scold my dear boys, descended, but directed them to assemble the animals, and to collect wood, up fires during the night, to drive away any wild beasts that near

My wife then displayed her work,--complete harness two beasts of burden, and, in return, I promised her establish ourselves tree Supper was now ready, one piece porcupine was roasted fire, smelling deliciously; another piece formed rich soup; cloth was spread turf; the ham, cheese, butter, and biscuits, were placed upon it

My wife first assembled the fowls, by throwing some grain , to accustom them place We soon saw the pigeons fly to roost higher branches trees, while the fowls perched ladder; the beasts we tied roots, close Now, cares were over, we sat down to merry and excellent repast by moonlight Then, prayers evening, I kindled our watch-fires, and we all lay down to rest hammocks The boys were rather discontented, and complained cramped position, longing freedom beds of moss; but I instructed them to lie, sailors do, diagonally, and swinging the hammock, and told them that brave Swiss boys might sleep sailors of all nations were compelled to sleep After some stifled sighs and groans, all sank to rest except myself, kept awake by anxiety safety rest

* * * * *

CHAPTER XI

My anxiety kept me awake till near morning, when, after short sleep, I rose, and we were soon all at work My wife, after milking the cow and goats, harnessed the cow and ass, and set out to search for drift-wood use mean time, I mounted the ladder with Fritz, and we set to work stoutly, with axe and saw, to rid ourselves of all useless branches Some, about six feet above our foundation, I left, to suspend our hammocks from, and others, little higher, to support the roof, which, at present, was merely sailcloth My wife succeeded in collecting us some boards and planks, which, with her assistance, aid pulley, we hoisted up We then arranged them level branches close to , as smooth and solid floor sort of parapet round, accidents By degrees, our dwelling began to assume distinct form; the sailcloth was raised over the high branches, forming roof; and, being brought down on each side, was nailed parapet The immense trunk protected the back apartment, front was open to admit the breeze sea, visible elevation We hoisted our hammocks and blankets pulley, and suspended them; my son and I then descended, and, as our day was not yet exhausted, we set about constructing rude table and some benches, remainder wood, which we placed beneath the roots tree, henceforward our dining-room The little boys collected the chips and pieces of wood for fire-wood; while their mamma prepared supper, which we needed much extraordinary fatigues day

The , however, being Sunday, we looked forward to as day of rest, of recreation, and thanksgiving great God who had preserved us

Supper was now ready, my wife took large earthen pot fire, which contained good stew, made flamingo, which Ernest had told her was an old bird, and eatable, if dressed way His brothers laughed heartily, and called him the cook , however, quite right, the stew, well seasoned, was excellent, and we picked the very bones Whilst we were thus occupied, the living flamingo, accompanying the rest fowls, and free from bonds, came in, quite tame, to claim his share repast, evidently quite unsuspicious that we were devouring his mate; seem at all inclined to quit us The little monkey, too, was quite at home boys, leaping from one to another for food, which forepaws, and ate absurd mimicry actions, that he kept us in continual convulsions of laughter To augment our satisfaction, our great sow, who had deserted us for two days, returned of her own accord, grunting her joy at our re-union My wife welcomed her with particular distinction, treating her with all the milk we had to spare; for, as she had no dairy utensils cheese and butter, best thus to dispose superfluity I promised her, next voyage ship, to procure all these necessaries This , however, hear of, without shuddering

The boys now lighted the fires night The dogs were tied roots tree, as protection against invaders, and we commenced our ascent My three eldest sons soon ran up the ladder, my wife followed, with more deliberation, but arrived safely; my own journey was more difficult, as, besides having to carry Francis on my back, I had detached the lower part ladder roots, where nailed; to draw it up during the night We were thus as safe castle knights of old, when their drawbridge was raised We retired to our hammocks free from care, and wake till the sun shone brightly in upon us

* * * * *

CHAPTER XII

Next morning, all awoke in good spirits; them that , the Lord's day, do no work appointed, for day of rest, but day when , as possible, turn our hearts vanities world, to God himself; thank him, worship him, and serve him Jack thought without church and priest; but Ernest believed that God would hear our prayers under his own sky, and papa could give them sermon; Francis wished if God would like to hear them sing the beautiful hymns mamma had taught them, without an organ accompaniment

"Yes, my dear children," said I, "God is everywhere; and to bless him, to praise him in all his works, to submit holy will, and to obey him,--is him But everything in its time first attend wants animals, and breakfast, and then begin the services day by hymn "

We descended, and breakfasted on warm milk, fed our animals, and then, my children and their mother seated turf, I placed myself on little eminence before them, and, service day, which by heart, and singing some portions 119th Psalm, them little allegory

" once on time great king, whose kingdom was called the Land of Light and Reality_, because there reigned there constant light and incessant activity most remote frontier kingdom, towards the north, another large kingdom, equally subject rule, and none but himself knew the immense extent immemorial, an exact plan kingdom preserved archives called the Land of Obscurity, or _Night_, because everything in dark and inactive

" most fertile and agreeable part empire of Reality, the king had magnificent residence, called The Heavenly City_, where he held his brilliant court Millions of servants executed his wishes--still more were ready to receive his orders The first were clothed in glittering robes, whiter than snow--for white colour Great King, emblem of purity Others were clothed in armour, shining like the colours rainbow, and carried flaming swords in their hands Each, at his master's nod, flew like lightning to accomplish his will All his servants--faithful, vigilant, bold, and ardent--were united in friendship, and could imagine no happiness greater favour master There were some, less elevated, who were still good, rich, and happy favours sovereign, all his subjects were alike, and were treated by him as his children

"Not far frontiers, the Great King possessed desert island, which he desired to people and cultivate, it, for time, the abode subjects whom he intended to admit, by degrees, into his Heavenly City_--a favour to bestow greatest number possible

"This island was called Earthly Abode_; and he who had passed there, worthily, was received into all the happiness heavenly city To attain this, the Great King equipped fleet to transport the colonists, whom he chose kingdom of Night_, island, where them light and activity--advantages they known before Think how joyful their arrival ! The island was fertile when cultivated; and all was prepared to time pass agreeably, till they were admitted highest honours

" moment of embarkation, the Great King sent his own son, who spoke thus name:--

"'My dear children, called you from inaction and insensibility to render you happy by feeling, by action, by life Never forget your king, and obey my commands, by cultivating the country I confide will receive his portion of land, and wise and learned men are appointed to explain my will you all to acquire the knowledge laws, every father should keep copy, to read daily children, may never be forgotten And first day week all assemble, as brothers, in one place, to hear these laws read and explained Thus easy for to learn the best method of improving his land, what to plant, and how to cleanse it tares that might choke the good seed All may ask what they desire, and every reasonable demand granted, be conformable great end

"' feel grateful benefits, and testify it by increased activity, and by occupying yourself day in expressing your gratitude , take care this day of rest shall be benefit, and not loss that all your useful animals, and even the wild beasts plains, should day repose in peace

"'He who obeys my commands in Earthly Abode, shall receive rich reward Heavenly City; but the idle, the negligent, evil-disposed, shall be condemned to perpetual slavery, or to labour in mines, bowels earth