The Swiss Family Robinson; or Adventures in a Desert Island

n, in imitation of me, tried to refresh himself by sucking a sugar-cane, but was surprised to find he failed in extracting any of the juice. At last, af

e made to fill this vacuum, and carries the juice along with it; and when this division of the cane is emptied, I can proceed to pierce above the next knot. I am only afraid that going on this way

have filled my flask with the mil

oved from the shell, spoiled sooner than the sugar-cane juice. I warned him th

lder and uncorked it; when the liquor flew

ew manufacture, and said, we

like vinegar, but capital new, sweet, sparkling wine. T

home only vinegar, or something still more offensive. But let us drink each other's health now, but prudently, or we shall soon feel the effects of this potent beverage." Perfectly refreshed, we went on cheerfully to the place where we had left our gourd utensils. We found them quite dry, and hard as bone; we had no difficulty in carrying them in our game-bags. We had scarcely got through the little wood where we had breakfasted, when Turk

shaking could rid him of it. I ran up to him laughing, for I saw the little creature could not hurt him, and tried in vain to disengage

little orphan, which was no bigger than a cat, in my arms, pi

ged to keep it, offering to divide his share of cocoa-nut milk with it till we had our cow

Fritz would have driven him off, but I saw we had not food sufficient to satisf

nd continued to walk after Fritz. The little monkey seemed uneasy at the sight of him, and crept into Fritz's bosom, much to his inconvenience. But a thought struck him; he tied the monkey with a cord to Turk's back, leading the dog by another co

man, as well as the horse, for a friend and protector. Fritz thought we were very fortunate, then, in havin

h we had him here; he is of a very fine bree

to the shoulder of its protector, and would not come down. Turk ran off to meet his companion, and our dear family soon appeared on the opposite shore, shouting with joy at our happy return. We crossed at

little Francis, who wa

aid Jack; "see how he laughs! ho

ts," said Ernest. "Have you f

unpleasant adventu

t replying to so many qu

, though I had brought them all sorts of good things, I

ther now. This day has seemed an age. But put down your loads, and let us hear your adventures;

anes, and placed the monkey on Turk's back, to the amusement of the children. He begged Ernest to carry his gun, but he c

the bowls, if he had known what they contained,

Ernest. "I will carry the

declined

sticks," said he, "and c

observed Fritz, "for the

Fritz, who had to give them the history,

forked stick on each side the hearth; on these rested a long thin wand, on which all sorts of fish were roasting, Francis being intrusted to turn the spit. On the other side was impaled a goose on another spit, and a row of oyster-shells formed the dripping-pan: besides this, the iron pot was on the fire, from which arose the savoury odour of a good soup. Behind the heart

"this is not from our poultry-yard,

knocked it down with a stick. It is web-footed, has a long narrow beak, a little curved downwards. I have pr

more inquiries about the form and habits of the bird, when

shall eat it. What more would you have? Let the poor child

how to open them; and we must not forget the

cried Jack, "and h

nut milk till we could get something better. Jack generously offered all h

must live," said

"Supper is ready, and we will re

emptying them through the natural holes, but I stopped them, and called for a saw. I carefully divided the nuts with this instrument, and soon provided us each with a neat basin for our soup, to the great comfort of my dear wife, who was gratified by seeing us able to eat like civilized beings. Fritz begged now to enliven the repast by introducing his champaign. I consented; requesting him, however, to t

, from the kind attention of the good mother, who had collected a large addition of dried grass. After prayers, we all lay down; the monkey between Jack and Fritz,

he dogs and fowls announced the presence of an enemy.

ls were nearly overpowered by numbers when we arrived. I was glad to find nothing worse than jackals; Fritz and I fired on them; two fell dead, and the others fled slow

l he had killed towards the tent, to save it from the dogs, and to show to his brother

, till the crowing of the cock awoke my wife and m