Page:The Swiss Family Robinson (Kingston).djvu/328

282 more in the open air, we crossed Jackal River, for a walk along the coast, and presently Fritz with his sharp eyes observed something on the small island near Flamingo Marsh, which was, he said, long and rounded, resembling a boat bottom upwards.

Examining it with the telescope, I could form no other conjecture, and we resolved to make it the object of an excursion next day, being delighted to resume our old habit of starting in pursuit of adventure.

The boat was accordingly got in readiness; it required some repairs, and fresh pitching, and then we made for the point of interest, indulging in a variety of surmises as to what we should find.

It proved to be a huge stranded whale. The island being steep and rocky, it was necesssry to be careful; but we found a landing-place on the further side. The boys hurried by the nearest way to the beach where lay the monster of the deep, while I clambered to the highest point of the islet, which commanded a view of the mainland from Rockburg to Falconhurst.

On rejoining my sons, I found them only half way to the great fish, and as I drew near they shouted in high glee:

“Oh! father, just look at the glorious shells and coral branches we are finding. How does it happen that there are such quantities?”

“Only consider how the recent storms have stirred the ocean to its depths! No doubt thousands of shell-fish have been detached from their rocks and dashed in all directions by the waves, which have thrown ashore even so huge a creature as the whale yonder.”

“Yes; isn't he a frightful great brute!” cried Fritz. “Ever so much larger than he seemed from a distance. The worst of it is, one does not well see what use to make of the huge carcase.”

“Why, make train oil, to be sure,” said Ernest. “I can't say