"No, no ! I meant on foot," said Jack; "but only two then But, four--papa helm, and three bold rowers, why should we fatigue ourselves in making the tour island legs, when good vessel to carry us ? What says Mr Philosopher, the prince of idlers, ? "

" part," said Ernest, quietly, " quite indifferent whether I use my legs in walking, or my arms in rowing, equally fatiguing; but walking gives me more chance of filling my plant-box and my game-bag "

"And does he think," added Fritz, " mulberry and bread-fruit trees, which certainly find other side, grow sea ? without naming my gazelle, not run over the waves "

"No, waiting, without moving, to shoot it," said Jack; "and Ernest, perhaps find sea curious things half plants, half animals, which you were showing me in book "

"The zoophytes, or polypi; for the same family, though more than thousand species," said Ernest, charmed to display his knowledge; but I stopped him by saying: " dispense thousand names at present After hearing all your arguments, attend to mine; even Jack must yield Our principal aim now being to search trees in need of, and to examine the productions island, our most sensible plan to walk "

Jack still contended that land occasionally; but I showed him the danger , the island being, in all probability, surrounded by reefs, which might extend sea as us sight island; this I intended to ascertain some day; and mean time I proposed that endeavour pass round the rocks side, from whence walk defile other end, take our canoe, which we had left at anchor near the Great Bay, and return to Tent House

Jack was in ecstasies; he declared the pass concealed that escaped his search, and, seizing his lasso bow, rushed out the first, singing "The sea ! the sea ! "

"There goes sailor formed by nature," thought I, followed the course chain of rocks left dwelling It conducted us first place landing, that little uncultivated plain of triangular form, the base was washed sea, point was lost rocks here some traces first establishment; but how wretched all appeared, compared present comforts ! here in vain passage to cross the rocks--the chain was everywhere like an impenetrable wall We arrived ravine Fritz and Ernest had scaled discovered their grotto; and, truly, nothing but the courage and rashness of youth undertaken this enterprise, and continued it daily for three weeks It appeared almost impossible; Fritz offered to ascend, to show me how they accomplished it; but consent, as it could serve no useful purpose it better border island, where not impossible small space strand rocks sea, round which pass; from my sons being able to distinguish summit the country other side, evident the chain of rocks very broad Suddenly Fritz struck his forehead, and, seizing Ernest arm--"Brother," said he, "what fools ! "

Ernest inquired what folly they guilty of

"Why did we not," said Fritz, "when we were working within our grotto, attempt to opening other side ? We much difficulty, persuaded, and if our tools sufficient, little powder opened us door other side Only consider, father, the convenience of bringing the cart loaded trees we wanted through our grotto, and a-hunting without having I don't know miles "

"Well, still ," said Ernest, usual calm, grave manner; "if find another passage, make one Grotto Ernestine, with mamma's permission, her property "

This idea son appeared good quite certain, experience at Tent House and grotto, cavity rocks was of very great extent, and it appear difficult to pierce through other side; but some other chain of rocks, some gigantic tree, some hill, end tunnel, might render all our labour useless I proposed that defer our work till we had examined the nature ground other side; my sons agreed, and we proceeded with renewed courage, when we were suddenly checked sight sea beating against perpendicular rock of terrific height, which terminated our island side, and chance of going on the rock extend far; but how round it, devise conceive get the pinnace round, coast seemed surrounded by reefs; masses of rock stood up sea, breakers showed that more were hidden After much consideration and many plans, Ernest proposed that swim out uncovered rocks, and endeavour round Fritz objected, on account arms and ammunition; but Ernest suggested powder secured pockets clothes, which he might carry head, holding his gun above the water

With some difficulty we arranged our incumbrances, and succeeded in reaching the range of outer rocks, without swimming, water was not above our shoulders We rested here awhile, and, putting on clothes, we commenced our walk over sharp stones, which wounded our feet In many places, where the rocks lay low, we were waist water Ernest, the proposer plan, encouraged us, and led the way for ; but at last he fell behind, and remained , that I became alarmed, and calling aloud, for I had lost sight of him, he answered me, and at last I discovered him stretched rock, endeavouring to separate piece knife

"Father," said he, " now certain bed of rocks, over walking, and which we fancied was formed of stone or flints, is nothing but the work remarkable zoophytes, called coral insects, which form coral and extraordinary things; even make whole islands Look little points and hollows, and these stars of every colour and every form; give all the world specimen of each kind "

He succeeded in breaking off piece, of deep orange-colour inside; he collected also, and deposited bag, some other pieces, of various forms and colours These greatly enriched his collection; and, idle as , complain of any difficulty in obtaining them He had given his gun to Jack, who complained much ruggedness road Our march was truly painful, and I repented more than once of having yielded idea; besides the misery of walking along these shelly rocks, which presented points like the sharp teeth of saw, tearing our shoes and even our skin, the sea, in lower places, was so high bar our passage, and we were obliged, interval between two waves, to rush across, water to our chins We had some difficulty to avoid being carried away I trembled especially for Jack; though small and light, he preferred facing the wave to avoiding it obliged to catch hold of him, and narrowly escaped destruction along Happily, our march was not above half mile, and we gained the shore at last without any serious accident, but much fatigued and foot-sore; and resolution never more to cross the coral reefs

After dressing ourselves, resting, and taking slight refreshment beach, we resumed our march more at our ease interior island; but though the long grass was not so sharp coral, almost as troublesome, twisting round our legs, and threatening to throw us down every step we took Ernest, loaded bag of fragments of rock, coral, and zoophytes, had given his gun to Jack; and, fearing an accident long grass, it prudent to discharge it to profit , I fired at little quadruped, size of squirrel, and killed it It appeared the animal called by naturalists the palm-squirrel, because it climbs the cocoa and date-palms, hooks itself by its tail, very long and flexible, upper branches, and feeds at pleasure fruit, very fond We amused ourselves by details habits animal, occasionally separating more discoveries, but agreeing on particular call, to assemble us when necessary,--a precaution by no means useless, as it turned out