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

the delay with tolerable patience.

 

At last came the day, when, taking leave of my wife and Franz, we went

on board the yacht, accompanied by some of the dogs; while Jack,

proudly occupying the new seat beside Fritz in the canoe, shared with

him the honour of leading the way in the character of pilots.

 

We passed safely through the rocks and shoals near Walrus Island into

an expanse of calm water, sheltered by jutting cliffs, where the sea

glanced like a mirror, and for the first time we observed the

fairy-like shells of the paper-nautilus sailing lightly over the

dazzling surface.

 

It was impossible to see these lovely seafarers without wishing to

obtain specimens; and the canoe accordingly gave chase, presently

securing half a dozen, which were handed to us in the yacht to be

carefully preserved for the museum, and the place was ever after called

Nautilus Creek.

 

Further on we rounded a short promontory, flat, with an abrupt rock at

the extremity, to which we gave the name of Cape Pug-Nose; and then, at

some distance, appeared the grand cliffs of a headland running far out

to sea.

 

This I supposed we should have to weather, but my pilots made no

change in our course, and, following the canoe, we soon came in sight

of the majestic archway which offered us a short passage to Pearl Bay.

 

The wonderfully architectural appearance of the pillars, arches and

pinnacles, surrounding and surmounting this noble entrance, struck me

with admiration, resembling parts of a fine gothic cathedral, and

inducing me to propose for it the name Cape Minster.

 

A perfect cloud of little swallows darted from the cavernous entrance

on our approach, divided into flocks, soared, wheeled, flew right and

left, and finally returned in a body as swiftly as they came, to the

sides of the long dark tunnel, which were festooned with their nests.

 

We detached a number of these as we passed, taking care to leave those

containing eggs or young. The best were at a considerable height, but

the broken and shelving rocks afforded, in some places, footing for

such daring and active climbers as Fritz and Jack, and they quickly

obtained as many as we could possibly require.

 

Our progress was much assisted by the tide, which, like a current, bore

us onward along the nave of this natural cathedral; aisles, transepts,

screens and side-chapels appearing between the columns and arches which

in the `dim religious light’ were revealed to our wondering eyes.

 

On emerging into the dazzling sunshine, we found ourselves floating in

the calm expanse of Pearl Bay; but it was some minutes before we could

look around on the bright and lovely scene.

 

Fritz had not overrated its beauty, and the romantic islets which

studded its waters seemed to give the effect of a pleasant smile to

features already perfect.

 

We cruised about for some time, surveying the coast with its fertile

meadows, shady groves, gently swelling hills and murmuring brooks,

seeking a convenient landing-place in the vicinity of the shallows

where lay the oyster-beds.

 

This we found, close to a sparkling streamlet; and, as the day was fast

declining, we made speedy arrangements for burning a watch-fire; after

which we partook of a hasty supper, and leaving the dogs, with Coco,

the jackal, to sleep on shore, we returned on board the yacht for the

night, anchoring within gunshot of the land.

 

The coast being quite strange to us, I knew not what wild beasts might

frequent it; but, though I did not fear that any would approach us by

swimming, yet I was glad to have with us our lively little ape, Mercury

(the successor of our old favourite, Knips, long since gathered to his

fathers), for he occupied at night a cosy berth on deck, and was

certain to give vociferous notice should anything alarming occur.

 

Fritz moored the cajack alongside, and came on board. The night passed

in peace, although for a time we were disturbed by the yelping of

jackals, with whom Coco persisted in keeping up a noisy conversation.

 

We awoke at daybreak, and after breakfasting a la fourchette*, we

repaired in haste with nets, scrapers and all other requisites, to the

oyster-beds, where we worked with such diligence and success that in

the course of two days we had an immense pile of shells built up like a

stack on the beach, and left to decay. I collected a quantity of

seaweed to spread over them, which was afterwards burnt to make alkali,

when we returned to secure our harvest of pearls.

 

* lit. in the manner of a fork; from a French saying that

translates “the fork of Father Adam.” In other words, they

ate hastily with their fingers.

 

Every evening we went out shooting in the neighbourhood, and kept

ourselves supplied with game of one sort or another. The last day of

our fishery we started earlier, intending to make a longer excursion

into the woods.

 

Ernest set off first with Floss; Jack and Coco strolling after them.

Fritz and I were still employed in taking on board the last load of our

tools, when we suddenly heard a shot, a loud cry of pain or fear, and

then another shot.

 

At the first alarm, the other two dogs rushed away from us towards the

spot, and Fritz, who had just called Pounce from his perch, to

accompany us in the ramble, let him fly, and seizing his rifle darted

off in the same direction.

 

Before I could reach the scene of action, more shots were heard, and

then a shout of victory; after which appeared through the stems of the

trees the disconsolate figure of Jack, hobbling along like a cripple,

supported on each side by his brothers.

 

When they came near me they stopped; and poor Jack, moaning and

groaning, began to feel himself all over, as if to search for broken

bones, crying out:

 

`I’m pounded like a half-crushed pepper-corn!’

 

On examination I found some severe bruises. `Who or what has been

pummelling the boy?’ I exclaimed. `One would think he had been

beaten.’

 

`It was a huge wild boar,’ said Ernest, `with fierce eyes, monstrous

tusks and a snout as broad as my hand.’

 

We took Jack down to the yacht, bathed his bruises, gave him a cooling

drink, and he soon fell fast asleep in his berth, where I left him and

returned to the shore.

 

`Now, Ernest,’ said I, `enlighten me on the subject of this adventure!

What you and the boar did, is quite a mystery to me.’

 

`Floss and I were going quietly along,’ replied he, `when suddenly

there was a rustling and snorting close by, and a great boar broke

through the bushes, making for the outskirts of the wood. Floss gave

chase directly, and the boar turned to bay. Then up came Jack with

Coco, and the gallant little jackal attacked the monster in the rear.

In another moment, however, he was sent sprawling upon his back, and

this so provoked his master that he fired a hasty ill-directed shot.

The brute’s notice and fury at once turned upon Jack, who prudently

took to his heels, while I attempted to check the career of the boar by

a shot, which, however, only slightly wounded it.

 

`Jack stumbled and fell over the root of a tree, just as the animal

came up with him. “Help! Murder,” shouted he; and if the other dogs had

not then arrived, and all together tackled the boar, I fear it would

have been a case of murder indeed! As it was, the poor fellow got

mauled and trampled upon dreadfully.

 

`As I was waiting for an opportunity to fire without any risk of

hitting Jack, Pounce rushed through the air and darted upon the beast,

and Fritz came quickly up and shot it dead with a pistol.

 

`While we were helping Jack along, and passing a place where the boar

had been grubbing, I noticed some such curious knotty roots or

tubercles, that I brought away specimens. Are they worth anything, do

you think? They have a strong smell.’

 

`If I may trust my nose,’ said I, `you have brought something by no

means to be despised. Yes,’ I continued, putting them to my lips,

`these are very fine truffles! Taste them, Fritz.’

 

`Indeed they are excellent,’ said he, `very different from the tough,

leathery things I remember in Europe: these are tender and

well-flavoured.’

 

`Because they are fresh,’ said I. `You have before tasted those only

which have been brought from a distance.

 

`They are found in different parts of Europe, buried at a depth of ten

or twelve inches in the soil of oak or beech woods. A small dog is

employed to hunt for them, who perceives their musky odour in a

singularly acute way, and at once scratches at the spot where they

lie.’

 

`Have the truffles no leaves or stalks,’ inquired Fritz, `by which they

might be found without the help of the dog?’

 

`They have nothing of the sort,’ I replied. `They are discovered

simply by scent, and are considered to belong to the tribe of Fungi.’

 

By this time it was late: we took supper, made up the watch-fire, and

withdrew to our yacht, where we slept peacefully.

 

Early next morning we proceeded to visit the field of battle. The wild

boar, which I had not before seen, proved to be much larger and more

formidable in appearance than I had imagined, and Jack’s escape seemed

to me perfectly marvellous.

 

The boys took it as a matter of course that we were to cut out hams and

flitches; and we therefore did so, though I warned them that they need

not expect much pleasure in eating bacon from a tough old African boar

like this. We conveyed the mighty hams to the beach, each on a sledge

of plaited boughs and twigs, and drawn by one of the dogs. The

monstrous head travelled in the same way, and we collected a large

number of truffles before quitting the forest.

 

As soon as the dogs were released, they rushed back to the scene of

operations in the wood, comprehending that they were now free to feast

on what remained there.

 

There was so much to be done in consequence of this affair, that

Fritz, who had hoped to set out on his solitary expedition that day,

deferred it until the next; and was, therefore, fortunately with us,

when late in the evening we desisted from our labours, and having

supped, were preparing to retire to rest. All at once a deep fearful

sound echoed through the neighbouring woods. It made our blood curdle

in our veins. We listened with straining ears, hoping it would not be

repeated. With a shudder we heard the dread voice roar again, yet

nearer to us, and an answer peal from the distance.

 

`We must find out who are the performers in this concert!’ exclaimed

Fritz, springing to his feet, and snatching up his rifle. `Make the

fire blaze, get on board the yacht, and have all the guns in readiness.

I am off to reconnoitre in the canoe.’

 

We mechanically obeyed his rapid orders, while the bold youth

disappeared in the darkness; and, after heaping fuel on the fire, we

went on board and armed ourselves with cutlasses, besides loading all

the guns, waiting in readiness either to land again, or to quit the

coast.

 

We presently saw the whole pack of our dogs, as well as Coco, the

jackal, and the little ape, Mercury (who had been tempted by the

truffles to stay with them in the woods), come