Page:The Swiss Family Robinson (Kingston).djvu/186

146 “you must come with me, and see how little Franz and I have improved our time every day of your absence.”

We all landed, and with great curiosity followed the mother up the river towards the cascade; where, to our astonishment, we found a garden neatly laid out in beds and walks; and she continued, “We don't frighten people by firing salutes in honour of our performances; although, by-and-by, I too shall want fire in a peaceable form. Look at my beds of lettuce and cabbages, my rows of beans and peas! Think what delicious dinners I shall be able to cook for you, and give me credit for my diligence.”

“My dear wife!” I exclaimed, “this is beautiful! You have done wonders! Did you not find the work too hard?”

“The ground is light and easy to dig hereabouts,” she replied. “I have planted potatoes, and cassava roots, there is space for sugar-canes, and the young fruit trees, and I shall want you to contrive to irrigate them, by leading water from the cascades in hollow bamboos. Up by the sheltering rocks I mean to have pine-apples and melons; they will look splendid when they spread there. To shelter the beds of European vegetables from the heat of the sun, I have planted seeds of maize round them. The shadow of the tall plants will afford protection from the burning rays. Do you think that is a good plan?”

“I do indeed; the whole arrangement is capital. Now, as sunset approaches, we must return to the tent for supper and rest, for both of which we are all quite ready.”

The time passed in happy talk over our many new interests; every one had the pleasant sensation which attends successful labour, as well as experiencing the joy of affording unexpected pleasure to others; and I especially pointed out to my sons, how truly genuine happiness consists in that, rather than in mere self-gratification.

Next morning, my wife said: “If you can exist on shore long enough to visit Falconhurst, dear husband, I should like you to