The construction solid and convenient staircase occupied us during month of patient industry; not that we laboured like slaves, for we had no one to constrain us; we had in completed several works of less importance; and many events had amused us amidst our toil

after we commenced, Flora produced six puppies; but the number being too large means of support, I commanded that only male and female preserved, breed perpetuated; this , little jackal being placed remainder, Flora gave it the same privileges as her own offspring Our goats also, , two kids; sheep some lambs We saw this increase flock with great satisfaction; and for fear these useful animals should take it into their heads to stray , as our ass had done, we tied round their necks some small bells we had found wreck, intended to propitiate the savages, and which would always put us track fugitives

The education young buffalo was employments that varied our labour as carpenters incision nostrils, I had passed small stick, ends I attached strap This formed kind of bit, fashion Hottentots; and I guided him as I chose; though not without much rebellion part only after Fritz had broken it in for mounting, that we began it carry certainly remarkable instance of patience and perseverance surmounting difficulties, that we made it bear the wallets we usually placed ass, but Ernest, Jack, and even little Francis, took lessons in horsemanship_, by riding him, and, henceforward, able to ride the most spirited horse without fear; worse buffalo they had assisted to subdue

midst , Fritz neglect the training young eagle The royal bird began already to pounce very cleverly dead game his master brought, and placed before him; sometimes horns buffalo, sometimes back great bustard, or the flamingo; sometimes he put it on board, or end of pole, to accustom it to pounce, like the falcon, on other birds He taught it to settle wrist at call, or whistle; but before trust it to fly, without long string attached to its leg, for fear its wild nature should carry it for ever Even the indolent Ernest was seized mania of instructing animals He undertook the education little monkey, who gave him sufficient employment amusing the quiet, slow, studious Ernest obliged leaps and gambols pupil to accomplish his instruction to accustom Master Knips to carry pannier, and to climb the cocoa-nut trees with it back; Jack and he wove small light pannier of rushes, and fixed it firmly back with three straps intolerable to him at first; he ground his teeth, rolled ground, and leaped about in frantic manner, trying in vain to release himself They left the pannier back night and day, and only allowed him to eat what he had previously put After little time, he became so accustomed , that he rebelled wished to remove it, and threw everything they gave him to hold very useful , but he obeyed only Ernest, who had very properly taught him equally to love and fear him

Jack was not so successful jackal; for, though him the name of "The Hunter," yet, first six months, the carnivorous animal chased only for himself, and, if he brought anything master, only the skin animal he had just devoured; but I charged him not to despair, and he continued zealously his instructions

During I had perfected my candle manufacture; of mixing the bees' wax obtained candle-berry, and by using cane moulds, which Jack first suggested , I succeeded in giving my candles the roundness and polish of Europe The wicks were for an obstacle wish to use the small quantity of calico we had left, but my wife happily proposed to substitute the pith of species of elder, which answered my purpose completely

I now turned myself preparation caoutchouc, we had found several trees I encouraged the boys their ingenuity in making flasks and cups, by covering moulds of clay gum, as I had explained part, pair of old stockings, and filled them with sand mould, which I covered with coating of mud, and left to dry sun I cut out pair of soles of buffalo leather, which I first hammered well, and then fastened with small tacks sole stocking, filling up the spaces left gum, so fix it completely Then, with brush of goats hair, I covered it with layer upon layer elastic gum, till it sufficiently thick easy to remove the sand, the stocking, hardened mud, to shake out the dust, and I had pair of waterproof boots, without seam, and fitting I had employed an English shoemaker My boys were wild with joy, and all begged for pair; but I wished first their durability, compared with those of buffalo leather I began pair of boots for Fritz, using the skin drawn legs buffalo we had killed; but I had much more difficulty than caoutchouc I used the gum the seams, so water penetrate They were certainly not elegant as work of art, boys laughed at their brother's awkward movements ; but their own productions, though useful vessels, models of perfection

We then worked at our fountain, great source of pleasure to my wife and to all of us We raised, upper part river, sort of dam, made with stakes and stones, from whence the water flowed into our channels sago-palm, laid down gentle declivity nearly to our tent, and there received shell turtle, which we had raised on some stones of convenient height, the hole which the harpoon had made serving to carry off the waste water through cane that was fitted On two crossed sticks were placed the gourds that served us for pails, and thus we had always the murmuring water near us, and plentiful supply of it, always pure and clean, which the river, troubled by our water-fowl refuse of decayed leaves, always The only inconvenience open channels was, water reached us warm and unrefreshing; but this I hoped to remedy , by using bamboo pipes buried earth mean time, we were grateful new acquisition, and gave credit to Fritz, who had suggested the idea

* * * * *

CHAPTER XXVII

One morning, were engaged in giving the last finish to our staircase, we were alarmed at hearing at distance strange, sharp, prolonged sounds, like the roars of wild beast, but mingled with an unaccountable hissing Our dogs erected their ears, and prepared for deadly combat I assembled my family; we then ascended our tree, closing the lower door, loaded our guns, and looked anxiously round, but nothing appeared I armed my dogs with their porcupine coats of mail and collars, and left them below care animals

The horrible howlings seemed to approach nearer ; , Fritz, who was leaning forward to listen as attentively as , threw down his gun, and bursting into loud laugh, cried out, " our fugitive, the ass, come back , and singing his song of joy return ! " We listened, and right, and but feel little vexation at being put into such fright by donkey Soon after, we had the pleasure of seeing him appear trees; and, still better, accompanied by another animal own species, but infinitely more beautiful it at once the onagra, or wild ass, most important capture, make it; though all naturalists have declared it impossible to tame this elegant creature, yet I determined to attempt

I went down with Fritz, exhorting his brothers to remain quiet, and I consulted with my privy counsellor means of taking our prize I also prepared, as quickly as possible, long cord with noose, kept open by slight stick, which would fall out animal's head entered, while any attempt to escape would only draw the noose closer; the end cord was tied root of tree then piece of bamboo, about two feet long, and splitting it up, tied it firmly at one end, pair of pincers nose animal mean time, the two animals had approached nearer, our old Grizzle apparently doing the honours visitor, and both grazing very comfortably

By degrees we advanced softly , concealed trees; Fritz carrying the lasso, and I the pincers The onagra, he got sight of Fritz, who was before me, raised his head, and started back, evidently only in surprise, as probably the first man the creature had seen Fritz remained still, animal resumed his browsing Fritz went our old servant, and offered him handful of oats mixed with salt; the ass came directly to eat its favourite treat; its companion followed, raised its head, snuffed the air, and came so near, that Fritz adroitly threw the noose over its head The terrified animal attempted to fly, but that drew the cord so tight as almost to stop his respiration, and he lay down, his tongue hanging out I hastened up and relaxed the cord, lest strangled I threw the halter ass round his neck, and placed the split cane over his nose, tying it firmly below with string I subdued this wild animal means that blacksmiths use the first time they shoe horse I then took off the noose, and tied the halter by two long cords roots of two separate trees, and left him to recover himself