We should have been badly off without the shelter of our tent,
for the night proved as cold as the day had been hot, but we
managed to sleep comfortably, every one being thoroughly fatigued
by the labours of the day.
The voice of our vigilant cock, which as he loudly saluted the
rising moon, was the last sound I heard at night, roused me at
daybreak, and I then awoke my wife, that in the quiet interval
while yet our children slept, we might take counsel together on
our situation and prospects. It was plain to both of us that in
the first place, we should ascertain if possible the fate of our
late companions, and then examine into the nature and resources
of the country on which we were stranded.
We therefore came to the resolution that, as soon as we had
breakfasted, Fritz and I should start on an expedition with
these objects in view, while my wife remained near our landing-
place with the three younger boys.
`Rouse up, rouse up, my boys,' cried I, awakening the children
cheerfully. `Come and help your mother to get breakfast ready.'
`As to that,' said she, smiling, `we can but set on the pot, and
boil some more soup!'
`Why! You forget Jack's fine lobster!' replied I. `What has become
of it, Jack?'
`It has been safe in this hole in the rock all night, father. You
see, I thought as the dogs seem to like good things, they might
take a fancy to that as well as to the agouti.'
`A very sensible precaution,' remarked I. `I believe even my
heedless Jack will learn wisdom in time. It is well the lobster
is so large, for we shall want to take part with us on our excursion
to-day.'
At the mention of an excursion, the four children were wild with
delight, and, capering around me, clapped their hands for joy.
`Steady there, steady!' said I, `you cannot expect all to go.
Such an expedition as this would be too dangerous and fatiguing
for you younger ones, and this place seems perfectly safe. Fritz
and I will go alone this time, with one of the dogs, leaving the
other to defend you. Fritz, prepare the guns, and tie up Flora
so that she will not follow us.'
At the word `guns' the poor boy blushed shamefully. He tried in
vain to straighten his weapon. I left 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 later he tried to lay hold of Flora to tie her up, but
the dog, recollecting the blows she 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 some biscuit of his
mother, declaring that he would rather go without the rest of his
breakfast to make his peace with the dogs. He accordingly carried
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 sensible of kind usage, Flora instantly relented and
began to lick the hands which fed her; but Turk, who was of a
more fierce and independent temper, still held off, and seemed
to lack confidence in Fritz's advances.
`Give him a claw of my lobster,' cried Jack, `for I meant to
give it to you anyway, for your journey.'
With that treat, Turk seemed ready to forgive Fritz. We then armed
ourselves, each taking a gun and a game-bag; Fritz, in addition,
sticking a pair of pistols in his belt, and I a small hatchet in
mine; breakfast being over, we stowed away the remainder of the
lobster and some biscuits, with a flask of water, and were ready
for a start.
`Stop!' I exclaimed, `we have still left something very
important undone.'
`Surely not,' said Fritz.
`Yes,' said I, `we have not yet joined in morning prayer. We are
only too ready, amid the cares and pleasures of this life, to
forget the God to whom we owe all things.' Then having commended
ourselves to his protecting care, I took leave of my wife and
children, and bidding them not wander far from the boat and tent,
we parted not without some anxiety on either side, for we knew
not what might assail us in this unknown region.
We now found that the banks of the stream were on both sides so
rocky that we could get down to the water by only one narrow
passage, and there was no corresponding path on the other side.
I was glad to see this, however, for I now knew that my wife
and children were on a comparatively inaccessible spot, the other
side of the tent being protected by steep and precipitous cliffs.
Fritz and I pursued our way up the stream until we reached a point
where the waters fell from a considerable height in a cascade, and
where several large rocks lay half covered by the water; by means
of these we succeeded in crossing the stream in safety. We thus
had the sea on our left, and a long line of rocky heights, here
and there adorned with clumps of trees, stretching away inland
to the right.
We had forced our way scarcely fifty yards through the long rank
grass, which was here partly withered by the sun and much tangled,
when we were much alarmed on hearing behind us a rustling, and on
looking round, we saw the grass waving to and fro, as if some
animal were passing through it. Fritz instantly turned and brought
his gun to his shoulder, ready to fire the moment the beast
should appear.
I was much pleased with my son's coolness and presence of mind,
for it showed me that I might thoroughly rely upon him on any
future occasion when real danger might occur. This time, however,
no savage beast rushed out, but our trusty dog Turk, whom, in
our anxiety at parting, we had forgotten, and who had been sent
after us doubtless by my thoughtful wife. I did not fail to
commend both the bravery and the discretion of my son, in not
yielding to even a rational alarm, and for waiting until he was
sure of the object before he resolved to fire.
From this little incident, however, we saw how dangerous was our
position, and how difficult escape would be should any fierce
beast steal upon us unawares: we therefore hastened to make our
way to the open seashore. Here the scene which presented itself
was indeed delightful. A background of hills, the green waving
grass, the pleasant groups of trees stretching here and there
to the very water's edge, formed a lovely prospect.
On the smooth sand we searched carefully for any trace of our
hapless companions, but not the mark of a footstep could we find.
`Shall I fire a shot or two?' said Fritz. `That would bring our
companions, if they are within hearing.'
`It would indeed,' I replied, `or any savages that may be here.
No, no; let us search diligently, but as quietly as possible.'
`But why, father, should we trouble ourselves about them at all?
They left us to shift for ourselves, and I for one don't care to
set eyes on them again.'
`You are wrong, my boy,' said I. `In the first place, we should
not return evil for evil; then, again, they might be of great
assistance to us in building a house of some sort; and lastly,
you must remember that they took nothing with them from the
vessel, and may be perishing of hunger.'
`But father, while we are wandering here and losing our time
almost without a hope of benefit to them, why should we not
instead return to the vessel and save the animals on board?'
`When a variety of duties present themselves for our choice,
we should always give the preference to that which can confer
the most solid advantage,' I replied. `The saving of the life
of a man is a more exalted action than contributing to the
comfort of a few quadrupeds, whom we have already supplied with
food for a few days. Also, the sea is so calm at present that we
need not fear that the ship will sink or break up entirely before
we can return.'
Thus talking, we pushed on until we came to a pleasant grove
which stretched down to the water's edge; here we halted to
rest, seating ourselves under a large tree, by a rivulet which
murmured and splashed along its pebbly bed into the great
ocean before us.
A thousand gaily plumaged birds flew twittering above us, and
Fritz and I gazed up at them. My son suddenly started up. `A
monkey,' he exclaimed, `I am nearly sure I saw a monkey.'
As he spoke he sprang round to the other side of the tree, and
in doing so stumbled over a small round object which he handed
to me, remarking, as he did so, that it was a round bird's nest,
of which he had often heard.
`You may have done so,' said I, laughing, `but you need not
necessarily conclude that every round hairy thing is a bird's
nest; this, for instance, is not one, but a cocoanut. Do you not
remember reading that a cocoanut is enclosed within a round,
fibrous covering over a hard shell, which again is surrounded
by a bulky green hull? In the one you hold in your hand, the
outer hull has been destroyed by time, which is the reason that
the twisted fibers of the inner covering are so apparent. Let
us now break the shell, and you will see the nut inside.'
Not without difficulty, we split open the nut, but, to our
disgust, found the kernel dry and uneatable.
`Hullo,' cried Fritz, `I always thought a cocoanut was full
of delicious sweet liquid, like almond milk.'
`So it is,' I replied, `when young and fresh, but as it ripens
the milk becomes congealed, and in course of time is solidified
into a kernel. This kernel then dries as you see here, but when
the nut falls on favourable soil, the germ within the kernel
swells until it bursts through the shell, and, taking root, springs
up a new tree.'
`I do not understand,' said Fritz, `how the little germ manages
to get through this great thick shell, which is not like an almond
or hazel-nut shell, that is divided down the middle already.'
`Nature provides for all things,' I answered, taking up the
pieces. `Look here, do you see these three round holes near the
stalk; it is through them that the germ obtains egress. Now let
us find a good nut if we can.'
As cocoanuts must be over-ripe before they fall naturally from
the tree, it was not without difficulty that we obtained one in
which the kernel was not dried up. It was a little oily and
rancid, but this was not the time to be too particular. We were
so refreshed by the fruit that we could defer the repast we
called our dinner* until later in the day, and so spare our stock
of provisions.
* In this book, 'dinner' refers to the midday meal.
Continuing our way through a thicket, which was so densely
overgrown with lianas that we had to clear a passage with our
hatchets, we again emerged on the seashore beyond, and found an
open view, the forest sweeping inland, while on the space before
us stood at intervals single trees of remarkable appearance.
These at once attracted Fritz's observant eye, and he pointed
to them, exclaiming: `Oh, what absurd-looking trees, father!
See what strange bumps there are on the trunks.'
We approached to examine them, and I recognized them as calabash
trees, the fruit of which grows in this curious way on the stems,
and is a species of gourd, from the hard rind of which bowls,
spoons, and bottles can be made. `The savages,' I remarked, `are
said to form these things most ingeniously, using them to contain
liquids: indeed, they actually cook food in them.'
`Oh, but that is impossible,' returned Fritz. `I am quite sure
this rind would be burnt through directly if it was set on the fire.'
`I did not say it was set on the fire at all. When the gourd has
been divided in two, and the shell or rind emptied of its contents,
it is filled with water, into which the fish, or whatever is to
be cooked, is put; red-hot stones are added until the water boils;
the food becomes fit to eat, and the gourd-rind remains uninjured.'
`That is a very clever plan: very simple too. I daresay I should
have hit on it, if I had tried,' said Fritz.
`The friends of Columbus thought it very easy to make an egg
stand upon its end when he had shown them how to do it. But now
suppose we prepare some of these calabashes, that they may be
ready for use when we take them home.'
Fritz instantly took up one of the gourds, and tried to split it
equally with his knife, but in vain: the blade slipped, and the
calabash was cut jaggedly. `What a nuisance!' said Fritz, flinging
it down, `The thing is spoiled; and yet it seemed so simple to
divide it properly.'
`Stay,' said I, `you are too impatient, those pieces are not
useless. Do you try to fashion from them a spoon or two while
I provide a dish.' I then took from my pocket a piece of string,
which I tied tightly round a gourd, as near one end of it as I
could; then tapping the string with the back of my knife, it
penetrated the outer shell. When this was accomplished, I tied
the string yet tighter; and drawing the ends with all my might,
the gourd fell, divided exactly as I wished.
`That is clever!' cried Fritz. `What in the world put that plan
into your head?'
`It is a plan,' I replied, `which savages adopt, as I have learned
from reading books of travel.'
`Well, it certainly makes a capital soup-tureen, and a soup-plate
too,' said Fritz, examining the gourd. `But supposing you had
wanted to make a bottle, how would you have set to work?'
`It would be an easier operation than this, if possible. All that
is necessary, is to cut a round hole at one end, then to scoop
out the interior, and to drop in several shot or stones; when
these are shaken, any remaining portions of the fruit are detached,
and the gourd is thoroughly cleaned, and the bottle completed.'
`That would not make a very convenient bottle though, father; it
would be more like a barrel.'
`True, my boy; if you want a more shapely vessel, you must take
it in hand when it is younger. To give it a neck, for instance,
you must tie a bandage round the young gourd while it is still
on the tree, and then all will swell but that part which you have
checked.' As I spoke, I filled the gourds with sand, and left
them to dry; marking the spot that we might return for them on
our way back.
`Are the bottle-shaped gourds I have seen in Europe trained
similarly?'
`No, they are of another species, and what you have seen is
their natural shape.'
For three hours or more we pushed forward, keeping a sharp
look-out on either side for any trace of our companions, till we
reached a bold promontory, stretching some way into the sea, from
whose rocky summit I knew that we should obtain a good and
comprehensive view of the surrounding country. With little
difficulty we reached the top, but the most careful survey of
the beautiful landscape failed to show us the slightest sign or
trace of human beings.
Before us stretched a wide and lovely bay, fringed with yellow
sands, either side extending into the distance, and almost lost
to view in two shadowy promontories; enclosed by these two arms
lay a sheet of rippling water, which reflected in its depths the
glorious sun above. The scene inland was no less beautiful; and
yet Fritz and I both felt a shade of loneliness stealing over us
as we gazed on its utter solitude.
`Cheer up, Fritz, my boy,' said I, presently. `Remember that we
chose a settler's life long ago, before we left our own dear
country; we certainly did not expect to be so entirely alone--but
what matters a few people, more or less? With God's help, let us
endeavour to live here contentedly, thankful that we were not cast
upon some bare and inhospitable island. But come, the heat here
is getting unbearable; let us find some shady place before we are
completely broiled away.'
We descended the hill and made for a clump of palm trees, which we
saw at a little distance. To reach this, we had to pass through a
dense thicket of reeds, no pleasant or easy task; for, besides the
difficulty of forcing our way through, I feared at every step that
we might tread on some venomous snake.
Sending Turk in advance, I cut one of the reeds, thinking it would
be a more useful weapon against a reptile than my gun. I had
carried it but a little way, when I noticed a thick juice exuding
from one end. I tasted it, and to my delight, found it sweet and
pleasant. I at once knew that I was standing amongst sugar-canes.
Wishing Fritz to make the same discovery, I advised him to cut a
cane for his defense; he did so, and as he beat the ground before
him, the reed split, and his hand was covered with the juice. He
carefully touched the cane with the tip of his tongue, then,
finding the juice sweet, he did so again with less hesitation;
and a moment afterwards sprang back to me, exclaiming, `Oh, father,
sugar-cane, sugar-cane! Taste it. Oh, how delicious, how
delightful! Do let us take a lot home to mother,' he continued,
sucking eagerly at the cane!
`Gently there,' said I, `take breath a moment, moderation in
all things, remember. Cut some to take home if you like; only
don't take more than you can conveniently carry.'
In spite of my warning, my son cut a dozen or more of the largest
canes, and stripping them of their leaves, carried them under his
arm. We then pushed through the cane-brake, and reached the clump
of palms for which we had been making; as we entered it a troop of
monkeys, who had been disporting themselves on the ground, sprang
up, chattering and grimacing, and before we could clearly
distinguish them, were at the very top of the trees.
Fritz was so provoked by their impertinent gestures that he raised
his gun, and would have shot one of the poor beasts. `Stay,' cried
I, `never take the life of any animal needlessly. A live monkey
up in that tree is of more use to us than a dozen dead ones at
our feet, as I will show you.'
Saying this, I gathered a handful of small stones, and threw them
up towards the apes. The stones did not go near them, but influenced
by their instinctive mania for imitation, they instantly seized
all the cocoanuts within their reach, and sent a perfect hail of
them down upon us.
Fritz was delighted with my stratagem, and rushing forward picked
up some of the finest of the nuts. We drank the milk they contained,
drawing it through the holes which I pierced. The milk of a
cocoanut has not a pleasant flavor, but it is excellent for quenching
thirst. What we liked best was a kind of solid cream which adheres
to their shells, and which we scraped off with our spoons.
After this delicious meal, we thoroughly despised the lobster we
had been carrying, and threw it to Turk, who ate it gratefully;
but far from being satisfied, the poor beast began to gnaw the
ends of the sugar-canes, and to beg for cocoanut. I slung a couple
of the nuts over my shoulder, fastening them together by their
stalks, and Fritz having resumed his burden, we began our homeward
march.
I soon discovered that Fritz found the weight of his canes
considerably more than he expected: he shifted them from shoulder
to shoulder, then for a while carried them under his arm, and
finally stopped short with a sigh. `I had no idea,' he said,
`that a few reeds would be so heavy. How sincerely I pity the
poor negroes who are made to carry heavy loads of them! Yet how
glad I shall be when my mother and brothers are tasting them.'
`Never mind, my boy,' I said, `Patience and courage! Do you not
remember the story of Aesop and his breadbasket, how heavy he
found it when he started, and how light at the end of his journey?
Let us each take a fresh staff, and then fasten the bundle
crosswise with your gun.'
We did so, and once more stepped forward. Fritz presently noticed
that I from time to time sucked the end of my cane.
`Oh, come,' said he, `that's a capital plan of yours, father,
I'll do that too.'
So saying, he began to suck most vigorously, but not a drop of
the juice could he extract. `How is this?' he asked. `How do you
get the juice out, father?'
`Think a little,' I replied, `you are quite as capable as I am of
finding out the way, even if you do not know the real reason of
your failure.'
`Oh, of course,' said he, `it is like trying to suck marrow from
a marrow bone, without making a hole at the other end.'
`Quite right,' I said, `you form a vacuum in your mouth and the
end of your tube, and expect the air to force down the liquid
from the other end which it cannot possibly enter.'
Fritz was speedily perfect in the accomplishment of sucking
sugar-cane, discovering by experience the necessity for a fresh
cut at each joint or knot in the cane, through which the juice
could not flow; he talked of the pleasure of initiating his
brothers in the art, and of how Ernest would enjoy the cocoanut
milk, with which he had filled his flask.*
* M. Wyss's acquaintance with sugar has not extended
to the sugar cane. The sap does not flow; it is
embedded in the very fibrous pulp, and the cane
must be crushed, and its juice cooked and repeatedly
refined, to make the sugar. People enjoying the
cane in its natural state must chew the pulp,
which is not particularly sweet.
`My dear boy,' said I, `you need not have added that to your load;
the chances are it will be vinegar by the time we get home. In
the heat of the sun, it will ferment soon after being drawn
from the nut.'
`Vinegar! Oh, that would be a horrid bore! I must look directly,
and see how it is getting on,' cried Fritz, hastily swinging
the flask from his shoulder, and tugging out the cork. With a
loud `pop' the contents came forth, foaming like champagne.
`There now!' said I, laughing as he tasted this new luxury.
`You will have to exercise moderation again, friend Fritz!
I daresay it is delicious, but it will go to your head, if
you venture deep into your flask.'
`My dear father, you cannot think how good it is! Do take some.
Vinegar, indeed! This is like excellent wine.'
We were both invigorated by this unexpected draught, and went on
so merrily after it, that the distance to the place where we had
left our gourd dishes seemed less than we expected. We found
them quite dry, and very light and easy to carry.
Just as we had passed through the grove in which we breakfasted,
Turk suddenly darted away from us, and sprang furiously among a
troop of monkeys, which were gambolling playfully on the turf at
a little distance from the trees. They were taken by surprise
completely, and the dog, now really ravenous from hunger, had
seized one, and was fiercely tearing it to pieces before we could
approach the spot.
His luckless victim was the mother of a tiny little monkey,
which, being on her back when the dog flew at her, had hindered
her flight; the little creature attempted to hide among the
grass, and in trembling fear watched the tragic fate of its
mother.
On perceiving Turk's bloodthirsty design, Fritz had eagerly rushed
to the rescue, flinging away all he was carrying, and losing his
hat in his haste. All to no purpose as far as the poor mother ape
was concerned, and a laughable scene ensued, for no sooner did the
young monkey catch sight of him than at one bound it was on his
shoulders, and, holding fast by his thick curly hair, it firmly
kept its seat in spite of all he could do to dislodge it. He
screamed and plunged about as he endeavoured to shake or pull
the creature off, but all in vain, it only clung the closer to
his neck, making the most absurd grimaces.
I laughed so much at this ridiculous scene, that I could scarcely
assist my terrified boy out of his awkward predicament. Indeed, I
told Fritz that the animal, having lost its mother, seemed
determined to adopt Fritz. "Perhaps he has discovered in you
something of the air of a father of a family."
"Or rather," Fritz retorted, "the little rogue has found out that
he has to do with a chicken-heart, who shrinks from the idea of
ill-treating an animal which has thrown itself on his protection.
But father, he is yanking my hair terribly, and I shall be
obliged to you to try once more to get him off."
At last, by coaxing the monkey, offering it a bit of biscuit,
and gradually disentangling its small sinewy paws from the curls
it grasped so tightly, I managed to relieve poor Fritz, who then
looked with interest at the baby ape, no bigger than a kitten,
as it lay in my arms.
`What a jolly little fellow it is!' exclaimed he. `Do let me try
to rear it, father. I daresay cocoanut milk would do until we can
bring the cow and the goats from the wreck. If he lives he might
be useful to us. I believe monkeys instinctively know what fruits
are wholesome and what are poisonous.'
`Well,' said I, `let the little orphan be yours. You bravely and
kindly exerted yourself to save the mother's life, now you must
train her child carefully, for unless you do so its natural
instinct will prove mischievous instead of useful to us.'
Turk was meanwhile devouring with great satisfaction the little
animal's unfortunate mother. Fritz wished to drive him away from
the feast, but I could not grudge it him, and reminded Fritz that
continued hunger might have made Turk dangerous to ourselves. We
did not think it necessary to wait until he had dined, so we
prepared to resume our march, conversing as we walked.
"Let me remind you," I said, "in our situation, it would be
dangerous to teach the dogs not to attack and kill, if they can,
whatever unknown animals they meet. You will see that he will
soon regard your little monkey as a member of our family. But
we must not discourage him from his fancy for attacking wild
beasts. Heaven has bestowed the dog on man to be his safeguard
and ally, and the horse the same. A man on horseback, accompanied
by a troop of well-trained dogs, need not fear any species of
wild beasts, not even the lion nor the hyaena."
Thoughtfully, Fritz replied, "I feel fortunate that we are in the
possession of two such creatures; but what a pity that the horses
on board died during our voyage, and left us with only an ass."
"Let us take care how we treat even our ass with disdain," I told
him. "I wish we had him safe on land. Fortunately he is large and
strong. We may train him to do us the same services as are
performed by the horse; and it is not improbable that he will
improve under our care, given the excellent pasture we will find
in this climate."
The tiny ape seated itself in the coolest way imaginable on
Fritz's shoulder, I helped to carry his canes, and we were
on some distance before Turk overtook us, looking uncommonly
well pleased, and licking his chops as though recalling the
memory of his feast.
He took no notice of the monkey, but it was very uneasy at
sight of him, and scrambled down into Fritz's arms, which was
so inconvenient to him that he devised a plan to relieve himself
of his burden.
Calling Turk, and seriously enjoining obedience, he seated the
monkey on his back, securing it there with a cord, and then
putting a second string round the dog's neck that he might lead
him, he put a loop of the knot into the comical rider's hand,
saying gravely, `Having slain the parent, Mr. Turk, you will
please to carry the son.'
At first this arrangement mightily displeased them both, but by
and by they yielded to it quietly; the monkey especially amused
us by riding along with the air of a person perfectly at his ease.
`We look just like a couple of mountebanks on their way to a fair
with animals to exhibit,' said I. `What an outcry the children
will make when we appear!'
My son inquired to what species of the monkey tribe I thought
his protege belonged, which led to a good deal of talk on the
subject, and conversation beguiling the way, we found ourselves
ere long on the rocky margin of the stream and close to the rest
of our party.
Juno was the first to be aware of our approach, and gave notice
of it by loud barking, to which Turk replied with such hearty
goodwill, that his little rider, terrified at the noise his
steed was making, slipped from under the cord and fled to his
refuge on Fritz's shoulder, where he regained his composure and
settled himself comfortably.
Turk, who by this time knew where he was, finding himself free,
dashed forward to rejoin his friend, and announce our coming. One
after another our dear ones came running to the opposite bank,
testifying in various ways their delight at our return, and
hastening up on their side of the river, as we on ours, to the
ford at which we had crossed in the morning. We were quickly on
the other side, and, full of joy and affection, our happy party
was once more united.
The boys suddenly perceiving the little animal which was clinging
close to their brother, in alarm at the tumult of voices, shouted
in ecstasy:
`A monkey! A monkey! Oh, how splendid! Where did Fritz find him?
What may we give him to eat? Oh, what a bundle of sticks! Look at
those curious great nuts father has got!'
We could neither check this confused torrent of questions, nor
get in a word in answer to them.
At length when the excitement subsided a little, I was able to
say a few words with a chance of being listened to. `I am truly
thankful to see you all safe and well, and, thank God, our
expedition has been very satisfactory, except that we have
entirely failed to discover any trace of our shipmates.'
`If it be the will of God,' said my wife, `to leave us alone on
this solitary place, let us be content, and rejoice that we are
all together in safety. I have been uneasy since you left, and
imagined a thousand evils that might beset you. The day appeared
an age, but now that I see you once more safe and well, I know
how foolish my fears must seem.
`Now we want to hear all your adventures, and let us relieve you
of your burdens,' added she, taking my game-bag.
Jack shouldered my gun, Ernest took the cocoanuts, and little
Franz carried the gourds, Fritz distributed the sugarcanes amongst
his brothers, and handing Ernest his gun replaced the monkey on
Turk's back. Ernest soon found the burden with which Fritz had
laden him too heavy to his taste. His mother, perceiving this,
offered to relieve him of part of the load. He willingly gave up
the cocoanuts, but no sooner had he done so than his elder brother
exclaimed:
`Hullo, Ernest, you surely do not know what you are parting with;
did you really intend to hand over those good cocoanuts without
so much as tasting them?'
`What? ho! Are they really cocoanuts?' cried Ernest, `I thought
they were bowls! Do let me take them again, mother, do let me
look at them.'
`No, thank you,' replied my wife with a smile. `I have no wish to
see you again overburdened.'
`Oh but I have only to throw away these sticks, which are of no
use, and then I can easily carry them.'
`Worse and worse,' said Fritz, `I have a particular regard for
those heavy useless sticks. Did you ever hear of sugar-canes?'
The words were scarcely out of his mouth when Ernest began to
suck vigorously at the end of the cane with no better result,
however, than Fritz had obtained as we were on the march.
`Here,' said Fritz, `let me show you the trick of it,' and he
speedily set all the youngsters to work extracting the luscious
juice.
My wife, as a prudent housekeeper who made much use of sugar,
was no less delighted than the children with this discovery; the
sight of the dishes also pleased her greatly, for she longed to
see us eat once more like civilized beings.
We went into the kitchen and there found preparations for a truly
sumptuous meal. Two forked sticks were planted in the ground on
either side of the fire, on these rested a rod from which hung
several tempting-looking fish, opposite them hung a goose from a
similar contrivance, slowly roasting while the gravy dropped into
a large shell placed beneath it. Franz gave the spit another turn,
assuring me he had been helping all day to keep the meal from
burning. In the centre sat the great pot from which issued the
smell of a most delicious soup. To crown this splendid array,
stood an open hogshead full of Dutch cheeses.
All this was very pleasant to two hungry travellers, but I was
about to beg my wife to spare the poultry until our stock should
have increased, when she, perceiving my thought, quickly relieved
my anxiety. `This is not one of our geese,' she said, `but a wild
bird Ernest killed.'
`Yes,' said Ernest, `it is a penguin, I think, it let me get quite
close, so that I knocked it on the head with a stick. Here are its
head and feet which I preserved to show you; the bill is, you see,
narrow and curved downwards, and the feet are webbed. It had funny
little bits of useless wings, and its eyes looked so solemnly and
sedately at me, that I was almost ashamed to kill it. It seemed
quite destitute of any intelligence, so that I was able to kill
it with a single blow from my stick. Do you not think it must
have been a penguin?'
`I have little doubt on the matter, my boy,' and I was about to
make a few remarks on the habits of this bird, when my wife
interrupted me and begged us to come to dinner and continue our
natural history conversation at some future time. Fritz now
suddenly recollected his delicious wine, and producing his
flask, begged his mother to taste it.
`Try it first yourself,' said I; Fritz did so, and I instantly saw
by his countenance that the liquor had passed through the first
stage of fermentation and had become vinegar.
`Never mind, my boy,' said my prudent wife, when she learned the
cause of his wry faces, `we have wine already but no vinegar; I
am really pleased at the transformation. Mixed with the fat
which has fallen from our bird with roasting, it will make a
most delicious sauce which will be as good a relish as a salad.'
And so it proved, as a corrective of the wild and fishy flavor
of the penguin, as well as improving the taste of the fish. We
did full justice to the appetizing meal prepared for us, our
gourds coming for the first time into use, and having done it
full justice, I produced the cocoanuts by way of dessert.
`Here is better food for your little friend,' said I to Fritz,
who had been vainly endeavouring to persuade the monkey to taste
dainty morsels of the food we had been eating. `The poor little
animal has been accustomed to nothing but its mother's milk; fetch
me a saw, one of you.'
I then, after extracting the milk of the nuts from their natural
holes, carefully cut the shells in half, thus providing several
more useful basins. The monkey was perfectly satisfied with the
milk, and eagerly sucked the corner of a handkerchief dipped in it.
The sun was now rapidly sinking behind the horizon, and the poultry
retiring for the night warned us that we must follow their example.
Having offered up our prayers, we lay down on our beds, the monkey
crouched down between Jack and Fritz, and we were all soon fast
asleep.
We did not, however, long enjoy this repose; a loud barking from
our dogs, who were on guard outside the tent, awakened us, and
the fluttering and cackling of our poultry warned us that a foe
was approaching. Fritz and I sprang up, and seizing our guns
rushed out. There we found a desperate combat going on, our
gallant dogs, surrounded by a dozen or more large jackals,
were fighting bravely, four of their opponents lay dead, but
the others were in no way deterred by the fate of their comrades.
Fritz and I, however, sent bullets through the heads of a couple
more, and the rest galloped off. Turk and Juno did not intend
that they should escape so cheaply, and pursuing them, they
caught, killed, and devoured another of the animals, regardless
of their near relationship. Fritz wished to save one of the jackals
that he might be able to show it to his brothers in the morning;
dragging therefore the one that he had shot near the tent, he
concealed it, and we once more returned to our beds. I told him
that in justice, if Turk and Flora were still hungry, we should
give this last jackal to them. But they, surfeited, curled up to
sleep.
Soundly and peacefully we slept until cock-crow next morning, when my
wife and I awoke. I observed to her that I could not but view with
alarm the many cares and exertions to be made. `In the first place, a
journey to the vessel must be made. This is of absolute necessity, at
least, if we would not be deprived of the livestock and other useful
things, all of which from moment to moment we risk losing by the first
heavy sea. What ought we first to resolve on? For example, should not
our very first endeavour to be the contriving of a better sort of
habitation and a more secure retreat from wild beasts, as well as a
separate place for our provisions? I own I am at a loss what to begin
first.'
`Return to the wreck by all means,' replied my wife, cheerfully.
`Patience, order and perseverance will help us through all our work,
and I agree with you that a visit to the wreck is without doubt our
first duty. Come, let us wake the children, and set to work without
delay.'
They were soon roused, and Fritz overcoming his drowsiness before the
others, ran out for his jackal; it was cold and stiff from the night
air, and he placed it on its legs before the tent, in a most life-like
attitude, and stood by to watch the effect upon the family.
The dogs were the first to perceive their enemy, and growling, seemed
inclined to dispose of the animal as they had disposed of its brethren
in the night, but Fritz called them off. The noise the dogs made,
however, had the effect of bringing out the younger children, and many
were the exclamations they made at the sight of the strange animal.
`A yellow dog!' cried Franz.
`A wolf!' exclaimed Jack.
`It is a striped fox,' said Ernest.
`Hullo,' said Fritz. `The greatest men may make mistakes. Our
Professor does not know a jackal when he sees one.'
`But really,' continued Ernest, examining the animal, `I think it is a
fox.'
`Very well, very well,' retorted Fritz, `no doubt you know better than
your father! He thinks it is a jackal.'
`Come boys,' said I, `no more of this quarrelling; you are none of you
very far wrong, for the jackal partakes of the nature of all three,
dog, wolf, and fox.'
The monkey had come out on Jack's shoulder, but no sooner did it catch
sight of the jackal, than it fled precipitately back into the tent, and
hid itself in a heap of moss until nothing was visible but the tip of
its little nose. Jack soothed and comforted the frightened little
animal, and I then summoned them all to prayers, soon after which we
began our breakfast.
So severely had we dealt with our supper the previous night, that we
had little to eat but the biscuits, which were so dry and hard, that,
hungry as we were, we could not swallow much. Fritz and I took some
cheese to help them down, while my wife and younger sons soaked theirs
in water. Ernest roamed down to the shore, and looked about for
shellfish.
Presently he returned with a few whelks. `Ah,' said he, `if we had but
some butter.'
`My good boy,' I replied, `Your perpetual "if, if", quite annoys me; I
would rather eat a bit of cheese with my biscuit at once, than think of
ifs, which bring us so meagre a harvest. Why do you not sit down and
eat cheese like the rest of us?'
`Not while I can get butter,' he said, `see here, father,' and he
pointed to a large cask, `that barrel contains excellent salt butter. I
made a little opening in it with a knife; and see, I got enough to
spread nicely upon this piece of biscuit.'
`Really, Ernest,' I said, `we are indebted to you. I will open the
cask.' So saying, I took a knife and carefully cut a small hole, so
that I could extract the butter without exposing the mass of it to the
effects of the air and heat. Filling a cocoanut shell with the good
Dutch butter, we once more sat down, toasting our biscuits before the
fire and spreading them with butter.
While we were thus employed, I noticed that the two dogs were lying
unusually quietly by my side. I at first attributed this drowsiness to
their large meal during the night, but I soon discovered that it arose
from a different cause; the faithful animals had not escaped unhurt
from their late combat, but had received several deep and painful
wounds, especially about the neck. The dogs began to lick each other on
the places which they could not reach with their own tongues, and my
wife carefully dressed the wounds with butter from which she had
extracted the salt by washing.
`One of the things we must not forget to look for in the vessel,' said
Fritz, `is a spiked collar for each of the dogs, as a protection to
them should they again be called upon to defend themselves and us from
wild beasts.'
`Oh yes,' exclaimed Jack, `but I can make spiked collars, if mother
will give me some help.'
`Try by all means, my little fellow,' said I, `and persuade your
mother to assist you; and now, Fritz,' I continued, `we must be
starting, for you and I are to make a trip to the wreck.'
`That I will, my boy,' she cried, `for I would like to see what new
fancy has come into your head. And all of us must remember that we may
make as many new inventions as we can think of. We cannot better employ
your time, and if you produce something useful, you will be rewarded
with the commendations of all.'
I begged the party who were to remain on shore, to keep together as
much as possible, reminded my younger sons to obey their mother in all
things, and having arranged a set of signals with my wife that we might
exchange communications, asked a blessing on our enterprise. I erected
a signal-post, and while Fritz was making preparations for our
departure, hoisted a strip of sailcloth as a flag; this flag was to
remain hoisted so long as all was well on shore, but should our return
be desired, three shots were to be fired and the flag lowered.
All was now ready, and warning my wife that we might find it necessary
to remain all night on the vessel, we tenderly bade adieu and embarked.
Except our guns and ammunition we were taking nothing, that we might
leave as much space as possible for the stowage of a large cargo.
Fritz, however, had resolved to bring his little monkey, that he might
obtain milk for it as soon as possible.
We had not got far from the shore, when I perceived that a current from
the river set in directly for the vessel, and though my nautical
knowledge was not great, I succeeded in steering the boat into the
favourable stream, which carried us nearly three-fourths of our passage
with little or no trouble to ourselves; then, by dint of hard pulling,
we accomplished the whole distance, and, entering through the breach,
gladly made fast our boat and stepped on board.
Our first care was to see to the animals, who greeted us with
joy--lowing, bellowing, and bleating as we approached--not that the
poor beasts were hungry, for they were all still well supplied with
food, but they were apparently pleased by the mere sight of human
beings. We removed any partly spoiled food and added a fresh supply,
along with fresh water.
Fritz then placed his monkey by one of the goats, and the little
animal immediately sucked the milk with evident relish, chattering and
grinning all the while; the monkey provided for, we refreshed ourselves
with a plentiful meal. `Now,' said I, `we have plenty to do; where
shall we begin?'
`Let us fix a mast and sail to our boat,' answered Fritz, `for the
current which brought us out will not take us back; whereas the fresh
breeze we met would help us immensely had we but a sail.'
Quite startled, I demanded, `What makes you think of this at so
critical a time, when we have so many necessities to attend to?'
`I must confess,' he said, `that I found it very difficult to row for
so long a time, though I assure you I did my best and did not spare my
strength. I noticed that, though the wind blew strong in my face,
towards land, the current continued to carry us out. 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. Our boat will be very heavy when we
have loaded it with all the things we mean to take away, and I am
afraid that I shall not be strong enough to row to land.'
`You have reasoned well, my boy,' I replied, `and let us set to work at
once. Even so, we must take care not to overload the boat, as that
might risk our sinking or force us to throw supplies overboard.' I
chose a stout spar to serve as a mast, and having made a hole in a
plank nailed across one of the tubs we, with the help of a rope and a
couple of blocks, stepped it and secured it with stays.
We then discovered a lug-sail, which had belonged to one of the ship's
boats; this we hoisted; and our craft was ready to sail. Fritz begged
me to decorate the mast-head with a red streamer, to give our vessel a
more finished appearance. Smiling at this childish but natural vanity,
I complied with his request. I then contrived a rudder, that I might be
able to steer the boat; for though I knew that an oar would serve the
purpose, it was cumbrous and inconvenient.
While I was thus employed, Fritz examined the shore with his glass, and
soon announced that the flag was flying and all was well.
So much time had now slipped away, that we found we could not return
that night, as I had wished. We signalled our intention of remaining on
board, and then spent the rest of our time in taking out the stones we
had placed in the boat for ballast, and stowed in their place heavy
articles, of value to us.
The ship had sailed for the purpose of supplying a young colony; she
had therefore on board every conceivable article we could desire in our
present situation; our only difficulty indeed was to make a wise
selection. Fritz seemed sanguine that we would be able to return for
more, but of that I was far from certain.
A large quantity of powder and shot we first secured, and as Fritz
considered that we could not have too many weapons, we added three
excellent guns, and a whole armful of swords, daggers and knives. We
remembered that knives and forks and spoons were necessary, we
therefore laid in a large stock of them, and kitchen utensils of all
sorts.
Exploring the captain's cabin, we discovered a service of silver-plate
and a cellaret of good old wine; we then went over the stores, and
supplied ourselves with potted meats, portable soups, Westphalian hams,
sausages, a bag of maize and wheat, and a quantity of other seeds and
vegetables. I then added a barrel of sulphur for matches, and as much
string, cordage, and sailcloth as I could find.
Fritz reminded me that sleeping on the ground, even with the leaves and
moss the boys had collected, had been both cold and hard, and prevailed
upon me to increase our cargo by some hammocks and blankets.
All this--with nails, tools and agricultural implements--completed our
cargo, and sank our boat so low, that I should have been obliged to
lighten her had not the sea been calm.
Night drew on and a large fire, lighted by those on shore, showed us
that all was well. We replied by hoisting four ship's lanterns, and two
shots announced us that our signal was perceived.
The ship seemed to be in so wretched a condition that the least
tempest, such as might arise unexpectedly during the night, must
complete her destructions. We resigned ourselves to sleeping in our
small boat, which appeared safer than the great vessel. So, with a
heartfelt prayer for the safety of our dear ones on shore, we retired,
and Fritz at all events was soon sound asleep.
For a while I could not sleep, the thought of my wife and
children--alone and unprotected, save by the great dogs--disturbed my
rest. The night at length passed away. At daybreak Fritz and I arose,
and went on deck. I brought the telescope to bear upon the shore, and
with pleasure saw the flag still waving in the morning breeze; while I
kept the glass directed to the land, I saw the door of the tent open,
and my wife appear and look steadfastly towards us.
I at once hoisted a white flag, and in reply, the flag on shore was
thrice dipped. Oh, what a weight seemed lifted from my heart as I saw
the signal!
`Fritz,' I said, `now that I have had a sight of your mother, my next
concern is for the animals on board. Let us endeavour to save the lives
of some of them, at least, and to take them with us.'
`Would it be possible to make a raft,' suggested Fritz, `and get them
all on it and in that way take them to shore?'
`But how could we 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 perhaps find means to remove, they being of a more docile
temper; but for the larger animals, I am at a loss as to how to
proceed.'
`We could tie a long rope around the sow's neck,' Fritz now proposed,
`and throw her without ceremony into the sea. Her immense bulk will be
sure to sustain her above water, and by the rope, we can draw her after
the boat.'
`An excellent idea,' I replied, `but unfortunately it is of no use but
for the pig;* and she is the one I care least about preserving.' In
fact, I had an idea how to proceed, but I desired to allow Fritz to
invent a solution.
* In fact all of the animals would have been able to float,
though swimming against the strong current would have been
difficult. The solution chosen does not address this problem
at all.
`Well,' said Fritz, `I can think of nothing else, unless indeed we make
them such swimming-belts as you made for the children.'
`Really, my boy, that idea is worth having. I am not joking, indeed,' I
continued, as I saw him smile, `we may get every one of the animals
ashore in that way.'
So saying, I caught a fine sheep, and proceeded to put our plan into
execution. I first fastened a broad piece of linen round its belly, and
to this attached some corks and empty tins; then with Fritz's help, I
flung the animal into the sea--it sank, but a moment afterwards rose
and floated famously.
`Hurrah!' exclaimed Fritz, `we will treat them all like that.' We then
rapidly caught the other animals and provided them one after the other
with a similar contrivance. The cow and ass gave us more trouble than
did the others. For them we required something more buoyant than the
mere cork; we at last found some empty casks and fastened two to each
animal by thongs passed under its belly.
This done, the whole herd were ready to start, and we brought the ass
to one of the ports to be the first to be launched. After some
maneuvering we got him in a convenient position, and then a sudden
heave sent him plunging into the sea. He sank, and then, buoyed up by
the casks, emerged head and back from the water.
The cow, sheep and goats followed him one after the other, and then the
sow alone remained. She seemed, however determined not to leave the
ship; she kicked, struggled and squealed so violently, that I really
thought we should be obliged to abandon her. Indeed, we found it
necessary to put a muzzle on her to prevent her from biting before we
could tie a large piece of cork under her body. At length, after much
trouble, we succeeded in sending her out of the port after the others,
and when once in the water, such was the old lady's energy that she
quickly distanced them, and was the first to reach the shore.
We had fastened to the horns or neck of each animal a cord with a
float attached to the end, and now embarking, we gathered up these
floats, set sail, and steered for shore, drawing our herd after us. I
saw, now, how impossible it would have been for us to have succeeded in
our enterprise without the aid of a sail; the weight of the goods sank
the boat so low in the water that none of our exertions would have
allowed us to row such a distance. But with the sail, we proceeded so
completely to our satisfaction that were able to get some biscuits and
enjoyed a midday meal; then, while Fritz amused himself with his
monkey, I took up my glass and tried to make out how our dear ones on
shore were employing themselves.
As I was thus engaged, a sudden shout from Fritz surprised me. I
glanced up; there stood Fritz with his gun to his shoulder, pointing it
at a huge shark. The monster was making for one of the finest sheep; he
turned on his side to seize his prey; as the white of his belly
appeared Fritz fired. The shot took effect, and our enemy disappeared,
leaving a trace of blood on the calm water.
`Well done, my boy,' I cried, `you will become a crack shot one of
these days; but I trust you will not often have such dangerous game to
shoot.' Fritz's eyes sparkled at his success and my praise, and
reloading his gun, carefully watched the water. But the shark did not
again appear, and borne onwards by the breeze, we quickly neared the
shore. Steering the boat to a convenient landing place, I cast off the
ropes which secured the animals, and let them get ashore as best they
might.
There was no sign of my wife or children when we stepped on land, but a
few moments afterwards they appeared, and with a shout of joy ran
towards us.
We were thankful to be once more united, and after asking and replying
to a few preliminary questions, proceeded to release our herd from
their swimming belts, which, though so useful in the water, were
exceedingly inconvenient on shore. My wife was astonished at the
apparatus. `How clever you are,' said she.
`I am not the inventor,' I replied, `the honour is due to Fritz. He not
only thought of this plan for bringing off the animals, but saved one
at least of them from a most fearful death.' And I then told them how
bravely he had encountered the shark. My wife was delighted with her
son's success, but declared that she would dread our trips to the
vessel more than ever, knowing that such savage fish inhabited the
waters.
Fritz, Ernest and I began the work of unloading our craft, while Jack,
seeing that the poor donkey was still encumbered with his
swimming-belt, tried to free him from it. But the donkey would not
stand quiet, and the child's fingers were not strong enough to loosen
the cordage; finally, therefore, he scrambled upon the animal's back,
and urging him on with hand and foot, trotted towards us.
`Come, my boy,' I said, `no one must be idle here, even for a moment;
you will have riding practise enough hereafter; dismount and come and
help us.'
Jack was soon on his feet. `But I have not been idle all day,' he
said, `look here!' and he pointed to a belt round his waist. It was a
broad belt of yellow skin in which he had stuck a couple of pistols and
a knife. `And see,' he added, `what I have made for the dogs. Here,
Juno, Turk,' the dogs came bounding up at his call, and I saw that they
were each supplied with a collar of the same skin, in which were
fastened nails, which bristled round their necks in a most formidable
manner.
`Capital, capital! my boy,' said I, `but where did you get your
materials, and who helped you?'
`Except in sewing,' said my wife, `he had little assistance, and as for
the materials, Fritz's jackal supplied us with the skin, and the
needles and thread came out of my wonderful bag. You little think how
many useful things may be had from that same bag; it is woman's duty
and nature, you know, to see after trifles.'
Fritz evidently did not approve of the use to which his jackal's hide
had been devoted, and holding his nose, begged his little brother to
keep at a distance. `Really, Jack,' he said, `you should have cured the
hide before you used it, the smell is disgusting, don't come near me.'
`It's not the hide that smells at all,' retorted Jack, `it is your
nasty jackal itself that you left in the sun.'
`Now, boys,' said I, `no quarrelling here; do you, Jack, help your
brother to drag the carcase to the sea, and if your belt smells after
that you must take it off and dry it better.'
The jackal was dragged off, and we then finished our work of unloading
our boat. When this was accomplished we started for our tent, and
finding there no preparation for supper, I said, `Fritz, let us have a
Westphalian ham.'
`Ernest,' said my wife, smiling, `let us see if we cannot conjure up
some eggs.'
Fritz got out a splendid ham and carried it to his mother
triumphantly, while Ernest set before me a dozen white balls with
parchment-like coverings.
`Turtles' eggs!' said I. `Well done, Ernest, where did you get them?'
`That,' replied my wife, `shall be told in due course when we relate
our adventures; now we will see what they will do towards making a
supper for you; with these and your ham I do not think we shall
starve.'
Leaving my wife to prepare supper, we returned to the shore and
brought up what of the cargo we had left there; then, having collected
our herd of animals (except for the sow, which ran away, and the ducks
and geese which deserted us for a nearby marshy swamp), we returned to
the tent.
The meal which awaited us was as unlike the first supper we had there
enjoyed as possible. My wife had improvised a table of a board laid on
two casks, on this was spread a white damask tablecloth, on which were
placed knives, forks, spoons and plates for each person. A tureen of
good soup first appeared, followed by a capital omelette, then slices
of the ham; and finally some Dutch cheese, butter and biscuits, with a
bottle of the captain's canary wine, completed the repast.
While we thus regaled ourselves, I related to my wife our adventures,
and then begged she would remember her promise and tell me all that had
happened in my absence.