The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss
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should require more food than she_could spare . however, I assured her, our new guest would need no attention, as he_would provide for himself at_the river- side, feeding on small fishes, worms, and insects . his wounds I dressed, and found they_would soon be healed; I then tied him to a stake, near the river, by a cord long enough to allow him to fish at his pleasure, and, in_fact, in_a_few_days, he learned to_know us, and was quite domesticated . meantime, my boys had_been trying to measure the tree with_the long canes I had brought, and came laughing to report to_me, that I ought_to_have got them ten times as long to reach even the lowest branches ." there_is a simpler mode than that," said I, " which geometry teaches us, and by_which the highest mountains can_be measured ."

I then showed the method of measuring heights by triangles and imaginary lines, using canes of different lengths and cords instead of mathematical instruments . my result was thirty feet to_the lowest branches . this experiment filled the boys with wonder and desire to_become acquainted with_this useful, exact science, which, happily, i_was able to teach them fully .

I now ordered Fritz to measure our strong cord, and_the little ones to collect all the small string, and wind it .I then took a strong bamboo and made a bow of it, and some arrows of_the slender canes, filling them with wet sand to_give them weight, and feathering them from_the dead flamingo . as_soon_as my work was completed, the boys crowded round me, all begging to_try the bow and arrows .I begged them to_be patient, and asked my wife to supply me with a ball of thick strong thread . the enchanted bag did_not fail us; the very ball i_wanted appeared at her summons . this, my little ones declared, must_be magic; but I explained to_them, that prudence, foresight, and presence of mind in danger, such as their good mother had displayed, produced more miracles than magic .

I then tied the end of_the ball of thread to one of_my arrows, fixed it in my bow, and sent it directly over one_of_the thickest of_the lower branches of_the tree, and, falling to_the ground, it drew the thread after it . charmed with_this result, I hastened to complete my ladder .Fritz had measured our ropes, and found two of forty feet each,-- exactly what i_wanted . these I stretched on_the ground at about one foot distance from each_other; Fritz cut pieces of cane two feet long, which Ernest passed to_me .I placed these in knots which I had made in_the cords, at about a foot distance from each_other, and jack fastened each end with a long nail, to_prevent it slipping . in a very short time our ladder was completed; and, tying it to_the end of_the cord which went over the branch, we drew it up without difficulty . all the boys were anxious to ascend; but I chose jack, as_the lightest and most active . accordingly, he ascended, while his brothers and myself held the ladder firm by_the end of_the cord .Fritz followed him, conveying a bag with nails and hammer . they were soon perched on_the branches, huzzaing to_us .Fritz secured the ladder so firmly to_the branch, that I had no hesitation in ascending myself .I carried with me a large pulley fixed to_the end of a rope, which I attached to a branch above us, to enable us to raise the planks necessary to_form the groundwork of_our habitation .I smoothed the branches a little by aid of_my axe, sending the boys down to_be out of_my way . after completing my day's work, I descended by_the light of_the moon, and was alarmed to_find that Fritz and jack were_not below; and still more so, when I heard their clear, sweet voices, at_the summit of_the tree, singing the evening hymn, as_if to sanctify our future abode . they had climbed the tree, instead of descending, and, filled with wonder and reverence at_the sublime view below them, had burst out into_the hymn of thanksgiving to god .

I_could_not scold my dear boys, when_they descended, but directed them to assemble the animals, and to collect wood, to_keep up fires during the night, in_order to drive away any wild beasts that might_be near .

my wife then displayed her work,-- complete harness for_our two beasts of burden, and, in return, I promised her we_would establish ourselves next_day in_the tree . supper was now ready, one piece of_the porcupine was roasted by_the fire, smelling deliciously; another piece formed a rich soup; a cloth was spread on_the turf; the ham, cheese, butter, and biscuits, were placed upon it .

my wife first assembled the fowls, by throwing some grain to_them, to accustom them to_the place . we soon saw the pigeons fly to roost on_the higher branches of_the trees, while the fowls perched on_the ladder; the beasts we tied to_the roots, close to_us . now, that_our cares were over, we sat down to a merry and excellent repast by moonlight . then, after_the prayers of_the evening, I kindled our watch-fires, and we all lay down to rest in_our hammocks . the boys were rather discontented, and complained of_their cramped position, longing for_the freedom of_their beds of moss; but I instructed them to lie, as_the sailors do, diagonally, and swinging the hammock, and told them that brave Swiss boys might sleep as_the sailors of all nations were compelled to sleep . after some stifled sighs and groans, all sank to rest except myself, kept awake by anxiety for_the safety of_the rest .

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chapter XI .

my anxiety kept me awake till near morning, when, after a short sleep, I rose, and we were soon all at work . my wife, after milking the cow and goats, harnessed the cow and ass, and set out to search for drift- wood for_our use . in_the mean time, I mounted the ladder with Fritz, and we set to work stoutly, with axe and saw, to rid ourselves of all useless branches . some, about six feet above our foundation, I left, to suspend our hammocks from, and others, a little higher, to support the roof, which, at present, was to_be merely sailcloth . my wife succeeded in collecting us some boards and planks, which, with her assistance, and_the aid of_the pulley, we hoisted up . we then arranged them on_the level branches close to each_other, in_such_a_manner as to_form a smooth and solid floor . I_made a sort of parapet round, to_prevent accidents . by degrees, our dwelling began to assume a distinct form; the sailcloth was raised over the high branches, forming a roof; and, being brought down on each side, was nailed to_the parapet . the immense trunk protected the back of_our apartment, and_the front was open to admit the breeze from_the sea, which_was visible from_this elevation . we hoisted our hammocks and blankets by_the pulley, and suspended them; my son and I then descended, and, as our day was not yet exhausted, we set about constructing a rude table and some benches, from_the remainder of_our wood, which we placed beneath the roots of_the tree, henceforward to_be our dining- room . the little boys collected the chips and pieces of wood for fire- wood; while their mamma prepared supper, which we needed much after_the extraordinary fatigues of_this day .

the next_day, however, being Sunday, we looked forward to as a day of rest, of recreation, and thanksgiving to_the great god who had preserved us .

supper was now ready, my wife took a large earthen pot from_the fire, which contained a good stew, made of_the flamingo, which Ernest had told her was an old bird, and would_not_be eatable, if dressed any_other way . his brothers laughed heartily, and called him the cook . he_was, however, quite right, the stew, well seasoned, was excellent, and we picked the very bones .Whilst we were thus occupied, the living flamingo, accompanying the rest of_the fowls, and free from bonds, came in, quite tame, to claim his share of_the repast, evidently quite unsuspicious that we were devouring his mate; he_did_not seem at all inclined to quit us . the little monkey, too, was quite at home with_the boys, leaping from one to another for food, which he_took in_his forepaws, and ate with_such absurd mimicry of_their actions, that he kept us in continual convulsions of laughter . to augment our satisfaction, our great sow, who had deserted us for two days, returned of her own accord, grunting her joy at our re- Union . my wife welcomed her with particular distinction, treating her with all the milk we had to spare; for, as she had no dairy utensils to_make cheese and butter, it_was best thus to dispose of_our superfluity .I promised her, on_our next voyage to_the ship, to procure all these necessaries . this she_could_not, however, hear of, without shuddering .

the boys now lighted the fires for_the night . the dogs were tied to_the roots of_the tree, as a protection against invaders, and we commenced our ascent . my three eldest sons soon ran up the ladder, my wife followed, with more deliberation, but arrived safely; my own journey was more difficult, as, besides having to carry Francis on my back, I had detached the lower part of_the ladder from_the roots, where it_was nailed; in_order_to_be_able to draw it up during the night . we were thus as safe in_our castle as_the knights of old, when their drawbridge was raised . we retired to our hammocks free from care, and did_not wake till the sun shone brightly in upon us .

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chapter XII .

next morning, all awoke in good spirits; i_told them that on_this, the lord's day, we_would do no work . that_it_was appointed, not_only for a day of rest, but a day when we_must, as_much as possible, turn our hearts from_the vanities of_the world, to god himself; thank him, worship him, and serve him . jack thought we_could_not do_this without a church and a priest; but Ernest believed that god would hear our prayers under his own sky, and papa could give them a sermon; Francis wished to_know if god would like to hear them sing the beautiful hymns mamma had taught them, without an organ accompaniment .

" yes, my dear children," said I, " god is everywhere; and to bless him, to praise him in all his works, to submit to_his holy will, and to obey him,-- is to_serve him . but everything in its time . let_us first attend to_the wants of_our animals, and breakfast, and we_will then begin the services of_the day by a hymn ."

we descended, and breakfasted on warm milk, fed our animals, and then, my children and their mother seated on_the turf, I placed myself on a little eminence before them, and, after_the service of_the day, which I_knew by heart, and singing some portions of_the 119th psalm, i_told them a little allegory .

" there_was once on a time a great king, whose kingdom was called the land of light and Reality_, because there reigned there constant light and incessant activity . on_the most remote frontier of_this kingdom, towards the north, there_was another large kingdom, equally subject to_his rule, and of_which none but himself knew the immense extent . from_time immemorial, an exact plan of_this kingdom had_been preserved in_the archives . it_was called the land of obscurity, or _Night_, because everything in it_was dark and inactive .

" in_the most fertile and agreeable part of_the empire of reality, the king had a magnificent residence, called the heavenly City_, where he held his brilliant court .Millions of servants executed his wishes-- still more were ready to receive his orders . the first were clothed in glittering robes, whiter than snow-- for white was_the colour of_the great king, as_the emblem of purity .Others were clothed in armour, shining like the colours of_the rainbow, and carried flaming swords in their hands . each, at his master's nod, flew like lightning to accomplish his will . all his servants-- faithful, vigilant, bold, and ardent-- were united in friendship, and could imagine no happiness greater than_the favour of_their master . there were some, less elevated, who were still good, rich, and happy in_the favours of_their sovereign, to_whom all his subjects were alike, and were treated by him as his children .

" not far from_the frontiers, the great king possessed a desert island, which he desired to people and cultivate, in_order to_make it, for a time, the abode of_those of_his subjects whom he intended to admit, by degrees, into his heavenly City_--a favour he_wished to bestow on_the greatest number possible .

" this island was called earthly Abode_; and he who had passed some_time there, worthily, was to_be received into all the happiness of_the heavenly city . to attain this, the great king equipped a fleet to transport the colonists, whom he chose from_the kingdom of Night_, to_this island, where he_gave them light and activity--advantages they had_not known before . think how joyful their arrival would_be ! the island was fertile when cultivated; and all was prepared to make_the time pass agreeably, till they were admitted to_their highest honours .

" at_the moment of embarkation, the great king sent his own son, who spoke thus to_them in_his name:--

"' my dear children, I_have called you from inaction and insensibility to render you happy by feeling, by action, by life . never forget I_am your king, and obey my commands, by cultivating the country I confide to_you . every_one will receive his portion of land, and wise and learned men are appointed to explain my will to_you . i_wish you all to acquire the

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