 20 I had ever since our marriage been desirous of seeing you orky fly, but this was the first opportunity I had of it, and indeed the sight was worthy of all the attention I paid it. For I desired her slowly to put herself in proper order for it, that I might make my observation the more accurately, and shall now give you an account of the whole apparatus, though several parts of the description were taken from subsequent views. For it would have been impossible to have made just remarks of everything at that once, especially as I only viewed her back parts then. I told you before I had seen her grandeur open and quite extended as low as her middle, but that being in the grotto by lamp-light I could not take so just a survey as now, when the sort of light we ever had was at the brightest. She first threw up two long branches or ribs of the whale-bone, as I called it before, and indeed for several of its properties as toughness, elasticity, and pliableness, nothing I have ever seen can so justly be compared to it. Which were jointed behind to the upper bone of the spine, and which, when not extended, lie bent over the shoulders on each side of the neck forwards. From whence, by nearer and nearer approaches, they just meet at the lower rim of the belly in a sort of point, but when extended they stand their whole length above the shoulders, not perpendicularly, but spreading outwards with a web of the softest and most pliable and springy membrane that can be imagined in the interstice between them, reaching from their root or joint on the back up above the hindre part of the head and near halfway their own length, but when closed the membrane falls down in the middle upon the neck, like a handkerchief. There are also two other ribs rising, as it were, from the same root, which, when open, run horizontally, but not so long as the others. These are filled up in the interstice between them and the upper ones with the same membrane, and on the lower side of this is also a deep flap of the membrane, so that the arms can be either above or below it in flight, and are always above it when closed. This last rib, when shut, flaps under the upper one, and also falls down with it before to the waist, but is not joined to the ribs below. Along the whole spine bone runs a strong, flat, broad, grisly cartilage, to which are joined several other of these ribs, all which open horizontally, and are filled in the interstices with the above membrane, and are joined to the ribs of the person just where the plane of the back begins to turn towards the breast and belly, and when shut, wrap the body round to the joints on the contrary side, folding neatly one side over the other. At the lower spine are two more ribs, extended horizontally when open, jointed again to the hips, and long enough to meet the joint on the contrary side cross the belly. And from the hip joint, which is on the outermost edge of the hip bone, runs a pliable cartilage, quite down the outside of the thigh and leg, to the ankle, from which their branch out diverse other ribs horizontally also when open, but when closed, they encompass the whole thigh and leg, rolling inwards cross the back of the leg and thigh, till they reach and just cover the cartilage. The interstices of these are also filled up with the same membrane. From the two ribs which join to the lower spine bone, there hangs down a sort of short apron, very full of plates, from hip joint to hip joint, and reaches below the buttocks halfway or more to the hams. This has also several small limber ribs in it. Just upon the lower spine joint and above the apron, as I call it, there are two other long branches, which when close, extend upon the back from the point they join at below to the shoulders, where each rib has a clasper, which reaching over the shoulders, just under the fold of the uppermost branch or ribs, hold up the two ribs flat to the back like a V, the interstices of which are also filled up with the aforesaid membrane. This last piece in flight falls down almost to the ankles, where the two claspers lapping under each leg with inside, hold it very fast, and then also the short apron is drawn up by the strength of the ribs in it, between the thighs forward, and covers the pedenda and groin as far as the rim of the belly. The whole arms are covered also from the shoulders to the wrist with the same delicate membrane, fastened to ribs of proportionable dimensions, and jointed to a cartilage on the outside in the same manner as on the legs. It is very surprising to feel the difference of these ribs when open and when closed. For closed, they are as pliable as the finest whalebone, or more so, but when extended, are as strong and stiff as a bone. They are tapering from the roots, and are broader or narrower as best suits the places they occupy, and the stress they are put to up to their points which are almost as small as a hair. The membrane between them is the most elastic thing I ever met with, occupying no more space when the ribs are closed than just from rib to rib, as flat and smooth as possible. But when extended in some postures, will dilate itself surprisingly. This will be better comprehended by the plates, where you will see several figures of glums and gorries in different attitudes than can be expressed by words. As soon as my wife had expanded the whole grandeur, being upon plain ground, she stooped forward, moving with a heavy wriggling motion at first, which put me into some pain for her. But after a few strokes, beginning to rise a little, she cut through the air like lightning, and was soon over the edge of the rock and out of my sight. It is the most amazing thing in the world to observe the large expansion of this Grundy when open, and when closed, as it all is in a moment upon the party's descent, to see it sit so close and compact to the body, as no tailor can come up to it. And then the several ribs lie so justly disposed in the several parts, that instead of being, as one would imagine, a disadvantage to the shape, they make the body and limbs look extremely elegant, and by the different adjustment of their lines on the body and limbs, the whole, to my fancy, somewhat resembles the dress of the old Roman warriors in their buskins, and to appearance seems much more noble than any fictitious garb I ever saw, or can frame a notion of to myself. Though these people, in height, shape, and limb, very much resemble the Europeans, there is yet this difference, that their bodies are rather broader and flatter, and their limbs, though as long and well shaped, are seldom as thick as ours, and this I observed generally in all I saw of them, during a long time among them afterwards, but their skin, for beauty and fairness, exceeds ours very much. My wife, having now taken her second flight, I went home, and never left my children till her return. This was three days after our parting. I was in bed with my little ones when she knocked at the door. I soon let her in, and we received each other with a glowing welcome. The news she brought me was very agreeable. She told me she first went in pride into every nook in the ship, where she had seen such things could we get at them, as would make us very happy. Then she set out the way I told her to go, in order to find the gulf. She was much afraid she should not have discovered it, though she flew very slow. That she might be sure to hear the waterfall and not overshoot it. It was long ere she came at it, but when she did she perceived she might have spared most of her trouble, and she set out the other way. For after she had flown almost round the island, and not before, she began to hear the fall, and upon coming up to it found it to be not above six minutes flight from the ship. She said the entrance was very narrow, and she thought lower than I represented it, for she could scarce discern any space between the surface of the water and the archway of the rock. I told her that might happen from the rise or fall of the sea itself, but I was glad to hear the ship was no farther from the gulf, for my head was never free from the thoughts of my ship in cargo. She then told me she had left a small bundle for me without the wood, and went to look after her children. I brought up the bundle, and though it was not near so large as the other, I found several useful things in it, wrapped up in four or five yards of dark blue woolen cloth, which I knew no name for, but which was thin, and light, and about a yard wide. I asked her where she met with this stuff. She answered where there was more of it, under a thing like our bed, in a cloth like our sheet, which she cut open and took it out of. Well, says I, and what will you do with this? Why, I will make me a coat like yours, says she, for I don't like to look different from my dear husband and children. No, you warky, replied I, you must not do so. If you make such a jacket as mine, there will be no distinction between glum and gory, footnote, man and woman, in footnote. The Gaurin Prave, footnote, modest woman, in footnote, in my country, would not on any account go dressed like a glum, for they wear a fine flowing garment called a gown that sits tight about the waist, and hangs down from thence in folds like your barris, footnote, the black flap of the grande, end footnote, almost to the ground, so that you can hardly discern their feet and no other part of their body but their hands and face, and about as much of their neck and breasts as you see in your grande. You warky seemed highly delighted with this new fancy dress, and worked day and night at it against the cold weather. Whilst she employed herself thus, I was busied in providing my winter stores, which I was forced to do alone now, herself and children taking up all my wife's time. About a fortnight after she had begun Mantua making, she presented herself to me one day as I came from work in her new gown, and truly considering the scanty description I had given her of such a garment, it appeared a good, comely dress. Though it had not one plate about the body, it sat very tight there too, and yet hung down full enough for a countess, for she would have put it all in, all the stuff she had, had there been as much more of it. I could see no opening before, so I asked her how she got it on. She told me she laid along on the ground and crept through the plates at the bottom, and sewed the body round her after she had got her hands and arms through the sleeves. I wondered at her contrivance, and smiling showed her how she should put it on, and also how to pin it before. And after she had done that, and I had turned up about half a yard of sleeve, which then hung down to her fingers' ends, I kissed her, and called her my countrywoman, of which, and her new gown, she was very proud for a long time. CHULIVISTA CHAPTER XXI OF THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF PETER WILKINS VOLUME I This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. RECORDING BY JAMES K. WHITE CHULIVISTA THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF PETER WILKINS BY ROBERT PALTIC CHAPTER XXI One day, as I was traversing the woods to view my bird-traps, looking into the underwood among the great trees on my right hand, I saw a wood-hen, a bird I used to call so from its resemblance and make to our English poultry, come out of a little thicket. I know not whether my rustling, or what, had disturbed it, but I let her pass, and she ran away before me. When she was fairly out of sight, I stepped up and found she had a nest and sixteen eggs there. I exactly marked the place, and taking away one of the eggs, I broke it, at some distance from the nest, to see how forward they were. And I had no sooner broke the shell but out came a young chicken. I then looked into the nest again, and taking up more of the eggs, I found them all just splintered in the shell, and ready for hatching. I had immediately a desire to save them, and bring them up tame, but I was afraid if I took them away before they were hatched, and a little strengthened under the hen, they would all die, so I let them remain till next day. In the meanwhile I prepared some small netting of such a proper size as I conceived would do, and with this I contrived by fastening it to stakes which I fixed in the ground, to surround the nest, and me on the outside of it. All the while I was doing this the hen did not stir, so that I thought she had either been absent when I came, or had hatched, and gone off with the young ones. As to her being gone I was under no concern, for I had no desire to catch her, but only to confine the chickens within my net if they were hatched. But, however, I went nearer, and peeping in found she sat still, squeezing herself as flat to the ground as she could. I was in twenty minds whether to take her first and then catch the chickens, or to let her go off and then clap upon them. But as I proposed to let her go, I thought if she would sit still till I had got the chickens, that would be the best way. So I softly kneel down before her, and sliding my hand under her I gently drew out two, and put them in a bag I had in my left hand. I then dipped again and again, taking two every turn. But going a fourth time, as I was bringing out my prize, the hen jumped up, flew out, and made such a noise that though I the minute before saw six or seven more chicks in a lump where she had sat, and kept my eye upon them, yet before I could put the last two I had got into my bag these were all gone, and in three hours' search I could not find one of them, though I was sure they could not pass my net, and must be within the compass of a small room, my toils enclosing no more. After tiring myself with looking for them, I marched home with those eight I had got. I told you worky what I had done, and how I intended to manage the little brood, and if I could, to bring them up tame. We kept them some days very warm by the fire, and fed them often, as I had seen my mother do with her early chickens, and in a fortnight's time they were as stout and familiar as common poultry. We kept them a long while in the house, and when I fed them I always used them to a particular whistle, which I also taught my wife, that they might know both of us and their feeding time, and in a very short while they would come running upon the usual sound like barn door fowls to the name of Biddy. There happened in this brood to be five hens and three cocks, and they were now so tame that having cut their wings I let them out when the weather favoured at my door, where they would pick about in the wood and get the best part of their subsistence, and having used them to roost in a corner of my antechamber they all came in very regularly at night and took their places. My hens at the usual season laid me abundance of eggs, and hatched me a brood or two each of chickens, so that now I was at a loss to know what to do with them, they were become so numerous. The antechamber was no longer a proper receptacle of such a flock, and therefore I built a little house at a small distance from my own, on purpose for their reception and entertainment. I had by this time cleared a spot of ground on one side of my grotto by burning up the timber and underwood which had covered it. This I enclosed, and within that enclosure I raised my aviary, and my poultry thrived very well there, seemed to like their habitation, and grew very fat. My wife and I took much delight in visiting and feeding them, and it was a fine diversion also to my boys. But at the end of summer, when all the other birds took their annual flight, away went every one of my new-raised brood with them, and one of my old cocks, the rest of the old set remaining very quiet with me all the winter. The next summer, when my chicks of that year grew up a little, I cut their wings, and by that means preserved all but one, which I supposed was either not cut so close as the rest, or his wings had grown again. From this time I have found, by long experience, that not two out of a hundred that had once wintered with me would ever go away, though I did not cut their wings. But all of the same season would certainly go off with the wild ones if they could anyways make a shift to fly. I afterwards got a breed of blacknecks, which was a name I gave them from the peculiar blackness of their necks, let the rest of their bodies be of what color they would, as they are indeed of all colors. These birds were as big or bigger than a turkey, of a delicious flavor, and were bred from turkey eggs hatched under my own wood-hins in Great Plenty. I was forced to clip these as I did the other young fowl, to keep them, and at length they grew very tame, and would return every night during the dark season. The greatest difficulty now was to get meat for all these animals in the winter, when they would sit on the roost two days together if I did not call and feed them, which I was sometimes forced to do by lamp-light, or they would have starved in cloudy weather. But I overcame that want of food by an accidental discovery, for I observed my blacknecks in the woods jump many times together at a sort of little round heads, or pods, very dry, which hung plentifully upon a shrub that grew in great abundance there. I cut several of these heads, and carrying them home with me broke them, and took out a spoonful or more from each head of small yellow seeds, which, giving to my poultry and finding they greedily devoured them, I soon laid in a stock for twice my number of mouths, so that they never after wanted. I tried several times to raise a breed of waterfowl by hatching their eggs under my hens, but not one in ten of the sorts when hatched were fit to eat, and those that were would never live and thrive with me, but go away to the lake, I having no sort of water nearer me. So I dropped my design of waterfowl as impracticable. But by breeding and feeding my landfowl so constantly in my farmyard, I never wanted of that sort at my table, where we eat abundance of them, for my whole side of the lake in a few years was like a farmyard, so full of poultry that I never knew my stock, and upon the usual whistle they would flock round me from all quarters. I had everything now but cattle, not only for the support, but convenience and pleasure of life. And so happily should I have fared here, if I had had but a cow and bull, a ram and sheep, that I would not have changed my dominions for the crown of England. End of Chapter 21 Recording by James K. White, Chula Vista Chapter 22 Of The Life and Adventures of Peter Wilkins Volume 1 This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by James K. White, Chula Vista The Life and Adventures of Peter Wilkins, by Robert Paltik, Chapter 22 Strange is the temper of mankind, who the more they enjoy, the more they covet. Before I received any return from my ship, I rested tolerably easy, and but seldom thought upon what I had left behind me in her, thinking myself happy in what I had, and completely so since my union with my dear wife. But after I had got what I could never have expected, I grew more and more perplexed for want of the rest, and thought I should never enjoy true happiness while even a plank of the ship remained. My head, be I where I would, or at what I would, was ever on board. I wished for her in the lake, and could I but have got her thither, I thought I should be an emperor, and though I wanted for nothing to maintain life, and had so good a wife and five children I was very fond of, yet the one thing I had not, reduced the comfort of all the rest to a scanty pattern, even so low as to destroy my whole peace. I was even mad enough to think of venturing up the cavern again, but was restrained from the attempt by the certain impracticableness of it. Then I thought Yorkey should make another trip to the ship, but what can she bring from it, says I to myself, in respect of what must be left behind. Her whole life will not suffice to clear it in, at the rate she can fetch the loading hither in parcels. At last a project started, that as there were so many chests on board, Yorkey should fill some of them and send them through the gulf to take their chance for the lake. This at first sight seemed feasible, but then I considered how they could be got from the ship to the gulf, and again that they would never keep out the water, and if they filled with a lading in them they would sink, or if this did not happen they might be dashed to pieces against the crags in the cavern. These apprehensions stopped me again, till unwilling to quit the thought, true, says I, this may happen to some, but if I get but one in five it is better than nothing. Thus I turned and wound the affair in my mind, but objections still started too obstinate to be conquered. In the height of my soliloquy in comes Yorkey, and seeing my dejected look would needs know the meaning of it. I told her plainly that I could get no rest from day to day ever since she first went to the ship, to think such a number of good things lay there to be a prey to the sea, as the ship wasted, when they might be of such infinite service here. And that since her last flight I had suffered the more when I thought of how near the gulf was to the ship. So that I could but get dither myself with my boat I would contrive to pack up the goods in the chests that were on board, and carrying them in the boat dropped them near the draft of the water, which of itself would suck them under the rock down the gulf. And when they were passed through the cavern I might take them up in the lake. Well, says she, Peter, and why cannot I do this for you? No, says I. Even this has its objections. Then I told her what I feared of their taking water, or dashing against the rock, and twenty other ways of frustrating my views. But above all, says I, how can you get such large and weighty things to the gulf without a boat? There is another impossibility. It won't do. Yorkey eyed me attentively. Prithee, my dear Peter, says she, set your heart at rest about that. I can only try. If no good is to be done, you shall soon know it, and must rest contented under the disappointment. I told her if I was there I could take all the things out of the chests, and then melt some pitch and pour into every crack to keep out the water when they were set afloat. Pitch? says she. What's that? Why, says I, that is a nasty hard black sticking thing that stands in tubs in the ship, and which being put over the fire in anything to melt will grow liquid, and when it is cold be hard again, and will resist the water and keep it out. Says she. How can I put this pitch within side of the chest-lid when I have tied it up? It is to no manner of purpose, as I, to talk of it. So there is an end of it. But, says she, suppose yourself there. What things would you bring first? I then entered into a long detail of particulars. Saying I would have this and that, and so on, till I had scarce left out a thing I either knew of or could supposed to be in the ship. And for fear I had not mentioned all, says I at last. If I was there, I believe I should leave but little portable behind me. So, so, my dear, says Yorkey. You would roll in riches I find, but you have mentioned never a new gown for me. Why, I, says I, I would have that too. But how would you melt the pitch, says she. Oh, says I. There is a tender-box and matches in a room below upon the side of the fire-hearth. And then I let her see one I had brought with me and showed her the use of the flint and steel. Well, my dear, says she, will you once more trust me? I told her her going would be of little more use than to get a second gown or some such thing. But if she was desirous I would let her make another flight, on her promise to be back as soon as possible. In the evening she set out and stayed two days, until the night of the third. I would here observe that though it was much lighter and brighter on the outside of the rock where the ship lay, than with us at Grande de Vallette, yet having always her spectacles with her I heard no more complaint of the glare of light she used to be so much afraid of. Indeed, she always avoided the fire and lamp at home as much as she could, because she generally took off her spectacles within doors. But when at any time she had them on she could bear both well enough. Upon her return again she told me she had shipped some goods to sea for me, which she hoped would arrive safe, for by this time she had had my seafaring terms so often over she could apply them very properly, and that they were in six chests which she had pitched after my directions. I, says I, you have pitched them into the sea perhaps. But after my directions I am satisfied was beyond your ability. You glums, says she, think us Garry's very ignorant. But I'll satisfy you we are not so dull of apprehension as you would make us. Did you not show me one day how your boat was tarred and cocked, as you call it? I did, says I. What then? I'll tell you, says she, when I had emptied the first chest and set it properly I looked about for your pitch, which at last I found by it sticking to my fingers. I then put a good piece into a sort of little kettle with a long handle that lay upon the pitch. Oh, the pitch ladle, says I. I know not what you call it, says she. But then I made a fire, as you told me, and melted that stuff. Afterwards, turning up the chest sideways, and then in ways I poured it into it, and let it settle in the cracks. And with an old stocking, such as yours, dipped into the pitch, I rubbed every place where the boards joined. I then set the chest on the side of the ship, and when the pitch was cold and hardened in it, filled it top full of things. But when I had done thus and shut the lid, I found that would not come so close but I could get the blade of a knife through anywhere between it and the chest. Whereupon I cut some long slips of the cloth I was packing up, and fitting them all round the edge of the chest, I dipped them into the pitch and laid them on hot. And where one slip would not do, I put two. And shutting the lid down close upon them, I nailed it, as I had seen you do some things, quite round. Then tying a rope to the handle, I tipped the chest into the sea, holding the rope. I watched it some time, and seeing it swim well, I took flight with the rope in my hand, and drew the chest after me to the gulf, when, letting go the rope, away it went. I served five more in the same manner. And now, my dearest, I am here to tell you, I hope you will be able to see at least some of them, one time or other, in the lake. I admired in all this, at the sagacity of the gauries. Alas, thinks I, what narrow-hearted creatures are mankind. Did I not here to fore look upon the poor blacks in Africa as little better than beasts, till my friend Glanleps convinced me, by disabling the crocodile, the passage of the river, and several other achievements, that my own excellences might have perished in a desert without his genius? And now what could I, or almost any of us masterpieces of the creation, as we think ourselves, and heaven's peculiar favourites, have done in this present case, that has been omitted by this woman, for I may justly style her so in an eminent degree, and that in a way to which she was bred an utter stranger? After what I had heard from Yorkey, I grew much more cheerful, which she, poor creature, was remarkably pleased with. She went with me constantly once and sometimes twice a day, for several days together, to see what success at the lake. Till at length she grew very impatient for fear, as she afterwards told me, I should either think she had not done what she said, or had done it in an ineffectual manner. But one day, walking by the lake, I thought I saw something floating in the water at a very great distance. Yorkey, says I, I spy assail. Then running to my boat and taking her in, away we went, plying my oars with all my might, for I longed to see what it was. At nearer view I perceived it to be one of my wife's fleet. But what added to my satisfaction was to see Yorkey so pleased, for she could scarcely contain herself. When we came close to it, up she started. Now, my dear Peter, says she, torment yourself no more about your goods on board, for if this will do, all shall be your own. She then lent me a hand to take it in. But we had both work enough to compass it, the wood had soaked in so much water. We then made the best of our way homewards to my wet dock, when, just as we had landed our treasure, we saw two more boxes coming down the stream both together. Whereupon we launched again and brought them in one by one, for I did not care to trust them both on one bottom, my boat being in years and growing somewhat crazy. We had now made a good day's work of it. So, mooring the boat, we went home intending to be out next morning, early, with the cart, to convey our imports to the grotto. After supper, Eeworkie, looking very earnestly at me, with tears just glittering in her eyes, broke out in these words. What should you have thought, Peter, to have seen me come sailing, drowned, through the cavern, tied to one of your chests? Heaven forbid such a thought, my charmer, says I. But as you know, I must have been rendered the most miserable of all living creatures by such a sight, or anything else that would deprive me of you. Pray tell me how you could possibly have such a thought in your head. She saw she had raised my concern, and was very sorry for what she had said. Nothing, nothing, says she. My dear, it was only a fancy just come into my head. My dear Eeworkie, says I. You must let me know what you mean. I am in great pain till you explain yourself, for I am sure there is something more in what you say than fancy. Therefore, pray, if you love me, keep me on the rack no longer. Ah, Peter, says she. There was but a span between me and death, not many days ago. And when I saw the line of the last chest we took up just now, it gave so much horror I could scarce keep upon my feet. My dear Eeworkie, proceed, says I, for I cannot bear my torment till I have heard the worst. Why, Peter, says she. Now the danger is over, I shall tell you my escape, with as much pleasure as I guess you will take in hearing of it. You must know my life, says she. That having cast that chest into the sea, as I was tugging in along by that very line, it being one of the heaviest, and moving but slowly, I twisted the string several times round my hand, one fold upon another, the easier to tow it. When drawing it rather too quick into the eddy, it pulled so hard against me towards the gulf, and so quick that I could in no way loosen or disengage the cord from my fingers, but was dragged thereby to the very rock against which the chest struck violently. My last thought, as I supposed it, was of you, my dear, on which she clasped me round the neck in sense of her past agony. When taking myself for lost, I forbore further resistance, at which instant the line, slackening by the rebound of the chest, fell from my hand of itself, and the chest returning to the rock went down the current. I took a turn or two round on my groundee to recollect my past danger, and went back to the ship, fully resolved to avoid the likesnare for the future. Indeed, I did not easily recover my spirits, and was so terrified with the thought that I had half a mind to have left the two remaining chests behind me. But as danger overcome gives fresh resolution, I again set to work, and discharge them also down the gulf, as I hope you will see in good time. My heart bled within me all the while she spoke, and I even felt ten times more than she could have suffered by the gulf. My dearest Yorkie, says I, why did you not tell me this adventure sooner? It is too soon, I fear now, says she, for she then saw the color forsake my lips, my eyes grow languid, and myself dropping into her arms. She screamed out, and ran to the chest, where all was empty, but turning every bottle up, and from the remaining drops in each, collecting a small quantity of liquor, and putting it by little and little to my lips, and rubbing my wrists and temples, she brought me to myself again. But I continued so extremely sick for some days after, that it was above a week before I could get down with my cart to fetch up my chests. When I was able to go down, Yorkie would not venture me alone, but went herself with me. We then found two more of the chests, which we landed, and I had worked sufficient for two or three days in getting them all up to the grotto, they were so heavy, and all the way through the wood, being uphill. We had five in hand, and watched several days for the sixth, when seeing nothing of it, we gave it over for lost. But one day, as I was going for water, Yorkie would go with me, and urged our carrying the net, that we might drag for some fish. Accordingly we did so, and now having taken what we wanted, we went to the reel, and pushing in the head of the boat, as I usually did, for by that means I could fill the vessel as I stood on board. The first thing that appeared was my sixth chest. Yorkie spied it first, and cried, pointing there too, Oh Peter, what we have long wished for, and almost disparate of, is come at last. Let us meet and welcome it. I was pleased with the gaiety of her fancy. I did as she desired. We got into the boat after merrily saluting it, and so returned home. It took us up several days time in searching, sorting, and disposing our cargo, and drying the chests, for the goods themselves were so far from being wedded or spoiled, that even those in the last chest, which had lain so long in the water, had not taken the least moisture. Yorkie was quite alert at the success of her packing, but left me to wring her praises, which I did not fail of doing more than once at unpacking each chest, and could see her eyes glow with delight to see she had so pleased me. She had been so curious as to examine almost everything in the ship, and as well of things I had described, and she did know, as of what she did not, brought me something for a sample. But above all had not forgot the blue stuff, for the moment she had seen that she destined it to the use of herself and children. THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF PEDER WILKINS by Robert Paltik Chapter 23 Yorkie and I, having fixed ourselves by degrees and to a settled rota of action, began to live like Christians, having so great a quantity of most sorts of necessaries about us. But I say we live like Christians on another account, for you must not think, after what I have said before, that I and my family live like heathens. No, I will assure you they by degrees knew all I knew, and that, with a little artificial improvement and a well-regulated disposition, I hoped, and did not doubt, would carry them all to heaven. I would many a time have given all my interest in the ship's cargo for a Bible, and a hundred times grieved that I was not master of a pocket one which I might have carried everywhere about me. I never imagined there was one aboard, and if there were, and Yorkie should find it, I supposed it would be in Portuguese, which I knew little of, so it would be of small service to me if I had it. Since I am on the topic of religion, it may not be a miss, once for all, to give you a small sketch of my religious proceedings after coming into my new dominions. I have already told you that from my first stop at the Rock, I had prayed constantly, morning and evening, but I cannot say I did it always with the same efficacy. However, my imperfect devotions were not without good effect, and I am confident wherever this course is pursued with a right view, sooner or later the issue will prove the same to others as I found it to myself. I mean that mercies will be remembered with more gratitude, and evils be more disregarded, and become less burdensome, and surely the person whose case this is must necessarily enjoy the truest relish of life. As daily prayer was my practice, in answer to it I obtained the greatest blessing and comfort my solitude was capable of receiving. I mean my wife, whose character I need not further attempt to blazen in any faint colors of my own after what has been already said, her acts having spoken her virtues beyond all verbal description. After we were married, as I call it, that is, after we had agreed to become man and wife, I frequently prayed before her and with her, for by this time she understood a good deal of my language, at which, though contrary to my expectation, she did not seem surprised, but readily kneeled by and joined with me. This I liked very well, and upon asking her one day after prayer if she understood what I had been doing, for I had a notion she did not. Yes, verily, says she, you have been making petitions to the image of the great kolwar. Footnote, God. In footnote. Pray, says I, willing gently to lead her into a just sense of a supreme being. Who is this kolwar, and where does he dwell? He it is, says she, that does all good and evil to us. Right, says I, it is in some measure so. But he cannot of himself do evil absolutely improperly as his own act. Yes, says she, he can. For he can do all that can be done. And as evil can be done, he can do it. So quick a reply startled me. Thinks I, she will run me aground presently, and from being a doctor as I fancied myself, I shall become but a pupil to my own scholar. I then asked her where the great kolwar dwelt. She told me in heaven, in a charming place. And can he know what we do, says I? Yes, replied she. His image tells him everything. And I have prayed to his image, which I have often seen. And it is filled with so much virtue that it is his second self. For there is only one of them in the world who is so good. He gives several virtues to other images of himself which are brought to him, and put into his arms to breathe upon. And the only thing I have ever regretted since I knew you, is that I have not one of them here to comfort and bless us and our children. Though I was sorry for the oddity of her conceptions, I was almost glad to find her so ignorant, and pleased myself with thinking that as she had already a confused notion of a supreme power, I should soon have the satisfaction of bringing her to a more rational knowledge of him. Pray, you worky, says I. What is your God made of? Why of clay, says she, finely painted, and looks so terrible he would make you tremble to behold him. Do you think, says I, that is the true kolwar's real shape, if you could see himself? She told me yes, for that some of his best servants had seen him, and took the representation from himself. And pray, do you think he loves his best servants, as you call them, and is kind to them? You need not doubt it, says she. Why then, replied I, how came he to look so terrible upon them when they saw him, as you say they did? For I can see no reason how terrible so ever he looks to a others, why he should show himself so to those he loves. I should rather think, as you say, he is kind to them, that he should have two images, a placid one for his good, and a terrible one for his bad servants. Or else who by seeing him can tell whether he is pleased or angry? For even you yourself, you worky, when anything pleases you, have a different look from that you have when you are angry, and little Pedro can tell whether he does well or ill by your countenance, whereas if you made no distinction, but looked with the same face on all his actions, he would as readily think he did well as ill in committing a bad action. You worky could not tell what to say to this, the fact seeming against her. I then asked her if she thought the image itself could hear her petitions. She replied, yes. And can he, says I, return you an answer? She told me he only did that to his best servants. Did you ever hear him do it, says I. For unless he can speak too, I should much suspect his hearing, and you, being one of his best servants, seeing you love him and pray heartily to him, why should you not hear him as soon as others? No, says she. There are a great number of glums on purpose to serve him, pray for us to him, and receive his answers. But to what purpose, then, says I, is your praying to him, if their prayers will serve your turn? Oh, says she, the image hears them sooner than us, and sends the petitions up to the great call-war, and lets him know who makes them, and desires him to let them have what they want. But suppose, says I, for argument's sake, that you could see the great call-war, or know where he was, and should pray to himself without going about to his image first, do you think he could not hear you? I cannot tell that, says she. But how, then, says I, can he tell what, if it could speak, his image says, which is as far from him as you are. And pray, do you think he can hear an image which he did not make, which could not make itself, and which can neither hear, nor see, nor speak, better than he can hear a glum, whom he did make, and who made that image, and who himself can hear, and see, and speak to him? She paused here a good while. At last, says she, why, truly, I cannot think but he might as well or better hear me than the image. Why, then, said I, don't you make your petitions to himself and not to the image? It is for the reason I have given you, my dear Yorkie, that I pray to him and not to his image, or any representation of him upon earth, and consequently I am sure of being heard and answered. Indeed, says she, I never thought of that before, for our Regans, footnote, priests or holy men, end footnote, always charged me to pray to the image or to let them know what I wanted, and they would pray to him for me, and they have had many a-ropeen of me for so doing, footnote, cake of marmalade, end footnote, and sometimes two or three when they told me I should have what I wanted. But you have convinced me it is better to pray to himself, and I shall always do it hereafter. Having conducted my scholar thus far, I left off thinking I had now laid a solid basis that I need be in no fear for my superstructure. And as the slower you build the firmer it settles, I thought fit to let this first work settle into a firm principle before I raised any farther doctrine upon it, which, as occasion offered, I determined to pursue. I propagated no theological notions in my children till they were capable of conceiving the truth of them from principles of reason, but only inculcated on them justice, truth, and love to myself, their mother, and each other. Having brought my wife firmly to believe in a supreme being, let her call on what she would, who could hear our prayers, see our actions, and answer our petitions, as he sees fit, and to an assurance that his love to us is so great that he will do what is most beneficial for us, though it should not always prove what we think so. The great truths concerning his dispensations in our creation and redemption, and our duty towards him, followed, of course, as direct consequences of such his love and knowledge of us, and she easily came into them. Accordingly I opened the doctrine of the creation to her as well as I could. I am sorry to say my explication of this great point was not so just, so particular and clear as it might have been if I had had a Bible any more than was the succeeding history of our redemption. However, in general, I explained both so effectually that though it required time to ground her in the full practical faith of it, yet the opinion she had of me and my fidelity to her, with the reasons I was able to urge for what I taught her, persuaded her I was in the right, and disposed her to hearken to what I delivered. And then her own zealous application with God's grace soon brought her to a firm belief in it, and a suitable temper and conduct with respect to God and man. After I had begun with my children I frequently referred their further instruction to their mother, for I have always experienced that a superficial knowledge, with a desire of becoming a teacher, is in some measure equivalent to better knowledge, for it not only excites every principle one has to the utmost, but makes matters more clear and conspicuous even to oneself. By these means, and the divine blessing thereon, in a few years I may fairly say I had a little Christian church in my own house, and in a flourishing way too, without a schismatic or heretic amongst us. CHAPTER XXIV I had now lived here almost fourteen years, and besides the three sons before mentioned had three girls and one boy. Pedro, my eldest, had the grandeur, but too small to be useful. My second son, Tommy, had it complete, so had my three daughters. But Jimmy and David, the youngest sons, none at all. My eldest daughter I named Patty, because I always called my first wife so. I say my first wife, though I had no other knowledge of her death than my dream, but am from that as verily persuaded, if ever I reach England, I shall find it so as if I had heard it from her aunt's own mouth. My second daughter, my wife desired, might be called by her sister's name, Halle Carney, and my youngest I named Sarah, after my mother. I put you to the trouble of writing down the names, for as I shall hereafter have frequent occasion to mention the children severally, it will be pleasanter for myself and you to call them by their several names of distinction than to call them my second son, or my eldest daughter, and so forth. My wife now took great delight in exercising Tommy and Patty, who were big enough to be trusted in flight, and would often skim round the whole island with them before I could walk half through the wood. And she would teach them also to swim or sail, I know not which to call it, for sometimes you should see them dart out of the air as if they would fall on their faces into the lake. When coming near the surface they would stretch their legs in a horizontal posture, and in an instant turn on their backs, and then you could see nothing from the bank to all appearance but a boat sailing along, the grandee rising at their head, feet, and sides, so like the sides and ends of a boat that you could not discern the face or any part of the body. I own, I often envied them this exercise, which they seemed to perform with more ease than I could only shake my leg or stir an arm. Though we had perpetually swanjians about us and the voices as I used to call them, I could never once prevail on my wife to show herself, or to claim any acquaintance with her country folks. And what is very remarkable in my children is that my three daughters and Tommy, who had the full grandee, had exactly their mother's sight. Jimmy and David had just my sight, and Pedro's sight was between both, though he was never much affected with any light. But I was obliged to make spectacles for Tommy and all my daughters when they came to go abroad. I had, in this time, enlarged my dwelling, which the increase of my family had rendered necessary. The last alteration I was unable to do in a much better manner and with more ease than the first, for by the return of my flota I had gotten a large collection of useful tools, several of iron, where the handles or woodwork preponderated the iron. But such as was all, or greatest part of that metal, had got either to the rock or were so fast fixed to the head of the ship that it was difficult to remove them, so that my wife could get comparatively few of this latter sort, though some she did. It was well truly I had these instruments, which greatly facilitated my labours, for I was forced to work harder now than ever in making provision for us all, and my sons Pedro and Tommy commonly assisted. I had also had another importation of goods through the gulf, which still added to my convenience, but my boat made me shudder every time I went into her. She had leaked again and again, and I had patched her till I could scarce see a bit of the old wood. She was of unspeakable use to me, and yet I could not venture myself in her, but with the utmost apprehension and trembling. I had been intending a good while, now I had such helps to build a new one, but had been diverted by one avocation or other. About this time, Eworkie, who was now upwards of thirty-two years of age, the fondest mother living and very proud of her children, had formed a project of taking a flight to Arndrum Steak, a town in the kingdom of Dorpt Swanjanti, as I called it, where her father, if living, was a kolam, footnote, governor, end footnote, under Jorah Getty, the prince of that country. She imparted her desire to me, asking my leave, and she told me, if I pleased, she would take Patty and Tommy along with her. I did not much dislike the proposal, because of the great inclination I had for a long time to a knowledge of and familiarity with her countrymen and relations. And now I had so many of her children with me, I could not think she would ever be prevailed on, but by force, to quit me and her offspring, and be contented to lose six for the sake of having two with her, especially as she had showed no more love for them than the rest. So I made no hesitation, but told her she should go. I expected continually I should hear of her departure. But she saying no more of it, I thought she had dropped her design, and I did not choose to mention it. But one day, as we were at dinner, looking mighty seriously, she said, my dear, I have considered of the journey you have consented I should take. But in order thereto it is necessary that I prepare several things for the children, especially those who have no grandee, and I am resolved to finish them before I go, that we may appear with decency both here and at Arndrum's stake. For I am sure my father, whose temper I am perfectly acquainted with, will, upon sight of me and my little ones, be so overjoyed that he will forgive my absence and marriage, provided he sees reason to believe I have not matched unworthily, unbecoming my birth. And after keeping me and the children with him, it may be two or three months, will accompany me home again, himself with a great retinue of servants and relations. Or, at least, if he is either dead or unable for flight, my other relations will come or send a convoy to take care of me and the children. And, my dear, as I shall give them all the incomiums I can of you and of my situation with you, while I am among them I would have them a little taken with the elegance of our domestic condition when they come hither, that they may think me happy in you and my children. For I would not only put my family into a condition to appear before them, but to surprise the old gentleman and his company, who never in their lives saw any part of mankind with another covering than the grandee. When she had done, I expressed my approbation of her whole system as altogether prudent, and she proceeded immediately to put it in execution. To work she went, opened every chest, and examined their contents. But while she was upon the hunt, and selecting such things as she thought fit for her purpose, she recollected several articles she had observed in the ship, which she judged far more for her turn than any she had at home. Hereupon she prayed me to let her take another trip to the vessel and to carry Tommy with her. After so many trials and such happy experience of her wise and fortunate conduct, I consented to her flight, and away went she and her son. Upon their return, which was in a few days, she told me what they had been doing, and said, as she so often heard me complain of the age of my boat and fear to sail in her, she had fitted me out a little ship, and hoped it would in due time arrive safely. As she passed quickly on to other things, I never once thought of asking her what she meant by the little ship she spoke of. But must own that, like a foolishly fond parent, I was more intent on her telling me how Tommy had found a horde of playthings which he had packed up for his own use. As to this last particular, I learned by the sequel of the story when the spark, proud of his acquisition, came to me that he had been peeping about in the cabin whilst his mother was packing the chests, and seeing a small brass knob in the wanes' coat took it for a plaything, and, pulling to get it out, opened a little door of a cupboard where he had found some very pretty toys that he positively claimed for himself, among which were a small plain gold ring and a very fine one set with diamonds which he showed me upon two of his fingers. I wondered how the child who had never before seen such things or the use of them should happen to apply these so properly. But he told me in playing with this, meaning the diamond ring, about his fingers, it slipped over his middle finger joint, and he could not get it off again, so he put the other upon another finger to keep it company. We watched daily, as usual on such occasions, for the arrival of our fleet. It was surprising that none of the chests which Yorkie shot down the gulf were ever half so long in their passage as I was myself. But some came in a week, some in a few days more, and even some in less, which I attributed to their following directly the course of the water, shooting from shelf to shelf as the tide sat. And I believe my keeping the boat I sailed in so strictly and constantly in the middle of the stream was the reason of my being detained there so long. In less than a fortnight everything came safe but one chest, which, as we never heard of it, I suppose was either sunk or bulged. Being one day upon the shore, watching to see if anything more was come through the cavern, I spied at a distance somewhat looking very black and very long, and by the colour and shape thereof I took it for a young wail. Having observed it some time making very little way, I took my old boat and followed it, but was afraid to go near it, lest a stroke with its tail, which I then fancied I saw move, might endanger my boat and myself too. But creeping nearer and nearer, and seeing it did not stir, I believed it to be dead. Whereupon, taking courage, I drew so close that at length I plainly perceived it was the ship's second boat turned upside down. It is not easy to express the joy I felt on this discovery. It was the very thing I was now, as I have said, in the greatest want of. I presently laid hold of it and brought it ashore, and it was no small pleasure to find, on examining, that though it had lain so long dry, it was yet quite sound, and all its chinks filled up in its passage, and it proved to me afterwards the most beneficial thing I could have had from the ship. I got all my goods home from the lake to my grotto by means of the cart, as usual. My wife and daughters waited with impatience for me to unpack, that they might take possession of such things as would be needful for rigging out the family against the supposed reception of the old glum, and had set all the chests in the order they desired they might be opened in. But Tommy, running to me, with a, Pray, daddy, open my chest first. Pray, give me my playthings first. It was, to satisfy him, concluded in favor of his demand. So, he pointing to the chest which he regarded as his property, I opened it, whilst his eyes were ready to pierce through it, till I came to his treasure. There, there they are, daddy, says he, as soon as I had uncovered them, and indeed when I saw them I could not but much commend the child for his fancy. For the first things that appeared were a silver punch or wine can, and a ladle, then a gold watch, a pair of scissors, a small silver chafing dish and lamp, a large case of mathematical instruments, a flageolet, a terrella or globular lodestone, a small globe, a dozen of large silver spoons, and a small case of knives and forks and spoons. In short, there was, I believe, the greatest part of the Portuguese captain's valuable effects. These, Tommy claiming as his own proper chattels, I could not help interposing somewhat of my authority in the affair. Hold, hold, son, says I. These things are all mine. But as I have several of you who will all be equally pleased with them, though as the first finder you may be entitled to the best share, you are not to grasp the whole. You must all have something like an equality, and as to some things which may be equally useful to us all, they must be set up to be used upon occasion and are to be considered as mine and your mother's property. I thereupon gave each of them a large silver spoon, and with a fork I scratched the initials of their names respectively on them, and divided several of the trifles amongst them equally. And now, Tommy, says I, you for your pains shall have this more than the rest, offering him the flageolet. Tommy looked very gloomy, and though he durst not find fault, his dissatisfaction was very visible by coolly taking it, tossing it down and walking gravely off. I thought, says I, Tommy, I had made a good choice for you. But as I find you despise it, here, Pedro, do you take that pretty thing, since your brother slights it. Tommy replied, speaking but half out, and a little surly, more than I ever observed before. Let him take it, if he will. I can get bits of sticks enough in the wood. My method had always been to avoid either beating or scolding at my children, for preferring their own opinion to mine. But I ever let things turn about so, that from their own reason they should perceive they had erred in opposing my sentiments, by which means they grew so habituated to submit to my advice and direction, that for the most part my will was no sooner known to them than it became their own choice. But then I never willed according to fancy only, but with judgment to the best of my skill. Tommy, therefore, as I said before, having shown a disapprobation of my doings, to convince him of his mistake, I took the flageolette from Pedro. And now Pedro, says I, let me teach you how to manage this piece of wood, as Tommy calls it, and then let me see if in all the grove he can cut such another. On this I clapped it to my mouth and immediately played several country dances and horn pipes on it. For though my mother had scarce taught me to read, I had learnt music and dancing, being, as she called them, gentlemen-like accomplishments. My wife and children, especially Tommy, all stared, as if they were wild, first on me then on one another, whilst I played a country dance. But I had no sooner struck up a horn pipe than their feet, arms, and heads had so many twitching and convulsive motions that not one quiet limb was to be seen amongst them. Till, having exercised their members as long as I saw fit, I almost laid them all to sleep, with chevy chase, and so gave over. They no sooner found themselves free from this enchantment than the children all hustled round me in a cluster, all speaking together and reaching out their little hands to the instrument. I gave it Pedro. There, says I to him, take this slighted favour as no such contemptible present. Poor Tommy, who had all this while looked very simple, burst into a flood of tears at my last words, as if his heart would have broke, and running to me fell on his knees and begged my pardon hoping I would forgive him. I took him up and kissing him, told him he had very little offended me, for as he knew I had more children to give anything to which either of the rest despised. It was equal to me who had it, so it was thankfully received. I found that did not satisfy. Still in tears he said, might he not have the stick again as I gave it to him first? Tommy, says I. You know I gave it to you first. But you, disapproving my kindness, I have now given it Pedro, who, should I against his will take it from him, would have that reason to complain which you have not, who parted with it by your own consent. And therefore Tommy, as I am determined to acquaint you as near as I can with the strict rules of justice, there must no more be said to me of this matter. Such as this was my constant practice amongst them, and they having always found me inflexible from this rule, we seldom had any long debates. Though I say the affair ended so with regard to what I had to do in it, yet it ended not so with Tommy. For though he knew he had no hopes of moving me, he set all his engines at work to recover his stick, as he called it, by his mother's and sister's interest. These solicited Pedro very strongly to gratify him. At length, Pedro, he being a boy of the most humane disposition, granted their desire, if I would give leave. And I, having signified that the cause being now out of my hands he might do as he pleased, he generously yielded it. And indeed he could not have bestowed it more properly, for Tommy had the best ear from music I ever knew, and in less than a twelve-month could far outdo me his instructor in softness and eagerness of finger, and was also master of every tune I knew, which were neither inconsiderable in number nor of the lowest rate. Eoworkie, with her daughters, set close to work, and had but just completed her whole design for the family clothing when she told me she found herself with child again. As that circumstance ill-suited a journey, she deferred her flight for about fifteen months, in which time she was brought to bed, and weaned the infant which was a boy, whom I named Richard, after my good master at the academy. The little nave thrived amain, and was left to my father-nursing during its mammy's absence, who still firm to her resolution after she had equipped herself and companions with whatever was necessary to their traveling, and locked up all the apparel she had made till her return, because she would have it appear new when her father came, set out with her son Tommy and my two daughters Patti and Halla Carney, the last of which, by this time, being big enough also to be trusted with her mother. CHAPTER XXV My wife was now upon her journey to her father's, but where that was, or how far off, it was impossible for me to conceive by her description of the way, for she distinguished it not by miles or leagues, but by swanjians, and names of rocks, seas, and mountains, which I could neither comprehend the distance of from each other, nor from Grand de Valet, where I was. I understood by her, indeed, there was a great sea to be passed, which would take her up almost a day and night having the children with her, before she reached the next arco, though she could do it herself, she said, and strain hard in a summer's but if the children should flag by the way as there was no resting place between us and Batring-Drig, the next arco, it might be dangerous to them, so she would take the above time for their sakes. After this I found by what she said there was a narrow sea to pass, and a prodigious mountain before she reached her own country, and that her father's was but a little beyond that mountain. This was all I could know in general about it. At their departure she and the children had taken each a small provision for their flight, which hung about their necks in a sort of purse. I cannot say, notwithstanding this journey was taken with my concurrence and consent, that I was perfectly easy when they were gone, for my affection for them all would work up imaginary fears too potent for my reason to dispel, and which at first set with no easy pressure upon my mind. This my pretty babies at home perceiving used all the little winning arts they could to divert and keep up my spirits, and from day to day by taking them abroad with me and playing with and amusing them at home I grew more and more persuaded that all would go right with the absent, and that in due time I should see them return again. But as the winter set in I went little abroad, and then we employed ourselves within doors in preparing several things which might not only be useful and ornamental if the old glum should come to see us, but might also divert us and make the time pass less tediously. The first thing I went upon was a table, which as my family consisted of so many, I intended to make big enough for us all. With that view I broke up a couple of chests, and taking the two sides of one of them I nailed them edge to edge by strong thick pieces underneath at each end and in the middle. Then I took two chest lids with their hinges, nailing one to each side of my middle piece, which made two good flaps. After this, with my tools of which I had now a chest full, I chopped out of new stuff and planned four strong legs quite square, and nailed them strongly to each corner of my middle board. I then nailed pieces from one leg to the other, and nailed the bed likewise to them. Then I fastened a border quite round within six inches from the bottom, from foot to foot, which held all fast together. When all this was done, still my table was imperfect. I could not put up the flaps having no proper support. To remedy this I sought out a broad slip from a chest side, and, boring a large hole through the center, I spiked it up to the underside of the table's bed, with a spindle I contrived, just loose enough to play round the head of the spike, filing down that part of the spindle which passed through the bed of the table, and riveting it close, so that when my flaps were set up, I pulled the slip crosswise of the table, and when the flaps were down, the slip turned under the top of the table lengthwise. Next, under each flap, I nailed a small slip lengthwise of the flaps, to raise them on a level, when up, with the top of the table. When I had thus completed the several parts of this needful utensil, I spent some time in pains by scraping and rubbing to render it all as elegant as could be, and the success so well answered my wish that I was not a little proud of the performance, and what rendered my work thereon a still more agreeable task was my pretty infant's company, who stood by expressing their wonder and approbation at every stroke. Now I had gotten a table. I wanted chairs to it, for as yet we had only sat round the room upon chests, which formed a bench of the whole circumference. They stood so thick. There was no moving of them without a monstrous trouble every time I might have occasioned to set out my table. Besides, if I could have dragged them backwards and forwards, they were too low to be commodious for seats. So I resolved to make some chairs and stools also that might be manageable. I will not trouble you with the steps I took in the formation of these. Only in general you must know that some more chests I broke up to that purpose served me for timber, out of which I framed six sizable handsome chairs, and a competent number of stools. But now that I was turned joiner, I had another convenience to provide for. I had nothing wherein to enclose things and preserve them from dust, except the chests, and they were quite unfit for holding liquors, victuals, and such like matters and open shells as most of my vessels were. Wherefore, having several boards now remaining of the boxes I had broken up for chairs and stools, I bethought me of supplying this great deficiency. So of these spare boards, in a workman-like way, for by this time I was become a tolerable mechanic, I composed a very tight closet, holding half a dozen broad shelves shut up by a good pair of doors with a lock and key to fasten them. These jobs took me up almost three months, and I thought I had not employed them idly, but for the credit and service of my family. I was now again at leisure for farther projects. I was uncertain as to my wife's return, how soon she might be with me, or how much longer she might stay. But I was sure I could do nothing in the meanwhile more grateful than increasing, by all means in my power, the accommodations of my house, for the more polite as well as convenient reception of her father, or any else who might accompany her home in the way of a retinue, as she talked of. I saw plainly I had not room for lodging them, and that was a circumstance of main importance to be provided for. Hereupon I thought of adding a long apartment to one of my outer rooms, to range against the side of the rock. But reflecting that such a thing would be quite useless, unless I could finish it in time, so as to be complete when my guests came, and not knowing how soon that might be, I resolved to quit this design, and I fell upon another which might do as well, and required much less labor and fewer days to perfect. I remembered that amongst those things my wife had packed up on board the ship, and which came home through the gulf, there were two of the largest sails, and a couple of a smaller size. These I carried to the wood, and tried them in several places to see where they might be disposed, to most advantage in the nature of a tent. And having found a convenient spot to my purpose, I cut diverse poles for supporters, and making straining lines of my mat-weed I pitched a noble one, sufficient to cover or entertain a numerous company, and so tight everywhere as to keep out the weather. The front of this new apartment I hung with blue cloth, which had a very genteel effect. I had almost forgotten to tell you that I contrived, by hanging one of the smaller sails across, just in the middle, which I could let down or raise up at pleasure, to divide the tent occasionally into two distinct rooms. When I had proceeded thus far, there were still wanting seats for this additional building, as I may call it, and though I could spare some chests to sit on, I found they would not half do. For a supplement, then, I took my axe and felled a couple of great trees, one from each side of the tent, sawed off the tops, and cut each of the trunks in two about the middle. These huge cylinders I rolled into the tent with a good deal of toil and difficulty. Two of them I thrust into the inner division, and left two in the outer. I placed them as benches on both sides. Then, with infinite pains, I shaved the upper face of each, smooth and flat, and paired off all the little knots and roughnesses of the front, so that they were fitted to sit on, and their own weight fixed them in the place where I intended them to be. At the upper end of the farther chamber I set three chests lengthwise for seats, or any other use I might see fit to put them to. During these operations we were all hard at it, and no hand idle but dicky in arms and sally, whom he kept in full employ. But Pedro, being a sturdy lad, could drive a nail, and lift or carry the things I wanted. And Jimmy and David, though so young, could pick up the chips, hold a nail or the lamp, or be some way or other useful, for I always preached to them the necessity of earning their bread before they ate it, and not think to live on mine and their brother's labor. The night's being pretty long. After work was over, and Sarah had fed her brother and laid him in his hammock, we used to sit all down to enjoy ourselves at a good meal, for we were never regular at that till night. And then after supper my wife being absent, one or other of the young ones, would begin with something they had before heard me speak of, by saying, Daddy, how did you used to do this or that in England? Then all ears were immediately open to catch my answer, which certainly brought on something else, done either there or elsewhere. And by their little questions and my answers they would sometimes draw me into a story of three hours long, till perhaps two or three of my audience were falling asleep, and then we all went to bed. I verily believe my children would, almost any of them, from the frequent repetition of these stories, have given a sufficient account of England to have gained a belief from almost any Englishman of their being natives there. I frequently observed that when we had begun upon Cornwall and traversed the mines, the sea coast, or talked of the fine gentleman's seats and such things, one would start up and, if the discourse flagged ever so little, would cry, I, but Daddy, what did you do when the crocodile came after you out of the water? And another, before that subject was half-ended, and I was forced to enter on every one they started, would be impatient for the story of the lion. And I always took notice that the part each had made the most reflections on was always most acceptable to the same person. But poor Sally would never let the conversation drop without some account of the muletto. It was such a pretty, gentle creature, she said. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by James K. White, Chula Vista. The Life and Adventures of Peter Wilkins, by Robert Paltick Chapter 26. My head, as well as my hands, had now been employed for five months in adjusting all things in the most suitable manner for the reception of Jaworkie and her friends. But nobody coming, and light days getting forward a pace, I began to grow very uneasy, and had formed diverse imaginations of what might occasion her stay. Thought I, I am afraid all the pains I have been taking will be to no purpose, for either her father will not let her return, or she has of herself come to such a resolution. For she knows I cannot follow her, and had rather, perhaps, live and enjoy the three children she has with her, amidst a number of her friends and acquaintance, than spend the remainder of her days with me and all our offspring in this solitude. But then I reflected she chose it herself, or at least declared herself perfectly satisfied, yea, delighted therewith. And here are her children with me, the major part of them. Yet what can I think? Since her return is put off till the Swanjians are over this arco, she will never bring her relations now, in this unseasonable time for flight. Therefore I must think if she intended to return it all, it would have been before now. And as the case is not so, my fear of losing her entirely prevails greatly. Oh, says I, that we had but a post here as we have in England. There we can communicate our thoughts at a distance to each other without any trouble, and for little charge. What a country is this to live in, and what an improper creature am I to live in it? Had I but the Grandi, I would have found her out by this time, be she where she would. But whilst every one about me can pass, repass, and act as they please, I am fixed here like one of my trees, bound to the spot, or upon removal to die in the attempt. Alas, why did I beget children here, but to make them as wretched and inconsolable as myself? Some of them are so formed indeed as to shift for themselves, but they owe it to their mother, not to me. What, am I a father of children who will be bound one day to curse me? Severe reflection. Yet I never thought of this till now. But am I the only father in such a case? No, surely. For am not I as much bound to curse my father as my children are to curse me? He might have left me happy if he would. I would them if I could. Again, are there not others who, by improper junction with persons diseased in body or vicious in mind, have entailed greater misery upon their posterity than I have on mine? My children are all healthy, strong, and sound, both in body and mind, and is not that the greatest blessing that can be bestowed on our beings? But they are imprisoned in this arco. What then? With industry here is no want, and as they increase they may settle in communities and be helpful to each other. I have lived here well nigh sixteen years, and it was God's pleasure I should be here. And can I think I was placed here with an injunction contrary to the great command increase and multiply? If that were so, can it be possible I should have received the only means of propagating, as it were, from heaven itself? No. It was certainly as much my maker's will that I should have posterity here, as that I myself should at first be brought thither. This is a large and plentiful spot, and capable of great improvement when there shall be hands sufficient. How many petty states are less than these, my dominions? I have here a compass of near twenty miles round, and how many thousands grow voluntarily gray in a far less circuit? I had hardly finished my reflections, for I was sitting by myself in my tent upon one of the trees I had turned into benches. When I heard a musical voice call, Peter, Peter, I started. What's this? says I. It is not Jaworkie's voice. What can this mean? Listening, I heard it again, but at so great a distance I could but just perceive the sound. Be it where it will, says I, I will face it. Thus speaking I went out of the tent and harkened very attentively, but could hear nothing. I then ran for my gun and walked through the wood as fast as I could to the plain. But still I neither saw nor heard anything. I was then in hopes of seeing somebody on the lake, but no one appeared, for I was fully determined to make myself known to whomsoever I should meet, and, if possible, to gain some intelligence of my wife. But after so much fruitless pains, my hopes being at an end, I was returning when I heard, Peter, Peter, again at a great distance, the sound coming from a different quarter than at first. Upon this I stopped and heard it repeated, and it was as if the speaker approached nearer and nearer. Hereupon I stepped out of the wood, for I had just re-entered it upon my return home, when I saw two persons upon the swanjian just over my head. I cried out, Who's that? and they immediately called again, Peter, Peter! Or sclam G's as I, that is, here am I. On this they directly took a small sweep round, for they had overshot me before they heard me, and alighted just by me. When I perceived them to be my wife's countryman, being dressed like her, with only broader chaplets about their heads, as she had told me the glums all wore. After a short obeisance, they asked me if I was the glum Peter, barquette to your workie, footnote, husband, end of footnote. I answered I was. They then told me they came with a message from Pendolambi, Kolam of Arndrum Steak, footnote, governor, end of footnote, my gopel, footnote, father-in-law, end of footnote, and from Eworkie, his daughter. I was vastly rejoiced to see them, and to hear only the name of my wife. But though I longed to know their message, I trembled to think of their mentioning it, as one of them was just going to do, for fear of hearing something very displeasing. So I begged them to go through the wood with me to the grotto, where we should have more leisure and convenience for talk, and where, at the same time, they might take some refreshment. But though I had thus put off their message, I could not forbear inquiring, by the way, after the health of my gopel and my wife and children, how they got to Arndrum Steak, and how they found their relations and friends. They told me all were well, and that Eworkie, as she did on me, desired I would think on her with true affection. I found this was the phrase of the country. As for the rest, I hoped it would turn out well at last, though I dreaded to hear it. Being arrived at the grotto, I desired my guests to sit down and take such refreshment as I could prepare them. When they were seated, I went to work in order to provide them with a repast. Seeing my fire piled up very high and burning fierce, and the children about it, they wondered where they were got, and who they had come to, and turned their faces from it. But I, setting some chairs, so that the light might not strike on their eyes, they liked the warmth well enough, though I remarked the light did not affect them so much as it had done Eworkie. Whilst I was cooking, the poor children got all up in a corner and stared at the strangers, not being able to conceive where they came from, and by degrees crept all backwards into the bedchamber and hid themselves, for they had never before seen anybody but my own family. I observed that one of my guests paid more than ordinary respect to the other, and though their grandees made no distinction between them, yet there was something I thought much more noble in the address and behavior of the latter. And taking notice that he was also the chief spokesman, I judged it proper to pay my respects to him in a somewhat more distinguishing manner, though, so as not to offend the other if I should happen to be mistaken. I first presented a can of my Madeira, and took care, as if by accident, to give it to Mr. Uppermost, as I thought him, who drank half of it and would have given the remainder to his companion, but I begged him to drink it all up, and his friend should be served with some presently. He did so, and thanked me by lifting his hand to his chin. I then gave the other a can of the same liquor, which he drank, and returned thanks as his companion had before. I then took a can myself, and telling them I begged leave to use the ceremony of my own country to them, I drank, wishing their own health, and that of all relations at Arndrum Steak. He that I took for the superior, fell a laughing heartily. Ha, ha, says he, this is the very way my sister does every day at Arndrum Steak. Your sister, sir, says I. Pray, has she ever been in Europe or England? Well, says he, I have plainly discovered myself, which I did not intend to do yet. But truly, brother Peter, I mean none other than your own wife Eeworkie. The moment I knew who he was, I rose up, and taking him by the right hand, lifted it to my lips and kissed it. He, likewise, immediately stood up, and we embraced each other with great tenderness. I then begged him, as I had so worthy and near a relation of my wife's with me, that he would not delay the happiness I hoped for, in a narrative from his mouth, how it fared with my father, wife, and children, and all their kinsfolk and friends, whom I had so often heard mentioned by my dearest Eeworkie, and so earnestly desired to see. My brother, Quangrelart, for that, he told me, was his name, was preparing to gratify my impatience, but seeing I had set the entertainment on the table, which consisted chiefly of bread, several sorts of pickles and preserves, with some cold salted fish, he said that eating would but interrupt the thread of his discourse, and therefore, with my leave, he would defer the relating of what I desired for a little while, which we all thinking most proper, I desired him and his friend, who might be another brother for ought I knew, to refresh themselves with the poor modicum I was able to provide them. Whilst my brother, Quangrelart, was looking upon and handling his plate, being what he had never before seen, his friend had got the handle of one of the knives in his mouth, biting it with all his force, but finding he could make nothing of that end, he tried the other, and got champing the blade. Perceiving what he was at, though I could not help laughing, I rose and, begging pardon, took the knife from him, telling him I believed he was not acquainted with the use of that instrument, which was one of my country's implements, and that the design of it, which was called a knife, and of that other, pointing to it, called a fork, was the one to reduce the food into pieces proper for chewing, and that the other to convey it to the mouth without dobbing the fingers, which must happen in handling the food itself. And I then showed him what I used to put them to, by helping each of them their width to somewhat, and by cutting a piece for myself and putting it to my mouth with the fork. They both smiled and looked very well pleased, and then I told them that the plate was the only thing that need be dobbed, and when that was taken away the table remained clean. So, after I had helped each of them for the first time, I desired them to help themselves where they liked best. And, to say the truth, they did so more dexterously than I could have expected. During our repast we had frequent sketches of the observations they made in their flight, and of the places where they had rested, and I could plainly see that neither of them had ever been at this arco before by hinting that if they had not taken such a course they had missed me. I took particular notice which part of my entertainment they ate most of, that I might bring a fresh supply of that when wanted, and I found that though they eat hardly of my bread and preserves and tasted almost of everything else, they never once touched the fish, which put me upon desiring I might help them to some. At this they looked upon each other which I readily knew the meaning of, and excused themselves expressing great satisfaction in what they had already gotten. I took, however, a piece of fish on my own plate, and eating very heartily thereof, my brother desired me to give him a bit of it. I did so, taking care to cut it as free from bones as I could, and for greater security, cautioning him in case there should be any, to pick them out, and not swallow them. He had no sooner put a piece in his mouth, but Rosig says he to his friend, this is Pudsy. I thought indeed I had puzzled my brother when I gave him the fish, but by what he said of it he puzzled me, for I knew not what he meant by Pudsy, my wife having told me they had no fish, or else I should have taken that word for their name of it. However, I cut Rosig a slice, and he agreeing it was Pudsy, they both ate heartily of it. While we were at dinner, my brother told me he thought he saw some of my children just now, for his sister had informed him she had five more at home, and he asked me why they did not appear and eat with us. I excused their coming, as fearing they would only be troublesome, and said when we had done they should have some victuals, but he would not be put off, and entreated me to admit them. So I called them by their names, and they came, all but Dicky who was asleep in his hammock. I told them that Reglam, footnote, gentlemen, end of footnote, pointing to Quangrelart, was their uncle, their momma's brother, and ordered them to pay their obeisance to him, which they severally did. I then made them salute Rosig, this last would have had them sit down at table, but I positively forbade that, and giving each of them a little of what we had before us they carried it to the chests and eat it there. When we had done the children helped me to clear the table, and were retiring out of the room. But then I recalled them, and desired their uncle to excuse their stay, for as he had promised me news of their mammy and her family it would be the height of pleasure to them to hear him. He seemed very much pleased with this motion, desiring by all means they might be present while he told his story. Whereupon I ordered them to the chests again while Quangrelart delivered his narrative. End of Chapter 26 Recording by James K. White, Chula Vista Chapter 27 of The Life and Adventures of Peter Wilkins Volume 1 This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by James K. White, Chula Vista. The Life and Adventures of Peter Wilkins by Robert Paltick Chapter 27 Having set on the table some brandy and madera, and each of us taken one glass of both, I showed, by the attentiveness of my aspect and posture, how desirous I was he should proceed to what he had promised. Observing this he went on in the following manner. Brother Peter, says he, my sister Eurorche, as I don't doubt you will be glad to hear of her first, arrived very safe at Arndrum Stake the third day after she left you, and after a very severe flight to the dear little Halle-Carney, footnote, one of Wilkins' daughters, end of footnote, who was a full day and a night on her grandeur, and at last would not have been able to have reached Batring Drigg but for my sister's assistance, who, taking her sometimes on her back for a short flight, by those little refreshments enabled her to perform it. But from Batring Drigg, after some hours' rest, they came with pleasure to the white mountains, from Wintse after a small stay, they arrived at Arndrum Stake. They alighted at our covet, footnote, capital seat, end of footnote, but were opposed at their entrance by the guards, to whom they did not choose to discover themselves till notice was given to my father, who, upon hearing that some strangers desired admittance to him, sent me to introduce them, if they were proper persons for his presence, or else give orders for such other reception as was suitable to them. When I came to the guard, I found three gauries and a glum boss, footnote, youth, end of footnote, whose appearance and behavior I must own prejudiced me very much in their favor. I then asked from Wintse they came, and their business with the Colombe. Yorkey told me they came not about business of public concern relating to the Colombe's office, but out of a dutiful regard as relations to kiss his knees. My father said I shall know it immediately, but first pray inform me of your name. Your father, replied Yorkey, are you my brother Quangrelart? My name is so, says I, but I have only one sister, now with my father, and how I can be your brother I am not able to guess. Have you never had any sister, says she. Yes, says I, but she is long since dead. Her name was Yorkey. At my mentioning her name she fell upon my neck in tears, crying, My dear brother, I am that dead sister Yorkey, and these with me are some of my children, for I have five more. But pray, how does my father and sister? I started back at this declaration to view her and the children, fearing it was some gross imposition, not in the least knowing or remembering anything of her face after so long an absence. But I desired them to walk in till I told my father. The guard, observing the several passages between us, were amazed to think who it could be had so familiarly embraced me, especially as they saw I only played a passive part in it. When I went in I did not think proper directly to inform my father what had happened, but calling my sister Hallikarni I led her into the circumstances of this odd affair and desired her advice what to do. For, says I, surely this must be some imposter, and as my father has scarce subdued his sorrow for my sister's loss, if this gauri should prove a deceiver, it will only revive his affliction, and may prove it this time extremely dangerous to him. Therefore let us consider what had best be done in the matter. Hallikarni, who had attentively weighed all I said, seemed to think it was some cheat as well as I did, for we could neither of us conceive that anything but death or being slit could have kept Yorkey so long from the knowledge of her relations, and that neither of them could be the case was plain if the person attending was Yorkey. Besides, brother, says Hallikarni, she cannot surely be so much altered in fifteen years, but you must have known her, and yet now I think it is possible you being so much younger may have forgot her. But whilst we have been talking of her, I have so well recollected her that I think I could hardly be imposed upon by any deceiver. I then desired her to go with me to the strangers and see if she could make any discovery. She did so, and had no sooner entered the ab, footnote, room, end of footnote. But Yorkey called out, my dear sister Hallikarni, and she, as readily recollecting Yorkey, they in transport embraced each other, and then your wife presenting to us her three children, it proved the tenderest scene except the following I ever saw. My father, having kept his chamber some time with a fever, and though he was pretty well recovered, having not yet been out of it, we consulted how we might introduce our sister and children to him, with as little surprise as might be, for fear of a relapse by too great a hurry of his spirits. At length we concluded I should go tell him that some strangers had arrived, desiring to see him. But on inquiry finding their business was too trifling to trouble him upon, I had dispatched them. I was then to say how like one of them was to my sister Yorkey, and whilst I was speaking Hallikarni was to enter and keep up the discourse till we should find a proper opportunity of discovery. I went in, therefore, as had been agreed, and upon mentioning the name of Yorkey my father fetched a deep sigh and turned away from me in tears. At that instant Hallikarni came in as by accident. Sir, says she, what makes you so sad? Are you worse today? Oh, says he, I have heard a name that will never be out of my heart till I am in Hoximo, footnote, a place where the dead are buried, end of footnote. What, I suppose my sister? Tis true, replied he, the same. Says she, I fancied so, for I have just seen a stranger as like her as two doors could be, footnote, a fruit like an apple, end of footnote, and would have sworn it was she if that had been possible. I thought my brother had been so imprudent as to mention her to you, and I think he did not do well to rip up an old sore he knew was almost healed and make it break out of fresh. Ah, no, child, says my father. That sore never has nor can be healed. Oh, great image! Why can't it, by some means or other, be ascertained what end she came to? Sir, says my sister, I think you are much to blame for these exclamations after so long absence, for if she be dead, what use are they of? And if she be not, all may be well, and you may still see her again. Oh, never, never, says my father. But could I be sure she was alive, I would take a swanjian and never close my Grandi till I found her, or dropped dead in the search. And suppose you could meet with her, sir, says I. The very sight would overcome you and be dangerous. No, believe me, boy, says he, I should then be fully easy and composed, and were she to come in this moment, I should suffer no surprise, but pleasure. No surprise, sir, says I. Not if she were alive and well, says he. Then, sir, says Hallikarney, will you excuse me if I introduce her, and went out directly without staying for an answer? When she was gone, Kongrelart, says my father sternly, what is the meaning of yours and your sister's playing thus upon my weakness? It is what I can upon no account forgive. It looks as if you were weary of me and wanted to break my heart. To what purpose is all this prelude of yours, to introduce me to somebody who by her likeness to my daughter may expose me to your scoff and railery? This is a disobedience I never expected from either of you. The great image attend me, says I. Sir, you have much mistaken me, but I will not leave you in doubt even till Hallikarney's return. You shall see you worky with her, for all our discourse, I'll assure you, has but been concerted to prepare you for her reception with three of her children. And am I then, says he, in a transport, still to be blessed? You are, sir, says I. Assure yourself you are. By this time we heard them coming, but my poor father had not power to go to meet them, and upon you worky's nearer approach to fall at his knees, his limbs failing him he sunk, and without speaking a word fell backwards on a cuffed drapeck, footnote, a bed or couch covered with a sort of cotton, end of footnote, which stood behind him, and, being quite motionless, we concluded him to be stone dead. On this the women became entirely helpless, screaming only and ringing their hands in extravagant postures, but I, having a little more presence of mine, called for the calentar, footnote, a sort of doctor in all great families, end of footnote, who, by holding his nose, pinching his feet and other applications, in a little time brought him to his senses again. You may more easily conceive than I describe both the confusion we were all in during my father's disorder, and the congratulations upon his recovery. So, as I can give you but a defective account of these, I shall pass them by, and come to our more serious discourse, after my father and your wife had, without speaking a word, wept themselves quite dry on each other's necks. My father, then looking upon the three children, who were also crying to see their mama cry, and who are these, says he. These, sir, says Yorkie, are three of eight of your grandchildren. And where is your barquette, says he. At home with the rest, sir, replied she, who are some of them too small to come so far yet. But sir, says she, pray excuse my answering you any more questions, till you are a little recovered from the commotion I perceive my presence has brought upon your spirits. And as rest, the Calentar says, will be exceedingly proper, I will retire with my sister till you are better able to bear company. My father was with much difficulty prevailed with to part with her out of his sight, but the Calentar pressing it, we were all dismissed, and he laid down to rest. My brother would have gone on, but I told him, as it grew near time for repose, and he in Rosig must needs be fatigued with so long a flight, if they pleased, as I had already heard the most valuable part of all he could say, in that my father had received my wife and children so kindly, and that he left them all well, we could defer his father relation till the next day, which they both agreeing to, I laid them in my own bed, myself sleeping in a spare hammock.