The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss
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not to alarm your mother ." they promised me; and we continued our road unmolested to falcon's nest . jack preceded us, delighted, he_said, to_see our castle again, which he hoped the savages had_not carried away . suddenly, we saw him return, running, with terror painted on_his countenance .

" they_are there ! " said he; " they_have taken possession of it; our dwelling is full of_them .Oh ! how frightful they_are ! what ablessing mamma is_not there; she would_have died of fright to_see them enter ."

I confess i_was much agitated; but, not wishing to expose my children to danger before I had done all in my power to_prevent it, I ordered them to remain behind till I called them .I broke a branch from a tree hastily, which I held in one hand, and in_the other some long nails, which I_found by chance in_the bottom of_my pocket; and I advanced thus to my tree- castle .I expected to_have found the door of_my staircase torn open and broken, and_our new guests ascending and descending; but I_saw at once it_was closed as I had left it; being of bark, it_was not easily distinguished . how had these savages reached the dwelling, forty feet from_the ground ? I had placed planks before_the great opening; they were no longer there; the greater part of_them had_been hurled down to_the ground, and I heard such a noise in_our house, that I_could_not doubt jack's report .I advanced timidly, holding up in_the air the branch and my offerings, when I discovered, all at once, that i_was offering them to a troop of monkeys, lodged in_the fortress, which they were amusing themselves by destroying . we had numbers of_them in_the island; some large and mischievous, against whom we had some difficulty in defending ourselves when crossing the woods, where they principally dwelt . the frequent report of fire-arms round our dwelling had kept them aloof till now, when, emboldened by our absence, and enticed by_the figs on_our tree, they had come in crowds . these vexatious animals had got through_the roof, and, once in, had thrown down the planks that covered the opening; they made the most frightful grimaces, throwing down everything they_could seize .

although this devastation caused me much vexation, I_could_not help laughing at their antics, and at_the humble and submissive manner in_which I had advanced to_pay homage to_them .I called my sons, who laughed heartily, and rallied "_the prince of_the monkeys_" without mercy, for not knowing his own subjects .Fritz wished much to discharge his gun amongst them, but I forbade him . i_was too anxious to reach tent house, to_be_able to_turn my thoughts on_these depredators just now .

we continued our journey-- but I pause here; my heart is oppressed . my feelings when I reached home require another chapter to describe them, and I_must summon courage for_the task .

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chapter XLVII

we soon arrived at family bridge, where I had some hopes of meeting Francis, and perhaps his mother, who was beginning to walk very_well; but i_was disappointed-- they were_not there . yet i_was not uneasy, for they were neither certain of_the hour of_our return, nor of_the way we_might take .I expected, however, to_find them in_the colonnade-- they were_not there .I hastily entered the house; I called aloud, " Elizabeth ! Francis ! where are_you ? " no one answered .a mortal terror seized me-- and for a moment I_could_not move .

" they_will_be in_the grotto," said Ernest .

" or in_the garden," said Fritz .

" perhaps on_the shore," cried jack; " my mother likes to watch the waves, and Francis may_be gathering shells ."

these were possibilities . my sons flew in all directions in search of_their mother and brother . I_found it impossible to move, and was obliged to sit down .I trembled, and my heart beat till I_could scarcely breathe . I_did_not venture to dwell on_the extent of_my fears, or, rather, I had no distinct notion of_them .I tried to recover myself .I murmured, " yes-- at_the grotto, or the garden-- they_will return directly ." still, I_could_not compose myself . i_was overwhelmed with a sad presentiment of_the misfortune which impended over me . it_was but too soon realized . my sons returned in fear and consternation . they had no occasion to_tell me the result of_their search; I_saw it at once, and, sinking down motionless, I cried, " alas ! they_are_not there ! "

jack returned the last, and in_the most frightful state; he had_been at_the sea- shore, and, throwing himself into my arms, he sobbed out--

" the savages have_been here, and carried away my mother and Francis; perhaps they_have devoured them; I_have_seen the marks of_their horrible feet on_the sands, and_the print of dear Francis's boots ."

this account at once recalled me to strength and action .

" come, my children, let_us fly to save them . god will pity our sorrow, and assist us . he_will restore them . come, come ! "

they were ready in a moment . but adistracting thought seized me . had they carried off the pinnace ? if_so, every hope was gone . jack, in_his distress, had never thought of remarking this; but, the instant I named it, Fritz and he ran to ascertain the important circumstance, Ernest, in_the mean time, supporting me, and endeavouring to calm me .

" perhaps," said he, " they_are still in_the island . perhaps they may_have fled to hide themselves in some wood, or amongst the reeds . even if_the pinnace be left, it would_be prudent to search the island from end to end before we leave it . trust Fritz and me, we_will do_this; and, even if we_find them in_the hands of_the enemy, we_will recover them .Whilst we_are off on_this expedition, you_can_be preparing for_our voyage, and we_will search the world from one end to_the other, every country and every sea, but we will_find them . and we_shall succeed . let_us put our whole trust in god . he_is our father, he_will_not try us beyond our strength ."

I embraced my child, and a flood of tears relieved my overcharged heart . my eyes and hands were raised to heaven; my silent prayers winged their flight to_the almighty, to him who tries us and consoles us .a ray of hope seemed to visit my mind, when I heard my boys cry out, as_they approached--

" the pinnace is here ! they_have not carried that away ! "

I fervently thanked god-- it_was a kind of miracle; for_this pretty vessel was more tempting than_the canoe . perhaps, as it_was hidden in a little creek between_the rocks, it had escaped their observation; perhaps they_might_not know how to manage it; or they_might_not be numerous enough . no matter, it_was there, and might_be the means of_our recovering the beloved objects those barbarians had torn from_us . how gracious is god, to_give us hope to sustain us in_our afflictions ! without hope, we_could_not live; it restores and revives us, and, even if never realized below, accompanies us to_the end of_our life, and beyond the grave !

I imparted to my eldest son the idea of_his brother, that they_might_be concealed in some part of_the island; but I dared not rely on_this sweet hope . finally, as_we ought not to run the risk of abandoning them, if_they were still here, and perhaps in_the power of_the savages, I consented that my two eldest sons should go to ascertain the fact . besides, however impatient i_was, I_felt that a voyage such as_we were undertaking into unknown seas might_be of long duration, and it_was necessary to_make some preparations-- I_must think on food, water, arms, and many_other things . there_are situations in life which seize the heart and soul, rendering us insensible to_the wants of_the body-- this we now experienced . we had just come from a painful journey, on foot, of twenty-four hours, during which we had had little rest, and no sleep . since morning we had eaten nothing but some morsels of_the bread- fruit; it_was natural that we_should_be overcome with fatigue and hunger . but we none of us had even thought of_our own state-- we were supported, if I_may use the expression, by our despair . at_the moment that my sons were going to set out, the remembrance of_their need of refreshment suddenly occurred to_me, and I besought them to rest a little, and take something; but they were too_much agitated to consent . I_gave Fritz a bottle of canary, and some slices of roast mutton I met with, which he put in_his pocket . they had each a loaded musket, and_they set out, taking the road along the rocks, where the most hidden retreats and most impenetrable woods lay; they promised me to fire off their pieces frequently to let their mother know they were there, if she was hidden among_the rocks-- they took also one_of_the dogs .Flora we_could_not find, which made us conclude she had followed her mistress, to_whom she was much attached .

as_soon_as my eldest sons had left us, I_made jack conduct me to_the shore where he had seen the footmarks, that I_might examine them, to judge of_their number and direction . I_found many very distinct, but so mingled, I_could come to no positive conclusion . some were near the sea, with_the foot pointing to_the shore; and amongst these jack thought he_could distinguish the boot- mark of Francis . my wife wore very light boots also, which I had made for her; they rendered stockings unnecessary, and strengthened her ankles . I_could_not find the trace of_these; but I soon discovered that my poor Elizabeth had_been here, from a piece torn from an apron she wore, made of her own cotton, and dyed red .I had now not the least doubt that she was in_the canoe with her son . it_was a sort of consolation to_think they were together; but how_many mortal fears accompanied this consolation ! Oh ! was I ever to_see again these objects of_my tenderest affection !

certain now that_they were_not in_the island, i_was impatient for_the return of_my sons, and I_made every preparation for_our departure . the first thing i_thought of was_the wrecked chest, which would furnish me with means to conciliate the savages, and to ransom my loved ones .I added to_it everything likely to tempt them; utensils, stuffs, trinkets; I even took with me gold and silver coin, which_was thrown on one side as useless, but might_be of service to_us on_this occasion .I wished my riches were three times as_much as_they were, that I_might give all in exchange for_the life and liberty of_my wife and son .I then turned my thoughts on those remaining to_me: i_took, in bags and gourds, all that we had left of cassava- bread, manioc-roots, and potatoes; a barrel of salt- fish, two bottles of rum, and several jars of fresh water . jack wept as he filled them at his fountain, which he perhaps might never see again, any more than his dear valiant, whom I set at liberty, as_well as_the cow, ass, buffalo, and_the beautiful onagra . these docile animals were accustomed to_us and_our attentions, and_they remained in their places, surprised that_they were neither harnessed nor mounted . we opened the poultry- yard and pigeon-cote . the flamingo would_not leave us, it went and came with_us from_the house to_the pinnace . we took also oil, candles, fuel, and a large iron pot to cook our provisions in . for_our defence, i_took two more guns, and a small barrel of powder, all we had left .I added besides some changes of linen, not forgetting some for_my dear wife, which I hoped might_be needed . the time fled rapidly while we were thus employed; night came on, and my sons returned not . my grief was inconceivable; the island was so large and woody, that they_might have lost themselves, or the savages might_have returned and encountered them . after twenty hours of frightful terror, I heard the report of a gun-- alas ! only_one report ! it was_the signal agreed on if_they returned alone; two if_they brought their mother; three if Francis also accompanied them; but I expected they_would return alone, and i_was still grateful .I ran to meet them; they were overcome with fatigue and vexation .

they begged to set out immediately, not to lose one precious moment; they were now sure the island did_not contain those they lamented, and_they hoped i_would_not return without discovering them, for what would the island be to_us without our loved ones ? Fritz, at_that moment, saw his dear Lightfoot capering round him, and could_not help sighing as he caressed him, and took leave of him .

" may I_find thee here," said he, " where I leave thee in_such sorrow; and_I_will bring back thy young master," added he, turning to_the bull, who was also approaching him .

he then begged me again to set out, as_the moon was just rising in all her majesty .

" the queen of night," said Ernest; " will guide us to_the queen of_our island, who_is perhaps now looking up_to her, and calling on us to help her ."

" most assuredly," said I, " she_is thinking on us; but it_is on god she_is calling for help . let_us join her in prayer, my dear children, for herself and_our dear Francis ."

they fell on their knees with me, and I uttered the most fervent and earnest prayer that ever human heart poured forth; and I rose with confidence that_our prayers were heard .I proceeded with new courage to_the creek that contained our pinnace, where jack arranged all we had brought; we rowed out_of_the creek, and when we were in_the bay,

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