After we had together knelt down to thank God merciful protection terrors past night, and besought him it, we prepared to set out The waves still ran high, though the wind had subsided, and we determined merely along the shore, roads still continued impassable rain, sand was easier to walk on wet grass; besides, our principal motive excursion was to search for any traces of recent shipwreck At first discover nothing, even telescope; but Fritz, mounting high rock, fancied he discovered something floating towards the island He besought me to allow him to canoe, still where he left it the preceding night bridge was now easy to cross, I consented, only insisting on accompanying him to assist in managing it Jack, who was much afraid of being left behind, first to leap in and seize an oar , however, no need of it; I steered my little boat current, and we were carried away velocity as almost our breath Fritz was helm, and appeared no fear; say that his father was so tranquil I held Jack, for fear of accidents, but he only laughed, and observed brother canoe galloped better than Lightfoot We were soon open sea, and directed our canoe towards the object we had remarked, and which we still had in sight We were afraid it boat upset, but it proved tolerably large cask, which had probably been thrown overboard to lighten the distressed vessel; we saw several others, but neither mast nor plank to any idea vessel and boat had perished Fritz wished much to the circuit island, to assure ourselves , but hear of it; wife's terror; besides, the sea was still too rough frail bark, and we had, moreover, no provisions canoe well built, it run great risk of being overset waves, which broke over it Jack, when one coming, lay down face, saying he preferred having them back rather than mouth; he jumped up it passed, to help to empty the canoe, till another wave came it again; but, thanks to my out-riggers, we preserved our balance , and I consented as far as _Cape Disappointment_, which merited the name second time, for no trace here vessel, though we mounted the hill, and thus commanded wide extent of view looked round the country, it appeared completely devastated: trees torn up roots, plantations levelled ground, water collected into absolute lakes,--all announced desolation; tempest seemed renewing The sky was darkened, the wind arose, and was unfavourable return; nor could I venture the canoe waves, every instant becoming more formidable We moored our bark to large palm-tree foot hill, near the shore, and set out by land to our home We crossed the Gourd Wood Wood of Monkeys, and arrived at our farm, which , to our great satisfaction, suffered much storm The food we had left stables was nearly consumed; we concluded animals we had left here had sheltered themselves during the storm We refilled the mangers hay we had preserved loft, and observing the sky getting more and more threatening, we set out without delay house, we were yet considerable distance To avoid Flamingo Marsh_, towards the sea, and Rice Marsh_, towards the rock, we determined through Cotton Wood_, which would save us wind, ready to blow us off our feet still uneasy ship, which the lieutenant had told me was out of repair; but I indulged they taken refuge in some bay, or found anchorage on some hospitable shore, where get their vessel into order

Jack was alarmed lest they should fall hands _anthropophagi_, who eat men like hares or sheep, of whom he had read in some book of travels, and excited the ridicule brother, who was astonished at his ready belief of travellers' tales, which he asserted were usually false

"But Robinson Crusoe tell falsehood," said Jack, indignantly; "and there were cannibals came island, and were going to eat Friday, if he saved him "

"Oh ! Robinson tell falsehood," said Fritz, "because he never existed The whole history is romance-- name, father, given to works imagination ? "

" ," said I; "but not call Robinson Crusoe romance; though Robinson himself, and all the circumstances history are probably fictitious, the details are all founded on truth-- adventures and descriptions of voyagers depended on, and unfortunate individuals actually been wrecked on unknown shores If ever our journal printed, many may believe only romance--a mere work imagination "

My boys hoped we have to introduce any savages into our romance, and were astonished that an island so beautiful tempted any to inhabit it; , I had often been myself surprised circumstance; but them many voyagers had noticed islands apparently fertile, and yet uninhabited; besides, the chain of rocks which surrounded this might prevent the approach of savages, unless they had discovered the little Bay of Safety where we had landed Fritz said he anxiously desired to circumnavigate the island, to ascertain the size of it, and if there were similar chains of rocks opposite side I promised him, stormy weather was past, mother well enough to remove to Tent House, take our pinnace, and set out little voyage

We now approached the marsh, and he begged me to let him go and cut some canes, as he projected making sort of carriage mother were collecting them, he explained his scheme to weave reeds, which were very strong, large and long sort of pannier, his mother might sit or recline, and which suspended between two strong bamboo-canes by handles of rope He then purposed to yoke two most gentle animals, the cow ass, the one before other behind, shafts, the leader mounted by children as director; the other would follow naturally, good mother would thus be carried, in litter, without any danger of jolting pleased idea, and we all set to work to load ourselves each with huge burden of reeds They requested me not my wife, that give her an agreeable surprise It needed such affection as ours to induce us undertaking unpropitious weather It rained in torrents, marsh was so soft and wet, that we were in danger of sinking at every step However, I less courageous than my sons, whom nothing daunted, and we soon made up our bundles, and, placing them heads, they formed sort of umbrella, not without its benefits We soon arrived at Falcon's Nest Before we reached the tree, fire shine to such distance, that alarmed; but soon found only meant benefit by our kind friends at home When my wife saw the rain falling, she had instructed her little assistant fire usual cooking-place, at little distance tree, and protected by canopy of waterproof cloth rain The young cook had kept up good fire to dry us return, but had taken the opportunity of roasting two dozen excellent little birds which his mother had preserved in butter, and which, all ranged old sword which served us for spit, were just ready arrival, fire and feast were equally grateful hungry, exhausted, and wet travellers, who sat down to enjoy them

However, before we sat down to our repast, we went up our invalids, whom tolerably well, though anxious return Ernest, sound hand, assistance of Francis, had succeeded in forming sort of rampart opening room, composed four hammocks he brothers slept, placed side by side, on end This sufficiently protected them rain, but excluded the light, so obliged to light candle, and Ernest reading mother in book of voyages that had formed part captain's small library singular coincidence, that while we were talking savages way home, they were also reading ; and my dear wife much agitated fears these accounts had awakened in her mind After soothing her terrors, I returned fire to dry myself, and to enjoy my repast Besides the birds, Francis had prepared fresh eggs and potatoes me that his mamma had given up her office of cook to him, and assured me that perform the duties to our satisfaction, provided furnished with materials Fritz was to hunt, Jack to fish, to order dinner, and make it ready "And when neither game nor fish," said Jack, " attack your poultry-yard " not at all taste of poor little Francis, bear his favourites killed, and who had actually wept over the chicken that was slaughtered broth mother We were obliged to promise him that, when other resources failed, apply to our barrels of salt-fish He, however, leave to dispose liked ducks and geese, which were too noisy for him

After we had concluded our repast, we carried part of it to our friends above, and proceeded them an account expedition I then secured the hammocks somewhat more firmly, to save us storm that was still raging, hour of rest being at hand, my sons established themselves on mattresses of cotton, made by their kind mother, and roaring winds, we were soon in profound repose

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CHAPTER XXXVIII