The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss
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weave of_these reeds, which were very strong, a large and long sort of pannier, in_which his mother might sit or recline, and which might_be suspended between two strong bamboo-canes by handles of rope . he then purposed to yoke two of_our most gentle animals, the cow and_the ass, the one before and_the other behind, between_these shafts, the leader to_be mounted by one_of_the children as director; the other would follow naturally, and_the good mother would thus be carried, as_if in a litter, without any danger of jolting . i_was pleased with_this idea, and we all set to work to load ourselves each with a huge burden of reeds . they requested me not to_tell my wife, that they_might give her an agreeable surprise . it needed such affection as ours to induce us to_the undertaking in_such unpropitious weather . it rained in torrents, and_the marsh was so soft and wet, that we were in danger of sinking at every step . however, I could_not_be less courageous than my sons, whom nothing daunted, and we soon made up our bundles, and, placing them on_our heads, they formed a sort of umbrella, which_was not without its benefits . we soon arrived at falcon's nest . before we reached the tree, I_saw a fire shine to such a distance, that i_was alarmed; but soon found it_was only meant for_our benefit by our kind friends at home . when my wife saw the rain falling, she had instructed her little assistant to_make a fire in_our usual cooking- place, at a little distance from_the tree, and protected by a canopy of waterproof cloth from_the rain . the young cook had not_only kept up a good fire to dry us on_our return, but had taken the opportunity of roasting two dozen of_those excellent little birds which his mother had preserved in butter, and which, all ranged on_the old sword which served us for a spit, were just ready on_our arrival, and_the fire and feast were equally grateful to_the hungry, exhausted, and wet travellers, who sat down to enjoy them .

however, before we sat down to our repast, we went up to_see our invalids, whom we_found tolerably well, though anxious for_our return . Ernest, with_his sound hand, and_the assistance of Francis, had succeeded in forming a sort of rampart before_the opening into_the room, composed of_the four hammocks in_which he and_his brothers slept, placed side by side, on end . this sufficiently protected them from_the rain, but excluded the light, so that_they had_been obliged to light a candle, and Ernest had_been reading to_his mother in a book of voyages that had formed part of_the captain's small library . it_was a singular coincidence, that while we were talking of_the savages on_the way home, they were also reading of_them; and I_found my dear wife much agitated by_the fears these accounts had awakened in her mind . after soothing her terrors, I returned to_the fire to dry myself, and to enjoy my repast . besides the birds, Francis had prepared fresh eggs and potatoes for_us . he_told me that his mamma had given up her office of cook to him, and assured me that he_would perform the duties to our satisfaction, provided he_was furnished with materials .Fritz was to hunt, jack to fish, i_was to order dinner, and he_would make it ready ." and when we_have neither game nor fish," said jack, " we_will attack your poultry- yard ." this_was not at all to_the taste of poor little Francis, who_could_not bear his favourites to_be killed, and who had actually wept over the chicken that was slaughtered to_make broth for_his mother . we were obliged to promise him that, when other resources failed, we_would apply to our barrels of salt- fish . he, however, gave_us leave to dispose as_we liked of_the ducks and geese, which were too noisy for him .

after we had concluded our repast, we carried a part of it to our friends above, and proceeded to_give them an account of_our expedition .I then secured the hammocks somewhat more firmly, to save us from_the storm that was still raging, and_the hour of rest being at hand, my sons established themselves on mattresses of cotton, made by their kind mother, and in_spite of_the roaring of_the winds, we were soon in profound repose .

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chapter XXXVIII .

the storm continued to rage the whole of_the following day, and even the day after, with_the same violence . happily our tree stood firm, though several branches were broken; amongst others, that to_which Francis's wire was suspended .I replaced it with more care, carried it beyond our roof, and fixed at_the extremity the pointed instrument which had attracted the lightning .I then substituted for_the hammocks before_the window, strong planks, which remained from my building, and which my sons assisted me to raise with pulleys, after having sawed them to_the proper length . through these I_made loop-holes, to admit the light and air . in_order to carry off the rain, I fixed a sort of spout, made of_the wood of a tree I had met with, which_was unknown to_me, though apparently somewhat like the elder . the whole of_the tree, almost to_the bark, was filled up with a sort of pith, easily removed . from_this tree I_made the pipes for_our fountain, and_the remainder was now useful for_these rain-spouts .I employed those days in_which I_could_not go out, in separating the seeds and grain, of_which I_saw we_should_have need, and in mending our work-tools; my sons, in_the mean time, nestled under the tree among_the roots, were incessantly employed in_the construction of_the carriage for their mother . the karatas had nearly completed the cure of Ernest's hand, and he_was able to assist his brothers preparing the canes, which Fritz and jack wove between_the flat wooden wands, with_which they had made the frame of_their pannier; they succeeded in making it so strong and close, that they_might have carried liquids in_it . my dear wife's foot and leg were gradually improving; and i_took the opportunity of her confinement, to reason with her on her false notion of_the dangers of_the sea, and to represent to her the gloomy prospect of_our sons, if_they were left alone in_the island . she agreed with me, but could_not resolve to leave it; she hoped god would send some vessel to_us, which might leave us some society; and after all, if our sons were left, she pointed out to_me, that_they had our beautiful pinnace, and might at any_time, of_their own accord, leave the island .

" and why should we anticipate the evils of futurity, my dear friend ? " said she ." let_us think only of_the present . I_am anxious now to_know if_the storm has spared my fine kitchen- garden ."

" you_must wait a little," said I ." I_am as uneasy as_you, for_my maize-plantations, my sugar-canes, and my corn-fields ."

at last, one night, the storm ceased, the clouds passed away, and_the moon showed herself in all her glory . how delighted we were ! my wife got me to remove the large planks I had placed before_the opening, and_the bright moonbeams streamed through_the branches of_the tree into our room; a gentle breeze refreshed us, and so delighted were we in gazing on_that sky of promise, that we_could scarcely bear to_go to bed, but spent half the night in projects for_the morrow; the good mother alone said, that she_could_not join in_our excursions . jack and Francis smiled at each_other, as_they thought of_their litter, which_was now nearly finished .

a bright sun awoke us early next morning .Fritz and jack had requested me to allow them to finish their carriage; so, leaving Ernest with_his mother, i_took Francis with me to ascertain the damage done to_the garden at tent house, about_which his mother was so anxious . we easily crossed the bridge, but the water had carried away some_of_the planks; however, my little boy leaped from one plank to another with great agility, though the distance was sometimes considerable . he_was so proud of being my sole companion, that he scarcely touched the ground as he ran on before me; but he had a sad shock when he got to_the garden; of_which we_could_not find the slightest trace . all was destroyed; the walks, the fine vegetable-beds, the plantations of pines and melons-- all had vanished . Francis stood like a marble statue, as pale and still; till, bursting into tears, he recovered himself .

"Oh ! my good mamma," said he; " what_will she say when she hears of_this misfortune ? but she need not know it, papa," added he, after a pause; " it would distress her too_much; and if_you and my brothers will help me, we_will repair the damage before she_can walk . the plants may not be so large; but the earth is moist, and they_will grow quickly, and_I_will work hard to_get it into order ."

I embraced my dear boy, and promised him this should_be our first work .I feared we_should_have many_other disasters to repair; but a child of twelve years old gave_me an example of resignation and courage . we agreed to_come next_day to_begin our labour, for_the garden was too well situated for_me to abandon it . it_was on a gentle declivity, at_the foot of_the rocks, which sheltered it from_the north wind, and was conveniently watered from_the cascade .I resolved to add a sort of bank, or terrace, to protect it from_the violent rains; and Francis was so pleased with_the idea, that he began to gather the large stones which were scattered over the garden, and to carry them to_the place where I wished to build my terrace . he_would_have worked all day, if i_would_have allowed him; but i_wanted to look after my young plantations, my sugar-canes, and my fields, and, after_the destruction I had just witnessed, I had everything to fear .I proceeded to_the avenue of fruit-trees that led to tent house, and was agreeably surprised . all were half- bowed to_the ground, as_well as_the bamboos that supported them, but few were torn up; and I_saw that my sons and I, with_the labour of two_or_three days, could restore them . some_of_them had already begun to bear fruit, but all was destroyed for_this year . this_was, however, atrifling loss, compared with what I had anticipated; for, having no more plants of European fruits, I_could_not have replaced them . besides, having resolved to inhabit tent house at present, entirely,-- being there defended from storms,-- it_was absolutely necessary to contrive some protection from_the heat . my new plantations afforded little shade yet, and I trembled to propose to my wife to_come and inhabit these burning rocks . Francis was gathering some_of_the beautiful unknown flowers of_the island for_his mother, and when he had formed his nosegay, bringing it to_me,--

" see, papa," said he, " how the rain has refreshed these flowers . i_wish it would rain still, it_is so dreadfully hot here .Oh ! if_we had but a little shade ."

" that_is just what i_was thinking of, my dear," said I; " we_shall_have shade enough when my trees are grown; but, in_the mean time--"

" in_the mean time, papa," said Francis, " i_will tell you what you_must do . you_must make a very long, broad colonnade before our house, covered with cloth, and open before, so_that mamma may_have air and shade at once ."

i_was pleased with my son's idea, and promised him to construct a gallery soon, and call it the Franciade in honour of him . my little boy was delighted that his suggestion should_be thus approved, and begged me not to_tell his mamma, as he_wished to_surprise her, as_much as his brothers did with their carriage; and he hoped the Franciade_ might_be finished before she visited tent house .I assured him i_would_be silent; and we took the road hence, talking about our new colonnade .I projected making it in_the most simple and easy way .a row of strong bamboo-canes planted at equal distances along the front of_our house, and united by a plank of wood at_the top cut into arches between_the canes; others i_would place sloping from_the rock, to_which i_would fasten them by iron cramps; these were to_be covered with sailcloth, prepared with_the elastic gum, and well secured to_the plank . this building would_not take much time, and I anticipated the pleasure of_my wife when she found out that_it_was an invention of her little favourite, who, of a mild and reflecting disposition, was beloved by_us all . as_we walked along, we saw something approaching, that Francis soon discovered to_be his brothers, with their new carriage; and, concluding that his mamma occupied it, he hastened to meet them, lest they should proceed to_the garden . but on_our approach, we discovered that Ernest was in_the litter, which_was borne by_the cow before, on_which Fritz was mounted, and by_the ass behind, with jack on_it . Ernest declared the conveyance was so easy and delightful that he_should often take his mother's place .

"I like that very_much," said jack; " then i_will take care that we_will harness the onagra and_the buffalo for_you, and they_will give_you a pretty jolting, I promise you . the cow and ass are only for mamma . look, papa, is_it not complete ? we wished to_try it as_soon_as we finished it, so we got Ernest to occupy it, while mother was asleep ."

Ernest declared it only wanted two cushions, one to sit upon, the other to recline against, to_make

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