Swiss Family Robinson

better able to maintain than such a furious rate as his brothers.
    But long before we expected to see them back, a tremendous noise of galloping caused us to look with surprise towards the bridge, and Jack made his appearance, thundering along on his buffalo, with the onager and the donkey tearing after him riderless , and the whole party in the wildest spirits.
    ` Hollo !' cried I. `What sort of foot-race do you call this, Master Jack?'
    He shouted merrily as he dashed up to us; then flinging himself off, and saluting us in a playful way:
    `I very soon saw,' said he, `that I hadn't a chance; so renouncing all idea of the prize, I caught Storm, and made him gallop home with me, to be in time to see the others come puffing in. Lightfoot and old Grizzle chose to join me--I never invited them!'
    By and by the other boys arrived, Ernest holding up the knife in token of being the winner; and after hearing all particulars about the running, and that he had reached Falconhurst two minutes before Fritz, we proceeded to test the climbing powers of the youthful athletes.
    In this exercise Jack performed wonders. He ascended with remarkable agility the highest palms whose stems he could clasp.
    And when he put on the shark-skin buskins, which enabled him to take firm hold of larger trees, he played antics like a squirrel or a monkey: peeping and grinning at us, at first on one side of the stem, and then on the other, in a most diverting way.
    Fritz and Ernest climbed well, but could not come near the grace and skill of their active and lively young brother.
    Riding followed, and marvellous feats were performed, Fritz and Jack proving themselves very equal in their management of their different steeds. I thought the riding was over, when little Franz appeared from the stable in the cave, leading young Grumble the bull-calf, with a neat saddle of kangaroo hide, and a bridle passed through his nose ring.
    The child saluted us with a pretty little air of confidence, exclaiming:
    `Now, most learned judges, prepare to see something quite new and wonderful! The great bull-tamer, Milo of Crotona , desires the honour of exhibiting before you.'
    Then taking a whip, and holding the end of a long cord he made the animal, at the word of command, walk, trot and gallop in a circle round him. He afterwards mounted, and showed off Grumble's somewhat awkward paces.
    The sports were concluded by swimming-matches, and the competitors found a plunge in salt water very refreshing after their varied exertions.
    Fritz showed himself a master in the art. At home in the element, no movement betokened either exertion or weariness. Ernest exhibited too much anxiety and effort, while Jack was far too violent and hasty, and soon became exhausted. Franz gave token of future skill.
    By this time, as it was getting late, we returned to our dwelling, my wife having preceded us in order to make arrangements for the ceremony of prize-giving.
    We found her seated in great state, with the prizes set out by her side.
    The boys marched in, pretending to play various instruments in imitation of a band, and then all four, bowing respectfully, stood before her, like the victors in a tournament of old, awaiting the reward of valour from the Queen of Beauty, which she bestowed with a few words of praise and encouragement.
    Fritz, to his immense delight, received as the prize for shooting and swimming, a splendid double- barrelled rifle, and a beautiful hunting-knife.
    To Ernest, as winner of the running-match, was given a handsome gold watch.
    For climbing and riding, Jack had a pair of silver-plated spurs, and a riding whip, both of which gave him extraordinary pleasure.
    Franz received a pair of stirrups, and a driving whip made of rhinoceros hide, which we thought would be of use to him in the character of bull-trainer.
    When the ceremony was supposed to be over, I advanced, and solemnly presented to my wife a lovely work-box, filled with every imaginable requirement for a lady's work-table, which she accepted with equal surprise and delight.
    The whole entertainment afforded the boys such intense pleasure, and their spirits rose to such a pitch, that nothing would serve them but another salvo of artillery in order to close with befitting dignity and honour so great a day. They gave me no peace till they had leave to squander some gunpowder, and then at last their excited feelings seeming relieved, we were able to sit down to supper; shortly afterwards we joined in