The Swiss Family Robinson: A Translation from the Original GermanWyss, Johann David
General
The Swiss Family Robinson: A Translation from the Original German
Wyss, Johann David
Family life -- Fiction; Islands -- Fiction; Survival -- Fiction
One large chest was filled with an assortment of fancy goods, and
reminded us of a jeweler's shop, so glittering was the display of gold
and silver watches, snuff-boxes, buckles, studs, chains, rings, and all
manner of trinkets; these, and a box of money, drew our attention for a
time; but more useful to us at present was a case of common knives and
forks, which I was glad to find, as more suited to us than the smart
silver ones we had previously taken on shore. To my delight we found,
most carefully packed, a number of young fruit trees: and we read on the
tickets attached to them the names, so pleasant to European ears, of the
apple, pear, chestnut, orange, almond, peach, apricot, plum, cherry, and
vine.
The cargo, which had been destined for the supply of a distant colony,
proved, in fact, a rich and almost inexhaustible treasure to us.
Ironmongery, plumber's tools, lead, paint, grindstones, cart wheels, and
all that was necessary for the work of a smith's forge, spades and
plowshares, sacks of maize, peas, oats, and wheat, a hand-mill, and also
the parts of a saw-mill so carefully numbered that, were we strong
enough, it would be easy to put it up, had been stowed away.
So bewildered were we by the wealth around us that for some time we
were at a loss as to what to remove to the raft. It would be impossible
to take everything; yet the first storm would complete the destruction
of the ship, and we should lose all we left behind. Selecting a number
of the most useful articles, however, including of course the grain and
the fruit trees, we gradually loaded our raft. Fishing lines, reels,
cordage, and a couple of harpoons were put on board, as well as a
mariner's compass.
Fritz, recollecting our encounter with the shark, placed the harpoons in
readiness; and amused me by seeming to picture himself a whaler,
flourishing his harpoon in most approved fashion.
Early in the afternoon, both our crafts were heavily laden, and we were
ready to make for the shore. The voyage was begun with considerable
anxiety, as, with the raft in tow, there was some danger of an accident.
But the sea being calm and the wind favorable, we found we could spread
the sail, and our progress was very satisfactory.
Presently, Fritz asked me for the telescope, as he had observed
something curious floating at a distance. Then handing it back, he
begged me to examine the object; which I soon discovered to be a turtle
asleep on the water, and of course unconscious of our approach.
"Do, father, steer toward it!" exclaimed he.
I accordingly did so, that he might have a nearer look at the creature.
Little did I suspect what was to follow. The lad's back was turned to
me, and the broad sail was between us, so that I could not perceive his
actions; when, all of a sudden, I experienced a shock, and the thrill of
line running through a reel. Before I had time to call out, a second
shock, and the sensation of the boat being rapidly drawn through the
water, alarmed me.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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