Swiss Family Robinson

prosperous and flourishing condition. The sight of all these domestic animals made us long even more than ever for our home at Rockburg , and we determined to hasten thither with all possible speed.
    The number of our pigs, goats and poultry had greatly increased since we had last visited our colony; and some of these, two fine broods of chickens especially, my wife wished to take back with her.
    We found that the herd of antelopes which Fritz and Jack had driven through the Gap, had taken up their abode in the neighbourhood , and several times we saw the beautiful animals browsing amongst the trees.
    While at the farm, we repaired both the animals' stalls, and our dwelling-room, that the former might be more secure against the attacks of wild beasts, and the latter fitted for our accommodation when we should visit the spot.
    Everything at length being satisfactorily arranged, we again retired to rest, and early next morning completed our journey to Rockburg .
    By midday we were once more settled at home. Windows and doors were thrown open to admit fresh air; the animals established in their stalls; and the cart's miscellaneous cargo discharged and arranged.
    As much time as I could spare, I devoted to the ostrich, whom we fastened, for the present, between two bamboo posts in front of our dwelling.
    I then turned my attention to the eggs we had brought, and which I determined to hatch, if possible by artificial heat. For this purpose I arranged a stove, which I maintained at a uniform temperature, and on 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 to Shark Island , where we placed the dainty little antelopes.
    Having made them happy with their liberty and abundance of food, we returned as quickly as possible to cure the bears' skins, and add the provisions we had brought to the stores lying in our cellar.
    As we returned, we caught up Jack, making his way in great glee towards Rockburg . He was carrying, in a basket, an immense eel, which he and Ernest had secured.
    Ernest had set, on the previous night, a couple of lines; one had been dragged away, but on the other they found this splendid fellow.
    It proved delicious. Half was prepared for dinner, and the other half salted and stowed away.
    We now, for a short time, again turned our attention to our duties about the house.
    Thinking that the verandah would be greatly improved by some creepers, I sowed round the foot of each bamboo pillar, vanilla, and pepper-seed, as well as that of other creeping plants, which would not only give the house a pleasanter aspect, but also afford us shade during the summer months.
    I constructed a couple of hen-coops too, for the hens and their little chicks which we had brought from Woodlands, for I knew that if I left them unprotected, the inquisitive dispositions of Knips and Fangs might induce them to make anatomical experiments which would be detrimental to the welfare of the youngsters.
    Ernest's rat-skins were voted a nuisance within doors, and were tied together and hung up outside; so powerful was the odour they emitted, that even then Jack would pretend to faint every time he passed near them.
    The museum received its additions: the condor and vulture were placed there, to be stuffed when we should find time during the rainy season. The mica and asbestos, too, were brought in for the present, not to lie there idle, but to wait until I could use them as I intended, for china and lamp-wicks.
    Having occupied two days in this way, we turned our attention to other duties: the cultivation of a wheat, barley and maize field, the management of the ostrich's eggs, and the taming of the captives.
    As agriculture was, though the least to our taste, the most important of these several duties, we set about it first. The animals drew the plough, but the digging and hoeing taxed our powers of endurance to the utmost.
    We worked two hours in the morning and two in the evening. Fully did we realize the words of Scripture: `In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread. '
    In the interval we devoted our attention to the ostrich. But our efforts on behalf of his education seemed all in vain. He appeared as untameable as ever. I determined, therefore, to adopt the plan which had subdued the refractory eagle.
    The effect of the tobacco fumes almost alarmed me. The ostrich sank to the ground and lay