The Swiss Family Robinson; or, Adventures on a Desert IslandWyss, Johann David
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The Swiss Family Robinson; or, Adventures on a Desert Island
Wyss, Johann David
Family life -- Fiction; Islands -- Fiction; Survival -- Fiction
It was impossible to see these lovely seafarers without wishing to
obtain specimens; and the canoe accordingly gave chase, presently
securing half a dozen, which were handed to us in the yacht to be
carefully preserved for the museum, and the place was ever after called
Nautilus Creek.
Further on we rounded a short promontory, flat, with an abrupt rock at
the extremity, to which we gave the name of Cape Pug-Nose; and then, at
some distance, appeared the grand cliffs of a headland running far out
to sea.
This I supposed we should have to weather, but my pilots made no change
in our course, and, following the canoe, we soon came in sight of the
majestic archway which offered us a short passage to Pearl Bay.
The wonderfully architectural appearance of the pillars, arches, and
pinnacles, surrounding and surmounting this noble entrance, struck me
with admiration, resembling parts of a fine gothic cathedral, and
inducing me to propose for it the name, Cape Minster.
A perfect cloud of little swallows darted from the cavernous entrance on
our approach, divided into flocks, soared, wheeled, flew right and left,
and finally returned in a body as swiftly as they came, to the sides of
the long dark tunnel, which were festooned with their nests.
We detached a number of these as we passed, taking care to leave those
containing eggs of young. The best were at a considerable height, but
the broken and shelving rocks afforded, in some places, footing for such
daring and active climbers as Fritz and Jack, and they quickly obtained
as many as we could possibly require.
Our progress was much assisted by the tide, which, like a current, bore
us onward along the nave of this natural cathedral; aisles, transepts,
screens, and side-chapels appearing between the columns and arches which
in the "dim religious light" were revealed to our wondering eyes.
On emerging into the dazzling sunshine, we found ourselves floating in
the calm expanse of Pearl Bay; but it was some minutes before we could
look around on the bright and lovely scene.
Fritz had not over-rated its beauty, and the romantic islets which
studded its waters seemed to give the effect of a pleasant smile to
features already perfect.
We cruised about for some time, surveying the coast with its fertile
meadows, shady groves, gently swelling hills, and murmuring brooks,
seeking a convenient landing place in the vicinity of the shallows where
lay the oyster-beds.
This we found close to a sparkling streamlet; and, as the day was fast
declining, we made speedy arrangements for burning a watch-fire; after
which we partook of a hasty supper, and leaving the dogs, with Coco, the
jackal, to sleep on shore, we returned on board the yacht for the night,
anchoring within gunshot of the land.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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