Page:The Swiss Family Robinson (Kingston).djvu/298

252 impressed and solemnised at the recollection of escape from a terrible death, and also led to bless and praise the name of the Lord our Deliverer.

Dinner followed shortly after this happy service, and I then announced for the afternoon a “Grand Display of Athletic Sports.” in which I and my wife were to be spectators and judges.

“Father, what a grand idea!”

“Oh, how jolly! Are we to run races?”

“And prizes! Will there be prizes, father?”

“The judges offer prizes for competition in every sort of manly exercise,” replied I. “Shooting, running, riding, leaping, climbing, swimming, we will have an exhibition of your skill in all. Now for it!”

“Trumpeters! sound for the opening of the lists.”

Uttering these last words in a stentorian voice and wildly waving my arms towards a shady spot, where the ducks and geese were quietly resting, had the absurd effect I intended.

Up they all started in a fright, gabbling and quacking loudly, to the infinite amusement of the children, who began to bustle about in eager preparations for the contest, and begging to know with what they were to begin.

“Let us have shooting first, and the rest when the heat of the day declines. Here is a mark I have got ready for you,” said I, producing a board roughly shaped like a kangaroo, and of about the size of one. This target was admired, but Jack could not rest satisfied till he had added ears, and a long leather strap for a tail.

It was then fixed in the attitude most characteristic of the creature, and the distance for firing measured off. Each of the three competitors was to fire twice.

Fritz hit the kangaroo's head each time; Ernest hit the body once; and Jack, by a lucky chance, shot the ears clean away from the head, which feat raised a shout of laughter.