The Swiss Family Robinson; or, Adventures on a Desert Island — John Shaqi
The Swiss Family Robinson; or, Adventures on a Desert IslandWyss, Johann David
General
The Swiss Family Robinson; or, Adventures on a Desert Island
Wyss, Johann David
Family life -- Fiction; Islands -- Fiction; Survival -- Fiction
His luckless victim was the mother of a tiny little monkey, which,
being on her back when the dog flew at her, had hindered her flight. The
little creature attempted to hide among the grass, and in trembling fear
watched the tragic fate of its mother. On perceiving Turk's
blood-thirsty design, Fritz had eagerly rushed to the rescue, flinging
away all he was carrying, and losing his hat in his haste. All to no
purpose as far as the poor mother ape was concerned, and a laughable
scene ensued, for no sooner did the young monkey catch sight of him,
than at one bound it was on his shoulders, and, holding fast by his
thick curly hair, it firmly kept its seat in spite of all he could do to
dislodge it. He screamed and plunged about as he endeavored to shake or
pull the creature off, but all in vain; it only clung the closer to his
neck, making the most absurd grimaces.
I laughed so much at this ridiculous scene, that I could scarcely assist
my terrified boy out of his awkward predicament.
At last, by coaxing the monkey, offering it a bit of biscuit; and
gradually disentangling its small sinewy paws from the curls it grasped
so tightly, I managed to relieve poor Fritz, who then looked with
interest at the baby ape, no bigger than a kitten, as it lay in my arms.
"What a jolly little fellow it is!" exclaimed he, "do let me try to rear
it, father. I daresay cocoanut milk would do until we can bring the cow
and the goats from the wreck. If he lives he might be useful to us. I
believe monkeys instinctively know what fruits are wholesome and what
are poisonous."
"Well," said I, "let the little orphan be yours. You bravely and kindly
exerted yourself to save the mother's life; now you must train her child
carefully, for unless you do so its natural instinct will prove
mischievous instead of useful to us."
Turk was meanwhile devouring with great satisfaction the little animal's
unfortunate mother. I could not grudge it him, and continued hunger
might have made him dangerous to ourselves. We did not think it
necessary to wait until he had dined, so we prepared to resume our
march.
The tiny ape seated itself in the coolest way imaginable on Fritz's
shoulder, I helped to carry his canes, and we were on some distance
before Turk overtook us, looking uncommonly well pleased, and licking
his chops as though recalling the memory of his feast.
He took no notice of the monkey, but it was very uneasy at sight of him,
and scrambled down into Fritz's arms, which was so inconvenient to him
that he devised a plan to relieve himself of his burden. Calling Turk,
and seriously enjoining obedience, he seated the monkey on his back,
securing it there with a cord, and then putting a second string round
the dog's neck that he might lead him, he put a loop of the knot into
the comical rider's hand, saying gravely: "Having slain the parent, Mr.
Turk, you will please to carry the son."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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