The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss
Section [1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42 | 43 | 44 | 45 | 46 | 47 | 48 | 49]
screw, and, in_the mean time, sawed a thick round pole into pieces; then raising the fore- part of_our work by_means of_the powerful machine, Fritz placed one_of_these rollers under it .

Ernest was very anxious to_know how this small machine could accomplish more than our united strength .I explained to him, as_well as I_could, the power of_the lever of Archimedes, with_which he had declared he_could move the world, if he had but a point to rest it on; and I promised my son to take_the machine to pieces when we were on shore, and explain the mode of operation .I then told them that god, to compensate for_the weakness of man, had bestowed on him reason, invention, and skill in workmanship . the result of_these had produced a science which, under the name of Mechanics_, taught us to increase and extend our limited powers incredibly by_the aid of instruments .

jack remarked that_the jack- screw worked very slowly .

" better slowly, than not at all," said I ." it_is a principle in mechanics, that what_is gained in_time is lost in power . the jack is_not meant to work rapidly, but to raise heavy weights; and_the heavier the weight, the slower the operation . but, can_you tell me how we_can make up for_this slowness ? "

"Oh, by turning the handle quicker, to_be_sure ! "

" quite wrong; that_would not aid us at all . patience and reason are the two fairies, by whose potent help I_hope to_get our boat afloat ."

I quickly proceeded to tie a strong cord to_the after- part of it, and_the other end to a beam in_the ship, which_was still firm, leaving it long enough for security; then introducing two more rollers underneath, and working with_the jack, we succeeded in launching our bark, which passed into_the water with_such velocity, that but for_our rope it would_have gone out to sea . unfortunately, it leaned so_much on one side, that none_of_the boys would venture into_it . i_was in despair, when I suddenly remembered it only wanted ballast to_keep it in equilibrium .I hastily threw in anything I got hold of_that was heavy, and soon had my boat level, and ready for occupation . they now contended who_should enter first; but I stopped them, reflecting that_these restless children might easily capsize our vessel .I remembered that savage nations made use of an out- rigger, to_prevent their canoe oversetting, and this I determined to add to my work .I fixed two portions of a topsail- yard, one over the prow, the other across the stern, in_such_a_manner that_they should_not_be in_the way in pushing off our boat from_the wreck .I forced the end of each yard into_the bunghole of an empty brandy- cask, to_keep them steady during our progress .

it_was now necessary to clear the way for_our departure .I got into_the first tub, and managed to_get the boat into_the cleft in_the ship's side, by way of a haven; I then returned, and, with_the axe and saw, cut away right and left all that could obstruct our passage . then we secured some oars, to_be ready for_our voyage next_day .

the day had passed in toil, and we were compelled to_spend another night on_the wreck, though we_knew it might_not remain till morning . we took a regular meal, for during the day we had scarcely had time to snatch a morsel of bread and a glass of wine . more composed than on_the preceding night, we retired to rest . i_took the precaution to fasten the swimming apparatus across the shoulders of_my three younger children and my wife, for fear another storm might destroy the vessel, and cast us into_the sea .I also advised my wife to_put on a sailor's dress, as more convenient for her expected toils and trials . she reluctantly consented, and, after a short absence, appeared in_the dress of a youth who had served as a volunteer in_the vessel . she felt very timid and awkward in her new dress; but I showed her the advantage of_the change, and, at last, she was reconciled, and joined in_the laughter of_the children at her strange disguise . she then got into her hammock, and we enjoyed a pleasant sleep, to_prepare us for new labours .

* * * * *

chapter II .

at break of day we were awake and ready, and after morning prayer, I addressed my children thus: " we_are now, my dear boys, with_the help of god, about to attempt our deliverance . before we go, provide our poor animals with food for some days: we_cannot take them with_us, but if our voyage succeed, we_may return for_them . are_you ready ? collect what you wish to carry away, but only things absolutely necessary for_our actual wants ." I planned that_our first cargo should consist of a barrel of powder, three fowling-pieces, three muskets, two pair of pocket pistols, and one pair larger, ball, shot, and lead as_much as we_could carry, with a bullet-mould; and I wished each of_my sons, as_well as their mother, should_have a complete game- bag, of_which there were several in_the officers' cabins . we then set apart a box of portable soup, another of biscuit, an iron pot, afishing- rod, a chest of nails, and one of carpenter's tools, also some sailcloth to_make a tent . in_fact my boys collected so_many things, we were compelled to leave some behind, though I exchanged all the useless ballast for necessaries .

when all was ready, we implored the blessing of god on_our undertaking, and prepared to embark in_our tubs . at_this moment the cocks crowed a sort of reproachful farewell to_us; we had forgotten them; I immediately proposed to_take our poultry with_us, geese, ducks, fowls and pigeons, for, as I observed to my wife, if we_could_not feed them, they_would, at any rate, feed us . we placed our ten hens and two cocks in a covered tub; the rest we set at liberty, hoping the geese and ducks might reach the shore by water, and_the pigeons by flight .

we waited a little for_my wife, who came loaded with a large bag, which she threw into_the tub that contained her youngest son .I concluded it_was intended to steady him, or for a seat, and made no observation on_it . here follows the order of_our embarkation . in_the first division, sat the tender mother, the faithful and pious wife . in_the second, our amiable little Francis, six years old, and of a sweet disposition .

in_the third, Fritz, our eldest, fourteen or fifteen years old, a curly- headed, clever, intelligent and lively youth .

in_the fourth, the powder- cask, with_the fowls and_the sailcloth .

our provisions filled the fifth .

in_the sixth, our heedless jack, ten years old, enterprising, bold, and useful .

in_the seventh, Ernest, twelve years_of_age, well- informed and rational, but somewhat selfish and indolent . in_the eighth, myself, an anxious father, charged with_the important duty of guiding the vessel to save my dear family . each of us had some useful tools beside us; each held an oar, and had aswimming apparatus at hand, in_case we were unfortunately upset . the tide was rising when we left, which I considered might assist my weak endeavours . we turned our out-riggers length-ways, and thus passed from_the cleft of_the ship into_the open sea . we rowed with all our might, to reach the blue land we saw at a distance, but for some_time in vain, as_the boat kept turning round, and made no progress . at last I contrived to steer it, so_that we went straight forward .

as_soon_as our dogs saw us depart, they leaped into_the sea, and followed us; I_could_not let them get into_the boat, for fear they should upset it . i_was very sorry, for I hardly expected they_would_be_able to swim to land; but by occasionally resting their forepaws on_our out-riggers, they managed to_keep up with_us . Turk was an English dog, and Flora of a Danish breed .

we proceeded slowly, but safely . the nearer we approached the land, the more dreary and unpromising it appeared . the rocky coast seemed to announce to_us nothing but famine and misery . the waves, gently rippling against the shore, were scattered over with barrels, bales, and chests from_the wreck .Hoping to secure some good provisions, I called on Fritz for assistance; he held a cord, hammer, and nails, and we managed to seize two hogsheads in passing, and fastening them with cords to our vessel, drew them after us to_the shore .

as_we approached, the coast seemed to improve . the chain of rock was not entire, and Fritz's hawk eye made out some trees, which he declared were the cocoa- nut tree; Ernest was delighted at_the prospect of eating these nuts, so_much larger and better than any grown in Europe . i_was regretting not having brought the large telescope from_the captain's cabin, when jack produced from_his pocket a smaller one, which he offered me with no little pride .

this_was a valuable acquisition, as i_was now enabled to make_the requisite observations, and direct my course . the coast before_us had a wild and desert appearance,-- it looked better towards the left; but I_could_not approach that part, for a current which drove us towards the rocky and barren shore . at_length we saw, near the mouth of a rivulet, a little creek between_the rocks, towards which our geese and ducks made, serving us for guides . this opening formed a little bay of smooth water, just deep enough for_our boat .I cautiously entered it, and landed at a place where the coast was about_the height of_our tubs, and_the water deep enough to let_us approach . the shore spread inland, forming a gentle declivity of a triangular form, the point lost among_the rocks, and_the base to_the sea .

all that were able leaped on shore in a moment . even little Francis, who had_been laid down in_his tub, like a salted herring, tried to crawl out, but was compelled to wait for_his mother's assistance . the dogs, who had preceded us in landing, welcomed us in a truly friendly manner, leaping playfully around us; the geese kept up a loud cackling, to_which_the yellow- billed ducks quacked a powerful bass . this, with_the clacking of_the liberated fowls, and_the chattering of_the boys, formed a perfect Babel; mingled with_these, were the harsh cries of_the penguins and flamingoes, which hovered over our heads, or sat on_the points of_the rocks . they were in immense numbers, and their notes almost deafened us, especially as they_did_not accord with_the harmony of_our civilized fowls . however I rejoiced to_see these feathered creatures, already fancying them on my table, if_we were obliged to remain in_this desert region .

our first care, when we stepped in safety on land, was to kneel down and thank god, to_whom we owed our lives; and to resign ourselves wholly to_his fatherly kindness .

we then began to unload our vessel . how rich we thought ourselves with_the little we had saved ! we sought a convenient place for_our tent, under the shade of_the rocks . we then inserted a pole into a fissure in_the rock; this, resting firmly on another pole fixed in_the ground, formed the frame of_the tent . the sailcloth was then stretched over it, and fastened down at proper distances, by pegs, to_which, for greater security, we added some boxes of provision; we fixed some hooks to_the canvas at_the opening in front, that we_might close the entrance during the night . I_sent my sons to seek some moss and withered grass, and spread it in_the sun to dry, to_form our beds; and while all, even little Francis, were busy with_this, I constructed a sort of cooking- place, at some distance from_the tent, near the river which_was to supply us with fresh water . it_was merely a hearth of flat stones from_the bed of_the stream, fenced round with some thick branches .I kindled a cheerful fire with some dry twigs, put on_the pot, filled with water and some squares of portable soup, and left my wife, with Francis for assistant, to_prepare dinner . he_took the portable soup for glue, and could_not conceive how mamma could make soup, as_we had no meat, and there were no butchers' shops here .

Fritz, in_the mean time, had loaded our guns . he_took one to_the side of_the river; Ernest declined accompanying him, as_the rugged road was not to_his taste; he preferred the sea- shore . jack proceeded to a ridge of rocks on_the left, which ran towards the sea, to_get some muscles .I went to_try and draw the two floating hogsheads on shore, but could_not succeed, for_our landing- place was too steep to_get them up .Whilst i_was vainly trying to_find a more favourable place, I heard my dear jack uttering most alarming cries .I seized my hatchet, and ran to_his assistance . I_found him up_to_the knees in a shallow pool, with a large lobster holding his leg in its sharp claws . it made off at my approach; but i_was determined it should pay for_the fright it had given me .Cautiously taking it up, I brought it out, followed by jack, who, now very triumphant, wished to_present it himself to_his mother, after watching how I held it . but he had hardly got it into his hands, when it gave him such a violent blow on_the cheek with its tail, that he let it fall, and began to

Section [1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42 | 43 | 44 | 45 | 46 | 47 | 48 | 49]