The Swiss Family Robinson

st"-Natural history of a cocoanut-Calabash trees-The use of gourds-How to make a bottle-A lovely but lonely scene-Sugar-canes-Monkeys of use-Cocoanut milk turned to champagne-Turk kills an unfortunate

s for our herd-We embark-Encounter

gilant cock, which, as he loudly saluted the rising moon, was the last sound I heard at night, roused me at daybreak, and I then awoke my wife, that in the quiet interval while yet our children slept, we might take counsel together on

Fritz and I should start on an expedition with these objects in view, w

akening the children cheerfully. "Come and

ng, "we can but set on the p

ne lobster!" replied I. "W

r. You see, I thought, as the dogs seem to like good things

ss Jack will learn wisdom in time. It is well the lobster is so lar

hildren were wild with delight, and caperi

as this would be too dangerous and fatiguing for you younger ones. Fritz and I

f pistols in his belt, and I a small hatchet in mine; breakfast being over, we stowed away the

have still left somethi

not," sa

o whom we owe all things." Then having commended ourselves to his protecting care, I took leave of my wife and children, and bidding them not w

cade, and where several large rocks lay half covered by the water; by means of these we succeeded in crossing the stream in safety. We thus had the sea on our left, and a long line of rocky heights, here and there adorned with clumps of trees, stretching away inland to the right. We had forced our way scarcely fifty yards through the long rank grass, which was here partly withered by the sun and much tangled, when we heard behind us a rustling, and on looking round saw the grass waving to and fro, as i

our way to the open seashore. Here the scene which presented itself was indeed delightful. A background of hills, the green waving grass, the pleasant groups of trees stretching here an

Fritz; "that would bring our comp

s that may be here. No, no; let us search

them at all? They left us to shift for ourselves,

again, they might be of great assistance to us in building a house of some sort; and lastly, you

d to rest, seating ourselves under a large tree, by a rivulet which murmured and splashed along its pebbly bed into

ddenly st

imed; "I am nearly s

so stumbled over a round substance, which he handed to me, remarking, as

t necessarily conclude that every round hairy thing is a b

, to our disgust, found th

ught a cocoanut was full of delicio

e is solidified into a kernel. This kernel then dries as you see here, but when the nut falls on favorable soil

to get through this great thick shell, which is not like an al

k here, do you see these three round holes near the stalk? it is through

btained one in which the kernel was not dried up. When we succeeded, however, we were so refreshed by the fruit

r a passage with our hatchets, we again emerged on the seashore beyond, and found an open view, the fore

tz's observant eye, and he

s, father! See what strange b

stems, and is a species of gourd, from the hard rind of which bowls, spoons, and bottles can be made. "The savages," I remar

z. "I am quite sure this rind would be burn

ptied of its contents, it was filled with water, into which the fish, or whatever is to be cooked, is put; red

mple too. I daresay I should have hi

end when he had shown them how to do it. But now suppose we prepare some o

in vain: the blade slipped, and the calabash was cut jaggedly. "What a nuisance!" said Fritz,

ieces are not useless. Do you try to fashion fr

d; then tapping the string with the back of my knife, it penetrated the outer shell. When this was accomplished,

itz. "What in the world pu

the negroes adopt, as I have lea

late too," said Fritz, examining the gourd. "But supposing yo

e end, then to scoop out the interior, and to drop in several shot or stones; when these are shaken, any re

venient bottle though, father;

unger. To give it a neck, for instance, you must tie a bandage round the young gourd whi

and left them to dry; marking the spot th

ry. With little difficulty we reached the top, but the most careful survey of the beautiful landscape failed to show us the slightest sign or trace of human beings. Before us stretched a wide and lovely bay, fringed with yellow sands, either side extending into the distance, and almost lost

ct to be so entirely alone-but what matters a few people, more or less? With God's help, let us endeavor to live here contentedly, thankful that we were not c

ut one of the reeds, thinking it would be a more useful weapon against a reptile than my gun. I had carried it but a little way, when I noticed a thick juice exuding from one end. I tasted it, and to my delight found it sweet and pleasant. I at once knew that I was standing amongst sugar-canes. Wishing Fritz to make the same discove

ow delicious, how delightful! do let us take a lot hom

in all things, remember. Cut some to take home if you li

ushed through the cane-brake, and reached the clump of palms for which we had been making; as we entered it a troop of monkeys, who had been dispo

ent gestures that he raised his gun and

essly. A live monkey up in that tree is of more use to us

nes did not go near them, but influenced by their instinctive mania for imitation, they insta

e hatchet, ate the cream which lined their shells. After this delicious meal, we thoroughly despised the lobster we had been carrying, and threw it to Turk, who ate it gratefully; but far from being satisfied, the poor beas

he shifted them from shoulder to shoulder, then for a while carried them under his arm, and fin

nd his breadbasket, how heavy he found it when he started, and how light at the end of his j

d. Fritz presently noticed that I from

's a capital plan of yours

t a drop of the juice could he extract. "How is thi

apable as I am of finding out the way, even if y

ying to suck marrow from a marrow-bone,

the end of your tube, and expect the air to force down the

fresh cut at each joint or knot in the cane, through which the juice would not flow; he talked of the pleasure of in

the chances are it is vinegar by the time we get home. In the hea

getting on," cried Fritz, hastily swinging the flask from his shoulder, and tuggi

have to exercise moderation again, friend Fritz! I daresay it is delic

w good it is! Do take some. Vinegar,

r it, that the distance to the place where we had left our gourd-dishes seemed l

roop of monkeys, which were gamboling playfully on the turf at a little distance from the trees. They were taken by surprise complete

gerly rushed to the rescue, flinging away all he was carrying, and losing his hat in his haste. All to no purpose as far as the poor mother ape was concerned, and a laughable scene ensued, for no sooner did the young monkey catch sight of him, than at one bound it was on his shoulde

ne, that I could scarcely assist my terr

s small sinewy paws from the curls it grasped so tightly, I managed to relieve poor Fritz, w

nut milk would do until we can bring the cow and the goats from the wreck. If he lives he might be u

urself to save the mother's life; now you must train her child carefully, for unle

I could not grudge it him, and continued hunger might have made him dangerous to ourselves.

to carry his canes, and we were on some distance before Turk overtook us, looking unc

himself of his burden. Calling Turk, and seriously enjoining obedience, he seated the monkey on his back, securing it there with a cord, and then putting a second string round th

and by they yielded to it quietly; the monkey especially amuse

way to a fair with animals to exhibit," said I. "W

h led to a good deal of talk on the subject, and conversation beguiling the way, we foun

such hearty good will, that his little rider, terrified at the noise his steed was making, slipped from under th

finding himself free dashed forward to r

r return, and hastening up on their side of the river, as we on ours, to the ford at which we had crossed in the

which was clinging close to their brother, in a

nd him? What may we give him to eat? Oh, what a bundle of

fused torrent of questions, nor

ng listened to. "I am truly thankful to see you all safe and well, and, thank God, our expedition ha

e us alone on this solitary place, let us be conte

res, and let us relieve you of your b

g Ernest his gun replaced the monkey on Turk's back. Ernest soon found the burden with which Fritz had laden him too heavy for his taste. His mother perce

parting with; did you really intend to hand over t

" cried Ernest. "Do let me take them

e with a smile. "I have no wish

these sticks, which are of no use

articular regard for those heavy, useless

o suck vigorously at the end of the cane, with no better res

ck of it," and he speedily set all the young

on either side of the fire; on these rested a rod from which hung several tempting looking fish; opposite them hung a goose from a similar contrivance, slowly roasting while the gravy dropped into a large shell placed beneath it. In the center sat the great pot, from which issued the smell of a most delicious soup. To crown this sple

eet, which I preserved to show you; the bill is, you see, narrow and curved downward, and the feet are webbed. It had funny little bits of usele

nd begged us to come to dinner, and continue our natural history conversation at some future time. We then sat down before the appetizing me

g to persuade the monkey to taste dainty morsels of the food we had been eating; "the poor li

ed with the milk, and eagerly sucked the corner of a handkerchief dipped in it. Fritz now suddenly recollected his delicious wine, and producing his flask, begged his mother to tast

ned the cause of his wry faces, "we have wine already; bu

warned us that we must follow their example. Having offered up our prayers, we lay down on

nded by a dozen or more large jackals, were fighting bravely. Four of their opponents lay dead, but the others were in no way deterred by the fate of their comrades. Fritz and I, however, sent bullets through the heads of a couple more, and the rest galloped off. Turk and Juno did not intend that they should escape so cheaply, and

row next morning, when my wife and I awoke,

left there, and bring on shore many articles of infinite value to us, which, if we do not now recover, we may finally lose entirely. On the oth

verance will help us through all our work, and I agree with you that a visit to the wreck is

-like attitude, and stood by to watch the effect upon the family. The dogs were the first to perceive their enemy, and growling, seemed inclined to dispose of the animal as they had disposed of its brethre

dog!" cr

" exclai

riped fox,"

n may make mistakes. Our Professor do

rnest, examining the anim

tz, "no doubt you know better than y

u are none of you very far wrong, for the jackal part

So severely had we dealt with our supper the previous night that we had little to eat but the biscuits, which were so dry and hard, that, hungry as we were, we could not swallow much. Fritz and I took some cheese to help them down, while my wife and younger sons soaked theirs in water. Ernest roamed down to the shore, and looked about for shell-fish. Presently he ret

them with the good Dutch butter. We found this vastly better than the dry biscuits, and while we were thus employed I noticed that the two dogs were lying unusually quiet by my side. I at first attributed this drowsiness to their large meal during the night, but I soon discovered that it arose from a different cause; the faithful

o make spiked collars for the dogs, they would in future escape such dangerou

n on shore to keep together as much as possible, and having arranged a set of signals with my wife, that we might exchange communications, asked a blessing on our enterprise. I erected a signal post, and, while Fritz was mak

set in directly for the vessel, and though my nautical knowledge was not great, I succeeded in steering the boat into the favorable stream, which carried us nearly three-fourths of our passage with little or no trouble to ourselves; then, by dint of hard pulling, we accomplished the whole distance, and entering through the breach, gladly made fast our boat and stepped on board. Our first care was to see the animals, who greeted us with joy-lowing, bellowing, and bleat

he current which brought us out will not take us back, whereas t

I replied; "let us

s' boats; this we hoisted; and our craft was ready to sail. Fritz begged me to decorate the masthead with a red streamer, to give our vessel a more finished appearance. Smiling at this childish but natural vanity, I complied with his request. I then contrived a r

nly difficulty, indeed, was to make a wise selection. A large quantity of powder and shot we first secured, and as Fritz considered that we could not have too many weapons, we added three excellent guns, and a whole armful of swords, daggers, and knives. We remembered that knives and forks were necessary, we therefore laid in a large stock of them, and kitchen utensils of all sorts. Exploring the captain's cabin, we discovered a service of silver plate and a cella

to us that our signal was perceived; then, with a heartfelt prayer for the safety of our dear ones on shore, we retired to our boat, and Fritz, at all event

bear upon the shore, and with pleasure saw the flag still waving in the morning breeze; while I kept the gla

flag on shore was thrice dipped. Oh, what a weigh

and begin to feel compassion for all these poor beasts. I

uggested Fritz, "and take

nough to say, 'make a raft,' but

g else, unless indeed we make them such sw

joking, indeed," I continued, as I saw him smile; "we

road piece of linen round its belly, and to this attached some corks and empty tins; then, with Frit

his done, the whole herd were ready to start, and we brought the ass to one of the ports to be the first to be launched. After some maneuvering we got him in a convenient position, and then a sudden heave sent him plunging into the sea. He sank, and then, buoyed up by the casks, emerged head and back from the water. The cow, sheep, and goats followed him one after the other, and then the sow alo

float attached to the end, and now embarking, we gathered up these

ones on shore were employing themselves. As I was thus engaged, a sudden shout from Fritz surprised me. I glanced up; there stood Fritz with his gun to his shoulder, pointing it at a huge shark; the monster was mak

rkled at his success and my praise, and reloading his gun carefully watched the water. But the shark did not again appear, and, borne onward by the breeze, we qui

d us. We were thankful to be once more united, and after asking and replying to a few preliminary questions, proceeded to release our herd fro

r you are!

of this plan for bringing off the animals, but saved one, at least, of them from a

d that she would dread our trips to the vessel more than

wimming belt, tried to free him from it. But the donkey would not stand quiet, and the child's fingers were not strong enough to lo

, even for a moment; you will have riding practic

in which he had stuck a couple of pistols and a knife. "And see," he added, "what I have made for the dogs. Here, Juno! Turk!" the dogs came bounding up at his cal

d I, "but where did you get you

supplied us with the skin, and the needles and thread came out of my wonderful bag. You little think how man

olding his nose, begged his little brother to keep at a distance. "Really, Jack," he said, "y

," retorted Jack, "it is your nasty ja

your brother to drag the carcass to the sea, and if your be

r boat. When this was accomplished we started for our tent, and finding n

iling, "let us see if we c

s mother triumphantly, while Ernest set before me

. "Well done, Ernest! w

our adventures; now we will see what they will do toward making a sup

and brought up what of the cargo we had left there; then, ha

was spread a white damask tablecloth, on which were placed knives, forks, spoons, and plates for each person. A tureen of good soup first appeared, followed by

ur adventures, and then begged she would remember her p