We proceeded slowly, but safely The nearer we approached the land, the more dreary and unpromising it appeared The rocky coast seemed to announce nothing but famine and misery The waves, gently rippling against the shore, were scattered over with barrels, bales, and chests wreck Hoping to secure some good provisions, I called on Fritz for assistance; he held cord, hammer, and nails, and we managed to seize two hogsheads in passing, and fastening them with cords to our vessel, drew them after us shore

approached, the coast seemed to improve The chain of rock was not entire, and Fritz's hawk eye made out some trees, which he declared were the cocoa-nut tree; Ernest was delighted prospect of eating these nuts, larger and better than any grown in Europe regretting not having brought the large telescope captain's cabin, when Jack produced pocket smaller one, which he offered me with no little pride

valuable acquisition, as now enabled to requisite observations, and direct my course The coast had wild and desert appearance,--it looked better towards the left; but approach that part, for current which drove us towards the rocky and barren shore we saw, near the mouth of rivulet, little creek rocks, towards which our geese and ducks made, serving us for guides This opening formed little bay of smooth water, just deep enough boat I cautiously entered it, and landed at place where the coast was height tubs, water deep enough to approach The shore spread inland, forming gentle declivity of triangular form, the point lost rocks, base sea

All that were able leaped on shore in moment Even little Francis, who laid down tub, like salted herring, tried to crawl out, but was compelled to wait mother's assistance The dogs, who had preceded us in landing, welcomed us in truly friendly manner, leaping playfully around us; the geese kept up loud cackling, yellow-billed ducks quacked powerful bass This, clacking liberated fowls, chattering boys, formed perfect Babel; mingled , were the harsh cries penguins and flamingoes, which hovered over our heads, or sat points rocks They were in immense numbers, and their notes almost deafened us, especially as accord harmony civilized fowls However I rejoiced these feathered creatures, already fancying them on my table, were obliged to remain desert region

Our first care, when we stepped in safety on land, was to kneel down and thank God, we owed our lives; and to resign ourselves wholly Fatherly kindness

We then began to unload our vessel How rich we thought ourselves little we had saved ! We sought convenient place tent, under the shade rocks We then inserted pole into fissure rock; this, resting firmly on another pole fixed ground, formed the frame tent The sailcloth was then stretched over it, and fastened down at proper distances, by pegs, , for greater security, we added some boxes of provision; we fixed some hooks canvas opening in front, that close the entrance during the night my sons to seek some moss and withered grass, and spread it sun to dry, our beds; and while all, even little Francis, were busy , I constructed sort of cooking-place, at some distance tent, near the river to supply us with fresh water merely hearth of flat stones bed stream, fenced round with some thick branches I kindled cheerful fire with some dry twigs, put pot, filled with water and some squares of portable soup, and left my wife, with Francis for assistant, dinner the portable soup for glue, and conceive how mamma could make soup, had no meat, and there were no butchers' shops here

Fritz, mean time, had loaded our guns one side river; Ernest declined accompanying him, rugged road was not taste; he preferred the sea-shore Jack proceeded to ridge of rocks left, which ran towards the sea, some muscles I went and draw the two floating hogsheads on shore, but succeed, landing-place was too steep them up Whilst vainly trying more favourable place, I heard my dear Jack uttering most alarming cries I seized my hatchet, and ran assistance him knees in shallow pool, with large lobster holding his leg in its sharp claws It made off at my approach; but determined it should pay fright it had given me Cautiously taking it up, I brought it out, followed by Jack, who, now very triumphant, wished it himself mother, after watching how I held it But he had hardly got it into his hands, when it gave him such violent blow cheek with its tail, that he let it fall, and began to cry again help laughing at him, and, rage, he seized stone, and put an end adversary grieved , and recommended him never to act in moment of anger, showing him that unjust in being so revengeful; for, if he bitten lobster, plain eaten his foe if he had conquered him Jack promised more discreet and merciful in future, and obtained leave to bear the prize mother

"Mamma," said he, proudly, "a lobster ! lobster, Ernest ! Where is Fritz ! Take care it bite you, Francis ! " They all crowded round in astonishment "Yes," added he, triumphantly, " impertinent claw that seized me; but I repaid the knave,"

" boaster," said I " got indifferently on lobster, if I come up; and forgotten the slap cheek which compelled you to release him ? Besides, he only defended himself natural arms; but you had great stone no reason proud, Jack "

Ernest wished the lobster added soup to improve it; but his mother, with spirit of economy, reserved it for another day I then walked spot where Jack's lobster was caught, and, finding it favourable purpose, drew my two hogsheads on shore there, and secured them by turning them on end

On returning, I congratulated Jack on being the first who successful in foraging Ernest remarked, that he had seen some oysters attached to rock, but get at them without wetting his feet, which like

"Indeed, my delicate gentleman ! " said I, laughing, " trouble you to return and procure us some all unite in working public good, regardless of wet feet The sun will soon dry us "

" bring some salt same time," said he; " plenty fissures rock, left sea, think, papa ? "

"Doubtless, Mr Reasoner," replied I; "where else could it have come from ? the fact was so obvious, that you had better have brought bagful, than delayed to reflect But to escape insipid soup, be quick and procure some "

He went, and returned with some salt, so mixed with sand and earth, that thrown it away as useless; but my wife dissolved it in fresh water, and, filtering it through piece of canvas, managed to flavour our soup with it

Jack asked why have used sea-water; and I explained to him bitter and nauseous taste of sea-water spoiled our dinner My wife stirred the soup with little stick, and, tasting it, pronounced it , but added, " wait for Fritz And how shall we eat our soup without plates or spoons ? possibly raise this large boiling pot to our heads, and drink out of it "

too true We gazed stupified at our pot, and, at last, all burst into laughter at our destitution, folly in forgetting such useful necessaries

" only had cocoa-nuts," said Ernest, " split them, and make basins and spoons "

"_If ! " replied I--"but none ! wish for dozen handsome silver spoons at once, if wishes were of any use "

"But," observed he, " use oyster-shells "

"A useful thought, Ernest; go directly and get the oysters; and, remember, gentlemen, no complaints, though the spoons are without handles, and dip your fingers bowl "

Off ran Jack, and was mid-leg water before Ernest got to him He tore down the oysters, and threw them idle brother, who filled his handkerchief, taking care large one into his pocket own use; returned with their spoil

Fritz yet appeared, mother was becoming uneasy, when we heard him cheerfully hailing us at distance He soon came up, with feigned air of disappointment, hands behind him; but Jack, who had glided round him, cried out, "A sucking pig ! sucking pig ! " And he then, with, great pride and satisfaction, produced his booty, which I recognized, description of travellers, the agouti_, common regions, swift animal, which burrows earth, and lives on fruits and nuts; its flesh, something like that rabbit, has an unpleasant flavour to Europeans