Swiss Family Robinson - Johann David Wyss (poetry books to read txt) 📗

which were caught. This he did; and

we secured several pairs, greatly to my satisfaction, as having

necessarily let them go free when we landed, they had become quite

wild, and we derived no advantage from them: whereas now we would have

a cot, and pigeon-pie whenever we liked.

 

When evening drew on, we set out for the wood of sweet acorns,

provided merely with long bamboo canes, torches and canvas sacks.

 

These weapons appeared very curious, and insufficient to the children;

but their use was speedily apparent: for darkness having come upon us

almost before we reached the wood, I lighted the torches, and

perceived, as I expected, that every branch was thickly laden with

ortolans and wild pigeons, who were roosting there in amazing numbers.

 

Suddenly aroused by the glare of light, confusion prevailed among the

terrified birds, who fluttered helplessly through the branches, dazzled

and bewildered, and many falling, even before we began to use the

sticks, were picked up, and put in the bags.

 

When we beat and struck the branches, it was as much as my wife and

Franz could do to gather up the quantities of pigeons that soon lay on

the ground. The sacks were speedily quite full. We turned homewards,

and on reaching Falconhurst, put our booty in safety, and gladly

withdrew to rest.

 

The following day was wholly occupied in plucking, boiling, roasting

and stewing, so that we could find time for nothing else; but next

morning a great expedition to Woodlands was arranged, that measures

might there be taken to prevent a repetition of the monkey invasion. I

hoped, could I but catch the mischievous rascals at their work of

destruction, to inflict upon them such a chastisement as would

effectually make them shun the neighbourhood of our farm for the

future.

 

My wife provided us with a good store of provisions, as we were likely

to be absent several days, while she, with Franz and Turk, remained at

home.

 

I took with me abundance of specially prepared birdlime, far stronger

than that which we used for the pigeons; a number of short posts,

plenty of string, and a supply of cocoanut shells and gourds.

 

The buffalo carried all these things, and one or two of the boys

besides. I myself bestrode the ass, and in due time we arrived at a

convenient spot in the forest, near Woodlands, well concealed by thick

bushes and underwood, where we made a little encampment, pitching the

small tent and tethering the animals. The dogs, too, were tied up, lest

they should roam about, and betray our presence.

 

We found the cottage quite quiet and deserted; and I lost no time in

preparing for the reception of visitors, hoping to be all ready for

them, and out of sight before they arrived.

 

We drove the stakes lightly into the ground, so as to form an

irregular paling round the house, winding string in and out in all

directions between them, thus making a kind of labyrinth, through which

it would be impossible to pass without touching either the stakes or

the cords.

 

Everything was plentifully besmeared with birdlime; and basins of the

mixture were set in all directions, strewed with rice, maize, and other

dainties for bait.

 

Night came without any interruption to our proceedings; and all being

then accomplished, we retired to rest beneath the shelter of our little

tent.

 

Very early in the morning we heard a confused noise, such as we knew

betokened the approach of a large number of apes. We armed ourselves

with strong clubs and cudgels, and holding the dogs in leash, made our

way silently behind the thickets, till, ourselves unseen, we could

command a view of all that went on; and strange indeed was the scene

which ensued!

 

The noise of rustling, crackling and creaking among the branches, with

horrid cries, and shrieks, and chattering, increased to a degree

sufficient to make us perfectly giddy; and then out from the forest

poured the whole disorderly rabble of monkeys, scrambling, springing,

leaping from the trees, racing and tumbling across the grassy space

towards the house; when, at once attracted by the novelties they saw,

they made for the jars and bowls.

 

They seemed innumerable; but the confused, rapid way in which they

swarmed hither and thither, made it difficult to judge accurately of

their numbers. They dashed fearlessly through and over the palings in

all directions, some rushing at the eatables, some scrambling on to the

roof, where they commenced tugging at the wooden pegs, with a view to

forcing an entrance.

 

Gradually, however, as they rambled over the place, all in turn became

besmeared with our birdlime on head, paws, back or breast. The

wretched predicament of the apes increased every instant.

 

Some sat down, and with the most ludicrous gestures, tried to clean

themselves. Others were hopelessly entangled in stakes and cordage,

which they trailed about after them, looking the picture of bewildered

despair.

 

Others, again, endeavoured to help one another, and stuck fast

together: the more they pulled, and tugged, and kicked, the worse

became their plight.

 

Many had the gourds and cocoanut shells lumbering and clattering about

with them, their paws having been caught when they sought to obtain the

rice or fruit we had put for bait.

 

Most ridiculous of all was the condition of one old fellow, who had

found a calabash, containing palm wine, and, eagerly drinking it, was

immediately fitted with a mask, for the shell stuck to his forehead and

whiskers, of course covering his eyes; and he blundered about, cutting

the wildest capers in his efforts to get rid of the encumbrance.

 

Numbers took to flight; but, as we had spread birdlime on several of

the trees around, many apes found themselves fixed to, or hanging from

the branches, where they remained in woeful durance, struggling and

shrieking horribly.

 

The panic being now general, I loosed the three dogs, whose impatience

had been almost uncontrollable, and who now rushed to the attack of the

unfortunate monkeys, as though burning with zeal to execute justice

upon desperate criminals.

 

The place soon had the appearance of a ghastly battlefield; for we were

obliged to do our part with the clubs and sticks, till the din of

howling, yelling, barking, in every conceivable tone of rage and pain,

gave place to an awful silence, and we looked with a shudder on the

shocking spectacle around us.

 

At least forty apes lay mangled and dead, and the boys began to be

quite sad and downhearted, till I, fully sharing their feelings,

hastened to turn their thoughts to active employment in removing and

burying the slain, burning the stakes, cordage, bowls, everything

concerned in the execution of our deadly stratagem.

 

After that we betook ourselves to the task of restoring order to our

dismantled cottage; and seeking for the scattered flock of sheep,

goats, and poultry, we gradually collected them, hoping to settle them

once more peacefully in their yards and sheds.

 

While thus engaged, we repeatedly heard a sound as of something heavy

falling from a tree. On going to look, we found three splendid birds,

caught on some of the limed sticks we had placed loose in the branches.

 

Two of these proved to be a variety of the Blue Molucca pigeon; the

third I assumed to be the Nicobar pigeon, having met with descriptions

of its resplendent green, bronze, and steely-blue plumage; and I was

pleased to think of domesticating them, and establishing them as first

tenants of a suitable dwelling near the cave.

 

`First tenants, father!’ said Fritz. `Do you expect to catch more like

these?’

 

`Not exactly catch them; I mean to practise a secret art. Much can be

done by magic, Fritz!’

 

Further explanation I declined to give.

 

In a few days, Woodlands was once more set in order, and everything

settled and comfortable, so that we returned without further adventure

to Falconhurst, where we were joyfully welcomed.

 

Every one agreed that we must go at once to Tentholm, to make the

proposed pigeon-house in the rock. Several other things there also

requiring our attention, we made arrangements for a prolonged stay.

 

My plan for the pigeon-house was to hollow out an ample space in the

cliff, facing towards Jackal river, and close to our rocky home,

fitting that up with partitions, perches and nesting-places; while a

large wooden front was fitted on to the opening, with entrance-holes,

slides, or shutters, and a broad platform in front, where the birds

could rest, and walk about.

 

When, after the work of a few weeks, we thought it was fit for

habitation, I set the other children to work at some distance from our

cavern, and summoning Fritz:

 

`Now, my faithful assistant,’ said I, `it is time to conjure the new

colonists to their settlement here. Yes,’ I continued, laughing at his

puzzled look. `I mean to play a regular pigeon-dealer’s trick. You must

know such gentry are very ingenious, not only in keeping their own

pigeons safe, but in adding to their numbers by attracting those of

other people. All I want is some soft clay, aniseed and salt, of which

I will compound a mixture, which our birds will like very much, and the

smell of which will bring others to share it with them.’

 

`I can easily get you those things, father.’

 

`I shall want some oil of aniseed besides,’ said I, `to put on the

pigeon-holes, so that the birds’ feathers may touch it as they pass in

and out, and become scented with what will attract the wild pigeons.

This I can obtain by pounding aniseed; therefore, bring me the mortar

and some oil.’

 

When this was strongly impregnated with the aromatic oil from the

seeds (for I did not purpose to distill it in regular style), I

strained it through a cloth, pressing it strongly: the result answered

my purpose, and the scent would certainly remain for some days.

 

All my preparations being completed, the pigeons were installed in

their new residence, and the slides closed. The European birds were by

this time quite friendly with the three beautiful strangers; and when

the other boys came home, and scrambled up the ladder to peep in at a

little pane of glass I had fixed in front, they saw them all

contentedly picking up grain, and pecking at the `magic food’, as Fritz

called it, although he did not betray my secret arts to his brothers.

 

Early on the third morning I aroused Fritz, and directed him to ascend

the rope ladder, and arrange a cord on the sliding door of the

dove-cot, by which it could be opened or closed from below. Also he

poured fresh aniseed oil all about the entrance, after which we

returned, and awoke the rest of the family, telling them that if they

liked to make haste, they might see me let the pigeons fly.

 

Everybody came to the dove-cot, understanding that some ceremony was to

attend the event, and I waved a wand with mock solemnity, while I

muttered a seeming incantation, and then gave Fritz a sign to draw up

the sliding panel.

 

Presently out popped the pretty heads of the captives, the soft eyes

glanced about in all directions; they withdrew, they ventured forth

again, they came timidly out on `the verandah’, as little Franz

expressed it; then, as though suddenly startled, the whole party took

wing, with the shrill whizzing sound peculiar to the flight of pigeons,

and circling above us, they rose higher, higher, finally darting quite

out of sight.

 

While we were yet gazing after them, they reappeared, and settled

quietly on the dove-cot; but as we