The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss
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out with my children across the river, on a journey of discovery . the day before, jack had busied himself in skinning the jackal with_his knife, sharpened on_the rock; Ernest declining to assist him in_his dirty work, for_which I reproved him, sorry that any fastidiousness should deter him from alabour of benefit to society .

" jack proceeded to clean the skin as_well as he_was able; then procured from_the nail- chest some long flat- headed nails, and inserted them closely through_the long pieces of skin he had cut for collars; he then cut some sailcloth, and made a double lining over the heads of_the nails; and finished by giving me the delicate office of sewing them together, which I_could_not but comply with .

" his belt he first stretched on a plank, nailing it down, and exposing it to_the sun, lest it should shrink in drying .

" now for_our journey: we took our game-bags and some hunting- knives . the boys carried provisions, and I had a large flask of water . i_took a small hatchet, and gave Ernest a carbine, which might_be loaded with ball; keeping his light gun for_myself .I carefully secured the opening of_the tent with_the hooks . Turk went before, evidently considering himself our guide; and we crossed the river with some difficulty .

" as_we proceeded, I_could_not help feeling thankful that you had so early taught the boys to use fire-arms properly, as_the defence of_my youngest boy and myself now depended on_the two boys of ten and twelve years_of_age .

" when we attained the hill you described to_us, i_was charmed with_the smiling prospect, and, for_the first time since our shipwreck, ventured to hope for better things .I had remarked a beautiful wood, to_which I determined to_make our way, for a little shade, and a most painful progress it_was, through grass that was higher than_the children's heads . as_we were struggling through it, we heard a strange rustling sound among_the grass, and at_the same moment a bird of prodigious size rose, and flew away, before_the poor boys could get their guns ready . they were much mortified, and I recommended them always to_have their guns in readiness, for_the birds would_not_be likely to wait till they loaded them . Francis thought the bird was so large, it must_be an eagle; but Ernest ridiculed the idea, and added that he thought it must_be of_the bustard tribe . we went forward to_the spot from_which it had arisen, when suddenly another bird of_the same kind, though still larger, sprung up, close to our feet, and was soon soaring above our heads . I_could_not help laughing to_see the look of astonishment and confusion with_which the boys looked upwards after it . at last jack took off his hat, and, making a low bow, said, ' pray, Mr bird, be kind enough to_pay us another visit, you_will_find us very_good children ! ' we_found the large nest they had left; it_was rudely formed of dry grass, and empty, but some fragments of egg-shells were scattered near, as if_the young had_been recently hatched; we therefore concluded that_they had escaped among_the grass .

" doctor Ernest immediately began a lecture .' you observe, Francis, these birds could_not_be eagles, which do_not form their nests on_the ground . neither do their young run as soon as_they_are hatched . these must_be of_the gallinaceous tribe, an order of birds such as quails, partridges, turkeys, &c .; and, from_the sort of feathered moustache which I observed at_the corner of_the beak, i_should pronounce that_these were bustards .'

" but we had now reached the little wood, and_our learned friend had sufficient employment in scrutinizing, and endeavouring to classify, the immense number of beautiful, unknown birds, which sung and fluttered about us, apparently regardless of_our intrusion .

" we_found that what we thought a wood was merely a group of a dozen trees, of a height far beyond any I had ever seen; and apparently belonging rather to_the air than_the earth; the trunks springing from roots which formed a series of supporting arches . jack climbed one_of_the arches, and measured the trunk of_the tree with a piece of packthread . he_found it to_be thirty-four feet . I_made thirty- two steps round the roots . between_the roots and_the lowest branches, it seemed about forty or fifty feet . the branches are thick and strong, and_the leaves are of a moderate size, and resemble our walnut- tree .a thick, short, smooth turf clothed the ground beneath and around the detached roots of_the trees, and everything combined to render this one_of_the_most delicious spots the mind could conceive .

" here we rested, and made our noon- day repast; a clear rivulet ran near us, and offered its agreeable waters for_our refreshment . our dogs soon joined us; but i_was astonished to_find they_did_not crave for food, but laid down to sleep at our feet . for_myself, so safe and happy did I_feel, that I_could_not but think that if_we_could contrive adwelling on_the branches of one_of_these trees, we_should_be in perfect peace and safety . we set out on_our return, taking the road by_the sea- shore, in_case the waves had cast up anything from_the wreck of_the vessel . we_found a quantity of timber, chests, and casks; but all too heavy to bring . we succeeded in dragging them, as_well as we_could, out_of_the reach of_the tide; our dogs, in_the mean time, fishing for crabs, with_which they regaled themselves, much to_their own satisfaction and to mine, as I now saw they_would_be_able to_provide their own food . as_we rested from_our rough labour, I_saw Flora scratching in_the sand, and swallowing something with great relish . Ernest watched, and then said, very quietly, ' they_are turtles' eggs .' we drove away the dog, and collected about two dozen, leaving her the rest as a reward for her discovery .

" while we were carefully depositing our spoil in_the game-bags, we were astonished at_the sight of a sail . Ernest was certain it_was papa and Fritz, and though Francis was in dread that_it should_be the savages who visited Robinson Crusoe's island, coming to eat us up, we were soon enabled to calm his fears . we crossed the river by leaping from stone to stone, and, hastening to_the landing- place, arrived to greet you on_your happy return ."

" and I understand, my dear," said I, " that you_have discovered a tree sixty feet high, where you wish we_should perch like fowls . but how are we to_get up ? "

"Oh ! you_must remember," answered she, " the large lime- tree near our native town, in which_was a ball- room . we used to ascend to_it by a wooden staircase . could you not contrive something of_the sort in one_of_these gigantic trees, where we_might sleep in peace, fearing neither jackals nor any_other terrible nocturnal enemy ."

I promised to consider this plan, hoping at_least that we_might make a commodious and shady dwelling among_the roots . to- morrow we were to examine it . we then performed our evening devotions, and retired to rest .

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chapter VIII .

" now, my dear Elizabeth," said I, waking early next morning, " let_us talk a little on_this grand project of changing our residence; to_which there_are many objections . first, it seems wise to remain on_the spot where Providence has cast us, where we_can_have at once means of support drawn from_the ship, and security from all attacks, protected by_the rock, the river, and_the sea on all sides ."

my wife distrusted the river, which could_not protect us from_the jackals, and complained of_the intolerable heat of_this sandy desert, of her distaste for such food as oysters and wild geese; and, lastly, of her agony of mind, when we ventured to_the wreck; willingly renouncing all its treasures, and begging we_might rest content with_the blessings we already had .

" there_is some truth in your objections," said I, " and perhaps we_may erect adwelling under the roots of your favourite tree; but among_these rocks we_must_have a storehouse for_our goods, and a retreat in_case of invasion . I_hope, by blowing off some pieces of_the rock with powder, to_be_able to fortify the part next the river, leaving a secret passage known only to ourselves . this_would make it impregnable . but before we proceed, we_must_have a bridge to convey our baggage across the river .

"A bridge," said she, in a tone of vexation; " then when shall we get from here ? why cannot we Ford it as usual ? the cow and ass could carry our stores ."

I explained to her how necessary it_was for_our ammunition and provision to_be conveyed over without risk of wetting, and begged her to manufacture some bags and baskets, and leave the bridge to_me and my boys . if_we succeeded, it would always be useful; as for fear of danger from lightning or accident, I intended to_make a powder- magazine among_the rocks .

the important question was now decided .I called up my sons, and communicated our plans to_them . they were greatly delighted, though somewhat alarmed, at_the formidable project of_the bridge; besides, the delay was vexatious; they were all anxious for a removal into_the land of Promise_, as_they chose to_call it .

we read prayers, and then thought of breakfast . the monkey sucked one_of_the goats, as_if it had_been its mother . my wife milked the cow, and gave_us boiled milk with biscuit for_our breakfast; part of_which she put in a flask, for_us to_take on_our expedition . we then prepared our boat for a voyage to_the vessel, to procure planks and timber for_our bridge . i_took both Ernest and Fritz, as I foresaw our cargo would_be weighty, and require all our hands to bring it to shore .

we rowed vigorously till we got into_the current, which soon carried us beyond the bay . we had scarcely reached a little isle at_the entrance, when we saw a vast number of gulls and other sea-birds, fluttering with discordant cries over it .I hoisted the sail, and we approached rapidly; and, when near enough, we stepped on shore, and saw that_the birds were feasting so eagerly on_the remains of a huge fish, that they_did_not even notice our approach . we_might_have killed numbers, even with_our sticks . this fish was_the shark which Fritz had so skilfully shot through_the head the night before . he_found the marks of_his three balls . Ernest drew his ramrod from_his gun, and struck so vigorously right and left among_the birds, that he killed some, and put the rest to flight . we then hastily cut off some pieces of_the skin of_the monster, which i_thought might_be useful, and placed them in_our boat . but this_was not the only advantage we gained by landing .I perceived an immense quantity of wrecked timber lying on_the shore of_the island, which would spare us our voyage to_the ship . we selected such planks as were fit for_our purpose; then, by_the aid of_our jack- screw and some levers we had brought with_us, we extricated the planks from_the sand, and floated them; and, binding the spars and yards together with cords, with_the planks above them, like a raft, we tied them to_the stern of_our boat, and hoisted our sail .

Fritz, as_we sailed, was drying the shark's skin, which I hoped to convert into files . and Ernest, in_his usual reflective manner, observed to_me, " what a beautiful arrangement of Providence it_is, that_the mouth of_the shark should_be placed in_such a position that he_is compelled to_turn on_his back to seize his prey, thus giving it a chance of escape; else, with_his excessive voracity, he might depopulate the ocean ."

at last, we reached our landing- place, and, securing our boat, and calling out loudly, we soon saw our friends running from_the river; each carried a handkerchief filled with some new acquisition, and Francis had over his shoulder a small fishing- net . jack reached us first, and threw down before_us from_his handkerchief some fine crawfish . they had each as_many, forming a provision for many days .

Francis claimed the merit of_the discovery . jack related, that Francis and he_took a walk to_find a good place for_the bridge .

" thank_you, Mr architect," said I; " then you_must superintend the workmen . have_you fixed on_your place ? "

" yes, yes ! " cried he; " only listen . when we got to_the river, Francis, who was looking about, called out, ' jack ! jack ! Fritz's jackal is covered with crabs ! come ! -- come ! ' I ran to_tell mamma, who brought a net that came from_the ship, and we caught these in_a_few_minutes, and could_have got many more, if_you had_not come ."

I commanded them to_put the smaller ones back into_the river, reserving only as_many as we_could eat . i_was truly thankful to discover another means of support .

we now landed our timber .I had looked at jack's site for_the bridge, and thought my little architect very happy in_his selection; but it_was at a great distance from_the timber .I recollected the simplicity of_the harness the Laplanders used for their reindeer .I tied cords to_the horns of_the cow-- as_the strength of_this animal is in_the head-- and then fastened the other ends round the piece of timber we wanted moving .I placed a halter round the neck of_the ass, and attached the cords to_this . we were thus enabled, by degrees, to remove all our wood to_the chosen spot, where the sides of_the river were steep, and appeared of equal height .

it_was necessary to_know the breadth of_the river, to select the proper planks; and Ernest proposed to procure a ball of packthread from_his mother, to tie a stone to one end of_the string, and throw it across the river, and to measure it after drawing it back . this expedient succeeded admirably .

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