Page:The Swiss Family Robinson (Kingston).djvu/493

 Fritz,” said I; adding in a lower tone, “and then is it to be ‘farewell’ my son?”

“Yes, dear father—Au revoir!” returned he, brightly, with a glance full of meaning, while he threw into his canoe a cushion and fur cloak.

“Thanks, Fritz! but I'm going to honour them with the care of my battered bones in the yacht here. You are awfully considerate though, old fellow,” remarked Jack, not for a moment doubting that his brother expected him to return, as he came, beside him in the cajack.

Fritz laughed, and commended his decision. Then springing into his skiff, he led the way towards the open sea.

We followed, carefully, and soon passed the reef; after which the boys were very busy with the sails, putting the vessel on the homeward course, when, waving his hand to me, Fritz turned in the opposite direction, and quickly vanished behind the point, which I afterwards named Cape Farewell.

When missed by his brothers, I said he had a fancy to explore more of the coast, and if he found it interesting, he might, instead of only a few hours, remain absent for two or three days.

Towards evening we sailed into Safety Bay.