We were driven completely out of our course; no conjecture2 could be formed as to our whereabouts. The crew had lost heart, and were utterly3 exhausted4 by incessant5 labour. The riven masts had gone by the board, leaks had been sprung in every direction, and the water, which rushed in, gained upon us rapidly.
Instead of reckless oaths, the seamen6 now uttered frantic7 cries to God for mercy, mingled8 with strange and often ludicrous vows9, to be performed should deliverance be granted. Every man on board alternately commended his soul to his Creator, and strove to bethink himself of some means of saving his life.
My heart sank as I looked round upon my family in the midst of these horrors. Our four young sons were overpowered by terror. `Dear children,' said I, `if the Lord will, He can save us even from this fearful peril10; if not, let us calmly yield our lives into His hand, and think of the joy and blessedness of finding ourselves for ever and ever united in that happy home above. Even death is not too bitter, when it does not separate those who love one another.'
At these words my weeping wife looked bravely up, and, as the boys clustered round her, she began to cheer and encourage them with calm and loving words. I rejoiced to see her fortitude12, though my heart was ready to break as I gazed on my dear ones.
We knelt down together, one after another praying with deep earnestness and emotion. Fritz, in particular, besought13 help and deliverance for his dear parents and brothers, as though quite forgetting himself. Our hearts were soothed14 by the never- failing comfort of child-like confiding15 prayer, and the horrors of our situation seemed less overwhelming. `Ah,' thought I, `the Lord will hear our prayer! He will help us.'
Amid the roar of the thundering waves I suddenly heard the cry of `Land! land!', while at the same instant the ship struck with a frightful16 shock, which threw everyone to the deck, and seemed to threaten her immediate17 destruction. Dreadful sounds betokened18 the breaking up of the ship, and the roaring waters poured in on all sides.
`Lower away the boats! We are lost!'
`Lost!' I exclaimed, and the word went like a dagger20 to my heart; but seeing my children's terror renewed, I composed myself, calling out cheerfully, `Take courage, my boys! We are all above water yet. There is the land not far off, let us do our best to reach it. You know God helps those that help themselves! Remain with your mother, while I go on deck to see what is best to be done now.' With that, I left them and went on deck.
A wave instantly threw me down; another followed, and then another, as I contrived22 to find my footing. The ship was shattered on all directions, and on one side there was a large hole in the hull23.
Forgetting the passengers, the ship's company crowded into the lifeboats, and the last who entered cut the davit ropes to cast each boat into the sea.
What was my horror when through the foam24 and spray I beheld25 the last remaining boat leave the ship, the last of the seamen spring into her and push off, regardless of my cries and entreaties26 that we might be allowed to share their slender chance of preserving their lives. My voice was drowned in the howling of the blast, and even had the crew wished it, the return of the boat was impossible, for the waves were mountain-high.
Casting my eyes despairingly around, I became gradually aware that our position was by no means hopeless, inasmuch as the stern of the ship containing our cabin was jammed between two high rocks, and was partly raised from among the breakers which dashed the fore-part to pieces. As the clouds of mist and rain drove past, I could make out, through rents in the vaporous curtain, a line of rocky coast, and, rugged27 as it was, my heart bounded towards it as a sign of help in the hour of need.
Yet the sense of our lonely and forsaken28 condition weighed heavily upon me as I returned to my family, constraining30 myself to say with a smile, `Courage, dear ones! Although our good ship will never sail more, she is so placed that our cabin will remain above water, and tomorrow, if the wind and waves abate31, I see no reason why we should not be able to get ashore32.'
These few words had an immediate effect on the spirits of my children, for my family had the habit of trusting in my assurances. The boys at once regarded our problematical chance of escaping as a happy certainty, and began to enjoy the relief from the violent pitching and rolling of the vessel33.
My wife, however, perceived my distress and anxiety in spite of my forced composure, and I made her comprehend our real situation, greatly fearing the effect of the intelligence on her nerves. Not for a moment did her courage and trust in Providence34 forsake29 her, and on seeing this, my fortitude revived.
`We must find some food, and take a good supper,' said she, `it will never do to grow faint by fasting too long. We shall require our utmost strength tomorrow.'
Night drew on apace, the storm was as fierce as ever, and at intervals35 we were startled by crashes announcing further damage to our unfortunate ship. We thought of the lifeboats, and feared that all they contained must have sunk under the foaming36 waves.
`God will help us soon now, won't He, father?' said my youngest child.
`You silly little thing,' said Fritz, my eldest37 son, sharply, `don't you know that we must not settle what God is to do for us? We must have patience and wait His time.'
`Very well said, had it been said kindly38, Fritz, my boy. You too often speak harshly to your brothers, although you may not mean to do so.'
A good meal being now ready, my youngsters ate heartily39, and retiring to rest were speedily fast asleep. Fritz, who was of an age to be aware of the real danger we were in, kept watch with us. After a long silence, `Father,' said he, `don't you think we might contrive21 swimming-belts for mother and the boys? With those we might all escape to land, for you and I can swim.'
`Your idea is so good,' answered I, `that I shall arrange something at once, in case of an accident during the night.'
We immediately searched about for what would answer the purpose, and fortunately got hold of a number of empty flasks40 and tin canisters, which we connected two and two together so as to form floats sufficiently41 buoyant to support a person in the water, and my wife and young sons each willingly put one on. I then provided myself with matches, dry tinder, knives, cord, and other portable articles, trusting that, should the vessel go to pieces before daylight, we might gain the shore, not wholly destitute42.
Fritz, as well as his brothers, now slept soundly. Throughout the night my wife and I maintained our prayerful watch, dreading43 at every fresh sound some fatal change in the position of the wreck44.
At length the faint dawn of day appeared, the long weary night was over, and with thankful hearts we perceived that the gale45 had begun to moderate; blue sky was seen above us, and the lovely hues46 of sunrise adorned47 the eastern horizon.
I aroused the boys, and we assembled on the remaining portion of the deck, when they, to their surprise, discovered that no one else was on board.
`Hallo, papa! What has become of everybody? Are the sailors gone? Have they taken away the boats? Oh, papa! why did they leave us behind? What can we do by ourselves!'
`My good children,' I replied, `we must not despair, although we seem deserted49. See how those on whose skill and good faith we depended have left us cruelly to our fate in the hour of danger. God will never do so. He has not forsaken us, and we will trust Him still. Only let us bestir ourselves, and each cheerily do his best. Who has anything to propose?'
`The sea will soon be calm enough for swimming,' said Fritz.
`And that would be all very fine for you,' exclaimed Ernest, `for you can swim, but think of mother and the rest of us! Why not build a raft and all get on shore together?'
`We should find it difficult, I think, to make a raft that would carry us safe to shore. However, we must contrive something, and first let each try to procure50 what will be of most use to us.'
Away we all went to see what was to be found, I myself proceeding51 to examine, as of greatest consequence, the supplies of provisions and fresh water within our reach.
My wife took her youngest son, Franz, to help her to attend to the unfortunate animals on board, who were in a pitiful plight52, having been neglected for several days.
Fritz hastened to the arms chest, Ernest to look for tools; and Jack53 went towards the captain's cabin, the door of which he no sooner opened, than out sprang two splendid large dogs, who testified their extreme delight and gratitude54 by such tremendous bounds that they knocked their little deliverer completely head over heels, frightening him nearly out of his wits.
Jack did not long yield either to fear or anger, he presently recovered himself, the dogs seemed to ask pardon by vehemently55 licking his face and hands, and so, seizing the larger by the ears, he jumped on his back, and, to my great amusement, coolly rode to meet me as I came up the hatchway. I could not refrain from laughing at the sight, and I praised his courage, but warned him to be cautious and remember that animals of this species might, in a state of hunger, be dangerous.
When we reassembled in the cabin, we all displayed our treasures.
Fritz brought a couple of guns, shot belt, powder-flasks, and plenty of bullets.
Ernest produced a cap full of nails, a pair of large scissors, an axe56, and a hammer, while pincers, chisels57 and augers stuck out of all his pockets.
Even little Franz* carried a box of no small size, and eagerly began to show us the `nice sharp little hooks' it contained. His brothers smiled scornfully.
* Some editions translate this to Francis, apparently58 to avoid confusion with Fritz. I see no reason for the change, and am retaining the original spelling. Ed.
`Well, done, Franz!' cried I, `these fish hooks, which you the youngest have found, may contribute more than anything else in the ship to save our lives by procuring59 food for us. Fritz and Ernest, you have chosen well.'
`Will you praise me too?' said my dear wife. `I have nothing to show, but I can give you good news. Some useful animals are still alive: a donkey, two goats, six sheep, a ram60, and a cow and a fine sow both big with young. I was but just in time to save their lives by taking food to them. The goats I milked, though I do not know how I shall preserve the milk in this dreadful heat.'
`All these things are excellent indeed,' said I, `but my friend Jack here has presented me with a couple of huge hungry useless dogs, who will eat more than any of us.'
`Oh, papa! They will be of use! Why, they will help us to hunt when we get on shore!'
`No doubt they will, if ever we do get on shore, Jack; but I must say I don't know how it is to be done.'
`Can't we each get into a big tub, and float there?' returned he.
`I have often sailed splendidly like that, round the pond at home.'
`My child, you have hit on a capital idea,' cried I. `That is certainly worth trying. Now, Ernest, let me have your tools, hammers, nails, saws, augers, and all; and then make haste to collect any tubs you can find!'
We very soon found four large casks, made of sound wood and strongly bound with iron hoops61; they were floating with many other things in the water in the hold, but we managed to fish them out, and place them on the lower deck, which was at that time scarcely above water. They were exactly what I wanted, and I succeeded in sawing them across the middle. Hard work it was, and we were glad enough to stop and refresh ourselves with goat's milk, wine,* and biscuits.
* Even as late as this book was written, public water was likely to be polluted. Children as well as adults drank alcoholic62 beverages63, often considerably64 diluted65 with water, because it had been observed that children who did not drink plain water were more likely to survive childhood.
My eight tubs now stood ranged in a row near the water's edge, and I looked at them with great satisfaction; to my surprise, my wife did not seem to share my pleasure!
`I shall never,' said she, `muster courage to get into one of these!'
`Do not be too sure of that, dear wife; when you see my contrivance completed, you will perhaps prefer it to this immovable wreck.'
I next procured66 a long thin plank67 on which my tubs could be fixed68, and the two ends of this I bent69 upwards70 so as to form a keel. Other two planks71 were nailed along the sides of the tubs; they, also being flexible, were brought to a point at each end, and all firmly secured and nailed together, producing a kind of narrow boat, divided into eight compartments73, which I had no doubt would float adequately in calm water. But when we thought all was ready for the launch, we found, to our dismay, that the grand contrivance was so heavy and clumsy that even our united efforts could not move it an inch.
`I must have a lever,' cried I. `Run and fetch the capstan bar!'
Fritz quickly brought one and, having formed rollers by cutting up a long spar, I raised the forepart of my boat with the bar, and my sons placed a roller under it.
`How is it, father,' inquired Ernest, `that with that thing you alone can do more than all of us together?'
I explained, as well as I could in a hurry, the principle of Archimedes' lever; from which he said he could move the world if he had a point from which his mechanism74 might operate, and promised to have a long talk on the subject of mechanics when we should be safe on land.
I now made fast a long rope to the stern of our boat, attaching the other end to a beam; then placing a second and third roller under it, we once more began to push, this time with success, and soon our gallant75 craft was safely launched: so swiftly indeed did she glide76 into the water that, if the rope had not been well secured, she would have passed beyond our reach. The boys wished to jump in directly; but, alas77, she leaned so much on one side that they could not venture to do so.
Some heavy things being thrown in, however, the boat righted itself by degrees, and the boys were so delighted that they struggled which should first leap in to have the fun of sitting down in the tubs. But it was plain to me at once that something more was required to make her perfectly78 safe, so I contrived outriggers to preserve the balance, by nailing long poles across at the stem and stern, and fixing at the ends of each empty brandy cask.
Then, the boat appearing steady, I got in; and turning it towards the most open side of the wreck, I cut and cleared away obstructions79, so as to leave a free passage for our departure, and the boys brought oars80 to be ready for the voyage. This important undertaking81 we were forced to postpone82 until the next day, as it was by this time far too late to attempt it.
It was not pleasant to have to spend another night in so precarious83 a situation; but, yielding to necessity, we sat down to enjoy a comfortable supper, for during our exciting and incessant work all day we had taken nothing but an occasional biscuit and a little wine.
We prepared for rest in a much happier frame of mind than on the preceding day, but I did not forget the possibility of a renewed storm, and therefore made every one put on the belts as before. I persuaded my wife (not without considerable difficulty), to put on a sailor's dress, assuring her she would find it much more comfortable and convenient for all she would have to go through.
She at last consented to do this, and left us for a short time, reappearing with much embarrassment84 and many blushes, in a most becoming suit, which she had found in a midshipman's chest.* We all admired her costume, and any awkwardness she felt soon began to pass off; then we retired85 to our hammocks, where peaceful sleep prepared us all for the exertions86 of the coming day.
* At the time this book was written, women always wore long skirts. A woman wearing trousers would be considered so shocking that if she were so garbed87 on a public street she would probably be arrested for indecency.
We rose up betimes, for sleep weighs lightly on the hopeful as well as on the anxious. After kneeling together in prayer, `Now my beloved ones,' said I, `with God's help we are about to effect our escape. Let the poor animals we must leave behind, be well fed, and put plenty of fodder88 within their reach: in a few days we may be able to return, and save them likewise. After that, collect everything you can think of which may be of use to us.'
The boys joyfully89 obeyed me; and I selected, from the large quantity of stores they got together, canvas to make a tent, a chest of carpenter's tools, guns, pistols, powder, shot, and bullets, rods and fishing tackle, an iron pot, a case of portable soup and another of biscuit. These useful articles of course took the place of the ballast I had hastily thrown in the day before; even so, the boys had brought so many things that we were obliged to leave some of them for a future trip.
With a hearty90 prayer for God's blessing91, we now began to take our seats, each in his tub. Just then we heard the cocks begin to crow and the chickens to cackle, as though to reproach us for deserting them.
`Why should not the fowls92 go with us!' exclaimed I. `If we find no food for them, they can be food for us!' Ten hens and a couple of cocks were accordingly placed in one of the tubs, and secured with some wire-netting over them.
The ducks and geese were set at liberty, and took to the water at once, while the pigeons, rejoicing to find themselves on the wing, swiftly made for the shore. My wife, who managed all this for me, kept us waiting for her some little time, and came at last with a bag as big as a pillow in her arms. `This is my contribution,' said she, throwing the bag to little Franz, to be, as I thought, a cushion for him to sit upon, or to protect himself from being tossed from side to side.
All being ready, we cast off, and moved away from the wreck. My good, brave wife sat in the first compartment72 of the boat; next her was Franz, a sweet-tempered, affectionate little boy, nearly six years old. Then came Fritz, a handsome, spirited young fellow of fourteen; the two centre tubs contained the valuable cargo93; then came our bold, thoughtless Jack, ten years old; next him twelve-year-old Ernest, my second son, intelligent, well-informed, and rather indolent. I myself, the anxious, loving father, stood in the stern, endeavouring to guide the raft with its precious burden to a safe landing-place.
The elder boys took the oars; everyone wore a float belt, and had something useful close to him in case of being thrown into the water.
The tide was flowing, which was a great help to the young oarsmen. We emerged from the wreck and glided94 into the open sea. All eyes were strained to get a full view of the land, and the boys pulled with a will; but for some time we made no progress, as the boat kept turning round and round, until I hit upon the right way to steer95 it, after which we merrily made for the shore.
We had left the two dogs, Turk and Juno, on the wreck, as being both large mastiffs we did not care to have their additional weight on board our craft; but when they saw us apparently deserting them, they set up a piteous howl, and sprang into the sea. I was sorry to see this, for the distance to the land was so great that I scarcely expected them to be able to accomplish it. They followed us, however, and, occasionally resting their fore-paws on the outriggers, kept up with us well. Jack was inclined to deny them this their only chance of safety.
`Stop,' said I, `that would be unkind as well as foolish; remember, the merciful man regardeth the life of his beast. God has given the dog to man to be his faithful companion and friend.'
Our passage, though tedious, was safe; but the nearer we approached the shore the less inviting96 it appeared; the barren rocks seemed to threaten us with misery97 and want.
Many casks, boxes and bales of goods floated on the water around us. Fritz and I managed to secure a couple of hogsheads, so as to tow them alongside. With the prospect98 of famine before us, it was desirable to lay hold of anything likely to contain provisions.
By-and-by we began to perceive that, between and beyond the cliffs, green grass and trees were discernible. Fritz could distinguish many tall palms, and Ernest hoped they would prove to be cocoanut trees, and enjoyed the thoughts of drinking the refreshing99 milk.
`I am very sorry I never thought of bringing away the captain's telescope,' said I.
`Oh, look here, father!' cried Jack, drawing a little spy-glass joyfully out of his pocket.
By means of this glass, I made out that at some distance to the left the coast was much more inviting; a strong current however carried us directly towards the frowning rocks, but I presently observed an opening, where a stream flowed into the sea, and saw that our geese and ducks were swimming towards this place. I steered100 after them into the creek101, and we found ourselves in a small bay or inlet where the water was perfectly smooth and of moderate depth. The ground sloped gently upwards from the low banks to the cliffs which here retired inland, leaving a small plain, on which it was easy for us to land. Everyone sprang gladly out of the boat but little Franz, who, lying packed in his tub like a potted shrimp102, had to be lifted out by his mother.
The dogs had scrambled103 on shore before us; they received us with loud barking and the wildest demonstrations104 of delight. The chickens, geese and ducks kept up an incessant din11, added to which was the screaming and croaking105 of flamingoes and penguins106, whose dominion107 we were invading. The noise was deafening108, but far from unwelcome to me, as I thought of the good dinners the birds might furnish.
As soon as we could gather our children around us on dry land, we knelt to offer thanks and praise for our merciful escape, and with full hearts we commended ourselves to God's good keeping for the time to come. All hands then briskly fell to the work of unloading, and, oh, how rich we felt ourselves as we did so!
The poultry109 we left at liberty to forage110 for themselves, and set about finding a suitable place to erect111 a tent in which to pass the night. This we speedily did; thrusting a long spar into a hole in the rock, and supporting the other end by a pole firmly planted in the ground, we formed a framework over which we stretched the sailcloth we had brought; besides fastening this down with pegs112, we placed our heavy chests and boxes on the border of the canvas, and arranged hooks so as to be able to close up the entrance during the night.
When this was accomplished113, the boys ran to collect moss114 and grass, to spread in the tent for our beds, while I arranged a fireplace, surrounded by large flat stones, near the brook115 which flowed close by. Dry twigs116 and seaweed were soon in a blaze on the hearth117, I filled the iron pot with water, and after I gave my wife several cakes of the portable soup, she established herself as our cook, with little Franz to help her.
He, thinking his mother was melting some glue for carpentry, was eager to know `what papa was going to make next?'
`This is to be soup for your dinner, my child. Do you think these cakes look like glue?'
`Yes, indeed I do!' replied Franz, `And I should not much like to taste glue soup! Don't you want some beef or mutton, Mamma?'
`Where can I get it, dear?' said she, `we are a long way from a butcher's shop! But these cakes are made of the juice of good meat, boiled till it becomes a strong stiff jelly—people take them when they go to sea, because on a long voyage they can only have salt meat, which will not make nice soup.'
Fritz, leaving a loaded gun with me, took another himself,* and went along the rough coast to see what lay beyond the stream; this fatiguing118 sort of walk not suiting Ernest's fancy, he sauntered down to the beach, and Jack scrambled among the rocks searching for shellfish.
* Even today all adult male Swiss are required by law to possess, and know how and when to use, firearms. A father who did not teach his sons these things, as well as firearms safety, would be very neglectful.
I was anxious to land the two casks which were floating alongside our boat, but on attempting to do so, I found that I could not get them up the bank on which we had landed, and was therefore obliged to look for a more convenient spot. As I did so, I was startled by hearing Jack shouting for help, as though in great danger. He was at some distance, and I hurried towards him with a hatchet119 in my hand.
The little fellow stood screaming in a deep pool, and as I approached, I saw that a huge lobster120 had caught his leg in its powerful claw. Poor Jack was in a terrible fright; kick as he would, his enemy still clung on. I waded121 into the water, and seizing the lobster firmly by the back, managed to make it loosen its hold, and we brought it safe to land.
Jack, having speedily recovered his spirits, and anxious to take such a prize to his mother, caught the lobster in both hands, but instantly received such a severe blow from its tail, that he flung it down, and passionately122 hit the creature with a large stone.
This display of temper vexed123 me. `You are acting124 in a very childish way, my son,' said I. `Never strike an enemy in a revengeful spirit, or when the enemy is unable to defend itself. The lobster, it is true, gave you a bite, but then you, on your part, intend to eat the lobster. So the game is at least equal. Next time, be both more prudent125 and more merciful.'
Once more lifting the lobster, Jack ran triumphantly126 towards the tent. `Mother, mother! A lobster! A lobster, Ernest! Look here, Franz! Mind, he'll bite you! Where's Fritz?' All came crowding round Jack and his prize, wondering at its unusual size, and Ernest wanted his mother to make lobster soup directly, by adding it to what she was now boiling.
She, however, begged to decline making any such experiment, and said she preferred cooking one dish at a time. Having remarked that the scene of Jack's adventure afforded a convenient place for getting my casks on shore, I returned thither127 and succeeded in drawing them up on the beach, where I set them on end, and for the present left them.
On my return I resumed the subject of Jack's lobster, and told him he should have the offending claw all to himself when it was ready to be eaten, congratulating him on being the first to discover anything useful.
`As to that,' said Ernest, `I found something very good to eat, as well as Jack, only I could not get at them without wetting my feet.'
`Pooh!' cried Jack, `I know what he saw—nothing but some nasty mussels—I saw them too. Who wants to eat trash like that! Lobster for me!'
`I believe them to be oysters128, not mussels,' returned Ernest calmly. "They were stuck to the rocks, so I am sure they are oysters."
`Be good enough, my philosophical130 young friend, to fetch a few specimens131 of these oysters in time for our next meal,' said I. `We must all exert ourselves, Ernest, for the common good, and pray never let me hear you object to wetting your feet. See how quickly the sun has dried Jack and me.'
`I can bring some salt at the same time,' said Ernest, `I remarked a good deal lying in the crevices133 of the rocks; it tasted very pure and good, and I concluded it was produced by the evaporation134 of sea water in the sun.'
`Extremely probable, learned sir,' cried I, `but if you had brought a bag full of this good salt instead of merely speculating so profoundly on the subject, it would have been more to the purpose. Run and fetch some directly.'
It proved to be salt sure enough, although so impure135 that it seemed useless, till my wife dissolved and strained it, when it became fit to put in the soup.
`Why not use the sea-water itself?' asked Jack.
`Because,' said Ernest, `it is not only salt, but bitter too.
Just try it.'
`Now,' said my wife, tasting the soup with the stick with which she had been stirring it, `dinner is ready, but where can Fritz be?' she continued, a little anxiously. `And how are we to eat our soup when he does come?' she continued. `We have neither plates nor spoons. Why did we not remember to bring some from the ship?'
"Because, my dear, one cannot think of everything at once. We shall be fortunate if we do not find even more things we have forgotten."
"But we can scarcely lift the boiling pot to our mouths," she said.
I was forced to agree. We all looked upon the pot with perplexity, rather like the fox in the fable136, to whom the stork137 served up a dinner in a jug138 with a long neck. Silence was at length broken, when all of us burst into hearty laughter at our own folly139 in not remembering that spoons and forks were things of absolute necessity.
`Oh, for a few cocoanut shells!' sighed Ernest.
`Oh, for half a dozen plates and as many silver spoons!' rejoined
I, smiling.
`True, that is an idea worth having! Off with you, my boys, get the oysters and clean out a few shells. And none of you must complain because the spoons have no handles, and we grease our fingers a little in baling the soup out.'
Jack was away and up to his knees in the water in a moment detaching the oysters. Ernest followed more leisurely140, and still unwilling141 to wet his feet, stood by the margin142 of the pool and gathered in his handkerchief the oysters his brother threw him; as he thus stood he picked up and pocketed a large mussel shell for his own use. As they returned with a good supply we heard a shout from Fritz in the distance; we returned it joyfully, and he presently appeared before us, his hands behind his back, and a look of disappointment upon his countenance143.
`Unsuccessful!' said he.
`Really!' I replied. `Never mind, my boy, better luck next time.'
`Oh, Fritz!' exclaimed his brothers who had looked behind him. `A sucking-pig, a little sucking-pig. Where did you get it? How did you shoot it? Do let us see it!'
Fritz then with sparkling eyes exhibited his prize.
`I am glad to see the result of your prowess, my boy,' said I; `but I cannot approve of deceit, even as a joke; stick to the truth in jest and earnest.'
Fritz then told us how he had been to the other side of the stream. `So different from this,' he said, `it is really a beautiful country, and the shore, which runs down to the sea in a gentle slope, is covered with all sorts of useful things from the wreck. Do let us go and collect them. And, father, why should we not return to the wreck and bring off some of the animals? Just think of what value the cow would be to us, and what a pity it would be to lose her. Let us get her on shore, and we will move over the stream, where she will have good pasturage, and we shall be in the shade instead of on this desert, and, father, I do wish—'
`Stop, stop, my boy!' cried I. `All will be done in good time. Tomorrow and the day after will bring work of their own. And tell me, did you see no traces of our shipmates?'
`Not a sign of them, either on land or sea, living or dead,' he replied.
`But the sucking-pig,' said Jack, `where did you get it?'
`It was one of several,' said Fritz, `which I found on the shore; along with some very curious little animals that hopped144 rather than walked, and every now and then would squat145 down on their hind48 legs and rub their snouts with their forepaws. Had not I been afraid of losing all, I would have tried to catch one alive, they seemed so tame. But this was more easily taken.'
Meanwhile, Ernest had been carefully examining the animal in question.
`This is no pig,' he said, `and except for its bristly skin, does not look like one. See, its teeth are not like those of a pig, but rather those of a squirrel. In fact,' he continued, looking at Fritz, `your sucking-pig is an agouti.'
`Dear me,' said Fritz, `listen to the great professor lecturing!
He is going to prove that a pig is not a pig!'
`You need not be so quick to laugh at your brother,' said I, in my turn, `he is quite right. I, too, know the agouti by descriptions and pictures, and there is little doubt that this is a specimen132. The little animal makes its nest under the roots of trees, and lives upon fruit. Its meat is white but dry, having no fat, and never entirely146 loses a certain wild flavour, which is disagreeable to Europeans. It is held in great esteem147 by the natives where it lives, especially when the animal has been feeding near the sea on plants impregnated with salt. But, Ernest, the agouti not only looks something like a pig, but most decidedly grunts148 like a porker.'
While we were thus talking, Jack had been vainly endeavouring to open an oyster with his large knife. `Here is a simpler way,' said I, placing an oyster on the fire; it immediately opened.
`Now,' I continued, `who will try this delicacy149?' All at first hesitated to partake of them, so unattractive did they appear. Jack, however, tightly closing his eyes and making a face as though about to take medicine, gulped150 one down. We followed his example, one after the other, each doing so rather to provide himself with a spoon than with any hope of cultivating a taste for oysters.
Our spoons were now ready, and gathering151 round the pot we dipped them in, not, however, without sundry152 scalded fingers. Ernest then drew from his pocket the large shell he had procured for his own use, and scooping153 up a good quantity of soup he put it down to cool, smiling at his own foresight154.
`Prudence should be exercised for others, not just for oneself,' I remarked. `Are you so much better than your brothers? Your cool soup will do capitally for the dogs, my boy; take it to them, and then come and eat like the rest of us.'
Ernest winced155 at this, but silently taking up his shell he placed it on the ground before the hungry dogs, who lapped up its contents in a moment; he then returned, and after waiting for the soup to cool some more, we all went merrily on with our dinner.
While we were thus busily employed, we suddenly discovered that our dogs, not satisfied with their mouthful of soup, had espied156 the agouti, and were rapidly devouring157 it. The boys all began to yell, and Fritz first threw a stone at the dogs and then, seizing his gun, flew to rescue it from their hungry jaws158. Before I could prevent him, he struck one of them with such force that his gun was bent. The poor beasts ran off howling, followed by a shower of stones from Fritz, who shouted and yelled at them so fiercely, that if I had not interfered159, it was probable he would have killed them.
I followed him, and as soon as he would listen to me, represented to him how despicable as well as wicked was such an outbreak of temper. `For,' said I, `you have hurt, if not actually wounded, the dogs; you have distressed160 and frightened your mother, and you have spoiled your gun, which would have been so useful.'
Though Fritz's passion was easily aroused it never lasted long, and speedily recovering himself, immediately he entreated161 his mother's pardon, and expressed his sorrow for his fault.
By this time the sun was sinking beneath the horizon, and the poultry, which had been straying to some little distance, gathered round us, and began to pick up the crumbs162 of biscuit which had fallen during our repast. My wife hereupon drew from her mysterious bag some handfuls of oats, peas, and other grain, and with them began to feed the poultry.
She at the same time showed me several other seeds of various vegetables. `That was indeed thoughtful,' said I, `but pray be careful of what will be of such value to us; we can bring plenty of damaged biscuits from the wreck, which though of no use as food for us, will suit the fowls very well indeed.'
The pigeons now flew up to crevices in the rocks, the fowls perched themselves on our tent pole, and the ducks and geese waddled163 off cackling and quacking164 to the marshy165 margin of the river. We too were ready for repose166, and having loaded our guns, and offered up our prayers to God, thanking him for his many mercies to us, we commended ourselves to his protecting care, and as the last ray of light departed, closed our tent and lay down to rest.
The children remarked the suddenness of nightfall, for indeed there had been little or no twilight167. This convinced me that we must be not far from the equator, for twilight results from the refraction of the sun's rays; the more obliquely168 these rays fall, the further does the partial light extend, while the more perpendicularly169 they strike the earth the longer do they continue their undiminished force, until when the sun sinks, they totally disappear, thus producing sudden darkness.
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1
distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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conjecture
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| n./v.推测，猜测 | |
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3
utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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incessant
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| adj.不停的，连续的 | |
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seamen
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| n.海员 | |
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frantic
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| adj.狂乱的，错乱的，激昂的 | |
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mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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vows
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| 誓言( vow的名词复数 )； 郑重宣布，许愿 | |
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peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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din
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| n.喧闹声，嘈杂声 | |
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fortitude
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| n.坚忍不拔；刚毅 | |
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besought
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| v.恳求，乞求（某事物）( beseech的过去式和过去分词 )；(beseech的过去式与过去分词) | |
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14
soothed
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| v.安慰( soothe的过去式和过去分词 )；抚慰；使舒服；减轻痛苦 | |
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15
confiding
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| adj.相信人的，易于相信的v.吐露（秘密，心事等）( confide的现在分词 )；（向某人）吐露（隐私、秘密等） | |
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16
frightful
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| adj.可怕的；讨厌的 | |
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immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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betokened
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| v.预示，表示( betoken的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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tumult
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| n.喧哗；激动，混乱；吵闹 | |
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dagger
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| n.匕首，短剑，剑号 | |
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21
contrive
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| vt.谋划，策划；设法做到；设计，想出 | |
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contrived
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| adj.不自然的，做作的；虚构的 | |
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hull
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| n.船身；(果、实等的)外壳；vt.去(谷物等)壳 | |
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24
foam
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| v./n.泡沫，起泡沫 | |
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25
beheld
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| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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26
entreaties
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| n.恳求，乞求( entreaty的名词复数 ) | |
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rugged
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| adj.高低不平的，粗糙的，粗壮的，强健的 | |
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28
Forsaken
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| adj. 被遗忘的, 被抛弃的 动词forsake的过去分词 | |
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29
forsake
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| vt.遗弃，抛弃；舍弃，放弃 | |
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30
constraining
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| 强迫( constrain的现在分词 )； 强使； 限制； 约束 | |
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31
abate
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| vi.(风势，疼痛等)减弱，减轻，减退 | |
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ashore
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| adv.在(向)岸上，上岸 | |
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33
vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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34
providence
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| n.深谋远虑，天道，天意；远见；节约；上帝 | |
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35
intervals
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| n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 )；间隔时间；[数学]区间；（戏剧、电影或音乐会的）幕间休息 | |
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36
foaming
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| adj.布满泡沫的；发泡 | |
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37
eldest
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| adj.最年长的，最年老的 | |
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38
kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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39
heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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40
flasks
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| n.瓶，长颈瓶， 烧瓶( flask的名词复数 ) | |
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41
sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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42
destitute
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| adj.缺乏的；穷困的 | |
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43
dreading
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| v.害怕，恐惧，担心( dread的现在分词 ) | |
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44
wreck
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| n.失事，遇难；沉船；vt.(船等)失事，遇难 | |
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45
gale
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| n.大风，强风，一阵闹声（尤指笑声等） | |
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46
hues
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| 色彩( hue的名词复数 )； 色调； 信仰； 观点 | |
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47
adorned
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| [计]被修饰的 | |
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48
hind
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| adj.后面的，后部的 | |
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49
deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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50
procure
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| vt.获得，取得，促成；vi.拉皮条 | |
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51
proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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52
plight
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| n.困境，境况，誓约，艰难；vt.宣誓，保证，约定 | |
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53
jack
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| n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克 | |
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54
gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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55
vehemently
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| adv. 热烈地 | |
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56
axe
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| n.斧子；v.用斧头砍，削减 | |
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57
chisels
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| n.凿子，錾子( chisel的名词复数 )；口凿 | |
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58
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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59
procuring
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| v.（努力）取得， （设法）获得( procure的现在分词 )；拉皮条 | |
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60
ram
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| (random access memory)随机存取存储器 | |
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61
hoops
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| n.箍( hoop的名词复数 )；（篮球）篮圈；（旧时儿童玩的）大环子；（两端埋在地里的）小铁弓 | |
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62
alcoholic
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| adj.（含）酒精的，由酒精引起的；n.酗酒者 | |
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63
beverages
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| n.饮料( beverage的名词复数 ) | |
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64
considerably
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| adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上 | |
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65
diluted
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| 无力的，冲淡的 | |
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66
procured
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| v.（努力）取得， （设法）获得( procure的过去式和过去分词 )；拉皮条 | |
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67
plank
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| n.板条，木板，政策要点，政纲条目 | |
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68
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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69
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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70
upwards
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| adv.向上，在更高处...以上 | |
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71
planks
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| （厚）木板( plank的名词复数 )； 政纲条目，政策要点 | |
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72
compartment
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| n.卧车包房，隔间；分隔的空间 | |
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73
compartments
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| n.间隔( compartment的名词复数 )；（列车车厢的）隔间；（家具或设备等的）分隔间；隔层 | |
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74
mechanism
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| n.机械装置；机构，结构 | |
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75
gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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76
glide
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| n./v.溜，滑行；(时间)消逝 | |
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77
alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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78
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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79
obstructions
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| n.障碍物( obstruction的名词复数 )；阻碍物；阻碍；阻挠 | |
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80
oars
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| n.桨，橹( oar的名词复数 )；划手v.划（行）( oar的第三人称单数 ) | |
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81
undertaking
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| n.保证，许诺，事业 | |
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82
postpone
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| v.延期，推迟 | |
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83
precarious
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| adj.不安定的，靠不住的；根据不足的 | |
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84
embarrassment
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| n.尴尬；使人为难的人(事物)；障碍；窘迫 | |
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85
retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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86
exertions
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| n.努力( exertion的名词复数 )；费力；（能力、权力等的）运用；行使 | |
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87
garbed
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| v.（尤指某类人穿的特定）服装，衣服，制服( garb的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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88
fodder
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| n.草料；炮灰 | |
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89
joyfully
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| adv. 喜悦地, 高兴地 | |
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90
hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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91
blessing
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| n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿 | |
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92
fowls
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| 鸟( fowl的名词复数 )； 禽肉； 既不是这； 非驴非马 | |
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93
cargo
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| n.(一只船或一架飞机运载的)货物 | |
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94
glided
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| v.滑动( glide的过去式和过去分词 )；掠过；（鸟或飞机 ） 滑翔 | |
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95
steer
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| vt.驾驶，为…操舵；引导；vi.驾驶 | |
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96
inviting
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| adj.诱人的，引人注目的 | |
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97
misery
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| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
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98
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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99
refreshing
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| adj.使精神振作的，使人清爽的，使人喜欢的 | |
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100
steered
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| v.驾驶( steer的过去式和过去分词 )；操纵；控制；引导 | |
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101
creek
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| n.小溪，小河，小湾 | |
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102
shrimp
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| n.虾，小虾；矮小的人 | |
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103
scrambled
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| v.快速爬行( scramble的过去式和过去分词 )；攀登；争夺；（军事飞机）紧急起飞 | |
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104
demonstrations
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| 证明( demonstration的名词复数 )； 表明； 表达； 游行示威 | |
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105
croaking
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| v.呱呱地叫( croak的现在分词 )；用粗的声音说 | |
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106
penguins
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| n.企鹅( penguin的名词复数 ) | |
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107
dominion
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| n.统治，管辖，支配权；领土，版图 | |
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108
deafening
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| adj. 振耳欲聋的, 极喧闹的 动词deafen的现在分词形式 | |
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109
poultry
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| n.家禽，禽肉 | |
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110
forage
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| n.(牛马的)饲料，粮草；v.搜寻，翻寻 | |
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111
erect
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| n./v.树立，建立，使竖立；adj.直立的，垂直的 | |
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112
pegs
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| n.衣夹( peg的名词复数 )；挂钉；系帐篷的桩；弦钮v.用夹子或钉子固定( peg的第三人称单数 )；使固定在某水平 | |
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113
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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114
moss
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| n.苔，藓，地衣 | |
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115
brook
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| n.小河，溪；v.忍受，容让 | |
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116
twigs
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| 细枝，嫩枝( twig的名词复数 ) | |
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117
hearth
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| n.壁炉炉床，壁炉地面 | |
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118
fatiguing
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| a.使人劳累的 | |
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119
hatchet
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| n.短柄小斧；v.扼杀 | |
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120
lobster
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| n.龙虾，龙虾肉 | |
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121
waded
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| （从水、泥等）蹚，走过，跋( wade的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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122
passionately
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| ad.热烈地，激烈地 | |
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123
vexed
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| adj.争论不休的；（指问题等）棘手的；争论不休的问题；烦恼的v.使烦恼( vex的过去式和过去分词 )；使苦恼；使生气；详细讨论 | |
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124
acting
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| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
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125
prudent
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| adj.谨慎的，有远见的，精打细算的 | |
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126
triumphantly
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| ad.得意洋洋地；得胜地；成功地 | |
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127
thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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128
oysters
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| 牡蛎( oyster的名词复数 ) | |
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129
oyster
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| n.牡蛎；沉默寡言的人 | |
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130
philosophical
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| adj.哲学家的，哲学上的，达观的 | |
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131
specimens
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| n.样品( specimen的名词复数 )；范例；（化验的）抽样；某种类型的人 | |
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132
specimen
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| n.样本，标本 | |
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133
crevices
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| n.（尤指岩石的）裂缝，缺口( crevice的名词复数 ) | |
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134
evaporation
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| n.蒸发，消失 | |
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135
impure
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| adj.不纯净的，不洁的；不道德的，下流的 | |
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136
fable
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| n.寓言；童话；神话 | |
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137
stork
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| n.鹳 | |
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138
jug
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| n.(有柄，小口，可盛水等的)大壶，罐，盂 | |
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139
folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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140
leisurely
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| adj.悠闲的；从容的，慢慢的 | |
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141
unwilling
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| adj.不情愿的 | |
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142
margin
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| n.页边空白；差额；余地，余裕；边，边缘 | |
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143
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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144
hopped
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| 跳上[下]( hop的过去式和过去分词 )； 单足蹦跳； 齐足（或双足）跳行； 摘葎草花 | |
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squat
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| v.蹲坐，蹲下；n.蹲下；adj.矮胖的，粗矮的 | |
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146
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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esteem
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| n.尊敬，尊重；vt.尊重，敬重；把…看作 | |
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148
grunts
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| （猪等）作呼噜声( grunt的第三人称单数 )； （指人）发出类似的哼声； 咕哝着说； 石鲈 | |
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delicacy
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| n.精致，细微，微妙，精良；美味，佳肴 | |
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150
gulped
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| v.狼吞虎咽地吃，吞咽( gulp的过去式和过去分词 )；大口地吸（气）；哽住 | |
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151
gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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152
sundry
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| adj.各式各样的，种种的 | |
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153
scooping
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| n.捞球v.抢先报道( scoop的现在分词 )；（敏捷地）抱起；抢先获得；用铲[勺]等挖（洞等） | |
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154
foresight
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| n.先见之明，深谋远虑 | |
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155
winced
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| 赶紧避开，畏缩( wince的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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156
espied
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| v.看到( espy的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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157
devouring
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| 吞没( devour的现在分词 )； 耗尽； 津津有味地看； 狼吞虎咽地吃光 | |
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158
jaws
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| n.口部；嘴 | |
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159
interfered
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| v.干预( interfere的过去式和过去分词 )；调停；妨碍；干涉 | |
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160
distressed
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| 痛苦的 | |
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161
entreated
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| 恳求，乞求( entreat的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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162
crumbs
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| int. (表示惊讶)哎呀 n. 碎屑 名词crumb的复数形式 | |
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163
waddled
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| v.（像鸭子一样）摇摇摆摆地走( waddle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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164
quacking
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| v.（鸭子）发出嘎嘎声( quack的现在分词 ) | |
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165
marshy
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| adj.沼泽的 | |
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166
repose
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| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
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167
twilight
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| n.暮光，黄昏；暮年，晚期，衰落时期 | |
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168
obliquely
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| adv.斜； 倾斜； 间接； 不光明正大 | |
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169
perpendicularly
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| adv. 垂直地, 笔直地, 纵向地 | |
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