CHAPTER IX.

CHAPTER IX.

_Change of abode._

As soon as we were all up and had breakfasted, the next morning,

I assembled all the members of my family together, to take with

them a solemn farewell of this our first place of reception from

the horrible disaster of the shipwreck. I confess that for my

own part I could not leave it without much regret; it was a place

of greater safety than we were likely again to meet with; it

was also nearer to the vessel: but it was sufficient for me to

know that the kind and faithful companion of my misfortunes had

conceived an unalterable distaste for it, to incline me to yield

my own opinion and my wishes. I should indeed consider myself

unworthy of such a partner, if I could have felt hesitation in

a point of so much interest to her feelings. I thought it right

to represent strongly to my sons, particularly to the youngest,

the danger of exposing themselves as they had done the evening

before, along the river. We are now going, continued I, to inhabit

an unknown country, which is not so well protected by nature

as that we are leaving; we are unacquainted both with the soil

and its inhabitants, whether human creatures or beasts; it is

therefore necessary to use the utmost caution, to make it a rule

never to remain separate from each other; particularly you young

ones must take care not to run on before, or stay too far behind.

This you must promise, my boys. Having unburdened my mind of

this necessary charge, we prepared for setting out. I directed

my sons to assemble our whole flock of animals, and to leave

the ass and the cow to me, that I might load them with the sacks

as before concerted; I had filled these at the two ends, and

made a slit longways in the middle of each of them, and to each

side of the slits I tied several long pieces of cord, which crossing

each other and being again brought round and fastened, served

to hold the sacks firmly on the back of the animal. We next began

to put together all the things we should stand most in need of, for

the two or three first days, in our new abode; working implements,

kitchen utensils, the captain’s service of plate, and a small

provision of butter, &c. &c. I put these articles into the two

ends of each sack, taking care that the sides should be equally

heavy, and then fastened them on. I next added our hammocks and

other coverings to complete the load, and we were about to begin

our march when my wife stopped me. I cannot prevail upon myself, said

she, to leave our fowls behind us to pass the night by themselves;

for I fear they would infallibly become the prey of the jackalls.

We must, somehow or other, contrive a place for them among the

luggage, and also one for our little Francis, who cannot walk

so far, and on that account would not fail to interrupt our speed.

There is also my enchanted bag, which I recommend to your particular

care, said she, smiling, for who can tell what may yet pop out

of it for your good pleasure!

Women, for their part, never fail to have more things to carry

than there are places to put them in, said I, also laughing:

however, let us see how handsomely I shall be able to provide

for what belongs to you, my love. Fortunately, I had already

thought of making the ass’s load as light as possible, foreseeing

that it would be necessary he should carry our little one a part

of the way. I now accordingly placed the child upon his back,

fixing the enchanted bag in such a way as to support him, and

I tied them together upon the ass with so many cords, that the

animal might even have galloped without any danger of his falling

off.

In the mean while, the other boys had been running after the

cocks and hens and the pigeons, but had not succeeded in catching

one of them; so they returned empty-handed and in ill-humour.

Little blockheads! said their mother, see how you have heated

yourselves in running after these untractable creatures! I could

have put you in a way to catch them in a moment; come along with

me, and see.—Yes, yes, you may think so, mother, said Jack, a

little sulky, but I will give you leave to roast me in the place

of the first fowl that you shall be able to catch. Poor Jack,

said she laughing, you will then soon be on the spit, I can tell

you; which would really be a pity, considering what better things

we might do with you; though, to say the truth, you have not

shown that you have more brains than a goose, in thinking to

catch the animals by running after them in this manner. She now

stepped into the tent, and brought out two handfuls of peas and

oats, and by pronouncing a few words of invitation in the accustomed

tone, the birds all flocked round her in a moment. She then walked

slowly before them, dropping the grain all the way, till they

had followed her into the tent. When she perceived that they

were all in the inside, and busily employed in picking up the

grain, she shut the entrance, and caught one after the other

without the smallest difficulty. The boys looked at each other

half-ashamed, though much amused with the adventure. Grant me

a reprieve from the spit, mother, cried Jack, and I will do all

I can to help you in securing your prisoners. Accordingly, he

set himself to work, and had soon caught the whole. They were

then tied by the feet and wings, put into a basket covered with

a net, and placed in triumph on the top of our luggage. Ernest

suggested the placing two bent sticks arch-ways across the basket,

and throwing a blanket over it, that the want of light might

incline them to repose; for, with the clatter they made, it was

impossible to hear each other speak.

We packed up every thing we were obliged to leave, and placed

it in the tent, which we carefully closed, and, for greater security,

fastened down the ends of the sail-cloth at the entrance, by driving

stakes through them into the ground. We ranged a number of vessels,

both full and empty, round the tent, to serve as a rampart, and

thus we confided to the protection of heaven our remaining treasures.

At length we set ourselves in motion: each of us, great and small,

carried a gun upon his shoulder, and a game bag at his back.

Children are always fond of a change of place; ours were full

of joy and good-humour; nor was their mother less affected with

the same cause; she walked before with her eldest son, the cow

and the ass immediately behind them; the goat conducted by Jack

came next; the little monkey was seated on the back of his nurse, and

made a thousand grimaces. After the goats, came Ernest, conducting

the sheep, while I, in my capacity of general superintendant,

followed behind and brought up the rear; the dogs for the most

part paraded backwards and forwards, thus seeming to play the

part of adjutants. Our march was slow, and there was something

solemn and patriarchal in the spectacle we exhibited; I fancied we

must resemble our forefathers journeying in the deserts, accompanied

by their families and their possessions. Now then, Fritz, cried

I, you have the specimen you wished for of the patriarchal mode

of life; what do you think of it? I like it much, father, replied

he: I never read the Bible without wishing I had lived in those

good times.

And I too, said Ernest, I am quite delighted with it, I cannot

help fancying myself not merely a patriarch but a Tartar, or

an Arab, and that we are about to discover I know not how many

new and extraordinary things. Is it not true, father, that the

Tartars and the Arabs pass their lives in journeying from one

place to another, and carrying all they have about them?

It is certainly for the most part true, Ernest, replied I, and

they are denominated wandering tribes; but they generally perform

their journeys attended by horses and camels, by means of which

they can proceed a little faster, than if, like us, they had

only an ass and a cow. For my part, I should not be sorry if

I were quite sure that the pilgrimage we are now making, would

be our last.

And I too am of your way of thinking, cried my wife, and I hope

that in our new abode we shall be so well satisfied with the

shade of such luxuriant trees, that we shall not be inclined

to rove. Let us, however, think as little as possible of the

fatigue which seems to be our lot today, since tomorrow you will

all be ready to thank me for having been the occasion of it.

Be assured, my dear, said I, that we have adopted your plans,

and endure the fatigue they occasion, with cheerfulness, and

that one and all, are already grateful to you for their future

happiness; which happiness will be still increased by the reflection,

that to your kind and anxious exertions it has been that we are

indebted for it.

We had now reached our bridge, and advanced half way across it,

when the sow for the first time took the fancy of joining us,

and, by the uncouth and listless figure she made, contributed

to the pictorial effect of our procession. At the moment of our

departure, she had shown herself so restive and indocile, that

we had been compelled to leave her behind us; but when she saw

that we had all left the place, she set out voluntarily to overtake

us: but she took care to apprize us, by her continual grunting,

that she disapproved of our migration.

On the other side of the river, we experienced an inconvenience

wholly unexpected. The nutritious aspect of the grass, which

grew here in profusion, was too strong a temptation for our animals,

who, unable to resist, strayed from us in every direction to

feed voluptuously upon it; so that, without the assistance of

our dogs, we should not have been able to bring them back to

the line of our procession. These active creatures were of great

use to us on this occasion, and when every thing was restored

to proper order, we were able to continue our journey. For fear

however of a similar occurrence, I directed our march to the

left, along the sea side, where there was not a sufficient quantity

of grass to attract them.

But scarcely had we advanced a few steps on the sands, when our

two dogs, which had stayed behind among the grass, set up a loud

barking, mixt at intervals with howling, as if they had been

wounded, or were engaged in an encounter with some formidable

animal. Fritz in an instant lifted his gun to his cheek, and

was ready to fire; Ernest, always somewhat timid, drew back to

his mother’s side; Jack ran bravely after Fritz with his gun

upon his shoulder; while I, fearing the dogs might be attacked

by some dangerous wild beast, prepared myself to run to their

assistance. But youth is always full of ardour; and in spite

of all my exhortations that they would advance with caution,

my boys, eager for the event, made but three jumps to the place

from which the noise proceeded. In an instant Jack had turned

to meet me, clapping his hands and calling out, Come quickly,

father, come quickly, here is a monstrous porcupine!

I soon reached the spot, and perceived that it was really as

they said, bating a little exaggeration. The dogs were running

to and fro with bloody noses, about the animal; and when they

approached too near him, he made a frightful noise, and darted

his quills so suddenly at them, that a great number had penetrated

the skins of our valiant dogs, and remained sticking in them;

and it was no doubt the pain they occasioned, which made them

howl so violently.

While we were looking on, Jack determined on an attack, which

succeeded marvellously well. He took one of the pistols which

he carried in his belt, and aimed it so exactly at the head of

the porcupine, that he fell dead the instant he fired, and before

we had a notion of what he was about. This success raised Jack

to the height of joy and vanity; while Fritz, on the other hand,

felt a sensation of jealousy almost to shedding tears. Is it

right, Jack, said he, that such a little boy as you, should venture

to fire off a pistol in this manner? How easily might you have

wounded my father or me, or one of the dogs, by so rash an action!

Oh yes, to be sure, and what do you suppose hindered me from

seeing that you were all behind me? Do you think I fired without

taking care of that? Do you take me for an idiot? The porcupine

could tell you about that, brother Fritz, if he could but speak.

My first fire—pop—dead as a herring! This is something like,

brother Fritz, and you would be glad enough to have had such

a chance yourself!

Fritz only replied by a motion of his head. He was out of humour,

because his younger brother had deprived him of the honour of

the day; and he sought a subject of complaint against him, as

the wolf did with the poor little lamb. Come, come, boys, said

I, let me hear no envious speeches and no reproaches; luck for

one to-day, for another to-morrow; but all for the common good.

Jack was, perhaps, a little imprudent, but you must allow that

he showed both skill and courage; let us not therefore tarnish

the glory of his action. We now all got round the extraordinary

animal, on whom nature has bestowed a strong defence, by arming

his body, all over, with long spears. The boys were absolutely

at a loss what means to use for carrying away his carcase. They

thought of dragging it along the ground; but as often as they

attempted to take hold, there was nothing but squalling, and

running to show the marks made by his quills on their hands.

We must leave him behind, said they; but it is a great pity.

Not for an empire, cried Jack, shall he be left there, for my

mother must have a sight of him. In saying this, he tied one

corner of his handkerchief round the neck of the animal, and

drew him by the other to the place where we had left his mother

in care of our possessions, and who had been in great uneasiness

at our long absence.

Here is the monster, mother, said he, armed with his hundred

thousand spears; but I was a match for him, and at one fire too!

His flesh is excellent food; at least papa says so.

Ernest began, with his usual coolness, to examine the animal

minutely. After having looked at him a long while, he said, He

is a most singular animal; his mouth contains the _dentes incisores_,

and his ears and feet are much like those of a man.

Ah! said Jack, if you had seen how he darted out all his quills

against the dogs, and the noise they made, rattling one against

another! He is a most terrible creature; but what of that? I

did not mind going up to him, and I dispatched two or three balls

at his head, and it was over with him in an instant!

He cannot be so terrible an animal, said Ernest, if it was so

easy for a mere child to destroy him. _A mere child!_ replied

Jack, much mortified, and drawing up his head. It was plain that

his conquest had added half a foot to his height, in his own

imagination.

While the boys were disputing, my wife and I had hastened to

relieve the dogs, by drawing out the quills and examining their

wounds. Having done this, we joined the group which surrounded

the porcupine; Jack taking upon him to do the honours, as if

he was showing the animal at a fair. Observe, cried he, what

a terrible creature it is! how long and hard his quills are!

and see what strange feet he has! I am sure he must have run

like a hare: but I killed him for all that! And what a singular

sort of crest he has on his head! Upon my word, I like my day’s

work vastly.

That, said I, is the reason why naturalists call him the crested

porcupine. But now tell me, my young hero, were you not afraid,

in going so near him, that he would dart some of his quills at

you?

_Jack._—Oh no, papa, I knew that the stories about his quills,

were merely fabulous.

_Father._—But you saw that many of them had stuck in the dogs,

and this, surely, was no fable.

_Jack._—That was because the dogs attacked the animal furiously

from behind, thus putting themselves exactly in the way of his

quills, so that it is not extraordinary that they should be wounded

by them; but I took care to attack him in front, in which direction

I knew he would not shoot them, so I had no reason to be afraid.

Is it not also a fable, father, that when they escape the hunter,

they throw their quills as they run, and sometimes kill him with

them?

_Father._—This account is, I believe, in a great measure untrue;

but it is not improbable that it was such an occurrence as we just

now met with, which first gave rise to the notion. An observation

no less singular than true, has been made, that natural history,

whose basis ought to be the strictest truth, has given birth

to more fables than mythology itself. In general, mankind are fond

of the marvellous, and the composed march of nature is uninteresting

to them, from its simple uniformity. They accordingly dress her with

all the singularities and extravagancies of their own imaginations.

But tell me, Jack, what you mean to do with your prize? Are we

to take it with us, or leave it here?

_Jack._—Oh, take it with us, take it with us, father, I entreat,

for you say its flesh is good to eat.

I could not resist his pressing importunity, and I resolved to

lay the porcupine on the back of the ass, behind little Francis,

first having wrapped his bloody head in a quantity of grass,

and then rolled him up in a blanket to protect my boy from his

quills. We now resumed our journey, but had not proceeded far,

when the ass began to kick furiously with his hind legs; tore

himself away from my wife, who was guiding him, and set off full

gallop, braying so loud, as almost to deafen us, and scampering

from side to side in so extraordinary a way, that the boys were

thrown into fits of laughter; in which my wife and I should probably

have joined, if we had not conceived the idea, that the situation

of our little Francis was not quite safe. A sign we made to the

dogs, made them set off like lightning after the deserter, whom

they in a moment overtook, and stopped his way with a tremendous

barking. They would no doubt have attacked him violently, if

we had not ourselves run quickly to the spot, to intimidate them.

We took our boy from the ass’s back, delighted to find that (thanks

to the care I had taken in tying him on securely) he had kept

his seat, and had scarcely even experienced any alarm. But tell

me, Francis, said I jocosely, have you been clapping spurs to

your horse, or what have you done to make him set off on a gallop

in this manner? I no sooner pronounced these words, than suddenly

I recollected the porcupine. I immediately examined if the quills

had not penetrated through the covering in which I wrapped it:

this I found to be the very thing: though I had folded it three

times double, the quills had pierced through all, and produced

the effect of the sharpest spur on the poor animal. I soon found

a remedy for this inconvenience, by placing my wife’s enchanted

bag, which was filled with articles of a nature to be absolutely

impenetrable, between the ass’s back and the dead animal. I now

restored Francis to his place, exhorting him to keep in an upright

posture, and we then resumed our journey.

Fritz had run on before with his gun, hoping he should meet with

some animal of prey. What he most desired, was to find one or

two of those large bustards which his mother had described to

him. We followed him at our leisure, taking care not to expose

our health by unnecessary fatigue; till at last, without further

accident or adventure, we arrived at the place of the giant trees.

Such, indeed, we found them, and our astonishment exceeded all

description. Good heavens! what trees! what a height! what trunks!

I never heard of any so prodigious! exclaimed one and all. Nothing

can be more rational than your admiration, answered I, measuring

them with my eyes as I spoke. I must confess I had not myself

formed an idea of the reality. To you be all the honour, my dear

wife, for the discovery of this agreeable abode, in which we

shall enjoy so many comforts and advantages. The great point

we have to gain, is the fixing a tent large enough to receive

us all, in one of these trees, by which means we shall be perfectly

secure from the invasion of wild beasts. I defy even one of the

bears, who are so famous for mounting trees, to climb up by a

trunk so immense, and so destitute of branches.

We began now to release our animals from their burdens, having

first thrown our own on the grass. We next used the precaution

of tying their two fore legs together with a cord, that they

might not go far away, or lose themselves. We restored the fowls

to liberty; and then, seating ourselves upon the grass, we held

a family council on the subject of our future establishment.

I was myself somewhat uneasy on the question of our safety during

the ensuing night; for I was ignorant of the nature of the extensive

country I beheld around me, and of what chance there might be of

our being attacked by different kinds of wild beasts. I accordingly

observed to my wife, that I would make an endeavour for us all

to sleep in the tree that very night. While I was deliberating

with her on the subject, Fritz, who thought of nothing but his

sporting, and of his desire to take his revenge of the porcupine

adventure, had stolen away to a short distance, and we heard

the report of a gun. This would have alarmed me, if, at the same

moment, we had not recognised Fritz’s voice crying out, I touched

him! I touched him! and in a moment we saw him running towards

us, holding a dead animal of uncommon beauty by the paws. Father,

father, look, here is a superb tiger cat, said he, proudly raising

it in the air, to show it to the best advantage. Bravo! bravo!

cried I; bravo, Nimrod the undaunted! Your achievement will call

forth the unbounded gratitude of our cocks and hens and pigeons,

for you have rendered them what no doubt they will think an important

service. If you had not killed this animal, he would no doubt

have destroyed in the course of one night our whole stock of

poultry. I charge you look about in every direction, and try

to destroy as many of the species as fall in your way, for we

cannot have more dangerous intruders.

_Ernest._—I wish, father, you would be so good as to tell me

why God created wild beasts, since man seems to be appointed

to destroy them?

_Father._—This indeed is a question I cannot answer, and we must

be contented with taking care to arm ourselves against them:

neither can I explain to you, why many other things, which to

us appear to have only injurious qualities, have been created.

With respect to beasts of prey, I am inclined to believe, that

one of the ends of Providence, in giving them existence, is their

embellishing and varying the works of the creation; of maintaining

a necessary equilibrium among creatures endowed with life; and

lastly, to furnish man, who comes naked into the world, with

materials for protecting him from the cold, by the use of their

skins, which become the means of exchange and commerce between

different nations. We may also add, that the care of protecting

himself from the attacks of ferocious animals, invigorates the

physical and moral powers of man, supports his activity, and

renders him inventive and courageous. The ancient Germans, for

example, were rendered robust and valiant warriors, through their

habitual exercises in the field, which enabled them, at a time

of need, to defend their country and their liberty, with as little

difficulty, as they would have experienced in killing a wolf

or a bear.

_Jack._—But what do you say of the insects, which feed on living

human flesh, and who neither contribute their skins for the wants

of man, nor to his health by exciting him to pursue them in the

field? Of what use are such creatures as these?

_Father._—They serve, my son, to exercise his patience, and to

compel him to a constant cleanliness, which contributes to a

perfect state of health. But let us return to the animal Fritz

has killed. Tell me all the particulars of your adventure. How

did you kill him?

_Fritz._—With my pistol, father, as Jack killed the porcupine.

_Father._—Was he on this tree, just by us?

_Fritz._—Yes, father, I had been observing that something moved

among the branches. I went softly as near as I could; and on

seeing him, I knew him for a tiger cat. I immediately fired,

when he fell at my feet wounded and furious; and then I fired

a second time, and killed him.

_Father._—You were very fortunate in escaping thus, for he might

easily have devoured you. You should always take care, in aiming

at animals of this kind, to be at a greater distance.

_Fritz._—Why so, father? I might have missed him if I had been

further off. I, on the contrary, tried to be as near him as possible,

and fired close to his ears.

_Father._—This was acting in the same way as your brother Jack,

whom you so much derided for his want of care, and may serve

you as a lesson not to blame in your brothers, what you would

yourself be perhaps obliged to do in the same situation; and

not to interrupt their joy with unkind reflections, but rather

to partake with them the pleasure of their success.

_Fritz._—Well, father; all I now ask of Jack is, that he will

be so good as not to spoil the beautiful skin of this animal,

as he did that of the jackall. Only observe what beautiful figures

it is marked with, and the fine effect of the black and yellow

spots; the most richly manufactured stuff could not exceed it

in magnificence. What is the exact name of the animal?

_Father._—You may for the present give it the name of the tiger

cat. I do not, however, think that it is the animal which is

so denominated at the Cape of Good Hope; I rather think it is

the margay, a native of America, an animal of extremely vicious

dispositions and singular voraciousness; he destroys all the

birds of the forest, and neither a man, a sheep, or goat, that

should fall in his way, could escape his rapacity. In the name

of humanity, therefore, we ought to be thankful to you, for having

destroyed so formidable an enemy.

_Fritz._—All the recompense I ask, father, is, that you will

let me keep the skin; and I wish you would tell me what use I

can make of it.

_Father._—One idea occurs to me, and it is this:—you must skin

the animal yourself, taking the greatest care not to injure it

in the operation, particularly those parts which cover the fore

legs and the tail. If you will do this, you may make yourself

a belt with it, like your brother Jack’s, except that it will

be much more beautiful. The odd pieces will serve admirably to

make some cases to contain our utensils for the table, such as

knives, forks, spoons; and as they will be light, we can easily

carry them about with us, should we make any further excursions.

It is not amiss, in such a situation as ours, to exercise ourselves

in all kinds of trades and manual labour, and to do every thing

with the utmost care, and in the best manner possible. Man, the

lord of the creation, should always aim at perfection. Go, then,

boy, and put away its bloody head, and we will see how to set

about preparing the skin.

_Jack._—And I too, father, will make some cases with the skin

of my porcupine.

_Father._—And why should you not, my boy? The skin of the tiger

cat, can only furnish us with four, and we ought to have six

at least, which will be one a-piece. So set to work, and show

us quickly what you can perform. I should like for you to preserve

some of the quills of your porcupine for me; for I think I can

contrive to convert them into packing-needles, or into arrows;

and what bits of skin are left, may serve to repair the dogs’

collars when they begin to wear; or, which would be a masterpiece

of invention, might be joined together and made into a sort of

coat of mail, as a protection to them when they have to encounter

wild beasts.

_Jack._—Oh! yes, father, I will make the coat of mail, the coat

of mail! Ernest, Fritz, did you hear what papa said? Why, our

dogs will look like a couple of knights of chivalry. The idea

is most excellent; how I shall like to see them with a coat of

mail!

The boys left me no moment of repose till I had shown them how

to take off the skins of the animals without tearing them. In

the mean while, Ernest looked about for a flat stone as a sort

of foundation for a fire-place, and little Francis collected some

pieces of dry wood for his mother to light a fire. Ernest was

not long in finding what he wanted, and then he ran to join us

and give us his assistance, or rather to reason right or wrong

on the subject of skinning animals; and then on that of trees;

making various comments and inquiries, respecting the real name

of those we intended to inhabit. It is my opinion, said he, that

they are really and simply, enormously large hazel trees; see

if the leaf is not of exactly the same form. But that is no proof,

interrupted I; for many trees bear leaves of the same shape,

but nevertheless are of different kinds. Besides, it appears

to me, that there is not so great a resemblance as you think,

between the leaves of the trees which grow here, and those of

the hazel, the former being of a paler colour, and white underneath.

I recollect too, that there is the wild mango and also the fig-tree,

whose roots grow in the same manner as our giant trees, forming

a beautiful arch, and sometimes reaching to an immeasurable height.

_Ernest._—I thought, father, that the mango tree only grew on

the sea-shore, and in marshy soils?

_Father._—You were not mistaken; it is the black mango tree which

loves the water. But there is, besides, the red mango, which

bears its fruit in bunches, something like our currant bushes.

This kind of the mango tree, is found at a considerable distance

from the sea, and its wood is used for dyeing red. There is a

third sort, which is called the mountain mango, or yellow wood,

and this is the kind, whose roots produce the beautiful arches

you now see around us.

We conversed thus as we proceeded with our work; for it was always

my endeavour to compensate to my children, as much as I was able,

our want of books for their instruction. Little Francis presently

came running loaded with dry branches for his mother, with his

mouth crammed full of something, and calling out, Mamma, mamma,

I have found a nice fruit to eat, and I have brought you home

some of it!

Little glutton! replied his mother quite alarmed, what have you

got there? For Heaven’s sake, do not swallow, in this imprudent

manner, the first thing that falls in your way; for by this means

you may be poisoned, and then you would die. She made him open

his mouth, and took out with her finger, what he was eating with

so keen a relish. With some difficulty she drew out the remains

of a fig. A fig! exclaimed I: where did you find it? Thank God,

this is no poison! But nevertheless, remember, Francis, that

you are never to put any thing into your mouth, without first

showing it to your mother or to me. And now you may tell us where

you got this fig.

_Francis._—I got it among the grass, papa; and there are a great

many more. I thought it must be good to eat, for the fowls and

the pigeons, and even the pig, came to the place and ate them

in large quantities.

_Father._—You see then, my dear, said I to my wife, that our

beautiful trees are fig-trees, at least the kind which are thus

named at the Antilles; for they do not in the least resemble

the tree called by that name in Europe, except that they both

bear a fruit having some little resemblance to each other. I

now recollect that the leaves of the mango tree are of a round

form, and not oval like these. I took this occasion to give the

boys another lesson, on the necessity of being cautious in an

unknown country, and never to venture on tasting any thing they

met with, till they had seen it eaten by birds and monkeys. At

the word monkeys, they all ran to visit the little orphan, whom

they found seated on a root of a tree, and examining with the

oddest grimaces and the most singular expression of curiosity,

the half-skinned porcupine and the tiger cat, which lay near

him. Francis offered him a fig, which he first turned round and

round, then smelled at it, and concluded by eating it voraciously.

Bravo, bravo! Mr. Monkey, exclaimed the boys, clapping their

hands; so then these figs are good to eat! Thank you, Mr. Monkey;

for, after your wise decision, we shall make a charming feast

on them.

In the mean while, my wife had been employed in making a fire,

in putting on the pot, and preparing for our dinner. She had

put a large piece of the porcupine into it, and the rest she

had laid in salt for another time. The tiger cat was bestowed

upon the dogs, who waited impatiently to receive it. While our dinner

was dressing, I employed my time in making some packing-needles

with the quills of the porcupine. I put the point of a large

nail into the fire till it was red hot; then taking hold of it

with some wet linen in my hand, by way of guard, I with great

ease perforated the thick end of the quills with it. I had soon

the pleasure of presenting my wife with a large packet of long,

stout, needles, which were the more valuable in her estimation,

as she had formed the intention of contriving some better harnessing

for our animals, and had been perplexed how to set about them

without some larger needles. I, however, recommended to her to

be frugal in her use of the packthread, for which I should soon

have so urgent a need, in constructing a ladder for ascending

the tree we intended to inhabit. I had singled out the highest

and thickest fig-tree; and while we were waiting for dinner,

I made the boys try how high they could throw their sticks and

stones in it. I also tried myself; but the very lowest branches

were so far from the ground, that none of us could touch them.

I perceived, therefore, that we should be under the necessity

of inventing some method to reach so far, as, otherwise, it would

be impossible to fasten the ends of my ladder to them. I allowed

a short pause to my imagination on the subject, during which

I assisted Jack and Fritz in carrying the skins of the two animals

to the adjacent stream, where we confined them under water with

some large stones. By this time we were called to dinner, and

we all partook with pleasure of our porcupine, which had produced

an excellent soup, and had no fault but being a little hard.

My wife, however, could not prevail upon herself to eat of it;

which occasioned Jack, who did the honours of the dish, a little

mortification. My wife could not be brought to relent, but made

her dinner on a slice of ham and some bread and cheese, under

the shade of the trees which she had so much desired, and where

she found the plainest repast delicious.