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

to him, too, of Miss Montrose, and of the

providential way in which we had been the means of rescuing her from

her lonely position.

 

`Then,’ said the gallant officer, rising and grasping Fritz by the

hand, `let me heartily thank you in my own name, and in that of Colonel

Montrose; for it was the hope of finding some trace of that brave girl

that led me to these shores. The disappearance of the Dorcas has been a

terrible blow to the Colonel, and yet, though for three years no word

of her or of any of those who sailed in her has reached England, he has

never entirely abandoned all hope of again hearing of his daughter. I

knew this, and a few weeks ago, when I was about to leave Sydney for

the Cape, I found three men who declared themselves survivors of the

Dorcas, and said that their boat, of four which left the wreck, was the

only one which, to their knowledge, reached land in safety.

 

`From them I learned all particulars, and applying for permission to

cruise in these latitudes, I sailed in the hopes of finding further

traces of the unfortunate crew. My efforts have been rewarded by

unlooked-for success.’

 

Fritz replied most modestly to the praises which he received, and then

the captain begged to be introduced to my wife and Miss Montrose.

 

`And,’ he continued, `if it be not contrary to your rules of

discipline, for the whole ship’s company to be absent at once, I will

now send a boat for the remainder of your party.’

 

One of the officers was accordingly dispatched to the yacht with a

polite message, and the mother, Jenny, and the three boys were

presently on board.

 

Our kind host greeted them most warmly, and he and his officers vied

with one another in doing us honour. They proved, indeed, most pleasant

entertainers, and the time passed rapidly away.

 

At luncheon the captain told us that there had sailed with him from

Sydney an invalid gentleman, Mr. Wolston, his wife, and two daughters;

but that though the sea voyage had been recommended on account of his

health, yet it had not done Mr. Wolston so much good as had been

anticipated, and he had suffered so greatly from the effects of the

storm which had driven the Unicorn into the bay for repairs, that he

had been eager to rest for a short time on land.

 

We were anxious to meet the family, and in the afternoon it was

decided that we should pay them a visit. Tents had been pitched for

their accommodation under the shady trees, and when we landed we found

Mr. Wolston seated by one of them, enjoying the cool sea-breeze. He and

his family were delighted to see us, and so much did we enjoy their

society, that evening found us still upon the shore. It was too late

then to return to Rockburg, and the captain kindly offered tents for

the accommodation of those who could not find room in the yacht. The

boys spent the night on land.

 

That night I had a long and serious consultation with my wife, as to

whether or not we really had any well-grounded reason for wishing to

return to Europe. It would be childish to undertake a voyage thither

simply because an opportunity offered for doing so.

 

Neither knew to what decision the feelings of the other inclined; each

was afraid of expressing what might run counter to those feelings; but

gradually it began to appear that neither entertained any strong wish

to leave the peaceful island; and finally we discovered that the real

wish which lay at the bottom of both our hearts was to adopt New

Switzerland as thenceforward our home.

 

What can be more delightful than to find harmony of opinion in those we

love, when a great and momentous decision has to be taken?

 

My dear wife assured me that she desired nothing more earnestly than to

spend the rest of her days in a place to which she had become so much

attached, provided I, and at least two of her sons, also wished to

remain.

 

From the other two she would willingly part, if they chose to return to

Europe, with the understanding that they must endeavour to send out

emigrants of a good class to join us, and form a prosperous colony,

adding that she thought the island ought to continue to bear the name

of our native country, even if inhabited in future time by colonists

from England, as well as from Switzerland.

 

I heartily approved of this excellent idea, and we agreed to mention

it, while consulting with Captain Littlestone on the subject of placing

the island under the protection of Great Britain.

 

Then came the question as to which of our sons were best suited to

remain with us, and which to go away.

 

This point we left undecided, thinking that in the course of a few

days, they would probably make a choice of their own accord, which they

did, even sooner than we anticipated. After breakfast, it was proposed

that Captain Littlestone should bring his ship round to Safety Bay,

that we might receive a visit from him and his party, at

Rockburg—where we invited the invalid, Mr. Wolston, and his family, in

hopes that his health might benefit by a comfortable residence on

shore.

 

No sooner was this plan adopted, than Fritz and Jack hurried off in the

canoe to prepare for their reception, being followed in more leisurely

style by the brig and our yacht.

 

But what words can express the amazement of our guests, when, rounding

the Rocky Cape at the entrance, Safety Bay, and the beautiful domain of

Rockburg, lay before them.

 

Still greater was their astonishment, as a salute of eleven guns

boomed from the battery on Shark Island, where the royal standard of

England was displayed and floated majestically on the morning breeze.

 

A glow of surprise and pleasure beamed on every countenance, and poor

Wolston’s spirits appeared to revive with the very idea of the peace

and happiness to be enjoyed in such a home.

 

He was carried on shore with the utmost care and tenderness, and

comfortably established in my room, a camp-bed for Mrs. Wolston being

added to the furniture there, that she might be able conveniently to

attend on her husband.

 

Meantime the scene at the harbour and all round Rockburg was of the

liveliest description; merriment and excitement prevailed in all

directions, as the beauties and wonders of our residence were

explored, so that a summons to dinner scarcely attracted notice.

 

However, as a visit to Falconhurst was projected, the company was at

length induced to be seated, and to partake of our good cheer, but the

spirit of restlessness soon returned, and the young people kept roaming

about through our hitherto quiet lawns, avenues and shrubberies, until

I was ready to believe their number three times what it actually was.

 

Towards evening the universal excitement began to abate, and the party

assembled for supper with tolerable composure.

 

Mr. Wolston was able to join us, as the rest he had enjoyed, and the

pleasure inspired by the hope of a residence among us, seemed to have

given him new life. This wish he now distinctly expressed in his own

name, and in that of his wife; inquiring what our intentions were, and

proposing, if agreeable to us, that they, with their eldest daughter,

whose health, like his own, was delicate, should make a long stay on

the island, while the younger daughter went for the present to her

brother at the Cape of Good Hope.

 

In the event of his ultimately deciding to settle altogether among us,

Mr. Wolston would propose that his son should leave the Cape, and join

our colony.

 

With sincere satisfaction, I welcomed this proposal, saying that it was

my wish and that of my wife to remain for the rest of our days in New

Switzerland.

 

`Hurrah for New Switzerland! New Switzerland for ever!’ shouted the

whole company enthusiastically, as they raised their glasses, and made

them touch with a musical ring, which so expressively denotes a joyful

unanimity of sentiment.

 

`Prosperity to New Switzerland; long may she flourish,’ echoed on all

sides.

 

`Long life and happiness to those who make New Switzerland their

home!’ added Ernest to my great surprise, leaning forward as he spoke,

to ring his glass with mine, his mother’s and Mr. Wolston’s.

 

`Won’t somebody wish long life and prosperity to those who go away?’

inquired Jenny with a pretty arch look. `Much as I long to return to

England and my father, my inclination will waver if all the cheers are

for New Switzerland!’

 

`Three cheers for England and Colonel Montrose,’ cried Fritz, `success

and happiness to us who return to Europe!’ and while the vaulted roofs

rang with the cheering elicited by this toast, a glance from Jenny

showed him how much she thanked him for appreciating her wish to return

to her father, notwithstanding her attachment to our family.

 

`Well,’ said I, when silence was restored, `since Fritz resolves to go

to England, he must undertake for me the duty of bringing happiness to

a mourning father by restoring to him this dear daughter, whom I have

been ready to regard as my own, by right of finding her cast on the

shores of my island.

 

`Ernest chooses to remain with me. His mother and I rejoice heartily in

this decision, and promise him all the highest scientific appointments

in our power to bestow.

 

`And now what is Jack’s choice? The only talent I can say he possesses

is that of a comic actor, and to shine on the stage he must needs go to

Europe.’

 

`Jack is not going to Europe, however,’ was his reply. `He means to

stay here, and when Fritz is gone, he will be the best rider, and the

best shot in New Switzerland, which is the summit of his ambition.

 

`The fact is,’ he continued, laughing, `I rather stand in awe of their

European schools, and should expect to find myself caught and clapped

into one, if I ventured too near them.’

 

`A good school is exactly what I want,’ said Franz. `Among a number of

students there is some emulation and enthusiasm, and I shall have a

chance of rising in the world.

 

`Fritz will probably return here some day; but it might be well for one

member of the family to go home with the intention of remaining there

altogether, and as I am the youngest, I could more easily than the

rest, adapt myself to a different life. My father, however, will decide

for me.’

 

`You may go, my dear son,’ I replied, `and God bless all our plans and

resolutions. The whole earth is the Lord’s, and where, as in his sight,

you lead good and useful lives, there is your home.

 

`And now that I know your wishes, the only question is, whether

Captain Littlestone will kindly enable you to carry them out?’

 

All eyes were fixed eagerly upon him, and after a moment’s pause the

gallant officer spoke as follows:

 

`I think my way in this matter is perfectly clear, and I consider that

I have been providentially guided to be the means of once more placing

this family in communication with their friends and with the civilized

world.

 

`My orders were to search for a shipwrecked crew.

 

`Survivors from two wrecks have been discovered.

 

`Three passengers express a wish to leave my ship here, instead of at

the Cape, while, at the same time, I am requested