The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss

The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss
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;

growling,

beasts coming towards

;

measures;

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[ transcriber 's note : there_are two pages unavailable for scanning (pages 284-285) from_the original book i_was unable to_find this exact story other editions ]

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the whole valley , which could_not_be it_was gentle stream , gushing from perpendicular rock , which reminded of_the source of_the river Orbe, in_the canton Vaud; issued forth its full width , rolling first over rocky bed ; then forming graceful bend , took its course towards the great bay, and fell cascade into_the sea remained some_time here to_fill our gourds, drinking moderately , and taking bath , which refreshed all greatly

the evening was approaching, and began fear should_not reach home before night I had warned wife that there_was possibility that we_might_be delayed , though I_could_not then anticipate the cause of_our delay endeavoured, however , walking quickly we_could , and resting more , reach our farm any rate followed the course of_the river , on_the opposite shore of_which rose wide plain , where saw the herd buffaloes quietly grazing, ruminating, and drinking, without paying the slightest attention to_us thought distinguished some other quadrupeds amongst them , which Fritz was certain were zebras onagras; but certainly not his dear gazelle , for_which had incessantly looked round jack was despair that_the river separated from_the buffaloes, so_that he_could_not cast his lasso round the legs one_of_them , had promised Ernest even wished swim across the stream , to_have hunt ; but I forbade him , encouraging him hope_that perhaps single buffalo might cross our side , and throw itself in_the way of_his lasso i_was far from wishing such thing myself , for had time lose , nor any means secure and lead home , should succeed capturing one , not having any cords with_us ; and moreover , intending return from_the bay in_the canoe when arrived at_the bay, the night , which comes rapidly equinoctial countries, had almost closed were scarcely able to_see , without terror , the changes that_the late storm had occasioned ; the narrow pass which led from_the other side of_the island , between_the river and deep stream that flowed rocks, was entirely obstructed with rocks and earth fallen upon ; and render our passage practicable , it_was necessary undertake labour that_the darkness now prevented , and which would any_time attended danger were obliged then to_spend the night in_the open air , and separated from_our dear and anxious friends tent house Fortunately, Fritz had collected store bread - fruit for_his mother , with_which had filled his own pockets and those of_his brothers these , with water from_the river , formed our supper ; for had nothing but the bone of_our leg mutton left turned back little way , establish ourselves under clump trees, where were greater safety ; loaded our muskets, kindled large fire dry branches, and recommending to_the protection god , lay down on_the soft moss wait for_the first rays light with_the exception jack , who from_the first slept as_if had_been in_his bed , none could rest the night was beautiful ; multitude stars shone over our heads in_the ethereal vault Ernest was never tired gazing them after some questions and suppositions on_the plurality worlds, their courses and their distances, quitted wander on_the borders of_the river , which reflected them all their brilliancy from_this night his passion for astronomy commenced , passion which carried beyond all others this became his favourite and continual study , nor did fall far short Duval, whose history had read Whilst he_was engaged contemplation , Fritz and I conversed on_our projects for tunnelling to_the grotto , and on_the utility of_such passage , as_this side of_the island was quite lost to_us , from_the difficulty reaching " and yet ," said I, " it_is to_this owe the safety we_have enjoyed who_can say that_the bears and_the buffaloes may not find the way through_the grotto ? I confess I_am not desirous of_their visits, nor even of_those of_the onagras who knows but they_might persuade your favourite Lightfoot return and live amongst them ? liberty has many charms till now , we_have_been very happy on_our side of_the island , without the productions of_this dear boy , there_is proverb , ' let well alone ,' let_us not have too_much ambition ,-- has ruined greater states than ours "

Fritz seemed grieved to_give his plan , and suggested that he_could forge some strong bars iron to_place before_the opening, which could_be removed will

" but ," said I, " they_will_not prevent the snakes from passing underneath I_have noticed some with terror , as_they_are animals I_have great antipathy ; and your mother saw one crawl into her grotto , she_would never enter again ; even she did_not die fright "

" well , we_must give ," said Fritz; " but it_is pity do_you_think , father , there_are more bears in_the island than those killed ? "

" all probability ," said I; " it_is scarcely to_be supposed that there should only two I_cannot well account for their being here they_can swim very_well , and perhaps the abundance fruit in_this part of_the island may_have attracted them " I then gave son short account of_their manners and habits, from_the best works on_the history of_these animals

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chapter XLVI

Whilst continued to_talk and admire the beauty of_the stars, they at_length began fade away before_the first light morning Ernest returned to_us , and awoke jack , who had slept uninterruptedly , and was quite unconscious where he_was to_the pass , which now , by_the light day , seemed to_us more hopeless state than in_the dusk evening i_was struck with consternation : appeared to_me that were entirely enclosed at_this side ; and I shuddered to_think crossing the island again , to_pass round at_the other end , of_the risk we_should run meeting wild beasts, and of_the painful and perilous passage along the coral reefs at_that moment i_would gladly have consented open passage through_the grotto , at_the hazard any visitors, in_order to_get through myself , that I_might relieve the anxious feelings of_my dear wife and boy the thoughts of_their agony unnerved , and took away all courage for_the commencement labour which seemed impossible , our only utensils being small saw , and little dibble for taking plants, which Ernest had_been unwilling leave behind the path by_which jack and I had passed was covered with rocks and masses soil , which obstructed even the course of_the stream ; we_could_not discover the place had forded , the river had opened itself wider course , far beyond its former one

" it_is impossible ," said Fritz, gazing on_the ruins, " that we_can remove all these immense stones without proper tools; but , perhaps , with little courage , we_may cross over them , the rivulet being widened cannot_be very deep all events, worse than_the coral reefs "

" let_us try ; but I_fear it_will_be impossible , at_least for him_," said I, pointing jack

"_Him_, indeed , papa, and why_not ? " said the bold fellow ; "_he perhaps strong , and more active , than some them_; ask Fritz what thinks of_his workman shall I the first show you the way ? "

and he_was advancing boldly , but I checked him , and said , that before undertook scale these masses rock , absolutely bare , where had nothing support , hold , would_be as_well examine , descending lower , we_could_not find less dangerous road descended to_the narrow pass , and found our drawbridge , plantation , all our fortification that boys were proud , and where , Fritz's request , I had even planted small cannon , all , all destroyed ; the cannon swallowed with_the rest boys deplored their disappointment ; but I showed them how useless such defence must ever nature had provided with better fortification than we_could construct , as_we just now bitterly experienced

had descended several yards lower with incredible difficulty , plunged wet , heavy soil , and obliged step across immense stones, when Fritz, who went first , cried out , joyfully --

" the roof , papa ! the roof of_our chalet ! it_is quite whole ; it_will_be bridge for_us if_we_can only get to_it "

" what roof ? what chalet ? " said I, astonishment

" the roof of_our little hermitage ," said , " which had covered so_well with stones, like the Swiss chalets "

I then recollected that I had made this little hut , after_the fashion of_the Swiss chalet , bark , with roof nearly flat and covered with stones, secure against the winds was_this circumstance , and its situation , that had saved in_the storm I had placed opposite the cascade , that we_might see the fall all its beauty , and , consequently , little one side of_the passage filled by_the fall of_the rocks some fragments reached the roof of_the hut , and certainly could_not have entered ; but the chalet was supported this_means , and_the roof was still standing and perfectly secure contrived slide along the rock which sustained ; jack was_the first stand on_the roof and sing victory it_was very easy descend on_the other side , holding by_the poles and pieces bark , and soon found ourselves safe in_our own island Ernest had lost his gun in_the passage : not being willing resign his bag curiosities , had dropped the gun into_the abyss

" you_may take_the gun I left in_the canoe ," said Fritz; " but , another time , throw away your stones, and keep your gun -- you_will_find good friend need "

" let_us embark in_our canoe ," cried jack " the sea ! the sea ! long live the waves ! they_are_not hard as_the stones "

i_was very glad_to_have the opportunity conveying canoe back to_the port tent house ; our important occupations had prevented till now , and everything favoured the plan : the sea was calm , the wind favourable, and we_should arrive home sooner , and with less fatigue , than land skirted the great Bay to_the cabbage - palm wood I had moored the canoe firmly one_of_the palms, that I_felt secure being there arrived at_the place , and canoe was there ! the mark of_the cord which fastened it_was still to_be seen round the tree , but the canoe had entirely disappeared struck with astonishment , looked each_other with terror , and without being able articulate word what_was become ?

" some animal ,-- the jackals; monkey , perhaps ,-- might_have detached ," said jack ; " but they_could_not have eaten the canoe " and we_could_not find trace , any more than of_the gun Fritz had left in_it

this extraordinary circumstance gave_me great deal thought Savages, surely , had landed on_our island , and carried off our canoe we_could longer doubt when discovered on_the sands the print naked feet ! it_is easy to_believe how uneasy and agitated i_was I hastened take_the road tent house , from_which were now more than three leagues distant I forbade sons mention this event , our suspicions, to_their mother , I_knew would rob her all peace mind I tried console myself it_was possible that chance had conducted them to_the Bay, that_they had seen our pretty canoe , and_that , satisfied with their prize , and seeing inhabitants, they_might_not return perhaps , on_the contrary , these islanders might prove kind and humane , and become our friends there_was trace of_their proceedings further than_the shore called at_the Farm_, purpose examine all appeared in_order ; and certainly , if_they had reached here , much tempt them : our cotton mattresses, our osier seats, and some household utensils that wife had left here our geese and fowls did_not appear to_have_been alarmed , but were pecking about usual for worms and insects I began hope_that we_might get off with_the loss of_our canoe ,--a loss which might_be repaired were sufficient number , being well armed , not to_be afraid few savages, even if_they penetrated further into_the island , and showed hostile intentions I exhorted sons to_do nothing irritate them ; on_the contrary , meet them with kindness and attention , and commit violence against them unless called defend their lives I also recommended them select from_the wrecked chest , some articles likely to_please the savages, and carry them always about with_them " and I beseech you , once more ," added I, " not

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