We continued our work house, which occupied us We formed the walls of thin laths interwoven with long pliant reeds for about six feet ground; the rest was merely sort of light trellis-work, to admit light and air The door opened front sea The interior consisted simply of series of compartments, proportioned guests they were to contain One small apartment was for ourselves, when we chose to visit our colony upper story was sort of hayloft fodder We projected plastering the walls with clay; but these finishing touches we deferred to future time, contented that we had provided shelter cattle and fowls To accustom them shelter of themselves, we took care their racks food they liked best, mingled with salt; and this we proposed to renew at intervals, till the habit of coming houses was fixed We all laboured ardently, but the work proceeded slowly, inexperience; provisions we had brought were nearly exhausted wish to return to Falcon's Nest till I had completed my new establishment, and therefore determined to send Fritz and Jack to look animals at home, and bring back fresh stock of provisions Our two young couriers set out, each favourite steed, Fritz leading the ass to bring back the load, and Jack urging the indolent animal forward whip

During their absence, Ernest and little excursion, to add to our provision-- meet , some potatoes and cocoa-nuts We ascended the stream for , which led us to large marsh, beyond which we discovered lake abounding with water-fowl This lake was surrounded by tall, thick grass, with ears of grain, which , though small, sort of rice lake itself, only Swiss, accustomed infancy to look smooth, tranquil waters, comprehend the happiness on looking We fancied we were once more in Switzerland, our own dear land; but the majestic trees and luxuriant vegetation soon reminded us we were no longer in Europe, and ocean separated us native home

mean time, Ernest had brought down several birds, with skill and success that surprised me little after, we saw Knips leap off the back usual palfrey, Flora, and, making his way rich grass, collect and carry rapidly mouth something that seemed particularly his palate We followed him, and, to our great comfort, were able to refresh ourselves delicious strawberry called in Europe the Chili or pineapple strawberry We ate plentifully fruit, of enormous size; Ernest especially enjoyed them, but forget the absent; he filled Knips's little pannier , and I covered them with large leaves, which I fastened down with reeds, lest take fancy to help himself went home , also, specimen of rice, inspection good housekeeper, , , rejoice an acquisition

We proceeded round the lake, which presented different scene on every side lovely and fertile parts we had yet seen country Birds of all kinds abounded; but we were particularly struck with pair of black swans, sailing majestically water Their plumage was perfectly black and glossy, except the extremity wings, white Ernest tried his skill again, but I forbade him to disturb the profound tranquillity charming region

But Flora, who probably the same taste beauties of nature that I had, suddenly darted forward like an arrow, pounced upon creature that was swimming quietly edge water, and brought it most curious animal It resembled an otter in form, but was web-footed, had an erect bushy tail like the squirrel, small head, eyes and ears almost invisible long, flat bill, like that of duck, completed its strange appearance We were completely puzzled--even Ernest, the naturalist, give its name I boldly gave it the name beast with bill Ernest it, as I wished to stuff and preserve it

" ," said the little philosopher, "the first natural object museum "

"Exactly," replied I; "and, establishment is fully arranged, appoint you curator "

But, thinking my wife would grow uneasy at our protracted absence, we returned by direct road tent Our two messengers arrived same time, and we all sat down together to cheerful repast related his feats Ernest dwelt discoveries, and was very pompous descriptions, and obliged to promise Fritz another time I learnt, with pleasure, that all was going on well at Falcon's Nest, and boys had had the forethought to leave the animals with provisions for ten days This enabled me to complete my farmhouse We remained four days longer, time I finished the interior, and my wife arranged own apartment the cotton mattresses, ready visits, and put houses the fodder and grain for their respective tenants We then loaded our cart, and began our march The animals wished us, but Fritz, on Lightfoot, covered our retreat, and kept them farm till we were out of sight

proceed directly, but went towards the wood of monkeys These mischievous creatures assaulted us with showers fir-apples; but few shots dispersed our assailants

Fritz collected new fruits they had flung at us, and I recognized them stone Pine, the kernel of good to eat, and produces an excellent oil We gathered bag , and continued our journey till we reached the neighbourhood of Cape Disappointment There we ascended little hill, summit we looked upon rich plains, rivers, and woods clothed with verdure and brilliant flowers, and gay birds that fluttered bushes "Here, my children," cried I, "here build our summer house truly Arcadia " Here we placed our tent, and immediately began to erect new building, formed same manner Farm House, but now executed more quickly We raised the roof middle, and made four sloped sides The interior was divided into eating and sleeping apartments, stables, and store-room for provisions; the whole was completed and provisioned in ten days; and we had now another mansion for ourselves, and shelter for new colonies of animals This new erection received the name of Prospect Hill, to gratify Ernest, who thought it had an English appearance

However, the end our expedition was planned was not yet fulfilled I yet met with tree likely to suit me for boat We returned then to inspect the trees, and I fixed on sort of oak, the bark of closer than that European oak, resembling more that cork-tree The trunk was five feet in diameter, and I fancied its coating, if obtain it whole, would perfectly answer my purpose I traced circle foot, and with small saw cut the bark entirely through; Fritz, rope ladder we had brought , and attached lower branches tree, ascended, and cut similar circle eighteen feet above mine We then cut out, perpendicularly, slip the whole length, and, removing it, we had room to insert the necessary tools, and, with wedges, we finally succeeded in loosening the whole The first part was easy enough, but greater difficulty advanced We sustained it proceeded with ropes, and then gently let it down grass I immediately began my boat while the bark was fresh and flexible My sons, in their impatience, thought it would do nailed board at each end roll; but this merely heavy trough, inelegant and unserviceable; I wished one look well side pinnace; and this idea at once rendered my boys patient and obedient We began by cutting out at each end roll of bark triangular piece of about five feet long; then, placing the sloping parts one over the other, I united them with pegs and strong glue, and thus finished the ends boat in pointed form This operation having widened it middle, we passed strong ropes round it, and drew it form we required We then exposed it sun, which dried and fixed it proper shape

things were necessary to complete my work, Fritz and Jack to Tent House sledge, to convey it there, that finish it more conveniently I had the good fortune to meet with some very hard, crooked wood, the natural curve admirably suitable for supporting the sides boat also resinous tree, which distilled sort of pitch, easy to manage, and which soon hardened sun My wife and Francis collected sufficient of it work almost night when our two messengers returned We had only time to sup and retire to our rest

We were all early at work next morning We loaded the sledge, placing the canoe, the wood sides, the pitch, and some young trees, which I had transplanted plantation at Tent House, and which we put boat But, before we set out, I wished to erect sort of fortification pass rock, double purpose of securing us against the attacks of wild beasts or of savages, and for keeping enclosed, savannah beyond the rocks, some young pigs, that we wished to multiply there, way fields and plantations