Journeys Through Bookland V3

C >> Charles H. Sylvester >> Journeys Through Bookland V3

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

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

This scene, and the examination of our burdens, caused great
merriment; the tobacco grater and iron plates evidently puzzled
everybody.

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

My wife had exerted herself in our absence to provide a good store of
potatoes, and also of manioc [Footnote: Manioc, or cassava, is a South
American plant, from the roots of which tapioca is made] root. I
admired her industry, and little Franz said, "Ah, father! I wonder
what you will say when mother and I give you some Indian corn, and
melons, 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 plants
were growing up."

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

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

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

"But," continued she, "I do not half like the appearance of those
tobacco graters you have brought. Is it possible you are going to make
snuff? 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 remotest
intention of introducing the dirty, ridiculous habit of snuffing into
your family! Please to treat my graters with respect, however, because
they are to be the means of providing you with the first fresh bread
you have seen this many a long day."

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

"Ah, you must not expect real loaves," said I. "But on these flat iron
plates 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 of
all, I want you to make me a nice strong canvas bag."

This the mother willingly undertook to do, but she evidently had not
much faith in my powers as a baker, and I saw her set on a good potful
of potatoes before beginning to work, as though to make sure of a meal
without depending on my bread.

Spreading a piece of sail-cloth on the ground, I summoned my boys to
set to work. Each took a grater and a supply of well-washed manioc
root, 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 the
rough surface of my grater. My example was instantly followed by the
whole party, amid bursts of merriment, as each remarked the funny
attitude 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, for
in truth it looked much like wet sawdust.

"Cassava bread is highly esteemed in many parts of the New World, and
I have even heard that some Europeans there prefer it to the wheaten
bread of their own country. There are various species of manioc. One
sort grows quickly, and its roots ripen in a very short time. Another
kind is of somewhat slower growth. The roots of the third kind do not
come to maturity for two years. The first two are poisonous, if eaten
raw, yet they are preferred to the third, which is harmless, because
they 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 dry
pith is wholesome and nourishing. Still, I do not mean to taste my
cakes until I have tried their effect on our fowls and the ape." Our
supply of roots being reduced to damp powder, the canvas bag was
filled with it, and tying it tightly up, I attempted to squeeze it,
but soon found that mechanical aid was necessary in order to express
the moisture. My arrangements for this purpose were as follows: A
strong, straight beam was made flat on one side, and smooth planks
were laid across two of the lower roots of our tree; on these we
placed the sack, above the sack another plank, and over that the long
beam; one end was passed under a root near the sack, the other
projected far forward. And to that we attached all the heaviest
weights we could think of, such as an anvil, iron bars, and masses of
lead. The consequent pressure on the bag was enormous, and the sap
flowed from it to the ground.

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

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

"Do you think we might begin now, father?" said Fritz. "There does not
seem the least moisture remaining."

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

I took out a couple of handfuls of flour for this purpose, and with a
stick loosened and stirred the remainder, which I intended should
again be pressed. While an iron plate, placed over a good fire, was
getting hot, I mixed the meal with water and a little salt, kneaded it
well, and forming a thickish cake, laid it on the hot plate. When one
side 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 the
monkey who were selected as the subjects of this interesting
experiment, and they silently watched them gobbling up the bits of
cake I gave them.

Next morning every one expressed the tenderest concern as to the
health of Knips and the hens; and lively pleasure was in every
countenance 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 was
made into cakes, each boy busily preparing his own, and watching the
baking most eagerly. Mistakes occurred, of course; some of the bread
was burnt, some not done enough; but a pile of nice, tempting cakes
was at length ready, and with plenty of good milk we breakfasted right
royally, and in high spirits at our success.

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

IV

THE PINNACE

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

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

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

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

When we got on board, I desired the boys to collect whatever came
first 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 lay
between me and the safe possession of the beautiful little vessel. She
lay 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 to
think of fitting the parts together there. At the same time, these
parts were so heavy, that removing them to a convenient place piece by
piece was equally out of the question.

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

As my eyes became used to the dim light which entered the compartment
through a chink or crevice here and there, I perceived how carefully
every part of the pinnace was arranged and marked with numbers, so
that if only I could bestow sufficient time on the work, and contrive
space 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 great
was their reliance on me that they never doubted the pinnace was to be
ours.

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

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

Preparations for returning to shore were hastily made, and we landed
without much relish for the long walk to Falconhurst, when, to our
great surprise and pleasure, we found the mother and little Franz at
Tentholm awaiting us. She had resolved to take up her quarters there
during the time we should be engaged on the wreck. "In that way you
will 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 her
plan, "and we shall work with the greater diligence, that you may
return as soon as possible to your dear Falconhurst."

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

Our days were now spent in hard work on board, first cutting and
clearing an open space round the pinnace, and then putting the parts
together. We started early and returned at night, bringing each time a
valuable freight from the old vessel. At length, with incredible
labor, all was completed. The pinnace stood actually ready to be
launched, but imprisoned within massive wooden walls which defied our
strength.

It seemed exactly as though the graceful vessel had awakened from
sleep, and was longing to spring into the free blue sea, and spread
her wings to the breeze. I could not bear to think that our success so
far should be followed by failure and disappointment. Yet no possible
means of setting her free could I perceive, and I was almost in
despair, 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, filled
it with gunpowder, and secured a block of oak to the top, through
which I pierced a hole for the insertion of the match; and this great
petard I so placed, that when it exploded it should blow out the side
of the vessel next which the pinnace lay. Then securing it with
chains, that the recoil might do no damage, I told the boys I was
going ashore earlier than usual, and calmly desired them to get into
the boat. Then lighting a match which I had prepared, and which would
burn some time before reaching the powder, I hastened after them with
a beating heart, and we made for the land.

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

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

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

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

The boys gazed at me for a moment, and then, guessing my secret, "You
planned it yourself, you clever, cunning father! Oh, that machine we
helped to make was on purpose to blow it up!" cried they; and eagerly
they followed me into the shattered opening, where, to my intense
satisfaction, I found everything as I could wish, and the captive in
no way a sufferer from the violent measures I had adopted for her
deliverance.

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

It was evident that the launch could now be effected without much
trouble; I had been careful to place rollers beneath the keel, so that
by means of levers and pulleys we might, with our united strength,
move her forward toward the water. A rope was attached by which to
regulate the speed of the descent, and then, all putting their
shoulders to the work, the pinnace began to slide from the stocks, and
finally slipped gently and steadily into the water, where she floated
as if conscious it was her native element; while we, wild with
excitement, cheered and waved enthusiastically. We then remained only
long 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 able
to obtain the rest of its contents with a few more days' work.

These days were devoted to completing the rigging, the mounting of her
two little brass guns, and all necessary arrangements about the
pinnace. It was wonderful what martial ardor was awakened by the
possession of a vessel armed with two real guns. The boys chattered
incessantly about savages, fleets of canoes, attack, defense, and
final 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 and
newborn valor were never put to the test.

The pinnace was fully equipped and ready to sail, while yet no idea of
the surprise we were preparing for her had dawned upon my wife, and I
permitted the boys, who had kept the secret so well, to fire a salute
when 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 and
reechoed among the cliffs, followed by our shouts and hurrahs. The
mother and her little boy rushed hastily forward from near the tent,
and we could plainly see their alarm and astonishment; but speedily
recognizing us, they waved joyfully, and came quickly to the landing
place to meet us.

By skillful management we brought the pinnace near a projection of the
bank, 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 have
frightened me out of my wits! To see a beautiful little ship come
sailing in was startling enough, for I could not conceive who might be
on board, but the report of your guns made me tremble with fear--and
had I not recognized your voices directly after, I should have run
away with Franz--Heaven knows where! But have you really done all this
work yourselves?" she continued, when we had been forgiven for
terrifying her with our vainglorious salute. "What a charming little
yacht! I should not be afraid to sail in this myself."

After the pinnace had been shown off, and received the admiration she
deserved, while our industry, skill, and perseverance met with
boundless praise, "Now," said my wife, "you must come with me, and see
how little Franz and I have improved our time every day of your
absence."

We all landed, and with great curiosity followed the mother up the
river toward the cascade; where, to our astonishment, we found a
garden neatly laid out in beds and walks; and she continued, "We don't
frighten people by firing salutes in honor of our performances;
although, by and by, I too shall want fire in a peaceable form. Look
at my beds of lettuce and cabbages, my rows of beans and peas! Think
what delicious dinners I shall be able to cook for you, and give me
credit for my diligence."

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

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

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

The time passed in happy talk over our many new interests; every one
had the pleasant sensation which attends successful labor, as well as
experiencing the joy of affording unexpected pleasure to others; and I
especially pointed out to my sons how true, genuine happiness consists
in that, rather than in mere self-gratification. Next morning my wife
said, "If you can exist on shore long enough to visit Falconhurst,
dear husband, I should like you to attend to the little fruit trees. I
fear they have been too much neglected. I have watered them
occasionally, and spread earth over the roots as they lay, but I could
not manage to plant them."

"You have done far more than I could have expected, my wife," I
replied, "and provided you do not ask me to give up the sea
altogether, I most willingly agree to your request, and will go to
Falconhurst as soon as the raft is unloaded and everything safely
arranged here."

Life on shore was an agreeable change for us all, and the boys went
actively to work, so that the stores were quickly brought up to the
tent, piled in order, and carefully covered with sail-cloths, fastened
down by pegs all round. The pinnace, being provided with an anchor,
was properly moored, and her elegant appearance quite altered the
looks 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, its
peaceful shade seeming more delightful than ever, after the heat and
hard work we had lately undergone.

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

V

PREPARING FOR THE RAINY SEASON. NEW DISCOVERIES

NOTE.--To make the ascent to Falconhurst easier and safer, a spiral
staircase was built in the trunk of the huge tree whose branches
upheld the "Nest." This is the "task" spoken of in the opening
paragraph of this chapter.

This task occupied us a whole month, and by the end of that period, so
accustomed had we become to having a definite piece of work before us,
that we began to consider what other great alteration we should
undertake. We were, however, of course not neglecting the details of
our colonial establishment. There were all the animals to be attended
to; the goats and sheep had both presented us with additions to our
flock, and these frisky youngsters had to be seen after; to prevent
them 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 board
the wreck, and which would assist us to track them. Juno, too, had a
fine litter of puppies, but, in spite of the entreaties of the
children, I could not consent to keep more than two, and the rest
disappeared in that mysterious way in which puppies and kittens are
wont to leave the earth. To console the mother, as he said, but also,
I suspect, to save himself considerable trouble, Jack placed his
little jackal beside the remaining puppies, and, to his joy, found it
readily adopted. The other pets were also flourishing, and were being
usefully trained. The buffalo, after giving us much trouble, had now
become perfectly domesticated, and was a very useful beast of burden,
besides being a capital steed for the boys. They guided him by a bar
thrust 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. I
began his education by securing round him a broad girth of buffalo
hide and fastening to it various articles, to accustom him to carrying
a burden. By degrees he permitted this to be done without making the
slightest resistance, and soon carried the paniers, before borne by
the ass, readily and willingly.

I then made Master Knips sit upon his back and hold the reins I had
prepared for him, that the animal might become accustomed to the
feeling of a rider, and finally allowed Fritz himself to mount. The
education of the eagle was not neglected. Fritz every day shot small
birds for his food, and these he placed, sometimes between the wide-
spreading horns of the buffalo or goat, and sometimes upon the back of
the great bustard, that he might become accustomed to pounce upon
living prey. These lessons had their due effect, and the bird, having
been taught to obey the voice and whistle of his master, was soon
allowed to bring down small birds upon the wing, when he stooped and
struck his quarry in most sportsmanlike manner. We kept him well away
from the poultry yard, lest his natural instincts should show
themselves and he should put an untimely end to some of our feathered
pets.

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

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