"And nicer," added the greedy Ernest

"Then," continued Fritz, "beyond the river rich grass for pasturage, and shady wood Why should we remain barren wilderness ? "

"Softly ! " replied I, " time for all things To-morrow, day after to-morrow their work But first tell me, did anything shipmates ? "

"Not trace of man, living or dead, on land or sea; but an animal more like hog than this, but with feet like hare; it leaped grass, sometimes sitting upright, and rubbing its mouth with its forepaws; sometimes seeking for roots, and gnawing them like squirrel If I afraid it would escape me, tried it alive, it seemed so very tame "

were talking, Jack trying, with many grimaces, to force an oyster open knife I laughed at his vain endeavours, and putting some fire, showed him them open of themselves I had no taste for oysters myself; but everywhere accounted delicacy, I advised my sons them They all at first declined the unattractive repast, except Jack, who, with great courage, closed his eyes, and desperately swallowed one it medicine The rest followed his example, and then all agreed with me that oysters good The shells were soon plunged pot to bring out good soup; but scalding their fingers, cry out the loudest Ernest took his large shell pocket, cautiously filled it with good portion of soup, and set it down to cool, exulting own prudence " very thoughtful, my dear Ernest," said I; "but why are your thoughts always ; so seldom for others ? As punishment for your egotism, that portion given to our faithful dogs all dip our shells pot, the dogs cannot Therefore, they your soup, and wait, and eat do " My reproach struck his heart, and he placed his shell obediently ground, which the dogs emptied immediately We were almost as hungry were, and were watching anxiously till the soup began to cool; when we perceived dogs were tearing and gnawing Fritz's agouti The boys all cried out; Fritz was in fury, took his gun, struck the dogs, called them names, threw stones at them, and killed them if I held him He had actually bent his gun with striking them listen , I reproached him seriously violence, and represented to him he had distressed us, and terrified his mother; that he had spoiled his gun, which so useful , and had almost killed the poor animals, more so "Anger," said I, "leads to every crime Remember Cain, who killed his brother in fit of passion " "Oh, father ! " said he, in voice of terror; and, acknowledging his error, he asked pardon, and shed bitter tears

Soon after our repast the sun set, fowls gathered round us, and picked up the scattered crumbs of biscuit My wife then took out her mysterious bag, and drew some handfuls of grain to feed her flock She showed me also seeds of useful vegetables I praised her prudence, and begged her very economical, seeds were of great value, and bring vessel some spoiled biscuit fowls

Our pigeons now flew rocks, the cocks and hens perched frame tent, geese and ducks chose to roost in marsh, covered with bushes, near the sea We prepared rest; we loaded all our arms, then offered up our prayers together, thanking God signal mercy , and commending ourselves care last ray of light departed, we closed our tent, and lay down beds, close together The children had remarked how suddenly the darkness came on, I concluded we far equator; for I explained , the more perpendicularly the rays sun fall, the less their refraction; and consequently night comes on suddenly sun is below the horizon

Once more I looked out if all was quiet, then carefully closing the entrance, I lay down Warm day , the night was so cold that we were obliged to crowd together for warmth The children soon slept, and when their mother in her first peaceful sleep, my own eyes closed, first night island passed comfortably

* * * * *

CHAPTER III

At break of day waked crowing cock I summoned my wife to council, to consider business day We agreed first duty was to seek shipmates, and to examine the country beyond the river before we came to any decisive resolution

My wife saw all go expedition, and courageously agreed to remain with her three youngest sons, while Fritz, eldest and boldest, should accompany me I begged her breakfast immediately, which she warned me scanty, as no soup was provided I asked for Jack's lobster; but not found Whilst my wife made the fire, and put pot, I called the children, and asking Jack lobster, he brought it from crevice rock, where he had hidden it dogs, , who despise anything eatable

" you profit misfortunes of others," said I; "and now give up that large claw that caught your leg, and which I promised you, to Fritz, as provision journey ? " All were anxious journey, and leaped round me like little kids But them all go remain with their mother, with Flora for protector Fritz and take Turk; and loaded gun inspire respect I then ordered Fritz to tie up Flora, and get the guns ready

Fritz blushed, and tried in vain to straighten his crooked gun I let him go on for , and then allowed him another; for penitent The dogs, too, snarled, and let him approach them He wept, and begged some biscuit mother, declaring give up his own breakfast his peace dogs He fed them, caressed them, and seemed to ask pardon The dog is always grateful; Flora soon licked his hands; Turk was more unrelenting, appearing to distrust him "Give him claw lobster," said Jack; "for I make you present whole for your journey "

"Don't be uneasy ," said Ernest, " certainly meet with cocoa-nuts, as Robinson did, very different food to your wretched lobster Think of an almond as big as my head, with large cup full of rich milk "

"Pray, brother, bring me one, find any," said Francis

We began our preparation; we each took game-bag and hatchet Fritz pair of pistols gun, equipped myself same way, and took care to carry biscuit and flask of fresh water The lobster proved so hard at breakfast, boys object to our carrying off the remainder; and, though the flesh is coarse, very nutritious

I proposed before we departed, prayers, and my thoughtless Jack began to imitate the sound of church-bells--"Ding, dong ! to prayers ! to prayers ! ding, dong ! " really angry, and reproved him severely for jesting about sacred things Then, kneeling down, I prayed God's blessing undertaking, pardon all, especially for him who had now so grievously sinned Poor Jack came and kneeled by me, weeping and begging for forgiveness from me and from God I embraced him, and enjoined him brothers to obey their mother I then loaded the guns I left , and charged my wife near the boat, their best refuge We took leave friends with many tears, as know what dangers might assail us in an unknown region But the murmur river, which we were now approaching, drowned the sound sobs, and we bent our thoughts journey

The bank river was so steep, that only reach the bed at one little opening, near the sea, where we had procured our water; but here the opposite side was guarded by ridge of lofty perpendicular rocks We were obliged to ascend the river to place where it fell over some rocks, some fragments having fallen, made sort of stepping-stones, which enabled us to cross with some hazard our way, with difficulty, high grass, withered sun, directing our course towards the sea, in hopes of discovering some traces boats, or the crew We had scarcely gone hundred yards, when we heard loud noise and rustling grass, as tall were We imagined we were pursued by some wild beast, and gratified to observe the courage of Fritz, who, instead of running away, calmly turned round and presented his piece our joy when we discovered formidable enemy was only our faithful Turk, whom we had forgotten distress, friends had doubtless dispatched him after us ! I applauded my son's presence of mind; rash act deprived us valuable friend

We continued our way: the sea lay to our left; right, at short distance, ran the chain of rocks, which were continued landing-place, in line parallel sea; the summits clothed with verdure and various trees rocks sea, several little woods extended, even shore, we kept as close as possible, vainly looking out on land or sea for any trace crew Fritz proposed to fire his gun, as signal , near us; but I reminded him signal might bring the ravages round us, instead friends

[Illustration: "We rested shade, near clear stream, and took some refreshment "]