The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss

The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss
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boots,

hands,

Fritz,

, "

? " I

, "

betrayed

" great regret ;" said Fritz, " i_should truly have preferred meeting captain Johnson ; but I_fear and_his people are at_the bottom of_the sea after meeting with jack , proceeded tent house , where kindled good fire , and dried ourselves little then refreshed with some wine which remained on_the table where you had entertained the captain , and to_prepare signal inform the vessel were ready receive them procured thick bamboo cane from_the magazine ; I fixed firmly one end the large lantern of_the fish 's bladder you_gave to_take ; I filled the lamp with oil , and placed in_it thick cotton - wick , which , when lighted , was very brilliant jack and I then placed on_the shore , at_the entrance of_the bay fixed before_the rock , where the land - wind would_not reach , sunk three four feet into_the ground , steadied with stones, and then went rest over our fire , after_this long and difficult labour after drying ourselves little , set out on_our return , when , looking towards the sea , were startled by_the appearance of_the same light had noticed before ; heard , at_the same time , the distant report gun , which_was repeated three four times irregular intervals were persuaded that_it_was the vessel calling to_us for aid , and , remembering the command of_our Saviour, thought you_would forgive our disobedience if_we presented to_you in_the morning the captain , the lieutenant , and as_many our canoe would contain entered then without any fear , for you_know how light and well - balanced it_is ; and , rowing into_the bay, the sail was spread to_the wind , and had more trouble I then took the helm ; own signal - light shone clearly on_the shore ; and , except for_the rain which fell torrents, the waves which washed over our canoe , and uneasiness about_the ship and about you , and_our fear that_the wind might carry into_the open sea , we_should_have had delightful little maritime excursion when got out_of_the bay, I perceived the wind was driving towards shark 's island , which , being directly before_the bay, forms two entrances to_it I intended to_go round , and disembark there , possible , that I_might look out for some trace of_the ship , but we_found this impossible ; the sea ran too high ; besides , should_have_been unable moor our canoe , the island not affording single tree anything we_could lash , and_the waves would soon have carried away had now lost sight of_the light , and hearing more signals, I began to_think on_your distress when we_did_not arrive at_the hour promised I therefore resolved return by_the other side of_the bay, carefully avoiding the current , which would_have carried into_the open sea I lowered the sail by_means of_the ropes you had fixed to_it , and rowed into port moored the canoe , and , without returning tent house , took the road home crossed the bridge jack had done , found the waterproof cloak and bag karata-leaves where had left them , and soon after met Ernest it_was daylight , I_did_not take him for_the captain , but knew him immediately , and felt the deepest remorse when I heard from_him what anxiety and anguish you had passed the night our enterprise was imprudent , and altogether useless ; but we_might_have saved life , which would_have_been ample remuneration I_fear all hopeless what do_you_think , father , of_their fate ? "

" I_hope they_are far from_this dangerous coast ," said I; " but still in_our neighbourhood, we_will all we_can assist them as_soon_as_the tempest subsided , we_will take_the pinnace and sail round the island you_have long urged to_this , Fritz; and who knows but on_the opposite side we_may find some traces of_our own poor sailors,-- perhaps even meet with_them ? "

the weather gradually clearing, I called sons to_go out with wife earnestly besought not venture on_the sea ; I assured her it_was not sufficiently calm , but we_must examine our plantations, ascertain what damage was_done , and at_the same time we_might look out for some traces of_the wreck ; besides , our animals were becoming clamorous for food ; therefore , leaving Ernest with her , descended administer in_the first place to_their wants

* * * * *

chapter XXXVII

our animals were impatiently expecting ; they had_been neglected during the storm , and were ill - supplied with food , besides being half - sunk water the ducks and_the flamingo liked well enough , and were swimming comfortably in_the muddy water ; but the quadrupeds were complaining aloud , each in_his own proper language , and making frightful confusion sounds Valiant_, especially ,-- the name Francis had bestowed on_the calf I had given him bring ,--bleated incessantly for_his young master , and could_not_be quieted till he_came it_is wonderful how this child , only twelve years old , had tamed and attached this animal ; though sometimes fierce , with_him he_was mild lamb the boy rode on_his back , guiding him with little stick , with_which just touched the side of_his neck he_wished him move ; but his brothers had ventured mount , they_would_have been certainly thrown off pretty sight was our cavalry : Fritz on_his handsome onagra, jack on_his huge buffalo , and Francis on_his young bull there_was nothing left for Ernest but the donkey , and its slow and peaceful habits suited him very_well

Francis ran to_his favourite, who showed his delight seeing him as_well he_was able , and at_the first summons followed his master from_the stable Fritz brought out Lightfoot jack his buffalo , and I with_the cow and_the ass left them sport about liberty on_the humid earth , till removed the water from their stable , and supplied them with fresh food then drove them , considering advisable pursue our expedition foot , lest the bridge should still overflowed Francis was_the superintendent of_the fowls, and knew every little chicken name ; he_called them out and scattered their food for_them , and soon had his beautiful and noisy family fluttering round him

after having made all our animals comfortable , and given them their breakfast , began to_think of_our own Francis made fire and warmed some chicken broth for_his mother ; for ourselves , were contented with some new milk , some salt herrings, and cold potatoes I had often searched excursions for_the precious bread - fruit tree , highly spoken modern travellers, which I had hoped might_be found in_our island , from its favourable situation ; but I had hitherto been unsuccessful were unable procure the blessing bread_, our ship biscuit had long been exhausted, and though had sown our European corn , had_not yet reaped any

after had together knelt down thank god for_his merciful protection through_the terrors of_the past night , and besought him to_continue , prepared set out the waves still ran high , though the wind had subsided , and determined merely to_go along the shore , as_the roads still continued impassable from_the rain , and_the sand was easier walk than_the wet grass ; besides , our principal motive for_the excursion was for any traces recent shipwreck first we_could discover nothing , even with_the telescope ; but Fritz, mounting high rock , fancied discovered something floating towards the island besought allow him take_the canoe , which_was still where left the preceding night as_the bridge was now easy cross , I consented , only insisting accompanying him assist managing jack , who was much afraid being left behind , was_the first leap and seize oar there_was , however , need ; I steered little boat into_the current , and were carried away with_such velocity almost to_take our breath Fritz was at_the helm , and appeared to_have fear ; i_will_not say that his father was tranquil I held jack , for fear accidents, but only laughed, and observed to_his brother that_the canoe galloped better than Lightfoot were soon in_the open sea , and directed our canoe towards the object had remarked, and which still had sight were afraid was_the boat upset , but proved to_be tolerably large cask , which had probably been thrown overboard lighten the distressed vessel ; saw several others, but neither mast nor plank to_give any idea that_the vessel and boat had perished Fritz wished much have_made the circuit of_the island , assure ourselves of_this , but i_would_not hear ; i_thought of_my wife 's terror ; besides , the sea was still too rough for_our frail bark , and had , moreover , provisions if_my canoe had_not_been well built , would_have run great risk being overset by_the waves, which broke over jack , when he_saw one coming, lay down on_his face , saying preferred having them on_his back rather than in_his mouth ; jumped as_soon_as passed , help empty the canoe , till another wave came to_fill again ; but , thanks out -riggers, preserved our balance very_well , and I consented to_go far _Cape Disappointment_, which merited the name second time , for we_found trace here of_the vessel , though mounted the hill , and thus commanded wide extent view as_we looked round the country , appeared completely devastated : trees torn by_the roots, plantations levelled with_the ground , water collected into absolute lakes,-- all announced desolation ; and_the tempest seemed to_be renewing the sky was darkened, the wind arose, and was unfavourable for_our return ; nor could I venture the canoe on_the waves, every instant becoming more formidable moored our bark large palm - tree we_found at_the foot of_the hill , near the shore , and set out land our home crossed the gourd wood and_the wood Monkeys, and arrived our farm , which , our great satisfaction , had_not suffered much from_the storm the food had left in_the stables was nearly consumed ; from_which concluded that_the animals had left here had sheltered themselves during the storm refilled the mangers with_the hay had preserved in_the loft , and observing the sky getting more and more threatening, set out without delay for_our house , from_which were yet considerable distance avoid flamingo Marsh_, which_was towards the sea , and rice Marsh_, towards the rock , determined to_go through cotton Wood_, which would save from_the wind , ready blow off our feet i_was still uneasy about_the ship , which the lieutenant had told was out repair ; but I indulged hope_that they_might have taken refuge some bay, found anchorage some hospitable shore , where get their vessel into order

jack was alarmed lest they should fall into_the hands of_the _anthropophagi_, who eat men like hares sheep , whom had read some book travels, and excited the ridicule of_his brother , who was astonished his ready belief travellers' tales, which asserted were usually false

" but Robinson Crusoe would_not tell falsehood ," said jack , indignantly ; " and there were cannibals came to_his island , and were going eat Friday , had_not saved him "

"Oh ! Robinson could_not tell falsehood ," said Fritz, " because never existed the whole history romance -- is_not that_the name , father , that_is given works of_the imagination ? "

" it_is ," said I; " but we_must not call Robinson Crusoe romance ; though himself , and all the circumstances of_his history are probably fictitious , the details are all founded truth -- on_the adventures and descriptions voyagers who_may_be depended , and unfortunate individuals who_have actually been wrecked unknown shores ever our journal should_be printed , many may believe that_it_is only romance --a mere work of_the imagination "

boys hoped should_not have introduce any savages into our romance , and were astonished that island beautiful had_not tempted any inhabit ; in_fact , I had often been myself surprised at_this circumstance ; but i_told them many voyagers had noticed islands apparently fertile , and yet uninhabited ; besides , the chain rocks which surrounded this might prevent the approach savages, unless they had discovered the little Bay safety where had landed Fritz said anxiously desired circumnavigate the island , in_order ascertain the size , and there were similar chains rocks on_the opposite side I promised him , as_soon_as_the stormy weather was past , and_his mother well enough remove tent house , we_would take our pinnace , and set out on_our little voyage

now approached the marsh, and begged let him and cut some canes, projected making sort carriage for_his mother as_we were collecting them , explained his scheme to_me he_wished weave

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