Page:The Swiss Family Robinson (Kingston).djvu/108

76 placed a couple of half-hoops over all; and, spreading sail-cloth on them, put the fowls in darkness, and they rapidly became quiet; and the cow, with the appearance of having a small waggon on her back, was ready to start.

Franz was firmly seated on the ass, amidst bags and bundles of all sorts and sizes; they rose about him like cushions and pillows, and his curly head rested on the precious magic bag, which surmounted all the rest.

Having filled the tent with the things we left behind, closing it carefully, and ranging chests and casks around it, we were finally ready to be off, each well equipped and in the highest spirits.

Fritz and his mother led the van.

Franz (the young cavalier), and the sober-minded cow, followed them closely.

Jack conducted the goats; one of these had also a rider, for Knips the monkey was seated on his foster-mother, whose patience was sorely tried by his restlessness and playful tricks.

The sheep were under Ernest's care, and I brought up the rear of this patriarchal band, while the two dogs kept constantly running backwards and forwards in the character of aides-de-camp.

“We seem delightfully like those simple and pastoral tribes I have read of,” said Ernest, as we proceeded, “whose whole lives are spent in shifting from place to place, without any wish to settle.”

“Yes,” said I. “Among the Arabs, Tartars, and some other Eastern nations, this mode of life is natural. They for that reason are called Nomades [sic].

“These tribes are amply provided with camels and horses, and effect their journeys more quickly and conveniently than we are likely to do with these deliberate quadrupeds of ours. Whatever you young folks may think, I suspect your mother and I will be