" part," said my wife, "I only contribute good news; found cow, an ass, two goats, six sheep, and sow with young fed them, preserve them "

" ," said I to my little workmen, " satisfied with all but Master Jack, who, instead of anything useful, has contributed two great eaters, do us more harm than good "

" to hunt when we get to land," said Jack

"Yes," replied I, "but devise any means getting there ? "

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

"A idea, Jack; good counsel may sometimes be given even by child Be quick, boys, the saw and auger, with some nails, what do " I remembered seeing some empty casks hold We went down and found them floating This less difficulty in getting them lower deck, 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 middle After long labour, we had eight tubs all the same height We refreshed ourselves with wine and biscuit, which we had found in casks I then contemplated with delight my little squadron of boats ranged in line; and was surprised that my wife still continued depressed She looked mournfully on them " never venture in tubs," said she

"Wait little, till my work is finished," replied I, "and more depended on than this broken vessel "

I sought out long flexible plank, and arranged eight tubs , close to , leaving piece at each end curve upwards, like the keel of vessel We then nailed them firmly plank, and to We nailed plank at each side, same length first, and succeeded in producing sort of boat, divided into eight compartments, it appear difficult short voyage, over calm sea

But, unluckily, our wonderful vessel proved so heavy, united efforts move it an inch Fritz to bring me the jack-screw, and, mean time, sawed thick round pole into pieces; then raising the fore-part work powerful machine, Fritz placed rollers under it

Ernest was very anxious how this small machine could accomplish more than our united strength I explained to him, as , the power lever of Archimedes, he had declared move the world, if he had but point to rest it on; and I promised my son to machine to pieces when we were on shore, and explain the mode of operation I then told them that God, to compensate weakness of man, had bestowed on him reason, invention, and skill in workmanship The result had produced science which, under the name of Mechanics_, taught us to increase and extend our limited powers incredibly aid of instruments

Jack remarked jack-screw worked very slowly

"Better slowly, than not at all," said I " principle in mechanics, that gained is lost in power The jack meant to work rapidly, but to raise heavy weights; heavier the weight, the slower the operation But, tell me how make up slowness ? "

"Oh, by turning the handle quicker, ! "

"Quite wrong; not aid us at all Patience and Reason are the two fairies, by whose potent help our boat afloat "

I quickly proceeded to tie strong cord after-part of it, other end to beam ship, still firm, leaving it long enough for security; then introducing two more rollers underneath, and working jack, we succeeded in launching our bark, which passed water velocity, that but rope it gone out to sea Unfortunately, it leaned on one side, that boys would venture in despair, when I suddenly remembered it only wanted ballast it in equilibrium I hastily threw in anything I got hold was heavy, and soon had my boat level, and ready for occupation They now contended enter first; but I stopped them, reflecting restless children might easily capsize our vessel I remembered that savage nations made use of an out-rigger, their canoe oversetting, and this I determined to add to my work I fixed two portions of topsail-yard, one over the prow, the other across the stern, way in pushing off our boat wreck I forced the end of each yard bunghole of an empty brandy-cask, them steady during our progress

now necessary to clear the way departure I got first tub, and managed the boat cleft ship's side, by way of haven; I then returned, and, axe and saw, cut away right and left all that could obstruct our passage Then we secured some oars, ready voyage

The day had passed in toil, and we were compelled another night wreck, though it remain till morning We took regular meal, for during the day we had scarcely had time to snatch morsel of bread and glass of wine More composed than preceding night, we retired to rest the precaution to fasten the swimming apparatus across the shoulders three younger children and my wife, for fear another storm might destroy the vessel, and cast us sea I also advised my wife on sailor's dress, as more convenient for her expected toils and trials She reluctantly consented, and, after short absence, appeared dress of youth who had served as volunteer vessel She felt very timid and awkward in her new dress; but I showed her the advantage change, and, at last, she was reconciled, and joined laughter children at her strange disguise She then got into her hammock, and we enjoyed pleasant sleep, us for new labours

* * * * *

CHAPTER II

At break of day we were awake and ready, and after morning prayer, I addressed my children thus: " now, my dear boys, help of God, about to attempt our deliverance Before we go, provide our poor animals with food for some days: take them , but if our voyage succeed, return ready ? Collect what you wish to carry away, but only things absolutely necessary actual wants " I planned first cargo should consist of barrel of powder, three fowling-pieces, three muskets, two pair of pocket pistols, and one pair larger, ball, shot, and lead as carry, with bullet-mould; and I wished each sons, as their mother, complete game-bag, there were several officers' cabins We then set apart box of portable soup, another of biscuit, an iron pot, fishing-rod, chest of nails, and one of carpenter's tools, also some sailcloth tent my boys collected things, we were compelled to leave some behind, though I exchanged all the useless ballast for necessaries

When all was ready, we implored the blessing of God undertaking, and prepared to embark tubs moment the cocks crowed sort of reproachful farewell ; we had forgotten them; I immediately proposed our poultry , geese, ducks, fowls and pigeons, for, as I observed to my wife, if feed them, , at any rate, feed us We placed our ten hens and two cocks in covered tub; the rest we set at liberty, hoping the geese and ducks might reach the shore by water, pigeons by flight

We waited little wife, who came loaded with large bag, which she threw tub that contained her youngest son I concluded intended to steady him, or for seat, and made no observation Here follows the order embarkation first division, sat the tender mother, the faithful and pious wife second, our amiable little Francis, six years old, and of sweet disposition

third, Fritz, our eldest, fourteen or fifteen years old, curly-headed, clever, intelligent and lively youth

fourth, the powder-cask, fowls sailcloth

Our provisions filled the fifth

sixth, our heedless Jack, ten years old, enterprising, bold, and useful

seventh, Ernest, twelve , well-informed and rational, but somewhat selfish and indolent eighth, myself, an anxious father, charged important duty of guiding the vessel to save my dear family Each of us had some useful tools beside us; each held an oar, and had swimming apparatus at hand, we were unfortunately upset The tide was rising when we left, which I considered might assist my weak endeavours We turned our out-riggers length-ways, and thus passed cleft ship open sea We rowed with all our might, to reach the blue land we saw at distance, but for in vain, boat kept turning round, and made no progress At last I contrived to steer it, we went straight forward