The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss
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the Swiss family Robinson;

or, ADVENTURES in a desert island .

preface .

many years_ago, an English translation of_the first part of_this charming tale appeared; and few books have obtained such deserved popularity . the gradual progress of_the family from utter destitution and misery, to happiness and abundance, arising from their own labour, perseverance, and obedience, together with_the effect produced on_the different characters of_the sons by_the stirring adventures they met with, created a deep and absorbing interest . every young reader patronized either the noble Fritz, the studious Ernest, or the generous jack, and regarded him as a familiar personal acquaintance . the book had but one defect-- the death of_the talented author left it unfinished, and every reader regretted its abrupt termination .

this conclusion was happily supplied by one_of_the_most accomplished and elegant writers of her day, the baroness de Montolieu; and, sanctioned and approved by_the son of_the lamented author, the entire work was published in France, and has for many years held a distinguished rank in_the juvenile libraries there . for_the gratification of a little family circle, this now appears in English; and as, on examining the first part in_the original, it_was found, that " some new discoveries might_be made," it_was thought best to re- translate it, subduing the tone of_the whole to English taste . the unanimous voices of_the beloved circle, for whom the pleasant task was undertaken, have pronounced the result to_be eminently successful, and_they generously wish, that_the whole of_the juvenile public of England should share in their satisfaction, and possess a complete Swiss Robinson .

introduction .

it_is very_well known that, some_years_ago, Counsellor Horner, a Swiss, made a voyage round the world in_the Russian vessel Le Podesda_, commanded by Capt .Krusenstern . they discovered many islands, and, amongst others, one very large and fertile, till then unknown to navigators, to_the S .W . of Java, near the coast of new guinea . they landed here, and to_the great surprise of Mr Horner, he_was received by a family who spoke to him in German . they were a father and mother, and four robust and hardy sons .

their history was very interesting . the father was a Swiss clergyman, who, in_the revolution of 1798, had lost all his fortune, and had determined to emigrate, in_order to seek elsewhere the means of supporting his family . he went first to England, with_his wife and children, consisting of four sons, between_the ages of twelve and five . he there undertook the office of missionary to Otaheite; not that he intended to remain on_that uncivilized island, but he_wished to_proceed from thence to port Jackson as a free colonist . he invested his little capital in seeds of every description, and some cattle, to_take out with_him . they had a prosperous voyage till they were near the coast of new guinea, when_they were overtaken by a frightful storm . at_this period he commenced his journal, which he afterwards committed to_the care of Mr Horner, to_be forwarded to_his friends in Switzerland .

some_time before, a boat from an English vessel, the Adventurer_, had visited them, and_the father had sent the first part of_his journal by Lieut . bell to_the captain, who remained in_the vessel .a violent tempest arose, which continued some days, and drove the Adventurer_ from_the coast . the family concluded the ship was lost; but this_was not the case, as will_be seen in_the conclusion .

* * * * *

chapter I .

the tempest had raged for six days, and on_the seventh seemed to increase . the ship had_been so_far driven from its course, that no one on board knew where we were . every_one was exhausted with fatigue and watching . the shattered vessel began to leak in many places, the oaths of_the sailors were changed to prayers, and each thought only how to save his own life ." children," said I, to my terrified boys, who were clinging round me, " god can save us if he_will . to him nothing is impossible; but if he thinks it good to_call us to him, let_us not murmur; we_shall_not be separated ." my excellent wife dried her tears, and from_that moment became more tranquil . we knelt down to pray for_the help of_our heavenly father; and_the fervour and emotion of_my innocent boys proved to_me that even children can pray, and find in prayer consolation and peace .

we rose from_our knees strengthened to bear the afflictions that hung over us . suddenly we heard amid the roaring of_the waves the cry of " land ! land ! " at_that moment the ship struck on a rock; the concussion threw us down . we heard a loud cracking, as if_the vessel was parting asunder; we_felt that we were aground, and heard the captain cry, in a tone of despair, " we_are lost ! launch the boats ! " these words were a dagger to my heart, and_the lamentations of_my children were louder than ever .I then recollected myself, and said, " courage, my darlings, we_are still, above water, and_the land is near . god helps those who trust in him . remain here, and_I_will endeavour to save us ."

I went on deck, and was instantly thrown down, and wet through by a huge sea; a second followed .I struggled boldly with_the waves, and succeeded in keeping myself up, when I_saw, with terror, the extent of_our wretchedness . the shattered vessel was almost in two; the crew had crowded into_the boats, and_the last sailor was cutting the rope .I cried out, and prayed them to_take us with_them; but my voice was drowned in_the roar of_the tempest, nor could they_have returned for_us through waves that ran mountains high . all hope from their assistance was lost; but i_was consoled by observing that_the water did_not enter the ship above a certain height . the stern, under which lay the cabin which contained all that was dear to_me on earth, was immovably fixed between two rocks . at_the same time I observed, towards the south, traces of land, which, though wild and barren, was now the haven of_my almost expiring hopes; no longer being able to depend on any human aid .I returned to my family, and endeavoured to appear calm ." take courage," cried I, " there_is yet hope for_us; the vessel, in striking between_the rocks, is fixed in_a_position which protects our cabin above the water, and if_the wind should settle to- morrow, we_may possibly reach the land ."

this assurance calmed my children, and as usual, they depended on all i_told them; they rejoiced that_the heaving of_the vessel had ceased, as, while it lasted, they were continually thrown against each_other . my wife, more accustomed to read my countenance, discovered my uneasiness; and by a sign, I explained to her that I had lost all hope . I_felt great consolation in seeing that she supported our misfortune with truly Christian resignation .

" let_us take some food," said she; " with_the body, the mind is strengthened; this must_be a night of trial ."

night came, and_the tempest continued its fury; tearing away the planks from_the devoted vessel with a fearful crashing . it appeared absolutely impossible that_the boats could_have out- lived the storm .

my wife had prepared some refreshment, of_which the children partook with an appetite that we_could_not feel . the three younger ones retired to_their beds, and soon slept soundly .Fritz, the eldest, watched with me ." I_have_been considering," said he, " how we_could save ourselves . if_we only had some Cork jackets, or bladders, for mamma and my brothers, you and I don't need them, we_could then swim to land ."

"A good thought," said I, " i_will try during the night to contrive some expedient to secure our safety ." we_found some small empty barrels in_the cabin, which we tied two together with_our handkerchiefs, leaving a space between for each child; and fastened this new swimming apparatus under their arms . my wife prepared the same for herself . we then collected some knives, string, tinder- box, and such little necessaries as we_could put in_our pockets; thus, in_case the vessel should fall to pieces during the night, we hoped we_might_be enabled to reach land .

at_length Fritz, overcome with fatigue, lay down and slept with_his brothers . my wife and I, too anxious to rest, spent that dreadful night in prayer, and in arranging various plans . how gladly we welcomed the light of day, shining through an opening . the wind was subsiding, the sky serene, and I watched the sun rise with renewed hope .I called my wife and children on deck . the younger ones were surprised to_find we were alone . they inquired what had become of_the sailors, and how we_should manage the ship alone .

" children," said I, " one more powerful than man has protected us till now, and will still extend asaving arm to_us, if we_do_not give way to complaint and despair . let all hands set to work . remember that excellent maxim, god helps those who help themselves . let_us all consider what_is best to_do now ."

" let_us leap into_the sea," cried Fritz, " and swim to_the shore ."

" very_well for_you," replied Ernest, " who_can swim; but we_should_be all drowned . would it not be better to construct a raft and go all together ? "

" that might do," added I, " if_we were strong enough for such a work, and if a raft was not always so dangerous a conveyance . but away, boys, look about you, and seek for anything that_may_be useful to_us ."

we all dispersed to different parts of_the vessel . for_my own part I went to_the provision- room, to look after_the casks of water and other necessaries of life; my wife visited the live stock and fed them, for they were almost famished; Fritz sought for arms and ammunition; Ernest for_the carpenter's tools . jack had opened the captain's cabin, and was immediately thrown down by two large dogs, who leaped on him so roughly that he cried out as if_they were going to devour him . however, hunger had rendered them so docile that_they licked his hands, and he soon recovered his feet, seized the largest by_the ears, and mounting his back, gravely rode up to_me as i_was coming from_the hold . I_could_not help laughing; I applauded his courage; but recommended him always to_be prudent with animals of_that kind, who_are often dangerous when hungry .

my little troop began to assemble .Fritz had found two fowling-pieces, some bags of powder and shot, and some balls, in horn flasks . Ernest was loaded with an axe and hammer, a pair of pincers, a large pair of scissors, and an auger showed itself half out of_his pocket .

Francis had a large box under his arm, from_which he eagerly produced what he_called little pointed hooks . his brothers laughed at his prize ." silence," said I, " the youngest has_made the most valuable addition to our stores . these are fish-hooks, and may_be more useful for_the preservation of_our lives than anything the ship contains . however, Fritz and Ernest have_not done amiss ."

" for_my part," said my wife, "I only contribute good news; I_have found acow, an ass, two goats, six sheep, and a sow with young . I_have fed them, and_hope we_may preserve them ."

" very_well," said I to my little workmen, " I_am satisfied with all but master jack, who, instead of anything useful, has contributed two great eaters, who_will do us more harm than good ."

" they_can help_us to hunt when we get to land," said jack .

" yes," replied I, " but can_you devise any means of_our getting there ? "

" it does_not seem at all difficult," said the spirited little fellow; " put us each into a great tub, and_let_us float to shore .I remember sailing capitally that way on godpapa's great pond at S-- ."

"A very_good idea, jack; good counsel may sometimes be given even by a child . be quick, boys, give_me the saw and auger, with some nails, we_will_see what we_can do ." I remembered seeing some empty casks in_the hold . we went down and found them floating . this gave_us less difficulty in getting them upon_the lower deck, which_was but just above the water . they were of strong wood, bound with iron hoops, and exactly suited my purpose; my sons and I therefore began to saw them through_the middle . after long labour, we had eight tubs all the same height . we refreshed ourselves with wine and biscuit, which we had found in some_of_the casks .I then contemplated with delight my little squadron of boats ranged in a line; and was surprised that my wife still continued depressed . she looked mournfully on them ." I_can never venture in one_of_these tubs," said she .

" wait a little, till my work is finished," replied I, " and you_will_see it_is more to_be depended on than this broken vessel ."

I sought out a long flexible plank, and arranged eight tubs on_it, close to each_other, leaving a piece at each end to_form a curve upwards, like the keel of a vessel . we then nailed them firmly to_the plank, and to each_other . we nailed a plank at each side, of_the same length as_the first, and succeeded in producing a sort of boat, divided into eight compartments, in_which it did_not appear difficult to_make a short voyage, over a calm sea .

but, unluckily, our wonderful vessel proved so heavy, that_our united efforts could_not move it an inch . I_sent Fritz to bring me the jack- screw,

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