We were visited by another shoal of fish month herrings Jack first discovered them mouth of Jackal River, where they had apparently come to deposit their eggs scattered stones They were so large, that sure whales them pretty large sturgeons, besides salmon, large trout, and fishes Jack immediately ran bow and arrows, and told me kill them all He fastened the end of ball of string to an arrow, with hook end of it; he tied the bladders dog-fish at certain distances string; he then placed the ball safe shore, took his bow, fixed the arrow , and aiming largest salmon, shot it side; the fish tried to escape; I assisted him to draw the cord; no easy task, for he struggled tremendously; but , weakened by loss of blood, we drew him to land, and despatched him

The other boys came running congratulate the young fisherman invention, and as feared rest, alarmed attack, might take their departure, we determined to abandon everything fishery Fritz threw his harpoon, and landed, reel, some large salmon; Ernest took his rod, and caught trout; and I, armed like Neptune with an iron trident, succeeded in striking, amongst the stones, some enormous fish The greatest difficulty was to land our booty; Fritz had struck sturgeon eight feet long, which resisted our united efforts, till my wife brought the buffalo, which we harnessed line, and made ourselves masters immense prize

We had great deal of labour in opening and cleaning all our fish: some we dried and salted; some my wife boiled in oil, preserve the tunny The spawn sturgeon, huge mass, weighing not thirty pounds, I laid aside as caviare_, favourite dish in Holland and Russia I carefully cleansed the eggs skin and fibres that were mixed , washed them thoroughly in sea-water, slightly sprinkled them with salt, then put them in gourd pierced with small holes to let the water escape, and placed weights on them to press them completely for twenty-four hours We then removed the caviare in solid masses, like cheeses, took it smoking-hut to dry, and had this large addition to our winter provision

My next employment preparation valuable isinglass the air-bladder and sounds fish, cut them in strips, twisted them in rolls, and dried them sun all necessary this excellent glue It becomes very hard, and, when wanted for use, is cut up in small pieces, and dissolved over slow fire The glue was so white and transparent, that I hoped window-panes instead of glass

work was finished, we began boat to replace our tub raft I wished one of bark, savage nations do, and I proposed an expedition in search of tree purpose All those own neighbourhood were too precious to destroy; some for their fruits, others for their shade We resolved to search at distance for trees fit purpose, taking road survey plantations and fields Our garden at Tent House produced abundantly continual successions of vegetables virgin soil, and in climate which recognized no change of season The peas, beans, lentils, and lettuces were flourishing, and only required water, channels river brought this plentifully We had delicious cucumbers and melons; the maize was already foot high, the sugar-canes were prospering, pine-apples high ground promised us rich treat

We hoped our distant plantations were going on , and all set out one fine morning to Falcon's Nest, to examine the state of things there my wife's corn-fields were luxuriant in appearance, and most part ready for cutting There were barley, wheat, oats, beans, millet, and lentils We cut such as were ready, sufficient to seeds for another year The richest crop maize, which suited the soil But there were quantity of gatherers more eager to taste these new productions than we were; these were birds of every kind, bustard quail, and various establishments they had formed round, it presumed not leave much

After our first shock sight robbers, we used some measures to lessen the number Fritz unhooded his eagle, and pointed out the dispersing bustards The well-trained bird immediately soared, and pounced on superb bustard, and laid it feet master The jackal, too, who was capital pointer, brought master about dozen little fat quails, which furnished us with an excellent repast; my wife added liquor of her own invention, made green maize crushed in water, and mingled juice sugar-cane; most agreeable beverage, white as milk, sweet and refreshing

the bustard, which the eagle had struck down, but slightly wounded; we washed his hurts with balsam made of wine, butter, and water, and tied him leg poultry-yard, as companion to our tame bustard

We passed the remainder day at Falcon's Nest, putting our summer abode into order, and thrashing out our grain, to save the precious seed for another year The Turkey wheat was laid by in sheaves, till time to thrash and winnow it; and then Fritz necessary the hand-mill , that we had brought wreck Fritz thought build mill ourselves river; but this bold scheme was, at present, impracticable

The we set out on an excursion neighbourhood My wife wished to establish colonies animals at some distance from Falcon's Nest, at convenient spot, where secure, and might find subsistence She selected from her poultry-yard twelve young fowls; four young pigs, two couple of sheep, and two goats These animals were placed cart, we had previously placed our provisions of every kind, tools and utensils need, not forgetting the rope ladder portable tent; we then harnessed the buffalo, the cow, ass, and departed tour

Fritz rode before on Lightfoot, to reconnoitre the ground, that we plunge into any difficulties; as, , we went in new direction, exactly midst rocks shore, that get acquainted whole country that stretched to Cape Disappointment We had the usual difficulty, at first, in getting high grass, underwood embarrassed our road, till we were compelled to use the axe frequently some trifling discoveries that were useful, while engaged labour; amongst others, some roots of trees curved like saddles, and yokes for beasts of draught I cut away several , and placed them cart When we had nearly passed the wood, we were struck singular appearance of little thicket of low bushes, apparently covered with snow Francis clapped his hands with joy, and begged cart that he might make some snowballs Fritz galloped forward, and returned, bringing me branch loaded beautiful white down, which, to my great joy, I recognized cotton discovery of inestimable value , and my wife began immediately to enumerate all the advantages derive , when constructed for her the machines for spinning and weaving the cotton We soon gathered as filled three bags, intending afterwards to collect the seeds marvellous plant, to sow neighbourhood of Tent House

After crossing the plain cotton-trees, we reached the summit of hill, the eye rested on terrestrial paradise Trees of every sort covered the sides hill, and murmuring stream crossed the plain, adding to its beauty and fertility The wood we had just crossed formed shelter against the north winds, rich pasture offered food cattle We decided at once the site farm

We erected our tent, made fireplace, and set about cooking our dinner While going on, Fritz and I sought convenient spot structure; and we met with group of beautiful trees, at such distance one from another, as natural pillars dwelling; we carried all our tools here; but day was far advanced, we delayed commencing our work till We returned tent, and found my wife and her boys picking cotton, they made some very comfortable beds, and we slept peacefully under our canvass roof

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CHAPTER XXXII

The trees which I had chosen farmhouse were about foot in diameter trunk They formed long square; the long side facing the sea The dimensions whole were about twenty-four feet by sixteen I cut deep mortices trees, about ten feet distant ground, and again ten feet higher, second story; I then placed strong poles: the skeleton house--solid, elegant; I placed over this rude roof of bark, cut in squares, and placed sloping, rain might run off We fastened these thorn acacia, as our nails were too precious lavished While procuring the bark, many discoveries The first of two remarkable trees,--the Pistacia terebinthus Pistacia atlantica; the next, the thorny acacia, we got the substitute for nails