Swiss Family Robinson

ight proved as cold as the day had been hot, but we managed to sleep com

that in the quiet interval while yet our children slept, we might take counsel together on our situation and prospects. It was plain to both of us that in the fir

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

akening the children cheerfully. `Come and

ing, `we can but set on the

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, caper

atiguing for you younger ones, and this place seems perfectly safe. Fritz and I will go alone this time, with one of

weapon. I left him alone for a short time, but at length I gave him leave to take anoth

entreated some biscuit of his mother, declaring that he would rather go without the rest of his breakfast to make his peace with the dogs. He accordingly carried them some biscuit, stroked and caressed them, and in every motion seemed to ask their pardon. As of all animals, without excepting

ried Jack, `for I meant to give it

Fritz, in addition, sticking a pair of pistols in his belt, and I a small hatchet in mine; breakfast being over,

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

ssage, and there was no corresponding path on the other side. I was glad to see this, however, for I now knew that my wife 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

hen we were much alarmed on hearing behind us a rustling, and on looking round, we saw the grass waving to and fro, as if some animal

however, no savage beast rushed out, but our trusty dog Turk, whom, in our anxiety at parting, we had forgotten, and who had been sent after us doubtless by my thoughtful wife. I did

us unawares: we therefore hastened to make our way to the open seashore. Here the scene which presented itself was indeed delightful. A backgr

ons, but not the mark of a footstep could we find. `Shall I fire a shot or tw

replied, `or any sava

h diligently, but as

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

almost without a hope of benefit to them, why should we not

replied. `The saving of the life of a man is a more exalted action than contributing to the comfort of a few quadrupeds, whom we have already supplied

he water's edge; here we halted to rest, seating ourselves under a large tree, by a ri

d Fritz and I gazed up at them. My son suddenly started up.

o stumbled over a small round object which he handed to me, remarking, as

ot remember reading that a cocoanut is enclosed within a round, fibrous covering over a hard shell, which again is surrounded by a bulky green hull? In the one you hold in your hand, t

pen the nut, but, to our disgust,

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 favourable soi

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

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

ch the kernel was not dried up. It was a little oily and rancid, but this was not the time to be too particular. We were so refres

dinner' refers to

ore beyond, and found an open view, the forest sweeping inland, while on the space before us stood at intervals single trees of remarkable appearance. These at

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

. `I am quite sure this rind would be burnt

ptied of its contents, it is 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,

pocket a piece of string, which I tied tightly round a gourd, as near one end of it as I could; then tapping the string with the back of my knife, it penetrated

itz. `What in the world pu

h savages adopt, as I have learn

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

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

venient bottle though, father;

must tie a bandage round the young gourd while it is still on the tree, and then all will swell but that part which you have check

gourds I have seen in E

ecies, and what you have se

tretching some way into the sea, from whose rocky summit I knew that we should obtain a good and comprehensive view of the surrounding country. With lit

wo shadowy promontories; enclosed by these two arms lay a sheet of rippling water, which reflected in its depths the glorious sun above. Th

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

this, we had to pass through a dense thicket of reeds, no pleasant or easy task; for, besides the di

than my gun. I had carried it but a little way, when I noticed a thick juice exuding from one end. I tasted

th the juice. He carefully touched the cane with the tip of his tongue, then, finding the juice sweet, he did so again with less hesitation; and a moment afterwards sprang back to

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

shed 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 disport

ne of the poor beasts. `Stay,' cried I, `never take the life of any animal needlessly. A live mon

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

ned, drawing it through the holes which I pierced. The milk of a cocoanut has not a pleasant flavor, but it is excellent for quenc

t far from being satisfied, the poor beast began to gnaw the ends of the sugar-canes, and to beg for cocoanut. I slung a couple of

r a while carried them under his arm, and finally stopped short with a sigh. `I had no idea,' he said, `that a few reeds would be so heavy. How s

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

d. Fritz presently noticed that I from

`that's a capital p

o that

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 could not flow; he talked of the pleasure of in

in the very fibrous pulp, and the cane must be crushed, and its juice cooked and repeatedly refined, to make

he chances are it will be vinegar by the time we get home. In the he

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

, laughing as he ta

xercise moderation

icious, but it will

deep into

cannot think how good

! This is like

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

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

k when the dog flew at her, had hindered her flight; the little creature attempted

rned, and a laughable scene ensued, for no sooner did the young monkey catch sight of him than at one bound it was on his shoulders, and, holding fast by his thick curly hair, it firmly kept its seat in spit

s awkward predicament. Indeed, I told Fritz that the animal, having lost its mother, seemed determi

who shrinks from the idea of ill-treating an animal which has thrown itself on his protection. But fa

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

rom the feast, but I could not grudge it him, and reminded Fritz that continued hunger might have made Turk dangerous to ours

will soon regard your little monkey as a member of our family. But we must not discourage him from his fancy for attacking wild beasts. Heaven has bestowed the dog on man to be his s

possession of two such creatures; but what a pity that the horse

tely he is large and strong. We may train him to do us the same services as are performed by the horse; and it

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

f him, and scrambled down into Fritz's arms, which was so inconven

d, and then putting a second string round the dog's neck that he might lead him, he put a loop of the knot into

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

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 goodwill, that his little rider, terrified at the noise his steed was making, slipped from under the

es came running to the opposite bank, testifying in various ways their delight at our return, and hastening up on their side of the river, as we on ours, t

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

g listened to. `I am truly thankful to see you all safe and well, and, thank God, our expedition has

that we are all together in safety. I have been uneasy since you left, and imagined a thousand evils that might bese

res, and let us relieve you of your b

g Ernest his gun replaced the monkey on Turk's hack. Ernest soon found the burden with which Fritz had laden him too heavy to his taste. His mother, perc

parting with; did you really intend to hand over t

rnest, `I thought they were bowls! Do let me t

e with a smile. `I have no wish

these sticks, which are of no use,

particular regard for those heavy useless

o suck vigorously at the end of the cane with no better resu

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

ghted than the children with this discovery; the sight of the dishes also plea

ng-looking fish, opposite them hung a goose from a similar contrivance, slowly roasting while the gravy dropped into a large shell placed beneath it. Franz gave the spit another turn, assuring me he had been

the poultry until our stock should have increased, when she, perceiving my thought, quickly r

e bill is, you see, narrow and curved downwards, and the feet are webbed. It had funny little bits of useless wings, and its eyes looked so solemnly and sedately at me, that I was a

n my wife interrupted me and begged us to come to dinner and continue our natural history conversation at some fut

ntly saw by his countenance that the liquor had passed thr

lready but no vinegar; I am really pleased at the transformation. Mixed with the fat which has fallen fr

e taste of the fish. We did full justice to the appetizing meal prepared for us, our gourds coming for

ng to persuade the monkey to taste dainty morsels of the food we had been eating. `The poor l

the shells in half, thus providing several more useful basins. The monkey was perfectl

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

ltry warned us that a foe was approaching. Fritz and I sprang up, and seizing our guns rushed out. There we found a desperate combat going on, our gallant dogs, surro

another of the animals, regardless of their near relationship. Fritz wished to save one of the jackals that he might be able to show it to his brothers in the morning; dragging therefore the one that he had shot ne

t be made. This is of absolute necessity, at least, if we would not be deprived of the livestock and other useful things, all of which from moment to moment we risk losing by the first heavy sea. What ought we first to resolve on? F

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

his jackal; it was cold and stiff from the night air, and he placed it on its legs befor

disposed of its brethren in the night, but Fritz called them off. The noise the dogs made, however, had the effect

dog!' cr

' exclai

riped fox,'

`The greatest men m

t know a jackal w

rnest, examining the anim

tz, `no doubt you know better than y

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

k into the tent, and hid itself in a heap of moss until nothing was visible but the tip of its little nose. Jack soothed a

o dry and hard, that, hungry as we were, we could not swallow much. Fritz and I took some cheese to help them down, w

few whelks. `Ah,' said he,

er eat a bit of cheese with my biscuit at once, than think of ifs, which bring us

ge cask, `that barrel contains excellent salt butter. I made a little opening in i

hole, so that I could extract the butter without exposing the mass of it to the effects of the air and heat. Filling a cocoanu

ed that it arose from a different cause; the faithful animals had not escaped unhurt from their late combat, but had received several deep and painful wounds, especially about the neck. The dog

tz, `is a spiked collar for each of the dogs, as a protection to them shou

I can make spiked collars, if

ur mother to assist you; and now, Fritz,' I continued, `we mus

all of us must remember that we may make as many new inventions as we can think of. We cannot better em

s with my wife that we might exchange communications, asked a blessing on our enterprise. I erected a signal-post, and while Fritz was making preparations for our departure, hoisted

and embarked. Except our guns and ammunition we were taking nothing, that we might leave as much space as possible for the stowag

great, I succeeded in steering the boat into the favourable stream, which carried us nearly three-fourths of our passage with little or no trouble to our

that the poor beasts were hungry, for they were all still well supplied with food, but they were apparently pleased b

lk with evident relish, chattering and grinning all the while; the monkey provided for, we refres

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

u think of this at so critical a time, whe

wind blew strong in my face, towards land, the current continued to carry us out. Now, as the current will be of no use in our way back, I was thinking that we might make the win

s that might risk our sinking or force us to throw supplies overboard.' I chose a stout spar to serve as a mast, and having made a h

the mast-head with a red streamer, to give our vessel a more finished appearance. Smiling at this childish but natural vanity, I complied with his request

he shore with his glass, and soon announced

signalled our intention of remaining on board, and then spent the rest of our time in taking out the

able article we could desire in our present situation; our only difficulty indeed was to make a wise sele

pons, we added three excellent guns, and a whole armful of swords, daggers and knives. We remembered that knives

, and supplied ourselves with potted meats, portable soups, Westphalian hams, sausages, a bag of maize and wheat, and a quantity of

and moss the boys had collected, had been both cold and hard, and pr

pleted our cargo, and sank our boat so low, that I should

ed us that all was well. We replied by hoisting four ship's lan

t complete her destructions. We resigned ourselves to sleeping in our small boat, which appeared safer than the great vessel. S

passed away. At daybreak Fritz and I arose, and went on deck. I brought the telescope to bear upon the shore, and with pleasure saw the flag still wavin

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

next concern is for the animals on board. Let us endeavour to sav

suggested Fritz, `and get them all on

remain motionless and quiet? The sheep and goats one might perhaps find means to remove, they

throw her without ceremony into the sea. Her immense bulk will be sure to

the pig;* and she is the one I care least about preserving.' In fact, I had

ough swimming against the strong current would have been diffi

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 Fritz

r the other with a similar contrivance. The cow and ass gave us more trouble than did the others. For them we required something m

to be launched. After some maneuvering we got him in a convenient position, and then a sudden heave sent h

ally thought we should be obliged to abandon her. Indeed, we found it necessary to put a muzzle on her to prevent her from biting before we could tie a large piece of cork under her body. At length, after

e been for us to have succeeded in our enterprise without the aid of a sail; the weight of the goods sank the boat so low in the water that none of our exertions would have allowed us to row such a distance. But with the sail, we proceeded

ting it at a huge shark. The monster was making for one of the finest sheep; he turned on his side to seize his prey; as the whit

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

stepped on land, but a few moments afterwards the

proceeded to release our herd from their swimming belts, which, though so useful in the water, were exc

e at least of them from a most fearful death.' And I then told them how bravely he had encountered the shark. My wife was delighted with her

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

, even for a moment; you will have riding practis

n 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 call

d I, `but where did you get you

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

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

,' retorted Jack, `it is your nasty j

p your brother to drag the carcase to the sea, and if your b

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

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 towards making a su

had left there; then, having collected our herd of animals (except for the sow, which ran away

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 a

ur adventures, and then begged she would remember her p