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CHAPTER XXXIX

We rose early; and, after our usual morning duties, we left our invalids whole day, taking , dinner, goose and some potatoes, made ready the evening before We harnessed the bull buffalo cart, and Fritz and Jack wood of bamboos, with orders to load the cart with as it would contain; and, especially, to select some very thick ones colonnade; the rest I intended for props young trees; and this I proposed my first undertaking Francis preferred beginning _Franciade_, or the garden, but finally won over thoughts delicious fruits, which lose by our neglect; the peaches, plums, pears, and, above all, the cherries, very fond He then consented to assist me in holding the trees whilst I replaced the roots; after which he went to cut the reeds to tie them Suddenly I heard him cry, "Papa, papa, large chest come ; come and take it " I ran to him, and saw it very chest we had seen floating, and which we had taken boat at distance; the waves had left it bay, entangled reeds, which grew abundantly here almost buried sand remove it alone, and, notwithstanding our curiosity, we were compelled to wait arrival sons We returned to our work, and pretty well advanced tired and hungry party returned with their cart-load of bamboos We rested, and sat down to eat our goose Guavas and sweet acorns, which had escaped the storm, and which my sons brought, completed our repast Fritz had killed large bird marsh, which at first for young flamingo; but young cassowary, the first I had seen island This bird is remarkable for its extraordinary size, and for its plumage, so short and fine seems rather hair than feathers liked to it alive to ornament our poultry-yard, and so young tamed it; but Fritz's unerring aim had killed it at once I wished to let my wife see this rare bird, which, if standing on its webbed feet, four feet high; I therefore forbade them to meddle with it

[Illustration: "Fritz, with strong hatchet forced the chest open, and we all eagerly crowded the contents "]

ate, we talked chest, curiosity being stronger than our hunger, we swallowed our repast hastily, and then ran down shore We were obliged to plunge water waist, and then had some difficulty to extricate it weed and slime, and to push it on shore No sooner had we placed it in safety than Fritz, with strong hatchet, forced it open, and we all eagerly crowded the contents Fritz hoped it powder and fire-arms; Jack, who was somewhat fond of dress, and had notions of elegance, declared in favour of clothes, and particularly of linen, finer and whiter than that which his mother wove; if Ernest there, books his desire; own part, nothing more anxious for than European seeds, particularly corn; Francis had lingering wish chest might contain gingerbread cakes which his grandmamma used to treat him with in Europe, and which he had often regretted; but he kept this wish to himself, for fear his brothers should call him "little glutton," and assured us that like little pocket-knife, with small saw, better than anything ; and he who had his wish The chest was opened, and we saw filled with number of trifling things likely to tempt savage nations, and the means of exchange,--principally glass and iron ware, coloured beads, pins, needles, looking-glasses, children's toys, constructed as models, such as carts, and tools of every sort; amongst which some likely useful, such as hatchets, saws, planes, gimlets, &c ; besides collection of knives, Francis had the choice; and scissors, which were reserved for mamma, her own being nearly worn out I had, moreover, the pleasure of finding quantity of nails of every size and kind, besides iron hooks, staples, &c, which I needed greatly After we had examined the contents, and selected what we wanted immediately, we closed up the chest, and conveyed it to our magazine at Tent House We had spent time examination, that we had some difficulty to finish propping our trees, and to arrive at home before dark my wife somewhat uneasy at our lengthened absence, but our appearance soon calmed her "Mother," said I, " brought back all your chickens to crowd under your wing "

"And come back empty-handed," said Jack "Look, mamma; here are beautiful pair of scissors, large paper of needles, another of pins, and thimble ! How rich now ! And get well, me pretty waistcoat and pair of trousers, for in great want "

"And I, mamma," said Francis, "have brought you mirror, that arrange your cap; often been sorry papa remember to bring one ship intended savages, begin "

"I believe I rather resemble one now," said my good Elizabeth, arranging the red and yellow silk handkerchief which she usually wore on her head

"Only, mamma," said Jack, " wear the comical pointed bonnet which Ernest made you "

"What matters it," said she, "whether it be pointed or round ? protect me sun, and work Ernest, much obliged "

Ernest, with great ingenuity and patience, had endeavoured to plait his mother bonnet rice-straw; he had succeeded; but not knowing how the round crown, obliged to finish it in point, great and incessant diversion brothers

"Mother," said Ernest, usual grave and thoughtful tone, "I like you to look like savage; therefore, I regain the use hand, my first work shall be you bonnet, which take care shall be formed with round crown, lend me one of your large needles, take, to sew the crown on, the head of either Jack or Francis "

"What ? My head ! " said they both together

"Oh, I don't mean it off your shoulders," said he; " only be necessary that one of kneel down before me, for day perhaps, while I use your head as model; and not cry out much if chance to push my needle in "

the philosopher had the laugh side, tormentors were silenced

We now explained to my wife where we had found the presents we had brought her My offerings to her were light axe, which use to cut her fire-wood with, and an iron kettle, smaller and more convenient one she had Fritz had retired, and now came in dragging with difficulty his huge cassowary "Here, mamma," said he, " brought you little chicken for your dinner;" astonishment and laughter again commenced The rest evening was spent in plucking the bird, part of it for We then retired to rest, that begin our labour early next morning Ernest chose to remain books mother, for whom he formed mattresses sort of reclining chair, she was able to sit up in bed and sew Thus she endured confinement of six weeks, without complaint, and in got all our clothes put into good order Francis had nearly betrayed our secret once, by asking his mamma him mason's apron "A mason's apron ! " said she; " going to build house, child ? "

"I meant gardener's apron," said he

His mamma was satisfied, and promised to comply request

mean time, my three sons and I laboured assiduously the garden into order again, and to raise the terraces, which we hoped defence against future storms Fritz had also proposed to construct stone conduit, to bring the water to our kitchen-garden river, carry it back, after it had passed round our vegetable-beds formidable task, but too useful an affair neglected; and, aided geometrical skill of Fritz, ready hands two younger boys, the conduit was completed an opportunity, same time, to dig pond above the garden, into which the conduit poured the water; always warm sun, and, of sluice, we were able to disperse it in little channels to water the garden The pond would also be useful to preserve small fish and crabs for use We next proceeded to our embankment intended to protect the garden from any extraordinary overflow river, and water running rocks after heavy rains We then laid out our garden same plan as before, except that the walks wider, and not so flat; I carried one directly to our house, which, autumn, I intended to plant with shrubs, that my wife shady avenue to approach her garden; where I also planned an arbour, furnished with seats, as resting-place for her The rocks were covered with numerous climbing plants, bearing every variety of elegant flower, and I had only my selection

All this work, enclosing the garden with palisades of bamboo, occupied us about fortnight, time our invalids made great progress towards their recovery whole was finished, Francis entreated me his gallery My boys approved plan, and Fritz declared house was certainly comfortable and commodious, but wonderfully improved by colonnade, with little pavilion at each end, and fountain in each pavilion

"I never heard word pavilions," said I

"No," said Jack, " our own invention The colonnade called the Franciade_; and our little pavilions named, the one Fritzia_, the other Jackia_, please "