"Well done, my good and courageous boys ! " said their mother; " at any rate have given assistance if wrecked "

" more courageous than , my dear Elizabeth," answered I; " passed the whole night mourning children, and only good they done fellow-creatures "

My sons were awake , and I eagerly inquired had discovered any traces vessel Fritz said they ; but he feared it would never to resist the fury tempest

"No, indeed," said Jack; "those mountains of waves, which fixtures like other mountains, came full gallop to swallow up Fritz the great, Jack the little, and their fine canoe "

My wife nearly fainted when she heard they had ventured terrible sea; and I reminded Fritz that I had forbidden him to

"But often said , papa," said he, "do unto others they should do unto you; and what happiness it , when our vessel was wrecked, had seen canoe ! "

"With two bold men coming to our assistance," said Jack;--"but go on with your story, Fritz "

Fritz continued: "We proceeded first rocks, and, with some difficulty, and not until Jack had shed some blood cause, we secured the karata-leaves, with their ugly thorns end When our sack was full, we proceeded along the rocks towards Tent House height I tried to discover the ship, but the darkness obscured everything Once I perceived at great distance fixed light, neither star nor the lightning, and which I lost sight of occasionally We had now arrived cascade, which, noise, seemed much swollen rain--our great stones were quite hidden by boiling foam attempted to cross, if I alone; but, with Jack on my shoulders, afraid risk I therefore prepared the course river to Family Bridge The wet ground continually brought us knees, and with great difficulty we reached the bridge But judge consternation ! the river had risen planks were covered, and, conceived, the whole was destroyed I then told Jack to return to Falcon's Nest karata-leaves, and swim across the river I returned about hundred yards up the stream wider and less rapid part, and easily crossed Judge surprise when human figure approaching to meet me; I had it captain vessel, and--"

"And Captain Jack, sans peur et sans reproche_," said the bold little fellow " determined not to return home poltroon who was afraid water " When Fritz was gone, I tried the bridge, and soon found not sufficient water over it to risk my being drowned off my boots, which made me slip, and my cloak, too heavy, and, making dart, I ran with all my strength across, and reached the other side I put on my boots, which I had in my hands, and advanced to meet Fritz, who called out, me, " you, captain ? " I tried , "Yes, certainly," in deep tone, but my laughter betrayed me

"To my great regret;" said Fritz, " truly have preferred meeting Captain Johnson; but he people are bottom sea After meeting with Jack, we proceeded to Tent House, where we kindled good fire, and dried ourselves little We then refreshed ourselves with some wine which remained table where you had entertained the captain, and proceeded signal to inform the vessel we were ready to receive them We procured thick bamboo cane magazine; I fixed firmly to one end of it the large lantern fish's bladder us ; I filled the lamp with oil, and placed thick cotton-wick, which, when lighted, was very brilliant Jack and I then placed it shore, entrance bay We fixed it rock, where the land-wind reach it, sunk it three or four feet ground, steadied it with stones, and then went to rest over our fire, long and difficult labour After drying ourselves little, we set out return, when, looking towards the sea, we were startled appearance same light we had noticed before; we heard, same time, the distant report of gun, repeated three or four times at irregular intervals We were persuaded the vessel calling for aid, and, remembering the command Saviour, we thought forgive our disobedience presented morning the captain, the lieutenant, and as our canoe would contain We entered it then without any fear, for how light and well-balanced ; and, rowing bay, the sail was spread wind, and we had no more trouble I then took the helm; my own signal-light shone clearly shore; and, except rain which fell in torrents, the waves which washed over our canoe, and uneasiness ship and about you, fear wind might carry us open sea, had delightful little maritime excursion When we got bay, I perceived the wind was driving us towards Shark's Island, which, being directly bay, forms two entrances I intended round it, and disembark there, if possible, that look out for some trace ship, but this impossible; the sea ran too high; besides, we unable to moor our canoe, the island not affording single tree or anything lash it to, waves would soon have carried it away We had now lost sight light, and hearing no more signals, I began distress when arrive hour we promised I therefore resolved to return other side bay, carefully avoiding the current, which carried us open sea I lowered the sail ropes you had fixed , and we rowed into port We carefully moored the canoe, and, without returning to Tent House, took the road home We crossed the bridge as Jack had done, found the waterproof cloak and bag of karata-leaves where he had left them, and soon after met Ernest As daylight, take him captain, but knew him immediately, and felt the deepest remorse when I heard in what anxiety and anguish you had passed the night Our enterprise was imprudent, and altogether useless; but saved life, which an ample remuneration all is hopeless What , father, fate ? "

" far dangerous coast," said I; "but if still neighbourhood, do all to assist them tempest is subsided, pinnace and sail round the island long urged me , Fritz; and who knows but opposite side find some traces own poor sailors,--perhaps even meet ? "

The weather gradually clearing, I called my sons out with me My wife earnestly besought me not to venture sea; I assured her not sufficiently calm, but examine our plantations, to ascertain what damage , and same time look out for some traces wreck; besides, our animals were becoming clamorous for food; therefore, leaving Ernest with her, we descended to administer first place wants

* * * * *

CHAPTER XXXVII

Our animals were impatiently expecting us; they neglected during the storm, and were ill-supplied with food, besides being half-sunk in water The ducks flamingo liked it well enough, and were swimming comfortably muddy water; but the quadrupeds were complaining aloud, each own proper language, and making frightful confusion of sounds Valiant_, especially,--the name Francis had bestowed calf I had given him to bring up,--bleated incessantly young master, and quieted till wonderful how this child, only twelve years old, had tamed and attached this animal; though sometimes so fierce, mild as lamb The boy rode back, guiding him with little stick, he just touched the side neck as him to move; but if his brothers had ventured to mount, been certainly thrown off pretty sight was our cavalry: Fritz handsome onagra, Jack huge buffalo, and Francis young bull nothing left for Ernest but the donkey, and its slow and peaceful habits suited him

Francis ran up favourite, who showed his delight at seeing him as able, and first summons followed his master stable Fritz brought out Lightfoot Jack his buffalo, and I followed cow ass We left them to sport about at liberty humid earth, till we removed the water from their stable, and supplied them with fresh food We then drove them in, considering it advisable to pursue our expedition on foot, lest the bridge should still be overflowed Francis superintendent fowls, and knew every little chicken by name; them out and scattered their food , and soon had his beautiful and noisy family fluttering round him