Swiss Family Robinson

Fritz finished his cases, and Jack asked my assistance in carrying out his plan of making a cuirass for Turk, out of the porcupine skin. After thoroughly cleansing the inside, we cut and fitted it round the body of the patient dog; then when strings were sewn on, and it became tolerably dry, he was armed with this ingenious coat of mail, and a most singular figure he cut!
    Juno strongly objected to his friendly approaches, and got out of his way so fast as she could; and it was clear that he would easily put to flight the fiercest animal he might encounter, while protected by armour at once defensive and offensive. I determined to make also a helmet for Jack out of the remainder of the skin, which to his infinite delight I speedily did.
    Amid these interesting occupations the evening drew on, and after a pleasant walk among the sweet glades near our abode, we closed our Sabbath day with prayer and a glad hymn of praise, retiring to rest with peaceful hearts.
    Next morning, I proposed an expedition to Tentholm , saying I wished to make my way thither by a different route. We left the tree well armed; I and my three elder sons each carrying a gun and game-bag, while little Franz was equipped with his bow and quiver full of arrows. A most curious party we formed: Fritz adorned with his belt of margay skin, and Jack, with his extraordinary headdress, looked like a couple of young savages.
    Their mother and I walked together; she, of the whole party, being the only one unarmed, carried a jar in which to get butter from Tentholm ; we were preceded by the dogs Turk armed most effectually with his cuirass of porcupine skin, and Juno keeping at a respectful distance from so formidable a companion.
    Master Knips fully intended to mount his charger as usual; but when he saw him arrayed apparently in a new skin, he approached him carefully, and touching him with one paw, discovered that such a hide would make anything but an agreeable seat; the grimace he made was most comical, and chattering vociferously he bounded towards Juno, skipped on her back, seated himself, and soon appeared perfectly reconciled to the change of steed.
    The flamingo saw us starting, and, having been much petted during the last day or two, considered himself entitled to accompany us; for some time he kept beside the children, following first one and then another as they explored the wood on either side; their irregular course, however, at length disgusted him, and, abandoning them, he walked sedately by my side.
    We strolled on in the cool evening air, following the course of the stream. The boys roamed ahead of me, intent on exploration.
    Presently I heard a joyful shout, and saw Ernest running at full speed towards me, followed by his brothers. In his hand he held a plant, and, panting for breath, and with sparkling eyes, he held it up to me.
    `Potatoes! Potatoes, father,' he gasped out.
    `Yes,' said Jack, `acres and acres of potatoes!'
    `My dear Ernest,' said I, for there was no mistaking the flower and leaf, and the light clear-green bulbous roots, `you have indeed made a discovery; with the potato we shall never starve.'
    `But come and look at them,' said Jack, `come and feast your eyes on thousands of potatoes.'
    We hurried to the spot: there, spread out before us, was a great tract of ground, covered with the precious plant.
    `It would have been rather difficult,' remarked Jack, `not to have discovered such a great field.'
    `Very likely,' replied Ernest, smiling, `but I doubt if you would have discovered that it was a potato field.'
    `Perhaps not,' said Jack, `you are quite welcome, at all events, to the honour of the discovery; I'll have the honour of being the first to get a supply of them.' So saying, he dug up, with hands and knife, a number of plants, and filled his game-bag with the roots. The monkey followed his example, and scratching away with his paws most cleverly, soon had a heap beside him. So delighted were we with the discovery, and so eager were we to possess a large supply of the roots, that we stopped not digging until every bag, pouch and pocket was filled.
    Some wished to return at once to Falconhurst , to cook and taste our new acquisition; but this I overruled, and we continued our march, heavily laden, but delighted.
    `How,' said I, `can we thank the Giver of all these blessings, sufficiently?'
    `Oh,' said Franz, `we can say, "We thank thee, O Lord, for all thy goodness and mercy; and bless us for Jesus Christ's sake.