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CHAPTER XLVI

Whilst we continued and to admire the beauty stars, they began to fade away first light of morning Ernest returned , and we awoke Jack, who had slept uninterruptedly, and was quite unconscious where We returned pass, which now, light of day, seemed in more hopeless state than dusk of evening struck with consternation: it appeared that we were entirely enclosed side; and I shuddered of crossing the island again, round other end, risk run of meeting wild beasts, and painful and perilous passage along the coral reefs moment gladly have consented to open passage grotto, hazard of any visitors, through myself, that relieve the anxious feelings dear wife and boy The thoughts agony unnerved me, and took away all courage commencement of labour which seemed impossible, our only utensils being small saw, and little dibble for taking up plants, which Ernest unwilling to leave behind us The path Jack and I had passed was covered with rocks and masses of soil, which obstructed even the course stream; discover the place we had forded, the river had opened itself wider course, far beyond its former one

" impossible," said Fritz, gazing ruins, "that remove all these immense stones without proper tools; but, perhaps, with little courage, cross over them, the rivulet being widened very deep At all events, it worse coral reefs "

" try; but impossible, for him_," said I, pointing to Jack

"_Him_, indeed, papa, and ? " said the bold fellow; "_he is perhaps as strong, and more active, than some of them_; ask Fritz what he thinks workman Shall I go the first to show you the way ? "

And advancing boldly, but I checked him, and said, that before we undertook to scale these masses of rock, absolutely bare, where we had nothing to support us, or to hold by, it to examine if, by descending lower, find less dangerous road We descended narrow pass, and found our drawbridge, plantation, all our fortification that my boys were so proud of, and where, at Fritz's request, I had even planted small cannon, all, all destroyed; the cannon swallowed up rest My boys deplored their disappointment; but I showed them how useless such defence must ever be Nature had provided us with better fortification than construct, just now bitterly experienced

We had descended several yards lower with incredible difficulty, plunged in wet, heavy soil, and obliged to step across immense stones, when Fritz, who went first, cried out, joyfully--

"The roof, papa ! the roof chalet ! quite whole; bridge only get "

"What roof ? What chalet ? " said I, in astonishment

"The roof little hermitage," said he, "which we had covered with stones, like the Swiss chalets "

I then recollected that I had made this little hut, fashion Swiss chalet, of bark, with roof nearly flat and covered with stones, to secure it against the winds It circumstance, and its situation, that had saved it storm I had placed it opposite the cascade, that see the fall in all its beauty, and, consequently, little on one side passage filled up fall rocks Some fragments reached the roof hut, and we certainly have entered it; but the chalet was supported by , roof was still standing and perfectly secure We contrived to slide along the rock which sustained it; Jack first to stand roof and sing victory very easy to descend other side, holding poles and pieces of bark, and we soon found ourselves safe own island Ernest had lost his gun passage: not being willing to resign his bag of curiosities, he had dropped the gun abyss

" gun I left canoe," said Fritz; "but, another time, throw away your stones, and keep your gun-- it good friend in need "

" embark canoe," cried Jack "The sea ! the sea ! Long live the waves ! so hard stones "

very the opportunity of conveying my canoe back port of Tent House; our important occupations had prevented me till now, and everything favoured the plan: the sea was calm, the wind favourable, and arrive at home sooner, and with less fatigue, than by land We skirted the great Bay Cabbage-palm Wood I had moored the canoe so firmly to palms, that secure of it being there We arrived place, and no canoe was there ! The mark cord which fastened still seen round the tree, but the canoe had entirely disappeared Struck with astonishment, we looked at with terror, and without being able to articulate word become of it ?

"Some animal,--the jackals; monkey, perhaps,-- detached it," said Jack; "but have eaten the canoe " And find trace of it, any more than gun Fritz had left

This extraordinary circumstance great deal of thought Savages, surely, had landed island, and carried off our canoe no longer doubt it when we discovered sands the print of naked feet ! easy how uneasy and agitated I hastened to road to Tent House, we were now more than three leagues distant I forbade my sons to mention this event, or our suspicions, mother, as it would rob her of all peace of mind I tried to console myself possible that chance had conducted them Bay, had seen our pretty canoe, , satisfied with their prize, and seeing no inhabitants, return Perhaps, contrary, these islanders might prove kind and humane, and become our friends no trace proceedings further shore We called Farm_, on purpose to examine All appeared ; and certainly, had reached here, much to tempt them: our cotton mattresses, our osier seats, and some household utensils that my wife had left here Our geese and fowls appear alarmed, but were pecking about as usual for worms and insects I began to get off loss canoe,--a loss which repaired We were sufficient number, being well armed, not afraid of few savages, even penetrated further island, and showed hostile intentions I exhorted my sons nothing to irritate them; contrary, to meet them with kindness and attention, and to commit no violence against them unless called on to defend their lives I also recommended them to select wrecked chest, some articles likely the savages, and to carry them always about "And I beseech you, once more," added I, "not to alarm your mother " They promised me; and we continued our road unmolested to Falcon's Nest Jack preceded us, delighted, , our castle again, which he hoped the savages carried away Suddenly, we saw him return, running, with terror painted countenance

" there ! " said he; " taken possession of it; our dwelling is full Oh ! how frightful ! What blessing mamma there; she died of fright them enter "

I confess much agitated; but, not wishing to expose my children to danger before I had done all in my power it, I ordered them to remain behind till I called them I broke branch from tree hastily, which I held in one hand, and other some long nails, which by chance bottom pocket; and I advanced thus to my Tree-Castle I expected found the door staircase torn open and broken, new guests ascending and descending; but at once closed as I had left it; being of bark, not easily distinguished How had these savages reached the dwelling, forty feet ground ? I had placed planks great opening; they were no longer there; the greater part hurled down ground, and I heard such noise house, that doubt Jack's report I advanced timidly, holding up air the branch and my offerings, when I discovered, all at once, that offering them to troop of monkeys, lodged fortress, which they were amusing themselves by destroying We had numbers island; some large and mischievous, against whom we had some difficulty in defending ourselves when crossing the woods, where they principally dwelt The frequent report of fire-arms round our dwelling had kept them aloof till now, when, emboldened by our absence, and enticed figs tree, they had come in crowds These vexatious animals had got roof, and, once in, had thrown down the planks that covered the opening; they made the most frightful grimaces, throwing down everything seize

Although this devastation caused me much vexation, help laughing at their antics, and humble and submissive manner I had advanced homage I called my sons, who laughed heartily, and rallied "_the prince monkeys_" without mercy, for not knowing his own subjects Fritz wished much to discharge his gun amongst them, but I forbade him too anxious to reach Tent House, my thoughts depredators just now