Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss (microsoft ebook reader TXT) 📖

little yacht! I should not be afraid to sail

in this myself.’

 

After the pinnace had been shown off, and received the admiration she

deserved, while our industry, skill, and perseverance met with

boundless praise, `Now,’ said my wife, `you must come with me, and see

how little Franz and I have improved our time every day of your

absence.’

 

We all landed and, with great curiosity, followed my wife up the river

towards the cascade; where, to our astonishment, we found a garden

neatly laid out in beds and walks; and she continued, `We don’t

frighten people by firing salutes in honour of our performances;

although, by and by, I too shall want fire in a peaceable form. Look at

my beds of lettuce and cabbages, my rows of beans and peas! Think what

delicious dinners I shall be able to cook for you, and give me credit

for my diligence.’

 

`My dear wife!’ I exclaimed. `This is beautiful! You have done

wonders! Did you not find the work too hard?’

 

`The ground is light and easy to dig hereabouts,’ she replied. `I have

planted potatoes, and cassava-roots, there is space for sugarcanes,

and the young fruit trees, and I shall want you to contrive to irrigate

them, by leading water from the cascades in hollow bamboos. Up by the

sheltering rocks I mean to have pineapples* and melons, they will look

splendid when they spread there. To shelter the beds of European

vegetables from the heat of the sun, I have planted seeds of maize

round them. The shadow of the tall plants will afford protection from

the burning rays. Do you think that is a good plan?’

 

* The author now thinks pineapples grow on vines. They do not.

 

`I do indeed; the whole arrangement is capital. Now, as sunset

approaches, we must return to the tent for supper and rest, for both of

which we are all quite ready.’

 

The time passed in happy talk over our many new interests; everyone had

the pleasant sensation which attends successful labour, as well as

experiencing the joy of affording unexpected pleasure to others; and I

especially pointed out to my sons how true, genuine happiness consists

in that, rather than in mere self-gratification.

 

Next morning, my wife said: `If you can exist on shore long enough to

visit Falconhurst, dear husband, I should like you to attend to the

little fruit trees. I fear they have been too much neglected. I have

watered them occasionally, and spread earth over the roots as they lay,

but I could not manage to plant them.’

 

`You have done far more than I could have expected, my wife,’ I

replied, `and provided you do not ask me to give up the sea

altogether, I most willingly agree to your request, and will go to

Falconhurst as soon as the raft is unloaded, and everything safely

arranged here.’

 

Life on shore was an agreeable change for us all, and the boys went

actively to work, so that the stores were quickly brought up to the

tent, piled in order, and carefully covered with sailcloths, fastened

down by pegs all round. The pinnace, being provided with an anchor, was

properly moored, and her elegant appearance quite altered the look of

our harbour, hitherto occupied only by the grotesque tub-boat, and flat

uninteresting raft.

 

Taking an ample supply of everything we should require at Falconhurst,

we were soon comfortably reestablished in that charming abode, its

peaceful shade seeming more delightful than ever, after the heat and

hard work we had lately undergone.

 

Several Sundays had passed during our stay at Tentholm, and the

welcome Day of Rest now returned again, to be observed with heartfelt

devotion and grateful praise. I did not attempt too much in the form of

preaching, as I could not have secured the attention of my hearers to

any long-winded discourses, but they were interested in the Bible

reading and simple instructions I drew from it, and their young voices

joined sweetly in favorite hymns, which my wife sang from memory.

 

In the evening, I desired my boys to let me see their dexterity in

athletic exercises, such as running, leaping, wrestling, and climbing;

telling them that they must keep up the practise of these things, so as

to grow strong active men, powerful to repel and cope with danger, as

well as agile and swift-footed to escape from it.

 

No man can be really courageous and self-reliant without an inward

consciousness of physical power and capability.

 

`I want to see my sons strong, both morally and physically,’ said I;

`that means, little Franz,’ as the large blue eyes looked inquiringly

up at me, `brave to do what is good and right, and to hate evil, and

strong to work, hunt and provide for themselves and others, and to

fight if necessary.’

 

On the following day, the boys seeming disposed to carry out my wishes

by muscular exercise of all sorts, I encouraged them by saying, I meant

to prepare a curious new weapon for them, only they must promise not to

neglect the practise of archery: as to their guns, I had no reason to

fear they would be laid aside.

 

Taking a long cord, I attached a leaden bullet to each end, and had

instantly to answer a storm of questions as to what this could possibly

be for.

 

`This is a miniature lasso,’ said I. `The Mexicans, Patagonians, and

various tribes of South America, make use of this weapon in hunting,

with marvellous dexterity, only, having no bullets, they fasten stones

to their ropes, which are immensely longer than this. One end is swung

round and round the mounted hunter’s head, and then cast with skill and

precision towards the animal he wishes to strike; immediately drawing

it back, he can repeat the blow, and either kill or wound his prey.

 

`Frequently, however, the intention is to take the animal, wild horse,

or buffalo, or whatever it may be, alive; and in that case, the lasso

is thrown, while riding in hot pursuit, in such a way as to make the

stone twist many times round the neck, body or legs of the fugitive,

arresting him even in full career.’

 

`Oh, father, what a splendid contrivance! Will you try it now? There is

the donkey, father! Do catch the donkey.’

 

Not at all certain of my powers, I declined to practise upon a live

subject, but consented to make a trial of skill by aiming at the stump

of a tree at no great distance.

 

My success surpassed my own expectations; the stump was entwined by the

cord in such a way as to leave no doubt whatever as to the feasibility

of the wonderful performances I described; and I was assailed by

petitions from the boys, each anxious to possess a lasso of his own,

without a moment’s delay.

 

As the manufacture was simple, their wishes were speedily gratified,

and lasso-practise became the order of the day.

 

Fritz, who was the most active and adroit, besides having, of course,

the greatest muscular strength, soon became skilled in the art.

 

That night a change came over the weather, and early next morning I

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

trees I could see that the surface of the sea was in violent agitation.

 

It was with no small satisfaction that I thought of our hard-won

pinnace, safely moored in the harbour, and recollected that there was

nothing to call us to the wreck for the next few days.

 

My attention was by no means monopolized by my sons and their

amusements. The good mother had much to show me demanding my approval,

advice, or assistance, as the case might be.

 

A good supply of wild pigeons and ortolans had been snared, partly

cooked and preserved in lard. Of these she showed me her small cask

well filled.

 

Then the nests of various pairs of tame pigeons were exhibited, but her

chief care was the unpromising condition of her dear little fruit

trees, for, having been forgotten, they were so dry and withered, that

unless planted without further delay, she feared we should lose them.

 

This needful work we set about, therefore, at once, proposing

afterwards an excursion to the Calabash Wood, in order to manufacture a

large supply of vessels and utensils of all sorts and sizes.

 

Every one was inclined for this expedition; consequently the planting

of the orchard was carried on with surprising vigour, but was not

completed until towards evening; and then all sorts of arrangements

were made for an early start next day. My wife and Franz were to be of

the party, and their equipment took some time, for we meant to make a

grand family excursion attended by our domestic pets and servants!

 

By sunrise we were all astir, and everything quickly made ready for a

start.

 

The sledge loaded with ammunition and baskets of provisions, and drawn

by the donkey, was to be used for carrying home our gourd

manufactures, as well as any other prize we might fall in with.

 

Turk, as usual, headed the procession, clad in his coat of mail.

 

Then came the boys with their guns and game-bags. Their mother and I

followed, and behind trotted Juno not in very good spirits, poor

dog!—because Master Knips, who had no idea of being left alone, must

needs ride on her back.

 

On this occasion I took two guns with me, one loaded with shot for

game, another with ball for our defence against beasts of prey.

 

Flamingo Marsh was quickly crossed, and the magnificent country beyond

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

new to my wife and two of the boys, and the lovely prospect enchanted

them.

 

Here Fritz and Jack turned aside into the bush, where presently loud

barking was followed by the quick report of a gun, and a large bird,

which had risen from the thicket, fell heavily to the ground before us.

 

Far from resigning itself, however, to death or captivity, it sprang to

its feet, and, unable to fly, rushed away with extraordinary speed,

hotly pursued by the excited dog, while Fritz ran panting in the same

direction, and Juno, eager to join the chase, sprang aside so suddenly,

that her rider was flung unceremoniously on the sand, as she darted to

intercept the retreat of the active bird. This she cleverly

accomplished, but its defence was maintained so fiercely, as it struck

out with its powerful legs and sharp claws, that neither Fritz nor the

dogs could master it.

 

I hastened to their assistance, and found Juno holding on nobly by the

wing she had seized, while the bird, which proved to be a magnificent

bustard, struggled and fought fiercely. Watching my opportunity, I

threw a large handkerchief over it, and with difficulty succeeded in

binding its legs and wings. It was borne in triumph to the rest of our

party, who meantime had been reclining on the sand.

 

`What have you got?’

 

`What has Fritz shot?’ cried the boys, starting up at our approach.

 

`A bustard! Oh, that is splendid!’

 

`To be sure, it is the one we missed that day, don’t you remember,

mother? Ah, ha! Old fellow, you are done for this time!’ said Jack.

 

`I think this is a hen bustard, it is the mother bird,’ said Ernest.

 

`Ah, yes, poor thing!’ exclaimed my wife, in a tone of concern. `It is

most likely the same, and I know she had a brood of young birds, and

now they will be left unprotected and miserable. Had we