The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss
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family ought to meet, in_order to increase our happiness . now please to_tell me"--

" but first," interrupted Fritz, " pray tell me how jack is ? he_was wounded, and"--

" be composed, young man," said the calm man of god; " the wound, which he confesses he owes to_his own imprudence, will_have no evil consequences; the savages had applied some healing herbs to_it, but it_was necessary to extract a small ball, an operation which I performed yesterday evening . since then he suffers less; and will_be soon well, when his anxiety about you is relieved ."

Fritz embraced the kind missionary, entreating his pardon for_his rashness, and adding, " did my brother talk to_you of us, sir ? "

" he_did," answered his friend; " but i_was acquainted with_you before; your mother talked continually of her husband and children . what mingled pain and delight she felt yesterday evening when_the savages brought to her dear jack, wounded ! i_was fortunately in_the hut to comfort her, and assist her beloved boy ."

" and dear Francis," said I, " how rejoiced he_would_be to_see his brother again ! "

" Francis," said the missionary, smiling, " will_be the protector of you all . he is_the idol of_the savages now; an idolatry permitted by Christianity ."

we proceeded through_the wood as_we conversed, and at last reached the brook .I had a thousand questions to ask, and was very anxious to_know how my wife and Francis had_been brought to_this island, and how they met with_the missionary . the five or six days we had_been separated seemed to_me five or six months . we walked too quickly for_me to_get much information . the English minister said little, and referred me to my wife and son for all details . on_the_subject of_his own noble mission he_was less reserved .

" thank god," said he, " I_have already succeeded in giving this people some notions of humanity . they love their black friend_, as_they call me, and willingly listen to my preaching, and_the singing of some hymns . when your little Francis was taken, he had his reed flageolet in_his pocket, and_his playing and graceful manners have so captivated them that I_fear they_will with reluctance resign him . the king is anxious to adopt him . but do_not alarm yourself, brother; I_hope to arrange all happily, with_the divine assistance . I_have gained some power over them, and_I_will avail myself of it .a year ago, I_could_not have answered for_the life of_the prisoners; now I believe them to_be in safety . but how_much is_there yet to teach these simple children of nature, who listen only to her voice, and yield to every impression ! their first impulse is good, but they_are so unsteady that affection may suddenly change to hatred; they_are inclined to theft, violent in their anger, yet generous and affectionate . you_will_see an instance of_this in_the abode where a woman, more unfortunate than your wife, since she has lost her husband, has found an asylum ."

he_was silent, and I_did_not question him farther on_this subject . we were approaching the arm of_the sea where we had left our pinnace, and my heart, at ease about_the rest, became now anxious solely for Ernest .Sometimes the hills concealed the water from_us; Fritz climbed them, anxious to discover his brother, at last I heard him suddenly cry out " Ernest, Ernest .. .. "

he_was answered by shouts, or rather howls, amongst which I_could_not distinguish the voice of_my son . terror seized me .

" these are the islanders," said I to_the missionary; " and these frightful cries .. .. "

" are cries of joy," said he, " which will_be increased when_they see you . this path will conduct us to_the shore . call Fritz; but I_do_not_see him; he_will, doubtless, have descended the hill, and joined them . have no fears; recommend your sons to_be prudent . the black friend will speak to_his black friends, and they_will hear him ."

we proceeded towards the shore, when, at some distance, I perceived my two sons on_the deck of_the pinnace, which_was covered with_the islanders, to_whom they were distributing the treasures of_the chest, at_least those we had put apart in_the bag; they had_not_been so imprudent as_to open the chest itself, which would soon have_been emptied; it remained snugly below the deck, with_the powder- barrel . at every new acquisition, the savages uttered cries of joy, repeating mona, mona_ signifying beautiful . the mirrors were at first received with_the most delight, but this soon changed into terror; they evidently conceived there_was something magical about_them, and flung them all into_the sea . the coloured glass beads had then the preference, but the distribution caused many disputes . those who had_not obtained any, wished to deprive the rest of_them by force . the clamour and quarrelling were increasing, when_the voice of_the missionary was heard, and calmed them as_if by enchantment . all left the pinnace, and crowded round him; he harangued them in their own language, and pointed me out to_them, naming me, me touatane_, that_is, father_, which they repeated in their turn . some approached me, and rubbed their noses against mine, which, the pastor had informed me, was a mark of respect . in_the mean time, Fritz had informed Ernest that his mother and brothers were found, and_that the man who accompanied us was a European . Ernest received the intelligence with a calm joy; it_was only by_the tears in_his eyes you_could discover how_much his heart was affected; he leaped from_the pinnace and came to thank the missionary .I had my share of_his gratitude too, for coming to seek him, before I had seen the dear lost ones .

we had now to_think of joining them . we unanimously decided to_proceed by water; in_the first place, that we_might bring our pinnace as near as possible to my dear Elizabeth, who was still suffering from her fall, her forced voyage, and, above all, from her anxiety; besides, I confess that I_felt a little fatigue, and should_have reluctantly set out to cross the wood a third time; but, in_addition to_this, i_was assured that_it_was the promptest mode of reaching our friends, and this alone would_have decided me . the pinnace was then loosened, the sail set, and we entered with thankfulness .Dreading the agitation of_my wife if she saw us suddenly, I entreated our new friend to precede us, and prepare her . he consented; but, as he_was coming on board, he_was suddenly stopped by_the natives, and one_of_them addressed him for some_time . the missionary listened till he had concluded, with calmness and dignity; then, turning to_me, he_said--

" you_must answer for_me, brother, the request which Parabéry makes: he wishes me, in_the name of_the whole, to wait a few_moments for their chief, to_whom they give the title of king .Bara-ourou_, as he_is called, has assembled them here for a ceremony, at which all his warriors must assist . I_have_been anxious to attend, fearing it might_be a sacrifice to_their idols, which I_have always strongly opposed, and wishing to seize this occasion to declare to_them the one true god .Bara-ourou is_not wicked, and I_hope to succeed in touching his heart, enlightening his mind, and converting him to Christianity; his example would certainly be followed by_the greatest part of_his subjects, who_are much attached to him . your presence, and_the name of god uttered by_you, with_the fervour and in_the attitude of profound veneration and devotion, may aid this work of charity and love . have_you sufficient self- command to delay, for perhaps a few hours, the meeting with your family ? your wife and children, not expecting you, will not suffer from suspense . if_you_do_not agree to_this, i_will conduct you to_them, and return, I_hope in_time, to fulfil my duty .I wait your decision to reply to Parabéry, who_is already sufficiently acquainted with_the truth, to desire that his king and_his brethren should know it also ."

such were the words of_this true servant of god; but I_cannot do justice to_the expression of_his heavenly countenance .Mr Willis, for such was his name, was forty-five or fifty years_of_age, tall and thin; the labours and fatigues of_his divine vocation had, more than years, left their traces on_his noble figure and countenance; he stooped a little, his open and elevated forehead was slightly wrinkled, and_his thin hair was prematurely grey; his clear blue eyes were full of intelligence and kindness, reading your thoughts, and showing you all his own . he usually kept his arms folded over his breast, and was very calm in speaking; but when his extended hand pointed to heaven, the effect was irresistible; one might_have thought he_saw the very glory he spoke of . his simple words to_me seemed a message from god, and it would_have_been impossible to resist him . it_was indeed a sacrifice; but I_made it without hesitation .I glanced at my sons, who had their eyes cast down; but I_saw Fritz knitting his brows ." I_shall stay with_you, father," said I, " happy if I_can assist you in fulfilling your sacred duties ."

" and you, young people," said he, " are_you of_the same opinion ? "

Fritz came forward, and frankly said, " sir, it_was, unfortunately, I who wounded my brother jack; he has_been generous enough to conceal this; you extracted the ball which I discharged into his shoulder; I owe his life to_you, and mine is at your disposal; I_can refuse you nothing; and, however impatient, I_must remain with_you ."

"I repeat the same," said Ernest; " you protected our mother and brothers, and, by god's permission, you restore them to_us . we_will all remain with_you; you shall fix the time of_our meeting, which will not, I trust, be long delayed ."

I signified my approbation, and_the missionary gave them his hand, assuring them that their joy on meeting their friends would_be greatly increased by_the consciousness of_this virtuous self- denial .

we soon experienced this .Mr Willis learned from Parabéry, that_they were going to fetch their king in_our pretty canoe when we saw it pass . the royal habitation was situated on_the other side of_the promontory, and we soon heard a joyful cry, that_they saw the canoe coming . while the savages were engaged in preparing to meet their chief, I entered the pinnace, and descending beneath the deck, i_took from_the chest what I judged most fitting to_present to_his majesty .I chose an axe, a saw, a pretty, small, ornamented sabre, which could_not do much harm, a packet of nails, and one of glass-beads .I had scarcely put aside these articles, when my sons rushed to_me in great excitement .

"Oh ! father," cried they, at once, " look ! look ! summon all your fortitude; see ! there_is Francis himself in_the canoe; oh ! how curiously he_is dressed ! "

[ illustration: " two savages took Francis on their shoulders, and two others took the king in_the same way ."]

I looked, and saw, at some distance, our canoe ascending the strait; it_was decorated with green branches, which the savages, who formed the king's guard, held in their hand; others were rowing vigorously; and_the chief, wearing a red and yellow handkerchief, which had belonged to my wife, as a turban, was seated at_the stern, and a pretty, little, blooming, flaxen-haired boy was placed on_his right shoulder . with what delight did I recognize my child . he_was naked above the waist, and wore a little tunic of woven leaves, which reached to_his knees, a necklace and bracelets of shells, and a variety of coloured feathers mingled with_his bright curls; one_of_these fell over his face, and doubtless prevented him from seeing us . the chief seemed much engaged with_him, and continually took some ornament from_his own dress to decorate him ." it_is my child ! " said I, in great terror, to Mr Willis, " my dearest and youngest ! they_have taken him from_his mother . what must_be her grief ! he_is her Benjamin-- the child of her love . why have they taken him ? why have they adorned him in_this manner ? why have they brought him here ? "

" have no fear," said the missionary; " they_will do him no harm .I promise you they shall restore him, and you shall take him back to_his mother . place yourselves at my side, with_these branches in your hands ."

he_took some from Parabéry, who held a bundle of_them, and gave_us each_one; each of_the savages took one also . they were from a tree which had slender, elegant leaves, and rich scarlet flowers-- species of mimosa_; the Indians call it the tree of peace . they carry a branch of it when they_have no hostile intentions; in all their assemblies, when war is proclaimed, they make a fire of_these branches, and if all are consumed, it_is considered an omen of victory .

while Mr Willis was explaining this to_us, the canoe approached . two savages took Francis on their shoulders, two others took the king in_the same way, and advanced gravely towards us . what difficulty I had to restrain myself from snatching my child from_his bearers, and embracing him ! my sons were equally agitated; Fritz was darting forward, but the missionary restrained him . Francis, somewhat alarmed at his position, had his eyes cast down, and had_not yet seen us . when_the king was within twenty yards of us, they stopped, and all the savages prostrated themselves before him; we alone remained standing . then Francis saw us, and uttered apiercing cry, calling out, "Papa ! dear brothers ! " he struggled to quit the shoulders of_his bearers, but they held him too firmly . it_was impossible to restrain ourselves longer; we all cried out, and mingled our tears and lamentations . I_said

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