The Family Robinson Crusoe
Transcriber’s Note:
This eBook is a compilation of what was originally published
in two separate books (the first of which was further divided
into two volumes), herein referred to as “Parts” for the sake
of in-text references. Every attempt has been made to preserve
the original formatting, including author’s and editor’s notes
in their original placements, while combining both into a single
eBook for convenience. The title page has been slightly altered,
both books’ Table of Contents have been moved to the front, all
notes have been moved to the back, and a Part II divider has
been substituted for the title page of the second book. Additionally,
some images have been moved.
The source texts for this eBook are the first editions of the
English translation published by M. J. Godwin and Co. in 1816.
As early as two years later, in 1818, the publisher released
a second edition with the more familiar title, “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
Principles of Mechanics, Natural Philosophy, Natural History,
and All Those Branches of Science Which Most Immediately Apply
to the Business of Life.” However, scans of this edition were
not as readily available, so I have chosen to maintain the title
of the edition that I used.
New original cover art included with this eBook is granted to
the public domain.
Inconsistent spelling, hyphenation, and italicization in the
original document have been preserved. However, some obvious
typographical errors have been corrected; see the Errata for
a complete list of changes made.
[Frontispiece: Family Robinson Crusoe]
THE
FAMILY
Robinson Crusoe:
OR,
JOURNAL
OF A FATHER SHIPWRECKED, WITH HIS
WIFE AND CHILDREN, ON AN
UNINHABITED ISLAND.
TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN OF
M. WISS.
LONDON:
PRINTED FOR M. J. GODWIN AND Co.,
At the Juvenile Library, 41, Skinner-Street,
and Hailes, Piccadilly.
1816.
CONTENTS
PART I, VOL. I.
CHAPTER I. _A shipwreck, and preparations for deliverance_ 1
CHAPTER II. _A landing, and consequent occupations_ 20
CHAPTER III. _Voyage of discovery_ 47
CHAPTER IV. _Return from the voyage of discovery—A nocturnal
alarm_ 79
CHAPTER V. _Return to the wreck_ 107
CHAPTER VI. _A troop of animals in cork jackets_ 126
PART I, VOL. II.
CHAPTER VII. _Second journey of discovery performed by the mother
of the family_ 1
CHAPTER VIII. _Construction of a bridge_ 27
CHAPTER IX. _Change of abode_ 47
CHAPTER X. _Construction of a ladder_ 74
CHAPTER XI. _The settling in the giant tree_ 94
CHAPTER XII. _The Sabbath and the parable_ 104
CHAPTER XIII. _Conversation, a walk, and important discoveries_
134
CHAPTER XIV. _Continuation of the preceding chapter, and more
discoveries_ 151
CHAPTER XV. _The imaginary bear—The sledge—A lesson in natural
philosophy_ 173
CHAPTER XVI. _A bathing, a fishing, the jumping hare, and a
masquerade_ 186
PART II.
CHAPTER XVII. _More stores from the wreck._ 1
CHAPTER XVIII. _The tortoise harnessed._ 12
CHAPTER XIX. _Another trip to the wreck._ 30
CHAPTER XX. _The lake-house._ 42
CHAPTER XXI. _The pinnace and the cracker._ 55
CHAPTER XXII. _Gymnastic exercises;—various discoveries;—singular
animals, &c._ 76
CHAPTER XXIII. _Excursion into unknown countries._ 116
CHAPTER XXIV. _Useful occupations and labours.—Embellishments;
a painful but natural sentiment._ 142
CHAPTER XXV. _A new excursion.—Palm-tree wine._ 157
CHAPTER XXVI. _A new country discovered.—The troop of buffalos;
a precious acquisition._ 176
CHAPTER XXVII. _The Malabar eagle, and sago manufactory._ 196
CHAPTER XXVIII. _Origin of some European fruit-trees.—Bees._
213
CHAPTER XXIX. _Victory over the bees;—winding stair-case; training
of various animals; divers manufactures; fountain, &c._ 234
CHAPTER XXX. _The wild ass; difficulty in breaking it;—the
heath-fowl’s nest._ 253
CHAPTER XXXI. _Flax, and the rainy season._ 272
CHAPTER XXXII. _Spring;—spinning; salt mine._ 287
CHAPTER XXXIII. _House in the salt-rock;—herring fishery._
307
CHAPTER XXXIV. _New fishery;—New experiments and chase;—New
discoveries and house._ 323
CHAPTER XXXV. _Completion of two farm-houses;—a lake;—the beast
with a bill._ 343
CHAPTER XXXVI. _The boat;—progress in the abode of rocks._
358
[Illustration: Map of Settlements of the Swiss Pastor and his
Family in the Desert Island]
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
already 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 primary schools in the large towns,
and even in the villages.
For the second, I do not by the _friends of children_ particularly
understand that class of individuals who are engaged in philosophical
researches, theories, and experiments on the subject of education;
but such fathers, teachers, and others, who delight to employ
their attention on the youthful mind; who observe with pleasure
the actions and discourses of children; who reflect naturally and
without any preconcerted system upon their faculties, dispositions,
and characters; who find themselves prompted to infuse useful
knowledge into them through the medium of conversation; and who
will not regard with disdain a simple and well intended essay
towards their improvement, merely because it pretends to no novelty
of theorems, and is not founded upon the basis of a long series
of scientifical and metaphysical propositions.
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 approbation, and will proceed to the work itself with
less severity of analysis and criticism.
It is now nearly twenty years since the writer of the following
sheets began 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 character of four sons borne to him by an
exemplary mother: in doing this, he conceived the idea of faithfully
pourtraying these four children in correspondence with the germs
of character 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, representing 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; entertaining
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 render sound
judgement and integrity more lovely in their eyes. The portrait
of the mother was drawn with all that earnest esteem and affection
which 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 model
of the power given to the female sex over the happiness of
their families, both as wives and mothers. Various motives
prevented him from introducing 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 painting: several
other motives may easily be conceived.
It appeared to his apprehension, that a book not less useful
than entertaining might be formed, by transporting in fancy a
single family from the civilized world, and placing it in the
midst of savage nature. Such a family 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 morality 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 multitude 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 more universally read and approved,
for the opening of the infant mind, than The Adventures of Robinson
Crusoe. Every child is impressed with the conception of this
solitary and forlorn individual, existing with no aids but those
of his own industry, and carrying on, single-handed, the tremendous
battle which man, wherever he lives alone, must have to fight
with nature. Robinson Crusoe shows us human nature 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 inestimably the social state,
whether in its domestic or its national form, together with the
arts and inventions that accompany it, conduces to the well-being
of every individual of whom it is composed.
The persuasion of this truth determined the author to give his
little family fiction the form under which it now appears, and
to entitle it The Family Robinson Crusoe. It has however in many
respects a different object 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 unfortunate vessel. In other points the present
work is entirely different; for 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 forward and mature their moral and intellectual 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 distant ocean.
The sheets now laid before the public were originally destined
to remain unknown beyond the circle of the family for which they
were composed; 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 interest and lively pleasure which the story
excited, and recollecting how many lasting advantages he had
himself derived from the use of this book, could not refrain
from ultimately resolving to render the benefit of it more general,
and has voluntarily undertaken the labour of giving to it the
form in which it now appears. The very name of Robinson Crusoe,
which it bears, will awaken the curiosity of the young reader;
and it is therefore 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, and
to endeavour to dispose and connect 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 verify all the facts here brought
forward. He has equally to confess his incompetence with respect
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 assured that the writer had
recourse to the best authorities, and was extensively acquainted
with those books of voyages and travels which are in the highest
esteem. Notwithstanding which, it may however have happened,
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 desired, 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 children 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.
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, Counsellor Horner of Zurich, sailed
some years ago round the world on board a Russian vessel, the
Podesta, commanded by Captain Kreusenstern. They discovered a
number of islands, and one among the rest of a considerable size
and great fertility, situate to the south-west of Java, near
the coast of Papua or New Guinea, hitherto unknown to navigators,
and which appeared to them worthy to be examined. They landed
accordingly; and to the great surprise of the crew, but particularly
of Mr. Horner, they found this island, which they had conceived
to be uninhabited, already in the possession of a European family,
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 communicated 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 Revolution 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 had any desire
to take up his abode in that island, but that he had conceived
the plan of passing from thence to Port Jackson, and domiciliating
himself there as a free settler. He possessed a considerable
knowledge of agriculture, and, with the aid of his sons, he hoped
to gain for himself there that 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 accordingly,
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 destructive
and unrelenting tempest; and it is in this crisis of their adventures
that the Swiss Pastor, or Family Robinson Crusoe, begins the
journal, which he liberally consigned to the care of Mr. Horner,
who carried it with him into Switzerland; and from the manuscript,
thus brought over from one of the remotest parts of the earth,
the following narrative has been faithfully printed.
THE FAMILY ROBINSON CRUSOE.
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.
We had wandered so materially from the right track, and were
so forcibly driven toward 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 had been shivered
to pieces and 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 condition of their release from danger. Each recommended
his soul to God, but at the same moment thought of contriving
the best means for preserving his 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; but if he sees fit that
we should not be saved, we must not murmur at his decree, but
rely that what he does is most for our good; that we shall be
near him in heaven, and united through eternity. Death may be
well supported when it does not separate those who love.
My excellent wife wiped the tears which were falling on her cheeks,
and from this moment became more tranquil; she encouraged the
youngest children, who were leaning on her knees; while I, who
owed them an example of firmness, was scarcely able to resist
the grief which 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 convincing proof, that even in childhood, devotion may
be felt and understood, and that its effects, tranquillity and
consolation, may be no less certainly experienced.
Fritz, my eldest son, implored in a loud voice that God would
deign to save his dear parents and his brothers, generously unmindful
of himself: they got up with a state of mind so improved, that
they seemed forgetful of the impending danger. I myself began
to feel my confidence in Providence increase as I beheld the
affecting 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 mournful 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 blow from a dagger: We are lost!
I exclaimed; 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. 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 on all sides, and split in
two on one side. 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 mountains, would have made
it impossible for a boat to return. All hope therefore from this
source was extinguished, for the boats and all they contained
were driving out of sight. My best consolation now was to observe
that the sea could not enter the ship above a certain height.
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 southward I descried through clouds
and rain, several nooks of land, which, however rude and savage
in appearance, were the object of every hope I could form in
this distressing moment.
Sunk and desolate from the loss of every 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 entering their cabin,
all is not yet lost. 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, and sometimes against the vessel. My wife, however,
more accustomed than the children to read my inmost thoughts,
perceived the anxiety which devoured me. I made her a sign which
conveyed an idea of the hopelessness of our situation, and I
had the consolation to see that she was resolved to support the
trial with resignation. Let us take some nourishment, said she:
our courage will strengthen with our bodies; we shall perhaps
need this comfort 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. It seemed impossible for the boats,
or any one of the persons they contained, to escape the raging
of the storm.
Papa, cried my youngest boy, six years old, will not God assist
us soon?
Hold your tongue, replied his eldest brother. 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 prepared 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
eldest, 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 bladders or cork
jackets for my mother and my brothers, you and I, father, would
soon contrive 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 tubs
or casks, or tin canisters, heavy enough to keep one of our children
in a state of equilibrium on the surface of the water; these
we fastened two and two together with handkerchiefs or towels,
leaving about a foot distance between them; attaching this sort
of swimming-jacket under the arms of each child; my wife, at
the same time, preparing 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
apprehensions, and in forming various resolutions as to what
we should next attempt. We hailed with joy the first gleam of
light which 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 tinging
the horizon: thus revived, I hastily summoned my wife and the
boys to the deck, that they might partake of the scene. The children
asked with much surprise why we were there alone and what had
become of the ship’s company. I answered that they were gone
away in the boats. Next followed, Why did they not take us with
them? How are we to do without their assistance? How shall we
know where we are?
Dearest children, said I, a Being more powerful 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 protection! But, my dear ones, we must
now trust to our own exertions. Let us be willing to help ourselves,
and we shall obtain support from Heaven. Let us never forget
this useful maxim, and let each labour according to his strength.
Now let us see what in our situation it is best to set about next.
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 swim; but we others should
soon be drowned. Would it not be better to make a float of rafts,
and get to land all together 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 conveyance.
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 get away.
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 principles
of life; my wife and the youngest boy visited all the animals,
whom they found in a pitiable condition, 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 continued
their caresses till he was almost suffocated. Poor Jack exerted
all his strength in aiming blows at them to drive them away:
at last he began to sympathize in their joyful movements, and
put himself upon another footing; got upon his legs; and gently
taking the largest dog by the ears, he 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 exhortation
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 some small shot contained in horn flasks,
and balls in bags.
Ernest produced his hat filled with nails, and held in his hands
a hatchet and a hammer; 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
little 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 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 communicate which I hope will secure my welcome:
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 whom 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 labourers, 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.
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 suggested 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 with 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 exactly suited for my object; and with the
assistance of my sons I instantly began to saw them in two. In
a certain time I had produced eight tubs of equal size and of
the proper 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 satisfaction 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 machine proved so heavy, that
with the strength 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 engine, 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 constructed.
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 nature of the operation of the crow when we should
be safe on land.
One of the points of my system of education 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 sufficiently compensated the
natural weakness of man by the gifts of reason, invention, and
the adroitness of the hands; and that human meditation and reflection
had composed a science 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 mechanical 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 applying the crow,
to our great joy our construction 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 occurred
to me that ballast only was wanting to set it straight. I threw
every thing I could find that was weighty and of small size into
the tubs: by degrees the machine 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 perceiving that at best the
voyage would be hazardous, 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 of the poles of equal length, upon which the sails
of the vessel had been stretched, and fixed one of them at the
head and the other at the stern of my floating machine, 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 our machine,
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 interruption in the management
of the machine.
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 remounted
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 our voyage the next morning.
We had spent the day in laborious exertions; 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 threatened to fall to pieces. We now refreshed ourselves
by a regular meal, for during the day’s work, we had scarcely
allowed ourselves to take a bit of bread or a glass of wine.
Being in a more tranquil and unapprehensive state of mind than
the preceding day, 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 destruction 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 consented, 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. 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.
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 finished
our morning prayer, I said, We now, my best beloved, with the
assistance of heaven, must enter upon the work of our deliverance.
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 bear; 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 plenty of these in the cabins of the officers. We added
a chest containing cakes of portable soup, another full of hard
biscuits, an iron pot, a fishing-rod, a chest of nails and another
of different utensils, such as hammers, 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 worthless ballast
for articles of use for our subsistence.
When all was ready, we stepped bravely each into a tub. At the
moment of our departure we heard all the cocks and hens begin
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 planks;
we set the rest of the poultry at liberty, 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, when she joined us loaded with a large bag,
which she threw into the tub which 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 dispositions, but whose character was not
yet pronounced.
In the third, Fritz, our eldest boy, between fourteen and fifteen
years of age, a handsome curl-pated youth full of intelligence
and vivacity.
In the fourth was the barrel of gunpowder, 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.
In the seventh, my son Ernest, a boy of twelve years old, of
a rational reflecting temper, well informed, but somewhat disposed
to indolence and the pleasures of the senses.
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 readiness
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, however, I had the good fortune to steer in such a way
that she proceeded in a straight line. The two dogs we had left
on board, perceiving that we had abandoned them, plunged immediately
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 feared it would not be possible for them to swim so far. The
dogs however managed the affair with perfect intelligence. When
they found themselves fatigued, they rested their fore paws 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 accommodation: 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 calm; 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, floating round us.
In the hope of obtaining some good provisions, I determined on
endeavouring 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 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 necessary observations, and consequently became more
sure of the route I ought to take. 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 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 entered
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 sufficient 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 margin 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 cocks and hens, which we had already set at
liberty, clucked; the boys chattering all at once; produced all
together 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 ascendant, from the superiority
of their numbers; and their society became the more unpleasant,
from a comparison we could not avoid making, between the sounds
they uttered, with the harmony of the feathered musicians of
our own country. I had however one advantage in perspective;—it
was the reflection that, should we hereafter be short of food,
these very birds might serve for our subsistence.
[Illustration: The Family Landed]
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 convenient place to build a tent under the shade
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
distance on each side, fastened its extremities to the ground
with stakes. By way of precaution, we left the chests of provisions
and other heavy matters on the shore, and fixed some tenter-hooks
near the edge of the sail-cloth in front, that we might be able
to inclose the entrance during night. I next desired 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 distance from the tent,
and near a river from which I hoped to be supplied with fresh
water, 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 cheering fire. We put some of the soup cakes, with water,
into our iron pot, and placed it over the fire; 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? I am going to make some soup of it, said his mother
laughing. That is droll enough, answered he; for how shall we
get any meat to put into it, here, where there is nothing like
a butcher’s shop?
Little blockhead, said I, what you have been thinking was glue,
is in reality excellent 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 excellent. The poor child was hungry enough
to believe he should partake of it with joy.
In the mean while Fritz had been reloading the guns, with one
of which he had wandered 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
alone 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 endeavour 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 proceeding 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 his 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 triumph 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 manner; but scarcely had he grasped it, than
he received a violent blow on the face from the lobster’s tail,
which made him lose 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, said I;—it is wrong
to revenge 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, papa, let me carry it to my mother, said Jack, fearless
now of further warfare; and accordingly he carried it to the kitchen,
triumphantly exclaiming, Mamma, mamma, a sea-lobster!—Ernest,
a 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 enormous size; while they observed that its form was precisely
that of the common lobster so much in use in Europe.
Yes, yes, said Jack, holding up one of his 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 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, now bawled out that the lobster
had better be put into the soup, which would give it an excellent
flavour; but this his mother opposed, observing, 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 the shallow,
and in fixing them there securely 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 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, said 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, cried 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 not be afraid of wetting his feet. Take example by Fritz
and your father: they bear a greater evil, the scorching heat
of the sun, without complaining.
I will do my best with all my heart, answered Ernest; and at
the same time I 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.
Papa, is it not left there by the sea?
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 seawater, said Jack, instead
of having all this trouble?
Sea water, answered I, is even more bitter than it is salt; and
it has besides a disagreeable 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, 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 cannot easily be
set to rights. How will it be possible for each of us to raise
this large boiling 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 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, said 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! said he, I have unfortunately nothing,
for I have seen nothing. What! nothing at all? said I. Nothing
at all, said 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 sucking 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
naturally 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 sportsman 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
flavour, which is extremely disagreeable to Europeans. He is
held in great esteem by the natives, particularly when the animal
has been feeding near the sea on plants impregnated 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 preferred,
said 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 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 obtain some of
these treasures? We ought also, said I, to make our little voyage
to the vessel, and fetch away our 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, but much
improved, said our glutton Ernest. I must tell you too, said
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? Patience, patience, replied I, there
is a time for every thing, friend Fritz; we shall not be without
something to undertake tomorrow, and even after tomorrow. But,
above all, I am eager to know if you discovered in your excursion
any traces of our ship companions. 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 paws 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 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, with the look and manner of a deep observer, now turned
the agouti backwards and forwards to examine him on all sides.
After a long silence, he said with importance, I cannot be sure
that this animal, as you all believe, is a sucking pig; his hair
and his snout pretty much resemble, it is true, those of a pig:
but pray observe his teeth; he has but four incisores in front
similar to the genus Voracious animals: in general he has a greater
resemblance 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 his appearance perfectly corresponds; he is a native
of America, lives under ground on the roots of trees, and is,
as travellers report, 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, papa, 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 perhaps 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,
each drew out a scalded finger, and it was who could scream the
loudest. Ernest was the only one who had been too cautious to
expose himself to this misfortune; he quietly took his muscle-shell,
as large and deep as a plate, 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 yourself, I perceive, said I.
But now answer me, dear boy, is the advantage worth the pains
you take to be better off than your companions? 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 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 reechoed from the rocks.
When he had grown a little cool, I seriously remonstrated with
him on his violence 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 ignorant 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
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 incapable 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 that 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 what morsels of our biscuit had fallen on the
ground. Just at this moment my wife produced the bag she had
so mysteriously 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 of vegetables
for the table. In the fullness of her kind heart she scattered
several handfuls at once upon the ground, which the innocent
creatures began eagerly to seize. I complimented her on the benefit
her foresight had secured for us; but I recommended a more sparing
use of so valuable an acquisition, observing, that the grain,
if kept for 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 afforded
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 assembled all together and joined in offering
up our thanks to the Almighty for the succour afforded us, and
supplicating his watchful care for our preservation. With the
last ray of the sun we entered our tent, and laid ourselves close
to each other on the grass and moss we had collected in the morning.
The children observed, with surprise, that darkness came upon
us all at once; that night succeeded to day without an intermediate
twilight.—This, replied I, makes me suspect that we are not far
from the equator, or at least between the tropics, where this
is of ordinary occurrence; for the twilight is occasioned by
the rays of the sun being broken in the atmosphere; the more
obliquely 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 sudden 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 fastened 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 undergone, our first night in the desert island was very
tolerably comfortable.
CHAPTER III.
_Voyage of discovery._
I was awaked at the first dawn of day by the crowing of the cocks.
I awoke my wife, and we consulted together as to our occupation
for the day. We both 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 examine the nature of the
soil on the other side of the river before we came to a determination
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 consented to my proposal of my leaving her with
the three youngest boys, and proceeding myself with Fritz on
a journey of discovery. I entreated 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 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.
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 nothing
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 in the misfortunes of others, says
the proverb. 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 on 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 eldest 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
shall keep Ponto to be your guard, while we will take Turk with
us. With such a protector, and a gun well loaded, who shall dare
treat us with disrespect? Fritz, make haste 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 get the guns 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 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, Ponto instantly relented,
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, said Ernest, for you
need not be uneasy 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, said 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 lobster; but its flesh proved so hard, that
there was a great deal left when our meal was finished, and we
packed it for our journey without further regret from any one.
The sea-lobster is an animal of considerable size, and its flesh
much more nutritious, but much less delicate, than the common
lobster.
Fritz urged me to set out before the excessive 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 our leave of my mother and my
brothers. 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? Recollect
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 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 impossible
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 repeated
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, except 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 an assemblage
of rocks at which the stream formed a cascade: a few paces beyond,
we observed some large fragments of rock which had fallen 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 rendered more capable of resistance
by being half dried up by the sun. Perceiving however, 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 of 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 occasioned
by some frightful serpent, a tiger, or other ferocious animal,
which might instantly 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 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 faithful 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! We received
the poor fellow with lively joy, and did not fail to commend
both the bravery and discretion of my son, in not yielding to even
a rational alarm, and for waiting till he was sure of the object
before he resolved to fire: had he done otherwise, he might have
destroyed a creature formed to afford us various kinds of aid,
and to contribute by the kindness of his temper to the pleasures
of our domestic scene. Observe, my dear boy, said I, to what dangers
the tumult of the passions exposes us: the anger which over-powered
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 for us an irretrievable
misfortune.
Fritz assured me he was sensible of 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 pursued our way. On
our left was the sea, and on our right, at the distance of half
a league, the continuation of the ridge of rocks, which extended
from the place of our debarkation in a direction nearly parallel
with the shore, the summit every where adorned with a fresh verdure
and a great variety of trees; and the space between, partly covered
with tall grass and partly with small clumps of bushes, which
on one side extended to the rocks, and on the other to the sea.
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 however wholly neglect the shore, where we looked
about in all directions for the objects of our search: but our
endeavours were all 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 who would be induced
by the alarm, to watch and surprise us. I am thinking, father,
interrupted Fritz, that there is no good reason why we should
give ourselves so much trouble and uneasiness 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 be of use and 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 saving the lives
of 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. The saving of the life of a man, is a more
exalted action than to be employed in contributing to the further
comfort of some 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.
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 chirping, singing, and
the motion of unknown birds among the leaves, and which in reality
were more attractive by their splendid plumage than by any charm
of note. Fritz assured 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, observing that he thought it
must be the nest of some bird. What makes you of that opinion?
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; 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 covering) 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!
Travellers certainly do sometimes tell untruths, 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 kernel 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.
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.
I will gather all the pieces and take them to Ernest, and tell
him all these particulars; I wonder 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 disappointment 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 then continued our route. We did not
quit the wood, but pushed our way through 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 discovery, remarked
that some of them were of so very extraordinary an appearance,
that he could not resist the curiosity he felt to examine them
closely. O heavens! father, he next 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 conceive 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 exactly like a gourd,
only the rind is thicker and harder.
It then, like the rind of that fruit, can be 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 sometimes
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 without a fire; and
my meaning was, that there is no need to put the vessel that
contains 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 enchantment is the lot
of man. When he finds himself deficient in intelligence, or is
too indolent 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 phenomenon. When it is
intended to dress food in one of these rinds, the process 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.
But is not the food spoiled by ashes falling in, or by pieces
of the heated stones separating 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 accomplished,
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 strokes
of his instrument. I 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 process, 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 afterwards
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 obtain flasks or bottles of a
perfect form.
Are then the bottle-shaped gourds I have seen in Europe trained
by a similar preparation?
No, they are not; they are of another species, and what you have
seen is their natural shape.
Our conversation and our labour thus went on together. Fritz
had completed some plates, and was not a little proud of this
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 return
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 service
of porcelain was accordingly spread upon the shore, 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
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 always 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 sharp flat stones to work
with.
My attempt has been scarcely more successful 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 hundred crowns would do. Fritz burst into a fit
of laughter. You do not rate my remark 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 children, 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
all, alas, was 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 reflection we determined to ascend to its summit,
which could not fail to give us a clear view of all adjacent
parts; this would save us the fatigue of further rambles. We
accordingly accomplished the design.
We did not reach the top of the hill without many courageous
efforts and a plentiful perspiration: but when there, it presented
a magnificent scene of wild and solitary 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 embellished 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 agreeable 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 picture
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 damp 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
involuntarily into our hearts. We, however, became but the more
sensible of the goodness of the Divine Being in the special
protection afforded us, in permitting us to find a home 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.
I remarked to Fritz that we seemed destined to a solitary life,
and that it was a rich country 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 inhabiting
some more propitious soil,* it was natural to expect that we
must at first encounter difficult adventures. Let us, therefore,
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.
* See the Introduction.
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 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 attacks of seduction.
Social intercourse, common interests, united exertions, mutual
services and counsels, together with the reflections which would
have grown in such a state as this, are agents capable of powerfully
contributing to the well-being of the individual, 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 necessary labour, while you and
my mother enjoy a serene repose.
Your assurances are as kind as I can desire, 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 patriarchs, if it please God to
continue our lives?
Why not? you ask—and I have not now 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 condition can be conferred upon us. Look yonder
at that inviting wood: let us hasten thither to take a little
rest, then eat our dinner, and return to our dear expecting family.
We descended from the hill, and having regained the shore, we
made our way to the wood of palms, which I had just pointed out
to Fritz; but not without considerable difficulty, 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 uncommon 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 glutinous kind of sap proceed from the divided end of the stalk.
Prompted by curiosity, I tasted the sap, and found it sweet and
of an agreeable flavour, so that not a doubt remained in my mind
that we were passing through a fine plantation of sugar-canes.
I again applied the cane to my lips, and sucked 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
occasioned 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! Run quickly, father! We were soon together, jointly partaking
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 excesses,
of the wisdom of husbanding even our lawful pleasures, and of
the advantages of moderation in even our most rational enjoyments.
[Illustration: The Family Congregation]
But I was so thirsty, and the sap was so delicious!
Your excuse is like that of the drunkard, who tells you he drinks
immoderately because 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 entered
in search of a place of shade, where we might stretch our limbs
on the ground, and finish 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 they fixed
their eyes upon us, grinding their teeth, making most horrible
grimaces, and saluting us with frightful screams of hostile import.
I observed that the trees were palms, bearing cocoa-nuts, and
I instantly 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 burdens
on the ground, and it was with difficulty 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 pleasure 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, mischievous 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 preserving 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.
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
accord. Does not your large bundle 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
success of our stratagem; and as the shower of cocoa-nuts began
to subside, we set about collecting them. We chose a place where
we could repose at our ease, to regale ourselves 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
disdain, and to which we added a small quantity of biscuit. All
this, however, was insufficient to satisfy the hunger of so large
an animal, and he sought about for bits of the sugar-canes and
of the cocoa-nuts.
Our meal being finished, we prepared to leave the place. 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.
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 accomplish 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 sugarplum. Take you one, also; the rest we will bind together
and put at your back, hanging 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.
While we were conversing and proceeding 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. It 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 I, that you make use neither of reflection
nor of your imagination.
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.
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 exhaust 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 process as that of cutting
away the part of the cane you have already sucked dry, and making
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 only a few sticks for fire-wood; for I must
bring another circumstance to your recollection: 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 compunction, and without regret at the
diminution 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 deliciously!
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 particularly 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 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 remains 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 gradual fermentation,
which turns the fluid into vinegar. But this may be prevented
by extraordinary 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 our tent, you might find your liquids turned to vinegar,
or even to a thick liquid of ill odour: we may therefore venture
to refresh ourselves with a portion 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 liquor at present both refreshing
and agreeable; but I am pretty sure that, if we would arrive
sober, we must not venture on frequent libations.
Our regale imparted to our exhausted frames an increase of strength
and cheerfulness; we pursued our way with briskness, to the place
where we had left our gourd utensils upon the sands; we found
them perfectly 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 toward the place of their merriment. They were thus
taken by surprise; and before we could get to the spot, our ferocious
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 escaping. The poor creature was killed, and afterwards
devoured; the young one hid himself in the grass, and looked
on grinding his teeth all the time that this horrible achievement
was performing. Fritz flew like lightning 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 late
to prevent the murder 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 remedy, Fritz, said I, but to submit quietly and carry
him; he will furnish an addition to our stock of provisions,
though less alluring, I must needs confess, than that we could
wish to take to your mother. The conduct of the little animal
displays a very surprising intelligence; he has lost his mother,
and he adopts you for his father; perhaps he discovered in you
something of the air of a father 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 creature in my arms as one would an infant, and I
confess I could not help pitying and caressing 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 soon 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 in discovering some different kinds of wholesome fruits.
I have not the least objection, answered I. You have conducted
yourself throughout this tragi-comic adventure as 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 dependent
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 nothing
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 cannibal-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 seeming 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 shoulder 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 inconvenience without having
recourse to his invention for a remedy. He tied some string round
Turk’s body in such a way, as to admit of the monkey’s being
fastened on his back with it, and then in a tone really pathetic
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 perfectly accommodated.
Fritz put another 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 jubilations 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 malicious jokes. Do you then, my son, said I, take
your materials for a model from 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 observations,
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 monkeys so much resemble our own species that
I could scarcely convince myself he was not killing a man.
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 discourage 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 goodness of the
Almighty in the natural dispositions he has bestowed on these
useful creatures, who at all times discover so much affection
for man, and so easily submit to the slavery of serving him!
A man on horseback, 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 voracious
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 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 creature
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 pasture 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
ourselves on the bank of the river and near our family before
we were aware. Ponto on the other side announced our approach
by a violent 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 afterwards 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 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 exclamations: A monkey, a live monkey! Papa,
mamma, a live monkey! Oh, how delightful! how happy shall we
be! How did you catch him? What a droll face he has! 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! said
Ernest; could you not find any? Are they nice? Have you brought me
any milk of almonds? said Francis. Have you met with any unfortunate
adventure? asked my wife. In this manner, questions 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 encountered 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.
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 resume
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 children, 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 to me, that if Ernest had 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?
Oh! mamma, 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 hearing any more of your heavy sighs and moanings about
your 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! exclaimed 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 a high respect for the
article of sugar in her household management, was perfectly
astonished, and earnestly entreated we would explain to her all about
it. I instantly complied with her request, giving her every
explanation and particular respecting our journey, and our new
acquisitions, which I alternately exhibited for her inspection.
No one of them afforded her more pleasure than the plates and
dishes, because 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 forward
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 intrusted with the care of
turning it round from time to time. On the occasion of our return
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 exhilarating 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 justice, 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 considerable 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 subject, 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 intelligence, 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 knowledge, particularly on subjects of natural
history and the productions of nature in general; by this study
and knowledge, we are enabled to recognise at the moment, the
objects which chance throws in our way, whether we have seen
them before or not. Tell me now what birds there are with feet
formed like those which you have just described, and which are
so formed to enable the creature to strike the water and prevent
himself from sinking.
There are the man of war bird, cormorants, 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, 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 subject, 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 intercede 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 forget 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._—It cannot well be otherwise, 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 proper for him to eat.
_Jack._—I will give the poor little creature my share with all
my heart.
_Ernest._—I have however the greatest desire 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 too, 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 already
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 delighted 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 having drawn out the milk through the three little
holes which I have already observed are 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; the thought struck me, that by dividing
the nuts carefully with this instrument, the two halves when
emptied, would remain with the form of some well looking tea-cups
or basons already made to our hands. Jack, who was on every occasion
the most active, brought me a 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 excellent creature 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 the merrier.
I have not the least objection, answered I, but remember to taste
it yourself, before you serve it to your guests.
He ran to draw out the stopple and to taste it . . . . . . . How
unfortunate! said he, it is already turned to vinegar.
What is it? vinegar, did you say? exclaimed my wife. How lucky!
it will make the most delicious sauce for our bird, mixed with
the fat which has fallen from it in roasting, and will be as
good a relish as a salad. No sooner said than done. This vinegar
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 improved 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
performed 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 sun was retiring from
our view; and recollecting how quickly the night would fall upon
us, we were in the greatest haste to regain our place of rest.
My wife had considerately procured for us a tenfold quantity of
dry grass, which she had spread in the tent, so that we anticipated
with joy the prospect which was now afforded, of stretching our limbs
on a substance somewhat approaching 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 order of the night
before, myself remaining last to fasten the sail-cloth in front
of the tent; when heartily fatigued by the exertions 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 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 my example: 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 myself 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 intervals 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 almost unexampled courage. Already the fierce
champions had laid three or four of their adversaries on the
ground, while those which remained began to make a timid kind
of noise, as if imploring pity and forbearance. Meanwhile they
did not the less endeavour to entangle and surprise the dogs, when
thrown off their guard, and thus 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.
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
instantly 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 finishing stroke to what we had begun; and
thus the battle ended: but the dogs, true Caribees by nature,
made a hearty meal on the flesh of their fallen enemies. Their
doing this was a proof of the keen hunger they experienced; for
dogs do not readily feed on foxes, and the jackall is a more
fierce and mischievous species of the fox, than the animal known
by that name in Europe. My 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, towards the tent, that he might be able to exhibit
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 passing. 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.
CHAPTER V.
_Return to the wreck._
I broke a silence of some moments, with observing to my wife,
that I could not conquer 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 various other useful
things, all of which from moment to moment we ran the risk of
losing, by the first approach of a heavy sea. On the other hand,
there are so many things to think of, and so much exertion is
to be made, for the comfort of all in this desert spot! What
ought we to resolve upon? For example,—is it not, above all,
necessary to contrive a better kind of habitation, and also the
means of procuring a more secure retreat from wild beasts, for
ourselves, and some separate place of accommodation for our
provisions? I own I am at a loss what to begin upon 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 you judge it to be of absolute
necessity, it appears 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 the 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 benefit.
I will follow your advice, said I, and without 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 undertaking.
At this moment I started from my bed, crying out loudly and briskly:
Get up, children, 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 perfectly stiff. He fixed him upon
his legs, and placed him to look like a sentinel at the entrance
of the tent, joyously expecting the wonder and exclamations of
his little brothers at so singular 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 instantly, 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 all ran out of the tent, curious to know what could
be the occasion. 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; with
which he covered himself 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. O
heavens! exclaimed Francis, and stepping 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, interrupted
Ernest in a consequential tone; do you not see that it is a _golden_
fox? Best of all, most learned professor! now exclaimed 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 difference 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 disputes, said I. Fritz,
you are to blame in ridiculing your brother for the mistake he
made. Ernest, you are also to blame for indulging 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 addressing the Almighty, ought to expect neither
success nor safety in his undertakings. Let us therefore acquit
ourselves of this duty before 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 difficulty
we could swallow it. Fritz asked for a piece of cheese to eat
with it, and Ernest spied about the second cask we had drawn
out of the sea, and which was standing in our kitchen, to discover
whether, as we had all imagined, it also contained some Dutch
cheeses. In a minute or two he came up to us, joy sparkling in
his eyes. Papa, 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 dependence. 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 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 contents. 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 purpose. All this succeeded vastly well, and we
sat down to breakfast, some 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 have enabled us to add a little milk from
the cow, 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 did not fail to remark, that
their late encounter 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 that 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 collars, if mamma 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 mamma.
Yes, yes, pursued I, as many new inventions as you please; you
cannot better employ your time; and if you produce something
useful, you will be rewarded with the honour of our commendations.
But now we must think of setting ourselves to some occupation.
You, Mr. Fritz, who, from your superior age and discretion, enjoy
the high honour of being my privy counsellor, must make haste
and get yourself ready, and we will undertake today our voyage
to the vessel, to save and bring away whatever may be 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 general good behaviour.
While Fritz was getting the boat ready, I looked about for a
pole, and put 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 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 courage and
the good sense to consent 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 remarked, that beside the
opening by which we had the first time made land, there was another
that formed the mouth of the river, running not far from that
spot, and the current of which was visible a good way into the
sea.
To take advantage of this current, and to husband 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 diminution of its force, 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 fastened 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 he found
all the animals we had left on board assembled. I followed him
with great readiness, well pleased to observe the generous impatience
he betrayed, to relieve the wants of the poor abandoned creatures,
who, one 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 seeing once more their accustomed human companions, which
occasioned them to manifest their joy in this manner, for they had
a portion 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.
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 such a thing at so critical a moment,
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 it is an affair which will take a considerable
time to accomplish. In reality, I experienced great uneasiness
at the thought of passing the night at a distance from my family.
All you say is very true, father, said Fritz; but let me confess
the truth, which is, that I found it very difficult to perform
the task of rowing for so long a time, though I assure you I
did my best, and did not spare my strength. I observed that,
though the wind blew strong in my face, the current nevertheless
carried us on. Now, as we cannot be benefited on our return by
the current, 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 useful things we mean to take away, and I am afraid
I shall not be strong enough to row to land. Now do you not think
that a sail would be of great assistance?
Ah ha, Mr. Fritz! So you wish to spare yourself a little trouble,
do you? But to speak seriously, I perceive a great deal of good
sense in your argument, and think myself much 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.
Come then, let us set to work upon your sail, which, if it saves
your labour in rowing, will be at least a little troublesome
at present. Come along, and 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 beyond 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 position,
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 pass
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 delighted 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 opportunity of observing the operation
of this prominent feature of human nature, in a lad of fourteen
years of age. I myself took great pleasure in seeing the little
streamer floating 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. 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 unwilling 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 vessel, 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, not
having as yet entered upon 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 rest of the day in emptying the tubs of the useless
ballast of stone, 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 attention
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 also 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
considerable 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
that circumstances compelled me to leave some of them behind.
Fritz, however, already 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 utensils.
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 all 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,
intended 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 husbandry
as we could find;—shovels, hoes, spades, rakes, harrows, &c.
&c. Fritz reminded me that we had found sleeping on the ground
both cold and hard, and prevailed 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 structure, together
with some sabres and clasp 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 precaution of putting on our swimming-jackets, for fear of
any misfortune.
It will easily be imagined that every moment of the day had been
laboriously employed. 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 returned the compliment by tying four lanterns with lights
in them to our mast-head. This was answered on their part, according
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 without some apprehension for the night, we resigned
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, notwithstanding my fatigue,
could neither close my eyes, nor keep them from the direction
of the shore, perpetually haunted by the recollection of the
nocturnal visit of the jackalls, some of whose race I feared
might come and enter the tent. I had, however, great reliance
that my valiant dogs would do their duty, and was thankful to
Heaven for having enabled us to preserve so good a protection.
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 vessel,
endeavouring to have a sight of the beloved inhabitants of the tent
through a spying-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 brightness
of the day had succeeded to the imperfect light of an earlier
hour. I eagerly fixed my eye to the glass, and discovered my
wife coming out of the tent and looking attentively towards the
vessel, and we at the same moment perceived the motion of the
flag upon the shore. A load of care and solicitude 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. Fritz, said I to my boy, I thought
this morning that it would be impossible for me to remain another
moment on board the vessel, without returning to see what was
passing in the island; 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 now, 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 afford them a conveyance? said 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
perhaps find means to remove, they being of a more accommodating
temper; but for the larger animals, I am quite at a loss how
to proceed. Do you consider of it, and tell me what thoughts
occur 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 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 unfortunately it cannot be
applied to any of the animals except the pig; and I confess,
she is the one I care the least about preserving.
Then here is another idea, father: let us tie a swimming-jacket
round the body of each animal, and contrive to throw them 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 moment 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 appeared fatigued, gave up his efforts, and
suffered himself without resistance to be borne along by the
course of the water, which conducted and sustained him to our
complete satisfaction. 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 thus drew him to our boat; and then, to his great content,
drew him out of the water.
We then went and looked out four small casks, such as had been
used for keeping the fresh water for 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,
the two ends of which I nailed to each. 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, 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 animals: of these, it was
the sow who gave us the most trouble; we were first obliged to
put her on a muzzle to prevent her biting; and this being done,
we tied a large piece of cork under her body. The sheep and goats
were more docile, and we had soon accoutred them for the expedition.
And now we had succeeded 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 to put out to sea, when we should
have completed our last work of throwing the animals into it.
We began our experiment with the ass, by conducting him as near
as possible to the brink of the vessel, and then suddenly 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 commendation.
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 already 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
sustained 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 furious, 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 landing-place we had in view for ourselves. We had now
not a moment to lose; our last act was to put on our cork-jackets;
and then we descended without accident through the cleft, took
our station in the boat, and were soon out to sea, surrounded
by our troop of quadrupeds. We carefully took up from the water,
each of the floating bits of wood which we had fastened to the
ropes round the animals, 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 executed our enterprise without the assistance of the 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;
which produced altogether the most singular effect. Proud of
the success of so extraordinary an enterprise, 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 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 them, 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 conjecture what their plan
might be.
I therefore 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 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 great reason to be proud of the achievement of having
forced the shark to retreat; whilst I on my part rather felt
surprise; for I had always understood that this kind of sea-monster
was not easily to be frightened from his purpose, and also that
the heaviest load of shot was rarely known to do him any injury,
the creature being extremely voracious of his prey, and his skin
so hard, as to present an extraordinary degree of resistance
to all attempts 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 followed 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 to prevent them: we could
not, however, set out in search of them, till we had disencumbered
our animals of their swimming apparatus. 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 different plans,
and their success, in the order in which they occurred. My wife
could find no words to express her surprise and satisfaction 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 ransacking my poor brains, said she, every moment
of your absence, to conceive some means by which you might succeed
in protecting the poor animals; but I could fix on none that
seemed to promise the least success.
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 effected, and what he had himself done
towards them. In the mean time we began to unpack our cargo,
which was by no means a trifling undertaking; while Jack, who
had no fancy for the occupation, stole aside and amused himself
with the animals, took off the jackets from the sheep and goats,
bursting 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 incumbrances, 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 equipage; 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.
Accordingly I looked at them, and perceived 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, papa, they are indeed my invention, with a little of mamma’s
assistance wherever it was necessary to use the needle.
But where did you get the leather 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 concerns, 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 particular
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 to dispose of his jackall, and to cut
his beautiful skin into slices. He, however, concealed 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 manufactory? It is rather yours than mine, replied
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 pleased 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 hands,
and the sweat of their brow: a thousand 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 benefit bestowed upon us, and from this
moment 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 certain, 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 importance, which was meant to express that he was not disposed
to yield. His brothers, 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 assist his brothers in
dragging the dead jackall to the sea, where he no longer occasioned
us any inconvenience.
Perceiving that no preparations were making for supper, I ordered
Fritz to bring us the Westphalia ham, for that I was hungry.
The eyes of all were now fixed upon me with astonishment; for
every one believed that I could only be in jest; when Fritz returned,
jumping and displaying with exultation 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 welcome
to the bearer of so fine a treat.—It comes quite in the nick
of time too, interrupted 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 appetite.
I will tell you presently, replied my wife, what it was that
prevented me from providing a supper for you all at an earlier
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, papa, said Ernest, if they are not the very same sort
which Robinson Crusoe 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 encumbrance 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. 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 certain; we had no sooner untied the rope
than she escaped from us, and with so much rapidity 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 prepared 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 us, which gave us something like
the air of sovereigns of the country. It did not please the geese and
ducks to add themselves to the number of these our curious-looking
subjects: 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 animals 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 volume.
END OF THE FIRST VOLUME.
_Printed by R. and A. Taylor, Shoe-lane, London._
THE
FAMILY ROBINSON CRUSOE.
CHAPTER VII.
_Second journey of discovery performed by the mother of the family._
You pretend, said my wife with a little malicious 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, I will take a leap over 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 return, 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 description, 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. Courage then! said
I, my husband and my eldest son are at this moment actively employed
in the vessel for the general good; why then 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 determined to share
a slight dinner with the boys, and courageously to set out on
a journey of discovery for a habitation which might afford us
more convenience, and a better shelter from the sun.
In the course of the morning, Jack had 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 animal,
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 little
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 undeniable,
in the great usefulness of the said dirty work; for, said 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 employment 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
undertaking, 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 heads 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 mother 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 manufactured of the same materials,
and was impatient 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, my dear
Jack, said I, you do not foresee what will happen;—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
considered; 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 then 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 nothing
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 cheerfully undertook to
carry the provision-bags; while I, for my share, was loaded with
a large flask of water and hatchet, for which I thought it likely
we might find a use. I also took the light gun which belongs
to Ernest, and gave him in return a carbine, which might be loaded
with several balls at once. We took some refreshment, and then
sallied forth, attended by the two dogs for an escort. Turk,
who had already accompanied 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
considerable difficulty.
As we advanced, I reflected that our safety 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 allowing them the use of guns, and showing them how to fire.
I was averse to their conceiving a partiality to field sports,
and apprehended numberless accidents that might happen to them.
But at present I am convinced that every parent who adopts a
hardy scheme of education acts the wisest part. Let me now resume
the passing of the river.
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 manage pretty well,
thanks to Jack, who relieved me of my gun and hatchet. But for
himself, finding he was scarcely able to stand under this 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 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 the most inviting aspect. I had so long sighed
for a little shade, that I resolved without 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 directly to it; but here again we were interrupted 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.
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, mother, 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.
The mischief was, no doubt, that you did not let him know beforehand
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 understand, the great art of a sportsman; 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 examined him 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 mounted; 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.
The boys remained stupid with astonishment, 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
behold 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 from which the birds had mounted,
and found a kind of large nest formed of dried 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 themselves 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.
But, mother, replied he, birds of the gallinaceous 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 comparing them
with your engravings.
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. What would be your own sensation, if a cruel savage
of this country should attack your father or 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, 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 passion
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.
Discoursing thus, we reached the little wood; and here our son
Ernest had an opportunity of recognising many of the originals
of the engravings in his books of natural history, and of displaying
his knowledge, or his ignorance, to his heart’s content. A 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 morality which I had so lately been
pronouncing, the desire of firing upon them again possessed their
hearts; but this I absolutely forbade, and with the less scruple,
as the trees were of so enormous a height as to be out of gun-shot
reach.—No, my dear husband, 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
observation; 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 looked as if they were supported in their upright position,
by so many arches on each side, the 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,
placed in the midst of 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 have.
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. He 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 trees at the roots; and its height from the ground to the
place where the branches begin to 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 Europe; 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 circumstance 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 resolved to go no further, but to
enjoy its delicious 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 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 resolved
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 expecting to see along the shore,
some of the pieces or other vestiges of the vessel, which the
waves might have washed on shore 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 his belt, 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.
Finding 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 insisted 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 tranquil 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 understood 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 appetites, they might some day have taken it into their
heads to eat their masters.
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 swallow 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 return, 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 succeeded in collecting near two
dozen of them, which we secured in our provision-bags. When we
had concluded this affair, we by accident cast our eyes upon
the boundless ocean, and to our great astonishment we perceived
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 happiness, you will not refuse to conduct me
and your sons, with our whole train of animals, to the spot I
have described, where we cannot 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 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 present I have no clear view
of this important part of the subject.
Alas! my dear husband, I see the objections against my plan as
plainly as you can do; but after all, we cannot but be considerable
gainers by the change: for my part, I dared not venture further
without having my dear protector at my side. Who knows, if we
were 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 subject 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 admired
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
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
advantage, at least, it is certain we should derive,—the being
out of reach of jackalls and other wild beasts. Do you 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 peculiar 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 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, contains 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 brach 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 imaginable. 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. Now 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.
_Ernest._—Twice 32 makes 64; the half of 32 is 16; which added
to 64 makes 80 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 periphery.
_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 intend 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 between
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 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 obligations 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 distance from the extremities
of the roots to the trunk. They really, with propriety, may be
called giant trees.
Having finished our conversation, we performed 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 slumbers till break of day.
CHAPTER VIII.
_Construction of a bridge._
When 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 required 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 conveniences, 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 protected by the rocks; it is an asylum,
inaccessible 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 removed, or
that would be useful to us, from the ship.
Nothing can be sounder than your reasons, 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. And,
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 apprehensions,
whenever you and Fritz are exposed to the danger of that perfidious
element 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 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 a well-digested scheme of operation before we leave this
spot for your favourite wood.—First, we must contrive a place
among the rocks, where we can leave our provisions and other
things, which may serve both for a fortress and a storehouse,
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 different
matters; you may therefore set about 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 very time 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
jumping 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 serious danger.
You are right, my love; and I will carefully 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 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 before a bridge could be built;
a single hour appearing an age to them, with such a novelty 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 breakfast; Fritz taking care not
to neglect his monkey, who sucked one of the goats as quietly
and as contentedly as if she had been his mother. My wife undertook
to milk another, and then the cow, and afterwards gave some of
the milk to each of the children: 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 accompany us in our expedition. During
this time, I was preparing the boat for another journey to the
vessel, to bring away a sufficient quantity of planks and timbers
for the bridge. After breakfast we set out; and 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
current, which soon drew us on beyond the bay; but scarcely had
we passed a little islet, lying to one side of us, than we perceived
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 creatures. I therefore steered to the spot;
but, finding that the boat made but little way, I hoisted my
sail, that we might have the assistance 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.
Presently 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.
Tooth! brother Fritz, replied Ernest; it must be curious to see birds
with teeth. Fritz, however, was right; I approached, sufficiently
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.
I grant it is hideous enough, continued I; its aspect even when
dead makes one shudder with disgust, particularly when I recollect
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 species; for
I would lay any wager that he measures more than twenty feet,
from head to tail. We ought to be thankful to Providence, and
a little to our Fritz also, for having delivered us from such
a monster! But let us 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 ramrod 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.
I therefore made choice of such as seemed proper for my purpose;
and, with the assistance of the crow and a lever which we had
brought with us, I found means to get them into the boat, and
thus spare ourselves the trouble of proceeding further to the
vessel. I bound 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, in consequence of this adventure, we were ready to return
in about four hours after our departure, and might with justice
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, by this means 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 request, had nailed the strips
of skin we cut from the shark, to the mast to dry. Ernest had
been employed in 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 kinds of them,
and all of so senseless a nature, as to fly down in flocks upon
dead whales, even while the fishermen are round them cutting
them up; and the birds try to seize upon small pieces of the
fat, as they hold them in their hands; and they suffer themselves
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 mistaken, 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
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 inability to answer this
question. And for my part, continued he a little consequentially,
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 intention 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 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 return.
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 sometimes angry; sometimes laughing, sometimes 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? 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 fellow, 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 interesting subject, you may tell me as many
particulars 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 employed upon a useful subject.
Well then, did you find a proper place for me to begin the bridge?
_Jack._—Yes, father, yes. But listen, and you will know all.
We were advancing towards 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 yellow! 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, he 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
covered 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; we shall
still have sufficient for several magnificent repasts. This then,
said I to myself, is a new source for our support: even here,
in these arid regions, we find means to procure, 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 industry!
It was now our turn to relate the events of our voyage on the
water. Ernest gave an account of his seagulls, 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 taking them out of the
boat. I then imitated the example of the Laplanders, in harnessing
their rein-deer for drawing 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 harnessed in the same manner, and we
were thus enabled to carry our materials, piece by 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 packthread 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 required for our timbers.
Your idea is excellent, cried I; nothing gives me more pleasure
than to see you exercise 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 place where the
bridge was to rest; we next measured the string, and found that
the distance from one side to the other was eighteen 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 twenty-four
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 conducting them across the stream; but we determined
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 packthread; 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 a nail for every stitch: we might therefore judge
by her perseverance in such a task, or the ardour with which
she longed to see her plan of a removal executed. She received
on this occasion, as was well her due, abundance 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
concerning 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 already spoken,
by a strong cord, long enough to turn freely round the trunk;
I then fastened 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; 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: presently, 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 effective bridge.
The first timber being thus laid, the difficulty 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 executed so expeditiously,
that our whole undertaking was completed in a much shorter time
than I should have imagined possible. The reader should have
seen our young workmen, to form the least conception of the delight
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 myself 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 enjoyment of our success, as any of the rest:
she ran to one, and then to another, embracing each in turn,
and was never tired of passing and repassing on our piece of
workmanship, 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 however
had occasioned us so much fatigue, that we found ourselves unable
for that day to enter upon new exertions; and the evening beginning
to set in, we returned to our home, where we partook heartily
of an excellent supper, and went to bed.
CHAPTER IX.
_Change of abode._
As soon as we were all up and had breakfasted, 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 sufficient 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
unworthy 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 represent strongly to my sons, particularly to the youngest,
the danger of exposing themselves as they had done the evening
before, along the river. We are now going, continued I, to inhabit
an unknown country, which 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 fastened, 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 implements,
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 fastened them on. I next added our hammocks and
other coverings to complete the load, and we were about to begin
our march when my wife stopped me. I cannot 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 interrupt 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 accordingly 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.
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
yourselves in running after these untractable creatures! 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 thinking 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, dropping the grain all the way, till they
had followed her into the tent. When she perceived that they
were all in the inside, and busily employed in picking up the
grain, she shut the entrance, and caught one after the 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 obliged to leave, and placed
it in the tent, which we carefully closed, and, for greater security,
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 always fond of a change of place; ours were full
of joy and good-humour; nor was their 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 superintendant,
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, father, replied
he: I never read the Bible without wishing I had lived in those
good times.
And I too, said Ernest, I am quite delighted with it, I cannot
help fancying myself 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
Tartars and the Arabs pass their lives in journeying from one
place to another, and carrying all they have about them?
It is certainly for the most part true, Ernest, replied I, and
they are denominated wandering tribes; but they generally perform
their journeys attended by horses and camels, by means of which
they can proceed 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 today, since tomorrow 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 advanced 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 made, contributed
to the pictorial effect of our procession. At the moment of our
departure, 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 disapproved of our migration.
On the other side of the river, we experienced 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 order, 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 there was not a sufficient quantity
of grass 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 an encounter with some formidable
animal. Fritz in an instant lifted his gun to his cheek, and
was ready to fire; Ernest, always somewhat 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 run to their
assistance. But youth is always full of ardour; and in spite
of all my exhortations that they would advance with caution,
my boys, eager for the event, made but three jumps to the place
from which the noise proceeded. 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 exaggeration. 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 our valiant dogs, 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 determined on an attack, which
succeeded marvellously well. He took one of the pistols 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 hindered 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 something 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 subject 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 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 his 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 where we had left his mother
in care of our possessions, and who had been in great uneasiness
at our long absence.
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 papa 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 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.
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, papa, I knew that the stories about his quills,
were merely fabulous.
_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 attacked 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 would 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 improbable 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 history,
whose basis ought to be the strictest truth, has given birth
to more fables than mythology itself. In general, mankind are 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 extravagancies 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,
first having 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 situation
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 way with a tremendous
barking. They 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 pronounced these words, than suddenly
I recollected the porcupine. I immediately examined 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 animal. I soon found
a remedy for this inconvenience, by placing my wife’s enchanted
bag, which was filled with articles of a nature 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 then resumed 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 one or
two of those large bustards which his mother had described to
him. We followed him at our leisure, taking care not to expose
our health by unnecessary fatigue; till at last, without further
accident or adventure, 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 prodigious! 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 discovery of this agreeable abode, in which we
shall enjoy so many comforts and advantages. 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 precaution
of tying their two fore legs together with a cord, that they
might not go far away, 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 accordingly
observed to my wife, that I would make an endeavour for us all
to sleep in the tree that very night. While I was deliberating
with her on the subject, Fritz, who thought of nothing but his
sporting, and of his desire to take his revenge of the porcupine
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 uncommon 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 advantage. Bravo! bravo!
cried I; bravo, Nimrod the undaunted! Your achievement will call
forth the unbounded gratitude of our cocks and hens and pigeons,
for you have rendered them what no doubt they will think an important
service. If you had not killed this animal, he would no doubt
have destroyed in the course of one night our whole stock of
poultry. I charge you look about in every direction, and try
to destroy 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 I cannot 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
embellishing 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 him from the cold, by the use of their
skins, which become the means of exchange and commerce between
different nations. We may also add, that the care of protecting
himself from the attacks of ferocious animals, invigorates 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 insects, 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 exercise 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. Tell me all the particulars of your adventure. How
did you kill him?
_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 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 devoured 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 possible,
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 perhaps obliged to do in the same situation; and
not to interrupt their joy with unkind reflections, 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 exact name of the animal?
_Father._—You may for the present give it the name of the tiger
cat. I do not, however, 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 destroys all the
birds of the forest, and neither a 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
destroyed so formidable an enemy.
_Fritz._—All the recompense I ask, father, is, that you will
let me keep the skin; and I wish you would tell me what use I
can make 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 situation as ours, to exercise ourselves
in all kinds of trades and manual labour, and to 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 preparing 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 preserve
some of the quills of your porcupine for me; for I think I can
contrive to convert them into packing-needles, or into arrows;
and what bits of skin are left, may serve to repair the dogs’
collars when they begin to wear; or, which would be a masterpiece
of invention, might be joined together and made into a sort of
coat of mail, as a protection to them when they have to encounter
wild beasts.
_Jack._—Oh! yes, father, I will make the coat of mail, the coat
of mail! Ernest, Fritz, did you hear what papa 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!
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.
_Ernest._—I thought, father, that the mango 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 beautiful 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 instruction. Little Francis presently
came running loaded with dry branches for his mother, with his
mouth crammed full of something, and calling out, Mamma, mamma,
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 imprudent
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 open
his mouth, and took out with her finger, what he was eating with
so keen a relish. With some difficulty she drew out the remains
of a fig. A fig! exclaimed I: where did you find it? Thank God,
this is no poison! 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 it 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 ran to visit the little orphan, whom
they found seated on a root of a tree, and examining 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. Monkey, 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 employed 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 long,
stout, needles, which were the more valuable in her estimation,
as she had formed the intention of contriving some better harnessing
for our animals, and had been perplexed how to set about them
without some larger needles. I, however, recommended to her to
be frugal in her use of the 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
and thickest 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 produced
an excellent soup, and had no fault but being a little hard.
My wife, however, could not prevail upon herself to eat of it;
which occasioned Jack, who did the honours of the dish, a little
mortification. My wife could not be brought to relent, but made
her dinner on a slice of ham and some bread and cheese, under
the shade of the trees which she had so much desired, and where
she found the plainest repast delicious.
CHAPTER X.
_Construction of a ladder._
Our repast being ended, I observed to my wife, that I did not
think it would be possible 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 immediately to begin preparing the harness
for the animals, that they might go to the sea-shore and fetch
the pieces of wood, and such articles as I might find necessary
for enabling us to ascend the tree, if, contrary to my expectation,
it should be found practicable. 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 hastened with
the two eldest boys, to the sea-shore, to examine what pieces
of wood might have been thrown up by the waves, and to choose
out such 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
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 bamboo canes in a sort of bog, where they
lay half covered with sand and mud. I took them out, and, with
the boys’ assistance, completely cleared them from the dirt;
and stripping off their leaves to examine them, I found to my
great joy that they were precisely 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 together in faggots proportioned
to their strength for carrying them, and we prepared to return
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
I hoped I might find some young 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 readiness. 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, 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 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 example, proceeded more cautiously in my pursuit
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 with considerable trouble; for the bird made a stout
resistance, flapping its wings with violence for some time. However,
at last I succeeded in securing him.
* 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 continent, 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 soldiers; nor
do they employ this arrangement only when they seek their prey,
but also in a state of repose. Sometimes, however, a flamingo
may be found alone, or with only a single companion, especially
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 flamingoes 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 immovable, 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 white;
it grows redder as the young flamingo increases 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 carnation 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
particularly 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 neatly six feet high to the extremity
of the talons. 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 yellow; but the
extremity in all is black. _Noueveau Dictionnaire d’Historie
Naturelle._
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
handkerchief; notwithstanding which, he still continued 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 shuddered 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 that
he will like to be with the other fowls?
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 Natural History,
and the colours were not like these: so perhaps this is not a
flamingo at last?
_Father._—I believe it is a flamingo, Ernest, 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 it was not long ago that they defied
their mother to catch the fowls, because they themselves 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
flamingo, 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 return quite at his ease,
and without any part of our load, while his old father and his
young brother 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 formidable 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 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 kindness.
Why, what have you there, Ernest, that is so beautiful a red?—and,
Fritz, what is that in your handkerchief? All were delighted
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 interference. I now began to examine
his wound, and found that only one wing was injured 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 ointment I composed
of a mixture of butter and wine for the purpose, and which seemed
immediately 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 highest
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 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 our tree was forty feet: this particular of its height
I was obliged scrupulously to ascertain, before I could determine
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 collecting 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 feather from the flamingo,
to make them fly straight. Scarcely had I finished my work, than
the boys came jumping round me, uttering a thousand demonstrations
of joy: A bow, a bow, and some real arrows! cried they, addressing
each other, and then running 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.
_Father._—Have patience, boys; I say, have patience. This once
I must claim the preference 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 immediately. We shall
see, said she, what my enchanted bag, which has never yet refused
its aid, can do for you. She then threw open its mouth. Come,
said she, my 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 experienced 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 conduct, 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 all our wants: but you young giddy
things think little of the benefit you thus enjoy.
Just at this moment, Fritz joined us, having 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 the ground in two parallel lines, at the distance 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 exclamations 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 presently
took his post upon the branch; but I 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 instructions 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 courageously 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 intelligence, that I felt sufficient reliance
to determine 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 aërial castle. I
executed all this by the light of the moon, and felt 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 astonishment,
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 ascended the ladder. While I was endeavouring
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 recognised 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 apprehensions 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 presently
descended, and joined their anxious relations without any accident.
I now directed them to assemble all our animals, and to get together
what dry wood we should 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 remarkable for its prodigious numbers of ferocious
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 officiously 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 assemble
in a particular spot; and when they had eaten it, we had the
pleasure of seeing 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 lay down on the
grass to ruminate 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 confidence 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 resolution
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 partook 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 to several
of the heaps, and then threw myself 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 contented; no sailor is ever better
accommodated 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.
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 appeared, 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 exhausted store. In her absence, I ascended
the tree with Fritz, and made the necessary preparations for
my undertaking, for which I 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, leaving
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 support 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 without great effort. I had, however,
the resource of my pulley, which served to excellent purpose.
My wife and her little boys fastened the beams 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, that it might have sufficient solidity if the
beams should be in any way warped from their places. I then formed
a wall something 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 imposing 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 compass, 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 admitting a current of
air to cool us in this burning temperature. We also on this side
enjoyed an extensive and uninterrupted view 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 evening. Well satisfied with the execution of my plan,
I descended with Fritz, who had assisted 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 collected 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 making
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 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 making 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 observance of the duties it imposes; but I confess
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 conduct 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 manner,
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 habitation more
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 pleasure to me to surprise the boys with the
news of a day of rest from labour, which they did not expect.
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 round us; I feel
in want of such a restorative after my fatigue.
The little company was soon assembled round the table. Their
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 roasting, 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 on this foible
of his character, and his brothers gave him the name of the _cook_.
We, however, had soon reason to know, that he had conferred upon
us an important obligation; for the bird, which roasted we perhaps
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 repast, little thinking
that it was his late companion that had furnished it. The live
flamingo 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, afforded the most
agreeable spectacle imaginable. 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 heartily. 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 advancing towards us, grunting
at every step. For this time, however, her grunting indicated
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 in this way, than, in so
hot a climate, to let it be spoiled. And it was 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
wandering 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 entirely 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 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
causeless alarms, as to neglect the means of obtaining a variety
of useful things, which Providence 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 ladder had been loosened at the bottom, that I might be
able to draw it up in the tent during the night: every step,
therefore, was made with the greatest difficulty, in consequence
of its swinging motion. At last, however, I got to the top, and,
to the admiration of the boys, drew the ladder after me. It appeared
to them that we were in one of the strong castles of the ancient
chevaliers, 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, induced so sound a sleep, that day-light shone
full in the front of our habitation, before our eyes were opened.
CHAPTER XII.
_The Sabbath and the parable._
On 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 disputing 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 so soundly.
_Father._—Here then, my children, is another 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 joking. This day is Sunday,
and God said, _Six days shall 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 worship of God consisted
in going to church to hear a sermon and sing hymns: we have no
church here, how then can we properly observe Sundays?
_Francis._—And we have no organ either, 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 papa, who
made sermons for 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 performed 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 immediate 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 should 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 compose a sermon that shall be suitable for
you: today we will repeat the prayers, and sing 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, papa; we will listen for ever
to that; do begin directly.
_Father._—Every thing in its turn, if you please: first, let
us perform our usual morning 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.
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.
All now standing up, I repeated aloud the 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:
“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 inhabitants 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.
“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 themselves in readiness to receive
his commands. The first of these were clothed in robes of 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 rapidity of lightning, on receiving from him
the slightest sign. All were happy to be admitted into his presence;
their faces shone with the mildest joy, and wore the impression
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 converse with them,
without passionately desiring, 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 attendance 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 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 uninhabited 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 reward, was afterwards to be received into the Heavenly City,
and made one of its happy inhabitants.
“To effect this end, the Great King caused a fleet to be equipped,
which was to transport the new colonists to this island. These
he chose from the kingdom of Night, and for his first gift bestowed
upon them the enjoyment of light, and the view of the lovely
face of nature, of which they had been deprived in their gloomy
and unknown abode. It will easily be imagined that they arrived
joyful and happy, at least they became so, when they had been
for a short time accustomed to the multitude of new objects which
struck their feeble sight. The island was rich and fertile when
cultivated. The beneficent 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 required to entitle them to this benefit was, that
they should occupy themselves unceasingly 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 happiness for the most part
will depend upon yourselves. 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 country 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 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 remember my laws at
every instant of your lives, it is my will that each father of
a family, 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 people 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 concerning
the best manner and most effectual means, of improving the land
which has been confided 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 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 benefits 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 salutary repose of
your body, and that of the animals given you to assist your labours,
and who, as well as yourself, should enjoy repose 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 brother
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 magnificent 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 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
according to your most secret thoughts and acionst.’
“All the colonists were well satisfied with the discourse of
the Great King, and made him the most sacred promises. After
a short time allowed for repose from the fatigue of the voyage,
a portion of land and the proper instruments for labour, were
distributed to each of the strangers. They received also seeds,
and useful plants, and young 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 suggestions 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; contenting himself
with giving high-sounding names to the miserable fruit he had
caused to be brought forth. A third had indeed sown good grain;
but not knowing how to distinguish 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 it, 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 misunderstood the instructions of the
Great King, and sought by subtleties to change their meaning.
“Few, very few, worked with diligence and courage, and seeking
to improve their land, according to the orders they had received.
The great fault of these was, that 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 pretended that these laws were
good for times past, but were no longer beneficial for the present
state of the country. Some had even the audacity to assert, that
it contained many inexplicable contradictions; that the laws
it prescribed were merely supposed or falsified, and that they
had therefore 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 amusing themselves as
soon as daylight 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
absent, or were sleepy, or engaged in forming empty projects,
instead of listening to the words, which fell from the lips of
the minister of the sovereign. The Great King, however, 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 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, 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 conscious they had neglected to cultivate
their land, who felt the most regret. It was even necessary to
employ force to bring them under 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,
executed 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 meaning,
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 thoughtful; tell me what struck you most
in my narration.
_Fritz._—The goodness of the Great King, and the ingratitude
of the colonists, father.
_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 going afterwards to the Heavenly City.
_Jack._—To the mines, gentlemen, away with you! you have well
deserved it.
_Francis._—For my part, I should have liked best to have lived
with the men who were drest in the colours of the rainbow. How
beautiful they must have looked!
_Father._—This is well, my boys. I perceive that each of you,
according to his age and character, has seized the meaning of
my parable. I have by this image endeavoured 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 questions 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 application.
“Human creatures, said I, are the colonists of God; we are required
to perform the business of probation for a certain period, 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
according 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 consciousness.
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 represent persons who make a parade
of the natural virtues belonging to their character, and which
are consequently exercised without any trouble to themselves; such as
courage, 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, because nature has given them personal courage,
and bodily strength, and a certain skill in the use of these
qualities.
“You, Ernest, should think of the subjects of the Great King
who cultivated their land so as to produce arbours, flowery 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-indulgences,
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 sowed 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 ourselves, one and all,
we will adopt the model 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 King, to hear
him pronounce these sweet and consoling words: O good and faithful
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 never been without such a
copy; and not only one, but several, and we have read in it almost
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 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 about things for
the comfort of our poor mortal bodies, and forget what might
console and sustain our immortal souls, and which was so necessary
for the conduct of my children!
_My Wife._—Have you then forgot my enchanted 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 bring 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 confusion
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 parable, 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 immediately
read some passages from it to my family. In this solitude, in
which for so long a time we had heard only our own thoughts expressed
in an appropriate language, we 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 community 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 desert, than in an immense capital; our
island, containing only our own family, was no doubt as interesting
in his eyes, as whole nations 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 reflection. This gave me an opportunity of observing,
that at their age, the soul is too feeble to sustain herself
through the whole 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, without 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 porcupine. Fritz
had a great desire to be employed about the case he was to make
of the skin 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 being 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 minute?
I will show you where, said little Francis, laughing as he spoke:
ask mamma to give you one of her soup cakes, which are exactly
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 yourself therefore the trouble of making the experiment.
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 all, 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 possibly become our only means
of protection and subsistence: our provision of powder 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 attacking
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.
While I was silently reflecting on the subject, employed in finishing
a bow for Francis, 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. I 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 different 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 completed 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 certain small cylinders of wood of the size and length required;
scoop these cylinders hollow, 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 stretch a little beyond the extremity of the wood, and
close at the top; you have then 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 carrying.
_Father._—No doubt they would, but where can you get any cork?
and how would you be able to cut it and scoop it out? It is a
wood singularly impracticable, 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. What is the matter,
wife, that you shake your head? You seem dissatisfied with your
boy’s undertaking?
_My Wife._—No, I am not dissatisfied with his work, provided
he can accomplish it, but with the use for which it is intended.
Do you imagine that I shall let you have our silver table utensils
to be dragged about, at the risk of losing them, in your expeditions?
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; 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 you have made a partnership with the sharks, my
boy! I hope, however, 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 destitute 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 return 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 present him, in return for the use of his utensils.
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 triumphantly 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 in the tree, hoping
to meet with the same luck. I observed them when they were got
near the top, and called after them,—What are you going about?
Have you already forgot the Great King, who commands that the
birds of the air and the beasts of the field should rest on the
day he has consecrated 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 descended the ladder, and began to examine the birds
which had fallen from the tree. One of the 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 delicious 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. I foresaw,
in consequence, that we were about to have our larder well stored,
and our table furnished 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. My 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.
Thus finished our day of rest. The birds 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 tranquil sleep,
though unprompted by such fatigue as we had experienced the preceding
day.
CHAPTER XIII.
_Conversation, a walk, and important discoveries._
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 produced from
the soup cakes, and which answered the purpose extremely well.
I next stuck on a round piece to serve for the bottom; 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. Fritz had also cleaned and prepared his
materials for the cases, when his mother summoned 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 the name either of 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 giving names to the objects we are concerned with,
and which will make us better understand 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, papa, 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 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 _Monomolapa_,
their _Zanguebar_, their _Coromandel_, and many other still more
difficult 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 country, 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 names as you propose.
_Jack._—How shall we manage then? What pretty names can we find?
_Father._—We will do as all sorts of nations have done before
us. We will name the places by different words from our own language,
that shall express some particular circumstance with which we
have been concerned.
_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 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 remember that you roared 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._—This name is both appropriate and sonorous, and pleases
me extremely. 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 name 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 it will also be a means of commemorating the courage and
the triumph of Fritz, who had 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 your
skilful encounter with him. But now comes the great question,—What
name shall we give to our present abode?
_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 Town_.
_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, my boys,
you are not yet arrived at the dignity of eagles, but are simply,
poor birds of prey; 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.
And how, said I, shall we name the promontory, 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
_Family Bridge_, because we were all employed in its construction,
and all crossed it together in our way to this place. It will
be quite a pleasure to converse about the country we inhabit,
now that we have instituted names as if every thing belonged
to us.
_Ernest._—It will be just as if we had farms and country houses,
all dependent upon 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 family
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 our own country;
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, 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 porcupine with
great difficulty along; for it was still armed with all the quills,
with the exception 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 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 accoutrement. Turk, unconsious of one particular
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 approach; 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 Francis had been exercising
themselves in shooting their arrows: the evening was advancing,
and the intense heat of the day began to diminish. 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 excursion; and, as a
suitable conclusion to the day, let us seek in the beautiful
face of Nature, for traces of the wisdom and goodness 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 œconomy, 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 Falcon’s Nest.
_Jack._—I will undertake to catch them, if any one will help
to bring them home.
_Francis._—And I will catch my handkerchief full of lobsters
in the Jackall’s River, and we will put them into Falcon’s Stream,
where, no doubt, they will thrive to admiration.
_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;
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 possibly 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 resembled 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, 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 ceremony 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, however,
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
extraordinary movement was in agitation, and prepared 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 shade of large trees, while the ground
under our feet was a short and soft kind of grass. To prolong
the pleasure of our walk, we proceeded slowly, amusing ourselves
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 company 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.
_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.
_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 acknowledging. This little movement of
envy in your bosom occasions me uneasiness; I must add, that
it is by no means certain that, even if 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 potatoe plant. Ernest gives more attention to what
he sees, and his discoveries are not merely the effect of hazard,
but of observation 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.
_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
potatoe, is only the root of the plant, or at 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 succeed 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 part 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
petulant 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 example, 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 his mother; and afterwards
the monkey and he continued digging up the potatoes together,
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 prepare our booty for 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 accordingly 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 passage
in the Bible, which is strikingly applicable 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:
“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 of their distress: he led them forth by the
right way, that they might go to the place of their habitation.
He satisfieth the longing spirit, and filleth the hungry soul
with his goodness.”
_Fritz._—This is truly applicable to our situation, and we will
all 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 disgust; 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 indeed for our whole dinner. But let us for
the present dismiss the subject of our unexpected good fortune,
and resume our expedition.
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 murmurs 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 relieved by the uncommon beauty of the
scenery around; on the right hand was a boundless 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 Europe;
the shelvings, the projections, the cornices of which, instead of
pots of flowers, were covered with plants most rare and contrasted,
and in a vigorous state of vegetation. In the greatest number
of these, were distinguishable 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
candle, 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 innumerable boughs
twisted with each other, hanging down perpendicularly, and ornamented
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 because it was fit to be eaten without any
further 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 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 discover, 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 blossom, and of others the flowers had lately fallen
off. They resembled young trees; and travellers have given so
perfect a description of them in their books of natural history,
that it was impossible I should mistake 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 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
these 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 lasting 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
karata. 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 shall we dress a dinner,
or prepare numberless 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 information: but for us who are
not savages, and not in the habit of such exercise, the expedient
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 almost
useless.
_Ernest._—If this is the case, we must endeavour 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 new prize, the karata 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 flint; and then striking it with a steel, it
instantly 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 exhausted.
_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 accomplished, 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 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 wounding the persons who go near them: of
what use can they possibly be?
_Father._—Again, my son, you form your judgement from appearances.
The greatest part of these plants possess medicinal virtues;
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 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 believe 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 instrument.
This plant bears a kind of fig, which is said to be sweet and
palatable, when ripened in its native sun, and it is both a salutary
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 shaking his hand with the pain the prickles occasioned.
I had not the courage to make 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 laughing while I was drawing out the thorns. I then
instructed them how to gather this fruit without incurring the
same inconvenience. 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.
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 bringing
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 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 possesses.
Let me look at your fig; I will lay a wager that it is the insect
called the cochineal.
_Jack._—The cochineal! what a droll name! What is the cochineal,
father?
_Father._—It is an insect of the kind called _suckers_, or _kermes_;
he feeds upon the Indian fig, which, no doubt, is the cause of his
beautiful colour, which forms an object 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, 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 usefulness 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 immediately takes
root, and grows with astonishing rapidity: it is therefore not
only a defence against wild beasts, but against enemies in general;
for they could not get over it without cutting through the hedge;
and 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, papa, 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 savages, who from one day
to another may arrive in their canoes, as they did on Robinson
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 productions 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 your leg is
still painful, apply a leaf of the karata to it, for I recollect that
the plant possesses the property of curing wounds. He accordingly
took my advice, and in a few minutes was able to join us on our
road to Tent House.
Now then, said Ernest, I have had an opportunity 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 use than contributing 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 today, named the prickly candle, is of the kind
which Bruce describes in his _Travels 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, lay hold of this seeming stick, and
rip 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 injury.
_Fritz._—Why so? Camels and asses are very fond of thistles,
and appear to digest them extremely well. It is probable, therefore,
that the stomach of these animals is so formed, that these prickly
substances occasion in it only an agreeable excitation, favourable
to their appetite and their digestion.
_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 _probable_?
_Father._—Your question is one of those which have occupied the
attention of philosophers 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 understand it.
What we call _true_, is that which cannot in any way be contradicted,
and which exactly agrees, in every point, with the idea 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 _probable_,
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 experience. 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 philosopher, 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.
_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
_improbable_? What think you, Fritz?
_Fritz._—I think I should have said _improbable_, 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 supposed, that a machine of whatever kind,
instead 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 perpetually
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 a means to be
sustained upon water, he might also find the means to raise and
sustain himself in the air.
_Father._—And when a multitude of persons 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 minute ago, that it was
absolutely false.
_Fritz._—Ah! but we said that, father, of a man by himself,
independently of any machine 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
and sustain himself in the air; and it is _absolutely 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 little
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 learned.
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
present situation, where no other master can be obtained for
them than myself and nature. If the boys could conceive what
advantages they would derive from study, they would impose upon
themselves the strictest application, 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 towards him, one by one, with the cheese in its mouth, till
he had caught the whole: he put them in their pocket handkerchiefs,
leaving only their heads at liberty; and then we fastened them
as a parcel to our game-bags, so that each had his share in carrying
them.
We had thought of taking back with us a provision of salt; but
we could not carry so much as we wished, the sacks being occupied
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 tolerable supply; but it made the sack
so heavy, that no one was willing to be incumbered with it. Fritz
proposed that our faithful 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. Ponto 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 before:
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, loaded
in so strange a fashion. Our mutual jokes, and the general good
humour which prevailed, 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 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 natural 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 which we bestowed abundance of commendation,
we concluded the day with evening-prayers, and then joyfully
climbed our ladder to seek the blessing of repose in our aërial
castle.
CHAPTER XV.
_The imaginary bear—The sledge—A lesson in natural philosophy._
I 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 stimulated 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 hammock.
We descended the ladder without being perceived by the rest of
the family, who continued to sleep soundly. The first 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, answered 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 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 coolness and reflection, yet I am somewhat apprehensive
of your falling into the habit of a certain slowness of decision,
which may frequently prove injurious; there are occasions 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 possibility 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 you would 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
conclude, that the bear having four legs and 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 without 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 moment.
_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 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 encounter; 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 no bear, and at finding pieces of wood in great
abundance, and 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 attack upon the ortolans was
in good train; but on seeing us approach, the cries of joy which
were uttered, resounded in every direction, 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, without giving her notice, or bidding her adieu.
She had been uneasy, and I confessed I had 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 circumstance had consoled her. The
sight of so many useful pieces of wood, and the promise of a
sledge for better security in conveying her provisions for the
table, soon appeased 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 quantity
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 his very first attempt; I left Francis to assist
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 matter with the creatures, said 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 conceal 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 inflicted no other
punishment upon him for this little piece of knavery, than that
of tying him up when the hens were about to lay. By this means,
my wife soon collected a considerable number of eggs, and we
waited with impatience for the time when the hens would sit,
in the hope of seeing their species multiplied.
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 devourers 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 alarming or wounding these gentle creatures.
I also directed, that the snares should be frequently 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 child; but when once the word is
pronounced, 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 brothers were ready to bestow any labour, to have a large
quantity of it at their own disposal. We all laughed heartily
at the idea, and Professor Ernest did not overlook 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 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 vehemence, 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 experiments. 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 friction, asked,
ludicrously enough, whether, in running very fast, he should
not be in danger 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 dangerous 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 idleness;
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 medium.
During this conversation, I was busily employed 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 perceived
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 profusion of dressing more birds at once than we
could eat. She reminded me, that I had myself advised her to half
roast the birds before putting into the butter, to be preserved 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 myself from the heat and fatigue of my laborious
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.
CHAPTER XVI.
_A bathing, a fishing, the jumping hare, and a masquerade._
As soon as Ernest and I had dined, we prepared 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 accompany us, and Turk to remain behind. We 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, different 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, attracted
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 extremity of Providence Bay, and which ended, as I now
perceived, in a marsh, producing the finest bulrushes it was
possible to imagine; and further on, a chain of steep rocks,
advancing somewhat into the sea, and forming a kind of creek,
as if expressly contrived for bathing. The juttings of the rock
even seemed like little separate cabinets, where one might be
concealed from one’s companions. 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 surprised 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 you inventive, I forgive
it with all my heart; but is it not a pity to lose in sleeping
the opportunity 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 method 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 conquering
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
together. I have read that the savages of America fill the skins
of goats with air, tie them to each other, and are thus enabled
to use them as rafts upon the largest rivers.
_Father._—This is a sound idea, and one day or other we may perhaps
derive advantage from it: but for the present, my boy, we must
make up for lost time: run, therefore, 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
bathing; and then it will be your turn to bathe, and mine to
take care of the animals. I returned to the rocks, and was not
disappointed 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 fallen asleep
in some corner. Presently, however, 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 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
apprehension 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 magnificent, 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 reproach.
It was at least fortunate, observed he in a modest tone, that
I thought of bringing my fishing-rod.
_Father._—Certainly it was. But tell me how you came to see this
large fish, and what made you think you 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
hereabout; 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 hook 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 gathered, 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.
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 Falcon’s Stream.
When we had proceeded about half way, Ponto, who had been walking
quietly on before 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 imaginable. The dog continuing to follow,
the creature in trying to avoid him, passed within gun-shot 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 singular animal was passing near him,
in pursuit of a hiding-place among the tall herbage just by:
he had fired so skilfully, that the animal fell dead at the same
instant. I ran hastily, and with extreme curiosity, to ascertain
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 resembling 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 of this, its hind legs were as long as a pair of stilts,
and of a form strikingly singular. We examined the creature for
a long time in silence; I could not be sure that I had ever seen
an engraving of it in any Natural History, or a description of
it in any book of Travels. Ernest, after a long and close examination,
interrupted our silence by an exclamation of joy: And have I
really killed this extraordinary animal? said 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.
[Illustration: Shooting the Kangaroo]
_Father._—And so would I, my boy; but I am as ignorant as you.
One thing, however, is certain, that this is your lucky day;
for you have already performed two wonderful 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
interesting 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 the squirrels, I recollect only the mice, the
marmots, the hares, the beavers, the porcupines, and the jumpers.
_Father._—The jumpers! That word furnishes the necessary clue;
the animal is completely formed like the gerboa or jumping hare,
except that it is twice the size of those 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 properly 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 rejoice 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 with myself.—Ernest, affected by my remark,
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 flattering addresses; he kept close to the kangaroo,
and licked its wound, which was still bleeding. Having now nothing
more to detain us, we continued our road towards Falcon’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
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 creature; 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 kangaroo, 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 welcome of
the salutations of our family. Our companions all ran to meet
us: but it was now, on seeing the ludicrous style of the dress
of the three boys, our turn for immoderate 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 engaged, 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 our journey: in proportion
as we advanced in our narrative, we presented, one after another,
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 questions 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 ascendancy of so mean a passion, and was resolving
to conquer it. In a short time, he had succeeded so completely,
that he joined frankly and unaffectedly in our conversation
and merriment, and I am persuaded, no one but myself 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 tiresome.
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 witnessing your brother’s
success with the kangaroo. 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 allured by such
amusements as presented themselves to your fancy; and this conduct
has increased my affection and respect for you. Some praise is
also due to Ernest, for the moderation 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
firing off a gun, and killing an innocent animal. 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 reason 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 intended 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.
THE END OF PART I.
_Printed by Richard and Arthur Taylor, Shoe-Lane, London._
_The Editor of this work promises, in a note annexed to the
Conclusion, that the Continuation of the story shall be given to the
public in the following season. As soon as the German copy of the
Continuation can be procured, the translation of it shall be made and
published. Meanwhile it may be observed, that though as a story it is
at present incomplete, as an exercise for the improvement of
knowledge and ingenuity for children, it is entirely fit for use._
PART II.
[Title page: Volume II]
THE FAMILY ROBINSON CRUSOE.