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Chapter 1 For many days we had been tempest-tossed.
Six times had the darkness closed over a wild and terrific scene, and returning light as
often brought but renewed distress, for the raging storm increased in fury until on the
seventh day all hope was lost. We were driven completely out of our course;
no conjecture could be formed as to our whereabouts. The crew had lost heart, and were utterly
exhausted by incessant labour. The riven masts had gone by the board, leaks
had been sprung in every direction, and the water, which rushed in, gained upon us rapidly.
Instead of reckless oaths, the *** now uttered frantic cries to God for mercy, mingled
with strange and often ludicrous vows, to be performed should deliverance be granted.
Every man on board alternately commended his soul to his Creator, and strove to bethink
himself of some means of saving his life. My heart sank as I looked round upon my family
in the midst of these horrors. Our four young sons were overpowered by terror. ‘Dear children,’
said I, ‘if the Lord will, He can save us even from this fearful peril; if not, let
us calmly yield our lives into His hand, and think of the joy and blessedness of finding
ourselves for ever and ever united in that happy home above.’
At these words my weeping wife looked bravely up, and, as the boys clustered round her,
she began to cheer and encourage them with calm and loving words. I rejoiced to see her
fortitude, though my heart was ready to break as I gazed on my dear ones.
We knelt down together, one after another praying with deep earnestness and emotion.
Fritz, in particular, besought help and deliverance for his dear parents and brothers, as though
quite forgetting himself. Our hearts were soothed by the never-failing
comfort of child-like confiding prayer, and the horrors of our situation seemed less overwhelming.
‘Ah,’ thought I, ‘the Lord will hear our prayer! He will help us.’
Amid the roar of the thundering waves I suddenly heard the cry of ‘Land! land!’, while
at the same instant the ship struck with a frightful shock, which threw everyone to the
deck, and seemed to threaten her immediate destruction.
Dreadful sounds betokened the breaking up of the ship, and the roaring waters poured
in on all sides. Then the voice of the captain was heard above
the tumult, shouting, ‘Lower away the boats! We are lost!’
‘Lost!’ I exclaimed, and the word went like a dagger to my heart; but seeing my children’s
terror renewed, I composed myself, calling out cheerfully, ‘Take courage, my boys!
We are all above
water yet. There is the land not far off, let us do our best to reach it. You know God
helps those that help themselves!’ With that, I left them and went on deck. What was
my horror when through the foam and spray I beheld the only remaining boat leave the
ship, the last of the *** spring into her and push off, regardless of my cries and entreaties
that we might be allowed to share their slender chance of preserving their lives. My voice
was drowned in the howling of the blast, and even had the crew wished it, the return of
the boat was impossible. Casting my eyes despairingly around, I became
gradually aware that our position was by no means hopeless, inasmuch as the stern of the
ship containing our cabin was jammed between two high rocks, and was partly raised from
among the breakers which dashed the fore-part to pieces. As the clouds of mist and rain
drove past, I could make out, through rents in the vaporous curtain, a line of rocky coast,
and, rugged as it was, my heart bounded towards it as a sign of help in the hour of need.
Yet the sense of our lonely and forsaken condition weighed heavily upon me as I returned to my
family, constraining myself to say with a smile, ‘Courage, dear ones! Although our
good ship will never sail more, she is so placed that our cabin will remain above water,
and tomorrow, if the wind and waves abate, I see no reason why we should not be able
to get ashore.’ These few words had an immediate effect on
the spirits of my children, who at once regarded our problematical chance of escaping as a
happy certainty, and began to enjoy the relief from the violent pitching and rolling of the
vessel. My wife, however, perceived my distress and
anxiety in spite of my forced composure, and I made her comprehend our real situation,
greatly fearing the effect of the intelligence on her nerves. Not for a moment did her courage
and trust in Providence forsake her, and on seeing this, my fortitude revived.
‘We must find some food, and take a good supper,’ said she, ‘it will never do to
grow faint by fasting too long. We shall require our utmost strength tomorrow.’
Night drew on apace, the storm was as fierce as ever, and at intervals we were startled
by crashes announcing further damage to our unfortunate ship.
‘God will help us soon now, won’t He, father?’ said my youngest child.
‘You silly little thing,’ said Fritz, my eldest son, sharply, ‘don’t you know
that we must not settle what God is to do for us? We must have patience and wait His
time.’ ‘Very well said, had it been said kindly,
Fritz, my boy. You too often speak harshly to your brothers, although you may not mean
to do so.’ A good meal being now ready, my youngsters
ate heartily, and retiring to rest were speedily fast asleep. Fritz, who was of an age to be
aware of the real danger we were in, kept watch with us. After a long silence, ‘Father,’
said he, ‘don’t you think we might contrive swimming-belts for mother and the boys? With
those we might all escape to land, for you and I can swim.’
‘Your idea is so good,’ answered I, ‘that I shall arrange something at once, in case
of an accident during the night.’
We immediately searched about for what would answer the purpose, and fortunately got hold
of a number of empty flasks and tin canisters, which we connected two and two together so
as to form floats sufficiently buoyant to support a person in the water, and my wife
and young sons each willingly put one on. I then provided myself with matches, knives,
cord, and other portable articles, trusting that, should the vessel go to pieces before
daylight, we might gain the shore, not wholly destitute.
Fritz, as well as his brothers, now slept soundly. Throughout the night my wife and
I maintained our prayerful watch, dreading at every fresh sound some fatal change in
the position of the wreck. At length the faint dawn of day appeared,
the long weary night was over, and with thankful hearts we perceived that the gale had begun
to moderate; blue sky was seen above us, and the lovely hues of sunrise adorned the eastern
horizon. I aroused the boys, and we assembled on the
remaining portion of the deck, when they, to their surprise, discovered that no one
else was on board. ‘Hello, papa! What has become of everybody?
Are the sailors gone? Have they taken away the boats? Oh, papa! why did they leave us
behind? What can we do by ourselves!’ ‘My good children,’ I replied, ‘we must
not despair, although we seem deserted. See how those on whose skill and good faith we
depended have left us cruelly to our fate in the hour of danger. God will never do so.
He has not forsaken us, and we will trust Him still. Only let us bestir ourselves, and
each cheerily do his best. Who has anything to propose?’
‘The sea will soon be calm enough for swimming,’ said Fritz.
‘And that would be all very fine for you,’ exclaimed Ernest, ‘but think of mother and
the rest of us! Why not build a raft and all get on shore together?’
‘We should find it difficult, I think, to make a raft that would carry us safe to shore.
However, we must contrive something, and first let each try to procure what will be of most
use to us.’ Away we all went to see what was to be found,
I myself proceeding to examine, as of greatest consequence, the supplies of provisions and
fresh water within our reach. My wife took her youngest son, Franz, to help
her to feed the unfortunate animals on board, who were in a pitiful plight, having been
neglected for several days. Fritz hastened to the arms chest, Ernest to
look for tools; and Jack went towards the captain’s cabin, the door of which he no
sooner opened, than out sprang two splendid large dogs, who testified their extreme delight
and gratitude by such tremendous bounds that they knocked their little deliverer completely
head over heels, frightening him nearly out of his wits. Jack did not long yield either
to fear or anger, he presently recovered himself, the dogs seemed to ask pardon by vehemently
licking his face and hands, and so, seizing the larger by the ears, he jumped on his back,
and, to my great amusement, coolly rode to meet me as I came up the hatchway.
When we reassembled in the cabin, we all displayed our treasures.
Fritz brought a couple of guns, shot belt, powder-flasks, and plenty of bullets.
Ernest produced a cap full of nails, an axe, and a hammer, while pincers, chisels and augers
stuck out of all his pockets. Little Franz carried a box, and eagerly began
to show us the ‘nice sharp little hooks’ it contained. ‘Well, done, Franz!’ cried
1, ‘these fish hooks, which you the youngest have found, may contribute more than anything
else in the ship to save our lives by procuring food for us. Fritz and Ernest, you have chosen
well.’ ‘Will you praise me too?’ said my dear
wife. ‘I have nothing to show, but I can give you good news. Some useful animals are
still alive; a cow, a donkey, two goats, six sheep, a ram and a fine sow. I was but just
in time to save their lives by taking food to them.’
‘All these things are excellent indeed,’ said I, ‘but my friend Jack here, has presented
me with a couple of huge hungry useless dogs, who will eat more than any of us.’
‘Oh, papa! They will be of use! Why, they will help us to hunt when we get on shore!’
‘No doubt they will, if ever we do get on shore, Jack; but I must say I don’t know
how it is to be done.’ ‘Can’t we each get into a big tub, and
float there?’ returned he. ‘I have often sailed splendidly like that, round the pond
at home.’ ‘My child, you have hit on a capital idea,’
cried I. ‘Now, Ernest, let me have your tools, hammers, nails, saws, augers, and all;
and then make haste to collect any tubs you can find!’
We very soon found four large casks, made of sound wood, and strongly bound with iron
hoops; they were floating with many other things in the water in the hold, but we managed
to fish them out, and drag them to a suitable place for launching them. They were exactly
what I wanted, and I succeeded in sawing them across the middle. Hard work it was, and we
were glad enough to stop and refresh ourselves with wine and biscuits.
My eight tubs now stood ranged in a row near the water’s edge, and I looked at them with
great satisfaction; to my surprise, my wife did not seem to share my pleasure!
‘I shall never,’ said she, ‘muster courage to get into one of these!’
‘Do not be too sure of that, dear wife; when you see my contrivance completed, you
will perhaps prefer it to this immovable wreck.’ I next procured a long thin plank on which
my tubs could be fixed, and the two ends of this I bent upwards so as to form a keel.
Other two planks were nailed along the sides of the tubs; they also being flexible, were
brought to a point at each end, and all firmly secured and nailed together. I felt satisfied
that in smooth water this craft would be perfectly trustworthy. But when we thought all was ready
for the launch, we found, to our dismay, that the grand contrivance was so heavy and clumsy,
that even our united efforts could not move it an inch.
‘I must have a lever,’ cried I. ‘Run and fetch the capstan bar!’
Fritz quickly brought one and, having formed rollers by cutting up a long spar, I raised
the forepart of my boat with the bar, and my sons placed a roller under it.
‘How is it, father,’ inquired Ernest, ‘that with that thing you alone can do more
than all of us together?’ I explained, as well as I could in a hurry,
the principle of the lever; and promised to have a long talk on the subject of Mechanics,
should we have a future opportunity. I now made fast a long rope to the stern of
our boat, attaching the other end to a beam; then placing a second and third roller under
it, we once more began to push, this time with success, and soon our gallant craft was
safely launched: so swiftly indeed did she glide into the water that, but for the rope,
she would have passed beyond our reach. The boys wished to jump in directly; but, alas,
she leaned so much on one side that they could not venture to do so.
Some heavy things being thrown in, however, the boat righted itself by degrees, and the
boys were so delighted that they struggled which should first leap in to have the fun
of sitting down in the tubs. But it was plain to me at once that something more was required
to make her perfectly safe, so I contrived out-riggers to preserve the balance, by nailing
long poles across at the stem and stern, and fixing at the ends of each empty brandy casks.
Then the boat appearing steady, I got in; and turning it towards the most open side
of the wreck, I cut and cleared away obstructions, so as to leave a free passage for our departure,
and the boys brought oars to be ready for the voyage. This important undertaking we
were forced to postpone until the next day, as it was by this time far too late to attempt
it. It was not pleasant to have to spend another night in so precarious a situation; but, yielding
to necessity, we sat down to enjoy a comfortable supper, for during our exciting and incessant
work all day we had taken nothing but an occasional biscuit and a little wine.
We prepared for rest in a much happier frame of mind than on the preceding day, but I did
not forget the possibility of a renewed storm, and therefore made every one put on the belts
as before. Then retiring to our berths, peaceful sleep prepared us all for the exertions of
the coming day. We rose up betimes, for sleep weighs lightly
on the hopeful, as well as on the anxious. After kneeling together in prayer, ‘Now
my beloved ones,’ said I, ‘with God’s help we are about to effect our escape. Let
the poor animals we must leave behind, be well fed, and put plenty of fodder within
their reach: in a few days we may be able to return, and save them likewise. After that,
collect everything you can think of which may be of use to us.’
The boys joyfully obeyed me, and I selected from the large quantity of stores they got
together, canvas to make a tent, a chest of carpenter’s tools, guns, pistols, powder,
shot, and bullets, rods and fishing tackle, an iron pot, a case of portable soup and another
of biscuit. These useful articles of course took the place of the ballast I had hastily
thrown in the day before. With a hearty prayer for God’s blessing,
we now began to take our seats, each in his tub. Just then we heard the *** begin to
crow, as though to reproach us for deserting them. ‘Why should not the fowls go with
us!’ exclaimed I. ‘If we find no food for them, they can be food for us!’ Ten
hens
and a couple of *** were accordingly placed in one of the tubs, and secured with some
wire-netting over them. The ducks and geese were set at liberty, and
took to the water at once, while the pigeons, rejoicing to find themselves on the wing,
swiftly made for the shore. My wife, who managed all this for me, kept us waiting for her some
little time, and came at last with a bag as big as a pillow in her arms. ‘This is my
contribution,’ said she, throwing the bag to little Franz, to be, as I thought, a cushion
for him to sit upon. All being ready, we cast off, and moved away
from the wreck. My good, brave wife sat in the first compartment of the boat; next her
was Franz, a pretty little boy, nearly eight years old. Then came Fritz, a handsome, spirited
young fellow of fifteen; the two centre tubs contained the valuable cargo; then came our
bold, thoughtless Jack; next him Ernest, my second son, intelligent, well-informed, and
rather indolent. I myself, the anxious, loving father, stood in the stern, endeavouring to
guide the raft with its precious burden to a safe landing-place.
The elder boys took the oars, everyone wore a float belt, and had something useful close
to him in case of being thrown into the water. The tide was flowing, which was a great help
to the young oarsmen. We emerged from the wreck and glided into the open sea. All eyes
were strained to get a full view of the land, and the boys pulled with a will; but for some
time we made no progress, as the boat kept turning round and round, until I hit upon
the right way to steer it, after which we merrily made for the shore.
We had left the two dogs, Turk and Juno, on the wreck, as being both large mastiffs we
did not care to have their additional weight on board our craft; but when they saw us apparently
deserting them, they set up a piteous howl, and sprang into the sea. I was sorry to see
this, for the distance to the land was so great that I scarcely expected them to be
able to accomplish it. They followed us, however, and, occasionally resting their fore-paws
on the outriggers, kept up with us well. Jack was inclined to deny them this their only
chance of safety. ‘Stop,’ said I, ‘that would be unkind as well as foolish; remember,
the merciful man regardeth the life of his beast.’
Our passage though tedious was safe; but the nearer we approached the shore the less inviting
it appeared; the barren rocks seemed to threaten us with misery and want.
Many casks, boxes and bales of goods floated on the water around us. Fritz and I managed
to secure a couple of hogsheads, so as to tow them alongside. With the prospect of famine
before us, it was desirable to lay hold of anything likely to contain provisions.
By-and-by we began to perceive that, between and beyond the cliffs, green grass and trees
were discernible. Fritz could distinguish many tall palms, and Ernest hoped they would
prove to be coconut trees, and enjoyed the thoughts of drinking the refreshing milk.
‘I am very sorry I never thought of bringing away the Captain’s telescope,’ said I.
‘Oh, look here, father!’ cried Jack, drawing a little spy-glass joyfully out of his pocket.
By means of this glass, I made out that at some distance to the left the coast was much
more inviting; a strong current however carried us directly towards the frowning rocks, but
I presently observed an opening, where a stream flowed into the sea, and saw that our geese
and ducks were swimming towards this place. I steered after them into the creek, and we
found ourselves in a small bay or inlet where the water was perfectly smooth and of moderate
depth. The ground sloped gently upwards from the low banks to the cliffs which here retired
inland, leaving a small plain, on which it was easy for us to land. Everyone sprang gladly
out of the boat but little Franz, who, lying packed in his tub like a potted shrimp, had
to be lifted out by his mother. The dogs had scrambled on shore before us;
they received us with loud barking and the wildest demonstrations of delight. The geese
and ducks kept up an incessant din, added to which was the screaming and croaking of
flamingoes and penguins, whose dominion we were invading. The noise was deafening, but
far from unwelcome to me, as I thought of the good dinners the birds might furnish.
As soon as we could gather our children around us on dry land, we knelt to offer thanks and
praise for our merciful escape, and with full hearts we commended ourselves to God’s good
keeping for the time to come. All hands then briskly fell to the work of
unloading, and, oh, how rich we felt ourselves as we did so! The poultry we left at liberty
to forage for themselves, and set about finding a suitable place to erect a tent in which
to pass the night. This we speedily did; thrusting a long spar into a hole in the rock, and supporting
the other end by a pole firmly planted in the ground, we formed a framework over which
we stretched the sailcloth we had brought; besides fastening this down with pegs, we
placed our heavy chests and boxes on the border of the canvas, and arranged hooks so as to
be able to close up the entrance during the night.
When this was accomplished, the boys ran to collect moss and grass, to spread in the tent
for our beds, while I arranged a fireplace with some large flat stones, near the brook
which flowed close by. Dry twigs and seaweed were soon in a blaze on the hearth, I filled
the iron pot with water, and giving my wife several cakes of the portable soup, she established
herself as our cook, with little Franz to help her.
He, thinking his mother was melting some glue for carpentry, was eager to know ‘what papa
was going to make next?’ ‘This is to be soup for your dinner, my
child. Do you think these cakes look like glue?’
‘Yes, indeed I do!’ replied Franz, ‘And I should not much like to taste glue soup!
Don’t you want some beef or mutton, Mamma?’ ‘Where can I get it, dear?’ said she,
‘we are a long way from a butcher’s shop! But these cakes are made of the juice of good
meat, boiled till it becomes a strong stiff jelly—people take them when they go to sea,
because on a long voyage they can only have salt meat, which will not make nice soup.’
Fritz meanwhile leaving a loaded gun with me, took another himself, and went along the
rough coast to see what lay beyond the stream; this fatiguing sort of walk not suiting Ernest’s
fancy, he sauntered down to the beach, and Jack scrambled among the rocks searching for
shellfish. I was anxious to land the two casks which
were floating alongside our boat, but on attempting to do so, I found that I could not get them
up the bank on which we had landed, and was therefore obliged to look for a more convenient
spot. As I did so, I was startled by hearing Jack shouting for help, as though in great
danger. He was at some distance, and I hurried towards him with a hatchet in my hand. The
little fellow stood screaming in a deep pool, and as I approached, I saw that a huge lobster
had caught his leg in its powerful claw. Poor Jack was in a terrible fright; kick as he
would, his enemy still clung on. I waded into the water, and seizing the lobster firmly
by the back, managed to make it loosen its hold, and we brought it safe to land. Jack,
having speedily recovered his spirits, and anxious to take such a prize to his mother,
caught the lobster in both hands, but instantly received such a severe blow from its tail,
that he flung it down, and passionately hit the creature with a large stone. This display
of temper vexed me. ‘You are acting in a very childish way, my son,’ said I. ‘Never
strike an enemy in a revengeful spirit.’ Once more lifting the lobster, Jack ran triumphantly
towards the tent. ‘Mother, mother! A lobster! A lobster, Ernest!
Look here, Franz! Mind, he’ll bite you! Where’s Fritz?’ All came crowding round
Jack and his prize, wondering at its unusual size, and Ernest wanted his mother to make
lobster soup directly, by adding it to what she was now boiling.
She, however, begged to decline making any such experiment, and said she preferred cooking
one dish at a time. Having remarked that the scene of Jack’s adventure afforded a convenient
place for getting my casks on shore, I returned thither and succeeded in drawing them up on
the beach, where I set them on end, and for the present left them.
On my return I resumed the subject of Jack’s lobster, and told him he should have the offending
claw all to himself when it was ready to be eaten, congratulating him on being the first
to discover anything useful. ‘As to that,’ said Ernest, ‘I found
something very good to eat, as well as Jack, only I could not get at them without wetting
my feet.’ ‘Pooh!’ cried Jack, ‘I know what he
saw—nothing but some nasty mussels—I saw them too. Who wants to eat trash like that!
Lobster for me!’ ‘I believe them to be oysters, not mussels,’
returned Ernest calmly. ‘Be good enough, my philosophical young
friend, to fetch a few specimens of these oysters in time for our next meal,’ said
I. ‘We must all exert ourselves, Ernest, for the common good, and pray never let me
hear you object to wetting your feet. See how quickly the sun has dried Jack and me.’
‘I can bring some salt at the same time,’ said Ernest, ‘I remarked a good deal lying
in the crevices of the rocks; it tasted very pure and good, and I concluded it was produced
by the evaporation of sea water in the sun.’
‘Extremely probable, learned sir,’ cried I, ‘but if you had brought a bag full of
this good salt instead of merely speculating so profoundly on the subject, it would have
been more to the purpose. Run and fetch some directly.’
It proved to be salt sure enough, although so impure that it seemed useless, till my
wife dissolved and strained it, when it became fit to put in the soup.
‘Why not use the sea-water itself?’ asked Jack.
‘Because,’ said Ernest, ‘it is not only salt, but bitter too. Just try it.’
‘Now,’ said my wife, tasting the soup with the stick with which she had been stirring
it, ‘dinner is ready, but where can Fritz be?’ she continued, a little anxiously.
‘How are we to eat our soup when he does come?’ I asked. ‘We have neither plates
nor spoons, and we can scarcely lift the boiling pot to our mouths. We are in as uncomfortable
a position as was the fox to whom the stork served up a dinner in a jug with a long neck.’
‘Oh, for a few coconut shells!’ sighed Ernest.
‘Oh, for half a dozen plates and as many silver spoons!’ rejoined I, smiling. ‘Really
though, oyster-shells would do,’ said he, after a moment’s thought.
‘True, that is an idea worth having! Off with you, my boys, get the oysters and clean
out a few shells. What though our spoons have no handles, and we do burn our fingers a little
in baling the soup out.’ Jack was away and up to his knees in the water
in a moment detaching the oysters. Ernest followed more leisurely, and still unwilling
to wet his feet, stood by the margin of the pool and gathered in his handkerchief the
oysters his brother threw him; as he thus stood he picked up and pocketed a large mussel
shell for his own use. As they returned with a good supply we heard a shout from Fritz
in the distance; we returned it joyfully, and he presently appeared before us, his hands
behind his back, and a look of disappointment upon his countenance.
‘Unsuccessful!’ said he. ‘Really!’ I replied. ‘Never mind, my
boy, better luck next time.’ ‘Oh, Fritz!’ exclaimed his brothers who
had looked behind him. ‘A sucking-pig, a little sucking-pig. Where did you get it?
How did you shoot it? Do let us see it!’ Fritz then with sparkling eyes exhibited his
prize. ‘I am glad to see the result of your prowess,
my boy,’ said I; ‘but I cannot approve of deceit, even as a joke; stick to the truth
in jest and earnest.’ Fritz then told us how he had been to the
other side of the stream. ‘So different from this,’ he said, ‘it is really a beautiful
country, and the shore, which runs down to the sea in a gentle slope, is
covered with all sorts of useful things from the wreck. Do let us go and collect them.
And, father, why should we not return to the wreck and bring off some of the animals? Just
think of what value the cow would be to us, and what a pity it would be to lose her. Let
us get her on shore, and we will move over the stream, where she will have good pasturage,
and we shall be in the shade instead of on this desert, and, father, I do wish —’
‘Stop, stop, my boy!’ cried I. ‘All will be done in good time. Tomorrow and the
day after will bring work of their own. And tell me, did you see no traces of our shipmates?’
‘Not a sign of them, either on land or sea, living or dead,’ he replied. ‘But the
sucking-pig,’ said Jack, ‘where did you get it?’
‘It was one of several,’ said Fritz, ‘which I found on the shore; most curious animals
they are, they hopped rather than walked, and every now and then would squat down on
their hind legs and rub their snouts with their forepaws. Had not I been afraid of losing
them all, I would have tried to catch one alive, they seemed so tame.’
Meanwhile, Ernest had been carefully examining the animal in question.
‘This is no pig,’ he said, ‘and except for its bristly skin, does not look like one.
See its teeth are not like those of a pig, but rather those of a squirrel. In fact,’
he continued, looking at Fritz, ‘your sucking-pig is an agouti.’
‘Dear me,’ said Fritz, ‘listen to the great professor lecturing! He is going to
prove that a pig is not a pig!’ ‘You need not be so quick to laugh at your
brother,’ said I, in my turn, ‘he is quite right. I, too, know the agouti by descriptions
and pictures, and there is little doubt that this is a specimen. The little animal is a
native of North America, where it makes its nest under the roots of trees, and lives upon
fruit. But, Ernest, the agouti not only looks something like a pig, but most decidedly grunts
like a porker.’ While we were thus talking, Jack had been
vainly endeavouring to open an oyster with his large knife. ‘Here is a simpler way,’
said I, placing an oyster on the fire; it immediately opened. ‘Now,’ I continued,
‘who will try this delicacy?’ All at first hesitated to partake of them, so unattractive
did they appear. Jack, however, tightly closing his eyes and making a face as though about
to take medicine, gulped one down. We followed his example, one after the other, each doing
so rather to provide himself with a spoon than with any hope of cultivating a taste
for oysters. Our spoons were now ready, and gathering round
the pot we dipped them in, not, however, without sundry scalded fingers. Ernest then drew from
his pocket the large shell he had procured for his own use, and scooping up a good quantity
of soup he put it down to cool, smiling at his own foresight.
‘Prudence should be exercised for others,’ I remarked, ‘your cool soup will do capitally
for the dogs, my boy; take it to them, and then come and eat like the rest of us.’
Ernest winced at this, but silently taking up his shell he placed it on the ground before
the hungry dogs, who lapped up its contents in a moment; he then returned, and we all
went merrily on with our dinner. While we were thus busily employed, we suddenly discovered
that our dogs, not satisfied with their mouthful of soup, had espied the agouti, and were rapidly
devouring it. Fritz seizing his gun flew to rescue it from their hungry jaws, and before
I could prevent him, struck one of them with such force that his gun was bent. The poor
beasts ran off howling, followed by a shower of stones from Fritz, who shouted and yelled
at them so fiercely, that his mother was actually terrified. I followed him, and as soon as
he would listen to me, represented to him how despicable as well as wicked was such
an outbreak of temper. ‘For,’ said I, ‘you have hurt, if not actually wounded,
the dogs; you have distressed and terrified your mother, and spoiled your gun.’
Though Fritz’s passion was easily aroused it never lasted long, and speedily recovering
himself, immediately he entreated his mother’s pardon, and expressed his sorrow for his fault.
By this time the sun was sinking beneath the horizon, and the poultry, which had been straying
to some little distance, gathered round us, and began to pick up the crumbs of biscuit
which had fallen during our repast. My wife hereupon drew from her mysterious bag some
handfuls of oats, peas, and other grain, and with them began to feed the poultry. She at
the same time showed me several other seeds of various vegetables. ‘That was indeed
thoughtful,’ said I, ‘but pray be careful of what will be of such value to us; we can
bring plenty of damaged biscuits from the wreck, which though of no use as food for
us, will suit the fowls very well indeed.’ The pigeons now flew up to crevices in the
rocks, the fowls perched themselves on our tent pole, and the ducks and geese waddled
off cackling and quacking to the marshy margin of the river. We too were ready for repose,
and having loaded our guns, and offered up our prayers to God, thanking him for his many
mercies to us, we commended ourselves to his protecting care, and as the last ray of light
departed, closed our tent and lay down to rest.
The children remarked the suddenness of nightfall, for indeed there had been little or no twilight.
This convinced me that we must be not far from the equator, for twilight results from
the refraction of the sun’s rays; the more obliquely these rays fall, the further does
the partial light extend, while the more perpendicularly they strike the earth the longer do they continue
their undiminished force, until when the sun sinks, they totally disappear, thus producing
sudden darkness.
Chapter 2 We should have been badly off without the
shelter of our tent, for the night proved as cold as the day had been hot, but we managed
to sleep comfortably, every one being thoroughly fatigued by the labours of the day. The voice
of our vigilant ***, 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 our situation and prospects.
It was plain to both of us that in the first place, we should ascertain if possible the
fate of our late companions, and then examine into the nature and resources of the country
on which we were stranded. We therefore came to the resolution that,
as soon as we had breakfasted, Fritz and I should start on an expedition with these objects
in view, while my wife remained near our landing-place with the three younger boys.
‘Rouse up, rouse up, my boys,’ cried I, awakening the children cheerfully. ‘Come
and help your mother to get breakfast ready.’ ‘As to that,’ said she, smiling, ‘we
can but set on the pot, and boil some more soup!’ ‘Why! You forget Jack’s fine
lobster!’ replied I. ‘What has become of it, Jack?’
‘It has been safe in this hole in the rock all night, father. You see, I thought as the
dogs seem to like good things, they might take a fancy to that as well as to the agouti.’
‘A very sensible precaution,’ remarked I, ‘I believe even my heedless Jack will
learn wisdom in time. It is well the lobster is so large, for we shall want to take part
with us on our excursion to-day.’ At the mention of an excursion, the four children
were wild with delight, and, capering around me, clapped their hands for joy.
‘Steady there, steady! said I, ‘you cannot expect all to go. Such an expedition as this
would be too dangerous and fatiguing for you younger ones. Fritz and I will go alone this
time, with one of the dogs, leaving the other to defend you.’
We then armed ourselves, each taking a gun and a game-bag; Fritz, in addition, sticking
a pair of pistols in his belt, and I a small hatchet in mine; breakfast being over, we
stowed away the remainder of the lobster and some biscuits, with a flask of water, and
were ready for a start. We now found that the banks of the stream
were on both sides so rocky that we could get down to the water by only one narrow passage,
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 children were on a comparatively inaccessible spot, the
other side of the tent being protected by steep and precipitous cliffs. Fritz and I
pursued our way up the stream until we reached a point where the waters fell from a considerable
height in a cascade, 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 if some animal were passing through it. Fritz
instantly turned and brought his gun to his shoulder, ready to fire the moment the beast
should appear. I was much pleased with my son’s coolness and presence of mind, for
it showed me that I might thoroughly rely upon him on any future occasion when real
danger might occur; this time, 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. From this little incident, however, we saw
how dangerous was our position, and how difficult escape would be should any fierce beast steal
upon us unawares: we therefore hastened to make 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 and there to the very water’s edge, formed
a lovely prospect. On the smooth sand we searched carefully for any trace of our hapless companions,
but not the mark of a footstep could we find. ‘Shall I fire a shot or two?’ said Fritz.
‘That would bring our companions, if they are within hearing.’
‘It would indeed,’ I replied, ‘or any savages that may be here. No, no; let us search
diligently, but as quietly as possible.’ ‘But why, father, should we trouble ourselves
about them at all? They left us to shift for ourselves, and I for one don’t care to set
eyes on them again.’ ‘You are wrong, my boy,’ said I. ‘In
the first place, we should not return evil for evil; then, again, they might be of great
assistance to us in building a house of some sort; and lastly, you must remember that they
took nothing with them from the vessel, and may be perishing of hunger.’
Thus talking, we pushed on until we came to a pleasant grove which stretched down to the
water’s edge; here we halted to rest, seating ourselves under a large tree, by a rivulet
which murmured and splashed along its pebbly bed into the great ocean before us. A thousand
gaily plumaged birds flew twittering above us, and Fritz and I gazed up at them.
My son suddenly started up. ‘A monkey,’ he exclaimed, ‘I am nearly
sure I saw a monkey.’ As he spoke he sprang round to the other side
of the tree, and in doing so stumbled over a round substance, which he handed to me,
remarking, as he did so, that it was a round bird’s nest, of which he had often heard.
‘You may have done so,’ said I, laughing, ‘but you need not necessarily conclude that
every round hairy thing is a bird’s nest; this, for instance, is not one, but a coconut.’
We split open the nut, but, to our disgust, found the kernel dry and uneatable.
‘Hullo,’ cried Fritz, ‘I always thought a coconut was full of delicious sweet liquid,
like almond milk.’
‘So it is,’ I replied, ‘when young and fresh, but as it ripens the milk becomes congealed,
and in course of time is solidified into a kernel. This kernel then dries as you see
here, but when the nut falls on favourable soil, the germ within the kernel swells until
it bursts through the shell, and, taking root, springs up a new tree.’
‘I do not understand,’ said Fritz, ‘how the little germ manages to get through this
great thick shell, which is not like an almond or hazel-nut shell, that is divided down the
middle already.’ ‘Nature provides for all things,’ I answered,
taking up the pieces. ‘Look here, do you see these three round holes near the stalk;
it is through them that the germ obtains egress. Now let us find a good nut if we can.’
As coconuts must be over-ripe before they fall naturally from the tree, it was not without
difficulty that we obtained one in which the kernel was not dried up. When we succeeded,
however, we were so refreshed by the fruit that we could defer the repast we called our
dinner until later in the day, and so spare our stock of provisions.
Continuing our way through a thicket, which was so densely overgrown with lianas that
we had to clear a passage with our hatchets, we again emerged on the seashore 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 once attracted Fritz’s observant
eye, and he pointed to them, exclaiming, ‘Oh, what absurd-looking trees, father! See what
strange bumps there are on the trunks.’ We approached to examine them, and I recognized
them as calabash trees, the fruit of which grows in this curious way on the stems, and
is a species of gourd, from the hard rind of which bowls, spoons, and bottles can be
made. ‘The savages,’ I remarked, ‘are said to form these things most ingeniously,
using them to contain liquids: indeed, they actually cook food in them.’
‘Oh, but that is impossible,’ returned Fritz. ‘I am quite sure this rind would
be burnt through directly it was set on the fire.’
‘I did not say it was set on the fire at all. When the gourd has been divided in two,
and the shell or rind emptied of its contents, it is filled with water, into which the fish,
or whatever is to be cooked, is put; red-hot stones are added until the water boils; the
food becomes fit to eat, and the gourd-rind remains uninjured.’
‘That is a very clever plan: very simple too. I daresay I should have hit on it, if
I had tried,’ said Fritz. ‘The friends of Columbus thought it very
easy to make an egg stand upon its end when he had shown them how to do it. But now suppose
we prepare some of these calabashes, that they may be ready for use when we take them
home.’
Fritz instantly took up one of the gourds, and tried to split it equally with his knife,
but in vain: the blade slipped, and the calabash was cut jaggedly. ‘What a nuisance!’ said
Fritz, flinging it down, ‘The thing is spoiled; and yet it seemed so simple to divide it properly.’
‘Stay,’ said I, ‘you are too impatient, those pieces are not useless. Do you try to
fashion from them a spoon or two while I provide a dish.’
I then took from my 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
the outer shell. When this was accomplished, I tied the string yet tighter; and drawing
the ends with all my might, the gourd fell, divided exactly as I wished.
‘That is clever!’ cried Fritz. ‘What in the world put that plan into your head?’
‘It is a plan,’ I replied, ‘which the negroes adopt, as I have learned from reading
books of travel.’ ‘Well, it certainly makes a capital soup-tureen,
and a soup-plate too,’ said Fritz, examining the gourd. ‘But supposing you had wanted
to make a bottle, how would you have set to work?’
‘It would be an easier operation than this, if possible. All that is necessary, is to
cut a round hole at one end, then to scoop out the interior, and to drop in several shot
or stones; when these are shaken, any remaining portions of the fruit are detached, and the
gourd is thoroughly cleaned, and the bottle completed.’
‘That would not make a very convenient bottle though, father; it would be more like a barrel.’
‘True, my boy; if you want a more shapely vessel, you must take it in hand when it is
younger. To give it a neck, for instance, you 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 checked.’
As I spoke, I filled the gourds with sand, and left them to dry; marking the spot that
we might return for them on our way back. For three hours or more we pushed forward,
keeping a sharp look-out on either side for any trace of our companions, till we reached
a bold promontory, stretching 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 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 to view in two shadowy promontories; enclosed by these two arms lay a sheet of
rippling water, which reflected in its depths the glorious sun above. The scene inland was
no less beautiful; and yet Fritz and I both felt a shade of loneliness stealing over us
as we gazed on its utter solitude. ‘Cheer up, Fritz, my boy,’ said I, presently.
‘Remember that we chose a settler’s life long ago, before we left our own dear country;
we certainly did not expect 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 cast upon some bare and inhospitable island. But come, the heat
here is getting unbearable; let us find some shady place before we are completely broiled
away.’ We descended the hill and made for a clump
of palm trees, which we saw at a little distance. To reach this, we had to pass through a dense
thicket of reeds, no pleasant or easy task; for, besides the difficulty of forcing our
way through, I feared at every step that we might tread on some venomous snake. Sending
Turk in advance, I cut 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 discovery,
I advised him to cut a cane for his defence; he did so, and as he beat the ground before
him, the reed split, and his hand was covered with 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 me, exclaiming, ‘Oh, father, sugar-canes,
sugar-canes! Taste it. Oh, how delicious, how delightful! Do let us take a lot home
to mother,’ he continued, sucking eagerly at the cane!
‘Gently there,’ said I, ‘take breath a moment, moderation in all things, remember.
Cut some to take home if you like; only don’t take more than you can conveniently carry.’
In spite of my warning, my son cut a dozen or more of the largest canes, and stripping
them of their leaves, carried them under his arm. We then pushed 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 disporting themselves on the ground, sprang up, chattering and grimacing,
and before we could clearly distinguish them, were at the very top of the trees.
Fritz was so provoked by their impertinent gestures that he raised his gun, and would
have shot one of the poor beasts. ‘Stay,’ cried I, ‘never take the life
of any animal needlessly. A live monkey up in that tree is of more use to us than a dozen
dead ones at our feet, as I will show you.’ Saying this, I gathered a handful of small
stones, and threw them up towards the apes. The stones did not go near them, but influenced
by their instinctive mania for imitation, they instantly seized all the coconuts within
their reach, and sent a perfect hail of them down upon us.
Fritz was delighted with my stratagem, and rushing forward picked up some of the finest
of the nuts. We drank the milk they contained, drawing it through the holes which I pierced,
and then, splitting the nuts open with the 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 beast began
to gnaw the ends of the sugar-canes, and to beg for coconut. I slung a couple of the nuts
over my shoulder, fastening them together by their stalks, and Fritz having resumed
his burden, we began our homeward march. I soon discovered that Fritz found the weight
of his canes considerably more than he expected: he shifted them from shoulder to shoulder,
then for 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.’
‘Never mind, my boy,’ I said, ‘Patience and courage! Do you not remember the story
of Aesop and his breadbasket, how heavy he found it when he started, and how light at
the end of his journey? Let us each take a fresh staff, and then fasten the bundle crosswise
with your gun.’ We did so, and once more stepped forward.
Fritz presently noticed that I from time to time sucked the end of my cane.
‘Oh, come,’ said he, ‘that’s a capital plan of yours, father, I’ll do that too.’
So saying, he began to suck most vigorously, but not a drop of the juice could he extract.
‘How is this?’ he asked. ‘How do you get the juice out, father?’
‘Think a little,’ I replied, ‘you are quite as capable as I am of finding out the
way, even if you do not know the real reason of your failure.’
‘Oh, of course,’ said he, ‘it is like trying to suck marrow from a marrow bone,
without making a hole at the other end.’ ‘Quite right,’ I said, ‘you form a vacuum
in your mouth and the end of your tube, and expect the air to force down the liquid from
the other end which it cannot possibly enter.’ Fritz was speedily perfect in the accomplishment
of sucking sugar-cane, discovering by experience the necessity for a fresh cut at each joint
or knot in the cane, through which the juice could not flow; he talked of the pleasure
of initiating his brothers in the art, and of how Ernest would enjoy the coconut milk,
with which he had filled his flask. ‘My dear boy,’ said I, ‘you need not
have added that to your load; the chances are it is vinegar by the time we get home.
In the heat of the sun, it will ferment soon after being drawn from the nut.’
‘Vinegar! Oh, that would be a horrid bore! I must look directly, and see how it is getting
on,’ cried Fritz, hastily swinging the flask from his shoulder, and tugging out the cork.
With a loud ‘pop’ the contents came forth, foaming like champagne.
‘There now!’ said I, laughing as he tasted this new luxury. ‘You will have to exercise
moderation again, friend Fritz! I daresay it is delicious, but it will go to your head,
if you venture deep into your flask.’ ‘My dear father, you cannot think how good
it is! Do take some. Vinegar, indeed! This is like excellent wine.’
We were both invigorated by this unexpected draught, and went on so merrily after it,
that the distance to the place where we had left our gourd dishes seemed less than we
expected. We found them quite dry, and very light and easy to carry.
Just as we had passed through the grove in which we breakfasted, Turk suddenly darted
away from us, and sprang furiously among a troop of monkeys, which were gambolling playfully
on the turf at a little distance from the trees. They were taken by surprise completely,
and the dog, now really
ravenous from hunger, had seized, and was fiercely tearing one to pieces before we could
approach the spot. His luckless victim was the mother of a tiny
little monkey, which being on her back when the dog flew at her, had hindered her flight;
the little creature attempted to hide among the grass, and in trembling fear watched the
tragic fate of its mother. On perceiving Turk’s bloodthirsty design, Fritz had eagerly 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 shoulders,
and, holding fast by his thick curly hair, it firmly kept its seat in spite of all he
could do to dislodge it. He screamed and plunged about as he endeavoured to shake or pull the
creature off, but all in vain, it only clung the closer to his neck, making the most absurd
grimaces. I laughed so much at this ridiculous scene,
that I could scarcely assist my terrified boy out of his awkward predicament.
At last, by coaxing the monkey, offering it a bit of biscuit, and gradually disentangling
its small sinewy paws from the curls it grasped so tightly, I managed to relieve poor Fritz,
who then looked with interest at the baby ape, no bigger than a kitten, as it lay in
my arms. ‘What a jolly little fellow it is!’ exclaimed
he. ‘Do let me try to rear it, father. I daresay coconut milk would do until we can
bring the cow and the goats from the wreck. If he lives he might be useful to us. I believe
monkeys instinctively know what fruits are wholesome and what are poisonous.’
‘Well,’ said I, ‘let the little orphan be yours. You bravely and kindly exerted yourself
to save the mother’s life, now you must train her child carefully, for unless you
do so its natural instinct will prove mischievous instead of useful to us.
Turk was meanwhile devouring with great satisfaction the little animal’s unfortunate mother.
I could not grudge it him, and continued hunger might have made him dangerous to ourselves.
We did not think it necessary to wait until he had dined, so we prepared to resume our
march. The tiny ape seated itself in the coolest
way imaginable on Fritz’s shoulder, I helped to carry his canes, and we were on some distance
before Turk overtook us, looking uncommonly well pleased, and licking his chops as though
recalling the memory of his feast. He took no notice of the monkey, but it was
very uneasy at sight of him, and scrambled down into Fritz’s arms, which was so inconvenient
to him that he devised a plan to relieve 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 the dog’s neck that he might lead him, he put
a loop of the knot into the comical rider’s hand, saying gravely, ‘Having slain the
parent, Mr Turk, you will please to carry the son.’
At first this arrangement mightily displeased them both, but by and by they yielded to it
quietly; the monkey especially amused us by riding along with the air of a person perfectly
at his ease.
‘We look just like a couple of mountebanks on their way to a fair with animals to exhibit,’
said I. ‘What an outcry the children will make when we appear!’
My son inquired to what species of the monkey tribe I thought his protégé belonged, which
led to a good deal of talk on the subject, and conversation beguiling the way we found
ourselves ere long on the rocky margin of the stream and close to the rest of our party.
Juno was the first to be aware of our approach, and gave notice of it by loud barking, to
which Turk replied with such hearty goodwill, that his little rider, terrified at the noise
his steed was making, slipped from under the cord and fled to his refuge on Fritz’s shoulder,
where he regained his composure and settled himself comfortably.
Turk, who by this time knew where he was, finding himself free, dashed forward to rejoin
his friend, and announce our coming. One after another our dear ones 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, to the ford at which we had crossed in the
morning. We were quickly on the other side, and, full of joy and affection, our happy
party was once more united. The boys suddenly perceiving the little animal
which was clinging close to their brother, in alarm at the tumult of voices, shouted
in ecstasy. ‘A monkey! A monkey! Oh, how splendid! Where
did Fritz find him? What may we give him to eat? Oh, what a bundle of sticks! Look at
those curious great nuts father has got!’ We could neither check this confused torrent
of questions, nor get in a word in answer to them.
At length when the excitement subsided a little, I was able to say a few words with a chance
of being listened to. ‘I am truly thankful to see you all safe and well, and, thank God,
our expedition has been very satisfactory, except that we have entirely failed to discover
any trace of our shipmates.’ ‘If it be the will of God,’ said my wife,
‘to leave us alone on this solitary place, let us be content, and rejoice that we are
all together in safety.’ ‘Now we want to hear all your adventures,
and let us relieve you of your burdens,’ added she, taking my gamebag.
Jack shouldered my gun, Ernest took the coconuts, and little Franz carried the gourds, Fritz
distributed the sugarcanes amongst his brothers, and handing 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 perceiving this, offered to relieve him of part of the load. He gave
up willingly the coconuts, but no sooner had he done so than his elder brother exclaimed,
‘Hullo, Ernest, you surely do not know what you are parting with; did you really intend
to hand over those good coconuts without so much as tasting them?’
‘What ho?! Are they really coconuts?’ cried Ernest, ‘Do let me take them again,
mother, do let me look at them.’ ‘No, thank you,’ replied my wife with a smile.
‘I have no wish to see you again
overburdened.’ ‘Oh but I have only to throw away these sticks, which are of no use,
and then I can easily carry them.’ ‘Worse and worse,’ said Fritz, ‘I have
a particular regard for those heavy useless sticks. Did you ever hear of sugar-canes?’
The words were scarcely out of his mouth when Ernest began to suck vigorously at the end
of the cane with no better result, however, than Fritz had obtained as we were on the
march. ‘Here,’ said Fritz, ‘let me show you
the trick of it,’ and he speedily set all the youngsters to work extracting the luscious
juice. My wife, as a prudent housekeeper, was no
less delighted than the children with this discovery; the sight of the dishes also pleased
her greatly, for she longed to see us eat once more like civilized beings. We went into
the kitchen and there found preparations for a truly sumptuous meal. Two forked sticks
were planted in the ground 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 centre
sat the great pot from which issued the smell of a most delicious soup. To crown this splendid
array, stood an open hogshead full of Dutch cheeses. All this was very pleasant to two
hungry travellers, but I was about to beg my wife to spare the poultry until our stock
should have increased, when she, perceiving my thought, quickly relieved my anxiety. ‘This
is not one of our geese,’ she said, ‘but a wild bird Ernest killed.’
‘Yes,’ said Ernest, ‘it is a penguin, I think, it let me get quite close, so that
I knocked it on the head with a stick. Here are its head and feet which I preserved to
show you; the 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 almost ashamed to kill it. Do you not think it must have been a penguin?’
‘I have little doubt on the matter, my boy,’ and I was about to make a few remarks on the
habits of this bird, when my wife interrupted me and begged us to come to dinner and continue
our natural history conversation at some future time. We then sat down before the appetizing
meal prepared for us, our gourds coming for the first time into use, and having done it
full justice, produced the coconuts by way of dessert. ‘Here is better food for your
little friend,’ said I to Fritz, who had been vainly endeavouring to persuade the monkey
to taste dainty morsels of the food we had been eating. ‘The poor little animal has
been accustomed to nothing but its mother’s milk; fetch me a saw, one of you.’
I then, after extracting the milk of the nuts from their natural holes, carefully cut the
shells in half, thus providing several more useful basins. The monkey was perfectly satisfied
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
taste it. ‘Try it first yourself,’ said I; Fritz did so, and I instantly saw by his
countenance that the liquor had passed through the first stage of fermentation and had become
vinegar.
‘Never mind, my boy,’ said my prudent wife, when she learned the cause of his wry
faces, ‘we have wine already but no vinegar; I am really pleased at the transformation.’
The sun was now rapidly sinking behind the horizon, and the poultry retiring for the
night warned us that we must follow their example. Having offered up our prayers, we
lay down on our beds, the monkey crouched down between Jack and Fritz, and we were all
soon fast asleep. We did not, however, long enjoy this repose;
a loud barking from our dogs, who were on guard outside the tent, awakened us, and the
fluttering and cackling of our poultry 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, surrounded 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 pursuing them, they caught, killed, and devoured 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
near the tent, he concealed it, and we once more returned to our beds.
Soundly and peacefully we slept until ***-crow next morning, when my wife and I awoke, and
began to discuss the business of the day. ‘It seems absolutely necessary, my dear
wife,’ I began, ‘to return at once to the wreck while it is yet calm, that we may
save the poor animals 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 other hand,
I feel that there is an immense deal to be done on shore, and that I ought not to leave
you in such an insecure shelter as this tent.’ ‘Return to the wreck by all means,’ replied
my wife, cheerfully. ‘Patience, order and perseverance will help us through all our
work, and I agree with you that a visit to the wreck is without doubt our first duty.
Come, let us wake the children, and set to work without delay.’
They were soon roused, and Fritz overcoming his drowsiness before the others, ran out
for his jackal; it was cold and stiff from the night air, and he placed it on its legs
before the tent, in a most life-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 brethren in the night, but Fritz called
them off. The noise the dogs made, however, had the effect of bringing out the younger
children, and many were the exclamations they made at the sight of the strange animal.
‘A yellow dog!’ cried Franz. ‘A wolf!’ exclaimed Jack.
‘It is a striped fox,’ said Ernest.
‘Hullo,’ said Fritz. ‘The greatest men may make mistakes. Our professor does not
know a jackal when he sees one.’ ‘But really,’ continued Ernest, examining
the animal, ‘I think it is a fox.’ ‘Very well, very well,’ retorted Fritz,
‘no doubt you know better than your father! He thinks it is a jackal.’
‘Come boys,’ said I, ‘no more of this quarrelling; you are none of you very far
wrong, for the jackal partakes of the nature of all three, dog, wolf, and fox.’
The monkey had come out on Jack’s shoulder, but no sooner did it catch sight of the jackal,
than it fled precipitately back into the tent, and hid itself in a heap of moss until nothing
was visible but the tip of its little nose. Jack soothed and comforted the frightened
little animal, and I then summoned them all to prayers, soon after which we began our
breakfast. 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 shellfish.
Presently he returned with a few whelks. ‘Ah,’ said he, ‘if we had but some butter.’
‘My good boy,’ I replied, ‘Your perpetual “if, if”, quite annoys me, why do you
not sit down and eat cheese like the rest of us?’ ‘Not while I can get butter,’
he said, ‘see here, father,’ and he pointed to a large cask, ‘that barrel contains butter
of some sort or another, for it is oozing out at the end.’
‘Really, Ernest,’ I said, ‘we are indebted to you. I will open the cask.’ So saying,
I took a knife and carefully cut a small hole, so that I could extract the butter without
exposing the mass of it to the effects of the air and heat. Filling a coconut shell,
we once more sat down, and toasting our biscuits before the fire, spread them with the good
Dutch butter. We found this vastly better than the dry biscuit, and while we were thus
employed, I noticed that the two dogs were lying unusually quietly 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 animals had not escaped unhurt from
their late combat, but had received several deep and painful wounds, especially about
the neck. The dogs began to lick each other on the places which they could not reach with
their own tongues, and my wife carefully dressed the wounds with butter from which she had
extracted the salt by washing. A sudden thought now struck Ernest, and he
wisely remarked, that if we were to make spiked collars for the dogs, they would in future
escape such dangerous wounds. ‘Oh yes,’ exclaimed Jack, ‘and I will make them, may
I not, father?’ ‘Try by all means, my little fellow,’
said I, ‘and persuade your mother to assist you; and now, Fritz,’ I continued, ‘we
must be starting, for you and I are to make a trip to the wreck.’ I begged the party
who were to remain 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 making preparations for
our departure, hoisted a strip
of sailcloth as a flag; this flag was to remain hoisted so long as all was well on shore,
but should our return be desired, three shots were to be fired and the flag lowered.
All was now ready, and warning my wife that we might find it necessary to remain all night
on the vessel, we tenderly bade adieu and embarked. Except our guns and ammunition we
were taking nothing, that we might leave as much space as possible for the stowage of
a large cargo. Fritz, however, had resolved to bring his little monkey, that he might
obtain milk for it as soon as possible. We had not got far from the shore, when I perceived
that a current from the river set in directly for the vessel, and though my nautical knowledge
was not 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 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 to the
animals, who greeted us with joy—lowing, bellowing, and bleating as we approached;
not that the poor beasts were hungry, for they were all still well supplied with food,
but they were apparently pleased by the mere sight of human beings. Fritz then placed his
monkey by one of the goats, and the little animal immediately sucked the milk with evident
relish, chattering and grinning all the while; the monkey provided for, we refreshed ourselves
with some wine and biscuits. ‘Now,’ said I, ‘we have plenty to do; where shall we
begin?’ ‘Let us fix a mast and sail to our boat,’
answered Fritz, ‘for the current which brought us out will not take us back; whereas the
fresh breeze we met would help us immensely had we but a sail.’
‘Capital thought,’ I replied, ‘let us set to work at once.’
I chose a stout spar to serve as a mast, and having made a hole in a plank nailed across
one of the tubs we, with the help of a rope and a couple of blocks, stepped it and secured
it with stays. We then discovered a lug-sail, which had belonged to one of the ship’s
boats; this we hoisted; and our craft was ready to sail. Fritz begged me to decorate
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. I then contrived a rudder,
that I might be able to steer the boat; for though I knew that an oar would serve the
purpose, it was cumbrous and inconvenient. While I was thus employed, Fritz examined
the shore with his glass, and soon announced that the flag was flying and all was well.
So much time had now slipped away, that we found we could not return that night, as I
had wished. We signalled our intention of remaining on board, and then spent the rest
of our time in taking out the stones we had placed in the boat for ballast, and stowed
in their place heavy articles, of value to us. The ship had sailed for the purpose of
supplying a young colony, she had therefore on board every conceivable article we could
desire in our present situation, our only 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 cellaret of good old wine; we then went
over the stores, and supplied ourselves with potted meats, portable soups, Westphalian
hams, sausages, a bag of maize and wheat, and a quantity of other seeds and vegetables.
I then added a barrel of
sulphur for matches, and as much cordage as I could find. All this—with nails, tools
and agricultural implements—completed our cargo, and sank our boat so low, that I should
have been obliged to lighten her had not the sea been calm.
Night drew on and a large fire, lighted by those on shore, showed us that all was well.
We replied by hoisting four ship’s lanterns, and two shots announced 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 events was soon sound asleep. For a while I could
not sleep, the thought of my wife and children—alone and unprotected, save by the great dogs—disturbed
my rest. The night at length 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 waving in the morning breeze; while I kept the glass
directed to the land, I saw the door of the tent open, and my wife appear and look steadfastly
towards us. I at once hoisted a white flag, and in reply,
the flag on shore was thrice dipped. Oh, what a weight seemed lifted from my heart as I
saw the signal! ‘Fritz,’ I said, ‘I am not now in such
haste to get back, and begin to feel compassion for all these poor beasts. I wish we could
devise some means for getting them on shore.’ ‘We might make a raft,’ suggested Fritz,
‘and take off one or two at a time.’ ‘True,’ I replied; ‘it is easy enough
to say, “make a raft”, but to do it is quite another thing.’
‘Well,’ said Fritz, ‘I can think of nothing else, unless indeed we make them such
swimming-belts as you made for the children.’ ‘Really, my boy, that idea is worth having.
I am not joking, indeed,’ I continued, as I saw him smile, ‘we may get every one of
the animals ashore in that way.’ So saying, I caught a fine sheep, and proceeded
to put our plan into execution. I first fastened a broad piece of linen round its belly, and
to this attached some corks and empty tins; then with Fritz’s help, I flung the animal
into the sea—it sank, but a moment afterwards rose and floated famously.
‘Hurrah!’ exclaimed Fritz, ‘we will treat them all like that.’ We then rapidly
caught the other animals and provided them one after the other with a similar contrivance.
The cow and *** gave us more trouble than did the others, for, for them we required
something more buoyant than the mere cork; we at last found some empty casks and fastened
two to each animal by thongs passed under its belly. This done the whole herd were ready
to start, and we brought the *** to one of the ports to be the first to be launched.
After some manœuvring 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
alone remained. She seemed, however determined not to leave the ship; she kicked, struggled
and squealed so violently, that I really thought we should be obliged to abandon her; at length,
after much trouble, we succeeded in sending her out of the port after the others, and
when once in the
water, such was the old lady’s energy that she quickly distanced them, and was the first
to reach the shore. We had fastened to the horns or neck of each
animal a cord with a float attached to the end, and now embarking, we gathered up these
floats, set sail, and steered for shore, drawing our herd after us.
Delighted with the successful accomplishment of our task, we got out some biscuits and
enjoyed a midday meal; then, while Fritz amused himself with his monkey, I took up my glass
and tried to make out how our dear 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 making for one of the
finest sheep; he turned on his side to seize his prey; as the white of his belly appeared
Fritz fired. The shot took effect, and our enemy disappeared, leaving a trace of blood
on the calm water. ‘Well done, my boy,’ I cried, ‘you will
become a crack shot one of these days; but I trust you will not often have such dangerous
game to shoot.’ Fritz’s eyes sparkled 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 quickly neared the shore. Steering the boat to a convenient landing
place, I cast off the ropes which secured the animals, and let them get ashore as best
they might. There was no sign of my wife or children when
we stepped on land, but a few moments afterwards they appeared, and with a shout of joy ran
towards us. We were thankful to be once more united, and after asking and replying to a
few preliminary questions, proceeded to release our herd from their swimming belts, which,
though so useful in the water, were exceedingly inconvenient on shore. My wife was astonished
at the apparatus. ‘How clever you are,’ said she.
‘I am not the inventor,’ I replied, ‘the honour is due to Fritz. He not only thought
of this plan for bringing off the animals, but saved one 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 son’s success, but declared that she would dread our trips
to the vessel more than ever, knowing that such savage fish inhabited the waters.
Fritz, Ernest and I began the work of unloading our craft, while Jack, seeing that the poor
donkey was still encumbered with his swimming-belt, tried to free him from it. But the donkey
would not stand quiet, and the child’s fingers were not strong enough to loosen the cordage;
finally, therefore, he scrambled upon the animal’s back, and urging him on with hand
and foot, trotted towards us. ‘Come, my boy,’ I said, ‘no one must
be idle here, even for a moment; you will have riding practice enough hereafter; dismount
and come and help us.’ Jack was soon on his feet. ‘But I have not
been idle all day,’ he said, ‘look here!’ and he pointed to a belt round his waist.
It was a broad belt of yellow hair 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 call, and I saw that they were each supplied with a collar of the same
skin, in which were fastened nails, which bristled round their necks in a most formidable
manner. ‘Capital, capital! my boy,’ said I, ‘but
where did you get your materials, and who helped you?’
‘Except in cutting the skin,’ said my wife, ‘he had no assistance, and as for
the materials, Fritz’s jackal supplied us with the skin, and the needles and thread
came out of my wonderful bag.’ Fritz evidently did not approve of the use
to which his jackal’s hide had been devoted, and holding his nose, begged his little brother
to keep at a distance. ‘Really, Jack,’ he said, ‘you should have cured the hide
before you used it, the smell is disgusting, don’t come near me.’
‘It’s not the hide that smells at all,’ retorted Jack, ‘it is your nasty jackal
itself that you left in the sun.’ ‘Now, boys,’ said I, ‘no quarrelling
here; do you, Jack, help your brother to drag the carcass to the sea, and if your belt smells
after that you must take it off and dry it better.’
The jackal was dragged off, and we then finished our work of unloading our boat. When this
was accomplished we started for our tent, and finding there no preparation for supper,
I said, ‘Fritz, let us have a Westphalian ham.’
‘Ernest,’ said my wife, smiling, ‘let us see if we cannot conjure up some eggs.’
Fritz got out a splendid ham and carried it to his mother triumphantly, while Ernest set
before me a dozen white balls with parchment-like coverings.
‘Turtles’ eggs!’ said I. ‘Well done, Ernest, where did you get them?’
‘That,’ replied my wife, ‘shall be told in due course when we relate our adventures;
now we will see what they will do towards making a supper for you; with these and your
ham I do not think we shall starve.’ Leaving my wife to prepare supper, we returned
to the shore and brought up what of the cargo we had left there; then, having collected
our herd of animals, we returned to the tent. The meal which awaited us was as unlike the
first supper we had there enjoyed as possible. My wife had improvised a table of a board
laid on two casks, on this 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 capital omelette, then slices of the ham; and finally some Dutch cheese, butter
and biscuits, with a bottle of the captain’s canary wine, completed the repast.
While we thus regaled ourselves, I related to my wife our adventures, and then begged
she would remember her promise and tell me all that had happened in my absence.
Chapter 3 ‘I will spare you a description,’ said
my wife, ‘of our first day’s occupations; truth to tell, I spent the time chiefly in
anxious thought and watching your progress and signals. I rose very early this morning,
and with the utmost joy perceiving your signal that all was right, hastened to reply to it,
and then while my sons yet slumbered, I sat down and began to consider how our position
could be improved. “For it is perfectly impossible,” said I to myself, “to live
much longer where we are now. The sun beats burningly the livelong day on this bare rocky
spot, our only shelter is this poor tent, beneath the canvas of which the heat is even
more oppressive than on the open shore. Why should not I and my little boys exert ourselves
as well as my husband and Fritz? Why should not we too try to accomplish something useful?
If we could but exchange this melancholy and unwholesome abode for a pleasant shady dwelling-place,
we should all improve in health and spirits. Among those delightful woods and groves where
Fritz and his father saw so many charming things, I feel sure there must be some little
retreat where we could establish ourselves comfortably; there must be, and I will find
it.” ‘By this time the boys were up, and I observed
Jack very quietly and busily occupied with his knife about the spot where Fritz’s jackal
lay. Watching his proceedings, I saw that he had cut two long narrow strips of the animal’s
skin, which he cleaned and scraped very carefully, and then taking a handful of great nails out
of his pocket, he stuck them through the skin points outwards, after which he cut strips
of canvas sailcloth twice as broad as the thongs, doubled them, and laid them on the
raw side of the skin so as to cover the broad flat nail heads. At this point of the performance,
Master Jack came to me with the agreeable request that I would kindly stitch the canvas
and (moist) skin together for him. I gave him needles and thread, but could not think
of depriving him of the pleasure of doing it himself.
‘However, when I saw how good-humouredly he persevered in the work with his awkward
unskilful fingers, I took pity upon him, and conquering the disgust I felt, finished lining
the skin dog-collars he had so ingeniously contrived. After this I was called upon to
complete in the same way a fine belt of skin he had made for himself. I advised him to
think of some means by which the skin might be kept from shrinking.
‘Ernest, although rather treating Jack’s manufacture with ridicule, proposed a sensible-enough
plan, which Jack forthwith put in execution. He nailed the skin, stretched flat, on a board,
and put it in the sun to dry. ‘My scheme of a journey was agreed to joyously
by my young companions. Preparations were instantly set on foot: weapons and provisions
provided: the two elder boys carrying guns, while they gave me charge of the water flask,
and a small hatchet. ‘Leaving everything in as good order as
we could at the tent, we proceeded towards the stream, accompanied by the dogs. Turk,
who had accompanied you on your first expedition, seemed immediately to understand that we wished
to pursue the same route, and proudly led the way.
‘As I looked at my two young sons, each with his gun, and considered how much the
safety of the party depended on these little fellows, I felt grateful to you, dear husband,
for having acquainted them in childhood with the use of firearms.
‘Filling our water-jar, we crossed the stream, and went on to the height from whence, as
you described, a lovely prospect is obtained, at the sight of which a pleasurable sensation
of buoyant hope, to which I had long been a stranger, awoke within my breast.
‘A pretty little wood in the distance attracted my notice particularly, and thither we directed
our course. But soon finding it impossible to force our way through the tall strong grass
which grew in dense luxuriance higher than the children’s heads, we turned towards
the open beach on our left, and following it we reached a point much nearer the little
wood, when, quitting the strand, we made towards it.
‘We had not entirely escaped the tall grass, however and with the utmost fatigue and difficulty
were struggling through the reeds, when suddenly a great rushing noise terrified us all dreadfully.
A very large and powerful bird sprang upward on the wing. Both boys attempted to take aim,
but the bird was far away before they were ready to fire.
‘“Oh dear, what a pity!” exclaimed Ernest; “now if I had only had my light gun, and
if the bird had not flown quite so fast, I should have brought him down directly!”
‘“Oh yes,” said I, “no doubt you would be a capital sportsman if only your game would
always give you time to make ready comfortably.” ‘“But I had no notion that anything was
going to fly up just at our feet like that,” cried he.
‘“A good shot,” I replied, “must be prepared for surprises: neither wild birds
nor wild beasts will send you notice that they are about to fly or to run.” ‘“What
sort of bird can it have been?” inquired Jack.
‘“Oh, it certainly must have been an eagle,” answered little Franz, “it was so very big!”
‘“Just as if every big bird must be an eagle!” replied Ernest, in a tone of derision.
‘“Let’s see where he was sitting, at all events!” said I.
‘Jack sprang towards the place, and instantly a second bird, rather larger than the first,
rushed upward into the air, with a most startling noise.
‘The boys stood staring upwards, perfectly stupefied, while I laughed heartily, saying,
“Well, you are first-rate sportsmen, to be sure! You certainly will keep my larder
famously well supplied!” ‘At this, Ernest coloured up, and looked
inclined to cry, while Jack put on a comical face, pulled off his cap, and with a low bow,
called after the fugitive, “Adieu for the present, sir! I live in hopes of another meeting!”
‘On searching the ground carefully, we discovered a rude sort of nest made untidily of dry grass.
It was empty, although we perceived broken egg-shells at no great distance, and concluded
that the
young brood had escaped among the grass, which, in fact, we could see was waving at a little
distance, as the little birds ran through it.
‘“Now look here, Franz,” said Ernest, presently, “just consider how this bird
could by any possibility have been an eagle. Eagles never build on the ground, neither
can their young leave the nest and run as soon as they are out of the egg. That is a
peculiarity of the gallinaceous tribe of birds alone, to which then these must belong. The
species, I think, is indicated by the white belly and dull red colour of the wing coverts
which I observed in these specimens, and I believe them to be bustards, especially as
I noticed in the largest the fine moustache-like feathers over the beak, peculiar to the Great
Bustard.” ‘“My dear boy!” I said, “your eyes
were actively employed, I must confess, if your fingers were unready with the gun. And
after all, it is just as well, perhaps, that we have not thrown the bustard’s family
into mourning.” ‘Thus chatting, we at length approached
my pretty wood. Numbers of birds fluttered and sang among the high branches, but I did
not encourage the boys in their wish to try to shoot any of the happy little creatures.
We were lost in admiration of the trees of this grove, and I cannot describe to you how
wonderful they are, nor can you form the least idea of their enormous size without seeing
them yourself. What we had been calling a wood proved to be a group of about a dozen
trees only, and, what was strange, the roots sustained the massive trunks exalted in the
air, forming strong arches, and props and stays all around each individual stem, which
was firmly rooted in the centre. ‘I gave Jack some twine, and scrambling
up one of the curious open-air roots, he succeeded in measuring round the trunk itself, and made
it out to be about eighteen yards. I saw no sort of fruit, but the foliage is thick and
abundant, throwing delicious shade on the ground beneath, which is carpeted with soft
green herbage, and entirely free from thorns, briars, or bushes of any kind. It is the most
charming resting-place that ever was seen, and I and the boys enjoyed our midday meal
immensely in this glorious palace of the woods, so grateful to our senses after the glare
and heat of our journey thither. The dogs joined us after a while. They had lingered
behind on the sea-shore, and I was surprised to see them lie down and go comfortably to
sleep without begging for food, as they do usually when we eat.
‘The longer we remained in this enchanting place, the more did it charm my fancy; and
if we could but manage to live in some sort of dwelling up among the branches of those
grand, noble trees, I should feel perfectly safe and happy. It seemed to me absurd to
suppose we should ever find another place half so lovely, so I determined to search
no further, but return to the beach and see if anything from the wreck had been cast up
by the waves, which we could carry away with us.
‘Before starting, Jack persuaded me to sit quietly a little longer, and finish making
his belt and the spike-collars for the dogs, for you must know that the child had actually
been carrying the board on which these were stretched all this time, so that they should
get the full benefit of the sun. As they were now quite dry, I completed them easily, and
Jack girded on the belt with great pride, placing his pistols in it, and marching about
in a most self-important style, while Ernest fitted the collars on the two dogs.
‘On reaching the shore, we found it strewed with many articles, doubtless of value, but
all too heavy for us to lift. We rolled some casks, however, beyond high-water mark, and
dragged a chest or two also higher on the beach; and, while doing so, observed that
our dogs were busy among the rocks. They were carefully watching the crevices and pools,
and every now and then would pounce downwards and seize something which they swallowed with
apparent relish. ‘“They are eating crabs,” said Jack.
“No wonder they have not seemed hungry lately.” ‘And, sure enough, they were catching the
little green crabs with which the water abounded. These, however, did not apparently entirely
satisfy them. ‘Some time afterwards, just as we were about
to turn inland towards the ford, we noticed that Juno was scraping in the sand, and turning
up some round substances, which she hastily devoured. Ernest went to see what these were,
and reported in his calm way that the dog had found turtles’ eggs.
‘“Oh,” cried I, “then let us by all means share in the ***!” Mrs Juno, however,
did not at all approve of this, and it was with some difficulty that we drove her aside
while we gathered a couple of dozen of the eggs, stowing them in our provision bags.
‘While thus employed, we caught sight of a sail which appeared to be merrily approaching
the shore beyond the cliffs. Ernest declared it must be our raft. Little Franz, always
having the fear of savages before his eyes, began to look frightened, and for a moment
I myself was doubtful what to think. ‘However, we hastened to the stream; and,
crossing it by the stepping-stones, came in sight of the landing-place, where we joyfully
met you. ‘Now I hope you approve of the proceedings
of your exploring party, and that tomorrow you will do me the favour of packing everything
up, and taking us away to live amongst my splendid trees.’
‘Aye, little wife,’ said I, ‘so that is your idea of comfort and security is it!
A tree, I do not know how many feet high, on which we are to perch and roost like the
birds? If we had but wings or a balloon, it would, I own, be a capital plan.’
‘Laugh as much as you like,’ returned my wife, ‘my idea is not so absurd as you
make it out. We should be safe up there from jackals’ visits during the night. And I
know I have seen at home in Switzerland, quite a pretty arbour, with a strong floor, up among
the branches of a lime tree, and we went up a staircase to reach it. Why could not we
contrive a place like that, where we could sleep safely at night?’
‘I will consider the idea seriously, my wife,’ said I, ‘perhaps something may
come of it, after all! Meantime, as we have finished supper, and night is coming on, let
us commend ourselves to Almighty protection and retire to rest.’
Beneath the shelter of our tent, we all slept soundly, like marmots, until break of day;
when, my wife and I awaking, took counsel together as to future proceedings.
Referring to the task she had the previous evening proposed for me, I remarked that to
undertake it would involve so many difficulties that it was highly necessary to look closely
into the subject. ‘In the first place,’ said I, ‘I am
unwilling hastily to quit a spot to which I am convinced we were providentially led
as a landing-place. See how secure it is; guarded on all sides by these high cliffs,
and accessible only by the narrow passage to the ford, while from this point it is so
easy to reach the ship that the whole of its valuable cargo is at our disposal. Suppose
we decide to stay patiently here for the present—until, at least, we have brought on shore everything
we possibly can?’ ‘I agree with you to a certain extent, dear
husband,’ replied she, ‘but you do not know how dreadfully the heat among the rocks
tries me. It is almost intolerable to us who remain here all day while you and Fritz are
away out at sea, or wandering among the shady woods, where cool fruits refresh, and fair
scenes delight you. As to the contents of the ship, an immense deal has been cast ashore,
and I would much rather give up all the remainder, and be spared the painful anxiety it gives
me when you even talk of venturing again on the faithless deep.’
‘Well, I must admit that there is much right on your side,’ I continued; ‘suppose we
were to remove to your chosen abode, and make this rocky fastness our magazine and place
of retreat in case of danger. I could easily render it still more secure, by blasting portions
of the rock with gunpowder. But a bridge must be constructed in the first place, to enable
us to cross bag and baggage.’ ‘Oh, I shall be parched to death before
we can leave this place, if a bridge has to be made,’ cried my wife impatiently. ‘Why
not just take our things on our backs and wade across as we have done already? The cow
and the donkey could carry a great deal.’ ‘That they will have to do, in whatever
fashion we make the move,’ said I; ‘but bags and baskets we must have, to put things
in, and if you will turn your attention to providing those, I will set about the bridge
at once. It will be wanted not once, but continually; the stream will probably swell and be impassable
at times, and even as it is, an accident might happen.’
‘Well, well!’ cried my wife, ‘I submit to your opinion; only pray set about it without
delay, for I long to be off. It is an excellent idea to make a strong place among the cliffs
here; the gunpowder especially, I shall be delighted to see stored here when we go away,
for it is frightfully dangerous to keep so much as we have close to our habitation.’
‘Gunpowder is indeed the most dangerous and at the same time the most useful thing
we have,’ said I, ‘and for both these reasons we must be especially careful of it.
In time I will hollow out a place in the rock where we can store it safe from either fire
or damp.’ By this morning’s consultation we had settled
the weighty question of our change of abode, and also chalked out work for the day.
When the children heard of the proposed move their joy was boundless; they began at once
to talk of it as our ‘journey to the Promised Land’, and only regretted that time must
be ‘wasted’, as they said, in bridge-building before it could be undertaken.
Everyone being impatient for breakfast that work might be begun at once, the cow and goats
were milked, and, having enjoyed a comfortable meal of biscuit boiled in milk, I prepared
to start for the wreck, in order to obtain planks for the proposed bridge. Ernest as
well as Fritz accompanied me, and we were soon within the influence of the current,
and were carried swiftly out to sea. Fritz was steering, and we had no sooner passed
beyond the islet at the entrance of the bay, so as to come in sight of its seaward beach,
than we were astonished to see a countless multitude of sea-birds, gulls and others,
which rose like a cloud into the air, disturbed by our approach, and deafened us by their
wild and screaming cries. Fritz caught up his gun, and would have sent a shot among
them had I permitted it. I was very curious to find out what could be the great attraction
for all this swarm of feathered fowl; and, availing myself of a fresh breeze from the
sea, I set the sail and directed our course towards the island.
The swelling sail and flying pennant charmed Ernest, while Fritz bent his keen eyes eagerly
towards the sandy shore, where the flocks of birds were again settling.
Presently he shouted, ‘Aha, now I see what they are after! They have got a huge monster
of a fish there, and a proper feast they are making! Let’s have a nearer look at it,
father!’ We could not take our boat very close in,
but we managed to effect a landing at a short distance from the festive scene; and, securing
the raft by casting a rope round a large stone, we cautiously drew near the object of interest.
It proved to be a monstrous fish, on whose flesh these multitudes of birds were ravenously
feeding; and it was extraordinary to watch the ferocity, the envy, the gluttony, and
all manner of evil passions, exhibited among the guests at this banquet.
‘There was nothing on this sandy beach when we passed yesterday, I am certain, father,’
said Fritz. ‘It seems strange to see this creature stranded here.’
‘Why, Fritz!’ cried Ernest, ‘it must be the shark! Your shark, you know! I believe
I can see where you hit him in the head.’ ‘You are right, I do believe, Ernest,’
said I, ‘though I think your imagination only can distinguish the gunshot wounds among
all the pecking and tearing of the voracious birds there. Just look, boys, at those terrific
jaws, beneath the strangely projecting snout. See the rows upon rows of murderous teeth,
and thank God we were delivered from them! Let us try if we can induce these greedy birds
to spare us a bit of the shark’s skin; it is extremely rough, and when dry may be used
like a file.’ Ernest drew the ramrod from his gun, and charged
so manfully into the crowd, that striking right and left he speedily killed several,
whilst most of the others took to flight. Fritz detached some broad strips of skin with
his knife, and we returned towards the boat. Perceiving with satisfaction that the shore
was strewn with just the sort of boards and planks I wanted, I lost no time in collecting
them; and, forming a raft to tow after us, we were in a short time able to direct our
course homeward, without visiting the wreck at all. As we sailed along, extremely well
pleased with our good fortune, Fritz, by my direction, nailed part of the shark’s skin
flat on boards to dry in the sun and the rest on the rounded mast.
By this time we were close in shore; and, lowering the sail, we soon had our craft with
the raft in tow, safely moored to the bank. No one was in sight, not a sound to be heard,
so with united voice we gave a loud cheery halloo, which after a while was answered in
shrill tones, and my wife with her two boys came running from behind the high rocks between
us and the stream, each carrying a small bundle in a handkerchief, while little Franz held
aloft a landing-net. Our return so soon was quite unexpected, and
they anxiously inquired the reason, which we soon explained; and then the mysterious
bundles were opened, and a great number of fine crawfish displayed; whose efforts to
escape by scuttling away in every direction, directly they were placed in a heap on the
ground, caused immense fun and laughter as the boys pursued and brought them back, only
to find others scrambling off in a dozen different ways.
‘Now, father, have we not done well, today!’ cried Jack, ‘did you ever see such a splendid
crawfish? Oh, there were thousands of them, and I am sure we have got two hundred here
at least. Just look at their claws!’ ‘No doubt you were the discoverer of these
fine crabs, eh, Jack?’ said I. ‘No! Fancy young Franz being the lucky man!’
answered he. ‘He and I went towards the stream while mother was busy, just to look
for a good place for the bridge. Franz was picking up pebbles and alabasters, some because
they were so pretty, some to strike sparks with in the dark, and some he insisted were
“gold”. “Jack! Jack!” cried he presently, “come and see the crabs on Fritz’s jackal!”
You know we threw it away there, and to be sure it was swarming with these creatures.
Are you glad we have found them, father? Will they be good to eat?’
‘Very excellent, my boy, and we may be thankful that food for our wants is thus provided day
by day.’ When each party had related the day’s adventures,
and while my wife was cooking the crawfish, we went to bring our store of planks to land.
Even this apparently simple operation required thought, and I had to improvise rope-harness
for the cow and the donkey, by which we could make them drag each board separately from
the water’s edge to the margin of the stream. Jack showed me where he thought the bridge
should be, and I certainly saw no better place, as the banks were at that point tolerably
close to one another, steep, and of about equal height.
‘How shall we find out if our planks are long enough to reach across?’ said I. ‘A
surveyor’s table would be useful now.’ ‘What do you say to a ball of string, father?’
said Ernest. ‘Tie one end to a stone, throw it across, then draw it back, and measure
the line!’ Adopting my son’s idea, we speedily ascertained
the distance across to be eighteen feet. Then allowing three feet more at each side, I calculated
twenty-four feet as the necessary length of the boards.
The question as to how the planks were to be laid across was a difficult one. We resolved
to discuss it during dinner, to which we were now summoned. And my wife, as we sat resting,
displayed to me her needlework. With hard labour had she made two large canvas bags
for the *** to carry. Having no suitable needle, she had been obliged to bore the hole for
each stitch with a nail, and gained great praise for her ingenuity and patience. Dinner
was quickly dispatched, as we were all eager to continue our engineering work. A scheme
had occurred to me for conveying one end of a plank across the water, and I set about
it in this way. There fortunately were one or two trees close to the stream on either
side; I attached a rope pretty near one end of a beam, and slung it loosely to the tree
beside us; then, fastening a long rope to the other end, I crossed with it by means
of broken rocks and stones, and having a pulley and block, I soon arranged the rope on a strong
limb of the opposite tree, again returning with the end to our own side.
Now putting my idea to the proof, I brought the *** and the cow, and fastening this rope
to the harness I had previously contrived for them, I drove them steadily away from
the bank. To my great satisfaction, and the surprise and delight of the boys, the end
of the plank which had been laid alongside the stream began gently to move, rose higher,
turned, and soon projecting over the water continued to advance, until, having described
the segment of a circle, it reached the opposite bank; I stopped my team, the plank rested
on the ground, the bridge was made! So at least thought Fritz and Jack, who in a moment
were lightly running across the narrow way, shouting joyfully as they sprang to the other
side. Our work was now comparatively easy. A second
and third plank were laid beside the first; and when these were carefully secured at each
end to the ground and to the trees, we very quickly laid short boards side by side across
the beams, the boys nailing them lightly down as I sawed them in lengths; and when this
was done, our bridge was pronounced complete. Nothing could exceed the excitement of the
children. They danced to and fro on the wonderful structure, singing, shouting and cutting the
wildest capers. I must confess I heartily sympathized with
their triumphant feelings. Now that the work was done, we began to feel
how much we were fatigued, and gladly returned to our tent for refreshment and repose.
Next morning, while we breakfasted, I made a little speech to my sons on the subject
of the important move we were about to make, wishing to impress them with a sense of the
absolute necessity of great caution. ‘Remember,’ said I, ‘that, although
you all begin to feel very much at your ease here, we are yet complete strangers to a variety
of dangers which may surprise us unawares. I charge you, therefore, to maintain good
order, and keep together on the march. No darting off into bye-ways, Jack. No lingering
behind to philosophize, Ernest. And now all hands to work.’
The greatest activity instantly prevailed in our camp. Some collected provisions, others
packed kitchen utensils, tools, ropes, and hammocks, arranging them as burdens for the
cow and ***. My wife pleaded for a seat on the latter for her little Franz, and assuring
me likewise that she could not
possibly leave the poultry, even for a night, nor exist an hour without her magic bag, I
agreed to do my best to please her, without downright cruelty to animals.
Away ran the children to catch the *** and hens. Great chasing, fluttering and cackling
ensued; but with no success whatever, until my wife recalled her panting sons, and, scattering
some handfuls of grain within the open tent, soon decoyed the fowls and pigeons into the
enclosure; where, when the curtain was dropped, they were easily caught, tied together, and
placed on the cow. This amiable and phlegmatic animal had stood calmly chewing the cud, while
package after package was disposed on her broad back, nor did she now object even to
this noisy addition to her load. I placed a couple of half-hoops over all; and, spreading
sailcloth on them, put the fowls in darkness, and they rapidly became quiet; and the cow,
with the appearance of having a small waggon on her back, was ready to start.
Franz was firmly seated on the ***, amidst bags and bundles of all sorts and sizes; they
rose about him like cushions and pillows, and his curly head rested on the precious
magic bag, which surmounted all the rest. Having filled the tent with the things we
left behind, closing it carefully, and ranging chests and casks around it, we were finally
ready to be off, each well equipped and in the highest spirits.
Fritz and his mother led the van. Franz (the young cavalier), and the sober-minded
cow followed them closely. Jack conducted the goats; one of these had
also a rider, for Knips1 the monkey was seated on his foster-mother, whose patience was sorely
tried by his restlessness and playful tricks. The sheep were under Ernest’s care, and
I brought up the rear of this patriarchal band, while the two dogs kept constantly running
backwards and forwards in the character of aides-de-camp.
With honest pride I introduced my wife to my bridge, and after receiving from her what
I considered well-merited praise for my skill in its construction, we passed over it in
grand procession, reinforced unexpectedly on the opposite side by the arrival of our
cross-grained old sow. The perverse creature had obstinately resisted our attempts to bring
her with us, but finding herself deserted, had followed of her own accord, testifying
in the most unmistakable manner, by angry grunts and squeals, her entire disapproval
of our proceedings. I soon found we must, as before, turn down
to the sea beach, for not only did the rank grass impede our progress, but it also tempted
the animals to break away from us, and, but for our watchful dogs, we might have lost
several of them. On the firm, open sands we were making good
way, when to my annoyance, both our dogs suddenly left us, and springing into the thick cover
to our right, commenced a furious barking, following by howling as if in fear and violent
pain.
1 German, ‘Knipps’, a manikin.
Not for a moment doubting that some dangerous animal was at hand, I hastened to the spot,
remarking as I went the characteristic behaviour of my three sons.
Fritz cocked his gun and advanced boldly, but with caution. Ernest looked disconcerted,
and drew back, but got ready to fire. While Jack hurried after Fritz without so
much as unslinging his gun from his shoulders. Before I could come up with them, I heard
Jack shouting excitedly, ‘Father! Father! Come quickly! A huge porcupine!
A most enormous porcupine!’ Sure enough, the dogs were rushing round and
round a porcupine, and having attempted to seize it, were already severely wounded by
its quills. Each time they came near, the creature, with a rattling noise, bristled
up its spines. Somewhat to my amusement, while we were looking
at the curious defence this creature was making, little Jack stepped close up to it, with a
pocket pistol in his hand, and shot it dead, making sure of it by a couple of hearty raps
on the head, and then giving way to a burst of boyish exultation, he called upon us to
help to convey his prize to his mother. This it was not by any means easy to do. Sundry
attempts resulted in bloody fingers, till Jack, taking his pocket-handkerchief, and
fastening one corner round its neck, ran off, dragging it after him to where his mother
awaited us. ‘Hullo, mother! Here’s a jolly beast,
isn’t it? I shot it, and it’s good to eat! Father says so! I only wish you had seen
how it terrified the dogs, and heard the rattling and rustling of its spines. Oh, it is a fearful
creature!’ Ernest, examining it carefully, pronounced
its incisor teeth, its ears and feet, to resemble those of the human race, and pointed out the
curious crest of stiff hairs on its head and neck.
‘I have read of another species,’ said he, ‘called the tuft-tailed porcupine, which
must be even more curious-looking than this is. It has short flat quills, and a scaly
tail ending in an extraordinary tuft, like a bunch of narrow strips of parchment. It
cannot be such a disagreeable enemy to encounter as this fellow.’
‘Were you not afraid, Jack,’ asked I, ‘lest the porcupine should cast some of
his quills like darts at you?’ ‘Of course not,’ returned he, ‘I know
well enough that is nothing but a fable!’ ‘A fable!’ said I, ‘why look at your
mother! She is drawing five or six spines out of each of the dogs!’
‘Ah, those stuck into them when they so fiercely fell upon it in their attack. Those
are the shortest quills, and seem very slightly fixed in its skin. The long quills bent aside
when Juno pressed against them.’
‘You are perfectly right, my boy,’ said I, ‘there is no truth in the old idea of
shooting out the spines. But now, shall we leave this prickly *** of yours, or attempt
to take it with us?’ ‘Oh, please, father, let us take it! Why,
it is good to eat!’ Smiling at the child’s eagerness, and willing
to please him, I made a somewhat awkward bundle of the porcupine, wrapping it in several folds
of cloth, and added it to the donkey’s load. Our party then resumed the march, which, with
little interruption, was continued steadily, until we came in sight of our future place
of residence. The wonderful appearance of the enormous trees,
and the calm beauty of the spot altogether, fully came up to the enthusiastic description
which had been given to me. And my wife gladly heard me say that if an abode could be contrived
among the branches, it would be the safest and most charming home in the world.
We hastily unloaded the *** and cow, securing them, as well as the sheep and goats, by tying
their fore-feet loosely together. The doves and poultry were set at liberty, and we sat
down to rest among the soft herbage while we laid our plans for the night.
Fritz soon left us, but presently two shots were fired, and he appeared holding a fine
tiger-cat by the hind legs, which, with the intensest delight, he exhibited to each in
turn. ‘Well done, Fritz!’ cried I. ‘Our ***
and hens would have had an unfortunate night of it but for this lucky shot of yours. It
is to be hoped he has left no companion near at hand. You must be on the look-out. But
now, Fritz, tell us how you obtained your prize.’
‘Observing that something moved among the branches,’ said he, ‘I went softly round
the tree with my gun, and making sure the creature was a wild cat I fired and brought
it down. It was severely wounded, but, rising in a fury, it attempted to climb the tree,
when I luckily having a loaded pistol, gave it a quietus. And do tell me, father, what
sort of cat it is.’ ‘It is a mercy the brute did not fly at
your throat instead of attempting to escape,’ said I. ‘It belongs to a fierce and blood-thirsty
race—that of the ocelots or tiger-cats, natives of the tropical parts of America.
I should say this was a margay, and as it would have proved a cruel foe, not only of
our poultry, but also of our sheep and goats, I am well pleased that you have rid us of
it.’ ‘May I have the beautiful skin, father?
And will you tell me what will be the best use to make of it?’
‘I advise you to skin the animal very carefully, and of the handsome black and yellow tail,
make a hunting-belt for yourself. The paws—let me see—why, I fancy the paws might be made
famous cases for knife, fork and spoon, and look well hanging from the belt. The skin
of the body you had better preserve until you find some suitable use for it.’
‘Oh, father, what a splendid plan!’ cried Jack. ‘Do tell me some good use for my porcupine.’
‘I think its feet may make cases also; at least, you may try. The quills, I am sure,
may be used for packing needles, and for tipping arrows, and I should try to make defensive
armour for the dogs out of the rest. They may fall in with foes more dangerous than
any we have yet seen.’ ‘To be sure, father, the very thing!’
shouted Jack in high glee. ‘I have seen pictures of boar-hunts, in which the dogs
were protected by a sort of leather coat of mail. That will be grand!’
After giving this advice, I got no peace until I had shown my boys how to act upon it, and
in a short time each had his prize fastened up by the hind legs, and carefully slitting
the skin, was stripping it from the carcass. Ernest, meanwhile, was fetching large flat
stones in order to form a fire-place, while Franz gathered sticks, as his mother was anxious
to prepare some food. ‘What sort of tree do you suppose this to
be, father?’ inquired Ernest, seeing me examining that under which we were encamping.
‘Is not the leaf something like a walnut?’ ‘There is a resemblance, but in my opinion
these gigantic trees must be mangroves or wild figs. I have heard their enormous height
described, and also the peculiarity of the arching roots supporting the main trunk raised
above the soil.’ Just then little Franz came up with a large
bundle of sticks, and his mouth full of something he was eating with evident satisfaction.
‘Oh, mother!’ cried he, ‘this is so good! So delicious!’
‘Greedy little boy!’ exclaimed she in a fright. ‘What have you got there? Don’t
swallow it, whatever you do. Very likely it is poisonous! Spit it all out this minute!’
And his anxious mother quickly extracted from the rosy little mouth the remains of a small
fig. ‘Where did you find this?’ said I.
‘There are thousands lying among the grass yonder,’ replied the little boy. ‘They
taste very nice. I thought poison was nasty. Do you think they will hurt me? The pigeons
and the hens are gobbling them up with all their might and main, papa!’
‘I think you have no cause for alarm, dear wife,’ I said. ‘The trees seem to be the
fig-bearing mangrove of the Antilles. But remember, Franz, you must never eat anything
without first showing it to me, never mind how good it seems. If birds and monkeys eat
a fruit or vegetable, it is usually safe to believe it wholesome,’ added I, turning
to the other boys, who instantly taking the hint, coaxed Franz to give them the figs he
still had in his pocket, and ran to offer them to Knips, who was closely watching the
skinning of the tiger-cat and porcupine, apparently giving his opinion on the subject with much
chattering and gesticulation. ‘Here, Knips, allow me to present you with
a fig!’ cried Jack, holding one out to the funny little creature.
Knips took it readily, and after turning it about, and sniffing and smelling it, he popped
it into his mouth, with such a droll grimace of delight and satisfaction that the boys
all laughed and clapped their hands, crying ‘Bravo, Knips! You know a good thing when
you see it, don’t you, old fellow! Hurrah!’ My wife, with her mind set at rest on the
question of the figs, now continued her preparations for dinner.
The flesh of the margay was given to the dogs, but part of the porcupine was put on the fire
to boil, while we reserved the rest for roasting. I employed myself in contriving needles for
my wife’s work, by boring holes at one end of the quills, which I did by means of a red
hot nail, and I soon had a nice packet of various sizes, which pleased her immensely.
I also laid plans for making proper harness for our beasts of burden, but could not attempt
to begin that while so many wants more pressing demanded attention.
We examined the different trees, and chose one which seemed most suited to our purpose.
The branches spread at a great height above us, and I made the boys try if it were possible
to throw sticks or stones over one of these, my intention being to construct a rope ladder
if we could once succeed in getting a string across a strong bough.
Finding we could not succeed in that way, I resolved other schemes in my mind, and meantime
went with Jack and Fritz to a small brook close by, where I showed them how to place
the skins to steep and soften in the water, with stones placed on them to keep them beneath
the surface. When dinner was over, I prepared our night
quarters. I first slung our hammocks from the roots of the tree, which, meeting above
us, formed an arched roof, then covering the whole with sailcloth, we made a temporary
tent, which would at least keep off the night damps and noxious insects.
Leaving my wife engaged in making a set of harness for the *** and cow, whose strength
I intended to employ the following day in drawing the beams up to our tree, I walked
down with Fritz and Ernest to the beach to look for wood suitable for building our new
abode and also to discover, if possible, some light rods to form a ladder. For some time
we hunted in vain, nothing but rough driftwood was to be seen, utterly unfit for our purpose.
Ernest at length pointed out a quantity of bamboos half buried in the sand. These were
exactly what I wanted, and stripping them of their leaves I cut them into lengths of
about five feet each; these I bound in bundles to carry to the tree, and then began to look
about for some slight reeds to serve as arrows. I presently saw what I required in a copse
at a little distance. We advanced cautiously lest the thicket should contain some wild
beast or venomous serpent. Juno rushed ahead; as she did so a flock of flamingos, which
had been quietly feeding, rose in the air. Fritz instantly firing brought a couple of
the birds to the ground, the rest of the squadron sailing away in perfect order, their plumage
continually changing, as they flew, from beautiful rose to pure white, as alternately their snowy
wings and rosy *** were visible. One of those which fell was perfectly dead, but the
other appeared only slightly wounded in the wing, for it made off across the swampy ground.
I attempted to follow, but soon found that progress was impossible on the marsh; Juno,
however, chased the
bird and, seizing it, speedily brought it to my feet. Fritz and Ernest were delighted
at the sight of our prize. ‘What a handsome bird!’ exclaimed they.
‘Is it much hurt? Let us tame it and let it run about with the fowls.’
‘Its plumage is much more brilliant than that of the dead one,’ remarked Fritz.
‘Yes,’ said Ernest, ‘this is a full-grown bird, while yours is younger; it is some years
before they reach perfection. See what long active legs it has, like those of a stork,
while with its great webbed feet it can swim faster than a goose. Earth, air, or water
is all the same to the flamingo, it is equally at home in any one of the three.’
‘Well,’ said Fritz, ‘let us take the dead one to mother and get her to introduce
it to the other element and see what it will make of that; if it is young and tender, as
you say, it should make a delicious roast.’ Fritz and Ernest then carried the birds and
bamboos to the tree, while I proceeded to cut my reeds. I chose those which had flowered,
knowing that they were harder, and having cut a sufficient quantity of these, I selected
one or two of the tallest canes I could find to assist me in measuring the height of the
tree. I then bound them together and returned to my family.
‘Do you mean to keep this great hungry bird Fritz has brought?’ said my wife. ‘It
is another mouth to feed, remember, and provisions are still scarce.’
‘Luckily,’ I replied, ‘the flamingo will not eat grain like our poultry, but will
be quite satisfied with insects, fish, and little crabs, which it will pick up for itself.
Pray reassure yourself, therefore, and let me see to the poor bird’s wound.’
So saying, I procured some wine and butter and anointing the wing, which though hurt
was not broken, I bound it up, and then took the bird to the stream where I fastened it
by a long cord to a stake and left it to shift for itself. In a few days the wound was healed,
and the bird, subdued by kind treatment, became rapidly tame.
While I was thus employed my sons were endeavouring to ascertain the height of the lowest branch
of the tree from the ground. They had fastened together the long reeds I had brought with
them, and were trying to measure the distance, but in vain; they soon found that were the
‘Hello, my boys,’ I said, when I discovered what they were about, ‘that is not the way
to set to work. Geometry will simplify the operation considerably; with its help the
altitude of the highest mountains are ascertained; we may, therefore, easily find the height
of that branch.’ So saying, I measured out a certain distance
from the base of the tree and marked the spot, and then by means of a rod, whose length I
knew, and imaginary lines, I calculated the angle subtended by the trunk of the tree from
the ground to the root of the branch. This done, I was able to discover the height required,
and, to the astonishment of the younger children, announced that we should
henceforth live thirty feet above the ground. This I wanted to know, that I might construct
a ladder of the necessary length. Telling Fritz to collect all our cord, and
the others to roll all the twine into a ball, I sat down and taking the reeds, speedily
manufactured half a dozen arrows and feathered them from the dead flamingo. I then took a
strong bamboo, bent it and strung it so as to form a bow. When the boys saw what I had
done they were delighted, and begged to have the pleasure of firing the first shot.
‘No, no!’ said 1, ‘I did not make this for mere pleasure, nor is it even intended
as a weapon, the arrows are pointless. Elizabeth,’ I continued to my wife, ‘can you supply
me with a ball of stout thread from your wonderful bag?’
‘Certainly,’ replied she, ‘I think that a ball of thread was the first thing to enter
the bag,’ and diving her hand deep in, she drew out the very thing I wanted.
‘Now, boys,’ I said, ‘I am going to fire the first shot,’ and I fastened one
end of the thread to one of my arrows and aimed at a large branch above me. The arrow
flew upwards and bore the thread over the branch and fell at our feet. Thus was the
first step in our undertaking accomplished. Now for the rope ladder!
Fritz had obtained two coils of cord each about forty feet in length; these we stretched
on the ground side by side; then Fritz cut the bamboos into pieces of two feet for the
steps of the ladder, and as he handed them to me, I passed them through knots which I
had prepared in the ropes, while Jack fixed each end with a nail driven through the wood.
When the ladder was finished, I carried over the bough a rope by which it might be hauled
up. This done, I fixed the lower end of the ladder firmly to the ground by means of stakes,
and all was ready for an ascent. The boys who had been watching me with intense interest
were each eager to be first. ‘Jack shall have the honour,’ said I,
‘as he is the lightest, so up with you, my boy, and do not break your neck.’
Jack, who was as active as a monkey, sprang up the ladder and quickly gained the top.
‘Three cheers for the nest!’ he exclaimed, waving his cap. ‘Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah
for our jolly nest! What a grand house we will have up here; come along, Fritz!’
His brother was soon by his side, and with a hammer and nails secured the ladder yet
not there. They had not been seen. A moment afterwards, however, all anxiety was dispelled,
for amongst the topmost boughs I heard their young voices raised in the evening hymn. Instead
of descending, they had, while I was busy, climbed upwards, and had been sitting in silent
admiration of the moonlight scene, high above me. They now joined us, and my wife showed
up our evening prayer, and retired for the night.
Chapter 4 Next morning all were early awake, and the
cheered us all up, and we slept in peace.