The Swiss family Robinson
branches, which we thus converted into a kind of vehicle. We added
to the load a little chest, which we found half-buried in the sands,
quite close to the waves, and then we set out on our return to
Falcon’s Stream. When we reached our abode, the chest we had brought
was soon opened by a strong hatchet; for all were eager to see what
was within. It contained only some sailors’ dresses and some linen,
and both were wet with the sea.
We then sat down tranquilly to breakfast; and I next inspected the
booty of the young sportsmen, who had shot, in all, no less than
fifty ortolans and thrushes, and had used so large a quantity of
powder and shot, that when they were about to resume their sport,
my wife and I stopped them, recommending a more frugal use of those
valuable materials. I taught them how to make some snares, to be
suspended from the branches of the fig-tree, and advised them to use
the thread of the karata, which is as strong as horse-hair, for the
purpose.
Jack, who had got up into the tree, and had suspended some of the
snares to the branches, came down again to bring us the acceptable
intelligence that our pigeons had made a sort of nest there of some
dry grass, and that it already contained several eggs. I therefore
forbade the boys from firing any more in the tree, for fear of
alarming or wounding these gentle creatures. I also directed that the
snares should be frequently examined, to see that the pigeons were
not caught in them, as they might be strangled in their efforts to
get loose.
Meanwhile the boys and I had been busily employed: our work was
completed. Two bent pieces of wood, the segments of a circle, which
I fixed in their places by a straight piece of wood placed across,
and firmly fixed to the bent pieces in the middle and at the rear,
formed the outline of my machine. I then fastened two ropes in front;
and here was a sledge as perfect as could be desired. As I had not
raised my eyes from my work, I did not know what my wife and the two
youngest boys had been about. On looking up, I perceived that they
had been stripping off the feathers from a quantity of birds which
the boys had killed, and that they afterwards spitted them on an
officer’s sword, which Fritz had fancied and brought from the ship,
and which my wife had turned into this useful kitchen utensil. I
approved of the idea; but I blamed her profusion in dressing more
birds at once than we could eat. She reminded me that I had myself
advised her to half-roast the birds before putting them into the
butter, to be preserved for future use. She was in hopes, she said,
that as I had now a sledge, I should not fail of going to Tent House
after dinner to fetch the cask of butter, and in the meanwhile she
was endeavouring to be ready with the birds. I had no objection to
this, and determined on going to Tent House the same day, requesting
my wife to hasten the dinner for that purpose. She replied that this
was already her intention, as she also had a little project in her
head, which I should be informed of at my return. I, for my part,
had one too, which was to refresh myself, after the heat and fatigue
of my laborious occupations, by a plunge into the sea. I wished that
Ernest, who was to accompany me, should bathe also; while Fritz was
to remain at home for the protection of the family.
CHAPTER XVI
Bathing, Fishing and a Kangaroo
We had harnessed the ass and the cow to our sledge; and, resting
our guns upon our shoulders, began our journey. We bade adieu to
our companions, and put our animals in motion. We took the road by
the seashore, where the sands afforded better travelling for our
vehicle than the thick wild grass. We reached Family Bridge, on
Jackal’s River, and arrived at Tent House without either obstacle or
adventure, and unharnessed the animals to let them graze, while we
set to work to load the sledge with the cask of butter, the cask of
cheese, a small barrel of gunpowder, different instruments, small
ball and some shot. These exertions had so occupied our thoughts,
that it was late when we first observed that our animals, attracted
by the excellent quality of the grass on the other side of the river,
had repassed the bridge, and wandered so far as to be out of sight.
I was in hopes they would be easily found, and directed Ernest to go
with Flora and bring them back, intending in the meantime to look for
a convenient place on the other side of Tent House to bathe in. In a
short time I found myself at the extremity of Providence Bay, which
ended, as I now perceived, in a marsh, producing some fine bulrushes;
and further on was a chain of steep rocks, advancing somewhat into
the sea, and forming a kind of creek, as if expressly contrived for
bathing.
I desired Ernest to fill a small bag with some of the salt he had
formerly observed here, and then to empty it into the large one for
the ass to carry; and to take care to fill equally on each side.
“During this time I will take the refreshment of bathing; and then it
will be your turn to bathe, and mine to take care of the animals.”
I returned to the rocks, and was not disappointed in my expectation
of an enjoyment the most delicious. When I had dressed myself, I
returned to Ernest to see if his work had advanced: presently I heard
his voice calling out, “Father, father, a fish! a fish of monstrous
size! Run quickly, father: I can hardly hold him; he is eating up
the string of my line!” I ran to the place from which the voice
proceeded, and found Ernest lying along the ground on his face, upon
the extremity of a point of land, and pulling in his line, to which
a large fish was hanging, and struggling to get loose. I ran hastily
and snatched the rod out of his hand, for I feared the weight and
activity of the fish might pull him into the water. I gave the line
length, to calm the fish, and then contrived to draw him gently
along into a shallow, from which he could no longer escape, and
thus he was effectually secured. We examined him thoroughly, and he
appeared to weigh not less than fifteen pounds; so that our capture
was magnificent, and would afford the greatest pleasure to our good
steward of provisions at Falcon’s Stream.
While Ernest went to the rocks and bathed, I had time to fill some
more bags with salt. We then harnessed and loaded our animals, and
resumed the road to Falcon’s Stream.
When we had proceeded about half way, Flora, who was before us,
suddenly sprang off, and by her barking gave notice that she scented
some game. We soon after saw her pursuing an animal which seemed
endeavouring to escape, and made the most extraordinary jumps
imaginable. The dog continued to follow; the creature, in trying
to avoid him, passed within gun-shot of the place where I stood. I
fired, but its flight was so rapid that I did not hit. Ernest, who
was at a small distant behind, hearing the report of my gun, prepared
his own, and fired it off at the instant the singular animal was
passing near him, seeking to hide itself among the tall herbage
just by: he had fired so skilfully that the animal fell dead at the
same instant. I ran with extreme curiosity to ascertain what kind
of quadruped it might be. It was as large as a sheep, with the tail
resembling that of a tiger; but its snout and hair were like those
of a mouse, and its teeth were like a hare’s, but much larger; the
fore-legs resembled those of the squirrel, and were extremely short;
but to make up for this, its hind-legs were as long as a pair of
stilts, and of a form strikingly singular. We examined the creature
a long time in silence. I could not be sure that I had ever seen an
engraving or description of it in any natural history, or book of
travels. Ernest at length, clapping his hands together, joyously
exclaimed, “And have I really killed this wonderful animal? What do
you think is its name, father? I would give all the world to know.”
_Father._--And so would I, my boy; but I am as ignorant as you. One
thing, however, is certain, that this is your lucky day. Let us again
examine this interesting stranger, that we may be certain to what
family of quadrupeds it belongs: this will perhaps throw a light upon
its name.
_Ernest._--I think it can hardly be named a quadruped; for the little
fore-legs look much more like hands, as is the case with monkeys.
_Father._--They are notwithstanding legs, I can assure you. Let us
look for its name among the animals who give suck: on this point we
cannot be mistaken. Now let us examine its teeth.
_Ernest._--Here are the four incisory teeth, like the squirrel.
_Father._--Thus we see that it belongs to the order of Nibblers. Now
let us look for some names of animals of this kind.
_Ernest._--Besides squirrels, I recollect only mice, marmots, hares,
beavers, porcupines, and jumpers.
_Father._--Jumpers! That short word furnishes the necessary clue;
the animal is completely formed like the jerboa, or jumping hare,
except that it is twice the size of those of which I have read a
description.... Wait a moment--an idea strikes me: I will wager that
our animal is one of the large jumpers, called kangaroos. To the best
of my knowledge, this animal has never been seen but on the coast of
New Holland, where it was first observed by the celebrated navigator,
Captain Cook. You may then be highly flattered with your adventure of
killing an animal at once so rare and so remarkable. But now let us
see how we shall manage to drag him to the sledge. Ernest requested
that I would rather assist him to carry it, as he was afraid of
spoiling its beautiful mouse-coloured skin by dragging it on the
ground. I therefore tied the fore-legs of the kangaroo together; and
by means of two canes, we, with considerable trouble, contrived to
carry it to the sledge, upon which it was securely fastened.
We at length arrived happily, though somewhat late, at Falcon’s
Stream, having heard from a great distance the salutations of our
family. We concluded the day with our ordinary occupations. I gave
some salt to each of our animals, to whom it was an acceptable
treat. We then skinned our kangaroo, and put it carefully aside
till the next day, when we intended to cut it to pieces, and
lay such parts in salt as we could not immediately consume. We
made an excellent supper on our little fish, to which we added
some vegetables; nor were our faithful companions Turk and Flora
neglected. The labours of the day had more than usually disposed us
all to seek repose; we therefore said our prayers at an early hour,
mounted our ladder, and were soon asleep.
CHAPTER XVII
More Stores from the Wreck
I rose with the first crowing of the cock, descended the ladder,
and set about skinning the kangaroo, taking care not to deface its
beautiful smooth coat; but I advanced so slowly in the business, that
my family were assembled about me, and calling out Famine! before I
had finished my work. Breakfast over, I ordered Fritz to get ready
for Tent House, where we should prepare the boat, and again proceed
to the vessel.
We took Ernest and Jack a little way with us, and then I sent them
back with a message to their mother, which I had not the resolution
to deliver myself--that we might be forced to pass the night on board
the vessel, and not return till the evening of the following day. It
was most essential to get out of it, if yet afloat, all that could be
saved, as a moment might complete its destruction.
We got into the boat, and, gaining the current, quickly cleared
Safety Bay, and reached the vessel, whose open side offered us an
ample space to get on board. When we had fastened our boat, our first