按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
with his bundle； and I hurried in after him just in time； for the baboons； who had been chattering to each other for half a minute； came into the outer cave just as I crawled into the inner。 Five or six of them came in； all males； and very large。 The first thing they did was to lay hold of Homer's bundle； which they soon opened … at once they seized his provisions and rammed them into their pouches； and then they pulled out the other things and tore them all to pieces。 As soon as they had done with the bundle； two of them came towards the inner cave and saw us。 One put his long paw in to seize us； but Hastings gave him a slash with his knife； and the animal took his paw out again fast enough。 It was laughable to see him hold out his hand to the others； and then taste the blood with the tip of his tongue； and such a chattering I never heard … they were evidently very angry； and more came into the cave and joined them； then another put in his hand； and received a cut just as before。 At last； two or three at once tried to pull us out； but we beat them all off with our knives； wounding them all very severely。 For about an hour they continued their attempts； and then they went away out of the cave； but remained at the mouth shrieking and howling。 We began to be very tired of this work； and Homer said that he wished he was back in prison again； and so did I； I can assure you； but there was no getting out； for had we gone out the animals would have torn us to pieces。 We agreed that we had no chance but the animals becoming tired and going away； and most anxious we were； for the excitement had made us very thirsty； and we wanted water。 We remained for two hours in this way imprisoned by baboons； when all of a sudden a shrill cry was given by one of the animals； and the whole herd went galloping off as fast as they could； screaming louder than ever。 We waited for a short time to see if they would return； and then Hastings crawled out first； and looking out of the cave very cautiously； said that they were all gone； and that he could see nothing but a Hottentot sitting down watching some cattle； we therefore all came out； very happy at our release。 That was our first adventure； we had plenty afterwards； but I think it is now time we should go to bed。 It is my opinion we shall have a fine day to…morrow； sir； but there's no saying。〃
〃I do so want to hear what happened to you afterwards； Ready；〃 said William。
〃Well； so you shall； but there's a time for everything； and this is bed…time； unless you like to go with me； the weather has cleared up； and I want to catch a fish or two for to…morrow。〃
Chapter XXXV
As Ready had predicted； the weather set in fine after the violent storm of which we have made mention。 For a fortnight； with little intermission； it continued fine； and during that time； Ready； Mr。 Seagrave； and William worked from daylight till dusk at the storehouse； which they were so anxious to complete； and were so tired when their work was over； that even William did not ask Ready to go on with his history。 At last the storehouse was complete； thatched and wattled in on three sides； leaving one open for ventilation； the lower part； which had been arranged for the folding of the stock at night and during the rainy season； was also wattled in with cocoa…nut boughs on three sides； and made a very comfortable retreat for the animals。 The winding path to the storehouse was also cut through the cocoa…nut grove； but the stumps were not removed； as they could not spare the time。 All the stores that they had brought round were put into the storehouse； and they were now ready to take up some other job。 It was； however； agreed that； on the day after the building was finished； they should all have a day's holiday； which they certainly did require。 William caught some fish； a turtle was speared and wheeled up to the house； and they not only had a holiday； but a feast。 Mr。 Seagrave and William had been walking on the beach with Mrs。 Seagrave and the children； while Ready was assisting Juno in cutting up the turtle； they had shown Mrs。 Seagrave the storehouse； and the goats with the four kids had been led there； as there was no longer any occasion for them to remain in the house。 The weather was beautiful； and they agreed to go and examine the garden。 They found that the seeds had not yet commenced sprouting； notwithstanding the heavy rains。
〃I should have thought that so much rain would have made them come up；〃 said Mrs。 Seagrave。
〃No； my dear；〃 replied Mr。 Seagrave； 〃they require more of the sun than they will have till the rainy season is nearly over； a few days like this； and they will soon be above…ground。〃
〃Let us sit down on this knoll； it is quite dry；〃 said Mrs。 Seagrave。 〃I little thought；〃 continued she； 〃that I could have been so happy in a desert island。 I thought I should feel the loss of books very severely； but I really do not think that I could have found time to read。〃
〃Employment is a source of happiness； especially when you are usefully employed。 An industrious person is always a happy person； provided he is not obliged to work too hard； and even where you have cause for unhappiness； nothing makes you forget it so soon as occupation。〃
〃But； mamma； we shall not always have so much to do as we have now；〃 said William。
〃Of course not；〃 replied Mr。 Seagrave； 〃and then we shall find our books a great source of enjoyment。 I am anxious to go to the other side of the island； and see what have been spared to us； and whether they have been much damaged； but that cannot be until after the rains are over； and we can use the boat again。
〃Look at this minute insect which is crawling on my finger；〃 said Mr。 Seagrave； turning to William： 〃what a number of legs it has！〃
〃Yes； I have seen something like it in old books。 How fast it runs with its little legs； thinner than hairs … how wonderful！〃
〃Yes； William；〃 replied Mr。 Seagrave； 〃we have only to examine into any portion； however small； of creation； and we are immediately filled with wonder。 There is nothing which points out to us the immensity and the omniscience of the Almighty more than the careful provision which has been made by Him for the smallest and most insignificant of created beings。 This little animal is perhaps one of many millions； who have their term of existence； and their enjoyment； as well as we have。 What is it？ … an insect of the minutest kind； a nothing in creation； yet has the same care been bestowed upon its formation： these little legs； hardly visible； have their muscles and their sinews； and every other portion of its body is as complete； as fearfully and wonderfully fashioned； as our own。 Such is his will； and what insects we ought to feel ourselves； when compared to the God of power and of love！〃
〃Let me also point out to you； William；〃 continued Mr。 Seagrave； 〃the infinity of his creative power； displayed in endless variety。 Amongst the millions of men that have been born； and died； if ever yet were there seen two faces or two bodies exactly alike； nay； if you could examine the leaves upon the trees； although there may be millions upon millions in a forest； you could not discover two leaves of precisely the same form and mak