Swiss Family Robinson | Page 8

if wishes were of any use."
"But," observed he, "we can use oyster-shells."
"A useful thought, Ernest; go directly and get the oysters; and, remember, gentlemen, no
complaints, though the spoons are without handles, and you should dip your fingers into
the bowl."

Off ran Jack, and was mid-leg in the water before Ernest got to him. He tore down the
oysters, and threw them to his idle brother, who filled his handkerchief, taking care to put
a large one into his pocket for his own use; and they returned with their spoil.
Fritz had not yet appeared, and his mother was becoming uneasy, when we heard him
cheerfully hailing us at a distance. He soon came up, with a feigned air of disappointment,
and his hands behind him; but Jack, who had glided round him, cried out, "A sucking pig!
a sucking pig!" And he then, with, great pride and satisfaction, produced his booty, which
I recognized, from the description of travellers, to be the agouti, common in these regions,
a swift animal, which burrows in the earth, and lives on fruits and nuts; its flesh,
something like that of the rabbit, has an unpleasant flavour to Europeans.
All were anxious to know the particulars of the chase; but I seriously reproved my son for
his little fiction, and warned him never to use the least deceit, even in jest. I then inquired
where he had met with the agouti. He told me he had been on the other side of the river,
"a very different place to this," continued he. "The shore lies low, and you can have no
idea of the number of casks, chests, planks, and all sorts of things the sea has thrown up;
shall we go and take possession of them? And to-morrow, father, we ought to make
another trip to the vessel, to look after our cattle. We might, at least, bring away the cow.
Our biscuit would not be so hard dipped in milk."
"And very much nicer," added the greedy Ernest.
"Then," continued Fritz, "beyond the river there is rich grass for pasturage, and a shady
wood. Why should we remain in this barren wilderness?"
"Softly!" replied I, "there is a time for all things. To-morrow, and the day after to-morrow
will have their work. But first tell me, did you see anything of our shipmates?"
"Not a trace of man, living or dead, on land or sea; but I saw an animal more like a hog
than this, but with feet like a hare; it leaped among the grass, sometimes sitting upright,
and rubbing its mouth with its forepaws; sometimes seeking for roots, and gnawing them
like a squirrel. If I had not been afraid it would escape me, I would have tried to take it
alive, it seemed so very tame."
As we were talking, Jack had been trying, with many grimaces, to force an oyster open
with his knife. I laughed at his vain endeavours, and putting some on the fire, showed
him them open of themselves. I had no taste for oysters myself; but as they are
everywhere accounted a delicacy, I advised my sons to try them. They all at first declined
the unattractive repast, except Jack, who, with great courage, closed his eyes, and
desperately swallowed one as if it had been medicine. The rest followed his example, and
then all agreed with me that oysters were not good. The shells were soon plunged into the
pot to bring out some of the good soup; but scalding their fingers, it was who could cry
out the loudest. Ernest took his large shell from his pocket, cautiously filled it with a
good portion of soup, and set it down to cool, exulting in his own prudence. "You have
been very thoughtful, my dear Ernest," said I; "but why are your thoughts always for
yourself; so seldom for others? As a punishment for your egotism, that portion must be

given to our faithful dogs. We can all dip our shells into the pot, the dogs cannot.
Therefore, they shall have your soup, and you must wait, and eat as we do." My reproach
struck his heart, and he placed his shell obediently on the ground, which the dogs emptied
immediately. We were almost as hungry as they were, and were watching anxiously till
the soup began to cool; when we perceived that the dogs were tearing and gnawing Fritz's
agouti. The boys all cried out; Fritz was in a fury, took his gun, struck the dogs, called
them names, threw stones at them, and would have killed them if I had not held him. He
had actually bent his gun with striking them. As soon as he would listen to me, I
reproached him seriously for his violence, and