Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss (microsoft ebook reader TXT) 📖
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the mingled disgust and amusement occasioned by their appearance; `they
are but half-grown, and I hoped to maintain them in seclusion, until
they reached full size, when I would have introduced them with proper
eclat. But since their talent for music has brought them precociously
into public notice, I must beg for your kind and indulgent patronage
and—leave to take them back to the swamp.’
Great clapping of hands followed Jack’s speech.
`Grace’ and `Beauty’ were examined, and commented on with much
interest, and voted decidedly handsome `in their way’.
Their general colour was greenish-brown, mottled and spotted with
reddish-brown, and yellow; the sides green and black; the underpart
yellow, mottled with orange. The eyes were positively beautiful, of a
rich chestnut hue, covered with golden white dots, which shone with a
metallic lustre. The skin of the body was puckered into longitudinal
folds.
By general consent they were remanded to the swamp. Shortly after our
return to Rockburg, my wife drew my attention to the somewhat
neglected state of our dear old summer residence at Falconhurst,
begging me to devote some time to its restoration and embellishment.
This I most willingly undertook, and we removed thither, as soon as the
boys had completed the arrangement of the artificial salt-lick to their
satisfaction.
At Falconhurst things were quickly in good order, and we made a great
improvement by completing the broad terrace supported on the arching
roots of the trees—it was better floored—and rustic pillars and
trellis-work sustained a bark roof which afforded pleasant shade.
After this was done, I was compelled to consent to a plan long
cherished by Fritz, who wished to construct a watch-tower and mount a
gun on Shark Island. After great exertion, both mental and bodily, this
piece of military engineering was completed; and a flagstaff erected,
on which the guard at this outpost could run up a white flag to signal
the approach of anything harmless from the sea, while a red flag would
be shown on the least appearance of danger.
To celebrate the completion of this great work, which occupied us
during two months, we hoisted the white flag and fired a salute of six
guns.
`We spend our years as a tale that is told,’ said King David. These
words recurred to me again and again as I reviewed ten years, of which
the story lay chronicled in the pages of my journal.
Year followed year; chapter succeeded chapter; steadily,
imperceptibly, time was passing away.
The shade of sadness cast on my mind by retrospect of this kind, was
dispelled by thoughts full of gratitude to God, for the welfare and
happiness of my beloved family during so long a period. I had cause
especially to rejoice in seeing our sons advance to manhood
strengthened by early training for lives of usefulness and activity
wherever their lot might fall.
And my great wish is that young people who read this record of our
lives and adventures, should learn from it how admirably suited is the
peaceful, industrious and pious life of a cheerful and united family,
to the formation of strong, pure and manly character.
None take a better place in the great national family, none are
happier or more beloved than those who go forth from such homes to
fulfil new duties, and to gather fresh interests around them.
Having given a detailed account of several years’ residence in New
Switzerland, as we liked to call our dominion, it is needless for me to
continue what would exhaust the patience of the most long-suffering, by
repeating monotonous narratives of exploring parties and hunting
expeditions, wearisome descriptions of awkward inventions and clumsy
machines, with an endless record of discoveries, more fit for the pages
of an encyclopaedia, than a book of family history.
Yet before winding up with the concluding events, I may mention some
interesting facts illustrative of our exact position at the time these
took place.
Rockburg and Falconhurst continued to be our winter and summer
headquarters, and improvements were added which made them more and more
convenient as well as attractive in appearance.
The fountains, trellised verandahs and plantations round Rockburg,
completely changed the character of the residence which on account of
the heat and want of vegetation had in former days been so distasteful
to my wife. Flowering creepers overhung the balconies and pillars;
while shrubs and trees, both native and European, grew luxuriantly in
groves of our planting.
In the distance, Shark Island, now clothed with graceful palms,
guarded the entrance to Safety Bay, the battery and flagstaff
prominently visible on its crested rock.
The swamp, cleared and drained, was now a considerable lake, with just
marsh and reeds enough beyond it to form good cover for the waterfowl
whose favourite retreat it was.
On its blue waters sailed stately black swans, snow-white geese and
richly coloured ducks; while out and in among the water-plants and
rushes would appear at intervals glimpses of the brilliant Sultan,
marsh-fowl, crimson flamingos, soft blue-grey demoiselle cranes, and
crested heron, all associating in harmony, and with no fear of us,
their masters.
The giant frogs, Grace and Beauty, delighted Jack by actually
attaining in time to the size of small rabbits; and, perfectly knowing
their very appropriate names, would waddle out of the marsh at his
call, to eat a grasshopper or dainty fly.
Beneath the spreading trees, and through the aromatic shrubberies, old
Hurry, the ostrich, was usually to be seen marching about, with grave
and dignified pace, as though monarch of all he surveyed. Every variety
of beautiful pigeon nested in the rocks and dove-cots, their soft
cooing and glossy plumage making them favourite household pets.
By the bridge alone could Rockburg be approached; for higher up the
river where, near the cascade, it was fordable, a dense and
impenetrable thicket of orange and lemon trees, Indian figs, prickly
pears and all manner of thorn-bearing shrubs, planted by us, now formed
a complete barrier.
The rabbit-warren on Shark Island kept us well supplied with food, as
well as soft and useful fur; and, as the antelopes did not thrive on
Whale Isle, they also were placed among the shady groves with the
rabbits, and their own island devoted to such work as candle-making,
tanning, wool-cleaning and any other needful but offensive operations.
The farm at Woodlands flourished, and our flocks and herds supplied us
with mutton, beef and veal, while my wife’s dairy was almost more than
she could manage.
My boys retained their old love for giving names to the animals. They
had a beautiful creamy-white cow, called Blanche, and a bull with such
a tremendous voice, that he received the name of Stentor. Two fleet
young onagers were named Arrow and Dart; and Jack had a descendant of
his old favourite Fangs, the jackal, which he chose to call Coco,
asserting that no word could be distinguished at a distance without `o’
in it, giving illustrations of his theory till our ears were almost
deafened.
Excellent health had been enjoyed by us all during these ten years,
though my wife occasionally suffered from slight attacks of fever, and
the boys sometimes met with little accidents.
They were all fine handsome fellows: Fritz, now twenty-four, was of
moderate height, uncommonly strong, active, muscular and
high-spirited.
Ernest, two years younger, was tall and slight; in disposition, mild,
calm and studious; his early faults of indolence and selfishness were
almost entirely overcome. He possessed refined tastes and great
intellectual power.
Jack, at twenty, strongly resembled Fritz, being about his height,
though more lightly built, and remarkable rather for active grace and
agility than for muscular strength.
Franz, a lively youth of seventeen, had some of the qualities of each
of his brothers; he possessed wit and shrewdness, but not the arch
drollery of Jack.
All were honourable, God-fearing young men, dutiful and affectionate to
their mother and myself, and warmly attached to each other.
Although so many years had elapsed in total seclusion, it continued to
be my strong impression that we should one day be restored to the
society of our fellow men.
But time, which was bringing our sons to manhood, was also carrying
their parents onwards to old age; and anxious, gloomy thoughts relating
to their future, should they be left indeed alone, sometimes oppressed
my heart.
On such occasions I would not communicate the sense of depression to my
family, but turning in prayer to the Almighty Father, laid my trouble
before Him, with never-failing renewal of strength and hope.
My elder sons often made expeditions of which we knew nothing until
their return after many hours; when any uneasiness I might have felt
was dissipated by their joyous appearance, and reproof always died away
on my lips.
Fritz had been absent one whole day from Rockburg, and not until
evening did we remark that his cajack was gone, and that he must be out
at sea.
Anxious to see him return before nightfall, I went off to Shark Island
with Ernest and Jack, in order to look out for him from the watch-tower
there, at the same time hoisting our signal flag, and loading the gun.
Long we gazed across the expanse of ocean glittering in the level
beams of the setting sun, and finally discerned a small black speck in
the distance which, by the telescope, was proved to be the returning
wanderer.
I remarked that his skiff sailed at a slower rate than usual towards
the shore. The cannon was fired to let him know that his approach was
observed, and then we joyfully hurried back to receive him at the
harbour.
It was easy to see, as he drew near, what had delayed his progress. The
cajack towed a large sack, besides being heavily laden. `Welcome,
Fritz!’ I cried. `Welcome back, wherever you come from and whatever you
bring. You seem to have quite a cargo there!’
`Yes, and my trip has led to discoveries as well as booty,’ answered
he. `Interesting discoveries which will tempt us again in the same
direction. Come, boys, let’s carry up the things, and while I rest I
will relate my adventures.’
As soon as possible all assembled round him. `I think my absence
without leave deserves reproach instead of this warm reception,
father, and I must apologize for it,’ he began, `but ever since I
possessed the cajack it has been my ambition to make a voyage of
discovery along the coast, which we have never explored beyond the
point at which I killed the walrus.
`In order to be ready to start without delay when a convenient
opportunity offered, I made preparations beforehand, such as
provisioning my skiff, fixing the compass in front of my seat,
arranging conveniently rifle, harpoon, axe, boat-hook and fishing-net.
I also resolved to take with me Pounce, my eagle, and this I always
will do in future.
`This morning dawned magnificently; the calm sea, the gentle breeze,
all drew me irresistibly to the fulfilment of my purpose.
`I left the harbour unperceived, the current quickly bore me out to
sea, and I rounded the point to the left, passing just over the spot
where, beneath the waves, lie the guns, cannon balls, ironwork, and all
that was indestructible about our good old wreck. And would you believe
it? Through the glassy clear water, undisturbed by a ripple, I actually
saw many such things strewn on the flat rocky bottom.
`Pursuing my way, I passed among rugged cliffs and rocks which jutted
out from the shore, or rose in rugged masses from the water. Myriads of
sea-fowl inhabited the
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