Page:The Swiss Family Robinson (Kingston).djvu/112

80 good to eat! Father says so! I only wish you had seen how it terrified the dogs, and heard the rattling and rustling of its spines. Oh, it is a fearful creature!”

Ernest, examining it carefully, pronounced its incisor teeth, its ears and feet, to resemble those of the human race, and pointed out the curious crest of stiff hairs on its head and neck.

“I have read of another species,” said he, “called the Tuft-tailed Porcupine, which must be even more curious-looking than this is. It has short flat quills, and a scaly tail ending in an extraordinary tuft, like a bunch of narrow strips of parchment. It cannot be such a disagreeable enemy to encounter as this fellow.” “Were you not afraid, Jack,” asked I, “lest the porcupine should cast some of his quills like darts at you?” “Of course not,” returned he, “I know well enough that is nothing but a fable!”

“A fable!” said I, “why look at your mother! she is drawing five or six spines out of each of the dogs!”

“Ah, those stuck into them when they so fiercely fell upon it in their attack. Those are the shortest quills, and seem very slightly fixed in its skin. The long quills bent aside when Juno pressed against them.” “You are perfectly right, my boy,” said I; “there is no truth in the old idea of shooting out the spines. But now, shall we leave this prickly booty of yours, or attempt to take it with us?”

“Oh, please, father, let us take it! Why, it is good to eat!”

Smiling at the child's eagerness, and willing to please him, I made a somewhat awkward bundle of the porcupine, wrapping it in several folds of cloth, and added it to the donkey's load.

Our party then resumed the march, which, with little interruption, was continued steadily, until we came in sight of our future place of residence.

The wonderful appearance of the enormous trees, and the calm