Long we gazed across the expanse of ocean glittering in the level beams of the setting sun, and finally discerned a small black speck in the distance which, by the telescope, was proved to be the returning wanderer. I remarked that the skiff sailed at a slower rate than usual towards the shore. The cannon was fired to let him know that his approach was observed, and then we joyfully hurried back to receive him at the harbour. It was easy to see, as he drew near, what had delayed his progress.
The cajack towed a large sack, besides being heavily laden. You seem to have quite a cargo there! Come, boys, let's carry up the things, and while I rest I will relate my adventures. I also resolved to take with me Pounce, my eagle, and this I always will do in future. And would you believe it? Through the glassy clear water, undisturbed by a ripple, I actually saw many such things strewn on the flat rocky bottom. Myriads of sea-fowl inhabited the most inaccessible of these, while on the lower ridges, seals, sea-bears, and walruses, were to be seen, some basking lazily in the sun, some plunging into the water, or emerging awkwardly from it, hoisting their unwieldy bodies up the rocks by means of their tusks.
Yet it was more than an hour and a half before I got clear of the rocks cliffs, and shoals to which they resorted, and neared a high and precipitous cape, running far out to sea. Right opposite to me, in the side of this rocky wall, was a magnificent archway, forming, as it first appeared to me, a lofty entrance to an immense vaulted cavern. It was tenanted by numbers of a small species of swallow, scarcely larger than a wren, and the walls were covered by thousands of their nests.
They were rudely built, and their peculiarity was that each rested on a kind of platform, something like a spoon without the handle. I detached a number, and found that they had a curious appearance, seemingly made of something fibrous and gelatinous, and more like a set of sponges, corals, or fungi, than nests of birds.
I have brought them home in my fishing-net. The bird is called the esculent swallow, and the trade in this strange article of diet is a very large one. The nests are of different value, but those which are quite new, and nearly white, are held in such esteem that they are worth their weight in silver.
But what-ever may be its basis, it is clear that a very large portion of it is furnished by certain glands, which pour out a viscid secretion. Its shores, beyond the rocky boundary through which I penetrated, extended in a fertile plain towards what seemed the mouth of a river, beyond which lay rough, and probably marshy, ground, and a dense forest of cedars, which closed the view.
Do you think they can be pearls? I have a number here in a box. Valueless, certainly, under present circumstances; but they may prove a source of wealth, should we ever again come into contact with the civilized world.
We must visit your pearl-oyster beds at the earliest opportunity. I saw nothing remarkable, however, but thousands of sea fowl of every sort and kind, from the gull and sea-swallow to the mighty albatross. Here ended the narrative; but next morning Fritz drew me aside, and confided to me a most remarkable sequel, in these words—.
I allowed you to suppose that I left it as it fell, but in reality I raised it to the deck of the canoe, and then perceived a piece of rag wound round one of its legs. I doubted the evidence of my senses. Help is near! It gradually revived; and after drinking a little, surprised me by suddenly rising on the wing, faltering a moment in its flight, and then rapidly disappearing from my view in a westerly direction. Shall I be able to find, and to save her?
Unless we know more, we must not unsettle the others by speaking of it; for it appears to me quite possible that these words were penned long ago on some distant shore, where, by this time, the unhappy stranger may have perished miserably.
There are none here. Fritz was not disposed to look at the case from this gloomy point of view; did not think the rag so very old; believed smoke might rise from a rock which was not volcanic; and evidently cherished the hope that he might be able to respond effectually to this touching appeal. I was in reality as anxious as himself on the subject, but judged it prudent to abate rather than excite hopes of success which might be doomed to bitter disappointment. 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, which they had had no time to do the previous night, and greatly excited as ever and anon a pearl was found. An excursion to Pearl Bay was now the event to which all thoughts turned, and for which preparations on a grand scale were made.
It was to form, as it were, the basis of a more important voyage Fritz had in view, and to which, unsuspected by the rest, he could devote all his attention.
I shall, therefore, henceforth leave him at liberty to act in all respects according to his own judgment; and, especially in the matter of voyages or excursions, he must not be hampered by the fear of alarming us should he choose to remain absent longer than we expect. I have such entire confidence in his prudence, and at the same time in his affection for us, that I am certain he will never needlessly cause us anxiety.
It took some time to make several raking or scraping machines, which I invented for the purpose of detaching and lifting the oysters from their native rocks; but that gave Fritz leisure to change the fittings of his canoe, so as to have a spare seat in it. His brothers naturally concluded he meant to take one of them as shipmate on board, and he allowed the mistake to continue. At last came the day, when, taking leave of the mother and Franz, we went on board the yacht, accompanied by some of the dogs; while Jack, proudly occupying the new seat beside Fritz in the canoe, shared with him the honour of leading the way in the character of pilots.
We passed safely through the rocks and shoals near Walrus Island into an expanse of calm water, sheltered by jutting cliffs, where the sea glanced like a mirror, and for the first time we observed the fairy-like shells of the paper-nautilus sailing lightly over the dazzling surface. It was impossible to see these lovely sea-farers without wishing to obtain specimens; and the canoe accordingly gave chase, presently securing half-a-dozen, which were handed to us in the yacht to be carefully preserved for the museum, and the place was ever after called Nautilus Creek.
Further on we rounded a short promontory, flat, with an abrupt rock at the extremity, to which we gave the name of Cape Pug-Nose; and then, at some distance, appeared the grand cliffs of a headland running far out to sea. This I supposed we should have to weather, but my pilots made no change in our course, and, following the canoe, we soon came in sight of the majestic archway which offered us a short passage to Pearl Bay. The wonderfully architectural appearance of the pillars, arches, and pinnacles, surrounding and surmounting this noble entrance, struck me with admiration, resembling parts of a fine gothic cathedral, and inducing me to propose for it the name, Cape Minster.
We detached a number of these as we passed, taking care to leave those containing eggs or young. The best were at a considerable height, but the broken and shelving rocks afforded, in some places, footing for such daring and active climbers as Fritz and Jack, and they quickly obtained as many as we could possibly require.
On emerging into the dazzling sunshine, we found ourselves floating in the calm expanse of Pearl Bay; but it was some minutes before we could look around on the bright and lovely scene. Juno and Turk fought the lioness. While fighting, the lioness raised its paw and scratched Juno on the breast.
Now, Juno is dead. You happy? The Swiss Family Robinson was created in Fangs in "The Swiss Family Robinson" is jackal. Swiss Family Robinson was published in The name of the mom in "Swiss Family Robinson" is Elizabeth. The Real Swiss Family Robinson ended on The Real Swiss Family Robinson was created on The New Swiss Family Robinson was created on He wrote it based on the tale of Robinson Crusoe.
The "Robinson" in the title is not their family name, but a reference to Robinson Crusoe, that the family a marooned like Crusoe. Grizzle is a donkey in Swiss family Robinson. He is later killed by a boa constrictor snake in the book.
An eagle. Log in. Literature Classics. Add an answer. Want this question answered? Study guides. Books and Literature 20 cards. Who came to get Linton at the Grange. Which of these events occurred that allowed Cathy to escape from Wuthering Heights. What did Heathcliff do when he received Catherine's message that Linton was dying. What kind of injury did Hareton experience. Pride and Prejudice 20 cards.
One of the characters I liked was Fritz because he was always his Dad's friend. As I was reading, this book made me wonder if they were ever going to get off that island. Franz, the younger one of the bunch, is the character that reminds me of myself because he has almost nothing to do. Mostly what he does is stay by his mother. He is also funny. Once he said, "Why don't we plant gunpowder?
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