"Ah ! " said he, "if only our grotto were open side ! "

moment Fritz came running out of breath, crying out, "The bread-fruit tree ! found the bread-fruit tree ! fruit,--excellent, delicious bread Taste it, father; here, Ernest; here, Jack;" and he each part of an oval fruit, size of an ordinary melon, which really seemed and nourishing

" trees," continued he, "loaded with fruit Would that we had our grotto opened, that collect store , now ripe "

My boys pointed out exactly the situation grotto, judging rock above, and longed for their tools, that commence the opening directly We proceeded our way through border of trees and bushes, that separated us rock, that examine it, and judge difficulties undertaking Jack preceded us, as usual, after giving Ernest his gun; Fritz followed him, and suddenly turning , said,--

"I believe kind Nature has saved us much trouble; the rock appears divided from top to bottom; foot sort of cave, or grotto, already made "

[Illustration: "We saw entrance cave two large brown bears "]

moment Jack uttered piercing cry, and came running , his lasso hand: "Two monstrous beasts ! " cried he "Help ! help ! " We rushed forward, our guns ready, and saw entrance cave two large brown bears The black bear, whose fur is most valued, is only found in cold and mountainous countries; but the brown prefers the south carnivorous animal, considered very ferocious The black bear lives only on vegetables and honey , the one I judged the female seemed much irritated, uttering deep growls, and furiously gnashing her teeth As something animals, having met Alps, I remembered having heard that sharp whistling terrifies and checks them I therefore whistled as long and loudly as , and immediately saw the female retire backwards cave, while the male, raising himself hind legs, stood quite still, paws closed My two elder sons fired into his breast: he fell down, but being only wounded, turned furiously on us I fired third shot at him, and finished him We then hastened to load our guns again, ready to receive his companion Jack wished to use his lasso; but I explained to him legs bear were too short and thick for such measure successful He related , that having entered the cave, something moving bottom; up stone, and threw it with all his strength object; immediately he heard frightful growling, and saw two large beasts coming towards him; he had barely time to escape and call for help, and then to hide himself behind tree To save ourselves other bear, necessary that take some prompt measures; we therefore advanced, and formed line

* * * * *

[Transcriber's note: two pages unavailable for scanning (pages 284-285) original book unable this exact story in other editions ]

* * * * *

the whole valley, which gentle stream, gushing from perpendicular rock, which reminded me source river Orbe, Canton of Vaud; it issued forth in its full width, rolling at first over rocky bed; then forming graceful bend, it took its course towards the great bay, and fell in cascade sea We remained here our gourds, drinking moderately, and taking bath, which refreshed us all greatly

The evening was approaching, and we began to fear we reach home before night I had warned my wife that possibility that delayed, though then anticipate the cause delay We endeavoured, however, by walking as quickly as , and resting no more, to reach our farm at any rate We followed the course river, opposite shore rose wide plain, where we saw the herd of buffaloes quietly grazing, ruminating, and drinking, without paying the slightest attention We thought we distinguished some other quadrupeds amongst them, which Fritz was certain were zebras or onagras; but certainly not his dear gazelle, he had incessantly looked round Jack was in despair river separated us buffaloes, cast his lasso round the legs of , as he had promised Ernest He even wished to swim across the stream, hunt; but I forbade him, encouraging him to perhaps single buffalo might cross to our side, and throw itself way lasso far from wishing such thing myself, for we had no time to lose, nor any means to secure and lead it home, should we succeed in capturing one, not having any cords ; and moreover, intending to return bay canoe When we arrived bay, the night, which comes on rapidly in equinoctial countries, had almost closed We were scarcely able , without terror, the changes late storm had occasioned; the narrow pass which led other side island, river and deep stream that flowed rocks, was entirely obstructed with rocks and earth fallen upon it; and to render our passage practicable, necessary to undertake labour darkness now prevented, and which would at be attended by danger We were obliged then the night open air, and separated dear and anxious friends at Tent House Fortunately, Fritz had collected store of bread-fruit mother, he had filled his own pockets and those brothers These, with water river, formed our supper; for we had nothing but the bone leg of mutton left We turned back little way, to establish ourselves under clump of trees, where we were in greater safety; we loaded our muskets, we kindled large fire of dry branches, and recommending ourselves protection of God, we lay ourselves down soft moss to wait first rays of light exception of Jack, who first slept he bed, we none of us could rest The night was beautiful; multitude of stars shone over our heads ethereal vault Ernest was never tired of gazing on them After some questions and suppositions plurality of worlds, their courses and their distances, he quitted us to wander borders river, which reflected them in all their brilliancy night his passion for astronomy commenced, passion which he carried beyond all others This became his favourite and continual study, nor did he fall far short of Duval, whose history he had read Whilst engaged in contemplation, Fritz and I conversed projects for tunnelling grotto, and utility passage, side island was quite lost , difficulty in reaching it "And yet," said I, " difficulty we owe the safety enjoyed Who bears buffaloes may not find the way grotto ? I confess not desirous visits, nor even onagras Who knows but persuade your favourite Lightfoot to return and live amongst them ? Liberty has many charms Till now, very happy side island, without the productions My dear boy, proverb, 'Let well alone,' not have ambition,--it has ruined greater states than ours "

Fritz seemed grieved up his plan, and suggested that forge some strong bars of iron opening, which removed at will

"But," said I, " prevent the snakes from passing underneath noticed some with terror, animals great antipathy to; and if your mother saw one crawl into her grotto, never enter it again; even if she die of fright "

"Well, give it up," said Fritz; "but pity , father, more bears island than those we killed ? "