This I did with a long
cane and a piece of string, and then made a dart with a sharp point,
which I shot off and found it would go straight. The branch of the tree
on which we were to fix our hut was so high that our steps would not
near reach it. I tied some strong thread to the dart, and shot it over
the branch; then tied a piece of rope to the end of the thread, and
drew that up, and at last made a long row of cane steps, with a rope at
each side, which we drew up to the first strong branch. The boys were
now all in haste to climb the tree, but I chose that Jack, who was
light of build and sure of foot, should go up first and try the
strength of our work. Fritz went up next with some nails, and made the
ropes fast to the tree, while I drove stakes in the ground to keep them
firm at the foot. It was now time for me to mount, and up I went with
an axe to lop off the twigs and smooth the bough that was to form the
ground of our new house. I sent the boys down out of my way, and kept
hard at work till it was late, for the sky was clear, and the moon lent
me her beams of light to see by.
When I came down my wife spread a good meal on the ground, which we ate
as best we could, and then made our beds of dry moss, round which we
put heaps of twigs. These we set light to, as watch fires to keep off
wild beasts and snakes.
Pages:
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33