They amused themselves bright and beautiful creatures, which appear but half-life They occupied large space water, and their astonishing radiance, midst darkness atmosphere, had such striking and magnificent effect, that for we were diverted own sad thoughts; but an observation from Jack soon recalled them

"If Francis passed ," said he, "how amused funny creatures, which look like fire, but burn; but afraid to touch them; and afraid mamma , as she likes no animals she know Ah ! how glad her all about our voyage, and my excursion sea, and how Fritz dragged me hair, and what they call these fiery fishes; tell me again, Ernest; py--py--"

"Pyrosoma, Mr Peron calls them," said Ernest "The description is very interesting voyage, which read to mamma; and as recollect it, she afraid "

"I pray to God," replied I, "that she nothing more to fear pyrosoma, soon see them again, with her and Francis "

We all said Amen; and, the day breaking, we decided to weigh the anchor, and endeavour passage reefs to reach the island, which we now distinctly saw, and which seemed an uncultivated and rocky coast I resumed my place helm, my sons took the oars, and we advanced cautiously, sounding What become of us if our pinnace injured ! The sea was perfectly calm, and, after prayer to God, and slight refreshment, we proceeded forward, looking carefully round for any canoe savages--it , even our own; but, no ! we fortunate enough to discover any trace beloved friends, nor any symptom isle being inhabited; however, as our only point of hope, wish to abandon it By dint of searching, small bay, which reminded us own formed by river, broad and deep enough pinnace to enter We rowed in; and having placed our vessel in creek, where it appeared secure, we began to consider the means of exploring the whole island

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CHAPTER XLIX

disembark unknown shore without great emotion: it inhabited by barbarous and cruel race, and I almost doubted the prudence of thus risking my three remaining children hazardous and uncertain search after our dear lost ones borne my bereavement with Christian resignation, if I had seen my wife and child die in my arms; then certain they were happy bosom God; but power of ferocious and idolatrous savages, subject them to cruel tortures and death, chilled my very blood I demanded sons, felt courage to pursue the difficult and perilous enterprise we had commenced They all declared rather die than not find their mother and brother Fritz even besought me, with Ernest and Jack, to return island, the wanderers should come back, and be terrified it deserted; and to leave him the arms, means of trafficking savages, without any uneasiness about his prudence and discretion

I assured him distrust his courage and prudence, but I showed him the futility of hoping savages would voluntarily carry back their victims, or that escape alone And should he meet here, and succeed, how could he carry his recovered treasures island ?

"No, my children," said I, " all search, confidence that God will bless our efforts "

"And perhaps sooner than ," said Ernest "Perhaps island "

Jack was running off immediately to search, but I called my little madcap back, till we arranged our plans I advised that two of us should remain to watch the coast, while the other two penetrated interior The first thing necessary to ascertain was island was inhabited, which might easily , by climbing some tree that overlooked the country, and remarking if there were any traces natives, any huts, or fires lighted, &c Those any discovery were immediately to inform the rest, that go in body to recover our own If nothing announced island was inhabited, we were to leave it immediately, to search elsewhere All wished party of discovery , Ernest agreed to remain with me, and watch for any arrivals by sea Before we parted, we all knelt to invoke the blessing of God endeavours Fritz and Jack, most active, were to visit the interior island, and to return with information prepared for any chance, them game-bag filled with toys, trinkets, and pieces of money, the savages; I also made them take some food Fritz took his gun, after promising me fire it, except to defend his life, lest alarm the savages, and induce them to remove their captives Jack took his lasso, set out benedictions, accompanied brave Turk, on whom I depended much to discover his mistress companion Flora, if she was still with her friends

they were out of sight, Ernest and I set to work to conceal as possible our pinnace from discovery We lowered the masts, and hid with great care under the deck the precious chest treasure, provisions, and powder We got our pinnace with great difficulty, the water being low, behind rock, which completely concealed it land-side, but still visible sea Ernest suggested that entirely cover it with branches of trees, so might appear like heap of bushes; and we began to cut them immediately with two hatchets chest, and which we speedily fitted with handles also large iron staple, which Ernest succeeded, with hammer and pieces of wood, in fixing rock to moor the pinnace to We had some difficulty in finding branches within our reach; there were many trees shore, but their trunks were bare , at last, at some distance, an extensive thicket, composed of beautiful shrub, which Ernest recognized species of mimosa The trunk plant is knotty and stunted, about three or four feet high, and spreads its branches horizontally, clothed with beautiful foliage, and so thickly interwoven, little quadrupeds who make their dwellings thickets are obliged to open covered roads entangled mass of vegetation

first blow hatchet, number of beautiful little creatures poured forth on all sides They resembled the kangaroos island, but were smaller, more elegant, and remarkable beauty skin, striped like that zebra

" striped kangaroo," cried Ernest, "described voyages of Peron How I long one The female pouch to contain her young ones "

He lay down very still entrance thicket, and soon had the satisfaction of seizing two, which leaped out almost into his arms This animal is timid hare country They endeavoured to escape, but Ernest held them fast One was female, which had her young one in her pouch, which my son took out very cautiously an elegant little creature, with skin like its mother, only more brilliant-- full of graceful antics The poor mother no longer wished to escape; all her desire seemed to recover her offspring, and to replace it in its nest At last, she succeeded in seizing and placing it carefully in security Then her desire to escape was so strong, that Ernest could scarcely hold her much and tame her, and asked my permission to empty chests for dwelling for her, and to carry her off pinnace; but I refused him decidedly I explained to him the uncertainty return island, imprudence of adding to our cares, and, "certainly," added I, " wish this poor mother to perish from famine and confinement, when your own mother is herself prisoner ? "

His eyes filled with tears, and he declared such savage as poor mother in captivity "Go, pretty creature," said he, releasing her, "and may my mother be as fortunate " She soon profited by his permission, and skipped off with her treasure

We continued to cut down the branches mimosa; but they were so entangled, foliage so light, that we agreed to extend our search for some thicker branches

left the shore, the country appeared more fertile: many unknown trees, which bore no fruit; but some covered with delicious flowers Ernest was element, to collect and examine all, to endeavour to discover their names, either from analogy to other plants, or from descriptions he had read He thought he recognized the _melaleuca_, several kinds of mimosa_, Virginian pine, the largest and thickest branches We loaded ourselves with as carry, and, in journeys, we had collected sufficient the vessel, and shelter for ourselves, were obliged the night on shore I had given orders to my sons that both were to return before night, at all events; and least hope appeared, one was to run with all speed us All my fear lose their way unknown country: meet with lakes, marshes, or perplexing forests; every moment alarmed idea of some new danger, and never did any day seem Ernest endeavoured, by every means power, to comfort and encourage me; but the buoyancy of spirit, peculiar to youth, prevented him dwelling long on one painful thought He amused his mind by turning to search marine productions the rocks were covered: sea-weed, mosses most brilliant colours, zoophytes of various kinds, occupied his attention He brought them , regretting that preserve them

"Oh ! dear mother them," said he, "or if Fritz could paint them, how amuse Francis ! "

This recalled our sorrows, and my uneasiness increased

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CHAPTER L

All was so still around us, pinnace was so completely hidden with its canopy of verdure, that help regretting that I accompanied my sons now too late, but my steps involuntarily turned road I had seen them take, Ernest remaining rocks in search of natural curiosities; but suddenly recalled by cry from Ernest--