and finished the preparations I had begun the night before; all useless boughs we lopped off, leaving a few about six feet from the floor, from which we might sling our hammocks, and others still higher, to support a temporary roof of sailcloth.My wife made fast the planks to a rope passed through the block I had fixed to the bough above us, and by this means Fritz and I hauled them up. These we arranged side by side on the foundation of boughs, so as to form a smooth solid floor, and round this platform built a bulwark of planks, and then throwing the sailcloth over the higher branches, we drew it down and firmly nailed it. Our house was thus enclosed on three sides, for behind the great trunk protected us, while the front was left open to admit the fresh sea breeze which blew directly in.
We then hauled up our hammocks and bedding and slung them from the branches we had left for that purpose. A few hours of daylight still remaining, we cleared the floor from leaves and chips, and then descended to fashion a table and a few benches from the remainder of the wood. After working like slaves all day, Fritz and I flung ourselves on the grass, while my wife arranged supper on the table we had made.
`Come,' said she at length, `come and taste flamingo stew, and tell me how you like it. Ernest assured me that it would be much bet-
ter stewed than roasted, and I have been following his directions.'
Laughing at the idea of Ernest turning scientific cook we sat down. The fowls gathered round us to pick up the crumbs, and the tame flamingo joined them, while Master Knips skipped about from one to the other, chattering and mimicking our gestures con-
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tinually.
To my wife's joy, the sow appeared shortly after, and was presented with all the milk that remained from the day's stock that she might be persuaded to return every night.
`For,' said my wife, `this surplus milk is really of no use to us, as it will be sour before the morning in this hot climate.'
`You are quite right,' I replied, `but we must contrive to make it of use. The next time Fritz and I return to the wreck we will bring off a churn amongst the other things we require.'
`Must you really go again to that dreadful wreck?' said my wife shuddering. `You have no idea how anxious I am when you are away there.'
`Go we must, I am afraid,' I replied, `but not for a day or two yet. Come, it is getting late. We and the chickens must go to roost.'
We lit our watch fires, and, leaving the dogs on guard below, ascended the ladder. Fritz, Ernest and Jack were up in a moment.
Their mother followed very cautiously, for though she had originated the idea of building a nest, she yet hesitated to entrust herself
at such a terrific height from the ground. When she was safely landed in the house, taking little Franz on my back, I let go the fasten-
ings which secured the lower end of the ladder to the ground, and swinging to and fro, slowly ascended.
Then for the first time we stood all together in our new home. I drew up the ladder, and, with a greater sense of security than I had enjoyed since we landed on the island, offered up our evening prayer, and retired for the night.
Chapter 4
Next morning all were early awake, and the children sprang about the tree like young monkeys.
`What shall we begin to do, father?' they cried. `What do you want us to do, today?'
`Rest, my boys,' I replied, `rest.'
`Rest?' repeated they. `Why should we rest?'
`"Six days shalt thou labour and do all that thou hast to do, but on the seventh, thou shalt do no manner of work." This is the sev-
enth day,' I replied, `on it, therefore, let us rest.'
`What, is it really Sunday?' said Jack, `How jolly! Oh, I won't do any work; but I'll take a bow and arrow and shoot, and we'll climb about the tree and have fun all day.'
`That is not resting,' said I, `that is not the way you are accustomed to spend the Lord's day.'
`No! But then we can't go to church here, and there is nothing else to do.'
`We can worship here as well as at home,' said I.
`But there is no church, no clergyman and no organ,' said Franz.
`The leafy shade of this great tree is far more beautiful than any church,' I said, `there will we worship our Creator. Come, boys, down with you: turn our dining hall into a breakfast room.'
The children, one by one, slipped down the ladder.
`My dear Elizabeth,' said I, `this morning we will devote to the service of the Lord, and by means of a parable, I will endeavor to give the children some serious thought; but, without books, or the possibility of any of the usual Sunday occupations, we cannot
keep them quiet the whole day; afterward, therefore I shall allow them to pursue any innocent recreation they choose, and in the cool of the evening we will take a walk.'
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My wife entirely agreed with my proposal, and having breakfasted, the family assembled round me, as we sat in the pleasant shade on the fresh, soft grass.
After singing some hymns and offering heartfelt prayers to the Almighty Giver of all good, I told the children I would relate to them a parable instead of preaching a sermon.
`Oh, that would be delightful! I like the parables in the Bible better than anything,' said Franz. `When can we hear you read out of the Bible again, father?'
`Ah, my little boy, your words reproach me,' returned I. `While eagerly striving to procure from the ship would feed our bodies and provide for their comfort, I blush to think that I have neglected the Bread of Life, the word of God. I shall search for a Bible on my next return to the wreck: although our own books were nearly all destroyed, I am pretty sure to find one.'
At these words my wife arose, and fetching her magic bag, she drew from it a copy of the Holy Scriptures, which I thankfully re-
ceived from her hand; and after reading aloud from its sacred pages, I spoke as follows:
`A Great King, ruling in power and splendor over a vast realm of light and love, possessed within its boundaries a desolate and unfruitful island. This spot he made the object of his special care; and, lavishing on it all the varied resources of his might and goodness, it bloomed in beauty, and became the happy residence of a band of colonists, who were charged not only with the cultivation and improvement of the soil, but each, individually, was bound to cherish in his soul the spirit of love and true allegiance to his Sovereign.
`While this faithful union was maintained, the colony flourished; and the noblest virtues exalted and rendered happy the existence of
every member of the race.
`That a discontented and rebellious spirit should ever have infected these fortunate subjects of so loving a master, seems incredible, yet it was so; disobedience and pride brought misery and punishment, the fair prospects of the colony were blighted, the labours of the colonists were unblessed, and total separation from the parent kingdom seemed inevitable.
`A message of pardon--of free forgiveness--was nevertheless accorded to these
