The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss

The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss
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wicks

completely

I now turned myself to_the preparation of_the caoutchouc , of_which had found several trees I encouraged the boys to_try their ingenuity making flasks and cups, covering moulds clay with_the gum , I had explained to_them for_my part , i_took pair old stockings , and filled them with sand for_my mould, which I covered with coating mud , and left dry in_the sun I cut out pair soles buffalo leather , which I first hammered well , and then fastened with small tacks to_the sole of_the stocking, filling the spaces left with_the gum , as_to fix completely then , with brush goats hair , I covered with layer upon layer of_the elastic gum , till i_thought sufficiently thick it_was easy after_this remove the sand , the stocking, and_the hardened mud , shake out the dust , and I had pair waterproof boots, without seam , and fitting as_well as_if I had employed English shoemaker boys were wild with joy , and all begged for pair ; but I wished first to_try their durability , compared with those buffalo leather I began to_make pair boots for Fritz, using the skin drawn from_the legs of_the buffalo had killed ; but I had much more difficulty than with_the caoutchouc I used the gum to_cover the seams, that_the water might_not penetrate they were certainly not elegant work art , and_the boys laughed their brother 's awkward movements in_them ; but their own productions, though useful vessels, were_not models perfection

then worked our fountain , great source pleasure wife and all raised , in_the upper part of_the river , sort dam , made with stakes and stones, from whence the water flowed into our channels of_the sago - palm , laid down gentle declivity nearly our tent , and there it_was received into_the shell of_the turtle , which had raised some stones convenient height , the hole which the harpoon had made serving carry off the waste water through cane that was fitted to_it two crossed sticks were placed the gourds that served for pails, and thus had always the murmuring of_the water near , and plentiful supply , always pure and clean , which the river , troubled our water - fowl and_the refuse decayed leaves, could_not always give_us the only inconvenience of_these open channels was , that_the water reached warm and unrefreshing; but this I hoped remedy in_time , using bamboo pipes buried in_the earth in_the mean time , were grateful for_this new acquisition , and gave credit Fritz, who had suggested the idea

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chapter XXVII

one morning , as_we were engaged giving the last finish our staircase , were alarmed hearing distance strange , sharp , prolonged sounds, like the roars wild beast , but mingled with unaccountable hissing our dogs erected their ears, and prepared for deadly combat I assembled family ; then ascended our tree , closing the lower door , loaded our guns, and looked anxiously round , but nothing appeared I armed dogs with their porcupine coats mail and collars, and left them below to_take care of_our animals

the horrible howlings seemed approach nearer to_us ; at_length , Fritz, who was leaning forward listen attentively he_could , threw down his gun , and bursting into loud laugh , cried out , " it_is our fugitive , the ass, come back to_us , and singing his song joy on_his return ! " listened , and were_sure he_was right , and could_not but feel little vexation being put into such fright donkey soon after , had the pleasure seeing him appear among_the trees; and , what_was still better , he_was accompanied another animal of_his own species , but infinitely more beautiful I_knew once to_be the onagra, wild ass, most important capture , if_we_could make ; though all naturalists have declared impossible tame this elegant creature , yet I determined make_the attempt

I went down with Fritz, exhorting his brothers remain quiet , and I consulted with privy counsellor on_the means taking our prize I also prepared , quickly possible , long cord with noose , kept open slight stick , which would fall out as_soon_as_the animal 's head entered , while any attempt escape would only draw the noose closer ; the end of_this cord was tied to_the root tree i_took then piece bamboo , about two feet long , and splitting , tied firmly one end , to_form pair pincers for_the nose of_the animal in_the mean time , the two animals had approached nearer , our old grizzle apparently doing the honours to_his visitor , and both grazing very comfortably

degrees advanced softly to_them , concealed by_the trees; Fritz carrying the lasso , and I the pincers the onagra, as_soon_as got sight Fritz, who was before , raised his head , and started back , evidently only surprise , it_was probably the first man the creature had seen Fritz remained still , and_the animal resumed his browsing Fritz went up_to our old servant , and offered him handful oats mixed with salt ; the ass came directly eat its favourite treat ; its companion followed , raised its head , snuffed the air , and came near , that Fritz adroitly threw the noose over its head the terrified animal attempted fly , but that drew the cord tight almost stop his respiration , and lay down , his tongue hanging out I hastened and relaxed the cord , lest he_should_be strangled I threw the halter of_the ass round his neck , and placed the split cane over his nose , tying firmly below with string I subdued this wild animal by_the means that blacksmiths use the first time they shoe horse I then took off the noose , and tied the halter two long cords to_the roots two separate trees, and left him recover himself

in_the mean time , the rest of_the family had collected admire this noble animal , whose graceful and elegant form , superior to_that of_the ass, raises almost to_the dignity horse after while rose , and stamped furiously with its feet , trying release itself; but the pain its nose obliged lie down again then eldest son and I, approaching gently , took the two cords, and led dragged between two roots very near each_other , to_which tied the cords short , that_it had little power move , and could_not escape took care our own donkey should_not stray again , tying his fore- feet loosely , and putting him new halter , and left him near the onagra

I continued , with patience I had never had Europe , use every means I_could think with_our new guest , and at_the end month he_was so_far subdued , that I ventured to_begin his education this_was long and difficult task placed some burdens on_his back ; but the obedience necessary before we_could mount him , seemed impossible instil into him last , I recollected the method they use America tame the wild horses, and I resolved to_try in_spite of_the bounds and kicks of_the furious animal , I leaped on_his back , and seizing one of_his long ears between teeth , I bit till the blood came moment reared himself almost erect on_his hind - feet , remained for while stiff and motionless , then came down on_his fore- feet slowly , I still holding on_his ear last I ventured release him ; he_made some leaps, but soon subsided into sort trot , I having previously placed loose cords on_his fore-legs from_that_time were his masters; sons mounted him one after another ; they gave him the name Lightfoot, and never animal deserved his name better precaution , kept the cords on_his legs for some_time ; and never would submit to_the bit , used snaffle , by_which obtained power over his head , guiding him stick , with_which struck the right left ear , as_we wished him to_go

during this_time , our poultry - yard was increased three broods chickens had at_least forty of_these little creatures chirping and pecking about , the pride of_their good mistress 's heart part were kept home , supply the table , and part she allowed colonize in_the woods, where we_could find them when wanted them " these ," she said , " are more use than your monkeys, jackals, and eagles, who nothing but eat , and would_not_be worth eating themselves , if_we were need " however , she allowed there_was some use in_the buffalo , who carried burdens, and Lightfoot, who carried her sons so_well the fowls, which cost little for food , would_be always ready , she said , either supply with eggs chickens, when_the rainy season came -- the winter of_this climate

this reminded that_the approach of_that dreary season permitted longer defer very necessary work for_the protection of_our animals this_was construct , under the roots of_the trees, covered houses for_them began making kind roof above the vaulted roots of_our tree used bamboo canes for_this purpose ; the longer and stouter were used for_the supports, like columns, the slighter ones bound together closely formed the roof the intervals filled with moss and clay , and spread over the whole coating tar the roof was firm , that_it formed platform , which surrounded with railing; and thus had balcony , and pleasant promenade by_the aid some boards nailed to_the roots, we_made several divisions in_the interior , each little enclosure being appropriated some useful purpose ; and thus , stables, poultry -houses, dairy , larder , hay - house , store - room , &c , besides our dining- room , were all united under one roof this occupied some_time , it_was necessary to_fill our store - room before_the bad weather came ; and_our cart was constantly employed bringing useful stores

one evening , as_we were bringing home load potatoes on_our cart , drawn by_the ass, the cow, and_the buffalo , I_saw the cart was not yet full ; I therefore sent home the two younger boys with their mother , and went with Fritz and Ernest to_the oak wood , collect sack sweet acorns--Fritz mounted on_his onagra, Ernest followed his monkey , and I carrying the bag arriving at_the wood , tied Lightfoot tree , and all three began gather the dropped acorns, when were startled by_the cries birds, and loud flapping wings, and concluded that brisk combat was going between master Knips and_the tenants of_the thickets, from whence the noise came Ernest went softly to_see what_was the matter , and soon heard him calling out , " quick ! fine heath - fowl 's nest , full eggs ! Knips wants suck them , and_the mother beating him "

Fritz ran , and secured the two beautiful birds, who fluttered , and cried out furiously , and returned , followed Ernest , carrying large nest filled with eggs the monkey had served well on_this occasion ; for_the nest was hidden bush with long leaves, of_which Ernest held his hand full , that , but for_the instinct of_the animal , we_could never have discovered Ernest was overjoyed carry the nest and eggs for_his dear mamma, and_the long , pointed leaves intended for Francis , to_serve little toy -swords

set out on_our return , placing the sack acorns behind Fritz Lightfoot; Ernest carried the two fowls, and I charged myself with_the care of_the eggs, which I covered , I_found they were warm , and I hoped to_get the mother resume her brooding when got falcon 's nest were all delighted good news we_should_have carry home , and Fritz, anxious to_be first , struck his charger with bunch of_the pointed leaves had taken from Ernest : this terrified the animal so_much , that he_took the bit in_his teeth , and flew out sight like followed , some uneasiness , but found him safe master Lightfoot had stopped himself when reached his stable wife placed the valuable eggs under sitting hen, the true mother refusing fulfil her office she was then put into_the cage of_the poor parrot , and hung in_our dining- room , accustom her society in_a_few_days the eggs were hatched , and_the poultry - yard had increase fifteen little strangers, who fed greedily bruised acorns, and soon became tame any of_our fowls, though I plucked the large feathers out of_their wings when_they were full - grown , lest their wild nature should tempt them quit

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chapter XXVIII

Francis had soon become tired playing with_the long leaves his brother had brought him , and_they were thrown aside Fritz happened to_take some_of_the withered leaves , which were soft and flexible ribbon , and advised Francis to_make whiplashes of_them , drive

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