Page:The Swiss Family Robinson - 1851.djvu/288

Rh sailcloth, others with the hair of the onagra, which is very long and strong, and some of the fibres of bark. His mother admired his work, which he continued to improve more and more; she assured him the sieve would be sufficient for her; it was useless to have the trouble of building a mill.

"But how shall we bruise the grain, mamma?" said he; "it would be tedious and hard work."

"And you think there will be no hard work in building your mill?" said Jack. "I am curious to see how you will contrive to form that huge stone, which is called the millstone."

"You shall see," said Fritz; "only find me the stone, and it shall soon be done. Do you think, father, that of our rock would be suitable?"

I told him I thought it would be hard enough, but it would be difficdt to cut from the rock a piece large enough for the purpose. He made his usual reply,&mdash;

"I will try. Ernest and Jack will assist me; and perhaps you, papa."

I declared my willingness, but named him the master-mason; we must only be his workmen. Francis was impatient to see he mill in operation.

"Oh!" said Jack, "you shall soon have that pleasure. It is a mere trifle; we only want stone, wood, tools, and science."

At the word "science," Ernest, who was reading in a corner, without listening to us, raised his head suddenly, saying,&mdash;

"What science are you in need of?"

"Of one you know nothing of, Mr. Philosopher," said Jack. "Come, tell us, do you know how to build a mill?"

"A mill?" answered Ernest; "of what