As Jack earnestly desired to carry his booty , I carefully imbedded the body in soft grass, to preserve the quills; then packed it in strong cloth, and placed it ass behind Francis

At last, we arrived end journey,--and, certainly, the size trees surpassed anything imagined Jack was certain they were gigantic walnut-trees; own part, I believed them species of fig-tree--probably the Antilles fig But all thanks were given kind mother who had sought out such pleasant home ; at all events, find convenient shelter roots And, if ever succeed in perching branches, her safe from all wild beasts defy even the bears native mountains to climb these immense trunks, totally destitute of branches

We released our animals from their loads, tying their fore legs together, that stray; except the sow, who, as usual, did her own way The fowls and pigeons we released, and left own discretion We then sat down grass, to consider where establish ourselves I wished to mount the tree that very night Suddenly we heard, to our no slight alarm, the report of gun But the next moment the voice of Fritz re-assured us He had stolen out unnoticed, and shot beautiful tiger-cat, which he displayed in great triumph

"Well done, noble hunter ! " said I; "you deserve the thanks fowls and pigeons; most probably have all fallen sacrifice to-night, slain their deadly foe Pray wage war with all his kind, or we chicken left pot "

Ernest then examined the animal customary attention, and declared proper name margay_, fact Fritz dispute, only requesting that Jack meddle skin, as to preserve it for belt I recommended them to skin it immediately, and give the flesh dogs Jack, same time, determined to skin his porcupine, dog-collars Part flesh went soup-kettle, rest was salted We then sought for some flat stones bed charming little river that ran at little distance , and set about constructing cooking-place Francis collected dry wood fire; and, while my wife was occupied in preparing our supper, I amused myself by making some packing-needles for her rude work quills porcupine I held large nail fire till red-hot, then, holding the head in wet linen, I pierced the quills, and made several needles, of various sizes, great contentment indefatigable workwoman

Still occupied idea castle air, of making ladder of ropes; but useless, if succeed in getting cord over the lower branches, to draw it up Neither my sons nor myself could throw stone, I had fastened cord, over these branches, which were thirty feet above us necessary of some other expedient mean time, dinner was ready The porcupine made excellent soup, flesh was well-tasted, though rather hard My wife make up her mind to taste it, but contented herself with slice of ham and some cheese

* * * * *

CHAPTER X

After dinner, as ascend at present, I suspended our hammocks under the arched roots tree, and, covering the whole with sailcloth, we had shelter dew insects

While my wife was employed making harness cow and ass, I went with my sons shore, to look for wood fit use We saw great quantity of wreck, but none fit purpose, till Ernest met with heap of bamboo canes, half buried in sand and mud These were exactly what I drew them sand, stripped them leaves, cut them in pieces of about four or five feet long, and my sons each made up bundle to carry home I then set out to seek some slender stalks arrows, which need in my project

We went towards thick grove, which appeared likely to contain something purpose We were very cautious, for fear of reptiles or other dangerous animals, allowing Flora to precede us When we got near, she darted furiously bushes, and out flew troop of beautiful flamingoes, and soared air Fritz, always ready, fired at them Two fell; one quite dead, the other, slightly wounded wing, made use long legs escaped, if Flora seized it and held it till up possession The joy of Fritz was extreme, this beautiful creature alive He thought at once of curing its wound, and domesticating it own poultry

"What splendid plumage ! " said Ernest; "and web-footed, like the goose, and has long legs like the stork; thus run as fast on land as swim water,"

"Yes," said I, "and fly as quickly air These birds are remarkable power and strength wings Few birds have advantages "

My boys occupied themselves in binding their captive and dressing his wound; while I sought canes which had done flowering, to cut off the hard ends, to point my arrows These are used savages Antilles I then selected the highest canes meet with, to assist me in measuring, by geometrical process, the height tree Ernest took the canes, I had the wounded flamingo, and Fritz carried his own game Very loud were the cries of joy and astonishment at our approach The boys all hoped the flamingo tamed, ; but my wife was uneasy, lest it should require more food than spare However, I assured her, our new guest would need no attention, as provide for himself river-side, feeding on small fishes, worms, and insects His wounds I dressed, and found soon be healed; I then tied him to stake, near the river, by cord long enough to allow him to fish at his pleasure, and, , , he learned us, and was quite domesticated Meantime, my boys trying to measure the tree long canes I had brought, and came laughing to report , that I got them ten times as long to reach even the lowest branches " simpler mode than that," said I, "which geometry teaches us, and the highest mountains measured "

I then showed the method of measuring heights by triangles and imaginary lines, using canes of different lengths and cords instead of mathematical instruments My result was thirty feet lowest branches This experiment filled the boys with wonder and desire acquainted useful, exact science, which, happily, able to teach them fully

I now ordered Fritz to measure our strong cord, little ones to collect all the small string, and wind it I then took strong bamboo and made bow of it, and some arrows slender canes, filling them with wet sand them weight, and feathering them dead flamingo my work was completed, the boys crowded round me, all begging the bow and arrows I begged them patient, and asked my wife to supply me with ball of thick strong thread The enchanted bag fail us; the very ball appeared at her summons This, my little ones declared, magic; but I explained , that prudence, foresight, and presence of mind in danger, such as their good mother had displayed, produced more miracles than magic