The Swiss family Robinson
present a prospect of exertions beyond the reach of man, even if not
attended with dangers the most alarming. We examined if it might
be practicable to cut away all intervening timbers, to which, from
the nature of the breach, we had easier access: but should we even
succeed in this attempt, the upper timbers being, in consequence of
the inclined position of the ship, on a level with the water, our
labour would be unavailing: besides we had neither strength nor time
for such a proceeding; from one moment to another, a storm might
arise and engulf the ship, timbers, pinnace, ourselves, and all.
Despairing, then, of being able to find means consistent with the
sober rules of art, my impatient fancy inspired the thought of a
project, which could not however be tried without hazards and dangers
of a tremendous nature.
I had found on board a strong iron mortar, such as is used in
kitchens. I took a thick oak plank, and nailed to different parts
of it some large iron hooks: with a knife I cut a groove along
the middle of the plank. I sent the boys to fetch some match-wood
from the hold, and I cut a piece sufficiently long to continue
burning at least two hours. I placed this train in the groove of my
plank: I filled the mortar with gunpowder, and then laid the plank
thus furnished upon it, having previously pitched the mortar all
round; and, lastly, I made the whole fast to the spot with strong
chains, crossed by means of the hooks in every direction. Thus I
accomplished a sort of cracker, from which I expected to effect a
happy conclusion. I hung this machine of mischief to the side of the
bulkhead next to the sea, having taken previous care to choose a spot
in which its action could not affect the pinnace. When the whole
was arranged, I set fire to the match, the end of which projected
far enough beyond the plank to allow us sufficient time to escape.
I now hurried on board the raft, into which I had previously sent
the boys before applying a light to the match; and who, though they
had assisted in forming the cracker, had no suspicion of the use for
which it was intended, believing all the while it concealed some
subject of amusement for their next trip to the vessel.
On our arrival at Tent House, I immediately put the raft in a certain
order, that she might be in readiness to return speedily to the wreck
when the noise produced by the cracker should have informed me that
my scheme had taken effect. We set busily to work in emptying her;
and during the occupation, our ears were assailed with the noise of
an explosion of such violence, that my wife and the boys, who were
ignorant of the cause, were so dreadfully alarmed as instantly to
abandon their employment. “What can it be?--what is the matter?--what
can have happened?”--cried all at once. “It must be cannon. It is
perhaps the captain and the ship’s company who have found their
way hither! Or can it be some vessel in distress? Can we go to its
relief?”
The boys lost not a moment in jumping into their tubs, whither I
soon followed them, after having whispered a few words to my wife,
somewhat tending to explain, but still more to tranquilize her mind
during the trip we had now to engage in.
We rowed out of the bay with more rapidity than on any former
occasion; curiosity gave strength to our arms. When the vessel was
in sight, I observed with pleasure that no change had taken place
in the part of her which faced Tent House, and that no sign of
smoke appeared: we advanced, therefore, in excellent spirits; but
instead of rowing, as usual, straight to the breach, we proceeded
round to the side, on the inside of which we had placed the cracker.
The horrible scene of devastation we had caused now broke upon our
sight. The greater part of the ship’s side was shattered to pieces;
innumerable splinters covered the surface of the water; the whole
exhibited a scene of terrible destruction, in the midst of which
presented itself our elegant pinnace, entirely free from injury! We
entered by the new breach, and had soon reason to be assured that the
pinnace had wholly escaped injury, and that the fire was entirely
extinguished. The mortar, however, and pieces of the chain, had been
driven forcibly into the opposite side of the enclosure.
I then examined the breach we had thus effected, and next the
pinnace. I perceived that it would be easy, with the help of the
crow and the lever, to lower her into the water. In putting her
together, I had used the precaution of placing her keel on rollers,
that we might not experience the same difficulty as we had formerly
done in launching our tub-raft. Before letting her go, however, I
fastened the end of a long thick rope to her head, and the other
end to the most solid part of the wreck, for fear of her being
carried out too far. We put our whole ingenuity and strength to this
undertaking, and soon enjoyed the pleasure of seeing our pinnace
descend gracefully into the sea.
Two whole days more were spent in completely equipping and loading
the beautiful little barge we had now secured. When she was ready
for sailing, I found it impossible to resist the earnest importunity
of the boys, who, as a recompense for the industry and discretion
they had employed, claimed my permission to salute their mother, on
their approach to Tent House, with two discharges of cannon. These
accordingly were loaded, and the two youngest placed themselves,
with a lighted match in hand, close to the touch-holes, to be in
readiness. Fritz stood at the mast, to manage the ropes and cables,
while I took my station at the rudder. These matters being adjusted,
we put off with sensations of lively joy, which was demonstrated by
loud huzzas and suitable gesticulation. The wind was favourable, and
so brisk that we glided with the rapidity of a bird along the mirror
of the waters; and while my young ones were transported with pleasure
by the velocity of the motion, I could not myself refrain from
shuddering at the thought of some possible disaster.
Our old friend the tub-raft had been deeply loaded, and fastened
to the pinnace, and it now followed as an accompanying boat to a
superior vessel. We took down our large sail as soon as we found
ourselves at the entrance of Safety Bay, to have the greater command
in steering the pinnace; and soon the smaller ones were lowered
one by one, that we might the more securely avoid being thrown
with violence upon the rocks so prevalent along the coast: thus,
proceeding at a slower rate, we had greater facilities for managing
the important affair of the discharge of the cannon. Arrived within a
certain distance--“_Fire!_” cried Commander Fritz. The rocks behind
Tent House returned the sound. “_Fire!_” said Fritz again. Ernest and
Jack obeyed, and the echoes again majestically replied. Fritz at the
same moment had discharged his two pistols, and all joined instantly
in three loud huzzas.
“Welcome! welcome! dear ones,” was the answer from the anxious
mother, almost breathless with astonishment and joy. “Welcome!” cried
also little Francis, with his feeble voice, as he stood clinging to
her side, and not well knowing whether he was to be sad or merry. We
now tried to push to shore with our oars in a particular direction,
that we might have the protection of a projecting mass of rocks, and
my wife and little Francis hastened to the spot to receive us.
Fritz now invited his mother to get on board, and gave her his
assistance. When they had all stepped upon the deck, they entreated
the permission to salute, by again discharging the cannon, and at the
same moment to confer on the pinnace the name of their mother--_The
Elizabeth_.
My wife was particularly gratified by these our late adventures;
she applauded our skill and perseverance: “But,” said she, “we have
not, I assure you, remained idle while the rest were so actively
employed for the common benefit. No, not so; little Francis and his
mother found means to be doing something also, though not at this
moment prepared to furnish such unquestionable proofs as you, by your
salutations of cannon, etc.; but wait a little, good friends, and
our proofs shall hereafter be apparent in some dishes of excellent
vegetables which we shall be able to regale you with. It depends, to
say the truth, only on yourselves, dear ones, to go with me and see
what we have done.”
We did not hesitate to comply, and jumped briskly out of the pinnace
for the purpose. Taking her little coadjutor Francis by the hand,
she led the way, and we followed in the gayest mood imaginable. She
conducted us up an ascent of one of our rocks, and stopping at the
spot where the cascade is formed from Jackal’s River, she displayed
to our astonished eyes a handsome kitchen-garden, laid out properly
in beds and walks, and, as she told us, everywhere sowed with the
seed of useful plants.
“This,” said she, “is the pretty exploit we have been engaged in, if
you will kindly think so of it. In this spot the earth is so light,
being principally composed of decayed leaves, that Francis and I had
no difficulty in working in it, and then dividing it into different
compartments: one for potatoes, one for manioc, and other smaller
shares for lettuces of various kinds, not forgetting to leave a
due proportion to receive some plants of the sugar-cane. You, dear
husband, and Fritz, will easily find means to conduct sufficient
water hither from the cascade, by means of pipes of bamboo, to keep
the whole in health and vigour.”
I stood transported in the midst of so perfect an exhibition of the
kind zeal and persevering industry of this most amiable of women!
I could only exclaim, that I should never have believed in the
possibility of such a labour in so short a time, and particularly
with so much privacy as to leave me wholly unsuspicious of the
existence of such a project.
The pinnace was anchored on the shore, and fastened with a rope, by
her head, to a stake. When all our stores were disposed of, we began
our journey to Falcon’s Stream, but not empty-handed; we took with us
everything that seemed to be absolutely wanted for comfort; and when
brought together, it was really so much, that both ourselves and our
beasts of burden had no easy task to perform.
CHAPTER XXI
Gymnastic Exercises--Various Discoveries--Singular
Animals, etc.
I recommended to my sons to resume the exercise of the shooting of
arrows; for I had an extreme solicitude about their preserving and
increasing their bodily strength and agility. On this occasion, I
added the exercises of running, jumping, getting up trees, both by
means of climbing by the trunk, or by a suspended rope, as sailors
are obliged to do to get to the masthead. We began at first by making
knots in the rope, at a foot distance from each other; then we
reduced the number of knots, and before we left off we contrived to
succeed without any. I next taught them an exercise of a different
nature, which was to be effected by means of two balls of lead,
fastened one to each end of a string about a fathom in length. While
I was preparing this machinery, all eyes were fixed upon me.
“I am endeavouring,” said I, “to imitate the arms used by the
Patagonians, inhabitants of the most southern point of America; but,
instead of balls, which they are not able to procure, they tie two
heavy stones, one at each end of a cord, but considerably longer
than the one I am working with: every Patagonian is armed with this
simple instrument, which they used with singular dexterity. If they
desire to kill or wound an enemy, or an animal, they fling one of
the ends of this cord at him, and begin instantly to draw it back
by the other, which they keep carefully in their hand, to be ready