Page:The Swiss Family Robinson (Kingston).djvu/196

156 important discovery; from the several stalks of one of these creepers flowed clear cold water, and I recognized the “liane rouge,” which is known in America, and is so precious to the thirsty hunter or traveller. This is truly one of God's good gifts to man!

The boys were much delighted with this curious plant. “Only fancy, mother,” said Ernest, as he showed it to her, “how cheering and refreshing to find this if one were lost and alone in a vast forest, wandering for days and days without being near a proper spring of water.”

“But are you certain it is safe to drink this?” asked she.

I assured her it was so, and advised the boys to cut enough to quench the thirst of the whole party, including our animals. This they did, only finding it necessary, as with the sugar-canes, to cut air-holes above the joints.

After struggling onward for a short time, we emerged from the thickets into open ground, and saw the calabash trees in the distance. As we drew near, their curious appearance and singular fruit caused much surprise and also amusement, for we were speedily established among the trees, where, as I chose and cut down the gourds most likely to be useful, every one engaged merrily in the work of cutting, carving, sawing, and scooping some manner of dish, bowl, cup, jar, or platter, according to his several taste or ability.

We were to dine here, and after a time Fritz and Jack began to prepare a fireplace, their great ambition being to heat the stones red hot, and cook the crab in a hollow gourd. Their mother, therefore, left them to their own devices, and attended to the hungry animals, unharnessing the ass to graze, and giving coco-nut milk to the poor little monkey, who had been obliged to travel in a covered basket for some time, lest he should be lost in the woods. The wounded bustard had been completely forgotten, and from the heat and thirst was suffering greatly until her friendly