CHAPTER III.
CHAPTER III.
_Voyage of discovery._
I was awaked at the first dawn of day by the crowing of the cocks.
I awoke my wife, and we consulted together as to our occupation
for the day. We both agreed, that the thing of the most importance
was to seek for such traces as might be found of our late ship
companions, and at the same time to examine the nature of the
soil on the other side of the river before we came to a determination
about a fixed place of abode. My wife easily perceived that such
an excursion could not be undertaken by all the members of the
family; and full of confidence in the protection of Heaven, she
courageously consented to my proposal of my leaving her with
the three youngest boys, and proceeding myself with Fritz on
a journey of discovery. I entreated her not to lose a moment
in giving us our breakfast. She gave us notice that the share
of each would be but small, there being no more soup prepared.
What then, I asked, is become of Jack’s lobster? That he can
best tell you himself, answered his mother. But now pray step
and awake the boys, while I make a fire and put on some water.
The children were soon roused; even our slothful Ernest submitted
to the hard fate of rising so early in the morning. When I asked
Jack for his lobster, he ran and fetched it from a cleft in the
rock in which he had carefully concealed it. I was determined,
said he, that the dogs should not treat my lobster as they did
the agouti, for I knew them for a sort of gentlemen to whom nothing
comes amiss. I am glad to see, son Jack, said I, that that giddy
head upon your shoulders can be prevailed upon to reflect. Happy
is he who knows how to profit in the misfortunes of others, says
the proverb. But will you not kindly give Fritz the great claw
which bit your leg (though I promised it to you) to carry with
him for his dinner on our journey?
What journey? asked all the boys at once. Ah! we will go too:
a journey,—a journey—repeated they, clapping their hands and
jumping round me like little kids. For this time, said I, it
is impossible for all of you to go; we know not yet what we are
to set about, nor whither we are going. Your eldest brother and
myself shall be better able to defend ourselves in any danger
without you; besides, that with so many persons we could proceed
but slowly. You will then all three remain with your mother in
this place, which appears to be one of perfect safety, and you
shall keep Ponto to be your guard, while we will take Turk with
us. With such a protector, and a gun well loaded, who shall dare
treat us with disrespect? Fritz, make haste and tie up Ponto,
that he may not follow us; and have your eye on Turk, that he
may be at hand to accompany us, and get the guns ready.
At the word guns the colour rose in the cheeks of my poor boy.
His gun was so curved as to be of no use; he took it up and tried
in vain to straighten it; I let him alone for a short time; but
at length I gave him leave to take another, perceiving with pleasure
that the vexation had produced a proper feeling in his mind.
A moment after, he attempted to lay hold of Ponto to tie him
up; but the dog, recollecting the blows he had so lately received,
began to snarl, and would not go near him. Turk behaved the same,
and I found it necessary to call with my own voice to induce
them to approach us. Fritz then in tears entreated for some biscuit
of his mother, declaring that he would willingly go without his
breakfast to make his peace with the dogs; he accordingly carried
them some biscuit, stroked and caressed them, and in every motion
seemed to ask their pardon. As of all animals, without excepting
man, the dog is least addicted to revenge, and at the same time
is the most sensible of kind usage, Ponto instantly relented,
and began to lick the hands which fed him; but Turk, who was
of a more fierce and independent temper, still held off, and
seemed to feel a want of confidence in Fritz’s advances. Give
him a claw of my lobster, cried Jack, for I mean to give it all
to you for your journey.
I cannot think why you should give it all, said Ernest, for you
need not be uneasy about their journey. Like Robinson Crusoe
they will be sure enough to find some cocoa-nuts, which they
will like much better than your miserable lobster: only think,
a fine round nut, Jack, as big as my head, and with at least
a tea-cup full of delicious sweet milk in it!
Oh! brother Fritz, pray do bring me some, said the little Francis.
We now prepared for our departure: we took each a bag for game,
and a hatchet; I put a pair of pistols in the leather band round
Fritz’s waist in addition to the gun, and provided myself with
the same articles, not forgetting a stock of biscuit and a flask
of fresh river water. My wife now called us to breakfast, when
all attacked the lobster; but its flesh proved so hard, that
there was a great deal left when our meal was finished, and we
packed it for our journey without further regret from any one.
The sea-lobster is an animal of considerable size, and its flesh
much more nutritious, but much less delicate, than the common
lobster.
Fritz urged me to set out before the excessive heat came on.
With all my heart, said I, but we have forgotten one thing of
importance. What is that? asked Fritz looking round him; I see
nothing else to do but to take our leave of my mother and my
brothers. I know what it is, said Ernest, we have not said our
prayers this morning.
That is the very thing, my dear boy, said I. We are too apt to
forget God, the parent of all, for the cares of this world; and
yet never had we so much need of his support and protection as in
our present situation, and particularly at the moment of undertaking
a journey to an unknown soil.
Upon this, our little pickle Jack began to imitate the sound
of church-bells, and to cry Bome! bome! bidi bome, bidiman, bome,
To prayers, to prayers, bome, bome.—Thoughtless boy! cried I
with a look of displeasure, will you then never learn that there
is a sacredness in devotion, that, in a well disposed mind, banishes
for the time every thought of levity or amusement? Recollect
yourself, and let this be the last time you force from me a reproof
on a subject of so grave a nature.
In about an hour we had completed all that was necessary to be
done previous to our departure, and were ready to set out. I
had loaded the guns we left behind, and I now enjoined my wife
to keep by day as near the boat as possible, which in case of
danger was the best and most speedy means of escape. My next
concern was to shorten the moment of separation, judging by my
own heart of the emotion of my dear wife; for it was impossible
we could mutually be without the most painful apprehension, as
to what new misfortune might occur on either side during the
interval. We all melted into tears;—I seized this instant for
drawing Fritz away, and in a few moments the sobs and often repeated
adieus of those we left behind, were drowned in the noise of
the waves which we were approaching on our way, and which now
turned our thoughts upon ourselves and the immediate object of
our journey.
The river we were about to pass, was on each side so steep as
to be inaccessible, except by one narrow slip near the mouth,
on one side, and from whence we had already drawn our supply
of fresh water: but there was no means of effecting a passage
across from this place, the opposite shore being an unbroken
line of sharp, high, perpendicular rocks. We therefore walked on,
following the course of the river till we arrived at an assemblage
of rocks at which the stream formed a cascade: a few paces beyond,
we observed some large fragments of rock which had fallen into
the bed of the river; by stepping upon these, and making now
and then some hazardous leaps, we at length contrived to reach
to the other side. We had proceeded a short way along the rock
we ascended in landing, forcing ourselves a passage through overgrown
grass mixed with plants, and rendered more capable of resistance
by being half dried up by the sun. Perceiving however, that walking
on this kind of surface, joined to the heat, would soon exhaust
our strength, we looked for a path by which we might descend
and proceed along the river, in which direction we hoped to meet
with fewer obstacles, and perhaps might discover traces of the
boats and of our ship companions.
When we had walked about a hundred paces, we heard a loud noise
behind us as if we were pursued, and perceived a rustling motion
in the grass, which was almost as tall as ourselves. I confess
I was a good deal alarmed, thinking that it was probably occasioned
by some frightful serpent, a tiger, or other ferocious animal,
which might instantly devour us. But I was well satisfied with
the courage of Fritz, who, instead of being frightened and running
away, stood still and firm to face the danger; the only motion
he made being that of seeing that his piece was fit to be discharged,
and turning himself to front the spot from whence the noise
proceeded. Our alarm however was of short duration; for what was our
joy on seeing rush out, not an enemy, but our faithful Turk whom
in the distress of the parting scene we had quite forgotten,
and whom no doubt our anxious relatives had sent on to us! We received
the poor fellow with lively joy, and did not fail to commend
both the bravery and discretion of my son, in not yielding to even
a rational alarm, and for waiting till he was sure of the object
before he resolved to fire: had he done otherwise, he might have
destroyed a creature formed to afford us various kinds of aid,
and to contribute by the kindness of his temper to the pleasures
of our domestic scene. Observe, my dear boy, said I, to what dangers
the tumult of the passions exposes us: the anger which over-powered
you yesterday, and the terror natural to the occasion we have
this moment witnessed, if you had unfortunately given way to
it, might either of them have produced for us an irretrievable
misfortune.
Fritz assured me he was sensible of truth and importance of my
remarks; that he would watch constantly over the defects of his
temper: and then he fell to caressing the faithful and interesting
animal.
Conversing on such subjects as these, we pursued our way. On
our left was the sea, and on our right, at the distance of half
a league, the continuation of the ridge of rocks, which extended
from the place of our debarkation in a direction nearly parallel
with the shore, the summit every where adorned with a fresh verdure
and a great variety of trees; and the space between, partly covered
with tall grass and partly with small clumps of bushes, which
on one side extended to the rocks, and on the other to the sea.
We were careful to proceed in a course as near the shore as possible,
fixing our eyes rather upon its smooth expanse than upon the
land, at every instant in hopes to see something of the boats.
We did not however wholly neglect the shore, where we looked
about in all directions for the objects of our search: but our
endeavours were all in vain; no sign appeared of their having
been near the spot.
Fritz proposed to fire his gun from time to time, suggesting
that, should they be any where concealed near us, they might
thus be led to know of our pursuit.
This would be vastly well, answered I, if you could contrive
for our friends to hear the report of the gun, and not the savages,
who are most likely not far distant, and who would be induced
by the alarm, to watch and surprise us. I am thinking, father,
interrupted Fritz, that there is no good reason why we should
give ourselves so much trouble and uneasiness about persons who
abandoned us so cruelly, and thought only of their own safety.
There is not only one good reason, but many, replied I: first,
we should not return evil for evil; next, it may be in their
power to be of use and to assist us; and lastly, that they are
most likely at this moment in the greatest want of our exertions.
It was their lot to escape with nothing but their persons from
the ship, if indeed they are still alive while we had the good
fortune to secure provisions enough for present subsistence to
a share of which they are as fully entitled as ourselves.
But, father, while we are wandering here and losing our time
almost without a hope of benefit to them, might we not better
employ ourselves in returning to the vessel and saving the lives
of the animals on board?
When a variety of duties present themselves for our choice, we
should always give the preference to that which can confer the
most solid advantage. The saving of the life of a man, is a more
exalted action than to be employed in contributing to the further
comfort of some quadrupeds, whom we have already supplied with
food for several days longer, particularly as the sea is in so
calm a state, that we need entertain no apprehension that the
ship will be sunk or go entirely to pieces just at present.
My son made no reply to what I said, and we each seemed by mutual
silent consent to take a few moments for reflection.
When we had gone about two leagues, we entered a wood situated
a little further from the sea: here we threw ourselves on the
ground, and under the shade of a tree, by the side of a clear
running stream, took out some provisions and refreshed ourselves.
We heard on every side around us, the chirping, singing, and
the motion of unknown birds among the leaves, and which in reality
were more attractive by their splendid plumage than by any charm
of note. Fritz assured me that between the branches of the bushes
he saw some animals resembling apes: this indeed was further
confirmed by the restless movements we had observed in Turk,
who began to smell about him, and to bark so loud that the wood
resounded with the noise. Fritz stole softly about to be sure,
and raising his head to spy into the branches above his height,
he stumbled on a small round body which lay on the ground: he
took it up and brought it to me, observing that he thought it
must be the nest of some bird. What makes you of that opinion?
said I. It is, I think, much more like a cocoa-nut.
But I have read that there are some kinds of birds who build
their nests quite round; and look, father, how the outside is
crossed and twined!
That is true, Fritz; but it is wrong from a single view to be
so positive. Do you not perceive that what you take for straws
crossed and twined by the beak of a bird, is in fact a coat of
fibres formed by the hand of nature? Do you not remember to have
read that the nut of a cocoa shell is inclosed within a round
fibrous covering, which again is surrounded by a skin of a thin
and fragile texture? I see that in the one you hold in your hand,
this skin has been destroyed by time, and this is the reason
why the twisted fibres (or inner covering) are so apparent; but
now let us break the shell, and you will see the nut inside.
We soon accomplished this; but the nut, alas, from lying on the
ground had perished, and appeared but little different from a
bit of dried skin, and not the least inviting to the palate.
Fritz was much amused at this discovery. How I wish Ernest could
have been here! cried he. How he envied me the fine large cocoa-nuts
I was to find, and the whole tea cup full of sweet delicious
milk, which was to spring out upon me from the inside! But, father,
I myself believed that the cocoa-nut contained a sweet refreshing
liquid, a little like the juice of almonds; travellers surely
tell untruths!
Travellers certainly do sometimes tell untruths, but on the subject
of the cocoa-nut I believe them to be innocent. The cocoa-nut
is well known to contain the liquid you describe, just before
they are in a state of ripeness. It is the same with our European
nuts, with only the difference of quantity; and the circumstance
is common to both, that as the nut ripens, the milk diminishes,
by thickening and becoming the same substance as the nut. If
you put a ripe nut a little way under the earth in a good soil,
the kernel will shoot and burst the shell; but if it remain above
ground, or in a place that does not suit its nature, the principle
of vegetation is extinguished by internal fermentation, and the
nut perishes as you have seen.
I am now surprised that this principle is not extinguished in
every nut; for the shell is so hard, it seems impossible for
a softer substance to break it.
The peach stone is no less hard: the kernel notwithstanding never
fails to break it, if it is placed in a well nurtured soil.
Now I begin to understand. The peach stone is divided into two
parts like a muscle-shell; it has a kind of seam round it, which
separates of itself when the kernel is swelled by moisture:—but
the cocoa-nut in my hand is not so divided, and I cannot conceive
of its separating.
I grant that the cocoa-nut is differently formed; but you may
see by the fragments you have just thrown on the ground, that
nature has in another manner stepped in to its assistance. Look
near the stalk, and you will discover three round holes, which are
not, like the rest of its surface, covered with a hard impenetrable
shell, but are stopped by a spongy kind of matter; it is through
these that the kernel shoots.
I will gather all the pieces and take them to Ernest, and tell
him all these particulars; I wonder what he will say about it,
and how he will like the withered nut.
Now the fancy of your father, my dear boy, would be to find you
without so keen a relish for a bit of mischief. Joke with Ernest
if you will about the withered nut; but I should like to see
you heal the disappointment he will feel, by presenting him at
last with a sound and perfect nut, provided we should have one
to spare.
After looking for some time, we had the good luck to meet with
one single nut. We opened it, and finding it sound, we sat down
and ate it for our dinner, by which means we were enabled to
husband the provisions we had brought. The nut, it is true, was
a little oily and rancid; yet, as this was not a time to be nice,
we made a hearty meal, and then continued our route. We did not
quit the wood, but pushed our way through it, being often obliged
to cut a path through the bushes overrun by creeping plants,
with our hatchet. At length we reached a plain, which afforded
a more extensive prospect and a path less perplexed and intricate.
We next entered a forest to the right, and soon observed in it
here and there some trees of a particular species. Fritz, whose
sharp eye was continually on a journey of discovery, remarked
that some of them were of so very extraordinary an appearance,
that he could not resist the curiosity he felt to examine them
closely. O heavens! father, he next exclaimed, what a singular
kind of trees, with wens growing all about their trunks! We both
walked up to some of them, and I perceived, with great surprise
and satisfaction, that they were of the gourd tree kind, the
trunks of which bear fruit. Fritz, who had never heard of such
a tree, could not conceive the meaning of what he saw, and asked
me if the fruit was a sponge or a wen. We will see, I replied,
if we cannot unravel the mystery. Try to get down one of them,
and we will examine them minutely.
I have got one, cried Fritz, and it is exactly like a gourd,
only the rind is thicker and harder.
It then, like the rind of that fruit, can be used for making
various utensils, observed I; plates, dishes, basons, flasks.
We will give it the name of the gourd tree.
Fritz jumped for joy. O heavens! cried he in ecstasy, how happy
my mother will be! She will no longer have the vexation, when
she makes soup, of thinking that we shall all scald our fingers!
What, my boy, do you think is the reason that this tree bears
its fruit only on the trunk and on its topmost branches?
I think it must be because the middle branches are too feeble
to support such a weight.
You have guessed exactly right.
But are these gourds good to eat?
At worst they are, I believe, harmless; but they have not a very
tempting flavour. The negro savages set as much value on the
rind of this fruit as on gold, for its use to them is indispensable.
These rinds serve them to keep their food and drink in, and sometimes
they even cook their victuals in them.
Oh, father! it must be impossible to cook their victuals in them;
for the heat of fire would soon consume such a substance.
I did not say the rind was put upon the fire.
How droll! Pray how are victuals to be cooked without fire?
Nor did I say that victuals could be cooked without a fire; and
my meaning was, that there is no need to put the vessel that
contains the food, upon the fire.
I have not the least idea of what you mean; there seems to be
a miracle.
So be it, my son. A little tincture of enchantment is the lot
of man. When he finds himself deficient in intelligence, or is
too indolent to give himself the trouble to reflect, he is driven
by his weakness to ascribe to a miracle, or to witchcraft, what
is, most likely, nothing but the most ordinary operation of art
or nature.
Well, father, I will then believe in what you tell me of these
rinds.
That is, you will cut the matter short, by resolving to swear
on the word of another; this is an excellent method for letting
your own reason lie fallow. Come, come, no such idleness; let
me help you to understand this amazing phenomenon. When it is
intended to dress food in one of these rinds, the process is,
to cut the fruit into two equal parts, and scoop out the whole
of the inside; some water is put into one of the halves, and
into the water some fish, a crab, or whatever else is to be dressed;
then some stones red hot, beginning with one at a time, are thrown
in, which impart sufficient heat to the water to dress the food,
without the smallest injury to the pot.
But is not the food spoiled by ashes falling in, or by pieces
of the heated stones separating in the water?
Certainly it is not very easy to make fine sauces or ragouts in
such a vessel; but a dressing of the meat is actually accomplished,
and the negroes and savages, who are principally the persons
to make use of what is thus cooked, are not very delicate: but
I can imagine a tolerable remedy for even the objection you have
found. The food might be inclosed in a vessel small enough to
be contained in our capacious half of a gourd, and thus be cooked
upon the principle so much used in chemistry, the application
of a milder heat than fire. And this method of cooking has also
another advantage, that the thing contained cannot adhere to
the sides or bottom of the vessel.
We next proceeded to the manufacture of our plates and dishes.
I taught my son how to divide the gourd with a bit of string,
which would cut more equally than a knife; I tied the string
round the middle of the gourd as tight as possible, striking
it pretty hard with the handle of my knife, and I drew tighter
and tighter till the gourd fell apart, forming two regular shaped
bowls or vessels; while Fritz, who had used a knife for the same
operation, had entirely spoiled his gourd by the irregular strokes
of his instrument. I recommended his making some spoons with
the spoiled rind, as it was good for no other purpose. I, on
my part, had soon completed two dishes of convenient size, and
some smaller ones to serve as plates.
Fritz was in the utmost astonishment at my success. I cannot
imagine, father, said he, how this way of cutting the gourd could
occur to you!
I have read the description of such a process, replied I, in
books of travels; and also, that such of the savages as have
no knives, and who make a sort of twine from the bark of trees,
are accustomed to use it for this kind of purpose. So you see
what benefit may be derived from reading, and from afterwards
reflecting on what we read.
And the flasks, father; in what manner are they made?
For this branch of their ingenuity they make preparation a long
time beforehand. If a negro wishes to have a flask or bottle
with a neck, he ties a very young gourd round in the proper place
with a piece of string, of linen, bark of a tree, or any thing
he can get hold of; he draws this bandage so tight, that the
part at liberty soon forms itself to a round shape, while the
part which is confined contracts, and remains ever after narrow.
By this method it is that they obtain flasks or bottles of a
perfect form.
Are then the bottle-shaped gourds I have seen in Europe trained
by a similar preparation?
No, they are not; they are of another species, and what you have
seen is their natural shape.
Our conversation and our labour thus went on together. Fritz
had completed some plates, and was not a little proud of this
achievement. Ah, how delighted my mother will be to eat upon
them! cried he. But how shall we convey them to her? They will
not, I fear, bear travelling well.
We must leave them here on the sand for the sun to dry them
thoroughly; this will be accomplished by the time of our return
this way, and we can then carry them with us; but care must
be taken to fill them with sand, that they may not shrink or
warp in so ardent a heat. My boy did not dislike this task;
for he had no great fancy to the idea of carrying such a load
on our journey of further discovery. Our sumptuous service
of porcelain was accordingly spread upon the shore, and abandoned
to its fate.
We amused ourselves as we walked along in endeavouring to fashion
some spoons from the fragments of the gourd-rinds. I had the
fancy to try my skill upon a piece of cocoa-nut; but I must needs
confess that what we produced had not the least resemblance to
those I had seen in the Museum at London, and which were shown
there as the work of some of the islanders of the Southern Seas.
A European without instruments must always find himself excelled
in such attempts by the superior adroitness and patience of savages;
in this instance too, of ourselves, we had the assistance of
knives, while the savages have only sharp flat stones to work
with.
My attempt has been scarcely more successful than your own, I
cried; and to eat soup with either your spoon or mine, we ought
to have mouths extending from ear to ear.
True enough, father, answered Fritz; but it is not my fault.
In making mine, I took the curve of my bit of rind for a guide;
if I had made it smaller, it would have been too flat, and it is
still more difficult to eat with a shovel than with an oyster-shell.
But I am thinking that they may serve till I have learned to
improve upon my first attempt, and I am quite sure of the pleasure
they will afford my mother. I imagine it pleases God sometimes
to visit his creatures with distress, that they may learn to
be satisfied with a little.
That is an excellent remark, my boy, said I, and gives me more
pleasure than a hundred crowns would do. Fritz burst into a fit
of laughter. You do not rate my remark very high when you say
this, father, cried he, for of what use would a hundred crowns
be to you at present? If you had said a good soup or a hundred
cocoa-nuts, I should be much prouder for having made it.
But as it is, my son, you have a right to be proud. I am well
pleased to find you are beginning to estimate things according
to their real value and usefulness, instead of considering them
as good or bad, like children, upon feeble views. Money is only
a means of exchange in human society; but here on this solitary
coast, nature is more generous than man, and asks no payment
for the benefits she bestows.
While these different conversations and our labours had been
going on, we had not neglected the great object of our pursuit,—the
making every practicable search for our ship-companions. But
all, alas, was in vain.
After a walk of about four leagues in all, we arrived at a spot
where a slip of land reached far out into the sea, on which we
observed a hill or rising piece of ground of considerable height.
On a moment’s reflection we determined to ascend to its summit,
which could not fail to give us a clear view of all adjacent
parts; this would save us the fatigue of further rambles. We
accordingly accomplished the design.
We did not reach the top of the hill without many courageous
efforts and a plentiful perspiration: but when there, it presented
a magnificent scene of wild and solitary beauty, comprehending
a vast extent of land and water. It was, however, in vain that
we made use of our spying glass; no trace of man appeared. A
highly embellished nature presented herself; and though deprived
of human succour, we were in the highest degree sensible of her
thousand charms. The shore, rounded by a bay of some extent,
the bank of which ended in a promontory on the further side;
the agreeable blue tint of its surface; the sea, gently agitated
with waves, in which the rays of the sun were reflected; the
woods of variegated hues and verdure, formed altogether a picture
of such new and exquisite delight, that if the recollection of
our unfortunate companions, already perhaps ingulfed in this
very ocean, had not intervened to damp our spirits, we should
have yielded to the ecstasy the scene was calculated to inspire.
In reality, from this moment we began to lose the consolatory
hope we had hitherto entertained, and a certain sadness stole
involuntarily into our hearts. We, however, became but the more
sensible of the goodness of the Divine Being in the special
protection afforded us, in permitting us to find a home where
there seemed to be no cause for fear of danger from without, where
we had not experienced even the want of food, and where there seemed
to be a prospect of future safety for us all. We had encountered
no venomous or ferocious animals; and as far as our sight could
yet reach, we were not threatened by the approach of savages.
I remarked to Fritz that we seemed destined to a solitary life,
and that it was a rich country which appeared to be allotted us
for a habitation; at least our habitation it must be, unless some
vessel should happen to put on shore on the same coast, and be
in a condition to take us back to our native land. And God’s will
be done! added I, for he knows what is best for us.
Having left our native country, fixed in the intention of inhabiting
some more propitious soil,* it was natural to expect that we
must at first encounter difficult adventures. Let us, therefore,
consider our present situation as no disappointment in any essential
respect. We can pursue our scheme for agriculture. We shall learn
to invent arts. Our only want is numbers.
* See the Introduction.
As for me, answered Fritz, I care but little about being so few
of us. If I have the happiness of seeing you and my mother well
and satisfied, I shall not give myself much uneasiness about
those wicked unkind ship companions of ours.
Do not say that, my boy; they were not all bad people; and the
greater part of them would have become better men here, because
they would not have been exposed to the attacks of seduction.
Social intercourse, common interests, united exertions, mutual
services and counsels, together with the reflections which would
have grown in such a state as this, are agents capable of powerfully
contributing to the well-being of the individual, and to a happy
and successful industry.
We, however, of ourselves, observed Fritz, form a larger society
than was the lot of Adam before he had children; and as we grow
older, we will perform all the necessary labour, while you and
my mother enjoy a serene repose.
Your assurances are as kind as I can desire, and they encourage
me to struggle with what hardships may present themselves. Who
can foresee in what manner it may be the will of Heaven to dispose
of us? In times of old, God said to one of his chosen: “I will
cause a great nation to descend from thy loins.”
And why may not we too become patriarchs, if it please God to
continue our lives?
Why not? you ask—and I have not now time to answer. But come
along, my young patriarch, and let us find a shady spot, that
we may not be consumed with the intensity of the sun’s heat before
the patriarchal condition can be conferred upon us. Look yonder
at that inviting wood: let us hasten thither to take a little
rest, then eat our dinner, and return to our dear expecting family.
We descended from the hill, and having regained the shore, we
made our way to the wood of palms, which I had just pointed out
to Fritz; but not without considerable difficulty, for our path
lay through a quantity of reeds, entwined with other plants, which
greatly obstructed our march. We advanced slowly and cautiously,
fearing at every step we might receive a mortal bite from some
serpent that might be concealed among them. We made Turk go before
us, to give us timely notice of any thing dangerous. I also cut
myself a stalk of the reeds of uncommon length and thickness,
the better to defend myself against an enemy that might attack
me from the ground. It was not without astonishment that I perceived
a glutinous kind of sap proceed from the divided end of the stalk.
Prompted by curiosity, I tasted the sap, and found it sweet and
of an agreeable flavour, so that not a doubt remained in my mind
that we were passing through a fine plantation of sugar-canes.
I again applied the cane to my lips, and sucked it for some moments,
and soon after felt myself singularly refreshed and strengthened
from its use. I determined not to tell Fritz immediately of the
fortunate discovery I had made, preferring that he should find
the pleasure out for himself. As he was at some distance on before,
I called out to him to cut a reed for his defence. This he instantly
did, and, without any remark, used it simply for a stick, striking
lustily with it on all sides to clear a passage. This motion
occasioned the sap to run out abundantly upon his hand, and he
stopped to examine so strange a circumstance. He lifted it up,
and still a larger quantity escaped. He now tasted what was on
his fingers. Oh! then for the exclamations. Father, father, I
have found some sugar!—some syrup! I have a sugar-cane in my
hand! Run quickly, father! We were soon together, jointly partaking
of the pleasure we had in store for his dear mother and the younger
brothers. In the mean time Fritz eagerly devoured the single
cane he had cut, till his relish for it was appeased. I thought
this a profitable moment to say a word or two about excesses,
of the wisdom of husbanding even our lawful pleasures, and of
the advantages of moderation in even our most rational enjoyments.
[Illustration: The Family Congregation]
But I was so thirsty, and the sap was so delicious!
Your excuse is like that of the drunkard, who tells you he drinks
immoderately because he is thirsty, and because wine has a pleasant
flavour; while, however good the excuse, it does not protect
the person from being deprived of his reason.
Well, father, I will observe. But I will take home a good provision
of sugar-canes, however. I shall only just taste of them once
or twice as I walk along. But it will be so delightful to regale
my mother and my little brothers with them!
I have not the least objection; but do not take too heavy a load,
for recollect you have other things to carry, and we have yet
far to go.
Counsel was given in vain. He persisted in cutting at least a
dozen of the largest canes, tore off their leaves, tied them
together, and, putting them under his arm, dragged them as well
as he was able through thick and thin to the end of the plantation.
We arrived without accident at the wood of palms, which we entered
in search of a place of shade, where we might stretch our limbs
on the ground, and finish our repast. We were scarcely settled,
when suddenly a great number of large monkeys, terrified by the
sight of us and the barking of Turk, stole so nimbly, and yet
so quietly, up the trees, that we scarcely perceived them till
they had reached the topmost parts. From this height they fixed
their eyes upon us, grinding their teeth, making most horrible
grimaces, and saluting us with frightful screams of hostile import.
I observed that the trees were palms, bearing cocoa-nuts, and
I instantly conceived the hope of obtaining some of this fruit
in an unripe and milky state, through the monkeys. Fritz, on
his part, prepared to shoot at them instantly. He threw his burdens
on the ground, and it was with difficulty I could prevent him
from firing, by pulling his arm in another direction. What are
you going to do, said I, in this youthful ardour of yours? What
use or what pleasure can it be to you to destroy one of these
monkeys?
Ah, father, why did you not let me kill him? Monkeys are such
malicious, mischievous animals! Look how they raise their backs
in derision of us!
And is it possible that this can excite your vengeance, my most
reasonable Mr. Fritz? To say the truth, I am not myself a patron
of the race of monkeys, who, as you say, are naturally prone
to be malicious. But as long as an animal does us no injury,
or that his death can in no shape be useful in preserving our
own lives, we have no right to destroy it, and still less to
torment it for our amusement, or from an insensate desire of
revenge.
We could as easily roast a monkey as any kind of game.
Many thanks for the hint! A fine repast you would have provided
us! Thanks to our stars, too, we are each too heavily loaded
to have carried the dead body to our kitchen, and I shrewdly
suspect that it would not have found the way thither of its own
accord. Does not your large bundle of sugar-canes convince you
that I speak the truth? But the living monkeys we may perhaps
find means to make contribute to our service.—See what I am going
to do;—but step aside, for fear of your head. If I succeed, the
monkeys will furnish us with plenty of our much desired cocoa-nuts.
I now began to throw some stones at the monkeys; and though I
could not make them reach to half of the height at which they
had taken refuge, they showed every mark of excessive anger.
With their accustomed habit of imitation, they furiously tore
off, nut by nut, all that grew upon the branches near them, to
hurl them down upon us; so that it was with difficulty we avoided
the blows; and in a short time a large quantity of cocoa-nuts
lay on the ground round us. Fritz laughed heartily at the excellent
success of our stratagem; and as the shower of cocoa-nuts began
to subside, we set about collecting them. We chose a place where
we could repose at our ease, to regale ourselves on this rich
harvest. We opened the shells with a hatchet, but not without
having first enjoyed the sucking of some of the milk through
the three small holes, round which we found it easy to insert
a knife, and let the milk escape. The milk of the cocoa-nut has
not in reality a very pleasant flavour; but it is excellent for
quenching violent thirst. What we liked best, was a kind of solid
cream which adheres to the shell, and which we scraped off with
our spoons. We mixed with it a little of the sap of our sugar-canes,
and it made a delicious repast; while Turk obtained for his share,
what remained of the sea-lobster, which we now regarded with
disdain, and to which we added a small quantity of biscuit. All
this, however, was insufficient to satisfy the hunger of so large
an animal, and he sought about for bits of the sugar-canes and
of the cocoa-nuts.
Our meal being finished, we prepared to leave the place. I tied
together such of the cocoa-nuts as had retained the stalks, and threw
them across my shoulder. Fritz resumed his bundle of sugar-canes.
We divided the rest of the things between us, and continued our
way towards home.