JOURNEYS THROUGH BOOKLAND

A NEW AND ORIGINALPLAN FOR READING APPLIED TO THEWORLD'S BEST LITERATUREFOR CHILDREN

BYCHARLES H. SYLVESTERAuthor of English and American Literature

VOLUME THREENew Edition

1922

CONTENTS

JOHN'S PUMPKIN . .. .. .. .. . Mrs. Archibald

THE MOCK TURTLE'S STORY . .. .. .. .. . Lewis Carrol

THE SPIDER AND THE FLY . .. .. .. .. . Mary Hoiritt

A FAREWELL . .. .. .. .. . Charles Kingsley

QUEEN ALICE . .. .. .. .. . Lewis Carroll

THE LEPRECHAUN . .. .. .. .. . William Allingham

THE WALRUS AND THE CARPENTER . .. .. .. .. . Lewis Carroll

BETH GELERT . .. .. .. .. . William R. Spencer

ROBINSON CRUSOE . .. .. .. .. . Daniel Defoe

FAITHLESS SALLY BROWN . .. .. .. .. . Thomas Hood

THE MARINER'S DREAM . .. .. .. .. . William Dimond

THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON . .. .. .. .. . Johann Rudolph Wyss

ECHO . .. .. .. .. . John G. Saxe

THE STORY OF ALADDIN, OR THE WONDERFUL LAMP . .. From the Arabian Nights

THE SECOND VOYAGE OF SINBAD THE SAILOR . From the Arabian Nights

BARBARA FRIETCHIE . .. .. .. .. . John Greenleaf Whittier

BEOWULF AND GBENDEL

CUPID AND PSYCHE . .. .. .. .. . Adapted by Anna McCaleb

THE PIED PIPER OF HAMELIN . .. .. .. .. . Robert Browning

FRITHIOF THE BOLD . .. .. .. .. . Adapted by Grace E. Sellon

THE STORY OF SIEGFRIED . .. .. .. .. . Adapted by Grace E. Sellon

NIGHT . .. .. .. .. . Robert Southey

LOCHINVAR . .. .. .. .. . Sir Walter Scott

ROBIN HOOD

ROLAND AT RONCESVALLES

For Classification of Selections, see General Index, at end ofVolume X

ILLUSTRATIONS

ALADDIN LEADS THE PRINCESS INTO THE PALACE (Color Plate) Arthur Henderson FRONTISPIECEJOHN'S PUMPKIN . .. Lucille EndersTHE GRYPHON . .. After Sir John TennielALICE SAT STILL . .. After Sir John TennielTHE LOBSTER QUADRILLE . .. After Sir John TennielAND TURNS OUT HIS TOES . .. After Sir John TennielTHE SPIDER AND THE FLY . .. Herbert N. RudeenIT WAS A GOLDEN CROWN . .. After Sir John TennielALICE CONSIDERED . .. After Sir John TennielTWO QUEENS ASLEEP AT ONCE . .. After Sir John TennielTHIS WAY, THAT WAY, SO WE MAKE A SHOE . .. Herbert N. RudeenTHE WALRUS AND THE CARPENTER . .. After Sir John TennielTHE LITTLE OYSTERS WAITED . .. After Sir John TennielI DEEPLY SYMPATHIZE . .. After Sir John TennielTHE DEATH OF GELERT . .. Herbert N. RudeenROBINSON CHUSOE FINDS A FOOTPRINT ON THE SAND . .. G. H. MitchellFRIDAY . .. G. H. MitchellFRIDAY ROASTING THE KID . .. G. H. MitchellI DISCOVERED A SHIP LYING AT ANCHOR . .. G. H. MitchellTHEY STARTED UP (Halftone) . .. G. H. MitchellMAP OF GLOBE . .. G. H. MitchellLIKE MOUNTAINS THE BILLOWS SWELL . .. Donn P. CraneTHE SHIP WAS JAMMED BETWEEN HIGH ROCKS . .. J. Allen St. JohnTHEY MADE A RAFT OF CASKS . .. J. Allen St. JohnTHE AGOUTI . .. J. Allen St. JohnTHE MONKEYS THREW DOWN COCONUTS . .. J. Allen St. JohnTHE SHEEP FLOATED FAMOUSLY . .. J. Allen St. JohnFALCONHURST . .. J. Allen St. JohnCHEST OF TREASURE . .. J. Allen St. JohnOVERTURNING THE TURTLE . .. J. Allen St. JohnPENGUINS . .. J. Allen St. JohnCATCHING THE WILD ASS . .. J. Allen St. JohnFLAMINGOS . .. J. Allen St. JohnI ADVANCED WITH A LONG POLE . .. J. Allen St. JohnJACK AND THE OSTRICH . .. J. Allen St. JohnTHE WALRUS . .. J. Allen St. JohnLATEST NEWS BY PIGEON POST . .. J. Allen St. JohnHIPPOPOTAMUS . .. J. Allen St. JohnALBATROSS . .. J. Allen St. JohnPEARL BAY . .. J. Allen St. JohnWE BROUGHT UP WITHIN HAIL . .. J. Allen St. JohnTHE SLAVE OF THE LAMP . .. Arthur HendersonALADDIN DESCENDED THE STEPS . .. Arthur Henderson"GENIE, BUILD ME A PALACE" . .. Arthur Henderson"NEW LAMPS FOR OLD" . .. Arthur HendersonALADDIN SALUTED THE PRINCESS JOYFULLY . .. Arthur HendersonTHE VALLEY WAS STREWED WITH DIAMONDS . .. Arthur HendersonTHE ROC FLEW AWAY WITH SINBAD (Halftone) . .. Arthur HendersonBARBARA FRIETCHIE . .. Iris Weddell WhiteGRENDEL COULD NOT BREAK THAT GRIP OF STEEL . .. Arthur HendersonBEOWULF ON HIS NOBLE STEED . .. Arthur HendersonSHE LOOKED UPON THE GOD OF LOVE . .. Iris Weddell WhitePSYCHE AND CHARON . .. Iris Weddell WhiteCUPID SPIED PSYCHE SLEEPING . .. Iris Weddell WhitePEOPLE CALL ME THE PIED PIPER . .. Iris Weddell WhiteGREAT RATS, SMALL RATS . .. Herbert N. RudeenA WONDERFUL PORTAL OPENED WIDE . .. Iris Weddell WhiteTHEY HAD BECOME BETROTHED . .. Donn P. CraneFRITHIOF BEHELD THE TWO WITCHES . .. Donn P. CraneSIEGFRIED AND THE DRAGON . .. Louis GrellA GREAT CASTLE TOWERED ABOVE THE CLIFFS . .. Louis GrellTHE DEATH OF SIEGFRIED . .. Louis GrellLOCHINVAR . .. Arthur HendersonTUMBLED HIM INTO THE BROOK . .. Jessie ArmsTHE STRANGER OVERTHROWS ROBIN HOOD . .. Jessie ArmsROBIN HOOD AND THE WIDOW . .. Jessie ArmsROBIN HOOD AND THE SHERIFF . .. Jessie ArmsROBIN HOOD PLAYS HARPER . .. Jessie ArmsIN THE GREENWOOD . .. Jessie ArmsGANELON PICKS UP CHARLEMAGNE'S GLOVE . .. Louis GrellWHERESOEVER HE PLANTED HIS FOOT, THERE HE STAYED . .. Jan in GrellROLAND FEEBLY WINDED HIS HORN . .. Louis Grell

[Illustration: A GREAT BIG YELLOW ONE]

JOHN'S PUMPKIN

By MRS ARCHIBALD

Last spring I found a pumpkin seed, And thought that I would goAnd plant it in a secret place, That no one else would know, And watch all summer long to see It grow, and grow, and grow, And maybe raise a pumpkin for A Jack-a-lantern show. 

I stuck a stick beside the seed, And thought that I should shoutOne morning when I stooped and saw The greenest little sprout!I used to carry water there, When no one was about, And every day I'd count to see How many leaves were out. 

Till by and by there came a flower The color of the sun, Which withered up, and then I saw The pumpkin was begun;But oh! I knew I'd have to wait So long to have my fun, Before that small green ball could be A great big yellow one. 

At last, one day, when it had grown To be the proper size, Said Aunt Matilda: "John, see here, I'll give you a surprise!"She took me to a pantry shelf, And there before my eyes, Was set a dreadful row of half A dozen pumpkin pies. 

Said Aunt Matilda; "John, I found A pumpkin, high and dry, Upon a pile of rubbish, down Behind that worn-out sty!"O, dear, I didn't cry, because I'm quite too big to cry, But, honestly, I couldn't eat A mouthful of the pie. 

THE MOCK TURTLE'S STORY

By LEWIS CARROLL

NOTE. --The Mock Turtle's Story is from Alice in Wonderland, one of themost delightful books that ever was written for children. It tells thestory of a little girl's dream of Wonderland--a curious country whereone's size changes constantly, and where one meets and talks with thequaintest, most interesting creatures. Through the Looking-Glass, acompanion book to Alice in Wonderland, is almost equally charming, with its descriptions of the land where everything happens backward. Queen Alice, and The Walrus and the Carpenter, are from Through theLooking-Glass. 

The real name of the man who wrote these books was Charles LutwidgeDodgson, but every one knows him better as Lewis Carroll. He was astaid and learned mathematician, who wrote valuable books on mostdifficult mathematical subjects; for instance, he wrote a Syllabus ofPlane Algebraical Geometry, and it is not a joke, though the name maysound like one to a person who has read Alice in Wonderland. However, there was one subject in which this grave lecturer on mathematics wasmore interested than he was in his own lectures, and that waschildren--especially little girls. He liked to have them with himalways, and they, seeing in him a friend and playmate, coaxed himconstantly for stories and stories, and yet more stories. 

One day, in July, 1862, he took three of his little friends, Alice andEdith and Lorina Liddell, for a trip up the river, and on thatafternoon he began telling them about Alice and her Wonderland, continuing the story on other occasions, He had no intention then ofmaking a book, but the story pleased little Alice and her sisters sowell that they talked about it at home and among their grown-upfriends, who finally persuaded the author to have it printed. It hasgone on growing more and more popular, and will keep on doing so aslong as children love fun and wonderful happenings. 

The pictures which Sir John Tenniel made for Lewis Carroll's books arealmost as famous as the books themselves, and every child who hasstudied them knows exactly how dear little Alice looked, and feelscertain that he would recognize a Gryphon or a Mock Turtle anywhere. The pictures given here are after Tenniel's drawings. 

They had not gone far before they saw the Mock Turtle in the distance, sitting sad and lonely on a little ledge of rock, and, as they camenearer, Alice could hear him sighing as if his heart would break. Shepitied him deeply. 

"What is his sorrow?" she asked the Gryphon, and the Gryphon answered, "It's all his fancy, that: he hasn't got no sorrow, you know. Comeon!"

So they went up to the Mock Turtle, who looked at them with large eyesfull of tears, but said nothing. 

"This here young lady, " said the Gryphon, "she wants for to know yourhistory, she do. "

"I'll tell it her, " said the Mock Turtle in a deep-hollow tone: "sitdown both of you, and don't speak a word till I've finished. "

So they sat down, and nobody spoke for some minutes. Alice thought toherself, "I don't see how he can EVER finish, if he doesn't begin. "But she waited patiently. 

[Illustration: THE GRYPHON]

"Once, " said the Mock Turtle at last, with a deep sigh, "I was a realTurtle. "

These words were followed by a very long silence, broken only by anoccasional exclamation of "Hjckrrh!" from the Gryphon, and theconstant heavy sighing of the Mock Turtle. Alice was very nearlygetting up and saying "Thank you, sir, for your interesting story, "but she could not help thinking there MUST be more to come, so she satstill and said nothing. 

"When we were little, " the Mock Turtle went on at last, more calmly, though still sobbing a little now and then, "we went to school in thesea. The master was an old Turtle--we used to call him Tortoise--"

[Illustration: ALICE SAT STILL]

"Why did you call him Tortoise, if he wasn't one?" Alice asked. 

"We called him Tortoise because he taught us, " said the Mock Turtleangrily; "really you are very dull. "

"You ought to be ashamed of yourself for asking such a simplequestion, " added the Gryphon; and then they both sat silent and lookedat poor Alice, who felt ready to sink into the earth. At last theGryphon said to the Mock Turtle, "Drive on, old fellow! Don't be allday about it!" and he went on in these words:

"Yes, we went to school in the sea, though you mayn't believe it--"

"I never said I didn't!" interrupted Alice. 

"You did, " said the Mock Turtle. 

"Hold your tongue!" added the Gryphon, before Alice could speak again. The Mock Turtle went on:

"We had the best of educations--in fact, we went to school every day-"

"I'VE been to a day-school too, " said Alice; "you needn't be so proudas all that. "

"With extras?" asked the Mock Turtle a little anxiously. 

"Yes, " said Alice, "we learned French and music. "

"And washing?" said the Mock Turtle. 

"Certainly not!" said Alice indignantly. 

"Ah! then yours wasn't a really good school, " said the Mock Turtle ina tone of great relief. "Now at OURS they had at the end of the bill, 'French, music, AND WASHING--extra. '"

"You couldn't have wanted it much, " said Alice, "living at the bottomof the sea. "

"I couldn't afford to learn it, " said the Mock Turtle with a sigh. "Ionly took the regular course. "

"What was that?" inquired Alice. 

"Reeling and Writhing, of course, to begin with, " the Mock Turtlereplied; "and then the different branches of Arithmetic--Ambition, Distraction, Uglification, and Derision. "

"I never heard of 'Uglification', " Alice ventured to say. "What isit?"

The Gryphon lifted up both its paws in surprise. "Never heard ofuglifying!" it exclaimed. "You know what to beautify is, I suppose?"

"Yes, " said Alice, doubtfully; "it means--to--make--anything--prettier. 

"Well then, " the Gryphon went on, "if you don't know what to uglifyis, you ARE a simpleton. "

Alice did not feel encouraged to ask any more questions about it, soshe turned to the Mock Turtle, and said, "What else had you to learn?"

"Well, there was Mystery, " the Mock Turtle replied, counting off thesubjects on his flappers--"Mystery, ancient and modern, withSeaography: then Drawling--the Drawling-master was an old conger eel, that used to come once a week: HE taught us Drawling, Stretching, andFainting in Coils. "

"What was THAT like?" said Alice. 

"Well, I can't show it you, myself, " the Mock Turtle said: "I'm toostiff. And the Gryphon never learned it. "

"Hadn't time, " said the Gryphon. "I went to the Classical master, though. He was an old crab, HE was. "

"I never went to him, " the Mock Turtle said with a sigh: "he taughtLaughing and Grief, they used to say. " "So he did, so he did. " saidthe Gryphon, sighing in his turn, and both creatures hid their facesin their paws. 

"And how many hours a day did you do lessons?" said Alice, in a hurryto change the subject. 

"Ten hours the first day, " said the Mock Turtle; "nine the next, andso on. "

"What a curious plan!" exclaimed Alice. 

"That's the reason they're called lessons, " the Gryphon remarked:"because they lessen from day to day. "

This was quite a new idea to Alice, and she thought it over a littlebefore she made her next remark. "Then the eleventh day must have beena holiday?"

"Of course it was, " said the Mock Turtle. 

"And how did you manage on the twelfth?" Alice went on eagerly. 

"That's enough about lessons, " the Gryphon interrupted in a verydecided tone: "tell her something about the games now. "

The Mock Turtle sighed deeply, and drew the back of one flapper acrosshis eyes. He looked at Alice and tried to speak, but for a minute ortwo sobs choked his voice. "Same as if he had a bone in his throat, "said the Gryphon, and it set to work shaking him and punching him inthe back. 

At last the Mock Turtle recovered his voice, and, with tears runningdown his cheeks, he went on again:

"You may not have lived much under the sea"--("I haven't, " saidAlice)--"and perhaps you were never even introduced to a lobster"--(Alice began to say "I once tasted"--but checked herself hastily, andsaid, "No, never")--"so you can have no idea what a delightful thing aLobster-Quadrille is!"

"No, indeed, " said Alice. "What sort of a dance is it?"

"Why, " said the Gryphon, "you first form into a line along theseashore--"

"Two lines!" cried the Mock Turtle. "Seals, turtles, salmon, and soon: then, when you've cleared all the jellyfish out of the way--"

"THAT generally takes some time, " interrupted the Gryphon. 

"You advance twice--"

"Each with a lobster as a partner!" cried the Gryphon. 

"Of course, " the Mock Turtle said: "advance twice, set to partners--"

"Change lobsters, and retire in same order, " continued the Gryphon. 

"Then you know, " the Mock Turtle went on, "you throw the--"

"The lobsters!" shouted the Gryphon, with a bound into the air. "Asfar out to the sea as you can--"

"Swim after them!" screamed the Gryphon. 

"Turn a somersault in the sea!" cried the Mock Turtle, capering wildlyabout. 

"Change lobsters again!" yelled the Gryphon at the top of its voice. 

"Back to land again, and--that's all the first figure, " said the MockTurtle, suddenly dropping his voice; and the two creatures, who hadbeen jumping about like mad things all this time, sat down again verysadly and quietly, and looked at Alice. 

"It must be a very pretty dance, " said Alice timidly. 

"Would you like to see a little of it?" said the Mock Turtle. 

[Illustration: THE LOBSTER QUADRILLE]

"Very much indeed, " said Alice. 

"Come, let's try the first figure!" said the Mock Turtle to theGryphon. "We can do it without lobsters, you know. Which shall sing?"

"Oh, YOU sing, " said the Gryphon. "I've forgotten the words. "

So they began solemnly dancing round and round Alice, every now andthen treading on her toes when they passed too close, and waving theirfore paws to mark the time, while the Mock Turtle sang this, veryslowly and sadly:"'Will you walk a little faster!' said a whiting to a snail, 'There's a porpoise close behind us, and he's treading on my tail. See how eagerly the lobsters and the turtles all advance! They are waiting on the shingle--will you come and join the dance? Will you, won't you, will you, won't you, will you join the dance? Will you, won't you, will you, won't you, won't you join the dance?

"'You can really have no notion how delightful it will be When they take us up and throw us, with the lobsters, out to sea!' But the snail replied 'Too far, too far!' and gave a look askance-- Said he thanked the whiting kindly, but he would not join the dance. Would not, could not, would not, could not, would not join the dance. Would not, could not, would not, could not, could not join the dance. 

"'What matters it how far we go?' his scaly friend replied, 'There is another shore, you know, upon the other side. The further off from England the nearer is to France; Then turn not pale, beloved snail, but come and join the dance. Will you, won't you, will you, won't you, will you join the dance? Will you, won't you, will you, won't you, won't you join the dance?'"

"Thank you, it's a very interesting dance to watch, " said Alice, feeling very glad that it was over at last; "and I do so like thatcurious song about the whiting!"

"Oh, as to the whiting, " said the Mock Turtle, "they--you've seenthem, of course?"

"Yes, " said Alice, "I've often seen them at dinn--" she checkedherself hastily. 

"I don't know where Dinn may be, " said the Mock Turtle, "but if you'veseen them so often, of course you know what they're like. "

"I believe so, " Alice replied thoughtfully. "They have their tails intheir mouths; and they're all over crumbs. "

"You're wrong about the crumbs, " said the Mock Turtle; "crumbs wouldall wash off in the sea. But they HAVE their tails in their mouths;and the reason is"--here the Mock Turtle yawned and shut his eyes. "Tell her about the reason and all that, " he said to the Gryphon. 

"The reason is, " said the Gryphon, "that they WOULD go with thelobsters to the dance. So they got thrown out to sea. So they had tofall a long way. So they got their tails fast in their mouths. So theycouldn't get them out again. That's all. "

"Thank you, " said Alice, "it's very interesting. I never knew so muchabout a whiting before. "

"I can tell you more than that, if you like, " said the Gryphon. "Doyou know why it's called a whiting?"

"I never thought about it, " said Alice. "Why?"

"IT DOES THE BOOTS AND SHOES, " the Gryphon replied very solemnly. 

Alice was thoroughly puzzled. "Does the boots and shoes!" she repeatedin a wondering tone. 

"Why, what are YOUR shoes done with?" said the Gryphon. "I mean, whatmakes them so shiny?"

Alice looked down at them, and considered a little before she gave heranswer. "They're done with blacking, I believe. "

"Boots and shoes under the sea, " the Gryphon went on in a deep voice, "are done with whiting. Now you know. "

"And what are they made of?" Alice asked in a tone of great curiosity. 

"Soles and eels, of course, " the Gryphon replied rather impatiently;"any shrimp could have told you that. "

"If I'd been the whiting, " said Alice, whose thoughts were stillrunning on the song, "I'd have said, to the porpoise, 'Keep back, please; we don't want YOU with us!'"

"They were obliged to have him with them, " the Mock Turtle said; "nowise fish would go anywhere without a porpoise. "

"Wouldn't it really?" said Alice in a tone of great surprise. 

"Of course not, " said the Mock Turtle; "why, if a fish came to ME, andtold me he was going a journey, I should say 'With what porpoise?'"

"Don't you mean 'purpose'?" said Alice. 

"I mean what I say, " the Mock Turtle replied in an offended tone. 

And the Gryphon added, "Come, let's hear some of YOUR adventures. "

"I could tell you my adventures--beginning from this morning, " saidAlice a little timidly; "but it's no use going back to yesterday, because I was a different person then. "

"Explain all that, " said the Mock Turtle. 

"No, no! the adventures first, " said the Gryphon in an impatient tone;"explanations take such a dreadful time. "

So Alice began telling them her adventures from the time when shefirst saw the White Rabbit; she was a little nervous about it just atfirst, the two creatures got so close to her, one on each side, andopened their eyes and mouths so VERY wide, but she gained courage asshe went on. Her listeners were perfectly quiet till she got to thepart about her repeating, "You are old, Father William, " to thecaterpillar, and the words all coming different, and then the MockTurtle drew a long breath, and said, "That's very curious. "

"It's all about as curious as it can be, " said the Gryphon. 

"It all came different!" the Mock Turtle repeated thoughtfully. "Ishould like to hear her try and repeat something now. Tell her tobegin. " He looked at the Gryphon as if he thought it had some kind ofauthority over Alice. 

"Stand up and repeat, ''Tis the voice of the sluggard', " said theGryphon. 

[Illustration: AND TURNS OUT HIS TOES]

"How the creatures order one about, and make one repeat lessons!"thought Alice. "I might just as well be at school at once. "

However, she got up, and began to repeat it, but her head was so fullof the Lobster-Quadrille, that she hardly knew what she was saying, and the words came very queer indeed:

 "'Tis the voice of the lobster; I heard him declare, 'You have baked me too brown, I must sugar my hair. ' As a duck with its eyelids, so he with his nose Trims his belt and his buttons, and turns out his toes. "

"That's different from what _I_ used to say when I was a child, " saidthe Gryphon. 

"Well, I never heard it before, " said the Mock Turtle; "but it soundsuncommon nonsense. "

Alice said nothing; she had sat down again with her face in her hands, wondering if anything would ever happen in a natural way again. 

"I should like to have it explained, " said the Mock Turtle. 

"She can't explain it, " said the Gryphon hastily. "Go on with the nextverse. "

"But about his toes?" the Mock Turtle persisted. "How COULD he turnthem out with his nose, you know?"

"It's the first position in dancing, " Alice said; but she wasdreadfully puzzled by the whole thing, and longed to change thesubject. 

"Go on with the next verse, " the Gryphon repeated impatiently; "itbegins 'I passed by his garden. '"

Alice did not dare to disobey, though she felt sure it would all comewrong, and she went on in a trembling voice:

 "I passed by his garden, and marked, with one eye, How the owl and the oyster were sharing the pie. "

"What IS the use of repeating all that stuff, " the Mock Turtleinterrupted, "if you don't explain it as you go on? It's by far themost confusing thing _I_ ever heard. "

"Yes, I think you'd better leave off, " said the Gryphon, and Alice wasonly too glad to do so. 

"Shall we try another figure of the Lobster-Quadrille?" the Gryphonwent on. "Or would you like the Mock Turtle to sing you a song?"

"Oh, a song, please, if the Mock Turtle would be so kind, " Alicereplied, so eagerly that the Gryphon said, in a rather offended tone, "Hm! No accounting for tastes! Sing her 'Turtle Soup, ' will you, oldfellow?"

The Mock Turtle sighed deeply, and began, in a voice sometimes chokedwith sobs, to sing this: "Beautiful Soup, so rich and green, Waiting in a hot tureen! Who for such dainties would not stoop? Soup of the evening, beautiful Soup! Soup of the evening, beautiful Soup! Beau--ootiful Soo--oop! Beau--ootiful Soo--oop! Soo--oop of the e--e--evening, Beautiful, beautiful Soup!

 "Beautiful Soup! Who cares for fish, Game, or any other dish? Who would not give all else for two p ennyworth only of beautiful Soup? Pennyworth only of beautiful Soup? Beau--ootiful Soo--oop! Beau--ootiful Soo--oop! Soo--oop of the e--e--evening, Beautiful, beauti--FUL SOUP!"

THE SPIDER AND THE FLY

By MARY HOWITT

"Will you walk into my parlor?" Said a spider to a fly:'Tis the prettiest little parlor That ever you did spy. The way into my parlor Is up a winding stair, And I have many pretty things To show when you are there. ""Oh, no, no!" said the little fly, "To ask me is in vain;For who goes up your winding stair Can ne'er come down again. "

"I'm sure you must be weary With soaring up so high;Will you rest upon my little bed?" Said the spider to the fly. "There are pretty curtains drawn around, The sheets are fine and thin;And if you like to rest awhile, I'll snugly tuck you in. ""Oh, no, no!" said the little fly, "For I've often heard it said, They never, never wake again Who sleep upon your bed. "

Said the cunning spider to the fly, "Dear friend, what shall I doTo prove the warm affection I've always felt for you?I have within my pantry Good store of all that's nice;I'm sure you're very welcome-- Will you please to take a slice?""Oh, no, no!" said the little fly; "Kind sir, that cannot be;I've heard what's in your pantry, And I do not wish to see. "

"Sweet creature, " said the spider, "You're witty and you're wise;How handsome are your gauzy wings, How brilliant are your eyes. I have a little looking-glass Upon my parlor shelf;If you'll step in one moment, dear, You shall behold yourself. ""I thank you, gentle sir, " she said, "For what you're pleased to say, And bidding you good morning, now, I'll call another day. "

The spider turned him round about, And went into his den, For well he knew the silly fly Would soon be back again;So he wove a subtle thread In a little corner sly, And set his table ready To dine upon the fly. He went out to his door again, And merrily did sing, "Come hither, hither, pretty fly, With the pearl and silver wing;Your robes are green and purple, There's a crest upon your head;Your eyes are like the diamond bright, But mine are dull as lead. "

Alas, alas! how very soon This silly little fly, Hearing his wily, flattering words, Came slowly flitting by:With buzzing wings she hung aloft, Then near and nearer drew--Thought only of her brilliant eyes And green and purple hue;Thought only of her crested head-- Poor foolish thing! At lastUp jumped the cunning spider, And fiercely held her fast. 

He dragged her up his winding stair, Into his dismal den, Within his little parlor--but She ne'er came out again!And now, dear little children Who may this story read, To idle, silly, flattering words, I pray you, ne'er give heed:Unto an evil counsellor Close heart and ear and eye, And learn a lesson from this tale Of the spider and the fly. 

A FAREWELL

By CHARLES KINGSLEY

My fairest child, I have no song to give you; No lark could pipe to skies so dull and gray;Yet, ere we part, one lesson I can leave you For every day. 

Be good, sweet maid, and let who will be clever; Do noble things, not dream them, all day long:And so make life, death, and that vast forever One grand sweet song. 

QUEEN ALICE

By LEWIS CARROLL

Alice threw herself down to rest on a lawn as soft as moss, withlittle flower beds dotted about it here and there. "Oh, how glad I amto get here! And what IS this on my head?" she exclaimed, as she puther hands up to something very heavy, that fitted tight all round herhead. 

"But how CAN it have got there without my knowing it?" she said toherself, as she lifted it off, and set it on her lap to make out whatit could possibly be. It was a golden crown. 

"Well, this IS grand!" said Alice. "I never expected I should be aqueen so soon--and I'll tell you what it is, your majesty, " she wenton in a severe tone (she was always rather fond of scolding herself), "it'll never do for you to be lolling about on the grass like that!Queens have to be dignified, you know!"

So she got up and walked about--rather stiffly just at first, as shewas afraid that the crown might come off: but she comforted herselfwith the thought that there was nobody to see her; "and if I really ama queen, " she said, as she sat down again, "I shall be able to manageit quite well in time. "

Everything was happening so oddly that she didn't feel a bit surprisedat finding the Red Queen and the White Queen sitting close to her, oneon each side: she would have liked very much to ask them how they camethere, but she feared it would not be quite civil. However, therewould be no harm, she thought, in asking if the game was over. 

[Illustration: IT WAS A GOLDEN CROWN]

"Please, would you tell me--" she began, looking timidly at the RedQueen. 

"Speak when you're spoken to!" the Queen sharply interrupted her. 

"But if everybody obeyed that rule, " said Alice, who was always readyfor a little argument, "and if you only spoke when you were spoken to, and the other person always waited for YOU to begin, you see nobodywould ever say anything, so--"

"Ridiculous!" cried the Queen. "Why, don't you see, child--" here shebroke off with a frown, and, after thinking for a minute, suddenlychanged the subject of the conversation. "What do you mean by 'If youreally are a queen?' What right have you to call yourself so? Youcan't be a queen, you know, till you've passed the proper examination. And the sooner we begin it, the better. "

"I only said 'if', " poor Alice pleaded in a piteous tone. 

The two queens looked at each other, and the Red Queen remarked, witha little shudder, "She SAYS she only said 'if'--"

"But she said a great deal more than that, " the White Queen moaned, wringing her hands. "Oh, ever so much more than that. "

"So you did, you know, " the Red Queen said to Alice. "Always speak thetruth--think before you speak--and write it down afterward. "

"I'm sure I didn't mean--" Alice was beginning, but the Red Queeninterrupted her impatiently. 

"That's just what I complain of. You SHOULD have meant! What do yousuppose is the use of a child without any meaning? Even a joke shouldhave some meaning--and a child's more important than a joke, I hope. You couldn't deny that, even if you tried with both hands. "

"I don't deny things with my HANDS, " Alice objected. "Nobody said youdid, " said the Red Queen. "I said you couldn't if you tried. "

"She's in that state of mind, " said the White Queen, "that she wantsto deny SOMETHING--only she doesn't know what to deny. "

"A nasty, vicious temper, " the Red Queen remarked; and there was anuncomfortable silence for a minute or two. 

The Red Queen broke the silence by saying to the White Queen, "Iinvite you to Alice's dinner party this afternoon. "

The White Queen smiled feebly, and said, "And I invite YOU. "

"I didn't know I was to have a party at all, " said Alice; "but ifthere is to be one, I think _I_ ought to invite the guests. "

"We gave you the opportunity of doing it, " the Red Queen remarked:"but I dare say you've not had many lessons in manners yet?"

"Manners are not taught in lessons, " said Alice. "Lessons teach you todo sums, and things of that sort. "

"Can you do addition?" the White Queen asked. "What's one and one andone and one and one and one and one and one and one and one?"

"I don't know, " said Alice. "I lost count. "

"She can't do Addition, " the Red Queen interrupted. "Can you doSubtraction? Take nine from eight. "

"Nine from eight I can't, you know, " Alice replied very readily: "but--"

"She can't do Subtraction, " said the White Queen. "Can you doDivision? Divide a loaf by a knife--what's the answer to that?"

"I suppose--" Alice was beginning, but the Red Queen answered for her. "Bread-and-butter, of course. Try another Subtraction sum. Take a bonefrom a dog: what remains?"

Alice considered. "The bone wouldn't remain, of course, if I took it--and the dog wouldn't remain; it would come to bite me--and I'm sure_I_ shouldn't remain!"

[Illustration: ALICE CONSIDERED]

"Then you think nothing would remain?" said the Red Queen. 

"I think that's the answer. "

"Wrong as usual, " said the Red Queen; "the dog's temper would remain. "

"But I don't see how--"

"Why, look here!" the Red Queen cried. "The dog would lose its temper, wouldn't it?"

"Perhaps it would, " Alice replied cautiously. 

"Then if the dog went away, its temper would remain!" the Queenexclaimed triumphantly. 

Alice said, as gravely as she could, "They might go different ways. "But she couldn't help thinking to herself, "What nonsense we AREtalking!"

"She can't do sums a BIT, " the queens said together, with greatemphasis. 

"Can YOU do sums?" Alice said, turning suddenly on the White Queen, for she didn't like being found fault with so much. 

The Queen gasped and shut her eyes. "I can do Addition, " she said, "ifyou give me time--but I can't do Subtraction under ANY circumstances!"

"Of course you know your A B C?" said the Red Queen. 

"To be sure I do, " said Alice. 

"So do I, " the White Queen whispered: "we'll often say it overtogether, dear. And I'll tell you a secret--I can read words of oneletter! Isn't THAT grand? However, don't be discouraged. You'll cometo it in time. "

Here the Red Queen began again. "Can you answer useful questions?" shesaid. "How is bread made?"

"I know THAT, " Alice cried eagerly. "You take some flour--"

"Where do you pick the flower?" the White Queen asked. "In a garden, or in the hedges?"

"Well, it isn't PICKED at all, " Alice explained: "it's GROUND--"

"How many acres of ground?" said the White Queen. "You mustn't leaveout so many things. "

"Fan her head!" the Red Queen anxiously interrupted. "She'll befeverish after so much thinking. " So they set to work and fanned herwith bunches of leaves, till she had to beg them to leave off, it blewher hair about so. 

"She's all right again now, " said the Red Queen. "Do you knowlanguages? What's the French for fiddle-de-dee?"

"Fiddle-de-dee's not English, " Alice replied gravely. 

"Who ever said it was?" said the Red Queen. 

Alice thought she saw a way out of the difficulty this time. "Ifyou'll tell me what language 'fiddle-de-dee' is, I'll tell you theFrench for it!" she exclaimed triumphantly. 

But the Red Queen drew herself up rather stiffly, and said, "Queensnever make bargains. "

"I wish queens never asked questions, " Alice thought to herself. 

"Don't let us quarrel, " the White Queen said, in an anxious tone. "What is the cause of lightning?"

"The cause of lightning, " Alice said, very decidedly, for she feltquite certain about this, "is the thunder--no, no!" she hastilycorrected herself. "I meant the other way. "

"It's too late to correct it, " said the Red Queen: "when you've oncesaid a thing, that fixes it, and you must take the consequences. "

"Which reminds me, " the White Queen said, looking down and nervouslyclasping and unclasping her hands, "we had SUCH a thunderstorm lastTuesday--I mean one of the last set of Tuesdays, you know. "

Alice was puzzled. "In OUR country, " she remarked, "there's only oneday at a time. "

The Red Queen said, "That's a poor thin way of doing things. Now HERE, we mostly have days and nights two or three at a time, and sometimesin the winter we take as many as five nights together--for warmth, you know. "

"Are five nights warmer than one night, then?" Alice ventured to ask. 

"Five times as warm, of course. "

"But they should be five times as COLD, by the same rule--"

"Just so!" cried the Red Queen. "Five times as warm, AND five times ascold--just as I'm five times as rich as you are, AND five times asclever!"

Alice sighed and gave it up. "It's exactly like a riddle with noanswer!" she thought. 

"Humpty Dumpty saw it too, " the White Queen went on in a low voice, more as if she were talking to herself. "He came to the door with acorkscrew in his hand--"

"What did he want?" said the Red Queen. 

"He said he WOULD come in, " the White Queen went on, "because he waslooking for a hippopotamus. Now, as it happened, there wasn't such athing in the house, that morning. "

"Is there generally?" Alice asked in an astonished tone. 

"Well, only on Thursdays, " said the Queen. 

"I know what he came for, " said Alice: "he wanted to punish the fish, because--"

Here the White Queen began again. "It was SUCH a thunderstorm, youcan't think!" ("She NEVER could, you know, " said the Red Queen. ) "Andpart of the roof came off, and ever so much thunder got in--and itwent rolling round the room in great lumps--and knocking over thetables and things--till I was so frightened, I couldn't remember myown name!"

Alice thought to herself, "I never should TRY to remember my name inthe middle of an accident! Where would be the use of it?" but she didnot say this aloud, for fear of hurting the poor Queen's feelings. 

"Your Majesty must excuse her, " the Red Queen said to Alice, takingone of the White Queen's hands in her own, and gently stroking it:"she means well, but she can't help saying foolish things, as ageneral rule. "

The White Queen looked timidly at Alice, who felt she OUGHT to saysomething kind, but really couldn't think of anything at the moment. 

"She never was really well brought up, " the Red Queen went on: "butit's amazing how good-tempered she is! Pat her on the head, and seehow pleased she'll be!" But this was more than Alice had courage todo. 

"A little kindness--and putting her hair in papers--would do wonderswith her--"

The White Queen gave a deep sigh, and laid her head on Alice'sshoulder. "I AM so sleepy!" she moaned. 

"She's tired, poor thing!" said the Red Queen. "Smooth her hair--lendher your nightcap--and sing her a soothing lullaby. "

"I haven't got a nightcap with me, " said Alice, as she tried to obeythe first direction: "and I don't know any soothing lullabies. "

"I must do it myself, then, " said the Red Queen, and she began:

 "Hush-a-by, lady, in Alice's lap! Till the feast's ready, we've time for a nap: When the feast's over, we'll go to the ball-- Red Queen, and White Queen, and Alice, and all!"

"And now you know the words, " she added, as she put her head down onAlice's other shoulder, "just sing it through to ME; I'm gettingsleepy, too. " In another moment both queens were fast asleep, andsnoring loud. 

[Illustration: TWO QUEENS ASLEEP AT ONCE]

"What AM I to do?" exclaimed Alice, looking about in great perplexity, as first one round head, and then the other, rolled down from hershoulder, and lay like a heavy lump in her lap. "I don't think it EVERhappened before, that any one had to take care of two queens asleep atonce! No, not in all the history of England--it couldn't, you know, because there never was more than one queen at a time. Do wake up, youheavy things!" she went on in an impatient tone; but there was noanswer but a gentle snoring. 

THE LEPRECAUN

By WILLIAM ALLINGHAM

NOTE. --The Leprecaun, or Shoemaker, is one of the solitary fairies ofIreland. He is a little fellow who wears a red coat with seven buttonsin each row, and a cocked or pointed hat, on the point of which heoften spins round like a top. You may often see him under the hedgemending shoes; where, if you are sharp enough, you may catch him andmake him give up the big crocks of gold, of which the little miser hassaved many and many. But you must be careful, for if after you haveseen him once you take your eyes off him for a single instant, hevanishes into the air like a wreath of smoke. 

 Little cowboy, what have you heard, Up on the lonely rath's green mound? Only the plaintive yellow-bird Singing in sultry fields around? Chary, chary, chary, chee-e! Only the grasshopper and the bee? "Tip-tap, rip-rap, Tick-a-tack-too! Scarlet leather sewn together, This will make a shoe. Left, right, pull it tight, Summer days are warm; Underground in winter, Laughing at the storm!"

 Lay your ear close to the hill: Do you not catch the tiny clamor, Busy click of an elfin hammer, Voice of the Leprecaun singing shrill As he merrily plies his trade? He's a span And a quarter in height; Get him in sight, hold him fast, And you're a made Man!

 You watch your cattle the summer day, Sup on potatoes, sleep in the hay; How should you like to roll in your carriage And look for a duchess's daughter in marriage? Seize the shoemaker, so you may! "Big boots a-hunting, Sandals in the hall, White for a wedding feast, And pink for a ball: This way, that way, So we make a shoe, Getting rich every stitch, Tick-tack-too!"

 Nine and ninety treasure crocks This keen miser-fairy hath, Hid in mountain, wood and rocks, Ruin and round-tower, cave or rath, And where the cormorants build; From the times of old Guarded by him; Each of them filled Full to the brim With gold!

[Illustration: THIS WAY, THAT WAY, SO WE MAKE A SHOE]

 I caught him at work one day myself, In the castle ditch where the foxglove grows, A wrinkled, wizened and bearded elf, Spectacles stuck on the top of his nose, Silver buckles to his hose, Leather apron, shoe in his lap. "Rip-rap, tip-tap, Tick-tack-too!

 A grig stepped upon my cap, Away the moth flew. Buskins for a fairy prince, Brogues for his son, Pay me well, pay me well, When the job's done. "

 The rogue was mine beyond a doubt; I stared at him, he stared at me! "Servant, Sir!" "Humph, " said he, And pulled a snuff-box out; He took a long pinch, looked better pleased, The queer little Leprecaun, Offered the box with a whimsical grace, Pouf! he flung the dust in my face, And, while I sneezed, was gone!

THE WALRUS AND THE CARPENTER

By LEWIS CARROLL

The sun was shining on the sea, Shining with all his might:He did his very best to make The billows smooth and bright--And this was odd, because it was The middle of the night. 

The moon was shining sulkily, Because she thought the sunHad got no business to be there After the day was done--"It's very rude of him, " she said, "To come and spoil the fun!"

The sea was wet as wet could be, The sands were dry as dry. You could not see a cloud, because No cloud was in the sky;No birds were flying overhead-- There were no birds to fly. 

[Illustration: THE WALRUS AND THE CARPENTER]

The Walrus and the Carpenter Were walking close at hand;They wept like anything to see Such quantities of sand:"If this were only cleared away, " They said, "it would be grand!"

"If seven maids with seven mops Swept it for half a year, Do you suppose, " the Walrus said, "That they could get it clear?""I doubt it, " said the Carpenter, And shed a bitter tear. 

"Oysters, come and walk with us!" The Walrus did beseech. "A pleasant walk, a pleasant talk, Along the briny beach;We cannot do with more than four, To give a hand to each. "

The eldest Oyster looked at him, But never a word he said:The eldest Oyster winked his eye, And shook his heavy head--Meaning to say he did not choose To leave the oyster-bed. 

But four young Oysters hurried up, All eager for the treat:Their coats were brushed, their faces washed, Their shoes were clean and neat--And this was odd, because, you know, They hadn't any feet. 

Four others Oysters followed them, And yet another four;And thick and fast they came at last, And more, and more, and more--All hopping through the frothy waves, And scrambling to the shore. 

The Walrus and the Carpenter Walked on a mile or so, And then they rested on a rock, Conveniently low:And all the little Oysters stood And waited in a row. 

[Illustration: THE LITTLE OYSTERS WAITED]

"The time has come, " the Walrus said, "To talk of many things:Of shoes--and ships--and sealing wax-- Of cabbages--and kings--And why the sea is boiling hot-- And whether pigs have wings. "

"But wait a bit, " the Oysters cried, "Before we have our chat;For some of us are out of breath, And all of us are fat!""No hurry!" said the Carpenter. They thanked him much for that. 

"A loaf of bread, " the Walrus said, "Is what we chiefly need:Pepper and vinegar besides Are very good indeed--Now if you're ready, Oysters dear, We can begin to feed. "

"But not on us!" the Oysters cried, Turning a little blue. "After such kindness, that would be A dismal thing to do!""The night is fine, " the Walrus said, "Do you admire the view?

"It was so kind of you to come! And you are very nice!"The Carpenter said nothing but "Cut us another slice:I wish you were not quite so deaf-- I've had to ask you twice!"

"It seems a shame, " the Walrus said, "To play them such a trick, After we've brought them out so far, And made them trot so quick!"The Carpenter said nothing but "The butter's spread too thick!"

 [Illustration: I DEEPLY SYMPATHIZE]

"I weep for you, " the Walrus said: "I deeply sympathize. "With sobs and tears he sorted out Those of the largest size, Holding his pocket-handkerchief Before his streaming eyes. 

"Oh, Oysters, " said the Carpenter, "You've had a pleasant run!Shall we be trotting home again?" But answer came there none--And this was scarcely odd, because They'd eaten every one. 

BETH GELERT

By WILLIAM E. SPENCER

The spearmen heard the bugle sound, And cheerily smiled the morn;And many a brach, and many a hound, Obeyed Llewelyn's horn. 

And still he blew a louder blast, And gave a lustier cheer, "Come, Gelert, come, wert never last Llewelyn's horn to hear. 

"O, where does faithful Gelert roam, The flower of all his race;So true, so brave, --a lamb at home, A lion in the chase?"

In sooth, he was a peerless hound, The gift of royal John;But now no Gelert could be found And all the chase rode on. 

That day Llewelyn little loved The chase of hart and hare;And scant and small the booty proved, For Gelert was not there. 

Unpleased, Llewelyn homeward hied, When, near the portal seat, His truant Gelert he espied, Bounding his lord to greet. 

But when he gained his castle door, Aghast the chieftain stood;The hound all o'er was smeared with gore; His lips, his fangs, ran blood. Llewelyn gazed with fierce surprise; Unused such looks to meet, His favorite checked his joyful guise, And crouched, and licked his feet. 

[Illustration: THE DEATH OF GELERT]

Onward, in haste, Llewelyn passed, And on went Gelert, too;And still, where'er his eyes he cast, Fresh blood-gouts shocked his view. 

O'erturned his infant's bed he found, With blood-stained covert rent;And all around the walls and ground With recent blood besprent. 

He called his child, --no voice replied, -- He searched with terror wild;Blood, blood he found on every side, But nowhere found his child. 

"Hell-hound! my child's by thee devoured, " The frantic father cried;And to the hilt his vengeful sword He plunged in Gelert's side. 

Aroused by Gelert's dying yell, Some slumberer wakened nigh;What words the parent's joy could tell To hear his infant's cry!

Concealed beneath a tumbled heap His hurried search had missed, All glowing from his rosy sleep, The cherub boy he kissed. 

Nor scathe had he, nor harm, nor dread, But, the same couch beneath, Lay a gaunt wolf, all torn and dead, Tremendous still in death. 

Ah, what was then Llewelyn's pain! For now the truth was clear;His gallant hound the wolf had slain To save Llewelyn's heir. 

ROBINSON CRUSOE

INTRODUCTORY NOTE

The author of Robinson Crusoe, Daniel Defoe, lived in England from1661 to 1731. He was a brave, liberty-loving man who was always inopposition to the tyranny of the government, and was many timespunished for his independent speech and lively interest in the wrongsof his fellows. 

We do not know positively what inspired him to write the story, orwhere he got his facts. It has been generally believed that his talewas founded on The Life and Adventures of Alexander Selkirk, a bookwhich was published about seven years before Robinson Crusoe appeared, in 1719. Selkirk was a buccaneer on a ship cruising in the SouthAtlantic. He quarreled violently with his captain, and at his ownrequest was put ashore alone on the island of Juan Fernandez. Here helived for four years and four months, and was then rescued by aprivateer. The adventures of Selkirk have so little in common withthose of Robinson Crusoe that it is doubtful whether Defoe had theformer in mind at all. Moreover, there had been published in Englandsome twenty years before Defoe wrote Robinson Crusoe the story ofPeter Serrano, who was shipwrecked and lived for several years on anisland near the mouth of the Orinoco. 

This is the scene of Robinson Crusoe, and it is probable that Defoewas influenced by Serrano's story. 

The title-page of the first edition is as follows:

"The Life and Strange Surprizing Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, ofYork, Mariner; Who lived Eight and Twenty Years, all alone in an un-inhabited Island on the Coast of America, near the Mouth of the GreatRiver Oroonoque; Having been cast on Shore by Shipwreck, wherein allthe Men perished but himself. With an Account how he was at last asstrangely delivered by Pyrates. Written by Himself. London: Printedfor W. Taylor at the Ship in Pater-Noster-Row. MDCCXIX"

The story as Defoe tells it is vividly written in what seems to us nowrather quaint phraseology, but everything appears so simple and soreal that it is hard to believe that the man who wrote the story didnot really have the experiences he relates. Defoe did not intend towrite a book for children, and Robinson Crusoe is really the firstgreat English story, and the forerunner of our modern novels. Thebook, however, became very popular, and the children seized upon it atonce and made it their own particular story. Countless editions of ithave been printed, and it has been translated into almost every modernlanguage. Besides this, there have been dozens of English versions ofRobinson Crusoe, from simple little tales in words of one syllable, tofiner editions in which Defoe's language has been modernized and areally new story created. However, there is nothing so charming and soreal as Crusoe's own account of himself, and the selections whichfollow are taken from the larger book just about as they were writtenby Defoe. 

Robinson Crusoe was a good honest Englishman, who made the best of ahard situation and worked his way into comparative comfort in spite ofa thousand difficulties and dangers, of which only those who read thebook have any idea. He was so manly about it always, and sostraightforward in his account of what he did, that it is worth anyone's while to read the entire book. 

THE MAN FRIDAY

I am now to be supposed retired in my castle, after my late voyage tothe wreck, my frigate laid up and secured under water, and mycondition restored to what it was before; I had more wealth than I hadbefore, but was not at all the richer; for I had no more use for itthan the Indians of Peru had before the Spaniards came there. 

It was one of the nights in the rainy season in March, the four-and-twentieth year of my first setting foot in this island ofsolitariness; I was lying in my bed or hammock awake, very well inhealth, had no pain, no distemper, no uneasiness of body, nor anyuneasiness of mind more than ordinary, but could by no means close myeyes; that is, so as to sleep; no, not a wink all night long. It isimpossible to set down the innumerable crowd of thoughts that whirledthrough that great thoroughfare of the brain, the memory, in thisnight's time: I ran over the whole history of my life in miniature, orby abridgment, as I may call it, to my coming to this island, and alsoof that part of my life since I came to this island. 

When these thoughts were over, my head was for some time taken up inconsidering the nature of those wretched creatures, the cannibals, [Footnote: Crusoe had been much disturbed by discovering footprintsand remains of fires, which showed him that his island had beenvisited. As he found human bones near the embers, he knew that hisvisitors were cannibals. ] and how it came to pass in the world thatthe wise Governor of all things should give up any of his creatures tosuch inhumanity--nay, to something so much below even brutalityitself--as to devour its own kind: but, as this ended in some (at thattime) fruitless speculations, it occurred to me to inquire, what partof the world these wretches lived in? how far off the coast was fromwhence they came? what they ventured over so far from home for? whatkind of boats they had? and why I might not order myself and mybusiness so, that I might be able to go over thither, as they were tocome to me?

I never so much as troubled myself to consider what I should do withmyself when I went thither; what would become of me if I fell into thehands of these savages; or how I should escape them if they attackedme; but my mind was wholly bent upon the notion of my passing over inmy boat to the mainland. I looked upon my present condition as themost miserable that could possibly be; that I was not able to throwmyself into anything but death, that could be called worse; and if Ireached the shore of the main, I might perhaps meet with relief, or Imight coast along, till I came to some inhabited country, where Imight find some relief; and, after all, perhaps I might fall in withsome Christian ship that would take me in; and if the worst came tothe worst, I could but die, which would put an end to all thesemiseries at once. 

[Illustration: ROBINSON CRUSOE FINDS A FOOTPRINT ON THE SAND]

When this had agitated my thoughts for two hours or more, with suchviolence that it set my very blood into a ferment, and my pulse beatas if I had been in a fever, merely with the extraordinary fervor ofmy mind about it, Nature, as if I had been fatigued and exhausted withthe very thoughts of it, threw me into a sound sleep. One would havethought I should have dreamed of it, but I did not, nor of anythingrelating to it; but I dreamed that as I was going out in the morningas usual, from my castle, I saw upon the shore two canoes and elevensavages, coming to land, and that they brought with them anothersavage, whom they were going to kill, in order to eat him; when, on asudden, the savage that they were going to kill jumped away, and ranfor his life; and I thought, in my sleep, that he came running into mylittle thick grove before my fortification, to hide himself; and thatI, seeing him alone, and not perceiving that the others sought himthat way, showed myself to him, and smiling upon him, encouraged him;that he kneeled down to me, seeming to pray me to assist him; uponwhich I showed him my ladder, made him go up, and carried him into mycave, and he became my servant; and that as soon as I had gotten thisman, I said to myself, "Now I may certainly venture to the mainland, for this fellow will serve me as a pilot, and will tell me what to do, and whither to go for provisions, and whither not to go for fear ofbeing devoured; what places to venture into, and what to escape. " Iwaked with this thought; and was under such inexpressible impressionsof joy at the prospect of my escape in my dream, that thedisappointments which I felt upon coming to myself, and finding thatit was no more than a dream, were equally extravagant the other way, and threw me into a very great dejection of spirit. 

Upon this, however, I made this conclusion: that my only way to goabout to attempt an escape was, to endeavor to get a savage into mypossession; and, if possible, it should be one of their prisoners, whom they had condemned to be eaten, and should bring hither to kill. My next thing was to contrive how to do it, and this indeed was verydifficult to resolve on; but as I could pitch upon no probable meansfor it, so I resolved to put myself upon the watch, to see them whenthey came on shore, and leave the rest to the event, taking suchmeasures as the opportunity should present, let what would be. 

With these resolutions in my thoughts, I set myself upon the scout asoften as possible, and indeed so often, that I was heartily tired ofit. About a year and a half after I had entertained these notions, andby long musing had, as it were, resolved them all into nothing, forwant of an occasion to put them into execution, I was surprised onemorning by seeing no less than five canoes all on shore together on myside of the island, and the people who belonged to them all landed andout of my sight. The number of them broke all my measures; for seeingso many, and knowing that they always came four or six, or sometimesmore in a boat, I could not tell what to think of it, or how to takemy measures to attack twenty or thirty men single-handed; and so laystill in my castle, perplexed and discomforted; however, I put myselfinto all the same postures for an attack that I had formerly provided, and was just as ready for action if anything had presented. 

Having waited a good while, listening to hear if they made any noise, at length being very impatient, I set my guns at the foot of myladder, and clambered up to the top of the hill, by my two stages;standing so, however, that my head did not appear above the hill, sothat they could not perceive me by any means. Here I observed, by thehelp of my perspective glass, that they were no less than thirty innumber; that they had a fire kindled, and that they had meat dressed;how they had cooked it, I knew not, or what it was; but they were alldancing, in I know not how many barbarous gestures and figures, theirown way, round the fire. 

While I was thus looking on them, I perceived, by my perspective, twomiserable wretches dragged from the boats, where, it seems, they werelaid by, and were now brought out for the slaughter. I perceived oneof them immediately fall; being knocked down, I suppose, with a club, or wooden sword, for that was their way, and two or three others wereat work immediately, cutting him open for their cookery, while theother victim was left standing by himself, till they should be readyfor him. In that very moment, this poor wretch seeing himself a littleat liberty, Nature inspired him with hopes of life, arid he startedaway from them, and ran with incredible swiftness along the sands, directly toward me--I mean, toward that part of the coast where myhabitation was. 

I was dreadfully frighted, I must acknowledge, when I perceived himrun my way; and especially when, as I thought, I saw him pursued bythe whole body; and now I expected that part of my dream was coming topass, and that he would certainly take shelter in my grove; but Icould not depend, by any means, upon my dream for the rest, that theother savages would not pursue him thither, and find him there. However, I kept my station, and my spirits began to recover when Ifound that there was not above three men that followed him, and stillmore was I encouraged, when I found that he outstripped themexceedingly in running, and gained ground on them, so that, if hecould but hold out for half an hour, I saw easily he would fairly getaway from them all. 

There was between them and my castle the creek, which I mentionedoften at the first part of my story, where I landed my cargoes out ofthe ship; and this I saw plainly he must necessarily swim over, or thepoor wretch would be taken there; but when the savage escaping camethither, he made nothing of it, though the tide was then up; but, plunging in, swam through in about thirty strokes, or thereabouts, landed, and ran with exceeding strength and swiftness; when the threepursuers came to the creek, I found that two of them could swim, butthe third could not, and that, standing on the other side, he lookedat the others, but went no further, and soon after went softly back;which, as it happened, was very well for him in the end. I observedthat the two who swam were yet more than twice as long swimming overthe creek as the fellow was that fled from them. 

It came now very warmly upon my thoughts, and indeed irresistibly, that now was the time to get me a servant, and perhaps a companion orassistant; and that I was plainly called by Providence to save thispoor creature's life; I immediately ran down the ladders with allpossible expedition, fetched my two guns, for they were both at thefoot of the ladders, as I observed before, and getting up again withthe same haste to the top of the hill, I crossed toward the sea; andhaving a very short cut, and all down hill, clapped myself in the waybetween the pursuers and the pursued, hallooing aloud to him thatfled, who, looking back, was at first perhaps as much frighted at meas at them; but I beckoned with my hand to him to come back; and, inthe meantime, I slowly advanced toward the two that followed; thenrushing at once upon the foremost, I knocked him down with the stockof my piece; I was loth to fire because I would not have the resthear; though, at that distance, it would not have been easily heard, and being out of sight of the smoke, too, they would not have knownwhat to make of it. Having knocked this fellow down, the other whopursued him stopped, as if he had been frighted, and I advanced towardhim: but as I came nearer, I perceived presently he had a bow andarrow, and was fitting it to shoot at me: so I was then necessitatedto shoot at him first, which I did, and killed him at the first shot. 

The poor savage who fled, but had stopped, though he saw both hisenemies fallen and killed, as he thought, yet was so frighted with thefire and noise of my piece, that he stood stock-still, and neithercame forward nor went backward, though he seemed rather inclined stillto fly than to come on. I hallooed again to him, and made signs tocome forward, which he easily understood, and came a little way, andthen stopped again, then a little further, and stopped again, and Icould then perceive that he stood trembling, as if he had been takenprisoner, and had just been to be killed, as his two enemies were. Ibeckoned to him again to come to me, and gave him all the signs ofencouragement that I could think of, and he came nearer and nearer, kneeling down every ten or twelve steps, in token of acknowledgmentfor my saving his life. I smiled at him, and looked pleasantly, andbeckoned to him to come still nearer; at length, he came close to me, and then he kneeled down again, kissed the ground, and laid his headupon the ground, and, taking me by the foot, set my foot upon hishead; this, it seems, was in token of swearing to be my slave forever. I took him up and made much of him, and encouraged him all I could. But there was more work to do yet; for I perceived the savage whom Ihad knocked down was not killed, but stunned with the blow, and beganto come to himself: so I pointed to him, and showed him the savage, that he was not dead; upon this he spoke some words to me, and thoughI could not understand them, yet I thought they were pleasant tohear; for they were the first sound of a man's voice that I had heard, my own excepted, for above twenty-five years. 

But there was no time for such reflections now; the savage who wasknocked down recovered himself so far as to sit up upon the ground, and I perceived that my savage began to be afraid; but when I sawthat, I presented my other piece at the man, as if I would shoot him;upon this, my savage, for so I called him now, made a motion to me tolend him my sword, which hung naked in a belt by my side; so I did, Heno sooner had it, but he runs to his enemy, and at one blow cut offhis head so cleverly that no executioner in Germany could have done itsooner or better; which I thought very strange for one who, I hadreason to believe, never saw a sword in his life before, except theirown wooden swords: however, it seems, as I learned afterward, theymake their wooden swords so sharp, so heavy, and the wood is so hard, that they will even cut off heads with them, ay, and arms, and that atone blow, too. When he had done this, he comes laughing to me in signof triumph, and brought me the sword again, and with abundance ofgestures which I did not understand, laid it down, with the head ofthe savage that he had killed, just before me. 

But that which astonished him most was to know how I killed the otherIndian so far off; so, pointing to him, he made signs to me to let himgo to him; and I bade him go, as well as I could; when he came to him, he stood like one amazed, looking at him, turning him first on oneside, then on the other, looked at the wound the bullet had made, which it seems was just in his breast, where it had made a hole, andno great quantity of blood had followed; but he had bled inwardly, forhe was quite dead. He took up his bow and arrows, and came back, so Iturned to go away, and beckoned him to follow me, making signs to himthat more might come after them. Upon this he made signs to me that heshould bury them with sand, that they might not be seen by the rest, if they followed; and so I made signs to him again to do so. He fellto work; and in an instant he had scraped a hole in the sand with hishands, big enough to bury the first in, and then dragged him into it, and covered him; and did so by the other also; I believe he had buriedthem both in a quarter of an hour. Then calling him away, I carriedhim, not to my castle, but quite away to my cave on the further partof the island: so I did not let my dream come to pass in that part, that he came into my grove for shelter. Here I gave him bread and abunch of raisins to eat, and a draught of water, which I found he wasindeed in great distress for, from his running: and having refreshedhim, I made signs for him to go and lie down to sleep, showing him aplace where I had laid some rice straw, and a blanket upon it, which Iused to sleep upon myself sometimes; so the poor creature lay down, and went to sleep. 

He was a comely, handsome fellow, perfectly well made, with straight, strong limbs, not too large, tall and well shaped; and, as I reckon, about twenty-six years of age. He had a very good countenance, not afierce and surly aspect, but seemed to have something very manly inhis face; and yet he had all the sweetness and softness of a Europeanin his countenance too, especially when he smiled. His hair was longand black, not curled like wool; his forehead very high and large; anda great vivacity and sparkling sharpness in his eyes. The color of theskin was not quite black, but very tawny; and yet not an ugly, yellow, nauseous tawny, as the Brazilians and Virginians, and other natives ofAmerica are, but of a bright kind of a dun-olive color, that had in itsomething very agreeable, though not very easy to describe. His facewas round and plump; his nose small, not flat like the negroes, a verygood mouth, thin lips, and his fine teeth well set, and as white asivory. 

After he had slumbered, rather than slept, about half an hour, heawoke again, and came out of the cave to me; for I had been milking mygoats, which I had in the inclosure just by: when he espied me, hecame running to me, laying himself down again upon the ground, withall the possible signs of an humble, thankful disposition, making agreat many antic gestures to show it; at last he laid his head flatupon the ground, close to my foot, and set my other foot upon hishead, as he had done before; and after this, made all the signs to meof subjection, servitude, and submission imaginable, to let me knowhow he would serve me so long as he lived. I understood him in manythings, and let him know I was very well pleased with him. 

In a little time I began to speak to him, and teach him to speak tome; and, first, I let him know his name should be FRIDAY, which wasthe day I saved his life; I called him so for the memory of the time;I likewise taught him to say "Master"; and then let him know that wasto be my name: I likewise taught him to say "Yes" and "No" and to knowthe meaning of them; I gave him some milk in an earthen pot, and lethim see me drink it before him, and sop my bread in it; and I gave hima cake of bread to do the like, which he quickly complied with, andmade signs that it was very good for him. I kept there with him allnight; but, as soon as it was day, I beckoned to him to come with me, and let him know I would give him some clothes; at which he seemedvery glad, for he was stark naked. 

As we went by the place where he had buried the two men, he pointedexactly to the place, and showed me the marks that he had made to findthem again, making signs to me that we should dig them up again andeat them. At this, I appeared very angry, expressed my abhorrence ofit, made as if I would vomit at the thoughts of it, and beckoned withmy hand to him to come away, which he did immediately, with greatsubmission. I then led him up to the top of the hill, to see if hisenemies were gone; and pulling out my glass, I looked, and saw plainlythe place where they had been, but no appearance of them or theircanoes; so that it was plain they were gone, and had left their twocomrades behind them, without any search after them. 

But I was not content with this discovery; but having now morecourage, and consequently more curiosity, I took my man Friday withme, giving him the sword in his hand, with the bow and arrows at hisback, which I found he could use very dexterously, making him carryone gun for me, and I two for myself; and away we marched to the placewhere these creatures had been; for I had a mind now to get somefuller intelligence of them. When I came to the place, my very bloodran chill in my veins, and my heart sunk within me, at the horror ofthe spectacle; indeed, it was a dreadful sight, at least it was so tome, though Friday made nothing of it. Friday, by his signs, made meunderstand that they brought over four prisoners to feast upon; thatthree of them were eaten up, and that he, pointing to himself, was thefourth; that there had been a great battle between them and their nextking, of whose subjects, it seems, he had been one; and that they hadtaken a great number of prisoners, all of which were carried toseveral places, by those who had taken them in the fight, in order tofeast upon them, as was done here by these wretches upon those theybrought hither. 

We then came back to our castle; and there I fell to work for my manFriday; and first of all, I gave him a pair of linen drawers, which Ihad out of the poor gunner's chest I mentioned, which I found in thewreck, and which, with a little alteration, fitted him very well; thenI made him a jerkin of goat's skin, as well as my skill would allow, and I was now grown a tolerably good tailor; and I gave him a capwhich I had made of a hare's skin, very convenient, and fashionableenough; and thus he was clothed, for the present, tolerably well; andwas mighty well pleased to see himself almost as well clothed as hismaster. It is true, he went awkwardly in these clothes at first:wearing the drawers was very awkward to him, and the sleeves of thewaistcoat galled his shoulders and the inside of his arms; but alittle easing them where he complained they hurt him, and usinghimself to them, at length he took to them very well. 

The next day, after I came home to my hutch with him, I began toconsider where I should lodge him; and that I might do well for himand yet be perfectly easy myself, I made a little tent for him in thevacant place between my two fortifications, in the inside of the last, and in the outside of the first; and as there was a door or entrancethere into my cave, I made a formal framed doorcase, and a door to itof boards, and set it up in the passage, a little within the entrance;and, causing the door to open in the inside, I barred it up in thenight, taking in my ladders, too; so that Friday could no way come atme in the inside of my innermost wall, without making so much noise ingetting over it that it must needs awaken me; for my first wall hadnow a complete roof over it of long poles, covering all my tent, andleaning up to the side of the hill; which was again laid across withsmaller sticks, instead of laths, and then thatched over a greatthickness with the rice straw, which was strong, like reeds; and atthe hole or place which was left to go in or out by the ladder, I hadplaced a kind of trapdoor, which, if it had been attempted on theoutside, would not have opened at all, but would have fallen down andmade a great noise; and as to weapons, I took them all into my sideevery night, But I needed none of all this precaution: for never manhad a more faithful, loving, sincere servant than Friday was to me;without passions, sullenness, or designs, perfectly obliging andengaging; his very affections were tied to me like those of a child toa father; and I dare say he would have sacrificed his life to savemine, upon any occasion whatsoever; the many testimonies he gave me ofthis put it out of doubt, and soon convinced me that I needed to useno precautions for my safety on his account. 

I was greatly delighted with him, and made it my business to teach himeverything that was proper to make him useful, handy, and helpful; butespecially to make him speak, and understand me when I spoke; and hewas the aptest scholar that ever was; and particularly was so merry, so constantly diligent, and so pleased when he could but understandme, or make me understand him, that it was very pleasant to me to talkto him. Now my life began to be so easy that I began to say to myself, that could I but have been safe from more savages, I cared not if Iwas never to be removed from the place where I lived. 

********

I soon found a way to convince him that I would do him no harm, andtaking him up by the hand, laughed at him, and pointing at a fowlwhich was indeed a parrot, and to my gun, and to the ground under theparrot, to let him see I would make it fall, I made him understandthat I would shoot and kill that bird; accordingly, I fired, and badehim look, and immediately he saw the parrot fall. He stood like onefrighted again, notwithstanding all I had said to him; and I found hewas the more amazed, because he did not see me put anything into thegun; but thought that there must be some wonderful fund of death anddestruction in that thing, able to kill man, beast, bird, or anythingnear or far off; and the astonishment this created in him was such ascould not wear off for a long time; and, I believe, if I would havelet him, he would have worshipped me and my gun; as for the gunitself, he would not so much as touch it for several days after; butwould speak to it and talk to it, as if it had answered him, when hewas by himself; which, as I afterward learned of him, was to desire itnot to kill him. Well, after his astonishment was a little over atthis, I pointed to him to run and fetch the bird I had shot, which hedid, but stayed some time; for the parrot, not being quite dead, hadfluttered away a good distance from the place where she fell; however, he found her, took her up, and brought her to me; and as I hadperceived his ignorance about the gun before, I took this advantage tocharge the gun again, and not to let him see me do it, that I might beready for any other mark that might present. 

I resolved to feast him the next day by roasting a piece of a kid;this I did by hanging it before the fire on a string, as I had seenmany people do in England, setting two poles up, one on each side ofthe fire, and one across the top, and tying the string to the crossstick, letting the meat turn continually. This Friday admired verymuch; but when he came to taste the flesh, he took so many ways totell me how well he liked it, that I could not but understand him: andat last he told me, as well as he could, he would never eat man'sflesh any more, which I was very glad to hear. 

The next day, I set him to work beating some corn out, and sifting itin the manner I used to do, as I observed before; and he soonunderstood how to do it as well as I, especially after he had seenwhat the meaning of it was, and that it was to make bread of; forafter that, I let him see me make my bread, and bake it too; and in alittle time, Friday was able to do all the work for me, as well as Icould do it myself. 

[Illustration: FRIDAY ROASTING THE KID]

This was the pleasantest year of all the life I led in this place. Friday began to talk pretty well, and understand the names of almosteverything I had occasion to call for, and of every place I had tosend him to, and talk a great deal to me: so that, in short, I begannow to have some use for my tongue again, which, indeed, I had verylittle occasion for before, that is to say, about speech. 

Besides the pleasure of talking to him, I had a singular satisfactionin the fellow himself: his simple, unfeigned honesty appeared to memore and more every day, and I began really to love the creature; andon his side I believe he loved me more than it was possible for himever to love anything before. 

I had a mind once to try if he had any inclination for his own countryagain; and having taught him English so well that he could answer mealmost any questions, I asked him whether the nation that he belongedto never conquered in battle. At which he smiled, and said, "Yes, yes, we always fight the better"; that is, he meant, always get the betterin fight; and so we began the following discourse:

Master. --You always fight the better; how came you to be takenprisoner, then, Friday?

Friday. --My nation beat much for all that. 

Master. --How beat? If your nation beat them, how came you to be taken?

Friday. --They more many than my nation, in the place where me was:they take one, two, three and me: my nation over-beat them in theyonder place, where me no was; there my nation take one, two, greatthousand. 

Master. --But why did not your side recover you from the hands of yourenemies, then?

Friday. --They run, one, two, three, and me, and make go in the canoe;my nation have no canoe that time. 

Master. --Well, Friday, and what does your nation do with the men theytake; do they carry them away and eat them, as these did?

Friday. --Yes, my nation eat mans too, eat all up. 

Master. --Where do they carry them?

Friday. --Go to other place, where they think. 

Master. --Do they come hither?

Friday. --Yes, yes, they come hither; come other else place. 

Master. --Have you been here with them?

Friday. --Yes, I been here (points to the N. W. Side of the island, which it seems was their side). 

By this, I understood that my man Friday had formerly been among thesavages who used to come on shore on the further part of the island, on the same man-eating occasions that he was now brought for: and, some time after, when I took the courage to carry him to that side, being the same formerly mentioned, he presently knew the place, andtold me he was there once, when they ate up twenty men, two women, andone child. He could not tell twenty in English, but he numbered them, by laying so many stones in a row, and pointing to me to tell themover. 

CRUSOE AND THE PIRATES

I was fast asleep in my hutch one morning, when my man Friday camerunning in to me, and called aloud, "Master, Master, they are come, they are come!" I jumped up, and, regardless of danger, I went, assoon as I could get my clothes on, through my little grove, which, bythe way, was by this time grown to be a very thick wood; I say, regardless of danger, I went without my arms, which was not my customto do; but I was surprised, when, turning my eyes to the sea, Ipresently saw a boat at about a league and a half distant, standing infor the shore, with a shoulder-of-mutton sail, as they call it, andthe wind blowing pretty fair to bring them in: also I observedpresently, that they did not come from that side which the shore layon, but from the southernmost end of the island. Upon this I calledFriday in, and bade him lie close, for these were not the people welooked for, and we might not know yet whether they were friends orenemies. In the next place, I went in to fetch my perspective glass, to see what I could make of them; and, having taken the ladder out, Iclimbed up to the top of the hill, as I used to do when I wasapprehensive of anything, to take my view the plainer, without beingdiscovered. 

I had scarce set my foot upon the hill, when my eye plainly discovereda ship lying at anchor, at about two leagues and a half distance fromme, S. S. E. , but not above a league and a half from the shore. By myobservation, it appeared plainly to be an English ship, and the boatappeared to be an English longboat. 

I cannot express the confusion I was in; though the joy of seeing aship, and one that I had reason to believe was manned by my owncountrymen, and consequently friends, was such as I cannot describe;but yet I had some secret doubts about me--I cannot tell from whencethey came--bidding me keep upon my guard; for that I had bettercontinue as I was, than fall into the hands of thieves and murderers. 

[Illustration: I DISCOVERED A SHIP LYING AT ANCHOR]

I saw the boat draw near the shore, as if they looked for a creek tothrust in at, for the convenience of landing; however, as they did notcome quite far enough, they did not see the little inlet where Iformerly landed my rafts, but ran their boat on shore, upon the beach, at about half a mile from me; which was very happy for me; forotherwise they would have landed just at my door, as I may say, andwould soon have beaten me out of my castle, and perhaps have plunderedme of all I had. When they were on shore, I was fully satisfied theywere Englishmen, at least most of them; one or two I thought wereDutch, but it did not prove so; there were in all eleven men, whereofthree of them I found were unarmed, and, as I thought, bound; and whenthe first four or five of them were jumped on shore, they took thosethree out of the boat, as prisoners. One of the three I could perceiveusing the most passionate gestures of entreaty, affliction, anddespair, even to a kind of extravagance; the other two, I couldperceive, lifted up their hands sometimes, and appeared concernedindeed, but not to such a degree as the first. I was perfectlyconfounded at the sight, and knew not what the meaning of it shouldbe. 

All this while I had no thought of what the matter really was, butstood trembling with the horror of the sight, expecting every momentwhen the three prisoners should be killed; nay, once I saw one of thevillains lift up his arm with a great cutlass, as the seamen call it, or sword, to strike one of the poor men; and I expected to see himfall every moment; at which all the blood in my body seemed to runchill in my veins. I wished heartily that I had any way to have comeundiscovered within shot of them, that I might have secured the threemen, for I saw no firearms they had among them; but it fell out to mymind another way. After I had observed the outrageous usage of thethree men by the insolent seamen, I observed the fellows runscattering about the island, as if they wanted to see the country. Iobserved that the three other men had liberty to go also where theypleased; but they sat down all three upon the ground very pensive, andlooked like men in despair. 

It was just at high water when these people came on shore; and whilethey rambled about to see what kind of a place they were in, they hadcarelessly stayed till the tide was spent, and the water was ebbedconsiderably away, leaving their boat aground. They had left two menin the boat, who, as I found afterward, having drunk a little too muchbrandy, fell asleep; however, one of them, waking a little sooner thanthe other, and finding the boat too fast aground for him to stir it, hallooed out for the rest, who were straggling about; upon which theyall soon came to the boat; but it was past all their strength tolaunch her, the boat being very heavy, and the shore on that sidebeing a soft oozy sand, almost like a quicksand. In this condition, like true seamen, who are, perhaps, the least of all mankind given toforethought, they gave it over, and away they strolled about thecountry again; and I heard one of them say aloud to another, callingthem off from the boat, "Why, let her alone, Jack, can't you? she'llfloat next tide"; by which I was fully confirmed in the main inquiryof what countrymen they were. All this while I kept myself veryclose, not once daring to stir out of my castle any further than to myplace of observation; and very glad I was to think how well it wasfortified. I knew it was no less than ten hours before the boat couldfloat again, and by that time it would be dark, and I might be at moreliberty to see their motions, and to hear their discourse, if they hadany. In the meantime, I fitted myself up for a battle, as before, though with more caution, knowing I had to do with another kind ofenemy than I had at first. I ordered Friday also, whom I had made anexcellent marksman with his gun, to load himself with arms. I tookmyself two fowling pieces, and I gave him three muskets; my figure, indeed, was very fierce; I had my formidable goatskin coat on, with mygreat cap, a naked sword by my side, two pistols in my belt, and a gunupon each shoulder. 

It was my design not to have made any attempt till it was dark; butabout two o'clock, being the heat of the day, I found that they wereall gone straggling into the woods, and, as I thought, laid down tosleep; the three poor distressed men, too anxious for their conditionto get any sleep, were, however, sat down under the shelter of a greattree, at about a quarter of a mile from me, and, as I thought, out ofsight of any of the rest. Upon this I resolved to discover myself tothem, and learn something of their condition. Immediately I marched asabove, my man Friday at a good distance behind me, as formidable forhis arms as I was. I came as near them undiscovered as I could, andthen, before any of them saw me, I called aloud to them in Spanish, "What are ye, gentlemen?" They started up at the noise, but were tentimes more confounded when they saw me, and the uncouth figure that Imade. They made no answer at all, but I thought I perceived them justgoing to fly from me, when I spoke to them in English. 

"Gentlemen, " said I, "do not be surprised at me; perhaps you may havea friend near, when you did not expect it. "

"He must be sent directly from Heaven, then, " said one of them verygravely to me, and pulling off his hat at the same time to me; "forour condition is past the help of man. "

"All help is from Heaven, sir, " said I; "but can you put a stranger inthe way to help you? for you seem to be in some great distress. I sawyou when you landed; and when you seemed to make application to thebrutes that came with you, I saw one of them lift up his sword to killyou. "

The poor man, with tears running down his face, and trembling, lookinglike one astonished, returned--

"Am I talking to God, or man? Is it a real man, or an angel?"

"Be in no fear about that, sir, " said I; "if God had sent an angel torelieve you, he would have come better clothed, and armed afteranother manner than you see me in; pray lay aside your fears; I am aman, an Englishman, and disposed to assist you; you see I have oneservant only; we have arms and ammunition; tell us freely, can weserve you? What is your case?"

"Our case, sir, " said he, "is too long to tell you, while ourmurderers are so near us; but in short, sir, I was commander of thatship; my men have mutinied against me; they have been hardly prevailedon not to murder me, and at last have set me on shore in this desolateplace, with these two men with me--one my mate, the other a passenger;where we expected to perish, believing the place to be uninhabited, and know not what to think of it. "

"Where are those brutes, your enemies, " said I; "do you know wherethey are gone?"

[Illustration: THEY STARTED UP]

"There they lie, sir, " said he, pointing to a thicket of trees; "myheart trembles for fear they have seen us, and heard you speak: ifthey have, they will certainly murder us all. "

"Have they any firearms?" said I. 

"They had only two pieces, " he answered, "one of which they left inthe boat. "

"Well, then, " said I, "leave the rest to me; I see they are allasleep; it is an easy thing to kill them all; but shall we rather takethem prisoners?"

He told me there were two desperate villains among them that it wasscarce safe to show any mercy to; but if they were secured, hebelieved all the rest would return to their duty. I asked him whichthey were. He told me he could not at that distance distinguish them, but he would obey my orders in everything I would direct. 

"Well, " said I, "let us retreat out of their view or hearing, lestthey awake, and we will resolve further. "

So they willingly went back with me, till the woods covered us fromthem. 

"Look you, sir, " said I, "if I venture upon your deliverance, are youwilling to make two conditions with me?" He anticipated my proposalsby telling me that both he and the ship, if recovered, should bewholly directed and commanded by me in everything; and if the ship wasnot recovered, he would live and die with me in what part of the worldsoever I would send him, and the two other men said the same. 

"Well, " said I, "my conditions are but two: first--that while you stayin this island with me, you will not pretend to any authority here;and if I put arms in your hands, you will, upon all occasions, givethem up to me, and do no prejudice to me or mine upon this island, andin the meantime be governed by my orders; secondly--that if the shipis or may be recovered, you will carry me and my man to Englandpassage free. "

In the middle of this discourse we heard some of them awake, and soonafter we saw two of them on their feet. I asked if either of them werethe men who, he had said, were the heads of the mutiny. He said, "No. ""Well, then, " said I, "you may let them escape; Providence seems tohave awakened them on purpose to save themselves. Now, " said I, "ifthe rest escape you, it is your fault. "

Animated with this, he took the musket I had given him in his hand, and a pistol in his belt, and his two comrades with him, with each apiece in his hand. The two men who were with him going first made somenoise, at which one of the seamen, who was awake, turned about, andseeing them coming, cried out to the rest; but it was too late then, for the moment he cried out they fired, I mean the two men, thecaptain wisely reserving his own piece. They had so well aimed theirshot at the men they knew, that one of them was killed on the spot, and the other very much wounded; but not being dead, he started up onhis feet, and called eagerly for help to the other; but the captain, stepping up to him, told him it was too late to cry for help, heshould call upon God to forgive his villainy, and with that wordknocked him down with the stock of his musket, so that he never spokemore; there were three more in the company, and one of them wasslightly wounded; by this time I was come; and when they saw theirdanger, and that it was in vain to resist, they begged for mercy. Thecaptain told them he would spare their lives if they would give him anassurance of their abhorrence of the treachery they had been guiltyof, and would swear to be faithful to him in recovering the ship, andafterward in carrying her back to Jamaica, from whence they came. Theygave him all the protestations of their sincerity that could bedesired; and he was willing to believe them, and spare their lives, which I was not against; only that I obliged him to keep them boundhand and foot while they were upon the island. 

While this was being done, I sent Friday with the captain's mate tothe boat, with orders to secure her, and bring away the oars and sail, which they did; and by and by three straggling men, that were (happilyfor them) parted from the rest, came back upon hearing the guns fired;and seeing the captain, who was before their prisoner, now theirconqueror, they submitted to be bound also, and so our victory wascomplete. 

At present our business was to consider how to recover the ship, andthe captain agreed with me that there should be no attacking them withso small a number as we were. 

It presently occurred to me that in a little while the ship's crew, wondering what was become of their comrades and of the boat, wouldcertainly come on shore in their other boat to look for them, and thatthen, perhaps, they might come armed, and be too strong for us; thishe allowed to be rational. Upon this, I told him the first thing wehad to do was to stave the boat, which lay upon the beach, so thatthey might not carry her off; and taking everything out of her, leaveher so far useless as not to be fit to swim; accordingly, we went onboard, took the arms which were left on board out of her, and whateverelse we found there, which was a bottle of brandy, and another of rum, a few biscuit-cakes, a horn of powder, and a great lump of sugar in apiece of canvas (the sugar was five or six pounds); all which was verywelcome to me. 

When we had carried all these things on shore (the oars, mast, sail, and rudder of the boat were carried before), we knocked a great holein her bottom, that if they had come strong enough to master us, yetthey could not carry off the boat. Indeed, it was not much in mythoughts that we could be able to recover the ship; but my view was, that if they went away without the boat, I did not much question tomake her again fit to carry us to the Leeward Islands. 

While we were thus preparing our designs, and had first, by mainstrength, heaved the boat upon the beach, so high that the tide wouldnot float her off at high-water mark; and besides, had broken a holein her bottom too big to be quickly stopped, and were sat down musingwhat we should do, we heard the ship fire a gun, and make a waft withher ancient, as a signal for the boat to come on board; but no boatstirred; and they fired several times, making other signals for theboat. At last, when all their signals and firing proved fruitless, andthey found the boat did not stir, we saw them, by the help of myglasses, hoist another boat out, and row toward the shore; and wefound, as they approached, that there were no less than ten men inher, and that they had firearms with them. 

As the ship lay almost two leagues from the shore, we had a full viewof them as they came, and a plain sight even of their faces; becausethe tide having set them a little to the east of the other boat, theyrode up under shore, to come to the same place where the other hadlanded, and where the boat lay. 

As soon as they got to the place where their other boat lay, they rantheir boat into the beach and came all on shore, hauling the boat upafter them; which I was glad to see, for I was afraid they wouldrather have left the boat at an anchor some distance from the shore, with some hands in her, to guard her, and so we should not be able toseize the boat. Being on shore, the first thing they did, they ran allto their other boat; and it was easy to see they were under a greatsurprise to find her stripped, as above, of all that was in her, and agreat hole in her bottom. After they had mused awhile upon this, theyset up two or three great shouts, hallooing with all their might, totry if they could make their companions hear; but all was to nopurpose. Then they came all close in a ring, and fired a volley oftheir small arms, which we heard, and the echoes made the woods ring;but it was all one; our first prisoners, who were in the cave, couldnot hear; and those in our keeping, though they heard it well enough, yet durst give no answer to them. They were so astonished at thesurprise of this, that as they told us afterward, they resolved to goall on board again to their ship, and let them know that the men wereall murdered, and the longboat staved; accordingly, they immediatelylaunched their boat again, and got all of them on board. 

The captain was terribly amazed, and even confounded, at this, believing they would go on board the ship again, and set sail, givingtheir comrades over for lost, and so he should still lose the ship, which he was in hopes we should have recovered; but he was quickly asmuch frighted the other way. 

They had not been long put off with the boat, when we perceived themall coming on shore again; but with this new measure in their conduct, which it seems they consulted together upon, viz. , to leave three menin the boat, and the rest to go on shore, and go up into the countryto look for their fellows. 

We had no remedy but to wait and see what the issue of things mightpresent; the seven men came on shore, and the three who remained inthe boat put her off to a good distance from the shore, and came to ananchor to wait for them; so that it was impossible for us to come atthem in the boat. Those that came on shore kept close together, marching toward the top of the little hill under which my habitationlay; and we could see them plainly, though they could not perceive us;we should have been very glad if they would have come nearer to us, sothat we might have fired at them, or that they would have gone furtheroff, that we might come abroad. But when they were come to the brow ofthe hill, where they could see a great way into the valleys and woods, which lay toward the northeast part, and where the island lay lowest, they shouted and hallooed till they were weary; and not caring, itseems, to venture far from the shore, nor far from one another, theysat down together under a tree to consider it. 

We waited a great while, though very impatient for their removing; andwere very uneasy, when, after a long consultation, we saw them allstart up, and march down toward the sea; it seems they had suchdreadful apprehensions of the danger of the place, that they resolvedto go on board the ship again, give their companions over for lost, and so go on with their intended voyage with the ship. 

As soon as I perceived them go toward the shore, I imagined it to beas it really was, that they had given over their search, and weregoing back again; and the captain, as soon as I told him my thoughts, was ready to sink at the apprehensions of it; but I presently thoughtof a stratagem to fetch them back again. I ordered Friday and thecaptain's mate to go over the little creek westward, and so soon asthey came to a little rising ground, at about half a mile distance, Ibade them halloo out, as loud as they could, and wait till they foundthe seamen heard them; that as soon as ever they heard the seamenanswer them, they should return it again; and then, keeping out ofsight, take a round, always answering when the others hallooed, todraw them as far into the island and among the woods as possible, andthen wheel about again to me by such ways as I directed them. 

They were just going into the boat when Friday and the mate hallooed;and they presently heard them, and, answering, ran along the shorewestward, toward the voice they heard, when they were stopped by thecreek, where, the water being up, they could not get over, and calledfor the boat to come up and set them over; as, indeed, I expected. When they had set themselves over, I observed that the boat being gonea good way into the creek, and, as it were, in a harbor within theland, they took one of the three men out of her, to go along withthem, and left only two in the boat, having fastened her to a stump ofa little tree on the shore. This was what I wished for; andimmediately leaving Friday and the captain's mate to their business, Itook the rest with me; and, crossing the creek out of their sight, wesurprised the two men before they were aware--one of them lying on theshore, and the other being in the boat; the fellow on shore wasbetween sleeping and waking, and going to start up; the captain, whowas foremost, ran in upon him, and knocked him down; and then calledout to him in the boat to yield, or he was a dead man. There neededvery few arguments to persuade a single man to yield, when he saw fivemen upon him, and his comrade knocked down; besides, this was, itseems, one of the three who were not so hearty in the mutiny as therest of the crew, and therefore was easily persuaded not only toyield, but afterward to join very sincerely with us. 

In the meantime Friday and the captain's mate so well managed theirbusiness with the rest, that they drew them, by hallooing andanswering, from one hill to another, and from one wood to another, till they not only heartily tired them, but left them where they werevery sure they could not reach back to their boat before it was dark;and, indeed, they were heartily tired themselves also, by the timethey came back to us. 

We had nothing now to do but to watch for the others in the dark, andto fall upon them, so as to make sure work with them. It was severalhours after Friday came back to me before they came back to theirboat; and we could hear the foremost of them, long before they camequite up, calling to those behind to come along; and could also hearthem answer, and complain how lame and tired they were, and not ableto go any faster; which was very welcome news to us. At length theycame up to the boat; but it is impossible to express their confusionwhen they found the boat aground in the creek, the tide ebbed out, andtheir two men gone; we could hear them call one to another in the mostlamentable manner, telling one another they were got into an enchantedisland; that either there were inhabitants in it, and they should allbe murdered, or else there were devils and spirits in it, and theyshould all be carried away and devoured. They hallooed again, andcalled their two comrades by their names a great many times; but noanswer. After some time, we could see them, by the little light therewas, run about, wringing their hands like men in despair; andsometimes they would go and sit down in the boat to rest themselves, then come ashore again, and walk about again, and so the same thingover again. My men would fain have had me give them leave to fall uponthem at once in the dark; but I was willing to take them at someadvantage, so as to spare them, and kill as few of them as I could;and especially I was unwilling to hazard the killing of any of ourmen, knowing the others were very well armed. I resolved to wait, tosee if they did not separate; and therefore, to make sure of them, Idrew my ambuscade nearer. We came upon them, indeed, in the dark, sothat they could not see our number; and I made the man they had leftin the boat, who was now one of us, to call them by name, to try if Icould bring them to a parley, and so perhaps might reduce them toterms; which fell out just as we desired: for, indeed, it was easy tothink, as their condition then was, they would be very willing tocapitulate. So he calls out as loud as he could to one of them, "TomSmith! Tom Smith!" Tom Smith answered immediately, "Is that Robinson?"for it seems he knew the voice. The other answered, "Ay, ay; for God'ssake, Tom Smith, throw down your arms and yield, or you are all deadmen this moment. " "Who must we yield to? Where are they?" says Smithagain. "Here they are, " says he; "here's our captain and fifty menwith him, have been hunting you these two hours; the boatswain iskilled, Will Fry is wounded, and I am a prisoner; and if you do notyield you are all lost. "--"Will they give us quarter then?" says TomSmith, "and we will yield. "---"I'll go and ask, if you promise toyield, " said Robinson; so he asked the captain. And the captainhimself then calls out, "You, Smith, you know my voice; if you laydown your arms immediately, and submit, you shall have your lives, all but Will Atkins. "

Upon this, Will Atkins cried out, "For God's sake, captain, give mequarter; what have I done? They have all been as bad as I" (which, bythe way, was not true; for, it seems, this Will Atkins was the firstman that laid hold of the captain, when they first mutinied, and usedhim barbarously, in tying his hands, and giving him injuriouslanguage); however, the captain told him he must lay down his arms atdiscretion, and trust to the Governor's mercy; by which he meant me, for they all called me Governor. In a word, they all laid down theirarms, and begged their lives; and I sent the man that had parleyedwith them, and two more, who bound them all; and then my great army offifty men, which, with those three, were in all but eight, came up andseized upon them, and upon their boat; only that I kept myself and onemore out of sight, for reasons of state. 

Our next work was to repair the boat, and think of seizing the ship;and as for the captain, now he had leisure to parley with them, heexpostulated with them upon the villainy of their practices with him, and at length upon the further wickedness of their design, and howcertainly it must bring them to misery and distress in the end, andperhaps to the gallows. They all appeared very penitent, and beggedhard for their lives. As for that, he told them they were not hisprisoners, but the commander's of the island; that they thought theyhad set him on shore in a barren, uninhabited island; but it hadpleased God so to direct them, that it was inhabited, and that theGovernor was an Englishman; that he might hang them all there if hepleased; but, as he had given them all quarter, he supposed he wouldsend them to England, to be dealt with there as justice required, except Atkins, whom he was commanded by the Governor to advise toprepare for death; for that he would be hanged in the morning. 

Though this was all but a fiction of his own, yet it had its desiredeffect; Atkins fell upon his knees to beg the captain to intercedewith the Governor for his life; and all the rest begged of him, forGod's sake, that they might not be sent to England. It now occurred tome, that the time of our deliverance was come, and that it would be amost easy thing to bring these fellows in to be hearty in gettingpossession of the ship; so I retired in the dark from them, that theymight not see what kind of a Governor they had, and called the captainto me; when I called, as at a good distance, one of the men wasordered to speak again, and say to the captain, "Captain, thecommander calls for you"; and presently the captain replied, "Tellhis Excellency I am just a-coming. " This more perfectly amused them, and they all believed that the commander was just by, with his fiftymen. Upon the captain coming to me, I told him my project for seizingthe ship, which he liked wonderfully well, and resolved to put it inexecution the next morning. But, in order to execute it with more art, and to be secure of success, I told him we must divide the prisoners, and that he should go and take Atkins, and two more of the worst ofthem, and send them pinioned to the cave where the others lay; thiswas committed to Friday and the two men who came on shore with thecaptain. They conveyed them to the cave as to a prison; and it was, indeed, a dismal place, especially to men in their condition. Theothers I ordered to my bower, as I called it; and as it was fenced in, and they were pinioned, the place was secure enough, considering theywere upon their behavior. 

To these in the morning I sent the captain, who was to enter into aparley with them; in a word, to try them, and tell me whether hethought they might be trusted or not to go on board and surprise theship. He talked to them of the injury done him, of the condition theywere brought to; and that though the Governor had given them quarterfor their lives as to the present action, yet that if they were sentto England, to be sure they would all be hanged in chains; but that ifthey would join in so just an attempt as to recover the ship, he wouldhave the Governor's engagement for their pardon. 

Any one may guess how readily such a proposal would be accepted by menin their condition; they fell down on their knees to the captain, andpromised, with the deepest imprecations, that they would be faithfulto him to the last drop, and that they should owe their lives to him, and would go with him all over the world; that they would own him as afather to them as long as they lived. 

Our strength was now thus ordered for the expedition: 1, the captain, his mate, and passenger; 2, the two prisoners of the first gang, towhom, having their character from the captain, I had given theirliberty, and trusted them with arms; 3, the other two that I had kepttill now in my apartment pinioned, but, on the captain's motion, hadnow released; 4, the single man taken in the boat; 5, these fivereleased at last; so that there were thirteen, in all, besides five wekept prisoners in the cave for hostages. 

The captain had now no difficulty before him, but to furnish his twoboats, stop the breach of one, and man them. He made his passengercaptain of one, with four of the men; and himself, his mate, and fivemore, went in the other; and they contrived their business very well, for they came up to the ship about midnight. As soon as they camewithin call of the ship, he made Robinson hail them, and tell them hehad brought off the men and the boat, but that it was a long timebefore they had found them, and the like; holding them in chat tillthey came to the ship's side; when the captain and mate, enteringfirst, with their arms immediately knocked down the second mate andcarpenter with the butt end of their muskets, being very faithfullyseconded by their men; they secured all the rest that were upon themain and quarter-decks, and began to fasten the hatches, to keep themdown that were below, when the other boat and their men, entering theforechains, secured the forecastle of the ship, and the scuttle whichwent down into the cook-room, making three men they found thereprisoners. When this was done, and all safe upon deck, the captainordered the mate, with three men, to break into the roundhouse, wherethe new rebel captain lay, who, having taken the alarm, had got up, and with two men and a boy had got firearms in their hands; and whenthe mate, with a crow, split open the door, the new captain and hismen fired boldly among them, and wounded the mate with a musket ball, which broke his arm, and wounded two more of the men, but killednobody. The mate, calling for help, rushed, however, into theroundhouse, wounded as he was, and with his pistol shot the newcaptain through the head, the bullet entering at his mouth, and cameout again behind one of his ears, so that he never spoke a word more;upon which the rest yielded, and the ship was taken effectually, without any more lives being lost. 

As soon as the ship was thus secured, the captain ordered seven gunsto be fired, which was the signal agreed upon with me to give menotice of his success; which, you may be sure, I was very glad tohear, having sat watching upon the shore for it till nearly two of theclock in the morning. Having thus heard the signal plainly, I laid medown; and it having been a day of great fatigue to me, I slept verysound, till I was surprised with the noise of a gun; and presentlystarting up, I heard a man call me by the name, "Governor! Governor!"and presently I knew the captain's voice; when, climbing to the top ofthe hill, there he stood, and pointing to the ship, he embraced me inhis arms. "My dear friend and deliverer, " said he, "there's your ship;for she is all yours, and so are we, and all that belong to her. " Icast my eyes to the ship, and there she rode, within little more thanhalf a mile of the shore; for they had weighed her anchor as soon asthey were masters of her, and, the weather being fair, had brought herto an anchor just against the mouth of the little creek; and, the tidebeing up, the captain had brought the pinnace in near the place whereI had first landed my rafts, and so landed just at my door, I was atfirst ready to sink down with the surprise; for I saw my deliverance, indeed, visibly put into my hands, all things easy, and a large shipjust ready to carry me away whither I pleased to go. 

We then began to consult what was to be done with the prisoners wehad; for it was worth considering whether we might venture to takethem away with us or no, especially two of them, whom we knew to beincorrigible and refractory to the last degree; and the captain saidhe knew they were such rogues that there was no obliging them, and ifhe did carry them away, it must be in irons, as malefactors, to bedelivered over to justice at the first English colony he could comeat; and I found that the captain himself was very anxious about it. Upon this, I told him that, if he desired it, I durst undertake tobring the two men he spoke of to make it their own request that heshould leave them upon the island. 

"I should be very glad of that, " said the captain, "with all myheart. "

"Well, " said I, "I will send for them up, and talk with them for you. "

So I caused Friday and the two hostages, for they were now discharged, their comrades having performed their promise; I say, I caused them togo to the cave, and bring up the five men, pinioned as they were, tothe bower, and keep them there till I came. After some time, I camethither dressed in the new habit which had been given me by thecaptain. Being all met, and the captain with me, I caused all the mento be brought before me, and I told them I had got a full account oftheir villainous behavior to the captain, but that they were falleninto the pit which they had dug for others. They might see by and bythat their new captain had received the reward of his villainy; forthat they would see him hanging at the yardarm; as to them, I wantedto know what they had to say why I should not execute them as pirates, taken in the fact, as by my commission they could not doubt I hadauthority to do. 

One of them answered in the name of the rest, that they had nothing tosay but this, that when they were taken, the captain promised themtheir lives, and they humbly implored my mercy: but I told them I knewnot what mercy to show them; for as for myself, I had resolved to quitthe island with all my men, and had taken passage with the captain togo for England; and as for the captain, he could not carry them toEngland, other than as prisoners in irons, to be tried for mutiny, andrunning away with the ship; the consequence of which, they must needsknow, would be the gallows; so that I could not tell what was best forthem, unless they had a mind to take their fate in the island; if theydesired that, I did not care, as I had liberty to leave it. Theyseemed very thankful for it, and said they would much rather ventureto stay there than to be carried to England to be hanged: so I left iton that issue. 

However, the captain seemed to make some difficulty of it, as if hedurst not leave them there; upon this, I seemed a little angry withthe captain, and told him they were my prisoners, not his; and thatseeing I had offered them so much favor, I would be as good as myword; and that if he did not think fit to consent to it, I would setthem at liberty, as I found them; and if he did not like it, he mighttake them again if he could catch them. Upon this, they appeared verythankful, and I accordingly set them at liberty, and bade them retireinto the woods, to the place whence they came, and I would leave themsome firearms, some ammunition, and some directions how they shouldlive very well, if they thought fit. Upon this I prepared to go onboard the ship, and desired him to go on board in the meantime, andkeep all right in the ship; but told the captain I would stay thatnight to prepare my things, and told him to send the boat on shorenext day for me; ordering him, at all events, to cause the newcaptain, who was killed, to be hanged at the yardarm, that these menmight see him. 

When the captain was gone, I sent for the men up to me to myapartment, and entered seriously into discourse with them on theircircumstances. I told them I thought they had made a right choice;that if the captain had carried them away, they would certainly behanged. I showed them the new captain hanging at the yardarm of theship, and told them they had nothing less to expect. 

When they had all declared their willingness to stay, I then told themI would let them into the story of my living there, and put them intothe way of making it easy to them: accordingly, I gave them the wholehistory of the place, and of my coming to it; showed them myfortifications, the way I made my bread, planted my corn, cured mygrapes; and, in a word, all that was necessary to make them easy. Itold them the story also of the sixteen Spaniards that were to beexpected, for whom I left a letter, and made them promise to treatthem in common with themselves. 

I left them my firearms, viz. , five muskets, three fowling pieces, andthree swords. I had above a barrel and a half of powder left; forafter the first year or two I used but little, and wasted none. I gavethem a description of the way I managed the goats, and directions tomilk and fatten them, and to make both butter and cheese. In a word, Igave them every part of my own story; and told them I should prevailwith the captain to leave them two barrels of gunpowder more, and somegarden seeds, which I told them I would have been very glad of. Also, I gave them the bag of peas which the captain had brought me to eat, and bade them to be sure to sow and increase them. 

I left them the next day, and went on board the ship. We preparedimmediately to sail, but did not weigh that night. The next morningearly, two of the five men came swimming to the ship's side, and, making the most lamentable complaint of the other three, begged to betaken into the ship for God's sake, for they should be murdered, andbegged the captain to take them on board, though he hanged themimmediately. Upon this the captain pretended to have no power withoutme; but after some difficulty, and after solemn promises of amendment, they were taken on board, and were, some time after, roundly whippedand pickled; after which they proved very honest and quiet fellows. 

Sometime after this, the boat was ordered on shore, the tide being up, with the things promised to the men; to which the captain, at myintercession, caused their chests and clothes to be added, which theytook, and were very thankful for. 

And thus I left the island, the 19th of December, as I found by theship's account, in the year 1686, after I had been upon it eight-and-twenty years, two months, and nineteen days; being delivered from thiscaptivity the same day of the month that I first had been cast ashore. In this vessel, after a long voyage, I arrived in England the 11th ofJune, in the year 1687, having been thirty-five years absent. 

FAITHLESS SALLY BROWN

By THOMAS HOOD

Young Ben he was a nice young man, A carpenter by trade;And he fell in love with Sally Brown, That was a lady's maid. 

But as they fetched a walk one day, They met a press-gang crew;And Sally she did faint away, Whilst Ben he was brought to. 

The boatswain swore with wicked words Enough to shock a saint, That, though she did seem in a fit, 'Twas nothing but a feint. 

"Come, girl, " said he, "hold up your head, He'll be as good as me;For when your swain is in our boat A boatswain he will be. "

So when they'd made their game of her, And taken off her elf, She roused, and found she only was A-coming to herself. 

"And is he gone, and is he gone?" She cried and wept outright;"Then I will to the water-side, And see him out of sight. "

A waterman came up to her; "Now, young woman, " said he, "If you weep on so, you will make Eye-water in the sea. "

"Alas! they've taken my beau, Ben, To sail with old Benbow;"And her woe began to run afresh, As if she'd said, "Gee woe!"

Says he, "They've only taken him To the tender-ship, you see. ""The tender-ship, " cried Sally Brown-- "What a hard-ship that must be!"

"O, would I were a mermaid now, For then I'd follow him!But O, I'm not a fish-woman, And so I cannot swim. 

"Alas! I was not born beneath The Virgin and the Scales, So I must curse my cruel stars, And walk about in Wales. "

Now Ben had sailed to many a place That's underneath the world;But in two years the ship came home, And all her sails were furled. 

But when he called on Sally Brown, To see how she got on, He found she'd got another Ben, Whose Christian name was John. 

"O Sally Brown! O Sally Brown! How could you serve me so?I've met with many a breeze before, But never such a blow!"

Then, reading on his 'bacco box, He heaved a heavy sigh, And then began to eye his pipe And then to pipe his eye. 

And then he tried to sing "All's Well!" But could not, though he tried;His head was turned, --and so he chewed His pigtail till he died. 

His death, which happened in his berth, At forty-odd befell;They went and told the sexton, and The sexton tolled the bell. 

THE MARINER'S DREAM

By WILLIAM DIMOND

In slumbers of midnight the sailor-boy lay; His hammock swung loose at the sport of the wind;But watch-worn and weary, his cares flew away, And visions of happiness danced o'er his mind. 

He dreamt of his home, of his dear native bowers, And pleasures that waited on life's merry morn;While Memory stood sideways half covered with flowers, And restored every rose, but secreted its thorn. 

Then Fancy her magical pinions spread wide, And bade the young dreamer in ecstacy rise;Now far, far behind him the green waters glide, And the cot of his forefathers blesses his eyes. 

The jessamine clambers in flowers o'er the thatch, And the swallow chirps sweet from her nest in the wall;All trembling with transport he raises the latch, And the voices of loved ones reply to his call. 

A father bends o'er him with looks of delight; His cheek is impearled with a mother's warm tear;And the lips of the boy in a love-kiss unite With the lips of the maid whom his bosom holds dear. 

The heart of the sleeper beats high in his breast; Joy quickens his pulses, --his hardships seem o'er;And a murmur of happiness steals through his rest, --"O God! thouhast blest me, --I ask for no more. "

Ah! whence is that flame which now bursts on his eye? Ah! what is that sound which now 'larms on his ear?'Tis the lightning's red gleam, painting hell on the sky! 'Tis the crashing of thunders, the groan of the sphere!

He springs from his hammock, he flies to the deck; Amazement confronts him with images dire;Wild winds and mad waves drive the vessel a wreck; The masts fly in splinters; the shrouds are on fire. 

Like mountains the billows tremendously swell; In vain the lost wretch calls on mercy to save;Unseen hands of spirits are ringing his knell, And the death-angel flaps his broad wings o'er the wave!

O sailor-boy, woe to thy dream of delight! In darkness dissolves the gay frost-work of bliss. Where now is the picture that fancy touched bright, -- Thy parent's fond pressure, and love's honeyed kiss?

O sailor-boy! sailor-boy! never again Shall home, love or kindred thy wishes repay;Unblessed and unhonored, down deep in the main, Full many a fathom thy frame shall decay. 

[Illustration: LIKE MOUNTAINS THE BILLOWS SWELL]

No tomb shall e'er plead to remembrance for thee, Or redeem form or frame from the merciless surge, But the white foam of waves shall thy winding sheet be, And winds in the midnight of winter thy dirge. 

On a bed of green sea flowers thy limbs shall be laid, -- Around thy white bones the red coral shall grow;Of thy fair yellow locks threads of amber be made, And every part suit to thy mansion below. 

Days, months, years, and ages shall circle away, And still the vast waters above thee shall roll;Earth loses thy pattern forever and aye, -- O sailor-boy! sailor-boy! peace to thy soul!

THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON[Footnote: Defoe's Robinson Crusoe was so very popular that a host ofimitations of it were written. Most of them have been entirelyforgotten but one, The Swiss Family Robinson, by Johann Rudolph Wyss, proved so popular, especially with children that it was translatedfrom the original German into several languages and new editions arestill appearing, though the book was published in 1813. 

The Swiss Family Robinson gives the story of a family who were castaway by shipwreck, on an uninhabited island. By no means all of thebook is given here--any of the interesting adventures and ingeniousexperiments have been of necessity omitted--but the parts here giventell a continuous story. ]

I

THE SHIPWRECK AND LANDING

For many days we had been tempest-tossed. Six times had the darknessclosed over a wild and terrific scene, and returning light as oftenbrought but renewed distress, for the raging storm increased in furyuntil on the seventh day all hope was lost. 

We were driven completely out of our course; no conjecture could beformed as to our whereabouts. The crew had lost heart, and wereutterly exhausted by incessant labor. 

The riven masts had gone by the board, leaks had been sprung in everydirection, and the water which rushed in gained upon us rapidly. 

Instead of reckless oaths, the seamen uttered frantic cries to God formercy, mingled with strange and often ludicrous vows, to be performedshould deliverance be granted. 

Every man on board alternately commended his soul to his Creator, andstrove to bethink himself of some means of saving his life. 

My heart sank as I looked around upon my family in the midst of thesehorrors. Our four young sons were overpowered by terror. "Dearchildren, " said I, "if the Lord will, he can save us even from thisfearful peril; if not, let us calmly yield our lives into his hand, and think of the joy and blessedness of finding ourselves forever andever united in that happy home above. "

At these words my weeping wife looked bravely up, and, as the boysclustered round her, she began to cheer and encourage them with calmand loving words. I rejoiced to see her fortitude, though my heart wasready to break as I gazed on my dear ones. We knelt down together, oneafter another praying with deep earnestness and emotion. Fritz, inparticular, besought help and deliverance for his dear parents andbrothers, as though quite forgetting himself. 

Our hearts were soothed by the never-failing comfort of childlike, confiding prayer, and the horror of our situation seemed lessoverwhelming. "Ah, " thought I, "the Lord will hear our prayer! He willhelp 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 afrightful shock, which threw every one to the deck, and seemed tothreaten her immediate destruction. 

Dreadful sounds betokened the breaking up of the ship, and the roaringwaters poured in on all sides. 

[Illustration: THE SHIP WAS JAMMED BETWEEN HIGH ROCKS]

Then the voice of the captain was heard above the tumult, shouting, "Lower away the boats! We are lost!"

"Lost!" I exclaimed, and the word went like a dagger to my heart; butseeing my children's terror renewed, I composed myself, calling outcheerfully, "Take courage, my boys! we are all above water yet. Thereis the land not far off; let us do our best to reach it. You know Godhelps those that help themselves!" With that, I left them and went ondeck. What was my horror when through the foam and spray I beheld theonly remaining boat leave the ship, the last of the seamen spring intoher and push off, regardless of my cries and entreaties that we mightbe allowed to share their slender chance of preserving their lives. Myvoice was drowned in the howling of the blast; and even had the crewwished it, the return of the boat was impossible. 

Casting my eyes despairingly around, I became gradually aware that ourposition was by no means hopeless, inasmuch as the stern of the ship, containing our cabin, was jammed between two high rocks, and waspartly raised from among the breakers which dashed the forepart topieces. As the clouds of mist and rain drove past, I could make out, through rents in the vaporous curtain, a line of rocky coast; andrugged as it was, my heart bounded toward it as a sign of help in thehour of need. Yet the sense of our lonely and forsaken conditionweighed heavily upon me as I returned to my family, constrainingmyself to say with a smile, "Courage, dear ones! Although our goodship will never sail more, she is so placed that our cabin will remainabove water, and to-morrow, if the wind and waves abate, I see noreason why we should not be able to get ashore. "

These few words had an immediate effect on the spirits of my children, who at once regarded our problematical chance of escaping as a happycertainty, and began to enjoy the relief from the violent pitching androlling of the vessel. My wife, however, perceived my distress andanxiety, in spite of my forced composure, and I made her comprehendour real situation, greatly fearing the effect of the intelligence onher nerves. Not for a moment did her courage and trust in Providenceforsake her, and on seeing this, my fortitude revived. 

"We must find some food, and take a good supper, " said she; "it willnever do to grow faint by fasting too long. We shall require ourutmost strength to-morrow. "

Night drew on apace, the storm was as fierce as ever, and at intervalswe were startled by crashes announcing further damage to ourunfortunate ship. 

A good meal being now ready, my youngsters ate heartily, and retiringto rest, were speedily fast asleep. Fritz, who was of an age to beaware of the real danger we were in, kept watch with us. 

We searched about and fortunately got hold of a number of empty flasksand tin canisters, which we connected two and two together so as toform floats sufficiently buoyant to support a person in the water, andmy wife and young sons each willingly put one on. I then providedmyself with matches, knives, cord and other portable articles, trusting that, should the vessel go to pieces before daylight, wemight gain the shore not wholly destitute. 

Fritz, as well as his brothers, now slept soundly. Throughout thenight my wife and I maintained our prayerful watch, dreading at everyfresh sound some fatal change in the position of the wreck. 

At length the faint dawn of day appeared, the long, weary night wasover, and with thankful hearts we perceived that the gale had begun tomoderate; blue sky was seen above us, and the lovely hues of sunriseadorned the eastern horizon. 

I aroused the boys, and we assembled on the remaining portion of thedeck, when they, to their surprise, discovered that no one else was onboard. 

"Hello, papa! what has become of everybody? Are the sailors gone? Havethey 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 seemdeserted. 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, "butthink of mother and the rest of us! Why not build a raft and all geton shore together?"

"We should find it difficult, I think, to make a raft that would carryus safe to shore. However, we must contrive something, and first leteach try to procure what will be of most use to us. "

Away we all went to see what was to be found, I myself proceeding toexamine, as of great consequence, the supplies of provisions and freshwater within our reach. 

My wife took her youngest son, Franz, to help her to feed theunfortunate animals on board, who were in a pitiful plight, havingbeen neglected for several days. 

Fritz hastened to the arm chest, Ernest to look for tools; and Jackwent toward the captain's cabin, the door of which he no sooner openedthan out sprang two splendid large dogs, who testified their extremedelight and gratitude by such tremendous bounds that they knockedtheir little deliverer completely head over heels, frightening himnearly out of his wits. Jack did not long yield either to fear or toanger; he presently recovered himself; the dogs seemed to ask pardonby vehemently licking his face and hands, and so, seizing the largerby the ears, he jumped on his back, and, to my great amusement, coollyrode to meet me as I came up the hatchway. 

When we reassembled in the cabin, we all displayed our treasures. 

Fritz brought a couple of guns, shot belt, powder flasks, and plentyof bullets. 

Ernest produced a cap full of nails, an ax, and a hammer, whilepincers, chisels, and augers stuck out of all his pockets. 

Little Franz carried a box, and eagerly began to show us the "nicesharp little hooks" it contained. 

Said my dear wife, "I have nothing to show, but I can give you goodnews. Some useful animals are still alive; a cow, a donkey, two goats, six sheep, a ram, and a fine sow. I was but just in time to save theirlives by taking food to them. "

"All these things are excellent indeed, " said I; "but my friend Jackhere has presented me with a couple of huge, hungry, useless dogs, whowill eat more than any of us. "

"Oh, papa! they will be of use! Why, they will help us to hunt when weget on shore!"

[Illustration: THEY MADE A RAFT OF CASKS]

We very soon found four large casks, made of sound wood, and stronglybound with iron hoops; they were floating with many other things inthe water in the hold, but we managed to fish them out, and drag themto a suitable place for launching them. They were exactly what Iwanted, and I succeeded in sawing them across the middle. Hard work itwas, and we were glad enough to stop and refresh ourselves withbiscuits. My eight tubs now stood ranged in a row near the water'sedge, and I looked at them with great satisfaction; to my surprise, mywife 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, " I replied. 

I next procured a long, thin plank, on which my tubs could be fixed, and the two ends of this I bent upward so as to form a keel. Other twoplanks were nailed along the sides of the tubs; they also beingflexible, were brought to a point at each end, and all firmly securedand nailed together. I felt satisfied that in smooth water this craftwould be perfectly trustworthy. But when we thought all was ready forthe launch, we found, to our dismay, that the grand contrivance was soheavy and clumsy that even our united efforts could not move it aninch. 

"I must have a lever, " cried I. "Run and fetch the capstan bar!"

Fritz quickly brought one, and, having formed rollers by cutting up along spar, I raised the fore part of my boat with the bar, and my sonsplaced a roller under it. 

I now made fast a long rope to the stern of our boat, attaching theother 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 ourgallant craft was safely launched: so swiftly indeed did she glideinto the water that, but for the rope, she would have passed beyondour reach. The boys wished to jump in directly; but, alas, she leanedso much on one side that they could not venture to do so. Some heavythings being thrown in, however, the boat righted itself by degrees, and the boys were so delighted that they struggled which should firstleap in to have the fun of sitting down in the tubs. To make herperfectly safe, I contrived outriggers to preserve the balance, bynailing long poles at the stem and stern, and fixing at the ends ofeach empty brandy casks. Then, the boat appearing steady, I got in;and turning it toward the most open side of the wreck, I cut andcleared away obstructions, so as to leave a free passage for ourdeparture, and the boys brought oars to be ready for the voyage. Thisimportant undertaking we were forced to postpone until the next day, as it was by this time far too late to attempt it. It was not pleasantto have to spend another night in so precarious a situation; butyielding to necessity, we sat down to enjoy a comfortable supper, forduring our exciting and incessant work all day we had taken nothingbut an occasional biscuit and a little water. 

We prepared for rest in a much happier frame of mind than on thepreceding day, but I did not forget the possibility of a renewedstorm, and therefore made every one put on the belts as before. 

I persuaded my wife (not without considerable difficulty), to put on asailor's dress, assuring her she would find it much more comfortableand convenient for all she would have to go through. She at lastconsented to do this, and left us for a short time, reappearing withmuch embarrassment and many blushes, in a most becoming suit, whichshe had found in a midshipman's chest. We all admired her costume, andany awkwardness she felt soon began to pass off; we then retired toour berths, and peaceful sleep prepared us all for the exertions ofthe coming day, We rose up betimes, for sleep weighs lightly on the hopeful, as wellas on the anxious. After kneeling together in prayer, "Now, my belovedones, " said I, "with God's help we are about to effect our escape. Letthe poor animals we must leave behind be well fed, and put plenty offodder within their reach; in a few days we may be able to return, andsave them likewise. After that, collect everything you can think ofwhich may be of use to us. "

The boys joyfully obeyed me, and I selected from the large quantity ofstores they got together canvas to make a tent, a chest of carpenter'stools, guns, pistols, powder, shot, and bullets, rods and fishingtackle, an iron pot, a case of portable soup, and another of biscuit. These useful articles, of course, took the place of the ballast I hadhastily thrown in the day before. 

With a hearty prayer for God's blessing, we now began to take ourseats, each in his tub. Just then we heard the cocks begin to crow, asthough to reproach us for deserting them. 

"Why should not the fowls go with us!" exclaimed I. "If we find nofood for THEM, they can be food for US!" Ten hens and a couple ofcocks were accordingly placed in one of the tubs, and secured withsome wire netting over them. 

The ducks and geese were set at liberty, and took to the water atonce, while the pigeons, rejoicing to find themselves on the wing, swiftly made for the shore. My wife, who managed all this for me, keptus waiting for her some little time, and came at last with a bag asbig 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 forhim to sit upon. 

All being ready, we cast off, and moved away from the wreck. My good, brave wife sat in the first compartment of the boat; next her wasFranz, nearly eight years old. Then came Fritz, a spirited youngfellow of fifteen; the two center tubs contained the valuable cargo;then came our bold, thoughtless Jack; next him Ernest, my second son, intelligent, well-formed, and rather indolent. I myself stood in thestern, endeavoring to guide the raft with its precious burden to asafe landing place. 

The elder boys took the oars; every one wore a float belt, and hadsomething 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. Weemerged from the wreck and glided into the open sea. All eyes werestrained to get a full view of the land, and the boys pulled with awill; but for some time we made no progress, as the boat kept turninground and round, until I hit upon the right way to steer it, afterwhich we merrily made for the shore. 

We had left the two dogs, Turk and Juno, on the wreck, as they wereboth large mastiffs, and we did not care to have their additionalweight on board our craft; but when they saw us apparently desertingthem, they set up a piteous howl, and sprang into the sea. I was sorryto see this, for the distance to the land was so great that I scarcelyexpected them to be able to accomplish it. They followed us, however, and, occasionally resting their fore paws on the out-riggers, kept upwith us well. 

Our passage, though tedious, was safe; but the nearer we approachedthe shore the less inviting it appeared; the barren rocks seemed tothreaten us with misery 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 themalongside. With the prospect of famine before us, it was desirable tolay 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 manytall palms, and Ernest hoped they would prove to be cocoanut trees, and enjoyed the thoughts of drinking the refreshing milk. 

"I am very sorry I never thought of bringing away the captain'stelescope, " said I. 

"Oh, look here, father!" cried Jack, drawing a little spyglassjoyfully out of his pocket. 

By means of this glass, I made out that at some distance to the leftthe coast was much more inviting; a strong current, however, carriedus directly toward the frowning rocks, but I presently observed anopening, where a stream flowed into the sea, and saw that our geeseand ducks were swimming toward this place. I steered after them intothe creek, and we found ourselves in a small bay or inlet where thewater was perfectly smooth and of moderate depth. The ground slopedgently upward from the low banks to the cliffs, which here retiredinland, leaving a small plain, on which it was easy for us to land. 

Every one sprang gladly out of the boat but little Franz, who, lyingpacked in his tub like a potted shrimp, had to be lifted out by hismother. 

The dogs had scrambled on shore before us; they received us with loudbarking and the wildest demonstrations of delight. The geese and duckskept up an incessant din, added to which was the screaming andcroaking of flamingoes and penguins, whose dominion we were invading. The noise was deafening, but far from unwelcome to me, as I thought ofthe good dinners the birds might furnish. 

As soon as we could gather our children around us on dry land, weknelt to offer thanks and praise for our merciful escape, and withfull hearts we commended ourselves to God's good keeping for the timeto come. 

All hands then briskly fell to the work of unloading, and oh, how richwe felt ourselves as we did so! The poultry we left at liberty toforage for themselves, and set about finding a suitable place to erecta tent in which to pass the night. This we speedily did; thrusting along spar into a hole in the rock, and supporting the other end by apole firmly planted in the ground, we formed a framework over which westretched the sailcloth we had brought; besides fastening this downwith pegs, we placed our heavy chest and boxes on the border of thecanvas, and arranged hooks so as to be able to close up the entranceduring the night. 

When this was accomplished, the boys ran to collect moss and grass, tospread in the tent for our beds, while I arranged a fireplace withsome large flat stones, near the brook which flowed close by. Drytwigs and seaweed were soon in a blaze on the hearth; I filled theiron pot with water, and giving my wife several cakes of the portablesoup, told her to establish herself as our cook, with little Franz tohelp her. 

Fritz, meanwhile, leaving a loaded gun with me, took another himself, and went along the rough coast to see what lay beyond the stream; thisfatiguing sort of walk not suiting Ernest's fancy, he sauntered downto the beach, and Jack scrambled among the rocks, searching forshellfish. 

I was anxious to land the two casks which were floating alongside ourboat, but on attempting to do so, I found that I could not get them upthe bank on which we had landed, and was therefore obliged to look fora more convenient spot. As I did so, I was startled by hearing Jackshouting for help, as though in great danger. He was at some distance, and I hurried toward him with a hatchet in my hand. The little fellowstood screaming in a deep pool, and as I approached, I saw that a hugelobster had caught his leg in its powerful claw. Poor Jack was in aterrible fright; kick as he would, his enemy still clung on. I wadedinto the water, and seizing the lobster firmly by the back, managed tomake it loosen its hold, and we brought it safe to land. Jack, havingspeedily recovered his spirits, and anxious to take such a prize tohis mother, caught the lobster in both hands, but instantly receivedsuch a severe blow from its tail that he flung it down. Once morelifting the lobster, Jack ran triumphantly toward the tent. 

"Mother, mother! a lobster, Ernest! look here, Franz! mind, he'll biteyou! Where's Fritz?" All came crowding round Jack and his prize, wondering at its unusual size, and Ernest wanted his mother to makelobster soup directly, by adding it to what she was now boiling. 

She, however, begged to decline making any such experiment, and saidshe preferred cooking one dish at a time. Having remarked that thescene of Jack's adventure afforded a convenient place for getting mycasks on shore, I returned thither and succeeded in drawing them up onthe 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 heshould have the offending claw all to himself, when it was ready to beeaten, congratulating him on being the first to discover anythinguseful. 

"As to that, " said Ernest, "I found something very good to eat, aswell as Jack, only I could not get at them without wetting my feet. "

"Pooh!" cried Jack, "I know what he saw---nothing but some nastymussels; I saw them too. Who wants to eat trash like that! Lobster forme!"

"I believe them to be oysters, not mussels, " returned Ernest calmly. 

"Be good enough, my philosophical young friend, to fetch a fewspecimens of these oysters in time for our next meal, " said I; "wemust all exert ourselves, Ernest, for the common good, and pray neverlet me hear you object to wetting your feet. See how quickly the sunhas dried Jack and me. "

"I can bring some salt at the same time, " said Ernest; "I remarked agood deal lying in the crevices of the rocks; it tasted very pure andgood. "

"If you had brought a bagful of this good salt it would have been moreto the purpose. Run and fetch some directly. "

"Now, " said my wife, tasting the soup with the stick with which shehad been stirring it, "dinner is ready; but where can Fritz be?" shecontinued, a little anxiously. 

"How are we to eat our soup when he does come?" I asked; "we haveneither plates nor spoons, and we can scarcely lift the boiling pot toour mouths. We are in as uncomfortable position as was the fox to whomthe stork served up a dinner in a jug with a long neck. [Footnote:This is a reference to one of the famous old fables, which you willfind in Volume I. ] Off with you, my boys; get oysters, and clean out afew shells. What though our spoons have no handles, and we do burn ourfingers a little in bailing the soup out. "

Jack was away and up to his knees in the water in a moment, detachingthe oysters. Ernest followed more leisurely, and still unwilling towet his feet, stood by the margin of the pool and gathered in hishandkerchief the oysters his brother threw him; as he thus stood, hepicked up and pocketed a large mussel shell for his own use. As theyreturned with a good supply we heard a shout from Fritz in thedistance; we replied to him joyfully, and presently he appeared beforeus. 

"Oh, Fritz!" exclaimed his brothers, "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. 

He told us how he had been to the other side of the stream. "Sodifferent from this, " he said; "it is really a beautiful country, andthe shore, which runs down to the sea in a gentle slope, is coveredwith all sorts of useful things from the wreck. Do let us go andcollect them. "

[Illustration: THE AGOUTI]

"But the sucking-pig, " said Jack; "where did you get it?"

"It was one of several, " said Fritz, "which I found on the shore; mostcurious animals they are; they hopped rather than walked, and everynow and then would squat down on their legs and rub their snouts withtheir fore paws. Had not I been afraid of losing them all, I wouldhave tried to catch one alive, they seemed so tame. "

Meanwhile Ernest had been carefully examining the animal in question. 

"This is no pig, " he said, "and except for its bristly skin, does notlook like one. See, its teeth are not like those of a pig, but ratherlike those of a squirrel. "In fact, " he continued, looking at Fritz, "your sucking-pig is an agouti. "

"Dear me, " said Fritz; "listen to that professor lecturing! He isgoing to prove that a pig is not a pig!"

"You need not be so quick to laugh at your brother, " said I, in myturn; "he is quite right. The little animal makes its nest under theroots of trees, and lives upon fruit. But, Ernest, the agouti[Footnote: This animal, which is about the size of a hare, is a nativeof South America and the West Indies. ] not only looks something like apig, but most decidedly grunts like a porker. "

While we were thus talking, Jack had been vainly endeavoring to openan oyster with his large knife. "Here is a simpler way, " said I, placing an oyster on the fire; it immediately opened. "Now, " Icontinued, "who will try this delicacy?" All at first hesitated topartake of them, so unattractive did they appear. Jack, however, tightly closing his eyes and making a face as though about to takemedicine, gulped one down. We followed his example, one after theother, each doing so rather to provide himself with a spoon than withany hope of cultivating a taste for oysters. 

Our spoons were now ready, and gathering round the pot we dipped themin, not, however, without sundry scalded fingers. Ernest then drewfrom his pocket the large shell he had procured for his own use, andscooping up a good quantity of soup he put it down to cool, smiling athis own fore-sight. 

"Prudence should be exercised for others, " I remarked; "your cool soupwill do capitally for the dogs, my boy; take it to them, and then comeand eat like the rest of us. "

Ernest winced at this, but silently taking up his shell he placed iton the ground before the hungry dogs, who lapped up its contents in amoment; he then returned, and we all went merrily on with our dinner. While we were thus busily employed, we suddenly discovered that ourdogs, not satisfied with their mouthful of soup, had espied theagouti, and were rapidly devouring it. Fritz, seizing his gun, flew torescue it from their hungry jaws, and before I could prevent him, struck one of them with such force that his gun was bent. The poorbeasts ran off howling, followed by a shower of stones from Fritz, whoshouted and yelled at them so fiercely that his mother was actuallyterrified. I followed him, and as soon as he would listen to me, represented to him how despicable was such an outbreak of temper:"for, " said I, "you have hurt, if not actually wounded, the dogs; youhave distressed and terrified your mother, and spoiled your gun. "

Though Fritz's passion was easily aroused, it never lasted long, andspeedily recovering himself, immediately he entreated his mother'spardon, and expressed his sorrow. 

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 crumbs of biscuit which had fallen during ourrepast. My wife hereupon drew from her mysterious bag some handfuls ofoats, peas, and other grain, and with them began to feed the poultry. She at the same time showed me several other seeds of various kinds. The pigeons now flew up to crevices in the rocks, the fowls perchedthemselves on our tent pole, and the ducks and geese waddled off, cackling and quacking, to the marshy margin of the river. We, too, were ready for repose, and having loaded our guns, and offered up ourprayers as the last ray of light departed, we closed our tent and laydown to rest. 

The children remarked the suddenness of nightfall, for indeed therehad been little or no twilight. This convinced me that we must be notfar from the equator. 

II

EXCURSION AND SETTLEMENT

We should have been badly off without the shelter of our tent, for thenight proved as cold as the day had been hot, but we managed to sleepcomfortably, every one being thoroughly fatigued by the labors of theday. The voice of our vigilant cock roused me at daybreak, and I awokemy wife, that in the quiet interval while yet our children slept, wemight take counsel together on our situation and prospects. It wasplain to both of us that we should ascertain if possible the fate ofour late companions, and then examine into the nature and resources ofthe country on which we were stranded. 

We therefore came to the resolution that, as soon as he hadbreakfasted, Fritz and I should start on an expedition with theseobjects in view, while my wife remained near our landing place withthe three younger boys. 

"Rouse up, rouse up, my boys, " cried I, awakening the childrencheerfully. "Come and help your mother to get breakfast ready. "

"As to that, " said she, smiling, "we can but set on the pot, and boilsome more soup!"

"Why, you forget Jack's fine lobster! It is well the lobster is solarge, for we shall want to take part with us on our excursion to-day. "

At the mention of an excursion, the four children were wild withdelight, and capering around me, clapped their hands for joy. 

"Steady there, steady!" said I, "you cannot expect all to go. Such anexpedition as this would be too dangerous and fatiguing for youyounger ones. Fritz and I will go alone this time, with one of thedogs, leaving the other to defend you. "

We then armed ourselves, each taking a gun and a game bag; Fritz inaddition sticking a pair of pistols in his belt, and I a small hatchetin mine. Breakfast being over, we stowed away the remainder of thelobster and some biscuits, with a flask of water, and were ready for astart. I took leave of my wife and children, bidding them not towander far from the boat and tent, and we parted, not without someanxiety on either side. 

We now found that the banks of the stream were on both sides so rockythat we could get down to the water by only one passage, and there wasno corresponding path on the other side. I was glad to see this, however, for I now knew that my wife and children were on acomparatively inaccessible spot, the other side of the tent beingprotected by the steep and precipitous cliffs. Fritz and I pursued ourway up the stream until we reached a point where the waters fell froma considerable height in a cascade, and where several large rocks layhalf covered by the water; by means of these we succeeded in crossingthe stream. We thus had the sea on our left, and a long line of rockyheights, here and there adorned with clumps of trees, stretching awayinland to the right. We had forced our way scarcely fifty yardsthrough the long rank grass, which was here partly withered by the sunand much tangled, when we heard behind us a rustling, and lookingaround saw our trusty dog Turk, whom in our anxiety at parting we hadforgotten, and who had been sent after us, doubtless by my thoughtfulwife. 

From this little incident, however, we saw how dangerous was ourposition, and how difficult escape would be should any fierce beaststeal upon us unawares; we therefore hastened to make our way to theopen seashore. Here the scene which presented itself was indeeddelightful. A background of hills, the green, waving grass, thepleasant groups of trees stretching here and there to the water'sedge, formed a lovely prospect. On the smooth sand we searchedcarefully for any trace of our hapless companions, but not a mark of afootstep could we find. 

We pushed on until we came to a pleasant grove which stretched down tothe water's edge; here we halted to rest, seating ourselves under alarge tree, by a rivulet which murmured and splashed along its pebblybed into the great ocean before us. Gayly plumaged birds flewtwittering above us, and Fritz and I gazed up at them. 

My son suddenly started up. "A monkey, " he exclaimed; "I am nearlysure I saw a monkey. "

As he spoke he sprang round to the other side of the tree, and indoing so stumbled over a round substance, which he handed to me, remarking, as he did so, that it was a round bird's nest, of which hehad often heard. 

"You may have done so, " said I, laughing, "but you need notnecessarily conclude that every round hairy thing is a bird's nest;this, for instance, is not one, but a cocoanut. "

We split open the nut, but, to our disgust, found the kernel dry anduneatable. 

"Hullo, " cried Fritz, "I always thought a cocoanut was full ofdelicious sweet liquid, like almond milk. "

"So it is, " I replied, "when young and fresh; but as it ripens themilk becomes congealed, and in the course of time is solidified into akernel. "

As cocoanuts must be overripe before they fall naturally from thetree, it was not without difficulty that we obtained one in which thekernel was not dried up. 

Continuing our way through a thicket, which was so densely overgrownwith lianas [Footnote: Lianas are climbing plants which have thick, woody stems, and which wind themselves about other plants for support. They are particularly plentiful in the Amazon region of South America]that we had to clear a passage with our hatchets, we again emerged onthe seashore beyond, and found an open view, the forest sweepinginland, while on the space before us stood at intervals single treesof remarkable appearance. 

We approached to examine them, and I recognized them as calabashtrees, the fruit of which grows in a curious way on the stems, and isa species of gourd, from the hard rind of which bowls, spoons andbottles can be made. "The savages, " I remarked, "are said to formthese things most ingeniously, using them to contain liquids; indeed, they actually cook food in them. When the gourd is divided in two, andthe shell or rind emptied of its contents, it is filled with water, into which the fish, or whatever is to be cooked, is put; red-hotstones are added until the water boils; the food becomes fit to eat, and the gourd rind remains uninjured. Now suppose we prepare some ofthese calabashes, that they may be ready for use when we take themhome. "

Fritz instantly took up one of the gourds, and tried to split itequally with his knife, but in vain; the blade slipped, and thecalabash was cut jaggedly. "What a nuisance!" said Fritz, flinging itdown; "the thing is spoiled; and yet it seemed so simple to divide itproperly. "

"Stay, " said I; "you are too impatient; those pieces are not useless. Do you try to fashion from them a spoon or two while I provide adish. "

I then took from my pocket a piece of string, which I tied tightlyround a gourd, as near one end of it as I could; I then tapped thestring with the back of my knife, so that it penetrated the outershell. When this was accomplished, I tied the string yet tighter; anddrawing the ends with all my might, I divided the gourd exactly as Iwished. 

"That is clever! It certainly makes a capital soup tureen, and a soupplate, too, " said Fritz, examining the gourd. We made a number ofgourd dishes, and I filled them with sand, and left them to dry;marking the spot that we might return for them on our way back. 

For three hours or more we pushed forward, keeping a sharp lookout oneither side for any trace of our companions, till we reached a boldpromontory, stretching some way into the sea, from whose rocky summitI knew that we should obtain a good and comprehensive view of thesurrounding country. With little difficulty we reached the top, butthe most careful survey of the beautiful landscape failed to show usthe slightest sign or trace of human beings. Before us stretched awide and lovely bay, fringed with yellow sands, either side extendinginto the distance, and almost lost to view in two shadowypromontories; inclosed by these two arms lay a sheet of ripplingwater, which reflected in its depths the glorious sun above. The sceneinland was no less beautiful; and yet Fritz and I both felt a shade ofloneliness stealing over us as we gazed on its utter solitude. 

"Cheer up, Fritz, my boy, " said I, presently. "Remember that we chosea settler's life long ago, before we left our own dear country; wecertainly did not expect to be so entirely alone--but what matters afew people, more or less? With God's help, let us endeavor to livehere contentedly, thankful that we were not cast upon some bare andinhospitable island. But come, the heat here is getting unbearable;let us find some shady place before we are completely broiled away. "

We descended the hill and made for a clump of palm trees, which we sawat a little distance. To reach this, we had to pass through a densethicket of reeds, no pleasant or easy task; for besides the difficultyof forcing our way through, I feared at every step that we might treadon some venomous snake. Sending Turk in advance, I cut one of thereeds, thinking it would be a more useful weapon against a reptilethan my gun. I had carried it but a little way, when I noticed a thickjuice exuding from one end. I tasted it, and to my delight found itsweet and pleasant. I at once knew that I was standing amongst sugarcanes. 

My son cut a dozen or more of the largest canes, and stripping them oftheir leaves, carried them under his arm. We then pushed through thecane-brake, and reached the clump of palms for which we had beenmaking; as we entered it a troop of monkeys, who had been disportingthemselves on the ground, sprang up, chattering and grimacing, andbefore we could clearly distinguish them were at the very top of thetrees. 

Fritz was so provoked by their impertinent gestures that he raised hisgun and would have shot one of the poor beasts. 

"Stay, " cried I, "never take the life of any animal needlessly. A livemonkey up in that tree is of more use to us than a dozen dead ones atour feet, as I will show you. "

Saying this, I gathered a handful of small stones, and threw them uptoward the apes. The stones did not go near them, but influenced bytheir instinctive mania for imitation, they instantly seized all thecocoanuts within their reach, and sent a perfect hail of them downupon us. 

[Illustration: THE MONKEYS THREW DOWN COCOANUTS]

Fritz was delighted with my stratagem, and rushing forward picked upsome of the finest of the nuts. We drank the milk they contained, drawing it through the holes, which I pierced, and then, splitting thenuts open with the hatchet, ate the cream which lined their shells. After this delicious meal, we thoroughly despised the lobster we hadbeen carrying, and threw it to Turk, who ate it gratefully; but farfrom being satisfied, the poor beast began to gnaw the ends of thesugar canes, and to beg for cocoanut. I slung a couple of the nutsover my shoulder, fastening them together by their stalks, and Fritzhaving resumed his burden, we began our homeward march. 

Just as we had passed through the grove in which we had breakfasted, Turk suddenly darted away from us and sprang furiously among a troopof monkeys, which were gamboling playfully on the turf at a littledistance from the trees. They were taken by surprise completely, andthe dog, now really ravenous from hunger, had seized and was fiercelytearing one to pieces before we could approach the spot. 

His luckless victim was the mother of a tiny little monkey, which, being on her back when the dog flew at her, hindered her flight. Thelittle creature attempted to hide among the grass, and in tremblingfear watched its mother. On perceiving Turk's bloodthirsty design, Fritz had eagerly rushed to the rescue, flinging away all he wascarrying, and losing his hat in his haste. All to no purpose as far asthe mother ape was concerned, and a laughable scene ensued, for nosooner did the young monkey catch sight of him, than at one bound itwas on his shoulders; and, holding fast by his hair, it firmly keptits seat in spite of all he could do to dislodge it. He screamed andplunged about as he endeavored to shake or pull the creature off, butall in vain; it only clung the closer to his neck, making the mostabsurd grimaces. 

I laughed so much at this ridiculous scene, that I could scarcelyassist my terrified boy out of his awkward predicament. At last, bycoaxing the monkey, offering it a bit of biscuit, and graduallydisentangling its small sinewy paws from the curls it grasped sotightly, I managed to relieve poor Fritz, who then looked withinterest at the baby ape, no bigger than a kitten, as it lay in myarms. 

"What a jolly little fellow it is!" exclaimed he; "do let me try torear it, father. I dare say cocoanut milk would do until we can bringthe cow and the goats from the wreck. If he lives, he might be usefulto us. I believe monkeys instinctively know what fruits are wholesomeand what are poisonous. "

"Well, " said I, "let the little orphan be yours. "

Turk was meanwhile devouring with great satisfaction the littleanimal's unfortunate mother. I could not grudge it him, and continuedhunger might have made him dangerous to ourselves. We did not think itnecessary to wait until he had dined, so we prepared to resume ourmarch. 

The tiny ape seated itself in the coolest way imaginable on Fritz'sshoulder, I helped to carry his canes, and we were on some distancebefore Turk overtook us. 

He took no notice of the monkey, but it was very uneasy at sight ofhim, and scrambled down into Fritz's arms, which was so inconvenientto him that he devised a plan to relieve himself of his burden. Calling Turk, and seriously enjoining obedience, he seated the monkeyon his back, securing it there with a cord; and then, putting a secondstring round the dog's neck that he might lead him, he put a loop ofthe knot into the comical rider's hand, saying gravely: "Having slainthe parent, Mr. Turk, you will please to carry the son. "

At first this arrangement mightily displeased them both, but by and bythey yielded to it quietly; the monkey especially amused us by ridingalong with the air of a person perfectly at his ease. 

"We look just like a couple of mountebanks on their way to a fair withanimals to exhibit, " said I. "What an outcry the children will makewhen we appear!"

Juno was the first to be aware of our approach, and gave notice of itby loud barking, to which Turk replied with such hearty good will thathis little rider, terrified at the noise his steed was making, slippedfrom under the cord and fled to his refuge on Fritz's shoulder, wherehe regained his composure and settled himself comfortably. 

Turk, who by this time knew where he was, finding himself free, dashedforward to rejoin his friends, and announce our coming. 

One after another our dear ones came running to the opposite bank, testifying in various ways their delight at our return, and hasteningup on their side of the river, as we on ours, to the ford at which wehad crossed in the morning. 

The boys, suddenly perceiving the little animal which was clingingclose to their brother, in alarm at the tumult of voices, shouted inecstasy:

"A monkey! a monkey! oh, how splendid! Where did Fritz find him? Whatmay we give him to eat? Oh, what a bundle of sticks! Look at thosecurious, great nuts father has got!"

We could neither check this confused torrent of questions, nor get ina word in answer to them. 

At length, when the excitement subsided a little, I was able to say afew words with a chance of being listened to. 

Jack shouldered my gun, Ernest took the cocoanuts, and little Franzcarried the gourds; Fritz distributed the sugar canes amongst hisbrothers, and handing Ernest his gun, replaced the monkey on Turk'sback. 

My wife, as a prudent housekeeper, was no less delighted than thechildren with what we had brought back; the sight of the dishespleased her greatly, for she longed to see us eat once more likecivilized beings. We went into the kitchen, and there foundpreparations for a truly sumptuous meal. Two forked sticks wereplanted in the ground on either side of the fire; on these rested arod from which hung several tempting-looking fish; opposite them hunga goose from a similar contrivance, slowly roasting, while the gravydropped into a large shell placed beneath it. In the center sat thegreat pot, from which issued the smell of a most delicious soup. Tocrown this splendid array, stood an open hogshead full of Dutchcheeses. All this was very pleasant to two hungry travelers, but I wasabout to beg my wife to spare the poultry until our stock should haveincreased, when she, perceiving my thought, quickly relieved myanxiety. "This is not one of our geese, " she said, "but a wild birdErnest killed. "

"Yes, " said Ernest, "it is a penguin, I think; it let me get quiteclose, so that I knocked it on the head with a stick. Here are itshead and feet, which I preserved to show you; the bill is, you see, narrow and curved downward, and the feet are webbed. It had funny little bits of useless wings, and its eyes looked sosolemnly and sedately at me that I was almost ashamed to kill it. "

We then sat down before the appetizing meal prepared for us, ourgourds coming for the first time into use, and having done it fulljustice, produced the cocoanuts by way of dessert. 

"Here is better food for your little friend, " said I to Fritz, who hadbeen vainly endeavoring to persuade the monkey to taste dainty morselsof the food we had been eating; "the poor little animal has beenaccustomed to nothing but its mother's milk; fetch me a saw, one ofyou. "

I then, after extracting the milk of the nuts from their naturalholes, carefully cut the shells in half, thus providing several moreuseful basins. The monkey was perfectly satisfied with the milk, andeagerly sucked the corner of a handkerchief dipped in it. 

The sun was now rapidly sinking below the horizon, and the poultry, retiring for the night, warned us that we must follow their example. 

We did not, however, long enjoy this repose; a loud barking from ourdogs, who were on guard outside the tent, awakened us, and thefluttering and cackling of our poultry warned us that a foe wasapproaching. Fritz and I sprang up, and seizing our guns rushed out. There we found a desperate combat going on; our gallant dogs, surrounded by a dozen or more large jackals, were fighting bravely. Four of their opponents lay dead, but the others were in no waydeterred by the fate of their comrades. Fritz and I, however, sentbullets through the heads of a couple more, and the rest galloped off. Turk and Juno did not intend that they should escape so cheaply, andpursuing them, they caught, killed, and devoured another of theanimals, regardless of their near relationship. 

Soundly and peacefully we slept until cock-crow next morning, when mywife and I awoke, and began to discuss the business of the day. 

"It seems absolutely necessary, my dear wife, " I began, "to return atonce to the wreck while it is yet calm, that we may save the pooranimals left there, and bring on shore many articles of infinite valueto us, which, if we do not now recover, we may finally lose entirely. On the other hand, I feel that there is an immense deal to be done onshore, and that I ought not to leave you in such an insecure shelteras this tent. "

"Return to the wreck by all means, " replied my wife, cheerfully. "Patience, order, and perseverance will help us through all our work, and I agree with you that a visit to the wreck is without doubt ourfirst duty. Come, let us wake the children, and set to work withoutdelay. "

So severely had we dealt with our supper the previous night that wehad little to eat but the biscuits, which were so dry and hard that, hungry as we were, we could not swallow much. Fritz and I took somecheese to help them down, while my wife and younger sons soaked theirsin water. 

"See here, father, " and Ernest pointed to a large cask; "that barrelcontains butter of some sort, for it is oozing out at the end. "

"Really, Ernest, " I said, "we are indebted to you. I will open thecask. " So saying, I took a knife and carefully cut a small hole, sothat I could extract the butter without exposing the mass of it to theeffects of the air and heat. Filling a cocoanut shell, we once moresat down, and toasting our biscuits before the fire, spread them withthe good Dutch butter. We found this vastly better than the drybiscuits, and while we were thus employed I noticed that the two dogswere lying unusually quiet by my side. I at first attributed thisdrowsiness to their large meal during the night, but I soon discoveredthat it arose from a different cause; the faithful animals had notescaped unhurt from their late combat, but had received several deepand painful wounds, especially about the neck. The dogs began to lickeach other on the places which they could not reach with their owntongues, and my wife carefully dressed the wounds with butter, fromwhich she had extracted the salt by washing. 

I begged the party who were to remain on shore to keep together asmuch as possible, and having arranged a set of signals with my wife, that we might exchange communications, asked a blessing on ourenterprise. I erected a signal post, and, while Fritz was makingpreparations for our departure, hoisted a strip of sailcloth as aflag; this flag was to remain hoisted so long as all was well onshore, but should our return be desired, three shots were to be firedand the flag was to be lowered. 

All was now ready, and warning my wife that we might find it necessaryto remain all night on the vessel, we tenderly bade adieu andembarked. Except our guns and ammunition, we were taking nothing, thatwe might leave as much space as possible for the stowage of a largecargo. Fritz, however, had resolved to take his little monkey, that hemight obtain milk for it as soon as possible. We had not got far fromthe shore, when I perceived that a current from the river set indirectly for the vessel, and though my nautical knowledge was notgreat, I succeeded in steering the boat into the favorable stream, which carried us nearly three-fourths of our passage with little or notrouble to ourselves; then by dint of hard pulling, we accomplishedthe whole distance, and entering through the breach, gladly made fastour boat and stepped on board. Our first care was to see the animals, who greeted us with joy--lowing, bellowing, and bleating as weapproached; not that the poor beasts were hungry, for they were allstill well supplied with food, but they were apparently pleased by themere sight of human beings. Fritz then placed his monkey by one of thegoats, and the little animal immediately sucked the milk with evidentrelish, chattering and grinning all the while; the monkey providedfor, we refreshed ourselves with some wine and biscuits. 

I chose a stout spar to serve as a mast for our boat, and having madea hole in a plank nailed across one of the tubs, we, with the help ofa rope and a couple of blocks, stepped it and secured it with stays. We then discovered a lugsail, which had belonged to one of the ship'sboats; this we hoisted; and our craft was ready to sail. Fritz beggedme to decorate the masthead with a red streamer, to give our vessel amore finished appearance. Smiling at this childish but natural vanity, I complied with his request. I then contrived a rudder, that I mightbe able to steer the boat; for though I knew that an oar would servethe purpose, it was cumbrous and inconvenient. While I was thusemployed, Fritz examined the shore with his glass, and soon announcedthat the flag was flying and all was well. 

So much time had now slipped away that we found we could not returnthat night, as I had wished. We signaled our intention of remaining onboard, and then spent the rest of our time in taking out the stones wehad placed in the boat for ballast, and stowing in their place heavyarticles of value to us. As the ship had sailed for the purpose ofsupplying a young colony, she had on board every conceivable articlewe could desire in our present situation; our only difficulty, indeed, was to make a wise selection. A large quantity of powder and shot wefirst secured, and as Fritz considered that we could not have too manyweapons, we added three excellent guns, and a whole armful of swords, daggers, and knives. We remembered that knives and forks werenecessary, and we therefore laid in a large stock of them, and kitchenutensils of all sorts. We then went over the stores, and suppliedourselves with potted meats, portable soups, Westphalian hams, sausages, a bag of maize and wheat, and a quantity of other seeds andvegetables. I then added a barrel of sulphur for matches, and as muchcordage as I could find. All this--with nails, tools, and agriculturalimplements--completed our cargo, and sank our boat so low that Ishould have been obliged to lighten her had not the sea been calm. 

Night drew on, and a large fire, lighted by those on shore, showed usthat all was well. We replied by hoisting four ship's lanterns, andtwo shots announced to us that our signal was perceived; then, with aheartfelt prayer for the safety of our dear ones on shore, we retiredto our boat, and Fritz, at all events, was soon sound asleep. For awhile I could not sleep; the thought of my wife and children--aloneand unprotected, save by the great dogs--disturbed my rest. 

The night at length passed away. At daybreak Fritz and I arose andwent on deck. I brought the telescope to bear upon the shore, and withpleasure saw the flag still waving in the morning breeze; while I keptthe glass directed to the land, I saw the door of the tent open, andmy wife appear and look steadfastly toward us. 

I at once hoisted a white flag, and in reply the flag on shore wasthrice dipped. Oh, what a weight seemed lifted from my heart as I sawthe signal!

"Fritz, " I said, "I am not now in such haste to get back, and begin tofeel compassion for all these poor beasts. I wish we could devise somemeans for getting them on shore. "

"We might make a raft, " suggested Fritz, "and take off one or two at atime. "

"True, " I replied; "it is easy enough to say, 'make a raft, ' but to doit is quite another thing. "

"Well, " said Fritz, "I can think of nothing else, unless indeed wemake them such swimming belts as you made for the children. "

"Really, my boy, that idea is worth having. I am not joking, indeed, "I continued, as I saw him smile; "we may get every one of the animalsashore in that way. "

So saying, I caught a fine sheep, and proceeded to put our plan intoexecution. I first fastened a broad piece of linen round its belly, and to this attached some corks and empty tins; then, with Fritz'shelp, I flung the animal into the sea--it sank, but a moment afterwardrose and floated famously. 

[Illustration: THE SHEEP FLOATED FAMOUSLY]

"Hurrah!" exclaimed Fritz, "we will treat them all like that. " We thenrapidly caught the other animals and provided them, one after theother, with a similar contrivance. The cow and ass gave us moretrouble than did the others, as for them we required something morebuoyant than the mere cork; we at last found some empty casks andfastened two to each animal by thongs passed under its belly. Thisdone, the whole herd were ready to start, and we brought the ass toone of the ports to be the first to be launched. After somemaneuvering we got him in a convenient position, and then a suddenheave sent him plunging into the sea. He sank, and then, buoyed up bythe casks, emerged head and back from the water. The cow, sheep, andgoats followed him one after the other, and then the sow aloneremained. She seemed, however, determined not to leave the ship; shekicked, struggled, and squealed so violently, that I really thought weshould be obliged to abandon her; at length, after much trouble, wesucceeded in sending her out of the port after the others, and whenonce in the water, such was the old lady's energy that she quicklydistanced them, and was the first to reach the shore. 

We had fastened to the horns or neck of each animal a cord with afloat attached to the end, and now embarking, we gathered up thesefloats, set sail, and steered for shore, drawing our herd after us. 

Delighted with the successful accomplishment of our task, we got outsome biscuits and enjoyed a midday meal; then, while Fritz amusedhimself with his monkey, I took up my glass and tried to make out howour dear ones on shore were employing themselves. As I was thusengaged, a sudden shout from Fritz surprised me. I glanced up; therestood Fritz with his gun to his shoulder, pointing it at a huge shark;the monster was making for one of the finest sheep; he turned on hisside to seize his prey; as the white of his belly appeared Fritzfired. The shot took effect, and our enemy disappeared, leaving atrace of blood on the calm water. 

"Well done, my boy, " I cried; "you will become a crack shot one ofthese days; but I trust you will not often have such dangerous game toshoot. " Fritz's eyes sparkled at his success and my praise, andreloading his gun he carefully watched the water. But the shark didnot again appear, and, borne onward by the breeze, we quickly nearedthe shore. Steering the boat to a convenient landing place, I cast offthe ropes which secured the animals, and let them get ashore as bestthey might. There was no sign of my wife or children when we steppedon land, but a few moments afterward they appeared, and with a shoutof joy ran toward us. We were thankful to be once more united, andafter asking and replying to a few preliminary questions, proceeded torelease our herd from their swimming belts, which, though so useful inthe water, were exceedingly inconvenient on shore. My wife wasastonished at the apparatus. 

Fritz, Ernest and I began the work of unloading our craft, while Jack, seeing that the poor donkey was still encumbered with his swimmingbelt, tried to free him from it. But the donkey would not stand quiet, and the child's fingers were not strong enough to loosen the cordage;finally, therefore, he scrambled upon the animal's back, and urginghim on with hand and foot, trotted toward us. 

"Come, my boy, " I said, "no one must be idle here, even for a moment;you will have riding practice enough hereafter; dismount and come andhelp us. "

Leaving my wife to prepare supper, we returned to the shore andbrought up what of the cargo we had left there; then, having collectedour herd of animals, we returned to the tent. 

The meal which awaited us was as unlike the first supper we had thereenjoyed as possible. My wife had improvised a table of a board laid ontwo casks; on this was spread a white damask table-cloth, on whichwere placed knives, forks, spoons, and plates for each person. Atureen of good soup first appeared, followed by a capital omelet, thenslices of ham; and finally some Dutch cheese, butter, and biscuitscompleted the repast. 

III

DISMANTLING THE SHIP

NOTE. --The temporary tent which the castaways erected on the shorewhere they landed was neither safe nor comfortable, so they movedfarther along shore, where in a group of trees they built a shelteramong the limbs of a mangrove, about thirty feet from the ground. Itwas necessary to bridge the river and make a road in order to transfersupplies easily. 

Besides their building operations, all were compelled to hunt, fishand forage for supplies for their own table and for food for theiranimals and pets. Porcupines, crabs, flamingoes and numerous otherbirds were captured or seen, fish were taken from the waters, cochineal insects were discovered, and numerous useful vegetableproducts were found in the woods and swamps. The family were verycomfortably situated, and from the wreck and through hunting andfishing, were able to set a very good table. 

Next morning, while the breakfast was getting ready, I attended to thebeautiful skin of the kangaroo, which I was anxious to preserveentire; and afterward, when Fritz had prepared everything in readinessfor our trip to the wreck, I called Ernest and Jack in to give themsome parting injunctions. They, however, had disappeared directlyafter breakfast, and their mother could only guess, that, as werequired potatoes, they might have gone to fetch a supply. I desiredher to reprove them, on their return, for starting away without leave;but as it appeared they had taken Turk, I satisfied myself that noharm was likely to befall them, although it was not without reluctancethat I left my dear wife alone with little Franz, cheering her withhopes of our speedy return with new treasures from the wreck. 

[Illustration: FALCONHURST]

Advancing steadily on our way, we crossed the bridge at Jackal River, [Footnote: The family had given names to all the places in theirneighborhood. Thus their original living place was called Tentholm, the river Jackal River, and the new house in the trees Falconhurst. ]when suddenly, to our no small astonishment, Jack and Ernest burst outof a hiding place where they had lain in wait for us, and wereenchanted with the startling effect of their unexpected appearanceupon their unsuspecting father and brother. It was evident that theyfully believed they might now go with us to the wreck. 

To this notion I at once put a decided stop, although I could not findin my heart to scold the two merry rogues for their thoughtlessfrolic, more especially as I particularly wished to send back amessage to my wife. I told them they must hurry home, so as not toleave their mother in suspense, although, as they were already so far, they might collect some salt. And I instructed them to explain that, as my work on board would take up a long time, she must try to bearwith our absence for a night. This I had meant to say when we parted, but my courage had failed, knowing how much she would object to such aplan, and I had resolved to return in the evening. 

On consideration, however, of the importance of constructing a raft, which was my intention in going, and finishing it without a secondtrip, I determined to remain on board for the night, as the boys had, unintentionally, given me the chance of sending a message to thateffect. 

"Good-by, boys; take care of yourselves! We're off, " shouted Fritz, asI joined him in the tub-boat, and we shoved off. 

The current carried us briskly out of the bay; we were very soonmoored safely alongside the wreck, and scrambling up her shatteredsides, stood on what remained of the deck, and began at once to layour plans. 

I wanted to make a raft fit to carry on shore a great variety ofarticles far too large and heavy for our present boat. A number ofempty water casks seemed just what was required for a foundation; weclosed them tightly, pushed them overboard, and arranging twelve ofthem side by side in rows of three, we firmly secured them together bymeans of spars, and then proceeded to lay a good substantial floor ofplanks, which was defended by a low bulwark. In this way we soon had afirst-rate raft, exactly suited to our purpose. 

It would have been impossible to return to land that same evening, forwe were thoroughly fatigued by our labors, and had eaten only thelight refreshments we had brought in our wallets, scarcely desisting amoment from our work. 

Rejoicing that we were not expected home, we now made an excellentsupper from the ship's provisions, and then rested for the night onspring mattresses, a perfect luxury to us after our hard and narrowhammocks. 

Next morning we actively set about loading the raft and boat, firstcarrying off the entire contents of our own cabins; then, passing onto the captain's room, we removed the furniture, as well as the doorsand window frames, with their bolts, bars, and locks. We next took theofficers' chests, and those belonging to the carpenter and gunsmith;the contents of these latter we had to remove in portions, as theirweight was far beyond our strength. 

One large chest was filled with an assortment of fancy goods, andreminded us of a jeweler's shop, so glittering was the display of goldand silver watches, snuffboxes, buckles, studs, chains, rings, and allmanner of trinkets; these, and a box of money, drew our attention fora time; but more useful to us at present was a case of common knivesand forks, which I was glad to find, as more suited to us than thesmart silver ones we had previously taken on shore. To my delight wefound, most carefully packed, a number of young fruit trees; and weread on the tickets attached to them the names, so pleasant toEuropean ears, of the apple, pear, chestnut, orange, almond, peach, apricot, plum, cherry, and vine. 

The cargo, which had been destined for the supply of a distant colony, proved, in fact, a rich and almost inexhaustible treasure to us. Ironmongery, plumber's tools, lead, paint, grindstones, cart wheels, and all that was necessary for the work of a smith's forge, spades andplowshares, sacks of maize, peas, oats, and wheat, a hand-mill, andalso the parts of a saw-mill so carefully numbered that, were westrong enough, it would be easy to put it up, had been stowed away. 

So bewildered were we by the wealth around us that for some time wewere at a loss as to what to remove to the raft. It would beimpossible to take everything; yet the first storm would complete thedestruction of the ship, and we should lose all we left behind. Selecting a number of the most useful articles, however, including ofcourse the grain and the fruit trees, we gradually loaded our raft. Fishing lines, reels, cordage, and a couple of harpoons were put onboard, as well as a mariner's compass. 

Fritz, recollecting our encounter with the shark, placed the harpoonsin readiness; and amused me by seeming to picture himself a whaler, flourishing his harpoon in most approved fashion. 

Early in the afternoon both our crafts were heavily laden, and we wereready to make for the shore. The voyage was begun with considerableanxiety, as, with the raft in tow, there was some danger of anaccident. 

But the sea being calm and the wind favorable, we found we couldspread the sail, and our progress was very satisfactory. 

Presently, Fritz asked me for the telescope, as he had observedsomething curious floating at a distance. Then handing it back, hebegged me to examine the object; which I soon discovered to be aturtle asleep on the water, and of course unconscious of our approach. 

"Do, father, steer toward it!" exclaimed he. 

I accordingly did so, that he might have a nearer look at thecreature. Little did I suspect what was to follow. The lad's back wasturned to me, and the broad sail was between us, so that I could notperceive his actions; when, all of a sudden, I experienced a shock, and the thrill as of line running through a reel. Before I had time tocall out, a second shock, and the sensation of the boat being rapidlydrawn through the water, alarmed me. 

"Fritz, what are you about?" cried I. "You are sending us to thebottom. "

"I have him, hurrah! I have him safe!" shouted he, in eagerexcitement. 

To my amazement, I perceived that he really had struck the tortoisewith a harpoon; a rope was attached to it, and the creature wasrunning away with us. 

Lowering the sail and seizing my hatchet, I hastened forward, in orderto cut the line, and cast adrift at once turtle and harpoon. 

"Father! do wait!" pleaded the boy; "there is no danger just yet. Ipromise to cut the line myself the instant it is necessary! Let uscatch this turtle if we possibly can. "

"My dear boy, the turtle will be a very dear bargain, if he upsets allour goods into the sea, even if he does not drown us too. For Heaven'ssake, be careful! I will wait a few minutes, but the minute there isdanger, cut the line. "

[Illustration: OVERTURNING THE TURTLE]

As the turtle began to make for the open sea, I hoisted the sailagain; and, finding the opposition too much for it, the creature againdirected its course landward, drawing us rapidly after it. The part ofthe shore for which the turtle was making was considerably to the leftof our usual landing place. The beach there shelved very gradually, and at some distance from land we grounded with a sharp shock, butfortunately without a capsize. 

The turtle was evidently greatly exhausted, and no wonder, since ithad been acting the part of a steam tug, and had been dragging, atfull speed, a couple of heavily laden vessels. Its intention was toescape to land; but I leaped into the water, and wading up to it, dispatched it with my ax. Such was its tenacity of life, however, thatit did not cease its struggles until I had actually severed its headfrom its body. 

As we were by no means far from Falconhurst, Fritz gave notice of ourapproach by firing off his gun, as well as shouting loudly in hisglee; and, while we were yet engaged in securing our boats and gettingthe turtle on shore, the whole family appeared in the distance, hastening eagerly toward us; and our new prize, together with thewell-laden boat and raft, excited the liveliest interest; my wife'schief pleasure, however, consisted in seeing us back, as our night'sabsence had disturbed her, and she was horrified by the description ofour dangerous run in the wake of the fugitive turtle. Being anxious toremove some of our goods before night, the boys ran off to fetch thesledge; while I, having no anchor, contrived to moor the boats bymeans of the heavy blocks of iron we had brought. 

It required our united strength to get the turtle hoisted onto thesledge, its weight being prodigious; we found it, indeed, with theaddition of the sapling fruit trees, quite a sufficient load. 

We then made the best of our way home, chatting merrily about ourvarious adventures. The first thing to be done on arriving was toobtain some of the turtle's flesh and cook it for supper. To my wifethis appeared necessarily a work of time, as well as of difficulty;but I turned the beast on its back, and soon detached a portion of themeat from the breast with a hatchet, by breaking the lower shell; andI then directed that it should be cooked, with a little salt, shelland all. 

"But let me first cut away this disgusting green fat, " said my wife, with a little shudder, "See how it sticks all over the meat. No onecould eat anything so nasty. "

"Leave the fat, whatever you do!" exclaimed I. "Why, my dear, that isthe very best part, and the delight of the epicure. If there be reallytoo much, cut some off--it can be used as lard; and let the dogs makea supper of the refuse. "

"And the handsome shell!" cried Fritz; "I should like to make a watertrough of that, to stand near the brook, and be kept always full ofclear water. How useful it would be!"

"That is a capital idea, " I replied, "and we may manage it easily, ifwe can find clay so as to make a firm foundation on which to placeit. "

I arose early the next morning, as I had some doubts about the safetyof my vessels on the open shore. The dogs were delighted when Idescended the ladder, and bounded to meet me; the cocks crowed andflapped their wings; two pretty kids gamboled around; all was life andenergy; the ass alone seemed disinclined to begin the day, and as Iespecially required his services, this was unfortunate. I put hismorning dreams to flight, however, and harnessed him to the sledge;the cow, as she had not been milked, enjoyed the privilege of furtherrepose, and, with the rest of the family, I left her dozing. 

My fears as to the safety of the boats were soon dispelled, for theywere all right; and, being in haste to return, the load I collectedfrom their freight was but a light one, and the donkey willinglytrotted home with it, he, as well as I, being uncommonly ready forbreakfast. As I approached the tree, not a sound was to be heard, nota soul was to be seen, although it was broad day; and great was mygood wife's surprise, when, roused by the clatter and hullabaloo Imade, she started up, and became aware of the late hour. 

"What can have made us oversleep ourselves like this?" she exclaimed. "It must be the fault of those mattresses; they are delightful, butreally too lulling; see, the children are sound asleep still. "

"Now for prayers and breakfast, " I called, "and then off to work. Imust have our cargo landed in time to get the boats off with the nexttide. "

By dint of downright hard work, we accomplished this, and I got onboard with Fritz as soon as they were afloat; the rest turnedhomeward, but Jack lingered behind with such imploring looks, that Icould not resist taking him with me. 

My intention had been simply to take the vessels round to the harborin Safety Bay, but the calm sea and fine weather tempted me to makeanother trip to the wreck. It took up more time than I expected, sothat, when on board, we could only make a further examination of thecargo, collect a few portable articles, and then avail ourselves ofthe sea breeze, which would fail us later in the evening. 

To Jack the pleasure of hunting about in the hold was novel andcharming, and very soon a tremendous rattling and clattering heraldedhis approach with a wheelbarrow. He was in the highest spirits at hisgood fortune in having found such a capital thing in which to bringhome potatoes. 

He was followed by Fritz, whose news was still more important. He hadfound, carefully packed and enclosed within partitions, what appearedto be the separate parts of a pinnace, with rigging and fittingscomplete, even to a couple of small brass guns. This was a greatdiscovery, and I hastened to see if the lad was right. Indeed he was, but my pleasure was qualified by a sense of the arduous task it wouldbe to put such a craft together so as to be fit for sea. For thepresent we had barely time to get something to eat and hurry into theboat, where were collected our new acquisitions, namely, a copperboiler, iron plates, tobacco graters, two grindstones, a small barrelof powder, and another of flints, and two wheelbarrows, besidesJack's, which he kept under his own special care. 

As we drew near the shore, we were surprised to see a number of littlefigures ranged in a row along the water's edge, and apparently gazingfixedly at us. They seemed to wear dark coats and white waistcoats, and stood quite still, with their arms dropping by their sides, onlyevery now and then one would extend them gently, as though longing toembrace us. 

"Ah! here at last come the pigmy inhabitants of the country to welcomeus!" cried I, laughing. 

"Oh, father!" exclaimed Jack. "I hope they are Lilliputians! I onceread in a book about them, so there must be such people, you know, only these look rather too large. "

"You must be content to give up the Lilliputians and accept penguins, my dear Jack, " said I. "We have not before seen them in such numbers, but Ernest knocked one down, if you remember, soon after we landed. They are excellent swimmers, but helpless on land, as they can neitherfly nor run. "

We were gradually approaching the land as I spoke, and no sooner wasthe water shallow, than out sprang Jack from his tub, and wadingashore, took the unsuspecting birds by surprise, and with his sticklaid half a dozen, right and left, either stunned or dead at his feet. The rest escaped into the water, dived and disappeared. 

[Illustration: PENGUINS]

As these penguins are disagreeable food, on account of their strong, oily taste, I was sorry Jack had attacked them; but as we went toexamine them when we landed, some of the fallen arose from theirswoon, and began solemnly to waddle away, upon which we caught them, and tying their feet together with long grass, laid them on the sandto wait until we were ready to start. 

The three wheelbarrows then each received a load, the live penguins, seated gravely, were trundled along by Jack, and away we went at agreat rate. 

The unusual noise of our approach set the dogs barking furiously, butdiscovering us, they rushed forward with such forcible demonstrationsof delight that poor little Jack, who, as it was, could scarcelymanage his barrow, was fairly upset, penguins and all. This was toomuch for his patience, and it was absurd to see how he started up andcuffed them soundly for their boisterous behavior. 

This scene, and the examination of our burdens, caused greatmerriment; the tobacco grater and iron plates evidently puzzledeverybody. 

I sent the boys to catch some of our geese and ducks, and bade themfasten a penguin to each by the leg, thinking it was worth while totry to tame them. 

My wife had exerted herself in our absence to provide a good store ofpotatoes, and also of manioc [Footnote: Manioc, or cassava, is a SouthAmerican plant, from the roots of which tapioca is made] root. Iadmired her industry, and little Franz said, "Ah, father! I wonderwhat you will say when mother and I give you some Indian corn, andmelons, and pumpkins, and cucumbers!"

"Now, you little chatterbox!" cried she, "you have let out my secret!I was to have the pleasure of surprising your father when my plantswere growing up. "

"Ah, the poor disappointed little mother!" said I. "Never mind! I amcharmed to hear about it. Only do tell me, where did those seeds comefrom?"

"Out of my magic bag, of course!" replied she. "And each time I havegone for potatoes, I have sown seeds in the ground which was dug up toget them; and I have planted potatoes also. "

"Well done, you wise little woman!" I exclaimed. "Why you are a modelof prudence and industry!"

"But, " continued she, "I do not half like the appearance of thosetobacco graters you have brought. Is it possible you are going to makesnuff? Do, pray, let us make sure of abundance of food for our mouths, before we think of our noses!"

"Make your mind easy, my wife, " said I. "I have not the remotestintention of introducing the dirty, ridiculous habit of snuffing intoyour family! Please to treat my graters with respect, however, becausethey are to be the means of providing you with the first fresh breadyou have seen this many a long day. "

"What possible connection can there be between bread and tobaccograters? I cannot imagine what you mean, and to talk of bread wherethere are no ovens is only tantalizing. "

"Ah, you must not expect real loaves, " said I. "But on these flat ironplates I can bake flat cakes or scones, which will be excellent bread;I mean to try at once what I can do with Ernest's roots. And first ofall, I want you to make me a nice strong canvas bag. "

This the mother willingly undertook to do, but she evidently had notmuch faith in my powers as a baker, and I saw her set on a good potfulof potatoes before beginning to work, as though to make sure of a mealwithout depending on my bread. 

Spreading a piece of sail-cloth on the ground, I summoned my boys toset to work. Each took a grater and a supply of well-washed maniocroot, and when all were seated round the cloth--"Once, twice, thrice!Off!" cried I, beginning to rub a root as hard as I could against therough surface of my grater. My example was instantly followed by thewhole party, amid bursts of merriment, as each remarked the funnyattitude and odd gestures of his neighbors while vehemently rubbing, rasping, grating, and grinding down the roots allotted to him. 

No one was tempted by the look of the flour to stop and taste it, forin truth it looked much like wet sawdust. 

"Cassava bread is highly esteemed in many parts of the New World, andI have even heard that some Europeans there prefer it to the wheatenbread of their own country. There are various species of manioc. Onesort grows quickly, and its roots ripen in a very short time. Anotherkind is of somewhat slower growth. The roots of the third kind do notcome to maturity for two years. The first two are poisonous, if eatenraw, yet they are preferred to the third, which is harmless, becausethey are so much more fruitful, and the flour produced is excellent, if the scrapings are carefully pressed. "

"What is the good of pressing them, father?" inquired Ernest. 

"It is in order to express the sap, which contains the poison. The drypith is wholesome and nourishing. Still, I do not mean to taste mycakes until I have tried their effect on our fowls and the ape. " Oursupply of roots being reduced to damp powder, the canvas bag wasfilled with it, and tying it tightly up, I attempted to squeeze it, but soon found that mechanical aid was necessary in order to expressthe moisture. My arrangements for this purpose were as follows: Astrong, straight beam was made flat on one side, and smooth plankswere laid across two of the lower roots of our tree; on these weplaced the sack, above the sack another plank, and over that the longbeam; one end was passed under a root near the sack, the otherprojected far forward. And to that we attached all the heaviestweights we could think of, such as an anvil, iron bars, and masses oflead. The consequent pressure on the bag was enormous, and the sapflowed from it to the ground. 

"Will this stuff keep any time?" inquired my wife, who came to see howwe were getting on. "Or must all this great bagful be used at once? Inthat case we shall have to spend the whole of tomorrow in bakingcakes. "

"Not at all, " I replied; "once dry, the flour in barrels will keepfresh a long time. We shall use a great deal of this, however, as youshall see. "

"Do you think we might begin now, father?" said Fritz. "There does notseem the least moisture remaining. "

"Certainly, " said I. "But I shall make only one cake to-day for anexperiment; we must see how it agrees with Master Knips and the hensbefore we set up a bakehouse in regular style. "

I took out a couple of handfuls of flour for this purpose, and with astick loosened and stirred the remainder, which I intended shouldagain be pressed. While an iron plate, placed over a good fire, wasgetting hot, I mixed the meal with water and a little salt, kneaded itwell, and forming a thickish cake, laid it on the hot plate. When oneside presently had become a nice yellow-brown color, it was turned, and was quickly baked. 

It smelt so delicious that the boys quite envied the two hens and themonkey who were selected as the subjects of this interestingexperiment, and they silently watched them gobbling up the bits ofcake I gave them. 

Next morning every one expressed the tenderest concern as to thehealth of Knips and the hens; and lively pleasure was in everycountenance when Jack, who ran first to make the visit of inquiry, brought news of their perfect good health and spirits. 

No time was now to be lost, and the bread-baking commenced in earnest. A large fire was kindled, the plates were heated, and the meal wasmade into cakes, each boy busily preparing his own, and watching thebaking most eagerly. Mistakes occurred, of course; some of the breadwas burnt, some not done enough; but a pile of nice, tempting cakeswas at length ready, and with plenty of good milk we breakfasted rightroyally, and in high spirits at our success. 

Soon after, while feeding the poultry with the fragments of therepast, I observed that the captive penguins were quite at ease amongthem, and as tame as the geese and ducks; their bonds were thereforeloosed, and they were left as free as the other fowls. 

IV

THE PINNACE

Having now discovered how to provide bread for my family, my thoughtsbegan to revert to the wreck and all the valuables yet containedwithin it. Above all, I was bent on acquiring possession of thebeautiful pinnace, and aware that our united efforts would be requiredto do the necessary work, I began to coax and persuade the mother tolet me go in force with all her boys except Franz. 

She very unwillingly gave her consent at last, but not until I hadfaithfully promised never to pass a night on board. I did so withreluctance, and we parted, neither feeling quite satisfied with thearrangement. 

The boys were delighted to go in so large a party, and merrily carriedprovision bags filled with cassava bread and potatoes. 

Reaching Safety Bay without adventure, we first paid a visit to thegeese and ducks which inhabited the marsh there, and having fed themand seen that they were thriving well, we buckled on each his corkbelt, stepped into the tub-boat, and, with the raft in tow, steeredstraight for the wreck. 

When we got on board, I desired the boys to collect whatever camefirst to hand, and load the raft to be ready for our return at night, and then we made a minute inspection of the pinnace. 

I came to the conclusion that difficulties well-nigh insuperable laybetween me and the safe possession of the beautiful little vessel. Shelay in a most un-get-at-able position at the further end of the hold, stowed in so confined and narrow a space that it was impossible tothink of fitting the parts together there. At the same time, theseparts were so heavy, that removing them to a convenient place piece bypiece was equally out of the question. 

I sent the boys away to amuse themselves by rummaging out anythingthey liked to carry away, and sat down quietly to consider the matter. 

As my eyes became used to the dim light which entered the compartmentthrough a chink or crevice here and there, I perceived how carefullyevery part of the pinnace was arranged and marked with numbers, sothat if only I could bestow sufficient time on the work, and contrivespace in which to execute it, I might reasonably hope for success. 

"Room! room to work in, boys! that's what we need in the first place!"I cried, as my sons came to see what plan I had devised, for so greatwas their reliance on me that they never doubted the pinnace was to beours. 

"Fetch axes, and let us break down the compartment and clear space allround. "

To work we all went, yet evening drew near, and but little impressionwas made on the mass of woodwork around us. We had to acknowledge thatan immense amount of labor and perseverance would be required beforewe could call ourselves the owners of the useful and elegant littlecraft, which lay within this vast hulk like a fossil shell embedded ina rock. 

Preparations for returning to shore were hastily made, and we landedwithout much relish for the long walk to Falconhurst, when, to ourgreat surprise and pleasure, we found the mother and little Franz atTentholm awaiting us. She had resolved to take up her quarters thereduring the time we should be engaged on the wreck. "In that way youwill live nearer your work, and I shall not quite lose sight of you!"said she, with a pleasant smile. 

"You are a good, sensible, kind wife, " I exclaimed, delighted with herplan, "and we shall work with the greater diligence, that you mayreturn as soon as possible to your dear Falconhurst. "

"Come and see what we have brought you, mother!" cried Fritz; "a goodaddition to your stores, is it not?" and he and his brothers exhibitedtwo small casks of butter, three of flour, corn, rice, and many otherarticles welcome to our careful housewife. 

Our days were now spent in hard work on board, first cutting andclearing an open space round the pinnace, and then putting the partstogether. We started early and returned at night, bringing each time avaluable freight from the old vessel. At length, with incrediblelabor, all was completed. The pinnace stood actually ready to belaunched, but imprisoned within massive wooden walls which defied ourstrength. 

It seemed exactly as though the graceful vessel had awakened fromsleep, and was longing to spring into the free blue sea, and spreadher wings to the breeze. I could not bear to think that our success sofar should be followed by failure and disappointment. Yet no possiblemeans of setting her free could I perceive, and I was almost indespair, when an idea occurred to me which, if I could carry it out, would effect her release without further labor or delay. 

Without explaining my purpose, I got a large cast-iron mortar, filledit with gunpowder, and secured a block of oak to the top, throughwhich I pierced a hole for the insertion of the match; and this greatpetard I so placed, that when it exploded it should blow out the sideof the vessel next which the pinnace lay. Then securing it withchains, that the recoil might do no damage, I told the boys I wasgoing ashore earlier than usual, and calmly desired them to get intothe boat. Then lighting a match which I had prepared, and which wouldburn some time before reaching the powder, I hastened after them witha beating heart, and we made for the land. 

We brought the raft close in shore and began to unload it; the otherboat I did not haul up, but kept her ready to put off at a moment'snotice; my anxiety was unobserved by any one, as I listened withstrained nerves for the expected sound. It came!--a flash--a mightyroar--a grand burst of smoke!

My wife and children, terror-stricken, turned their eyes toward thesea, whence the startling noise came, and then, in fear and wonder, looked to me for some explanation. "Perhaps, " said the mother, as Idid not speak, "perhaps you have left a light burning near some of thegunpowder, and an explosion has taken place. "

"Not at all unlikely, " replied I quietly; "we had a fire below when wewere caulking the seams of the pinnace. I shall go off at once and seewhat has happened. Will any one come?"

The boys needed no second invitation, but sprang into the boat, whileI lingered to reassure my wife by whispering a few words ofexplanation; and then joining them, we pulled for the wreck at a morerapid rate than we ever had done before. No alteration had taken placein the side at which we usually boarded her, and we pulled round tothe further side, where a marvelous sight awaited us. A huge rentappeared, the decks and bulwarks were torn open, the water was coveredwith floating wreckage--all seemed in ruins; and the compartment wherethe pinnace rested was fully revealed to view. There sat the littlebeauty, to all appearance uninjured; and the boys, whose attention wastaken up with the melancholy scene of ruin and confusion around them, were astonished to hear me shout in enthusiastic delight: "Hurrah! sheis ours! The lovely pinnace is won! We shall be able to launch hereasily after all. Come, boys, let us see if she has suffered from theexplosion which has set her free. "

The boys gazed at me for a moment, and then, guessing my secret, "Youplanned it yourself, you clever, cunning father! Oh, that machine wehelped to make was on purpose to blow it up!" cried they; and eagerlythey followed me into the shattered opening, where, to my intensesatisfaction, I found everything as I could wish, and the captive inno way a sufferer from the violent measures I had adopted for herdeliverance. 

The boys were deeply interested in examining the effects of theexplosion, and in the explanation I gave them of the proper way tomanage a petard. 

It was evident that the launch could now be effected without muchtrouble; I had been careful to place rollers beneath the keel, so thatby means of levers and pulleys we might, with our united strength, move her forward toward the water. A rope was attached by which toregulate the speed of the descent, and then, all putting theirshoulders to the work, the pinnace began to slide from the stocks, andfinally slipped gently and steadily into the water, where she floatedas if conscious it was her native element; while we, wild withexcitement, cheered and waved enthusiastically. We then remained onlylong enough to secure our prize carefully at the most sheltered point, and went back to Tentholm, where we accounted for the explosion;saying that having blown away one side of the ship, we should be ableto obtain the rest of its contents with a few more days' work. 

These days were devoted to completing the rigging, the mounting of hertwo little brass guns, and all necessary arrangements about thepinnace. It was wonderful what martial ardor was awakened by thepossession of a vessel armed with two real guns. The boys chatteredincessantly about savages, fleets of canoes, attack, defense, andfinal annihilation of the invaders. 

I assured them that, brilliant as their victories would doubtless be, we should have good cause to thank God if their fighting powers andnewborn valor were never put to the test. 

The pinnace was fully equipped and ready to sail, while yet no idea ofthe surprise we were preparing for her had dawned upon my wife, and Ipermitted the boys, who had kept the secret so well, to fire a salutewhen we entered the bay. 

Casting off from the ship, and spreading the sail, our voyage began. The pinnace glided swiftly through the water. I stood at the helm, Ernest and Jack manned the guns, and Fritz gave the word of command, "Fire!" Bang! bang! rattled out a thrilling report, which echoed andreechoed among the cliffs, followed by our shouts and hurrahs. Themother and her little boy rushed hastily forward from near the tent, and we could plainly see their alarm and astonishment; but speedilyrecognizing us, they waved joyfully, and came quickly to the landingplace to meet us. 

By skillful management we brought the pinnace near a projection of thebank, and Fritz assisted his mother to come on board, where, breathless with haste and excitement, she exclaimed, "You dear, horrid, wonderful people, shall I scold you or praise you? You havefrightened me out of my wits! To see a beautiful little ship comesailing in was startling enough, for I could not conceive who might beon board, but the report of your guns made me tremble with fear--andhad I not recognized your voices directly after, I should have runaway with Franz--Heaven knows where! But have you really done all thiswork yourselves?" she continued, when we had been forgiven forterrifying her with our vainglorious salute. "What a charming littleyacht! I should not be afraid to sail in this myself. "

After the pinnace had been shown off, and received the admiration shedeserved, while our industry, skill, and perseverance met withboundless praise, "Now, " said my wife, "you must come with me, and seehow little Franz and I have improved our time every day of yourabsence. "

We all landed, and with great curiosity followed the mother up theriver toward the cascade; where, to our astonishment, we found agarden neatly laid out in beds and walks; and she continued, "We don'tfrighten people by firing salutes in honor of our performances;although, by and by, I too shall want fire in a peaceable form. Lookat my beds of lettuce and cabbages, my rows of beans and peas! Thinkwhat delicious dinners I shall be able to cook for you, and give mecredit for my diligence. "

"My dear wife!" I exclaimed, "this is beautiful! You have donewonders! Did you not find the work too hard?"

"The ground is light and easy to dig hereabouts, " she replied. "I haveplanted potatoes and cassava roots; there is space for sugar canes andthe young fruit trees, and I shall want you to contrive to irrigatethem, by leading water from the cascades in hollow bamboos. Up by thesheltering rocks I mean to have pineapples and melons; they will looksplendid when they spread there. To shelter the beds of Europeanvegetables from the heat of the sun, I have planted seeds of maizeround them. The shadow of the tall plants will afford protection fromthe burning rays. Do you think that is a good plan?"

"I do, indeed; the whole arrangement is capital. Now, as sunsetapproaches, we must return to the tent for supper and rest, for bothof which we are all quite ready. "

The time passed in happy talk over our many new interests; every onehad the pleasant sensation which attends successful labor, as well asexperiencing the joy of affording unexpected pleasure to others; and Iespecially pointed out to my sons how true, genuine happiness consistsin that, rather than in mere self-gratification. Next morning my wifesaid, "If you can exist on shore long enough to visit Falconhurst, dear husband, I should like you to attend to the little fruit trees. Ifear they have been too much neglected. I have watered themoccasionally, and spread earth over the roots as they lay, but I couldnot manage to plant them. "

"You have done far more than I could have expected, my wife, " Ireplied, "and provided you do not ask me to give up the seaaltogether, I most willingly agree to your request, and will go toFalconhurst as soon as the raft is unloaded and everything safelyarranged here. "

Life on shore was an agreeable change for us all, and the boys wentactively to work, so that the stores were quickly brought up to thetent, piled in order, and carefully covered with sail-cloths, fasteneddown by pegs all round. The pinnace, being provided with an anchor, was properly moored, and her elegant appearance quite altered thelooks of our harbor, hitherto occupied only by the grotesque tub-boat, and the flat, uninteresting raft. 

Taking an ample supply of everything we should require at Falconhurst, we were soon comfortably reestablished in that charming abode, itspeaceful shade seeming more delightful than ever, after the heat andhard work we had lately undergone. 

Several Sundays had passed during our stay at Tentholm, and thewelcome Day of Rest now returned again, to be observed with heartfeltdevotion and grateful praise. 

V

PREPARING FOR THE RAINY SEASON. NEW DISCOVERIES

NOTE. --To make the ascent to Falconhurst easier and safer, a spiralstaircase was built in the trunk of the huge tree whose branchesupheld the "Nest. " This is the "task" spoken of in the openingparagraph of this chapter. 

This task occupied us a whole month, and by the end of that period, soaccustomed had we become to having a definite piece of work before us, that we began to consider what other great alteration we shouldundertake. We were, however, of course not neglecting the details ofour colonial establishment. There were all the animals to be attendedto; the goats and sheep had both presented us with additions to ourflock, and these frisky youngsters had to be seen after; to preventthem straying to any great distance--for we had no wish to lose them--we tied round their necks little bells, which we had found on boardthe wreck, and which would assist us to track them. Juno, too, had afine litter of puppies, but, in spite of the entreaties of thechildren, I could not consent to keep more than two, and the restdisappeared in that mysterious way in which puppies and kittens arewont to leave the earth. To console the mother, as he said, but also, I suspect, to save himself considerable trouble, Jack placed hislittle jackal beside the remaining puppies, and, to his joy, found itreadily adopted. The other pets were also flourishing, and were beingusefully trained. The buffalo, after giving us much trouble, had nowbecome perfectly domesticated, and was a very useful beast of burden, besides being a capital steed for the boys. They guided him by a barthrust through the hole in his nose, which was now perfectly healed, and this served the purpose just as a bit in the mouth of a horse. Ibegan his education by securing round him a broad girth of buffalohide and fastening to it various articles, to accustom him to carryinga burden. By degrees he permitted this to be done without making theslightest resistance, and soon carried the paniers, before borne bythe ass, readily and willingly. 

I then made Master Knips sit upon his back and hold the reins I hadprepared for him, that the animal might become accustomed to thefeeling of a rider, and finally allowed Fritz himself to mount. Theeducation of the eagle was not neglected. Fritz every day shot smallbirds for his food, and these he placed, sometimes between the wide-spreading horns of the buffalo or goat, and sometimes upon the back ofthe great bustard, that he might become accustomed to pounce uponliving prey. These lessons had their due effect, and the bird, havingbeen taught to obey the voice and whistle of his master, was soonallowed to bring down small birds upon the wing, when he stooped andstruck his quarry in most sportsmanlike manner. We kept him well awayfrom the poultry yard, lest his natural instincts should showthemselves and he should put an untimely end to some of our featheredpets. 

Neither was Master Knips allowed to remain idle, for Ernest, now thathe was in his possession, wished to train him to be of some use. WithJack's help he made a little basket of rushes, which he so arrangedwith straps that it might be easily fitted onto the monkey's back. Thus equipped, he was taught to mount cocoanut palms and other loftytrees, and to bring down their fruit in the hamper. 

Jack was not so successful in his educational attempts. Fangs, as hehad christened his jackal, used his fangs, indeed, but only on his ownaccount; nothing could persuade him that the animals he caught werenot at once to be devoured, consequently poor Jack was never able tosave from his jaws anything but the tattered skin of his prey. Notdisheartened, however, he determined that Fangs could be trained, andthat he would train him. 

These, and such like employments, afforded us the rest and recreationwe required. 

I then turned shoemaker, for I had promised myself a pair ofwaterproof boots, and now determined to make them. 

Taking a pair of socks, I filled them with sand and then coated themover with a thin layer of clay to form a convenient mold; this wassoon hardened in the sun, and was ready for use. Layer after layer ofcaoutchouc I brushed over it, allowing each layer to dry before thenext was put on, until at length I considered that the shoes were ofsufficient thickness. I dried them, broke out the clay, secured withnails a strip of buffalo hide to the soles, brushed that over withcaoutchouc, and I had a pair of comfortable, durable, respectable-looking water-proof boots. 

I was delighted; orders poured in from all sides, and soon every onein the family was likewise provided for. 

One objection to Falconhurst was the absence of any spring close by, so that the boys were obliged to bring water daily from the stream;and this involving no little trouble, it was proposed that we shouldcarry the water by pipes from the stream to our present residence. Adam had to be thrown across the river some way up stream, that thewater might be raised to a sufficient height to run to Falconhurst. From the reservoir thus made we led the water down by pipes into theturtle's shell, which we placed near our dwelling, and from which thesuperfluous water flowed off through the hole made in it by Fritz'sharpoon. This was an immense convenience, and we formally inauguratedthe trough by washing therein a whole sack of potatoes. Thus day afterday brought its own work, and day after day saw that work completed. We had no time to be idle, or to lament our separation from ourfellow-creatures. 

One morning, as we were completing our spiral staircase, and giving itsuch finish as we were capable of, we were suddenly alarmed by hearinga most terrific noise, the roaring or bellowing of a wild beast; sostrange a sound was it, that I could not imagine by what animal it wasuttered. 

Jack thought it perhaps a lion, Fritz hazarded a gorilla, while Ernestgave it as his opinion, and I thought it possible that he was right, that it was a hyena. 

"Whatever it is, " said I, "we must prepare to receive it; up with youall to the nest while I secure the door. "

Then arming the dogs with their collars, I sent them out to protectthe animals below, closed the door, and joined my family. Every gunwas loaded, every eye was upon the watch. The sound drew nearer, andthen all was still; nothing was to be seen. I determined to descendand reconnoiter, and Fritz and I carefully crept down; with our gunsat full cock we glided among the trees; noiselessly and quickly wepushed on further and further; suddenly, close by, we heard theterrific sound again. Fritz raised his gun, but almost as quicklydropped it, and burst into a hearty fit of laughter. There was nomistaking those dulcet tones--he-haw, he-haw, he-haw--resoundedthrough the forest, and our ass, braying his approach right merrily, appeared in sight. To our surprise, however, our friend was not alone;behind him trotted another animal, an ass no doubt, but slim andgraceful as a horse. We watched their movements anxiously. 

"Fritz, " I whispered, "that is an onager. [Footnote: An onager is awild ass] Creep back to Falconhurst and bring me a piece of cord--quietly now!"

[Illustration: CATCHING THE WILD ASS]

While he was gone, I cut a bamboo and split it halfway down to form apair of pincers, which I knew would be of use to me should I get nearthe animal. Fritz soon returned with the cord, and I was glad toobserve also brought some oats and salt. We made one end of the cordfast to a tree, and at the other end made a running noose. Silently wewatched the animals as they approached, quietly browsing; Fritz thenarose, holding in one hand the noose and in the other some oats andsalt. The ass, seeing his favorite food thus held out, advanced totake it; Fritz allowed him to do so, and he was soon munchingcontentedly. The stranger, on seeing Fritz, started back; but findingher companion show no signs of alarm, was reassured, and soonapproached sniffing, and was about to take some of the tempting food. In a moment the noose left Fritz's adroit hand and fell round herneck; with a single bound she sprang backward the full length of thecord, the noose drew tight, and she fell to the earth half strangled. I at once ran up, loosened the rope, and replaced it by a halter; andplacing the pincers upon her nose, secured her by two cords fastenedbetween two trees, and left her to recover herself. 

Every one hastened up to examine the beautiful animal as she rose fromthe ground and cast fiery glances around. She lashed out with herheels on every side; and, giving vent to angry snorts, struggledviolently to get free. All her endeavors were vain; the cords werestout, and after a while she quieted down and stood exhausted andquivering. I then approached; she suffered me to lead her to the rootsof our tree, which for the present formed our stables, and there Itied her up close to the donkey, who was likewise prevented fromplaying truant. 

Next morning I found the onager after her night's rest as wild asever, and as I looked at the handsome creature I almost despaired ofever taming her proud spirit. Every expedient was tried, and atlength, when the animal was subdued by hunger, I thought I mightventure to mount her; and having given her the strongest curb andshackled her feet I attempted to do so. She was as unruly as ever, andas a last expedient I resolved to adopt a plan which, though cruel, was, I knew, attended with wonderful success among the AmericanIndians, by whom it is practiced. Watching a favorable opportunity, Isprang upon the onager's back, and seizing her long ear in my teeth, in spite of her kicking and plunging, bit it through. The result wasmarvelous; the animal ceased plunging, and, quivering violently, stoodstock-still. From that moment we were her masters; the childrenmounted her one after the other, and she carried them obediently andquietly. Proud, indeed, did I feel as I watched this animal, whichnaturalists and travelers have declared to be beyond the power of manto tame, guided hither and thither by my youngest son. 

Additions to our poultry yard reminded me of the necessity ofproviding some substantial shelter for our animals before the rainyseason came on; three broods of chickens had been successfullyhatched, and the little creatures, forty in all, were my wife's prideand delight. We began by making a roof over the vaulted roots of ourtree, forming the framework of bamboo canes, which we laid closetogether and bound tightly down; others we fixed below as supports. The interstices were filled up with clay and moss; and coating thewhole over with a mixture of tar and limewater, we obtained a firmbalcony, and a capital roof impervious to the severest fall of rain. Iran a light rail round the balcony to give it a more ornamentalappearance, and below divided the building into several compartments. Stables, poultry yard, hay and provision lofts, dairy, kitchen, larder, and dining-hall were united under one roof. 

Our winter quarters were now completed, and we had but to store themwith food. Day after day we worked, bringing in provisions of everydescription. 

As we were one evening returning from gathering potatoes, it struck methat we should take in a store of acorns; and sending the two youngerboys home with their mother and the cart, I took a large canvas bag, and with Fritz and Ernest, the former mounted on his onager, and thelatter carrying his little favorite, Knips, made a detour toward theAcorn Wood. 

We reached the spot, tied Lightfoot to a neighboring tree, and beganrapidly to fill the sack. As we were thus engaged, Knips sprangsuddenly into a bush close by, from which, a moment afterward, issuedsuch strange cries that Ernest followed to see what could be thematter. 

"Come!" he shouted; "come and help me! I've got a couple of birds andtheir eggs. Quick! Ruffed grouse!"

We hurried to the spot. There was Ernest with a fluttering, screamingbird in either hand; while with his foot he was endeavoring to preventhis greedy little monkey from seizing the eggs. We quickly tied thelegs of the birds, and removing the eggs from the nest, placed them inErnest's hat; while he gathered some of the long, broad grass, withwhich the nest was woven, and which grew luxuriantly around, for Franzto play at sword-drill with. We then loaded the onager with theacorns, and moved homeward. The eggs I covered carefully with drymoss, that they might be kept warm, and as soon as possible I handedthem over to my wife, who managed the mother so cleverly that sheinduced her to return to the eggs, and in a few days, to our greatdelight, we had fifteen beautiful little chicks. 

Franz was greatly pleased with the "swords" his brother brought him;but having no small companion on whom to exercise his valor, he amusedhimself for a short time in hewing down imaginary foes, and then cutthe reeds in slips, and plaited them to form a whip for Lightfoot. Theleaves seemed so pliable and strong that I examined them to see towhat further use they might be put. Their tissue was composed of longsilky fibers. A sudden thought struck me--this must be New Zealandflax. [Footnote: New Zealand flax is not real flax: it is a plant ofthe lily family, the fiber of whose leaves is used for making ropes, mats and coarse cloth. ] I could not rest till I had announced thisinvaluable discovery to my wife. She was no less delighted than I was. 

"Bring me the leaves!" she exclaimed. "Oh, what a delightfuldiscovery! No one shall now be clothed in rags; just make me aspindle, and you shall soon have shirts and stockings and trousers, all good homespun! Quick, Fritz, and bring your mother more leaves!"

We could not help smiling at her eager zeal; but Fritz and Ernestsprang on their steeds, and soon the onager and the buffalo weregalloping home again, each laden with a great bundle of flax. The boysdismounted and deposited their offering at their mother's feet. 

"Capital!" she exclaimed. "I shall now show you that I am not at allbehindhand in ingenuity. This must be retted, carded, spun, and woven, and then with scissors, needle, and thread I will make you any articleof clothing you choose. "

We decided that Flamingo Marsh would be the best spot for theoperation of steeping or "retting" the flax, and next morning we setout thither with the cart drawn by the ass, and laden with thebundles, between which sat Franz and Knips, while the rest of usfollowed with spades and hatchets. I described to my boys as we wentalong the process of retting, and explained to them how steeping theflax leaves destroys the useless membrane, while the strong fibersremain. 

[Illustration: FLAMINGOS]

As we were employed in making beds for the flax and placing it inthem, we observed several nests of the flamingo. These are mostcuriously and skilfully made of glutinous clay, so strong that theycan neither be overturned nor washed away. They are formed in theshape of blunted cones, and placed point downward; at the upper andbroader end is built a little platform to contain the eggs, on whichthe female bird sits, with her long legs in the water on either side, until the little birds are hatched and can take to the water. For afortnight we left the flax to steep, and then taking it out and dryingit thoroughly in the sun, stored it for future use at Falconhurst. 

Daily did we load our cart with provisions to be brought to our winterquarters: manioc, potatoes, cocoanuts, sweet acorns, sugar canes, wereall collected and stored in abundance--for grumbling thunder, loweringskies, and sharp showers warned us that we had no time to lose. Ourcorn was sowed, our animals housed, our provisions stored, when downcame the rain. 

To continue in our nest we found impossible, and we were obliged toretreat to the trunk, where we carried such of our domestic furnitureas might have been injured by the damp. Our dwelling was indeedcrowded; the animals and provisions below, and our beds and householdgoods around us, hemmed us in on every side; by dint of patience andbetter packing, we obtained sufficient room to work and lie down in;by degrees, too, we became accustomed to the continual noise of theanimals and the smell of the stables. The smoke from the fire, whichwe were occasionally obliged to light, was not agreeable; but in timeeven that seemed to become more bearable. 

To make more space, we turned such animals as we had captured, and whotherefore might be imagined to know how to shift for themselves, outside during the daytime, bringing them under the arched roots onlyat night. To perform this duty Fritz and I used to sally forth everyevening, and as regularly every evening did we return soaked to theskin. To obviate this, the mother, who feared these continual wettingsmight injure our health, contrived waterproofs; she brushed on severallayers of caoutchouc over stout shirts, to which she attached hoods;she then fixed to these duck trousers, and thus prepared for each ofus a complete water-proof suit, clad in which we might brave theseverest rain. 

In spite of our endeavors to keep ourselves busy, the time draggedheavily. Our mornings were occupied in tending the animals; the boysamused themselves with their pets, and assisted me in the manufactureof carding-combs and a spindle for the mother. The combs I made withnails, which I placed head downward on a sheet of tin about an inchwide; holding the nails in their proper positions I poured solderround their heads to fix them to the tin, which I then folded down oneither side of them to keep them perfectly firm. In the evening, whenour room was illuminated with wax candles, I wrote a journal of allthe events which had occurred since our arrival in this foreign land;and, while the mother was busy with her needle and Ernest makingsketches of birds, beasts and flowers with which he had met during thepast months, Fritz and Jack taught little Franz to read. 

Week after week rolled by. Week after week saw us still closeprisoners. Incessant rain battered down above us; constant gloom hungover the desolate scene. 

VI

ROCK HOUSE

The winds at length were lulled, the sun shot his brilliant raysthrough the riven clouds, the rain ceased to fall--spring had come. Noprisoners set at liberty could have felt more joy than we did as westepped forth from our winter abode, refreshed our eyes with thepleasant verdure around us, and our ears with the merry songs of athousand happy birds, and drank in the pure, balmy air of spring. 

Our plantations were thriving vigorously. The seed we had sown wasshooting through the moist earth. All nature was refreshed. 

Our nest was our first care; filled with leaves and broken and torn bythe wind, it looked dilapidated. We worked hard, and in a few days itwas again habitable. My wife now begged that I would start her withthe flax, and as early as possible I built a drying-oven, and thenprepared the flax for her use; I also, after some trouble, manufactured a beetle-reel and spinning wheel, and she and Franz weresoon hard at work, the little boy reeling off the thread his motherspun. 

I was anxious to visit Tentholm, for I feared that much of ourprecious stores might have suffered, and Fritz and I made an earlyexcursion thither. The damage done to Falconhurst was as nothingcompared to the scene that awaited us. The tent was blown to theground, the canvas torn to rags, the provisions were soaked, and twocasks of powder utterly destroyed. We immediately spread such thingsas we hoped yet to preserve in the sun to dry. The pinnace was safe, hut our faithful tub-boat was dashed in pieces, and the irreparabledamage we had sustained made me resolve to contrive some safer andmore stable winter quarters before the arrival of the next rainyseason. Fritz proposed that we should hollow out a cave in the rock, and though the difficulties seemed almost insurmountable, I yetdetermined to make the attempt; we might not, I thought, hew out acavern of sufficient size to serve as a room, but we might at leastmake a cellar for the more valuable and perishable of our stores. 

Some days afterward we left Falconhurst with the cart laden with acargo of spades, hammers, chisels, pickaxes, and crowbars, and beganour undertaking. On the smooth face of the perpendicular rock I drewout in chalk the size of the proposed entrance, and then, with mindsbent on success, we battered away. Six days of hard and incessant toilmade but little impression; I do not think that the hole would havebeen a satisfactory shelter for even Master Knips; but we still didnot despair, and were presently rewarded by coming to softer and moreyielding substance; our work progressed, and our minds were relieved. 

On the tenth day, as our persevering blows were falling heavily, Jack, who was working diligently with a hammer and crowbar, shouted:

"Gone, father! Fritz, my bar has gone through the mountain!"

"Run round and get it, " laughed Fritz; "perhaps it has dropped intoEurope--you must not lose a good crowbar. "

"But, really, it is through; it went right through the rock; I heardit crash down inside. Oh, do come and see!" he shouted, excitedly. 

We sprang to his side, and I thrust the handle of my hammer into thehole he spoke of; it met with no opposition; I could turn it in anydirection I chose. Fritz handed me a long pole; I tried the depth withthat. Nothing could I feel. A thin wall, then, was all that intervenedbetween us and a great cavern. 

With a shout of joy, the boys battered vigorously at the rock; pieceby piece fell, and soon the hole was large enough for us to enter. Istepped near the aperture, and was about to make a furtherexamination, when a sudden rush of poisonous air turned me giddy, andshouting to my sons to stand off, I leaned against the rock. 

When I came to myself I explained to them the danger of approachingany cavern or other place where the air has for a long time beenstagnant. "Unless air is incessantly renewed it becomes vitiated, " Isaid, "and fatal to those who breathe it. The safest way of restoringit to its original state is to subject it to the action of fire; a fewhandfuls of blazing hay thrown into this hole may, if the place besmall, sufficiently purify the air within to allow us to enter withoutdanger. " We tried the experiment. The flame was extinguished theinstant it entered. Though bundles of blazing grass were thrown in, nodifference was made. 

I saw that we must apply some more efficacious remedy, and sent theboys for a chest of signal rockets we had brought from the wreck. Welet fly some dozens of these fiery serpents, which went whizzing in, and disappeared at apparently a vast distance from us. Some flew likeradiant meteors round, lighted up the mighty circumference anddisplayed, as by a magician's wand, a sparkling, glittering roof. Theylooked like avenging dragons driving a foul, malignant fiend out of abeauteous palace. 

We waited for a little while after these experiments, and I then againthrew in lighted hay. It burned clearly; the air was purified. 

Fritz and I enlarged the opening, while Jack, springing on hisbuffalo, thundered away to Falconhurst to bear the great andastonishing news to his mother. 

Great must have been the effect of Jack's eloquence on those at home, for the timbers of the bridge were soon again resounding under theswift but heavy tramp of his steed; and he was quickly followed by therest of our party in the cart. 

All were in the highest state of excitement. Jack had stowed in thecart all the candles he could find, and we now, lighting these, shouldered our arms and entered. 

I led the way, sounding the ground as I advanced with a long pole, that we might not fall unexpectedly into any great hole or chasm, Silently we marched---the mother, the boys, and even the dogs seemingoverawed with the grandeur and beauty of the scene. We were in agrotto of diamonds--a vast cave of glittering crystal; the candlesreflected on the wall a golden light, bright as the stars of heaven, while great crystal pillars rose from the floor like mighty trees, mingling their branches high above us and drooping in hundreds ofstalactites, which sparkled and glittered with all the colors of therainbow. 

[Illustration: I ADVANCED WITH A LONG POLE]

The floor of this magnificent palace was formed of hard, dry sand, sodry that I saw at once that we might safely take up our abode therein, without the slightest fear of danger from damp. 

From the appearance of the brilliant crystals round about us Isuspected their nature. 

I tasted a piece. This was a cavern of rock salt. There was no doubtabout it--here was an unlimited supply of the best and purest salt!But one thing detracted from my entire satisfaction and delight--largecrystals lay scattered here and there, which, detached from the roof, had fallen to the ground; this, if apt to recur, would keep us inconstant peril. I examined some of the masses and discovered that theyhad been all recently separated, and therefore concluded that theconcussion of the air occasioned by the rockets had caused their fall. To satisfy ourselves, however, that there were no more piecestottering above us, we discharged our guns from the entrance, andwatched the effect. Nothing more fell--our magnificent abode was safe. 

We returned to Falconhurst with minds full of wonder at our newdiscovery, and plans for turning it to the best possible advantage. 

Nothing was now talked of but the new house, how it should bearranged, how it should be fitted up. The safety and comfort ofFalconhurst, which had at first seemed so great, now dwindled away inour opinion to nothing; it should be kept up, we decided, merely as asummer residence, while our cave should be formed into a winter houseand impregnable castle. Our attention was now fully occupied with thisnew house. Light and air were to be admitted, so we hewed a row ofwindows in the rock, where we fitted the window cases we had broughtfrom the officers' cabins. We brought the door, too, from Falconhurst, and fitted it in the aperture we had made. The opening in the trunk ofthe tree I determined to conceal with bark, as less likely to attractthe notice of wild beasts or savages should they approach during ourabsence. The cave itself we divided into four parts: in front, a largecompartment into which the door opened, subdivided into our sitting, eating, and sleeping apartments; the right-hand division containingour kitchen and workshop, and the left our stables; behind all this, in the dark recesses of the cave, was our storehouse and powdermagazine. Having already undergone one rainy season, we knew well itsdiscomforts, and thought of many useful arrangements in the laying outof our dwelling, We did not intend to be again smoke-dried; wetherefore contrived a properly built fireplace and chimney; our stablearrangements, too, were better, and plenty of space was left in ourworkshop that we should not be hampered in even the most extensiveoperations. 

Our frequent residence at Tentholm revealed to us several importantadvantages which we had not foreseen. Numbers of splendid turtlesoften came ashore to deposit their eggs in the sand, and theirdelicious flesh afforded us many a sumptuous meal. When more than oneof these creatures appeared at a time, we used to cut off theirretreat to the sea, and, turning them on their backs, fasten them to astake driven in close by the water's edge, by a cord passed through ahole in their shell. We thus had fresh turtle continually within ourreach; for the animals throve well thus secured, and appeared in asgood condition, after having been kept thus for several weeks, asothers when freshly caught. Lobsters, crabs, and mussels also aboundedon the shore. But this was not all; an additional surprise awaited us. 

As we were one morning approaching Tentholm, we were attracted by amost curious phenomenon. The waters out at sea appeared agitated bysome unseen movement, and as they heaved and boiled, their surface, struck by the beams of the morning sun, seemed illuminated by flashesof fire. Over the water where this disturbance was taking placehovered hundreds of birds, screaming loudly, which ever and anon woulddart downward, some plunging beneath the water, some skimming thesurface. Then again they would rise and resume their harsh cries. Theshining, sparkling mass then rolled onward, and approached in a directline our bay, followed by the feathered flock above. We hurried downto the shore to examine further this strange sight. 

I was convinced as we approached that it was a shoal, or bank, ofherrings. 

No sooner did I give utterance to my conjecture than I was assailed bya host of questions concerning this herring-bank--what it was, andwhat occasioned it. 

"A herring-bank, " I said, "is composed of an immense number ofherrings swimming together. I can scarcely express to you the hugesize of this living bank, which extends over a great area many fathomsdeep. It is followed by numbers of great ravenous fish, who devourquantities of the herrings, while above hover birds, as you have justseen, ready to pounce down on stragglers near the top. To escape theseenemies, the shoal makes for the nearest shore, and seeks safety inthose shallows where the large fish cannot follow. But here it meetswith a third great enemy. It may escape from the fish, and elude thevigilance of sharp-sighted birds, but from the ingenuity of man it canfind no escape. In one year millions of these fish are caught, and yetthe roes of only a small number would be sufficient to supply as manyfish again. "

Soon our fishery was in operation. Jack and Fritz stood in the waterwith baskets, and baled out the fish, as one bales water with abucket, throwing them to us on the shore. As quickly as possible wecleaned them, and placed them in casks with salt, first a layer ofsalt, and then a layer of herrings, and so on, until we had ready manycasks of pickled fish. 

As the barrels were filled, we closed them carefully, and rolled themaway to the cool vaults at the back of our cave. 

Our good fortune, however, was not to end here. A day after theherring fishery was over, and the shoal had left our bay, a greatnumber of seals appeared, attracted by the refuse of the herringswhich we had thrown into the sea. Though I feared they would not besuitable for our table, we yet secured a score or two for the sake oftheir skins and fat. The skins we drew carefully off for harness andclothing, and the fat we boiled down for oil, which we put aside incasks for tanning, soap making, and burning in lamps. 

These occupations interfered for some time with our work at RockHouse; but as soon as possible we again returned to our labor withrenewed vigor. 

I had noticed that the salt crystals had for their base a species ofgypsum, which I knew might be made of great service to us in ourbuilding operations as plaster. 

As an experiment, I broke off some pieces, and, after subjecting themto great heat, reduced them to powder. The plaster this formed withwater was smooth and white, and as I had then no particular use towhich I might put it, I plastered over some of the herring casks, thatI might be perfectly certain that all air was excluded. The remainderof the casks I left as they were, for I presently intended to preservetheir contents by smoking. To do this, the boys and I built a smallhut of reeds and branches, and then we strung our herrings on linesacross the roof. On the floor we lit a great fire of brushwood andmoss, which threw out a dense smoke, curling in volumes round thefish, and they in a few days seemed perfectly cured. 

About a month after the appearance of the herrings, we were favored bya visit from other shoals of fish. Jack espied them first, and calledto us that a lot of young whales were off the coast. We ran down anddiscovered the bay apparently swarming with great sturgeon, salmon andtrout, all making for the mouth of Jackal River, that they mightascend it and deposit their spawn among the stones. 

Jack was delighted at his discovery. 

"Here are proper fish!" he exclaimed; "none of your paltry fry. How doyou preserve these sorts of fish? Potted, salted or smoked?"

"Not so fast, " said I, "not so fast; tell me how they are to becaught, and I will tell you how they are to be cooked. "

"Oh! I'll catch them fast enough, " he replied, and darted off to RockHouse. 

While I was still puzzling my brains as to how I should set to work, he returned with his fishing apparatus in hand; a bow and arrow, and aball of twine. 

At the arrowhead he had fastened a barbed spike, and had secured thearrow to the end of the string. Armed with this weapon, he advanced tothe river's edge. 

His arrow flew from the bow, and, to my surprise, struck one of thelargest fish in the side. 

"Help, father, help!" he cried, as the great fish darted off, carryingarrow and all with it; "help! or he will pull me into the water. "

I ran to his assistance, and together we struggled with the finnymonster. He pulled tremendously, and lashed the water around him; butwe held the cord fast, and he had no chance of escape. Weaker andweaker grew his struggles, and, at length, exhausted by his exertionsand loss of blood, he allowed us to draw him ashore. 

He was a noble prize, and Fritz and Ernest, who came up just as wecompleted his capture, were quite envious of Jack's success. Not to bebehind-hand, they eagerly rushed off for weapons themselves. 

We were soon all in the water, Fritz with a harpoon, Ernest with a rodand line, and I myself armed, like Neptune, with an iron trident, ormore properly speaking, perhaps, a pitchfork. Soon the shore wasstrewn with a goodly number of the finest fish--monster after monsterwe drew to land. At length Fritz, after harpooning a great sturgeonfull eight feet long, could not get the fish ashore; we all went tohis assistance, but our united efforts were unavailing. 

"The buffalo!" proposed my wife, and off went Jack for Storm. Stormwas harnessed to the harpoon rope, and soon the monstrous fish laypanting on the sand. 

We at length, when we had captured as many fish as we could possiblyutilize, set about cleaning and preparing their flesh. Some we salted, some we dried like the herrings, some we treated like the tunny of theMediterranean--we prepared them in oil. 

For two months we worked steadily at our salt-cave, in order tocomplete the necessary arrangement of partition walls, so as to putthe rooms and stalls for the animals in comfortable order for the nextlong rainy season. 

We leveled the floors first with clay; then spread gravel mixed withmelted gypsum over that, producing a smooth, hard surface, which didvery well for most of the apartments; but I was ambitious of havingone or two carpets, and set about making a kind of felt in thefollowing way:

I spread out a large piece of sailcloth, and covered it equally allover with a strong liquid, made of glue and isinglass, which saturatedit thoroughly. On it we then laid wool and hair from the sheep andgoats, which had been carefully cleaned and prepared, and rolled andbeat it until it adhered tolerably smoothly to the cloth. Finally itbecame, when perfectly dry, a covering for the floor of our sittingroom by no means to be despised. 

One morning, just after these labors at the salt-cave were completed, happening to awake unusually early, I turned my thoughts, as I laywaiting for sunrise, to considering what length of time we had nowpassed on this coast, and discovered, to my surprise, that the verynext day would be the anniversary of our escape from the wreck. Myheart swelled with gratitude to the gracious God, who had then grantedus deliverance, and ever since loaded us with benefits; and I resolvedto set to-morrow apart as a day of thanksgiving, in joyful celebrationof the occasion. 

My mind was full of indefinite plans when I rose, and the day's workbegan as usual. I took care that everything should be cleaned, cleared, and set in order both outside and inside our dwelling; none, however, suspecting that there was any particular object in view. Other more private preparations I also made for the next day. Atsupper I made the coming event known to the assembled family. 

"Good people, do you know that to-morrow is a very great and importantday? We shall have to keep it in honor of our merciful escape to thisland, and call it Thanksgiving Day. "

VII

THE BOA CONSTRICTOR

I was seated with my wife and Fritz beneath the shade of the veranda, engaged in wicker work, and chatting pleasantly, when suddenly Fritzgot up, advanced a step or two, gazing fixedly along the avenue whichled from Jackal River, and finally exclaimed:

"I see something so strange in the distance, father! What in the worldcan it be? First it seems to be drawn in coils on the ground like acable, then uprises as if it were a little mast, then that sinks, andthe coils move along again. It is coming toward the bridge. "

My wife took alarm at this description, and calling the other boys, retreated into the cave, where I desired them to close up theentrances, and keep watch with firearms at the upper windows. Thesewere openings we had made in the rock at some elevation, reachedwithin by steps, and a kind of gallery which passed along the front ofthe rooms. 

Fritz remained by me while I examined the object through my spyglass. 

"It is, as I feared, an enormous serpent!" cried I; "it advancesdirectly this way, and we shall be placed in the greatest possibledanger, for it will cross the bridge to a certainty. "

"May we not attack it, father?" exclaimed the brave boy. 

"Only with the greatest caution, " returned I; "it is far tooformidable, and too tenacious of life, for us rashly to attempt itsdestruction. Thank God, we are at Rockburg, where we can keep in saferetreat, while we watch for an opportunity to destroy this frightfulenemy. Go up to your mother now, and assist in preparing the firearms;I will join you directly, but I must further observe the monster'smovements. "

Fritz left me unwillingly, while I continued to watch the serpentwhich was of gigantic size, and already much too near the bridge toadmit of the possibility of removing that means of access to ourdwelling. I recollected, too, how easily it would pass through thewalls. The reptile advanced with writhing and undulatory movements, from time to time rearing its head to the height of fifteen or twentyfeet, and slowly turning it about, as though on the lookout for prey. 

As it crossed the bridge with a slow, suspicious motion, I withdrew, and hastily rejoined my little party, which was preparing to garrisonour fortress in warlike array, but with considerable trepidation, which my presence served in a measure to allay. 

We placed ourselves at the upper openings, after strongly barricadingeverything below, and, ourselves unseen, awaited with beating heartsthe further advance of the foe, which speedily became visible to us. 

Its movements appeared to become uncertain as though puzzled by thetrace of human habitation; it turned in different directions, coilingand uncoiling, and frequently rearing its head, but keeping about themiddle of the space in front of the cave, when suddenly, as thoughunable to resist doing so, one after another the boys fired, and eventheir mother discharged her gun. The shots took not the slightesteffect beyond startling the monster, whose movements were accelerated. Fritz and I also fired with steadier aim, but with the same want ofsuccess, for the monster, passing on with a gliding motion, enteredthe reedy marsh to the left, and entirely disappeared. 

A wonderful weight seemed lifted from our hearts, while all eagerlydiscussed the vast length and awful though magnificent appearance ofthe serpent. I had recognized it as the boa constrictor. It was a vastspecimen, upward of thirty feet in length. 

The near neighborhood of this terrific reptile occasioned me theutmost anxiety; and I desired that no one should leave the house onany pretense whatever, without my express permission. 

During three whole days we were kept in suspense and fear, not daringto stir above a few hundred steps from the door, although during allthat time the enemy showed no sign of his presence. 

In fact, we might have been induced to think the boa had passed acrossthe swamp, and found his way by some cleft or chasm through the wallof cliffs beyond, had not the restless behavior of our geese and ducksgiven proof that he still lurked in the thicket of reeds which theywere accustomed to make their nightly resting place. 

They swam anxiously about, and with much clapping of wings anddisturbed cackling showed their uneasiness; finally taking wing theycrossed the harbor, and took up their quarters on Shark Island. 

My embarrassment increased, as time passed on. I could not venture toattack with insufficient force a monstrous and formidable serpentconcealed in dense thickets amidst dangerous swamps; yet it wasdreadful to live in a state of blockade, cut off from all theimportant duties in which we were engaged, and shut up with ouranimals in the unnatural light of the cave, enduring constant anxietyand perturbation. 

Out of this painful state we were at last delivered by none other thanour good old simple-hearted donkey; not, however, by the exercise of apraise-worthy quality, but by sheer stupidity. 

Our situation was rendered the more critical from having no greatstock of provisions, or fodder for the animals; and the hay failing uson the evening of the third day, I determined to set them at libertyby sending them, under the guidance of Fritz, across the river at theford. 

He was to ride Lightfoot, and they were to be fastened together untilsafely over. 

Next morning we began to prepare for this by tying them in a line, andwhile so engaged my wife opened the door, when old Grizzle, who wasfresh and frolicsome after the long rest and regular feeding, suddenlybroke away from the halter, cut some awkward capers, then bolting out, careered at full gallop straight for the marsh. 

In vain we called him by name. Fritz would even have rushed after him, had not I held him back. In another moment the ass was close to thethicket, and with the cold shudder of horror, we beheld the snake rearitself from its lair, the fiery eyes glanced around, the dark, deadlyjaws opened widely, the forked tongue darted greedily forth--poorGrizzle's fate was sealed. 

Becoming aware on a sudden of his danger, he stopped short, spread outall four legs, and set up the most piteous and discordant bray thatever wrung echo from rocks. 

Swift and straight as a fencer's thrust, the destroyer was upon him, wound round him, entangled, enfolded, compressed him, all the whilecunningly avoiding the convulsive kicks of the agonized animal. 

A cry of horror arose from the spectators of this miserable tragedy. 

"Shoot him, father! oh, shoot him--do save poor Grizzle!"

"My children, it is impossible!" cried I. "Our old friend is lost tous forever! I have hopes, however, that when gorged with his prey wemay be able to attack the snake with some chance of success. "

"But the horrible wretch is never going to swallow him all at once, father?" cried Jack. "That will be too shocking!"

"Snakes have no grinders, but only fangs, therefore they cannot chewtheir food, and must swallow it whole. But although the idea isstartling, it is not really more shocking than the rending, tearing, and shedding of blood which occurs when the lions and tigers seizetheir prey. "

"But, " said Franz, "how can the snake separate the flesh from thebones without teeth? And is this kind of snake poisonous?"

"No, dear child, " said I, "only fearfully strong and ferocious. And ithas no need to tear the flesh from the bones. It swallows them, skin, hair, and all, and digests everything in its stomach. "

"It seems utterly impossible that the broad ribs, the strong legs, hoofs, and all, should go down that throat, " exclaimed Fritz. 

"Only see, " I replied, "how the monster deals with his victim; closerand more tightly he curls his crushing folds, the bones give way, heis kneading him into a shapeless mass. He will soon begin to gorge hisprey, and slowly but surely it will disappear down that distendedmaw!"

The mother, with little Franz, found the scene all too horrible, andhastened into the cave, trembling and distressed. 

To the rest of us there seemed a fearful fascination in the dreadfulsight, and we could not move from the spot. I expected that the boa, before swallowing his prey, would cover it with saliva, to aid in theoperation, although it struck me that its very slender forked tonguewas about the worst possible implement for such a purpose. 

It was evident to us, however, that this popular idea was erroneous. 

The act of lubricating the mass must have taken place during theprocess of swallowing; certainly nothing was applied beforehand. 

This wonderful performance lasted from seven in the morning untilnoon. When the awkward morsel was entirely swallowed, the serpent laystiff, distorted, and apparently insensible along the edge of themarsh. I felt that now or never was the moment for attack. 

Calling on my sons to maintain their courage and presence of mind, Ileft our retreat with a feeling of joyous emotion quite new to me, andapproached with rapid steps and leveled gun the outstretched form ofthe serpent. Fritz followed me closely. 

Jack, somewhat timidly, came several paces behind; while Ernest, aftera little hesitation, remained where he was. 

The monster's body was stiff and motionless, which made its rollingand fiery eyes, and the slow, spasmodic undulations of its tail morefearful by contrast. 

We fired together, and both balls entered the skull; the light of theeye was extinguished, and the only movement was in the furtherextremity of the body, which rolled, writhed, coiled, and lashed fromside to side. Advancing closer, we fired our pistols directly into itshead, a convulsive quiver ran through the mighty frame, and the boaconstrictor lay dead. 

As we raised a cry of victory, Jack, desirous of a share in the gloryof conquest, ran close to the creature, firing his pistol into itsside, when he was sent sprawling over and over by a movement of itstail, excited to a last galvanic effort by the shot. 

Being in no way hurt, he speedily recovered his feet, and declared hehad given it its quietus. 

"I hope the terrible noise you made just now was the signal ofvictory, " said my wife, drawing near, with the utmost circumspection, and holding Franz tightly by the hand. "I was half afraid to come, Iassure you. "

"See this dreadful creature dead at our feet; and let us thank Godthat we have been able to destroy such an enemy. "

"What's to be done with him now?" asked Jack. 

"Let us get him stuffed, " said Fritz, "and set him up in the museumamong our shells and corals. "

"Did anybody ever think of eating serpents?" inquired Franz. 

"Of course not!" said his mother. "Why, child, serpents are poisonous--it would be very dangerous. "

"Excuse me, my dear wife, " said I. "First of all, the boa is notpoisonous; and then, besides that, the flesh of even poisonous snakescan be eaten without danger; as, for instance, the rattlesnake, fromwhich can be made a strong and nourishing soup, tasting very like goodchicken broth--of course, the cook must be told to throw away thehead, containing the deadly fangs. "It is remarkable that pigs do notfear poisonous snakes, but can kill and eat them without injury. Aninstance of this occurs to my memory. A vessel on Lake Superior, inNorth America, was wrecked on a small island abounding inrattlesnakes, and for that reason uninhabited. 

"The vessel had a cargo of live pigs. The crew escaped to the mainlandin a boat, but the pigs had to be left for some time, till the ownercould return to fetch them, but with the small hope of finding manyleft alive. 

"To his surprise, the animals were not only alive, but remarkably fatand flourishing, while not a single rattlesnake remained on theisland. The pigs had clearly eaten the serpents. "

VIII

THE EXCURSION BY THE BOYS. THE TRAINING OF THE OSTRICH

The four boys at length became so weary of inaction, that I determinedto let them make an excursion alone on the Savannah. Three of themreceived this permission with eager delight, but Ernest said he wouldprefer to remain with us; to which, as the expedition was to beentirely one of pleasure, I could make no objection. 

Little Franz, on the other hand, whom I would willingly have kept withus, was wild to go with his brothers, and I was obliged to consent, asI had made the proposal open to all, and could not draw back. 

In the highest spirits they ran to bring their steeds (as we were fainto call the cattle they rode) from their pasturage at a shortdistance. Speedily were they saddled, bridled, and mounted---the threelads were ready to be off. 

We, who remained behind, passed the day in a variety of usefuloccupations. 

As evening approached, the bears' paws which were stewing for suppersent forth savory odors; and we sat talking round the fire, whilelistening anxiously for sounds heralding the return of our youngexplorers. 

At last the tramp and beat of hoofs struck our ears; the little troopappeared, crossing the open ground before us at a sharp trot, and ashrill ringing cheer greeted us as we rose and went to meet them. 

They sprang from their saddles, the animals were set at liberty torefresh themselves, and the riders eagerly came to exhibit theiracquisitions and give an account of themselves. 

Funny figures they cut! Franz and Jack had each a young kid slung onhis back, so that the four legs, tied together, stuck out under theirchins. 

Fritz's game bag looked remarkably queer--round lumps, sharp points, and an occasional movement seemed to indicate a living creature orcreatures within. 

"Hurrah for the chase, father!" cried Jack, "Nothing like real huntingafter all. And just to see how Storm and Grumble go along over agrassy plain! It is perfectly splendid! We soon tired out the littleantelopes, and were able to catch them. "

"Yes, father, " said Franz; "and Fritz has two Angora rabbits in hisbag, and we wanted to bring you some honey. Only think! such a cleverbird--a cuckoo, showed us where it was!"

"My brothers forget the chief thing, " said Fritz. "We had driven thelittle herd of antelopes right through the Gap into our territory; andthere they are, all ready for us to hunt when we like---or to catchand tame!"

"We had a splendid ride, " said Fritz, "down Glen Verdant, and away tothe defile through our Rocky Barrier, and the morning was so cool andfresh that our steeds galloped along, nearly the whole way, at the topof their speed. When we had passed through the Gap we moderated ourfurious pace and kept our eyes open on the lookout for game; we thentrotted slowly to the top of a grassy hill, from whose summit we sawtwo herds of animals, whether antelopes, goats, or gazelles, we didnot know, grazing by the side of the stream below us. We were about togallop down and try to get a shot at them, when it struck me that itwould be wiser to try and drive the whole herd through the Gap intoour own domain, where they would be shut up, as it were, in a park, free and yet within reach. Down the hill we rode as hard as we couldgo, formed in a semicircle behind the larger herd--magnificentantelopes--and, aided by the dogs, with shouts and cries drove themalong the stream toward the Gap; as we came near the opening theyappeared inclined to halt and turn, like sheep about to be driven intothe butcher's yard; and it was all we could do to prevent them frombolting past us; but at length one made a rush at the opening, and therest following, they were soon all on the other side of the frontier, and inhabitants of New Switzerland. 

"We stretched a long line right across the defile and strung on itfeathers and rags and all sorts of other things, which danced andfluttered in the wind, and looked so strange that I am perfectlycertain that the herd will never attempt to pass it. "

"Well done, " said I. "I am glad to see that you remember what you haveread. The antelopes are welcome to New Switzerland, but, my boy, " Iadded, "I cannot say the same for the rabbits you have here; theyincrease so rapidly that if you establish a colony of the littlewretches your next difficulty will be to get rid of them. "

"True, " he replied, "but my idea was to place them upon Whale Island, where they would find abundant food, and at the same time in no waytrouble us. May I not establish a warren there? It would be so useful. Do you know, my eagle caught these pretty little fellows for me? I sawa number of them running about and so unhooded him, and in a fewminutes he brought me three--one dead, with whose body I rewarded him, and these two here, unhurt. "

"Now, father, " said Jack, interrupting him, "do listen to me and hearmy story, or else Fritz will begin upon my adventures and tire you outwith his rigmarole descriptions. "

"Certainly, Jack, " I said, "I am quite ready to listen to you. Firstand foremost, how did you bring down those beautiful little animalsyou have there?"

"Oh, we galloped them down. The dogs sniffed about in the grass whileFritz was away after the rabbits, out popped those little fawns, andaway they went bounding and skipping, at the rate of thirty miles anhour, with Storm, Grumble, and the dogs at their heels. In about aquarter of an hour we had left the dogs behind and were close upon ourprey. Down went the little creatures in the grass, and, overcome withterror and fatigue, were at our mercy. So we shouted to Fritz, and--"

"My dear boy, " said I, "according to your statement, Fritz must havebeen seven miles and a half off. "

"Oh, well, father, perhaps we did not ride for quite a quarter of anhour, and, of course, I can't say exactly how fast we were going; andthen, you see, the fawns did not run in a straight line; at any rateFritz heard us, and he and Franz and I leashed the legs of the prettycreatures, and then we mounted again, and presently saw a wretch of acuckoo, who led us ever so far out of our course by cuckooing andmaking faces at us, and then hopping away. Franz declared it must bean enchanted princess, and so I thought I would rid it of its spell;but Fritz stopped me shooting it, and said it was a 'Honey Indicator, 'and that it was leading us probably to a bees' byke, so we spared itslife, and presently, sure enough, it stopped close by a bees' nest ina hollow tree. This was capital, we thought, and, as we were in agreat hurry to taste the honey, I threw in a lot of lighted lucifermatches, but somehow it did not kill the bees at all, but only madethem awfully angry, and they flew out in a body and stung me all over. I rushed to Storm and sprang on his back, but, though I galloped awayfor bare life, it was an age before I got rid of the little wretches, and now my face is in a perfect fever. I think I will get mother tobathe it for me;" and off rushed the noisy boy, leaving Fritz and meto see to the fawns and examine the rabbits. With these latter Idetermined to do as Fritz proposed, namely, to colonize Whale Island. I was all the more willing to do this because I had been consideringthe advisability of establishing on that island a fortress to which wemight retreat in any extreme danger, and where we should be verythankful, in case of such a retreat, to possess means of obtaining aconstant supply of animal food. 

I ministered to the wants of the antelopes, and just then the mothersummoned us to dinner. 

The principal dish in this meal consisted of bears' paws--most savorysmelling delicacies, so tempting that their close resemblance to humanhands, and even the roguish "Fee-fo-fum" from Jack, did not prevent asingle member of the family from enjoying them most heartily. 

Supper over, we lit our watch fire, retired to our tent, and sleptsoundly. 

We had been working very diligently; the bears' meat was smoked, thefat melted down and stored, and a large supply of bamboos collected. But I wished to make yet another excursion, and at early dawn Iaroused the boys. 

Fritz mounted the mule, I rode Lightfoot, Jack and Franz took theirusual steeds, and, with the two dogs, we galloped off--first to visitthe euphorbia to collect the gum, and then to discover whether anostrich which we had found previously had deserted her eggs in thesand. Ernest watched us depart without the slightest look or sigh ofregret, and returned to the tent to assist his mother and study hisbooks. 

Our steeds carried us down the Green Valley at a rapid rate, and wefollowed the direction we had pursued on our former expedition. Wesoon reached Turtle Marsh, and then filling our water flasks, wearrived at the rising ground. 

As Jack and Franz wanted to gallop, I allowed them to press forward, while Fritz and I visited the euphorbia trees. A quantity of the redgum had exuded from the incisions I had made, and as this hadcoagulated in the sun, I rolled it into little balls and stored it ina bamboo jar I had brought with me for the purpose. 

As we rode after the boys, who were some way ahead, Fritz remarked:

"Did you not tell me that the juice of that tree was poisonous, father; why have you collected such a quantity?"

"I did indeed say so, " I replied; "it is a most deadly poison. Theinhabitants of the Cape of Good Hope use it to poison the springswhere wild animals assemble to quench their thirst; and they thusslaughter an immense number of the creatures for the sake of theirhides. I intend, however, to use it to destroy the apes should theyagain commit depredations, and also in preparing the skins of animalsto protect them from the attacks of insects. "

The two boys were still at some distance from us, when suddenly fourmagnificent ostriches rose from the sand where they had been sitting. 

Jack and Franz perceived them, and, with a great shout, drove themtoward us. In front ran a splendid male bird, his feathers of shiningblack, and his great tail plume waving. Three females of an ashen graycolor followed him. They approached us with incredible swiftness, andwere within gunshot before they perceived us. Fritz had had theforethought to bind up the beak of his eagle so that, should he bringdown an ostrich, he might be unable to injure it. 

He now threw up the falcon, which, towering upward, swooped down uponthe head of the foremost bird, and so confused and alarmed him, thathe could not defend himself nor continue his flight. So greatly washis speed checked that Jack overtook him, and hurling his lasso, enfolded his wings and legs in its deadly coils and brought him to theground. The other ostriches were almost out of sight, so leaving themto their own devices, we leaped from our steeds and attempted toapproach the captured bird. He struggled fearfully, and kicked withsuch violence, right and left, that I almost despaired of getting himhome alive. 

It occurred to me, however, that if we could cover his eyes, his furymight be subdued. I instantly acted upon this idea, and flung over hishead my coat and hunting bag, which effectually shut out the light. 

No sooner had I done this than his struggles ceased, and we were ableto approach. We first secured round his body a broad strip ofsealskin, on each side of which I fastened a stout piece of cord, thatI might be able to lead him easily. Then fastening another cord in aloop round his legs that he might he prevented from breaking into agallop, we released him from the coils of the lasso. 

"Do you know, " said I to the boys, "how the natives of India secure anewly captured elephant?"

"Oh, yes!" said Fritz; "they fasten him between two tame elephants. We'll do that to this fine fellow, and tame him double quick. "

"The only difficulty will be, " remarked Jack, "that we have no tameostriches. However, I daresay Storm and Grumble will have no objectionto perform their part, and it will puzzle even this great monster torun away with them. "

So we at once began operations. Storm and Grumble were led up oneither side of the recumbent ostrich, and the cords secured to theirgirths. Jack and Franz, each armed with a stout whip, mounted theirrespective steeds, the wrappers were removed from the bird's eyes, andwe stood by to watch what would next occur. 

For some moments after the return of his sight he lay perfectly still, then he rose with a bound, and, not aware of the cords which hamperedhim, attempted to dash forward. The thongs were stout, and he wasbrought to his knees. A fruitless struggle ensued, and at length, seeming to accommodate himself to circumstances, he set off at a sharptrot, his guards making the air reecho with their merry shouts. Thesecries stimulated the ostrich to yet further exertions, but he was atlength brought to a stand by the determined refusal of his four-footedcompanions to continue such a race across loose sand. 

The boys having enjoyed the long run, I told them to walk with theprisoner slowly home, while Fritz and I returned to examine theostrich's nest. The eggs were quite warm, and I was certain that themother had quite recently left the nest; leaving about half, I packedthe rest of the eggs in a large bag I had brought for the purpose, andslung it carefully on the saddle before me. We soon caught up ouradvance guard, and without other notable incident reached our tent. 

Astonishment and dismay were depicted on the face of the mother as weapproached. 

"My dear husband, " she exclaimed, "do you think our provisions soabundant that you must scour the deserts to find some great beast toassist us to devour them? You must discover an iron mine next, foriron is what ostriches chiefly live on, is it not? Oh! I do wish youwould be content with the menagerie you have already collected, instead of bringing in a specimen of every beast you come across. Andthis is such a useless monster!"

"Useless! mother, " exclaimed Jack; "you would not say so had you seenhim run; why, he will be the fleetest courser in our stables. I amgoing to make a saddle and bridle for him, and in future he shall bemy only steed. Then as for his appetite, father declares it is mostdelicate; he only wants a little fruit and grass, and a few stones andtenpenny nails to help his digestion. "

The way in which Jack assumed the proprietorship of our new prizeseemed to strike his brothers as rather cool, and there was instantlya cry raised on the subject. 

"Very well, " said Jack, "let us each take possession of the part ofthe ostrich we captured. Your bird, Fritz, seized the head, so you maykeep that; father shall have the body, I'll have the legs, and Franz acouple of feathers from the tail. "

"Come, come, " said I, "I think that Jack has a very good right to theostrich, seeing that he brought it to the ground; and if he succeedsin taming it and converting it into a saddle horse it shall be his. From this time, therefore, he is responsible for its training. "

The day was now too far advanced to allow us to think of setting outfor Rockburg, so we fastened up the ostrich between two trees, anddevoted the remainder of the evening to making preparations for ourdeparture. 

At early dawn our picturesque caravan was moving homeward. The ostrichcontinued so refractory that we were obliged to make him again marchbetween Storm and Grumble, and as these gallant steeds were thusemployed, the cow was harnessed to the cart, laden with our treasures. Room was left in the cart for the mother, Jack and Franz mounted Stormand Grumble, I rode Lightfoot, and Fritz brought up the rear on Swift. 

At the mouth of the Gap we called a halt, and replaced the cord theboys had strung with ostrich feathers by a stout palisade of bamboos. I also took the opportunity of collecting a store of pipe clay, as Iintended during the winter months, which were close at hand, to try myhand at china making. 

When we reached the sugar-cane grove, we again stopped to collect thepeccary hams we had left to be smoked; and my wife begged me to gathersome seeds of an aromatic plant which grew in the neighborhood, andwhich had the scent of vanilla. I obtained a good supply, and we movedforward toward Woodlands, where we intended to rest for the night, after our long and fatiguing march. 

Our tent was pitched, and on our beds of cotton we slept soundly. 

Next morning early we examined our farmyard, which appeared in a mostprosperous and flourishing condition. The sight of all these domesticanimals made us long even more than ever for our home at Rockburg, andwe determined to hasten thither with all possible speed. 

The number of our pigs, goats, and poultry had greatly increased sincewe had last visited our colony; and some of these, two fine broods ofchickens especially, my wife wished to take back with her. 

We found that the herd of antelopes, which Fritz and Jack had driventhrough the Gap, had taken up their abode in the neighborhood, andseveral times we saw the beautiful animals browsing among the trees. While at the farm, we repaired both the animals' stall and ourdwelling room, that the former might be more secure against theattacks of wild beasts, and the latter fitted for our accommodationwhen we should visit the spot. 

Everything at length being satisfactorily arranged, we again retiredto rest, and early next morning completed our journey to Rockburg. 

By midday we were once more settled at home. Windows and doors werethrown open to admit fresh air; the animals established in theirstalls; and the cart's miscellaneous cargo discharged and arranged. As much time as I could spare, I devoted to the ostrich, whom wefastened, for the present, between two bamboo posts in front of ourdwelling. 

I then turned my attention to the eggs we had brought, which Idetermined to hatch, if possible, by artificial heat. For this purposeI arranged a stove, which I maintained at a uniform temperature, andon it I placed the eggs, carefully wrapped in cotton wool. 

Next morning Fritz and I went off in the boat, first to Whale Island, there to establish our colonists, the Angora rabbits, and then toShark Island, where we placed the dainty little antelopes. Having madethem happy with their liberty and abundance of food, we returned asquickly as possible to cure the bearskins, and add the provisions wehad brought to the stores lying in our cellar. 

As we returned, we caught up Jack, making his way in great glee towardRockburg. He was carrying, in a basket, an immense eel, which he andErnest had secured. 

Ernest had set, on the previous night, a couple of lines; one had beendragged away, but on the other they found this splendid fellow. 

It proved delicious. Half was prepared for dinner, and the other halfsalted and stowed away. 

We now, for a short time, again turned our attention to our dutiesabout the house. 

Thinking that the veranda would be greatly improved by some creepers, I sowed, round the foot of each bamboo pillar, vanilla and pepperseed, as well as that of other creeping plants, which would not onlygive the house a pleasanter aspect, but also afford us shade duringthe summer months. Despite all our efforts, the ostrich appeared asuntameable as ever. I determined, therefore, to adopt a plan which hadsubdued the refractory eagle. 

The effect of the tobacco fumes almost alarmed me. The ostrich sank tothe ground and lay motionless. Slowly, at length, he arose, and pacedup and down between the bamboo posts. 

He was subdued, but to my dismay resolutely refused all food. I fearedhe would die; for three days he pined, growing weaker and weaker eachday. 

"Food he must have!" said I to my wife; "food he must have!"

The mother determined to attempt an experiment. She prepared balls ofmaize flour, mixed with butter. One of these she placed within thebird's beak. He swallowed it, and stretched out his long neck, lookinginquiringly for a second mouthful. A second, third, and fourth ballfollowed the first. His appetite returned, and his strength cameagain. 

All the wild nature of the bird had gone, and I saw with delight thatwe might begin his education as soon as we chose. Rice, guavas, maize, and corn he ate readily--washing it down, as Jack expressed it, withsmall pebbles, to the great surprise of Franz, to whom I explainedthat the ostrich was merely following the instinct common to allbirds; that he required these pebbles to digest his food, just assmaller birds require gravel. 

After a month of careful training, our captive would trot, gallop, obey the sound of our voice, feed from our hand; and, in fact, showedhimself perfectly docile. Now our ingenuity was taxed to the utmost. How were we to saddle and bridle a bird? First, for a bit for hisbeak. Vague ideas passed through my mind, but every one I was obligedto reject. 

[Illustration JACK AND THE OSTRICH]

A plan at length occurred to me. I recollected the effect of light andits absence upon the ostrich, how his movements were checked by suddendarkness, and how, with the light, power returned to his limbs. 

I immediately constructed a leathern hood, to reach from the neck tothe beak, cutting holes in it for the eyes and ears. 

Over the eyeholes I contrived square flaps or blinkers, which were soarranged with whalebone springs that they closed tightly ofthemselves. The reins were connected with these blinkers, so that theflaps might be raised or allowed to close at the rider's pleasure. 

When both blinkers were open, the ostrich would gallop straight ahead;close his right eye and he turned to the left, close his left and heturned to the right, shut both and he stood stock-still. [Footnote:Ostriches actually may be managed in this way. ]

I was justly proud of my contrivance, but before I could really testits utility, I was obliged to make a saddle. 

After several failures, I succeeded in manufacturing one to my liking, and in properly securing it; it was something like an old-fashionedtrooper's saddle, peaked before and behind--for my great fear was lestthe boys should fall. This curious-looking contrivance I placed uponthe shoulders as near the neck as possible, and secured it with stronggirths round the wings and across the breast, to avoid all possibilityof the saddle slipping down the bird's sloping back. 

I soon saw that my plan would succeed, though skill and considerablepractice were necessary in the use of my patent bridle. It wasdifficult to remember that to check the courser's speed it wasnecessary to slacken rein, and that the tighter the reins were drawn, the faster he would fly. We at length, however, all learned to manageMaster Hurricane, and the distance between Rockburg and Falconhurstwas traversed in an almost incredibly short space of time. 

IX

THE CAJACK

The rainy season having set in, we were compelled to give up our dailyexcursions. 

Even in the spacious house which we now occupied, and with our variedand interesting employments, we yet found the time dragging heavily. The spirits of all were depressed, and even occasional rapid rides, during a partial cessation of the rain, failed permanently to arousethem. Fritz, as well as I, had perceived this, and he said to me:

"Why, father, should we not make a canoe, something swifter and moremanageable than those vessels we as yet possess? I often long for alight skiff, in which I might skim over the surface of the water. "

The idea delighted all hands; but the mother, who was never happy whenwe were on the sea, declared that our chances of drowning were, withthe pinnace, already sufficiently great, and that there was not theslightest necessity for our adding to these chances by constructinganother craft which would tempt us out upon the perfidious element. Mywife's fears were, however, speedily allayed, for I assured her thatthe boat I intended to construct should be no flimsy cockleshell, butas safe and stout a craft as ever floated upon the sea. TheGreenlander's cajack I intended to be my model, and I resolved notonly to occupy the children, but also to produce a strong andserviceable canoe--a masterpiece of art. The boys were interested, andthe boat building was soon in operation. We constructed the skeletonof whalebone, using split bamboo canes to strengthen the sides andalso to form the deck, which extended the whole length of the boat, leaving merely a square hole in which the occupant of the canoe mightsit. 

The work engrossed our attention most entirely, and by the time it wascomplete the rain had passed away and the glorious sun again shonebrightly forth. 

Our front door was just wide enough to admit of the egress of ourboat, and we completed her construction in the open air. We quicklycased the sides and deck with sealskin, making all the seamsthoroughly water-tight with caoutchouc. 

The cajack was indeed a curious-looking craft, yet so light that shemight be lifted easily with one hand, and when at length we launchedher she bounded upon the water like an india-rubber ball. Fritz wasunanimously voted her rightful owner, but before his mother would hearof his entering the frail-looking skiff she declared she must contrivea swimming dress, that "should his boat receive a puncture from asharp rock or the dorsal fin of a fish and collapse, he might yet havea chance of saving his life. "

Though I did not consider the cajack quite the soap bubble the motherimagined it, I yet willingly agreed to assist her in the constructionof the dress. 

The garment we produced was most curious in appearance, and I must ownthat I doubted its efficiency. It was like a double waistcoat, made oflinen prepared with a solution of india rubber, the seams beinglikewise coated with caoutchouc, and the whole rendered perfectly air-tight. We so arranged it that one little hole was left, by means ofwhich air could be forced into the space between the outer coveringand the lining, and the dress inflated. 

Meanwhile I perceived with pleasure the rapid vegetation the climatewas producing. The seeds we had scattered had germinated, and were nowpromising magnificent crops. The veranda, too, was looking pleasantwith its gay and sweet-scented creepers, which were already aspiringto the summit of the pillars. The air was full of birds, the earthseemed teeming with life. 

The dress was at length completed, and Fritz one fine afternoonoffered publicly to prove it. We all assembled on the beach, the boygravely donned and inflated the garment, and, amid roars of laughterfrom his brothers, entered the water. Quickly and easily he paddledhimself across the bay toward Shark Island, whither we followed in oneof our boats. 

The experiment was most successful, and Ernest, Jack, and Franz, inspite of their laughter at their brother's garment, begged theirmother to make for each of them a similar dress. 

While on the island we paid a visit to the colonists whom we hadestablished there the previous autumn. All were well; we couldperceive by the footprints that the antelopes had discovered and madeuse of the shelter we had erected for them, and feeling that we coulddo nothing more we scattered handfuls of maize and salt, and strolledacross to the other side of the island. The shore was covered withlovely shells, many of which, with beautiful pieces of delicate coral, the boys collected for their museum; strewn by the edge of the water, too, lay a great quantity of seaweed of various colors, and as themother declared that much of it was of use, the boys assisted her tocollect it and store it in the boat. As we pulled back to the land Iwas surprised to see that my wife chose from among the seaweed anumber of curious leaves with edges notched like a saw. When wereached home she carefully washed these and dried them in the oven. There was evidently something mysterious about this preparation, andmy curiosity at length prompted me to make an attempt to discover thesecret. 

"Are these leaves to form a substitute for tobacco?" said I; "do youso long for its refreshing smell?"

My wife smiled, for her dislike to tobacco was well known, and sheanswered in the same jocular tone: "Do you not think that a mattressstuffed with these leaves would be very cool in summer?"

The twinkle in her eyes showed me that my curiosity must still remainunsatisfied, but it nevertheless became greater than ever. 

The boys and I had one day made a long and fatiguing expedition, and, tired out, we flung ourselves down in the veranda. As we lay thereresting, we heard the mother's voice. 

"Could any of you enjoy a little jelly?"

She presently appeared, bearing a porcelain dish laden with mostlovely transparent jelly. Cut with a spoon and laid before us itquivered and glittered in the light. "Ambrosia!" exclaimed Fritz, tasting it. It was indeed delicious, and, still marveling from whencethe mother could have obtained a dish so rare, we disposed of all thatshe had set before us. 

"Aha, " laughed the mother, "is not this an excellent substitute fortobacco, far more refreshing than the nasty weed itself? Behold theproduct of my mysterious seaweed. "

"My dear wife, " exclaimed I, "this dish is indeed a masterpiece ofculinary art, but where had you met with it? What put it into yourhead?"

"While staying with my Dutch friends at the Cape, " replied she, "Ioften saw it, and at once recognized the leaves on Shark Island. Onceknowing the secret, the preparation of the dish is extremely simple;the leaves are soaked in water, fresh every day, for a week, and thenboiled for a few hours with orange juice, citron, and sugar. "

At last came the day when Fritz was to make his trial trip with thecajack. Completely equipped in swimming costume--trousers, jacket andcap--it was most ludicrous to see him cower down in the canoe and puffand blow till he began to swell like the frog in the fable. 

All trace of his original figure was speedily lost, and shouts oflaughter greeted his comical appearance. Even his mother could notresist a smile, although the dress was her invention. 

I got the other boat out, that my wife might see we were ready to goto his assistance the moment it became necessary. 

The cajack was launched from a convenient shelving point, and floatedlightly on the sea-green ocean mirror. Fritz with his paddles thenbegan to practice all manner of evolutions; darting along with arrowyswiftness, wheeling to the right, then to the left; and at last, flinging himself quite on his side, while his mother uttered a shriekof terror, he showed that the tiny craft would neither capsize norsink. Then, recovering his balance, he sped securely on his furtherway. 

Encouraged by our shouts of approbation, he now boldly ventured intothe strong current of Jackal River, and was rapidly carried out tosea. 

This being more than I had bargained for, I lost no time in givingchase in the boat, with Ernest and Jack; my wife urging us to greaterspeed, and declaring that some accident could not fail to happen to"that horrid soap bubble. "

We soon arrived outside the bay, at the rocks where formerly lay thewreck, and gazed in all directions for signs of the runaway. 

After a time we saw, at a considerable distance, a faint puff ofsmoke, which was followed by the crack of a pistol. Upon this we fireda signal shot, which was presently answered by another, and, steeringin the direction of the sound, we soon heard the boy's cheery halloo;the cajack darted from behind a point of land, and we quickly joinedcompany. 

"Come to this rocky beach, " cried Fritz; "I have something to showyou. "

With blank amazement we beheld a fine, well-grown young walrus, harpooned and quite dead. 

"Did you kill this creature, my dear Fritz?" I exclaimed, lookinground in some anxiety, and half expecting to see a naked savage cometo claim the prize. 

"To be sure, father! don't you see my harpoon?"

I wished Fritz to keep close to us, that we might all arrive together;but I yielded to his earnest wish to return alone as he came; helonged to act as our avant-courrier, and announce our approach to hismother; so he was soon skimming away over the surface of the water, while we followed at a slower rate. 

[Illustration: THE WALRUS]

Black clouds meanwhile gathered thick and fast around us, and atremendous storm came on. Fritz was out of sight, and beyond ourreach. 

We buckled on the swimming belts, and firmly lashed ourselves to theboat, so that we might not be washed overboard by the towering seaswhich broke over it. 

The horizon was shrouded in darkness, fearful gusts of wind lashed theocean into foam, rain descended in torrents, while livid lightningglared athwart the gloom. Both my boys faced the danger nobly; and myfeelings of alarm were mingled with hope on finding how well the boatbehaved. 

The tempest swept on its way, and the sky began to clear as suddenlyas it had been overcast; yet the stormy waves continued for a longtime to threaten our frail bark with destruction, in spite of itsbuoyancy and steadiness. 

Yet I never lost hope for ourselves--all my fears were for Fritz; infact, I gave him up for lost, and my whole agonized heart arose inprayer for strength to say, "Thy will be done!"

At last we rounded the point, and once more entering Safety Bay, quickly drew near the little harbor. 

What was our surprise--our overwhelming delight--when there we saw themother with Fritz as well as her little boy, on their knees in prayerso earnest for our deliverance, that our approach was unperceived, until with cries of joy we attracted their notice. Then indeed ensueda happy meeting, and we gave thanks together for the mercy which hadspared our lives. 

Returning joyfully to Rockburg, we changed our drenched garments forwarm, dry clothes; and, seated at a comfortable meal, considered anddescribed at our ease the perils of the storm. 

Afterward, the head of the walrus was conveyed to our workshop, whereit underwent such a skilful and thorough process of cleaning, embalming, and drying, that ere long it was actually fixed on the prowof the cajack, and a most imposing appearance it presented. 

The strips of hide, when well tanned and prepared, made valuableleather. 

Much damage had been done by the late storm. The heavy rain hadflooded all the streams, and injured crops which should have beenhoused before the regular rainy season. The bridge over Jackal Riverwas partly broken down, and the water tanks and pipes all neededrepair. So our time was much occupied in restoring things to order. 

The return of the fishing season again gave us busy days. Large takesof salmon, sturgeon and herring rewarded our exertions, and ourstoreroom again assumed a well-stocked appearance. 

X

THE BOYS ON THE SECOND EXCURSION

Many quiet, uneventful days passed by, and I perceived that the boys, wearied by the routine of farm work at Rockburg, were longing for acruise in the yacht or an expedition into the woods, which wouldrefresh both mind and body. 

"Father, " said Fritz at length, "we want a quantity of hurdles, andhave scarcely any more bamboos of which to make them. Had we notbetter get a supply from Woodlands? And you said, too, the other day, that you wished you had some more of the fine clay; we might visit theGap at the same time. "

I had really no objection to propose; and it was shortly afterwardsettled that Fritz, Jack and Franz should start together; and thatErnest, who had no great desire to accompany his brothers, shouldremain with his mother and me, and assist in the construction of asugar mill, the erection of which I had long contemplated. 

They were ready to start, when I observed Jack quietly slip a basketcontaining several pigeons, under the packages in the cart. 

[Illustration: LATEST NEWS BY PIGEON POST]

The weather was exquisite; and, with exhortations to prudence andcaution from both me and their mother, the three lads started in thevery highest spirits. Storm and Grumble, as usual, drew the cart, andwere ridden by Fritz and Franz; while Hurry carried Jack swiftlyacross the bridge in advance of them, followed by Floss and Bruno, barking at his heels. 

The sugar mill occupied us for several days, and was made so much likeour other mills that I need not now describe it. 

On the evening of the first day, as we sat resting in the porch atRockburg, we naturally talked of the absentees, wondering and guessingwhat they might be about. 

Ernest looked rather mysterious, and hinted that he might have news ofthem next morning. 

Just then a bird alighted on the dovecot, and entered. I could notsee, in the failing light, whether it was one of our own pigeons or anintruder. Ernest started up, and said he would see that all was right. 

In a few minutes he returned with a scrap of paper in his hand. 

"News, father! The very latest news by pigeon post, mother!"

"Well done, boys! what a capital idea!" said I, and taking the note Iread:

"DEAREST PARENTS AND ERNEST:

"A brute of a hyena has killed a ram and two lambs. The dogs seizedit. Franz shot it. It is dead and skinned. We are all right. Love toall. "FRITZ. 

"WOODLANDS, 15th instant. "

"A true hunter's letter!" laughed I; "but what exciting news. Whendoes the next post come in, Ernest?"

"To-night, I hope, " said he, while his mother sighed, and doubted thevalue of such glimpses into the scenes of danger through which hersons were passing, declaring she would much rather wait and hear allabout it when she had them safe home again. 

Thus the winged letter-carriers kept us informed from day to day ofthe outline of adventures which were afterward more fully described. On approaching the farm at Woodlands, the boys were startled byhearing, as they thought, human laughter, repeated again and again;while, to their astonishment, the oxen testified the greatestuneasiness, the dogs growled and drew close to their masters, and theostrich fairly bolted with Jack into the rice swamp. The laughtercontinued, and the beasts became unmanageable. 

"Something is very far wrong!" cried Fritz. "I cannot leave theanimals; but while I unharness them, do you, Franz, take the dogs, andadvance cautiously to see what is the matter. "

Without a moment's hesitation, Franz made his way among the busheswith his gun, closely followed by the dogs; until, through an openingin the thicket, he could see, at a distance of about forty paces, anenormous hyena, in the most wonderful state of excitement; dancinground a lamb just killed, and uttering, from time to time, the ghastlyhysterical laughter which had pealed through the forest. 

The beast kept running backward and forward, rising on its hind legs, and then rapidly whirling round and round, nodding its head, and goingthrough most frantic and ludicrous antics. 

Franz kept his presence of mind very well; for he watched till, calming down, the hyena began with horrid growls to tear its prey; andthen, firing steadily both barrels, he broke its fore leg, and woundedit in the breast. 

Meanwhile Fritz, having unyoked the oxen and secured them to trees, hurried to his brother's assistance. The dogs and the dying hyena wereby this time engaged in mortal strife; but the latter, although itseverely wounded both Floss and Bruno, speedily succumbed, and wasdead when Fritz reached the spot. They raised a shout of triumph, which guided Jack to the scene of action; and their first care was forthe dogs, whose wounds they dressed before minutely examining thehyena. It was as large as a wild boar; long, stiff bristles formed amane on its neck, its color was gray marked with black, the teeth andjaws were of extraordinary strength, the thighs muscular and sinewy, the claws remarkably strong and sharp altogether. But for his woundshe would certainly have been more than a match for the dogs. 

After unloading the cart at the farm, the boys returned for thecarcass of the tiger-wolf, as it is sometimes called, and occupiedthemselves in skinning it during the remainder of the day, when, afterdispatching the carrier-pigeon to Rockburg, they retired to rest ontheir bearskin rugs, to dream of adventures past and future. 

The following day they devised no less a scheme than to survey theshores of Wood Lake, and place marks wherever the surrounding marshwas practicable, and might be crossed either to reach the water orleave it. 

Fritz in the cajack, and the boys on shore, carefully examined theground together; and when they found firm footing to the water's edge, the spot was indicated by planting a tall bamboo, bearing on high abundle of reeds and branches. 

They succeeded in capturing three young black swans, afterconsiderable resistance from the old ones. They were afterward broughtto Rockburg, and retained as ornaments to Safety Bay. The younghunters seemed to have lived very comfortably on peccary ham, cassavabread and fruit, and plenty of baked potatoes and milk. 

After collecting a supply of rice and cotton, they took their way toProspect Hill; "and, " said Fritz, as he afterward vividly describedthe dreadful scene there enacted, "when we entered the pine wood, wefound it in possession of troops of monkeys, who resolved to make ourpassage through it as disagreeable as possible, for they howled andchattered at us like demons, pelting us as hard as they could withpine cones. 

"They became so unbearable, that at last we fired a few shots rightand left among them; several bit the dust, the rest fled, and wecontinued our way in peace to Prospect Hill, but only to discover thehavoc the wretches had made there. 

"Would you believe it, father? The pleasant cottage had been overrunand ruined by apes just as Woodland was last summer! The most dreadfuldirt and disorder met our eyes wherever we turned, and we had hardwork to make the place fit for human habitation; and even then wepreferred the tent. I felt quite at a loss how to guard the farm forthe future; but seeing a bottle of the poisonous gum of the euphorbiain the tool chest, I devised a plan for the destruction of the apeswhich succeeded beyond my expectations. 

"I mixed poison with milk, bruised millet, and anything I thought themonkeys would eat, and put it in cocoanut shells, which I hung aboutin the trees, high enough to be out of reach of our own animals. Theevening was calm and lovely; the sea murmured in the distance, and therising moon shed a beauty over the landscape which we seemed neverbefore to have so admired and enjoyed. The summer night closed aroundus in all its solemn stillness, and our deepest feelings were touched;when suddenly the spell was broken by an outburst of the most hideousand discordant noises. As by one consent, every beast of the forestseemed to arise from its den, and utter its wild nocturnal cry. Snorting, snarling, and shrieking filled the wood beneath us. 

"From the hills echoed the mournful howl of jackals, answered by Fangsin the yard, who was backed up by the barking and yelping of hisfriends Floss and Bruno. Far away beyond the rocky fastnesses of theGap, sounded unearthly, hollow snortings and neighings, reminding oneof the strange cry of the hippopotamus; above these, occasional deepmajestic roaring made our hearts quail with the conviction that weheard the voices of lions and elephants. 

"Overawed and silent, we retired to rest, hoping to forget in sleepthe terrors of the midnight forest, but ere long the most fearfulcries in the adjoining woods gave notice that the apes were beginningto suffer from the poisoned repast prepared for them. 

"As our dogs could not remain silent amid the uproar and din, we hadnot a wink of sleep until the morning. It was late, therefore, when werose, and looked on the awful spectacle presented by the multitude ofdead monkeys and baboons thickly strewn under the trees round thefarm. I shall not tell you how many there were. I can only say, Iwished I had not found the poison, and we made all haste to clear awaythe dead bodies and the dangerous food, burying some deep in theearth, and carrying the rest to the shore, where we pitched them overthe rocks into the sea. That day we traveled on to the Gap. "

The same evening that the boys reached the rocky pass, a messengerpigeon arrived at Rockburg, bearing a note which concluded as follows:

"The barricade at the Gap is broken down. Everything laid waste as faras the sugar-brake, where the hut is knocked to pieces, and the fieldstrampled over by huge footmarks. Come to us, father--we are safe, butfeel we are no match for this unknown danger. "

I lost not an instant, but saddled Swift, late as it was, in order toride to the assistance of our boys, desiring Ernest to prepare thesmall cart, and follow me with his mother at daybreak, bringingeverything we should require for camping out for some days. 

The bright moonlight favored my journey, and my arrival at the Gapsurprised and delighted the boys, who did not expect me till the nextday. Early on the following morning I inspected the footprints andravages of the great unknown. The canebrake had, without doubt, beenvisited by an elephant. That great animal alone could have left suchtraces and committed such fearful ravages. Thick posts in thebarricade were snapped across like reeds; the trees in the vicinity, where we planned to build a cool summerhouse, were stripped of leavesand branches to a great height, but the worst mischief was done amongthe young sugar-cane plants, which were all either devoured ortrampled down and destroyed. 

It seemed to me that not one elephant, but a troop must have invadedour grounds. The tracks were very numerous, and the footprints ofvarious sizes; but, to my satisfaction, I saw that they could betraced not only from the Gap, but back to it in evidently equalnumbers. 

We did not, therefore, suppose that the mighty animals remained hiddenin the woods of our territory; but concluded that, after thisfreebooting incursion, they had withdrawn to their native wilds, where, by greatly increasing the strength of our ramparts, we hopedhenceforth to oblige them to remain. The mother and Ernest arrivednext day, and she rejoiced to find all well, making light of troddenfields and trampled sugar canes, since her sons were sound in life andlimb. 

A systematic scheme of defense was now elaborated, and the erection ofthe barricade occupied us for at least a month, as it was to be a firmand durable building, proof against all invasion. As our little tentwas unsuited to a long residence of this sort, I adopted Fritz's ideaof a Kamschatchan dwelling, and, to his great delight, forthwithcarried it out. 

Instead of planting four posts, on which to place a platform, we chosefour trees of equal size, which, in a very suitable place, grewexactly in a square, twelve or fourteen feet apart. Between these, atabout twenty feet from the ground we laid a flooring of beams andbamboo, smoothly and strongly planked. From this rose, on all foursides, walls of cane; the frame of the roof was covered so effectuallyby large pieces of bark that no rain could penetrate. The staircase tothis tree-cottage was simply a broad plank with bars nailed across itfor steps. The flooring projected like a balcony in front of theentrance door, and underneath, on the ground, we fitted up sheds forcattle and fowls. Various ornaments in Chinese or Japanese style wereadded to the roof and eaves, and a most convenient, cool, andpicturesque cottage, overhung and adorned by the graceful foliage ofthe trees, was the result of our ingenuity. 

I was pleased to find that the various birds taken by the boys duringthis excursion seemed likely to thrive; they were the first inmates ofthe new sheds, and even the black swans soon became tame and sociable. 

The day before our return to Rockburg, Fritz went again to the inlandregion beyond the river to obtain a large supply of young bananaplants, and the cacao fruit. He took the cajack and a bundle of reedsto float behind him as a raft to carry the fruit, plants, and anythingelse he might wish to bring back. 

In the evening he made his appearance, coming swiftly down stream. Hisbrothers rushed to meet him, each eager to see and help to land hiscargo. 

Securing the cajack, Fritz sprang toward us, his handsome face radiantwith pleasure, as he exhibited a beautiful waterfowl. 

Its plumage was rich purple, changing on the back to dark green; thelegs, feet, and a mark above the bill, bright red. This lovely bird Iconcluded to be the sultan cock described by Buffon, and as it wasgentle, we gladly received it among our domestic pets. Fritz gave astirring account of his exploring trip, having made his way far up theriver, between fertile plains and majestic forests of lofty trees, where the cries of vast numbers of birds, parrots, peacocks, guineafowls, and hundreds unknown to him, quite bewildered, and made himfeel giddy. 

[Illustration: HIPPOPOTAMUS]

"It was in the Buffalo Swamp, " continued he, "that I saw the splendidbirds you call sultan cocks, and I set my heart on catching one alive, which, as they seemed to have little fear of my approach, I managed bymeans of a wire snare. Farther on I saw a grove of mimosa trees, amongwhich from fifteen to twenty elephants were feeding peacefully on theleafy boughs, tearing down branches with their trunks and shoving theminto their mouths with one jerk, or bathing in the deep waters of themarsh for refreshment in the great heat. You cannot imagine the wildgrandeur of the scene! The river being very broad, I felt safe fromwild animals, and more than once saw splendid jaguars crouched on thebanks, their glossy skin glancing in the sunlight. 

"While considering if it would be simply fool-hardy to try a shot atone of these creatures, I was suddenly convinced that discretion isthe better part of valor, and urging my canoe into the center current, made a rapid retreat down the river. For just before me, in the calmdeep water of a sheltered bay where I was quietly floating, therearose a violent boiling, bubbling commotion, and for an instant Ithought a hot spring was going to burst forth. Instead of that, uprose the hideous head and gaping jaws of a hippopotamus, who, with ahoarse, terrific snort, seemed about to attack me. I can tell you Idid not wait to see the rest of him! a glimpse of his enormous mouthand its array of white gleaming tusks was quite enough. 'Right aboutface!' said I to myself, and shot down stream like an arrow, neverpausing till a bend in the river brought me within sight of the Gap, where I once more felt safe, and joyfully made my way back to youall. "

This narrative was of thrilling interest to us, proving the existenceof tribes of the most formidable animals beyond the rocky barrierwhich defended, in so providential a manner, the small and fertileterritory on which our lot was cast. 

During the absence of the adventurer we had been busily engaged inmaking preparations for our departure--and everything was packed upand ready by the morning after his return. 

After some hesitation I yielded to his great wish, which was to returnby sea in his cajack round Cape Disappointment, and so meet us atRockburg. He was much interested in examining the outlines of thecoast and the rugged precipices of the Cape. These were tenanted byvast flocks of sea fowl and birds of prey; while many varieties ofshrubs and plants, hitherto unknown to us, grew in the clefts andcrevices of the rocks, some of them diffusing a strong aromatic odor. Among the specimens he brought I recognized the caper plant, and, withstill greater pleasure, a shrub which was, I felt sure, the tea plantof China--it bore very pretty white flowers, and the leaves resembledmyrtle. 

Our land journey was effected without accident or adventure of anykind. 

XI

AFTER TEN YEARS

"We spend our years as a tale that is told, " said King David. 

These words recurred to me again and again as I reviewed ten years, ofwhich the story lay chronicled in the pages of my journal. 

Year followed year; chapter succeeded chapter; steadily, imperceptibly, time was passing away. 

The shade of sadness cast on my mind by retrospect of this kind wasdispelled by thoughts full of gratitude to God, for the welfare andhappiness of my beloved family during so long a period. I had causeespecially to rejoice in seeing our sons advance to manhood, strengthened by early training for lives of usefulness and activitywherever their lot might fall. 

And my great wish is, that young people who read this record of ourlives and adventures should learn from it how admirably suited is thepeaceful, industrious, and pious life of a cheerful united family, tothe formation of strong, pure, and manly character. 

None take a better place in the great national family, none arehappier or more beloved than those who go forth from such homes tofulfill new duties, and to gather fresh interests around them. 

Having given a detailed account of several years' residence in NewSwitzerland, as we liked to call our dominion, it is needless for meto continue what would exhaust the patience of the most long-suffering, by repeating monotonous narratives of exploring parties andhunting expeditions, wearisome descriptions of awkward inventions andclumsy machines, with an endless record of discoveries, more fit forthe pages of an encyclopedia than a book of family history. 

Yet before winding up with the concluding events, I may mention someinteresting facts illustrative of our exact position at the time thesetook place. 

Rockburg and Falconhurst continued to be our winter and summerheadquarters, and improvements were added which made them more andmore convenient, as well as attractive in appearance. 

The fountains, trellised verandas, and plantations round Rockburgcompletely changed the character of the residence, which, on accountof the heat and want of vegetation, had in former days been sodistasteful to my wife. Flowering creepers overhung the balconies andpillars; while shrubs and trees, both native and European, grewluxuriantly in groves of our planting. 

In the distance, Shark Island, now clothed with graceful palms, guarded the entrance to Safety Bay, the battery and flagstaffprominently visible on its crested rock. 

The swamp, cleared and drained, was now a considerable lake, with justmarsh and reeds enough beyond it to form good cover for the waterfowlwhose favorite retreat it was. 

On its blue waters sailed stately black swans, snow-white geese, andrichly colored ducks; while out and in among the water plants andrushes would appear at intervals glimpses of the brilliant sultan, marsh-fowl, crimson flamingoes, soft, blue-gray, demoiselle cranes, and crested heron, all associating in harmony, and with no fear of us, their masters. 

Beneath the spreading trees, and through the aromatic shrubberies, oldHurry, the ostrich, was usually to be seen marching about, with graveand dignified pace, as though monarch of all he surveyed. Everyvariety of beautiful pigeon nested in the rocks and dovecots, theirsoft cooing and glossy plumage making them favorite household pets. 

By the bridge alone could Rockburg be approached; for higher up theriver, where, near the cascade, it was fordable, a dense andimpenetrable thicket of orange and lemon trees, Indian figs, pricklypears, and all manner of thorn-bearing shrubs, planted by us, nowformed a complete barrier. 

The rabbit warren on Shark Island kept us well supplied with food, aswell as soft and useful fur; and, as the antelopes did not thrive onWhale Isle, they also were placed among the shady groves with therabbits, and their own island was devoted to such work as candlemaking, tanning, wool cleaning, and any other needful but offensiveoperations. 

The farm at Woodlands nourished, and our flocks and herds supplied uswith mutton, beef, and veal, while my wife's dairy was almost morethan she could manage. 

My boys retained their old love for giving names to the animals. Theyhad a beautiful creamy-white cow called Blanche, and a bull with suchtremendous voice that he received the name of Stentor. Two fleet youngonagers were named Arrow and Dart; and Jack had a descendant of hisold favorite Fangs, the jackal, which he chose to call Coco, assertingthat no word could be distinguished at a distance without the letter"o" in it, giving illustrations of his theory till our ears werealmost deafened. 

Excellent health had been enjoyed by us all during these ten years, though my wife occasionally suffered from slight attacks of fever, andthe boys sometimes met with little accidents. 

Although so many years had elapsed in total seclusion, it continued tobe my strong impression that we should one day be restored to thesociety of our fellow-men. 

But time, which was bringing our sons to manhood, was also carryingtheir parents onward to old age; and anxious, gloomy thoughts relatingto their future, should they be left indeed alone, sometimes oppressedmy heart. 

My elder sons often made expeditions of which we knew nothing untiltheir return after many hours; when any uneasiness I might have feltwas dissipated by their joyous appearance, and reproof always diedaway on my lips. 

Fritz had been absent one whole day from Rockburg, and not untilevening did we remark that his cajack was gone, and that he must beout at sea. 

Anxious to see him return before nightfall, I went off to Shark Islandwith Ernest and Jack, in order to look out for him from the watchtower there, at the same time hoisting our signal flag, and loadingthe gun. 

Long we gazed across the expanse of ocean glittering in the levelbeams of the setting sun, and finally discerned a small black speck inthe distance, which, by the telescope, was proved to be the returningwanderer. 

I remarked that his skiff sailed at a slower rate than usual towardthe shore. The cannon was fired to let him know that his approach wasobserved, and then we joyfully hurried back to receive him at theharbor. 

It was easy to see, as he drew near, what had delayed his progress. The cajack towed a large sack, besides being heavily laden. 

"Welcome, Fritz!" I cried. "Welcome back, wherever you come from, andwhatever you bring. You seem to have quite a cargo there!"

"Yes, and my trip has led to discoveries as well as booty, " answeredhe; "interesting discoveries which will tempt us again in the samedirection. Come, boys, let's carry up the things. "

As soon as possible all assembled round him. "Ever since I possessedthe cajack it has been my ambition to make a voyage of discovery alongthe coast, which we have never explored beyond the point at which Ikilled the walrus. "This morning dawned magnificently; the calm sea, the gentle breeze, all drew me irresistibly to the fulfilment of mypurpose. 

"I left the harbor unperceived, the current quickly bore me out tosea, and I rounded the point to the left, passing just over the spotwhere, beneath the waves, lie the guns, cannon balls, ironwork, andall that was indestructible about our good old wreck. And would youbelieve it? Through the glassy clear water, undisturbed by a ripple, Iactually saw many such things strewn on the flat rocky bottom. 

"Pursuing my way, I passed among rugged cliffs and rocks which juttedout from the shore, or rose in rugged masses from the water. Myriadsof sea fowl inhabited the most inaccessible of these, while on thelower ridges, seals, sea bears, and walruses were to be seen, somebasking lazily in the sun, some plunging into the water, or emergingawkwardly from it, hoisting their unwieldy bodies up the rocks bymeans of their tusks. 

"I must confess to feeling anything but comfortable while goingthrough places held in possession by these monsters of the deep, andused every effort to pass quickly and unnoticed. Yet it was more thanan hour and a half before I got clear of the rocks, cliffs, and shoalsto which they resorted, and neared a high and precipitous cape, running far out to sea. Right opposite to me, in the side of thisrocky wall, was a magnificent archway, forming, as it first appearedto me, a lofty entrance to an immense vaulted cavern, I passed beneaththis noble portal and examined the interior. It was tenanted bynumbers of a small species of swallow, scarcely larger than a wren, and the walls were covered by thousands of their nests. They wererudely built, and their peculiarity was that each rested on a kind ofplatform, something like a spoon without the handle, I detached anumber, and found that they had a curious appearance, seemingly madeof something fibrous and gelatinous, and more like a set of sponges, corals, or fungi, than nests of birds, I have brought them home in myfishing net. "

"When placed in water and well soaked, " I said, "they soften andswell, and are made into soup of very strengthening and restorativequality. "

"After laying in my store of nests, " continued Fritz, "I pursued myway through this vaulted cave or corridor; which, presently turning, opened into a very lovely bay, so calm and lake-like, that, althoughof considerable size, I concluded at once it must be nearly landlocked. Its shores, beyond the rocky boundary through which Ipenetrated, extended in a fertile plain toward what seemed the mouthof a river, beyond which lay rough, and probably marshy, ground, and adense forest of cedars, which closed the view. 

"The water beneath me was clear as crystal; and, gazing into itsdepths and shallows, I perceived beds of shellfish, like largeoysters, attached to the rocks and to each other by tufts of hairyfilaments. 

"'If these are oysters, ' thought I, 'they must be better worth eating, as far as size goes, than our little friends in Safety Bay, ' andthereupon I hooked up several clusters with my boat hook, and landingsoon after on the beach, I flung them on the sand, resolving to fetchanother load, and then tow them after me in the fishing-net. 

"The hot sun disagreed with their constitution, I suppose; for when Icame back the shells were all gaping wide open; so I began to examinethem, thinking that after all they were probably much less delicatethan the small oysters we have learnt to like so much. 

"Somehow, when a thing is to be 'examined, ' one generally needs aknife. The blade met with resistance here and there in the creature'sbody; and still closer 'examination' produced from it several pearlyballs like peas, of different sizes. Do you think they can be pearls?I have a number here in a box. "

"Oh, show them to us, Fritz!" cried the boys. "What pretty shiningthings! and how delicately rounded, and how softly they gleam!"

"You have discovered treasure, indeed!" I exclaimed; "why these aremost beautiful pearls! Valueless, certainly, under presentcircumstances; but they may prove a source of wealth, should we everagain come into contact with the civilized world. We must visit yourpearl-oyster beds at the earliest opportunity. "

"After resting for some time, and refreshing myself with food, "pursued Fritz, "I resumed my survey of the coast, my progress somewhatimpeded by the bag of shellfish, which I drew after me; but Iproceeded without accident past the mouth of the stream to the furtherside of the bay, which was there inclosed by a point corresponding tothat through which I had entered; and between these headlands I founda line of reefs and sandbanks, with but a single channel leading outto the open sea; from which, therefore, Pearl Bay, as I named it, liescompletely sheltered. 

"The tide was setting strongly in shore, so that I could not thenattempt a passage through it, but examined the crags of the headland, thinking I might perchance discover a second vaulted archway. I sawnothing remarkable, however, but thousands of sea fowl of every sortand kind, from the gull and sea swallow to the mighty albatross. 

"My approach was evidently regarded as an invasion and trespass; forthey regularly beset me, screaming and wheeling over my head, till, out of all patience, I stood up, and hit furiously about me with theboat hook; when, rather to my surprise, one blow struck an albatrosswith such force, that he fell stunned into the water. 

"I now once more attempted to cross the reef by the narrow channel, and happily succeeding, found myself in the open sea, and speedinghomeward, joyfully saw our flag flying, and heard the welcome saluteyou fired. "

Here ended the narrative; but next morning Fritz drew me aside, andconfided to me a most remarkable sequel, in these words:

"There was something very extraordinary about that albatross, father. I allowed you to suppose that I left it as it fell, but in reality Iraised it to the deck of the canoe, and then perceived a piece of ragwound round one of its legs. This I removed, and, to my utterastonishment, saw English words written on it, which I plainly madeout to be: 'Save an unfortunate Englishwoman from the smoking rock!'

"This little sentence sent a thrill through every nerve: my brainseemed to whirl. I doubted the evidence of my senses. 

"'Is this reality, or delusion?' thought I, 'Can it be true, that afellow-creature breathes with us the air of this lonely region?'

[Illustration: ALBATROSS]

"I felt stupefied for some minutes; the bird began to show signs oflife, which recalled me to myself; and, quickly deciding what must bedone, I tore a strip from my handkerchief, on which I traced thewords--'Do not despair! Help is near!'

"This I carefully bound round one leg, replacing the rag on the other, and then applied myself to the complete restoration of the bird. Itgradually revived; and after drinking a little, surprised me bysuddenly rising on the wing, faltering a moment in its flight, andthen rapidly disappearing from my view in a westerly direction. 

"Now, father, one thought occupies me continually: will my note everreach this Englishwoman? Shall I be able to find, and to save her?"

I listened to this account with feelings of the liveliest interest andastonishment. 

"My dear son, " said I, "you have done wisely in confiding to me aloneyour most exciting discovery. Unless we know more, we must notunsettle the others by speaking of it; for it appears to me quitepossible that these words were penned long ago on some distant shore, where, by this time, the unhappy stranger may have perished miserably. By the 'smoking rock' must be meant a volcano. There are none here. "

Fritz was not disposed to look at the case from this gloomy point ofview; did not think the rag so very old; believed smoke might risefrom a rock which was not volcanic; and evidently cherished the hopethat he might be able to respond effectually to this touching appeal. 

I was in reality as anxious as himself on the subject, but judged itprudent to abate rather than excite hopes of success which might bedoomed to bitter disappointment. 

After earnest consultation on the subject, we decided that Fritzshould go in search of the writer of the message, but not until he hadso altered the canoe as to fit it for carrying two persons, as well asprovisions sufficient to admit of his absence for a considerable time. Impatient as he was, he could not but see the wisdom of this delay. 

We returned to the house, and saw the boys busily opening the oysters, and greatly excited as ever and anon a pearl was found. "May we notestablish a pearl fishery at once, father?" shouted they. "We mightbuild a hut on the shore of the bay, and set about it regularly. "

An excursion to Pearl Bay was now the event to which all thoughtsturned, and for which preparations on a grand scale were made. It wasto form, as it were, the basis of the more important voyage Fritz hadin view, and to which, unsuspected by the rest, he could devote allhis attention. 

XII

THE EXCURSION TO PEARL BAY

It took some time to make several raking or scraping machines, which Iinvented for the purpose of detaching and lifting the oysters fromtheir native rocks; but that gave Fritz leisure to change the fittingsof his canoe, so as to have a spare seat in it. 

His brothers naturally concluded he meant to take one of them asshipmate on board, and he allowed the mistake to continue. Theyoccupied themselves in making various articles they expected to be ofuse, and bore the delay with tolerable patience. 

At last came the day, when, taking leave of the mother and Franz, wewent on board the yacht, accompanied by some of the dogs; while Jack, proudly occupying the new seat beside Fritz in the canoe, shared withhim the honor of leading the way in the character of pilots. 

We passed safely through the rocks and shoals near Walrus Island intoan expanse of calm water, sheltered by jutting cliffs, where the seaglanced like a mirror, and for the first time we observed the fairy-like shells of the paper nautilus sailing lightly over the dazzlingsurface. 

Further on we rounded a short promontory, flat, with an abrupt rock atthe extremity, to which we gave the name of Cape Pug-Nose; and then, at some distance, appeared the grand cliffs of a headland running farout to sea. 

This I supposed we should have to weather, but my pilots made nochange in our course, and, following the canoe, we soon came in sightof the majestic archway which offered us a short passage to Pearl Bay. 

The wonderfully architectural appearance of the pillars, arches, andpinnacles surrounding and surmounting this noble entrance struck mewith admiration, resembling parts of a fine Gothic cathedral, andinducing me to propose for it the name, Cape Minster. 

A perfect cloud of little swallows darted from the cavernous entranceon our approach, divided into flocks, soared, wheeled, flew right andleft, and finally returned in a body as swiftly as they came, to thesides of the long dark tunnel, which were festooned with their nests. 

We detached a number of these as we passed, taking care to leave thosecontaining eggs or young. The best were at a considerable height, butthe broken and shelving rocks afforded, in some places, footing forsuch daring and active climbers as Fritz and Jack, and they quicklyobtained as many as we could possibly require. 

Our progress was much assisted by the tide, which, like a current, bore us onward along the nave of this natural cathedral; aisles, transepts, screens, and side-chapels appearing between the columns andarches which in the "dim religious light" were revealed to ourwondering eyes. 

[Illustration: PEARL BAY]

On emerging into the dazzling sunshine, we found ourselves floating inthe calm expanse of Pearl Bay; but it was some minutes before we couldlook around on the bright and lovely scene. 

Fritz had not overrated its beauty, and the romantic islets whichstudded its waters seemed to give the effect of a pleasant smile tofeatures already perfect. 

We cruised about for some time, surveying the coast with its fertilemeadows, shady groves, gently swelling hills, and murmuring brooks, seeking a convenient landing place in the vicinity of the shallowswhere lay the oyster beds. 

This we found, close to a sparkling streamlet; and, as the day wasfast declining, we made speedy arrangements for burning a watch fire;after which we partook of a hasty supper, and leaving the dogs, withCoco, the jackal, to sleep on shore, we returned on board the yachtfor the night, anchoring within gunshot of the land. 

The coast being quite strange to us, I knew not what wild beasts mightfrequent it; but, though I did not fear that any would approach us byswimming, yet I was glad to have with us our lively little ape, Mercury (the successor of our old favorite, Knips, long since gatheredto his fathers), for he occupied at night a cosy berth on deck, andwas certain to give vociferous notice should anything alarming occur. 

Fritz moored the cajack alongside, and came on board. The night passedin peace, although for a time we were disturbed by the yelping ofjackals, with whom Coco persisted in keeping up a noisy conversation. 

We awoke at daybreak, and repaired in haste with nets, scrapers, andall other requisites, to the oyster beds, where we worked with suchdiligence and success that in the course of two days we had an immensepile of shells built up like a stack on the beach, and left to decay. 

I collected a quantity of seaweed to spread over them, which wasafterward burnt to make alkali, when we returned to secure our harvestof pearls. 

Every evening we went out shooting in the neighborhood, and keptourselves supplied with game of one sort or another. The last day ofour fishery we started earlier, intending to make a longer excursioninto the woods. 

Ernest set off first with Floss, Jack and Coco strolling after them. Fritz and I were still employed in taking on board the last load ofour tools, when we suddenly heard a shot, a loud cry of pain or fear, and then another shot. 

At the first alarm, the other two dogs rushed away from us toward thespot, and Fritz, who had just called Pounce, the eagle, from hisperch, to accompany us in the ramble, let him fly, and seizing hisrifle darted off in the same direction. 

Before I could reach the scene of action, more shots were heard, andthen a shout of victory; after which appeared through the stems of thetrees the disconsolate figure of Jack, hobbling along like a cripple, supported on each side by his brothers. 

When they came near me they stopped; and poor Jack, moaning andgroaning, began to feel himself all over, as if to search for brokenbones, crying out:

"I'm pounded like a half-crushed pepper-corn!"

On examination I found some severe bruises. 

"Who or what has been pommeling the boy?" I exclaimed; "one wouldthink he had been beaten. "

"It was a huge wild boar, " said Ernest, "with fierce eyes, monstroustusks, and a snout as broad as my hand. Floss and I were going quietlyalong, when there was a sudden rustling and snorting close by, and agreat boar broke through the bushes, making for the outskirts of thewood. Floss gave chase directly, and the boar turned and stood at bay. Then up came Jack with Coco, and the gallant little jackal attackedthe monster in the rear. In another moment, however, he was sentsprawling upon his back, and this so provoked his master that he fireda hasty ill-directed shot. The brute's notice and fury at once turnedupon Jack, who prudently took to his heels, when I attempted to checkthe career of the boar by a shot, which, however, only slightlywounded it. Jack stumbled and fell over the root of a tree, just asthe animal came up with him. 'Help! murder, ' shouted he; and if theother dogs had not then arrived, and tackled the boar together, I fearit would have been a case of murder indeed. "

XIII

THE LIONS

All at once a deep, fearful sound echoed through the neighboringwoods. It made our blood curdle in our veins. We listened withstraining ears, hoping it would not be repeated. With a shudder weheard the dread voice roar again, yet nearer to us, and an answer pealfrom the distance. 

"We must find out who are the performers in this concert!" exclaimedFritz, springing to his feet and snatching up his rifle. "Make thefire blaze; get on board the yacht, and have all the guns inreadiness. I am off to reconnoiter in the canoe. "

We mechanically obeyed his rapid orders, while the bold youthdisappeared in the darkness; and, after heaping fuel on the fire, wewent on board and armed ourselves with cutlasses, besides loading allthe guns, waiting in readiness either to land again or to quit thecoast. 

We presently saw the whole pack of our dogs, as well as Coco, thejackal, and the little ape, Mercury (who had been tempted by thetruffles to stay with them in the woods), come galloping at full speedup to the fire. 

Mercury was evidently excessively discomposed at finding us gone; hegnashed his teeth, and chattered, as though in fear, lookinghopelessly at the water, through which he could not venture. 

The dogs planted themselves by the fire, gazing fixedly landward, withears erect, and occasionally uttering a barking challenge, or asuppressed howl. 

Meantime, the horrid roarings approached nearer, and I concluded thata couple of leopards or panthers had been attracted by the scent ofthe boar's carcass. But not long after I had expressed this opinion, we beheld a large, powerful animal spring from the underwood, and, with a bound, and muttered roar, approach the fire. In a moment Irecognized the unmistakable outlines of the form of a lion, though insize he far surpassed any I had ever seen exhibited in Europe. 

The dogs slunk behind the fire, and the lion seated himself almostlike a cat on his hind legs, glaring alternately at them, and at thegreat boar hams which hung near, with doubtless a mixed feeling ofirritation and appetite, which was testified by the restless movementof his tail. 

He then arose, and commenced walking up and down with slow andmeasured pace, occasionally uttering short, angry roars, quite unlikethe prolonged, full tones we had heard at first. 

At times he went to drink at the brook, always returning with suchhaste that I fully expected to see him spring. 

Gradually his manner became more and more threatening; he turnedtoward us, crouched, and with his body at full stretch, waved histail, and glared so furiously that I was in doubt whether to fire orretreat, when through the darkness rang the sharp crack of a rifle. 

"That is Fritz!" exclaimed every one; while, with a fearful roar, thelion sprang to his feet, stood stock-still, tottered, sank on hisknees, rolled over, and lay motionless on the sand. 

"We are saved!" I cried; "that was a masterly shot. The lion is struckto the heart; he will never stir again. Stay on board, boys. I mustjoin my brave Fritz. "

In a few moments I landed; the dogs met me with evident tokens ofpleasure, but kept whining uneasily, and looking toward the deepdarkness of the woods whence the lion had come. 

This behavior made me cautious; and, seeing nothing of Fritz, Ilingered by the boat, when suddenly a lioness bounded from the shadowof the trees, into the light diffused by the fire. 

At sight of the blazing fagots she paused, as though startled; passedwith uncertain step round the outskirts of the illuminated circle; anduttered roarings, which were evidently calls to her mate, whose deadbody she presently discovered. 

Finding him motionless, her manner betokened the greatest concern; shetouched him with her fore paws, smelt round him, and licked hisbleeding wounds. Then, raising her head, she gnashed her teeth, andgave forth the most lamentable and dreadful sound I ever heard; amingled roar and howl, which was like the expression of grief, rage, and a vow to be revenged, all in one. 

Crack! Another shot: the creature's right fore paw was lamed; and thedogs, seeing me raise my gun, suddenly gathered courage, and ranforward just as I fired. My shot also wounded the lioness, but notmortally, and the most terrific combat ensued. 

It was impossible to fire again, for fear of wounding the dogs. Thescene was fearful beyond description. Black night surrounded us; thefitful blaze of the fire shed a strange, unnatural light on theprostrate body of the huge dead lion, and on the wounded lioness, whofought desperately against the attack of the four gallant dogs; whilethe cries, roars, and groans of anguish and fury uttered by all theanimals were enough to try the stoutest nerves. 

Old Juno, staunch to the last, was foremost in the fray. After a time, I saw her change her plan of attack, and spring at the throat of thelioness; who, in an instant, raised her left paw, and at one blow thecruel claws had laid open the body of the dog, and destroyed the lifeof the true and faithful companion of so many years. 

Just then Fritz appeared. The lioness was much weakened, and weventured to go near enough to fire with safety to ourselves; andfinally I dispatched her by plunging a hunting-knife deep in herbreast. 

Ernest and Jack were summoned from the yacht to witness the completedvictory; and I regretted having left them on board, when I saw howgreatly the noise and tumult had alarmed them, unable, as they were, to ascertain what was going on. 

They hastened toward us in great agitation, and their joy on seeing ussafe was only equaled by the grief they felt on learning of the deathof Juno. 

The night was now far advanced; the fire burnt low; but we piled onmore wood, and, by the renewed light, drew poor Juno from between thepaws of the lioness; and by the brookside, washed and bound up thetorn body, wrapping it carefully in canvas, and carrying it with us onboard the yacht, that it might be buried at Rockburg, whither on thefollowing day it was our purpose to return. 

Wearied and sorrowful, but full of thankfulness for our personalsafety, we at length lay down to sleep, having brought all the dogs onboard. 

Next morning, before quitting Pearl Bay, we once more landed, that wemight possess ourselves of the magnificent skins of the lion andlioness, whose visit, fatal to themselves, had caused such a commotionduring the night. 

In about a couple of hours we returned to the yacht, leaving theflayed carcasses to the tender mercies of the birds of prey sure to beattracted to them. 

"Homeward bound, " sang out the boys, as they cheerily weighed anchor, and prepared to stand out to sea. I could see, though he did notcomplain, that poor Jack had not recovered from the boar's roughtreatment, and moved very stiffly. 

"You must pilot us through the channel in the reef this time, Fritz, "said I; adding, in a lower tone, "and then is it to be 'farewell, ' myson. "

"Yes, dear father--Au revoir!" returned he, brightly, with a glancefull of meaning, while he threw into his canoe a cushion and a furcloak. 

He sprang into his skiff and led the way toward the open sea. Wefollowed, carefully, and soon passed the reef. Then while his brotherswere busy with the sails, Fritz waved his hand to me, turned in theopposite direction, and vanished behind the point. 

When missed by his brothers, I said he had a fancy to explore more ofthe coast, and if he found it interesting he might, instead of only afew hours, remain absent for two or three days. 

Toward evening, we sailed into Safety Bay. 

XIV

FRITZ'S RETURN

Five days passed, but Fritz still remained absent. I could not concealmy anxiety, and at length determined to follow him. All were delightedat the proposal, and even the mother, when she heard that we were tosail in the pinnace, agreed to accompany us. 

The boat was stored, and on a bright morning, with a favorable breeze, we five, with the dogs, stepped aboard, and ran for Cape Minster. 

Our beautiful little yacht bounded over the water gaily, and thebright sunshine and delicious sea breeze put us all in the highestspirits. The entrance of the archway was in sight, and thither I wasdirecting the boat's course. Suddenly, right ahead, I saw a dark andshadowy mass just below the surface of the water. "A sunken rock!" Ithought to myself, "and yet it is strange that I never before noticedit. " I put down the helm in a moment, but a catastrophe seemedinevitable. 

We surged ahead! A slight shock, and all was over! The danger waspassed!

I glanced astern, to look again at the dangerous spot; but the rockwas gone, and, where but a moment before I had distinctly seen itsgreat green shadow, I could now see nothing. Before we had recoveredfrom our amazement, a shout from Jack surprised me. 

"There is another, " he exclaimed, "to starboard, father!"

Sure enough, there lay, apparently, another sunken rock. 

"The rock is moving!" shouted Franz; and a great black body emergedfrom the sea, while from the upper extremity rushed a column of water, which, with a mighty noise, rose upward and then fell like rain allaround. The mystery was explained; for, as the great beast emerged yetfurther from the water, I recognized, from its enormous size and greatlength of head, the cachalot whale. 

The monster was apparently enraged at the way we had scratched hisback; for, retreating to a short distance, he evidently meditated arush upon us. Fearful stories occurred to me of the savage temper ofthis whale, how he has been known to destroy boat after boat, and evenships, and with a feeling of desperation I sprang to one of the guns. Jack leaped to the other, and almost simultaneously we fired. Bothshots apparently took effect; for the whale, after lashing the waterviolently for a few seconds, plunged beneath the surface, anddisappeared. We kept a sharp lookout for him, for I was unwilling tolose such a valuable prize, and, reloading, stood toward the shore, inwhich direction he was apparently making. Presently we again sightedhim in shallow water, lashing fearfully with his tail, and dyeing thewaves around him with blood. Approaching the infuriated animal asnearly as I dared, we again fired. 

The struggles of the whale seemed for a few moments to become evenmore frantic, and then, with a quiver from head to tail, he laymotionless--dead!

The boys were about to raise the cry of victory, but checked the shoutupon their very lips; for darting behind a rock they espied a canoepaddled by a tall and muscular savage, who now stood up in his skiffand appeared to be examining us attentively. Seeing that we werestanding toward him, the swarthy native seized his paddle and againdarted behind a rock. An awful thought now took possession of me. There must be a tribe of blacks lurking on these shores, and Fritzmust have fallen into their hands. We, however, I determined, shouldnot be easily taken; and our guns were loaded and run out. 

Presently a dusky face appeared, peeping at us from a lofty rock; itvanished, and we saw another peeping at us from lower down. Then, again, the skiff put out as though to make a further reconnoiter. All, even Jack, looked anxious, and glanced at me for orders. 

"Hoist a white flag, " said I, "and hand me the speaking trumpet. "

I seized the instrument and uttered such peaceable words in the Malaylanguage as I could recall; neither the flag nor my words seemed toproduce any effect, and the savage was about to return to the shore. 

Jack hereupon lost patience, and in his turn took up the trumpet. 

"Come here, you black son of a gun, " he exclaimed. "Come on board andmake friends, or we'll blow you and your--"

"Stop! stop! you foolish boy, " I said; "you will but alarm the man, with your wild words and gestures. "

"No! but see, " he cried, "he is paddling toward us!"

And sure enough the canoe was rapidly approaching. 

Presently a cry from Franz alarmed me. "Look! look!" he shrieked, "thevillain is in Fritz's cajack. I can see the walrus head. "

Ernest alone remained unmoved. He took the speaking trumpet:

"Fritz, ahoy!" he shouted; "welcome, old fellow!"

The words were scarcely out of his mouth when I, too, recognized thewell-known face beneath its dusky disguise. 

In another minute the brave boy was on board, and in spite of hisblackened face was kissed and welcomed heartily. He was now assailedwith a storm of questions from all sides: "Where had he been?" "Whathad kept him so long, and why had he turned blackamoor?"

"The last question, " replied he, with a smile, "is the only one I willnow answer; the others shall be explained when I give a full accountof my adventures. Hearing guns fired, my mind was instantly filledwith ideas of Malay pirates, for I never dreamed that you could behere in the yacht, so I disguised myself as you now see me, and cameforth to reconnoiter. When you addressed me in Malay you only added tomy terror, for it left not a doubt in my mind that you were pirates. "

Having in our turn described to him our adventure with the cachalotwhale, I asked him if he knew of a suitable spot for the anchorage ofthe yacht. 

"Certainly, " he replied, casting toward me a glance full of meaning;"I can lead you to an island where there is a splendid anchorage, andwhich is itself well worth seeing, for it contains all sorts ofstrange things. " And after removing the stains from his skin, andturning himself once more into a civilized being, he again sprang intohis canoe and piloted us to a picturesque little island in the bay. 

Now that there could be no doubt as to the success of Fritz'sexpedition, I no longer hesitated to give to my wife an account of hisproject, and to prepare her mind for the surprise which awaited her. She was greatly startled as I expected, and seemed almost overcomewith emotion at the idea of seeing a human being, and that being oneof her own sex. 

"But why, " she asked, "did you not tell me of this at first? "Why waituntil the last moment with such joyful news?"

"I was unwilling, " I replied, "to raise hopes which might never berealized: but now, thank Heaven, he has succeeded, and there is noneed for concealment. "

The boys could not at all understand the evident air of mystery andsuppressed excitement which neither their mother, Fritz, nor I couldentirely conceal. They cast glances of the greatest curiosity towardthe island, and as soon as the sails were furled and the anchordropped, they sprang eagerly ashore. In a body we followed Fritz, maintaining perfect silence. Presently we emerged from the thicketthrough which we were passing, and saw before us a hut of shelteringboughs, at the entrance of which burned a cheerful fire. 

Into this leafy bower Fritz dived, leaving his brothers without, mutewith astonishment. In another moment he emerged, leading by the hand aslight, handsome youth, by his dress apparently a young English navalofficer. The pair advanced to meet us; and Fritz, with a countenanceradiant with joy, briefly introduced his companion as Edward Montrose. 

"And, " he continued, looking at his mother and me, "will you notwelcome him as a friend and a brother to our family circle?"

"That will we, indeed!" I exclaimed, advancing and holding out myhands to the fair young stranger. "Our wild life may have roughenedour looks and manners, but it has not hardened our hearts, I trust. "The mother, too, embraced the seeming youth most heartily. The lads, and even the dogs, were not behindhand in testifying theirgratification at the appearance of their new friend--the formerdelighted at the idea of a fresh companion, and the latter won by hersweet voice and appearance. 

From the expression made use of by Fritz I perceived that the girlwished her sex to remain unrevealed to the rest of the party until themother could obtain for her a costume more suited to her realcharacter. 

The young men then ran down to the yacht to bring up what wasnecessary for supper, as well as to make preparations for a camp inwhich we might spend the night. This done, the mother hastened to setbefore us a substantial meal, while the boys, anxious to make theirnew acquaintance feel at home among them, were doing their best toamuse her. She herself, after the first feeling of strangeness hadworn off, entered fully into all their fun; and by the time they satdown to supper was laughing and chattering as gaily as any one of therest. She admired the various dishes, tasted our mead, and, withoutalluding once to her previous life, kept up a lively conversation. 

The mere fact of meeting with any human being after so many years ofisolation was in itself sufficient to raise the boys to the greateststate of excitement; but that this being should be one so handsome, sogay, so perfectly charming, seemed completely to have turned theirheads; and when I gave the sign for breaking up of the feast, andtheir new friend was about to be led to the night quarters which hadbeen prepared for her on board the yacht, the health of EdwardMontrose was proposed, and drunk in fragrant mead, amid the cheers andacclamations of all hands. When she was gone, and silence had beenrestored, Jack exclaimed:

"Now, then, Fritz, if you please, just tell me where you came acrossthis jolly fellow. Did you take your mysterious voyage in search ofhim, or did you meet him by chance? Out with your adventures, while wesit comfortably round the fire. " So saying, Jack cast more wood uponthe blazing pile, and throwing himself down in his usual carelessfashion, prepared to listen attentively. 

Fritz, after a few moments' hesitation, began:

"Perhaps you remember, " said he, "how, when I returned from myexpedition in the cajack the other day, I struck down an albatross. None but my father at the time knew, however, what became of thewounded bird, or even thought more about it. Yet it was that albatrosswho brought me notice of the shipwrecked stranger and he, too, Idetermined should carry back a message, to cheer and encourage thesender. 

"I first, as you know, prepared my cajack to carry two persons; andthen, with a heart full of hope and trust, left you and the yacht, and, with Pounce seated before me, made for the open sea. For severalhours I paddled steadily on, till, the wind freshening, I thought itadvisable to keep in nearer shore; that, should a regular storm arise, I might find some sheltered bay in which to weather it. 

"It was well I did so; for, scarcely had I reached a quiet cove whichpromised to afford me the protection I desired, when the sea appearedone mass of foam: great surging waves arose; and even in thecomparative calm of the bay I felt that I was in some danger. 

"I passed the night in my cajack; and next morning, after a frugalmeal of pemmican, [Footnote: Pemmican is meat cut into thin slicesdried in the sun, pounded to a powder, and then compressed intocakes. ] and a draught of water from my flask, once more venturedforth. The wind had subsided, and the sea was tolerably smooth; and, keeping my eyes busily employed in seeking in every direction todetect, if possible, the slightest trace of smoke, or other sign ofhuman life, I paddled on till noon. 

"The aspect of the coast now began to change: the shores were sandy, while further inland lay dense forests, from whose gloomy depths Icould ever and anon hear the fierce roar of beasts of prey, the yellof apes, the fiendish laugh of the hyena, or the despairing death cryof a hapless deer. Seldom have I experienced a greater feeling ofsolitude than while listening to these strange sounds, and knowingthat I, in this frail canoe, was the only human being near. Givingmyself up to contemplation, I rested my paddle, and allowed my cajackto drift slowly on. 

"For some hours I paddled quickly on, sometimes passing the mouth of astream, sometimes that of a broad river. Had I been merely on anexploring expedition, I should have been tempted, doubtless, to cruisea little way up one of these pathways into the forest; but now such anidea did not enter my head. On, on, on, I felt I must go, until Ishould reach the goal of my voyage. 

"The shades of night at length drew on, and, finding a sheltered cove, I moored my cajack, and stepped on shore. You may imagine how pleasantit was to stretch my legs, after sitting for so long in the crampedposition which my cajack enforces. It would not do, however, to sleepon shore; so after preparing and enjoying my supper, I returned onboard, and there spent the night. 

"My thoughts on awakening were gloomy. I felt that I could no longercontinue the voyage. The albatross, I thought, may have flown hundredsof miles before it reached me. This stranger may be on differentshores from these entirely; every stroke of my paddle may be carryingme further from the blazing signal: who knows?

"This feeling of discouragement was not, however, to be of longduration; for in a moment more a sight presented itself, whichbanished all my doubts and fears, and raised me to the highest pitchof excitement. 

"A high point of land lay before me. I rounded it, and beyond found acalm and pleasant bay, from whose curved and thickly wooded shores ranout a reef of rocks. From the point of this reef rose a column ofsmoke, steadily and clearly curling upward in the calm air, I couldscarcely believe my senses, but stopped gazing at it, as though I werein a dream; then, with throbbing pulse and giddy brain, I seized mypaddle, and strained every nerve to reach it. 

"A few strokes seemed to carry me across the bay, and, securing mycanoe, I leaped upon the rock, on which the beacon was blazing, butnot a sign of a human being could I see. I was about to shout, for asthe fire had evidently been recently piled up, I knew the strangercould not be far off; but, before I could do so, I saw a slight figurepassing along the chain of rocks toward the spot on which I stood. Youmay imagine my sensations. 

"I advanced a few paces; and then mastering my emotion as best Icould, I said in English:

"'Welcome, fair stranger! God, in his mercy, has heard your call, andhas sent me to your aid!'

"Miss Montrose came quickly forward--"

"Who? What?" shouted the boys, interrupting the narrative; "who cameforward?" and amid a general hubbub, Ernest, rising and advancing tohis brother, said in his quiet way:

"I did not like to make any remark till you actually let out thesecret, Fritz, but we need no longer pretend not to see through thedisguise of Edward Montrose. "

Fritz, though much disconcerted by the discovery of the secret, recovered his self-possession; and, after bearing with perfectequanimity the jokes with which his brothers assailed him, joined inthree cheers for their new sister, and when the confusion and laughterwhich ensued had subsided, continued his story:

"Miss Montrose grasped my hands warmly, and guessing from mypronunciation, I am afraid, that I was not in the habit of speakingEnglish every day of my life, said in French:

"'Long, long, have I waited since the bird returned with your message. Thank God, you have come at last!'

"Then, with tears of joy and gratitude, she led me to the shore, whereshe had built a hut and a safe sleeping place, like Falconhurst on asmall scale, among the branches of a tree. I was delighted with allshe showed me, for indeed her hut and its fittings evinced no ordinaryskill and ingenuity. Round the walls hung bows, arrows, lances, andbird snares; while on her worktable, in boxes and cases, carvedskilfully with a knife, were fishhooks of mother-of-pearl, needlesmade from fish bones, and bodkins from the beaks of birds, fishinglines of all sorts, and knives and other tools. These latter she toldme were, with a chest of wearing apparel, almost the only thingswashed ashore after the wreck, when three years ago she was cast aloneupon this desolate coast. I marveled more and more at the wonderfulway in which this girl had surmounted obstacles, the quarter of whichwould completely have appalled the generality of her sex. The hutitself was a marvel of skill; stout posts had been driven into theground, with cross pieces of bamboo, to form a framework; the wallshad been woven with reeds, the roof thatched with palm leaves, and thewhole plastered smoothly with clay, an open space being left in thecenter of the roof for a chimney to carry off the smoke of the fire. 

"As we entered, a cormorant, with a cry of anger, flew from under thetable toward me, and was about to attack me fiercely. Miss Montrosecalled it off, and she then told me she had captured and tamed thebird soon after first landing, and since that time had contrived totrain it to assist her in every conceivable way; it now not only was apleasant companion, but brought her food of every description, fish, flesh and fowl, for whether it dived into the waters, according to itsnatural habit, struck down birds upon the wing, or seized rabbits andother small animals upon the land, it laid all its booty at her feet. 

"Before darkness closed in, all the curiosities and ingeniouscontrivances of the place had been displayed--the kitchen stove, cooking utensils, skin bottles, shell plates and spoons, the fishingraft and numberless other things--and then, as I sat with my fairhostess at a most appetizing meal she gave me a short account of herlife. 

"Jenny Montrose was the daughter of a British officer, who had servedfor many years in India, where she herself was born. At the early ageof three years she lost her mother. 

"After the death of his wife, all the colonel's love and care wascentered upon his only child; under his eye she was instructed in allthe accomplishments suited to her sex; and from him she imbibed anardent love for field sports. By the time she was seventeen, she wasas much at home upon her horse in the field as in her father'sdrawing-room. Colonel Montrose now received orders to return home withhis regiment, and as for certain reasons he did not wish her toaccompany him in the ship with the troops, he obtained a passage forher on board a vessel which was about to sail at the same time. 

"The separation was extremely painful to both the old soldier and hisdaughter, but there was no alternative. They parted, and Miss Montrosesailed in the Dorcas for England. A week after she had left Calcutta, a storm arose and drove the vessel far out of her course; more badweather ensued; and at length, leaks having been sprung in alldirections, the crew was obliged to take to the boats. Jenny obtaineda place in one of the largest of these. After enduring the perils ofthe sea for many days, land was sighted; and, the other boats havingdisappeared, an attempt was made to land. The boat was capsized, andMiss Montrose alone reached the shore. For a long time she lay uponthe sand almost inanimate; but, reviving sufficiently to move, she atlength obtained some shellfish, and by degrees recovered her strength. From that time forth until I appeared she never set eyes upon a humanbeing. To attract any passing vessel, and obtain assistance, however, she kept a beacon continually blazing at the end of the reef; and, with the same purpose in view, attached missives to the feet of anybirds she could take alive in her snares. The albatross, she told me, she had kept for some time, and partially tamed; but, as it was in thehabit of making long excursions on its own account, she conceived theidea of sending it also with a message, that, should it by chance beseen and taken alive, it might return with an answer. 

"Our supper was over, and, at length, both wearied out with theanxieties and excitement of the day, we retired to rest, she to herleafy bower, and I to sleep in the hut below. 

"Next morning, having packed her belongings in the cajack, we bothwent on board; and bidding adieu to her well-known bay she took herseat before me, and I made for home. 

"We should have reached Rockburg this evening had not an accidentoccurred to our skiff and compelled us to put in at this island. Theboat was scarcely repaired when I heard your first shots. I instantlydisguised myself; and, never doubting that Malay pirates were near, came forth to reconnoiter. Glad indeed was I to find my fearsungrounded. "

Next morning, as we assembled for breakfast, I took the opportunity ofbegging Miss Montrose no longer to attempt to continue her disguise, but to allow us to address her in her real character. 

Jenny smiled; for she had noticed, as the young men met her when shecame from the cabin, a great alteration in their manner, and had atonce seen that her secret was guessed. 

"After all, " she said, "I need not be ashamed of this attire; it hasbeen my only costume for the last three years, and in any other Ishould have been unable to manage all the work which during that timehas been necessary. "

XV

THE RETURN

All was now bustle and activity; and breakfast over, we went aboardthe yacht. Fritz and Jack stepped into the canoe; and we soon leftFair Isle and Pearl Bay far behind. 

The morning was delightful. The sea, excepting for the slight rippleraised by the gentle breeze wafting us homeward, was perfectly calm. Slowly and contentedly we glided on through the wonders of thesplendid archway, threaded our passage among the rocks and shoals, andpassed out to the open sea. So slowly did we make our way, that theoccupants of the cajack announced that they could not wait for us whenthey had once piloted us out from among the shoals and reefs, andplied their paddles to such good purpose that they were soon out ofsight. Nautilus Bay and Cape Pug-Nose were in due time passed, however, and Shark Island hove in sight. 

With great astonishment Jenny gazed at our watchtower, with itsguardhouse, the fierce-looking guns, and the waving flag upon theheights. We landed, that she might visit the fortification; when wedisplayed all our arrangements with great pride. When they and theherd of lovely gazelles had been sufficiently admired, we againembarked, and steered toward Deliverance Bay. On reaching theentrance, a grand salute of twelve shots welcomed us and our fairguest to Rockburg. Not pleased with the even number, however, Ernestinsisted upon replying with thirteen guns, an odd number being, hedeclared, absolutely necessary for form's sake. 

As we neared the quay, Fritz and Jack stood ready to receive us, andwith true politeness handed their mother and Jenny ashore. They turnedand led the way to the house through the gardens, orchards, andshrubberies which lay on the rising ground that sloped gently upwardto our dwelling. 

Jenny's surprise was changed to wonder as she neared the villa itself--its broad, shady balcony, its fountains sparkling in the sun, thedovecots, the pigeons wheeling above, and the bright, fresh creepers, twined round the columns, delighted her. She could scarcely believethat she was still far from any civilized nation, and that she wasamong a family wrecked like herself upon a lonely coast. 

My amazement, however, fully equaled that of my little daughter when, beneath the shade of the veranda, I saw a table laid out with adelicious luncheon. All our china, silver, and glass had been calledinto requisition, and was arranged upon the spotless damask cloth. 

Wine sparkled in the decanters, splendid pineapples, oranges, guavas, apples, and pears resting on cool green leaves, lay heaped in pyramidsupon the porcelain dishes. A haunch of venison, cold fowl, ham, andtongues occupied the ends and sides of the table, while in the centerrose a vase of gay flowers, surrounded by bowls of milk and great jugsof mead. It was, indeed, a perfect feast, and the heartiness of thewelcome brought tears of joy into the lovely eyes of the fair girl inwhose honor it had been devised. 

All were soon ready to sit down; and Jenny, looking prettier than everin the dress for which she had exchanged her sailor's suit, took theplace of honor between the mother and me. Ernest and Franz also seatedthemselves; but nothing would induce Fritz and Jack to follow theirexample. They considered themselves our entertainers, and waited uponus most attentively, carving the joints, filling our glasses, andchanging the plates; for, as Jack declared to Miss Montrose, theservants had all run away in our absence, and, for the next day ortwo, perhaps we should be obliged to wait upon ourselves. 

When the banquet was over, and the waiters had satisfied theirappetites, they joined their brothers, and with them displayed all thewonders of Rockburg to their new sister. To the house, cave, stables, gardens, fields and boathouses, to one after the other did they leadher. 

Not a corner would they have left unnoticed, had not the mother, fearing they would tire the poor girl out, come to the rescue, and ledher back to the house. 

On the following day, after an early breakfast, we started, while itwas yet cool, for Falconhurst; and as I knew that repairs andarrangements for the coming winter would be necessary, and woulddetain us for several days, we took with us a supply of tools, as wellas baskets of provisions, and other things essential to our comfort. 

The whole of our stud, excepting the ostrich, were in their paddocksnear the tree; but Jack, saying that his mother and Jenny really mustnot walk the whole way, to the great amusement of the latter, leapedon Hurry, and fled away in front of us. Before we had accomplishedone-quarter of the distance, we heard the thundering tread of manyfeet galloping down the avenue, and presently espied our motley troopof steeds being driven furiously toward us. Storm, Lightfoot, Swift, Grumble, Stentor, Arrow and Dart were there, with Jack, on his fleettwo-legged courser, at their heels. At his saddle-bow hung a clusterof saddles and bridles, the bits all jangling and clanking, adding tothe din and confusion, and urging on the excited animals, whothoroughly entered into the fun, and with tails in the air, ears back, and heels ever and anon thrown playfully out, seemed about tooverwhelm us. We stepped aside to shelter ourselves behind the treesfrom the furious onset; but a shout from Fritz brought the whole herdto a sudden halt, and Jack spurred toward us. "Which of the cattleshall we saddle for you, Jenny?" he shouted; "they're all as gentle aslambs, and as active as cats. Every one has been ridden by mother, andknows what a side-saddle means, so you can't go wrong. "

To his great delight, Jenny quickly showed her appreciation of themerits of the steeds by picking out Dart, the fleetest and mostspirited in the whole stud. 

The ostrich was then relieved of his unusual burden, the animals werespeedily equipped, and Lightfoot bearing the baskets and hampers, thewhole party mounted and trotted forward. Jenny was delighted with herpalfry, and henceforward he was reserved for her special use. 

The work at Falconhurst, as I had expected, occupied us for some time, and it was a week before we could again return to Rockburg. Yet thetime passed pleasantly; for though the young men were busy frommorning to night, the presence of their new companion, her livelyspirits and gay conversation, kept them in constant good humor. 

When the repairs were all finished, we remained yet a day or twolonger, that we might make excursions in various directions to bringin poultry from Woodlands, stores of acorns for the pigs, and grass, willows, and canes, to be manufactured during the winter into mats, baskets, hurdles, and hen-coops. 

Many a shower wetted us through during these days, and we had scarcelytime to hurry back to Rockburg and house our cattle and possessionsbefore the annual deluge began. 

Never before had this dreary season seemed so short and pleasant; withJenny among us, the usual feeling of weariness and discontent neverappeared; the English language was quickly acquired by all hands, Fritz, in particular, speaking it so well that Jenny declared shecould scarcely believe he was not an Englishman. She herself alreadyspoke French, and therefore easily learned our native language andspoke it fluently before we were released from our captivity. 

XVI

THE ENGLISH WARSHIP

Many wondrous tales were told or read in turn by the boys and Jennyduring the long evenings as we sat drawing, weaving and plaiting inour cozy study. In fact, this winter was a truly happy time, and whenat length the rain ceased and the bright sun again smiled upon theface of nature, we could scarcely believe, as we stepped forth andonce more felt the balmy breath of spring, that, for so many weeks, wehad been prisoners within our rocky walls. 

All was once more activity and life; the duties in field, garden, andorchard called forth the energy of the lads, while their mother andsister found abundant occupation in the poultry yard and house. Ourvarious settlements and stations required attention. Falconhurst, Woodlands, Prospect Hill, Shark and Whale Islands were in turn visitedand set in order. The duty of attending to the island battery fell toJack and Franz. 

They had been busy all day repairing the flagstaff, rehoisting theflag, and cleaning and putting into working order the two guns. 

Evening was drawing on and our day's work was over; the rest of uswere strolling up and down upon the beach, enjoying the cool seabreeze. They loaded and ran out their guns, and paddling off with anempty tub in the cajack, placed it out at sea as a mark for practice. They returned and fired, and the barrel flew in pieces, and then, witha shout of triumph, they cleaned the guns and ran them in. 

Scarcely had they done so when, as though in answer to their shots, came the sound of three guns booming across the water from thewestward. 

We stopped speechless. Was it fancy? Had we really heard guns from astrange ship? Or had the boys again fired? No! there were the ladsleaping into their canoe, and paddling in hot haste toward us. They, too, had heard the sound. 

A tumult of feelings rushed over us--anxiety, joy, hope, doubt, eachin turn took possession of our minds. Was it a European vessel closeupon our shores, and were we about to be linked once more to civilizedlife? Or did those sounds proceed from a Malay pirate, who would roband murder us? What was to be the result of meeting with our fellowbeings; were they to be friends who would help us, enemies who wouldattack us, or would they prove unfortunate creatures in need of ourassistance? Who could tell?

Before we could express these thoughts in words the cajack had touchedthe shore, and Jack and Franz were among us. 

"Did you hear them? Did you hear them?" they gasped. "What shall wedo? Where shall we go?"

"O Fritz, " continued my youngest son, "it must be a European ship. Weshall find her. We shall see our Fatherland once more, " and in anemotion of joy he grasped his brother's hands. 

Till then I knew not what a craving for civilized life had beenaroused in the two young men by the appearance of their Europeansister. 

All eyes were turned toward me. What would I advise?

"At present, " I said, "we can do nothing, for night is drawing on. Wemust make what preparations we can, and pray for guidance. "

In the greatest excitement we returned to the house, all talkingeagerly, and till late no one could be persuaded to retire to rest. 

Few slept that night. The boys and I took it in turn to keep watchfrom the veranda, lest more signals might be fired, or a hostile visitmight be paid us. But about midnight the wind began to rise, andbefore we reassembled to discuss our plans a fearful storm was raging;so terrific was the sea that I knew no boat could live, and had abroadside been fired at the entrance of the bay we should not haveheard it through the howling of the blast. For two days and two nightsthe hurricane continued, but on the third day the sun again appeared, and the wind lulling, the sea went rapidly down. Full of anxiety, Ireadily complied with the boys' desire to put off to Shark Island anddischarge the guns; for who could tell what had been the result of thegale; perhaps the vessel had been driven upon the rocky shore, or, fearing such a fate, she had left the coast and weathered the stormout at sea; if so, she might never return. 

With these thoughts I accompanied Jack and Franz to the fort. One--two--we fired the guns and waited. 

For some minutes there was no reply, and then an answering reportrolled in the distance. There was no longer room for doubt; thestrangers were still in the vicinity, and were aware of our presence. We waved the flag as a signal to those on shore that all was well, andquickly returned. We found the whole family in a state of the greatestexcitement, and I felt it necessary to calm them down as much aspossible, for I could neither answer the questions with which I wasbesieged, nor conceal the fact that the visit of the vessel might notprove so advantageous as they expected. 

Fritz and I at once prepared to make a reconnaissance; we armedourselves with our guns, pistols, and cutlasses, took a spyglass, seated ourselves in the cajack, and with a parting entreaty from themother to be cautious, paddled out of the bay and round the highcliffs on our left. For nearly an hour we advanced in the directionfrom which the reports of the guns seemed to proceed. Nothing could wesee, however, but the frowning rocks and cliffs, and the waves beatingrestlessly at their base. Cape Pug-Nose was reached, and we began toround the bluff old point. In a moment all our doubts were dispelled, and joy and gratitude to the Great Giver of all good filled ourhearts. There, in the little sheltered cove beyond the cape, her sailsfurled, her anchor dropped, lay a brig of war with the English colorsat her masthead. 

With the glass I could discern figures upon the deck, and upon theshore beyond several tents pitched under the shelter of the trees, andthe smoke of fires rising among them. As I handed the glass to Fritz, I felt a sudden misgiving. "What, " said I to myself, "can this Englishvessel be doing thus far from the usual track of ships?" and I calledto mind tales of mutinous crews who have risen against their officers, have chosen some such sheltered retreat as this, have disguised thevessel, and then sailed forth to rob and plunder upon the high seas. 

Fritz then exclaimed: "I can see the captain, father; he is speakingto one of the officers, and I can see his face quite well; he isEnglish, I am certain he is English, and the flag speaks the truth!"and he put the glass again in my hand that I might see for myself. 

Still keeping under the shelter of the cliff, I carefully surveyed thevessel. There was no doubt that Fritz was right, and my fears wereonce more dispelled; all was neatness and regularity on board; thespotless decks, the burnished steel and brass, and the air of perfectorder which pervaded both ship and camp, betokened that authority anddiscipline there reigned. For some minutes longer we continued ourexamination of the scene, and then, satisfied by the appearance of thecamp on shore that there was no chance of the brig quitting the coastfor several days, we resolved to return without betraying ourpresence, for I was unwilling to appear before these strangers untilwe could do so in better form, and in a manner more in accordance withour actual resources. 

We again landed at Rockburg, where our family awaited our arrival ineager expectation, and as fully as possible we told them of all we hadseen. They thoroughly approved of our caution, and even Jenny, whosehopes had been excited to the highest pitch by our description of theEnglish vessel, and who longed to meet her countrymen once more, agreed to postpone the visit until the following day, when, having putour yacht into good order, we might pay our respects to the captain, not as poor shipwrecked creatures begging assistance, but as lords andmasters of the land, seeking to know for what purpose strangers werevisiting the coast. 

The rest of the day was occupied in making our preparations. Ourdainty little craft was made to look her very best; her decks werescrubbed, her brass guns burnished, all lumber removed and put ashore, and the flag of England hoisted to her peak. The mother overhauled ourwardrobes, and the neatest uniforms were put ready for the boys andme, for though neither my wife nor Jenny had ever dreamed of appearingotherwise than they would have done had they been at home amongcivilized people in Europe, yet we, accustomed daily to rough andoften even dirty work, had adopted just that costume which best suitedour comfort and inclination. We should indeed have surprised the smartman-o'-war's men, had we appeared in our great, shapeless, wide-brimmed hats, our linen coats and trousers, our broad leathern beltsand hairy buskins; so we next day readily donned the more becomingcostumes. 

At the break of that eventful morn, when we were destined once more toset our eyes upon our fellow-men, and to hear news of the outer world, from which for so many years we had been exiled, we assembled in ourlittle breakfast room. The meal was eaten hurriedly and almost insilence, for our hearts were too full, and our minds too busilyoccupied, to allow of any outward display of excitement. Fritz andJack then slipped quietly out, and presently returned from the gardenwith baskets of the choicest fruits in fresh and fragrant profusion, and with these, as presents for the strangers, we went on board ouryacht. 

[Illustration: We brought up within hail]

The anchor was weighed, the sails set, and with the canoe in tow thelittle vessel, as though partaking of our hopes and joyousexpectation, bounded merrily over the waters of Safety Bay, gave awide berth to the Reef, against whose frowning rocks the sea stilllashed itself to foam, and kept away for the cove, where the Englishship unconsciously awaited us. The Pug-Nosed Cape was reached, and, tothe surprise and utter amazement of the strangers, we rounded thepoint and brought up within hail. Every eye on board and on shore wasturned toward us, every glass was produced and fixed upon our motions;for of all the strange sights which the gallant crew may have lookedfor, such an anomaly as a pleasure yacht, manned by such a party asours, and cruising upon this strange and inhospitable shore, was thefurthest from their thoughts. 

Fritz and I stepped into our boat and pulled for the brig. In anotherminute we were upon her deck. The captain, with the simple franknessof a British seaman, welcomed us cordially, and having led us into hiscabin, begged us to explain to what good fortune he owed a visit fromresidents upon a coast generally deemed uninhabited, or the abode ofthe fiercest savages. 

I gave him an outline of the history of the wreck, and of our sojournupon these shores, and spoke to him, too, of Miss Montrose, and of theprovidential way in which we had been the means of rescuing her fromher lonely position. 

"Then, " said the gallant officer, rising and grasping Fritz by thehand, "let me heartily thank you in my own name, and in that ofColonel Montrose; for it was the hope of finding some trace of thatbrave girl that led me to these shores. The disappearance of theDorcas has been a terrible blow to the colonel, and yet, though forthree years no word of her or any of those who sailed in her hasreached England, he has never entirely abandoned all hope of againhearing of his daughter. I knew this, and a few weeks ago, when I wasabout to leave Sydney for the Cape, I found three men who declaredthemselves survivors of the Dorcas and said that their boat, of fourwhich left the wreck, was the only one which, to their knowledge, reached land in safety. From them I learned all particulars, andapplying for permission to cruise in these latitudes, I sailed inhopes of finding further traces of the unfortunate crew. My effortshave been rewarded by unlooked-for success. "

Fritz replied most modestly to the praises which he received, and thenthe captain begged to be introduced to my wife and Miss Montrose. 

"And, " he continued, "if it be not contrary to your rules ofdiscipline for the whole ship's company to be absent at once, I willnow send a boat for the remainder of your party. "

One of the officers was accordingly dispatched to the yacht with apolite message, and the mother, Jenny, and the boys were presently onboard. 

Our kind host greeted them most warmly, and he and his officers viedwith one another in doing us honor. They proved, indeed, most pleasantentertainers, and the time passed rapidly away. At luncheon thecaptain told us that there had sailed with him from Sydney an invalidgentleman, Mr. Wolston, his wife, and two daughters; but that, thoughthe sea voyage had been recommended on account of his health, it hadnot done Mr. Wolston so much good as had been anticipated, and he hadsuffered so greatly from the effects of the storm, which had driventhe Unicorn into the bay for repairs, that he had been eager to restfor a short time on land. 

We were anxious to meet the family, and in the afternoon it wasdecided that we should pay them a visit. Tents had been pitched fortheir accommodation under the shady trees, and when we landed we foundMr. Wolston seated by one of them, enjoying the cool sea breeze. Heand his family were delighted to see us, and so much did we enjoytheir society, that evening found us still upon the shore. It was toolate then to return to Rockburg, and the captain kindly offered tentsfor the accommodation of those who could not find room in the yacht. The boys spent the night on land. 

That night I had a long and serious consultation with my wife, as towhether or not we really had any well-grounded reason for wishing toreturn to Europe. It would be childish to undertake a voyage thithersimply because an opportunity offered for doing so. 

Neither knew to what decision the feelings of the other inclined; eachwas afraid of expressing what might run counter to those feelings; butgradually it began to appear that neither entertained any strong wishto leave the peaceful island; and finally we discovered that the realwish which lay at the bottom of both our hearts was to adopt NewSwitzerland as thenceforward our home. 

What can be more delightful than to find harmony of opinion in thosewe love, when a great and momentous decision has to be taken?

My dear wife assured me that she desired nothing more earnestly thanto spend the rest of her days in a place to which she had become somuch attached, provided I, and at least two of her sons, also wishedto remain. 

From the other two she would willingly part, if they chose to returnto Europe, with the understanding that they must endeavor to send outemigrants of a good class to join us, and form a prosperous colony, adding that she thought the island ought to continue to bear the nameof our native country, even if inhabited in future time by colonistsfrom England, as well as from Switzerland. 

I heartily approved of this excellent idea, and on consultation withmy sons I found that Fritz, whose interest in Jenny was most apparent, and Franz, who longed for school life, earnestly desired to return toEurope, while Ernest and Jack were more than willing to remain. Mr. Wolston, with his wife and elder daughter, decided to make NewSwitzerland their future home, and thus my wife and I were left farfrom solitary when our two sons parted from us. 

ECHO

By JOHN G. SAXE

I asked of Echo, t'other day, (Whose words are few and often funny, )What to a novice she could say Of courtship, love and matrimony? Quoth Echo, plainly, --"Matter-o'-money!"

Whom should I marry?--should it be A dashing damsel, gay and pert, A pattern of inconstancy; Or selfish, mercenary flirt? Quoth Echo, sharply, --"Nary flirt!"

What if, aweary of the strife That long has lured the dear deceiver, She promise to amend her life, And sin no more; can I believe her? Quoth Echo, very promptly, --"Leave her!"

But if some maiden with a heart On me should venture to bestow it, Pray should I act the wiser part To take the treasure, or forego it? Quoth Echo, with decision, --"Go it!"

But what if, seemingly afraid To bind her fate in Hymen's fetter, She vow she means to die a maid, In answer to my loving letter? Quoth Echo, rather coolly, --"Let her!"

What if, in spite of her disdain, I find my heart intwined aboutWith Cupid's dear delicious chain So closely that I can't get out? Quoth Echo, laughingly, --"Get out!"

But if some maid with beauty blest, As pure and fair as Heaven can make her. Will share my labor and my rest Till envious Death shall overtake her? Quoth Echo (sotto voce), --"Take her!"

THE STORY OF ALADDIN, OR THE WONDERFUL LAMP

NOTE. --The Arabian Nights' Entertainment, from which Aladdin andSinbad the Sailor are taken, is a celebrated collection of Easterntales. It is supposed that the Arabians got them from the people ofIndia, who in their turn are supposed to have received them fromPersia. They were introduced into Europe in a French translation aboutthe beginning of the eighteenth century, and have always been verypopular, not only on account of the interest of the stories, butbecause they give excellent pictures of life and customs in the East. In certain Mohammedan lands to-day people tell and believe stories ofgenii which are quite as extraordinary as some of those contained inthe Arabian Nights. 

The tales, although they are separate stories, are fancifullyconnected as follows:

A certain sultan, Schahriar, having found that his wife was unfaithfulto him, had her put to death and vowed that each day thereafter hewould marry a new wife, who should be put to death on the followingmorning. At length Scheherazade, a daughter of the vizier, determinedto try by a clever device to stop the sultan's cruelty. By her ownrequest she became the wife of the sultan, but in the morning, beforehe had a chance to order her beheaded, she began to tell him a mostinteresting story. In the middle of this tale she broke off, and thesultan was so curious as to what was to follow, that he declared sheshould live until the following day. Each day the sultaness practicedthe same device, and each day the sultan's curiosity got the better ofhis cruelty, so that he allowed her to live on. For a thousand and onenights she kept up her story telling, and by the end of that time, thesultan had fallen so in love with his wife that he declared she shouldlive. Thus by her heroism and her accomplishments she prevented thedeath of many girls, who might have become victims of the sultan'scruel vow. 

In one of the great, rich cities of China, there once lived a poortailor named Mustapha. Although his family consisted only of his wifeand a son, he could scarcely by the hardest labor support them. 

Aladdin, the son, was an idle fellow, careless and disobedient. Everymorning early he would go out into the streets, and there he wouldstay all day, playing in the public places with other shiftlesschildren of his own age. 

When he was old enough to learn a trade, his father took him into hisown shop and taught him how to use a needle, but no sooner was thefather's back turned than Aladdin was gone for the day. Mustaphapunished him again and again, but everything failed to keep Aladdinoff the street, and finally his father was compelled to abandon him tohis evil ways. The poor old tailor felt his son's disobedience sokeenly that he fell sick, and in a few months died of sorrow. 

Aladdin, no longer restrained by the fear of his father, was never outof the streets by day, and gave himself up wholly to idleness and playtill he was fifteen years old. 

At about that time, as he was one day playing with some rough boys inthe street, a stranger who was passing stopped and eyed the boykeenly. Though the stranger looked like any other man, he was inreality an African magician, who had but recently arrived in theChinese city. Aladdin was an attractive boy, and because of his habitsthe sorcerer felt that the boy was well suited to his purposes. Accordingly, after talking with the other boys and learning Aladdin'shistory, he called the youngster away from his playmates. 

"Child, " he asked, "was not your father called Mustapha the tailor?"

"Yes, sir, " said the boy, "but he has been dead for some time. "

At these words the magician threw his arms about Aladdin's neck, and, with tears in his eyes, kissed the boy several times, saying, "I amyour uncle; your father was my own brother. I knew you as soon as Isaw you, you are so much like him. Go, my son, " he continued, handingthe boy some money, "to your mother! Give her my love and tell herthat I will visit her to-morrow. "

Overjoyed with the money his uncle had given him, Aladdin ran to hishome. 

"O mother, " he cried, "have I an uncle?"

"No, my son, " she replied, "you have no uncle either on your father'sside or on mine. "

"I am just now come, " said Aladdin, "from a man who says he is myuncle and my father's brother. He cried and kissed me when I told himmy father was dead, and gave me money, sending his love to you, andpromising to come and pay you a visit, that he may see the house myfather lived and died in. "

"Indeed, child, " replied the mother, "your father had no brother, norhave you an uncle. "

The next day the magician found Aladdin playing in another part of thetown, and embracing him as before, put two pieces of gold into hishand, and said to him, "Carry this, child, to your mother; tell herthat I will come and see her to-night, and bid her get us somethingfor supper; but first show me the house where you live. " Aladdin showed the African magician the house, and carried the twopieces of gold to his mother, who went out and bought provisions. 

She spent the whole day in preparing the supper; and at night, when itwas ready, said to her son, "Perhaps the stranger knows not how tofind our house; go and bring him, if you meet with him. "

Aladdin was just ready to go, when the magician knocked at the door, and came in loaded with wine and all sorts of fruits, which he broughtfor a dessert. After he had given what he brought into Aladdin'shands, he saluted his mother, and desired to show him the place wherehis brother Mustapha used to sit on the sofa; and when she had doneso, he fell down, and kissed it several times, crying out, with tearsin his eyes, "My poor brother! how unhappy am I, not to have come soonenough to give you one last embrace!"

Aladdin's mother desired him to sit down in the same place, but hedeclined. 

"No, " said he, "I shall not do that; but give me leave to sit oppositeit, that although I see not the master of a family so dear to me, Imay at least behold the place where he used to sit. "

When the magician had comfortably seated himself, he began to talkwith Aladdin's mother. 

"My good sister, " said he, "do not be surprised that you have neverseen me in all the time you were married to my brother Mustapha, blessed be his memory. I have been forty years traveling in India, Persia, Arabia, Syria and Egypt. In Africa I lived for many years, butat last I wished to see my native country again, and to embrace mydear brother. Nothing ever afflicted me so much as hearing of mybrother's death. But God be praised for all things! It is a comfortfor me to find in my nephew one who has my brother's most remarkablefeatures. "

The widow wept so sorrowfully at these kind allusions to her husband, that the sorcerer changed the conversation. 

"What business do you follow, my nephew, " he asked; "have you anytrade?"

The youth hung down his head and could make no answer, but his motherbegan to complain. "Aladdin is an idle fellow. When his father wasalive, he tried to teach the boy his trade, but without success. Now Ican do nothing with the boy, who forgets that he is no longer a child. He idles away his time in the streets till I have resolved one ofthese days to turn him out to provide for himself. "

"This is not well, my nephew; you must think about helping yourself. There are many trades, and if you do not like your father's, I willtry to help you. If you wish, I will hire a shop for you and furnishit with linens and fine cloths, and with them you can make money withwhich to buy new goods, and thus support yourself in an honorableway. "

This plan just suited the lazy Aladdin. He told the magician that hefelt more inclined to be a business man than to engage in any trade. 

"Very well, then, " said the pretended uncle, "I will take you with meto-morrow to the best merchants in the city, clothe you properly, andset you up in a shop. "

The widow could no longer doubt that the magician was her husband'sbrother, and after exhorting Aladdin to be worthy of his uncle'skindness, served the supper, and the three chatted on various subjectsuntil the time came for the magician to take his leave. 

The next day he came as he had promised, and taking Aladdin with him, purchased a fine suit of clothing, just such as the boy wished. 

After this the sorcerer took Aladdin through the city, showed him thefine buildings, took him into the rich stores, and finally introducedhim to many of the prominent merchants with whom the young storekeeperwould have to deal. 

When night came, the sorcerer conducted Aladdin to his home, where hismother, seeing him so richly clothed, bestowed a thousand blessingsupon the head of the magician. The second day the magician tookAladdin into the country, saying that on the third day he wouldpurchase the shop. They went out at one of the gates of the city andvisited a number of beautiful palaces, at every one of which thesorcerer would ask Aladdin if he did not think it fine, and thenmention some palace farther on that was even more magnificent. By suchdevice he led the youth far into the country, and in the heat of theday sat down with him on the edge of a fountain of clear water thatdischarged itself by the mouth of a bronze lion. 

"Come, nephew, " he said, "let us rest ourselves, and we shall bebetter able to pursue our walk. " The magician drew from his pocketsome cakes and fruit, and as they lunched he urged Aladdin to changehis habits, become industrious, and seek the companionship of the wiseand learned. 

After resting a time, the magician by various devices led Aladdinstill farther into the country, until they came between two mountainsof nearly equal size, divided by a narrow valley. 

"Now, " said the magician, who had come all the way from Africa toChina for this very purpose, "we will go no farther. I will show youhere some wonderful things, for which you will thank me. But while Istrike a light, gather up all the loose, dry sticks you can find, sothat we can build a fire. "

As soon as they had a good fire burning, the magician threw upon itsome incense, pronouncing at the same time several magical words whichAladdin could not understand. 

Scarcely were the words uttered, when the earth in front of themagician opened and disclosed a stone with a brass ring in it. Aladdinwas so frightened by the noise and commotion, that he started to runaway. But the magician seized him by the collar and gave him such abox on the ear that he fell to the ground. 

"What have I done, uncle, " said the boy, trembling with fear, "to betreated in such a manner?"

"I am your uncle, " said the magician, "and I am in place of yourfather. It is not your place to question me. But my child, " he said, softening his voice, "do not be afraid, for if you obey me punctuallyyou will reap the great advantages I intend for you. Under this stoneis hidden a treasure which shall be yours, and which will make youricher than the greatest monarch in the world. No one but yourself canlift the stone, and no one but yourself can enter the cave. "

Aladdin, more and more amazed at what he said, forgot his fear andanger, and rising, said, "Command me, uncle! I am ready to obey. "

"That is right, my boy, " said the magician embracing him. "Take holdof the ring and lift the stone. "

"But I am not strong enough, " said Aladdin; "you must help me. "

"If I help you, you can do nothing. Take hold of the ring and lift thestone; it will come easily. "

Aladdin, obeying, raised the stone with ease and laid it to one side. Beneath it appeared a staircase leading to a door. 

"Descend, my son, " said the magician, "and open the door. It will leadyou into a wonderful palace, having three great halls. In each ofthese you will see four large brass chests, full of gold and silver;but take care you do not meddle with them. Before you enter the firsthall, be sure to tuck up your robe, wrap it about you, and then passthrough the second into the third without stopping. Above all things, have a care that you do not touch the walls so much as with yourclothes; for if you do, you will die instantly. At the end of thethird hall, you will find a door which opens into a garden, plantedwith fine trees loaded with fruit. Walk directly across the garden toa terrace, where you will see a niche before you, and in that niche alighted lamp. Take the lamp down and put it out. When you have thrownaway the wick and poured out the liquor, put it in your waistband andbring it to me. Do not be afraid that the liquor will spoil yourclothes, for it is not oil, and the lamp will be dry as soon as it isthrown out. "

After these words the magician drew a ring off his finger, and put iton one of Aladdin's, saying, "This is a talisman against all evil, solong as you obey me. Go, therefore, boldly, and we shall both be richall our lives. "

[Illustration ALADDIN DESCENDED THE STEPS]

Aladdin descended the steps, and, opening the door, found the threehalls just as the African magician had described. He went through themwith all the precaution the fear of death could inspire, crossed thegarden without stopping, took down the lamp from the niche, threw outthe wick and the liquor, and, as the magician had desired, put it inhis waistband. But as he came down from the terrace, seeing it wasperfectly dry, he stopped in the garden to observe the trees, whichwere loaded with extraordinary fruit of different colors. Some borefruit entirely white, and some clear and transparent as crystal; somepale red, and others deeper; some green, blue and purple, and othersyellow; in short, there was fruit of all colors. The white werepearls; the clear and transparent, diamonds; the red, rubies; thegreen, emeralds; the blue, turquoises; the purple, amethysts; and theyellow, sapphires, Aladdin, ignorant of their value, would havepreferred figs, or grapes, or pomegranates; but as he had his uncle'spermission, he resolved to gather some of every sort. Having filledthe two new purses his uncle had bought for him with his clothes, hewrapped some up in the skirts of his vest, and crammed his bosom asfull as it could hold. 

Aladdin, having thus loaded himself with riches of which he knew notthe value, returned cautiously through the three halls and arrived atthe mouth of the cave. 

As soon as Aladdin saw the magician he cried, "Lend me your hand tohelp me out. "

"Give me the lamp first, " replied the magician impatiently, "it willbe troublesome to you. "

"Indeed, uncle, " answered Aladdin, "I cannot, I will give it to you assoon as I am up. "

The African magician was determined to have the lamp before he wouldhelp Aladdin out, and the latter, who had covered the lamp with thefruits he had picked in the garden, could not well get at it till hewas out of the cave. 

Provoked beyond reason by the boy's obstinacy, the magician flew intoa passion, threw a little of his incense into the fire, and pronouncedtwo magical words. Instantly the stone, which had closed the openingto the staircase, moved into its place, and the earth covered it overas smoothly as when the two companions had discovered it. 

The truth was that the magician had learned of the existence of awonderful lamp, which he was not permitted to take himself, but whichhe could use if it were given to him freely by some other person. Accordingly, he had tried by a mixture of authority and persuasion toget the lamp through Aladdin. When he saw that his attempt had failed, he hurriedly left the country without returning to the town. 

Aladdin, suddenly enveloped in darkness and deserted, knew that themagician could not be his uncle, but must be some one who had evildesigns against him. Again and again he cried out that he was willingto give up the lamp. All his cries were unavailing, and at last, discouraged, he descended to the bottom of the steps, thinking to goback into the palace. Now, however, he found the door closed, andwithout hope of again seeing the light, he sat down on the bottom stepweeping in despair. 

Finally his good teachings came to his aid, and he thought, "There ishelp and power and strength in the High God; I will pray to him. " Sohe knelt and joined his hands in supplication. 

In doing so, he happened to rub the ring which the magician had putupon his finger, and immediately a genie of frightful aspect appeared. 

"What wouldst thou?" said the genie. "I and the other slaves of thering serve him who wears it. I am ready to obey!"

At any other time, so hideous a figure as that of the genie would havefrightened Aladdin, but the danger was so great that he cried out tothe spirit, "Whoever thou art, deliver me from this place. "

As soon as the words were uttered, Aladdin found himself on the veryspot where the magician had last left him, and no sign remained ofcave or opening. 

After returning thanks to God for his deliverance, he hurried home, and as soon as he had recovered from his weariness, he told his motherwhat had happened. 

Aladdin slept late the next morning, and when he wakened his firstwords were a request for something to eat. 

"Alas! child, " said his mother, "I have no bread to give you. Everything was eaten up yesterday. I have nothing but a little cottonwhich I might sell. "

"Keep your cotton, mother, till another time, " said Aladdin. "I willtake the lamp which I got in the cave yesterday and try to sell it. The money will buy us our dinner and perhaps our supper. "

Aladdin's mother looked at the lamp and saw that it was very dirty. "Perhaps it would bring more, " she said, "if I should clean it. "Taking some water and sand, she began to rub the lamp, when in aninstant a genie of gigantic size and hideous appearance stood beforeher and called out in a voice of thunder:

"What wouldst thou have? I and the other slaves of the lamp that is inyour hands are ready to obey thee. "

Terrified at the sight of the genie, Aladdin's mother fainted, butAladdin, who had seen such an apparition before in the cave, snatchedthe lamp from her hands and cried out, "I am hungry; bring mesomething to eat. "

The genie disappeared, but in a moment returned with a large silvertray on which were twelve silver dishes, each containing the mostdelicious viands; six large white cakes lay on two silver plates; twosilver flagons of wine, and two silver cups rested on the tray. Allthis was placed upon the carpet before Aladdin, and then the geniedisappeared. 

Aladdin's mother did not recover until he had sprinkled some water inher face. As she returned to consciousness he said, "Be not afraid, mother; arise and eat! Here is something to put you in heart, and atthe same time satisfy my hunger. "

"Child, " said the mother, as she looked upon the silver dishes andsmelled the savory odor from the food, "who has given us thesewonderful things? Has the sultan remembered us?"

"Never mind that, " said Aladdin. "Let us sit down and eat. When wehave done, I will tell you. "

As they ate, both looked at the dishes, but neither knew their value. They were attracted more by the novelty than by the fact that theywere silver. They lingered long over their food, and after they hadeaten all they could, they found that enough was left for the whole ofthe next day. 

"Now, " said the mother after she had put away the dishes and theremnants of the feast, "tell me what happened while I was in theswoon. "

What her son told her amazed her as much as the appearance of thegenie. 

"What have we to do with genii?" said the mother, "and how came thatvile one to speak to me instead of to you, whom he had seen in thecave?"

"Mother, " answered Aladdin, "the genie I saw in the cave was another, the slave of the ring. The one you saw was a slave of the lamp. "

"What!" cried his mother, "was it the lamp that caused that horriblegenie to speak to me instead of to you? Take the lamp out of my sightand do with it what you please. If you take my advice, you will partwith the lamp and the ring too, and have nothing to do with genii, who, as our Prophet has told us, are only devils. "

"With your leave, mother, " replied Aladdin, "I shall take care how Isell a lamp which will be so serviceable to us. That stranger wouldnever have come to us for any reason but to get this lamp, and as wecame honestly by it, let us use it without making any great show andexciting the envy and jealousy of our neighbors. However, since thegenie frightened you, I will hide the lamp where I can find it in caseI need it. The ring I will never part with, for without it I neverwould have seen you again. Let me keep it, therefore, and wear it onmy finger. "

Aladdin's mother consented, but declared she would have no more to dowith genii, and would never mention the matter again. When their foodwas all gone, Aladdin took one of the silver plates and sold it to anold Jew, who gave him about a sixtieth of what it was worth. But eventhen they were able to live upon the money for several days, and byselling the other dishes, even at the same low figure, they were ableto live a long time. 

When all the money was spent, Aladdin again took the lamp, found theplace where his mother had scrubbed it with sand, and rubbed it oncemore. 

"What wouldst thou have?" said the genie, who came immediately, asbefore. "I and the other slaves of the lamp that is in your hands areready to obey thee. "

"I am hungry, " replied Aladdin; "bring me something to eat. "

Then for the second time the genie brought a tray and dishes of silverloaded with appetizing food, all as fine and valuable as those of thefirst gift. After the provisions were eaten, Aladdin started again tothe Jew with one of the plates. As he was passing a goldsmith's shop, the latter said to him, "My lad, you must have something to sell tothe Jew, whom I have seen you visit so often. Now he is the greatestof rogues. Let me see what you have, and I will give you all it isworth, or I will direct you to other merchants who will not cheatyou. "

Aladdin pulled the plate from under his vest and showed it to thegoldsmith. 

"What does the Jew give you for such a plate?" said the goldsmith. 

"I have sold him twelve such for a piece of gold each, " repliedAladdin. 

"What a villain!" said the goldsmith. "Let me show you how much theJew has cheated you. "

The goldsmith weighed the plate and said, "This should bring you sixtypieces of silver, and I am willing to pay you that for it now. "Aladdin thanked him for his fair dealing, and never again went to anyother person. 

With such a thing as the lamp in their possession, you may wellbelieve that neither Aladdin nor his mother suffered for food orclothing, but they were wise in the use of their treasure and livedwith as great frugality as before the lamp was found. 

Aladdin, too, improved in his conduct, and spent the most of his timeamong the merchants who sold gold, silver and fine clothing. Here atone time he learned that the fruits that he had gathered in the gardenwere not glass as he had supposed, but were precious jewels ofinestimable value. He took care, however, not to mention this fact toany one, even his mother. 

One day, as Aladdin was walking through the town, he heard aproclamation that commanded the people to shut up their shops andhouses and stay within doors while the sultan's daughter, the PrincessBuddir al Buddoor, passed through the streets. Aladdin was instantlyinspired with curiosity to see the princess's face, and determined togratify his wish by concealing himself behind a door. As it happened, the princess actually took off her veil just as she passed Aladdin, and he was able to see her face clearly. She was indeed a notedbeauty. Her eyes were large, lively and sparkling; her smilebewitching; her nose faultless; her mouth small; her lips vermilion. It is not surprising, then, that Aladdin, who had never before seenany one so beautiful, was both dazzled and enchanted. 

After the princess had passed, he hurried home and told his mother hisadventure, concluding, "I love the princess more than I can express, and am resolved to ask her in marriage of the sultan. "

"Alas, child, " said the mother. "What are you thinking of? You must bemad to dream of such a thing. "

"Far from it, " replied Aladdin. "I am not mad, but in my right senses. I knew you would reproach me, but I must tell you once more that I amresolved to ask the princess in marriage, and I do not despair ofsuccess. With the slaves of the ring and of the lamp to help me, howcan I fail? Moreover, I have another secret for you; those pieces ofglass which I took from the trees in that underground garden arejewels of inestimable value, and fit for the greatest of monarchs. There is nothing to be compared with mine for size or beauty. I amsure that they will secure me the favor of the sultan. You have alarge porcelain dish fit to hold them; let us see how they will lookwhen we have arranged them by colors. "

Aladdin's mother brought the dish, and Aladdin placed the jewels in itaccording to his fancy. Their brightness and luster and great varietyof colors dazzled the eyes of both mother and son, who had neverbefore seen them thus together. 

Aladdin's mother, fearing that he might be guilty of even greaterextravagance, promised to do as he wished, and early the next morningshe took the china dish in which the jewels had been arranged the daybefore, wrapped it in two fine napkins, and set forth to the sultan'spalace, where the grand vizier, the other viziers, and the mostdistinguished lords of the court were gathered. Despite the fact thatthe crowd was great, she got into the divan, a spacious hall with amagnificent entrance, and placed herself before the sultan and thegreat lords who sat with him in council. After several causes had beencalled, pleaded and adjudged according to their order, the divan brokeup, and the sultan, rising, returned to his apartment, accompanied byall the high officials. 

Aladdin's mother, thinking rightly that the sultan would not appearagain that day, hurried back to her home, where she said to Aladdinwith much simplicity, "Son, I have seen the sultan, and am very wellpersuaded he has seen me, too, for I placed myself just before him;but he was so much taken up with those who attended on all sides ofhim that I pitied him, and wondered at his patience. At last I believehe was heartily tired, for he rose up suddenly, and would not hear agreat many who were ready prepared to speak to him, but went away, atwhich I was well pleased, for indeed I began to lose all patience, andwas extremely fatigued with staying so long. But there is no harmdone; I will go again; perhaps the sultan may not be so busy. "

She went six times afterward on the days appointed, and placed herselfalways directly before the sultan, but with as little success as thefirst morning. 

On the sixth day, however, after the divan was broken up, when thesultan returned to his own apartment, he said to his grand vizier: "Ihave for some time observed a certain woman, who attends constantlyevery day that I give audience, with something wrapped up in a napkin;she always stands from the beginning to the breaking up of theaudience, and affects to place herself just before me. If this womancomes to our next audience, do not fail to call her, that I may hearwhat she has to say. " The grand vizier made answer by lowering hishand, and then lifting it up above his head, signifying hiswillingness to lose it if he failed. 

On the next audience day, when Aladdin's mother went to the divan, andplaced herself in front of the sultan as usual, the grand vizierimmediately called the chief of the mace-bearers, and pointing to herbade him bring her before the sultan. The old woman at once followedthe mace-bearer, and when she reached the sultan bowed her head downto the carpet which covered the platform, of the throne, and remainedin that posture until he bade her rise, which she had no sooner done, than he said to her, "Good woman, I have observed you to stand manydays from the beginning to the rising of the divan; what businessbrings you here?"

After these words, Aladdin's mother prostrated herself a second time;and when she arose, said, "Monarch of monarchs, I beg of you to pardonthe boldness of my petition, and to assure me of your pardon andforgiveness. "

"Well, " replied the sultan, "I will forgive you, be it what it may, and no hurt shall come to you; speak boldly. "

Then Aladdin's mother told the sultan faithfully the errand on whichher son had sent her. 

The sultan hearkened to her discourse without showing any anger; butbefore he answered her, he asked her what she had brought tied in thenapkin. Thereupon she uncovered the china dish and presented it to thesultan. His amazement and surprise were inexpressible, and for sometime he remained lost in admiration. At last, however, he took thepresent from the hand of Aladdin's mother, saying, "How rich! howbeautiful!"

Having handled all the jewels, one after another, he turned to thegrand vizier and said, "Behold, admire, wonder! and confess that youreyes never beheld jewels so rich and beautiful before. " The vizier wascharmed, and the sultan continued, "What sayest thou to such apresent? Is it not worthy of the princess, my daughter? And ought Inot to be willing to give her to one who values her at so great aprice?"

"I cannot but own, " replied the vizier, "that the present is worthythe princess, but I beg your majesty to grant me three months beforeyou decide. I hope before that time that my son, whom you have lookedupon with favor heretofore, will be able to make you a nobler presentthan this of the stranger, Aladdin. "

"Good woman, " said the sultan, turning to Aladdin's mother, "go homeand tell your son that I agree to the proposal you made, but I cannotmarry the princess, my daughter, for three months. At the expirationof that time come again. "

Aladdin thought himself the most happy of men when he heard this news, and began to count every week, day, and even hour that passed, sogreat was his impatience. One evening, when two of the three monthshad gone, his mother went out to buy some oil, and found a generalfestival--the houses dressed with foliage, silks and carpeting, andevery one joining in a great rejoicing. The officers, in showyuniforms, on richly caparisoned horses, galloped about the streets. 

"What is the meaning of all this preparation for public festivity?"said Aladdin's mother to the oil merchant. 

"Where have you been, good woman, " answered he, "that you do not knowthat the son of the grand vizier is to marry the Princess Buddir alBuddoor to-night? These officers are to assist at the palace, wherethe ceremony is to be solemnized. "

Hearing this news, Aladdin's mother ran home very quickly. "Child, "she cried, "you are undone. The sultan's fine promises have come tonought. This night the grand vizier's son is to marry the PrincessBuddir al Buddoor. "

For a moment Aladdin was thunderstruck, but then he bethought himselfof the lamp and summoned the genie, resolved if possible to preventthe marriage. 

"What wouldst thou have?" said the genie. "I and the other slaves ofthe lamp that is in thy hands are ready to obey thee. "

"Hear me, " said Aladdin. "You have hitherto obeyed me; this is aharder task. The sultan's daughter, who was promised me as my bride, is this night married to the son of the grand vizier. Bring them bothhither to me as soon as they have retired to their chamber. "

"Master, " replied the genie, "I obey thee. "

Aladdin supped with his mother as usual and then went to his ownapartment to await the return of the genie. 

In the meantime the festivities in honor of the princess's marriagewere conducted at the sultan's palace with great magnificence. Whenthe ceremonies were concluded, the princess and her husband retired tothe chamber prepared for them. But no sooner had they lain down thanthe genie, the faithful slave of the lamp, to the great amazement andalarm of both the bride and the groom, took up the bed and in aninstant transported them all to the chamber of Aladdin. 

"Remove the bridegroom, " said Aladdin to the genie, "and keep him aprisoner till to-morrow morning; then return with him here. "

When Aladdin was left alone with the princess, he tried to quiet herfears and to explain to her the treachery practiced upon him by thesultan. Then, drawing his scimitar, he laid it down between them toshow her that he would treat her with the utmost possible respect, andsecure her safety. 

At break of day, the genie appeared bringing back the bridegroom, whomhe had entranced and left motionless outside the door of Aladdin'schamber during the night. By Aladdin's command the couch with thebride and groom was transported into the sultan's palace. A momentafter the genie had set the couch down in the chamber of the palace, the sultan came to the door to offer his good wishes to his daughter. The grand vizier's son, who had almost perished from cold by standingin his thin undergarment all night, hurried to the robing chamber anddressed himself. 

Having opened the door, the sultan went to the bedside, kissed theprincess on the forehead, and was greatly surprised to find herapparently in the greatest affliction. He left the room in a fewmoments and hurried to the apartments of the sultaness, whom he toldof the princess's melancholy. 

"Sire, " said the sultaness, "I will go and see her; she will notreceive me in the same manner. "

Nevertheless, the princess received the sultaness with sighs andtears, but after some persuasion she told her mother all that hadhappened during the night. The sultaness urged her to say nothingabout it, as no one would believe so strange a tale. Naturally thegrand vizier's son, proud of being the sultan's son-in-law, was morethan willing to keep silence. 

The next night everything happened precisely as it had on thepreceding night, but the second morning the princess told the sultaneverything she had told her mother. On hearing this strange piece ofnews he summoned the grand vizier and declared the marriage canceled, for he feared even worse treatment from the invisible agency which hadtroubled the young couple. 

Everybody was astonished at the sultan's change of mind, but no oneexcept Aladdin knew the cause, and he kept profound silence. 

On the very day that the three months expired, Aladdin's mother wentagain to the divan and stood in the same place. The sultan knew herand directed her to be brought before him. 

Having prostrated herself before him, she said, "Sire, I come at theend of three months to ask of you the fulfilment of the promise youhave made to my son. "

The sultan had not thought that the request of Aladdin's mother wasmade seriously, so he consulted with the vizier, who suggested thatthe sultan should not refuse Aladdin's request, but should attach suchconditions to the marriage as would be impossible for Aladdin tofulfill. 

"Good woman, " said the sultan after he had made his decision, "sultansought to abide by their word, and I will keep mine by making your sonhappy in marriage with the princess, my daughter. But I cannot marryher without some further proof that your son is able to support her inroyal state. Tell him then that I will fulfill my promise when hesends me forty trays of massy gold filled with jewels such as those hehas given me already, each tray borne by a black slave, who shall beled by a young and handsome white slave, all dressed magnificently. Goand tell your son what I say. I will wait for his answer. "

"Where, " said she on her way home, "can Aladdin get so many large goldtrays and such precious stones to fill them? He will not be muchpleased with my errand this time. "

When she came home, she told Aladdin the whole story and added, laughing, "The sultan expects your answer immediately. I believe hewill have to wait long enough. "

"Not so long, mother, as you imagine, " replied Aladdin. "This demandis a mere trifle. I will prepare at once to satisfy his request. "

In a very short time after Aladdin had retired to his apartment andconversed again with the genie of the lamp, a train of forty blackslaves led by the same number of white slaves appeared opposite thehouse in which Aladdin lived. Each black slave carried on his head abasin of massy gold, full of pearls, diamonds, rubies, and emeralds. 

"Mother, " said Aladdin, "pray lose no time; before the sultan and hisdivan rise, be there with this present as the dowry demanded for theprincess, so that he may know how diligent and exact I am, and howsincere I am in wishing the honor of this alliance. " As soon as thismagnificent procession, with Aladdin's mother at its head, had begunto march from Aladdin's house, the whole city was filled with thecrowds of people desirous to see so grand a sight. The gracefulbearing, elegant form, and wonderful likeness of the slaves; theirgrave walk at an equal distance from each other, the luster of theirjeweled girdles, and the brilliancy of the aigrettes of preciousstones in their turbans, excited the greatest admiration in thespectators. As they had to pass through several streets to the palace, the whole length of the way was lined with files of spectators. Nothing, indeed, was ever seen so beautiful and brilliant in thesultan's palace, and the richest robes of the emirs of his court werenot to be compared to the costly dresses of these slaves, whom theysupposed to be kings. 

As the sultan, who had been informed of their approach, had givenorders for them to be admitted, they met with no obstacle, but wentinto the divan in regular order, one part turning to the right and theother to the left. After they were all entered, and had formed asemicircle before the sultan's throne, the black slaves laid thegolden trays on the carpet, prostrated themselves, touching the carpetwith their foreheads, and at the same time the white slaves didlikewise. When they rose, the black slaves uncovered the trays, andthen all stood with their arms crossed over their breasts. 

In the meantime, Aladdin's mother advanced to the foot of the throne, and having prostrated herself, said to the sultan, "Sire, my son knowsthis present is much below the notice of Princess Buddir al Buddoor;but hopes, nevertheless, that your majesty will accept of it, and makeit agreeable to the princess, and with the greater confidence since hehas endeavored to conform to the conditions you were pleased toimpose. "

The sultan, overpowered at the sight of such more than royalmagnificence, replied without hesitation to the words of Aladdin'smother: "Go and tell your son that I wait with open arms to embracehim; and the more haste he makes to come and receive the princess mydaughter from my hands, the greater pleasure he will do me. "

As soon as Aladdin's mother had retired, the sultan put an end to theaudience; and rising from his throne ordered that the princess'sattendants should come and carry the trays into their mistress'sapartment, whither he went himself to examine them with her at hisleisure. The fourscore slaves were conducted into the palace; and thesultan, telling the princess of their magnificent apparel, orderedthem to be brought before her apartment, that she might see throughthe lattices he had not exaggerated in his account of them. 

In the meantime Aladdin's mother reached home, and showed in her airand countenance the good news she brought to her son. 

"My son, " said she, "you may rejoice, for you are arrived at theheight of your desires. The sultan has declared that you shall marrythe Princess Buddir al Buddoor. He waits for you with impatience. "

Aladdin, delighted with this news, said little, but hurried into hischamber. Here he rubbed his lamp, and the obedient genie appeared. 

"Genie, " said Aladdin, "convey me at once to a bath, and supply mewith the richest and most magnificent robe ever worn by a monarch. "

No sooner were the words out of his mouth than the genie, makingAladdin as well as himself invisible, took the latter into an elegantmarble bath, where the youth was well rubbed and washed with scentedwaters. When he came out from the bath, his skin was as clear as thatof a child, and his body lightsome and free. 

When the bath was finished, Aladdin found before him a robe, themagnificence of which astonished him. By the genie's aid he put on therobe, and was returned to his chamber. 

"Have you any further command?" asked the genie. 

"Yes, " answered Aladdin, "bring me a charger that surpasses ingoodness and beauty the best in the sultan's stable. Give him a richsaddle and bridle, and other caparisons to correspond with his value. Furnish me with twenty slaves, as richly clothed as those who carriedthe present to the sultan, to walk by my side and to follow me, andtwenty more to go before me in two ranks. Bring my mother six womenslaves to attend her, all dressed as richly as any slave of thePrincess Buddir al Buddoor, each slave carrying a complete dress fitfor any sultaness. I want also ten thousand pieces of gold in tenpurses; go, and make haste. "

The genie executed all these difficult commands in a moment. ThenAladdin, taking the women slaves, each carrying on her head abeautiful dress wrapped in a piece of silver tissue, presented them tohis mother, saying that the dresses were brought for her use. Of theten purses, Aladdin gave his mother four. The other six he left in thehands of the slaves who brought them, telling them to throw the moneyby handfuls among the people as the procession went to the sultan'spalace. 

When Aladdin had thus prepared himself for his first interview withthe sultan, he dismissed the genie, and immediately mounting hischarger, began his march, and though he never had been on horsebackbefore, appeared with a grace the most experienced horseman mightenvy. The innumerable concourse of people through whom he passed madethe air echo with their acclamations, especially every time the sixslaves who carried the purses threw handfuls of gold among thepopulace. 

On Aladdin's arrival at the palace, the sultan was surprised to findhim more richly and magnificently robed than he had ever been himself, and was impressed with his good looks and dignity of manner, whichwere so different from what he expected in the son of one so humble asAladdin's mother. He embraced him with demonstrations of joy, and whenAladdin would have fallen at his feet, held him by the hand, and madehim sit near his throne. He shortly after led him, amidst the soundsof trumpets, haut-boys, and all kinds of music, to a magnificententertainment, at which the sultan and Aladdin ate by themselves, andthe great lords of the court, according to their rank and dignity, satat different tables. 

After the feast, the sultan sent for the chief cadi, and commanded himto draw up a contract of marriage between the Princess Buddir alBuddoor and Aladdin. When the contract had been drawn, the sultanasked Aladdin if he would stay in the palace and complete theceremonies of the marriage that day. 

[Illustration: "GENIE, BUILD ME A PALACE"]

"Sire, " said Aladdin, "though great is my impatience to enter on thehonor granted me by your majesty, yet I beg you to permit me first tobuild a palace worthy to receive the princess your daughter. I prayyou to grant me sufficient ground near your palace, and I will have itcompleted with the utmost expedition. " The sultan granted Aladdin hisrequest, and again embraced him. After which Aladdin took his leavewith as much politeness as if he had been bred up and had always livedat court. 

Aladdin returned home in the order he had come, amidst theacclamations of the people, who wished him all happiness andprosperity. When Aladdin entered his room, he took down the lamp, rubbed it, and when the genie appeared as usual, said, "Genie, buildme a palace fit to receive the Princess Buddir al Buddoor. Let it bemade of nothing less than porphyry, jasper, agate, lapis lazuli, andthe finest marble. Let its walls be massive gold and silver brick laidalternately. Let each front contain six windows, and let the latticesof these, excepting one, which must be left unfinished, all sparklewith diamonds, rubies and emeralds. Let there be an inner and an outercourt in front of the palace, and a spacious garden; provide a safetreasure-house, and fill it with gold and silver. Let there be alsokitchens and storehouses, stables full of the finest horses, withtheir equerries and grooms, and hunting equipage, officer, attendants, and slaves, both men and women, for the princess and myself. Go andexecute my wishes. "

As Aladdin gave these commands to the genie, the sun was setting. Itwas morning when the genie returned and transported Aladdin in amoment to the palace he had made. The genie led Aladdin through allthe apartments, where were officers and slaves, clothed according totheir rank. The treasury was opened by a treasurer, and there Aladdinsaw large vases of different sizes ranged around the chambers, and allfilled to the top with money. In the stables were some of the finesthorses in the world, and the grooms were busy dressing them. In thestorehouses was everything necessary, both for food and ornament. 

Aladdin examined every portion of the palace, and particularly thehall with the four and twenty windows, which far exceeded his fondexpectations. 

"Genie, " he said, "everything is as I wished. Only one thing now islacking. Lay immediately a fine carpet for the princess to walk uponfrom the sultan's palace to mine. "

In an instant the carpet was laid, and the genie disappeared. 

When the sultan's porters came to open the gates the next morning, they were amazed to find what had been an unoccupied garden filledwith a magnificent palace. They ran with the strange tidings to thegrand vizier, who hastened to the sultan. 

"It must be the palace, " said the sultan, "which I gave Aladdinpermission to build for my daughter. He has wished to let us see whatwonders can be done in a single night. "

In the meantime Aladdin had sent his mother to the Princess Buddir alBuddoor to tell her that the palace would be ready for her receptionin the evening. While the mother, attended by her women slaves, was inthe apartments of the princess, the sultan himself came in and wassurprised to find the woman whom he had seen in such humble guise athis divan, now more richly appareled than his own daughter. Aladdin, too, rose in the opinion of the monarch, because the young man hadshared his wealth and honors with his mother. 

Shortly after his mother's departure, Aladdin mounted his horse, andattended by his magnificent retinue, left the paternal home forever. With him he took, you may be sure, the wonderful lamp to which he owedall his good fortune, and the ring which had been given him as atalisman. 

That night the sultan entertained Aladdin with the greatestmagnificence, and at the conclusion of the marriage ceremony theprincess took leave of her father. Bands of music, followed by ahundred stately ushers and a hundred black mutes in two files, withtheir officers at their head, led the procession. Four hundred of thesultan's young pages carried torches on each side, which together withthe illumination of the two palaces made the night as light as day. 

Thus the princess, accompanied also by Aladdin's mother, walked alongthe carpet which was spread to the palace of her husband. ThereAladdin was ready to receive her, and to lead her into a large halllighted with an infinite number of wax candles. 

A feast consisting of the most delicate viands was then served upondishes of massy gold. Plates, basins, goblets, were all of the mostexquisite workmanship. 

The princess, dazzled by such brilliancy, said to Aladdin, "I thought, prince, that nothing in the world was so beautiful as my father'spalace; but the sight of this hall shows me how much I was deceived. "

The next morning Aladdin's attendants brought him another habit, asrich and magnificent as that worn the day before. He then ordered oneof the horses to be got ready for him; mounted it, and went, in themidst of a large body of slaves, to invite the sultan and the lords ofhis court to attend a banquet. To this the sultan gave immediateconsent, and rising at once, accompanied Aladdin to his palace. Everystep of the way the sultan's admiration increased; but when he enteredthe hall and saw the windows enriched with such large and perfectdiamonds, rubies and emeralds, he was more than ever astonished. 

"This palace is one of the wonders of the world, my son; but what mostsurprises me is that one of the windows of this magnificent hallshould be left incomplete and unfinished. "

"Sire, " answered Aladdin, "the omission was intentional, as I wishedthat you might have the glory of finishing the hall. "

"I appreciate your kindness, " said the sultan, "and will give ordersabout it immediately. "

After the banquet the sultan summoned his jewelers and goldsmiths, andshowed them the unfinished window. "I sent for you, " said he, "to fitup this window in as great perfection as the rest. Examine them welland make all the haste you can. "

The jewelers and goldsmiths examined the three and twenty windows, andafter they had consulted to know what each could furnish, theyreturned to the sultan. 

The principal jeweler, speaking for the rest, said: "Sire, we arewilling to do our best to obey you, but among us all we cannot furnishjewels enough for so great a work. "

"I have more than are necessary, " said the sultan. "Come to my palaceand choose what you need. " Thereupon the sultan returned to his palaceand ordered his jewels to be brought out, particularly those Aladdinhad given him. The jewelers selected a great quantity and began theirwork. Many times more they came back for jewels, and in a month'stime, though they had used everything the sultan had, and borrowed ofthe vizier, their work was not half done. 

Aladdin, who was now satisfied that the jewelers and goldsmiths sawthat they could not possibly do the work, ordered them to undo whatthey had begun, and to return all the jewels to the sultan and thevizier. 

It took them but a few hours to undo what they had been a month inaccomplishing. When Aladdin was left alone in the hall, after theworkmen had gone to the sultan, he took the lamp which he carriedabout him and rubbed it till the genie appeared. 

"Genie, " said Aladdin, "I ordered you to leave one of the four andtwenty windows of this hall imperfect, and you executed my commandpunctually. Now make it like the rest. "

The genie immediately disappeared, and a few moments after, the windowappeared like all the rest. 

In the meantime the jewelers and the goldsmiths were introduced intothe sultan's presence, and returned to him the jewels they had broughtback. The sultan asked if Aladdin had given any reason for returningthe stones, and when he was told that Aladdin had sent no message, hewas much disturbed, and had one of his horses saddled and rode at onceto Aladdin's palace. Aladdin came to the gate, and without replying tothe sultan's inquiries led him to the grand hall, and showed him theonce imperfect window now corresponding exactly to the others. TheSultan could not at first believe what he saw, and would not admituntil he had examined every one of the four and twenty windows. Whenat last he was satisfied, he embraced his son-in-law and kissed himbetween the eyes. 

"My son, " said he, "what a wonderful man you are to do such surprisingthings in the twinkling of an eye. There is none such as you in theworld; the more I know you, the more I admire you. "

Aladdin lived in happiness, but did not confine himself within hispalace. When he went about the streets he traveled in much state, sometimes to one mosque and sometimes to another, or at times to visitthe principal lords of the court. Every time he went out, he causedtwo slaves to walk beside his horse and throw handfuls of money to thepeople as he passed through the streets and squares. In this wayAladdin secured the respect and esteem of the populace. 

Several years passed quietly. It then happened that one day theAfrican magician remembered Aladdin, and entered into a long series ofmagical ceremonies to determine whether Aladdin had perished in thesubterranean cavern. Imagine his surprise when he learned by means ofhis horoscope that Aladdin, instead of dying in the cave, had made hisescape and was living in royal splendor by the aid of the genie of thelamp. The very next morning the magician set out with great haste forthe capital of China, and on his arrival there he took lodging in akhan. He heard much there about the wealth, charities, happiness andsplendid palace of the Prince Aladdin, and his knowledge of magicshowed him that only by genii alone could such wonders have beenaccomplished. 

[Illustration: NEW LAMPS FOR OLD]

Piqued and angered by Aladdin's success, the magician returned to hiskhan, and by magic undertook to find where Aladdin kept the lamp. 

Great was his joy when he discovered that the lamp was kept in thepalace. 

"Well, " said he, rubbing his hands in glee, "I shall soon have thelamp again, and will put Aladdin back to his original mean position. "

The next day he learned that Aladdin had gone on a hunting expeditionthat was to last eight days, and that but three of the days hadexpired. Consequently the magician began at once to carry out hisplans. He went to a coppersmith and asked for a dozen copper lamps. The master of the shop did not have so many by him, but said that ifthe magician would call the next day, he would have them ready andwell polished. 

Early the next day the magician called, and found the twelve lampsawaiting him. Paying the man the full price demanded, he put the lampsinto a basket hanging on his arm, and started for Aladdin's palace. Onthe way he began to cry out, "Who will exchange old lamps for newones?"

As he went along, a crowd of children and idle people followedhooting, for all thought him a madman or a fool to offer to exchangenew lamps for old ones. The sorcerer regarded not their scoffs, hooting, or anything they could say, but continued to cry shrilly, "Who will exchange old lamps for new ones?"

When he reached the palace he walked back and forth in front of it. The crowds kept increasing every moment, and his voice became more andmore shrill. At last the princess heard the noise and commotion, andlooking from one of the four and twenty windows, sent a slave to findout what the crowd meant and what the man was saying. 

"Madam, " answered the slave, who soon returned laughing, "every onelaughs to see an old man carrying on his arm a basket full of fine newlamps, and asking to exchange them for old ones. The children and mobcrowd about him so that the old man can hardly stir, and make all thenoise they can in derision of him. "

"Now you speak of lamps, " replied another female slave, "I know notwhether the princess has observed it, but there is an old lamp inPrince Aladdin's robing room; whoever owns it will not be sorry tochange it for a new one. If the princess wishes, she may find out ifthis old man is as silly as he appears to be, and will give a new lampfor an old one without expecting anything in addition. "

The princess, who knew not the value of the lamp nor Aladdin'sinterest in it, entered into the amusement and ordered the slave tomake the exchange. No sooner had the slave reached the gates of thepalace than the magician snatched the lamp eagerly, and thrusting itas far as he could into his breast, offered the slave his basket, andbade her choose the lamp she liked best. The slave picked out ahandsome one and carried it to the princess, while the childrencrowded around, deriding the magician's folly. 

The African magician cried "New lamps for old ones" no more, but madethe best of his way from the palace through unfrequented streets andhaving no use for lamps or basket, set them down where nobody sawthem, and after dodging about among the short and crooked streets, hurried through the city gates and out into the country. 

Having reached a lonely spot, he stopped till the darkness of thenight gave him the opportunity of carrying out his design. Then hedrew out the lamp and rubbed it. At that summons the genie appeared tohim as he had to Aladdin and said, "What wouldst thou have? I and theother slaves of the lamp that is in your hands are ready to obeythee. "

"I command thee, " replied the magician, "to transport me immediatelyto Africa, and with us take Aladdin's palace and all the people init. "

The genie made no reply, but with the assistance of his fellows theslave of the lamp transported the magician and the palace and everyone in it to that spot in Egypt where the sorcerer wished to be. 

Early the next morning when the sultan, according to custom, went toadmire Aladdin's palace, his amazement was unbounded to find that itcould nowhere be seen. He could not understand how so large a palace, which he had seen plainly every day for some years, should vanish sosoon and not leave the least trace behind. In his perplexity he sentfor his grand vizier. 

That official, who in secret bore no good will to Aladdin, intimatedhis suspicion that the palace was built by magic, and that Aladdin hadmade this hunting expedition an excuse for the removal of his palace. The sultan sent a detachment of his guard to arrest Aladdin as aprisoner of state. 

The vizier's plan was carried out, and Aladdin would have been put todeath had not the people, whose affection he had earned by hisgenerosity, urged the sultan to grant him life. As soon as Aladdin hadgained his liberty, he addressed the sultan as follows:

"Sire, I pray you to let me know the crime by which I have thus lostthe favor of your countenance. "

"Your crime, " answered the sultan, "wretched man! do you not know it?Follow me and I will show you. "

The sultan then took Aladdin into the apartment from whence his son-in-law's palace could best be seen, and said, "You ought to know whereyour palace stood; look from mine and tell me where it has gone. "

Aladdin looked, and, utterly amazed, stood speechless. Afterrecovering himself, he said, "It is true I do not see the palace, butI was not concerned in its removal. I beg you to give me forty days, and if in that time I cannot restore the palace, I will offer my headto be disposed of at your pleasure. "

"I grant your petition, " said the sultan, "but remember, at the end offorty days to present yourself before me. "

Exceedingly humiliated, Aladdin went out of the sultan's palace, andthe lords, who had courted him in his days of splendor, now refused tohave any communication with him. 

For three days he wandered about the city, exciting the wonder andcompassion of the multitude by asking everybody he met if they hadseen his palace, or could tell him anything of it. On the third day hewandered into the country, where he fell down the bank of a river insuch a way, that while he was attempting to hold himself, he rubbedthe ring which the magician had given him. 

Instantly the same genie that he had seen in the cave appeared beforehim and said, "What wouldst thou? I and the other slaves of the ringserve him who wears it. I am ready to obey. "

Aladdin, surprised at the offer of help so little expected, replied, "Genie, show me where the palace I caused to be built now stands, ortransport it back to where it first stood. " "Your command, " answeredthe genie, "is not wholly in my power. I am the slave of the ring, notof the lamp. "

[Illustration: ALADDIN SALUTED THE PRINCESS JOYFULLY]

"I command thee, then, " continued Aladdin, "by the power of the ring, to transport me to the spot where my palace stands, in whatsoever partof the world it be. "

These words were no sooner out of his mouth than Aladdin found himselfbefore his own palace in the midst of a large plain, at no greatdistance from a city. Indeed, he was placed exactly under the windowof the princess's apartment. 

Now it so happened that a moment later one of the attendants of thePrincess Buddir al Buddoor, looking through the window, saw Aladdin, and reported the fact to her mistress at once. The princess, scarcelybelieving the joyful tidings, hastened to the window, and seeingAladdin, opened the window. The noise attracted Aladdin's attention sothat he turned his head, and seeing the princess, saluted herjoyfully. 

"I have sent to have the private chamber opened for you, " she said;"enter and come up. "

A few moments later, the happy couple were united in the princess'schamber. It is impossible to describe the joy they felt at seeing eachother after so long a separation. After embracing each other andweeping for joy, they sat down, and Aladdin said, "I beg you, myprincess, tell me what has become of an old lamp which stood upon theshelf of my robing chamber?"

"Alas!" answered the princess, "I was afraid our misfortune might beowing to that lamp, and what grieves me most is that I was the causeof it. I was foolish enough to change the lamp for a new one, and thenext morning I found myself in this unknown country, which I am toldis Africa. "

"Princess, " interrupted Aladdin, "you have explained everything bytelling me we are in Africa. Can you tell me where the old lamp nowis?"

"The African magician carries it carefully wrapped up in his bosom, "replied the princess. "I can assure you of this, because he pulled itout and showed it to me one time. "

"My princess, " said Aladdin, "I think I can regain possession of thelamp and deliver you. But to execute this design, I must go to thetown. I shall return by noon and will then tell you what to do. In themeantime I shall disguise myself, and I beg that the private door maybe opened at my first knock. "

When Aladdin came out of the palace, he saw a peasant going into thecountry and hastened after him. After some persuasion the peasantagreed to change clothes with Aladdin, and the latter entered the cityin disguise. Here, after traversing several streets, he entered one ofthe largest and best drug stores, and asked the druggist if he had acertain powder. 

The druggist, noticing Aladdin's poor clothing, said, "I have thepowder, but it is very costly. "

Aladdin, understanding the druggist's insinuation, drew out his purse, showed him some gold, and asked for a half a dram of the powder, whichwas weighed and passed over. Aladdin gave the druggist a gold pieceand hastened back to the palace which he entered by the private door. 

"Princess, " he said, as he came into her apartment, "you must carryout your part in this scheme for our deliverance. Overcome youraversion for the magician; assume a friendly manner, and invite him toan entertainment in your apartment. Before he leaves, ask him toexchange cups with you. Gratified at the honor you do him, he willgladly exchange, when you must hand him the cup into which I placethis powder. On drinking it he will fall instantly asleep, and weshall obtain the lamp with its slaves, who will restore us and thepalace to the capital of China. "

The princess obeyed her husband's instructions, and the next night atthe entertainment, when the magician drank the glass out of complimentto the princess, he fell back lifeless on the sofa. Anticipatingsuccess, she had arranged it so that the moment the magician fellsenseless, Aladdin should be admitted to her apartment. 

The princess arose from her seat and ran overjoyed to embrace herhusband, but he stopped her, saying, "Princess, retire to your ownroom and leave me alone while I try to transport you back to China asspeedily as you were brought hither. "

When everybody had withdrawn, Aladdin shut the door and went directlyto the body of the magician, opened his vest, took out the lamp, unwrapped it carefully, and rubbed it as of old. The genie immediatelyappeared. 

"Genie, " said Aladdin, "I command thee to transport the palaceinstantly back to the place from which it was brought. "

Everything happened as Aladdin commanded, and the removal was feltonly by two little shocks: one when the palace was lifted up, and theother when it was set down, and both in a very short interval of time. 

The next morning the sultan, looking out of his window, and mourningover the fate of his daughter, was astonished to see the vacant placeagain filled up with his son-in-law's palace. Joy and gladnesssucceeded to sorrow and grief. Ordering a horse to be saddled, hemounted it that instant, but could not make haste enough to satisfyhimself. 

That morning Aladdin rose at daybreak, put on one of his mostmagnificent habits and walked out into the hall of the four and twentywindows, from whence he saw the sultan approaching, and hastened downto assist his ruler in dismounting. 

He conducted the sultan directly to the princess's apartment, and thehappy father and his daughter embraced each other with tears of joy. 

For a short interval they were engaged in mutual explanations, and thesultan said, "My son, be not displeased at my proceedings against you;they arose from my paternal love, and therefore, you ought to forgiveany harshness that I may have shown. "

"Sire, I have not the least reason to complain of your conduct, sincethat infamous magician, the basest of men, was the sole cause of mymisfortune, " replied Aladdin. 

Now the African magician, who had thus been twice foiled in hisendeavor to ruin Aladdin, had a younger brother who was as skilful amagician, and who exceeded him in wickedness and hatred of mankind. For many years they had been under an agreement to communicate witheach other once a year, no matter how widely separated they might be. 

The younger brother, not having received his usual annualcommunication, cast a horoscope to find out what was amiss, anddiscovered that his brother had been poisoned, and that the poisoner, though a person of mean birth, was married to a princess, a sultan'sdaughter, and lived in the capital of the kingdom of China. Thisdiscovery caused the younger brother to resolve upon immediaterevenge, and he set out across plains, rivers, mountains and desertsfor China. After incredible fatigue, he reached the capital city, andthere he took lodging at a khan. Here by his magic powers he foundthat Aladdin was the person who caused the death of his brother. Atthat time the city was talking about the wonderful miracles of a womancalled Fatima, who had retired from the world to a little cell, whereshe performed marvelous cures. 

Thinking this woman might be serviceable to him in the project he hadconceived, the magician inquired minutely about the holy woman. 

"What!" said the person whom he asked, "have you never seen nor heardof her? The whole town admires her for her fasting, her austeritiesand her exemplary life. Excepting Mondays and Fridays, she never stirsout of her little cell. When she does come forth into the town, shedoes an infinite amount of good, healing men of all kinds of diseasesby simply placing her hand upon them. " That very night the wickedmagician went to the hermitage of the holy woman and stabbed her todeath. Then in the morning he dyed his face the same hue as hers, puton her garb, covered his face with her veil, drew her large belt abouthis waist, and taking his stick, went to the palace of Aladdin. 

The people gathered about this holy woman, as they imagined themagician to be, in a great crowd. Some begged his blessing, otherskissed his hand, while others, more reserved, touched only the hem ofhis garment; still others, suffering from disease, stooped for him tolay his hands upon them. The magician, muttering some words in theform of a prayer, did continually as he was asked, counterfeiting sowell that no one suspected he was not the holy woman. 

Finally he came before the square of the palace. The crowd and thenoise was so great that the princess, who was in the hall of the fourand twenty windows, heard it and asked what was the matter. One of herwomen told her that it was a great crowd of people collected about theholy woman, to be cured by the laying on of her hands. 

The princess, who had long heard of this holy woman, desired to havesome conversation with her, and sent her chief officer to bring Fatimato her apartment. 

The crowd parted before the attendants from the palace, and themagician, seeing that they were coming to him, advanced to meet them, overjoyed that his plot was succeeding so well. 

"Holy woman, " said one of the attendants, "the princess wishes to seeyou, and has sent us for you. "

"The princess does me too great an honor, " replied Fatima; "I am readyto obey her command. "

When the pretended Fatima had made her obeisance, the princess said, "My good mother, I have one thing to request, which you must notrefuse me. Stay with me that you may edify me with your way of living, and that I may learn from your good example. "

"Princess, " said the counterfeit Fatima, "I beg of you not to ask mewhat I cannot consent to without neglecting my prayers and devotions. "

"That shall be no hindrance to you, " answered the princess. "I have agreat many unoccupied apartments. Choose whichever you wish, and youmay have as much liberty to perform your devotions as if you were inyour own cell. "

The magician, who really desired nothing more than an introductioninto the palace, where he could easily execute his designs, soonallowed himself to be persuaded to accept the offer which the princesshad made him. 

Then the princess, rising, said, "Come with me; I will show you whatvacant apartments I have, that you may choose what you like best. " Themagician followed, and after looking at all, chose the worst one, saying that it was too good for him and that he accepted it only toplease her. 

Afterward the princess would have brought him back into the great hallto dine with her, but he, knowing he would have to show his face, which he had all this time concealed under Fatima's veil, begged herto excuse him, saying that he never ate anything but bread and driedfruits, and desiring to eat that slightest repast in his ownapartment. 

"You are as free here, good mother, as if you were in your own cell. Iwill order you a dinner, but remember, I expect you as soon as youhave finished. "

After the princess had dined, the false Fatima was again broughtbefore her. 

"My good mother, " said the princess, "I am overjoyed to have so holy awoman as yourself confer, by your presence, a blessing upon thispalace. Now that I am speaking of the palace, pray how do you like it?Tell me first what you think of this hall. "

The counterfeit Fatima, surveying the palace from one end to theother, said: "As far as such a solitary being as myself, who amunacquainted with what the world calls beautiful, can judge, this hallis truly admirable; there wants but one thing. "

"What is that, good mother?" demanded the princess. "Tell me, Iconjure you. I have always believed and heard that it lacked nothing, but if it does, the want shall be supplied. "

"Princess, " said the false Fatima with great dissimulation, "forgivethe liberty I take, but in my opinion, if it is of any importance, ifa roc's egg were hung up in the middle of the dome, this hall wouldhave no parallel in the four quarters of the world, and would be thewonder of the universe. "

"My good mother, " said the princess, "what is a roc, and where may oneget an egg?"

"Princess, it is a bird of prodigious size that lives on MountCaucasus; the architect who built your palace can get you one. "

After the princess had thanked the false Fatima for what she believedher good advice, she conversed upon other matters, but she could notforget the roc's egg, and that evening when she met Aladdin, shealmost immediately addressed him. 

"I always believed that our palace was the most superb, magnificent, and complete in the world, but I will tell you now what it wants, andthat is a roc's egg hung up in the midst of the dome. "

"Princess, " replied Aladdin, "it is enough that you think it wantssuch an ornament; you shall see by my diligence that there is nothingthat I should not do for your sake. "

Aladdin left the Princess Buddir al Buddoor that moment, and went upinto the hall of the four and twenty windows, where, pulling from hisbosom the lamp, which he now always carried upon him, he rubbed thelamp till the genie came. 

"Genie, " said Aladdin, "I command that in the name of this lamp youbring me a roc's egg to be hung up in the middle of the dome of thehall of the palace. " Aladdin had no sooner pronounced these words thanthe hall shook as if it would fall, and the genie cried in a loudvoice, "Is it not enough that I and the other slaves of the lamp havedone everything for you, but you, by an unheard-of ingratitude, command me to bring my master and hang him up in the midst of thisdome? For this attempt, you and the princess deserve to be immediatelyreduced to ashes; I spare you simply because this request does notcome from yourself. The true author is the brother of the Africanmagician, your enemy, whom you have destroyed. He is now in yourpalace, disguised in the habit of the holy woman, Fatima, whom he hasmurdered. It is at his suggestion that your wife makes this perniciousdemand. His design is to kill you, therefore take care of yourself. "After these words the genie disappeared. 

Aladdin resolved at once what to do. He returned to the princess'sapartment, where, saying nothing of what had happened, he sat down, complaining of a great pain in the head. The princess told him how theholy Fatima was in the palace, and the prince requested that she bebrought to him at once. 

"Come hither, good mother, " said Aladdin, when the pretended Fatimaappeared; "I am glad to see you. I have a violent pain in my head, andhope you will not refuse to cure me as you do other afflictedpersons. "

So saying, Aladdin arose, holding his head down. The counterfeitFatima advanced, keeping his hand all the time on a dagger concealedunder his gown. Aladdin saw all this, and the moment the pretendedwoman came within reach, he snatched the dagger and plunged it intothe heart of the traitorous magician, at the same time pushing him tothe floor. 

"My dear prince, " cried the terrified princess, "what have you done?You have killed the holy woman!"

"No, my princess, I have not killed Fatima, but a villain, who wouldhave assassinated me if I had not prevented him. This wicked man, " hesaid, uncovering the face of the magician, "is the brother of themagician who attempted our ruin. He has murdered Fatima, disguisedhimself in her clothes, and come here with intent to murder me. "

Aladdin then told her how the genie had explained these facts, and hownarrowly she had escaped destruction through the treacheroussuggestion which had led to her request. 

Thus was Aladdin delivered from the persecution of the two magicians. Within a few years afterward, the sultan died in a good old age, andas he left no male children, the Princess Buddir al Buddoor succeededhim, and with Aladdin reigned many long years in happiness andprosperity. 

THE SECOND VOYAGE OF SINBAD THE SAILOR

From THE ARABIAN NIGHTS

Among the popular tales in the Arabian Nights collection are those inwhich Sinbad, the wealthy merchant of Bagdad, tells to a poor porterthe story of seven marvelous voyages, to illustrate the fact thatwealth is not always easily obtained. The most interesting voyage isthe second, of which Sinbad gives the account as follows:

I designed, after my first voyage, to spend the rest of my days atBagdad, but it was not long ere I grew weary of an indolent life, andI put to sea a second time, with merchants of known probity. Weembarked on board a good ship, and, after recommending ourselves toGod, set sail. We traded from island to island, and exchangedcommodities with great profit. One day we landed on an island coveredwith several sorts of fruit trees, but we could see neither man noranimal. We walked in the meadows, along the streams that watered them. While some of the sailors diverted themselves with gathering flowers, and others fruits, I took my wine and provisions, and sat down near astream betwixt two high trees, which formed a thick shade. I made agood meal, and afterward fell asleep. I cannot tell how long I slept, but when I awoke the ship was gone. 

[Illustration: THE VALLEY WAS STREWED WITH DIAMONDS]

In this sad condition, I was ready to die with grief. I cried out inagony, beat my head and breast, and threw myself upon the ground, where I lay some time in despair. I upbraided myself a hundred timesfor not being content with the produce of my first voyage, that mighthave sufficed me all my life. But all this was in vain, and myrepentance came too late. At last I resigned myself to the will ofGod. Not knowing what to do, I climbed up to the top of a lofty tree, from whence I looked about on all sides, to see if I could discoveranything that could give me hopes. When I gazed toward the sea I couldsee nothing but sky and water; but looking over the land, I beheldsomething white; and coming down, I took what provision I had left andwent toward it, the distance being so great that I could notdistinguish what it was. 

As I approached, I thought it to be a white dome, of a prodigiousheight and extent; and when I came up to it, I touched it, and foundit to be very smooth. I went round to see if it was open on any side, but saw it was not, and that there was no climbing up to the top, asit was so smooth. It was at least fifty paces round. 

By this time the sun was about to set, and all of a sudden the skybecame as dark as if it had been covered with a thick cloud. I wasmuch astonished at this sudden darkness, but much more when I found itoccasioned by a bird of a monstrous size, that came flying toward me. I remembered that I had often heard mariners speak of a miraculousbird called the roc, and conceived that the great dome which I so muchadmired must be its egg. In short, the bird alighted, and sat over theegg. As I perceived her coming, I crept close to the egg, so that Ihad before me one of the legs of the bird, which was as big as thetrunk of a tree. I tied myself strongly to it with my turban, in hopesthat the roc next morning would carry me with her out of this desertisland. After having passed the night in this condition, the bird flewaway as soon as it was daylight, and carried me so high that I couldnot discern the earth; she afterward descended with so much rapiditythat I lost my senses. But when I found myself on the ground, Ispeedily untied the knot, and had scarcely done so, when the roc, having taken up a serpent of a monstrous length in her bill, flewaway. 

The spot where it left me was encompassed on all sides by mountainsthat seemed to reach above the clouds, and were so steep that therewas no possibility of getting out of the valley. This was a newperplexity; so that when I compared this place with the desert islandfrom which the roc had brought me, I found that I had gained nothingby the change. 

As I walked through this valley, I perceived it was strewed withdiamonds, some of which were of surprising bigness. I took pleasure inlooking upon them; but shortly saw at a distance such objects asgreatly diminished my satisfaction, and which I could not view withoutterror, namely, a great number of serpents, so monstrous that theleast of them was capable of swallowing an elephant. They retired inthe day time to their dens, where they hid themselves from the roc, their enemy, and came out only in the night. 

I spent the day in walking about the valley, resting myself at timesin such places as I thought most convenient. When night came on I wentinto a cave, where I thought I might repose in safety. I secured theentrance, which was low and narrow, with a great stone, to preserve mefrom the serpents; but not so far as to exclude the light. I supped onpart of my provisions, but the serpents, which began hissing round me, put me into such extreme fear that I did not sleep. When day appearedthe serpents retired, and I came out of the cave trembling. I canjustly say that I walked upon diamonds without feeling any inclinationto touch them. At last I sat down, and notwithstanding myapprehensions, not having closed my eyes during the night, fellasleep, after having eaten a little more of my provisions. But I hadscarcely shut my eyes when something that fell by me with a greatnoise awaked me. This was a large piece of raw meat; and at the sametime I saw several others fall down from the rocks in differentplaces. 

I had always regarded as fabulous what I had heard sailors and othersrelate of the valley of diamonds, and of the stratagems employed bymerchants to obtain jewels from thence; but now I found that they hadstated nothing but the truth. 

For the fact is, that the merchants come to the neighborhood of thisvalley, when the eagles have young ones, and throw great joints ofmeat into the valley; the diamonds, upon whose points they fall, stickto them, and the eagles, which are stronger in this country thananywhere else, pounce with great force upon those pieces of meat, andcarry them to their nests on the precipices of the rocks to feed theiryoung. The merchants at this time run to the nests, disturb and driveoff the eagles by their shouts, and take away the diamonds that stickto the meat. 

I perceived in this device the means of my deliverance. 

[Illustration: THE ROC FLEW AWAY WITH SINBAD]

Having collected together the largest diamonds I could find, and putthem into the leather bag in which I used to carry my provisions, Itook the largest of the pieces of meat, tied it close round me withthe cloth of my turban, and then laid myself upon the ground, with myface downward, the bag of diamonds being made fast to my girdle. 

I had scarcely placed myself in this posture, when one of the eagles, having taken me up with the piece of meat to which I was fastened, carried me to his nest on the top of the mountain. The merchantsimmediately began their shouting to frighten the eagles; and when theyhad obliged them to quit their prey, one of them came to the nestwhere I was. He was much alarmed when he saw me; but recoveringhimself, instead of inquiring how I came thither, began to quarrelwith me, and asked why I stole his goods. "You will treat me, " repliedI, "with more civility, when you know me better. Do not be uneasy; Ihave diamonds enough for you and myself, more than all the othermerchants together. Whatever they have they owe to chance; but Iselected for myself, in the bottom of the valley, those which you seein this bag. " I had scarcely done speaking, when the other merchantscame crowding about us, much astonished to see me; but they were muchmore surprised when I told them my story. 

They conducted me to their encampment; and when I had opened my bag, they were surprised at the largeness of my diamonds, and confessedthat they had never seen any of such size and perfection. I prayed themerchant who owned the nest to which I had been carried (for everymerchant had his own) to take as many of his share as he pleased. Hecontented himself with one, and that, too, the least of them; and whenI pressed him to take more, without fear of doing me any injury, "No, "said he, "I am very well satisfied with this, which is valuable enoughto save me the trouble of making any more voyages, and will raise asgreat a fortune as I desire. "

I spent the night with the merchants, to whom I related my story asecond time, for the satisfaction of those who had not heard it. Icould not moderate my joy when I found myself delivered from thedanger I have mentioned. I thought myself in a dream, and couldscarcely believe myself out of danger. 

The merchants had thrown their pieces of meat into the valley forseveral days; and each of them being satisfied with the diamonds thathad fallen to his lot, we left the place the next morning, andtraveled near high mountains, where there were serpents of aprodigious length, which we had the good fortune to escape. We tookshipping at the first port we reached, and touched at the isle ofRoha. 

In this island is found the rhinoceros, an animal less than theelephant, but larger than the buffalo. It has a horn upon its nose, about a cubit in length; this horn is solid, and cleft through themiddle. The rhinoceros fights with the elephant, runs his horn intohis belly, and carries him off upon his head; but the blood and thefat of the elephant run into his eyes and make him blind, and he fallsto the ground. Then, strange to relate, the roc comes and carries themboth away in her claws, for food for her young ones. 

I pass over many other things peculiar to this island, lest I shouldweary you. Here I exchanged some of my diamonds for merchandise. Fromthence we went to other islands, and at last, having touched atseveral trading towns of the continent, we landed at Bussorah, fromwhence I proceeded to Bagdad. There I immediately gave large presentsto the poor, and lived honorably upon the vast riches I had brought, and gained with so much fatigue. 

BARBARA FRIETCHIE

By JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER. 

Up from the meadows rich with corn, Clear in the cool September morn, The clustered spires of Frederick standGreen-walled by the hills of Maryland. 

Round about them orchards sweep, Apple and peach tree fruited deep, Fair as the garden of the LordTo the eyes of the famished rebel horde, On that pleasant morn of the early fallWhen Lee marched over the mountain wall, --

Over the mountains, winding down, Horse and foot into Frederick town. 

Forty flags with their silver stars, Forty flags with their crimson bars, Flapped in the morning wind; the sunOf noon looked down, and saw not one. 

Up rose old Barbara Frietchie then, Bowed with her fourscore years and ten;

Bravest of all in Frederick town, She took up the flag the men hauled down;

In her attic-window the staff she set, To show that one heart was loyal yet. 

Up the street came the rebel tread, Stonewall Jackson riding ahead. 

Under his slouched hat, left and rightHe glanced: the old flag met his sight. 

"Halt!"--the dust-brown ranks stood fast. "Fire!"--out blazed the rifle-blast. 

It shivered the window, pane and sash;It rent the banner with seam and gash. 

Quick, as it fell, from the broken staffDame Barbara snatched the silken scarf;

She leaned far out on the window-sill. And shook it forth with a royal will. 

"Shoot, if you must, this old gray head, But spare your country's flag, " she said. 

A shade of sadness, a blush of shame, Over the face of the leader came;

The nobler nature within him stirredTo life at that woman's deed and word:

"Who touches a hair of yon gray headDies like a dog! March on!" he said. 

All day long through Frederick streetSounded the tread of marching feet:

All day long that free flag tostOver the heads of the rebel host. 

Ever its torn folds rose and fellOn the loyal winds that loved it well;

And through the hill-gaps sunset lightShone over it with a warm good-night. 

Barbara Frietchie's work is o'er, And the rebel rides on his raids no more. 

Honor to her! and let a tearFall, for her sake, on Stonewall's bier. 

Over Barbara Frietchie's grave, Flag of freedom and union, wave!

Peace and order and beauty drawRound thy symbol of light and law;

And ever the stars above look downOn thy stars below in Frederick town!

BEOWULF AND GRENDEL

NOTE. --The oldest poem in the English language is Beowulf, whichcovers some six thousand lines. When it was written is not exactlyknown, but the original is still in existence in the British Museum. It was written in Anglo-Saxon and could not be read and understood byus to-day. It has, however, been translated and turned into modernEnglish, and its quaintness of phrasing gives it a very peculiar charmof its own. 

An old Anglo-Saxon poem bears little resemblance to ours. There is norhyme, and the lines are not equal in length, and there does not seemto be much music in it. One of its poetic characteristics isalliteration; that is, several words in the same line begin with thesame or similar sounds. It is a noble old poem, however, and of greatinterest, for it shows us what the old Saxon gleemen sang at theirfeasts for the entertainment of their guests, as they sat about theblazing fires in the huge, rude halls, drinking their mead. 

The chief incident in the poem is Beowulf's battle with Grendel, and adescription of that, taken indirectly from the poem, is the story thatfollows. After this combat Beowulf returned to his home, in time wasmade king, and after a stormy life died from wounds received in combatwith a terrible fire fiend. 

When the history of the Danes begins they had no kings and sufferedmuch at the hands of their neighbors. Then by way of the sea, fromsome unknown land, came Scef, who subdued the neighboring tribes andestablished the Danish throne on a firm foundation. His son and hisson's son followed him, but the latter sailed away as his grandfatherhad come, and the race of ruler gods was ended. 

Left to themselves, the Danes chose a king who ruled long and well andleft his son Hrothgar to make of them a wealthy and prosperous people. 

After years of warfare, when the prosperity of Hrothgar was fullyestablished, it came into his mind to build a great hall where he andhis warriors and counselors could meet around one common banquet tableand where, as they drank their mead, they could discuss means forincreasing their power and making better the condition of theirpeoples. High-arched and beautiful was the great mead-palace, withtowering pinnacles and marvelous walls, and the name that he gave tothe palace was Heorot, the HART or, as some say, the HEART. When thenoble building was finished, Hrothgar's heart was filled with joy, andhe gave to his counselors a noble feast, at which he presented themwith rings and ornaments and entertained them with music on the harpsand the inspiring songs of the Skalds. 

Far away in the marshes, in the dark and solemn land where dwelt theJotuns, the giants who warred against God's people, lived the grim andferocious Grendel, more terrible than any of his brethren. From out ofthe fastnesses of his gloomy home he saw the fair building of Hrothgarand grew jealous of the Danish king, hating the united people, forpeace and harmony were evil in his sight. 

The feast was long over, and the thanes and warriors slept in thebanquet hall, worn out by their rejoicing, but dreaming only of thepeaceful days to follow their long years of warfare. Into the midst ofthe hall crept Grendel, and seized in his mighty arms full thirty ofthe sleeping men and carried them away to his noisome home, where hefeasted at leisure upon their bodies. 

The next morning there was grief and terror among the remaining Danes, for they knew that no human being could have wrought such havoc andthat no human power could prevail against the monster who preyed uponthem. 

The next night Grendel came again and levied his second tribute, andagain there was mourning and desolation in the land. Thus for twelveyears the monster giant came at intervals and carried away many of thenoblest in the kingdom. Then were there empty homes everywhere in theland, and sorrow and suffering came where joy and peace had rested. Strange as it may seem, Hrothgar himself was never touched, though hesat the night long watching his nobles as they slept in the mead-hall, hoping himself to deliver them from the awful power that harassedthem. But night after night Grendel came, and while Hrothgar remainedunharmed he was equally powerless to stay the ravages of the giant. Hrothgar bowed his head in sorrow and prayed to his gods to send helpbefore all his noble vassals perished. 

Far to the westward, among strange people, lived a man, the strongestand greatest of his race, Beowulf by name. To him came the news ofGrendel's deeds and of Hrothgar's sorrow, and his soul was filled witha fiery ambition to free the Danes. From among his warriors heselected fifteen of the boldest and strongest, and put out to sea in anew ship, pitched within and without, to seek the land of the Danesand to offer his help to Hrothgar. Over the white sea waves dashed thenoble vessel, flinging the foam aside from her swanlike prow untilbefore her showed the cliffs and wind-swept mountain sides of Denmark. Giving thanks to God for their prosperous voyage, they landed, donnedtheir heavy armor and marched in silence to the palace Heorot. 

Entering the hall with clanking armor they set their brazen shieldsagainst the wall, piled their steel-headed spears in a heap by thedoor, and bowed to Hrothgar, who, bowed with sorrow and years, satsilently among his earls. When Beowulf rose among his warriors hetowered high above them, godlike in his glittering armor. Hrothgarlooked on him in wonder, but felt that he saw in the mighty man adeliverer sent in answer to his prayer. 

Before Hrothgar could recover from his surprise and delight, Beowulfstretched forth his powerful arms and spoke: "Hail, Hrothgar, king ofthe Danes. Many a time and oft have I fought with the Jotuns, evil andpowerful, and every time have I overcome, and now have I come unto theland of the Danes to undertake battle with the fierce Grendel. Nohuman weapon hath power against a Jotun, so here in your mead-hallleave I my weapons all, and empty-handed and alone will I pit mystrength against the horrid Grendel. Man to man, strength to strength, will I fight, till victory is mine or death befalleth me. 

"If I perish, give my companions my shroud and send it home by them inmy new ship across the sea. Let there be no mourning for me, for toevery man Fate cometh at last. "

Hrothgar answered, "Noble you are, O Beowulf, and powerful, butterrible indeed is Grendel. Many a time at eventide have my warriorsfearlessly vowed to await the coming of Grendel and to fight with himas you propose; but when morning came, the floor of Heorot was deepwith their blood, but no other trace of them remained. Before, however, we accept your valiant offer, sit this night at meat, where, by our old and honored custom, we incite each other to heroic deedsand valorous behavior, when night shall come and Grendel claim hisprey. "

A royal feast it was that the old king gave that night, and the goldenmead flowed from the twisted cups in living streams, while the Skaldssang the valorous deeds of heroic Danes of old. 

Then rose Beowulf to speak. "To-night Grendel cometh again, expectingno one to fight him for many a time hath he levied his toll andescaped without harm. Here alone with myself will I keep vigil, andalone will I fight the foul fiend. To-morrow morning the sun willglorify my victory or I shall be a corpse in the dark and noisome homeof the ogre. "

The eye of the gray-haired king grew bright again as he listened tothe brave words of Beowulf, and from her throne the queen in herbejeweled garments stepped down to Beowulf and presented him theloving-cup with words of gracious encouragement. 

"No more shall Grendel feast upon the bodies of royal Danes, for to-night his foul body shall feel the powerful grip of my mighty hands, "said Beowulf. 

To their proper resting places in the hall stepped the Danishwarriors, one by one, filing in a steady line past the great Beowulf, to whom each gave kindly greeting. Last of all came Hrothgar, and ashe passed, he grasped the strong fingers of Beowulf and said, "To yourkeeping I leave my great hall, Heorot. Never before have I passed theduty on to any man. Be thou brave and valiant, and if victory comethto thee no reward shall be too great for thy service. "

And so the king departed, and silence fell over Heorot. 

Left alone, Beowulf laid aside his iron mail, took off his brazenhelmet and ungirded his trusty sword. Then unarmed and unprotected helay down upon his bed. All about the palace slept, but Beowulf couldfind no rest upon his couch. 

In the dim light of the early morn, forth from the pale mists of themarshes, stalked Grendel, up to the door of the many-windowed Heorot. Fire-strengthened were the iron bands with which the doors were bound, but he tore them away like wisps of straw and walked across thesounding tiles of the many-colored floor. Like strokes of vividlightning flashed the fire from his eyes, making before him all thingsas clear as noonday. Beowulf, on his sleepless couch, held his breathas the fierce ogre gloated savagely over the bountiful feast he sawspread before him in the bodies of the sleeping Danes. With moisteninglips he trod among the silent braves, and Beowulf saw him choose thestrongest and noblest of them all. Quickly the monster stooped, seizedthe sleeping earl, and with one fierce stroke of his massive jaw, toreopen the throat of the warrior and drank his steaming blood. Then hetore the corpse limb from limb and with horrid glee crunched the bonesof his victim's hands. 

[Illustration: GRENDEL COULD NOT BREAK THAT GRIP OF STEEL. ]

Then spying the sleeping Beowulf he dropped his mangled prey and laidhis rough hands on his watchful enemy. Suddenly Beowulf raised himselfupon one elbow and fastened his strong grip on the astonished Jotun. Never before had Grendel felt such a grip of steel. He straightenedhis mighty back and flung the clinging Beowulf toward the door, butnever for a moment did the brave champion relax his fierce grip, andthe ogre was thrown back into the center of the hall. Together theyfell upon the beautiful pavement and rolled about in their mightystruggles till the walls of the palace shook as in a hurricane and thevery pinnacles toppled from their secure foundations. The walls ofHeorot fell not, but the floor was strewn with broken benches whosegold trappings were torn like paper, while the two struggled on thefloor in the wreck of drinking horns and costly vessels from thetables, while over all slopped ale from the mammoth tankards. Backwardand forward they struggled, sometimes upon their feet and again uponthe floor; but with all his fearsome struggles, Grendel could notbreak that grip of steel. At last, with one mighty wrench, Grendeltore himself free, leaving in the tightly locked hands of Beowulf hisstrong right arm and even his shoulder blade, torn raggedly from hisbody. Roaring with pain from the gaping wound which extended from neckto waist, the ogre fled to the marshes, into whose slimy depths hefell; and there he slowly bled to death. Fair shone the sun on Heorotthe next morning when the warriors came from all directions tocelebrate the marvelous prowess of Beowulf, who stalked in triumphthrough the hall with his bloody trophy held on high. Close by thethrone of the king he hung Grendel's shoulder, arm, and hand, whereall might see and test the strength of its mighty muscles and thesteel-like hardness of its nails, which no human sword of choiceststeel could mark or mar. With bursting heart, Hrothgar thanked God forhis deliverance and gave credit to Beowulf for his valorous deed. First was the wreck of the savage encounter cleared away, then werethe iron bands refastened on the door and the tables spread for acostly feast of general rejoicing. There amid the songs of the Skaldsand the shouts of the warriors, the queen poured forth the sacred meadand handed it to Beowulf in the royal cup of massive gold. As therejoicing grew more general, the king showered gifts upon Beowulf, anensign and a helm, a breastplate and a sword, each covered withtwisted gold and set with precious stones. Eight splendid horses, trapped in costly housings trimmed with golden thread and set withjewels, were led before Beowulf, and their silken bridles were laidwithin his hand. With her own hand the queen gave him a massive ringof russet gold sparkling with diamonds, the finest in the land. 

"May happiness and good fortune attend thee, Beowulf, " she said, "andever may these well-earned gifts remind thee of those whom thou hastsuccored from deadly peril; and as the years advance may fame roll inupon thee as roll the billows upon the rocky shores of our belovedkingdom. "

When the feast was over Hrothgar and his queen departed from the hall, and Beowulf retired to the When the feast was over Hrothgar and hisqueen departed from the hall, and Beowulf retired to the house theyhad prepared for him. But the warriors remained as was their custom, and, girt in their coats of chained mail, with swords ready at hand, they lay down upon the floor to sleep, prepared to answer on theinstant any call their lord should make. Dense darkness closed uponthe hall, and the Danes slept peacefully, unaware that dangerthreatened. 

When midnight came, out of the cold waters of the reedy fastnesses inthe marsh came Grendel's mother, fierce and terrible in her wrath, burning to avenge the death of her son. Like Grendel she wrenched thedoor from its iron fastenings and trod across the figured floor ofHeorot. With bitter malice she seized the favorite counselor ofHrothgar and rent his body limb from limb. Then seizing from the wallthe arm and shoulder of her son she ran quickly from the hall and hidherself in her noisome lair. 

The noise of her savage work aroused the sleeping Danes, and so loudwere their cries of anger and dismay that Hrothgar heard, and rushedforth to Heorot, where Beowulf met him. 

As soon as Hrothgar heard what had happened he turned to Beowulf andcried, "O, mighty champion of the Danes, yet again has grief andsorrow come upon me, for my favorite war companion and chief counselorhas been foully murdered by Grendel's mother, nor can we tell who nextwill suffer from the foul fiend's wrath. 

[Illustration: BEOWULF ON HIS NOBLE STEED]

"Scarcely a mile from this place, in the depths of a grove of moss-covered trees, which are hoary with age, and whose interlacingbranches shut out the light of the sun, lies a stagnant pool. Aroundthe edges of its foul black water twine the snake-like roots of thetrees, and on its loathsome surface at night the magic fires burndimly. In the midst of the pond, shunned alike by man and beast, livesthe wolf-like mother of Grendel. Darest thou to enter its stagnantdepths to do battle with the monster and to deliver us from herravages?"

Straightening his massive form and throwing back his head in fiercedetermination, Beowulf replied, "To avenge a friend is better than tomourn for him. No man can hasten or delay by a single moment his deathhour. What fate awaiteth me I know not, but I dare anything to wreakvengeance on the foul murderer, and in my efforts to bring justice Itake no thought of the future. "

Then the king Hrothgar ordered a noble steed with arching neck andtossing mane to be saddled and brought forth for the noble Beowulf toride. Shield bearers by the score accompanied him as he rode on thenarrow bridle path, between those dark-frowning cliffs whose ruggedtrees dimmed the sun and made the journey seem as though it were intwilight. In such a manner came they to the desolate lake in thegloomy wood. 

The sight that met the eyes of Beowulf was enough to chill the bloodof any man. On the shore among the tangled roots of the trees crawledhideous poisonous snakes, while on the surface of the water rolledgreat sea dragons, whose ugly crests were raised in anger and alarm. From the turbid depths of the water, unholy animals of strange andfearful shapes kept coming to the surface and swimming about withthreatening mien. 

Undaunted by these sickening sights, Beowulf blew a mighty blast uponhis terrible war-horn, at the sound of which the noisome animals slunkback to the slimy depths of the dismal pond. Clad in his shirt of ironmail, wearing the hooded helmet that had often protected his head fromthe savage blows of his enemies, and clasping in his hand the handleof his great knife, Hrunting, whose hardened blade had carried deathto many a strong foeman, Beowulf fronted the awful lake. 

Thus armed and protected, he plunged into the thickened oily waters, which closed quickly over him, leaving but a few great bubbles to showwhere he had disappeared. Into the depths of the dark abyss he swamuntil it seemed as though he were plunging straight into the jaws ofdeath. 

As his mighty strength neared exhaustion, Beowulf found the hall atthe depth of the abyss, and there saw Grendel's mother lying in waitfor him. With her fierce claws she grappled him and dragged him intoher dismal water palace whose dark walls oozed with the slime of ages. Recovering his breath, and fierce at the assault, Beowulf swung hisheavy knife and brought it down on the sea wolf's head. Never beforehad Hrunting failed him, but now the hard skull of Grendel's motherturned the biting edge of the forged steel, and the blow twisted theblade as though it were soft wire. Flinging aside his useless knife, Beowulf clutched the sea woman with the mighty grip that had slain herson, and the struggle for mastery began. More than once was Beowulfpushed nigh to exhaustion, but every time he recovered himself andescaped from the deadly grasp of the powerful fiend who strove to takehis life. As he grew weaker, Grendel's mother seized her russet-bladedknife and with a mighty blow drove it straight at the heart ofBeowulf. Once again his trusty shirt of mail turned the blade, and bya last convulsive effort he regained his feet. 

As he rose from his dangerous position he saw glittering in his sightas it hung in the walls of water, the hilt of a mighty sword, whichwas made for giants, and which no man on earth but Beowulf couldwield. Little he knew of its magic power, but he seized it in bothhands, and swinging it about his head in mighty curves, struck full atthe head of the monster. Savage was the blow, more mighty than humanbeing ever struck before, and the keen edge of the sword crashedthrough the brazen mail, cleft the neck of the sea wolf, and felledher dead upon the floor. From her neck spurted hot blood which meltedthe blade and burned it away as frost wreathes are melted by the sun. In his hand remained only the carven hilt. 

On the shore of the dark lake the Danes waited anxiously for thereappearance of Beowulf, and when blood came welling up through thedark waters they felt their champion had met his fate, and returningto Heorot, they sat down to mourn in the great mead-hall. 

Then among them strode Beowulf, carrying in one hand the great head ofthe sea woman and in the other the blistered hilt of the sword, snake-shaped, carven with the legend of its forging. Beowulf related thestory of his combat and added, "When I saw that Grendel's mother wasdead I seized her head and swam upward again through the heavingwaters, bearing the heavy burden with me; and as I landed on the shoreof the lake I saw its waters dry behind me, and bright meadows withbeautiful flowers take their place. The trees themselves put on newrobes of green, and peace and gladness settled over all. God and mystrong right hand prospered me, and here I show the sword with whichthe giants of old defied the eternal God, The enemies of God areovercome, and here in Heorot may Hrothgar and his counselors dwell inpeace. "

The king and his counselors gathered round about Beowulf, and lookedwith wonder and amazement on the head of the fierce sea monster andread with strange thrills of awe the wondrous history of the sword andthe cunning work of its forgers. 

Then to Beowulf, Hrothgar spoke in friendly wise, "Glorious is thyvictory, O Beowulf, and great and marvelous is the strength that Godhath given thee, but accept now in the hour of thy success a word ofkindly counsel. When a man rides on the high tide of success he maythink that his strength and glory are forever, but it is God alone whogiveth him courage and power over others, and in the end all must fallbefore the arrows of death. God sent Grendel to punish me for my pridewhen I had freed the Danes and built my pinnacled mead-hall. Then whenthis despair was upon me he brought thee to my salvation. Bear thenthy honors meekly, and give thanks to God that made thee strong. Gonow into the feast and join thy happiness to that of my warriors. "

That day the high walls of Heorot rang with the thunderous shouts ofthe warriors and echoed the inspiring words of the Skalds who sang ofBeowulf's victory. When at last darkness settled o'er the towers andpinnacles of the palace, the grateful Danes laid themselves down tosleep in peace and safety, knowing that their slumber would neveragain be disturbed by the old sea woman or her giant progeny. 

CUPID AND PSYCHE

Adapted by ANNA MCCALEB

Once upon a time, in a far-off country whose exact location no manknows, there lived a king whose chief glory and pride was in his threebeautiful daughters. The two elder sisters were sought in marriage byprinces, but Psyche, by far the most beautiful of the three, remainedat her father's home, unsought. The fact was, she was so lovely thatall the people worshiped her as a goddess, while no man felt that hewas worthy to ask for her hand. 

"Shall a mere mortal, " they said, "venture to seek the love of Venus, queen of beauty?"

When Psyche learned of the name they had given her she was frightened, for she knew well the jealous, vengeful nature of the goddess ofbeauty. And she did well to fear; for Venus, jealous, angry, was eventhen plotting her destruction. 

"Go, " she said to her son Cupid. "Wound that proud, impertinent girlwith your arrows, and see to it that she falls in love with somewretched, depraved human being. She shall pay for attempting to rivalme. "

Off went the mischievous youth, pleased with his errand; but when hebent over the sleeping Psyche and saw that she was far more beautifulthan any one whom he had ever looked upon, he started hastily back, and wounded, not the maiden, but himself, with his arrow. Happy, andyet wretched in his love (for he knew his mother too well to fancythat she would relent toward the offending Psyche), he stole away; andfor days he did not go near his mother, knowing that she would demandof him the outcome of his mission. 

Meanwhile the old king, feeling that disgrace rested on his familybecause no man had come to seek Psyche in marriage, sent messengers toask of the oracle [Footnote: An oracle was a place where some godanswered questions about future happenings. The same name was alsogiven to the answers made by the god. The most famous oracles werethat of Jupiter at Dodona and that of Apollo at Delphi, the latterholding chief place. At Delphi there was a temple to Apollo built overa chasm in the mountain side from which came sulphurous fumes. Apriestess took her seat on a tripod over this chasm, and the answersshe gave to inquiries were supposed to be dictated by the god. Theseanswers were almost always unintelligible, and even when interpretedby the priests were ambiguous and of little use. Nevertheless, theGreeks believed in oracles firmly, and never undertook any importantwork without first consulting one or more of them. ] of Apollo whetherhe or his family had ignorantly offended any of the gods. Eagerly hewatched for the return of the messengers, but as they came back thesight of their white faces told him that no favorable answer had beentheirs. 

"Pardon, O King, " said the spokesman, "thy servants who bring thee illnews. We can but speak the words of the gods, which were these:

"'For hear thy doom; a rugged rock there is Set back a league from thine own palace fair; There leave the maid, that she may wait the kiss Of the fell monster that doth harbour there: This is the mate for whom her yellow hair And tender limbs have been so fashioned, This is the pillow for her lovely head. 

"'And if thou sparest now to do this thing, I will destroy thee and thy land also, And of dead corpses shalt thou be the king, And stumbling through the dark land shalt thou go, Howling for second death to end thy woe; Live therefore as thou mayst and do my will, And be a king that men may envy still. '" [Footnote: From William Morris's Earthly Paradise. ]

Imagine the grief of the loving father at these words! Had the oraclebut threatened punishment to him, he would have endured any torturebefore subjecting his child to such a fate; but as a king, he darednot bring ruin on all his people, who trusted him. Psyche, herself, numb with horror, commanded quietly that preparations be made for theprocession which should accompany her to the rock described by theoracle. Some days later, this procession set out, the priests in theirwhite robes preceding Psyche, who, in mourning garments, with bowedhead and clasped hands, walked between her father and mother. Herparents bewailed their fate and clung to her, but she said only, "Itis the will of the gods, and therefore must be. "

At last the mountain top was reached, the last heart-breakingfarewells were said, and the procession wound back toward the city, leaving Psyche alone. All the horror of her fate burst upon her as shestood on the bleak rock, and she raised her hands to heaven and cried. Suddenly, however, it seemed to her that the breeze which blew pasther murmured in her ear "Do not fear"; and certainly she felt herselfbeing lifted gently and carried over mountain and valley and sea. Atlast, she was placed on a grassy bank, in a pleasant, flower-brightvalley, and here she fell asleep, feeling quite safe after all herfears. 

On awaking, she strolled about the lovely garden in which she foundherself, wondering to see no one, though on all sides there were signsof work and care and thought. At the door of a palace, more gorgeousthan any she had ever seen before, she paused, but soft voices called"Enter, beautiful maiden, " and gentle hands, which she saw not, drewher within the door. While she gazed in wonder at the wrought goldenpillars, the ivory and gold furnishings, the mosaic of precious stoneswhich formed the floor, a voice said, close beside her:

"Sovereign lady, let not fear oppress thee: All is thine on which thine eye doth rest. We, whose voices greet thee, are thy servants-- Thou art mistress here, not passing guest. In thy chamber, bed of down awaits thee; Perfumed baths our skilled hands prepare. "

As she had slept in the garden, Psyche felt no need of rest, butpassed at once to the refreshment of the bath. Then, for she had eatennothing since the oracle's decree, she seated herself at the table andate of the delicious dishes which the invisible hands presented toher. Swiftly the remaining hours of daylight passed, while the amazedand enraptured Psyche wandered about the palace and listened to theexquisite music which invisible performers furnished for her. 

With the coming of the darkness, the voice which had spoken to her ather entrance said, "Our master comes!" And shortly after, he began tospeak to her himself. At the first tones of his gentle, loving voice, Psyche forgot her fears, forgot the oracle; and when her unseen loversaid, "Canst thou love me somewhat in return for all the love I givethee?" she answered, "Willingly!"

"Thou mayest have all the joys which earth and heaven afford; onething only I ask of thee in return. I shall come to thee with thedarkness, and never shalt thou try to see my face. "

Psyche promised, and she kept her promise faithfully for a long time, though her longing to see the husband who was so good to her wasgreat. During the hours when he was with her, she was perfectly happy, but through the long days, when she had nothing but the voices thathad greeted her on her arrival, and her own thoughts for company, shelonged and longed to see her sisters, and to send to her parents newsof her happiness. One night when her husband came, she begged of himthat he would allow her sisters to visit her. 

"Art thou not happy with me, Pysche?" he asked sorrowfully. "Do I notfill thy heart as thou fillest mine?"

"I am happier with thee than ever happy girl was with seen lover, "replied Psyche, "but my parents and my sisters are yet in sorrow overmy fate, and my heart tells me it is selfishness for me to be so happywhile they grieve for me. "

At last, her husband gave a reluctant consent to her request, and onthe very next day, the West Wind, [Footnote: The winds, four innumber, were the sons of Aeolus, god of the storm and of winds. Theirnames were Boreas, the north wind; Zephyrus, the west wind; Auster, the south wind, and Eurus, the east wind. ] who had brought Psyche tothis retreat, brought her two sisters and set them down at her door. Joyfully Psyche led them in, and she commanded her invisible servantsto serve them with the finest foods and entertain them with the mostexquisite music. After the meal was over, the happy girl conductedthem about the palace and pointed out to them all its treasures. Shewas not proud or boastful; she only wanted to show them how kind andthoughtful her husband was. But the sights that met their eyes filledthem with envy, and when Psyche left the room to make some furtherplans for their comfort, one said to the other:

"Is it not unendurable that this girl, who was left unsought in ourfather's house for years, should be living in such splendor? I shallhate the sight of my own palace when I return. "

"Yes, " sighed the other, "all the polished oaken furnishings of whichI was so proud will be worthless in my eyes after seeing Psyche'smagnificent ivory and gold. And she is our younger sister!"

"Do you notice, " said the elder sister, "that while she says muchabout what her husband does for her, she says nothing at all abouthim? But wait--here she comes--say nothing, and I will question her. "

Happy, innocent Psyche, never doubting that her sisters were aspleased at her good fortune as she would have been at theirs, came tolead them to another room, but her sister detained her. 

"Stay, " she said, "we have something to ask of you. About all thesplendors of your palace you have talked; you have told us at greatlength about your husband's goodness to you. But not a word about hislooks or his age or his occupation have you said. See, sister! Sheblushes! Shy girl, she has been unwilling to speak of him until wespoke first. "

"No doubt, " said the other sister, "she has saved until the last herdescription of him, since he is the best part of her life here. "

Poor Psyche knew not what to say. How should she confess that, afterthese many months, she had never seen her husband; that she knew notat all what manner of man he was?

"Why, he's a young man, " she replied hesitatingly, "a very young man, and he spends much of his time hunting on the mountains. "

"Has he blue eyes or brown?" asked the elder sister. 

"I--why--O, blue eyes, " said Psyche. 

"And his hair, " inquired the second sister, "is it straight orcurling, black or fair?"

"It's--it's straight and--and brown, " faltered poor Psyche, who hadnever before uttered a lie. 

"Now, see here, my child, " said the elder sister, "I can tell fromyour answers that you've never seen this precious husband of yours. Isnot that the case?"

Psyche nodded, the tears running down her cheeks. 

"But he's so good to me, " she whispered. "And I promised I wouldn'ttry to see him. "

"Good to you! You deluded innocent, of course he's good to you! Whatdid the oracle say? It's plain to be seen that the prophecy has cometrue and that you are wedded to some fearful monster, who is kind toyou now that he may kill and devour you by-and-by. "

At length, for they were older than Psyche, and she had always beenaccustomed to taking their advice, they convinced her that her onlysafety lay in discovering at once what sort of a monster had her inits possession. 

"Now mind, " they counseled her, "this very night conceal a lamp and adagger where you can reach them easily, and as soon as he is asleep, steal upon him. You shall see what you shall see. And if he's thedistorted monster we think him, plunge the knife into his heart. "

Poor, timid Psyche! Left to herself, she scarce knew what to do. Shekindled the lamp, then extinguished it, ashamed of her lack of faithin her kind husband. 

But when she heard him coming, she again hastily lighted the lamp andhid it, with a sharp dagger, behind a tapestry. When her husbandapproached her she pretended weariness; she knew that if she allowedhim to talk with her, her fears would melt away. 

"My visit with my sisters has tired me. Let me rest, " she pleaded, andher husband, always ready to humor any wish of hers, did not try tocoax her into conversation. He threw himself upon the couch, and whenhis regular breathing told her that he really slept, Psyche arosetremblingly, took up her lamp and dagger and stole to his side. Lifting her lamp high she looked upon--the very god of Love, himself!

[Illustration: SHE LOOKED UPON THE GOD OF LOVE]

 "I stood Long time uncertain, and at length turned round And gazed upon my love. He lay asleep, And ah, how fair he was! The flickering light Fell on the fairest of the gods, stretched out In happy slumber. Looking on his locks Of gold, and faultless face and smile, and limbs Made perfect, a great joy and trembling took me Who was most blest of women, and in awe And fear I stooped to kiss him. One warm drop From the full lamp within my trembling hand, Fell on his shoulder. " [Footnote: From Epic of Hades by Lewis Morris]

Cupid awoke, looked with startled eyes at his wife, and reading arightthe story of the lamp and the dagger, spread his wings and flewthrough the open window, saying sadly:

"Farewell! There is no love except with Faith, And thine is dead!Farewell! I come no more!"

Weeping and calling out to her husband, Psyche ran out of doors intothe black, stormy night. To the edge of the garden she ran, and then, in her grief and terror she swooned. When she awakened, the palace andgarden had vanished, but Psyche cared little for that; henceforth heronly care was to seek her husband. 

Encountering on her wanderings the kindly Ceres, Psyche implored herhelp; but Ceres could give her no aid except advice. 

"The gods must stand by each other, " she said. "If Venus is angered atthee, I can give thee no aid. This, though, thou mayst do: Go toVenus, submit thyself unto her, and perhaps thou mayst win her favor. "

At the temple of Venus, Psyche encountered that goddess, the cause ofall her misfortunes; and right glad was Venus to have the once proudmaiden for her humble slave. 

"Many are the tasks thou canst perform for me, " said the disdainfulgoddess, "if them art not as stupid as thou art ugly. Here is a simplelittle task to begin upon. "

She led Psyche to the storehouse of the temple and pointed out to hera great heap of grain--wheat, barley, poppy seeds, beans and millet. 

"When I return at evening, " she commanded, "have each sort of grain ina heap by itself. "

The luckless girl knew that the work could not be accomplished in thetime allowed her, and she made, therefore, no attempt to begin it. Asshe sat with her head in her hands, she heard a faint sound, as if thegrain were being stirred about, and looking up, she saw that the antshad come in vast numbers and were sorting it out. Fascinated, shewatched them, until long before evening the task was done. 

"Thou couldst never have done this by thyself, lazy one, " exclaimedVenus, on her return. "To-morrow I will see whether thou art indeedable to do anything. Beyond the river which flows past my temple aregolden-fleeced sheep, roaming without a shepherd. Do thou bring to mea portion of their fleece. "

In the morning Psyche set out, utterly discouraged, but afraid tolinger in the temple of the angry goddess. When she approached thesheep, she trembled, for they were numerous, and very fierce. As shestood concealed in the rushes by the river bank, the murmuring reedssaid to her:

"Wait! At noon the sheep will seek the shade. Then mayst thou gatherof their fleece from the bushes under which they have ranged, "

With a thankful heart Psyche followed the directions, and at eveningreturned unharmed with the golden wool, which she presented to Venus. Again the goddess upbraided her. 

"Well I know that of thine own self thou couldst never have donethis, " she cried wrathfully; nor did she stop to reflect that the factthat Psyche thus received aid, unasked, in her difficulties, was aproof that all things on earth loved and pitied her, Instead, she gaveher yet another task. 

"Take this casket; go with it to the realms of the dead, and ask ofProserpina that she loan me a little of her beauty. I have worriedabout the undutiful conduct of my son until I have grown thin andpale, and I would look my best at the assembly of the gods to-morrownight. "

This was the most hopeless task of all. To go to the realms of thedead--what did it mean but that she must die?

"As well soon as late, " sighed the poor girl; and she climbed to thetop of a high tower, meaning to cast herself down. But even here, where no living thing seemed to be, a voice came to her ears. 

"Desist, rash girl, from thy plan! Thou art not yet to die. If thouwilt observe carefully all the directions which I shall give thee, thou shalt fulfill thy cruel mistress's stern behest. From a cave inyonder hill there leads a path, straight into the earth. No man hasever trodden it. Along this shalt thou journey, bearing in thy handsops for the three-headed dog of Pluto, and money for the grimferryman, Charon. It is written that thou shalt succeed; only, thoushalt not open the box which hides the beauty of Proserpina. "

[Illustration: PSYCHE AND CHARON]

The voice ceased, and Psyche climbed from her tower and set out on thearduous journey. Through long, long hours she toiled over the roughpath in utter darkness. What was on either side of her, she knew not;no sound came to her except the far-off drip of water slipping throughthe rocks. At length, when she was ready to drop with fatigue andfear, a faint light appeared before her. Somewhat cheered, she walkedon, and stepping from the vast tunnel in which she had beenjourneying, she found herself on the bank of a river. It was not sucha river as she had seen gliding through the green fields andglittering over the rocks of her native country; it was a sluggish, inky-black stream, [Footnote: There were several great rivers inPluto's realm. Phlegethon, a river of fire, separated Tartarus, theabode of the wicked, from the rest of Hades, while Cocytus, a saltyriver, was composed of the tears of the dwellers in Tartarus. But themost famous of the rivers were the Styx, by which the gods swore; theLethe, a draught from which made one forget all that had ever happenedand begin life anew; and the Acheron, a black, cold stream, over whichthe spirits of the dead had to be ferried before they could enterPluto's realm. The ferryman was Charon; and since he would row no oneover the river unless he were paid for it, the ancients placed underthe tongue of the dead a small coin wherewith the fare might be paid. ]which slid on without ever a ripple. A strange, gray light filled allthe place, and showed to her a ferryboat, moored to the shore, and agrim-looking, old, long-bearded ferryman. 

"Will you take me over the river?" asked Psyche, in a faint voice. Theferryman gave her no answer, but she ventured to step upon his craft, upon which he instantly shoved off. Without a sound they moved acrossthe river, and when Psyche stepped off on the farther shore, she knewshe was really in Hades, the dreadful realm of Pluto. Tossing backonto the boat the coin she had brought, she went on and on, until shecame to a great gloomy tower of black marble. On the threshold stoodPluto's dog, three-headed Cerberus, and fiercely he barked at the poorfrightened girl. However, the sop which she threw to him quieted him, and she passed on into the palace. There, on their black thrones, satPluto and Proserpina, king and queen of this hopeless realm. 

"Great queen, " said Psyche, bowing humbly before Proserpina's throne, "my mistress has sent me to borrow for her a little of thy beauty. "

"Willingly will I lend it, " said Proserpina, kindly, "not to pleasethy proud mistress, but to help thee, poor girl. " And taking thelittle casket which Psyche had brought with her, she breathed into it, closed it hurriedly, and handed it to the waiting girl. 

Gladly did Psyche leave this gloomy abode and set out on her homewardjourney. The black path seemed not so long nor so frightful when sheknew she was moving toward the light of day; and O, how happy she waswhen she saw the sunlight glimmering ahead of her! Out once more inthe free light and fresh air, she sat down for a time to rest, and agreat curiosity came upon her to know what the little casket in herhand contained. 

"My beauty must have been growing less through these weeks of troubleand fright, " she thought, "and perhaps if my husband saw me now hewould not love me. It can do no harm for me to borrow just a little ofthe contents of this box. "

She raised the lid, but from the box there came, with a rushing sound, the spirit of sleep. This spirit seized upon Psyche and laid her bythe roadside in a sleep resembling death, and here she might haveslept for all time, had not Cupid, wandering by, spied her. Bendingover her, he kissed her; then he wrestled with the spirit of sleepuntil he had forced it to release Psyche, and to enter again thelittle casket from which her curiosity had loosed it. 

[Illustration: CUPID SPIED PSYCHE SLEEPING]

"Psyche, " he said, turning to his wife, who lay speechless withhappiness at beholding him again, "once through thy curiosity I waslost to thee; this time thou wast almost lost to me. Never again mustI leave thee; never must thou be absent from my sight. "

Together, then, they hastened to Olympus, the dwelling of the gods:together they bowed before Jupiter's throne. The king of the gods, looking upon Psyche and seeing that she was beautiful as a goddess, listened favorably to their petition, and, calling for a cup ofambrosia, presented it to her and said:

"Drink, Psyche; so shalt thou become immortal, and fit wife for agod. "

Venus, touched by her son's happiness, forgave his bride, and theyoung lovers, who had gone through so many griefs and hardships, livedhappily forever in the beautiful palace presented to them by the kingof the gods. 

The myth of Cupid and Psyche is of much later date than most of theother myths; in fact, it is met with first in a writer of the secondcentury of the Christian era. Many of the myths are material--that is, they explain physical happenings, such as the rising of the sun, thecoming of winter, or the flashing of the lightning; but the myth ofCupid and Psyche has nothing to do with the forces of nature--it iswholly spiritual in its application. 

Cupid is Love, while Psyche represents the soul; and thus the story, in its descriptions of Psyche's sufferings, shows how the soul, lovedby heaven, and really loving heaven, is robbed of its joy through itsown folly. Only by striving and suffering, the story tells us, is thesoul purified and made fit for joy everlasting. 

Psyche's descent into the regions of the dead signifies that it isonly after death that the soul realizes its true happiness. Even if wedid not know just when this myth originated, we might guess from thisteaching that the myth was a late one, for the earliest Greeks andRomans did not believe in a real happiness after death. They believedin existence after death, but it was a very shadowy existence, withthe most negative sort of pleasures. Later, the Romans, even beforethey accepted Christianity, had their beliefs more or less modified bytheir contact with Christians. 

We may sum this myth up by saying that it is an allegory of

 "the soul of man, the deathless soul, Defeated, struggling, purified and blest. "

As you read this story of Cupid and Psyche, some incidents in itdoubtless seemed familiar to you; you had come across them before invarious fairy tales. Thus the story of Psyche's arrival at the palaceand of the way in which she was waited upon by invisible beings willremind you of certain parts of Beauty and the Beast, while the laborsset for Psyche by Venus will recall The Three Tasks. Now, while someof the fairy stories are undoubtedly borrowed from this old, old tale, it is a singular fact that there is an old Norse story which containssome of the same incidents, and yet could not have been taken fromthis. 

One of the most interesting things about the study of mythology is theattempt to discover how widely separate nations came to have similarstories. Many learned men have worked much over this question, andsome of them say that, having the same facts to explain, or the samethings to express in allegory, the various ancient peoples naturallyhit upon the same explanations. Others believe that this similarity ofmyths shows that far, far back, the ancestors of these differentpeople must have had intercourse with each other. Probably there issome truth in both theories, though most authorities believe that theformer theory covers more cases than does the latter. 

We have said that this story is an allegory; do you understand justwhat an allegory is? There are different types of allegories; in some, each person that appears represents some quality or some influence; inothers, a general truth is set forth, but there is no attempt to makeevery minor character fill a place in the allegory. To which type doyou think the story of Cupid and Psyche belongs? Do Psyche's sisters, for instance, represent anything?

What was the real fault of Psyche--the folly that cost her herhappiness?

The word "Psyche" means in Greek, the SOUL; it is also the word forBUTTERFLY. Can you see any reason why the one name should be used forboth?

There are still some very, very old pictures which show a man with abutterfly just fluttering out from between his lips. Remembering thatthe butterfly was the emblem of the soul, can you imagine what theartists meant to show by this?

THE PIED PIPER OF HAMELIN

By ROBERT BROWNING

Hamelin Town's in Brunswick, By famous Hanover City; The river Weser, deep and wide, Washes its wall on the southern side; A pleasanter spot you never spied;But when begins my ditty, Almost five hundred years ago, To see the townsfolk suffer soFrom vermin was a pity. 

 Rats!They fought the dogs, and killed the cats, And bit the babies in the cradles, And ate the cheeses out of the vats, And licked the soup from the cooks' own ladles, Split open the kegs of salted sprats. Made nests inside men's Sunday hats, And even spoiled the women's chats, By drowning their speaking With shrieking and squeakingIn fifty different sharps and flats. 

At last the people in a body To the Town Hall came flocking:"'Tis clear, " cried they, "our Mayor's a noddy; And as for our Corporation, --shockingTo think we buy gowns lined with ermineFor dolts that can't or won't determineWhat's best to rid us of our vermin!You hope, because you're old and obese, To find in the furry civic robe ease?Rouse up, sirs! Give your brains a rackingTo find the remedy we're lacking, Or, sure as fate, we'll send you packing. "At this the Mayor and CorporationQuaked with a mighty consternation. 

[Illustration: PEOPLE CALL ME THE PIED PIPER]

An hour they sate in counsel, -- At length the Mayor broke silence:For a guilder I'd my ermine gown sell; I wish I were a mile hence!It's easy to bid one rack one's brain, --I'm sure my poor head aches again, I've scratched it so, and all in vain, O for a trap, a trap, a trap!"Just as he said this, what could hapAt the chamber door but a gentle tap?"Bless us, " cried the Mayor, "what's that?"(With the Corporation as he sat, Looking little though wondrous fat;Nor brighter was his eye, nor moisterThan a too-long-opened oyster, Save when at noon his paunch grew mutinousFor a plate of turtle green and glutinous. )"Only a scraping of shoes on the mat?Anything like the sound of a ratMakes my heart go pit-a-pat!"

"Come in!"--the Mayor cried, looking bigger;And in did come the strangest figure;His queer long coat from heel to headWas half of yellow and half of red. And he himself was tall and thin, With sharp blue eyes, each like a pin, And light loose hair, yet swarthy skin, No tuft on cheek nor beard on chin, But lips where smiles went out and in;There was no guessing his kith and kin;

And nobody could enough admireThe tall man and his quaint attire. Quoth one: "It's as my great-grandsire, Starting up at the Trump of Doom's tone, Had walked this way from his painted tombstone!"

He advanced to the council-table:And, "Please your honors, " said he, "I'm able, By means of a secret charm, to draw All creatures living beneath the sun, That creep or swim or fly or run, After me so as you never saw!And I chiefly use my charmOn creatures that do people harm, The mole and toad and newt and viper;And people call me the Pied Piper. "(And here they noticed round his neckA scarf of red and yellow stripe, To match with his coat of the self-same check;And at the scarf's end hung a pipe;And his fingers, they noticed, were ever strayingAs if impatient to be playingUpon this pipe, as low it dangledOver his vesture so old-fangled. )"Yet, " said he, "poor piper as I am, In Tartary I freed the Cham, Last June, from his huge swarm of gnats;I eased in Asia the NizamOf a monstrous brood of vampire-bats;And as for what your brain bewilders, --If I can rid your town of rats, Will you give me a thousand guilders?""One? fifty thousand!"--was the exclamationOf the astonished Mayor and Corporation. 

Into the street the piper stept, Smiling first a little smile, As if he knew what magic slept In his quiet pipe the while;Then, like a musical adept, To blow the pipe his lips he wrinkled, And green and blue his sharp eyes twinkled, Like a candle flame where salt is sprinkled;And ere three shrill notes the pipe uttered, You heard as if an army muttered;And the muttering grew to a grumbling;And the grumbling grew to a mighty rumbling;And out of the houses the rats came tumbling, Great rats, small rats, lean rats, brawny rats, Brown rats, black rats, gray rats, tawny rats, Grave old plodders, gay young friskers, Fathers, mothers, uncles, cousins, Cocking tails and pricking whiskers; Families by tens and dozens, Brothers, sisters, husbands, wives, --Followed the piper for their lives. From street to street he piped advancing, And step for step they followed dancing, Until they came to the river Weser, Wherein all plunged and perishedSave one who, stout as Julius Caesar, Swam across and lived to carry(As he, the manuscript he cherished)To Rat-land home his commentary, Which was: "At the first shrill notes of the pipe, I heard a sound as of scraping tripe, And putting apples, wondrous ripe, Into a cider-press's gripe, --And a moving away of pickle-tub boards, And a leaving ajar of conserve-cupboards, And a drawing the corks of train-oil-flasks, And a breaking the hoops of butter-casks;And it seemed as if a voice(Sweeter far than by harp or by psalteryIs breathed) called out, 'O rats, rejoice!The world is grown to one vast drysaltery!So munch on, crunch on, take your nuncheon, Breakfast, supper, dinner, luncheon!'And just as a bulky sugar-puncheon, All ready staved, like a great sun shoneGlorious scarce an inch before me, Just as methought it said, 'Come, bore me!'--I found the Weser rolling o'er me. "

You should have heard the Hamelin peopleRinging the bells till they rocked the steeple;"Go, " cried the Mayor, "and get long poles!Poke out the nests and block up the holes!Consult with carpenters and buildersAnd leave in our town not even a traceOf the rats!"--when suddenly, up the faceOf the piper perked in the market-place, With a "First, if you please, my thousand guilders!"A thousand guilders! The Mayor looked blue;So did the Corporation too. For council-dinners made rare havocWith Claret, Moselle, Vin-de-Grave, Hock;And half the money would replenishTheir cellar's biggest butt with Rhenish. To pay this sum to a wandering fellowWith a gypsy coat of red and yellow!"Beside, " quoth the Mayor, with a knowing wink, "Our business was done at the river's brink;We saw with our eyes the vermin sink, And what's dead can't come to life, I think. So, friend, we're not the folks to shrinkFrom the duty of giving you something for drink, And a matter of money to put in your poke;But as for the guilders, what we spokeOf them, as you very well know, was in joke. Besides, our losses have made us thrifty;A thousand guilders! Come, take fifty!"

The piper's face fell, and he cried, "No trifling! I can't wait! beside, I've promised to visit by dinner timeBagdat, and accept the primeOf the head cook's pottage, all he's rich in, For having left, in the Caliph's kitchen, Of a nest of scorpions no survivor, --With him I proved no bargain-driver;With you, don't think I'll bate a stiver!And folks who put me in a passionMay find me pipe to another fashion. "

"How?" cried the Mayor, "d'ye think I'll brookBeing worse treated than a cook?Insulted by a lazy ribaldWith idle pipe and vesture piebald?You threaten us, fellow? Do your worst, Blow your pipe there till you burst!"

Once more he stept into the street; And to his lips againLaid his long pipe of smooth straight cane; And ere he blew three notes (such sweetSoft notes as yet musician's cunning Never gave the enraptured air)There was a rustling that seemed like a bustlingOf merry crowds justling at pitching and hustling;Small feet were pattering, wooden shoes clattering, Little hands clapping, and little tongues chattering;And, like fowls in a farm-yard when barley is scattering, Out came the children running;All the little boys and girls, With rosy cheeks and flaxen curls, And sparkling eyes and teeth like pearls, Tripping and skipping, ran merrily afterThe wonderful music with shouting and laughter. 

The Mayor was dumb, and the Council stoodAs if they were changed into blocks of wood, Unable to move a step, or cryTo the children merrily skipping by, --And could only follow with the eyeThat joyous crowd at the piper's back. But how the Mayor was on the rack, And the wretched Council's bosoms beat, As the piper turned from the High StreetTo where the Weser rolled its watersRight in the way of their sons and daughters!However, he turned from south to west, And to Koppelberg Hill his steps addressed, And after him the children pressed;Great was the joy in every breast. "He never can cross that mighty top!He's forced to let the piping drop, And we shall see our children stop!"When lo, as they reached the mountain's side, A wondrous portal opened wide, As if a cavern was suddenly hollowed;And the piper advanced and the children followed;And when all were in, to the very last, The door in the mountain-side shut fast. Did I say all? No! One was lame, And could not dance the whole of the way;And in after years, if you would blameHis sadness, he was used to say, --"It's dull in our town since my playmates left!I can't forget that I'm bereftOf all the pleasant sights they see, Which the piper also promised me;For he led us, he said, to a joyous land, Joining the town and just at hand, Where waters gushed and fruit trees grew, And flowers put forth a fairer hue, And everything was strange and new;The sparrows were brighter than peacocks here, And their dogs outran our fallow deer, And honey-bees had lost their stings, And horses were born with eagle's wings;And just as I became assuredMy lame foot would be speedily cured, [Illustration: A WONDROUS PORTAL OPENED WIDE]

The music stopped and I stood still, And found myself outside the Hill, Left alone against my will, To go now limping as before, And never hear of that country more!'

FRITHIOF THE BOLD

Adapted by GRACE E. SELLON

Ingeborg was the favored child of King Bele of Sognland--favored notonly by the king, but, it would seem, by the gods themselves; forwhile she possessed great beauty and a disposition of rare loveliness, her brothers, Helge and Halfdan, were endowed neither with comelinessnor with the bravery and the gentler virtues of true princes. Indeed, King Bele seemed to have good cause for regarding Frithiof, thestalwart son of his loyal friend Thorsten, with greater affection thanhe bestowed upon his own sons, for Frithiof was fearless in danger andcould surpass all other youths in feats of strength, yet was so mild-mannered and noble-hearted that from the first he found great pleasurein the companionship of the little princess Ingeborg. 

With so much satisfaction did King Bele look upon this comradeshipthat when Ingeborg was but a small child he gave her into the care ofher foster-father, Hilding, under whose guardianship Frithiof also hadbeen placed. Thus thrown constantly into each other's company, theyouth and his child playmate found delight in daily expeditionsthrough the forest and on the firth; [Footnote: Firth, an arm of thesea. ] and rare times they had. 

"Her pilot soon he joyed to glide, In Viking*-guise, o'er stream and tide: Sure, hands so gentle, heart so gay, Ne'er plauded rover's young essay!

"No beetling lair, no pine-rocked nest, Might 'scape the love-urged spoiler's quest: Oft ere an eaglet-wing had soared, The eyry mourned its parted hoard. 

"He sought each brook of rudest force, To bear his Ing'borg o'er its source: So thrilling, midst the wild alarm, The tendril-twining of her arm. " [Footnote: From Longfellow's translation of portions of Tegner'sFrithiof Saga. ] *[Footnote: Viking, the name of the Norse sea-pirates who coasted theshores of Europe in the eighth, ninth and tenth centuries. The name isderived from wick, a kind of creek or inlet which these plunderersused as harbors. ]

As the years passed, and Ingeborg became lovelier and Frithiof morebrave and noble each day, their pleasure in each other's company grewdeeper and more absorbing. From this state of happy content, however, Frithiof was to be rudely awakened by the faithful Hilding, who couldsee a great disappointment looming in the path of his young charge. 

Calling Frithiof to him one day, he said:

"Thou knowest the grief I would feel to see thee unhappy. For thy owngood I warn thee that it is not possible for Ingeborg ever to bethine. Thou dost forget that she is the king's daughter, and can traceher lineage even to All-father Odin, [Footnote: Odin, the father ofthe Norse gods. From his lofty throne in Asgard, home of the gods, hecould survey and govern all heaven. ] while thou art a mere subject inthis realm. "

"Ah, but strength and prowess, the gifts of Thor [Footnote: Thor, theeldest son of Odin, superior in strength to all the other Norse gods. He was renowned for the possession of a wonderful hammer, which, afterbeing cast at an object, came back of itself to the hand of him whohad thrown it, a magic belt that greatly increased his strength; and apair of iron gloves that gave him strength and skill in throwing hishammer. ] himself, must rank above the dignity of kings. Ingeborg, thewhite lily, shall be mine, " retorted Frithiof in angry pride, and tookhimself off, apparently unheeding the counsel. 

Nevertheless, when he thought later of Hilding's words and of thehostile feelings that Halfdan and Helge bore him because of envy ofhis prowess, he became troubled in mind. 

It was not long after this that both Bele and his loyal Thorsten, after impressing many a word of wisdom upon the hearts and minds oftheir heirs, died peacefully and were placed so near each other thatin death, as in life, they seemed always together. 

Helge and Halfdan now became the kings of Sogn and Frithiof went tolive on the estate of Framnas, left him by his father. Great indeedwas his inheritance, for he came into possession of the wonderfulsword Angurvadel, on the blade of which were mystic runes [Footnote:Runes, letters or characters of ancient Scandinavian alphabets. Theliteral meaning of rune, a secret or mystery, is explained by the factthat at first these symbols could be read only by a few. ] dull intimes of peace, but fiery red in war; the magic ring or armlet made byVaulund the smith, and the ship Ellida, built in the shape of a dragonand swifter in its flight than any eagle. 

[Illustration: THEY HAD BECOME BETROTHED]

These gifts of good fortune, however, failed to satisfy the new masterof Framnas. So greatly did he miss the presence of Ingeborg that hecould find content in no occupation and wandered about inrestlessness. At length he determined to dispel his loneliness byfilling his great house with guests and holding a feast that shouldcause him to be remembered ever afterwards for boundless hospitality. Just at this time came Helge and Halfdan with their sister Ingeborg tovisit him. Then indeed did Frithiof's gloom take flight as he sat byIngeborg's side or with her roamed the woods and fields, living overagain the days of their happy comradeship and building hopes for aneven happier reunion in the future. In renewing their love, they hadsecretly become betrothed, and thus the hours of the visit sped alltoo swiftly. 

After the departure of Ingeborg it seemed to Frithiof that all joy hadgone out of the world. His dark mood returned, and dismal fears beganto haunt him day and night. Unable longer to endure this desperatestate, he acted upon a sudden resolve, and set sail in his ship, Ellida, for the home of the princess, determined to ask formally forher hand in marriage. It was a daring project; but Frithiof was afearless suitor. 

Having anchored his boat on the shore of the firth, he advanced atonce to where the two kings were "seated on Bele's tomb, "administering law to the common people. 

In a voice that reechoed round the valleys and peaks, Frithiof cried, "Ye kings, my love is Ing'borg fair; To ask her in marriage I here repair; And what I require I here maintain was King Bele's desire!" [Footnote: Spalding's translation of Tegner's Frithiof Saga. ]

The bold words and kingly bearing of the youth drew to him theadmiring gaze of all the great assembly. But Helge looked at him, atfirst in astonishment; then, in deep scorn. 

"The hand of my sister, the Princess Ingeborg, is for none of suchmean estate as thou. Wouldst thou enter our household? Accept then theplace of serving-man, " the king at length replied disdainfully. 

At these slighting words Frithiof was so moved by rage that he wouldhave slain the king then and there had not the place been hallowed byBele's tomb. As it was, he split the royal shield in two with hismighty sword; then, drawing himself up to his full height, he turnedabruptly and strode back to his ship, with head held loftily and eyesflashing with terrible anger. 

Scarcely had he returned home when he was visited by his foster-fatherHilding who, strange as it may seem, had come to ask his aid in behalfof Ingeborg and her brothers. 

"The one whom thou lovest has given herself up to grief in the templeof Balder, [Footnote: Balder, the much-loved god of spring. ] where shespends each day in tears, " Hilding mournfully began. "Her fate issealed, as is that of the whole kingdom, if thou wilt not help usresist King Ring of Ringland who, notwithstanding his great age, hasdemanded Ingeborg's hand in marriage, and in anger is marching againstus because his request has been refused, " continued the faithful oldguardian beseechingly. 

Frithiof was playing at chess with his companion Bjorn, and to allappearance did not hear nor heed the words of Hilding. His woundedpride cried for revenge. However, by artful remarks concerning themoves that were being made on the board, he let it be known that hewas aware of the king's peril but would allow himself to be concernedonly for the welfare of Ingeborg. When at length Hilding pressed foran answer, Frithiof cried out:

"Haste! tell the sons of royal Bele I wear not a retainer's steel;* For wounded honor bids divide The sacred bond it once revered. " [Footnote: Longfellow's translation. ] *[Footnote: Retainer's steel, the sword of a subject]

Filled with secret dismay by Hilding's unsuccessful mission, Helge andHalfdan set forth at once to meet the invading King Ring. Scarcely hadthey departed when Frithiof, impelled by pity for Ingeborg, went toseek her in Balder's temple. Sympathy had indeed blinded Frithiof'sbetter judgment, for the spot on which the temple stood was held sosacred that the law forbade it to be used for lover's trysts. Regardless of peril, he approached Ingeborg, who, fearful for hissafety, implored him to return to Framnas; but the reckless youth, defying Balder's wrath, remained to assure the unhappy princess of hislasting devotion to her welfare. 

"By the honor of my race, I swear that thou wilt ever be dearer to methan all things else beside, " declared Frithiof solemnly, with bowedhead. And then, giving Ingeborg the Vaulund ring, with her he made avow that their troth should never be broken. 

Little did they know how soon their words were to be proved vain! Eventhen were Helge and Halfdan coming back to Sogn to fulfill the promisemade King Ring that Ingeborg should become his bride; and even thendid Frithiof's violation of Balder's shrine cry out accusingly, demanding grim punishment. 

Immediately upon Helge's return he learned of Frithiof's misdeed. Summoning the offender to him, he asked, in awful tones: "Hast thouaught to say in denial of the grave charge that stands against theefor defiling the sanctuary?"

"According to the law, the charge is just, " calmly answered Frithiof. 

"Then get thee hence at once, " cried Helge. "Sail to the OrkneyIslands and there let us see if thy boldness will avail to secure fromEarl Angantyr the long-due tribute money. If thou succeed, return; butif thou fail, let shame for thy empty boasts and overweening pridekeep thee from these shores forever. "

The thought of parting seemed so cruel that Frithiof tried to persuadeIngeborg to go with him to the sunny land of Greece. "There shalt thoudwell in queenly fashion, and I myself will be thy most devotedsubject, " he pleaded. 

Ingeborg, faithful to duty, replied: "My brothers now take my father'splace in my life, and I cannot be happy unless I have their consent tomy marriage. "

In deep dejection Frithiof then set sail in Ellida, Ingeborg watchinghim from the shore with a heavy and foreboding heart. Hardly had theship got under way when there arose a terrible storm, caused by twowitches whom Helge had paid to use their evil power against his enemy. For days the storm raged, until it seemed that the dragon-ship must bewrecked. 

 "As made with defeat, It blows more and more hard; There is bursting of sheet, There is splintering of yard. O'er and o'er the half-gulfed side, Flood succeeding flood is poured; Fast as they expel the tide, Faster still it rolls aboard. Now e'en Frithiof's dauntless mind Owned the triumph of his foe; Louder yet than wave and wind Thus his thundering accents flow! 'Haste and grasp the tiller, Bjorn, with might of bear-paw! Tempest so infuriate Comes not from Valhalla. * Witchcraft is a-going; Sure, the coward Helge Spells* the raging billows! Mine the charge to explore. '" [Footnote: Longfellow's translation] *[Footnote: Valhalla, the palace of Odin, in Asgard, the home of thegods. ] *[Footnote: Spells, bewitches]

Had the prayers of Ingeborg at length availed? Even as he was gazingout over the waters, Frithiof beheld the two witches floating beforehim on the back of a great whale. Then it was that his ship Ellida, intelligent and faithful as a human servant, saved him from the powerof the crafty Helge. Bearing down quickly upon the evil-workers, itdespatched one of them with its sharp prow, while Frithiof, with onethrust of his weapon, destroyed the other. But the vessel was filledwith water, and the sailors were forced to bale continually. In thisdesperate plight the Orkney Islands were reached, and the exhaustedcrew were borne ashore. Frithiof, too, was worn with fatigue, yet hecarried eight of his men at one time from the ship to safety. 

When Ellida put into harbor, Earl Angantyrand his warriors were in themidst of a drinking-bout at the palace. The old attendant Halvar, while refilling the Earl's horn [Footnote: Horn, a drinking vessel, horn shaped, or made of horn. ] with mead, [Footnote: Mead, a drinkmade of honey and water. ] called the attention of the party to theincoming vessel. 

"A ship that can weather such a sea must be no other than Ellida, bearing the doughty son of my good friend Thorsten, " exclaimedAngantyr, rising to get a better view. 

At these words of praise the keenest envy was aroused in Atle andseveral of his companions who were most celebrated in that realm fortheir skill and prowess as huntsmen and warriors; and in a body theywent down to the shore to challenge the far-famed youth of Norway. 

Again did the magic Angurvadel stand its owner in good stead. Atle'ssword having been broken, Frithiof cast aside his own weapon, and thetwo men wrestled until the latter threw his opponent and stood overhim victor. 

"Now had I my sword, thou should'st die, " cried Frithiof. "Get thyweapon, " calmly replied Atle. "I give thee my word I will await thyreturn. "

Frithiof recovered Angurvadel, but as he was about to plunge it intoAtle's body he was so moved by the fearlessness of the vanquished manthat he spared his life. Earl Angantyr then warmly welcomed the son ofhis noble friend Thorsten, and because of the memory of thisfriendship agreed to pay the required tribute. 

[Illustration: FRITHIOF BEHELD THE TWO WITCHES]

Not until spring did Frithiof return to Sogn. When he arrived in hisnative land he learned of two direful events. Helge had destroyed theestate at Framnas, and had given Ingeborg as a bride to King Ring. Into such a furious passion did the news put him, that he went at onceto seek out Helge. The two kings with their wives were worshipping inBalder's temple. Unable to suppress his rage, Frithiof advanced towardHelge and thrust Angantyr's tribute into the very face of the king. Then, finding that Helge's wife was wearing the magic ring thatIngeborg had been forced to give up, Frithiof tried to wrest this fromits wearer, and in doing so caused the queen to drop into the fire animage of the god Balder. In the effort to avert this disasterHalfdan's wife let fall a second image, and immediately the templeburst into flames. 

Had not Frithiof been the most dauntless of all the sons of Norway, hewould have been prostrated with fear for the consequences of thisterrible sacrilege. Could he longer escape the avenging anger ofBalder? Summoning all his courage, he ran to the shore and immediatelyembarked in Ellida. Swiftly the dragon-ship skimmed the waves, whileHelge paced up and down the shore in helpless wrath, all of hisvessels having been destroyed by the companions of his fleeing enemy. 

For three years thereafter Frithiof roved the seas as a viking, overcoming the great sea-pirates, and taking from them their richspoils. At length, when he had become very wealthy, he tired of hisceaseless roaming and came to feel that nothing would satisfy him butto see Ingeborg again. Then, despite the protests of Bjorn, he set outfor Norway to visit the kingdom of Ringland. 

Arrived at the king's palace he entered, disguised as an old man, andhumbly seated himself among the servants. Soon those about him beganto make fun of his forlorn appearance, whereupon he seized a youthstanding near, and raising him high above his head, twisted him aboutas though he weighed no more than a mere babe. This surprising test ofstrength drew the attention of the entire party, and the kingquestioned: "Who art thou, and where didst thou pass the night justgone?"

"In Anguish was I nurtured, Want is my homestead bright. Now come I from the Wolf's den, I slept with him last night" [Footnote: Longfellow's translation]

came in a quavering voice from Frithiof. 

But the king, intent upon further discovery, bade the stranger removehis shaggy cloak. Then Frithiof knew that deception was no longerpossible, and, throwing off his cloak, he stood forth in all the mightof his manhood. Even had it not been otherwise possible to recognizehim, the Vaulund ring worn on his arm would have betrayed its owner. At once his eyes traveled to Ingeborg, who blushed deeply, while theking feigned ignorance. 

So much favor did Frithiof find with the aged monarch, that he wasbesought to remain at the court during the winter. On one occasion herepaid this hospitality by saving the lives of the king and queen whenthey were on their way to a feast. The ice over which they werepassing broke, and they would have sunk into the river below had notFrithiof by main force pulled the pony and sleigh out of the water. 

Somewhat later, while accompanying the royal party on a visit to thewoods and fields where the new beauty of the springtime could be fullyenjoyed, Frithiof was left alone with King Ring. Feeling weary, theold man lay down upon a cloak spread for him by his companion, andfell asleep with his head upon the younger man's knee. As he lay thus, a coal-black raven from a near-by tree called in hoarse whispers toFrithiof: "Take his life, now that he is in thy power. " But fromanother bough a bird, white as snow, admonished him: "Respect old ageand be true to the trust that has been placed in thee. " ThereuponFrithiof cast his sword from him as far as it could be thrown. Soonthe king aroused himself from the sleep that he had merely pretended, and said in kindly tones:

"I know thee now to be a brave and loyal friend; and thytrustworthiness shall be rewarded, Frithiof. Do not be surprised thatI speak thy name, for I have known thee from the first. Even now thedarkness of death is closing round me, and when the light of Midgard[Footnote: Midgard, the name given in Norse mythology to earth, asdistinguished from Asgard (the home of the gods) and Hel (the lowerworld). ] fades from my sight, I shall die willing that thou marryIngeborg and rule my kingdom until my young son shall have grown tomanhood. "

Frithiof, whose noble nature had been deeply touched by the king'sgenerosity, would have departed from Ringland soon afterward, but withgreat difficulty was prevailed upon to stay. And so it came about thatwhen in a little time the king died, the long years of trial enduredby Ingeborg and Frithiof were brought to an end, and their constancywas rewarded. To fill the measure of their joy, Halfdan, who was nowreigning alone, Helge having died, became reconciled to them andgladly agreed to their union. Indeed, it was he who led his sister tothe altar in the restored temple of Balder and gave her into the safe-keeping of her faithful lover. 

When you think how old your grandmother and grandfather seem, and thenremember that they have lived less than a hundred years, you feel thata story which has been living for hundreds of years is indeed veryold. Such a story is the one that you have just been reading. Manymore children than you could possibly imagine, if you were trying topicture them all in one place--especially children of Norway, Swedenand Denmark--have delightedly read or listened to this sameinteresting tale. 

The Frithiof saga, [Footnote: Saga, an ancient Scandinavian legend, ormythical or historical tale. ] as the story is called, did not appearin its present form until the fourteenth century, though it isbelieved to have existed, at least in part, in earlier ages. It hasbeen told and retold by writers of Norway and Sweden, translated intomany languages, and even made into a celebrated epic[Footnote: Epic, anarrative poem concerned usually with historic deeds and characters, and written in a style of marked dignity and grandeur. ] poem by theSwedish poet, Tegner. 

Of course in the fourteenth century the people of northern Europe nolonger thought that Odin, Balder and the other gods mentioned in thestory lived in Valhalla and ruled the world. But at that time many didbelieve in magic and in the evil power of witches; and it isaltogether probable that the wonderful ship Ellida, which possessedhuman intelligence and could save its master from shipwreck; thewitches traveling about on the whale's back; the talking birds, andthe magical ring and sword would have seemed far less astonishing tothese people than would our great ocean steamships and men-of-war, ourrailroad trains and trolley cars, our telephones and talking-machines, and many other modern wonders in which we fully believe. 

While we agree with the children of the long-ago in admiringFrithiof's bravery and faithfulness and Ingeborg's amiability andconstancy, probably we are most interested in the story because of themany adventures that it contains. How many of the bold deeds ofFrithiof can you recall without turning to the story? If you canremember all of them you are surely doing well. Can you name thesedeeds in just the order in which you have read them? Suppose you tellthis story some time when you are playing school with the youngerchildren in the family or in the neighborhood. It would be a goodthing for you to do just what a real teacher might do: go over thestory, picking out all of the principal events and writing thesebriefly and clearly on a slip of paper, one under another, exactly inthe order in which they occur. 

THE STORY OF SIEGFRIED

Adapted by GRACE E. SELLON

NOTE. --Near the beginning of the thirteenth century there was writtenin Germany one of the greatest story-poems in the literature of theworld. This is the Nibelungenlied, a partly historical, partlymythical tale containing more than two thousand stanzas composed by anunknown poet, or perhaps by several poets. The first half of the poemis made up mostly of the deeds of Siegfried, a warrior king claimed asa national hero, not only by the Germans but by the Norse people, wholived in northern Europe, in the countries of Iceland, Norway, Swedenand Denmark. In the Norse stories, however, Siegfried is known asSigurd. 

It is not at all certain that Siegfried was an historical person. Though there is some reason for thinking that he was Arminius, thefearless leader of the Germans in the terrible revolt by which theyoverthrew their Roman rulers in the year 9 A. D. , yet of the warriorswith whom he has been identified, Siegfried seems most like Sigibert, king of the Franks who lived in Austrasia, or ancient Germany. Forthis king, like Siegfried, overcame the Saxons and Danes by his bravefighting, he too discovered a hidden treasure, and he was at lengthtreacherously put to death by pages of his sister-in-law, Fredegunde, with whom his wife, Brunhilde, had quarreled over some question ofprecedence. 

After all, though, it does not make a great difference whether or notSiegfried was any of the heroes to whom he has been likened or was allof them put together; he really lives for us in the wonderful story ofhis knightly bravery and good faith. 

Some of the greatest poets and dramatists and composers, not only ofGermany, but of other countries as well, have made use of incidentsfrom the Nibelungenlied. Of all these works which have been producedwith this old poem as a basis, the Ring of the Nibelungen, a group offour operas by Richard Wagner, is most famous. These operas, which areamong the finest works of this great composer, are not basedabsolutely on the Nibelungenlied; many happenings in the life of thehero, Siegfried, are different. But it is clear that Wagner drew hisinspiration from this thirteenth century epic, and his use of it hasopened other people's eyes to its beauties. 

In the golden days of knightly adventure, when heroes famed formarvelous daring went up and down the land in search of deeds in whichto display their skill, strength and courage in combat, and theirgallantry towards fair ladies, there lived in one of the countries onthe Rhine a prince named Siegfried who, though but a youth, was notedfar and wide for his unequaled valor and boldness. When he was a mereboy he nobly served his country in putting to death the Dragon of theLinden-tree, a monster so full of hate that it would cast its poisonout upon any one who came near it, and so strong that it could destroyany one who tried to conquer it. Nevertheless the fearless Siegfriednot only slew this evil creature but bathed in its blood, thus makinghis own skin so hard that it could never afterward be pierced by anyweapon. At another time, while traveling through the land of theNibelungers, he came upon the two princes of the country and a companyof their attendants gathered about the foot of a hill from which hadjust been taken great quantities of gold and precious stones. 

[Illustration: SIEGFRIED AND THE DRAGON]

"Ho, Siegfried, " called one of the princes, advancing to meet him, "come to our aid, for we are much in need of some one to dividebetween my brother and myself this treasure left us by our father. Forsuch help we will prove to you our gratitude. "

Siegfried, however, would have ridden on had not both princes and allthose about them urged him again and again to make the division. Theygave him, for reward, the mighty sword Balmung, that had belonged tothe dead king of the Nibelungers, and then in anxious expectationstood around him as he began to count out and separate the pieces ofgold and the shining stones. 

But Siegfried soon grew weary of his task, and glancing over the greatpiles of treasure that would have filled more than a hundred wagons, he turned impatiently away and would have departed had not twelvepowerful companions of the two princes blocked his path. 

"Do you think to stay me thus?" cried Siegfried; and before they couldanswer he attacked them one after another and put them all to death. Then in fury rode against him seven hundred of the great warriors ofthat land, but, secure in the possession of Balmung, and with a skinlike horn, Siegfried overcame every opponent. Last of all he slew thetwo princes and subdued the dwarf Alberich, whom he made keeper of thetreasure. 

From this same dwarf he wrested a magic cloak or tarnkappe, that gaveits owner wonderful strength, made him proof against every blow dealthim, and enabled him to become invisible. At length, when theremaining nobles had sworn allegiance to him, Siegfried rode away, lord of the Nibelunger's land and treasure. 

At this time there dwelt in Burgundy, on the Rhine, a young princessof such rare virtue and beauty that noble youths had come from everyland to win her as a bride. As yet, however, she had bestowed herfavor upon no one. What, then, were the surprise and foreboding feltby King Siegmund and his queen, Siegelind, the parents of Siegfried, when he made known to them that he was about to fare forth toBurgundy, to sue for the hand of the princess Kriemhild. For they knewthat King Gunther, Kriemhild's brother, was a man of great might, andthat he and his powerful nobles might look with displeasure uponSiegfried's proud bearing. Finding, however, that they could notchange the purpose of the young prince, they provided him and hiseleven companions with the finest of garments and with armor ofdazzling brightness, and allowed him to depart. 

Siegfried was not in the least dismayed when, upon reaching the courtof Burgundy, he was taken into the presence of the king. 

"It would please me much to know why you have journeyed hither, PrinceSiegfried, " said Gunther, in kindly tones. 

"That I shall tell you without delay, " replied the youth. "I haveheard of your prowess, King Gunther, and I have come to prove who isthe better in arms, you or I. If in fair combat I am victor, let yourkingly authority and your lands be given over to me. If I amvanquished, you may claim my rights and possessions as heir to thethrone of Netherland. "

Upon hearing these bold words Gunther looked on the prince with muchsurprise, yet with no ill will; but his nobles exchanged angry glancesand then broke out in threats of punishment for such overweeningpride. Not at all daunted, Siegfried would have challenged the wholecompany had not the king addressed him with such generous courtesy andoffers of entertainment for himself and his companions that the large-hearted knight could not refuse to be pacified. 

Little did King Gunther know how greatly he was to profit by thiskindness. Before long his kingdom was threatened by the combinedarmies of the Danes and the Saxons led by their kings, Ludegast andLudger. Learning of the great danger that had cast a gloom overGunther, Siegfried assured the king, "Do not let yourself be troubled. I am your friend and for your sake will teach these upstarts to ruethe day when they foolishly defied the King of Burgundy. " Well pleasedwith this show of sincere friendship, Gunther entrusted his army toSiegfried, and the young prince of Netherland set forth to meet hisfoes. 

As the Burgundians approached the camp of the enemy, Siegfried rodefar in advance to learn what were the numbers of their foes. Thus itwas that just without the camp he was challenged by a knight whom heat once recognized as King Ludegast. Leveling their lances, the twowarriors rushed together, and each struck full against the other'sshield. Then drawing their swords they fought fiercely until Ludegast, severely wounded, fell from his horse. Immediately, thirty of thefollowers of the Danish king hurled themselves upon Siegfried, and allbut one, who begged for life, were slain by the mighty sword Balmung. 

After leading the Burgundians into battle, Siegfried fought in thethickest of the fray until almost unhorsed by the Saxon king, Ludger. Stirred to keenest anger by this incident, the prince of Netherlandbegan to rain blows upon his opponent and doubtless would haveovercome him had not Ludger suddenly discovered with whom he wasfighting, and cried: "Hold! Stay your hand! Let the battle cease. Iwill not fight against the terrible might of Siegfried, theNetherlander. Let my men surrender, as I submit. "

Thus was the day won for the Burgundians; and with mingled sorrow fortheir fallen warriors and joy for the good tidings that they werebearing King Gunther, they traveled back to the Rhine, accompanied bythe captive Danes and Saxons and the prisoner kings. Never was aconquering army more gladly and fittingly received with merry-makingand pageants, kind gifts and unstinted praise than was the great hostthat returned to Gunther's capital. 

And, as he deserved, Siegfried was most honored of all. As if thebrothers knew what could reward the hero better than anything else inthe world, they arranged that Siegfried should at length be presentedto their lovely sister, Kriemhild. The plan was indeed no lesspleasing to the maiden than to the young prince, for although shelived in seclusion, she had secretly observed him and had come to feeldeep admiration and affection for him. 

On the day set for the meeting, Kriemhild and her mother, with manyattendants, advanced in state to the great room where Gunther held hiscourt. As the princess passed through the crowds that thronged theway, her eyes were often downcast, and a vivid pink overspread thepure whiteness of her cheeks as hundreds of eyes bent upon her theiradmiring glances. For of all the fair ladies of that court, she wasindeed the fairest. 

Noting her rare beauty and the modesty, gentleness and grace of herbearing, Siegfried could only exclaim to himself, "She is too good andbeautiful for me to win; yet I must always be wretched if I go fromthis land and never see her again. "

Shortly afterward, with formal ceremony, he was presented to theprincess, and as he knelt and kissed her hand she murmured: "Welcomeagain to Burgundy, Sir Siegfried, for surely you have been a bravedefender of the honor of our land. "

As the last words fell from her lips she looked at Siegfried with suchkind interest and he returned her glance with so much ardor that wordswere not needed to declare their love. For several days thereaftergreat festivities were held by the King and his court, and whether attournament or feast Siegfried always held the envied place byKriemhild's side. 

Meanwhile a great project had been forming in Gunther's mind, and oneday as he sat among his nobles he declared: "It is my purpose to setforth soon to win a bride who lives in a far distant land. Though theterms by which she is to be won are hard, I cannot be content until Ihave tried my fate and have either made the fair Brunhilde my wife, orhave died in the effort. "

At the mention of the name Brunhilde, Gunther's companions cried outin dismay, and one of the lords exclaimed:

"Oh, give up, I pray you, this wild enterprise. A great and good kingshould not be sacrificed to the strange caprice of the Queen ofIssland. You know that like all others who have contested against theunmatched strength of Brunhild, you will die without honor. "

Gunther, however, was unmoved by the warning, and turning toSiegfried, he asked, "Will you not help me to carry out my plan? QueenBrunhild, you know, is mightier in combat than any man that lives, yethe who wins her must prove himself superior to her in strength andskill. If he fail, he must die. My friends here think me rash andwould induce me to stay at home. In most things I would not opposethem, but in this case I must do as my own heart bids me. "

After some thought Siegfried replied, slowly and impressively: "Thereis one condition on which I will aid you. I will win Brunhild for youif in return you will give me the hand of your sister, Kriemhild. "

"There is no other to whom I would more gladly trust her than to you, "replied Gunther; and then with clasped hands the two friends sealedtheir compact. 

After busy days of preparation, during which the most splendid raimentthat ever clad brave knights was made by Kriemhild and her maidens, Gunther and Siegfried, with several companions, set sail upon theriver Rhine, thence to cross the sea to Issland, in the far north. Slowly passed the days of the voyage, for it was a time of keensuspense. "Will good King Gunther ever sail back again into the Rhinecountry?" was the question that haunted his loyal friends. All butSiegfried were doubtful. 

At length, one day, they came into view of a great green castletowering above cliffs. "Behold the home of Brunhild!" cried Siegfried;and then as the eager watchers continued to gaze they could see peoplehurrying about the castle, evidently excited by the approach of aforeign vessel. 

After anchoring the boat the company were taken at once into thepresence of Queen Brunhild, who, recognizing the young Netherlander, exclaimed: "Welcome, Prince Siegfried. What brings you to our court?"

Then Siegfried, bowing low, made known their mission:

"Gracious queen, in the name of my lord, the King of Burgundy, I askfor a favorable hearing for his suit. None knows better of his noblequalities than do I, his subject; and none can say with more assurancethan I that a nobler husband for Queen Brunhild is nowhere to befound. "

"Ah, if that be his quest, " cried Brunhild, "he can win his bride, notby gentle speeches and looks of love, but by a sterner test than anymortal suitor has ever yet endured. "

Notwithstanding the harsh warning, Gunther, assured by Siegfried, declared: "In the presence of your great beauty, Queen Brunhild, eventhe strange terms that you propose seem reasonable, and I must acceptthem, though they bring me and my followers death. "

[Illustration: A GREAT CASTLE TOWERED ABOVE THE CLIFFS]

Thereupon Brunhild began to make ready for the contest, and Siegfried, unobserved, slipped down to the boat in the harbor. Soon three of theQueen's attendants came staggering under the weight of an immensejavelin, and a little later twelve other men slowly and with greatdifficulty pushed an enormous stone into the field. Then the Queenherself appeared clad in massive armor. The King and his attendantslooked on, and when it seemed that surely all must die, they wouldgladly have withdrawn; but from shame they strove to hide their fearsas best they could. 

Meanwhile Siegfried had arrayed himself in his magic cloak, thetarnkappe, and thus made invisible to all he returned to the companyand hastened to King Gunther's side. 

"Never fear, " whispered Siegfried; "if only you let me do thefighting, while you pretend, by look and movement, to be the doer, Brunhild can never withstand us. "

No sooner had the words been spoken and Siegfried had taken Gunther'sshield in his hand, than the Queen hurled her mighty javelin straightagainst the two knights. All the earth seemed to resound with thedeath-dealing blow, and surely had it not been for the tarnkappe bothSiegfried and Gunther would have been killed as the great spearpierced the King's massive shield. But Siegfried, alert for action, seized the weapon and, with the point turned toward himself, returnedit with such terrific force that Brunhild was struck to the ground. Hastily arising in confusion and anger, she seized the huge stone, andtwirling it about her head sent it flying through the air to a spotmore than seventy feet distant. Hardly had it alighted when the Queen, springing up lightly, leapt to a mark beyond. Not at all daunted bythis awful show of strength, the invisible Siegfried, with Guntherfollowing, hastened to where the stone lay, and picking it up easily, threw it a much greater distance than had the Queen. Then, carryingGunther with him, he jumped even farther than the stone had beenhurled. 

With unconcealed chagrin and disappointment, Brunhild advanced towhere Gunther stood and pointing to the King declared: "Behold yourlord and master, my subjects. Hereafter give to him your loyalservice. Brunhild is no longer your queen. " Then in stately manner theKing with his fair companion returned to the castle. 

Great indeed was the joy in Gunther's capital when Siegfried and hisattendants, riding in advance of the bridal party, made known the newsof the King's victory. Queen Uta, the mother of Gunther and Kriemhild, gave orders that the most splendid preparation be made for receivingBrunhild, and busily did her maidens ply their needles in makinggarments more beautiful and costly than ever before had adorned fairladies. And no less industriously did the squires polish the armor ofthe knights, while their masters tested their trusty blades, that theymight fittingly bear themselves in the jousts and tournaments withwhich Gunther's triumph and home-coming would be celebrated. 

Long and loud was the shout of welcome that arose from the crowdsgathered along the river bank as the ship bearing Gunther and hisbride came into view. Then Queen Uta, followed by a long line ofmaidens, arrayed in many-colored garments that glittered with the mostprecious of gems, slowly moved down to the strand, while Kriemhildfollowed, attended by Siegfried. 

As Gunther and his bride stepped from the boat, Kriemhild was first togreet the Queen. "Welcome to Burgundy, sweet Brunhild. May you dwellamong us so content that regret for Issland will never trouble you, "she cried. Then taking Brunhild's hand she kissed her with graciousgood will. Queen Uta likewise made known her gladness in receiving thehard-won bride of Gunther. For days thereafter all the court, with theknights and ladies gathered from every part of that realm, made merrycontinually, and never was a time more memorable for chivalrous deedsand giving of costly gifts. 

On the evening of Gunther's arrival, as the guests were assembling ata feast, Siegfried recalled to the King the terms of their compact:"Brunhild is now yours. Have you forgotten that you promised me thehand of the lady Kriemhild?"

"That have I not, good Siegfried, " replied the King, and he at oncesent for his sister. 

Then in the presence of all the great company, Gunther, takingKriemhild's hand, said: "Fair sister, many days ago I promised you inmarriage to one of the noblest knights that ever served our land ofBurgundy. I ask now that you accept his, love and thus fulfill mypromise. "

"It is my part to obey you in all things, my brother, " repliedKriemhild, with downcast eyes. "I shall as gladly do your bidding nowas always in the past. "

How all the beholders marveled at the gentleness and beauty of theprincess, as with blushes she was led to Siegfried's side. Never had abrave and loyal friend been rewarded with a greater measure of joythan was Siegfried's then. 

Gunther, however, had won a bride to whom such modest, docile wayswere quite unknown. Brunhild's pride had not been conquered, and hercheeks would sometimes flush with anger as she recalled that the fameof her peerless strength was no longer glorious and that she was nowsubject to another's will. As the days passed on, these thoughts sovexed her that she could not bear the shame of her defeat, and shebegan to treat the King with scorn. 

Thus provoked on one occasion, he would have shown her that he wasmaster in that realm, when Brunhild, leaping upon him, tied his feetand hands together with a girdle that she wore about her waist, andsuspended him from a nail projecting from the wall. In vain didGunther struggle against her strength. He must hang upon the walluntil, weak and exhausted, he begged her to release him, promisingnever again to offend her. However, Gunther could not forget thisdaring insult to his kingly authority, and he went moodily about thepalace for the rest of the day. 

Noticing his gloom, Siegfried exclaimed: "What troubles you, KingGunther? Surely your looks ill become this merry season. "

"Perhaps if you had a wife who could tie you up and hang you upon thewall until you promised to do her bidding, you would not be socheerful either, " grumbled the King in return. 

"Aha, " laughed Siegfried, "so that is what the fair lady has been upto, is it? Well, I think that for such waywardness we can try the sameremedy that saved us from her power in Issland. Just call upon me thenext time that trouble arises and we will subdue the proud Brunhildonce for all. "

And so it chanced that with the help of the tarnkappe, Siegfried, allunseen, overcame the Queen in a mighty struggle that had been broughton by some show of authority on Gunther's part. At this time hewrested from her the magic ring and girdle that were the source of allher strength, and ever afterward there was peace in Gunther'shousehold. 

It was not long before Siegfried with his bride returned to his homein Netherland, and was made king of that realm by his father Siegmund. No less brave and generous was he as a ruler than as a knight, and theyears sped on in high prosperity for all the kingdom. But envy was atwork, and all too soon was Siegfried's good fortune brought to an end. 

In the court of Burgundy Brunhild remained ill content. She could notunderstand why it was that if Siegfried was Gunther's subject, as hehad declared himself to be when in Issland, he did not yield theobedience and service of a subject. As Gunther could not well explainSiegfried's deception and make known that the Netherlander was notindeed a vassal, he evaded Brunhild's questions. But the Queen waspersistent, for it vexed her that Siegfried and his lady offered nohomage at the court of Burgundy. At length one day she entreated theKing: "Since you are unwilling to require a vassal's service of theKing of Netherland, at least invite him to pay a visit to our court. Many years have passed since I have seen your sister Kriemhild, and Iwould be most glad to renew my friendship with her. "

Thus it came about that Siegfried and Kriemhild were bidden to visitBurgundy and in the course of a few months journeyed thither. Themerriest of entertainment was provided, and Gunther and his queen wereso lavish of their kindness that never would one have suspectedBrunhild's deeply burning resentment. All at once, however, her illfeeling flamed into uncontrollable fury and brought about thesorrowful deed that ever afterward dimmed the fair honor of Burgundy. 

Shortly before the vesper service in the cathedral the two queens metone evening, and Kriemhild, having just witnessed some daring featsperformed by Siegfried in the courtyard of the castle, exclaimed inadmiration: "Oh, surely so bold a knight as my husband is fit to rulethis land of Burgundy!"

"But not while Gunther lives, " returned Brunhild in wrath. "No vassalindeed can presume to fill the place and take upon him the dignity ofhis lord and master. "

"I am speaking not of a vassal, but of the King of Netherland, "retorted Kriemhild. 

"Ah, but that same King, as I heard from his own lips when he boreGunther company in Issland, is my husband's vassal!" exclaimedBrunhild flushing scarlet in her anger. 

"How little you know, " replied Kriemhild, laughing scornfully, "of theclever trick by which my brother won you! Perhaps you have never heardof Siegfried's tarnkappe. But you shall learn now that it stood myhusband in good stead when he and my noble brother were near to deathin Issland. Know, O Queen, that it was Siegfried who, all unseen, performed the mighty feats that gained a bride for Gunther, and thatit was no other than the same great knight who later brought intosubjection the over-proud Queen Brunhild. For proof of this behold thecord and ring taken from you that day. Let us hear no more of vassalsand their homage. As token of the honor that befits me, now standaside and let me enter this cathedral first!"

Slowly the color left Brunhild's cheeks as she stood speechless andhelpless, while Kriemhild and her attendants passed into the church. Then bursting into violent weeping she sank to the ground, overcomewith shame and anger. Soon the word of the disgraceful quarrel hadspread among the Burgundians and their guests, and many an indignantspeech was heard and many a revengeful plot was planned. 

But it was Hagan, the crafty uncle of Gunther, who soothed the griefof Brunhild with a secret design by which Kriemhild's insult should bemost cruelly paid for. After no little persuasion he won Gunther'said. Then the great lords of the land were assembled, and Haganaddressed them thus: "You know well what dishonor has been done to thepower of Burgundy by these haughty Netherlanders. Shall we brook suchinsult? No! let us either suffer death ourselves or bring todestruction the over-bold King Siegfried. "

With such approval did these words meet that the King sat silent, unable to defend one who had so loyally befriended him. Then it wasplanned that messengers should come to the court pretending to bearthreats of war from the king of the Saxons and Danes. Siegfried wouldthus be deceived into offering Gunther service, and while away fromthe court should be put to death. So well did this plot work that thebrave Netherlander, having proffered his services, was placed at thehead of a great army to march against the foe. 

At this time Hagan, assuming to be deeply concerned about Siegfried'swelfare, was besought by Kriemhild to guard well the life of herhusband. "You know, " she confessed at length, reluctantly, "Siegfried's body cannot be pierced by any weapon, --except in oneplace between his shoulders where a linden leaf fell on him while hewas bathing in the dragon's blood. Will you not remember that and tryto shield him while in battle?"

"Dear Kriemhild, I will remember, " replied the treacherous Hagan, "butthat I may know just where the place is, will you not sew on hisclothing, just above it, a token that will mark the spot?"

"Yes, I will stitch a little cross upon his surcoat, " assentedKriemhild. 

Then it was that the cruel Hagan, having learned his opponent'ssecret, had messengers come to the court announcing that the enemywould not wage war with Burgundy but would remain at peace. Sodisappointed was Siegfried that, apparently to please him, a greathunting party was formed, and all the bold warriors rode away to theforest. Unwillingly did Kriemhild part with her husband, but so eagerwas he for the sport that nothing could stay him. 

When the company reached the woods they separated in all directions, and Siegfried was soon in mad pursuit of a wild boar. When he hadkilled this and several other savage beasts, he surpassed all formerdeeds of boldness by capturing single-handed and on foot a great bearand leading it back to the camp. There he mischievously set the animalfree, and as it raced away in wild haste, the servants who weregetting ready the feast became so frightened, that pans and dishescontaining all kinds of food were dropped upon the ground or into thefire, as cooks and maids fled in terror. The warrior huntsmen spedafter the bear, but it was Siegfried who brought him to the ground. 

[Illustration: THE DEATH OF SIEGFRIED]

When at length all had assembled about the table, merry and loud werethe talk and laughter. 

"But where is the wine, King Gunther?" cried Siegfried. "Surely it hasnot been omitted from the feast. "

As the King turned with questioning look to Hagan, the latter said: "Isupposed the feast was to be held elsewhere and ordered the wine sentto that place. However, there is a clear, cold stream near by that wemay drink from. I have heard how fleet of foot you are, friendSiegfried. Let us race to the brook and see who shall be the winner. "

Pleased with the idea of such sport Siegfried agreed. At once he setout swiftly, running with Hagan and Gunther, and easily reached thelittle creek before the others. However, out of courtesy, he let theKing drink first, then with eager thirst he bent over the cool, glittering water. Immediately the King and Hagan bore away the weaponsthat lay by his side, and as the good knight touched his lips to thewater, Hagan drove the spear full into the spot marked by the littlecross. 

In vain did Siegfried leap to his feet to recover his weapons, andcombat with those who had given him the base blow. Nothing was lefthim but his shield, which he flung with such terrible force as tooverthrow the fleeing Hagan. Before his looks of wrathful reproach theguilty pair shuddered in strange terror. Then, his anger giving way toa strange calm, he called to his betrayers: "Yours is the sorrow ofthis day! Not even in death can cowardice and treachery triumph overlove and loyalty. "

Thus speaking, the good King Siegfried sank upon the flowers of themeadow, and died as bravely as he had lived. 

Carlyle translated parts of the Nibelungenlied. He describes the deathof Siegfried as follows:

"Then, as to drink, Sir Siegfried down kneeling there be found, He pierced him through the croslet, that sudden from the woundForth the life-blood spurted, e'en o'er his murderer's weed. Nevermore will warrior dare so foul a deed. 

"With blood were all bedabbled the flowerets of the field. Some time with death he struggled as though he scorned to yieldE'en to the foe whose weapon strikes down the loftiest head. At last prone in the meadow lay mighty Siegfried dead. "

NIGHT

By ROBERT SOTUTHEY

 How beautiful is night! A dewy freshness fills the silent air;No mist obscures, nor cloud, nor speck, nor stain, Breaks the serene of heaven: In full-orb'd glory yonder moon divine Rolls through the dark-blue depths. Beneath her steady ray The desert-circle spreads, Like the round ocean, girdled with the sky. How beautiful is night!

LOCHINVAR

By SIR WALTER SCOTT

O young Lochinvar is come out of the west, Through all the wide Border his steed was the best;And, save his good broadsword, he weapon had none, He rode all unarmed, and he rode all alone. So faithful in love, and so dauntless in war, There never was knight like the young Lochinvar. 

He stayed not for brake, and he stopped not for stone, He swam the Eske River where ford there was none;But, ere he alighted at Netherby gate, The bride had consented, the gallant came late;For a laggard in love, and a dastard in war, Was to wed the fair Ellen of brave Lochinvar. 

So boldly he entered the Netherby Hall, Among bridesmen, and kinsmen, and brothers, and all. Then spoke the bride's father, his hand on his sword(For the poor craven bridegroom said never a word), "O, come ye in peace here, or come ye in war, Or to dance at our bridal, young Lord Lochinvar?"

"I long wooed your daughter, my suit you denied;--Love swells like the Solway, but ebbs like its tide, --And now I am come, with this lost love of mine, To lead but one measure, drink one cup of wine. There are maidens in Scotland more lovely by far, That would gladly be bride to the young Lochinvar. "

The bride kissed the goblet; the knight took it up, He quaffed off the wine, and threw down the cup. She looked down to blush, and she looked up to sigh, With a smile on her lips, and a tear in her eye. He took her soft hand, ere her mother could bar, --"Now tread we a measure, " said young Lochinvar. 

So stately his form, and so lovely her face, That never a hall such a galliard did grace;While her mother did fret, and her father did fume, And the bridegroom stood dangling his bonnet and plume;And the bridemaidens whispered, "'T were better by farTo have matched our fair cousin with young Lochinvar. "

One touch to her hand, and one word in her ear, When they reached the hall-door, and the charger stood near;So light to the croupe the fair lady he swung, So light to the saddle before her he sprung;"She is won! we are gone; over bank, bush, and scaur;They'll have fleet steeds that follow, " quoth young Lochinvar. 

There was mounting 'mong Graemes of the Netherby clan;Forsters, Fenwicks, and Musgraves, they rode and they ran; There was racing and chasing on Cannobie Lee, But the lost bride of Netherby ne'er did they see. So daring in love, and so dauntless in war, Have ye e'er heard of gallant like young Lochinvar?

Let us see how many things we can find out about this poem. The firstthing we think of is that it tells a story--just one story, withoutany outside, disconnected incidents. Then we notice that the style isvery simple, that the meter is easy and swinging, and that the lastline of every stanza is almost like a refrain. There is one otherthing: the author does not show in the poem at all; that is, the poemis strictly a story, without comments by the author or any expressedmoral. 

This poem of Lochinvar belongs to a class of poems called ballads, allof which possess some, at least, of the characteristics which we havefound in Lochinvar. All ballads do not have refrains, but all balladsdo contain narratives in simple, often rude style. Most ballad stanzashave only four lines, though Scott uses six for this. 

The history of ballad poetry is very interesting. In all nations, itis believed, it has been the earliest form of poetry, and it isthought that the great heroic poems, such as the Cid of the Spaniardsand the Nibelungenlied of the Germans, grew out of ballads. Theseearly ballads were not written down; they were sung, or recited, andin thus being handed down by word of mouth, they underwent manychanges, so that in time it could very well be said that a popularballad had no one author--it belonged to all the people. 

ROBIN HOOD

INTRODUCTION

As to whether or not there ever was a Robin Hood, there is muchuncertainty. Grave men have written grave books, some proving and somedisproving his existence, but the question has never been settled. Some believe that he was a real outlaw; some believe that the storiesabout him were originally told about some elf of the woods, and thatonly gradually did he come to be looked upon as a man. However thatmay be, he is a very real character in literature. By no means all thewritings about him are the grave books spoken of above. Stories, poems, dramas, operas have been written with him as the centralfigure; and these are so interesting that we take them for their ownsakes, and trouble ourselves little about the identity of the hero. Heseems real to us, and that is all we need to know. 

The mythical Robin Hood was an outlaw, the most gentlemanly and piousand liberal of outlaws, and he dwelt with his trained yeomen inSherwood forest, Nottinghamshire, or in Barnsdale in Yorkshire. Herethey lived a free and active life, subsisting on the King's deer whichthey shot in the woods, and on provisions which they took fromtravelers. Robin Hood never himself molested or allowed any of hisfollowers to molest any poor travelers; indeed, if he was thoroughlyconvinced that any of those whom he met were really needy, he helpedthem gladly and generously. But from the rich knights and clergy hetook without scruple. Chief of his followers were Little John, Scathlockor Scalock, Will Stutely, Friar Tuck, and Much, the Miller'sson. 

The ballads which are given here relate to the first meeting of RobinHood with Little John and with Scathlock, and give also two of hisother characteristic adventures. Both the date and the authorship ofthe old ballads are unknown. 

According to the legends, Robin Hood lived to be over eighty years oldand then met his death in a very treacherous manner. Feeling ill, hewent to a prioress, who was a relative of his, to be bled, and theprioress, induced by Robin Hood's enemies, allowed him to bleed todeath. 

ROBIN HOOD AND LITTLE JOHN

When Robin Hood was about twenty years old, With a hey down, down, and a down;*He happen'd to meet with Little John, A jolly brisk blade, right fit for the trade, For he was a lusty young man. *[Footnote: This line means nothing, it is simply a refrain. The oldballads were usually sung or chanted, and many of those which are nowprinted without refrain lines undoubtedly had them originally. ]Tho' he was called Little, his limbs they were large And his stature was seven foot high;Wherever he came, they quak'd at his name, For soon he would make them to fly. 

How they came acquainted, I'll tell you in brief, If you would but listen awhile;For this very jest, among all the rest, I think it may cause you to smile. 

For Robin Hood said to his jolly bowmen, * "Pray tarry you here in this grove;And see that you all observe well my call, While through the forest I rove. *[Footnote: You will see that to make the meter right it is necessaryto accent the word bowmen on the last syllable. These changes ofaccent often occur in ballads, and help to add to the quaintness andpeculiarity of the old poems. ]

"We have had no sport for these fourteen long days, Therefore now abroad will I go. Now should I be beat, and cannot retreat, My horn I will presently blow. "

Then did he shake hands with his merry men all, And bid them at present good bye;Then, as near the brook his journey he took, A stranger he chanc'd to espy. 

They happen'd to meet on a long narrow bridge, And neither of them would give way;Quoth bold Robin Hood, and sturdily stood, "I'll show you right Nottingham play. "

With that from his quiver an arrow he drew, A broad arrow with a goose-wing. The stranger replied, "I'll liquor thy hide, If thou offer to touch the string. "

Quoth bold Robin Hood, "Thou dost prate like an ass, For were I to bend my bow, I could send a dart quite thro' thy proud heart, Before thou couldst strike me one blow. "

"Thou talk'st like a coward, " the stranger reply'd; "Well arm'd with a long bow you stand, To shoot at my breast, while I, I protest, Have nought but a staff in my hand, "

"The name of a coward, " quoth Robin, "I scorn, Therefore my long bow I'll lay by;And now for thy sake, a staff will I take, The truth of thy manhood to try. "

Then Robin Hood stept to a thicket of trees, And chose him a staff of brown oak;Now this being done, away he did run To the stranger, and merrily spoke:

"Lo! see my staff is lusty and tough, Now here on this bridge we will play;Whoever falls in, the other shall win The battle, and so we'll away. "

"With all my whole heart, " the stranger reply'd, "I scorn in the least to give out. "This said, they fell to't without more dispute, And their staffs they did flourish about. 

At first Robin he gave the stranger a bang, So hard that he made his bones ring;The stranger he said, "This must be repaid, I'll give you as good as you bring. 

"So long as I am able to handle a staff, To die in your debt, friend, I scorn. "Then to it each goes, and followed their blows, As if they'd been threshing of corn. 

[Illustration: TUMBLED HIM INTO THE BROOK]

The stranger gave Robin a crack on the crown, Which caused the blood to appear;Then Robin, enrag'd, more fiercely engag'd, And follow'd his blows more severe. 

So thick and so fast did he lay it on him, With a passionate fury and ire;At every stroke he made him to smoke, As if he had been all on fire. 

O then into fury the stranger he grew, And gave him a damnable look, And with it a blow that laid him full low, And tumbled him into the brook. 

"I prithee, good fellow, O where art thou now?" The stranger, in laughter, he cry'd. Quoth bold Robin Hood, "Good faith, in the flood And floating along with the tide. 

"I needs must acknowledge thou art a brave soul, With thee I'll no longer contend;For needs must I say, thou hast got the day, Our battle shall be at an end. "

Then unto the bank he did presently wade, And pull'd himself out by a thorn;Which done, at the last, he blew a loud blast Straightway on his fine bugle-horn. 

The echo of which through the valleys did fly, At which his stout bowmen appear'd, All clothed in green, most gay to be seen, So up to their master they steer'd. 

"O, what's the matter?" quoth William Stutely: "Good master, you are wet to the skin. ""No matter, " quoth he, "the lad which you see In fighting hath tumbled me in. "

"He shall not go scot-free, " the others reply'd; So strait they were seizing him there, To duck him likewise; but Robin Hood cries, "He is a stout fellow; forbear. 

"There's no one shall wrong thee, friend; be not afraid; These bowmen upon me do wait;There's threescore and nine; if thou wilt be mine, Thou shalt have my livery strait, "And other accoutrements fitting also: Speak up, jolly blade, never fear. I'll teach you also the use of the bow, To shoot at the fat fallow deer. "

"O, here is my hand, " the stranger reply'd. "I'll serve you with all my whole heart;My name is John Little, a man of good mettle; Ne'er doubt it, for I'll play my part. "

"His name shall be alter'd, " quoth William Stutely, "And I will his godfather be;Prepare then a feast, and none of the least, For we will be merry, " quoth he. 

They presently fetch'd him a brace of fat does, With humming strong liquor likewise;They lov'd what was good; so, in the green-wood This pretty sweet babe they baptize. 

He was, I must tell you, but seven foot high, And, may be, an ell in the waist;A sweet pretty lad; much feasting they had; Bold Robin the christ'ning grac'd, With all his bowmen, who stood in a ring, And were of the Nottingham breed;Brave Stutely came then, with seven yeomen, And did in this manner proceed:

"This infant was called John Little, " quoth he; "His name shall be changed anon:The words we'll transpose; so wherever he goes, His name shall be call'd Little John. "

They all with a shout made the elements ring; So soon as the office was o'er, To feasting they went, with true merriment And tippled strong liquor gillore. [Footnote: Gillore is an old form of galore. ]

Then Robin he took the pretty sweet babe, And cloth'd him from top to toe, In garments of green, most gay to be seen, And gave him a curious long bow. 

"Thou shalt be an archer as well as the best, And range in the green-wood with us;Where we'll not want gold nor silver, behold, While bishops have aught in their purse. 

"We live here like 'squires, or lords of renown, Without e'er a foot of free land;We feast on good cheer, with wine, ale, and beer, And ev'ry thing at our command. "

Then music and dancing did finish the day; At length, when the sun waxed low, Then all the whole train the grove did refrain, And unto their caves did go. 

And so ever after, as long as he liv'd, Altho' he was proper and tall, Yet, nevertheless, the truth to express, Still Little John they do him call. 

ROBIN HOOD AND THE STRANGER

Come listen awhile, you gentlemen all, With a hey down, down, a down, down, That are this bower within, For a story of gallant bold Robin Hood, I purpose now to begin. 

"What time of day?" quoth Robin Hood then; Quoth Little John, "Tis in the prime. ""Why then we will to the green-wood gang, [Footnote: Gang is the Scotch word for go. ] For we have no vittles to dine. "

As Robin Hood walkt the forest along, It was in the mid of the day, There he was met of a deft* young man, As ever walkt on the way. * [Footnote: Deft means neatly dressed, well looking. ]His doublet was of silk, he said, His stockings like scarlet shone, And as he walkt on along the way, To Robin Hood then unknown. 

A herd of deer was in the bend, All feeding before his face;"Now the best of you Ile have to my dinner, And that in a little space. "*[Footnote: At the time the old ballads were first written down, spelling had not become settled. The contraction I'll was oftenspelled as it sounds. ]

[Illustration: THE STRANGER OVERTHROWS ROBIN HOOD]

Now the stranger he made no mickle* adoe, But he bends a right good bow, And the best buck in the herd he slew, Forty good yards him froe. [Footnote: Froe means from. Such changes in order as occur in thisline are frequent in the old ballads. ]*[Footnote: Mickle is an old English and Scotch word meaning much, orgreat. ]"Well shot, well shot, " quod Robin Hood then, "That shot it was shot in time;And if thou wilt accept of the place, Thou shalt be a bold yeoman of mine. "

"Go play the chiven, "* the stranger said; "Make haste and quickly go, Or with my fist, be sure of this, He give thee buffets sto'. "[Footnote: Buffets sto' means store of buffets. ]*[Footnote: It is uncertain what the word chiven means. The likeliestexplanation is that it means coward. ]"Thou had'st not best buffet me, " quod Robin Hood, "For though I seem forlorn, Yet I can have those that will take my part, If I but blow my horn. "

"Thou wast not best wind thy horn, " the stranger said, "Beest thou never so much in haste, For I can draw out a good broad sword, And quickly cut the blast. "

Then Robin Hood bent a very good bow To shoot, and that he would fain;The stranger he bent a very good bow, To shoot at bold Robin again. 

"O hold thy hand, hold thy hand, " quod Robin Hood, "To shoot it would be in vain;For if we should shoot the one at the other, The one of us may be slain. 

"But let's take our swords and our broad bucklers, And gang under yonder tree. ""As I hope to be sav'd, " the stranger said, "One foot I will not flee. "

Then Robin lent the stranger a blow 'Most scar'd him out of his wit:"Thou never felt blow, " the stranger he said, "Thou shalt be better quit. "

The stranger he drew out a good broad sword, And hit Robin on the crown, That from every haire of bold Robin's head, The blood ran trickling down. 

"God a mercy, good fellow!" quod Robin Hood then, "And for this that thou hast done, Tell me, good fellow, what thou art, Tell me where thou doest wone. "

The stranger then answered bold Robin Hood, "He tell thee where I did dwell;In Maxwel town I was bred and born, My name is young Gamwel. 

"For killing of my own father's steward. I am forc'd to this English wood, And for to seek an uncle of mine; Some call him Robin Hood. "

"But are thou a cousin* of Robin Hood then? The sooner we should have done. ""As I hope to be sav'd, " the stranger then said, "I am his own sister's son. "*[Footnote: Cousin had formerly a broader meaning than it has to-day. Here it means, as the last line of the stanza shows, nephew. ]

But lord! what kissing and courting was there, When these two cousins did greet!And they went all that summer's day, And Little John did (not) meet. 

But when they met with Little John, He unto them did say, "O master, pray where have you been, You have tarried so long away?"

"I met with a stranger, " quod Robin Hood, "Full sore he hath beaten me. ""Then He have a bout with him, " quod Little John, "And try if he can beat me. "

"Oh no, oh no, " quoth Robin Hood then, "Little John, it may not be so;For he is my own dear sister's son, And cousins I have no mo'. "[Footnote: Mo is used instead of more, for the sake of rhyme. ]

"But he shall be a bold yeoman of mine, My chief man next to thee;And I Robin Hood, and thou Little John, And Scalock he shall be. "[Footnote: Scalock, or Scathlock, means scarlet. The name is given tothe stranger because of his scarlet stockings. ]

ROBIN HOOD AND THE WIDOW'S THREE SONS

There are twelve months in all the year, As I hear many say, But the merriest month in all the year Is the merry month of May. 

[Illustration: ROBIN HOOD AND THE WIDOW]

Now Robin is to Nottingham gone, With a link, a down, and a day, And there he met a silly* old woman, Was weeping on the way. *[Footnote: Silly here expresses a combination of simplicity andvirtue. ]

"What news? what news? thou silly old woman, What news hast thou for me?"Said she, "There's three squires in Nottingham town, To-day are condemned to die. "

"Oh, what have they done?" said Robin Hood, "I pray thee tell to me. ""It's for slaying of the King's fallow deer, Bearing their long bows with thee. "

"Dost thou not mind, old woman, " he said, "Since thou made me sup and dine?By the truth of my body, " quoth bold Robin Hood, "You could not tell it in better time. "

Now Robin Hood is to Nottingham gone, With a link, a down, and a day, And there he met with a silly old palmer, * Was walking along the highway. *[Footnote: A palmer was a person who bad made a pilgrimage to theHoly Land and brought back with him a palm branch. Later on the termwas applied to a monk who had taken a vow of poverty, and who spentall his time traveling about from shrine to shrine. ]

"What news? what news? thou silly old man, What news, I do thee pray?"Said he, "Three squires in Nottingham town, Are condemn'd to die this day. "

"Come change thy apparel with me, old man, Come change thy apparel for mine;Here is forty shillings in good silver, Go drink it in beer or wine. "

"Oh, thine apparel is good, " he said, "And mine is ragged and torn;Wherever you go, wherever you ride, Laugh ne'er an old man to scorn. "

"Come change thy apparel with me, old churl, Come change thy apparel with mine;Here are twenty pieces of good broad gold, Go feast thy brethren with wine. "

Then he put on the old man's cloak, Was patch'd black, blew, and red;He thought it no shame, all the day long, To wear the bags of bread. 

Then he put on the old man's breeks, Was patch'd from ballup to side;"By the truth of my body, " bold Robin can say, "This man lov'd little pride. "

Then he put on the old man's hose, Were patch'd from knee to wrist;*"By the truth of my body, " said bold Robin Hood, "I'd laugh if I had any list. "*[Footnote: The word wrist was formerly sometimes used for ankle. ]Then he put on the old man's shoes, Were patch'd both beneath and aboon;Then Robin swore a solemn oath, "It's good habit that makes a man. "

Now Robin is to Nottingham gone, With a link, a down, and a down, And there he met with the proud sheriff, Was riding along the town. 

[Illustration: ROBIN HOOD AND THE SHERIFF]

"Oh Christ you save, oh, sheriff, " he said, "Oh Christ you save and see;And what will you give to a silly old man To-day will your hangman be?"

"Some suits, some suits, " the sheriff he said, "Some suits I'll give to thee:Some suits, some suits, and pence thirteen, To-day's a hangman's fee. "

Then Robin he turns him round about, And jumps from stock to stone:"By the truth of my body, " the sheriff, he said, "That's well jumpt, thou nimble old man. "

"I was ne'er a hangman in all my life, Nor yet intend to trade;But curst be he, " said bold Robin, "That first a hangman made. 

"I've a bag for meal, and a bag for malt, And a bag for barley and corn;A bag for bread, and a bag for beef, And a bag for my little small horn. 

"I have a horn in my pocket, I got it from Robin Hood, And still when I set it to my mouth, For thee it blows little good. "

"Oh, wind thy horn, thou proud fellow, Of thee I have no doubt;I wish that thou give such a blast, Till both thy eyes fall out. "

The first loud blast that he did blow, He blew both loud and shrill;A hundred and fifty of Robin Hood's men Came riding over the hill. 

The next loud blast that he did give, He blew both loud and amain, And quickly sixty of Robin Hood's men Came shining over the plain. 

"Oh, who are these, " the sheriff he said, "Come tripping over the lee?""They're my attendants, " brave Robin did say, "They'll pay a visit to thee. "

They took the gallows from the slack, They set it in the glen, They hang'd the proud sheriff on that, And releas'd their own three men. 

ROBIN HOOD AND ALLIN A DALE

Come listen to me, you gallants so free, All you that love mirth for to hear, And I will tell you of a bold outlaw, That lived in Nottinghamshire. 

As Robin Hood in the forest stood, All under the green-wood tree, There he was aware of a brave young man, As fine as fine might be. 

The youngster was cloathed in scarlet red, In scarlet fine and gay;And he did frisk it over the plain, And chanted a round-de-lay. 

As Robin Hood next morning stood Amongst the leaves so gay, There he did espy the same young man, Come drooping along the way. 

The scarlet he wore the day before It was clean cast away;And at every step he fetcht a sigh, "Alack and a well a day!"

Then stepped forth brave Little John, And Midge, * the miller's son, Which made the young man bend his bow, When as he see them come. *[Footnote: The miller's son is usually called Much, probably becauseof his size]"Stand off, stand off, " the young man said, "What is your will with me?""You must come before our master straight, Under yon green-wood tree. "

And when he came bold Robin before, Robin askt him courteously, "O, hast thou any money to spare "For my merry men and me?"[Footnote: Robin Hood used to watch each day for a traveler, and whenhe met one, ask for money wherewith to provide a dinner for himselfand his men, the stranger also being invited. If the stranger spokethe truth as to the amount he had with him, Robin Hood was generousand just with him; if he swore falsely, the outlaw took all he had. ]

"I have no money, " the young man said, "But five shillings and a ring;And that I have kept these seven long years, To have it at my wedding. 

"Yesterday I should have married a maid, But she from me was tane, *And chosen to be an old knight's delight, Whereby my poor heart is slain. "*[Footnote: Tane is an old elision for taken. ]"What is thy name?" then said Robin Hood, "Come tell me, without any fail. ""By the faith of my body, " then said the young man, "My name it is Allin a Dale. "

[Illustration: ROBIN HOOD PLAYS HARPER]

"What wilt thou give me, " said Robin Hood, "In ready gold or fee, To help thee to thy true love again, And deliver her unto thee?"

"I have no money, " then quoth the young man, "No ready gold or fee, But I will swear upon a book Thy true servant for to be. "

[Illustration: IN THE GREENWOOD]

"How many miles is it to thy true love? Come tell me without guile, ""By the faith of my body, " then said the young man, "It is hut five little mile. "

Then Robin he hasted over the plain, He did neither stint nor lin, *Until he came unto the church, Where Allin should keep his wedding. *[Footnote: Stint and lin here mean practically the same; that is, cease or stop. ]"What hast thou here?" the bishop then said, "I prithee now tell unto me. ""I am a bold harper, " quoth Robin Hood, "And the best in the north country. "

"O welcome, O welcome, " the bishop he said, "That musick best pleaseth me. ""You shall have no musick, " quoth Robin Hood, "Till the bride and the bridegroom I see. "With that came in a wealthy knight, Which was both grave and old, And after him a finikin* lass, Did shine like glistering gold. *[Footnote: Finikin here means dainty. ]"This is not a fit match, " quod bold Robin Hood, "That you do seem to make here, For since we are come into the church, The bride shall chuse her own dear. "

Then Robin Hood put his horn to his mouth, And blew blasts two or three;When four and twenty bowmen bold Came leaping over the lee. 

And when they came into the church-yard, Marching all on a row, The first man was Allin a Dale, To give bold Robin his bow. 

"This is thy true love, " Robin he said, "Young Allin, as I hear say;And you shall be married at this same time, Before we depart away. "

"That shall not be, " the bishop he said, "For thy word shall not stand;They shall be three times askt in the church, As the law is of our land. "

Robin Hood pull'd off the bishop's coat, And put it upon Little John:"By the faith of my body, " then Robin said, "This cloth doth make thee a man. "

When Little John went into the quire, * The people began to laugh;He askt them seven times into church, Lest three times should not be enough. *[Footnote: Quire is an old spelling of choir. It here means the choirloft. ]"Who gives me this maid?" said Little John. Quoth Robin Hood, "That do I;And he that takes her from Allin a Dale, Full dearly he shall her buy. "

Thus having ended this merry wedding, The bride lookt like a queen;And so they returned to the merry greenwood, Amongst the leaves so green. 

ROLAND AT RONCESVALLES

NOTE, --The greatest legendary hero of France is Roland, one ofCharlmagne's knights. His deeds are told in Chansons De Roland (Songsof Roland). These songs correspond to the legends of King Arthur inEngland and to the stories of the Cid in Spain. 

Every nation possesses a few of these great characters whose liveshave furnished incidents without number to enrich the literature ofthe land. Roland shines as one of the finest of national heroes. 

Charlemagne, old and gray, grown weary with fighting and the conquestof Europe, sat at ease among his noble councilors in the shade of agreat tree in northern Spain. Around him were camped the mighty hoststhat he had led against the Saracens, and now the leaders were talkingover their plans for the future. Only one strong castle, the greatfortress of Zaragoz, on a steep and rugged mountain top, held outagainst him after his seven years of combat against the Mohammedans inSpain. So heavy were the walls of this stronghold and so difficult theguarded paths that led up to it that it seemed impossible for man totake it. One after another, the valorous knights, the twelve greatpaladins of Charlemagne gave their opinions, but no conclusion couldbe reached. 

Among these hardy warriors was Roland, favorite nephew of the king, and greatest of all the paladins. Next him sat Oliver, the friend ofhis soul, closer knit in bonds of friendship than ever the ties ofblood bound brother to brother. Others there were of valiant men whohad often proved their courage against their pagan enemies. None, however, matched in massiveness and kingly bearing the great Charleshimself, who sat now on his chair of gold over which twined aflowering rose vine. In the boughs of the towering pine the birds sangblithely, unconscious of the tragic events planning below them. 

While they sat there in council there appeared among them a heraldbearing the white flag of peace. Behind him came Blancandrin, chiefnoble and councilor of Marsilius, the ruler of the fortress aboutwhich King Charles and his paladins had been talking. 

"My Lord the king, " said Blancandrin, kneeling at the feet of thestately old monarch, "I come as a messenger of peace from my master, King Marsilius, who now, after these years, sees in you the great kingwhom all men may worship. Rich gifts bear I to your glorious majesty, --bears, lions and hounds in numbers, falcons trained to hunt and keenfor their prey, and four hundred powerful mules drawing fifty chariotsfull of gold, rich tapestries and precious jewels, wealth which evenCharles the Great need not scorn to take. 

"For all this richness my master begs only peace from thee, andprivilege to reign over Spain as thy loyal vassal. On the Feast ofMichael will Marsilius go to thy palace at Aachen and render homageunto thee, and thenceforth shalt thou be his lord, and thy God shallbe his God, only so that thou removest thine armies from out thiskingdom. "

The king listened in silence and bowed his head in meditation. For aquarter of an hour was no word spoken, for gravely Charlemagneconsidered every question placed before him, and weighed well hiswords; for once he had given pledge no power could make him change. 

At last he turned upon the messenger his face clothed in its aureoleof silvery hair, and said, "What assurance have I that Marsilius willkeep his word and be my faithful subject?"

"Most noble king, " said Blancandrin, "we have with us twenty boys, sons of twenty of the greatest nobles of our land. Take them all andkeep them as hostages till my master pays homage to thee at Aachen ashe has promised. Deal gently with these young men of ours, I praythee, for they are dear to our hearts and are of the very flower ofour kingdom. "

That night the king lodged the messengers sumptuously, with due care, however, that they learned none of the secrets of his camp, for in hisheart he felt that some treachery was planned. When morning came, Blancandrin was sent on his journey back to Marsilius with word thatmessengers from Charlemagne would soon follow. The great king calledtogether his paladins and all the leaders of his force to consider theproposal that Blancandrin had brought. Among them were Turpin, theArchbishop, and Roland with his inseparable companion, Oliver. And inthe group, too, might be seen the lowering brow and sneaking face ofGanelon, the traitorous friend of Charlemagne. 

The king laid before them in full the message of Marsilius and badethem say what they thought of the strange proposal. With one accordall shouted, "Beware of treachery from King Marsilius. "

Roland, towering above all the other warriors, spoke for himself:"Trust not the heathen king. Have no parley with him. Remember whatseven years of warfare have cost us in blood and treasure, and withouthesitation go on to finish the work we have begun. Proceed at once tolay siege to Zaragoz, conquer this last great stronghold and freeSpain utterly from Mohammedan rule. Remember the treachery Marsiliusonce before practiced against our good messengers, whom he slew underthe flag of truce. Go and avenge their death. "

But the fierce Ganelon slyly crept to the king's side and whispered inhis ear, "Hear no word of any babbling fool. This Roland, though mystepson, is a babbling idiot. He thinks only of battle and his ownglory. So brave and strong is he that he can protect himself and caresnothing for kinsmen or friends. Marsilius promises everything we coulddemand or secure, and what shall it profit us to sacrifice our noblesoldiers in useless warfare when we can gain everything we seek bythis bloodless surrender?"

To others, also, the specious reasoning of Ganelon appealed, and somany joined in urging peace that at last Charles said, "Well and good;but who among you will bear to Marsilius my glove and staff and makethe covenant with him?"

Then Roland said, "If so be it that the king would have a messenger, send me. "

But Oliver straightway interfered. "Send Roland on a peaceful mission?He would only embroil us in further trouble. My hot-blooded friend hasno skill in parleying. Send me, I pray you, my Lord the king. "

Others offered their services, and the king stroked his silvery beardin silent meditation. 

"No, neither of you, nor any who have yet offered, not even ArchbishopTurpin, shall go. "

Then Roland spoke again. "To me, my stepfather seems the man, forthere is none among us more cunning in speech than he. Send Ganelon, my stepfather. "

With all his fierceness Ganelon was an arrant coward, and much hefeared to take the message to Marsilius, for well he remembered thefate of Basant and Basil. Pale with anger and with coward fear, Ganelon threw his sable cloak from his shoulders and faced the gallantRoland. "All the world knows, " said Ganelon, "that I am thystepfather, and that I bear thee no love, but only hatred andcontempt; but to show your malice toward me thus openly is the work ofa fool and a coward. If I return from this dangerous mission, thenwill I avenge myself for your insults. "

"I had no thought of malice, " said Roland, "as all my companions maybear me witness. The post is one of honor, and you should feel proudthat it is entrusted to you. As for your anger and malice, I have onlycontempt for your words and despise them utterly. "

[Illustration: GANELON PICKS UP CHARLEMAGNE'S GLOVE]

"Do not think, " replied the wrathy Ganelon, "that I go at your biddingor that anything you might say will move me from my steady purpose. Ifthe king chooses me his messenger, I will do him service; but as foryou, you shall repent that you ever spoke my name. "

This fierce speech was received by Roland with loud laughter, whichwas echoed by Oliver and his companions, for all knew well the mightyprowess of the great paladin. The act, however, served only to enrageGanelon the more, and as he turned his back he muttered fiercely, "Isay, you shall repent of this. "

Stepping to the throne of Charlemagne, he knelt and said, "Most nobleemperor, from Marsilius no messenger ever yet returned alive. Willingly will I go to Zaragoz and make for thee thy covenant. Onefavor only do I ask, and that is that if I should not return thou wiltcare for Baldwin, my son, and the son of thy sister to whom I am wed. Confer on him my honors and possessions and bring him up among theknights of thy court. "

Charlemagne put forth his hand and touched the kneeling Ganelon. "Since the Franks have chosen thee, " he said, "enter upon thy journeywith a brave heart. Put aside all fear and take my glove and baton. "

Still trembling, half with rage and half with fear, Ganelon said, "Butfor Roland would this service never have fallen upon me; and I hatehim and his friend, the doughty Oliver. As for the rest of the nobles, who have joined so willingly in the cry, I bid them all defiance. "

The king answered, "Truly, Count Ganelon, your words were welltempered and well chosen, but my knights know your deeds never keeppace with your words, else might they fear your threatenings. Perchance, in this one instance, however, your ready tongue will serveus better than your sword. "

Then from his hand the king drew off his glove, and as Ganelon essayedto take it, it dropped upon the floor. The Frankish warriors trembledat this ill omen and whispered among themselves that it boded no goodto the messenger; but Ganelon picked the glove up quickly, saying, "Fear nothing from so slight an accident. You shall hear again fromthis glove. "

"Take the letter, signed and sealed with my signet, and go in God'sname, " said the king. 

With anger still burning in his heart, Ganelon leaped upon his horseand set forth upon his dangerous mission. So rapidly did he ride thathe soon overtook Blancandrin and his followers, who were resting bythe wayside, and fell into friendly converse with them. The messengerof Marsilius was a wily man accustomed to read the emotions of men intheir faces, and ere the vengeful Ganelon had spoken many words hiscompanion had sounded the depths of the warrior's treacherous soul. 

Noting well the kind of man to whom he was speaking, Blancandrinhesitated not to tell the story of the treachery which Marsilius hadplanned. The wily king had no thought of going to Aachen to paytribute to Charlemagne, but, on the other hand, sought the opportunityto destroy the garrisons which Charles the king should leave behindhim and to repossess himself of Spain. In the council at which thiswas determined, the cruel Moslems, dead to the love that fathersshould bear their children, had determined to sacrifice their twentysons, the hostages who had been left with King Charles. What were thelives of twenty boys compared with the reestablishment of their ownpower and wealth! Now when Ganelon heard the dastardly plan which theSaracens had made, he opened his heart to Blancandrin and told how hehated Roland and how gladly he would do anything so he would not beobliged again to be a witness to his stepson's good fortune. 

When each had shown his true nature freely to the other they joinedtheir wits and laid their plans. Thus when they were come to Zaragoz, Blancandrin took Ganelon by the hand and led him before KingMarsilius, saying, "O king, thy message have I taken to the haughtyCharlemagne, but no answer did he give me. He has, however, sent thenoble Count Ganelon who shall tell you the decision. "

According to the plans which had been matured on the journey Ganelonsaid, "God protect the good king, Marsilius. King Charles saith thatif thou wilt lay aside thy Moslem faith and do homage to him at Aachenthou shalt hold in fealty to him one half the lands of Spain, but ifthou failest in any respect, then will he come with sword and fire andlay waste the land and carry thee to Aachen to thy death. "

No sooner were the words spoken than Marsilius seized a javelin andaimed it at the messenger's head, but Ganelon, standing his groundmanfully, said, "What shall it bring thee to slay the messengerbecause the message was evil? I act but as the mouthpiece of mymaster. Under penalty of death have I come, or I should not have leftthe Christian camp. Behold, here is a letter which the great Charleshas sent for thy perusal. "

So saying, he handed King Marsilius a letter signed and sealed withthe signet of the great king. His hands trembling with anger, Marsilius opened the letter and read, "I, King Charles, rememberingwell what thou didst to my servants, Basant and Basil, summon thee tosend to me thy caliph who sitteth next thy throne on the right for meto do with him as I list. "

The anger of Marsilius burned more strongly, and seizing a spear fromone of his attendants he rushed at Ganelon and would have slain him onthe spot had not Blancandrin interfered. 

"Stay thy hand, O my master, " he said, "for this man, Ganelon, hathpromised to be our spy and work in our behalf. "

Pleased with this show of Christian treachery, the Moslem king said, "Verily, Ganelon, thou wast near Death's door, but I will pardon theeand reward thee with one hundred pieces of gold. Take them and befaithful to us. "

Ganelon accepted the price of his treason, saying, "That man is a foolwho taketh not the goods which the gods place before him. 

"Now truly, the old king, the aged Charles, is indeed weary of war, has glutted his passion for wealth and would indeed grant thee peaceand withdraw his army from Spain were it not that his captain, Roland, and Oliver, his friend, both men of war, are continually inciting theweary monarch to further warfare. They with the other peers of Francedo lead the king as they wish, for he is old and feeble. If only theseand their twenty thousand picked men could be slain, then all theworld would be at peace. 

"Now listen to my counsel. Give the hostages to Charles as you hadplanned, and grant his every request. Then will he take his armies outof Spain, leaving only the rear guard to follow in his wake. Thisguard, the pride and strength of his army, is commanded by the captainRoland. As they leave Spain they will go through the narrow pass ofRoncesvalles. Surround the valley with thy hosts and lie in wait forthem. When they come fall upon them and slaughter them to the lastman. The fight will be a bitter one, but thou shalt win. " Having madeGanelon swear to the truth of what he had said and that things shouldcome to pass as he predicted, Marsilius gave the traitor many jewelsand rich garments and despatched him back to King Charles with themessage they had framed. 

When Ganelon came again to Charlemagne he told him that Marsilius hadyielded every point and was already on his way to Aachen, where hewould give up his religion and be baptized into the Christian faith. Then was the great Charles filled with joy at this bloodless end tohis long campaign, and right willingly he went before his warriors andtold them the great news. 

At last night fell upon the camp of rejoicing Christians, and Charlesretired to his pavilion to sleep. But it was for him a terrible nightfilled with dreams and dark forebodings. He thought he was in a narrowpass closely pressed by deadly enemies and with no weapon in hand butan ashen spear. Count Ganelon, riding by, snatched the spear from hishand and broke it into splinters. Then again he dreamed that he wasback at home in the royal palace, but that a poisonous viper fasteneditself upon his hands and in spite of all his efforts he could notremove it; and as he struggled unavailingly a leopard leaped upon himand bore him to the earth and would have killed him but for a favoritehound who rushed between and seized the leopard by the throat. Viciously the two struggled, and Charles watched the terrible combat, but try as he might he could not see which animal was the victor. 

When morning came, and the sun shone over the Christian camp, dispelling the mists of sleep from the brain of Charles, he knew hehad been dreaming, but still he was not able to shake off the dreadforebodings that weighed on his soul. The camps were struck and thehosts of Charles prepared to march from Spain. 

"Whom shall I leave in command of the rear guard?" said the emperor toGanelon. 

"Leave Roland, " replied the traitor; "he is the only man worthy of soimportant a post. "

Roland only too willingly accepted the task, saying to Charles, "Giveto me, I pray thee, the bow that is in thy hand. Trust me, I shall notlet it fall as Ganelon let fall thy glove. " The emperor handed the bowto Roland, and thus was he made captain of the rear guard. Oliver, hisfriend, remained behind with him and the twelve peers and Turpin, theArchbishop, besides twenty thousand picked warriors. 

"Roland, my dear nephew, " said the emperor, "behold, I leave with theeone half my army. Keep them safely for me. "

"Fear nothing, " Roland answered; "a good account shall I render of mycharge. "

Thus the king parted from Roland and marched away with the bulk of hisarmy toward his own land. But ever as he passed over the highmountains and through the deep ravines whose steep sides shut out thelight of the sun and seemed about to topple upon him, his heart grewheavy with some strange oppression he could not understand. Ever andanon he turned to his bodyguard and said, "I much fear me that someterrible danger awaiteth our beloved Roland and the noble rear guard. I feel that some treachery will be practised against them. "

Even when he reached France the heaviness did not depart from hisspirit, and he sat moody and disconsolate, his hoary head bowed uponhis hands, awaiting impatiently news from the rear guard. 

No sooner had Marsilius learned that Ganelon was carrying out his planand that Roland was to be left behind with only the rear guard, thanhe sent swift-riding messengers in every direction to summon hismighty men to meet him at Roncesvalles to await the coming of Roland. Before the rear guard reached the pass, a vast army of four hundredthousand men lay concealed in the rocky and woody fastnesses aroundRoncesvalles. Every man pledged to fight Roland and his followers tothe death. 

Slowly the little army of Roland crossed the plains and toiled up therocky pass and the steep mountain sides whence they could look down onRoncesvalles, where lay the only road they could follow. What was itthey saw in the narrow valley before them? What could it be but thesunlight gleaming on the spears of armed men, marching through thevalley and placing themselves in favorable positions upon the sides. There seemed no limit to the multitude. They were like the blades ofgrass in a fair meadow, and the noise that arose from the movingmultitude was like the murmur of the sea. 

"Look, " said Oliver to Roland; "Ganelon has played us false. Whatshall we do? This is a greater army than was ever gathered before fora single purpose, and they certainly mean our destruction. "

"God grant it may be so, " said Roland, "for sweet it is to battle forour country and our king. When we have rested a little we will pushforward against the enemy. "

"But, " said Oliver, "we are a handful only, while they in number areas the sands of the sea. Before it is too late sound thy great horn, Ipray thee, that possibly Charles may hear and return to our relief. "

"The greater the host the greater the glory in defeating it, " repliedRoland. "Never shall it be said that Roland shirked his duty andbrought disgrace upon his followers. We will not call the king back, but I promise you that the murderous Saracens shall repent the attackupon us. Already I feel them as good as dead. "

Thrice did Oliver urge Roland to sound the horn for relief, but everytime the noble paladin refused, saying, "God and his angels are withus. They fight upon our side. God will perform wonders for us, andwill not let shame rest upon our banners. "

Oliver climbed a great tree whence he could see not only the host inthe valley, but multitudes concealed from the general view as far asthe eye could reach. He begged Roland to climb also and see, butRoland answered sturdily, "Time enough to know the numbers of ourenemies when we count the slain. "

Then Archbishop Turpin gathered the warriors about him, and while theFranks kneeled on the ground he shrived them clean and blessed them inthe name of God, saying, "It is a right good thing to die for king andfaith, but fear not death, though it certainly now faces you. To-nightshall we meet in Paradise wearing the crowns of the martyrs. Arisefrom your knees and in penance for your sins scourge ye the pagans. "

Upon his great battle horse, Veillantif, Roland rode to and frobrandishing his good sword, Durendal, putting his warriors in battlearray. Little need had he to urge faith and constancy, for there wasnot a man but loved his commander to the utmost, and cheerfully wouldfollow him even unto death. When Roland looked upon the pagan host hisface grew fierce and terrible, but as he turned it upon his men a mildand gentle expression stole over it, and he said, "My lords andbarons, good comrades all, let no man spare his life to-day, but seeonly that he sells it dear. The lives of twenty pagans is a poor pricefor one of yours. I have promised to give a good account of you, andtonight the battlefield will tell how I have kept my word. God aloneknows the issue of the combat, but I have no fear. Of a certainty, much praise and honor await us on earth and a martyr's crown inParadise. "

So saying, he pricked the noble Veillantif with his golden spurs andset off at the head of the rear guard through the pass and down intothe valley of death called Roncesvalles. Next following came Oliver, then Archbishop Turpin followed by the Twelve, and behind pushedforward the rear guard bearing aloft the snow-white banner of theirking and shouting fiercely their battle cry, "Montjoy! Montjoy!"[Footnote: Montjoy was the name given during the Middle Ages to anylittle rise of ground which lay on the line between two territorialdivisions. As such a spot was a common meeting place of hostilearmies, the term Montjoy came to be used as a war cry. ]

Savage and bloody was the battle, beyond the words of man to describe. Roland's ashen spear crashed through the brazen armor, skin, and boneof fifteen pagans before it shivered in his hands and he was compelledto draw the fair Durendal from its sheath. 

Roland saw Oliver fighting with only the lesser half of his spear, andriding to him exclaimed, "Draw thy sword, comrade, and slay theenemy. "

But Oliver replied, "Not so long as a handful of the stump remains. To-day are weapons precious. "

All Twelve and the whole rear guard fought like men possessed, andbefore each lay a tale of pagan slain. No man sought to protecthimself except by the slaughter of his enemies. 

"Thank God, " said Archbishop Turpin, as he rested for a moment, "thankGod that I live to see the rear guard fight to-day. "

The sun climbed the heavens, and it was noon, and not a Christian gaveway. Wheresoever he planted his foot there he stayed until he couldadvance or until he died. The noble guard hewed down the pagans by thehundreds until the earth was heaped with the slain. Where Roland stoodwielding Durendal, dripping with blood from point to hilt, lay acircle of dead Moslems, for from every side the multitude came tocompass the death of Roland. 

[Illustration: WHERESOEVER HE PLANTED HIS FOOT, THERE HE STAYED]

Though two hundred thousand of the pagans lay dead, many thousandChristians mingled with them. Of the Twelve but two remained, when thehosts of Marsilius began to flee and he looked with dismay upon theslain. Then would Roland have won his battle in spite of numbers butthat from the mountainside came the sound of trumpets, and down intothe valley came twenty fresh battalions of Saracens, eager for thefray. Yet Roland and the remainder of his scattered force kept eventhese new legions long at bay, laughing in scorn at the Saracenwarriors and calling out grim jests at them as though the deadlybattle were a friendly game. So marvelously did the Christians fightthat the pagans almost yielded, for it seemed to them as though Godand his angels must be fighting for the Christians. 

Yet slowly and surely was the rear guard dwindling away. Dead were thenoble Twelve and dead all the brave knights that were the immediatecompanions and guard of Roland, the flower of the rear guard. 

"Comrade, " said Roland to Oliver, "now will I blow my horn, whichperchance Charles may hear and come to us. "

"Thou art now too late, " said the angry Oliver. "Hadst thou but takenmy advice thou hadst saved much weeping among the women and childrenof France. Charles would not have lost his rear guard nor France hervaliant Roland. "

"Blow thy horn, " said the Archbishop Turpin, "and talk not of whatmight have been. It is now too late for Charles to save our lives, buthe may avenge them. "

Then Roland put his horn to his lips and blew a mighty blast that roseup against the sides of the mountains and was echoed across thevalleys over hill and dale till it reached the king among hiscourtiers in his great hall. 

"What is that I hear?" he said; "surely our men are fighting to-day. "

Said Ganelon, "What you hear is but the sighing of the wind in thetrees. "

Still more weary grew Roland, and he took the horn again and winded itwith all his strength. 

[Illustration: ROLAND FEEBLY WINDED HIS HORN]

So loud, so long and so mighty was the blast that the veins stood outlike whipcords on his brow; and even then he stopped not, but blewuntil his temples broke and the blood streamed down his face. 

Charles heard the mighty blast in his palace and cried, "That is thehorn of Roland; I know it. He is hard pressed in battle or he wouldnot sound it. "

Then answered the treacherous Ganelon, "If that be the horn of Roland, he hunteth perchance in the woods. Too brave is he to sound it inbattle. My lord the king groweth old, and his fears are childish. Whata merry jest would it be should the king call his thousands and go tothe succor of Roland only to find him hunting the hare. "

In pain and great weariness now, almost spent with loss of blood andthe agony of his bursting temples, Roland again feebly winded hishorn. In his palace Charles heard the feeble echo, and springing fromhis seat while the salt tears streamed from his eyes and rushed downhis snowy beard, cried, "Oh Roland, my brave captain, too long have Idelayed. Sorry is thy need, I know, by the wailing of thy horn. Men, to arms! Straightway will we go to help Roland. Seize that man, " hesaid pointing to Ganelon; "bind him fast in chains, and keep him tillI return. Then shall we judge whether by his treason he hath dupedus. "

Fierce was the cruel throbbing in the brain of Roland as he turnedwearily again to his fight, but his good sword leapt savagely out, andthe redoubtable pagans fell around him in heaps. Those who were leftof the rear guard cut down great masses of the pagans as a reaper cutsdown ripening corn at the harvest time, but one by one the wearyreapers fell ere the harvest could be gathered in. Yet beside eachdead Frank was a sheaf of pagan dead to show how well he had reapedhis little field. 

Then a pagan king, seeing where Oliver was fighting, stole up behindand smote him through the back a deadly wound, but Oliver turned, andwith the fierce strength of a dying man swung his huge swordHaltclere, and before the pagan could know his triumph struck theking's helmet and cleft his head from forehead to teeth. Even now, with the pains of death so fastened upon him that his vision wasblotted out, Oliver struck valiantly on every hand, shouting "Montjoy, Montjoy. "

Roland heard the feeble shout and cut his way through to help hiscompanion from his horse; but Oliver, not knowing him, struck Rolandsuch a mighty blow that he shattered his helmet on his throbbing head. In spite of all his pain, Roland lifted Oliver gently down from hishorse, saying, "Dear comrade, I fear a deadly evil has happened tothee. "

"Thy voice is that of Roland, but I cannot see thy face. "

"It is I, Roland, thy comrade. "

"Forgive me that I smote thee, " said Oliver; "it is so dark that Icannot see thy face. Give me thy hand. God bless thee, Roland. Godbless Charlemagne and France. "

So saying, he fell upon his face and died. With a heavy heart Rolandturned from his fallen comrade and looked about for his valiant rearguard. Only two men were left beside himself. Turpin the Archbishop, Count Gaulter and Roland set themselves back to back while the pagansran upon them in a multitude. Twenty men Roland slew, Count Gaultersix, and Turpin five. Then another charge of a thousand horsementhrowing spears and javelins bore down upon them. Count Gaulter fellat the first charge, and the archbishop's horse was killed; and thereupon the ground Turpin lay with four wounds upon his forehead and fourupon his breast. 

Yet strange to say in those fearful charges Roland got never a wound, although in his broken temples his brain was parting asunder, and thepain was more than he could bear. Once more he winded his feeble horn, and Charles heard it as he came with his army to the relief of therear guard. "Spare not spur nor steed for Roland's sake. I hear thesighing of his horn and know that he is in a last distress. Sound allour clarions loud and long. "

The mighty mountains tossed the sound from peak to peak and carried itdown into the valley of Roncesvalles where the pagans heard the echoesand knew that Charles was approaching for revenge. 

"There is but one man more to slay, " they cried. "Let us slaughter himand flee. "

Then four hundred of the mounted Moslems charged at Roland, flingingtheir long javelins but venturing not to approach within reach of hissword, for they thought no man born of woman could slay this Roland. Veillantif dropped down dead, and Roland, his armor pierced with spearpoints, fell beneath him with a last great "Montjoy. "

Spent with the fall, he lay there in a swoon, though not a singlespear had touched his body. When the pagans looked on him they thoughthim dead, and fled through the pass, leaving the gloomy field inpossession of the dead and wounded. 

When the spirit of Roland came back from its swoon he looked about himand saw that the pagans had fled. With great pain he drew himself frombeneath his horse and staggered to his feet, for scarcely could hestand from the pain beating in his temples. He dragged his bruised andweary body, searching everywhere among the slain. Round about eachChristian lay a heap of pagan slain, and as Roland's eye wandered o'erthe bloody field he said, "Charles will see that the rear guard hasdone its duty. " At last he found where Oliver lay, and lifting thebody tenderly in his arms, he said, "Comrade dear, ever wast thou afriend to me, kind and gentle. No better warrior ever broke a spear orwielded a sword. Now do I repent the only time that I failed to heedthy counsel. God rest thy soul. A sweeter friend and truer comrade noman ever had. "

Then Roland heard a feeble voice, and turning, saw the ArchbishopTurpin dying on the ground, a piteous sight, his face all marred withwounds and his body well-nigh cut in twain. Yet Turpin raised his handand blessed the dead about him, saying, "Thank God, dear Roland, thefield is thine and mine. We have fought a good fight. "

Then he joined his hands as though in prayer, but his strength failedhim and he fell back fainting. Roland crawled away towards a littlerill where water was flowing, but his own weakness was so great thatwhen he came feebly to where the Archbishop lay he found him with hishands still clasped, but now at rest; for neither thirst nor painwould trouble him again. All alone in that field of death Roland weptwith his slaughtered friends. 

When Roland found death was drawing near he took Durendal in one handand his good horn in the other and crept away to a green hillock, where he lay down in his armor. While he lay there in agony a Saracenappeared plundering the dead and as he stole by Roland he saw theglitter of Durendal's hilt and put out his hand and snatched thesword. Roland opened his eyes and saw the thief before him with thesword in his hands, and turning suddenly he raised his horn and dealtthe fellow so heavy a blow upon the skull that he stretched him deadupon the ground. Then, recovering Durendal, he clasped it in his handsand said, "Oh Durendal, keen of edge and bright of blade, God sentthee by his angels to Charles to be his captain's sword. Charles girtthee at my side, and many a country hast thou helped to conquer in myhands. Though it grieveth me sore to part with thee, yet would Irather break thee asunder than that thou shouldst fall into the handsof an enemy of France. "

So, praying God to give him strength, he struck the sword so mightilyupon a gray stone of granite that the stone was chipped andsplintered, but the good sword broke not nor was its good edge turnedin the least. A second time he struck the stone, and though under theblow it was cleft in twain, the blade leaped back unharmed. On thethird blow he powdered the stone, but failed to turn the blade ofpolished steel. 

Then Roland knew that the sword was indeed holy, and holding the crossupon its hilt before his eyes, he said, "Oh Durendal, I am to blame. The angels brought thee and they will keep thee safe for Charles andFrance. "

Now indeed Roland felt the throes of death approach, and turning hisface toward Spain and toward his enemies he placed his sword and hornbeneath him, and lifting his weary hands to heaven he closed his eyes. Death and silence brooded o'er the valley; the mists of night came up, and darkness hid the scene. 

Charles and his followers had ridden hard and did not draw rein tillthey reached the mountain top and looked down into the valley ofRoncesvalles. They blew the clarions loud, but no answering sound washeard save the echoes from the mountain sides. Then down through themists and darkness they rode and saw the awful carnage. Roland andOliver dead, Archbishop Turpin and the noble Twelve, and all thetwenty thousand stretched among the heaps of pagan corpses. 

Charles fell upon his face and wept, for he had brought up andnourished Roland from a babe, had taught him war and made him thebravest of knights and captain in his army. But anger burned in hisbosom and dried his tears, so that when his officers approached andtold him that they had found the tracks of the flying pagans he wasready to follow fiercely along their track. 

Looking up, he saw that the sun was still some hours high, for God hadmiraculously stayed its passage that the Christians might be avenged. They overtook the flying enemy in the valley of Tenebrus, close by theswift torrent of the Ebro, and there with the swollen river in frontand the fierce Franks on the flanks and rear the pagans were slowlycut to pieces. Only Marsilius and a little band, who had gone anotherway, escaped. Every Saracen in Tenebrus had perished before the Franksgave up their bloody work. Back to Roncesvalles went King Charles, where he buried the dead, all excepting Roland and Oliver, whosebodies he embalmed and carried in his richest chariots on his returnjourney. 

Bitterly mourned the king in spite of the richness of his revenge. "Ohmy Roland, " he cried, "little pleasure have I in the land we haveconquered. When I come again to my palace and people ask tidings, whatcan I say but that we have conquered cities, provinces and countriesand left Roland dead? Then will there be no rejoicing. Sadness willfall upon our land, and every one will say the war has been in vain. Oh Roland, my friend, would God that I had died for thee. "

When Charles had returned to Aachen he haled Ganelon before him andflatly accused the knight of treachery. This Ganelon denied, and theking set him on trial. By using the price of his treason, Ganelonsecured among the judges thirty of his kinsmen, who by spending richeslavishly procured judgment for him, all voting him no traitorexcepting a gentle youth, Tierry, who persisted in impeaching Ganelonas a felon and traitor who had betrayed Roland and the twentythousand. Moreover, he accused the judges of treason and falsejudgment and offered to prove his charges upon any champion theaccused should bring forth. 

Tierry was a slender little lad, slight of limb and feeble instrength, and the champion selected by the accused was Pinabel, agiant among the Franks. All pitied Tierry and urged that some moredoughty champion take up the cause, but King Charles said, "God willshow the right. "

So the lists were made ready and the combat began. Long and terriblewas the fight, for the little champion seemed endowed with more thanhuman strength and courage. Yet ever was he beaten back, and ever itseemed that he must be crushed to death under the terrific blows ofthe mighty Pinabel. At last a blow came which cut his helmet in twoand split off his right cheek. Then with vision clouded by the bloodand with fast-failing strength, Tierry aimed a blow with all his forcestraight at the head of Pinabel. God gave force to the weakening armand directed the stroke so that it cleft the steel helmet and theskull, and entered the brain of Pinabel, who fell gasping to the earthand died there in his sins. 

Then all the people with one accord shouted, "God hath spoken theword. Again has the right triumphed in trial by battle. Away withGanelon and his fellows. "

King Charles from his judgment hall pronounced sentence. "Take thethirty false judges and hang them. Let not one escape, " decreed theking. 

As for Ganelon, ten times worse was his punishment. Ropes were tied tothe wrists and ankles of Ganelon and fastened to four prancing horses. Whining and begging for his life, the traitor lay extended while thehorses, proud of their part, stood with noble arching necks readywithout whip or spur to drag the coward traitor limb from limb. Thehalters were cast off, the horses sprang away, and Ganelon had paidhis penalty. 

Then to his lonely chamber retired the king, very old and decrepit, for years of grief had done more to age Charlemagne than years of war.