The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss

The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss
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;

;

coming

stairs, I

;

ran

, hoping

? "

" spare you half your journey , brave little man ," said I, hastening ; for jack 's account of_his mother made uneasy I perceived she_must labouring under fever , and_the blood ascending her head children followed , and soon reached the foot of_our castle in_the air

* * * * *

chapter XXXIV

entered our apartment literally as_if had come out_of_the sea , and I_found poor Elizabeth much agitated " heaven praised ! " said she ; " but where jack , that rash little fellow ? "

" here I_am , mamma," said , " dry when I left you I_have left dress below , that I might_not terrify you ; for Mr Fritz had had his gun , I might_have_been shot rhinoceros_, and not been here to_tell you story "

the good mother then turned her thoughts Fritz and , and would_not suffer to_come near her till had changed our drenched garments oblige her , retired little closet I had contrived between two thick branches at_the top of_the staircase , which_was used contain our chests linen , our dresses, and_our provisions our dress was soon changed ; hung the wet garments, and I returned companion , who was suffering from her foot , but still more from frightful headache she had burning fever I concluded that bleeding was urgently needed , but commenced assuaging her thirst with some lemonade I then opened box surgical instruments, and approached the opening to_the east which served for window , and which we_could by_means curtain , that was now entirely raised to_give air our dear invalid , and amuse children , who were watching the storm the mighty waves that broke against the rocks, the vivid lightning bursting through_the castles murky clouds, the majestic and incessant rolling of_the thunder , formed one of_those enchanting spectacles to_which they had_been from infancy accustomed in_the Swiss mountains we_are liable frightful storms, it_is necessary familiarize oneself , one cannot avoid them , I had wife and children , own example , behold , not_only without fear , but even with admiration , these great shocks of_the elements,-- these convulsions nature

I had opened the chest , and children had directed their attention to_the instruments contained ; the first were little rusty , and I handed them Ernest , who , after examining them , placed them table inside the window i_was searching for lancet good condition , when clap thunder , such I had never heard life , terrified all so_much , that nearly fell down this burst thunder had_not_been preceded any lightning , but was accompanied two immense forked columns fire , which seemed stretch from_the sky our very feet all cried out , even poor wife ; but the silence terror succeeded , and seemed to_be the silence death I flew to_the bedside , and found dear patient state total insensibility i_was convinced that she was dead , and i_was dumb with despair i_was roused from stupor by_the voice of_my children I then remembered that I had_not lost all : there still remained duties fulfil, and affection console " ," cried I, extending arms to_them , " come and comfort your unfortunate father : come and lament with_him the best wives and mothers " terrified at_the appearance of_their mother , they surrounded her bed , calling her piercing accents at_that moment I_saw little Francis was missing, and grief was augmented by_the fear that had_been killed by_the lightning I hastily turned to_the window , expecting to_find child dead , and_our dwelling flames Fortunately, all was safe ; but , distraction , I scarcely thanked god for_his mercy , at_the very moment even when graciously restored to_me lost treasures Francis , frightened by_the storm , had hidden himself in_his mother 's bed , and fallen asleep ; awaked by_the thunder , had_not dared move , fearing announced the arrival of_the savages; but last , the cries of_his brothers roused him , and raising his pretty fair head , supposing his mother sleeping, flung his arms round her neck , saying, " wake , mamma, we_are all here ,--papa, brothers, and_the storm , too , which_is very beautiful , but frightens open your eyes , mamma; look at_the bright lightning , and kiss your little Francis " either his sweet voice , the cries her elder children , restored her faculties: she gradually recovered, and called her the excess of_my joy threatened to_be almost fatal grief with difficulty I controlled own feelings and those of_my boys; and , after I had sent them from_the bed , I ascertained that she was not_only really living, but much better the pulse was calm , and_the fever had subsided , leaving only weakness that was means alarming I relinquished , joyfully , the intention bleeding her , the necessity of_which I had trembled contemplate , and contented myself with employing the boys to_prepare cooling mixture , composed of_the juice of_the lemon , barley , and tamarinds, which they completed to_the great satisfaction of_their mother I then ordered Fritz descend to_the yard , kill fowl , pluck and boil , to_make broth ,--a wholesome and light nourishment for_our dear invalid i_told one of_his brothers assist him , and jack and Francis , frequently employed under their mother , were ready moment Ernest alone remained quietly on_his seat , which I attributed to_his usual indolence , and tried to_make him ashamed " Ernest ," said I, " you_are_not very anxious oblige your mother ; you sit if_the thunderbolt had struck you "

" has , indeed , rendered unfit to_be any service good mother ," said , quietly ; and , drawing his right hand from under his waistcoat , showed to_me , most frightfully black and burnt

this dear child , who must_have suffered very_much , had never uttered complaint , for fear alarming his mother ; and even now he_made sign to_me to_be silent , lest she should hear , and discover the truth she soon , however , fell into sleep , which enabled attend poor Ernest , and question him about_the accident I learned that long and pointed steel instrument , which he_was examining near the large window , stooping over to_see better , had attracted the lightning , which , falling partly on_the hand in_which held , had caused the misfortune there were traces on_his arm of_the electric fire , and_his hair was burnt one side what miracle the fluid had_been diverted, and how , dwelling tree , preserved from sudden and general conflagration , I_knew not son assured had seen the fire run along the instrument held, and from thence fall perpendicularly to_the earth , where seemed burst with second explosion i_was impatient examine this phenomenon , and to_see any_other traces were left , except those on_the hand of_my son , which it_was necessary , in_the first place , attend I remembered frequently to_have applied with success Burns the most simple and easy remedies, which everybody can command : this_is , bathe the hand affected cold water , taking care renew every eight ten minutes I placed Ernest between two tubs cold water , and , exhorting him patience and perseverance , I left him bathe his hand , and approached the opening, to_try and discover what had preserved , averting the direction of_the lightning , which one might_have expected would_have killed son , and destroyed our dwelling I_saw only some light traces on_the table ; but , looking more attentively , I_found that_the greater part of_the surgical instruments which Ernest had placed upon were either melted much damaged examining them separately , I remarked one much longer than_the rest , which projected beyond the edge of_the table , and was much marked by_the fire I_could_not easily take ; had adhered somewhat melting, and , endeavouring disengage , I_saw that_the point , which_was beyond the opening, touched thick wire , which seemed to_be suspended from_the roof of_our tent all was now explained to_me ; except that I_could way account for_this wire , placed expressly to_serve conductor for_the lightning seemed to_be the work magic the evening was too far advanced for_me distinguish how it_was fastened , and what fixed below ; therefore , enjoining Ernest to_call loudly he_needed , I hastened down I_saw three cooks very busy , I passed through , preparing the broth for their mother -- they assured would_be excellent Fritz boasted that had killed the fowl with all speed , jack that had plucked without tearing much , and Francis that had lighted and kept the fire they had nothing employ them just then , and i_took them with to_have some one to_talk on_the phenomenon of_the lightning below the window I_found large packet iron wire , which I had brought from tent house some days before , intending some leisure day to_make sort grating before our poultry - yard what chance was_it here , and hooked one end to_the roof of_our house ? some_time before I had replaced our cloth canopy sort roof covered with bark nailed upon laths ; the cloth still enclosed the sides and front ; all was inflammable , that , but for_the providential conductor , we_must_have been flames instant I thanked god for_our preservation ; and little Francis , seeing happy , said --

" is_it quite true , papa, that_this wire has preserved ? "

" yes , it_is true , darling ; and i_wish to_know what good genius has placed there , that I_may_be thankful ," said I

"Ah ! father ," said little fellow , " embrace , but do_not thank ; for I_did_not know that i_was doing good "

Astonished this_information , I requested boy to_tell why and how had fixed the wire ?

" i_wanted reach some figs," said , " when_you and Fritz were tent house , and jack and Ernest were nursing mamma; I wished to_do some good for her i_thought she_would like some_of_our sweet figs; but there were none reach , and I had stick long enough beat them down I went below , and found that great roll wire I tried break piece off , but could_not ; and I then determined carry the whole up_to our dwelling, and bend one end into hook , by_which I_might catch some_of_the branches, and bring them near gather the figs i_was very successful first , and secured one_or_two figs I had packet wire on_the table by_the window , and stood near myself i_thought I_could reach branch that hung over our roof , loaded with fruit I leaned forward , and extended hook to_the branch ; I_felt I had secured , and joyfully began pull you_know , papa, they bend , and don't break ; but remained immovable , as_well hook , which_was held one_of_the laths of_the roof I pulled with all strength , and , efforts, I struck foot against the roll wire , which fell down to_the ground without detaching the hook you_may judge how firm it_is , for_it trifling leap from_our house to_the ground "

"A good work , indeed , boy ," said I, " yours , for_it has saved god has inspired you , and has_made use of_the hand child for_our preservation your conductor shall remain where you_have happily placed ; we_may still have need the sky still looks very threatening; let_us return your mother , and take light with_us "

I had contrived sort portable lantern , made isinglass , which lighted in_our offices moreover , calibash pierced with small holes, with candle inside , was placed at_the top of_the winding staircase , and lighted entirely , so_that were able descend without danger night w ell day i_was , however , uneasy about_the way we_should bring wife down , we_found necessary remove her during her sickness ; I named Fritz

" have uneasiness , father ," said , " Ernest and I are very strong now , and we_can carry mamma like feather "

" you and I_might , dear boy ," said I; " but Ernest cannot_be much assistance to_us present "

I then related his misfortune to_them they were distressed and astonished, not comprehending the cause , which I promised explain they wished now , however , to_see their brother Fritz then requested, low tone voice , that might tent house , to_see if_the vessel and_the captain had arrived Seeing his brothers listening with

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