Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss (microsoft ebook reader TXT) 📖
- Author: Johann David Wyss
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we secured several pairs, greatly to my satisfaction, as having
necessarily let them go free when we landed, they had become quite
wild, and we derived no advantage from them: whereas now we would have
a cot, and pigeon-pie whenever we liked.
When evening drew on, we set out for the wood of sweet acorns,
provided merely with long bamboo canes, torches and canvas sacks.
These weapons appeared very curious, and insufficient to the children;
but their use was speedily apparent: for darkness having come upon us
almost before we reached the wood, I lighted the torches, and
perceived, as I expected, that every branch was thickly laden with
ortolans and wild pigeons, who were roosting there in amazing numbers.
Suddenly aroused by the glare of light, confusion prevailed among the
terrified birds, who fluttered helplessly through the branches, dazzled
and bewildered, and many falling, even before we began to use the
sticks, were picked up, and put in the bags.
When we beat and struck the branches, it was as much as my wife and
Franz could do to gather up the quantities of pigeons that soon lay on
the ground. The sacks were speedily quite full. We turned homewards,
and on reaching Falconhurst, put our booty in safety, and gladly
withdrew to rest.
The following day was wholly occupied in plucking, boiling, roasting
and stewing, so that we could find time for nothing else; but next
morning a great expedition to Woodlands was arranged, that measures
might there be taken to prevent a repetition of the monkey invasion. I
hoped, could I but catch the mischievous rascals at their work of
destruction, to inflict upon them such a chastisement as would
effectually make them shun the neighbourhood of our farm for the
future.
My wife provided us with a good store of provisions, as we were likely
to be absent several days, while she, with Franz and Turk, remained at
home.
I took with me abundance of specially prepared birdlime, far stronger
than that which we used for the pigeons; a number of short posts,
plenty of string, and a supply of cocoanut shells and gourds.
The buffalo carried all these things, and one or two of the boys
besides. I myself bestrode the ass, and in due time we arrived at a
convenient spot in the forest, near Woodlands, well concealed by thick
bushes and underwood, where we made a little encampment, pitching the
small tent and tethering the animals. The dogs, too, were tied up, lest
they should roam about, and betray our presence.
We found the cottage quite quiet and deserted; and I lost no time in
preparing for the reception of visitors, hoping to be all ready for
them, and out of sight before they arrived.
We drove the stakes lightly into the ground, so as to form an
irregular paling round the house, winding string in and out in all
directions between them, thus making a kind of labyrinth, through which
it would be impossible to pass without touching either the stakes or
the cords.
Everything was plentifully besmeared with birdlime; and basins of the
mixture were set in all directions, strewed with rice, maize, and other
dainties for bait.
Night came without any interruption to our proceedings; and all being
then accomplished, we retired to rest beneath the shelter of our little
tent.
Very early in the morning we heard a confused noise, such as we knew
betokened the approach of a large number of apes. We armed ourselves
with strong clubs and cudgels, and holding the dogs in leash, made our
way silently behind the thickets, till, ourselves unseen, we could
command a view of all that went on; and strange indeed was the scene
which ensued!
The noise of rustling, crackling and creaking among the branches, with
horrid cries, and shrieks, and chattering, increased to a degree
sufficient to make us perfectly giddy; and then out from the forest
poured the whole disorderly rabble of monkeys, scrambling, springing,
leaping from the trees, racing and tumbling across the grassy space
towards the house; when, at once attracted by the novelties they saw,
they made for the jars and bowls.
They seemed innumerable; but the confused, rapid way in which they
swarmed hither and thither, made it difficult to judge accurately of
their numbers. They dashed fearlessly through and over the palings in
all directions, some rushing at the eatables, some scrambling on to the
roof, where they commenced tugging at the wooden pegs, with a view to
forcing an entrance.
Gradually, however, as they rambled over the place, all in turn became
besmeared with our birdlime on head, paws, back or breast. The
wretched predicament of the apes increased every instant.
Some sat down, and with the most ludicrous gestures, tried to clean
themselves. Others were hopelessly entangled in stakes and cordage,
which they trailed about after them, looking the picture of bewildered
despair.
Others, again, endeavoured to help one another, and stuck fast
together: the more they pulled, and tugged, and kicked, the worse
became their plight.
Many had the gourds and cocoanut shells lumbering and clattering about
with them, their paws having been caught when they sought to obtain the
rice or fruit we had put for bait.
Most ridiculous of all was the condition of one old fellow, who had
found a calabash, containing palm wine, and, eagerly drinking it, was
immediately fitted with a mask, for the shell stuck to his forehead and
whiskers, of course covering his eyes; and he blundered about, cutting
the wildest capers in his efforts to get rid of the encumbrance.
Numbers took to flight; but, as we had spread birdlime on several of
the trees around, many apes found themselves fixed to, or hanging from
the branches, where they remained in woeful durance, struggling and
shrieking horribly.
The panic being now general, I loosed the three dogs, whose impatience
had been almost uncontrollable, and who now rushed to the attack of the
unfortunate monkeys, as though burning with zeal to execute justice
upon desperate criminals.
The place soon had the appearance of a ghastly battlefield; for we were
obliged to do our part with the clubs and sticks, till the din of
howling, yelling, barking, in every conceivable tone of rage and pain,
gave place to an awful silence, and we looked with a shudder on the
shocking spectacle around us.
At least forty apes lay mangled and dead, and the boys began to be
quite sad and downhearted, till I, fully sharing their feelings,
hastened to turn their thoughts to active employment in removing and
burying the slain, burning the stakes, cordage, bowls, everything
concerned in the execution of our deadly stratagem.
After that we betook ourselves to the task of restoring order to our
dismantled cottage; and seeking for the scattered flock of sheep,
goats, and poultry, we gradually collected them, hoping to settle them
once more peacefully in their yards and sheds.
While thus engaged, we repeatedly heard a sound as of something heavy
falling from a tree. On going to look, we found three splendid birds,
caught on some of the limed sticks we had placed loose in the branches.
Two of these proved to be a variety of the Blue Molucca pigeon; the
third I assumed to be the Nicobar pigeon, having met with descriptions
of its resplendent green, bronze, and steely-blue plumage; and I was
pleased to think of domesticating them, and establishing them as first
tenants of a suitable dwelling near the cave.
`First tenants, father!’ said Fritz. `Do you expect to catch more like
these?’
`Not exactly catch them; I mean to practise a secret art. Much can be
done by magic, Fritz!’
Further explanation I declined to give.
In a few days, Woodlands was once more set in order, and everything
settled and comfortable, so that we returned without further adventure
to Falconhurst, where we were joyfully welcomed.
Every one agreed that we must go at once to Tentholm, to make the
proposed pigeon-house in the rock. Several other things there also
requiring our attention, we made arrangements for a prolonged stay.
My plan for the pigeon-house was to hollow out an ample space in the
cliff, facing towards Jackal river, and close to our rocky home,
fitting that up with partitions, perches and nesting-places; while a
large wooden front was fitted on to the opening, with entrance-holes,
slides, or shutters, and a broad platform in front, where the birds
could rest, and walk about.
When, after the work of a few weeks, we thought it was fit for
habitation, I set the other children to work at some distance from our
cavern, and summoning Fritz:
`Now, my faithful assistant,’ said I, `it is time to conjure the new
colonists to their settlement here. Yes,’ I continued, laughing at his
puzzled look. `I mean to play a regular pigeon-dealer’s trick. You must
know such gentry are very ingenious, not only in keeping their own
pigeons safe, but in adding to their numbers by attracting those of
other people. All I want is some soft clay, aniseed and salt, of which
I will compound a mixture, which our birds will like very much, and the
smell of which will bring others to share it with them.’
`I can easily get you those things, father.’
`I shall want some oil of aniseed besides,’ said I, `to put on the
pigeon-holes, so that the birds’ feathers may touch it as they pass in
and out, and become scented with what will attract the wild pigeons.
This I can obtain by pounding aniseed; therefore, bring me the mortar
and some oil.’
When this was strongly impregnated with the aromatic oil from the
seeds (for I did not purpose to distill it in regular style), I
strained it through a cloth, pressing it strongly: the result answered
my purpose, and the scent would certainly remain for some days.
All my preparations being completed, the pigeons were installed in
their new residence, and the slides closed. The European birds were by
this time quite friendly with the three beautiful strangers; and when
the other boys came home, and scrambled up the ladder to peep in at a
little pane of glass I had fixed in front, they saw them all
contentedly picking up grain, and pecking at the `magic food’, as Fritz
called it, although he did not betray my secret arts to his brothers.
Early on the third morning I aroused Fritz, and directed him to ascend
the rope ladder, and arrange a cord on the sliding door of the
dove-cot, by which it could be opened or closed from below. Also he
poured fresh aniseed oil all about the entrance, after which we
returned, and awoke the rest of the family, telling them that if they
liked to make haste, they might see me let the pigeons fly.
Everybody came to the dove-cot, understanding that some ceremony was to
attend the event, and I waved a wand with mock solemnity, while I
muttered a seeming incantation, and then gave Fritz a sign to draw up
the sliding panel.
Presently out popped the pretty heads of the captives, the soft eyes
glanced about in all directions; they withdrew, they ventured forth
again, they came timidly out on `the verandah’, as little Franz
expressed it; then, as though suddenly startled, the whole party took
wing, with the shrill whizzing sound peculiar to the flight of pigeons,
and circling above us, they rose higher, higher, finally darting quite
out of sight.
While we were yet gazing after them, they reappeared, and settled
quietly on the dove-cot; but as we
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