[Illustration: “The morning dawned upon us without a prospect of
hope.”]
FRONTISPIECE
THE
SWISS FAMILY
ROBINSON
ILLUSTRATED BY
T. H. ROBINSON
GARDEN CITY PUBLISHING COMPANY, INC.
GARDEN CITY NEW YORK
PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
CONTENTS
CHAPTER PAGE
I A SHIPWRECK, AND PREPARATIONS FOR DELIVERANCE 15
II A LANDING, AND CONSEQUENT OCCUPATIONS 28
III VOYAGE OF DISCOVERY 39
IV RETURN FROM THE VOYAGE OF DISCOVERY--A
NOCTURNAL ALARM 49
V RETURN TO THE WRECK 56
VI A TROOP OF ANIMALS IN CORK JACKETS 66
VII SECOND JOURNEY OF DISCOVERY PERFORMED BY
THE MOTHER OF THE FAMILY 74
VIII CONSTRUCTION OF A BRIDGE 80
IX CHANGE OF ABODE 87
X CONSTRUCTION OF A LADDER 95
XI THE SETTLING IN THE GIANT TREE 101
XII THE SABBATH AND THE PARABLE 105
XIII CONVERSATION, AND A WALK 114
XIV CONTINUATION OF PRECEDING CHAPTER--DISCOVERIES 119
XV HOPES OF A SLEDGE--SOME SHORT LESSONS
IN USEFUL THINGS 124
XVI BATHING, FISHING, AND A KANGAROO 127
XVII MORE STORES FROM THE WRECK 132
XVIII THE TORTOISE HARNESSED 135
XIX ANOTHER TRIP TO THE WRECK--BAKING 140
XX THE CRACKER AND THE PINNACE 144
XXI GYMNASTIC EXERCISES--VARIOUS DISCOVERIES--
SINGULAR ANIMALS, ETC. 153
XXII EXCURSION INTO UNKNOWN TRACTS 163
XXIII USEFUL OCCUPATIONS AND LABOURS--EMBELLISHMENTS--A
PAINFUL BUT NATURAL SENTIMENT 169
XXIV A NEW DOMAIN--THE TROOP OF BUFFALOES--THE
VANQUISHED HERO 175
XXV THE MALABAR EAGLE--SAGO MANUFACTORY--BEES 184
XXVI TREATMENT OF BEES--STAIRCASE--TRAINING
OF VARIOUS ANIMALS--MANUFACTURES, ETC. 194
XXVII THE WILD ASS--DIFFICULTY IN BREAKING
IT--THE HEATH FOWL’S NEST 201
XXVIII FLAX, AND THE RAINY SEASON 208
XXIX SPRING--SPINNING--SALT MINE 215
XXX HOUSE IN THE SALT ROCK--TURTLES 222
XXXI NEW FISHERY--NEW EXPERIMENTS--NEW DISCOVERIES,
AND HOUSE 226
XXXII COMPLETION OF TWO FARMHOUSES--A
LAKE--A BOAT 235
XXXIII ANNIVERSARY OF OUR DELIVERANCE--MOTIVES
FOR THANKFULNESS 244
XXXIV GOURD PLANTATION--MONKEY-ROOT OR GINSENG--BIRD
SNARES 250
XXXV THE DOVE-COT AND ITS MANAGEMENT 257
XXXVI JACK’S ADVENTURE AND NARROW ESCAPE--A
FOUNTAIN 264
XXXVII THE APPROACH OF WINTER AND WET SEASON--INVENTION
OF A NEW LIGHT--LITERARY ACQUISITIONS 268
XXXVIII CLOSE OF THE RAINY SEASON--A WHALE--CORAL 273
XXXIX THE WHALE, ITS DISSECTION--USES OF THE
DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE WHALE 276
XL THE BOAT-PROPELLER OR ROWING MACHINE--A
TURTLE DRIVE 279
XLI WEAVING-MACHINE--BASKET-MAKING--THE
ALARM--A DANGEROUS VISITOR--THE
ASS FALLS A VICTIM 286
XLII DISCOVERY OF A CRYSTAL GROTTO--FURTHER
EXPLORATION 295
XLIII THE PIG HUNT--THE SUPPLY--THE
OTAHEITAN ROAST--HAM SMOKING 304
XLIV EXCURSION INTO THE SAVANNA--TWO HORSEMEN--THE
OSTRICH HUNT--THE NEST--THE LAND TURTLES 309
XLV BEARS! BEARS!--NARROW ESCAPE--THE COMBAT--DISCOVERY
OF PORCELAIN EARTH 316
XLVI PREPARATION OF THE BEARS’ FLESH--CUPS OUT OF
OSTRICH EGGS--ANGORA RABBITS AND ANTELOPES 319
XLVII OSTRICHES AGAIN--A HUNT AND A CAPTURE--ACQUISITION
OF TREASURE--EUPHORBIA--VANILLA 325
XLVIII PROGRESS IN OSTRICH DISCIPLINE--EFFICACY
OF TOBACCO SMOKE--HYDROMEL--THE NEW HAT--POTTERY 331
XLIX RETURN OF THE RAINY SEASON--A NEW WANT--THE CAJACK 339
L RETURN OF THE BOYS--THEIR ADVENTURES--HARVESTING--
PARTRIDGES AND QUAILS 345
LI TRIAL OF THE CAJACK--THE ALARM--ADVENTURE WITH
SEA COWS--THE DRAWBRIDGE 350
LII TAMING OF ANTELOPES--SUGAR PRESS--COMBAT WITH A
HYENA--A FLYING COURIER--THE WILD HORSE AND THE
ELEPHANT 357
LIII THE REDOUBT--VALUABLE DISCOVERIES--THE CACAO
TREE--THE BANANA--CROCODILES AND ALLIGATORS--TEA
PLANT--ARTILLERY, AND FORTIFICATION OF SHARK ISLAND 369
LIV A GENERAL REVIEW OF THE COLONY AFTER TEN YEARS OF
ESTABLISHMENT 376
LV EXCURSION OF FRITZ--STARTLING COMMUNICATION--DISCOVERY
OF PEARLS--INTELLIGENCE OF A FELLOW CREATURE--FRITZ’S
RETURN, AND ACCOUNT OF HIS WONDERFUL DISCOVERIES 384
LVI EDIBLE BIRDS’ NESTS--PEARL FISHERY--POOR
JACK IS “KILLED”--DISCOVERY OF TRUFFLES 393
LVII COTTON NUTS--TERRIFIC ENCOUNTER WITH LION AND
LIONESS--A SAVAGE--PARLEY, AND RECOGNITION OF A
FRIEND 398
LVIII ADVENTURES OF FRITZ--SIR EDWARD MONTROSE--OUR ADOPTED
SISTER--ATTACK OF WOLVES--PREPARATIONS FOR RETURN 406
LIX THE LIMEKILN--FRITZ’S STORY 414
LX EMILY’S OWN STORY--RETURN TO FELSENHEIM WITH MILITARY
HONOURS--THE WINTER SEASON ONCE MORE 421
LXI CONCLUSION 427
COLOR PLATES
“The morning dawned upon us without a prospect
of hope” _Frontispiece_
FACING PAGE
“The Vandals themselves could not have made a
more complete pillage than we had done” 62
“I proceeded more cautiously in my pursuit of the
wounded bird” 94
“He accordingly fell into the track of the current,
and drew us straight towards our usual place of
landing” 138
“Thus we entered the rock in solemn procession” 218
“Francis remained with his mother” 310
“With one of our young cavaliers mounted on his back” 334
“I felt so frightened at the apparition” 374
THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
THE SWISS FAMILY
ROBINSON
CHAPTER I
A Shipwreck, and Preparations for Deliverance
Already the tempest had continued six days; on the seventh its fury
seemed still increasing; and the morning dawned upon us without a
prospect of hope, for we had wandered so far from the right track,
and were so forcibly driven toward the southeast, that none on
board knew where we were. The ship’s company were exhausted by
labour and watching, and the courage which had sustained them was
now sinking. The shivered masts had been cast into the sea; several
leaks appeared, and the ship began to fill. The sailors forbore from
swearing; many were at prayer on their knees; while others offered
miracles of future piety and goodness, as the condition of their
release from danger. “My beloved children,” said I to my four boys,
who clung to me in their fright, “God can save us, for nothing is
impossible to Him. We must however hold ourselves resigned, and,
instead of murmuring at His decree, rely that what He sees fit to do
is best, and that should He call us from this earthly scene, we shall
be near Him in heaven, and united through eternity. Death may be well
supported when it does not 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 my grief
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 fervour of the innocent
creatures are a convincing proof that even in childhood devotion may
be felt and understood, and that tranquillity and consolation, its
natural effects, may at that season 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: the boys rose from their posture with a state of mind so
improved that they seemed forgetful of the impending danger. I myself
began to feel my hopes 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 were 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 called out
that all was lost, and bade the men lose not a moment in putting out
the boats. The sounds fell on my heart like a thrust from a dagger:
“We are lost!” I exclaimed, and the children broke out into piercing
cries. I then recollected myself, and, addressing them again,
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 now 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 looking around, a scene of terrific
and complete disaster met my eyes: the ship was shattered in all
directions, and on one side there was a complete breach. The ship’s
company crowded into the boats till they could contain not one man
more, and the last who entered were now cutting the ropes to move
off. I called to them with almost frantic entreaties 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 to return. All hope from this source
was over, for, while I spoke, the boats, and all they contained, were
driving out of sight. My best consolation now was to observe that
the slanting position the ship had taken would afford us present
protection from the water; and that the stern, under which was the
cabin that enclosed all that was dear to me on earth, had been driven
upwards between two rocks, and seemed immovably fixed. At the same
time, in the distance southward, I descried through clouds and rain,
several nooks of land, which, though rude and savage in appearance,
were the objects of every hope I could form in this distressing
moment.
Sunk and desolate from the loss of all chance of human aid, it was
yet my duty to appear serene before my family: “Courage, dear ones,”
cried I on entering their cabin, “let us not desert ourselves: I will
not conceal from you that the ship is aground; but we are at least
in greater safety than if she were beating upon the rocks; our cabin
is above water; and should the sea be more calm to-morrow, we may yet
find means to reach the land in safety.”
What I had just said appeased their fears; for my family had the
habit of confiding in my assurances. They now began to feel the
advantage of the ship’s remaining still; for its motion had been
most distressing, by jostling them one against another, or whatever
happened to be nearest. 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 night set in; the fury of the tempest had not abated;
the planks and beams of the vessel separated in many parts with a
horrible crash. We thought of the boats, and feared that all they
contained must have sunk under the foaming surge.
My wife had prepared a slender meal, and the four boys partook of it
with an appetite to which their parents were strangers. They went to
bed, and, exhausted by fatigue, soon were snoring soundly. Fritz, the
eldest, sat up with us. “I have been thinking,” said he, after a long
silence, “how it may be possible to save ourselves. If we had 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 what can be done.”
Fritz and I looked about for some small empty firkins; these we tied
two and two together with handkerchiefs or towels, leaving about a
foot distance between them, and fastened them as swimming-jackets
under the arms of each child, my wife at the same time preparing one
for herself. We 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 went 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 all night, and was fatigued with his laborious
occupations, now lay down near his brothers, and was soon asleep;
but their mother and I, too anxious to close our eyes, kept watch,
listening to every sound that seemed to threaten a further change in
our situation. We passed this awful 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 hope
throbbed in my bosom, as I beheld the sun already tinging the
horizon. Thus revived, I summoned my wife and the boys to the deck
to partake of the scene. The youngest children, half forgetful of
the past, asked with surprise, why we were there alone, and what had
become of the ship’s company? I led them to the recollection of our
misfortune, and then added, “Dearest children, a Being more powerful
than man has helped us, and will, no doubt, continue to help us, if
we do not abandon ourselves to a fruitless despair. Observe, our
companions, in whom we had so much confidence, have deserted us, and
that Divine Providence, in its goodness, has given us protection!
But, my dear ones, let us show ourselves willing in our exertions,
and thus deserve support from heaven. Let us not forget this useful
maxim, and let each labour according to his strength.”
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.
But come, my boys, look each of you about the ship, and see what can
be done to enable us to reach the land.”
They now all sprang from me with eager looks, to do as I desired.
I, on my part, lost no time in examining what we had to depend upon
as to provisions and fresh water. My wife and the youngest boy
visited the animals, whom they found in a pitiable condition, nearly
perishing with hunger and thirst. Fritz repaired to the ammunition
room; 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 sprang upon him, and saluted him with such rude affection that
he roared for assistance, as if they had been killing him. Hunger,
however, had rendered the poor creatures so gentle that they licked
his hands and face, uttering all the time a low sort of moan, and
continuing their caresses till he was almost suffocated. Poor Jack
exerted all his strength in blows to drive them away: at last he
began to understand, and to sympathize in their joyful movements, and
put himself upon another footing. He got upon his legs, and gently
taking the largest dog by the ears, sprang upon his back, and with
great gravity presented himself thus mounted before me, as I came out
of the ship’s hold. I could not refrain from laughing, and I praised
his courage; but I added a little 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 small-shot, contained in horn flasks, and some
bullets in bags.
Ernest produced his hat filled with nails, and held in his hands a
hatchet and a hammer; in addition, a pair of pincers, a pair of large
scissors, 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
calm 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 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: I
have found on board a cow and an ass, two goats, six sheep, and a sow
big with young: I have just supplied them with food and water, and I
reckon on being able to preserve their lives.”
“All this is admirable,” said I to my young labourers; “and there is
only master Jack, who, instead of thinking of something 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 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 one’s thought is good for something,” cried I, “and I begin to
believe that what Jack has suggested is worth a trial: quick, then,
boy! give me the saw, the auger, and some nails; we will see what is
to be done.” I recollected having seen some empty casks in the ship’s
hold: we went down, and found them floating in the water which had
got into the vessel; it cost us but little trouble to hoist them up,
and place them on the lower deck, which was at this time scarcely
above water. We saw, with joy, that they were all sound, well guarded
by iron hoops, and in every respect in good condition; they were
exactly suited for the object; and, with the assistance of my sons,
I instantly began to saw them in two. In a short time I had produced
eight tubs, of equal size, and of the proper height. We now allowed
ourselves some refreshment of wine and biscuit. I viewed with delight
my eight little tubs, ranged in a line. I was surprised to see that
my wife did not partake our eagerness; 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 pliant plank, and placed my eight tubs upon
it, leaving a piece at each end reaching beyond the tubs, which, bent
upward, would present 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 now we discovered that the machine we had contrived was 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 then, with the crow, easily
raised the foremost part of my machine, while Fritz placed one of the
rollers under it.
“How astonishing,” cried 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’ 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 for my sons was to awaken
their curiosity by interesting observations, to leave time for the
activity of the 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, of invention, and the adroitness of the
hands; and that human meditation and skill had produced 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 anything 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 for 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 fairy powers 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 machine
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 difficulty presented itself: the boat leaned so much on one side
that the 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
drew it near, and threw all the useless things I could find into the
tubs, so as to make weight on the light side. By degrees the machine
became quite straight and firm in the water, seeming to invite us to
take refuge in its protection. All now would get into the tubs, and
the boys began to dispute which should be first. I drew them back,
and seeking a remedy for this kind of obstacle, I recollected that
savage nations make use of a paddle for preventing their canoes from
upsetting. I once more set to work to make one of these.
I took two poles of equal length, upon which the sails of the vessel
had been stretched, and having descended into the machine, fixed one
of them at the head, and the other at the stern, in such a manner as
to enable us to turn them at pleasure to right or left, as should
best answer the purpose of guiding and putting it out to sea. I
stuck the end of each pole, or paddle, into the bung-hole of an empty
brandy-keg, which served to keep the paddles steady, and to prevent
any interruption in the management of our future enterprise.
There remained nothing more to do, but to find in what way I could
clear out from the incumbrance of the wreck. 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, everything that could
obstruct our passage; and, that being effected, we next secured some
oars for the voyage we resolved on attempting.
We had spent the day in laborious exertions; it was already late; and
as it would not have been possible to reach the land that evening,
we were obliged to pass a second night in the wrecked vessel, which
at every instant threatened to fall to pieces. We next 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 now in a more tranquil and unapprehensive state of mind
than the day before, we all abandoned ourselves to sleep; not,
however, till I had taken the precaution of tying the swimming
apparatus round my three youngest boys and my wife, in case the storm
should again come on. I also advised my wife to dress herself in the
clothes of one of the sailors which were 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 some 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 I soon found means to reconcile her
to the change, by representing the many advantages it gave her, till
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.