The Swiss Family Robinson | Page 9

we could, and then made our beds of dry moss, round
which we put heaps of twigs. These we set light to, as watch fires to
keep off wild beasts and snakes. The toils of the day had made the boys
tired, and they were soon in a sound sleep, but my wife and I took it in
turns to watch through the whole night.
We were all out of bed as soon as light was in the sky, and set to work
to hoist up the planks that were to form the floor of our hut. These we
laid down on the branch, with their ends made fast to a cross piece of
wood that we had to fix to the trunk of the tree. Our nails were long,
and we drove each one of them home, so that we had no cause to fear
the strength of our work. By the time we had done this the day was far
spent, and we were all glad to lay by our tools and rest our limbs. That
night we lit our fires round the tree, tied the dogs to the roots, and went
up to sleep out of harm's way for the first time since we left the ship.
When the steps were drawn up we all felt that we were now safe at last,
and that we had brought the toils of the day to a good end.

CHAPTER VII.
WE did not wake next day till the sun shone in upon us. I told my wife
and sons that as it was the Lord's day we would do no work. Our beasts
and birds had first to be fed. This was done by my wife, who then

brought us some hot milk, and made us sit down on the grass and take
it. When our meal was done, I got on a log in front of my sons, and we
all sang a psalm we knew by heart. Then I sought to teach them and
spoke to them thus:
"There was once on a time a Great King, who had two vast realms, the
Land of Light and Truth, and the Land of Night and Sloth. Those who
dwelt in the first were full of life and joy. The King held his court at the
Place of Rest where all was bright.
"This King had a land, not far off, where those for whom he had so
much love should dwell ere they went one by one to the Place of Rest.
This land was the Home of Earth. He gave to his Son the right to rule
the host that dwelt in the Home of Earth, and set forth to think what
they were to do, and all the ills that would come to them if they did not
do as they were bid.
"At first they were all glad to hear the way in which they were to live,
and the terms on which they could reach the Land of Light and Truth.
Sad to tell, they soon broke the King's laws, and paid no heed to what
they knew to be his will. Still there were a few who did as they had
been taught, and dwelt in peace, in the hope that they would please the
King and at last reach the place where he held his court.
From time to time ships came to the Home of Earth, and at last a great
ship was sent, the name of which was The Grave, which bore the flag
of Death. To the good it was a sign of hope, but the bad were thrown by
the sight of it into a state of gloom. These ships were not seen till they
came close to the shore, and then the crew were sent forth to find those
whom they were told to seize. Some went back with them full of joy,
but most were seen to weep and mourn their fate. So soon as they were
brought in sight of the Great King, the Prince took those who had done
well, and put a white robe on them; but those who went their own way
when on the Home of Earth, he sent down to toil in deep, dark mines
till time shall be no more."
When my sons had heard my tale to the end they all knew what it
meant; I then drew from them their views of what they ought to do to

please and serve the Great King. We then sang a hymn; and my wife
drew from her bag the BIBLE, which I gave to one of the boys, who
read from it in a clear, loud voice. When this was brought to a close, we
all knelt down on