared as much de-
lighted with the streamer as with the sail
itself. He gave to our machine the name
of The Deliverance; and in speaking of it,
instead of calling it a boat, it was now always
denominated the little vessel. I could not
withhold a smile at vanity like this, in such a
situation as ours; it gave me too an oppor
tunity of observing the operation of this pro-
minent feature of human nature, in a lad of
fourteen years of
of age. I myself took great
pleasure in seeing the little streamer floating
i
1118
THE SWISS
in the air, and in the respectable appearance
of our machine altogether.
But now, father, said Fritz, looking kindly
on me as he spoke, as you have eased me of
the labour of rowing, it is my turn to take
care of you.
you. I am thinking about making
'you a better-contrived rudder; one that would
enable you to steer the boat both with greater
ease and greater safety. Your thought would
be a very good one, said I, but that I am un-
willing to lose the advantage of being able
to proceed this way and that, without being
obliged to veer. I shall therefore fix our.
oars in such a manner as to enable me to
steer the raft from either end. Accordingly,
I fixed bits of wood to the stem and stern
of the machine, in the nature of grooves,
which were calculated to spare us a great
"deal of trouble.
.'
During these exertions the day became far
advanced, and I perceived that we should be
obliged to pass the night in our tubs, with-
out having begun our task of emptying the
vessel. We had promised our family to
hoist a flag as a signal of our intention to
pass the night from home, and we decided
that our streamer was precisely the thing we
wanted for this purpose.
We employed the remnant of the day in
emptying the tubs of the useless ballast of
FAMILY ROBINSON.
119
-
-
stones, and putting in their place what would
be of service, such as nails, pieces of cloth,
and different kinds of utensils, &c. &c. The
Vandals themselves could not have made-a
more complete pillage than we had done.
The prospect we seemed to have of an entire
solitude, made us devote our principal atten-
tion to the securing as much powder and shot
as might fall in our way, that we might thus
secure the means of catching animals for
food, and of defending ourselves against
wild beasts to the latest moment possible.
Utensils for every kind of workmanship, of
which there was a large provision in the
ship, were also objects of incalculable value
to us. The vessel, which was now a wreck,
had been sent out as a preparation for the
establishment of a colony in the South Seas,
and for that reason had been provided with
a variety of stores not commonly included
in the loading of a ship. Among the rest,
care had been taken to have on board con-
siderable numbers of European cattle; but
so long a voyage had proved unfavourable
to the oxen and the horses, the greatest part
of which had died, and the others were in
so bad a condition that it had been found
necessary to destroy them. The quantity of
useful things which presented themselves in
the store-chambers, made it difficult for me
to select among them, and I much regretted
120
THE SWISS
that circumstances compelled me to leave
some of them behind. Fritz, however, al-
ready meditated a second visit; but we took
good care not to lose the present occasion
for securing knives and forks and spoons,
and a complete assortment of kitchen uten-
sils. In the captain's cabin we found some
services of silver, dishes and plates of high-
wrought metal, and a little chest filled with
bottles of many sorts of excellent wine.
Each of these articles we put into our boat.
We next descended to the kitchen,, which
we stripped of gridirons, kettles, pots of all
kinds, a small roasting-jack, &c. Our last
prize was a chest of choice eatables, intend-
ed for the table of the officers, containing
Westphalia hams, Bologna sausages, and
other savoury food. I took good care not
to forget some little sacks of maize, of
wheat, and other grain, and some potatoes.
We next added such implements for hus-
bandry as we could find;-shovels, hoes,
spades, rakes, harrows, &c. &c. Fritz re-
minded me that we had found sleeping on
the ground both cold and hard, and pre-
vailed upon me to increase our cargo by
some hammocks, and a certain number of
blankets and as guns had hitherto been the
source of his pleasures, he added such as he
could find of a particular costliness or struc-
ture, together with some sabres and clasp
FAMILY ROBINSON.
121
knives. The last articles we took, were a
barrel of sulphur, a quantity of ropes, some
small string, and a large roll of sail-cloth,
The vessel appeared to us to be in so
wretched a condition, that the coming on of
the least tempest must make her go to pieces.
It was then quite uncertain whether we should
be able to approach her any more.
Our cargo was so considerable, that the
tubs were filled to the very brim, and no
inch of the boat's room was lost. The first
and last of the tubs were reserved for Fritz
and me to seat ourselves in and row the boat,
which sunk so low in the water, that, if the
sea had been otherwise than quite calm, we
should have been obliged to ease her of some
of the loading: we, however, used the pre-
caution of putting on our swimming-jackets,
for fear of any misfortune.
It will easily be imagined that every mo-
ment of the day had been laboriously em-
ployed. Night suddenly surprised us, and
it was no longer possible to form a hope of
returning to our family the same evening.
A large blazing fire on the shore soon after
greeted our sight, the signal we had agreed
upon for assuring us that all was well, and.
to bid us close our eyes in peace. We re-
turned the compliment by tying four lan-
terns with lights in them to our mast-head-
This was answered on their part, according
VOL. I.
Ꮐ
. 122
THE SWISS
to agreement, by the firing of two guns; so
that both parties had reason to be satisfied
and easy.
After offering up our earnest prayers for
the safety and happiness of all, yet not with-
out some apprehension for the night, we re-
signed ourselves to sleep in our tubs, which,
it must be confessed, did not afford us a very
enviable place of rest: they were, however,
safer than the vessel, and more convenient
for guarding our heavily loaded machine.
At the least cracking of the vessel, we might
cut the rope in an instant, and get out to sea.
Our night, thank God, passed tranquilly
enough my boy Fritz slept as soundly as
if he had been in a bed; while I, notwith-
standing my fatigue, could neither close my
eyes, nor keep them from the direction of
the shore, perpetually haunted by the recol-
lection of the nocturnal visit of the jackalls,
some of whose race I feared might come and
enter the tent. I had, however, great re-
liance that my valiant dogs would do their
duty, and was thankful to Heaven for having
enabled us to preserve so good a protection.
FAMILY ROBINSON.
123
CHAPTER VI.
A troop of animals in cork jackets.
EARLY the next morning, though it was
scarcely light enough to distinguish the
coast, I was already on the deck of the ves-
sel, endeavouring to gain a sight of the be-
loved inhabitants of the tent through a spy-
ing-glass. Fritz speedily prepared a good
substantial breakfast of biscuit and ham; but
before we sat down to this refreshment, we
recollected that in the captain's cabin we
had seen a telescope of a much superior size
and power, and we hastily conveyed it upon
the deck. While this was doing, the bright-
ness of the day had succeeded to the imper-
fect light of an earlier hour. I eagerly fixed
my eye to the glass, and discovered my wife
coming out of the tent and looking atten-
tively towards the vessel, and we at the same
moment perceived the motion of the flag
upon the shore. A load of care and solici-
tude was thus taken from my heart; for now
I had obtained the certainty that the beloved
beings I had left were all in good health,
and had escaped the dangers of the night.
G 2
124
THE SWISS
Fritz, said I to my boy, I thought this morn-
ing that it would be impossible for me to
remain another moment on board the vessel,
without returning to see what was passing at
the tent; but now that I have had a sight
of your mother, and an assurance of their
being well and safe, my compassion is
awakened for the poor creatures on board
who are in so wretched a condition, and
every hour in danger of destruction: a great
object of my anxiety is to endeavour to save
the lives of some of them at least, and to
take them with us to the shore.
Would it be impossible to construct a raft,
to get them all upon it, and in this way af
ford them a conveyance? asked Fritz.
But recollect, my boy, what a difficulty we
should find in completing such a raft, and
that a greater still would be to induce a cow,
an ass, and a sow, either to get upon a raft,
or, when there, to remain motionless and
quiet. The sheep and goats one might per-
haps find means to remove, they being of a
more docile temper; but for the larger ani-
mals, I am at a loss how to proceed. Do
you consider, and tell me what plan occurs
to your young and active imagination.
My advice, father, is, to tie a long rope
round the sow's neck, and throw her without
ceremony into the sea: her immense weight
will be sure to sustain her above water; and
FAMILY ROBINSON.
125
we can easily get hold of the other end of
the rope and draw her after the boat.
Your idea is excellent, my boy: but un-
fortunately it cannot be applied to any of
the animals except the pig; and I confess,
she is the one I care the least about pre-
serving.
Then here is another idea, father: let us
tie a swimming-jacket round the body of
each animal, and contrive to throw one and
all into the water; you will see that they
will swim like fish, and we can draw them
after us in the same manner.
Right, very right, my boy; your invention
is admirable: let us therefore not lose a mo-
ment in making the experiment.
We accordingly hastened to the execution
of our design: we fixed on a jacket to one
of the lambs, and threw it into the sea; and
full of fear, of hope, and anxious curiosity, I
followed the poor animal with my eyes. He
sunk at first under water, and I thought he
was drowned; but he soon re-appeared,
shaking the water from his head, and in a few
seconds we perceived that he had learned
completely the art of swimming. After
another interval, we observed that he ap-
peared fatigued, gave up his efforts, and suf-
fered himself without resistance to be borne
along by the course of the water, which con-
ducted and sustained him to our complete sa
126
THE SWISS
:
tisfaction.-Victory! exclaimed I, hugging
my boy with delight: these useful animals
are all our own; let us not lose a moment in
adopting the same measures with those that
remain but take care not to lose our little
lamb. Fritz now would have jumped eagerly
into the water to follow the poor creature,
who was still floating safely on the surface;
but I stopped him till I had seen him tie on
one of the swimming-jackets, and then I
suffered him to go. He took with him a
rope, first making a slip knot in it, and,
soon overtaking the lamb, threw it round his
neck, and drew him back to our boat; and
then, to his great content, took the animal
out of the water.
We next looked out four small casks,
such as had been used for keeping the fresh
water in the vessel. I first emptied them of
their contents, and then carefully closed
them again; next I bound them together
with a large piece of sail-cloth, and nailed
one end to each cask. I strengthened this
with a second piece of sail-cloth, and this
machine I destined to support the cow and
the ass, two casks to each, the animal being
placed in the middle with a cask on either
side. The weight of the animal pressed down
the sail-cloth, and would have brought the
casks into close contact on each side, but that
I took care to insert a wisp of hay or straw,
FAMILY ROBINSON.
127
to prevent injurious friction or pressure. I
added a thong of leather, stretching from the
casks across the breast and haunches of the
animal, to make the whole secure; and thus,
in less than an hour, both my cow and my
ass were equipped for swimming...
It was next the turn of the smaller ani-
mals of these, the sow gave us the most
trouble; we were first obliged to put her on
a muzzle to prevent her biting; and then
we tied a large piece of cork under her body.
The sheep and goats were more accommo-
dating, and we had soon accoutred them
for our adventure. And now we had suc-
ceeded in assembling our whole company on
the deck, in readiness for the voyage: we
tied a cord to either the horns or the neck
of each animal, and to the other end of the
cord a piece of wood similar to the mode used
for marking nets, that it might be easy for
us to take hold of the ropes, and so draw the
animal to us if it should be necessary. We
struck away some more of the shattered
pieces of wood from the side of the vessel,
which only served to encumber the cleft by
which we had entered, and were again to
pass when we should have completed our
last work of throwing the animals into the
We began our experiment with the
ass, by conducting him as near as possible.
to the brink of the vessel, and then sud-
sea.
128
THE SWISS
denly shoving him off. He fell into the
water, and for a moment disappeared; but
we soon saw him rise, and in the action of
swimming between his two barrels, with a
grace which really merited our commenda-
tion.
Next came the cow's turn; and as she was
infinitely more valuable than the ass, my
fears increased in due proportion. The ass
had swum so courageously, that he was al-
ready at a considerable distance from the
vessel, so that there was sufficient room for
our experiment on the cow. We had more
difficulty in pushing her overboard, but she
reached the water in as much safety as the
ass had done before; she did not sink
so low in it, and was no less perfectly sus
tained by the empty barrels ; and she made
her way on the surface with gravity, and,
if I may so express it, a sort of dignified
composure. According to this method we
proceeded with our whole troop, throwing
them one by one into the water, where by
and by they appeared in a group floating at
their ease, and seemingly well content, at a
short distance from the vessel. The sow was
the only exception; she became quite furi-
ous, set up a loud squalling, and struggled
with so much violence in the water, that she
was carried to a considerable distance, but
fortunately in a direction towards the land-
FAMILY ROBINSON.
129
ing-place we had in view. We had now
not a moment to lose. Our last act was to
put on our cork-jackets; and then we de-
scended without accident through the cleft,
took our station in the boat, and were soon
out to sea, surrounded by our troop of qua
drupeds. We carefully took up from the
water, each of the floating bits of wood which
we had fastened to the ropes round the ani-
mals, and thus drew them all after us by
fastening the bits of timber to the boat. When
every thing was adjusted, and our company
in order, we hoisted our sail, which soon
filling with a favourable wind conducted us.
and our escort safe to the land..
We now perceived how impossible it
would have been for us to have succeeded in
our enterprise without the assistance of a
sail; for the weight of so many animals sunk
the boat so low in the water, that all our
exertions to row to such a distance would
have been ineffectual; while by means of
the sail, and the improvement I had invented
for the steering, she proceeded completely
to our satisfaction, bearing in her train our
suite of animals, and producing altogether
the most singular effect. Proud of the suc-
cess of so extraordinary a feat, we were in
high spirits, and seated ourselves in the tubs,
where we made an excellent dinner. Fritz
amused himself with the monkey, while I
k
G 5
130
THE SWISS
was wholly occupied in thinking of those I
had left on land, and of whom I now tried to
take a view through my telescope. My last
act on board the vessel had been to take one
look more at those beloved beings, and I
perceived my wife and the three boys all in
motion, and seeming to be setting out on
some excursion; but it was in vain that I
endeavoured, by any thing I saw, to con-
jecture what their plan might be. I there-
fore seized the first moment of quiet to
make another trial with my glass, when a
sudden exclamation from Fritz filled me
with alarm.-O heavens! cried he, we are
lost! a fish of an enormous size is coming
up to the boat.-And why lost? said I half
angry, yet half partaking of his fright. Be
ready with your gun in an instant, and the
moment he is close upon us, let us both fire
upon him at the same instant. Our guns
were each loaded with two balls, and we got
up from our tubs to give the intruder a hearty
reception. He had nearly reached the boat,
and with the rapidity of lightning had seized
the foremost sheep: at this instant Fritz
aimed his fire so skilfully, that the balls
were lodged in the head of the monster,
which was an enormous shark. The fish
half turned himself round in the water and
hurried off to sea, leaving us to observe the
lustrous smoothness of his belly, and that as
FAMILY ROBINSON.
131
he proceeded he stained the water red, which
convinced us he had been severely wounded.
I determined to have the best of our guns
at hand the rest of the way, lest we should
be again attacked by the same fish, or another
of his species.
Fritz had reason to be proud of the
achievement of having forced the shark to
retreat; whilst I on my part rather felt sur-
prise; for I had always understood that this
kind of sea-monster was not easily to be
frightened from his purpose, and that the
heaviest load of shot was rarely known to
do him any injury, the creature being ex-
tremely voracious of his prey, and his skin
so hard, as to present an extraordinary de-
gree of resistance to all attacks of this kind.
For this time, however, the animal left us
in tranquillity; I resumed the rudder; and
as the wind drove us straight towards the
bay, I took down the sail, and continued
rowing till we reached a convenient spot for
our cattle to land. I then untied the end of
the cords, which had been fastened to the
boat, and they stepped contentedly on shore.
Our voyage thus happily concluded, we fol
lowed their example.
I had already been surprised and uneasy
at finding none of my family looking out
for us on the shore, and was at a loss to
conjecture in what they could be occupied
132
THE SWISS
A
to prevent them: we could not, however, set
out in search of them, till we had disencum-
bered our animals of their swimming appa-
ratus. Scarcely had we entered upon this
employment, when I was agreeably relieved
by the exclamations and joyful sounds which
reached our ears, and filled our hearts with
rapture. It was my wife and the youngest
boys who uttered them, the latter of whom
were soon close up to us, and their mother
followed not many steps behind; each and
all of them in excellent health, and eager
for our salutations. When the first burst
of happiness at meeting had subsided,
we all sat down on the grass, and I began to
give them an account of our occupations in
the vessel, of our voyage, and of all our diffe-
rent plans, and their success, in the order in
which they occurred. My wife could find
no words to express her surprise and satis-
faction at seeing so many useful animals
round us, and her language respecting them
had such a vein of affectionate simplicity, as
greatly to increase the gratification it could
not otherwise but inspire. I had been ran-
sacking my poor brains, said she, every mo-
ment of your absence, to conceive some
means by which you might succeed in pro-
tecting the poor animals; but I could fix on
none that seemed to promise the least suc-
cess.e
FAMILY ROBINSON.
193
Yes, said Fritz a little consequentially, for
this once the privy-counsellor has tried his
talents at invention.
This indeed is very true, replied I; in all
humility have I to confess, that to Fritz alone
all praise belongs, and that to his sagacity it
is, that we are indebted for our success. His
mother could not refrain from giving him a
hearty kiss. Our gratitude is due to both,
said she; for both have laboured to give us
the possession of this troop of animals, an
acquisition beyond any other agreeable and
serviceable to us, in the situation in which it
has pleased Providence to place us.
Ha ha! cried little Francis, what is that I
see in your boat? Look, mamma, there is a
sail and a new flag floating about in the air.
How pretty they are! I like the sail and the
flag much better than the ass and the cow.
Little blockhead! said his mother, you
will change your mind when I give you every
morning a cocoa-nut full of delicious milk.
Ernest and Jack now ran also to the boat,
and bestowed no less admiration than Francis
had done upon the mast, the sail, and the
flag, desiring their brother to explain to them
how all the things they saw had been effect-
ed, and what he had himself done towards
them. In the mean time we began to un-
pack our cargo, which was by no means a
trifling undertaking; while Jack, who had
134
THE SWISS
no fancy for the occupation, stole aside and
amused himself with the animals, took off
the jackets from the sheep and goats, burst-
ing from time to time into shouts of laughter
at the ridiculous figure of the ass, who stood
before them adorned with his two casks and
his swimming apparatus, and braying loud
enough to make us deaf. Jack tried a long
time to disengage the ass from his incum-
brances, but constantly found difficulties he
knew not how to overcome; till at last, tired
out with so many fruitless endeavours, and
longing to be in some way a more effectual.
actor in the scene, he got upon the ass's back
between the casks, and kicked and stirred
so violently against his sides, that he at last
succeeded in causing the animal to advance
to the place where we were all assembled.
We were much amused, and laughed
heartily at the sight of so singular an equi-
page; when, as I was assisting him to get
down from the ass's back, I perceived, with
surprise, that he had round his waist a belt-
of metal covered with yellow skin, in which.
were fixed a pair of pistols.
In the name of Heaven! exclaimed I, where
did you procure this curious costume, which
gives you the look of a smuggler?
From my own manufactory, replied he;
and if you cast your eyes upon the dogs, you
will see more of my specimens.

Ys Fanded.
The Yps
FAMILY ROBINSON.
135
Accordingly I looked at them, and per-
ceived that each had on a collar similar to the
belt round Jack's waist, with, however, the
exception of the collars being armed with a
number of nails, the points of which were
outwards, and exhibited a most formidable
appearance. And is it you, Mr. Jack, cried
I, who have invented and executed these
collars and your belt?
Yes, father, they are indeed my invention,
with a little of my mother's assistance where-
ever it was necessary to use the needle.
But where did you get the metal and the
thread and the needle?
Fritz's jackall furnished the first, answered
my wife; and as to the last, a good mother
of a family is always provided with them.—
You men think only of more serious con
cerns, while those of less importance fall to
the care of a wife, and are frequently more
useful. Then have I not an enchanted bag,
from which I draw out such articles as I
stand in need of? So, if you have a particu-
lar fancy for any thing, you have only to
acquaint me with it. I tenderly embraced
my wife, to express my thanks for this effort
to amuse by so agreeable a raillery, and Jack
too came in for his share both of the caresses
and our most hearty commendations. But
Fritz was somewhat angry and discontented
on finding that Jack had taken upon him
136
THE SWISS
:
to dispose of his jackall, and to cut his beau-
tiful skin into slices. He, however, con-
cealed his ill humour as well as he could;
but, as he stood quite near to his brother,
he called out suddenly, holding his nose as
he spoke: What a filthy smell! it is enough
to give me the plague! Does it perchance
proceed from you, Mr. Currier? Is this the
perfume we may expect from your manu-
factory? It is rather yours than mine, re-
plied Jack in a resentful tone; for it was
your jackall which you hung up in the sun
to dry.
And which would have been dried in a
whole skin, if it had not pleased your sublime
fancy to cut it to pieces, instead of leaving
me the power to do what I please with my
own booty.
Son Fritz, said I in a somewhat angry
tone, this is not generous on your part. Of
what importance is it, whether it was your
brother or yourself who cut up the skin of
the jackall, if by so doing it has contributed
to our use? My dear children, we are here
in this desert island, in just such a situation
as that of our first parents when they were
driven out of the garden of Eden; it was
still in their power to enjoy happiness in the
fertile land in which God permitted them
to live; and this happiness was to proceed
from their obedience, from the work of their
FAMILY ROBINSON.
1.37
hands, and the sweat of their brow a thou-
sand and a thousand blessings were granted
for their use, but they suffered the passions
of jealousy, envy, and hatred to take root in
their bosoms; Cain killed his brother Abel,
and thus plunged his unhappy parents into
the deepest affliction, so that he and his race
were cursed by God. This is the horrid
crime to which the habit of disputing may
conduct. Let us then avoid such an evil,
let us share one with the other in every be-
nefit bestowed upon us, and from this mc-
ment may the words yours and mine be
banished from our happy circle! What is
discovered or procured by one of you, should
be equally for the service of all, and belong
to all, without distinction. It is quite cer-
tain, Jack, that the belt round your waist,
not being dry, has an offensive smell; the
pleasure of wearing what you had ingeniously
contrived, makes you willing to bear with
the inconvenience: but we should never
- make our own pleasure the pain of another.
I therefore desire that you will take it off
and place it in the sun to dry, and take care
that it does not shrink during the operation;
and then you can join your brothers, and
assist them to throw the jackall into the sea.
Fritz's ill humour was already over; but
Jack, whose temper was less docile, persisted
in keeping on the belt, assuming an air of
138
: THE SWISS
importance, which was meant to express
that he was not disposed to yield. His bro-
thers however continued their warfare, by
pretending to avoid him, and crying out-
What a smell! What a smell! till at length
Jack, tired with the part he had been acting,
suddenly stripped off the belt, and ran to as-
sist his brothers in dragging the dead jackall
to the sea, where he no longer occasioned us
any inconvenience.
Perceiving that no preparations were mak-
ing for supper, I ordered Fritz to bring us
the Westphalia ham, for that I was hungry.
The eyes of all were now fixed upon mè
with astonishment; for every one believed
that I could only be in jest; when Fritz re-
turned, jumping and displaying with exulta-
tion a large and excellent ham, which we
had begun to cut in the morning. A ham!
cried one and all; a ham! and ready drest!
What a nice supper we shall have! said they,
clapping their hands to give a hearty wel
come to the bearer of so fine a treat.—It
comes quite in the nick of time too, inter-
rupted I; for, to judge by appearances, a
certain careful steward I could name, seems
to have intended to send us supperless to
bed, little thinking, I suppose, that a long
voyage by water is apt to increase the ap-
petite.
I will tell you presently, replied my wife,
FAMILY ROBINSON.
139
what it was that prevented me from pro-
viding a supper for you all at an early hour:
your ham, however, makes you ample
amends; and I have something in my hand
with which I shall make a pretty side dish;
in the twinkling of an eye you shall see it
make its entrance. She now showed us
about a dozen of turtle's eggs, and then
hurried away to make an omelette of some
of them.
Oh! look, father, said Ernest, if they are
not the very same sort which Robinson Cru-
soe found in his island! See, they are like
white balls, covered with a skin like wetted
parchment! We found them upon the sands
along the shore.
:
Your account is perfectly just, my dear
boy, said I by what means did you make
so useful a discovery? Oh, that is a part of
our history, interrupted my wife; for I also
have a history to relate, when you will be so
good as to listen to it.
Hasten then, my love, and get your pretty
side-dish ready, and we will have the history
for the dessert. In the mean while I will
relieve the cow and the ass from the encum-
brance of their sea accoutrements, for I am
sure they will be glad to get rid of them..
Come along, boys, and give me your help.
I got up, and they all followed me gaily to
the shore, where the animals had remained..
鼻
​140
THE SWISS
}
We were not long in effecting our purpose
with the cow and the ass, who were both
animals of a quiet and kind temper; but
when it was the turn of the grunting sow,
our success was neither so easy nor so cer-
tain; we had no sooner untied the rope than
she escaped from us, and with so much ra-
pidity that none of us could get hold of her.
The idea occurred to Ernest of sending the
two dogs after her, who caught her by the
ears and brought her back, while we were
half deafened with the hideous noise she
made; but at length she suffered us to take
off her cork jacket quietly enough. We
now laid the swimming apparatus across the
ass's back, and returned to the kitchen; our
slothful Ernest being highly delighted at
finding that he was likely in future to have
our loads carried for us by a servant.
In the mean while, my kind wife had pre-
pared the omelette, and spread a tablecloth
on the end of the cask of butter, upon which
she had placed some of the plates and silver
spoons we had brought from the ship. The
ham was in the middle, and the omelette and
the cheese opposite to each other; and all
together made a figure not to be despised by
the inhabitants of a desert island. By and
by the two dogs, the fowls, the pigeons, the
sheep, and the goats, had all assembled round
LIS, which gave us something like the air of
FAMILY ROBINSON.
141
sovereigns of the country. It did not please
the geese and ducks to add themselves to the
number of these our curious-looking sub-
jects: they seemed to prefer their natural
element, and confined themselves to a
marshy swamp, where they found a kind of
little crabs in great abundance: these ani-
mals furnished a delicious food for them,
and relieved us of the care of providing for
their support.
When we had finished our repast, I bade
Fritz present our company with a bottle of
Canary wine, which we had brought from
the captain's cabin, and I then desired my
wife would indulge us with the promised
history. I first requested her to taste our
wine, and then she began her narrative, as
will be seen in the ensuing chapter.
142
THE SWISS
CHAPTER VII.
Second journey of discovery performed by
the mother of the family.
You pretend, said my wife with a little ma-
licious smile, to be curious about my history,
and for all that, you have not let me speak
a single word in all this time; but the longer
a torrent is pent up, and interrupted in its
course, the longer it flows when once let
loose. Now then, that you will have the
condescension to attend, I shall give vent to
a certain little movement of vanity, which is
fluttering at my heart.-Not, however, to
intrude too long upon your patience, we will
skip the first day of your absence, in the
course of which, nothing new took place,
except my anxiety on your account, which
confined me for the most part to the spot
from whence you embarked, and from which
I could see the vessel. But this morning,
after the gratifying sight of the signal you
had promised, and having set up mine in re-
turn, I looked about, before the boys were
up, in hopes to find a shady place, in which
I might sit down and rest myself: but not
an inch of ground appeared of this descrip-
FAMILY ROBINSON.
143
tion, for there is not a single tree in any
direction near us, and the only bit of shade
which presented itself, was behind our tent.
This occasioned me to reflect a little seriously
on our situation.-It will be impossible, said
I to myself, to remain in this place, scorched,
during the whole of the day, by the burning
heat of the sun, without any other shelter
than a miserable tent, under which the heat
is even more excessive than without. Cou-
rage then! pursued I, my husband and
my eldest son are at this moment actively
employed in the vessel for the general good;
why should not I, on my part, be active and
enterprising also? why not undertake, with
my youngest sons, to do something that shall
add some one comfort to our existence? I
will pass over with them to the other side of
the river, and with my own eyes examine
the country respecting which my husband
and Fritz have related such wonders. I will
try to find out some well shaded agreeable
spot, in which we may all be settled. I now
cast another look towards the vessel; but
perceiving no sign of your return, I deter-
mined to share a slight dinner with the boys,
and to set out resolutely on a journey of
discovery for a habitation which might af
ford us more convenience, and a better shel-
ter from the sun. L
In the course of the morning, Jack had
144
THE SWISS
slipped away to the side of the tent where
Fritz had hung his jackall, and with his
knife, which he sharpened from time to time
upon the rock, he cut some long slips of
skin, lengthways, from the back of the ani-
mal, and afterwards set about cleaning them
with great attention. Ernest discovered him
employed in this uncleanly occupation; and
as he is, as we all know, a little delicate, and
afraid to soil his fingers, he not only refused
to give Jack any assistance, but thought fit
to sneer a little at the currier-like trade which
he had engaged in. Jack, who, as we also
know, has not the most patient temper in
the world, raised his hand to give him a lit
tle cuff. Ernest made his escape, more
alarmed, I believe, by Jack's dirty hands,
than by the expected blow; while I, for my
part, ran to set them right, and to give a
mother's reproof to both. Jack persisted
that he had a justification full and undeni-
able, in the great usefulness of the said dirty
work; for, observed he, it is intended to
make some collars, which I shall afterwards
arm with spikes, and the dogs will wear them
for our defence, I saw in an instant that
Ernest had been the aggressor, and on him
fell the reproof; I represented how little a
squeamish delicacy like his, suited with the
difficulties of our situation, in which one and
all were called upon to assist in any employ-
FAMILY ROBINSON.
145
ment that should promise to contribute to
the general good.
Jack returned to his strips of skin, the
cleaning of which he completed very cleverly.
When he had finished this part of his un-
dertaking, he looked out from the chest of
nails, those that were longest, and which
had the largest and flattest heads: these he
stuck through the whole of the bit of skin
intended for the collar, at small distances.
He next cut a strip of sail-cloth the same
breadth as the leather, and, laying it along
on the heads of the nails, politely proposed
to me the agreeable occupation of sewing
them together, to prevent the head of the
nails from injuring the dogs. I begged leave
to be excused; but observing afterwards the
good-humour with which he set about trying
to sew them for himself, and that with all
his good-will it was too difficult for a boy to
execute, I conquered my repugnance to the
wild fetid smell of the leather, and rewarded
him by completing the job myself;-a mo-
ther seldom refuses the sacrifice of a little
personal convenience, if it can afford delight
to a virtuous child.
But now having yielded the first time, I
found I had made myself liable to a further
claim on my good-nature. The next thing
was a belt for himself, which he had manu-
factured of the same materials, and was im-
VOL. I.
H
146
THE SWISS
'
patient to see completed,-it being intended
to contain his two pistols. We shall see,
said he, strutting about as he spoke, if the
jackalls will dare to attack us now.-But,
dear Jack, you do not foresee what will hap-
pen;-a piece of skin not entirely dry, is
always liable to shrink when exposed to the
heat. So, after all the disagreeable task you
have imposed upon me, you will not be able
to make use of it. My little workman, as
I said this, struck his forehead, and betrayed
other marks of impatience.-What you say
is true, said he, and I had not well consi-
dered; but I know of an effectual remedy.
He then took a hammer and some nails, and
stretched his strips of leather on a plank,
which he laid in the sun to dry quickly, thus
preventing the possibility of their shrinking.
I applauded his invention, and promised him
I would not fail to give you a full account
of his proceedings.
I next assembled them all three round
me, and informed them of my plans for an
excursion, and you may believe I heard no-
thing like a dissenting voice. They lost not
a moment in preparing for our departure;
they examined their arms, their game-bags,
looked out the best clasp knives, and cheer-
fully undertook to carry the provision-bags;
while I, for my share, was loaded with a
large flask of water and a hatchet, for which
FAMILY ROBINSON.
147
once.
I
I thought it likely we might find a use.
also took the light gun which belongs to
Ernest, and gave him in return a carbine,
which might be loaded with several balls at
We took some refreshment and then
sallied forth, attended by the two dogs for
an escort. Turk, who had already accom-
panied you in the direction I. intended to
take, seemed well aware that he knew the
way, and proceeded at the head of the party
in quality of a conductor. We arrived at
the place at which you had crossed the river,
and succeeded in passing over as securely as
you had done, not however without consi-
derable difficulty.
As we advanced, I reflected that our safe-
ty depended in some measure on the two
boys, because it was they only who knew
how to use the guns. I now for the first
time began to feel how fortunate it was, that
you had accustomed them from infancy to
face danger of every kind; in our own
country I had sometimes blamed you for al-
lowing them the use of guns, and showing
them how to fire: I was averse to their con-
ceiving a partiality to field sports, and ap-
prehended numberless accidents that might
happen to them. But at present I am con-
vinced that every parent who adopts a hardy
scheme of education acts the wisest part. Let
me now resume the passing of the river.
H 2
148
THE SWISS
Ernest was first in reaching the other side,
and met with no accident. The little Francis
entreated me to carry him on my back,
which appeared difficult enough, as I must
have left the things with which I was loaded,
on the shore, and have returned to fetch
them. At length we found means to ma-
nage pretty well, thanks to Jack, who relieved
me of my gun and the hatchet. But for
himself, finding he was scarcely able to stand
under his added weight, he resolved to go
straight into the water at once, rather than
run the risk of slipping, by stepping on the
loose wet pieces of stone, when so heavily
loaded. I myself had great difficulty to keep
myself steady with the dear little burden at
my back, who joined his hands round my
neck, and leaned with all his weight upon
my shoulders. After having filled my flask,
with river water, we proceeded on our way;
and when we had reached to the top of the
ascent on the other side, which you described
to us as so enchanting, I myself experienced
the same effect from the delightful scenery
around. I continued for some time to look
and admire in silence; and for the first time
since the event of our dreadful accident at
sea, I felt
I felt my heart begin to open to a sense
of enjoyment and of hope.
In casting my eyes over the vast extent
before me, I had observed a small wood of
FAMILY ROBINSON.
149
I had so long
the most inviting aspect.
sighed for a little shade, that I resolved with-
out hesitation to take our course towards it:
for this, however, it was necessary to go a
long way through a strong kind of grass,
which reached above the heads of the little
boys; an obstacle which, on trial, we found
too difficult to overcome. We therefore
resolved to pursue a direction along the river,
till it was necessary to turn upon the wood.
We found traces of your footsteps, and took
care to follow them till we had come to a
turn on the right, which seemed to lead di-
rectly to it; but here again we were inter-
rupted by the extraordinary height and
thickness of the grass, which nothing but
the most indefatigable endeavours could have
enabled us to get through. Jack was now
loitering a little behind, and I frequently
turned round to observe what he could be
doing at last I saw him tearing off some
handfulls of grass, and wiping his clothes
with it; and then I perceived him shake his
pocket-handkerchief, which was wet, and lay
it on his shoulders to dry. I hastened back
to him, to inquire what had happened.
Oh, mother, said he, I believe all the
water of the river we have crossed, has got
into my pockets: only see, every thing I
had in them is wet, pistols, turfs, every
thing.
150
THE SWISS
Good heavens! interrupted I in great,
alarm, had you put your pistols in your
pocket? They were not loaded, I hope?
I am sure I do not know, mother; I only
put them there while my belt was drying,
that I might always have them about me.
Thoughtless, yet fortunate boy! exclaimed
I. Do you know what an escape you have
had? If with the suddenness of your motions.
the pistols had gone off, they would infallibly
have killed you. Take care, I entreat you,
not to commit such an imprudence in future.
-There is nothing, I believe, to fear, mo-
ther, for this time, replied he, holding the
pistols so as to let the water run out of them.
And in reality I perceived, by the condition
they were in, that there was little danger of
their going off. While we were conversing
about what had happened, our attention was
interrupted by a sudden noise, and looking
about, we perceived a large bird issuing from
the thickest part of the grass, and mounting
in the air. Each of the boys prepared to
fire, but before they could be ready, the bird
was out of the reach of shot. Ernest was
bitterly disappointed, and instantly exchanged
the gun for the carbine I had given him,
crying: What a pity! If I had but had the
lightest gun! if the bird had not got away
so fast, I would lay any wager I should have
killed him.
FAMILY ROBINSON.
151
"
The mischief was, no doubt, that you did
not let him know before hand that it was
your pleasure he should wait till you could be:
quite ready, observed I, laughing.
But, mother, how could I possibly suppose
that the bird could fly away in less than the
twinkling of an eye? Ah, if one would but
come at this very moment!
་ ་
A good sportsman, Ernest, always holds
himself in readiness, this being, as I under-
stand, one of his great arts; for you must
know, that birds never send messages to give
notice of their coming.
I wish I could but know, said Jack, what
bird it was; I never saw any the least like it.
I am sure it was an eagle, said the little
Francis, for I have read in my book of fables
that an eagle can carry off a sheep; and this
bird was terribly large.
O yes, said Ernest scoffingly, as if all
large birds must be eagles! Why, do you not
know that there are some birds much larger
even than eagles? the ostrich for example,
which travellers sometimes name the Condor:
or the Candor.-I.must confess it would have:
afforded me the highest pleasure to have ex-
amined this bird minutely.
If you had had time to examine him, you
would have had time to kill him, said I: but,
as the opportunity is gone, let us look for
the place in the grass from which he mount-
152
THE SWISS
ed; we may judge at least of his size by the
mark he will have left there. The boys
now all scampered away to the place; when
suddenly a second bird, exactly like the first,
except that he was a little larger, rushed out
with a great noise and mounted above their
heads.
པ/མ་
The boys remained stupid with astonish-
ment, following him with their eyes and
open mouths without speaking a word, while
for my own part I could not help laughing
heartily. Oh! such fine sportsmen as we
have here! cried I: they will never let us be
in want of game, I plainly perceive. Ah! if
one would but come at this very moment!
these were your own words, Ernest, and be-
hold one came, and you have let him escape:
it is not of much use, methinks, to load your
guns.....Ernest, always a little disposed
to vent uneasiness by crying, now began to
sob; but Jack, with a curious mixture of a
tragi-comic bravery upon his features, darted
his eager eyes upon the mountain traveller,
and taking off his hat made a profound bow,
roaring out, as if for the bird to hear: Have
the goodness, Mr. Traveller, to indulge me
once more with a little visit, only for a single:
minute you cannot imagine what good sort
of people we are: I entreat that we may
have the pleasure of seeing you once again.
... We now minutely examined the place
FAMILY ROBINSON.
153
from which the birds had mounted, and
found a kind of large nest formed of dry
plants, and the workmanship of which was
clumsy enough; the nest was empty, with
the exception of some broken shells of eggs.
I inferred from this, that their young had
lately been hatched; and observing at this
moment a rustling motion among some plants
of shorter growth, at some distance from the
spot on which we stood, I concluded that
the young covey were scampering away in that
direction; but as the motion soon ceased,
we had no longer a guide to conduct us to
their retreat. We had now then a moment
for remark. Ernest, assuming his professor
tone, began: You see clearly, I suppose,
Francis, that these large birds which we have
met with, cannot possibly be eagles, for that
species of birds was never known to make
their nests in the grass; neither are their
young ones capable of taking care of them-
selves so soon after being hatched; the only
birds that can walk without help as soon as
they come out of the shell, are partridges
and quails.
Give me leave, interrupted I, to add to
your list, all birds of the gallinaceous kind,
such as the turkey, the peacock, and the
Guinea fowl; and no doubt many other
wild fowls have the same feature in their
description.
J
↓
;
H 5
154
THE SWISS
$
But, mother, replied he, birds of the gal-
linaceous kind have not white feathers on
the belly, and slate-coloured wings, like
those which have just escaped us.
I, for my.
part, am of opinion, that they were the great
bustard; the second bird having a small
mustacho on the side of the beak, which
answers to the description I have seen of him
in my engravings.
What you have seen, Ernest, is always in
engravings, said Jack. For my part, I should
like for once to see a real original that you
had had the skill to vanquish. If Fritz had
been with us, I can tell you, the said birds
would now be lying dead before us, and
then you would have an opportunity of com-
paring them with your engravings.
What
I, for my part, observed I, most heartily
rejoice that things have happened as they
did, and that those poor little birds which
stand so much in need of their parents' care,
have not been deprived of them.
would be your own sensation, if a cruel sa-
vage of this country should attack your fa-
ther or your mother, with an intention to
destroy them?
I can more easily tell you, mother, what I
would do, than what I should feel, said Jack,
straightening his arm as he held the pistol:
young as I am, I think I can answer, that if
such a bird as that should come in my way,
FAMILY ROBINSON.
157
he should meet with a reception that would
not much incline him to repeat his visit.
I thank you, my good fellow: but this
would not be so easy as you imagine; for
though you have arrived at the prodigious
age of your tenth year, there would be some
difficulty in conquering one who would have
twice your own strength. But now for a
little grave advice :-Take care, my excellent
children, to guard against the growth of the
insensible and cruel disposition, which a pas-
sion for field-sports is so apt to inspire; it is
for this reason that I have never wished my
family to be fond of them. It has always
appeared to me that no animals ought to be
destroyed, but those who do injury to man, or
are indispensably necessary for his support.
A
Discoursing thus, we reached the little
wood; and here our son Ernest had an op-
portunity of recognising many of the origi-
nals of the engravings in his books of natural
history, and of displaying his knowledge, or
his ignorance, to his heart's content.
prodigious quantity of unknown birds were
skipping and warbling on the branches of the
trees, without betraying the least alarm at
our vicinity. In spite of the lesson in mora-
lity which I had so lately been pronouncing,
the desire of firing upon them again pos-
sessed their hearts; but this I absolutely
forbade, and with the less scruple, as the
156
THE SWISS
trees were of so enormous a height as to be
out of gun-shot reach.-No, my dear hus-.
band, you cannot possibly form an idea of the
trees we now beheld! You must somehow
have missed this wood; or so extraordinary,
a sight could not have escaped your observa-.
tion; in my whole life I have never seen a
single tree of so immense a size. What
appeared to us at a distance to be a wood,
was only a group of about fourteen of them,
the trunks of which seemed to be supported
in their upright position, by arches on each
side, these arches being formed by portions
of the roots of the tree, of great thickness.
and extent. Meanwhile the tree itself is
further supported by a perpendicular root
issuing from the others, and of a smaller
compass, while the projecting roots extend
themselves on every side of the tree, and
double the circumference it would other-
wise have.
He
Jack climbed with considerable trouble
upon one of these arch-formed roots, and
with a packthread in his hand measured the
actual circumference of the tree itself.
found that it measured more than fifteen
braches (the brache is equal to twenty-two
inches and a half). I made thirty-two steps
in going round one of those giant productions.
at the roots; and its height from the ground
to the place where the branches begin to
FAMILY ROBINSON.
157
shoot, may be about thirty-six braches. The
twigs of this tree are strong and thick; its
leaves moderately large in size, and bearing
some resemblance to the hazel-tree of Eu-
rope; but I was unable to discover that it
bore any fruit. The soil immediately round
the tree and under its branches, produced in
great abundance a short thick kind of plant,
unmixed with any of the thistle kind, and of
a perfectly smooth surface. Thus every cir-
cumstance seemed to concur in inviting us
to use this spot as a place of repose; and my
predilection for it grew so strong that I re-
solved to go no further, but to enjoy its de-
licious coolness till it should be time to
return. I sat down in this verdant elysium
with my three sons around me. We took
out our provision-bags; a charming stream,
formed to increase the coolness and beauty
of the scene, flowed at our feet, and supplied
us with a fresh and salutary beverage. Our
dogs were not long in reaching us; they had
remained behind, sauntering about the skirts
of the wood. To my great surprise, they
did not ask for any thing to eat, but lay
down quietly, and were soon asleep at our
feet. For my own part, I felt that I could,
never tire of beholding and admiring this
enchanting spot; it occurred to me, that if
we could but contrive a kind of tent that
could be fixed in one of the trees, we might
158
THE SWISS
safely come and make our abode here. I had:
found nothing in any other direction that
suited us so well in every respect; and I re-
solved to look no further. When we had
shared our dinner among us, and well rested
from our fatigue, we set out on our return,
again keeping close to the river, half ex-
pecting to see along the shore, some of the
pieces or other vestiges of the vessel, which
the waves might have washed there.
But before we left our enchanting retreat,
Jack entreated me to stay a little longer, and
finish sewing the linen strips to his leather
belt. The little coxcomb had so great an
ambition to strut about and exhibit himself
in this new ornament, that he had taken the
trouble to carry the piece of wood on which
he had nailed his skin to dry, along with him,
through the whole of our expedition. Find-
ing that the skin was really dry, I granted
his request, preferring, since it appeared that
work I must, to do it now when I had the
advantage of being in the shade, than after.
I should be returned to the scorching of
the sun outside our tent. When I had
finished my task, he eagerly fastened the
belt round him, and placed his pistols in it;
he set himself before us in a marching step,
with the knuckles of his hand turned back
upon his hip, leaving to Ernest the care of
putting on the dogs' collars; which he insist
J
A
1
FAMILY ROBINSON.
159
ed should be done, for it would give them,
he said, a martial air. The little hero was
all impatience for you and Fritz to see him,
in his new accoutrement; so that I had
enough to do to walk quick enough to keep
sight of him; for, in a country where no
track of the foot of man is to be found, we
might easily lose each other.
I became
more 'ranquil respecting him when we had
got once more all together on the sea-shore;
for, as I expected, we found there pieces of
timber, poles, large and small chests, and
other articles which I knew had come from
the vessel. None of us however were strong
enough to bring them away; we therefore
contented ourselves with dragging all we
could reach to the dry sands, beyond the
reach of the waves at the highest state of the
tide. Our dogs, for their part, were fully
employed in fishing for crabs, which they
drew with their paws to the shore, as the
waves washed them up, and on which they
made an excellent repast. I now under-
stood that it was this sort of prey which had
appeased their hunger before they joined us
at dinner. Heaven be praised, cried I, that
our animals have found means to procure
sustenance at so cheap a rate! for I really
began to think that, with their enormous ap-
petites, they might some day have taken it
into their heads to eat their masters.
160
THE SWISS
Eat us! exclaimed my brave son Jack,
you surely forget; am I not here to defend
you with my pistols?
Silly young pretender! they would swal-
low you if they had a mind, as easily as
you would swallow a pill; but in reality
they are kind excellent creatures, who love
us, and will never do us any harm. By
swallowing us, I meant that they would so
considerably diminish our provisions, that
in this respect they would inflict upon us a
serious misfortune.
We now suddenly cast our eyes on Ponto,
whom we perceived employed in turning
over a round substance he had found in the
sands, some pieces of which he swallowed
from time to time. Ernest also perceived
what he was about, and did us the favour,
with his usual composure, to pronounce just
these words: They are turtles' eggs!
Run, my children, cried I, and get as many
of them as you can; they are excellent, and
I shall have the greatest pleasure in being.
able to regale our dear travellers on their re-
turn, with so new and delicious a dish. We
found it a little difficult to make Ponto come
away from the eggs, to which he had taken
a great fancy. At length, however, we suc-
ceeded in collecting near two dozen of them,
which we secured in our provision-bags.
When we had concluded this affair, we by
FAMILY ROBINSON.
161
accident cast our eyes upon the boundless
ocean, and to our great astonishment we per-
ceived a sail, which seemed to be joyfully
approaching towards the land. I knew not
what to think; but Ernest, who always
thinks he knows every thing, or can guess
at every thing, exclaimed that it was you
and Fritz; but little Francis was terribly.
afraid that it must be the savages come to
eat us up, like those described in Robinson
Crusoe's Island. We soon, however, had
the happiness of being convinced that Ernest
was right, and that it was indeed our well-
beloved! We ran eagerly towards the river,
which Jack and Ernest recrossed as before,
by leaping from one great stone to another;
while I also resumed my burden of little
Francis at my back, and in this manner soon
arrived at the place of your landing, when
we had nothing further to do but to throw
ourselves into your arms! This, my dear
husband, is a faithful and circumstantial
narration of our journey of discovery; and
now, if you wish me a great deal of happi-
ness, you will not refuse to conduct me and
your sons, with our whole train of animals,
to the spot I have described, where we can-
not fail to find a more agreeable asylum than
here, under these scorching rocks.
And these giant trees are then the asylum.
you have chosen for our future abode! And
162
THE SWISS
you would have a tent set up in one of
them, at a distance of more than sixty-six
feet from the ground, where we should be
perched like parrots! And pray by what
means are we to ascend this tree? for at pre-
sent I have no clear view of this important-
part of the subject.
Alas! my dear husband, I see the objec
tions against my plan as plainly as you can
do; but after all, we cannot but be consider-
able gainers by the change: for my part, I
dared not venture further without having:
my dear protector at my side. Who knows,
were we to set out together upon another
expedition, if we should not find a still more
convenient spot, in which we could take up
our abode?
I perceived a tear stealing into my wife's
eyes, on finding that she could not prevail
upon me to think as favourably as she wished
of her discovery, and that I treated the sub-
ject of her giant trees with so little respect:
I therefore endeavoured by every means to
sooth and relieve her somewhat wounded
sensibility. I assured her how much I ad-
mired her courage, and that I considered her
adventure as a proof that women possess
that fine quality in as great perfection in their
hearts, as some men exhibit instances of it
in their conduct.-Do not then distress
yourself, my love, but tell me if I shall
FAMILY ROBINSON.
163
1
make you a balloon of sail-cloth, to enable
you to arrive at your country seat amongst
the branches.
Yes, yes, said she, laugh as much as you
like, if it amuses you; but I assure you my
plan is not so silly as you imagine: one ad-
vantage, at least, it is certain we should de-
rive, the being out of reach of jackalls and
other wild beasts. Doyou recollect the large
lime-tree in the public walk of the town we
lived in, and the pretty little room which
had been built among its branches, and the
flight of stairs which led to it? What should
hinder us from effecting such a contrivance
in one of my giant trees, which afford even
superior facilities in the enormous size and
strength of their branches, and the pecu-
liar manner of their growth?
Well, well, we shall see about it. In the
mean while, my boys, let us extract a little
lesson in arithmetic, from the subject of these
marvellous trees; for this, at least, will be
deriving a real benefit from them. Tell me,
learned Mr. Ernest, how many feet there are
in thirty-six braches? for that, your mother
assures us, is the height of the trees.
Ernest. To answer this question, I must
know first how many feet or inches the
brache contains.
Father. I thought you knew long ago
as much as this; but, as usual in young.
164
THE SWISS
heads, what goes in at one ear goes out at
the other. I must then remind you, as you
have forgot, that the brache, or half-ell, con-
tains one foot ten inches, or twenty-two
inches. Now then make your calculation."
Ernest-I do not find it so easy as I
thought. You must help me, Fritz, you are
older than I am.
Fritz.-With all my heart. First we take
thirty-six braches; then multiply 36 by 22,
the number of inches each brache contains,
and you have 792; divide this by 12, the
number of inches in a foot, and it will give
us 66 for the number of feet. Is that right,
father?
Father. Yes, quite right. So, my dear
wife, you will have every evening to climb
sixty-six feet to get to bed, which, as we
have no ladder, is not the easiest thing ima
ginable. Now then let us see how many
feet the tree is in circumference, taking it
round the roots. Your mother found that
she walked round it in thirty-two steps.
Tell us then, Ernest, how many feet do you
think these thirty-two steps would make?
Ernest.-You always ask me the things
that I know nothing at all about: you should
tell me, at least, how many feet there are in
a step.
Father. Well, say two feet and a half to
each step.
1
FAMILY ROBINSON.
165
Ernest.-Twice 32 makes 64; the half of
32 is 16; which added to 64 makes SO feet.
Father. Very well. Tell me now, if
you recollect the proper term in geometry
for the circumference of a circle, or say of a
tree, since we are talking of trees.
Ernest.-Oh, you may be sure that I
could not forget that it is called the peri-
phery.
Father.-Right. And what is the term
for any line which may be drawn from one
point of the periphery to another, passing
through the centre? Now, Jack, you may
show us what a great geometrician you in-
tend to be.
Jack. I believe it is called the diameter.
Father. So far right. Next, can you
tell me what is the diameter of a periphery of
eighty feet, and what distance there is be-
tween the extremities of the roots of the
giant tree and its trunk?
The boys all began to reckon, and soon
one said one number, one said another, at
random; but Fritz called out louder than
the rest, that the distance was twenty-six
feet.
Father. You are pretty near. Tell me,
did you make a calculation, or was it a mere
guess?
Fritz.-No, father, not a guess; but I
will tell you. In the town in which we
166
THE SWISS
lived, I have often taken notice that the
hatter, when he was about to bind the edge
of a hat, always measured three times the
length of the diameter, and a trifle over, for
the quantity of ribbon he should use: thus
I had no difficulty in finding that the third
of eighty was about twenty-six; and adding
a couple of feet for the over measure, we
may call it twenty-eight.
•
Father.-I am glad to see you did not
lose such an opportunity for calculation; but
a great boy like you, who have advanced in
your studies, ought not to be under obliga-
tions to the hatter for the answer. But now
let us go back to the measure of our trees,
which are really of a most extraordinary
size. Height from the ground to the
branches, sixty-six feet; thickness, eight
feet in diameter, and twenty-eight feet di
stance from the extremities of the roots to
the trunk. They really, with propriety, may
be called giant trees.
Having finished our conversation, we per-
formed our devotions, and retired to rest,
grateful and well satisfied to find ourselves.
once more together, and in health. We soon
closed our eyes, and enjoyed tranquil slum-
bers till break of day.
FAMILY ROBINSON.
167
W
CHAPTER VIII.
Construction of a bridge.
HEN my wife and I were awake next
morning, we resumed the question of our
change of abode. I observed to her, that
it was a matter of great difficulty, and re-
quired mature consideration; otherwise we
might hereafter have reason to repent the
useless labour and inconvenience we should
have brought upon ourselves, by a fruitless
removal. My own opinion is, said I, that,
upon the whole, we had better remain here,
where Providence seems to have conducted
us; the situation of the place affords conve-
niences, both with respect to our personal
safety and being so near to the vessel, from
which we may continue to enrich ourselves:
See how completely we are on all sides pro-
tected by the rocks; it is an asylum, inac-
cessible but by sea or by the passage of
the river, which is not easily accomplished.
Let us then have patience yet a little longer,
at least, till we have got all that can be re-
moved, or that would be useful to us, from
the ship.
Nothing can be sounder than your rea
168
THE SWISS
•
sons, my love, replied my wife; but indeed
no patience can endure the intense heat of
these sands, which is even increased by the
vicinity of the rocks. It is not easy for you
to conceive how great my sufferings are from
this cause; for you have generally been out
on some voyage of discovery, and have been
occasionally relieved by the shade of trees.
Another consideration is, that by remaining
here, we must renounce all hope of procuring
fruits of any kind, and must live on oysters,
to which we have all a great aversion, or on
such wild birds as that which you found
so unpalatable. As for the safety you boast
of, the rocks did not prevent our receiving
a visit from the jackalls; nor is it improbable
that tigers or other animals might follow
their example. Lastly, in regard to the
treasures we might continue to draw from
the vessel, I renounce them with all my
heart. We are already in possession of a
great abundance of provisions and other
useful things; and, for my part, my heart
is always filled with the most distressing ap-
prehensions, whenever you and Fritz are ex-
posed to the danger of that perfidious ele-
ment the sea.
Upon my word, my love, the shade of
your giant trees has inspired you with a
most powerful eloquence; and I perceive that
nothing so effectually animates the language
FAMILY ROBINSON.
169
of a female, as an ardent desire and a fixed
determination to carry a particular point; I
see that the affair will end by my submitting
to your will. You are, as you ought to be,
the director of our plans; but let us have à
well-digested scheme of operation before wè
leave this spot for your favourite wood.-
First, we must contrive a place among the
rocks, that may serve both for a fortress
and a storehouse, where we can leave our
provisions and other things, and to which,
in case of any danger from invasion in the
wood, we can immediately retreat.-Come
then, this agreed, the next thing is to throw
a bridge across the river, if we are to pass
it with all our family and baggage.
A bridge! exclaimed my wife; can you
possibly think of such a thing? If we stay
while you build a bridge, we may consider
ourselves as fixt here for life. What reason
can there be, that we should not cross the
river as we did before? The ass and the
cow will carry all our goods upon their
backs.
¿
But do you recollect, that to preserve
dry what they carry, they must not perform
their journey as they did from the vessel?
For this reason, then, if for no other, we
must contrive a bridge. We shall want also
some sacks and baskets to contain our diffe-
rent matters; you may therefore set about
VOL. I.
I.
170
THE SWISS
|
making these, and I will undertake the
bridge, which the more I consider, the more
I find to be of indispensable necessity; for
the stream will, no doubt, at times increase,
and the passage become impracticable in any
other way. At this moment it would be
found so for our shortest-legged animals,
and I am sure you would not wish to see
them drowned. But even our own boys, at
least the youngest, will derive a means of
safety from my bridge; for it is not quite,
certain that they would always succeed so
well as they did the first time, in their jump-
ing from stone to stone.
·
Well, then, a bridge let there be, said my
wife; I see I must consent. But let us not
allow ourselves a moment of leisure till we
have completed all that is necessary for our
departure. You will leave our stock of
gunpowder here, I hope; for I am not easy
with a large quantity of it so near us; a
thunder-storm, or some thoughtless action
of one of the boys, might expose us to se-
rious danger.
You are right, my love and I will care-
fully attend to your suggestion. We will keep
on hand only a sufficient quantity for daily
use; I will contrive a place in the rock for
the rest, where it will be safe from the
chance of fire or dampness. It is an article
which, according to the use which is made
FAMILY ROBINSON.
171
D
of it, may become on the one hand, a most
dangerous enemy, and, on the other, a most
useful friend.
Thus, then, we decided the important
question of removing to a new abode; after
which we fixed in concert upon a plan of
labour for the day, and then awaked the
boys. Their ecstasy on hearing of our project
may easily be conceived; but they expressed
their fear that it would be a long while be-
fore a bridge could be built; a single hour
appearing an age to them, with such a no-
velty in view as the prospect of removing to
the wood, to live under the giant trees. They, .
in the fullness of their joy, entreated that the
place might be called, The promised Land.
We now began to look about for break-
fast; Fritz taking care not to neglect his
monkey, who sucked one of the goats as
quietly and as contentedly as if she had been
its mother. My wife undertook to milk
another, and then the cow, and afterwards
gave some of the milk to each of the chil-
dren with a part of what remained she
made a sort of soup with biscuits, and the
rest she put into one of the flasks, to accom-
pany us in our expedition. During this
time, I was preparing the boat for another
journey to the vessel, to bring away a suffi-
cient quantity of planks and timbers for the
bridge. After breakfast we set out; and
1 2
172
THE SWISS
this time I took with me Ernest as well as
Fritz, that we might accomplish our object
in a shorter time.
We rowed stoutly till we reached the cur-
rent, which soon drew us on beyond the
bay; but scarcely had we passed a little
islet, lying to one side of us, than we per-
ceived a prodigious quantity of sea-gulls and
other birds, whose various and discordant
sounds so disagreeably assailed us, that we
were obliged to stop our ears. Fritz would
instantly have fired upon them, if I had not
prevented him. I had a great curiosity to
discover what could possibly be the reason
of so numerous an assembly of these crea-
tures. I therefore steered to the spot; but,
finding that the boat made but little way, I
hoisted my sail, that we might have the as-
sistance of the wind.
To Ernest our expedition afforded the
highest delight. He was in ecstasies at seeing
the sail begin to swell, and the motion of
the streamer in the air. Fritz, on his part,
did not for a moment take his eyes from the
islet where the birds had assembled. Pre-
sently he suddenly exclaimed: I see what
it is; the birds are all pecking, tooth and
beak, at a monstrous fish, which lies dead
upon the soil.
1
Upon looking attentively, we found Fritz's
conjecture was right; I approached suf-
k
FAMILY ROBINSON,
173
ficiently near to step upon the land, and after
bringing the boat to an anchor with a heavy
stone, we walked cautiously and gently up
to the birds. We soon perceived that the
object which attracted them was in reality an
enormous fish, which had been thrown by
the sea upon the islet, and whose dead body
lay invitingly there for all the birds which
should pass that way. Indeed, so eagerly
were they occupied with the feast, that though
we were within the distance of half gun-
shot, not one of them attempted to fly off.
We observed with astonishment the extreme
voracity of this plumed group; each bird
was so intent upon its prey, that nothing
could have been more easy than to have
killed great numbers of them with our sticks
alone: we did not, however, envy them
their prize. Fritz did not cease to express
his wonder at the monstrous size of the
animal, and asked me by what means he
could have got there.
I believe, answered I, you were yourself
the means; there is every appearance that it
is the very shark you so skilfully wounded
yesterday. See, here are the two balls which
you discharged at its head.
Yes, yes, it is the very same, said my
young hero skipping about for joy; I well
remember I had two balls in my gun, and
here they are, lodged in his hideous head.
174
THE SWISS
I grant it is hideous enough, continued I;
its aspect even when dead makes one shud-
der with disgust, particularly when I recol
lect how easy it would have been for him to
have devoured us. See what a horrible
mouth he has, and what a singular kind of
mustachio projecting above! and what a
rough and prickly skin! one might almost
use it for a file. Nor is he small of his spe-
cies; for I would lay any wager that he
measures more than twenty feet, from head
to tail. We ought to be thankful to Provis
dence, and a little to our Fritz also, for having
delivered us from such a monster! But let
ús each take away with us a bit of his skin',
for I have an idea that it may in some way
or other be useful to us. But how to drive
away these eager intruders, so as to get at
him, is the difficulty. *
·
Ernest instantly drew out the iron ram-
rod from his gun, and in a few moments
killed several, by striking among them to
right and left, while all the others took their
flight. Fritz and I then advanced and cut
several long strips of the skin from the head
of the shark, with which we were proceeding
to our boat, when I observed, lying on the
ground, some planks and timbers which had
recently been cast by the sea on this little
island. On measuring the longest, we per-
ceived they would answer our purpose; and,
FAMILY ROBINSON.
175
with the assistance of the crow and a lever
which we had brought with us, found means
to get them into the boat, and thus spare.
ourselves the trouble of proceeding further
to the vessel. With great exertion of our
strength, we contrived to bind the timbers
together, with the planks. upon them, in the
manner of a raft, and tied them to the end of
the boat; so that, through this adventure, we
were ready to return in four hours after our
departure, and might boast of having done a
good day's work. I accordingly pushed again
for the current, which soon drove us out to
sea; then I tacked about, and resumed the
direct route for the bay and for our place of
embarkation, thus avoiding the danger of
touching upon shallows. All this succeeded
to my utmost wishes; I unfurled my sail,
and a brisk wind soon conveyed us to our
landing-place.
While we were sailing, Fritz, at my re-
quest, had nailed the strips of skin we cut from
the shark, to the mast to dry. Ernest had
been examining the birds he had killed with
his ramrod. I cannot imagine, father, said
he, why you should think they are not good
to eat. What is their name?
I believe they are called sea gulls, a bird
that lives upon the carcases of other animals,
and whose flesh for that reason must have
contracted a bad flavour; there are many
176
THE SWISS
$
kinds of them, and all of so senseless a na-
ture, as to fly down in flocks upon dead
whales, even while the fishermen are round
them cutting them up; the birds try to seize
upon small pieces of the fat, as they hold
them in their hands; and they suffer them-
selves to be killed, rather than let go their
prize.
'
They must indeed be stupid creatures,
said Fritz, to have let Ernest kill them with
the ramrod. But look here, father, you were
wrong in telling me to nail my skins to the
mast; for they have curled round in drying,
and I cannot make them flat again.
That was precisely my intention, replied I,
they will be much more useful to us round
than flat besides, you have still some left,
which you may dry flat; and then we shall
have a fine provision of shagreen, if we can
find out a good method to rub off the sharp
points, and afterwards to polish it.
I thought, said Ernest, that shagreen was
made of ass's skin. And you were not mis
taken, rejoined I; the best shagreen is made
in Turkey, Persia, and Tartary, from skin
taken from the back of the ass and of horses,
While the skin is yet moist, it is stretched
upon a kind of hard fat; they then beat the
skin, by which means the fat is incorporated,
and gives the surface the appearance of a
kind of file: but very good shagreen is also
FAMILY. ROBINSON.
177
made from the skin of sea-fish, particularly
in France.
Ernest asked his brother if he knew why
the mouth of the shark is not, as in other
animals, placed in the middle of the snout,
but directly under. Fritz confessed his in-
ability to answer this question. And for
my part, continued he a little consequential-
ly, all I know is how to kill them when the
occasion presents itself. So pray, learned
brother, be kind enough to let us share your
information on the subject, for I take for
granted, your question means that you can
answer it yourself.
I suppose, rejoined Ernest, that the mouth
of the shark is thus placed, with the inten-
tion of preventing him from depopulating
the sea and the land. With so excessive a
voraciousness of appetite as he possesses,
nothing would escape him, if he had the
power to seize his prey without turning his
body; but as it is, there is time enough for
a smaller animal to make his escape..
Well reasoned, my young philosopher,
cried I; and though we should not always
be able to comprehend the intention of the
Creator in the objects which surround us, at
least the conjectures we are induced to form
respecting them, cannot fail of being a useful
exercise to the mind.
I have already said we were once more
1 5
178
THE SWISS
✔ -
>
landed safely on our shore, but no one of
our family appeared. We called out to them
as loud as we could, which was answered by
the same sounds in return, and in a few
minutes my wife appeared between her two
little boys returning from the river, a rising
piece of ground having concealed her from
our sight each carried a handkerchief in
hand, which appeared filled with some new
prize; and little Francis had a small fishing-
net formed like a bag and strung upon a
stick, which he carried on his shoulder. No
sooner did they hear our voices, than they
flew to meet us, astonished at our quick re-
turn. Jack reached us before the rest; and
his first act was to open the handkerchief he
held, and pour out a large number of lobsters
at our feet their mother and little Francis
produced each as many more, forming all
together a prodigious heap, and all alive; so
that we were sure of excellent dinners for
some days at least. Some of the animals
tried to escape in different directions; and
the boys in following them, were kept in
full chase, sometimes pleased and some-
times angry; sometimes laughing, some-
times scolding at the bootless trouble they
were engaged in; for no sooner had they
seized on one deserter, than ten more had
followed his example.
Now, have I not been very lucky, papa?
FAMILY ROBINSON.
179
said little Francis; for you must know it was
I who found them out! Look, there are more
than two hundred of them, and see how
large they are, and what fine claws they
have! I am sure they will be quite delicious!
Father.-Excellent indeed, my little fel-
low, and particularly if it was your industry
that first discovered them.
Jack.-Yes, father, it was Francis who
saw them first; but it was I who ran to tell
mamma, and it was I who fetched the net
and put it to rights, and it was I who went
up to my knees in water to catch them.
Father. You make a charming story of
it together, my boys; but as it is an inter
esting subject, you may tell me as many par-
ticulars as you please; it is indeed an event.
of some importance for our kitchen, and I
have great pleasure in looking forward to
partaking of a dish of your providing.
Jack.-Well, papa, I will tell
you. As
soon as you were gone, mamma sat down
outside the tent and began to work, while
Francis and I took a little walk towards the
river, to find out a proper place for you to
begin the bridge.
Father.-Bravo! Mr. Architect, it is you
then who will direct the workmen; but
joking apart, I am much gratified to find
that careless head of yours for once em-
ployed upon a useful subject. Well then,
180
THE SWISS
did you find a proper place for me to begin
the bridge?
Jach. Yes, father, yes. But listen, and
you will know all. We were advancing to-
wards the river, and Francis was amusing
himself with taking up some parti-coloured
stones, calling out whenever he found one
that seemed extraordinary: Jack, Jack, look
what a beautiful stone I have found, all yel-
low! I am sure it must be gold, so I shall
pound it, and make sand of it for my writing.
As we reached the river we saw a stone of
this kind just upon the brink, and kneeling
down with his head out over to take it up,
he all at once cried out: Jack, Jack, Fritz's
jackall is covered all over with lobsters! Run
as fast as you can. I sprang to him in an
instant, and I saw not only the jackall cover-
ed with them, but legions more coming in
with the stream. I ran to tell mamma, who
immediately got the net which you brought
from the vessel. Partly with this net, and
partly with our hands, we caught those you
see in a very few minutes; and we should
have caught a much larger number if we had.
not heard you call, for the river is quite full
of them. You took quite enough for once,
my boy, said I: A little at a time is the
maxim that suits us best, and I should even
advise your taking the smallest of them back
to the river, where they will grow larger;
FAMILY ROBINSON.
181
we shall still have sufficient for several mag-
nificent repasts.This, then, said I to myself,
is a new source for our support: even here,
in these arid regions, we find means to pro-
cure, not only the necessaries of life, but
luxuries in abundance. May we never cease
to evince our gratitude to Providence, by the
exercise of a more than ordinary care and in-
dustry! @
It was now our turn to relate the events of
our voyage on the water. Ernest gave an
account of his sea-gulls, but it did not inspire
his mother with a desire for one of them for
our next day's dinner. We now put our
remaining lobsters into the handkerchiefs
and the net, and the boys took them to the
place allotted for keeping our provisions.
My wife set about dressing some of them,
and in the mean time Fritz and I employed
ourselves in untying the raft of timbers and
planks, and in moving them from the boat.
I then imitated the example of the Laplan-
ders, in harnessing their rein-deer for draw-
ing their sledges. Instead of traces, halters,
&c., I put a piece of rope with a running
knot at the end, round the neck of the ass,
and passed the other end between its legs,
to which I tied the piece of wood which I
wished to be removed. The cow was har-
nessed in the same manner, and we were
thus enabled to carry our materials, piece by
182
THE SWISS
piece, to the spot which our architect Jack
had chosen at the river, as the most eligible
for our bridge; and to say the truth, I
thought his judgement excellent; it was a
place where the shore on each side was
steep, and of equal height; there was even
on our side, an old trunk of a tree lying on
the ground, on which I rested my principal
timber..
Now then, boys, said I, the first thing is
to see if our timbers are long enough to reach
to the other side: by my eye I should think
they are; but if I had a surveyor's plane,
we might be quite sure, instead of working
at a venture.
But my mother has some balls of pack-
thread with which she measured the height
of the giant tree, interrupted Ernest, and
nothing would be more easy than to tie a
stone to the end of one of them, and throw
it to the other side of the river; then we
could draw it to the very brink, and thus
obtain the exact length that would be re-
quired for our timbers.
1
Your idea is excellent, cried I; nothing
gives me more pleasure than to see you ex-
ercise your invention; run quickly and fetch
the packthread. He returned without loss
of time; the stone was tied to its end, and
thrown across as we had planned; we drew
it gently back to the river edge, marking the
FAMILY ROBINSON.
183
place where the bridge was to rest; we next
measured the string, and found that the di
stance from one side to the other was eigh
teen feet. It appeared to me necessary, that
to give a sufficient solidity to the timbers, I
must allow three feet at each end of extra
length for fixing them, amounting therefore
in all to forty feet; and I was fortunate
enough to find that many of those we had
brought, did not fall short of this length.
There now remained the difficulty of con-
ducting them across the stream; but we de-
termined to discuss this part of the subject
while we ate our dinner, which had been
waiting for us more than an hour.
We all now proceeded homewards, and
entering the kitchen, we found our good
steward had prepared a large dish of lobsters
for us; but before she would let us taste
them, she insisted we should see another
useful labour she had been employed about;
she accordingly displayed two sacks intended
for the ass, which she had seamed with pack-
thread; the work she assured us, had with
difficulty been accomplished, since for want
of a needle large enough to carry packthread,
she had been obliged to make a hole with
nail for every stitch: we might therefore
judge by her perseverance in such a task, of
the ardour with which she longed to see her
plan of a removal executed. She received
184
THE SWISS
on this occasion, as was well her due, abun-
dance of compliments and thanks from her
companions, and also a little good-humoured
raillery For this time, we hurried through
our meal, all being deeply interested in the
work we were about to undertake, and con-
cerning which, each gave his advice without
the least ceremony. The impatience we all
felt to begin, scarcely left us time to strip
the lobsters of their shells, each thinking
only of the part which might be assigned
him towards the execution of the Nonpareil;
for this, for mutual encouragement, was the
name we gave our bridge, even before it was
in existence.
Having consulted together as to the means
of laying our timbers across the river, the
first thing I did, was to attach one of them
to the trunk of the tree of which I have al-
ready spoken, by a strong cord, long enough
to turn freely round the trunk; I then fast-
ened another cord to the other end of the
beam; this cord I fastened round a stone,
and then threw the stone across the river. I
next passed the river as I had done before,
furnished with a pulley, which I secured to a
tree; I passed my second cord through the
pulley, and recrossing the river with this cord
in my hand, I contrived to harness the ass
and the cow to the end of the cord. I next
drove the animals from the bank of the river;
FAMILY ROBINSON.
185
they resisted at first, but I made them go by
force of drawing. I first fixed one end of
the beam firm to the trunk of the tree, and
then they drew along the other end, so as
gradually to advance over the river: pre-
sently, to my great joy, I saw it touch the
other side, and at length become fixt and
firm by its own weight. In a moment Fritz
and Jack leaped upon the timber, and, in
spite of my paternal fears, crossed the stream
with a joyful step upon this narrow but ef
fective bridge.
2
The first timber being thus laid, the diffi
culty of our undertaking was considerably
diminished; a second and a third were fixt in
succession, and with the greatest ease. Fritz
and I, standing on opposite sides of the river,
placed them at such distances from each
other, as was necessary to form a broad and
handsome bridge: what now remained to be
done, was to lay some short planks across
them quite close to each other, which we ex-
ecuted so expeditiously, that our whole under-
taking was completed in a much shorter time
than I should have imagined possible. The
reader should have seen our young work-
men, to form the least conception of the de-
light they felt they jumped, and danced,
and played a thousand antics, and uttered a
thousand joyful sounds upon their bridge.
For my own part, I could hardly restrain my.
186
'
THE SWISS
self from joining in these demonstrations of
their perfect happiness; and my wife, who
had been the mover of all our operations,
was as little disposed to a silent calm enjoy-
ment of our success, as any of the rest:
she ran to one, and then to another, em-
bracing each in turn, and was never tired of
passing and repassing on our piece of work-
manship, which was every where safe and
even, and at least ten feet in breadth. I
had not fastened the cross planks to each
other; for they appeared to be close and
firm without it; and besides, I recollected
that in case of danger from any kind of
invasion, we could with the greater ease
remove them, and thus render the passage
of the river more difficult. Our labour how-
ever had occasioned us so much fatigue,
that we found ourselves unable for that day
to enter upon new exertions; and the even-
ing beginning to set in, we returned to our
home, where we partook heartily of an ex-
cellent supper, and went to bed.
FAMILY ROBINSON.
187
:
CHAPTER IX.
Change of abode.
:
As soon as we were all up and had break-
fasted the next morning, I assembled all the
members of my family together, to take
with them a solemn farewell of this our first
place of reception from the horrible disaster
of the shipwreck. I confess that for my
own part I could not leave it without much
regret; it was a place of greater safety than
we were likely again to meet with; it was
also nearer to the vessel: but it was suffi
cient for me to know that the kind and
faithful companion of my misfortunes had
conceived an unalterable distaste for it, to
incline me to yield my own opinion and my
wishes. I should indeed consider myself un-
worthy of such a partner, if I could have
felt hesitation in a point of so much interest
to her feelings. I thought it right to re-
present strongly to my sons, particularly to
the youngest, the danger of exposing them-
selves as they had done the evening before,
along the river. We are now going, con-
tinued I, to inhabit an unknown spot, which
188
THE SWISS
is not so well protected by nature as that
we are leaving; we are unacquainted both
with the soil and its inhabitants, whether
human creatures or beasts; it is therefore
necessary to use the utmost caution, to make,
it a rule never to remain separate from each
other; particularly you young ones must.
take care not to run on before, or stay too
far behind. This you must promise, my
boys. Having unburdened my mind of this.
necessary charge, we prepared for setting
out. I directed my sons to assemble our
whole flock of animals, and to leave the
ass and the cow to me, that I might load
them with the sacks as before concerted; I
had filled these at the two ends, and made a
slit longways in the middle of each of them,
and to each side of the slits I tied several
long pieces of cord, which crossing each
other and being again. brought, round and
fast ned, served to hold the sacks firmly on
the back of the animal. We next began to
put together all the things we should stand
most in need of for the two or three first
days, in our new abode; working imple.
ments, kitchen utensils, the captain's service
of plate, and a small provision of butter,
&c. &c. I put these articles into the two
ends of each sack, taking care that the sides..
should be equally heavy, and then fasten.
ed them on. I afterwards added our ham.
FAMILY ROBINSON.
189
mocks and other coverings to complete
the load, and we were about to begin our
march when my wife stopped me I can-
not prevail upon myself, said she, to leave
our fowls behind us to pass the night by
themselves; for I fear they would infallibly
become the prey of the jackalls. We must,
somehow or other, contrive a place for them
among the luggage, and also one for our
little Francis, who cannot walk so far,
and on that account would not fail to inter-
rupt our speed. There is also my enchanted
bag, which I recommend to your particular
care, said she, smiling, for who can tell
what may yet pop out of it for your good
pleasure!
Women, for their part, never fail to have
more things to carry than there are places to
put them in, said I, also laughing: however,
let us see how handsomely I shall be able to
provide for what belongs to you, my love.
Fortunately, I had already thought of making
the ass's load as light as possible, foreseeing
that it would be necessary he should carry
our little one a part of the way. I now ac-
cordingly placed the child upon his back,
fixing the enchanted bag in such a way as to
support him, and I tied them together upon
the ass with so many cords, that the animal
might even have galloped without any danger
of his falling off.
190
THE SWIss
1
In the mean while, the other boys had
been running after the cocks and hens and the
pigeons, but had not succeeded in catching
one of them; so they returned empty handed
and in ill-humour.Little blockheads! said
their mother, see how you have heated
your-
selves in running after these untractable crea-
tures! I could have put you in a way to
catch them in a moment; come along with
me, and see.-Yes, yes, you may think so,
mother, said Jack, a little sulky, but I will
give you leave to roast me in the place of the
first fowl that you shall be able to catch.
Poor Jack, said she laughing, you will then
soon be on the spit, I can tell you; which
would really be a pity, considering what
better things we might do with you; though,
to say the truth, you have not shown that
you have more brains than a goose, in think-
Ang to catch the animals by running after
them in this manner. She now stepped into
the tent, and brought out two handfuls of
peas and oats, and by pronouncing a few
words of invitation in the accustomed tone,
the birds all flocked round her in a moment.
She then walked slowly before them, drop-
ping the grain all the way, till they had fol-
lowed her into the tent. When she per-
ceived that they were all in the inside, and
busily employed in picking up the grain, she
shut the entrance, and caught one after the
FAMILY ROBINSON.
191
other without the smallest difficulty. The
boys looked at each other half ashamed,
though much amused with the adventure.
Grant me a reprieve from the spit, mother,
cried Jack, and I will do all I can to help
you in securing your prisoners. Accordingly,
he set himself to work, and had soon caught
the whole. They were then tied by the feet
and wings, put into a basket covered with a
net, and placed in triumph on the top of our
luggage. Ernest suggested the placing two
bent sticks arch-ways across the basket, and
throwing a blanket over it, that the want of
light might incline them to repose; for, with
the clatter they made, it was impossible to
hear each other speak.
We packed up every thing we were ob-
liged to leave, and placed it in the tent, which
we carefully closed, and, for greater se-
curity, fastened down the ends of the sail-
cloth at the entrance, by driving stakes
through them into the ground. We ranged
a number of vessels, both full and empty,
round the tent, to serve as a rampart, and
thus we confided to the protection of heaven
our remaining treasures. At length we set
ourselves in motion: each of us, great and
small, carried a gun upon his shoulder, and
a game bag at his back. Children are al-
ways fond of a change of place; ours were
full of joy and good-humour; nor was their
192
THE SWISS '
mother less affected with the same cause ;
she walked before with her eldest son, the
cow and the ass immediately behind them;
the goat conducted by Jack came next; the
little monkey was seated on the back of his
nurse, and made a thousand grimaces. After
the goats, came Ernest, conducting the sheep,
while I, in my capacity of general superin-
tendant, followed behind and brought up
the rear; the dogs for the most part paraded
backwards and forwards, thus seeming to
play the part of adjutants. Our march was
slow, and there was something solemn and
patriarchal in the spectacle we exhibited; I
fancied we must resemble our forefathers
journeying in the deserts, accompanied by
their families and their possessions.-Now
then,Fritz, cried I, you have the specimen you
wished for of the patriarchal mode of life;
what do you think of it ?-I like it much, fa-
ther, replied he: I never read the Bible with-
out wishing I had lived in those good times.
And I too, said Ernest, I am quite de-
lighted with it, I cannot help fancying my-
self not merely a patriarch, but a Tartar, or
an Arab, and that we are about to discover
I know not how many new and extraordinary
things. Is it not true, father, that the Tar-
tars and the Arabs pass their lives in jour-
neying from one place to another, and carry-
ing all they have about them?
•
FAMILY ROBINSON.
198
It is certainly for the most part true, Er-
nest, replied I, and they are denominated
wandering tribes; but they generally per-
form their journeys attended by horses and
camels, by means of which they can pro-
ceed a little faster, than if, like us, they
had only an ass and a cow. For my part,
I should not be sorry if I were quite sure
that the pilgrimage we are now making,
would be our last.
And I too am of your way of thinking,
cried my wife, and I hope that in our new
abode we shall be so well satisfied with the
shade of such luxuriant trees, that we shall
not be inclined to rove. Let us, however,
think as little as possible of the fatigue which
seems to be our lot to-day, since to-morrow
you will all be ready to thank me for having
been the occasion of it.
Be assured, my dear, said I, that we have
adopted your plans, and endure the fatigue'
they occasion, with cheerfulness, and that
one and all, are already grateful to you for
their future happiness; which happiness will
be still increased by the reflection, that to
your kind and anxious exertions it has been
that we are indebted for it.
We had now reached our bridge, and ad-
vanced half way across it, when the sow for
the first time took the fancy of joining us,
and by the uncouth and listless figure she'
VOL. I.
K
:
·
194
THE SWISS
made, contributed to the pictorial effect of
our procession. At the moment of our de-
parture, she had shown herself so restive and
indocile, that we had been compelled to leave
her behind us; but when she saw that we
had all left the place, she set out voluntarily
to overtake us: but she took care to apprize
us, by her continual grunting, that she dis-
approved of our migration.
On the other side of the river, we expe-
rienced an inconvenience wholly unexpected.
The nutritious aspect of the grass, which
grew here in profusion, was too strong a
temptation for our animals, who, unable to
resist, strayed from us in every direction to
feed voluptuously upon it; so that, without
the assistance of our dogs, we should not
have been able to bring them back to the
line of our procession. These active creatures
were of
great use to us on this occasion; and
when every thing was restored to proper or
der, we were able to continue our journey.
For fear however of a similar occurrence, I
directed our march to the left, along the sea-
side, where the produce of the soil was not
of a quality to attract them.
But scarcely had we advanced a few steps
on the sands, when our two dogs, which had
stayed behind among the grass, set up a loud
barking, mixt at intervals with howling, as if
they had been wounded, or were engaged in
FAMILY ROBINSON.
195
an encounter with some formidable animal.
Fritz in an instant lifted his gun to his cheek,
and was ready to fire; Ernest, always some-
what timid, drew back to his mother's side;
Jack ran bravely after Fritz with his gun
upon his shoulder; while I, fearing the dogs
might be attacked by some dangerous wild
beast, prepared myself to advance to their
assistance. But youth is always full of ar-
dour; and in spite of all my exhortations
that they would proceed with caution, the
boys, eager for the event, made but three
jumps to the place from which the noise pro-
ceeded. In an instant Jack had turned to
meet me, clapping his hands and calling out,
Come quickly, father, come quickly, here is
a monstrous porcupine !
I soon reached the spot, and perceived that
it was really as they said, bating a little exag-
geration. The dogs were running to and
fro with bloody noses, about the animal; and
when they approached too near him, he made
a frightful noise, and darted his quills so
suddenly at them, that a great number had
penetrated the skins of the valiant creatures,
and remained sticking in them; and it was
no doubt the pain they occasioned, which
made them howl so violently.
While we were looking on, Jack deter-
mined on an attack, which succeeded mar-
vellously well. He took one of the pistols
K 2
196
THE SWISS
which he carried in his belt, and aimed it so
exactly at the head of the porcupine, that he
fell dead the instant he fired, and before we
had a notion of what he was about. This
success raised Jack to the height of joy and
vanity; while Fritz, on the other hand, felt
a sensation of jealousy almost to shedding
tears. Is it right, Jack, said he, that such a
little boy as you should venture to fire off a
pistol in this manner? How easily might
you have wounded my father or me, or one
of the dogs, by so rash an action!—Oh yes,'
to be sure, and what do you suppose hinder-
ed me from seeing that you were all behind
me? Do you think I fired without taking care
of that? Do you take me for an idiot? The
porcupine could tell you about that, brother
Fritz, if he could but speak. My first fire
-pop-dead as a herring! This is some-
thing like, brother Fritz, and you would
be glad enough to have had such a chance
yourself!
Fritz only replied by a motion of his
head. He was out of humour because his
younger brother had deprived him of the
honour of the day; and he sought a sub-
ject of complaint against him, as the wolf did
with the poor little lamb. Come, come,
boys, said I, let me hear no envious speeches
and no reproaches; luck for one to-day, for
another to-morrow; but all for the common
FAMILY ROBINSON.
197
good. Jack was, perhaps, a little imprudent,
but you must allow that he showed both
skill and courage; let us not therefore tarnish
the glory of this action. We now all got
round the extraordinary animal, on whom
nature has bestowed a strong defence, by
arming his body all over with long spears.
The boys were absolutely at a loss what
means to use for carrying away his carcase.
They thought of dragging it along the
ground; but as often as they attempted to
take hold, there was nothing but squalling,
and running to show the marks made by his
quills on their hands.-We must leave him
behind, said they; but it is a great pity.
Not for an empire, cried Jack, shall he be
left there, for my mother must have a sight
of him. In saying this, he tied one corner
of his handkerchief round the neck of the
animal, and drew him by the other to the
place were we had left his mother in care of
our possessions, and who had been in great
uneasiness at our long absence. 2.
Here is the monster, mother, said he,
armed with his hundred thousand spears;
but I was a match for him, and at one fire
too! His flesh is excellent food; at least
father says so.
Ernest began, with his usual coolness, to
examine the animal minutely. After having
looked at him a long while, he said: He is
198
THE SWISS
1
a most singular animal: his mouth contains.
the dentes incisores, and his ears and feet are
much like those of a man.
Ah! said Jack, if you had seen how he
darted out all his quills against the dogs, and
the noise they made, rattling one against
another! He is a most terrible creature;
but what of that? I did not mind going up
to him, and I dispatched two or three balls
at his head, and it was over with him in an
instant !
He cannot be so terrible an animal, said
Ernest, if it was so easy for a mere child to
destroy him.-A mere child! replied Jack,
much mortified, and drawing up his head,
It was plain that his conquest had added half
a foot to his height, in his own imagination.
While the boys were disputing, my wife
and I had hastened to relieve the dogs, by
drawing out the quills and examining their
wounds. Having done this, we joined the
group which surrounded the porcupine; Jack
taking upon him to do the honours, as if he
was showing the animal at a fair.-Observe,
cried he, what a terrible creature it is! how
long and hard his quills are! and see what
strange feet he has! I am sure he must have
run like a hare: but I killed him for all that!
And what a singular sort of crest he has on
his head! Upon my word, I like my day's
work vastly.
FAMILY ROBINSON.
199
That, said I, is the reason why naturalists
call him the crested porcupine. But now
tell me, my young hero, were you not afraid,
in going so near him, that he would dart
some of his quills at you?
Jack.-Oh no, father, I knew that the
stories about his quills were merely fabu-
lous.
Father. But you saw that many of them
had stuck in the dogs, and this, surely, was
no fable.
Jack.-That was because the dogs at-
tacked the animal furiously from behind,
thus putting themselves exactly in the way
of his quills, so that it is not extraordinary
that they should be wounded by them; but
I took care to attack him in front, in which
direction I knew he could not shoot them,
so I had no reason to be afraid. Is it not
also a fable, father, that when they escape
the hunter, they throw their quills as they
run, and sometimes kill him with them?
Father. This account is, I believe, in a
great measure untrue; but it is not impro-
bable that it was such an occurrence as we
just now met with, which first gave rise to
the notion. An observation no less singular
than true, has been made, that natural his-
tory, whose basis ought to be the strictest
truth, has given birth to more fables than
mythology itself. In general, mankind are
200
THE SWISS
fond of the marvellous, and the composed
march of nature is uninteresting to them, from
its simple uniformity. They accordingly
dress her with all the singularities and extra-
vagancies of their own imaginations. But
tell me, Jack, what you mean to do with your
prize? Are we to take it with us, or leave it
here?
Jack.-Oh, take it with us, take it with
us, father, I entreat, for you say its flesh is
good to eat.
I could not resist his pressing importunity,
and I resolved to lay the porcupine on the
back of the ass, behind little Francis, having
first wrapped his bloody head in a quantity
of grass, and then rolled him up in a blanket
to protect my boy from his quills. We now
resumed our journey, but had not proceeded
far, when the ass began to kick furiously
with his hind legs; tore himself away from
my wife, who was guiding him, and set off
full gallop, braying so loud as almost to
deafen us, and scampering from side to side
in so extraordinary a way, that the boys were
thrown into fits of laughter; in which my
wife and I should probably have joined, if
we had not conceived the idea, that the situ-
ation of our little Francis was not quite safe.
A sign we made to the dogs, made them set
off like lightning after the deserter, whom
they in a moment overtook, and stopped his
FAMILY ROBINSON.
201
They
way with a tremendous barking.
would no doubt have attacked him violently,
if we had not ourselves run quickly to the
spot, to intimidate them. We took our boy
from the ass's back, delighted to find that
(thanks to the care I had taken in tying him
on securely) he had kept his seat, and had
scarcely even experienced any alarm.-But
tell me, Francis, said I jocosely, have you
been clapping spurs to your horse, or what
have you done to make him set off on a
gallop in this manner? I no sooner pro-
nounced these words, than suddenly I recol
lected the porcupine. I immediately ex-
amined if the quills had not penetrated
through the covering in which I wrapped
it: this I found to be the very thing: though
I had folded it three times double, the quills
had pierced through all, and produced the
effect of the sharpest spur on the poor ani-
mal. I soon found a remedy for this incon-
venience, by placing my wife's enchanted
bag, which was filled with articles of a na-
ture to be absolutely impenetrable, between
the ass's back and the dead animal. I now
restored Francis to his place, exhorting him
to keep in an upright posture, and we re-
sumed our journey.
+
Fritz had run on before with his gun,
hoping he should meet with some animal of
prey. What he most desired, was to find
K 5
202
THE SWISS:
one or two of those large bustards which
his mother had described to him. We fol
lowed him at our leisure, taking care not to
expose our health by unnecessary fatigue;
till at last, without further accident or adven-
ture, we arrived at the place of the giant
trees. Such, indeed, we found them, and
our astonishment exceeded all description.
-Good heavens! what trees! what a height!
what trunks! I never heard of any so pro-
digious! exclaimed one and all.-Nothing
can be more rational than your admiration,
answered I, measuring them with my eyes
as I spoke. I must confess I had not myself
formed an idea of the reality. To you be
all the honour, my dear wife, for the dis-
covery of this agreeable abode, in which we
shall enjoy so many comforts and advan-
tages. The great point we have to gain, is
the fixing a tent large enough to receive us
all, in one of these trees, by which means we
shall be perfectly secure from the invasion
of wild beasts. I defy even one of the bears,
who are so famous for mounting trees, to
climb up by a trunk so immense, and so
destitute of branches.
We began now to release our animals
from their burdens, having first thrown our
own on the grass. We next used the pre-
caution of tying their two fore legs together
with a cord, that they might not go far away,
FAMILÝ ROBINSON.
203
or lose themselves. We restored the fowls
to liberty; and then seating ourselves upon
the grass, we held a family council on the
subject of our future establishment. I was
myself somewhat uneasy on the question
of our safety during the ensuing night; for
I was ignorant of the nature of the extensive
country I beheld around me, and of what
chance there might be of our being attacked
by different kinds of wild beasts. I accord-
ingly observed to my wife, that I would
make an endeavour for us all to sleep in the
tree that very night. While I was delibe-
rating with her on the subject, Fritz, who
thought of nothing but his sporting, and
of his desire to take his revenge of the porcu
pine adventure, had stolen away to a short
distance, and we heard the report of a gun.
This would have alarmed me, if, at the same
moment, we had not recognised Fritz's
voice crying out,.I touched him! I touched
him! and in a moment we saw him running
towards us, holding a dead animal of un-
common beauty by the paws.-Father, father,
look, here is a superb tiger cat, said he,
proudly raising it in the air, to show it to the
best avantage.-Bravo! bravo! cried I;
bravo, Nimrod the undaunted! Your achieve
ment will call forth the unbounded gratitude
of our cocks and hens and pigeons, for you
have rendered them what they cannot fail
204
THE SWISS
to think an important service. If
you had
not killed this animal, he would no doubt
have demolished in the course of one night
our whole stock of poultry. I charge you
look about in every direction, and try to de-.
stroy as many of the species as fall in your
way, for we cannot have more dangerous
intruders.
Ernest.—I wish, father, you would be so
good as to tell me why God created wild
beasts, since man seems to be appointed to
destroy them?
Father.-This indeed is a question 1 can-
not answer, and we must be contented with
taking care to arm ourselves against them:
neither can I explain to you, why many
other things, which to us appear to have only
injurious qualities, have been created. With
respect to beasts of prey, I am inclined to
believe, that one of the ends of Providence,
in giving them existence, is their embellish-
ing and varying the works of the creation;
of maintaining a necessary equilibrium among
creatures endowed with life; and lastly, to
furnish man who comes naked into the world,
with materials for protecting himself from
the cold, by the use of their skins, which
become the means of exchange and com-
merce between different nations. We may
also add, that the care of protecting himself
from the attacks of ferocious animals, invi-
FAMILY ROBINSON.
205
gorates the physical and moral powers of
man, supports his activity, and renders him
inventive and courageous. The ancient
Germans, for example, were rendered robust
and valiant warriors, through their habitual
exercises in the field, which enabled them,
at a time of need, to defend their country
and their liberty with as little difficulty as
they would have experienced in killing a
wolf or a bear.
Jack. But what do you say of the in-
sects, which feed on living human flesh, and
who neither contribute their skins for the
wants of man, nor to his health by exciting
him to pursue them in the field? Of what
use are such creatures as these?
Father. They serve, my son, to exer-
cise his patience, and to compel him to a
constant cleanliness, which contributes to a
perfect state of health. But let us return to
the animal Fritz has killed.
particulars of your adventure.
kill him?
Tell me all the
How did you
Fritz. With my pistol, father, as Jack
killed the porcupine.
Father Was he on this tree just by us?
Fritz. Yes, father, I had been observing
that something moved among the branches.
I went softly as near as I could; and on
seeing him, I knew him for a tiger cat. I
immediately fired, when he fell at my feet
•
206
THE SWISS
wounded and furious; and then I fired a
second time and killed him.
Father. You were very fortunate in
escaping thus, for he might easily have de
voured you. You should always take care,
in aiming at animals of this kind, to be at a
greater distance.
Fritz.-Why so, father? I might have
missed him if I had been further off. I, on
the contrary, tried to be as near him as pos
sible, and fired close to his ears.
Father. This was acting in the same
way as your brother Jack, whom you so
much derided for his want of care, and may
serve, you as a lesson not to blame in your
brothers, what you would yourself be peri
haps obliged to do in the same situation; also
not to interrupt their joy with unkind re-
flections, but rather to partake with them the
pleasure of their success.
Fritz. Well, father; all I now ask of
Jack is, that he will be so good as not to
spoil the beautiful skin of this animal, as he
did that of the jackall. Only observe what
beautiful figures it is marked with, and the
fine effect of the black and yellow spots;
the most richly manufactured stuff could not
exceed it in magnificence. What is the ex-
act name of the animal?
Father. You may for the present give it
the name of the tiger cat. I do not, how-
FAMILY ROBINSON.
207
E
ever, think that it is the animal which is so
denominated at the Cape of Good Hope: I
rather think it is the margay, a native of
America, an animal of extremely vicious
dispositions and singular voraciousness; he
attacks all the birds of the forest, and
neither à man, a sheep, or goat, that should
fall in his way, could escape his rapacity. In
the name of humanity, therefore, we ought
to be thankful to you for having vanquished
so formidable an enemy.
Fritz.-All the recompence I ask, father,
is, that you will let me keep the skin; and
I wish you would tell me what use I can
inake of it.
Father.-One idea occurs to me, and it
is this:—you must skin the animal yourself,
taking, the greatest care not to injure it in
the operation, particularly those parts which
cover the fore legs and the tail. If you
will do this, you may make yourself a belt
with it, like your brother Jack's, except
that it will be much more beautiful. The
odd pieces will serve admirably to make
some cases to contain our utensils for the
table, such as knives, forks, spoons; and as
they will be light, we can easily carry them
about with us, should we make any further
excursions. It is not amiss, in such a situ
ation as ours, to exercise ourselves in all
kinds of trades and manual labour, and to
208
THE SWISS
do every thing with the utmost care, and in
the best manner possible. Man, the lord of
the creation, should always aim at perfection.
Go, then, boy, and put away its bloody
head, and we will see how to set about pre-
paring the skin.
Jack. And I too, father, will make some
cases with the skin of my porcupine.
•
Father. And why should you not, my
boy? The skin of the tiger cat can only
furnish us with four, and we ought to have
six at least, which will be one a-piece. So
set to work, and show us quickly what you
can perform. I should like for you to pre-
serve some of the quills of your porcupine
for me; for I think I can contrive to con-
vert them into packing-needles, or into ar-
rows; and what bits of skin are left, may
serve to repair the dogs' collars when they
begin to wear; or, which would be a master-
piece of invention, might be joined together
and made into a sort of coat of mail, as a
protection to them when they have to en-
counter wild beasts.
Jack.-Oh! yes, father, I will make the
coat of mail, the coat of mail! Ernest,
Fritz, did you hear what father said? Why,
our dogs will look like a couple of knights.
of chivalry. The idea is most excellent;
how I shall like to see them with a coat-of
mail!
FAMILY, ROBINSON.
209
1
The boys left me no moment of repose
till I had shown them how to take off the
skins of the animals without tearing them.
In the mean while, Ernest looked about for
a flat stone as a sort of foundation for a fire-
place, and little Francis collected some pieces
of dry wood for his mother to light a fire.
Ernest was not long in finding what he
wanted, and then he ran to join us and give
us his assistance, or rather to reason, right or
wrong, on the subject of skinning animals;
and then on that of trees, making various
comments and inquiries, respecting the real
name of those we intended to inhabit.—It is
my opinion, said he, that they are really and
simply, enormously large hazel trees; see if
the leaf is not of exactly the same form.—
But that is no proof, interrupted I; for many
trees bear leaves of the same shape, but
nevertheless are of different kinds. Besides,
it appears to me, that there is not so great a
resemblance as you think, between the leaves
of the trees which grow here, and those of
the hazel, the former being of a paler colour,
and white underneath. I recollect too, that
there is the wild mango and also the fig-tree,
whose roots grow in the same manner as our
giant trees, forming a beautiful arch, and
sometimes reaching to an immeasurable
height.
210
THE SWISS.
Ernest.-I thought, father, that the man-
go tree only grew on the sea-shore, and in
marshy soils?
Father. You were not mistaken; it is
the black mango tree which loves the water.
But there is, besides, the red mango, which
bears its fruit in bunches, something like
our currant bushes. This kind of the mango
tree is found at a considerable distance from
the sea, and its wood is used for dyeing red.
There is a third sort, which is called the
mountain mango, or yellow wood, and this
is the kind, whose roots produce the beauti
ful arches you now see around us.
We conversed thus as we proceeded with
our work; for it was always my endeavour
to compensate to my children, as much as
I was able, our want of books for their in-
struction. Little Francis presently came
running loaded with dry branches for his
mother, with his mouth crammed full of
something, and calling out, Mamma, mam-
ma, I have found a nice fruit to eat, and I
have brought you home some of it!
Little glutton! replied his mother quite
alarmed, what have you got there? For
Heaven's sake, do not swallow, in this impru-
dent manner, the first thing that falls in your
way; for by this means you may be poisoned,
and then you would die. She made him
FAMILY ROBINSON.
211
open his mouth, and took out with her fin-
ger what he was eating with so keen a relish.
With some difficulty she drew out the re-
mains of a fig.-A fig! exclaimed I: where
did you find it? Thank God, this is no poi-
son! But nevertheless, remember, Francis,
that you are never to put any thing into
your mouth, without first showing it to your
mother or to me. And now you may tell
us where you got this fig.
Francis.-I got it among the grass, papa;
and there are a great many more. I thought
in must be good to eat, for the fowls and the
pigeons, and even the pig, came to the place
and ate them in large quantities.
Father. You see then, my dear, said I
to my wife, that our beautiful trees are fig-
trees, at least the kind which are thus named
at the Antilles; for they do not in the least
resemble the tree called by that name in
Europe, except that they both bear a fruit
having some little resemblance to each other.
I now recollect that the leaves of the mango
tree are of a round form, and not oval like
these I took this occasion to give the boys
another lesson on the necessity of being
cautious in an unknown country, and never
to venture on tasting any thing they met
with, till they had seen it eaten by birds and
monkeys. At the word monkeys, they all
212
THE SWISS
ran to visit the little orphan, whom they
found seated on a root of a tree, and exa-
mining with the oddest grimaces and the
most singular expression of curiosity, the
half-skinned porcupine and the tiger cat,
which lay near him, Francis offered him a
fig, which he first turned round and round,
then smelled at it, and concluded by eating
it voraciously.-Bravo, bravo! Mr. Mon-
key, exclaimed the boys, clapping their
hands; so then these figs are good to eat!
Thank you, Mr. Monkey; for, after your
wise decision we shall make a charming feast
on them.
In the mean while, my wife had been em-
ployed in making a fire, in putting on the
pot, and preparing for our dinner. She had
put a large piece of the porcupine into it,
and the rest she had laid in salt for another
time. The tiger cat was bestowed upon the
dogs, who waited impatiently to receive it.
While our dinner was dressing, I employed
my time in making some packing-needles
with the quills of the porcupine. I put the
point of a large nail into the fire till it was
red hot; then taking hold of it with some
wet linen in my hand, by way of guard, I
with great ease perforated the thick end of
the quills with it. I had soon the pleasure
of presenting my wife with a large packet of
1
FAMILY ROBINSON.
213
long, stout, needles, which were the more
valuable in her estimation, as she had formed.
the intention of contriving some better har-
nessing for our animals, and had been per-
plexed how to set about them without some
larger needles. I, however, recommended to
her to be frugal in the use of her packthread,
for which I should soon have so urgent a need,
in constructing a ladder for ascending the tree
we intended to inhabit.
I had singled out the highest fig-tree; and
while we were waiting for dinner, I made the
boys try how high they could throw their sticks
and stones in it. I also tried myself; but the
very lowest branches were so far from the
ground, that none of us could touch them.
I perceived, therefore, that we should be
under the necessity of inventing some method
to reach so far, as, otherwise, it would be
impossible to fasten the ends of my ladder
to them. I allowed a short pause to my
imagination on the subject, during which I
assisted Jack and Fritz in carrying the skins
of the two animals to the adjacent stream,
where we confined them under water with
some large stones. By this time we were
called to dinner, and we all partook with
pleasure of our porcupine, which had pro-
duced an excellent soup, and had no fault
but being a little hard. My wife, however,
214
THE SWISS
could not prevail on herself to eat of it, which
occasioned Jack, who did the honours of
the dish, a little mortification. But his mo-
ther could not be brought to relent, and
made her dinner on a slice of ham and some
bread and cheese, under the shade of the
trees she had so much desired, and she
found the plainest repast delicious.
FAMILY ROBINSON.
215
CHAPTER X.
Construction of a ladder.
OUR repast being ended, I observed to my
wife, that I did not think it would be possi-
ble for us to sleep that night in the tree, and
that we should therefore be obliged to lie on
the ground. I however desired her imme-
diately to begin preparing the harness for
the animals, that they might go to the sea-
shore and fetch what pieces of wood or
other useful articles might be thrown up to
enable us to ascend the tree, if, contrary to
my expectation, it should be found prac-
ticable. She lost not a moment in beginning
her work: while I, in the mean time, set
about suspending our hammocks to some
of the arched roots of the trees, which I
considered would be more convenient for
passing the night, than on the ground. I
next spread a piece of sail-cloth large enough
to cover them, to preserve us from the dew
and from the insects. Having thus made the
best provision I could for my family, I has-
tened with the two eldest boys to the sea-
shore, to examine the resources supplied by
the waves, and to choose out such pieces of
216
THE SWISS
wood as were most proper for the steps of
my ladder. The dry branches of the fig-tree
I would not use, for they appeared to me
too fragile for the purpose; and I had not
observed any other kind of wood growing
near, that was sufficiently solid.-There were,
no doubt, on the sands, numberless pieces,
the quality of which was fit for my object;
but, unfortunately, there was none that would
not require considerable labour to be adapted
in all respects to my purpose; and thus
my undertaking would have experienced
a considerable delay, if Ernest had not been
lucky enough to discover a number of bam-
boo canes in a sort of bog, where they lay
half covered with sand and mud. I took them
out, and, with the boys' assistance, com-
pletely cleared them from the dirt; and
stripping off their leaves to examine them, I
found to my great joy that they were precise-
ly what I wanted. I then instantly began to
cut them with my hatchet, in pieces of four
or five feet long; the boys bound them toge-
ther in faggots proportioned to their strength
for carrying them, and we prepared to re-
turn with them to our place of abode. I
next secured some of the straight and most
slender of the stalks, to make some arrows
with, of which I knew I should stand in need.
At some distance from the place where we
stood, I perceived a sort of thicket, in which
FAMILY ROBINSON.
217
I hoped to find some young pliant twigs,
which I thought might also be useful to me;
I determined, however, first to examine them.
We proceeded to the spot; but apprehending
it might be the retreat of some dangerous
reptile, or animal, we held our guns in rea-
diness. Ponto, who had accompanied us,
went before. We had hardly reached the
thicket, when we observed him make several
jumps, and throw himself furiously into the
middle of the bushes; when instantly a
troop of large-sized flamingoes* sprang out,
*The Flamingo is a species of bird between the
web-footed genus and the waders; it takes its name
from the singular colour of its plumage, being of a
bright flame-coloured red. This bird is to be found
both in the old and the new continent; in the old con-
tinent, only in the southern climates; and in the new,
no-where to the north of Carolina. The flamingo
is a gregarious animal, frequenting the sea-shore and
the marshes occasionally covered by the sea. When
the flamingo sets out upon a fishing expedition, the
birds range themselves in file, so as, at a distance, to
produce the appearance of an extended line of sol-
diers; nor do they employ this arrangement only
when they seek their prey, but also in a state of re-
pose. Sometimes, however, a flamingo may be
found alone, or with only a single companion, espe-
cially when at a distance from the sea. When drawn
up in their military array, there are always sentinels.
fixed, who, in case of alarm, utter a loud cry capable
of being heard at a great distance, and considerably
resembling the sound of a trumpet: the sentinel
then takes wing, and all the others follow: but
whenever it is possible to come upon a flock of fla
VOL. I.
•
L
218
THE SWISS
and with a loud rustling noise mounted into
the air. Fritz, always too ready with his
gun, instantly fired, when two of the birds
fell down among the bushes: one of them
was quite dead, but the other was only
slightly wounded in the wing: he soon got
upon his feet, and giving himself a shake,
and finding that he could not fly, he began
to make use of his long legs, and to run so
fast towards the water, that we were afraid
he would escape us. Fritz, in the joy of his
1
mingoes without being observed by the sentinel, it is
easy to pounce upon them and kill a great number.
The report of a musket never induces them to take
wing, but rather stupifies them; and they remain
immoveable, with their eyes fixed on the sportsman.
They avoid all inhabited places, and live on the
small fry of fish, or shell-fish, and on insects that
they find in the mud, into which they plunge their
long and singular beak. The flamingo builds its
nest on the ground, and generally in marshes; they
scrape the mud into a heap with their feet, so as to
make little hillocks of a conical figure, and a foot
and a half in height; the hillock is a little hollowed
at the top; and in this hollow the female lays two
or three eggs at most, upon which she sits; her legs,
which are very long, resting upon the level ground,
or plunged into the water, while with the back
part of her body she keeps the eggs in a proper
state of warmth. The egg of the flamingo is white,
and of the size of a goose's egg, but more elliptical.
The young ones run with inexpressible quickness
in a few days after their birth, but do not begin
to fly till they have acquired their full size. Their
plumage is at first of a pale gray approaching to
FAMILY ROBINSON.
219
heart, ran to pick up the flamingo he had
killed; he plunged up to his knees in the
water, and with great difficulty was able to
get out again; while I, warned by his exam-
ple, proceeded more cautiously in my pur-
suit of the wounded bird. Ponto came to
my assistance, for without him I should have
lost all trace of the animal; but he ran on
before, caught hold of the flamingo, and held
him fast till I reached the spot, and took him
into my protection. All this was effected
white; it grows redder as the young flamingo in-
creases in age; but nearly a year elapses before this
bird reaches its full stature; at which time it first
shews its robe of a brilliant flame colour. The car-
nation hue first appears on the wing, which is always
of the brightest tint; it then extends to the rump, and
afterwards shows itself upon the back and breast, and
as far as the neck, which is of a delicate rose colour.
The flamingo is considered as a delicate morsel for
the table, having some resemblance to the partridge
in flavour: the tongue, which is very large, is parti-
cularly esteemed. They differ in stature, largeness,
and colour; but this difference depends upon the age
of the animal: when in full growth, the flamingo is
more than four feet long from the beak to the tail,
and nearly six feet high to the extremity of the ta-
lons. The neck and legs are extremely long; the
plumage varies in colour on the different parts of
the body, from a bright vermilion to a beautiful rose
colour, and the legs and feet are of the same tint.
There are however a few black feathers in each
wing; the beak in some is red, and in others yel-
low; but the extremity in all is black.
Nouveau Dictionnaire d'Histoire Naturelle.
L 2
220
THE SWISS
with considerable trouble; for the bird made
a stout resistance, flapping its wings with
violence for some time. But at last I suc-
ceeded in securing him.
E
Fritz was not long in extricating himself
from the swamp; he now appeared holding.
the dead flamingo by the feet: but I had
more trouble in the care of mine, as I had a
great desire to preserve him alive. I had
tied his feet and his wings with my handker-
chief; notwithstanding which, he still con-
tinued to flutter about to a distressing degree,
and tried to make his escape. I held the
flamingo under my left arm, and my gun
in my right hand. I made the best jumps
I was able, to get to the boys, but at the
risk of sinking every moment into the
mud, which was extremely deep, and from
which it would have been difficult to have
released me. Attracted by the love of
sporting, I had made my way through these
dangerous places, scarcely observing their
existence; but now, on my return, I shud-
dered on perceiving the danger to which I
had exposed myself.
The joy of the boys was excessive, when
they saw that my flamingo was alive.—If we
can but cure his wound and contrive to feed
him, what a happiness it will be! said they.
Do you think he will like to be with the
other fowls?
FAMILY ROBINSON.
221
I know, answered I, that he is a bird that
may be easily tamed; and we will make our
experiment upon him: but he will not thank
you for such food as we give our fowls; he
will make his humble petition to you for
some small fish, a few worms, or insects.
Ernest. Our river will furnish him with
all these; Jack and Francis can catch as
many as he will want; and very soon, with
such long legs as he has, he may learn the
way to the river and find them for himself.
Father.-I hope you will take great care
of him, for I have a great desire to preserve
him.
Fritz.-How delightful it will be, if we
can catch some other sorts of wild birds, and
have a yard to keep them in! But look,
father, he is web-footed like aquatic birds,
while his legs are long like the stork: is not
this rare and extraordinary ?
Father. Not at all: many other birds,
as well as the flamingo, possess the double
faculty of running and of swimming.
Ernest-But, father, are all flamingoes
like this, of such a beautiful red colour, and
the wings so exquisitely tinted with purple?
I think I have seen the flamingo in my Na
tural History, and the colours were not like
these: so perhaps this is not a flamingo at
last?
Father.--I believe it is a flamingo, Er-
222
THE SWISS
nest, and that this difference in the plumage
denotes the age of the bird: when very
young they are gray, at a more advanced age
they are white; and it is only when they are
full grown, that they are adorned with this
beautifully tinted plumage.
Ernest.-This dead one, then, is an old
fellow, and I am afraid by his colours that
he will make but a tough dish: shall we not
take him home to mamma?
Father.-Yes, certainly. I leave to you
the care of carrying him in the best manner
you can in the mean time, I shall repeat my
visit to the canes, for I have not done with
them yet. I accordingly selected, now, some
of the oldest of the stalks, and cut from them
their hard pointed ends, which I had well
considered would serve for the tips of my
arrows, for which they are also used by the
savages of the Antilles. Lastly, I looked for
two of the longest canes, which I cut, for the
purpose of measuring the height of our giant
tree, about which I felt so deep an interest.
When I told my sons the use I intended to
make of the two longest canes, they indulged
themselves in a hearty laugh at me, and
maintained, that though I should lay ten
such canes up the trunk of the tree, the last
would not reach even the lowest branch.
I requested they would oblige me by having
a little patience; and I reminded them, that
FAMILY ROBINSON.
223
it was not long ago that they defied their
mother to catch the fowls, because they them-
selves had not known how to set about it.
When I had done all I wanted, I began to
think of returning. Ernest took the charge
of all the canes; Fritz carried the dead fla-
mingo, and I took care of the living one.
We had not gone far, when Fritz, addressing
himself to Ponto, said: Oho, lazy bones!
so you think you are to be excused from any
part of the burden; have the goodness to
carry my flamingo on your back, with the
same politeness as your companion Turk
observed, towards my little monkey.
As he said this, he tied the dead bird upon
his back, without the least resistance from
the patient animal.
So then, said I, Mr. Fritz intends to re-.
turn quite at his ease, and without any part
of our load, while his old father and his
young brothers carry each a heavy portion!
Your reproach is very just, father, said the
excellent lad; give me, I entreat you, your
live bird, and I will take the greatest care of
him; only see if he does not already give
me a kind look! and as for his long formida-
ble beak, I am not the least afraid of it; he
does not look as if he would bite me. That
is the more generous on his part, replied I,
for it was you who wounded him: but it is
a known fact, that animals are often of a less
224
THE SWISS
revengeful nature than man, and you will see
that this bird will attach itself to you very
strongly saying this, I put the flamingo
carefully into his hands.
We were now returned to the spot where
we had left the three bundles of bamboo-
canes; and as my sons were sufficiently
loaded, I took charge of them myself. Now
you see, said I to Fritz, that in this instance
kindness is its own reward; if you had not
undertaken the care of the flamingo, you
would have had to carry all these bundles,
which are a much heavier load.
We were at length arrived once more at
our giant trees, and were received with a
thousand expressions of interest and kind-
ness.-Why, what have you there, Ernest,
-that is so beautiful a red?-and, Fritz, what
is that in your handkerchief? All were de-
lighted at the sight of our new conquests.
My wife, with her accustomed disposition to
anxiety on our account, immediately asked
where we should get food enough for all the
animals we brought home.-You should
consider, said I, that some of them feed us,
-instead of being fed; and the one we have
now brought you, need not give you much
uneasiness, if, as I hope, he proves able to
find food for himself without our interfe
rence. I now began to examine his wound,
and found that only one wing was injured
FAMILY ROBINSON.
225
by the ball, but that the other had also been
slightly wounded by the dog's laying hold
of him. I anointed them both with an oint-
ment I composed of a mixture of butter and
wine for the purpose, and which seemed im-
mediately to ease the pain; I next tied him
by one of his legs, with a long string, to a
stake I had driven into the ground, quite near
to the stream, that he might go in and wash
himself when he pleased.
In the mean time, my little railers had tied
the two longest canes together, and were
endeavouring to measure the tree with them ;
but when they found that they reached no
further than the top of the arch formed by
the roots, they all burst into immoderate fits
of laughter, assuring me, that if I wished to
measure the tree, I must think of some other
means. I however sobered them a little, by
recalling to Fritz's memory some lessons in
geometry and land surveying, which he had
received in Europe, and that by means of
these useful sciences, the measure of the high-
est mountains, and their distance from each
other, may be ascertained by the application
of triangles and supposed lines. I instantly
proceeded to this kind of operation, fixing
my canes in the ground, and making use of
some string, which Fritz guided according to
my directions. I will not fatigue the reader
with a minute account of the geometrical
L 5
226
THE SWISS
i
process I adopted, as a substitute for the
proper instruments; it is sufficient to let him
know, that the means I used, answered my
purpose, and that I found that the height of
the lower branches of our tree was forty feet:
this particular of its height I was obliged scru-
pulously to ascertain, before I could deter-
mine the length of my ladder. I now set
Fritz and Ernest to work, to measure our
stock of thick ropes, of which I wanted no
less than eighty feet for the two sides of the
ladder the two youngest I employed in col-
lecting all the small string we had used for
measuring, and carrying it to their mother.
For my own part, I sat down on the grass,
and began to make some arrows with a piece
of the bamboo, and the short sharp points of
the canes I had taken such pains to secure.
As the arrows were hollow, I filled them
with moist sand, to give them a little weight;
and lastly, I tipped them with a bit of fea-
ther from the flamingo, to make them fly
straight. Scarcely had I finished my work,
than the boys came jumping round me, ut-
tering a thousand demonstrations of joy:-
A bow, a bow, and some real arrows! cried
they, addressing each other, and then run-
ning to me.-Tell us, father, continued they,
what you are going to do with them; do let
me shoot one ;-and me; and me too, cried
one and all as fast as they could speak.-
FAMILY ROBINSON.
227
Father. Have patience, boys; I say, have
patience. This once I must claim the pre-
ference for myself, in order to make trial of
my work, which I undertook rather for use
than for amusement; so now I will try one of
them. Have you, my dear, any strong thread?
said I to my wife; I want some immediate-
ly.
We shall see, said she, what my en-
chanted bag, which has never yet refused its
aid, can do for you. She then threw open its
mouth.-Come, said she, pretty bag, give
me what I ask you for; my husband wants
some thread, and it must be very strong.....
See now, did I not promise you should have
your wish?..... See, here is a large ball of
the very thread you want.
Ernest.-But I do not see much magic,
however, mother, in taking out of a bag,
exactly what we had before put into it.
Father.-If we are to discuss the matter
seriously, Ernest, I cannot but allow that your
observation is a just one; but in a moment
of dreadful apprehension, such as we expe-
rienced on leaving the vessel, to think of a
variety of little things that might be useful to
one or all of us, was an act that we may
truly call an enchantment; and it is a con-
duct, of which, only the best of wives and
the best of mothers could be capable: it is,
then, something like a truth, that your mother
is a good fairy, who constantly provides for
228
THE SWISS
•
all our wants: but you young giddy things
think little of the benefit you thus enjoy.
Just at this moment, Fritz joined us, hav-
ing finished measuring the string; he brought
me the welcome tidings that our stock, in
all, was about five hundred fathoms, which
I knew to be more than sufficient for my
ladder. I now tied the end of the ball of
strong thread to an arrow, and fixing it to
the bow, I shot it off in such a direction, as
to make the arrow pass under one of the
largest branches of the tree, and fall again
to the ground from the upper side of the
same branch. By this method I lodged
my thread across the main branch, while I
had the command of the end and the ball
below. It was now easy to tie a piece of
rope to the end of the thread, and draw
it upwards, till the knot should reach the
same branch. We were thus enabled again
to measure the height it was from the
ground, and it again proved to be forty feet,
as had appeared by my former mode of
measuring. Having now made quite sure
of being able to raise my ladder by means
of the string already suspended, we all set
to work with increased zeal and confidence.
The first thing I did was to cut a length of
about a hundred feet from my parcel of
ropes, an inch thick; this I divided into
two equal parts, which I stretched along on
FAMILY ROBINSON.
229
the ground in two parallel lines, at the di-
stance of a foot from each other. I then
directed Fritz to cut portions of sugar-cane,
each two feet in length. Ernest handed
them to me, one after another; and as I
received them, I inserted them into my cords
at the distance of twelve inches respectively;
fixing them with knots in the cord, while
Jack, by my order, drove into each a long
nail at the two extremities, to hinder them
from slipping out again. Thus in a very
short time I had formed a ladder of forty
rounds in length, and in point of execution
firm and compact, and which we all beheld
with a sort of joyful astonishment. I now
proceeded to fasten it firmly to one end of
the rope, which hung from the tree, and
pulled it by the other, till one end of our
ladder reached the branch, and seemed to
rest so well upon it, that the joyous excla-
mations of the boys and my wife resounded
from all sides. All the boys wished to be
the first to ascend upon it; but I decided
that it should be Jack, he being the nimblest
and of the lightest figure among them.-
Accordingly, I and his brothers held the end
of the rope with all our strength, while our
young adventurer tripped up the ladder with
as much ease as if he were a cat, and pre-
sently took his post upon the branch; but I
230
THE SWISS
observed that he had not strength enough to
tie the rope firmly to the tree. Fritz now
interfered, assuring me that he could ascend
the ladder as safely as his brother: but, as
he was much heavier, I was not altogether
without apprehension. I gave him instruc-
tions how to step, in such a way as to divide
his weight, by occupying four rounds of the
ladder at the same time, with his feet and
hands; I made him take with him some
large nails and a hammer, to nail the ladder
firmly to the branch.
He set out courage.
ously upon the undertaking, and was almost
instantly side by side with Jack, forty-feet
above our heads, and both saluting us with
cries of exultation. Fritz immediately set
to work to fasten the ladder, by passing the
rope round and round the branch; and this
he performed with so much skill and intelli-
gence, that I felt sufficient reliance to deter-
mine me to ascend myself, and well conclude
the business he had begun. But before I
ascended, I tied a large pulley to the end of
the rope, and carried it with me. When I
was at the top, I fastened the pulley to a
branch which was within my reach, that by
this means I might be able the next day to
draw up the planks and timbers I might want
for building my aerial castle. I executed
all this by the light of the moon, and felt
FAMILY ROBINSON.
231
the satisfaction of having done a good day's
work. I now gently descended my rope
ladder, and joined my wife and children.
As I found an inconvenience in being three
of us together on the branch, I had directed
the boys to descend first. My astonish-
ment, therefore, on reaching the ground, and
finding that neither Fritz nor Jack had made
their appearance, it is easier to conceive than
to describe; their mother, as she assured me,
having seen nothing of them since they as-
cended the ladder. While I was endeavour-
ing to conjecture where they could be, we
suddenly heard the sound of voices which
seemed to come from the clouds, and which
chanted an evening hymn. I soon recog-
nised the trick our young rogues had played
me; who seeing me busily employed in the
tree, instead of descending as I had desired
them, had climbed upwards from branch to
branch till they reached to the very top.
My heart was now lightened of my appre-
hensions for their safety, and I called out to
them as loudly as I could, to take great care
in coming down. It was almost night, and
the light of the moon scarcely penetrated the
extreme thickness of the foliage. They pre-
sently descended, and joined their anxious
relations without any accident. I now di-
rected them to assemble all our animals, and
to get together what dry wood we should
232
THE SWISS
want for making fires, which I looked to as
our defence against the attacks of wild beasts.
I explained to them all my reasons for this,
informing them that in Africa, a country re-
markable for its prodigious numbers of fero-
cious animals, the natives secure themselves
from their nocturnal visits, by lighting large
fires, which all these creatures are known to
dread and avoid.
When these preparations were finished,
my wife presented me with the day's work
she had performed; it was some traces and
a breast-leather each for the cow and the ass.
I promised her, as a reward for her zeal and
exertion, that we should all be completely
settled in the tree the following day. And
now we began to think of our supper, in
which she and Ernest and little Francis had
been busily and effectually engaged. Ernest
had made two wooden forks, and driven them
into the ground to support a spit, upon
which was a large piece of the porcupine,
which he kept turning at the fire. Another
piece of the animal was boiling in the pot
for soup; and both together exhaled an
odour which gave us an excellent appetite.
All our animals had now come round us,
one after the other. My wife threw some
grain to the fowls, to accustom them to as-
semble in a particular spot; and when they
had eaten it, we had the pleasure of seeing
FAMILY ROBINSON.
233
our pigeons take their flight to the top of the
giant tree, and the cocks and hens perching
and settling themselves, and cackling all the
time, upon the rounds of the ladder. The
quadrupeds we tied to the arched roots of
the tree, quite near to our hammocks, where
they quietly laid down on the grass to rumi-
nate in tranquillity. Our beautiful flamingo
was not forgotten, Fritz having fed him with
some crumbs of biscuit soaked in milk, which
he ate very heartily; and afterwards putting
his head under his right wing, and raising
his left foot, he abandoned himself with con-
fidence to sleep.
At last we had notice that our supper was
served, We had laid together in different
heaps, a quantity of dried branches and pieces
of wood, in readiness to light, when my wife
summoned us to our meal, which we had
waited for with impatience, and now greedily
devoured. My wife, still keeping her reso-
lution of not tasting the porcupine, contented
herself with the more sober fare of bread
and cheese. The children brought us some
figs for the dessert, which they had picked
up under the trees, and of which we all par-
took with pleasure. And now the gaping of
one of the boys, and the out-stretched arms of
another, gave us notice, that it was time for
our young labourers to retire to rest. We
performed our evening devotions. I set fire
234
THE SWISS
to several of the heaps, and then threw my-
self contentedly upon my hammock. My
young ones were already cased in theirs, and
we were soon greeted with their murmurs at
being obliged to lie so close to each other,
that they could not move their limbs.—Ah,
gentlemen, cried I, you must try to be con-
tented; no sailor is ever better accommo-
dated than you are now, and you must not
expect beds to drop from the clouds on your
behalf! I then directed them how to put
themselves in a more convenient posture, and
to swing their hammock gently to and fro.
And see, added I, if sleep will not visit you
as soon in a hammock, as on a bed of down.
They profited by my advice, and all, except
myself, were soon asleep.
C
FAMILY ROBINSON.
235
CHAPTER XI.
The settling in the giant tree.
I HAD thought it necessary to keep watch
during this first night, for the protection of
my family. Every leaf that stirred, gave me
the apprehension that it was the approach of
a jackall or a tiger, who might attack some
member of my family. As soon as one of
the heaps was consumed, I lighted another;
and at length, finding that no animal ap-
peared, I by degrees became assured, and at
last fell into so sound a sleep, that I did not
awake early enough for the execution of my
project for that day. The boys were all up
and about me. We took our breakfast, and
fell to our work. My wife, having finished
her daily occupation of milking the cow,
and preparing the breakfast for the family,
and for all the animals, set off with Ernest,
Jack, and Francis, attended by the ass, to
the sea-shore; they had no doubt of finding
some more pieces of wood, and they thought
it would be prudent to replenish our ex-
hausted store. In her absence, I ascended the
tree with Fritz, and made the necessary pre-
parations for my undertaking, for which I
236
THE SWISS
**
found it in every respect convenient; for the
branches grew extremely close to each other,
and in an exactly horizontal direction. Such
as grew in a manner to obstruct my design,
I cut off either with the saw or hatchet, leav-
ing none but what presented me with a
sort of foundation for my work. I left those
which spread themselves evenly upon the
trunk, and had the largest circuit, as a sup-
port for my floor. Above these, at the
height of forty-six feet, I found others,
upon which to suspend our hammocks; and
higher still, there was a further series of
branches, destined to receive the roof of my
tent, which for the present was to be formed
of nothing more than a large surface of sail-
cloth.
The progress of these preparations was
considerably slow. It was necessary to raise
certain beams to this height of forty feet,
that were too heavy for my wife and her
little assistants to lift from the ground with-
out great effort. I had, however, the re-
source of my pulley, which served to excel-
lent purpose. My wife and the boys fastened
the beams firmly to pieces of cord above,
while Fritz and I contrived to draw them
up to the elevation of the tent, one by one.
When I had already placed two beams upon
the branches, I hastened to fix my planks
upon them; and I made my floor double,
FAMILY ROBINSON.
237
that it might have sufficient solidity if the
beams should be in any way warped from
their places. I then formed a wall some-
thing like a park-paling, all round, to prevent
accidents to ourselves or children. This
operation and a third journey to the sea-shore
to collect the timber necessary, filled our
morning so completely, that not one of us
had thought about dinner. For this once
it was requisite to be content with a simple
provision of ham and milk. Dinner ended,
we returned to work to finish our aërial
palace, which now began to make an im-
posing appearance. We unhooked our
hammocks, &c. from the projecting roots
from which they had at first been suspended;
and, by means of my pulley, contrived to
hoist them up to our new habitation. The
sail-cloth roof was supported by the thick
branches above; and as it was of great com-
pass, and hung down on every side, the idea
occurred to me of nailing it to the paling on
two sides, and thus getting not only a roof,
but two walls also; the immense trunk of
the tree forming a third, while a fourth side
contained the entrance of our apartment:
and this I left entirely open, both as a means
of seeing what passed without, and for ad-
mitting a current of air to cool us in this
burning temperature. We also on this side
enjoyed an extensive and uninterrupted view
238
THE SWISS
of the vast ocean, and its lengthening shore.
The hammocks were soon suspended from
the branches above, and now every thing
was ready for our reception that very even-
ing. Well satisfied with the execution of my
plan, I descended with Fritz, who had as-
sisted me throughout the whole; and as the
day was not far advanced, and I observed we
had still some planks remaining, we set about
contriving a large table to be placed between
the roots of the tree, and surrounded with
benches; and this place, we said, should be
called our dining-parlour. For this time, we
performed our task but slightly, for I confess
I was much fatigued. The table, on the
whole, however, was such as might be well
endured, and the view of it gave my wife.
considerable satisfaction as she looked on,
busied with preparations for our supper. In
the mean time, the three youngest boys col-
lected all the pieces of wood we had thrown
down from the tree, and put them together.
to dry in a heap, at a small distance from our
fire-place. I also tied together a quantity
of small wood which we had collected, and
which served to augment our store for mak-
ing fires.
•
Entirely exhausted by the fatigues of the
day, I threw myself at full length on a bank,
saying to my wife, that as I had worked like
a galley slave to day, I should allow myself
、
ř
FAMILY ROBINSON.
239
some rest to-morrow. My wife answered,
that not only I was entitled to a day of rest,
but that it was a duty incumbent on me to
take it on the following day; for, said she,
I have calculated that to morrow is Sunday.
Unfortunately we had already passed one
sabbath-day without recollecting that it was
So.
Father. I thank you, my dear, for mak-
ing this discovery, and I promise you that the
day shall be celebrated by us, as it ought to
be. It was not unknown to me that we had
passed over one Sunday without a due ob-
servance of the duties it imposes; but I con-
fess it appeared to me, that being caused by
the extraordinary exertions we had to make
for the preservation of our lives in a desert
place, to which it had pleased God to con-
duct us, it was a pardonable omission; but
now that we seem to have surmounted many
difficulties, and to have secured ourselves an
habitation, we should indeed be culpable not
to celebrate in a solemn and particular man-
ner, the day he has consecrated to himself.
My Wife.-Be assured, my dear, that I
shall heartily join you in rendering thanks to
God, who in so imminent a danger preserved
all that was dear to me, and affords us here,
in a strange and desert land, not only the
necessaries of life, but many of its comforts
also. I could no where have met with an
240
THE SWISS.
habitation nore to my fancy, than that you
have effected for us in the tree. I will mount
the ladder this evening with you, for I feel
almost a child's joy at the idea of passing the
night up in the air, as we may call it. Let
us quickly eat our supper and go to bed,
without dropping a word about its being
Sunday to-morrow. It will be a great plea-
sure to me to surprise, the boys with the
news of a day of rest from labour, which
they did not expect. ◊
3
}
And I, for my part, said I, am rejoiced to
find you thus contented and resigned to your
fate, and entertaining no contempt for our
imperfect contrivances. But now let us see
what you have prepared for our reward; and
let us call the children around us; I feel in
want of such a restorative after my fatigue.
*
The little company was soon assembled
round the table. The mother followed,
holding in her hand an earthen, pot, which
we had before observed upon the fire, and
the contents of which we were all curious to
be informed of. She took off the cover, and
with a fork drew out of it the flamingo which
Fritz had killed. She informed us that she
had preferred dressing it this way, to roast
ing, because Ernest had assured her that it
was an old bird, which would prove hard
and tough, and had advised her to improve
it by stewing. We rallied our glutton boy
FAMILY ROBINSON.
241
on this foible of his character, and his bro-.
thers gave him the name of the cook. We,
however, had soon reason to know, that he
had conferred upon us an important obli-
gation; for the bird, which roasted, we per-
haps should not have been able to touch,
now appeared excellent, and was eaten up
to the very bones.
While we were thus enjoying our repast,
the live flamingo stalked up to the place
where we were sitting, in the midst of our
flock of fowls, to receive his part of the re-
past, little thinking that it was his late com-
panion that had furnished it. The live fla-
mingo had now become so tame, that we
had released him from the stake. He took
his walks gravely from place to place, and
looked perfectly contented with his company.
His fine plumage was a most pleasing sight;
while, on the other hand, the sportive tricks
and the grimaces of our little monkey, af-
forded the most agreeable spectacle imagi-
nable. The little animal had become quite
familiar with us; jumped from the shoulder
of one to that of another; always caught
adroitly the meat we threw him, and ate it in
so pleasant a way as to make us laugh hearti
ly. To increase our merriment, the old sow,
which hitherto had shown an unconquerable
aversion to our society, and which we had
missed for two whole days, was now seen
}
VOL. I.
M
242
THE SWISS
advancing towards us, grunting at every step.
For this time, however, her grunting indi-
cated her joy at having found us once more:
and the joy was mutual; of which my wife
gave her a substantial proof, by serving her
instantly with what remained of our daily
allowance of milk.
I confess I thought her a little too generous,
till she explained to me that it was necessary
to contrive some utensils proper for making
butter and cheese, and that till this was done,
it was better to turn the milk to profit inthis
way, than, in so hot a climate, to letuit be
spoiled; and it was too the more necessary,
she added, as our grain began to run short,
and that, as pigs are very fond of milk, it
might be a means of preventing her wander-
ing from us again.
I always find you right, my dear, said I.
It shall not be long ere we again undertake
another visit to the vessel, to fetch a new-
provision of grain for your poultry.
Again the subject of the vessel, said she,
with a sort of reproachful regret; I shall
never enjoy a moment's happiness till it is
gone to the bottom, and you shall have en-
tirely banished it from your thoughts! You
never make a voyage that does not leave me.
filled with agonizing alarm for your safety.
I cannot deny, replied I, that there may be
some reason for this; but I must remind
you
FAMILY ROBINSON.
243
that we always choose a day of calm and
settled weather for our excursion; and in
my opinion we should be unpardonable, if we
allowed ourselves to be so subdued by cause-
less alarms, as to neglect the means of ob-
taining a variety of useful things, which Pro-
vidence seems to have reserved for our use.
During this conversation, the boys, by my
direction, had lighted one of the heaps of
wood for the protection of our animals.
This being done, we tied long ropes loosely
round the necks of our dogs, purposing to
mount to our tent with the ends in my hand,
that I might be able to let them loose upon
the enemy at the first barking I should hear.
Every one was now eager to retire to rest,
and the signal for ascending the ladder was
given. The three eldest boys were up in an
instant; then came their mother's turn, who
proceeded slowly and cautiously, and arrived
in perfect safety. My own ascension was the
last, and the most difficult; for I carried little
Francis on my back, and the end of the lad-
der had been loosened at the bottom, that I
might be able to draw it up in the tent du-
ring the night: every step, therefore, was
made with the greatest difficulty, in conse-
quence of its swinging motion. At last,
however, I got to the top, and, to the ad-
miration of the boys, drew the ladder after
me. It appeared to them that we were in
!
M 2
244
THE SWISS
one of the strong castles, of the ancient cheva-
liers, in which, when the draw-bridge is
raised, the inhabitants are secured from every
attack of the enemy. Notwithstanding this
apparent safety, I kept our guns in readiness
for whatever event might require their use.
We now abandoned ourselves to repose;
our hearts experienced a full tranquillity;
and the fatigue we had all undergone, in-
duced so sound a sleep, that day-light shone
full in the front of our habitation, before
our eyes were opened.

Wasbent day
The Family Congregation.
FAMILY ROBINSON.
245
CHAPTER XII.
(
The Sabbath and the parable.
awaking in the morning, we were all
sensible of an unusual refreshment, and a
new activity of mind. Well, young ones,
cried I jocosely, you have learned, I see,
how to sleep in a hammock, I heard not a
single complaint all the night! no disput-
ing about room from any one of you; all
was still and tranquil. Ah, answered they,
stretching and, yawning as they spoke, we
were so heartily fatigued yesterday, that it
is no wonder we slept soundly.
Father. Here then, my children, is an-
other advantage derived from labour; that
of procuring a sweet and peaceful sleep.
Yes, yes, father, that is very true, said
they, so let us go to work again to-day:
What is there to do? What will you give
each of us to do?
Father.-Nothing at all; you will do no
work with your hands for the whole day.
The Boys.-Oh, father, you are joking
now, I see you are; you are laughing at us
· because we slept a little too long.
Father-No, my dear boys, I am not
246
THE SWISS
joking. This day is Sunday, and God said,
Six days shalt thou labour, but the seventh
is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God; and
we will therefore celebrate it as we ought.
Jack.-Sunday! What, are there Sundays
here? That is quite delightful! Oh, I will
go and shoot my arrows, and I will walk
about and play, and I will do no work the
whole day-
Father.-Do you think, then, that it was
solely for the purpose that people might
amuse themselves, and indulge in idleness,
that God reserved Sunday to himself? You
mistake; what he intended was, that there
should be a day set apart for worship and
thanksgiving for all his goodness; and such
an employment of our time ought to be our
greatest pleasure.
Ernest.-I thought, father, that the wor-
ship of God consisted in going to church to
hear a sermon and sing hymns: we have no
church here, how then can we properly ob-
serve Sundays?
Francis. And we have no orgán cither,
and I am very sorry, for I like very much
to hear it.
Jack. You see then, papa, that it is not
possible for us to celebrate Sunday in the
way you propose.
}
Fritz.-How childishly you talk! Do
you think that father, who made sermons for
FAMILY ROBINSON.
247
us in our own country, cannot make them
here? Is not God in every place, as certainly
as in a church? And what should hinder us
from singing without an organ? When
there were soldiers encamped near our town,
they had neither church nor organ, and
yet the service of the church was per-
formed to them: we have a good minister,
and that is the principal thing.
Father.-Your brother is quite right, my
boys; God is indeed every where, and the
best worship consists in thinking of him, and
of his holy will, and resolving to fulfil it.
In this sense, there is no place in the world
that may not serve for a church, because we
may entertain pious sentiments every where;
and this majestic arch of heaven, the im-
mediate work of the Almighty, ought more
effectually to raise the soul and touch the
heart, than an edifice of stone made by the
hand of man! We will, therefore, perform
divine service this morning; we shall have
no sermon to-day, those I know by heart
being beyond your comprehension: young
persons sould be addressed on the subject
of the Supreme Being, according to their
feeble understanding, and not as we would
address an audience whose judgement and
reason are matured. I will hereafter com-
pose a sermon that shall be suitable for you:
to-day we will repeat the prayers, and sing
248
THE SWISS
one of those affecting hymns of adoration
which your mother taught you. I will then
relate to you a parable of the Great King,
which is well adapted to awaken pious
thoughts and sentiments in your minds.
() {}
The Boys.-A parable, a parable! What,
like that of the Sower in the Testament!
Ah, yes, do, father; we will listen for ever
to that; do begin directly.
J
L
h
1
Father. Every thing in its turn, if you
please: first, let us perform our usual morn-
ing devotions; then we will descend to
breakfast, and take care of our animals, a
work which God permits us to engage in
even on Sundays: in the meanwhile, I will
reflect a little on the history I am to relate,
and then I will call you round me.
ช
$.
1
11
02
Accordingly, after prayers, we descended
the ladder, and breakfasted on warm milk;
we served the animals also with their meal,
and then we all sat down on the tender grass;
the boys full of impatient curiosity; their
mother absorbed in silent reflection, her
hands joined and her eyes sometimes turned
towards the sky; while I was penetrated, with
the most lively desire to impress upon the
young minds of my children, a subject “I
considered of the highest importance for
their well-being, both in this world and in
that which is to come.
T
All now standing up, I repeated aloud the
}
FAMILY ROBINSON.
249
church 'service, which I knew by heart, and
we sung some verses from the hundred-and-
nineteenth psalm, which the boys had before
learned; after which we sat down, and I
began as follows:

A
2
My dear children, there was once a
Great King, whose kingdom was called The
country of Light and Reality, because the
purest and softest light of the sun reigned
there continually, which caused the inhabit-
ants to be in a perpetual state of activity.
On the furthest borders of this kingdom,
northward, there was another country which
also belonged to the Great King, and the
immense extent of which, was unknown to
all but himself. From time immemorial,
a plan the most exact of this country, had
been preserved in the royal archives. This
second kingdom was called The kingdom of
Obscurity or of Night, because every thing
in it was gloomy and inactive.
F}
"In the most fertile and agreeable part
of his empire of Reality, this Great King had
a residence called the Heavenly City, in which
he lived and kept his court, which was the
most brilliant that the imagination 'can form
an idea of. Millions of guards, and servants
high in dignity, remained for ever' round
him, and a still larger number held them-
selves in readiness to receive his commands.
The first of these were clothed in robes of
M 5
250
THE SWISS
cloth that was lighter than silk, and white
as snow; for white, the image of purity, was
the favourite colour of the Great King.
Others of his attendants carried flaming
swords in their hands, and their garments
displayed the most brilliant colours of the
rainbow; each of these stood in waiting to
execute the will of the King, with the rapi-
dity of lightning, on receiving from him the
slightest sign. All were happy to be ad-
mitted into his presence; their faces shone
with the mildest joy, and wore the impres-
sion of a calm serenity, and of the absence
of all inquietude and pain: there was but
one heart, and one soul among them; the
sentiment of paternal concord so united
these beings, that no envy or jealousy ever
arose among them. The common centre of
all their thoughts, and all their sentiments,
was devotion to their sovereign: it would
have been impossible either to see or con-
verse with them, without passionately desir-
ing, even at any sacrifice, to obtain their
friendship, and to partake their lot. Among
the rest of the inhabitants of the Heavenly
City, there were some less close in their at-
tendance upon the Great King; but they
were all virtuous, all happy, all had been
enriched by the beneficence of the monarch,
and, what is of still higher price, had received
constant marks of his paternal care; for his
FAMILY ROBINSON.
251
!
subjects were all equal in his eyes, and he
loved them and treated them as if they had
been his children.
"The Great King had, besides the two
kingdoms I have been describing, an unin
habited island of considerable extent; it
was his wish to people and cultivate this
island, for all within it was a kind of chaos:
he destined it to be for some years the abode
of such future citizens as he intended to
receive finally into his residence, to which
only.such of his subjects were admitted, as
had rendered themselves worthy by their
conduct. This island was called Earthly
Abode; he who should have passed some
time in it, and by his virtues, his application
to labour, and the cultivation of the land,
should have rendered himself worthy of re-
ward, was afterwards to be received into the
Heavenly City, and made one of its happy
inhabitants.£5
"To effect, this end, the Great King caused
a fleet to be equipped, which was to trans-
port the new colonists to this island. These
he chose from the kingdom of Night, and
for his first gift bestowed upon them the en-
joyment of light, and the view of the lovely
face of nature, of which they had been de-
prived in their gloomy and unknown abode.
It will easily be imagined that they arrived
joyful and happy, at least they became so,
252
THE SWISS
when they had been for a short time accus
tomed to the multitude of new objects which
struck their feeble sight.. The island was
rich-and fertile when cultivated. The bene
ficent King provided each individual who was
disembarked upon it, with all the things he
could want in the time he had fixed for their
stay in it, and all the means for obtaining
the certainty of being admitted as citizens of
his magnificent abode, when they should
leave the Earthly Island. All that was re-
quired to entitle them to this benefit, was,
that they should occupy themselves unceas
ingly in useful labour, and strictly obey, the
commands of the Great King which he made
known to them. He sent to them his only
son, who addressed them from his father in
the following terms:
:
}
"My dear children, I have called you
from the kingdom of Night and Insensibility
to render you happy by the gifts of life, of
sentiment, and of activity. But your happi
ness for the most part will depend upon your.
selves. You will be happy if you wish to
be so. If such is your sincere desire, you
must never forget that I am your good King,
your tender father; and you must faithfully
fulfil my will in the cultivation of the coun--
try I have confided to your care. Each of
you shall receive, on his arriving at the island,
the portion of land which is intended for
V
FAMILY ROBINSON.
253

him; and my further commands respecting
your conduct, will be soon communicated to
you. I shall send you wise and learned
men, who will explain to you my commands;
and that you may of yourselves seek after
the light necessary for your welfare, and re
member my laws at every instant of your
lives, it is my will that each father of a fa-
mily, shall keep an exact copy of them in
his house, and read them daily to all the
persons who belong to him. Further, each
first day of the week I require to be devoted
to my service. In each colony, all the peo-
plé shall assemble together as brothers in one
place, where shall be read and explained to
them, the laws contained in my archives.
The rest of this day shall be employed in
making serious reflections on the duties and
destination of the colonists, and on the best
means to fulfil the same: thus, it shall be
possible to all, to receive instruction concern-
ing the best manner and most effectual means,
of improving the land which has been con-
fided to your care: thus, you will each day
learn to manure, to sow, to plant, to water,
and cleanse the land from tares, and from all
evil weeds that may choke the good seed.
On this same day, each of you may present
his supplications, may tell me what he stands
in need of, and what he desires to have, to
forward the perfection of his labour; all
&
254
THE SWISS
A
these requests will appear before me, and I
shall answer, by granting such as I shall think
reasonable, and tending to a salutary end.
If your heart tells you that the various be-
nefits you enjoy, deserve your gratitude, and
if you will testify it by doubling your activity,
and by consecrating to me the day I have
chosen for myself, I will take care that this
day of rest, instead of being an injury to
you, shall become a benefit, through the sa-
lutary repose of your body, and that of the
animals given you to assist your labours, and
who, as well as yourself, should enjoy re-
pose on that day to recruit their strength.
Even the wild animals of the field, and of
the forests, ought on that day to be protected
from the pursuit of the hunter.
"He, who in his Earthly Abode shall
most strictly have observed my will, who
shall have best fulfilled the duties of a bro-
-ther towards his fellow inhabitants, who
shall have preserved his land in the best
order, and shall show the largest produce
from it, shall be recompensed for his deeds,
and shall become an inhabitant of my mag-
nificent residence in the Heavenly City. But
the neglectful and the idle man, and the
wicked man, who shall have spent their
time in interrupting the useful labours of
others, shall be condemned to pass their
lives in slavery, or, according to the degree
FAMILY ROBINSON.
255
of their wickedness, shall be condemned to
live in subterraneous mines, in the bowels of
the earth.
"From time to time, I shall send ships
to fetch certain individuals from the Earthly
Island, to reward or punish them, according
as they have done well or ill; and as none
will be warned beforehand, of the time of
the coming of my messenger, it will be well
for you to keep watch, that you may be ready
to perform the voyage, and worthy to be
received into the Heavenly City. It will not
be permitted for any one to pass by stealth
on board the ship, and leave his abode
without my orders; for such a one shall be
severely punished. I shall have the most
certain knowledge of all that passes in the
Earthly Island, and no one will be able to
deceive me. A magical mirror will at all
times show me the actions of each individual
in the island, and you shall be judged ac-
cording to your most secret thoughts and
actions.
"All the colonists were well satisfied
with the discourse of the Great King, and
made him the most sacred promises. After
à short time allowed for repose from the
fatigue of the voyage, a portion of land and
the proper instruments for labour were dis-
tributed to each of the strangers. They re-
ceived also seeds, and useful plants, and young
256
THE SWISS
?
trees, for producing them refreshing fruits.
Each was then left at liberty to act as he
pleased, and increase the value of what was
confided to his care. But what happened?
After some time, each followed the sugges-
tions of his fancy: one planted his land with
arbours, flowery banks, and sweet-smelling
shrubs; all, pleasing to the sight, but which
brought forth nothing. Another planted
wild apple-trees, instead of the good fruit as
the Great King had commanded; content-
ing himself with giving high-sounding names
to the worthless fruit he had caused to be
brought forth. A third had indeed sown
good grain; but not knowing how to di-
stinguish the tares that grew up along with
it, he pulled up the good plants before they
were mature, and left only the 'tares in his
ground. But the greater part let their land
lie fallow, and bestowed no labour upon
having spoiled their implements, or lost their
seed, either from negligence or idleness, or
liking better to amuse themselves than to
labour; many of them had wilfully mis-
understood the instructions of the Great.
King, and sought by subtle turns to change
their meaning.

f


Few, very few, worked with diligence
and courage, and seeking to improve their
land, according to the orders they had re
ceived. The great fault of these was, that
FAMILY ROBINSON.
**
257
Маль
they would not believe what the Great King
had sent to tell them. All the fathers of
families had indeed a copy of the laws of the
Sovereign, but most of them omitted to read
in the book some saying that it was useless
to read it, for they knew it by heart, while
they never employed their thoughts upon
it. Others prétended that these laws were
good for times past, but were no longer be
neficial for the present state of the country.
Some had even the audacity to assert, that
it contained many inexplicable contradic
tions; that the laws it prescribed were merely
supposed or falsified, and that they had there-
fore a right to deviate from them.


(
Others
among them maintained, that the magical
mirror was a mere fable, that the King was
of too merciful a nature to keep galleys; that
there was no such place as the subterranean
mines; and that all would at last enter the
Heavenly City. From habit they continued
to celebrate the first day of the week, but
by far the smallest part of it was consecrated
to the honour of the Great King. Great
numbers of them dispensed with going to
the general assembly, either from idleness,
or to employ themselves in occupations which
had been expressly forbidden. By far the
greater part of the people considered this
day of repose as intended for pleasure, and
thought of nothing but, adorning and amus-
258
THE SWISS
ing themselves as soon as day-light appeared.
There were only then a small number of
persons who kept the day according to the
decree; and even of those who frequented
the assembly, many had their thoughts ab-
sent, or were sleepy, or engaged in forming
empty projects, instead of listening to the
words, which fell from the lips of the mini-
ster of the sovereign. The Great King, how-
ever, observed unalterably the laws he had
laid down and announced, respecting them.
From time to time some frigates appeared
on their coasts, each bearing the name of
some disastrous malady; and these were
followed by a large ship of the line, named
the Grave, on board of which, the admiral,
whose name was Death, caused his flag of
two colours, green and black, to be constantly
floating in the air. He showed the colonists,
according to the situation in which he found
them, either the smiling colour of Hope, or
the gloomy colour of Despair.
"This fleet always arrived without being
hout
announced, and seldom gave any pleasure
'to the inhabitants. The admiral sent the
captains of his frigates, to seize the persons
he was ordered to bring back with him.
Many who had not the smallest inclination
were suddenly embarked, while others, who
had prepared every thing for the harvest,
and whose land was in the best condition,
FAMILY ROBINSON.
259
were also seized. But these last took their
departure cheerfully, and without alarm;
well knowing that nothing but happiness
awaited them. It was those who were con-
scious they had neglected to cultivate their
land, who felt the most regret. It was even
necessary to employ force to bring them un-
der subjection. When the fleet was ready
for departure, the admiral sailed for the
port of the Royal Residence; and the Great
King, who was present on their arrival, ex-
ecuted with strict justice both the rewards
and punishments which had been promised
to them. All the excuses alleged by those
who had been idle, were of no avail. They
were sent to the mines and to the galleys,
while those who had obeyed the Great King
and well cultivated their land, were admitted
into the Heavenly City, clothed in robes of
brilliant colours, one exceeding the other
according to the degree of merit."
Here,
my dear children, ends my parable. May
you have thoroughly understood its mean-
ing, and may you reap the advantage it is
capable of affording you! Make it the
subject of your reflections the whole of
this day. You, Fritz, I see, are thought-
ful; tell me what struck you most in my
narration.
Fritz-The goodness of the Great King,
and the ingratitude of the colonists, father.
260
THE SWISS
d
Father. And you, Ernest, what is your
thought?
Ernest For my part, I think they were
great fools to have made so bad a calculation."
What did they get by conducting themselves
as they did? With a little pains they might
have passed a very agreeable sort of life in
the island, and would have been sure of go-
ing afterwards to the Heavenly City. "
},
Jack. To the mines, gentlemen, away
with you! you have well deserved it. M
M
Francis. For my part, I should have
liked best to have lived with the men who
were dressed in the colours of the rainbow.
How beautifully they must have looked!
Father. This is well, my boys. I per
ceive that each of you, according to his age
and character, has seized the meaning of
my parable. I have by this image endea
youred to represent to you the conduct of
God towards man, and that of man towards
God: let us see now if you have completely
seized, the sense.--I then put different ques-
tions to them, and explained what they had
not perfectly comprehended; and after a
short review of the principal parts of my
discourse, I concluded it by a moral appli
cation,
"Human creatures," said I, " are the colo-
nists of God; we are required to perform the
business of probation for a certain period,
FAMILY ROBINSON.
261
and sooner or later are destined to be taken
hence. Our final destination is Heaven, and
a perfect happiness with the spirits of just
men made perfect, and in the presence of
the bountiful Father of us all. The piece of
land intrusted to each is the soul! and ac-
cording as he cultivates and ennobles it, or
neglects or depraves it, will be his future
reward or punishment. At present, dear
children, that you know the true sense of
my parable, each of you should make the
application of it according to his own con-
sciousness. You, Fritz, should think of
the subjects who planted the wild apples,
and wished to make, them pass for sweet
savoury fruit of a superior kind. These re-
present persons who make a parade of the
natural virtues belonging to their character,
and which are consequently exercised with-
out any trouble to themselves; such as cou
rage, strength, &c. who prefer them to more
essential qualities acquired by others, with
sacrifices and labour to themselves; and
who, full of presumption and arrogance,
consider themselves as irreproachable, be
cause nature has given them personal cou-
rage, and bodily strength, and a certain skill
in the use of these qualities.
"You, Ernest, should think of the sub-
jects of the Great King who cultivated ther
land so as to produce arbours, flowery
J
262
THE SWISS
banks, and sweet smelling shrubs, and such
productions in general as would please the
eye, but which produced no fruit. These
are they, who give their whole attention to
the acquiring unfruitful knowledge, sciences,
&c., and consider with a sort of contempt
the things more immediately required for the
conduct of life; who exert themselves solely
for the understanding, and neglect the heart;
whose principal aim it is, to obtain self-in-
dulgences, and who neglect what is useful
in society.
"You, Jack, and you, Francis, should
apply to yourselves the case of those men
who let their land lie fallow, or, in their
thoughtlessness, mistook the grain, and sow-
ed tares instead of wheat. These are the
neglectful subjects, who neither think nor
learn, but give to the winds what is taught
them, or entirely forget instruction; who
reject virtuous sentiments, and let the bad
ones grow in their hearts. But for our-
selves, one and all, we will adopt the mo-
del of the good and zealous labourers; and
should our exertions be a little painful, we
shall think of the reward which awaits us,
when we shall have adorned our souls with all
that is good, just, and praiseworthy. Thus,
when death, which cannot fail to come at
last, shall summon us, we may follow him
with joy to the throne of the Good and Great
';
FAMILY ROBINSON.
.263
J
King, to hear him pronounce these sweet
and consoling words: O good and faith-
ful servant! thou hast been tried, and found
faithful in many things; enter thou into the
joy of thy Lord." With these words, and
a short prayer of benediction, I concluded
the solemnity of our Sunday; and I had the
satisfaction of seeing, that my four sons had
not only listened attentively, but that they
were struck with the application I had made
to each of them.-They remained for a short,
time reflecting in silence. Jack was the first;
to break it: You have explained to us every
part of the parable, father, except the copy.
of the laws of the Great King, which was
to be kept and read in every family: have
you one of these copies? for you never read
it to us.
Father. Alas! my children, I have ne-
ver been without such a copy; and not only.
one, but several, and we have read in it al-
most every day. This copy is the Holy Bible,
which contains all God's laws, and which we
ought constantly to study carefully. I cannot
forgive myself for not having thought of
bringing it from the vessel. Should we not
be able to go another voyage, we shall for
ever be deprived of this divine doctrine. I I,
can hardly imagine how it could be possible
for me, a minister of the Holy Gospel, and
the father of a family, to be so occupied
264
THE SW185
เ
about things for the comfort of our poor
mortal bodies, and forget what might con-
sole and sustain our immortal souls, and
which was so necessary for the conduct of
my children!
My Wife. -Have you then forgot my en-
chanted bag, which I have promised shall
furnish every thing you can desire? You
wish for a Bible. In a minute I will put one
into your hands; and heartily do I rejoice
in having the power to procure you so great
a satisfaction.
Father.-O best and most excellent of
women! how ashamed I am of myself in the
comparison! While, in the midst of confu-
sign and horrors, you thought of so many
little things conducive to our comfort, and
which we as males disdained to be occupied
about, have you then also taken care of the
most essential of all, the health of our souls?
A thousand thanks are due to you! Give me
the inestimable book, these laws of the Great
King, which I have mentioned in my para-
ble, and which from this moment, we will
take for the rule of our lives. She opened
her bag, and with joy I received from her
the book of life. I opened it, and imme-
diately read some passages from it to my fa
mily. In this solitude, in which for so long
a time we had heard only our own thoughts
expressed in an appropriate language, we

1
FAMILY ROBINSON.
265
.
were singularly affected with the voice from
heaven, which now seemed to address us:
we felt forcibly that, notwithstanding our
exile, we were still connected with the com-
munity of mankind: by the invisible tie of
the same religion, and the same Father, we
were for ever numbered among the children
of God, to whom he enjoins laws, and on
whom he bestows his care, no less in a de
sert, than in an immense capital ;-our island,
containing only our own. family, was no
doubt as interesting in his eyes, as whole na
tions of people. I explained with the utmost
care what I read to them, and I gave the book
in turn to each of the boys, that they might
have the pleasure of reading for themselves.
I chose in preference, such passages as were
applicable to our circumstances. We then
raised our hearts to God, to thank him for
so signal a benefit as the preservation of our
Bible. My young folks still remained
thoughtful and serious; but by and by the
gaiety natural to their age, prevailed, and
each slipped away to seek the recreation he
liked best. But as it had been enjoined
them not to undertake any kind of labour,
they rambled about from place to place, with
more appearance of listlessness than of re-
flection. This gave me an opportunity of
observing, that at their age, the soul is too
feeble to sustain herself through the whole
VOL. I.
N
266
THE SWISS
day without occupation. I recalled them,
therefore, and observed that the Great and
Good King did not require complete inaction
from them, and that they might amuse and
occupy themselves the rest of the day, with
out giving him offence, provided they should
avoid unruly sports. Jack desired me to
lend him my bow and arrows, as he wished
to see how they would fly, now that they had
been completed from the quills of his porcu-
pine, Fritz had a great desire to be em-
ployed about the case he was to make of the
şkin of the tiger-cat, and asked my advice
how to proceed. Little Francis, also, laid
my activity under contribution, by requesting
me to make him a bow and arrows, he be-
ing yet too young to be intrusted with a
gun. I began with giving Jack the bow
and arrows as he desired, and told him how
to make the sand run out, and to put on
the sharp points at the end, and tie them
securely round with packthread, and then
to dip them into some glue.
Yes, yes, I understand, said Jack wagging
his head knowingly; I know how to do it
very, well, father. But will you be kind
enough to tell me where there is a glue-shop,
that I may step and buy some glue in a mi-
Bute?
I will show you where, said little Francis,,
laughing as he spoke: ask mamma to give
FAMILY ROBINSON.
267
you one of her soup cakes, which are ex-
actly like good strong glue.
Little blockhead! replied Jack, you think
then it is enough to be like; what I want is
glue, and not soup.
Father.-Not so much of a blockhead as
you think, Jack, interrupted I. The truth
often comes from the lips of children, and
you will do well to follow his advice. I am
of opinion, that one of the cakes, dissolved
in a little water, and afterwards thickened
upon the fire, would produce what would be
an excellent substitute for glue; give your-
self therefore the trouble of making the ex-
periment. Put a soup cake over the fire in
one of our cocoa-shells, and you will soon
know the event.
While Jack was preparing his glue, and
Francis, proud of being the inventor, was
busied in assisting his brother, blowing the
fire, &c., Fritz came to me for my advice
about the making of his case.-Run, said I,
and fetch your skin, and we will work at it
together. I sat down on the grass, took out
my knife, and with the remains of a bamboo
cane, began to make a bow for Francis. I
was well satisfied to observe them one and
áll, take a fancy to shooting with an arrow,
having been desirous to accustom them to
this exercise, which constituted the principal
defence of the warriors of old, and might
N 2
268
THE SWISS
possibly become our only means of protec
tion and subsistence: our provision of pow
der must at last be exhausted; we might
even, from moment to moment, be deprived
of it by accident; it therefore was of the
utmost importance to us, to acquire some
other means of killing animals, or attack-
ing our enemies. The Caribees, I recollected,
were taught at a very tender age, to strike
an object at the distance of thirty or forty
steps; they hit the smallest birds perched on
the top of the tallest trees. Why then should
it not be possible for my boys to learn to do
the same? I will at least, said I, provide
them with bows and arrows, and try what
can be done.
I
While I was silently reflecting on the sub-
ject, employed in finishing a bow for Fran-
cis, Ernest, who had been observing me for
some time, slipped suddenly away; and Fritz
coming up at the same moment, with the
wetted skin of the tiger-cat in his hand, I
paid no attention to the circumstance.
began my instructions to my eldest boy
respecting the trade of a tanner. I told him
the method of getting rid of the fat of the
skin, by rubbing it over with sand, and
placing it in running water till it had no
longer any appearance of flesh, or any smell;
next to rub it with soft butter, to make it
supple, and then to stretch the skin in dif-
FAMILY ROBINSON.
269
ferent directions; and also to make use of
some eggs in the operation, if his mother
could spare them. You will not at first.
produce such excellent workmanship as I
have seen of this kind from England; but
with a little patience, regretting neither your
time, nor your labour, you will have com-
pleted some decent-looking cases, which will
give you the more pleasure, from being made
from an animal of your own taking, and by
the work of your own hands. When your
skin shall have thus been prepared, cut cer-
tain small cylinders of wood of the size and
length required; scoop these cylinders hol-
low, so as to form a convenient case for
a knife, a fork, or a spoon; then stretch
your softened skin upon the surface of the
cylinders, in such a manner, that the skin
may reach a little beyond the extremity of
the wood, and close at the top; you have
nothing more to do, than to let the skin
cling to, and dry upon these moulds. Your
work will then be finished, and will turn out
a neat and masterly production.
Fritz-I understand perfectly, and I
hope I shall succeed; but if I were to take
some cork for my moulds, the cases would
be lighter, and more convenient for carry-
ing.
Father. No doubt they would, but where
can you get any cork? and how would you
270
THE SWISS
be able to cut it and scoop it out? It is a
singularly impracticable material, and would
resist the knife.
Fritz.-If you would let me take one of
the cork jackets we keep for swimming, I
could try, by means of heating it, to render
it fit for my purpose.
Father. To this I have no objection; I
like to see you inventive, and casting about
for the means of success. In reality, we
have a pretty considerable number of those
jackets; and I am in hopes we shall not
want them any more. You may get one of
them, but take care not to hold it too long
to the fire. But what is the matter, wife,
that you shake your head? You seem dis,
satisfied with your boy's undertaking?
Do
My Wife. I have no objection to his
work, provided he can accomplish it, but
to the use for which it seems intended.
you imagine that I shall let you have our
silver table utensils to be dragged about,
at the risk of losing them, in your expedi
tions? In the first place, I do not consider
them as our own; and what account should
we have to give the captain, should we ever
meet again?
Jack, Oh, we should have accounts.
enough for him. We would tell him, that
but for the pains we took to preserve them,
they would all have gone to the bottom;
FAMILY ROBINSON.
271
that the last thing our friends the sharks
would have thought of, would be to restore
his silver spoons; and that, as we had all
the trouble, they ought to be considered of
our own earning.
My Wife. So, so, you would then make
common cause with the sharks! I hope, how-
ever, that you entertain a higher idea than
you profess, of your own nature; and that
upon more reflection you will perceive, that
in equity and justice, we ought to consider,
not only these utensils, but all the other
things of value we took from the vessel, as
a trust committed to our care; and which
we ought to use our utmost endeavours
to preserve. I am, however, of opinion,
that having rescued them at the risk of
our lives, we have a right to use them for
our own convenience, while we remain des
titute of all human aid; but that, if we
should ever find the persons to whom they
belong, it is a duty incumbent on us to re-
turn them.
Fritz. And I, for my part, am of
opinion, that the captain, however great a
man he may be, will not be sorry to receive
them in a magnificent case made from the
skin of the tiger-cat, with which I shall pre-
sent him, in return for the use of his uten-
sils.
272
THE SWISS
I was laughing at the vanity of my young
pretender, when suddenly, we heard the
firing of a gun, which proceeded from our
tent in the tree, and two birds at the same
time fell dead at our feet. We were at
once surprised and alarmed, and all eyes
were turned upwards to the place. There
we saw Ernest standing outside the tent,
a gun in his hand, and heard him triumph-
antly exclaiming, Catch them! catch them
there! I have hit them; and you see I did
not run away for nothing. He descended
the ladder joyfully and precipitately, and
ran with Francis to take up the two birds;
while Fritz and Jack mounted to our castle,
hoping to meet with the same luck. Í
observed them when they were got near
the top, and called after them,-What are
you going about? Have you already for-
got the Great King, who commands that
the birds of the air and the beasts of the
field should rest on the day he has conse-
crated to himself?
These words suddenly interrupted the zeal
of the young sportsmen, and diminished the
pleasure of Ernest. He blushed, and cast
his eyes on the ground, without attempting
an excuse; while his brothers quietly de-
scended the ladder, and began to examine
the birds which had fallen. One of the
FAMILY ROBINSON.
273
dead birds proved to be a sort of thrush,
and the other was a very small kind of
pigeon, which in the Antilles is called an
ortolan: they are very fat, and of a deli-
cious taste. We now observed, for the first
time, on looking about, that the wild figs
began to ripen, and that they attracted a
great number of these birds. Í foresaw, in
I
consequence, that we were about to have
our larder well stored, and our table fur-
nished with a dish which even a nobleman
might envy us. I consoled the boys for the
reproach I had made them, by giving them
permission to kill as many of these birds, in
future, as they liked. I knew that, half
roasted and put into barrels with melted
butter thrown over them, it was a food that
would keep a long time, and might prove
an excellent resource in time of need.
wife set about stripping off the feathers of
the birds Ernest had killed, to dress them
for our supper. I seated myself by her side,
and proceeded in my work of arrow-making
for Francis; and observed to my wife, that
she would find an excellent substitute in the
figs, for the grain we should want to feed
our fowls, who no doubt would be found to
have as high a relish for them, as was
evinced by the ortolans.
My
Thus finished our day of rest. The birds
N 5
874
THE SWISS
proved excellent; but in point of quantity,
we ran no risk of indigestion, Supper
ended, and prayers said, we ascended the
ladder in procession; and each withdrew to
his hammock to taste the sweets of a tran-
quil sleep, though unprompted by such fa-
tigue as we bad experienced the preceding
day.
FAMÍLY ROBINSON.
275
CHAPTER XIII.
Conversation, a walk, and important dis-
着
​coveries.
JACK had finished the trial of his arrows:
they flew to admiration; and he practised
his new art incessantly. Little Francis waited
with impatience for the moment when he
should do the same, and followed with his
eyes every stroke I made. But when I had
finished my bow, and prepared some little
arrows for him, I must next undertake to
make him a quiver; for, said he: an archer
can no more be without a quiver, than a
sportsman without a game-bag. I found I
must submit. I took some bark from the
branch of a tree, which came off in a round
form; and folding the edges over each other,
I stuck them together with some glue pro-
duced from the soup cakes, and which an
swered the purpose extremely well. I next
stuck on a round piece to serve for the bot-
tom; and then tied to it a loop of string,
which I hung round his neck. He put his
arrows into it; and, happy as a chevalier in
full armour, he took his bow in his hand, and
ran to try his skill by the side of his brother.
276
THE SWISS
Fritz had also cleaned and prepared his ma-
terials for the cases, when his mother sum-
moned us to dinner. We cheerfully placed
ourselves under the shade of our tree, round
the table I had manufactured. At the end of
the repast, I made the following proposition
to the boys, which I was sure would give
them pleasure.
What think you, my good friends, said I,
of giving a name to the place of our abode,
and to the different parts of the country
which are known to us? I do not mean a
general name to the whole island, for who
knows, but that some illustrious European
traveller may have already bestowed on it
that of either a great navigator, or of some
saint; and that our island may not already
make a figure in certain maps of geography?
But this need not prevent us from also giv-
ing names to the objects we are concerned
with, and which will make us better under-
stand each other, when we are conversing
about them this ceremony will also present
to us the soothing illusion, of inhabiting a
country already known and peopled.
They all exclaimed, joyfully, that the idea
was excellent.
Jack.-Oh! pray, father, let us invent
some very long names, and that are very
difficult to be pronounced. I should be glad
that those who shall read about us, should be
FAMILY ROBINSON.
277
a little puzzled to remember the names of
the places and things that belonged to us.
What pains has it not cost me to remember
their Monomotapa, their Zanguebar, their
Coromandel, and many other still more dif
ficult appellations! Ah! now we shall take
our revenge of them.
Father. This would all be very well, if it
were probable that our history in this coun-
try, and the names we shall have bestowed,
were likely to be objects of public curiosity;
but in the mean while, you forget that our
own organs will be fatigued, by frequently
pronouncing such barbarous words as you
propose.
Jack.-How shall we manage then?
What pretty names can we find?
Father. We will do as all sorts of na-
tions have done before us. We will call
the places by different words from our own
language, that shall express some particular
circumstance with which we have been con-
cerned.
Jack.-Well, so we will; I shall like this
still better. Where shall we begin?
Father.-We shall naturally begin with
the bay by which we entered this country.
What shall we call it? What say you,
Fritz? You must speak first, for you are the
eldest.
Fritz.-Let us call it Oyster Bay: you
278
THE SWISS
remember what quantities of oysters we found
in it.
Jack.-Oh, no! let it rather be called
Lobster Bay; for you cannot have forgot
what a large one it was that caught hold of
my leg, and which I carried home to you.
Ernest. Why then we may as well call
it the Bay of Tears, for you must remem-
ber that you blubbered loud enough for all of
us to hear you.
My Wife. My advice would be that, out
of gratitude to God, who conducted us hither
in safety, we ought to call it Providence
Bay, or the Bay of Safety.
Father.-These words are both appro
priate and sonorous, and please me ex-
tremely. But what name shall we give to
the spot where we first set up our tent?
Fritz.--Let us call it simply Tent House.
Father. That will do very well. And
the little islet at the entrance of Providence
Bay, in which we found so many planks
and beams that enabled us to make our.
bridge, how shall it be named?
Ernest. It may be called Sea-Gull Island,
or Shark Island, for it was here we saw
both those animals.
Father.I am for the last of these names,
Shark Island; for it was the shark that was
the cause of the sea-gulls being there and
thus we shall also have a means of comme-
FAMILY ROBINSON.
279
morating the courage and the triumph of
Fritz, who killed the monster.
Jack. For the same reason we will call
the marsh, in which you cut the canes for
our arrows, Flamingo Marsh.
Father.-Quite right, I think; and the
plain, through which we passed on our way
to this place, Porcupine Field, in memory of
skilful encounter with the animal. But
now comes the great question,-What name
shall we give to our present abode?
your
Ernest. It ought to be called, simply,
Tree Castle..
Fritz.-No, no, that will not do at all;
that is the same as if, when we wanted to
name a town, we called it The Town. Let
us invent a more noble name.
Jack.-Yes, so we will. I say, Fig
Tawun.
Fritz-Ha, ha, ha! a noble name, it
must be confessed! Let us call it The Eagle's
Nest, which I am sure has a much better
sound. Besides, our habitation in the tree,
is really much more like a nest, than a town,
and the eagle cannot but ennoble it, since he
is the king of birds.
Father.-Will you let me decide the
question for you? I think our abode should
be called The Falcon's Nest; for, you are
not yet arrived at the dignity of eagles, but
are too truly, poor simple birds of prey;
280
THE SWISS
and like the falcon, you also are, I trust,
obedient, docile, active, and courageous.
Ernest can have no objection to this; for, as
he knows, falcons make their nests in large
trees. All exclaimed, clapping their hands,
Yes, yes, we will have it The Falcon's Nest!
the sound is quite chivalrous; so, Health to
Falcon's Nest Castle! cried they all, looking
up to the tree, and making low bows. I
poured out a small quantity of sweet wine,
and presented it to each, to solemnize our
baptism.-Now then, said I, for the pro-
montory, where Fritz and I in vain wearied
our eyes, in search of our companions of
the vessel? I think it may properly be called
Cape Disappointment.
All.-Yes, this is excellent. And the
river with the bridge.
Father. If you wish to commemorate
one of the greatest events of our history, it
ought to be called The Jackall's River; for
these animals crossed it when they came and
attacked us, and it was there that one of them
was killed. The bridge I should name Fa-
mily Bridge, because we were all employed
in its construction, and all crossed it together.
in our way to this place.-Let me ask you
all if it will not be a great pleasure to con-
verse about the country we inhabit, now.
that we have instituted names as if every
thing belonged to us.
FAMILY ROBINSON.
281
Ernest. It will be just as if we had
farms and country houses, all dependent up-
on our castle.
Francis. It is the same as if we were
kings.
My Wife. And the queen mother is not
without hope, that her little slips of majesty
will conduct themselves mercifully towards
their subjects, the birds, the agoutis, the
geese, and the flamingoes; the ..... What
more shall I say? for I do not know the fa-
mily name of all your vassals. Let me,
therefore, end, by hoping that you will not
depopulate your kingdom.
Fritz.-No, mother, we will take care of
that. We will endeavour to extirpate, only
those among our subjects, who are wicked.
In this pleasing kind of chat, the time of
dinner passed agreeably away.
We settled
the basis of a geography of this our new coun-
try; and amused ourselves with saying that
it must go by the first post to Europe.
After dinner, Fritz again set to work upon
his case; and, to my great astonishment, he
had possession of one of the cork-jackets,
and was preparing to cut it to pieces, and
use it as a lining to the cylinders. In the
name of Heaven, cried I, where did you get
the jacket? I was quite sure we had left
them all at Tent House; and when I gave
you leave this morning, to take one of them,
282
THE SWISS
it was in the hope that, tired with waiting,
you would use some other wood, and that
the jacket would escape. As it is, I must
shut my eyes while you cut it, for I will not
retract my word. But tell me where you
got it?-It was I, said my wife, who placed.
it as a saddle on the ass's back, for little
Francis to sit upon. You, it seems, did not
observe it; but nothing escapes that lynx-
eyed boy of ours, called Fritz.
Well, well, since it is thus, replied I, let
him make use of it if he can; the cutting it
will at least exercise his patience.-I shall
soon find how to manage it, said Fritz, by
holding it near the fire. We let him do as
he liked, and I went out to look for Jack,
whom I met, dragging the skin of his porcu
pine with great difficulty along; for it was
still armed with all the quills, with the ex-
ception of about a dozen, which we had
taken for the arrows. He spread it at my
feet, entreating me to assist him in making
some coats of mail, or cuirasses, of it, for
the dogs, as I had before recommended to
him, and which he had taken care not to
forget. After making him clean the skin
completely on the inside, with some cinders.
and sand mixed together, I assisted him in
cutting it, and his mother helped him in
the sewing. When this was done, we put
the first that was dried on the back of the
FAMILY ROBINSON.
283
patient Turk, which gave him a respectable
warlike sort of an appearance, and no one
could doubt that he was sufficiently well
armed to encounter even an hyæna.
His companion, Ponto, had less reason to
be pleased with this new kind of spiked ac-
coutrement. Turk, unconscious of one par-
ticular quality in his new dress, approached
near to Ponto and lay down by his side, who
sprang off in a fright, searching about, for
some place where he might be sheltered from
the perforating familiarities of his companion.
Jack's concluding business was, stripping the
skin from the head of the porcupine, and
stretching it on one of the roots of our trees
to dry, intending to make a cap of it, like
those worn by the savages, which, he said,
would frighten our enemies should they ap
proach; while, in the mean time, his friends,
if they liked it, might set it on a pole and
make merry with it.
During our employment, Ernest and Fran-
cis had been exercising themselves in shoot.
ing their arrows: the evening was advancing,
and the intense heat of the day began to dis
minish. I invited all my family to take a
walk:-Leave your work for this time, my
boys, said I, and let us make a short excur-
sion; and, as a suitable conclusion to the
day, let us seek in the beautiful face of Na-
ture, for traces of the wisdom and goodness
284
THE SWISS
•
of the Creator. Which way shall we direct
our steps?
Fritz.-Let us go to Tent House, father;
we are in want of powder and shot for the
little consumers of our figs; nor must we
miss our dinner for to-morrow, or forget
that we are to secure a supply for winter,
My Wife.-I too vote for Tent House;
my butter is nearly gone, for Fritz took an
unreasonable share for his new trade of
tanning; also, I have never failed to observe,
that those who most zealously preach a life
of frugality and economy, are at least as
well satisfied as the rest, when I take care
to present them with an excellent and well
dressed dinner.
Ernest.-If we go to Tent House, let us
try to bring away some of the geese and
ducks with us: they will look very well
swimming about in our stream here, by Fal-
con's Nest.
Jack. I will undertake to catch them, if
any one will help to bring them home.
Francis. And I will catch my handker
chief full of lobsters in the Jackall's River,
and we will put them into Falcon's Stream,
where, no doubt, they will thrive to ad-
miration.
Father. You really all of you assign
such good reasons, that I see I must yield to
them. To Tent House, then, we will go;
FAMILY ROBINSON.
285
but we will not take our accustomed road
along the sea-shore, but rather vary our
pleasure, by trying to explore some other
way. We will keep along our own little
stream as far as the wall of rocks, whose
agreeable shade will accompany us almost as
far as the cascade formed by Jackall's River:
it will, I hope, as we have no burden to carry,
be easy for us to cross it, by jumping from
stone to stone, and so to get to Tent House:
we will return with our provisions by the
road of Family Bridge, and along the sea-
shore; the sun, if not gone down, will then
be at our backs. This new route may pos-
sibly furnish some additional discoveries.
My idea was highly applauded, and all
was soon arranged for our setting out. Fritz
was adorned with his fine tiger-cat-made
belt, but he had not been able to finish his
cases in time. Jack walked gravely on, his
porcupine cap upon his head, and his jackall
belt, armed with his two pistols, round his
waist. Each carried a gun and a game-bag;
even little Francis had his bow in his hand,
and his quiver on his shoulder; and being
both pretty and of a fair complexion, he re-
sembled a little Cupid. Their mother was
the only person not burdened with a gun;
but she carried her large butter-pot, to fill it
at our store-house. Turk marched before us
with his coat of mail studded with spikes,
286
THE SWISS
but it was apparent that he felt intimidated
and ill at ease; his step was therefore slow
and quiet. The monkey also, having a great
desire to accompany us, leaped without cere
mony on his accustomed seat, the back of
Turk. But when he perceived the formidable
saddle and the projecting spikes, he sprang
four times forward, making the most comical
grimaces imaginable. He was not long, how-
ever, in choosing what to do. Ponto, he saw,
was without such a frightful instrument; so
he jumped upon him in a trice, and clung
so closely to his back, that the dog could
not shake him off: he therefore gave up the
endeavour, and quietly submitted to carry
him. Even our new friend, the flamingo,
seemed to understand that some extraordi-
nary movement was in agitation, and pre-
pared to make one of the party. The pretty
kind-tempered animal had become every day
more tame, and attached himself to us with
a confidence which increased our goodwill
towards him. The boys, enchanted by the
manner in which he placed himself in the
ranks with us, all contended for being his
companion; but the flamingo adopted the
prudent measure of coming up to me, and
showing his reliance on my protection, by
walking gravely by my side.
Our route along the stream, was at first
extremely agreeable, being sheltered by the
FAMILY ROBINSON.
287
shade of large trees, while the ground un-
der our feet was a short and soft kind of
grass. To prolong the pleasure of our
walk, we proceeded slowly, amusing our-
selves with looking about us to the right
and left; the eldest boys made frequent
escapes on before, so that we sometimes lost
sight of them. In this manner we reached
the end of the wood; but the country now
appearing to be less open, we thought it
would be prudent to bring our whole com-
pany together. On looking forward, we saw.
the boys approaching us full gallop, and
this time, for a wonder, the grave Ernest
was first. He reached me panting for breath,
and so full of joy and eagerness, that he
could not pronounce a single word distinctly;
but he held out his hand, which contained
three little balls of a light green colour.
We have found a prize, indeed, father,
cried he at last, when he had recovered his
voice; we have found some potatoe seed!
What say you? potatoe seed? inquired
I joyfully; have you really been so fortunate?
Come near, every one of you, and let me
look at your little balls; for I scarcely dared
believe in so happy an event, as the discovery
of a plant which would place us for ever
beyond the reach of hunger, and even of
apprehension. It was you then, Ernest,
who found the prize, and our grateful thanks
are your due.
288
THE SWISS
Jack. I do not see any great merit there
was in the case. I should have found them
as soon as he, if I had been in the right place..
I see no great talent in what he has done..
if
*
My Wife. But, Jack, there is still less
talent in your attempt to undervalue the
useful discovery your brother has made, and
in seeking to diminish the obligation, which
we ought rather to feel a pleasure in acknow-
ledging. This little movement of envy in
your bosom occasions me uneasiness; I must
add, that it is by no means certain that, even
you had been in the same place, you would
have remarked the potatoes; that you, who
are so thoughtless and unobserving, would
have known the leaves for those of the po-
tatoe plant. Ernest gives more attention to
what he sees, and his discoveries are not
merely the effect of hazard, but of observa-
tion also. Perhaps, too, you do not know
a potatoe when you see it; and it is even
possible that we may ourselves mistake the
plant, from our great eagerness to meet the
confirmation of our wishes; for there are,
no doubt, other plants which also produce
small green round balls upon their stalks.
M
Francis.-Why, do potatoe plants bear
fruit on their branches as well as at the roots?
- Ernest. Little blockhead! do you think,
then, that the roots bear blossoms? Do you
not know that the vegetable called the po-
tatoe, is only the root of the plant, or at
FAMILY ROBINSON.
289
least a part of the root, and not a fruit?
The fruit, in all plants, is the depository of
the seed, which must ripen in the sun, and
consequently above ground: these little green
balls, therefore, are the real fruit which suc-
ceed to the blossom, and contain the seed.
I did not fail to applaud Ernest for this
clear and sensible explanation. We all
hastened to the place where he had seen
these tubercles, and, with extreme joy, we
found there a large plantation of potatoe
plants; a number of them were covered with
their lilac and yellow blossoms, the sight of
which conveyed more pleasure to our hearts
than if they had been the most fragrant roses;
another portion of the plantation was in seed;
and in several places, some younger plants
were pushing through the earth. Our pe-
tulant Jack bawled out, jumping for joy,-
They are really potatoes! and though it was
not I who discovered them, at least it shall
be I who will dig them up. Saying this, he
knelt down and began to scratch up the
earth with all ten fingers of his feeble hands.
He would not, however, have made much
progress, if the monkey, excited by his ex-
ample, had not also set himself to work.
He dug up several with great dexterity; and
after smelling at them, he was going to throw
them to a distance: but Jack snatched them
eagerly out of his paws, and gave them to
VOL. I.
"
290
THE SWISS
his mother; and afterwards the monkey and
he continued digging up the potatoes toge-
ther, and soon obtained enough to serve up
for a dinner. The rest of us, unwilling to be
idle spectators, set to work also: with our
knives and sticks we soon procured a sufficient
number to fill our bags and our pockets.
When we were well loaded, we again began
to think of our walk to Tent House. Some
of our company raised their voices in favour
of returning immediately to Falcon Stream
to unload our cargo, and convert our booty
into a delicious meal; but so many pressing.
motives presented themselves for proceeding
to our store-house, that it was decided we
should continue our route, which we ac-
cordingly resumed.
My children, said I, as we pursued our
way, this discovery of the potatoes is one of
inestimable value; it reminds me of a pas-
sage in the Bible, which is strikingly appli-
cable to our situation, and ought to awaken
a sentiment of the warmest gratitude in our
hearts, towards our heavenly Father: it is a
part of the hundred and-seventh psalm, and
these are the words:
CC
They wandered in the wilderness, in a
solitary way; they found no city to dwell
in: hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted
within them: then they cried unto the Lord
in their trouble, and he delivered them out
FAMILY ROBINSON.
291
of their distress: he led them forth by the
right way, that they might go to the place
of their habitation. He satisfieth the long-
ing spirit, and filleth the hungry soul with
his goodness.
Fritz.-This is truly applicable to our
situation, and we will al return thanks to
God for so inestimable a gift.
Father.-There are, no doubt, different
kinds of vegetables, more succulent and more
delicate than the potatoe; but it is precisely
this plain tasteless kind of sustenance, that
can be eaten for the longest time together,
without satiety accordingly, food of this
nature, such as bread, rice, potatoes, obtains,
on the whole, a preference over provisions.
possessing a higher flavour. Can you tell
me, boys, the reason of this?
Ernest. I know; it is because they are
more wholesome.
Jack.-And because they occasion no dis-
gust; I could eat potatoes every day of my
life, without being tired of them.
Father.-All you say is true; in future
they will serve us for bread, and often in-
deed for our whole dinner. But let us for
the present dismiss the subject of our unex-
pected good fortune, and resume our expe-
dition.
0 2
292
THE SWISS
CHAPTER XIV.
Continuation of the preceding chapter, and
more discoveries.
CONVERSING on different subjects, we
reached the long chain of rocks, over which
our pretty Falcon Stream made its escape in
the form of a cascade, whose gentle mur-
murs delighted the ear, as much as its wild
and various aspect gratified the eye. We
kept along the chain of rocks which led to
Jackall's River, and from thence to Tent
House, having first, with difficulty, pushed
through the high grass which presented itself
in our path. Our fatigue, however, was re-
lieved by the uncommon beauty of the sce-
nery around: on the right hand was a bound-
less sea; on the left, the island, with the bay
by which it was accessible, and the chain of
rocks, presenting altogether, an assemblage
of the picturesque, equal to what the liveliest
fancy could desire. The view reminded me
of the large flower-stands common in Eu.
rope; the shelvings, the projections, the
cornices of which, instead of pots of flowers,
were covered with plants most rare and con-
FAMILY ROBINSON.
293
trasted, and in a vigorous state of vegetation.
In the greatest number of these, were distin-
guishable the different families of grasses,
many of them of the thorn-leaved species,
and more flourishing than those which are
cultivated in the green-houses of Europe.
There was also in abundance the Indian fig,
with its large broad leaf; aloes of different
forms and colours; the superb prickly can-
dle, or cactus, bearing straight stalks, taller
than a man, and crowned with long straight
branches, forming a sort of star. The
broad plantain spread along the rocks its in-
numerable boughs twisted with each other,
hanging down perpendicularly, and orna-
mented with flowers, which grew in large
tufts, and were of the brightest rose-colour;
while that which pleased us best, and which
was found there in great abundance, was
the king of fruits, both for figure and relish,
the crowned pine-apple. We immediately
fell on this fruit with avidity, because we
knew its value and its innocence, and be-
cause it was fit to be eaten without any fur-
ther preparation than merely gathering it.
The monkey was not the last to seize one
for himself; and as he could make higher
jumps than the boys, they formed the scheme
of making him angry by little tricks, so as
to induce him to fling pine-apples at them.
This game they continued so long, that I
+
294
THE SWISS
2
thought it prudent to interrupt them, fearing
that the unripe state of the fruit might affect
their health. My wife and I ate one or two
with great pleasure; and after bestowing the
commendations so fine a fruit deserved, we
agreed that we would frequently return to
the place, and eat them as a dessert.
Soon after, I was fortunate enough to dis-
cover, among the multitude of plants which
grew either at the foot or in the clefts of the
rock, the karata (the Bromelia Karata of
Linnæus), many of which were now in blos-
som, and of others the flowers had lately
fallen off. They resembled young trees;
and travellers have given so perfect a de-
scription of them in their books of natural
history, that it was impossible I should mis-
take them. But what further confirmed
their identity, was their straight slender stalk,
crowned with blossoms, and proceeding from
a tuft of leaves like the pine-apple, with its
large foliage terminating in a sharp point,
and forming altogether, a plant remarkably
pleasing to the eye. I pointed out to the
boys the immense size of these leaves, which
were hollowed in the middle like a saucer, in
which the rain is for a long time preserved;
and also its beautiful red flowers. As I was
acquainted with the properties of this useful
plant, the pith of which is used as tinder
by the Negroes, who also make a strong
:
FAMILY ROBINSON.
295
kind of thread from the fibres of its leaves,
I was not less satisfied with my discovery,
than I had been with that of the potatoes;
and I did not hesitate to assure them, that I
preferred it to the pine-apples. All answered
me, their mouths at the same time full of the
fruit, that they would resign those trees
with all their flowers to me, if I would leave
them the pine-apples.-The pine-apples are
better than all the rest, said they, even than
the potatoes. What is a handsome-looking
tree worth, if it does not bear any fruit?
Your most devoted humble servant, Mr.
Karata, but pine-apples for us!
Little gluttons! cried I, half angry, your
preference is as senseless as that of a man
who prefers a woman with a handsome face,
to one possessed of those valuable and last-
ing virtues which soothe the cares of human
life. The flavour of the pine-apple gratifies
your palate; but it is not of necessary use,
and I will immediately give you a proof that
I am not wrong in my preference of the ka-
rata. Ernest, take out my flint and steel,
and strike me a light.
Ernest.-But, father, what am I to do for
tinder? what can I put to receive the sparks?
Father.-This is precisely to the purpose.
When the tinder which we brought from the
vessel is all consumed, how shall we be able,
to make a fire? and without a fire, how
296
THE SWISS:
shall we dress a dinner, or prepare number-
less other matters we have occasion for?·
Ernest. Oh, I should not be in the least
at a loss. We would do like the savages;;
rub two pieces of wood against each other,
till at length they catch fire.
Father. Many thanks for your informa-
tion: but for us who are not savages, and
not in the habit of such exercise, the ex-
pedient would be somewhat inconvenient. I
would lay a wager, that if you were to rub
two pieces of wood together for a whole
day, you would not produce a single spark;
or if you did, you would wait so long for
the end you had in view, as to make it al-
most useless.
Ernest.-If this is the case, we must en-
deavour to have patience till we can find a
tree that bears tinder, just as we found one
that bears gourds.
Father. We might make tinder by
burning some linen rag, and putting it in a
close box: but we have, unfortunately, none
to spare; and, therefore, the best thing for
us would be to find tinder ready prepared
in some plant; and in this we may succeed
by examining our
our new prize, the karatą
tree.
I then took a dried stalk of the tree, stripped
off the bark, and there appeared a kind of dry
and spungy substance, which I laid upon the
FAMILY ROBINSON.
297
flint; and then striking it with a steel, it in-
stantly caught fire. The boys looked on
with astonishment, and then began to caper
about, exclaiming: Long live the tinder tree!
Here then, said I, we have an article of
greater usefulness than if it served merely
to gratify the appetite. Your mother will
next inform us, what materials she will use
for sewing your clothes, when her provision
of thread from the enchanted bag is ex-
hausted.
My Wife. I have long been uneasy upon
this very subject, and would willingly give
all the pine-apples in the world, in exchange
for some hemp or flax.
Father. And your wish shall be accom-
plished, said I. For once I shall have the
pleasure of presenting you with something
you eagerly desire to have. If you examine,
you will find some excellent thread under
the leaves of this extraordinary plant, where
all-provident nature has placed a store-house
of this valuable article, though the lengths
of thread will be found not longer than the
leaf. I accordingly examined one of the
leaves, and drew out of it a strong piece of
thread of a red colour, which I gave to my
wife.-How fortunate it is for us, said she,
that you have had the habit of reading and
of study! None of us would have had a
thought about this plant, or have conceived
4
C
'
Q 5
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THE SWISS.
that it could be of any use ;-but will it not
be a little difficult to draw out the little
lengths of thread through the prickles that
surround them?
-Father.-Not in the least; we shall put
the leaves to dry, either in the sun, or by
a gentle fire. The useless part of the leaf
will then separate by being beaten, and the
mass of thread will remain.
•
Fritz.-I see clearly, father, that we
ought not to trust to appearances; it is the
same with this tree as with mankind; the
most merit is often found in an individual
that was least supposed to possess it; but I
believe it would be difficult to find any good
qualities in the prickly plants which are
growing here in all directions, and wound-
ing the persons who go near them: of what
use can they possibly be?
t
your
Father. Again, my son, you form
judgement from appearances. The greatest
part of these plants possess medicinal vir-
tues; great use is made in pharmacy of the
aloe, which produces such abundance of
beautiful flowers; in green-houses in Europe,
some have been seen to bear more than
three thousand blossoms. At Carlsbad,
upon the estates of Count de Limbourg,
there was an aloe tree twenty-six feet in
height; it had twenty-eight branches, which
branches bore more than three thousand
FAMILY ROBINSON.
299
blossoms in the space of a month. At Paris,
at Leyden, in Denmark, there have been also
seen some exceedingly curious specimens
of this tree; many of them are full of a
resinous sort of sap, of which valuable gums
are made. But look, here, too, is the
Indian fig or prickly pear, a vegetable of
no common interest; it grows in the poorest
soils, and, as you see, upon the rocks; the
poorer the soil, the more its leaves are thick
and succulent; I should be tempted to be-
lieve that it was nourished by the air, rather
than by the earth. It is also called the
racket-tree, from the resemblance of its long,
thick, flat leaves to that well-known instru-
ment. This plant bears a kind of fig, which
is said to be sweet and palatable, when ri-
pened in its native sun, and it is both a sa-
lutary and refreshing food. This, then, is
another plant of great utility. Scarcely had
I pronounced these words, than our light-
footed Jack was on the rock, trying to
gather some of the fruit; but this time he
had reason to repent his precipitation;
for the fruit of this tree is covered with fine
prickles, which assail the skin of the bold
hand that dares to gather them. Poor
Jack soon came down again, crying heartily,
striking his feet upon the ground, and shak-
ing his hand with the pain the prickles oc-
casioned. I had not the courage to make
300
THE SWISS
this the moment for a lesson of morality
founded upon the effects of his gluttony,
for which he was sufficiently punished; and
I reproved his brothers, who stood by laugh-
ing while I was drawing out the thorns. I
then instructed them how to gather this
fruit without incurring the same inconveni-
ence. I threw up a stone, and brought down
a fig, which I caught upon my hat; I cut
off its two ends, and was thus enabled to
hold it without injury, while I peeled off the
skin. I then resigned it to the curiosity of
my young companions.
i
The novelty, rather than the taste, of the
fruit, made them think it excellent they
all found means to gather, some of the figs,
and each was busied in inventing the best
method of taking off the skins but that
of Fritz had the best success; he gathered
his figs, by plunging the sharp point of his
stick into them, and then pulling the stick
a little sideways to bring them down: he
peeled them quite neatly while they were
still on the stick, and presented several to his
mother, who partook of them with pleasure.
In the mean time, I perceived Ernest
holding a fig upon the end of his knife,
turning it about in all directions, and bring-
ing it close to his eye with a look of curious
inquiry. I wish I could know, said at length
our young observer, what little animals these
FAMILY ROBINSON.
301
are in the fig, which feed so eagerly upon it,
and are as red as scarlet.
Father.
Ha ha! this too will perhaps
turn out a new discovery, and an additional
source of usefulness, which this plant pos-
sesses. Let me look at your fig; I will lay
a wager that it is the insect called the cochi-
neal.
Jack. The cochineal! what a droll
name! What is the cochineal, father?
Father. It is an insect of the kind called
suckers, or hermes; he feeds upon the In-
dian fig, which, no doubt, is the cause of
his beautiful colour, which forms an ob-
ject of considerable importance in the trade
of a dyer; for nothing else produces so fine
a scarlet. In America, they stretch pieces
of linen under the branches, and then shake
the tree; and when the insects have fallen in
great numbers, the ends of the linen are
folded together to inclose them; the insects
are sprinkled with vinegar or cold water,
and then dried, and sent to Europe, for the
use of dyers, who pay a high price for the
commodity.
Ernest. I now perfectly agree with you,
that this plant is of ten times more use than
the finest pine apple: the latter, however,
has also its merit, and we are not obliged to
reject the one, if we choose the other: yet,
as we have not any occasion for a scarlet dye,
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and that the fruit of the fig-tree is certainly
inferior to the pine-apple, so I think it is but
reasonable to prefer the last.
Father. In this you are to blame; I
have not yet mentioned a still superior use-
fulness peculiar to the Indian fig-tree; it
serves as a protection to man.
Fritz.-As a protection to man! Why,
how can that be, father?
Father. It is used for making hedges
round the habitations of man, its prickly
surface effectually preventing the approach
of animals; for you see, that besides the
prickles which took such a fancy to Jack's
hand, there is a large thorn at each of the
knots, which appear in the plant.
My Wife. The largest serve very well
for pins, and even for nails; see how they
keep my gown well fastened.
Father. This, then, you see is a third
usefulness the Indian fig-tree can boast, and
of which I was not at first aware. You must
perceive of what importance these inclosures
are; and the rather, as they are made:
with so little trouble; for, if you plant only
one of its leaves in the ground, it imme-
diately takes root, and grows with astonish-
ing rapidity: it is therefore not only a de-
fence against wild beasts, but against ene-
mies in general; for they could not get over
it without cutting through the hedge; and
FAMILY ROBINSON.
303
during such an operation, which also would
be attended with some danger, the persons
within gain time to escape, or to prepare an
effectual defence.
Jack, the king of the thoughtless race,
asserted that this plant was extremely soft,
and yielding in its nature; and that with the
assistance of a knife, or even a stick, it
would be easy to get over such a hedge: to
prove his assertion, he began to cut down,
with his clasp knife, a pretty large plant,
striking every where to right and left with
all his might, till at length one of the divided
leaves fell with such violence on his leg, that
the thorns struck into the flesh, and Jack
roared out piteously, and quickly seated
himself upon a stone to disengage it as
quickly as possible. I could not now, as I
assisted him to draw out the thorns, refrain
from laughing a little at this second attack
of the figs, which was caused solely by his
obstinacy and his imprudence; I observed
to him, how difficult it must be, for savages,
who wear no clothes, to force such a barrier
as they formed; and for this once, I had the
pleasure of convincing him.
Ernest.-Ah, father, do let us make such
a hedge round our tree; we shall then have
no further occasion to light fires to preserve
us from wild beasts, or even from the sa-
vages, who from one day to another may
7
304
THE SWISS
7
arrive in their canoes, as they did on Robin-
son Crusoe's Island.
Fritz.And we could, then, easily gather
the cochineal, and try to make the same
beautiful scarlet colour.
Father. We shall have time enough for
many things, my dear children; but for the
present, it is sufficient to prove to you, that
God has not made any thing to be wholly
useless; and that it is the duty of men, on
whom he has bestowed the gifts of wisdom
and intelligence, to employ those faculties,
in discovering the utility of the different pro-
ductions he has allowed to exist.
Jack. For my part, I have done with the
Indian fig-tree, its fruit, its cochineal, and
its ugly thorns, and I will never go near it
again.
..
Father. If the plant could speak, it
would most likely say: That little boy shall
not come near me any more. Without any
reason, or any necessity, but purely out of
contradiction to his father, he attacks and
destroys me; me, who would have done
him service, if he would but have treated
me with kindness, and have been careful in
coming near me.-And now, Jack, if
if your
leg is still painful, apply a leaf of the ka
rata to it, for I recollect that the plant
possesses the property of curing wounds.
He accordingly took my advice, and in a few
FAMILY ROBINSON.
305
minutes, was able to join us on our road to
Tent House,
Now then, said Ernest, I have had an op,
portunity of learning the valuable properties
of the karata tree, and of the Indian fig-
tree; but I wish I could also be informed
respecting those tall plants which look like
sticks covered with thorns, that I perceive
every where about us; I see neither fruits
nor insects on them: of what use then, father,
do you think they can be?
Father. It is not in my power, my dear
boy, to explain to you the uses of all the
plants in the world; I presume that many
exist which have no other than that of contri
buting to the sustenance of different kinds
of animals,; and, as I have already told you,
it is for man, by his superior intelligence, to
discover those that can be applied to his own
use. Many possess medicinal qualities. of
which I am ignorant, and which will become
better known as the world advances in age.
It occurred to me that one of the plants we
saw to-day, named the prickly candle, is of
the kind which Bruce describes in his Tra-
vels to Abyssinia, and of which he gives a
drawing; the only difference that I perceive,
being the size. They serve, says he, for food
to the elephant and the rhinoceros; the
first with his strong teeth, or his trunk, and
the latter with his horn, lays hold of this
306
THE SWISS
seeming stick, and rips it up from one end
to the other; they then devour the pith,
and sometimes the rind.
་
Ernest. The palate of these animals
must surely be made of iron, to be able to
chew such a thorny substance without in-
jury.
Fritz.-Why so? Camels and asses are
very fond of thistles, and appear to digest
them extremely well. It is probable, there-
fore, that the stomach of these animals is
so formed that these prickly substances oc-
casion in it only an agreeable excitation, fa-
vourable to their appetite and their diges-
tion.
Father. Your idea is not a bad one; and
if it be not true it is at least probable.
Fritz.-Will you tell me, father, the
precise difference between true and proba-
ble?
Father.-Your question is one of those
which have occupied the attention of philo-
sophers for two thousand years. It would
therefore be too tedious to discuss at this
moment; I will, however, endeavour to
make my answer such, as to be of use to
you, in the science of logic, or the art of
reasoning. Let us see, if you will under-
stand it. What we call true, is that which
cannot in any way be contradicted, and which
exactly agrees, in every point, with the idea
FAMILY ROBINSON.
307
we conceive of a certain object, or as it
really exists before our eyes: for example,
when I make an impression with my seal
on some warm wax, it is absolutely true
that the figure impressed on the wax, is the
same as that on the seal. A thing is pro-
bable, when we have a variety of motives
for believing it true, without, however, being
able to bring any proof. Again, we call
false, that which is in positive contradiction
to all our notions, our reason, and our ex-
perience. Is it true, probable, or false, that
a man can fly up into the air?
All.-It is false, absolutely false.
Father.-How so?
Jack.-Because the thing is impossible.
Father.-Very well, my young philoso-
pher, and why is the thing impossible?
Jack.-Because it is not possible.
Father.-Ha, ha, ha! here is a pretty
round of possible and impossible. It is
false because no such thing can be done,
and no such thing can be done, because it
is not possible. Presently you will tell me
that it is impossible because it is false. Try
again, my lads, we must have some better
reasons. What say you, Ernest?
Ernest.-I say, that the thing cannot be
done, because it is not in the nature of man
to fly; that having no wings, he is not
formed for flying.
308
THE SWISS
Father. Well but if some one should
assert, that a man is able to make a machine,
by the assistance of which he can raise and
support himself in the air without wings,
and without the machine's resting upon any
thing; would this be probable or improba-
ble? What think you, Fritz?
=
}
Fritz. I think I should have said im-
probable, if I had not known that people.
have accomplished what you describe by the
invention of balloons.
•
}
Father And why should you have
thought it improbable ?
Fritz.-Because man is, in his nature,
heavier than the air; and I should have sup-
posed, that a machine of whatever kind, in-
stead of diminishing would only add to his
weight.✔
•
Father-Very well reasoned. But you
would be told that this machine is of large
dimensions, and composed of a close, light
kind of silk, and that it is filled with air
chemically prepared, which being much
lighter than atmospheric air, tends perpetu
ally to ascend, and supports the man in the
air, as bladders support you upon the water.
Do you understand all this, my boy? and
what have you to say in answer?
{
Fritz.-Yes father, I understand it; and
I perceive how it might be probable, that
since man has discovered à means to be
FAMILY ROBINSON.
309
sustained upon water, he might also find
the means to raise and sustain himself in the
air..
Father.-And when a multitude of per-
sons of veracity, and of different ages shall
declare that with their own eyes they saw a
balloon, to which a parachute was fastened
filled with men, and that all mounted in the
air together, and disappeared above the
clouds; should you still maintain that it is
false that a man can fly?
All-No, to be sure, we should say that
it is quite true that he can fly.
Father-And yet you all said but a mi-
nute ago that it was absolutely false.
Fritz. Ah! but we said that, father, of a
man by himself, independently of any ma-
chine he might construct; for though nature.
has refused him wings, she has not failed to
bestow on him an inventive mind, which
more than compensates for that deficiency.
Father. Your observation is perfectly
just, and I hope you will not fail to profit
by it. With the aid of his intelligence, and
his reason, there is scarcely any thing which
man cannot attain to. But to return to our
example: you will find in it the definition
of the words which you ask me about: it
is false, that man of himself can fly; it is
probable, that by the aid of a machine of his
own invention, he may be enabled to mount
310
THE SWISS
and sustain himself in the air; and it is ab-
solutely true, that this has been effected by
man, though without his having yet found
a certain means of guiding these factitious
wings; a defect, which in a great measure
renders his discovery useless.
My Wife.-Well now we have had a
long lesson upon the subject, during which
I have not been able to put in one single lit-
tle word; I am afraid you will make your
boys so learned, that I shall not know on what
subjects to converse with them.
Father.-There is no fear of that, my
dear; for even should I teach them all I
know myself, they would not be very learn-
ed. A man should always endeavour to
acquire knowledge: if he lives in the world,
he is in consequence the more esteemed, the
more respected, and knows the better how
to manage his affairs: if, as will most likely
be the case with our sons, their lot is to live
in a kind of solitude, it will be less tiresome
to them, if they have cultivated the habit of
thinking and reflecting; so that even the
little information in my power to give them,
may be of use. I have never had occasion
to regret that I knew so much, but often
that I knew too little, particularly in our pre-
sent situation, where no other master can
be obtained for them than myself and nature.
If the boys could conceive what advantages
FAMILY ROBINSON.
311
they would derive from study, they would
impose upon themselves the strictest appli-
cation, while at the age when learning is so
easy.
Conversing thus, we reached Jackall's
River, which we crossed, stepping with
great care from stone to stone, and very
shortly arrived at our old habitation, where
we found every thing in perfect order as we
had left it; and we immediately dispersed,
each in pursuit of what he intended to take
away. Fritz loaded himself with powder and
shot I and my wife and Francis employed
ourselves in filling our pot with butter, the
carrying of which on our return it was agreed
was to fall on me. Ernest and Jack looked
about for the geese and ducks; but as they
were become somewhat savage, the boys could
not succeed in catching one of them. The idea
then occurred to Ernest, of taking a small bit
of cheese, and tying it to the end of a piece
of string, and holding it to float in the water.
The voracious animals hastened eagerly to
seize it. In this way, Ernest drew them to-
wards him, one by one, with the cheese in
its mouth, till he had caught the whole; he
put them in their pocket handkerchiefs, leav
ing only the head at liberty; and then we
fastened one of them to each game-bag, so
that all had a share in carrying them.
We had thought of taking back with us
$12
THE SWISS
•
a provision of salt; but we could not carry
so much as we wished, the sacks being oc-
cupied with potatoes. I, however, thought
of throwing in a certain quantity loose into
one of them, to fill up the space between
the potatoes in this way we secured a to-
lerable supply; but it made the sack so
heavy, that no one was willing to be incum-
bered with it. Fritz proposed that our faith-
ful Turk should carry it; and accordingly
we took off his superb coat of mail, and left
it at Tent House, and the sack was tied on
the back of the quiet, kind-tempered animal.
Pónto was to carry the monkey as before.
We set out on our return, loaded with
treasures, and the appearance of our caravan
was even more amusing than it had been be-
fore the ducks and geese with their heads
and necks stretching out at our shoulders,
cackling with all their might, gave us a truly
singular and ludicrous appearance: we could
not help laughing immoderately as we passed
the bridge, one after the other, accoutred in
in so strange a fashion. Our mutual jokes,
and the general good humour which prevail-
ed, served to shorten the length of the walk,
and we none of us were sensible of fatigue,
till we were seated under our tree at Falcon's
Stream. My wife now prepared to console
us, by putting some of the potatoes which we
so eagerly desired to taste, immediately on
FAMILY ROBINSON.
313
the fire. She next milked the cow and the
goat,
and refreshed us with a draught of their
warm milk, giving us a proof how the natu
ral strength may be increased by the feelings
of conjugal and maternal love. The kind-
hearted woman was at least as much fatigued
as any of us; yet she made no attempt to
rest herself, till she had provided us with all
she had to give for our refreshment. At
length, after dining heartily on our potatoes,
on you
which we bestowed abundance of com-
mendation, we concluded the day with even-
ing-prayers, and then joyfully climbed our
ladder to seek the blessing of repose in our
aerial castle.
VOL. I.
P
314
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CHAPTER XV.
The imaginary bear-The sledge-A lesson
in natural philosophy
I H
HAD remarked the evening before, on our
return to the sea-shore, a quantity of wood,
of which I thought I could make a kind of
conveyance for our cask of butter and other
provisions from Tent House to Falcon's
Stream. I had secretly determined to go
early the next morning, before my family
should be awake, to the spot. I had fixed
upon Ernest for my assistant, thinking that
his indolent temper required to be stimu-
lated to exertion. I made him feel as a
great favour the preference I gave him, and
he promised to be ready at a very early
hour. I was also desirous to leave Fritz
with the family, as, being the tallest and
strongest, he was more able to protect the
rest.
As soon as I perceived the first dawn of
morning, I quietly awoke Ernest. He raised
himself, stretching and gaping in his ham-
mock. We descended the ladder without
being perceived by the rest of the family,
who continued to sleep soundly. The first
FAMILY ROBINSON.
315
thing we had to do, was to awake the ass,
who was to be of our party; and that he
might not go without a load, I made him
draw a very large branch of a tree, which I
wanted for my undertaking. As we walked
along, I asked Ernest if he was not a little
out of humour at being obliged to get up so
early, to set about a laborious occupation,
instead of remaining with his brothers, to
shoot at the thrushes and the pigeons on the
fig-tree?
Ernest.-Not in the least, father: now
I am once up and dressed, I do not mind it.
at all; I like being with you, and assisting
you, very much. My brothers will leave
plenty of birds for me to shoot; for I will
lay any wager, that their first fire at least
will miss.
What makes you think so, my boy?
Because they will all forget to take the
balls out of the guns, and to put in shot in
their place besides, I am sure that they will
all fire from under the tree, and it is so high,
that their shot cannot possibly reach it. I,
for my part, have always fired from Tree
Castle, which was the only way to succeed
You may be right in your suspicions, an-
swered I, but I have two remarks to make.
The first is, that it would have been kinder
and more generous in you, to have told your
brothers these particulars, than to triumph in
P 2
316
THE SWISS
their ignorance; thus exposing them to spend
their powder, which is so valuable an article,
to no effect. The second is, that though it
gives me pleasure to see you act with cool-
ness and reflection, yet I am somewhat ap-
prehensive of your falling into the habit of
a certain slowness of decision, which may
frequently prove injurious; there are occa-
sions which require instant resolution, and
cannot admit of a moment for reflection.
He who, in a moment of alarm, of danger,
or distress, preserves his presence of mind
and decides instantly, has a great advantage
over him who waits to calculate every possi-
bility before he begins to act. This presence
of mind, joined to great wisdom, is a quality
of inestimable value, and it may be acquired
by cultivating a habit of cool reflection and
inquiry, as to how we should act under such
or such a circumstance. If we do not acquire
this habit, we suffer ourselves to be under
the dominion of fear at the time of danger,
and are consequently defeated. Let us see,
for example, what would you do if we were
suddenly surprised by a bear.
Ernest.I almost believe I should run
away as fast as I could.
Father. And I believe so too; at least,
you frankly assure me that it would be so.
But if you were to reflect, you would con-
clude, that the bear having four legs, and
معنا
FAMILY ROBINSON.
317
you only two, he would run much faster and
for a much longer time than you, and would
therefore soon overtake you.
Ernest.-Then I would fire upon him, if
I had my gun; and now that I reflect upon
it, I will not go out any more without it.
Father. This would still be acting with-
out reflection: for your gun might easily
miss fire, or you might only slightly wound
the animal, and then you would have every
thing to fear from his rage.
Ernest.-Well, then, I would wait with
coolness till he should be only three steps.
from me; I would then fire my gun at his
head, which would for ever cure him of the
inclination to attack me.
Father. It would cure either you or him,
to a certainty; for you would run the risk
of your gun's missing fire, and it would
then be too late to try any other expedient ;
for you would be torn to pieces in a mo-
ment.
Ernest.-Well, then, I would try another
way. I would lie down on the ground,
hold my breath, and make believe I was
dead, and the bear would turn me over and
over; for it is said they will not touch a
dead body.
Father. This is a great mistake; I would
advise you not to trust to it. Bears are often
318
THE SWISS
known to devour dead animals, and that
they are even a powerful attraction to them.
Ernest.-Oh, but I would be prepared
with my clasp knife, with which I would
settle him in a trice, or I would knock him
on the head with the end of my gun.
Father. All ineffectual means, I assure
you. Do you think you would have strength
enough to destroy so formidable a creature?
Or that you could penetrate so thick a hide
with your clasp knife? Nor would you
have the resource of climbing up a tree, for
bears climb also. The only means you
could use, and I confess it would be most
cruel, would be to give up the ass to him,
by keeping him before you in readiness.
When the bear should begin the attack, you
might try to shoot him with your pistol, or
to plunge your knife into his throat. But
I trust we shall have no such animal to en-
counter; for I should be sorry to sacrifice our
poor ass, even in defence of our own lives.
Ernest. And I too, father; but if there
were no other means?
Father. In such a case it is permitted to
use the remedy, inhuman as it seems; while
at the same time we should form a hope that
it might be possible to save the ass also.
In this kind of conversation we reached
the sea-shore, well content to have met with
FAMILY ROBINSON.
319
no bear, and at finding pieces of wood in
great abundance, to obtain which was the
object of our walk. I determined to cut
such pieces as I wanted, of the proper length,
and to lay them cross-ways on the branches
which the ass had drawn to the place, and
by this means to make them serve as a kind
of sledge. We lost no time in setting to
work, and we added to the load a little chest,
which we found half buried in the sands,
quite close to the waves. We also provided
ourselves with some poles which lay there, that
we might use them as rollers, should we
stand in need of them for passing difficult
places, and then we set out on our return to
Falcon's Stream. When we were within a
certain distance of our abode, we heard a
loud firing, which informed us that the at-
tack upon the ortolans was in good train;
but on seeing us approach, the cries of joy
which were uttered resounded in every di-
rection, and all ran eagerly to meet us. The
chest we had brought was soon opened by a
strong hatchet, for all were eager to see what
was within. It contained only some sailor's
dresses and some linen, which was quite wet
with the sea.
I had to account to my wife for having
absented myself with one of the boys, with-
out giving her notice, or bidding her adieu.
She had been uneasy, and I confessed I had
320
THE SWISS
been to blame. In such a situation as ours,
so many unforeseen and painful events might
happen! She had discovered, however, that
we had taken the ass with us, and this cir-
cumstance had consoled her. The sight of
so many useful pieces of wood, and the pro-
mise of a sledge for better security in con-
veying her provisions for the table, soon ap-
peased her discontent, and we sat down
tranquilly to breakfast.
•
I next inspected the booty of the three
sportsmen, who had shot, in all, no less than
fifty ortolans and thrushes. As Ernest had
foretold, their first fire missed; afterwards
they had had various luck, now missing and
now hitting, and had used so large a quan-
tity of powder and shot, that when, by their
brother's advice, they were about to get up
the tree and fire from thence, my wife and I
stopped them, recommending a more frugal
use of those materials, as they were our only
means of defence, or of procuring food in
future, or at least till we could make another
visit to the vessel. I taught them how to
make some snares to be suspended from the
branches of the fig-tree, and advised them
to use the thread of the karata, which is as
strong as horse-hair, for the purpose. What
is new always amuses young persons, and
the boys accordingly took a great fancy to
this mode of sporting. Jack succeeded in
FAMILY ROBINSON.
321
his very first attempt; I left Francis to as-
sist him, and took Fritz and Ernest to help
me in making the sledge. As we were all hard
at work, for my wife had joined the youngest
boys, we suddenly heard a prodigious clatter
among the fowls; the cock crowed louder
than all the rest together, and the hens ran
to and fro, as if they were pursued by a fox.
I wonder what is the mattter with the crea-
tures, cried my wife, rising; every day I hear
the hens clucking as if they had been laying
eggs. At this moment Ernest happened to
look at the monkey, and remarked that he
fixed his piercing eyes on the hens; and
when he saw my wife approaching, driving
the hens before her, he jumped quickly into
a hollow place, under one of the roots of the
tree, and hid himself. Ernest ran to the
place as soon as he, and was fortunate enough
to seize him, seeing that he held a new-laid
egg in his paw, which he was going to con-
ceal in this place for a future regale. The
monkey sprang immediately to such another
hole, and Ernest followed; here also he found
some eggs, and brought them in his hat to
his mother, who received them with great
pleasure. The monkey was so greedy of
this food, that he was sure to seize the eggs
as soon as the hens had laid them. We in-
flicted no other punishment upon him for
this little piece of knavery, than that of tying
P 5
322
THE SWISS
him up when the hens were about to lay.
By this means my wife soon collected a con-
siderable number of eggs, and we waited
with impatience for the time when the hens
would sit, in the hope of seeing their species
multiplied.
I
In the mean while, Jack had got up into
the tree, and had suspended some of the
snares to the branches, to catch the little de-
vourers of our figs; he came down again to
bring us the acceptable intelligence, that our
pigeons, which we brought from the vessel,
had made a sort of nest there of some dry
grass, and that it already contained several
eggs. I therefore forbade the boys from
firing any more in the tree, for fear of alarm-
ing or wounding these gentle creatures.
also directed, that the snares should be fre-
quently examined, to see that the pigeons
were not caught in them, as they might be
strangled in their efforts to get loose. I
should now even have forbidden the use of
the snares, if I had not myself made them
known to the boys, and that so very lately.
It is imprudent at all times, for a tutor to
contradict himself, and thus prove to his
pupils that he was wrong in issuing such or
such a command; a single word revoked on
the part of the tutor, will occasion ten to be
revoked by the pupil. We should always
duly reflect before we lay a command on a
FAMILY ROBINSON.
323
child; but when once the word is pronoun-
ced, it should never be recalled, whether from
caprice, from a disposition to indulge the
child, or even from conviction. My sons had
all murmured at my prohibition, in regard to
the gunpowder; and little Francis with his
innocent face came running to tell me, that
we need only to sow some of it, and that he
and his brother were ready to bestow any la-
bour, to have a large quantity of it at their
own disposal. We all laughed heartily at
the idea, and Professor Ernest did not over-
look the advantage of the occasion, to display
his science. My little sprig of wisdom, cried
he, we may judge how much you know of
what you are talking about; your field of
gunpowder indeed! Do you think then, that
gunpowder comes from seeds, like oats?
Father. How else, then, is it produced,
Mr. Professor? At least, you might be so
good as to inform your little brother what
you yourself know of its nature, since you
laugh at his great ignorance on the subject.
Ernest. I know that it is produced by
art, but of the manner in which it is made,
I confess I am myself ignorant. I imagine
that it is prepared from charcoal, since it is
so black, and that sulphur, of which it smells
so strong, is mixed with it.
Father. Add some saltpetre, and your
answer will not be amiss; the saltpetre is in
324
THE SWISS
reality the principal ingredient; mixed with
charcoal, it easily takes fire, and rarefies or
expands the air that is mixed with it, by
means of its elastic force. Touched with a
spark of fire, it acts with extraordinary vehe-
mence, and drives forward with astonishing
force, whatever resists its action. So that
balls or shot, impelled by this irresistible
force, strike the object against which they
impinge so as to take away life as you and
I, and Fritz and Jack, see happen to us every
day in letting off our guns.
The boys now had a thousand questions
to propose, which brought on a sort of lesson
in natural philosophy, as well as I could
make it such, with the degree of information
I possessed, and without instruments for ex-
periments. The eldest boys understood the
lesson pretty well, having previously some
notion of the subjects; but little Francis, on
hearing me say that the heat contained in
bodies was brought out by motion or fric-
tion, asked, ludicrously enough, whether, in
running very fast, he should not be in dan-
ger of being set on fire and burnt?
Your ideas run too fast, my little fellow,
said I; but this I can tell you, that when a
young boy like you, uses violent exercise, he
runs at least the risk of inflaming his blood,
and getting into a fever, or some other dan-
FAMILY ROBINSON.
325
gerous disease; and there results something
like the burning you talk of, that may prove
no less dangerous. But my remark is almost
equally applicable to a person who takes too
little exercise, and abandons himself to idle-
ness; for such habits tend to vitiate the
humours, and to corrupt the blood. Thus,
my dear children, in this, as in every thing
else, it is advisable to observe a just me-
dium.
During this conversation, I was busily em-
ployed upon my sledge, which was soon
completed; and I found that necessity had
converted a preacher of moderate talents into
a tolerably good carpenter. Two bent pieces
of wood, the segments of a circle, formed.
the outline of my machine, which I fixed in
their places, by a straight piece of wood,
placed across, and firmly fixed to the bent
pieces in the middle, and at the rear. I then
fastened two ropes to the front of my work,
and my sledge was finished. As I had not
raised my eyes from my work, I did not
know what my wife and the two youngest
boys had been about. On looking up, I per-
ceived that they had been stripping off the
feathers from a quantity of birds, which the
boys had killed, and that they afterwards
spitted them on an officer's sword, which my
wife had turned into this useful kitchen utensil.
I approved of the idea; but I blamed her pro-
326
THE SWISS
fusion in dressing more birds at once than
we could eat. She reminded me, that I had
myself advised her to half roast the birds be-
fore putting them into the butter, to be pre-
served for future use. She was in hopes,
she said, that as I had now a sledge, I should
not fail of going to Tent House after dinner,
to fetch the cask of butter, and in the mean
while, she was endeavouring to be ready with
the birds. I had no objection to this, and
immediately determined on going to Tent
House the same day, and requested my wife
to hasten the dinner for that purpose. She
replied that this was already her intention, as
she also had a little project in her head,
which I should be informed of, at my return.
I, for my part, had one too, which was to
take a bathe in the sea, and thus refresh my-
self from the heat and fatigue of my la-
borious occupations. I wished that Ernest,
who was to accompany me, should bathe
also; while Fritz was to remain at home for
the protection of the family.
FAMILY ROBINSON.
327
CHAPTER XVI.
A bathing, a fishing, the jumping hare, and
a masquerade.
As soon as Ernest and I had dined, we pre-
pared for our departure. Fritz presented
each with one of the best cases of his own
workmanship, which we stuck through our
belts, and which, in reality, were ingeniously
contrived for holding spoons and knives and
forks, while room was left in the middle for
a little hatchet. I praised Fritz for having
thus brought his idea to perfection, and for
contriving to make two cases with his skin
instead of one. He had used the skin of the
two fore-legs of the animal for one, and of
the two hind-legs for the other, and reserved
the place in the middle, for the hatchet.
Ernest showed a warmth of gratitude for
his share in the benefit, of which I had not
thought him capable.
We now set about harnessing the ass and
cow to our sledge; each took a piece of
bamboo.cane in hand, to serve as a whip;
and resting our guns upon our shoulders, we
began our journey. Ponto was to accom.
pany us, and Turk to remain behind. We
$28
THE SWISS
5
"
bade adieu to our companions, and put our
animals in motion. We took the road by
the sea-shore, where the sands afforded better
travelling for our vehicle, than the thick wild
grass. We reached Family Bridge, on
Jackall's River, and arrived at Tent House,
without either obstacle or adventure. We
immediately unharnessed the animals to let
them graze, while we set to work to load the
sledge, with the cask of butter, the cask of
cheese, a small barrel of gunpowder, diffe-
rent instruments, some ball, some shot, and
Turk's coat of mail. These exertions had
so occupied our thoughts, that it was late
when we first observed that our animals, at-
tracted by the excellent quality of the grass.
on the other side of the river, had repassed.
the bridge, and wandered so far as to be out
of sight. I was in hopes they would be
easily found, and I directed Ernest to go with
Ponto and bring them back, intending in the
mean time to look for a convenient place, on
the other side of Tent House, to bathe in..
In a short time I found myself at the extre-
mity of Providence Bay, and which ended,.
as I now perceived, in a marsh, producing
the finest bulrushes it was possible to ima-
gine; and further on, a chain of steep rocks,
advancing somewhat into the sea, and form-
ing a kind of creek, as if expressly contrived
for bathing. The juttings of the rock even
FAMILY ROBINSON.
329
seemed like little separate cabinets, where
one might be concealed from one's com-
panions. Enchanted with this discovery, I
called out to Ernest to come and join me,
and in the mean time, I amused myself with
cutting some of the rushes, and imagining
what use I could apply them to.
Ernest
neither replied nor came: so, after waiting a
little, I resolved to go in pursuit of him, for
I was unable to refrain from some uneasy
sensations at his absence. Looking about
in all directions, I at length discovered him
at a distance, extended at his length on the
ground, in the shade produced by Tent
House. I approached him with a beating
heart, fearing he might have been attacked
by some wild beast; and was agreeably sur-
prised at finding him in a sound and quiet
sleep, while the ass and the cow were eating
the grass close to the place where he lay.
Come, come, young traveller, you must
awake, cried I, shaking him: while you are
sleeping here, your animals may once more
make their escape. He instantly awoke
starting, and was soon on his feet. Oh!
but I defy them to escape across the bridge,
said he, rubbing his eyes; for I have taken
away some of the planks, and left a space
which they will have no great inclination to
jump over.
Father. Since your idle fit has rendered
330
THE SWISS
you inventive, I forgive it with all my heart;
but is it not a pity to lose in sleeping the op-
portunity of doing something useful? Did
you not promise your mother to carry her
some salt? Slothfulness is always a fault,
where labour is a necessity.
.Ernest.-But, father, my head was not
idle, I assure you. I was planning something
all the time.
Father.-Really, Ernest! Why, this is
quite a novelty, for a boy of your age. Pray
tell me what important and profound study
it was, which made you go to sleep.
Ernest.—I will tell you. I was thinking,
deeply, how difficult it would be to bring
away from the vessel every thing which it
contains.
Father. And did you hit upon some me-
thod for removing the difficulty?
Ernest.-No, father, no great things; I
fell asleep in the middle of my reflections.
Father. So, this is the hard work your
poor head was engaged in!-Discovering a
difficulty, and finding no means for conquer-
ing it!
Ernest. At this very moment an idea
strikes me. We ought to have a large raft;
but the beams of the ship are too heavy for
the purpose: I think it would be better to
take a number of the empty casks, and nail
some planks upon them to keep them all
FAMILY ROBINSON.
331
1
together. I have read that the savages of
America fill the skins of goats with air, tię
them to each other, and are thus enabled to
use them as rafts upon the largest rivers.
I
Father. This is a sound idea, and one
day or other we may perhaps derive advan-
tage from it but for the present, my boy,
we must make up for lost time: run, there-
fore, and fill this little bag with salt, which
you will then empty into the large one that
the ass is to carry; and which you will take
care to fill equally on each side. During
this time, I will take the refreshment of bathe-
ing; and then it will be your turn to bathe,
and mine to take care of the animals.
returned to the rocks, and was not disap-
pointed in my expectation of an enjoyment
the most delicious; but I did not stay long,
fearing my boy might be impatient for his
share of so new a pleasure. When I had
dressed myself, I returned to the place to see
if his work had advanced; but he was not
there, and I supposed that he had again fall-
en asleep in some corner. Presently, how-
ever, I heard his voice calling out, Father,
father, a fish! a fish of monstrous size! Run
quickly, father, I can hardly hold him! he
is eating up the string of my line! I ran to
the place from which the voice proceeded,
and found Ernest lying along the ground on
332
THE SWISS
his face, upon the extremity of a point of
land, and pulling in his line, to which a large
fish was hanging, and beating about with all
his strength. I ran hastily and snatched the
rod out of his hand, for I had some appre-
hension that the weight and activity of the
fish, would pull him into the water. I gave
a certain liberty to the line, to calm the fish,,
and then contrived to draw him gently along,
till I had got him safely into a shallow, from
which he could no longer escape, and thus
the animal was effectually secured. We next
examined him thoroughly, and it appeared
to me that it could not weigh less than fifteen.
pounds; so that our capture was magnifi-
cent, and would afford the greatest pleasure
to our good steward of provisions at Falcon's
Stream. You have now really laboured, said
I to Ernest, not only with your head, but
with your whole body; and I would advise
you to wipe the perspiration from your face,
and keep a little quiet before you venture into
the water. You have procured us a dish of
great excellence, which will last for several
days, and have conducted yourself like a
true chevalier, without fear and without re-
proach.
It was at least fortunate, observed he in a
modest tone, that I thought of bringing my
fishing-rod.
!
FAMILY ROBINSON.
333
Father.-Certainly it was.
But tell me
how you came to see this large fish, and what
made think you
you think
could catch it?
Ernest. I used to remark when we lived
at Tent House, that there were innumerable
quantities of fish in the water, just here-
about; the recollection of this circumstance
made me determine to bring my fishing-
tackle with me. In my way to the place
where we keep the salt, I perceived a great
number of little crabs, upon which fishes
feed, near the water's brink; I thought I
would try to bait my book with one of them;
so I hurried my task of fetching the salt, and
came to this spot, where at first I caught
only about a dozen little fish, which are there
in my handkerchief; but at the same time.
I remarked, that they were chased in the
water by fishes of larger size. This gave
me the idea of baiting my hook with one of
the small ones; but the hook was too small,
and my rod too weak. I then took one of
the finest of the bulrushes you had just ga-
thered, and put a larger hook to my line, and
in a short time the large fish you see there
seized upon the bait, and paid his life for his
voracity. However, I must confess, that if
you had not come to my assistance, I must
either have let go my line, or have been
dragged into the water; for the fish was
stronger than I.
334
THE SWISS
We now examined the smaller fishes he
had caught, which for the most part appeared
to me to consist of trout and herrings, while
I felt certain that the large one was a salmon.
I immediately cut them all open, and rubbed.
them in the inside with salt, that they might
not be injured by the heat. While I was
employed in this occupation, Ernest went to
the rocks and bathed, and I had time to fill
some more bags with salt, before his return.
We then set about harnessing and loading
our animals; after which we restored the
planks which had been taken from the
bridge, and then resumed the road to Fal-
con's Stream.
When we had proceeded about half way,
Ponto, who had been walking quietly on be-
fore us, suddenly escaped, and by his barking
gave us notice that he scented some game.
We soon after saw him pursuing an animal,
which seemed endeavouring to escape, and
made the most extraordinary jumps imagina-
ble. The dog continuing to follow, the crea-
ture in trying to avoid him, passed within
gunshot of the place where I stood. I fired,
but its flight was so rapid, that I did not hit.
Ernest, who was at a small distance behind,
hearing the report of my gun, prepared his
own, and fired it off at the instant the singu-
lar animal was passing near him, in pursuit
of a hiding-place among the tall herbage
Maori, nid dei,
Springsquth si“.
Shooting the Kangaroos
་

FAMILY ROBINSON.
335
just by he had fired so skilfully, that the
animal fell dead at the same instant. I ran
hastily, and with extreme curiosity, to ascer-
tain what kind of quadruped it might be.
We found it, in form and general appearance,
the most remarkable possible to conceive. It
was of the size of a sheep, with a tail re-
sembling that of a tiger; both its snout and
hair were like those of a mouse, and its teeth
were like a hare's, but much larger; the
fore legs resembled those of the squirrel, and
were extremely short; but to make up for
this, its hind legs were as long as a pair of
stilts, and of a form strikingly singular. We
examined the extraordinary creature for a
long time in silence; I could not be sure that
I had ever seen an engraving or description
of it in any Natural History, or book of
Travels. Ernest, after a long and close exa-
mination, interrupted our silence by an ex-
clamation of joy: And have I really killed
this extraordinary animal? cried he, clapping
his hands together. What will my mother
and my brothers say? How astonished they
will be! and how fortunate I am in securing
so fine a prize! What do you think is its
name, father? I would give all the world to
know.
Father.-And so would I, my boy; but
I am as ignorant as you.
ever, is certain, that this is
One thing, how-
your lucky day;
336
THE SWISS
for you have already performed two wonder-
ful feats, by destroying two monsters, in the
course of it; so that I shall be tempted to
give you the name of my little Hercules.
You also sometimes deserve that of my little
Solomon. So let us both examine this inter-
esting stranger with attention, that we may
be certain to what family of quadrupeds it
belongs: this will perhaps throw a light
upon its name.
Ernest.—I think it can hardly be named
a quadruped; for the little fore legs look
much more like hands, as is the case with
monkeys.
Father. They are notwithstanding legs,
I can assure you. Let us look for its name
among the animals who give suck; on this
point we cannot be mistaken. Now let us
examine its teeth.
Ernest.-Here are the four incisory teeth,
like the squirrel
Father. Thus we see that it belongs to
the order of Nibblers. Now let us look for
some names of animals of this kind.
Ernest.-Besides squirrels, I recollect only
mice, marmots, hares, beavers, porcupines,
and jumpers.
Father.-Jumpers! That short word fur-
nishes the necessary clue; the animal is com-
pletely formed like the gerboa or jumping
hare, except that it is twice the size of those
FAMILY ROBINSON.
937
of which I have read a description
Wait a moment, an idea strikes me. I will
lay a wager that our animal is one of the large
jumpers, called kangaroo; it belongs pro-
perly to the genus Didelphis or Philander;
because the female, who never bears more
than one young one, carries it in a kind of
purse placed between her hind legs. To the
best of my knowledge, this animal has never
been seen but on the coast of New Holland,
where it was first observed by the celebrated
navigator Captain Cook. You may then be
highly flattered with your adventure, in killing
an animal at once so rare and so remarkable.
Ernest. You had very nearly, however,
deprived me of the honour. How happened
it, father, that you missed him? you, who
are so much better a shot than I! I confess
I should have been much mortified in your
place.
Father.-I, on the contrary, rejoice in the
circumstance.
Ernest. Well, that is droll enough; and
I cannot understand how any one can re-
joice at having missed an animal in firing. ·
Will you explain it to me?
Father. I rejoice, because I love my son
better than myself, and take a more lively
interest in his pleasure, and in any little
cause of exultation he may have, than if the
occasion were more immediately connected
VOL. I.
Q
338
THE SWISS
with myself.-Ernest, affected by my re-
mark, ran to embrace me.-How truly I
recognise in this assurance the kind temper
of my ever indulgent father! cried he.-
Your gratitude but increases my satisfaction,
added I, embracing him in my turn; but
now let us see if we shall be able to drag
the animal to the sledge. Ernest requested
that I would rather assist him to carry it, as
he was afraid of spoiling its beautiful mouse-
coloured skin, by dragging it on the ground.
I therefore tied the fore legs of the kangaroo
together; and by means of two canes, we
with considerable trouble contrived to carry
it to the sledge, upon which it was securely
fastened.
Ponto, who first discovered the kangaroo,
had lost the scent, and was scampering about
in the tall grass, no doubt with the hope of
recovering his prey. We called him to us,
and loaded him with caresses and applauses:
but he seemed indifferent to our most flatter-
ing addresses; he kept close to the kanga-
roo, and licked its wound, which was still
bleeding. Having now nothing more to de-
tain us, we continued our road towards Fal-
con's Stream. As we walked along, we
conversed on the subject of natural history,
and on the necessity of studying it in our
youth, that we might learn to class plants
and animals according to their characteristic
FAMILY ROBINSON.
229
marks; and we observed, that to such a
knowledge as this it was owing, that we had
recognised the kangaroo. Ernest entreated
me to tell him all I knew about the animal.
It is, said I, a most singular kind of crea-
ture; and having hitherto been little observed,
it furnishes but few particulars for narration.
Its fore legs, as you see, have scarcely the
third part of the length of the hind ones,
and the most it can do, is to make them
serve the purpose of walking; but the hind
legs enable it to make prodigious jumps,
the same as in the flea and the grasshopper.
The food of the kangaroo consists of herbs
and roots, which they dig up very skilfully
with their fore legs. They place themselves
upon their hind legs, which are doubled under
them, as if on a chair, and by this means are
able to look above even the tall kinds of
grass; they rest too upon their tail, which is
exceedingly strong, and is also of great use
to them in jumping, by assisting the spring
from the ground. It is said that the kanga-
roo, if deprived of its tail, would scarcely be
able to jump at all.
We at length arrived happily, though
somewhat late, at Falcon's Stream, having
heard from a great distance the kind wel-
come of the salutations of our family. Our
companions all ran to meet us: but it was
now, on seeing the ludicrous style of the
o 2
340
THE SWISS
dress of the three boys, our turn for immo-
derate fits of laughter: one had on a sailor's
shirt, which trained round him like the robe
of a spectre; another was buried in a pair
of pantaloons, which were fastened round his
neck and reached to the ground; and the
third had a long waistcoat which came down
to the instep, and gave him the exact form
of a travelling portmanteau. They all tried
to jump about; but finding this impossible
from the length of their garments, they next
resolved to carry off the whole with an air,
by strutting slowly to and fro in the manner
of a great personage in a theatre. After some
hearty laughing, I inquired of my wife what
could be the cause of this masquerade, and
whether she had assisted them in attempting
to act a comedy for our amusement. She
disclosed the mystery by informing me, that
her three boys had also been into the water,
to bathe, and that while they were thus en-
gaged, she had washed all their clothes; but
as they had not dried so soon as she expected,
her little rioters had become impatient, and
had fallen on the chest of sailor's clothes, and
each had taken from it what article he pleased.
I preferred, said she, that you should see them
in this odd sort of a disguise rather than quite
naked, like little savages; in which opinion,
I assured her that I heartily joined.
It was now our turn to give an account of
FAMILY ROBINSON.
341
our journey in proportion as we advanced
in our narrative, we presented, one after an-
other, casks, bulrushes, salt, fish, and lastly,
with infinite triumph, our beautiful kangaroo.
In a trice it was surrounded, examined, and
admired by all, and such a variety of ques-
tions asked, that Ernest and I scarcely knew
which to answer first. Fritz was the only
one who was a little silent. I saw plainly
by his countenance, what was passing in his
mind. He was jealous of the good fortune
of his brother Ernest; but I also saw, that
he was struggling manfully against the ascend-
ancy of so mean a passion, and was resolving
to conquer it. In a short time, he had suc-
ceeded so completely, that he joined frankly
and unaffectedly in our conversation and mer-
riment, and I am persuaded, no one but my-
self perceived what was passing in his mind.
He came near the kangaroo, and examined
it with great attention; then turning to his
brother, he observed to him in a kind tone,
that he had had good luck, and that he must
be a good shot to have killed the kangaroo
with so little difficulty. But, father, said he,
when you go again to Tent House, or on any
other excursion, will it not be my turn to go.
with you? For here at Falcon's Stream there
is nothing new to amuse us; a few thrushes,
and some pigeons; this is all we have from
day to day, and I find it
very irksome.

Q 3
342
THE SWISS
I will promise you with all my heart what
you desire, my dear boy, said I, for you have
valiantly combated the ill humour and the
jealousy which assailed your temper, on wit-
nessing your brother's success with the kan-
garoo. I therefore promise, that you shall
accompany me in my very next excursion,
which will probably take place at no greater
distance of time than tomorrow; and it will
be another journey to the vessel. But in the
mean time, let me observe to you, my dear
Fritz, that you ought to be more flattered
with the high opinion I must entertain of your
prudence and judgement, in leaving you here,
in charge of your mother and your brothers,
than with the applause due to the event of
killing a kangaroo. You have accomplished
an important duty, in keeping near them all
the time, and not suffering yourself to be al-
lured by such amusements as presented them-
selves to your fancy; and this conduct has
increased my affection and respect for you.
Praise is also due to Ernest, for the mode-
ration with which he has felt his triumph, in
so extraordinary an occurrence; for he has
not even told you of my humiliating failure.
in attempting to shoot the kangaroo. To
triumph over our passions, and to have on
all occasions a perfect government of our
temper, is an acquisition of infinitely more
value, than the showing a certain skill in
FAMILY ROBINSON.
343
!
firing off a gun, and killing an innocent ani-
mal. We happen, in our situation, to be
forced upon the cultivation of such arts as
these; but though we may practise them as
necessary for our existence, we have no rea-
son to be proud of them.
We concluded the day with our ordinary
occupations; I gave some salt to each of our
animals, to whom it was an acceptable treat.
We next skinned our kangaroo, and put it
carefully aside till the next day, when we in-
tended to cut it to pieces, and lay such parts
in salt, as we could not immediately consume..
We made an excellent supper on our little
fish, to which we added some potatoes, nor
were our faithful companions Turk and Ponto
neglected. The labours of the day had more
than usually disposed us all to seek repose;
we therefore said our prayers at an early hour,
mounted our ladder, and were soon asleep.
END OF VOL. I.
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