Page:The Swiss Family Robinson (Kingston).djvu/401

 Levaillant, from whom I learnt the trick, says in his ‘Voyage au Cap de Bonne Espérance,’ that the Hottentots make use of the method for penning in the antelopes they have caught in the chase.”

“Well done,” said I, “I am glad to see that you remember what you have read. The antelopes are welcome to New Switzerland, but, my boy,” I added, “I cannot say the same for the rabbits you have there; they increase so rapidly that if you establish a colony of the little wretches your next difficulty will be to get rid of them.”



“True,” he replied, “but my idea was to place them upon Whale Island, where they would find abundant food, and at the same time in no way trouble us. May I not establish a warren there? It would be so useful. Do you know my eagle caught these pretty little fellows for me? I saw a number of them running about and so unhooded him, and in a few minutes he brought me three—one dead, with whose body I rewarded him, and these two here, unhurt.”

“Now, father,” said Jack, interrupting him, “do listen to me