The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss
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but I forbade him to disturb the profound tranquillity of_this charming region .

but Flora, who probably had_not the same taste for_the beauties of nature that I had, suddenly darted forward like an arrow, pounced upon a creature that was swimming quietly at_the edge of_the water, and brought it to_us . it_was a most curious animal . it resembled an otter in form, but was web- footed, had an erect bushy tail like the squirrel, small head, eyes and ears almost invisible .a long, flat bill, like that of a duck, completed its strange appearance . we were completely puzzled-- even Ernest, the naturalist, could_not give its name .I boldly gave it the name of_the beast with a bill . i_told Ernest to_take it, as I wished to stuff and preserve it .

" it_will_be," said the little philosopher, " the first natural object for_our museum ."

" exactly," replied I; " and, when_the establishment is fully arranged, we_will appoint you curator ."

but, thinking my wife would grow uneasy at our protracted absence, we returned by a direct road to_the tent . our two messengers arrived about_the same time, and we all sat down together to a cheerful repast . every_one related his feats . Ernest dwelt on_his discoveries, and was very pompous in_his descriptions, and i_was obliged to promise to_take Fritz another time .I learnt, with pleasure, that all was going on well at falcon's nest, and_that the boys had had the forethought to leave the animals with provisions for ten days . this enabled me to complete my farmhouse . we remained four days longer, in_which time I finished the interior, and my wife arranged in_our own apartment the cotton mattresses, to_be ready for_our visits, and put into_the houses the fodder and grain for their respective tenants . we then loaded our cart, and began our march . the animals wished to_follow us, but Fritz, on Lightfoot, covered our retreat, and kept them at_the farm till we were out of sight .

we_did_not proceed directly, but went towards the wood of monkeys . these mischievous creatures assaulted us with showers of_the fir-apples; but a few shots dispersed our assailants .

Fritz collected some_of_these new fruits they had flung at us, and I recognized them as_those of_the stone pine, the kernel of which_is good to eat, and produces an excellent oil . we gathered a bag of_these, and continued our journey till we reached the neighbourhood of cape disappointment . there we ascended a little hill, from_the summit of_which we looked upon rich plains, rivers, and woods clothed with verdure and brilliant flowers, and gay birds that fluttered among_the bushes ." here, my children," cried I, " here we_will build our summer house . this_is truly Arcadia ." here we placed our tent, and immediately began to erect a new building, formed in_the same manner as_the farm house, but now executed more quickly . we raised the roof in_the middle, and made four sloped sides . the interior was divided into eating and sleeping apartments, stables, and a store- room for provisions; the whole was completed and provisioned in ten days; and we had now another mansion for ourselves, and a shelter for new colonies of animals . this new erection received the name of prospect hill, to gratify Ernest, who thought it had an English appearance .

however, the end for_which our expedition was planned was not yet fulfilled .I had_not yet met with a tree likely to suit me for a boat . we returned then to inspect the trees, and I fixed on a sort of oak, the bark of which_was closer than that of_the European oak, resembling more that of_the Cork- tree . the trunk was at_least five feet in diameter, and I fancied its coating, if I_could obtain it whole, would perfectly answer my purpose .I traced a circle at_the foot, and with a small saw cut the bark entirely through; Fritz, by_means of_the rope ladder we had brought with_us, and attached to_the lower branches of_the tree, ascended, and cut a similar circle eighteen feet above mine . we then cut out, perpendicularly, a slip the whole length, and, removing it, we had room to insert the necessary tools, and, with wedges, we finally succeeded in loosening the whole . the first part was easy enough, but there_was greater difficulty as_we advanced . we sustained it as_we proceeded with ropes, and then gently let it down on_the grass .I immediately began to_form my boat while the bark was fresh and flexible . my sons, in their impatience, thought it would do very_well if_we nailed a board at each end of_the roll; but this would_have_been merely a heavy trough, inelegant and unserviceable; I wished to_have one that_would look well by_the side of_the pinnace; and this idea at once rendered my boys patient and obedient . we began by cutting out at each end of_the roll of bark a triangular piece of about five feet long; then, placing the sloping parts one over the other, I united them with pegs and strong glue, and thus finished the ends of_my boat in a pointed form . this operation having widened it too_much in_the middle, we passed strong ropes round it, and drew it into_the form we required . we then exposed it to_the sun, which dried and fixed it in_the proper shape .

as_many things were necessary to complete my work, I_sent Fritz and jack to tent house for_the sledge, to convey it there, that we_might finish it more conveniently .I had the good fortune to meet with some very hard, crooked wood, the natural curve of_which would_be admirably suitable for supporting the sides of_the boat . we_found also a resinous tree, which distilled a sort of pitch, easy to manage, and which soon hardened in_the sun . my wife and Francis collected sufficient of it for_my work . it_was almost night when our two messengers returned . we had only time to sup and retire to our rest .

we were all early at work next morning . we loaded the sledge, placing on_it the canoe, the wood for_the sides, the pitch, and some young trees, which I had transplanted for_our plantation at tent house, and which we put into_the boat . but, before we set out, I wished to erect a sort of fortification at_the pass of_the rock, for_the double purpose of securing us against the attacks of wild beasts or of savages, and for keeping enclosed, in_the Savannah beyond the rocks, some young pigs, that we wished to multiply there, out_of_the way of_our fields and plantations .

as_we crossed the sugar- cane plantation, I_saw some bamboos larger than any I had ever met with, and we cut down one for a mast to our canoe . we now had the river to our left, and_the chain of rocks to our right, which here approached the river, leaving only a narrow pass . at_the narrowest part of_this we raised a rampart before a deep ditch, which could only be crossed by a drawbridge we placed there . beyond the bridge, we put a narrow gate of woven bamboos, to enable us to enter the country beyond, when we wished . we planted the side of_the rampart with dwarf palms, India fig, and other thorny shrubs, making awinding path through_the plantation, and digging in_the midst a hidden pitfall, known to ourselves by four low posts, intended to support a plank bridge when we wished to cross it . after_this was completed, we built a little _chalet of bark in_that part of_the plantation that faced the stream, and gave it the name of_the hermitage, intending it for aresting- place . after several_days of hard labour, we returned to prospect hill, and took a little relaxation . the only work we_did was to_prepare the mast, and lay it on_the sledge with_the rest .

the next morning we returned to tent house, where we immediately set to work on_our canoe with_such diligence that_it_was soon completed . it_was solid and elegant, lined through with wood, and furnished with a keel . we provided it with brass rings for_the oars, and stays for_the mast . instead of ballast, I laid at_the bottom a layer of stones covered with clay, and over this aflooring of boards . the benches for_the rowers were laid across, and in_the midst the bamboo mast rose majestically, with a triangular sail . behind I fixed the rudder, worked by a tiller; and I_could boast now of having built a capital canoe .

our fleet was now in good condition . for distant excursions we_could take_the pinnace, but the canoe would_be invaluable for_the coasting service .

our cow had, in_the mean time, given us a young male calf, which I undertook to train for service, as I had done the buffalo, beginning by piercing its nostrils; and_the calf promised to_be docile and useful; and, as each of_the other boys had his favourite animal to ride, I bestowed the bull on Francis, and intrusted him with its education, to encourage him to habits of boldness and activity . he_was delighted with_his new charger, and chose to_give him the name of valiant .

we had still two months before_the rainy season, and this_time we devoted to completing the comforts of_our grotto . we_made all the partitions of wood, except those which divided us from_the stables, which we built of stone, to exclude any smell from_the animals . we soon acquired skill in_our works; we had a plentiful supply of beams and planks from_the ship; and by practice we became very_good plasterers . we covered the floors with a sort of well- beaten mud, smoothed it, and it dried perfectly hard . we then contrived a sort of felt carpet . we first covered the floor with sailcloth; we spread over this wool and goats' hair mixed, and poured over it isinglass dissolved, rolling up the carpet, and beating it well . when_this was dry, we repeated the process, and in_the end had a felt carpet . we_made one_of_these for each room, to guard against any damp that we_might_be subject to in_the rainy season .

the privations we had suffered the preceding winter increased the enjoyment of_our present comforts . the rainy season came on; we had now a warm, well- lighted, convenient habitation, and abundance of excellent provision for ourselves and_our cattle . in_the morning, we_could attend to_their wants without trouble, for_the rain- water, carefully collected in clean vessels, prevented the necessity of going to_the river . we then assembled in_the dining- room to prayers . after_that we went to our work- room . my wife took her wheel, or her loom, which_was a rude construction of_mine, but in_which she had contrived to weave some useful cloth of wool and cotton, and also some linen, which she had made up for_us . everybody worked; the workshop was never empty .I contrived, with_the wheel of a gun, to arrange a sort of lathe, by_means of_which I and my sons produced some neat furniture and utensils . Ernest surpassed us all in_this art, and made some elegant little things for_his mother .

after dinner, our evening occupations commenced; our room was lighted up brilliantly; we_did_not spare our candles, which were so easily procured, and we enjoyed the reflection in_the elegant crystals above us . we had partitioned off a little chapel in one corner of_the grotto, which we had left untouched, and nothing could_be more magnificent than this chapel lighted up, with its colonnades, portico, and altars . we had divine service here every Sunday .I had erected a sort of pulpit, from_which I delivered a short sermon to my congregation, which I endeavoured to render as simple and as instructive as possible .

jack and Francis had a natural taste for music . I_made them flageolets of reeds, on_which they acquired considerable skill . they accompanied their mother, who had a very_good voice; and this music in_our lofty grotto had acharming effect .

we had thus made great steps towards civilization; and, though condemned, perhaps, to_pass our lives alone on_this unknown shore, we_might yet be happy . we were placed in_the midst of abundance . we were active, industrious, and content; blessed with health, and united by affection, our minds seemed to enlarge and improve every day . we saw around us on every side traces of_the divine wisdom and beneficence; and_our hearts overflowed with love and veneration for_that almighty hand which had so miraculously saved, and continued to protect us .I humbly trusted in him, either to restore us to_the world, or send some beings to join us in_this beloved island, where for two years we had seen no trace of man . to him we committed our fate . we were happy and tranquil, looking with resignation to_the future .

end of_the first part of_the journal .

* * * * *

postscript by_the editor .

it_is necessary to explain how this first part of_the journal of_the Swiss pastor came into my hands .

three or four years after_the family had_been cast on_this desert coast, where, as_we see, they lived a happy and contented life, an English transport was driven by a storm upon_the same shore . this vessel was_the _Adventurer_, captain Johnson, and was returning from New_Zealand to_the eastern coast of north America, by Otaheite,

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