"Flora ! " cried I, "she accompanied my dear wife and child into their captivity; island--why have we left it ! "

"My dear father," continued Fritz, "depend , there; but convinced wretches carried off Jack, hold dear mamma and Francis in captivity; therefore , at all events, pursue them The meeting between Flora and me was truly joyful, for now convinced that my mother and Francis far off, though certainly not same island, or their attached friend have quitted them I concluded chief who had taken my mamma's handkerchief had also taken her dog, and brought her excursion, she had here met with her friend Turk, who had rambled

"After caressing Flora, and taking up my bag, I ran off full speed spot where my dear Jack was trying to divert the barbarians As I approached, I heard cries,--not the noisy laughter savages, but cries of distress from my beloved brother,--cries for help, addressed walk--I flew till I reached the spot, and I then saw him bound with sort of strong cord, made of gut; his hands were fastened behind his back, his legs tied together, and these cruel men were carrying him towards their canoe, while crying out, 'Fritz, Fritz, where ? ' I threw myself desperately six men who were bearing him off struggle, my gun, which I held in my hand, caught something, and accidentally went off, and--O, father, my own dear Jack that I wounded ! tell how I survived his cry of ' killed me ! ' And when his blood flow, my senses forsook me, and I fainted When I recovered, alone; they had carried him off I rose, and following the traces blood, arrived fortunately shore just were embarking God permitted me him again, supported by savages, and even to hear his feeble voice cry, 'Console yourself, Fritz, not dead; only wounded shoulder; your fault; go, my kind brother, as quick as possible to papa, and both'--the canoe sailed away so swiftly, that I heard no more; but I understood the rest--'_you will both come and rescue me ' But will there be time ? Will they dress his wound ? Oh ! father, what have I done ! forgive me ? "

Overwhelmed with grief, only hold out my hand to my poor boy, and assure him possibly blame him distressing accident

Ernest, though greatly afflicted, endeavoured to console his brother; him wound shoulder was not dangerous, savages certainly intended to dress his wound, or left him to die Fritz, somewhat comforted, begged me to allow him to bathe, to divest himself colouring, now become odious to him, as being that ruthless barbarians reluctant to consent; it might still be useful, in gaining access savages; but certain recognize him disguise bearer thunder_, and would distrust him I now recollected to ask what had become gun, and was sorry to learn had carried it off whilst he lay insensible; he himself considered useless , had fortunately left him the bag of ammunition Ernest, however, regretted the loss to ourselves, this being the third we had lost--the one we had left canoe being also possession savages The dogs we missed, too, and Fritz could give no account ; we concluded they had either followed the savages, or were still island another severe sorrow; it seemed every sort of misfortune was poured out upon us I rested shoulder of Ernest in my anguish Fritz took advantage silence, and leaped pinnace bath alarmed at first; but such an excellent swimmer, sea was so calm, that I soon abandoned my fears for him

* * * * *

CHAPTER LI

Fritz was now swimming far , and appeared no idea of turning, at once certain he projected swimming on point where we had lost sight savages, the first to discover and aid his brother Although an excellent swimmer, yet the distance was so great, that much alarmed; and especially arrival by night midst savages This fear was much increased by very extraordinary sound, which we now heard gradually approaching us; sort of submarine tempest The weather was beautiful; no wind, the moon shone in cloudless sky, yet the waves were swoln by storm, and threatened to swallow us; we heard same time noise like violent rain Terrified phenomena, I cried out aloud for Fritz to return; and though almost impossible my voice could reach him, we saw him swimming towards us with all his strength Ernest and I used all our power in rowing to meet him, we soon got to him The moment he leaped in, he uttered in stifled voice, pointing mountains of waves, " enormous marine monsters ! whales, I believe ! such an immense shoal ! swallow us up ! "

"No," said Ernest, quietly; "don't be alarmed; the whale is gentle and harmless animal, when not attacked very them so near pass as quietly midst colossal creatures, as shining zoophytes: doubtless the whales are searching , for they constitute principal article food "

They were now very near us, sporting surface water, or plunging into its abysses, and forcing out columns of water through their nostrils to great height, which occasionally fell on us, and wetted us Sometimes they raised themselves on their huge tail, and looked like giants ready on us and crush us; then they went down again water, which foamed under their immense weight Then they seemed going through some military evolutions, advancing in single line, like body of regular troops, one after another swimming with grave dignity; still more frequently they were in lines of two and two This wonderful sight partly diverted us own melancholy thoughts Fritz had, however, seized his oar, without giving himself time to dress, whilst I, rudder, steered as through these monsters, , notwithstanding their appearance, the mildest animals that exist They allowed us so closely, that we were wetted water they spouted up, and touched them; and power to overturn us with stroke tail, they never noticed us; they seemed satisfied with 's society We were truly sorry their mortal enemy appear amongst them, the sword-fish south, armed with its long saw, remarkable for sort of fringe of nine or ten inches long, which distinguishes it sword-fish north both terrible enemies whale, and next to man, who wages an eternal war , its most formidable foes The whales South Seas had only the sword-fish to dread; they saw him approach, they dispersed, or dived depths ocean One only, very near us, succeed in escaping, and we witnessed combat, , however, we the event These two monsters attacked with equal ferocity; but took an opposite direction we were going, we soon lost sight , but never forget our meeting wonderful giants deep