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

galloping at full speed

up to the fire.

 

Mercury was evidently excessively discomposed at finding us gone; he

gnashed his teeth, and chattered, as though in fear, looking

hopelessly at the water, through which he could not venture.

 

The dogs planted themselves by the fire, gazing fixedly landward, with

ears erect, and occasionally uttering a barking challenge, or a

suppressed howl.

 

Meantime, the horrid roarings approached nearer, and I concluded that a

couple of leopards or panthers had been attracted by the scent of the

boar’s carcase.

 

But not long after I had expressed this opinion, we beheld a large

powerful animal spring from the underwood and, with a bound and

muttered roar, approach the fire. In a moment I recognized the

unmistakable outlines of the form of a lion, though in size he far

surpassed any I had ever seen exhibited in Europe.

 

The dogs slunk behind the fire, and the lion seated himself almost like

a cat on his hind legs, glaring alternately at them, and at the great

boar hams which hung near, with doubtless a mixed feeling of irritation

and appetite, which was testified by the restless movement of his tail.

 

He then arose, and commenced walking up and down with slow and

measured pace, occasionally uttering short, angry roars, quite unlike

the prolonged full tones we had heard at first. At times he went to

drink at the brook, always returning with such haste, that I fully

expected to see him spring.

 

Gradually his manner became more and more threatening; he turned

towards us, crouched, and with his body at full stretch, waved his

tail, and glared so furiously, that I was in doubt whether to fire or

retreat, when through the darkness rang the sharp crack of a rifle.

 

`That is Fritz!’ exclaimed everyone; while, with a fearful roar, the

lion sprang to his feet, stood stock still, tottered, sank on his

knees, rolled over, and lay motionless on the sand.

 

`We are saved!’ I cried. `That was a masterly shot. The lion is struck

to the heart: he will never stir again. Stay on board, boys. I must

join my brave Fritz.’

 

In a few moments I landed: the dogs met me with evident tokens of

pleasure, but kept whining uneasily, and looking towards the deep

darkness of the woods whence the lion had come.

 

This behaviour made me cautious; and, seeing nothing of Fritz, I

lingered by the boat, when suddenly a lioness bounded from the shadow

of the trees, into the light diffused by the fire.

 

At sight of the blazing faggots she paused, as though startled; passed

with uncertain step round the outskirts of the illuminated circle; and

uttered roarings, which were evidently calls to her mate, whose dead

body she presently discovered.

 

Finding him motionless, her manner betokened the greatest concern; she

touched him with her forepaws, smelt round him, and licked his bleeding

wounds. Then raising her head, she gnashed her teeth, and gave forth

the most lamentable and dreadful sound I ever heard; a mingled roar and

howl, which was like the expression of grief, rage, and a vow to be

revenged, all in one.

 

Crack! Another shot: the creature’s right forepaw was lamed; and the

dogs, seeing me raise my gun, suddenly gathered courage, and ran

forward just as I fired. My shot also wounded the lioness, but not

mortally, and the most terrific combat ensued.

 

It was impossible to fire again, for fear of wounding the dogs. The

scene was fearful beyond description. Black night surrounded us; the

fitful blaze of the fire shed a strange, unnatural light on the

prostrate body of the huge dead lion, and on the wounded lioness, who

fought desperately against the attack of the four gallant dogs; while

the cries, roars and groans of anguish and fury uttered by all the

animals were enough to try the stoutest nerves.

 

Old Juno, staunch to the last, was foremost in the fray. After a time,

I saw her change her plan of attack, and spring at the throat of the

lioness; who, in an instant, raised her left paw, and at one blow the

cruel claws had laid open the body of the dog, and destroyed the life

of the true and faithful companion of so many years.

 

Just then, Fritz appeared. The lioness was much weakened, and we

ventured to go near enough to fire with safety to ourselves; and

finally I dispatched her by plunging a hunting-knife deep in her

breast.

 

Ernest and Jack were summoned from the yacht to witness the completed

victory; and I regretted having left them on board, when I saw how

greatly the noise and tumult had alarmed them, unable as they were to

ascertain what was going on.

 

They hastened towards us in great agitation, and their joy on seeing us

safe was only equalled by the grief they felt on learning of the death

of Juno.

 

The night was now far advanced; the fire burnt low; but we piled on

more wood, and, by the renewed light, drew poor Juno from between the

paws of the lioness; and, by the brookside, washed and bound up the

torn body, wrapping it carefully in canvas, and carrying it with us on

board the yacht, that it might be buried at Rockburg, whither, on the

following day, it was our purpose to return.

 

Wearied and sorrowful, but full of thankfulness for our personal

safety, we at length lay down to sleep, having brought all the dogs on

board.

 

Next morning, before quitting Pearl Bay, we once more landed, that we

might possess ourselves of the magnificent skins of the lion and

lioness, whose visit, fatal to themselves, had caused such a commotion

during the night.

 

In about a couple of hours we returned to the yacht, leaving the

flayed carcasses to the tender mercies of the birds of prey sure to be

attracted to them.

 

`Homeward bound,’ sang out the boys, as they cheerily weighed anchor,

and prepared to stand out to sea. I could see, though he did not

complain, that poor Jack had not yet recovered from the boar’s rough

treatment, and moved very stiffly.

 

`You must pilot us through the channel in the reef, this time, Fritz,’

said I; adding, in a lower tone, `and then is it to be “farewell”, my

son!’

 

`Yes, dear father—Au revoir!’ returned he, brightly with a glance full

of meaning, while he threw into his canoe a cushion and fur cloak.

 

`Thanks, Fritz! But I’m going to honour them with the care of my

battered bones in the yacht here. You are awfully considerate though,

old fellow,’ remarked Jack, not for a moment doubting that his brother

expected him to return, as he came, beside him in the cajack.

 

Fritz laughed, and commended his decision. Then, springing into his

skiff, he led the way towards the open sea.

 

We followed carefully and soon passed the reef; after which the boys

were very busy with the sails, putting the vessel on the homeward

course, when, waving his hand to me, Fritz turned in the opposite

direction, and quickly vanished behind the point, which I afterwards

named Cape Farewell.

 

When missed by his brothers, I said he had a fancy to explore more of

the coast, and if he found it interesting, he might, instead of only a

few hours, remain absent for two or three days.

 

Towards evening, we sailed into Safety Bay.