The Swiss Family Robinson; or Adventures in a Desert Island

e we were. Every one was exhausted with fatigue and watching. The shattered vessel began to leak in many places, the oaths of the sailors were changed to

lent wife dried her tears, and from that moment became more tranquil. We knelt down to pray for the help of our Heavenly Father;

ard a loud cracking, as if the vessel was parting asunder; we felt that we were aground, and heard the captain cry, in a tone of despair, "We are lost! Launch the boats!" These words were a dagger to my heart, and the lamentation

n the roar of the tempest, nor could they have returned for us through waves that ran mountains high. All hope from their assistance was lost; but I was consoled by observing that the water did not enter the ship above a certain height. The stern, under which lay the cabin which contained all that was dear to me on earth, was immovably fixed between two rocks. At the same time I observed, towards the south, traces of

it lasted, they were continually thrown against each other. My wife, more accustomed to read my countenance, discovered my uneasiness; and by a sign

with the body, the mind is strengthe

anks from the devoted vessel with a fearful crashing. It appeared a

red to their beds, and soon slept soundly. Fritz, the eldest, watched with me. "I have been considering," said he, "how we could save our

r handkerchiefs, leaving a space between for each child; and fastened this new swimming apparatus under their arms. My wife prepared the same for herself. We then collected some knives, s

ous plans. How gladly we welcomed the light of day, shining through an opening. The wind was subsiding, the sky serene, and I watched the sun rise with renewed hope. I call

ving arm to us, if we do not give way to complaint and despair. Let all hands set to work. Remember t

sea," cried Fritz, "

im; but we should be all drowned. Would it not b

and if a raft was not always so dangerous a conveyance. But away, b

or the carpenter's tools. Jack had opened the captain's cabin, and was immediately thrown down by two large dogs, who leaped on him so roughly that he cried out as if they were going to devour him. However, hunger had rendered them so docile that they licked his hands, and he soon r

and shot, and some balls, in horn flasks. Ernest was loaded with an axe and hammer, a pai

at his prize. "Silence," said I, "the youngest has made the most valuable addition to our stores. These are fish-hooks, and may

I have found a cow, an ass, two goats, six sheep, and a sow

all but Master Jack, who, instead of anything useful, has con

o hunt when we get

can you devise any mean

ow; "put us each into a great tub, and let us float to shore. I re

etting them upon the lower deck, which was but just above the water. They were of strong wood, bound with iron hoops, and exactly suited my purpose; my sons and I therefore began to saw them through the middle. After long labour, we had eight tubs all the same height. We refreshed oursel

replied I, "and you will see it is more t

e keel of a vessel. We then nailed them firmly to the plank, and to each other. We nailed a plank at each side, of the same length as the first, and

sent Fritz to bring me the jack-screw, and, in the mean time, sawed a thick round pole into pieces; then ra

world, if he had but a point to rest it on; and I promised my son to take the machine to pieces when we were on shore, and explain the mode of operation. I then told them that God, to compensate for the weakness of man, had be

t the jack-screw

me is lost in power. The jack is not meant to work rapidly, but to raise heavy weights; and the heav

the handle quick

atience and Reason are the two fairies, by wh

ne side, that none of the boys would venture into it. I was in despair, when I suddenly remembered it only wanted ballast to keep it in equilibrium. I hastily threw in anything I got hold of that was heavy, and soon had my boat level, and ready for occupation. They now contended who should enter first; but I stopped them, reflecting that these restless children might easily capsize our vessel. I remembered tha

into the cleft in the ship's side, by way of a haven; I then returned, and, with the axe and saw, cut away righ

n 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 o