Swiss Family Robinson | Page 5

compelled to spend another night on the wreck,
though we knew it might not remain till morning. We took a regular meal, for during the
day we had scarcely had time to snatch a morsel of bread and a glass of wine. More
composed than on the preceding night, we retired to rest. I took the precaution to fasten
the swimming apparatus across the shoulders of my three younger children and my wife,
for fear another storm might destroy the vessel, and cast us into the sea. I also advised my
wife to put on a sailor's dress, as more convenient for her expected toils and trials. She
reluctantly consented, and, after a short absence, appeared in the dress of a youth who
had served as a volunteer in the vessel. She felt very timid and awkward in her new dress;
but I showed her the advantage of the change, and, at last, she was reconciled, and joined
in the laughter of the children at her strange disguise. She then got into her hammock, and

we enjoyed a pleasant sleep, to prepare us for new labours.
* * * * *
CHAPTER II.
At break of day we were awake and ready, and after morning prayer, I addressed my
children thus: "We are now, my dear boys, with the help of God, about to attempt our
deliverance. Before we go, provide our poor animals with food for some days: we cannot
take them with us, but if our voyage succeed, we may return for them. Are you ready?
Collect what you wish to carry away, but only things absolutely necessary for our actual
wants." I planned that our first cargo should consist of a barrel of powder, three
fowling-pieces, three muskets, two pair of pocket pistols, and one pair larger, ball, shot,
and lead as much as we could carry, with a bullet-mould; and I wished each of my sons,
as well as their mother, should have a complete game-bag, of which there were several in
the officers' cabins. We then set apart a box of portable soup, another of biscuit, an iron
pot, a fishing-rod, a chest of nails, and one of carpenter's tools, also some sailcloth to
make a tent. In fact my boys collected so many things, we were compelled to leave some
behind, though I exchanged all the useless ballast for necessaries.
When all was ready, we implored the blessing of God on our undertaking, and prepared
to embark in our tubs. At this moment the cocks crowed a sort of reproachful farewell to
us; we had forgotten them; I immediately proposed to take our poultry with us, geese,
ducks, fowls and pigeons, for, as I observed to my wife, if we could not feed them, they
would, at any rate, feed us. We placed our ten hens and two cocks in a covered tub; the
rest we set at liberty, hoping the geese and ducks might reach the shore by water, and the
pigeons by flight.
We waited a little for my wife, who came loaded with a large bag, which she threw into
the tub that contained her youngest son. I concluded it was intended to steady him, or for
a seat, and made no observation on it. Here follows the order of our embarkation. In the
first division, sat the tender mother, the faithful and pious wife. In the second, our
amiable little Francis, six years old, and of a sweet disposition.
In the third, Fritz, our eldest, fourteen or fifteen years old, a curly-headed, clever,
intelligent and lively youth.
In the fourth, the powder-cask, with the fowls and the sailcloth.
Our provisions filled the fifth.
In the sixth, our heedless Jack, ten years old, enterprising, bold, and useful.
In the seventh, Ernest, twelve years of age, well-informed and rational, but somewhat
selfish and indolent. In the eighth, myself, an anxious father, charged with the important
duty of guiding the vessel to save my dear family. Each of us had some useful tools
beside us; each held an oar, and had a swimming apparatus at hand, in case we were

unfortunately upset. The tide was rising when we left, which I considered might assist my
weak endeavours. We turned our out-riggers length-ways, and thus passed from the cleft
of the ship into the open sea. We rowed with all our might, to reach the blue land we saw
at a distance, but for some time in vain, as the boat kept turning round, and made no
progress. At last I contrived to steer it, so that we went straight forward.
As soon as our dogs saw us depart, they leaped into the sea, and followed us; I could not
let them get into the boat, for fear they should upset it. I was very sorry,