The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss
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out columns of water through their nostrils to a great height, which occasionally fell on us, and wetted us .Sometimes they raised themselves on their huge tail, and looked like giants ready to_fall on us and crush us; then they went down again into_the water, which foamed under their immense weight . then they seemed to_be going through some military evolutions, advancing in a single line, like a body of regular troops, one after another swimming with grave dignity; still more frequently they were in lines of two and two . this wonderful sight partly diverted us from_our own melancholy thoughts .Fritz had, however, seized his oar, without giving himself time to dress, whilst I, at_the rudder, steered as_well as I_could through these monsters, who_are, notwithstanding their appearance, the mildest animals that exist . they allowed us to_pass so closely, that we were wetted with_the water they spouted up, and might_have touched them; and with_the power to overturn us with a stroke of_their tail, they never noticed us; they seemed to_be satisfied with each_other's society . we were truly sorry to_see their mortal enemy appear amongst them, the sword- fish of_the south, armed with its long saw, remarkable for a sort of fringe of nine or ten inches long, which distinguishes it from_the sword- fish of_the north . they_are both terrible enemies to_the whale, and next to man, who wages an eternal war with_them, its most formidable foes . the whales in_our south Seas had only the sword- fish to dread; as_soon_as they saw him approach, they dispersed, or dived into_the depths of_the ocean . one only, very near us, did_not succeed in escaping, and we witnessed a combat, of_which, however, we could_not_see the event . these two monsters attacked each_other with equal ferocity; but as_they took an opposite direction to_that we were going, we soon lost sight of_them, but we_shall never forget our meeting with_these wonderful giants of_the deep .

we happily doubled the promontory behind which the canoe had passed, and found ourselves in an extensive gulf, which narrowed as it entered the land, and resembled the mouth of a river . we_did_not hesitate to_follow its course . we went round the bay, but found no traces of man, but numerous herds of_the amphibious animal, called sometimes the sea- lion, the sea- dog, or the sea- elephant, or trunked phoca: modern voyagers give it the last name . these animals, though of enormous size, are gentle and peaceful, unless roused by_the cruelty of man . they were in_such numbers on_this desert coast, that they_would_have prevented our approach if_we had intended it . they actually covered the beach and_the rocks, opening their huge mouths, armed with very sharp teeth, more frightful than dangerous . as it_was night when we entered the bay, they were all sleeping, but they produced a most deafening noise with their breathing . we left them to_their noisy slumber; for_us, alas ! no such comfort remained . the continual anxiety attending an affliction like ours destroys all repose, and for three days we had_not slept an hour . since_the new misfortune of jack's captivity, we were all kept up by a kind of fever .Fritz was in a most incredible state of excitement, and declared he_would never sleep till he had rescued his beloved brother . his bath had partially removed the colouring from_his skin, but he_was still dark enough to_pass for a savage, when arrayed like them . the shores of_the strait we were navigating were very steep, and we had yet not met with any place where we_could land; however, my sons persisted in thinking the savages could_have taken no other route, as_they had lost sight of_their canoe round the promontory . as_the strait was narrow and shallow, I consented that Fritz should throw off the clothes he had on, and swim to reconnoitre a place which seemed to_be an opening in_the rocks or hills that obstructed our passage, and we soon had the pleasure of seeing him standing on_the shore, motioning for_us to approach . the strait was now so confined, that we_could_not have proceeded any further with_the pinnace; we_could_not even bring it to_the shore . Ernest and I were obliged to step into_the water up_to_the waist; but we took the precaution to tie a long and strong rope to_the prow, and when we were aided by_the vigorous arm of Fritz, we soon drew the pinnace near enough to fix it by_means of_the anchor .

there were neither trees nor rocks on_that desert shore to_which we_could fasten the pinnace; but, to our great delight and encouragement, we_found, at a short distance from_our landing- place, a bark canoe, which my sons were certain was_that in_which jack had_been carried off . we entered it, but at first saw only the oars; at last, however, Ernest discovered, in_the water which half filled the canoe, part of a handkerchief, stained with blood, which they recognized as belonging to jack . this discovery, which relieved our doubts, caused Fritz to shed tears of joy . we were certainly on_the track of_the robbers, and might trust that_they had_not proceeded farther with their barbarity . we_found on_the sand, and in_the boat, some cocoa- nut shells and fish-bones, which satisfied us of_the nature of_their repasts . we resolved to_continue our search into_the interior of_the country, following the traces of_the steps of_the savages . we_could_not find any traces of jack's foot, which would_have alarmed us, if Fritz had_not suggested that_they had carried him, on account of_his wound . we were about to set out, when_the thoughts of_the pinnace came over us; it_was more than ever necessary for_us to preserve this, our only means of return, and which moreover contained our goods for ransom, our ammunition, and_our provisions, still untouched, for some bread- fruit Fritz had gathered, some muscles, and small, but excellent, oysters, had_been sufficient for_us . it_was fortunate that we had brought some gourds of water with_us, for we had_not met with any . we decided that_it would_be necessary to leave one_of_our party to guard the precious pinnace, though this_would_be but an insufficient and dangerous defence, in_case of_the approach of_the natives . my recent bereavements made me tremble at_the idea of leaving either of_my sons . I_cannot yet reflect on_the agony of_that moment without horror-- yet it was_the sole means to secure our vessel; there_was not a creek or a tree to hide it, and_the situation of_the canoe made it certain the savages must return there to embark . my children knew my thoughts, by_the distracted glances with_which I alternately regarded them and_the pinnace, and, after consulting each_other's looks, Ernest said--

" the pinnace must not remain here unguarded, father, to_be taken, or, at any rate, pillaged by_the natives, who_will return for their canoe . either we_must all wait till they_come, or you_must leave me to defend it . I_see, Fritz, that you_could_not endure to remain here ."

in_fact, Fritz impatiently stamped with_his foot, saying--

"I confess, I_cannot remain here; jack may_be dying of_his wound, and every moment is precious . i_will seek him-- find him-- and save him ! I_have a presentiment I_shall; and if I discover him, as I expect, in_the hands of_the savages, I_know the way to release him, and to_prevent them carrying off our pinnace ."

I_saw that_the daring youth, in_the heat of_his exasperation, exposed alone to_the horde of barbarians, might also become their victim . I_saw that my presence was necessary to restrain and aid him; and I decided, with a heavy heart, to leave Ernest alone to protect the vessel . his calm and cool manner made it less dangerous for him to meet the natives . he_knew several words of_their language, and had read of_the mode of addressing and conciliating them . he promised me to_be prudent, which his elder brother could_not_be . we took the bag of toys which Fritz had brought, and left those in_the chest, to use if necessary; and, praying for_the blessing of heaven on my son, we left him . my sorrow was great; but he_was no longer a child, and_his character encouraged me .Fritz embraced his brother, and promised him to bring jack back in safety .

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chapter LII .

after having traversed for some_time a desert, sandy plain without meeting aliving creature, we arrived at a thick wood, where we lost the traces we had carefully followed . we were obliged to direct our course by chance, keeping no fixed road, but advancing as_the interwoven branches permitted us . the wood was alive with_the most beautiful birds of brilliant and varied plumage; but, in_our anxious and distressed state, we should_have_been more interested in seeing a savage than a bird . we passed at last through these verdant groves, and reached an arid plain extending to_the shore . we again discovered numerous footsteps; and, whilst we were observing them, we saw a large canoe pass rapidly, filled with islanders: and this_time i_thought that, in_spite of_the distance, I_could recognize the canoe we had built, and which they had robbed us of .Fritz wished to swim after them, and was beginning to undress himself, and I only stopped him by declaring that if he_did, I_must follow him, as I had decided not to_be separated from_him .I even proposed that we_should return to Ernest, as i_was of opinion that_the savages would stop at_the place where we had disembarked, to_take away the boat they had left, and we_might then, by_means of_the words Ernest had acquired, learn from_them what had become of_my wife and children .Fritz agreed to_this, though he still persisted that_the easiest and quickest mode of return would_have_been by swimming . we were endeavouring to retrace our road, when, to our great astonishment, we saw, at a few yards' distance, a man clothed in a long black robe advancing towards us, whom we immediately recognized as a European .

" either I_am greatly deceived," said I, " or this_is a missionary, a worthy servant of god, come into these remote regions to_make him known to_the wretched idolators ."

we hastened to him . i_was not wrong . he_was one of_those zealous and courageous Christians who devote their energies and their lives to_the instruction and eternal salvation of men born in another hemisphere, of another colour, uncivilized, but not less our brothers .I had quitted Europe with_the same intention, but Providence had ordered it otherwise; yet I met with joy one of_my Christian brethren, and, unable to_speak from emotion, I silently embraced him . he spoke to_me in English--a language I had fortunately learned myself, and taught to my children-- and_his words fell on my soul like the message of_the angel to Abraham, commanding him to spare his son .

" you_are the person I_am seeking," said he, in a mild and tender tone, " and I thank heaven that I_have met with_you . this youth is Fritz, your eldest son, I conclude; but where have_you left your second son, Ernest ? "

" reverend man," cried Fritz, seizing his hands, " you_have seen my brother jack . perhaps my mother ? you_know where they_are .Oh ! are they living ? "

" yes, they_are living, and well taken care of," said the missionary; " come, and_I_will lead you to_them ."

it_was, indeed, necessary to lead me; i_was so overcome with joy, that i_should_have fainted, but the good missionary made me inhale some volatile salts which he had about him; and supported by him and my son, I managed to walk . my first words were a thanksgiving to god for_his mercy; then I implored my good friend to_tell me if i_should indeed see my wife and children again . he assured me that an hour's walk would bring me to_them; but I suddenly recollected Ernest, and refused to_present myself before_the beloved ones while he_was still in danger . the missionary smiled, as he_told me he expected this delay, and wished to_know where we had left Ernest .I recounted to him our arrival in_the island, and_the purpose for_which we had left Ernest; with_our intention of returning to him as_soon_as we saw the canoe pass, hoping to obtain some intelligence from_the savages .

" but how could you have_made yourselves understood ? " said he; " are_you acquainted with their language ? "

i_told him Ernest had studied the vocabulary of_the south sea islanders .

" doubtless that of Tahiti, or the friendly Islands," said he; " but the dialect of_these islanders differs much from theirs . I_have resided here more than a year, and_have studied it, so may_be of use to_you; let_us go . which_way did you come ? "

" through_that thick wood," replied I; " where we wandered a long_time; and I_fear we_shall_have some difficulty in finding our way back ."

" you_should_have taken the precaution to notch the trees as_you came," said our worthy friend; " without that precaution, you were in danger of being lost; but we will_find my marks, which will lead us to_the brook, and following its course we_shall_be safe ."

" we saw no brook," remarked Fritz .

" there_is a brook of excellent water, which you_have missed in crossing the forest; if_you had ascended the course of_the stream, you_would_have reached the hut which contains your dear friends; the brook runs before it ."

Fritz struck his forehead with vexation .

" god orders all for_the best," said I to_the good priest; " we might_not have met with_you; we should_have_been without Ernest; you might_have sought us all day in vain .Ah ! good man, it_is under your holy auspices that_our family

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