The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss Read Free Book Online Page B

were placed a pair of pistols, and inquired where he had got his brigand costume.
    "I manufactured it myself," said he; "and this is not all. Look at the dogs!"
    The dogs wore each a collar of the same skin as his belt, bristling with long nails, the points outwards—a formidable defence.
    "It is my own invention," said he; "only mamma helped me in the sewing."
    "But where did you get the leather, the needle and thread?" inquired I.
    "Fritz’s jackal supplied the skin," said my wife, "and my wonderful bag the rest. There is still more to come from it, only say what you want."
    Fritz evidently felt a little vexation at his brother’s unceremonious appropriation of the skin of the jackal, which displayed itself in the tone in which he exclaimed, holding his nose, "Keep at a distance, Mr. Skinner, you carry an intolerable smell about with you."
    I gave him a gentle hint of his duty in the position of eldest son, and he soon recovered his good humour. However, as the body as well as the skin of the jackal was becoming offensive, they united in dragging it down to the sea, while Jack placed his belt in the sun to dry.
    As I saw no preparation for supper, I told Fritz to bring the ham; and, to the astonishment and joy of all, he returned with a fine Westphalian ham, which we had cut into in the morning.
    "I will tell you," said my wife, "why we have no supper prepared; but first, I will make you an omelet;" and she produced from a basket a dozen turtle’s eggs.
    "You see," said Ernest, "they have all the characteristics of those Robinson Crusoe had in his island. They are white balls, the skin of which resembles moistened parchment."
    My wife promised to relate the history of the discovery after supper, and set about preparing her ham and omelet, while Fritz and I proceeded in unloading our cargo, assisted by the useful ass.
    Supper was now ready. A tablecloth was laid over the butter–cask, and spread with the plates and spoons from the ship. The ham was in the middle, and the omelet and cheese at each end; and we made a good meal, surrounded by our subjects,—the dogs, the fowls, the pigeons, the sheep, and the goats, waiting for our notice. The geese and ducks were more independent, remaining in their marsh, where they lived in plenty on the small crabs which abounded there.
    After supper, I sent Fritz for a bottle of the captain’s Canary wine, and then requested my wife to give us her recital.
    * * * * *

CHAPTER VII.
    "I will spare you the history of the first day," said my good Elizabeth, "spent in anxiety about you, and attending to the signals; but this morning, being satisfied that all was going right, I sought, before the boys got up, a shady place to rest in, but in vain; I believe this barren shore has not a single tree on it. Then I began to consider on the necessity of searching for a more comfortable spot for our residence; and determined, after a slight repast, to set out with my children across the river, on a journey of discovery. The day before, Jack had busied himself in skinning the jackal with his knife, sharpened on the rock; Ernest declining to assist him in his dirty work, for which I reproved him, sorry that any fastidiousness should deter him from a labour of benefit to society."
    "Jack proceeded to clean the skin as well as he was able; then procured from the nail–chest some long flat–headed nails, and inserted them closely through the long pieces of skin he had cut for collars; he then cut some sailcloth, and made a double lining over the heads of the nails; and finished by giving me the delicate office of sewing them together, which I could not but comply with."
    "His belt he first stretched on a plank, nailing it down, and exposing it to the sun, lest it should shrink in drying."
    "Now for our journey: we took our game–bags and some hunting–knives. The boys carried provisions, and I had a large flask of water. I took a small hatchet, and gave Ernest a carbine, which might be loaded