Fritz, sailed, was drying the shark's skin, which I hoped to convert into files And Ernest, usual reflective manner, observed , "What beautiful arrangement of Providence , mouth shark placed position that compelled back to seize his prey, thus giving it chance of escape; else, excessive voracity, he might depopulate the ocean "

At last, we reached our landing-place, and, securing our boat, and calling out loudly, we soon saw our friends running river; each carried handkerchief filled with some new acquisition, and Francis had over his shoulder small fishing-net Jack reached us first, and threw down handkerchief some fine crawfish They had each , forming provision for many days

Francis claimed the merit discovery Jack related, that Francis and walk good place bridge

" , Mr Architect," said I; "then superintend the workmen fixed place ? "

"Yes, yes ! " cried he; "only listen When we got river, Francis, who was looking about, called out, 'Jack ! Jack ! Fritz's jackal is covered with crabs ! Come ! --come ! ' I ran mamma, who brought net that came ship, and we caught these , and got many more, come "

I commanded them the smaller ones back river, reserving only as eat truly thankful to discover another means of support

We now landed our timber I had looked at Jack's site bridge, and thought my little architect very happy selection; but at great distance timber I recollected the simplicity harness the Laplanders used for their reindeer I tied cords horns cow-- strength animal is head--and then fastened the other ends round the piece of timber we wanted moving I placed halter round the neck ass, and attached the cords We were thus enabled, by degrees, to remove all our wood chosen spot, where the sides river were steep, and appeared of equal height

necessary the breadth river, to select the proper planks; and Ernest proposed to procure ball of packthread mother, to tie stone to one end string, and throw it across the river, and to measure it after drawing it back This expedient succeeded admirably the breadth eighteen feet; but, as I proposed the bridge strength by having three feet, , resting on each shore, we chose some planks of twenty-four feet in length How we were these across the river was another question, which we prepared to discuss during dinner, my wife now summoned us

Our dinner consisted of dish of crawfish, and some rice-milk But, before we began, we admired her work She had made pair of bags ass, sewed with packthread; but having no large needles, she obliged to pierce holes with nail, tedious and painful process Well satisfied with her success, we turned to our repast, talking bridge, which the boys, by anticipation, named the Nonpareil We then went to work

There happened an old trunk of tree standing shore I tied my main beam by strong cord, loose enough round the trunk Another cord was attached opposite end beam, long enough to cross the river twice the end rope over the stream, where we had previously fixed the block, used boat, to tree, hook which usually suspended it I passed my rope, and returned end to our own side I then harnessed my cow and ass end rope, and drove them forcibly shore The beam turned slowly round the trunk, then advanced, and was finally lodged over the river, amidst the shouts boys; its own weight keeping it firm Fritz and Jack leaped immediately to run across, to my great fear

We succeeded in placing four strong beams same way; and, aid sons, I arranged them at convenient distance from , that broad and good bridge We then laid down planks close together across the beams; but not fixed, as of danger it necessary rapidly to remove the bridge My wife and I were excited children, and ran across with delight Our bridge was ten feet broad

Thoroughly fatigued day of labour, we returned home, supped, and offered thanks to God, and went to rest

* * * * *

CHAPTER IX

The next morning, after prayers, I assembled my family We took solemn leave first place of refuge I cautioned my sons prudent, and on their guard; and especially to remain together during our journey We then prepared for departure We assembled the cattle: the bags were fixed across the backs cow ass, and loaded with all our heavy baggage; our cooking utensils; and provisions, consisting of biscuits, butter, cheese, and portable soup; our hammocks and blankets; the captain's service of plate, were all carefully packed bags, equally poised on each side the animals

All was ready, when my wife came in haste with her inexhaustible bag, requesting place Neither would she consent to leave the poultry, as food jackals; above all, Francis place; possibly walk all the way amused exactions sex; but consented to all, and made good place for Francis bags, back ass

The elder boys returned in despair,-- succeed in catching the fowls; but the experienced mother laughed at them, and said soon capture them

" ," said my pert little Jack, " contented roasted place first chicken taken "

"Then, my poor Jack," said his mother, " soon be spit Remember, that intellect has always more power than mere bodily exertion Look here ! " She scattered few handfuls of grain tent, calling the fowls; they soon all assembled, including the pigeons; then throwing more down inside the tent, they followed her now only necessary to close the entrance; were all soon taken, tied wings and feet, and, being placed in baskets covered with nets, were added rest luggage backs animals

Finally, we conveyed inside the tent all carry away, closing the entrance, and barricading it with chests and casks, thus confiding all our possessions care of God We set out pilgrimage, each carrying game-bag and gun My wife and her eldest son led the way, followed heavily-laden cow and ass; the third division consisted goats, driven by Jack, the little monkey seated back nurse, and grimacing, to our great amusement; next came Ernest, sheep; and I followed, superintending the whole Our gallant dogs acted as aides-de-camp, and were continually passing front rear rank

Our march was slow, but orderly, and quite patriarchal " now travelling across the deserts, as our first fathers did," said I, "and Arabs, Tartars, and other nomade nations do day, followed by their flocks and herds But these people generally have strong camels to bear their burdens, instead of poor ass and cow the last pilgrimages " My wife also hoped that, once under the shade of her marvellous trees, no temptation to travel further

We now crossed our new bridge, and here the party was happily augmented by new arrival The sow had proved very mutinous at setting out, and we compelled to leave her; she now voluntarily joined us, seeing we were actually departing; but continued to grunt loudly her disapprobation proceedings After we had crossed the river, we had another embarrassment The rich grass tempted our animals to stray off to feed, and, but dogs, never to muster them again But, for fear of further accident, I commanded my advanced guard to road coast, which offered no temptation to our troops

We had scarcely left the high grass when our dogs rushed back , barking furiously, and howling in combat; Fritz immediately prepared for action, Ernest drew near his mother, Jack rushed forward gun over his shoulder, and I cautiously advanced, commanding them discreet and cool But Jack, usual impetuosity, leaped high grass dogs; and immediately returned, clapping his hands, and crying out, "Be quick, papa ! huge porcupine, with quills as long as my arm ! "