The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss

The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss
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though i_was out early next morning , I_found Fritz and jack had_been gone some_time , leaving only the ass in_the stables, which I secured for_my little Francis I perceived , also , that_they had dismounted cart , and carried away the wheels, from_which I concluded had met with some tree their walk the preceding evening , suitable for_the pipes for their fountains, and had now returned cut down , and convey tent house I_did_not know where meet with_them , I proceeded with Francis on_the ass commence his favourite work I drew plan on_the ground first at_the distance twelve feet from_the rock which formed the front of_our house , I marked straight line fifty feet , which I divided into ten spaces five feet each for_my colonnade ; the two ends were to_be reserved for_the two pavilions sons wished build i_was busy calculations, and Francis placing stakes in_the places where I wished dig , when_the cart drove with_our two good labourers they had , I expected , found the evening before species pine , well adapted for their pipes they had cut down four, fifteen twenty feet length , which they had brought on_the wheels of_the cart , drawn by_the four animals they had had some difficulty transporting them to_the place ; and_the greatest still remained -- the boring the trunks, and then uniting them firmly I had neither augers nor any tools fit for_the_purpose I had , certainly , constructed little fountain falcon 's nest ; but the stream was near hand , and was easily conveyed cane pipes our tortoise - shell basin here the distance was considerable , the ground unequal , and , to_have the water pure and cool , underground pipes were necessary i_thought large bamboos, but Fritz pointed out the knots, and_the difficulty joining the pieces, and begged leave him , had seen fountains made Switzerland , and had fears success in_the mean time , all hands set work at_the arcade selected twelve bamboos equal height and thickness , and fixed them securely in_the earth , five feet from each_other these formed pretty colonnade , and were work enough for_one day

took care divert all inquiries night , discussing the subjects which our invalids had_been reading during the day the little library of_our captain was very choice ; besides the voyages and travels, which interested them greatly , there_was good collection historians, and some_of_the best poets, for_which Ernest had little taste however , requested earnestly that he_might_be of_our party next_day , and Francis , good -naturedly, offered stay with mamma, expecting, no_doubt , Ernest 's congratulations on_the forward state of_the Franciade the next morning Ernest and I set out , his brothers having preceded poor Ernest regretted , as_we went , that had in_these happy schemes for_his mother I reminded him , however , of_his dutiful care her during her sickness , and all his endeavours amuse her " and , besides ," added I, " did you not make her straw bonnet ? "

" yes ," said , " and I now remember what frightful shape it_was i_will try to_make better , and will - morrow morning to_choose straw "

as_we approached tent house , heard most singular noise , echoing intervals amongst the rocks soon discovered the cause ; hollow of_the rocks I_saw very hot fire , which jack was blowing through cane , whilst Fritz was turning amidst the embers bar iron when it_was red hot , they laid anvil I had brought from_the ship , and struck alternately with hammers bring point

" well done , young smiths," said I; " ought to_try all things , and keep what_is good do_you expect succeed making your auger ? I suppose that_is what you_want "

" yes , father ," said Fritz; " we_should succeed well enough if_we only had good pair bellows ; you_see we_have already got tolerable point "

now Fritz could_not believe anything was impossible had killed kangaroo the evening before , and skinned the flesh made dinner ; of_the skin determined to_make pair bellows nailed , with_the hair out , not having time tan , two flat pieces wood , with holes in_them ; to_this added reed for_the pipe ; then fixed by_means long cord and post , to_the side of_his fire , and jack , with_his hand his foot , blew the fire , that_the iron was speedily red hot , and quite malleable I then showed them how twist the iron into screw ,-- rather clumsy , but which would answer the purpose tolerably well one end they formed ring , in_which placed piece wood transversely, enable them to_turn the screw then made trial placed tree two props, and Fritz and I managed the auger so_well , that had our tree pierced through very little time , working first one end and then at_the other jack , in_the mean time , collected the shavings we_made , which deposited in_the kitchen for_his mother 's use , kindle the fire Ernest , meanwhile , was walking about , making observations, and giving his advice to_his brothers on_the architecture of_their pavilions, till , seeing they were going bore another tree , retired into_the garden to_see the embankment returned delighted with_the improvements, and much disposed to_take some employment he_wanted assist boring the tree , but we_could_not all work I undertook this labour myself , and sent him blow the bellows , while his brothers laboured at_the forge , the work not being too hard for_his lame hand young smiths were engaged flattening the iron to_make joints unite their pipes; they succeeded very_well , and then began dig the ground lay them Ernest , knowing something geometry and land -surveying, was able to_give them some useful hints, which enabled them complete their work successfully leaving them do_this , I employed myself covering long colonnade after I had placed columns plank cut arches, which united them , and was firmly nailed to_them , I extended from_it bamboos, placed sloping against the rock , and secured to_it cramps iron , the work of_my young smiths when bamboo roof was solidly fixed , the canes possible , I filled the interstices with clay I_found near the river , and poured gum over ; I had thus impervious and brilliant roof , which appeared to_be varnished , and striped green and brown I then raised the floor foot , in_order_that there_might_be damp , and paved with_the square stones I had preserved when cut the rock must_be understood that all this_was the work many days i_was assisted jack and Fritz, and Ernest and Francis alternately, one always remaining with_his mother , who was still unable walk Ernest employed his time , when home , making the straw bonnet , without either borrowing his brother 's head for model , letting any of_them know what he_was doing nevertheless , assisted his brothers with their pavilions his really valuable knowledge they formed them very elegantly,-- something like Chinese pagoda they were exactly square , supported four columns, and rather higher than_the gallery the roofs terminated point , and resembled _a large parasol the fountains were in_the middle ; the basins, breast - high , were formed of_the shells two turtles from_our reservoir , which were mercilessly sacrificed for_the_purpose , and furnished our table abundantly for some days they succeeded the cassowary, which had supplied very seasonably: its flesh tasted like beef , and made excellent soup

but return to_the fountains Ernest suggested the idea ornamenting the end of_the perpendicular pipe , which brought the water to_the basin , with shells; every sort might_be collected on_the shore , of_the most brilliant colours, and curious and varied shapes he_was passionately devoted natural history , and had made collection of_these , endeavouring classify them from_the descriptions met with in_the books voyages and travels some_of_these , of_the most dazzling beauty , were placed round the pipe , which had_been plastered with clay ; from thence the water was received into volute_, shaped like antique urn , and again was poured gracefully into_the large turtle - shell ; small channel conveyed then out_of_the pavilions the whole was completed less time than I_could_have imagined , and greatly surpassed expectations; conferring inestimable advantage on_our dwelling, securing from_the heat all honour was rendered master Francis , the inventor , and_the Franciade was written large letters on_the middle arch ; Fritzia and Jackia were written in_the same way over the pavilions Ernest alone was not named ; and he_seemed somewhat affected by_it had acquired great taste for rambling and botanizing, and had communicated also Fritz, and now that_our labours were ended tent house , they left nurse our invalid , and made long excursions together , which lasted sometimes whole days as_they generally returned with some game , some new fruit , pardoned their absence , and_they were always welcome Sometimes they brought kangaroo , sometimes agouti, the flesh of_which resembles that rabbit , but richer ; sometimes they brought wild ducks, pigeons, and even partridges these were contributed Fritz, who never went out without his gun and_his dogs Ernest brought natural curiosities , which amused much ,--stones, crystals, petrifactions, insects, butterflies rare beauty , and flowers, whose colours and fragrance one Europe can form idea Sometimes brought fruit , which always administered first our monkey , taster : some_of_them proved very delicious two of_his discoveries, especially , were most valuable acquisitions,-- the guajaraba, on_the large leaf of_which one may write with pointed instrument , and_the fruit , sort grape , very_good eat ; also the date - palm , every part which_is useful , that were truly thankful heaven , and_our dear boys, for_the discovery Whilst young , the trunk contains sort marrow_, very delicious the date - palm crowned head , formed from forty eighty leafy branches, which spread round the top the dates are particularly good about half - dried ; and wife immediately began preserve them sons could only bring the fruit now , but purposed transplant some_of_the trees themselves near our abode we_did_not discourage our sons in_these profitable expeditions; but they had another aim , which i_was yet ignorant in_the mean time , I usually walked with one of_my younger sons towards tent house , attend our garden , and to_see our works continued good condition receive mamma, who daily improved; but I insisted her being completely restored , before she was introduced to_them our dwelling looked beautiful amongst the picturesque rocks, surrounded trees every sort , and facing the smooth and lovely Bay safety the garden was not forward I_could_have wished ; but were obliged to_be patient , and_hope for_the best

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chapter XLI

one day , having gone over with younger sons weed the garden , and survey our possessions, I perceived that_the roof of_the gallery wanted little repair , and called jack raise for_me the rope ladder which I had brought from falcon 's nest , and which had_been very useful while were constructing the roof ; but sought for_it everywhere ; could_not_be found ; and as_we were quite free from robbers in_our island , I_could only accuse elder sons, who had doubtless carried off ascend some tall cocoa - nut tree obliged to_be content , walked into_the garden by_the foot of_the rocks since our arrival , I had_been somewhat uneasy hearing dull , continued noise , which appeared to_proceed from_this side the forge had passed , now extinguished , and_our workmen were absent Passing along , to_the rocks, the noise became more distinct , and i_was truly alarmed could earthquake ? perhaps announced some volcanic explosion I stopped before_that part of_the rock where the noise was loudest ; the surface was firm and level ; but from_time to_time , blows and falling stones seemed strike our ears i_was uncertain what to_do ; curiosity prompted stay , but sort terror urged remove child and myself however , jack , always daring, was unwilling to_go till had discovered the cause of_the phenomenon " Francis were here ," said , " he_would fancy was_the wicked gnomes, working underground , and he_would_be fine fright for_my part , I believe it_is only people come collect the salt in_the rock "

" people ! " said I; " you don't know what you_are saying, jack ; I_could excuse Francis and_his gnomes_,-- would_be at_least poetic fancy , but yours quite absurd where are the people to_come from ? "

" but what else can ? " said " hark ! you_may hear them strike the rock "

" certain , however ," said I, " there_are people " at_that moment , I distinctly heard human voices, speaking, laughing, and apparently clapping their hands I_could_not distinguish any words; i_was struck with mortal terror ; but jack , whom nothing could alarm , clapped

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