The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss
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. we_found the breadth to_be eighteen feet; but, as I proposed to_give the bridge strength by having three feet, at_least, resting on each shore, we chose some planks of twenty-four feet in length . how we were to_get these across the river was another question, which we prepared to discuss during dinner, to_which my wife now summoned us .

our dinner consisted of a dish of crawfish, and some very_good rice- milk . but, before we began, we admired her work . she had made a pair of bags for_the ass, sewed with packthread; but having no large needles, she had_been obliged to pierce holes with a nail, a tedious and painful process . well satisfied with her success, we turned to our repast, talking of_our bridge, which the boys, by anticipation, named the nonpareil . we then went to work .

there happened to_be an old trunk of a tree standing on_the shore . to_this I tied my main beam by a strong cord, loose enough to_turn round the trunk . another cord was attached to_the opposite end of_the beam, long enough to cross the river twice . i_took the end of_my rope over the stream, where we had previously fixed the block, used in_our boat, to a tree, by_the hook which usually suspended it .I passed my rope, and returned with_the end to our own side .I then harnessed my cow and ass to_the end of_my rope, and drove them forcibly from_the shore . the beam turned slowly round the trunk, then advanced, and was finally lodged over the river, amidst the shouts of_the boys; its own weight keeping it firm .Fritz and jack leaped on_it immediately to run across, to my great fear .

we succeeded in placing four strong beams in_the same way; and, by_the aid of_my sons, I arranged them at a convenient distance from each_other, that we_might_have a broad and good bridge . we then laid down planks close together across the beams; but not fixed, as in_time of danger it might_be necessary rapidly to remove the bridge . my wife and I were as_much excited as_the children, and ran across with delight . our bridge was at_least ten feet broad .

thoroughly fatigued with_our day of labour, we returned home, supped, and offered thanks to god, and went to rest .

* * * * *

chapter IX .

the next morning, after prayers, I assembled my family . we took a solemn leave of_our first place of refuge .I cautioned my sons to_be prudent, and on their guard; and especially to remain together during our journey . we then prepared for departure . we assembled the cattle: the bags were fixed across the backs of_the cow and_the ass, and loaded with all our heavy baggage; our cooking utensils; and provisions, consisting of biscuits, butter, cheese, and portable soup; our hammocks and blankets; the captain's service of plate, were all carefully packed in_the bags, equally poised on each side the animals .

all was ready, when my wife came in haste with her inexhaustible bag, requesting a place for_it . neither would she consent to leave the poultry, as food for_the jackals; above all, Francis must_have a place; he_could_not possibly walk all the way . i_was amused with_the exactions of_the sex; but consented to all, and made a good place for Francis between_the bags, on_the back of_the ass .

the elder boys returned in despair,-- they_could_not succeed in catching the fowls; but the experienced mother laughed at them, and said she_would soon capture them .

" if_you_do," said my pert little jack, " i_will_be contented to_be roasted in_the place of_the first chicken taken ."

" then, my poor jack," said his mother, " you_will soon be on_the spit . remember, that intellect has always more power than mere bodily exertion . look here ! " she scattered a few handfuls of grain before_the tent, calling the fowls; they soon all assembled, including the pigeons; then throwing more down inside the tent, they followed her . it_was now only necessary to close the entrance; and_they were all soon taken, tied by_the wings and feet, and, being placed in baskets covered with nets, were added to_the rest of_our luggage on_the backs of_the animals .

finally, we conveyed inside the tent all we_could_not carry away, closing the entrance, and barricading it with chests and casks, thus confiding all our possessions to_the care of god . we set out on_our pilgrimage, each carrying a game- bag and a gun . my wife and her eldest son led the way, followed by_the heavily- laden cow and ass; the third division consisted of_the goats, driven by jack, the little monkey seated on_the back of_its nurse, and grimacing, to our great amusement; next came Ernest, with_the sheep; and I followed, superintending the whole . our gallant dogs acted as aides-de- camp, and were continually passing from_the front to_the rear rank .

our march was slow, but orderly, and quite patriarchal ." we_are now travelling across the deserts, as our first fathers did," said I, " and as_the Arabs, Tartars, and other nomade nations do to_this day, followed by their flocks and herds . but these people generally have strong camels to bear their burdens, instead of a poor ass and cow . I_hope this_may_be the last of_our pilgrimages ." my wife also hoped that, once under the shade of her marvellous trees, we_should_have no temptation to travel further .

we now crossed our new bridge, and here the party was happily augmented by a new arrival . the sow had proved very mutinous at setting out, and we had_been compelled to leave her; she now voluntarily joined us, seeing we were actually departing; but continued to grunt loudly her disapprobation of_our proceedings . after we had crossed the river, we had another embarrassment . the rich grass tempted our animals to stray off to feed, and, but for_our dogs, we_should never have_been_able to muster them again . but, for fear of further accident, I commanded my advanced guard to take_the road by_the coast, which offered no temptation to our troops .

we had scarcely left the high grass when our dogs rushed back into_it, barking furiously, and howling as_if in combat; Fritz immediately prepared for action, Ernest drew near his mother, jack rushed forward with_his gun over his shoulder, and I cautiously advanced, commanding them to_be discreet and cool . but jack, with_his usual impetuosity, leaped among_the high grass to_the dogs; and immediately returned, clapping his hands, and crying out, " be quick, papa ! a huge porcupine, with quills as long as my arm ! "

when I got up, I really found a porcupine, whom the dogs were warmly attacking . it made a frightful noise, erecting its quills so boldly, that_the wounded animals howled with pain after every attempt to seize it . as_we were looking at them jack drew a pistol from_his belt, and discharged it directly into_the head of_the porcupine, which fell dead . jack was very proud of_his feat, and Fritz, not a little jealous, suggested that such a little boy should_not_be trusted with pistols, as he_might_have shot one_of_the dogs, or even one of us .I forbade any envy or jealousy among_the brothers, and declared that all did well who acted for_the public good .Mamma was now summoned to_see the curious animal her son's valour had destroyed . her first thought was to dress the wounds made by_the quills which had stuck in_the noses of_the dogs during their attack . in_the mean time, I corrected my son's notions on_the power of_this animal to lance its darts when in danger . this_is a popular error; nature has_given it a sufficient protection in its defensive and offensive armour .

as jack earnestly desired to carry his booty with_him, I carefully imbedded the body in soft grass, to preserve the quills; then packed it in strong cloth, and placed it on_the ass behind Francis .

at last, we arrived at_the end of_our journey,-- and, certainly, the size of_the trees surpassed anything I_could_have imagined . jack was certain they were gigantic walnut-trees; for_my own part, I believed them to_be a species of fig- tree-- probably the Antilles fig . but all thanks were given to_the kind mother who had sought out such a pleasant home for_us; at all events, we_could find a convenient shelter among_the roots . and, if we_should ever succeed in perching on_the branches, i_told her we_should_be safe from all wild beasts . i_would defy even the bears of_our native mountains to climb these immense trunks, totally destitute of branches .

we released our animals from their loads, tying their fore legs together, that they_might_not stray; except the sow, who, as usual, did her own way . the fowls and pigeons we released, and left to_their own discretion . we then sat down on_the grass, to consider where we_should establish ourselves .I wished to mount the tree that very night . suddenly we heard, to our no slight alarm, the report of a gun . but the next moment the voice of Fritz re- assured us . he had stolen out unnoticed, and shot a beautiful tiger-cat, which he displayed in great triumph .

" well done, noble hunter ! " said I; " you deserve the thanks of_the fowls and pigeons; they_would most probably have all fallen a sacrifice to- night, if_you had_not slain their deadly foe . pray wage war with all his kind, or we shall_not_have a chicken left for_the pot ."

Ernest then examined the animal with_his customary attention, and declared that_the proper name was_the margay_, a fact Fritz did_not dispute, only requesting that jack might_not meddle with_the skin, as he_wished to preserve it for a belt .I recommended them to skin it immediately, and give the flesh to_the dogs . jack, at_the same time, determined to skin his porcupine, to_make dog-collars . part of_its flesh went into_the soup-kettle, and_the rest was salted for_the next_day . we then sought for some flat stones in_the bed of_the charming little river that ran at a little distance from_us, and set about constructing acooking- place . Francis collected dry wood for_the fire; and, while my wife was occupied in preparing our supper, I amused myself by making some packing-needles for her rude work from_the quills of_the porcupine .I held a large nail in_the fire till it_was red- hot, then, holding the head in wet linen, I pierced the quills, and made several needles, of various sizes, to_the great contentment of_our indefatigable workwoman .

still occupied with_the idea of_our castle in_the air, i_thought of making a ladder of ropes; but this_would_be useless, if we_did_not succeed in getting a cord over the lower branches, to draw it up . neither my sons nor myself could throw a stone, to_which I had fastened a cord, over these branches, which were thirty feet above us . it_was necessary to_think of some other expedient . in_the mean time, dinner was ready . the porcupine made excellent soup, and_the flesh was well- tasted, though rather hard . my wife could_not make up her mind to taste it, but contented herself with a slice of ham and some cheese .

* * * * *

chapter X .

after dinner, as I_found we_could_not ascend at present, I suspended our hammocks under the arched roots of_our tree, and, covering the whole with sailcloth, we had a shelter from_the dew and_the insects .

while my wife was employed making harness for_the cow and ass, I went with my sons to_the shore, to look for wood fit for_our use next_day . we saw a great quantity of wreck, but none fit for_our purpose, till Ernest met with a heap of bamboo canes, half buried in sand and mud . these were exactly what i_wanted .I drew them out_of_the sand, stripped them of_their leaves, cut them in pieces of about four or five feet long, and my sons each made up a bundle to carry home .I then set out to seek some slender stalks to_make arrows, which i_should need in my project .

we went towards a thick grove, which appeared likely to contain something for_my purpose . we were very cautious, for fear of reptiles or other dangerous animals, allowing Flora to precede us . when we got near, she darted furiously among_the bushes, and out flew a troop of beautiful flamingoes, and soared into_the air .Fritz, always ready, fired at them . two fell; one quite dead, the other, slightly wounded in_the wing, made use of_its long legs so_well that_it would_have escaped, if Flora had_not seized it and held it till I_came up to_take possession . the joy of Fritz was extreme, to_have this beautiful creature alive . he thought at once of curing its wound, and domesticating it with_our own poultry .

" what splendid plumage ! " said Ernest; " and you_see he_is web- footed, like the goose, and has long legs like the stork; thus he_can run as fast on land as he_can swim in_the water,"

" yes," said I, " and fly as quickly in_the air . these birds are remarkable for_the power and strength of_their wings . few birds have so_many advantages ."

my boys occupied themselves in binding their captive and dressing his wound; while I sought some_of_the canes which had done flowering, to cut off the hard ends, to point my arrows . these are used by_the savages of_the Antilles .I then selected the highest canes I_could meet with, to assist me in measuring, by a geometrical process, the height of_the tree . Ernest took the canes, I had the wounded flamingo, and Fritz carried his own game . very loud were the cries of joy and astonishment at our approach . the boys all hoped the flamingo might_be tamed, of_which I_felt no_doubt; but my wife was uneasy, lest it should

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