The Swiss Family Robinson

Chapter 10 Many wondrous tales were told or read in turn by the boys and Jenny during the long evenings as we sat drawing, weaving and plaiting in our rosy study. In fact this winter was a truly happy time, and when at length the rain ceased and the bright sun again smiled upon the […]

Chapter 9 ‘Next morning, having packed her belongings in the cajack, we both went on board; and bidding adieu to her well-known bay she took her seat before me, and I made for home.‘We should have reached Rockburg this evening had not an accident occurred to our skiff and compelled us to put in at

Chapter 8 My wife and Franz, though somewhat startled by the unexpected absence of Fritz, were delighted to see us return safely, and listened with eager interest to our adventures. My wife shuddered, and scarcely suppressed an involuntary scream as she heard of our desperate encounter with the lion and his mate. Jack’s danger and

Chapter 7 On the following morning we were early astir; and as soon as breakfast was over, we went regularly to work with the bird-lime. The tough, adhesive mixture of caoutchouc oil and turpentine turned out well.The boys brought rods, which I smeared over, and made them place among the upper branches, where the fruit

Chapter 6 At this, little Franz slipped behind his mother, Ernest took a glance round to mark a place of retreat, Jack raised the butt-end of his gun, and every eye was fixed on the trunk of the tree, down which a large land-crab commenced a leisurely descent. As it approached within reach, Jack hit

Chapter 5 Having now discovered how to provide bread for my family, my thoughts began to revert to the wreck and all the valuables yet contained within it. Above all, I was bent on acquiring possession of the beautiful pinnace, and aware that our united efforts would be required to do the necessary work, I

Chapter 4 He handed me the fig, and I examined it attentively.‘You are quite right, my boy,’ I said, ‘there is no doubt this is the real cochineal. However, though it is worth its weight in gold to European traders, it is of little use to us, I am afraid, unless any of you care

Chapter 3 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

Chapter 2 By-and-by we began to perceive that, between and beyond the cliffs, green grass and trees were discernible. Fritz could distinguish many tall palms, and Ernest hoped they would prove to be cocoanut trees, and enjoyed the thoughts of drinking the refreshing milk.‘I am very sorry I never thought of bringing away the captain’s

Chapter 1 For many days we had been tempest-tossed. Six times had the darkness closed over a wild and terrific scene, and returning light as often brought but renewed distress, for the raging storm increased in fury until on the seventh day all hope was lost.We were driven completely out of our course; no conjecture