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
Chapter 13 The weariest nights, the longest days, sooner or later must perforce come to an end.Marguerite had spent over fifteen hours in such acute mental torture as well-nigh drove her crazy. After a sleepless night, she rose early, wild with excitement, dying to start on her journey, terrified lest further obstacles lay in her
Chapter 12 It was late into the night when she at last reached ‘The Fisherman’s Rest.’ She had done the whole journey in less than eight hours, thanks to innumerable changes of horses at the various coaching stations, for which she always paid lavishly, thus obtaining the very best and swiftest that could be had.Her
Chapter 11 At what particular moment the strange doubt first crept into Marguerite’s mind, she could not herself have said. With the ring tightly clutched in her hand, she had run out of the room, down the stairs, and out into the garden, where, in complete seclusion, alone with the flowers, and the river and
Chapter 10 When Marguerite reached her room, she found her maid terribly anxious about her.“Your ladyship will be so tired,” said the poor woman, whose own eyes were half closed with sleep. “It is past five o’clock.”“Ah, yes, Louise, I daresay I shall be tired presently,” said Marguerite, kindly; “but you are very tired now,
Chapter 9 The few words which Marguerite Blakeney had managed to read on the half-scorched piece of paper, seemed literally to be the words of Fate. “Start myself tomorrow.” This she had read quite distinctly; then came a blur caused by the smoke of the candle, which obliterated the next few words; but, right at
Chapter 8 The historic ball given by the then Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs—Lord Grenville—was the most brilliant function of the year. Though the autumn season had only just begun, everybody who was anybody had contrived to be in London in time to be present there, and to shine at this ball, to the
Chapter 7 It was one of the gala nights at Covent Garden Theatre, the first of the autumn season in this memorable year of grace 1792.The house was packed, both in the smart orchestra boxes and in the pit, as well as in the more plebeian balconies and galleries above. Gluck’s Orpheus made a strong
Chapter 6 A beautiful starlit night had followed on the day of incessant rain: a cool, balmy, late summer’s night, essentially English in its suggestion of moisture and scent of wet earth and dripping leaves.The magnificent coach, drawn by four of the finest thoroughbreds in England, had driven off along the London road, with Sir