The Swiss Family Robinson

se-We visit Falconhurst-Attend to our fruit trees-Athletics-The lasso-An excursion-A bustard captured-Ernest discovers a magician-Jack fights him-The Liane Rouge-

ained within it. Above all, I was bent on acquiring possession of the beautiful pinnace, and aware that our united efforts would

hfully promised never to pass a night on board. I did so with reluctanc

a party, and merrily carried provision b

ed the marsh there, and having fed them and seen they were thriving well, we buckled on each his

ame first to hand, and load the raft to be ready for our retur

most un-get-at-able position at the further end of the hold, stowed in so confined and narrow a space, that it was impossible to think of fitting the p

ummaging out anything they liked to carry awa

perceived how carefully every part of the pinnace was arranged and marked with numbers, so that if only I could b

cried, as my sons came to see what plan I had devised, for so great was

eak down the compartment a

ad to acknowledge than an immense amount of labor and perseverance would be required before we could call ourselves th

se and pleasure, we found the mother and little Franz at Tentholm awaiting us. She had resolved to take up her quarters there during the time we sho

ith her plan, "and we shall work with the greater diligence, th

ur stores, is it not?" and he and his brothers exhibited two small casks of butter,

n space round the pinnace, and then putting the parts together. We started early

pinnace stood actually ready to be launched, but imprison

eze. I could not bear to think that our success so far should be followed by failure and disappointment. Yet no possible means of setting her free could I

ced, that when it exploded it should blow out the side of the vessel next from which the pinnace lay. Then securing it with chains, that the recoil might do no damage, I told the boys I was going ashore earlier than u

ept her ready to put off at a moment's notice; my anxiety was unobserved by anyone, as I listened

and then, in fear and wonder, looked to me for some explanation. "Perhaps," said the mother, as I did not

ow when we were caulking the seams of the pinnace. I shall g

to reassure my wife by whispering a few words of explanation, and then joining

eckage-all seemed in ruins; and the compartment where the pinnace rested was fully revealed to view. There sat the little beauty, to all appearance uninjured; and the boys, whose attention was taken up with the melancholy scene of ruin and confusion ar

lped to make was on purpose to blow it up!" cried they; and eagerly they followed me into the shattered opening, where, to my intense satisf

cts of the explosion, and in the explanation I gave t

e descent, and then, all hands putting their shoulders to the work, the pinnace began to slide from the stocks, and finally slipped gently and steadily into the water, where she floated as if conscious it was her native element; while we, wild with excitement, cheered and waved enthusiastically

s about the pinnace. It was wonderful what martial ardor was awakened by the possession of a vessel armed with two real gun

tless be, we should have good cause to thank God if their fi

prise we were preparing for her had dawned upon my wife, and I permitted the b

r. I stood at the helm, Ernest and Jack manned the guns, and Fritz gave the word of command, "Fire!" Bang! bang!

d we could plainly see their alarm and astonishment; but speedily recognizi

frightened me out of my wits! To see a beautiful little ship come sailing in was startling enough, for I could not conceive who might be on board, but the report of your guns made me tremble with fear-and had I not recognized your voices directly after, I should h

dustry, skill, and perseverance met with boundless praise: "Now," said my wife, "you must co

walks; and she continued, "We don't frighten people by firing salutes in honor of our performances; although, by and by, I too shall want fire in a peaceable form. L

s beautiful! You have done wonders!

rrigate them, by leading water from the cascades in hollow bamboos. Up by the sheltering rocks I mean to have pine-apples and melons; they will look splendid when they are spread there. To shelter the be

s sunset approaches, we must return to the tent for sup

successful labor, as well as experiencing the joy of affording unexpected pleasure to others; and I especial

should like you to attend to the little fruit trees. I fear they have been too much neglected. I have wat

do not ask me to give up the sea altogether, I most willingly agree to your request, and wi

d in order, and carefully covered with sailcloths, fastened down by pegs all round. The pinnace being provided with an anchor, was properly moored

oon comfortably reestablished in that charming abode, its peaceful shade seeming

, and the welcome Day of Rest now returned again, to b

rers to any long-winded discourse, but they were interested in the Bible reading and simple instructions

them they must keep up the practice of these things, so as to grow strong, active men, powerful to repel and cope with danger, as well as agile an

the large blue eyes looked inquiringly up at him, "brave to do what is good and right, and to hate

, I encouraged them by saying I meant to prepare a curious new weapon for them, only they must promise n

o each end and had instantly to answer a storm o

nd is swung round and round the mounted hunter's head, and then cast with skill and precision toward the animal he wishes to strike; immediately drawing it back, he can repeat the blow, and either kill or wound his prey. Frequently, however, the intention is to take

nce! Will you try it now? There is th

upon a live subject, but consented to make a trial of sk

ve no doubt whatever as to the feasibility of the wonderful performances I described; and I was assa

ishes were speedily gratified, and las

esides having, of course, the greatest muscu

erceived that a gale of wind was getting up. From the height of our t

on pinnace, safely moored in the harbor, and recollected that

ir amusements. The good mother had much to show me demandin

en snared, partly cooked, and preserved in lard.

npromising condition of her dear little fruit trees, for, having been forgotten, they were s

terward an excursion to the Calabash Wood, in order to manufactu

mpleted until toward evening; and then all sorts of arrangements were made for an early start next day. The mother and Franz were to be o

tir, and everything quick

d drawn by the donkey, was to be used for carrying home our gour

d the procession, cla

ed, and behind trotted Juno, not in very good spirits, poor dog! because Ma

ne loaded with shot for game, another with

lay extended in all its beauty and fertility before our eyes. It was ne

ty, it sprung to its feet, and, unable to fly, rushed away with extraordinary speed, hotly pursued by the excited dog, while Fritz ran, panting, in the same direction, and Juno, eager to join the chase, sprang aside so suddenly that her rider was flung unceremo

ificent bustard, struggled and fought fiercely. Watching my opportunity, I threw a large handkerchief over it, and with difficulty su

?" cried the boys, starting up at our app

y, don't you remember, mother? Ah, ha! old f

bustard; it is the mo

st likely the same, and I know she had a brood of young birds, and now th

and I dare say Mrs. Bustard here has forgotten all about them. Besides, she is badly wounded, and we must try to cure th

ve, which was the scene of the tragi-comic adventure

m, gazing in fixed admiration at the grand height of the stem, and its beautiful, graceful crown of leaves. The cluster of nuts

gh! I wish one w

ords, than, as if by magic, dow

ng aside, looking timidly upward, wh

e of the wishing-cap!" cried Ernest.

away than to bestow dainty gifts upon us," said I. "I think there is most li

aps old ones, and had fallen, in consequence,

tree, we all surrounded it, gaping

e! what can it be? flat, round, as big as a plate, and with a pair

at it boldly, when it suddenly dropped the remaining distance, and opening its great claws, sidled after him with considerable rapidity, upon which he fairly turned tail and ran. We all burst into a roar of laughter, which soon made him face about, and then, to our infinite amusement, the l

him with my hatchet, I struck several sharp blows on his bundle, whi

been so hideous, I should not have dealt so severely wit

since it takes the trouble to climb the trees for them; the difficulty of getting at the kernel, too, is considerable. You showed no little presence of mind, Jack, when you thought of catching it in your jac

m. Ernest was behind, and by-and-by called me back to see what proved to be an important discovery; from the several stalks of one of these creepers flowed clear cold w

he showed it to her, "how cheering and refreshing to find this if one were lost and alone

n it is safe to dri

hirst of the whole party, including our animals. This they did, only findin

and singular fruit caused much surprise and also amusement, for we were speedily established among the trees, where, as I chose and cut down the gourds most likely to be use

es, and attended to the hungry animals, unharnessing the ass to graze, and giving cocoanut milk to the poor little monkey, who had been obliged to travel in a covered basket for some time, lest he should be lost in the woods. The

had brought, so the boys proposed to go in search of a spring. I agreed to accompany them; Ernest also wished to join us, and a

ready to fire!" And we pressed through the bushes to the spot where Ernest had seen the creature. The ground was grubbed up, and some potatoes lay about, showing that we had disturbed him at his midday meal. Ernest and Jack were more disposed to gather the roots than to follow up the chase. Fritz and I alone went after the dogs, who eagerly pushed on, and by the sounds

e discovery was quite a shock, and we felt half angry with the creature who had disappointed us; then the absurdity of the whole thing made us laugh heartily, and calling off t

ose we had required help," cried Fritz

a sort of a kind of presentiment that this was going t

ted by Ernest, who drew our attention to fruit resembling app

might be the poisonous manchineel, against which I once warned them, but on examining it, I was induced to pronounce a more favorable opinion

nd our own thirst increasing, we felt eager to p

hich rose above the thickets, when he suddenly startled us

s, in this dry, parched forest, where we

e largest of the lizard species, and a truly formidable-looking fellow. I was glad to assure Jack that the strange creature he ha

"would probably only wound the animal, and being extremely tenacious of life, it woul

ss it, are you, father?"

a cord and running-noose to a stout stick, and holding a light switch in my other hand, I began t

e and more distinctly as I drew near the lizard; until, awaking, it seemed to listen with pl

to whistle the prettiest tunes I could think of; and the lizard gave signs of plea

when Jack received such a blow from its tail, which was furiously driving in all directions, as sent him rolling over like a ninepin. At the same time he opened his jaws, when the boys took fright at the row of sharp teeth, and thinking

as well as of the means by which the lizard was slain, called forth great admiration, since they had

a great dislike to killing any creature and leaving it useless behind me;

; for indeed our protracted absence alarmed them. We shouted joyously in reply, and our appearance, as we issued from the

yly possessed himself of some of our new-found apples, was discovered munching away and enjoying them amazingly-which instantly gave the boys a strong wish to eat some also; and as the bustard lik

petites, and we were glad to eat the provisions we had brought from h

sledge and the greater part of its load, but to leave it until the next day. The ass was laden with the

lay numberless acorns, some of which we gathered as we went along; and

strength by eating heartily of a piece of broiled iguana, with