Gymnastic Exercises--Various Discoveries--Singular
Animals, etc.
I recommended to my sons to resume the exercise of the shooting of
arrows; for I had an extreme solicitude about their preserving and
increasing their bodily strength and agility. On this occasion, I
added the exercises of running, jumping, getting up trees, both by
means of climbing by the trunk, or by a suspended rope, as sailors
are obliged to do to get to the masthead. We began at first by making
knots in the rope, at a foot distance from each other; then we
reduced the number of knots, and before we left off we contrived to
succeed without any. I next taught them an exercise of a different
nature, which was to be effected by means of two balls of lead,
fastened one to each end of a string about a fathom in length. While
I was preparing this machinery, all eyes were fixed upon me.
“I am endeavouring,” said I, “to imitate the arms used by the
Patagonians, inhabitants of the most southern point of America; but,
instead of balls, which they are not able to procure, they tie two
heavy stones, one at each end of a cord, but considerably longer
than the one I am working with: every Patagonian is armed with this
simple instrument, which they used with singular dexterity. If they
desire to kill or wound an enemy, or an animal, they fling one of
the ends of this cord at him, and begin instantly to draw it back
by the other, which they keep carefully in their hand, to be ready
for another throw, if necessary: but if they wish to take an animal
alive, and without hurting it, they possess the singular art of
throwing it in such a way as to make it run several times round the
neck of the prey, occasioning a perplexing tightness; they then throw
the second stone, and with so certain an aim, that they scarcely ever
miss their object: the operation of the second is, the so twisting
itself about the animal as to impede his progress, even though he
were at full gallop. The stones continue turning, carrying with them
the cord: the poor animal is at length so entangled, that he can
neither advance nor retire, and thus falls a prey to the enemy.”
This description was heard with much interest by the boys, who
now all entreated I would that instant try the effect of my own
instrument upon a small trunk of a tree which we saw at a certain
distance. My throws entirely succeeded; and the string with the balls
at the end so completely surrounded the tree, that the skill of the
Patagonian huntsmen required no further illustration. Each of the
boys must then needs have a similar instrument; and in a short time
Fritz became quite an expert in the art.
The next morning, as I was dressing, I remarked from my window in the
tree, that the sea was violently agitated, and the waves swelled with
the wind. I rejoiced to find myself in safety in my home, and that
the day had not been destined for out-of-door occupation. We now fell
to a more minute examination than I had hitherto had time for, of all
our various possession at Falcon’s Stream. My wife showed me many
things she had herself found means to add to them during my repeated
absences from home: among these was a pair of young pigeons, which
had been lately hatched, and were already beginning to try their
wings, while their mother was again sitting on her eggs. From these
we passed to the fruit trees we had laid in earth to be planted, and
which were in real need of our assistance. I immediately set myself
to prevent so important an injury. I had promised the boys, the
evening before, to go all together to the wood of gourds, to provide
ourselves with vessels of different sizes to keep our provisions in:
they were enchanted with the idea, but I bargained that they must
first assist me to plant all the young trees: which was no sooner
said than set about.
When we had finished, the evening was too far advanced for so long a
walk. By sunrise the next morning all were on foot, and we set out,
full of good-humour and high spirits, from Falcon’s Stream. Turning
round Flamingo Marsh, we soon reached the pleasant spot which before
had so delighted us. Fritz took a direction a little further from the
seashore; and sending Turk into the tall grass, he followed himself,
and both disappeared. Soon, eager for sport, we heard Turk barking
loud; a large bird sprang up, and almost at the same moment a shot
from Fritz brought it down: but though wounded it was not killed: it
raised itself, and got off with incredible swiftness, not by flying,
but by running. Turk followed, and seizing the bird, held it fast
till Fritz came up. Now a different scene succeeded from that which
took place at the capture of the flamingo. The legs of that bird are
long and weak, and it was able to make but a poor resistance. The
present captive was large in size, and strong; it struck the dogs,
or whoever came near, with its legs, with so much force, that Fritz,
who had received a blow or two, dared not again approach the enemy.
Fortunately I reached the spot in time to give assistance, and was
pleased to see that it was a female bustard of the largest size.
To secure the bird without injuring it, I threw my
pocket-handkerchief over the head of the bustard; it could not
disengage itself, and its efforts served only to entangle it the
more. As it could not now see me, I got near enough to pass a string
with a running knot over its legs, which, for the present, I drew
tight, to prevent further mischief from such powerful weapons. I
gently released its wing from Turk’s mouth, and tied it, with its
fellow, close to the bird’s body. In short, the bustard was our own.
As we advanced, I was frequently obliged to use the hatchet to make a
free passage for the ass in the tall grass. The heat also increased,
and we were all complaining of thirst, when Ernest, whose discoveries
were generally of a kind to be of use, made one of a most agreeable
nature. He found a kind of hollow stalk, of some height, which grew
at the foot of trees, and entangled our feet in walking. He cut one
of them, and was surprised to see a drop of pure fresh water issue at
the place where the knife had been applied: he showed it to us, put
it to his lips, and found it pure, and felt much regret that there
was no more. I then fell to examining the phenomenon myself, and soon
perceived that the want of air prevented a more considerable issue
of water. I made some more incisions, and presently water flowed out
as if from a small conduit. I tried the experiment of dividing the
plants longways, and they soon gave out water enough to supply even
the ass, the monkey, and the bustard.
We were still compelled to fight our way through thick bushes, till
at length, arrived at the wood of gourds, we were not long in finding
the spot where Fritz and I had once before enjoyed so agreeable a
repose. My wife now gave us notice that she should want some vessels
to contain milk, a large flat spoon to cut out butter by pieces, and
next, some pretty plates for serving it at table, made from the gourd
rinds.
I made the boys gather or collect the gourds, till we were in
possession of a sufficient number. We now began our work: some had
to cut; others to saw, scoop out, and model into agreeable forms. It
was a real pleasure to witness the activity exhibited in this our
manufacture of porcelain; each tried what specimens he could present
for the applause of his companions. For my own part, I made a pretty
basket, large enough to carry eggs, with one of the gourds, leaving
an arch at the top to serve as a cover. I likewise accomplished a
certain number of vessels, also with covers, fit to hold our milk,
and then some spoons to skim the cream. My next attempt was some
bottles large enough to hold fresh water, and these occasioned me
more trouble than all the rest. It was necessary to empty the gourd
through the small opening of the size of one’s finger, which I had
cut in it; I was obliged, after loosening the contents with a stick,
to get them out by friction with shot and water well shaken on the
inside. Lastly, to please my wife, I undertook the labour of a set
of plates for her use. Fritz and Jack engaged to make hives for
the bees, and nests for the pigeons and hens. For this last object
they took the largest gourds, and cut a hole in front, the size of
the animal for whose use it was intended. The pigeons’ nests were
intended to be tied to the branches of our tree; those for the hens,
the geese, and the ducks, were to be placed between its roots, or on
the seashore, and to represent a sort of hencoop.
Our work, added to the heat of the day, had made us all thirsty;
but we found nothing on this spot like our _fountain_ plants, as we
had named them. The boys entreated me to go with them in different
directions, and try to find some water, not daring by themselves to
venture further into the wood.
Ernest with great eagerness proposed relieving me of this trouble,
and putting himself in my place. It was not long before we heard him
calling loudly to us, and saw him returning in great alarm.--“Run
quick, father,” said he, “here is an immense wild boar.”
I then cried out to the boys to call the dogs quickly. “Halloo, here,
Turk! Flora!” The dogs arrived full gallop. Ernest was our leader,
and conducted us to the place where he saw the boar; but it was gone,
and we saw nothing but a plot of roots which appeared to have been
ransacked by the animal. We soon heard the cry of the dogs; for they
had overtaken the runaway, and soon after the most hideous growling
assailed our ears from the same quarter. We advanced with caution,
holding our guns in readiness to fire together the instant the animal
should be within the proper distance. Presently the spectacle of the
two brave creatures attacking him on the right and left presented
itself; each held one of his ears between its teeth. But it was not
a boar, but our own sow which had run away and so long been lost!
After the first surprise we could not resist a hearty laugh; and then
we hastened to disencumber our old friend of the teeth of her two
adversaries. But here the attention of all was attracted to a kind
of small potato which we observed lying thick on the grass around
us, and which had fallen from some trees which appeared loaded with
the same production: our sow devoured them greedily, thus consoling
herself for the pain and fright the dogs had occasioned her.
The fruit was of different colours, and extremely pleasing to the
eye. Fritz expressed his apprehension that it was the poisonous apple
called the mancenilla; but the sow ate them with so much eagerness,
and the tree which bore them having neither the form nor foliage
ascribed by naturalists to the mancenilla, that I doubted the truth
of his idea. I desired my sons to put some of the fruit in their
pockets, to make an experiment with them upon the monkey. We now
again, from extreme thirst, began to recollect our want of water, and
determined to seek for some in every direction. Jack sprang off, and
sought among the rocks, hoping that he should discover some little
stream: but scarcely had he left the wood than he bawled to us that
he had found a crocodile.
“A crocodile!” cried I, with a hearty laugh; “you have a fine
imagination, my boy! Who ever saw a crocodile on such scorching rocks
as these, and with not a drop of water near? Now, Jack, you are
surely dreaming....”
“Not so much of a dream as you may think, father,” answered Jack,
trying to speak in a low voice; “fortunately he is asleep; he lies
here on a stone at his full length; do, father, step here, and look
at it; it does not stir in the least.”
We stole softly to the place where the animal lay; but instead
of a crocodile, I saw before me a large sort of lizard, named by
naturalists _Leguana_, or _Yguana_, an animal by nature of a mild
character, and excellent as food. Instantly all were for seizing him,
and presenting so rare a prize to their mother. Fritz was already
taking aim with his gun: but I prevented him, observing that the
animal being protected by a coat of scales, it might be difficult to
destroy him, and that he is known to be dangerous, if approached,
when angry. “Let us try,” said I, “another sort of experiment; as he
is asleep, we need not be in a hurry.”
I cut a stout stick from a bush, to the extremity of which I tied a
string with a running knot. I guarded my other hand simply with a
little switch, and thus with cautious steps approached the creature.
When I was very near to him, I began to whistle a lively air, taking
care to make the sounds low at first, and to increase in loudness
till the lizard was awaked. The creature appeared entranced with
pleasure as the sounds fell upon his ear; he raised his head to
receive them still more distinctly, and looked round on all sides to
discover from whence they came. I now advanced by a step at a time,
without a moment’s interval in the music, which fixed him like a
statue to the place. At length I was near enough to reach him with
my switch, with which I tickled him gently, still continuing to
whistle, one after the other, the different airs I could recollect.
The lizard was bewildered by the charms of the music: the attitudes
he threw himself into were expressive of a delirious voluptuousness;
he stretched himself at full length, made undulating motions with
his long tail, threw his head about, raised it up, and by this sort
of action disclosed the formidable range of his sharp-pointed teeth,
which were capable of tearing us to pieces if we had excited his
hostility. I dexterously seized the moment of his raising his head,
to throw my noose over him. When this was accomplished, the boys
drew near also, and wanted instantly to draw it tight and strangle
him at once; but this I positively forbade, being unwilling to cause
the poor animal so unmerited a suffering. I had used the noose only
to make sure of him, in case it should happen that a milder mode of
killing him, which I intended to try, failed of success, in which
case I should have looked to the noose for protection; but this
was rendered unnecessary. Continuing to whistle my most affecting
melodies, I seized a favorable moment to plunge my switch into one of
his nostrils. The blood flowed in abundance, and soon deprived him of
life, without his exhibiting the least appearance of being in pain;
on the contrary, to the last moment, he seemed to be still listening
to the music.
We had now to consider of the best way for transporting to Falcon’s
Stream so large and valuable a booty. After a moment of reflection,
I perceived that I had better come at once to the determination
of carrying him across my shoulders; and the figure I made with so
singular an animal on my back, with his tail dragging on the ground,
was not the least amusing circumstance of the adventure.
We were proceeding in our return, when we distinguished the voices
of my wife and little Francis calling loudly upon my name. Our long
absence had alarmed them: we had forgotten on this occasion to give
them notice of our approach by firing our gun, and they had imagined
some terrible disaster must have befallen us. We had so many things
to tell, that, till reminded by my wife, we forgot to mention that we
had failed of procuring any water. My sons had taken out some of the
unknown apples from their pockets, and they lay on the ground by our
sides. Knips soon scented them, and came slily up and stole several,
and fell to chewing them with great eagerness. I myself threw one or
two to the bustard, who also ate them without hesitation. Being now
convinced that the apples were not of a poisonous nature, I announced
to the boys, who had looked on with envy all the time, that they
also might begin to eat them, and I myself set the example. We found
them excellent in quality, and I began to suspect that they might
be the sort of fruit called _guava_, which is much esteemed in such
countries. This regale of the apples had in some measure relieved our
thirst; but on the other hand, they had increased our hunger; and
as we had not time for preparing a portion of the lizard, we were
obliged to content ourselves with the cold provisions we had brought
with us.
We had scarcely finished, before my wife earnestly entreated we would
begin our journey home, and it appeared to me, as the evening was so
far advanced, that it would be prudent to return this once without
the sledge, which was heavy laden, and the ass could have drawn it
but slowly. I therefore determined to leave it on the spot till the
following day, when I could return and fetch it, contenting myself
with loading the ass, for the present, with the bags which contained
our new sets of porcelain; the lizard, which I feared might not keep
fresh so long; and our little Francis, who began to complain of being
tired. I took these arrangements upon myself, and left to my wife and
Fritz the care of confining the bustard in such a manner that she
could walk before us without danger of escaping.
When these preparations were complete, our little caravan was put in
motion, taking the direction of a straight line to Falcon’s Stream.
The course of our route now lay along a wood of majestic oaks, and
the ground was covered with acorns. My young travellers could not
refrain from tasting them; and finding them both sweet and mild to
the palate, I had the pleasure of reckoning them as a new means of
support.
We arrived shortly at Falcon’s Stream, and had time to employ
ourselves in some trifling arrangements before it was completely
dark. We concluded the exertions of the day with a plain repast, and
the contriving a comfortable bed for the bustard by the side of the
flamingo, and then stretched our weary limbs upon the homely couch,
rendered by fatigue luxurious, in the giant tree.