CHAPTER II.

_A landing, and consequent occupations._

By break of day we were all awake and alert, for hope as well
as grief, is unfriendly to lengthened slumbers. When we had finished
our morning prayer, I said, We now, my best beloved, with the
assistance of heaven, must enter upon the work of our deliverance.
The first thing to be done, is to give to each poor animal on
board, before we leave them, a hearty meal; we will then put
food enough before them for several days; we cannot take them
with us; but we will hope it may be possible, if our voyage succeeds,
to return and fetch them. Are you now all ready? Bring together
whatever we mean to take, whatever is absolutely necessary for
our wants. It is my wish that our first cargo should consist
of a barrel of gunpowder, three fowling-pieces, and three carbines,
with as much small shot and lead and as many bullets as our boat
will bear; two pair of pocket pistols and one of large ones,
not forgetting a mould to cast balls in: each of the boys and
their mother also should have a bag to carry game in; you will
find plenty of these in the cabins of the officers. We added
a chest containing cakes of portable soup, another full of hard
biscuits, an iron pot, a fishing-rod, a chest of nails and another
of different utensils, such as hammers, saws, pincers, hatchets,
augers, &c. and lastly some sail-cloth to make a tent. In short,
the boys brought so many things, that we were obliged to reject
some of them, though I had already exchanged the worthless ballast
for articles of use for our subsistence.

When all was ready, we stepped bravely each into a tub. At the
moment of our departure we heard all the cocks and hens begin
to crow, as if they were conscious that we had deserted them,
yet willing to bid us a sorrowful adieu. This suggested to me
the idea of taking the geese, ducks, fowls, and pigeons with
us; observing to my wife, that if we could not find means to
feed them, at least they would feed us.

We accordingly executed this plan. We put ten hens and an old
and a young cock into one of the tubs, and covered it with planks;
we set the rest of the poultry at liberty, in the hope that instinct
would direct them towards the land, the geese and the ducks by
water, and the pigeons by the air.

We were waiting for my wife, who had the care of this last part
of our embarkation, when she joined us loaded with a large bag,
which she threw into the tub which already contained her youngest
son. I imagined that she intended it for him to sit upon, and
also to confine him so as to prevent his being tossed from side
to side. I therefore asked no questions concerning it. The order
of our departure was as follows:

In the first tub at the boat’s head, my wife, the most tender
and exemplary of her sex, placed herself.

In the second, our little Francis, a lovely boy six years old,
full of the happiest dispositions, but whose character was not
yet pronounced.

In the third, Fritz, our eldest boy, between fourteen and fifteen
years of age, a handsome curl-pated youth full of intelligence
and vivacity.

In the fourth was the barrel of gunpowder, with the cocks and
hens and the sail-cloth.

In the fifth, the provisions for the support of life.

In the sixth, my son Jack, a light-hearted, enterprising, audacious,
generous lad, about ten years old.

In the seventh, my son Ernest, a boy of twelve years old, of
a rational reflecting temper, well informed, but somewhat disposed
to indolence and the pleasures of the senses.

In the eighth, a father, to whose paternal care the task of guiding
the machine for the safety of his beloved family was intrusted.
Each of us had useful implements within reach; the hand of each
held an oar, and near each was a swimming apparatus in readiness
for what might happen. The tide was already at half its height
when we left the ship, and I had counted on this circumstance
as favourable to our want of strength. We held the two paddles
longways, and thus we passed without accident through the cleft
of the vessel into the sea. The boys devoured with their eyes
the blue land they saw at a distance (for to us it appeared to
be of this colour). We rowed with all our strength, but long
in vain, to reach it: the boat only turned round and round: at
length, however, I had the good fortune to steer in such a way
that she proceeded in a straight line. The two dogs we had left
on board, perceiving that we had abandoned them, plunged immediately
into the sea and swam to the boat; they were too large for us
to think of giving them admittance, and I dreaded lest they should
jump in and upset us. Turk was an English dog, and Ponto of the
Danish breed. I was in great uneasiness on their account, for
I feared it would not be possible for them to swim so far. The
dogs however managed the affair with perfect intelligence. When
they found themselves fatigued, they rested their fore paws on
one of the paddles, which were now turned crossways, and the
rest of their bodies followed with very little effort.

Jack was disposed to refuse them this accommodation: but he soon
yielded to my argument, that it was cruel and unwise to neglect
creatures thrown on our protection, and who indeed might hereafter
protect us in their turn by guarding us from harm, and assisting
in our pursuit of animals for food. Besides, added I, animals
are created beings, and God has given the dog to man to be his
friend and faithful companion.

Our voyage proceeded securely, though slowly; but the nearer
we approached the land, the more gloomy and unpromising we thought
its aspect appeared. The coast was occupied by barren rocks,
which seemed to offer nothing but hunger and distress. The sea
was calm; the waves, gently agitated, washed the shore, and the
sky was serene; in every direction we perceived casks, bales,
chests, and other vestiges of shipwrecks, floating round us.
In the hope of obtaining some good provisions, I determined on
endeavouring to secure two of the casks. I bade Fritz have a
rope, a hammer, and some nails ready, and to try to seize them
as we passed. He succeeded in laying hold of two of them, and
in such a way that we found it easy to draw them after us to
the shore. Now that we were close on land, its hideous aspect
was considerably softened, the rocks no longer appeared one undivided
chain; Fritz with his hawk’s eyes already descried some trees,
and exclaimed that they were palm trees. Ernest expressed his
joy that he should now get much larger and better cocoa nuts
than those of Europe. I for my part was venting audibly my regret,
that I had not thought of bringing with us a telescope that I
knew was in the captain’s cabin, when Jack drew a small spy-glass
from his pocket, and, with a look of triumph that he was able
to compensate this neglect, instantly presented it to me.

So, so, then, said I, you meant to keep this spy-glass for yourself,
and to let no one else have the benefit of it! This was not fair;
pleasures and pain, all should be in common in such a situation
as ours. Jack assured me that he had forgot to give it to me
sooner, and that he had taken it for the benefit of all. In reality,
the glass was of great importance; for with its aid I was able
to make the necessary observations, and consequently became more
sure of the route I ought to take. I remarked that the shore
before us had a desert and savage aspect, but that towards the
left, the scene was much more agreeable: but when I attempted
to steer in that direction, a current carried me irresistibly
towards the coast that was rocky and barren. By and by we perceived
a little opening between the rocks, near the mouth of a creek,
towards which all our geese and ducks betook themselves; and
I, relying on their sagacity, followed in the same course. This
opening formed a little bay, the water of which was tranquil,
and neither too deep nor too shallow to receive our boat. I entered
it, and cautiously put on shore on a spot where the coast was
about the same height above the water as our tubs, and where
at the same time there was a quantity sufficient to keep us afloat.
The shore extended inland in a shelving declivity in the form
of an isosceles triangle, the upper angle of which terminated
among the rocks, while the margin of the sea formed the basis.

All that had life in the boat jumped eagerly on land. Even little
Francis, who had been wedged in his tub like a potted herring,
now got up and sprang forward; but, with all his efforts, he
could not succeed without his mother’s help. The dogs, who had
swam on shore, received us as if they were appointed to do the
honours of the place, jumping round us with every demonstration
of joy: the geese kept up a loud continual cackling, to which
the ducks, with their broad yellow beaks, contributed a perpetual
thorough bass: the cocks and hens, which we had already set at
liberty, clucked; the boys chattering all at once; produced all
together an overpowering confusion of sounds: to this was added
the disagreeable scream of some penguins and flamingos, which
we now perceived, some flying over our heads, others sitting
on the points of the rocks at the entrance of the bay. By and
by the notes of the latter had the ascendant, from the superiority
of their numbers; and their society became the more unpleasant,
from a comparison we could not avoid making, between the sounds
they uttered, with the harmony of the feathered musicians of
our own country. I had however one advantage in perspective;—it
was the reflection that, should we hereafter be short of food,
these very birds might serve for our subsistence.

[Illustration: The Family Landed]

The first thing we did on finding ourselves safe on _terra firma_,
was to fall on our knees, and return thanks to the Supreme Being
who had preserved our lives, and to recommend ourselves with
entire resignation to the care of his paternal kindness.

We next employed our whole attention in unloading the boat. Oh,
how rich we thought ourselves in the little we had been able
to rescue from the merciless abyss of waters! We looked every
where for a convenient place to build a tent under the shade
of the rocks; and having all consulted and agreed upon a place,
we set to work. We drove one of our poles firmly into a fissure
of the rock; this formed the ridge of our tent, and rested upon
another pole, which was driven perpendicularly into the ground.
A frame for a dwelling was thus made secure. We next threw some
sail-cloth over the ridge; and, stretching it to a convenient
distance on each side, fastened its extremities to the ground
with stakes. By way of precaution, we left the chests of provisions
and other heavy matters on the shore, and fixed some tenter-hooks
near the edge of the sail-cloth in front, that we might be able
to inclose the entrance during night. I next desired my sons
to look about and collect all the grass and moss they could find,
and spread it to dry in the sun, as it would then serve us for
beds. During this occupation, in which even the little Francis
could take a share, I erected at a small distance from the tent,
and near a river from which I hoped to be supplied with fresh
water, a kind of little kitchen. A few flat stones that I found
in the bed of the river served for a fire-place. I got a quantity
of dry branches: with the largest I made a small inclosure round
it; and with the little twigs, added to some of our turf, I made
a brisk cheering fire. We put some of the soup cakes, with water,
into our iron pot, and placed it over the fire; and my wife,
with her little Francis for a scullion, took charge of preparing
the dinner. Francis, from their colour, had mistaken the soup
cakes for glue. Why, papa, said he, what are you going to use
glue for? I am going to make some soup of it, said his mother
laughing. That is droll enough, answered he; for how shall we
get any meat to put into it, here, where there is nothing like
a butcher’s shop?

Little blockhead, said I, what you have been thinking was glue,
is in reality excellent meat, reduced as you see to a jelly,
by the process of cookery, and which being dried, is in no danger
of becoming stale. In this state it will bear long voyages by
sea, where it would be difficult to take sufficient animals for
the use of the ship’s company, who would otherwise be kept constantly
on a less wholesome soup made from salted meat; but ours, I assure
you, Francis, will be excellent. The poor child was hungry enough
to believe he should partake of it with joy.

In the mean while Fritz had been reloading the guns, with one
of which he had wandered along the side of the river. He had
proposed to Ernest to accompany him; but Ernest replied that
he did not like a rough and stony walk, and that he should go
alone to the sea-shore. Jack took the road towards a chain of
rocks which jutted out into the sea, with the intention of gathering
some of the muscles which grew upon them. My own occupation was
now an endeavour to draw the two floating casks on shore, but
in which I could not succeed; for our place of landing, though
convenient enough for our machine, was too steep for the casks.
While I was looking about to find a more favourable spot, I heard
loud cries proceeding from a short distance, and recognised the
voice of my son Jack. I snatched my hatchet, and ran in an agony
of apprehension to his assistance. I soon perceived him up to
his knees in water in a shallow, and that a large sea lobster
had fastened his claws in his leg. The poor boy screamed pitiably,
and made useless efforts to disengage himself. I jumped instantly
into the water; and the enemy was no sooner sensible of my approach,
than he let go his hold, and would have scampered out to sea,
but that I indulged the fancy of a little malice against him
for the alarm he had caused us. I turned quickly upon him, and
took him up by the body and carried him off, followed by Jack,
who shouted our triumph all the way. He begged me at last to
let him hold the animal in his own hand, that he might himself
present so fine a booty to his mother. Accordingly, having observed
how I held it to avoid the gripe, he laid his own hand upon it
in exactly the same manner; but scarcely had he grasped it, than
he received a violent blow on the face from the lobster’s tail,
which made him lose his hold, and the animal fell to the ground.
Jack again began to bawl out, while I could not refrain from
laughing heartily. In his rage he took up a stone, and killed
the lobster with a single blow. I was a little vexed at this
conclusion to the scene. This is what we call killing an enemy
when he is unable to defend himself, Jack, said I;—it is wrong
to revenge an injury while we are in a state of anger: the lobster,
it is true, had given you a bite; but then you on your part,
would have eaten the lobster. So I think the game was equal.
Another time I advise you to be both more prudent and more merciful.
But pray, papa, let me carry it to my mother, said Jack, fearless
now of further warfare; and accordingly he carried it to the kitchen,
triumphantly exclaiming, Mamma, mamma, a sea-lobster!—Ernest,
a sea-lobster! Where is Fritz? Where is Fritz? Take care, Francis,
he will bite you. In a moment all were round him to examine the
wonderful creature, and all proclaimed their astonishment at
his enormous size; while they observed that its form was precisely
that of the common lobster so much in use in Europe.

Yes, yes, said Jack, holding up one of his claws; you may well
wonder at his size: this was the frightful claw which seized my
leg, and I believe that if I had not had on my thick sea pantaloons,
he would have bit it through and through; but I have taught him
what it is to attack me: I have paid him well.

Oh, ho! Mr. Boaster, cried I, you give a pretty account of the
matter. Now mine would be, that if I had not been near, the lobster
would have shown you another sort of game; for the slap he gave
you in the face compelled you, I think, to let go your hold.
And it is well it should be thus; for he fought with the arms
with which nature had supplied him, but you must have recourse
to a great stone for your defence. Believe me, Jack, you have
no great reason to boast of the adventure.

Ernest, ever eager about his meals, now bawled out that the lobster
had better be put into the soup, which would give it an excellent
flavour; but this his mother opposed, observing, that we must
be more economical of our provisions than that, for the lobster
of itself would furnish a dinner for the whole family. I now
left them, and walked again to the scene of this adventure, and
examined the shallow. I then made another attempt upon my two
casks, and at length succeeded in getting them into the shallow,
and in fixing them there securely on their bottoms.

On my return, I complimented Jack on his being the first to have
procured us an animal that might serve for our subsistence, and
I promised him for his own share, the famous claw which had already
furnished us with so lively a discussion.

Ah! but _I_ have seen something too that is good to eat, said
Ernest; and I should have got it if it had not been in the water,
so that I must have wetted my feet——;

Oh, that is a famous story, said Jack; I can tell you what he
saw,—some nasty muscles: why, I would not eat one of them for
the world.—Think of my lobster!

That is not true, Jack; for it was oysters, and not muscles,
that I saw: I am sure of it, for they stuck against the foot
of the rock, and I know they must be oysters.

Fortunate enough, my dainty gentleman, cried I, addressing myself
to Ernest; and since you are so well acquainted with the place
where these shell-fish can be found, you will be so obliging
as to dismiss your fears about wetting your feet, and to return
and procure us some. In such a situation as ours, every member
of the family must be actively employed for the common good,
and not be afraid of wetting his feet. Take example by Fritz
and your father: they bear a greater evil, the scorching heat
of the sun, without complaining.

I will do my best with all my heart, answered Ernest; and at
the same time I will bring home some salt, of which I have seen
immense quantities in the holes of the rocks, where I suppose
it is dried by the sun. I tasted some of it, and it was excellent.
Papa, is it not left there by the sea?

No doubt it is, Mr. Reasoner, for where else do you think it
could come from? You would have done more wisely if you had brought
us a bag of it, instead of spending your time in such profound
reflections upon an operation so simple and obvious; and if you
do not wish to dine upon a soup without flavour, you had better
run and fetch us a little immediately.

He set off, and soon returned: what he brought had the appearance
of sea salt, but was so mixed with earth and sand, that I was
on the point of throwing it away. My wife however prevented me;
and by dissolving and afterwards filtering some of it through
a piece of muslin, we found it admirably fit for use.

Why could we not have used some seawater, said Jack, instead
of having all this trouble?

Sea water, answered I, is even more bitter than it is salt; and
it has besides a disagreeable sickly taste. While I was speaking,
my wife tasted the soup with a little stick with which she had
been stirring it, and pronounced that it was all the better for
the salt, and now quite ready. But, said she, Fritz is not come
in. And then, how shall we manage to eat our soup without spoons,
or dishes? Why did we not remember to bring some from the ship?

Why did we not think of them?—Because, my dear, one cannot think
of every thing at once. We shall be lucky if we do not discover
that we have forgotten even more important things.

But indeed, said she, this is a matter which cannot easily be
set to rights. How will it be possible for each of us to raise
this large boiling pot to his lips?

A moment’s further reflection convinced me my wife was right.
We all cast our eyes upon the pot with a sort of silent and stupid
perplexity, and we looked a little like the fox in the fable,
when the stork desires him to help himself from a vessel with
a long neck. Silence was at length broken, by all bursting into
a hearty laugh at our want of every kind of utensil, and at the
thought of our own folly, in not recollecting that spoons and
forks were things of absolute necessity.

Ernest observed, that if we could but get some cocoa-nuts, we
might divide and empty them, and use the pieces of the shells
for spoons.

Yes, yes, that is true enough, replied I; _if we could but get,_—but
we have them not; our ifs will do but little good; and if wishing
were to any purpose, I had as lief wish at once for a dozen silver
spoons; but alas! of what use is wishing?

But at least, said the boy, we can use some oyster-shells for
spoons.

Why, this is well, Ernest, said I, and is what I call a useful
thought. Run then quickly, and get us some of them. But, gentlemen,
I must give you notice, that no one of you must give himself
airs because his spoon is without a handle, or if he should chance
to grease his fingers in the soup.

Jack ran the first, and was up to his knees in the water before
Ernest could reach the place. Jack tore off the fish with eagerness,
and threw them to the slothful Ernest, who put them into his
pocket handkerchief, having first secured in his pocket, one
shell he had met with of a large size. The boys came back together
with their booty.

Fritz not having yet returned, his mother was beginning to be
uneasy, when we heard him shouting to us from a small distance,
to which we answered by similar sounds. In a few minutes he was
among us; his two hands behind him, and with a sort of would-be
melancholy air, which none of us could well understand. What
have you brought? asked his brothers; let us see your booty,
and you shall see ours. Ah! said he, I have unfortunately nothing,
for I have seen nothing. What! nothing at all? said I. Nothing
at all, said he. But now, on fixing my eye upon him, I perceived
a smile of proud success through his assumed dissatisfaction.
At the same instant Jack, having stolen behind him, exclaimed:
A sucking pig! A sucking pig! Fritz, finding his trick discovered,
now proudly displayed his prize, which I immediately perceived,
from the description I had read in different books of travels,
was an agouti, an animal common in that country, and not a sucking
pig, as the boys had supposed. The agouti, says M. de Courtills
in his Voyage to St. Domingo, is of the size of a hare, and runs
with the same swiftness; but its form is more like the pig, and
he makes the same grunting noise. He is not a voracious animal,
but is nice in the choice of his food. When his appetite is satiated,
he buries what remains, and keeps it for another time. He is
naturally of a gentle temper; but if provoked, his hair becomes
erect, he bites, and strikes the ground with his hind feet like
the rabbit, which he also resembles in digging himself a burrow
under ground: but this burrow has but one entrance; he conceals
himself in it during the hottest part of the day, taking care
to provide himself with a store of patates and bananas. He is
usually taken by coursing, and sometimes by dogs, or with nets.
When it is found difficult to seize him, the sportsman has only
to whistle. As soon as the agouti hears the sound, he is instantly
still, remains resting on his hind feet, and suffers himself
to be taken. His flesh is white, like that of the rabbit; but
it is dry, has no fat, and never entirely loses a certain wild
flavour, which is extremely disagreeable to Europeans. He is
held in great esteem by the natives, particularly when the animal
has been feeding near the sea on plants impregnated with salt.
They are therefore caught in great numbers, and for this reason
the species is much diminished.—Where did you find him? How did
you get at him? Did he make you run a great way? asked all at
once the young brothers. Tell me, tell us all . . . . &c. I, for
my part, assumed a somewhat serious tone. I should have preferred,
said I, that you had in reality brought us nothing, rather than
to have heard you assert a falsehood. Never allow yourself, even
in jest, my dear boy, to assert what you know to be an untruth.
By such trifles as these, a habit of lying, the most disgusting
and frightful of vices, may be induced. Now then that I have
given you this caution, let us look at the animal. Where did
you find it?

Fritz related, that he had passed over to the other side of the
river. Ah! continued he, it is quite another thing from this
place; the shore is low, and you can have no notion of the quantity
of casks, chests, and planks, and different sorts of things washed
there by the sea. Ought we not to go and try to obtain some of
these treasures? We ought also, said I, to make our little voyage
to the vessel, and fetch away our animals; at least you will
all agree that of the cow we are pretty much in want. If our
biscuit were soaked in milk, it would not be so hard, but much
improved, said our glutton Ernest. I must tell you too, said
Fritz, that over on the other side there is as much grass for
pasturage as we can desire, and besides a pretty wood, in the
shade of which we could repose. Why then should we remain on
this barren desert side? Patience, patience, replied I, there
is a time for every thing, friend Fritz; we shall not be without
something to undertake tomorrow, and even after tomorrow. But,
above all, I am eager to know if you discovered in your excursion
any traces of our ship companions. Not the smallest trace of
man, dead or alive, on land or water; but I have seen some other
animals that more resembled pigs than the one I have brought
you, but with paws more like those of the hare: the animal I
am speaking of, leaps from place to place on the grass, now sitting
on his hind legs, rubbing his face with his front feet, and then
seeking for roots and gnawing them like the squirrel. If I had
not been afraid of his escaping me, I should have tried to catch
him with my hands, for he appeared almost tame.

Ernest, with the look and manner of a deep observer, now turned
the agouti backwards and forwards to examine him on all sides.
After a long silence, he said with importance, I cannot be sure
that this animal, as you all believe, is a sucking pig; his hair
and his snout pretty much resemble, it is true, those of a pig:
but pray observe his teeth; he has but four incisores in front
similar to the genus Voracious animals: in general he has a greater
resemblance to the rabbit than to the hare. I have seen an engraving
of him in our book of natural history; if I am not mistaken he
is named the _agouti_.

Ah! ha! said Fritz, here is a learned professor, profound in
the subject of natural history!

And who this once is not mistaken? cried I. Spare your raillery,
Fritz, for it is really an agouti. I do not myself know any thing
of the animal: but by his description in books or engravings,
with which his appearance perfectly corresponds; he is a native
of America, lives under ground on the roots of trees, and is,
as travellers report, excellent food. But of this we will judge
for ourselves.

While we were speaking, Jack was trying with all his might to
open one of the oysters with his knife; but he could not succeed.
I laughed heartily at his disappointment, and put a few of them
on the fire, where they soon opened of themselves. Now then,
boys, you may have as fine and choice a regale as if you were
in a palace. I swallowed one myself; but I have never been fond
of oysters; and the boys, observing the wry face I made, all
looked at me with surprise. I thought every body was fond of
oysters, papa, said one of them. I do not mean to dispute the
taste of others, replied I; but, for myself, nothing but a craving
hunger could force me to make a meal of them; but you can yourselves
try the experiment, and perhaps you will like them. This sort
of shell-fish is so little agreeable to the eye of those unaccustomed
to see them, that not one of the boys had any inclination to
touch them. Shortly, however, Jack, in the character of the most
courageous, swallowed one hastily, shutting and squeezing up
his eyes as if it were a medicine, and the others followed his
example; but one and all declared that the oyster was a fish
not at all to their taste, and each hastened to dip his shell
into the pot to get out a little soup; but, as I had foreseen,
each drew out a scalded finger, and it was who could scream the
loudest. Ernest was the only one who had been too cautious to
expose himself to this misfortune; he quietly took his muscle-shell,
as large and deep as a plate, from his pocket, and carefully
dipping it into the pot, drew it out filled with as much soup
as was his fair share; and casting a look of exultation on his
brothers, he set it down to wait till it should be cold enough
to eat.

You have taken excellent care of yourself, I perceive, said I.
But now answer me, dear boy, is the advantage worth the pains
you take to be better off than your companions? Yet this is the
constant failing of your character. As your best friend, I feel
it to be my duty to balk you of the expected success. I therefore
adjudge your dish of delicious soup to our faithful followers,
Turk and Ponto. For ourselves, we will all fare alike, you as
well as the rest; we will simply dip our oyster-shells into the
pot till hunger is appeased; but the picked dish for the dogs,
Ernest, and all the rest _alike!_

This gentle reproach sunk, I perceived, into his heart; he placed
the shell, filled with soup, upon the ground, and in the twinkling
of an eye the dogs had licked up every drop. We on our parts
were almost as sharp set as they, and every eye was fixed on
the pot, watching when the steam would subside a little, that
we might begin dipping; when on looking round we saw Turk and
Ponto standing over the agouti, gnawing and tearing him fiercely
with their teeth and paws. The boys all screamed together; Fritz
seized his gun, and struck them with it; called them the unkindest
names, threw stones at them, and was so furious, that, if I had
not interfered, it is probable he would have killed them. He
had already bent his gun with the blows he had aimed at them,
and his voice was raised so high as to be reechoed from the rocks.

When he had grown a little cool, I seriously remonstrated with
him on his violence of temper. I represented to him what distress
he had occasioned his mother and myself for the event of a rage
so alarming; that his gun, which might have been so useful, was now
entirely spoiled; and that the poor animals, upon whose assistance
we should probably so much depend, he had, no doubt, greatly
injured. Anger, continued I, is always a bad counsellor, and
may even lead the way to crimes; you are not ignorant of the
history of Cain, who, in a moment of violent anger, killed his
brother. Say no more, my dearest father, interrupted Fritz in
a tone of horror.—Happy am I to recollect on this occasion, resumed
I, that they were animals, and not human creatures, you treated
thus. But an angry person never reasons; he scarcely knows whom
he attacks. The most convincing proof of this, is, that you just
now fell upon two dumb animals incapable of judgement, and who
most likely thought that your agouti was placed there, as the
soup had been before, for them to eat. Confess too, that it was
vanity which excited the furious temper you exhibited. If another
than yourself had killed the agouti, you would have been more
patient under that accident. Fritz agreed that I was right, and,
half drowned in tears, entreated my forgiveness.

Soon after we had taken our meal, the sun began to sink into
the west. Our little flock of fowls assembled round us, pecking
here and there what morsels of our biscuit had fallen on the
ground. Just at this moment my wife produced the bag she had
so mysteriously huddled into the tub. Its mouth was now opened,—it
contained the various sorts of grain for feeding poultry—barley,
peas, oats, &c., and also different kinds of seeds of vegetables
for the table. In the fullness of her kind heart she scattered
several handfuls at once upon the ground, which the innocent
creatures began eagerly to seize. I complimented her on the benefit
her foresight had secured for us; but I recommended a more sparing
use of so valuable an acquisition, observing, that the grain,
if kept for sowing, would produce a harvest, and that we could
fetch from the ship spoiled biscuit enough to feed the fowls.
Our pigeons sought a roosting place among the rocks; the hens,
with the two cocks at their head, ranged themselves in a line along
the ridge of the tent; and the geese and ducks betook themselves
in a body, cackling and quacking as they proceeded, to a marshy
bit of ground near the sea, where some thick bushes afforded
them shelter.

A little later, we ourselves began to follow the example of our
winged companions by beginning our preparations for repose. First,
we charged our guns and pistols, and laid them carefully in the
tent: next, we assembled all together and joined in offering
up our thanks to the Almighty for the succour afforded us, and
supplicating his watchful care for our preservation. With the
last ray of the sun we entered our tent, and laid ourselves close
to each other on the grass and moss we had collected in the morning.

The children observed, with surprise, that darkness came upon
us all at once; that night succeeded to day without an intermediate
twilight.—This, replied I, makes me suspect that we are not far
from the equator, or at least between the tropics, where this
is of ordinary occurrence; for the twilight is occasioned by
the rays of the sun being broken in the atmosphere; the more
obliquely they fall, the more their feeble light is extended
and prolonged; while, on the other hand, the more perpendicular
the rays the less their declination: consequently the change
from day to night is much more sudden when the sun is under the
horizon.

I looked once more out of the tent to see if all was quiet around
us, and then carefully fastened the sail-cloth across the entrance.
The old cock, awakened by the rising of the moon, chaunted our
vespers, and then I lay down to sleep. In proportion as we had
been during the day oppressed with heat, we were now in the night
inconvenienced by the cold so that we were obliged to cling close
to each other for warmth. A sweet sleep began to close the eyes
of my beloved family; I was secretly endeavouring to keep awake
till I was sure my wife’s solicitude had yielded to the same
happy state, and then I closed my own. Thanks to the fatigue
we had undergone, our first night in the desert island was very
tolerably comfortable.