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
"The separation was extremely painful to both the old soldier and his
daughter, but there was no alternative. They parted, and Miss Montrose
sailed in the Dorcas for England. A week after she had left Calcutta, a
storm arose and drove the vessel far out of her course; more bad weather
ensued; and at length, leaks having been sprung in all directions, the
crew were obliged to take to the boats. Jenny obtained a place in one of
the largest of these. After enduring the perils of the sea for many
days, land was sighted; and, the other boats having disappeared, an
attempt was made to land. The boat was capsized, and Miss Montrose alone
reached the shore. For a long time she lay upon the sand almost
inanimate; but, reviving sufficiently to move, she at length obtained
some shell-fish, and by degrees recovered her strength. From that time
forth until I appeared she never set eyes upon a human being. To attract
any passing vessel, and obtain assistance, however, she kept a beacon
continually blazing at the end of the reef; and, with the same purpose
in view, attached missives to the feet of any birds she could take alive
in her snares. The albatross, she told me, she had kept for some time,
and partially tamed; but, as it was in the habit of making long
excursions on its own account, she conceived the idea of sending it also
with a message, that, should it by chance be seen and taken alive, it
might return with an answer.
"Our supper was over, and, at length, both wearied out with the
anxieties and excitement of the day, we retired to rest, she to her
leafy bower, and I to sleep in the hut below.
"Next morning, having packed her belongings in the cajack, we both went
on board; and bidding adieu to her well-known bay she took her seat
before me, and I made for home.
"We should have reached Rockburg this evening had not an accident
occurred to our skiff and compelled us to put in at this island. The
boat was scarcely repaired when I heard your first shots. I instantly
disguised myself; and, never doubting that Malay pirates were near, came
forth to reconnoiter. Glad, indeed, I was to find my fears ungrounded."
All had listened attentively to Fritz's story, but now a dreadful yawn
from Franz, followed by others from Jack, Ernest, and Fritz, and a great
desire on my own part to follow their example, warned me that it was
time to dismiss the party for the night. Fritz retired to his cajack,
the boys and I to the deck of the yacht, and the remainder of the night
passed quietly away.
Next morning, as we assembled for breakfast, I took the opportunity of
begging Miss Montrose no longer to attempt to continue her disguise but
to allow us to address her in her real character.
Jenny smiled; for she had noticed, as the young men met her when she
came from the cabin, a great alteration in their manner, and had at once
seen that her secret was guessed.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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