CHAPTER XV.
Taming of the young Ostriches. Preparation of the Flax. The Treasures of the Great Chest. The erection of the Chapel. The Deer-hunt, and the Adventure with the Jaguar. Another Expedition to the Salina. Alarm. An Encounter with Lost Travellers on the Pampas.

THE cheerful voice of Jack singing "See the Conquering Hero comes," brought the anxious party from the house in time to see the approach of the triumphal procession, which had a most imposing effect, notwithstanding the neighing and curvetting of the wild colt, the shuffling, waddling gait of the half-fledged strange-looking birds, and the ignoble bundles of dry, yellow stalks, which were piled on the back of the mule. The girls laughed with joyful wonder at the sight of the birds and Charles, after all his vituperations against his prisoner, presented it with a good grace to his friend Mary; while Jack, in giving his bird to Maria, added a promise that he would build a shed for its residence, and collect roots and grass daily to feed it. All were pleased with their acquisitions. Tom was particularly gratified with the possession of

| | 167 the handsome colt, which was a piebald; he chose to give it the name of Maculato, and with the assistance of Almagro, he immediately set about taming and training it.

Tom, in his course of reading, had obtained a theoretical knowledge of the mode of preparing flax, and Nanny had a practical acquaintance with the process; therefore, after carefully reserving the seeds, in order to sow a plot of ground on their own estate, the preparation was immediately set about. The stalks were first spread to steep in a shallow part of the river, heavy stones being placed upon them, to prevent them being carried away by the current. This was a work of labor, and, the season now being cold, it was far from agreeable; and they were glad to return to a hot dinner and a comfortable fire.

As Mr. Merton looked out at the two restless birds, which were tied to a tree, he observed: "My dear children, is there not much danger of our little state becoming too populous! Can we provide food and shelter for ourselves, and for so many living creatures depending on us?"

"Why, the whole land is our own, papa," cried Jack. "Let us build houses, and lay out fields and gardens, and form a complete colony. Lewis must have a house first, for he has the best right to one; besides, he is the eldest; and we will all help to build it."

"In truth," said Mrs. Merton, "if it is resolved that we should settle in this strange solitude, and if Dr. Lewis is kind enough to forsake the world and remain with us, I certainly think he ought to have the comfort of a separate abode, and not be crowded in our over-peopled hut."

"I perfectly agree with you, mamma," said Tom; "and I believe I shall be tempted to build a pretty snug place for myself, and lay out a farm."

"Very good, Farmer Tom," said his brother. " And with what sort of animals do you design to stock your farm! You must have fences six feet high, or you could never keep the wild cattle; and what in the world could you cultivate, except maize, and the ugly, straggling flax, if it will grow?"

"The flax is not ugly in the summer, Jack," answered Matilda, "as I hope you will see next year. Do not be discouraged, Tom. See what treasures we have found to-day. We have unpacked the large chest, which has never been | | 168 opened since we took out the tea-service and the linen in the cave; and besides all the silver spoons, we found the best dinner knives and forks, which we really wanted so much. Then there are needles and thread to serve us for years, scissors, thimbles; and, at the bottom of the box, were all these brown paper parcels. Read what is written on each of them."

Tom read "onion seed," "parsley seed," "turnip," "lettuce," " peas," "beans;" then followed some smaller packets, marked "mignionette," "sweet peas," "stocks:" all the home flowers. It was Mrs. Merton and Nanny who had secretly prepared these packages, in order that they might surround themselves, in a strange laid, with memories of home. In the trouble, dangers, and anxieties, which they had experienced since their arrival on the dreary coast, these packets had been wholly forgotten; and they were now overjoyed at the unexpected sight of such valuable possessions. As Tom read the name on each packet, it was hailed with a cry of joy, and in imagination they saw their garden flourishing with all the useful and beautiful productions of their English home.

"If we had only been so fortunate as to bring some wheat," cried Matilda.

"Forbear, my child," replied Mr. Merton, "to encourage such unreasonable desires. Let us not be ungrateful to God for the blessings he has given us, nor pine for those, which he, in his wisdom, thinks fit to withhold from us. Look around, my children, at the peace and plenty we possess, and be thankful."

"We are thankful, papa," answered Matilda; "yet we may desire to extend our buildings,--to found a new town. Allow me to draw the plan. I have considered it well. The houses must form a large quadrangle within the stockades, and the Church must stand in the midst."

"But we have no land to spare within the inclosure for cultivation," said Tom, "and I wish particularly for a farm. I advise, that we should build our houses beyond the stockades, and each defend his own domain."

"My dear friends," said Mr. Merton, "you talk of houses, as if you were really about to found a city, instead of raising some very simple huts. Most certainly these huts must be | | 169 all within the enclosure that you have so industriously formed, for your timid mother and I could not rest in peace, if these defences did not include all those we love."

"You are right, my good friend," observed Lewis. "This fortress must be our stronghold. Here we must build, if the weather be not too severe to prevent it; if that should be the case, we must wait for spring. Tom and I have also a plan, but we are not above taking a hint from the experienced architect Matilda."

Matilda felt that she was reproved, and was penitent, but persisted in her petition for the church; and Mr. Merton was so much affected at the idea of again performing his duties in a temple, however humble, which was consecrated to God, that the building of the church was carried by acclamation.

And now the various plans for the dwellings were brought forward, discussed, and one after another rejected. The want of iron, and the scarcity of work tools, were formidable obstacles. But as Jack observed, "We are ten times better off than the Indians, or even Guachos of the Pampas, and Almagro will tell you, that they can get up very snug huts. To be sure, ours ought to have a more civilized look than those of such rude fellows; besides Charles, as the great lord of the community, will, of course, expect to have a castle."

Charles declared that he would at prsent content himself with a hunting-box, for he protested against a permanent settlement in the wilderness; but before even this was begun, he begged that the horses might have the comfort of a stable for the cold nights, which would inevitably become colder.

This had been for some time a subject of thought, and now without delay they raised within the corral, some comfortable sheds for the cows, the llamas, and the horses. After this work was done, a plan was produced by Tom for the church, very neatly drawn, and fully approved by everyone. They began to build immediately, in the midst of the area, between two peach-trees. The chapel was about thirty feet long; the walls, like those of the hut, formed of woven willows, covered with mud, and the roof was thatched with maize leaves. At the east end a large space was left as a | | 170 window, which was neatly latticed with thin spars. A wicker door completed the exterior. Then they brought from the river large smooth, flat stones, which they laid down for the floor. This labor had occupied them about three weeks, when the frosts became more severe, and some slight showers of snow fell, which the sun soon melted; but this weather was unfavorable for building, and the workmen employed themselves within doors, and succeeded in producing some improved specimens of carpenter's work.

On fine days they went out to hunt; they added another foal to their stud; killed some guanacoes, and brought home about twenty ostrich eggs, which, sawed in two, gave to the kitchen a number of useful bowls and dishes.

The young ostriches had become perfectly docile, and now were allowed to stalk about the inclosure in freedom, feeding on the grass, and retiring to their own shed when the frost and snow came on. Their young mistresses were delighted to watch their habits, but Mrs. Merton, in some alarm, inquired how tall they would become.

"The ostrich of South America, Struthio Rhea," said Tom, "is, even at its full growth, not more than six feet in height. It is the largest bird of America, but much inferior in size to the ostrich of Africa, which reaches the height of ten feet."

"This diminution in size," observed Mr. Merton, "is a fact noticed in all the animal creation of the new world. The puma is a miniature lion, the jaguar, a small leopard, the monkeys are marmosets, compared with the gigantic creatures of Asia; and the birds, from the ostriches to the finches, are smaller than those of the eastern hemisphere. Nor can any other part of the world produce such a minute feathered creature as that miniature specimen of Trochilus Fortificatus, which, even in this cold season, is darting about after some wholly invisible insects."

"The American ostrich has, you perceive, three toes, each furnished with a nail," continued Tom; "the African ostrich has but two toes, like the camel. Almagro tells me, the flesh of the young ostrich is excellent food; but as we shall certainly not slay our pets to make the experiment, we must wait till we can take a bird on the Pampas. When this female bird begins to lay eggs, I can instruct Nanny--"

| | 171

"To blow them, no doubt!" interrupted Jack, "as we used to blow the sparrows' eggs at Winston. But we are all tired of the ostrich lecture; and I wish to know for what curious purpose the girls are splitting up these maize stems, which I had just brought up for Vixen."

"You must excuse us, Jack," said Mary, "for it is for something very useful. It is quite Matilda's plan; and remember, she has never boasted of it. We are making matting to cover the floor of the chapel; and when your ingenuity shall have furnished it with a reading-desk and benches, the building will be complete, and will look like a chapel."

"It will not be complete without a bell," said Jack, "but that, I fear we cannot make, and therefore I intend to be the Muezzin, and shall climb on the roof every morning to proclaim the ezzan; you shall hear how melodiously I shall chant the summons."

"I shall not permit such a mockery, my son," answered Mr. Merton; "I would not have a ceremony turned into a jest which is considered holy; though practised only by the mistaken followers of the imposter Mohammed. Remember, that the words of the Muezzin proclaim the might and majesty of the one true God, and that on hearing the solemn words, all fall down on their faces and worship, in spirit, that Great and Mysterious Being. Rather than mock at their ceremonies, I would counsel you all, my children, to imitate the humble spirit of devotion evinced by men who are yet ignorant of the Great Truth; and with meek hearts worship him who has, to us, opened the way of salvation."

The reading-desk and the benches employed the industrious young men on the days when the snow whirled from the mountains, and the keen winds chilled the frame, till the family were thankful of the warm skins to line the hut, and the comfort of the cheerful wood-fire, to supply which they had previously collected a large pile of fuel behind the hut.

Fires were also made in the chapel till the walls were hardened; then the desks and benches were arranged, and Mr. Merton performed the solemn ceremony of consecrating this simple temple to the worship of God; afterwards they had daily prayers in the chapel. The cold flag floor was covered with neatly woven mats, and the sisters were now busily engaged in weaving from the hair of the llama, a curtain for | | 172 the window: Tom promising them, that in the spring, he would examine the cacti for the cochineal insect, that they might dye the curtain scarlet.

In various labors, the time passed rapidly, till the midst of winter, the month of July arrived. The store-room still contained an ample stock of dried meat and maize, which, with milk, formed their wholesome diet; but on fine frosty days the hunters went out, and seldom returned without a guanaco, a hare, or a vicuna,--a welcome addition to their dry food and their store of skins. In one of these excursions, when they had somewhat extended their researches, they were fortunate enough to discover a salina, or salt lake, over which formed a table of pure salt, crystallized in large cubes. Many large pieces were scattered round the shores of the lake, and they were enabled to fill a bag to convey home for present use; determining to return to the spot and collect a good quantity to store.

When Nanny was presented with a guanaco and a bag of salt, she smiled graciously on the gentlemen. "There's some sense in bringing such useful things as this salt," said she, glancing invidiously at the young ostriches, which were prone to mischief. "Now we will have our meat cured after a decent fashion, and this very day will I salt and smoke these two legs of mutton as we call it, though no mutton was ever so poor; but see if it will not get better than these dry chips of beef, that make one's jaws ache to chew them: and to think of them poor ignorant heathens, spoiling good meat by drying all taste out of it, when they have salt growing, as it were, in their very pastures."

The salt was highly relished, and the young men promised more, but remained at home two days to clean and prepare two guanaco skins, which were to be used as carpets in the chapel this cold weather, one being placed at the reading-desk, for Mr. Merton, and the other was to be a warm rug for mamma's feet. The frosts were now severe; every morning the ground was covered with snow, and the river was frozen, but as the day advanced the suu dispersed the frost, the river became daily augmented by the melted snow, and the hunters feared it would soon become unfordable.

| | 173

"At all events," said Lewis, "before the swollen waters entirely imprison us, let us have a chase after the deer, which this cold weather will bring towards the woods for shelter."

Jack sprung up directly, but Charles and Tom thought it too cold, and excused themselves on the plea that they were assisting the young ladies, who were making a large net of slender thongs of hide, with which they proposed to net the river, as soon as the spring had tempted the fish from their retreats. Almagro was in the woods, cutting down some trees, to build himself a hut, which was the next undertaking projected. The two friends therefore set out alone, mounted on their horses, and, crossing the river before the ice was melted, galloped forward to the plains. They soon met with the deer, and captured one, which was slain, and laid upon Pamporo, and, a slight snow-shower coming on, Lewis turned homewards.

"Come back, Lewis," cried Jack. "and tell me what that brilliant creature can be that I see through the foliage of that dark pine It must be climbing the tree."

"Quick, my clear lad!" said Lewis. "We must either make off, or prepare for action, for, by the splendor of the skin, that climbing creature must be the beautiful and dangerous jaguar."

Jack's rifle was ready in a moment. "I suppose the fellow will be too cunning to be trapped by the bolas," said he.

"If we attempted such a plan we should have the worst of it," replied Lewis. "But mark, how still the crafty creature is now. I am persuaded that he has seen us, and intends to have a banquet on us, or our poor horses. Now, Jack, let me intreat you to retire, and I will take a shot at him, and then follow you."

But, before his prudent friend had finished his request, Jack had galloped up to the tree, and when within a few yards, had fired at the jaguar. The furious beast immediately made a spring from the tree upon the boy, and to the horror of Lewis, dragged him from the horse, which fled like the wind, evidently conscious of its danger, and rejoicing at its escape. For a single painful moment Lewis hesitated: if he fired, the risk was great of shooting the boy, yet to leave | | 174 him for instant in the clutches of the powerful jaguar would be death. He snatched the bolas from his saddle, and whirling them with the rapidity of despair, sent them with such good aim that they entangled the hind-legs of the beast, which turned round in fury to attack the aggressor in the rear.

To the great astonishment of Lewis, Jack sprung up, apparently uninjured, leaving his poncho in the claws of the enemy, and began to reload his piece, but his friend, waving him on one side, fired at the head of the jaguar, and killed it on the spot.

"Let me have my poncho," cried Jack "I hope the ill-bred creature has not rent it. Only think, Lewis, how lucky it was that Maria had made the opening so wide that I easily withdrew my head, when I found the savage beast had clutched my poncho instead of my ribs. But he would have had me, Lewis, at his second spring, but for your bolas. You are a capital doctor, for you never undertake a bad case but you save your patient; I should think there are not many doctors can say that."

"Remember, my dear Jack, I was only an instrument in the hands of God; you must thank him for your rescue from a frightful death," said Lewis. "And now, if you will wait till I skin this beast, that we may carry off a trophy, we will return."

The animal was skinned, and its coat was added to the burthen of Pampero, which was led home by its master, as Jack was compelled to walk, murmuring for the loss of his steed, though truly grateful for his escape.

"What a vexatious thing," said he, "that I must return in such an ignomnous plight--dismounted and defeated, my poncho rent, and my horse lost! How the merry girls will laugh at me! I might as well have staid at home too, to weave fishing-nets."

But when they arrived at the entrance of the enclosure, they found Vixen standing quietly, but panting with her gallop, and evidently very glad when she found herself in her stable, escaped from the falling snow and the claws of the jaguar. The venison was well received, and the adventure of the jaguar created great interest; the heroes were ap- | | 175 plauded, and Matilda made a pretty speech, when the handsome skin of the animal was laid at her feet.

"The jaguar, rather than the puma," observed Tom, "should certainly be named the 'king of the forest' in South America; he is the most savage of the wild animals, and Jack has had a most miraculous escape. He is, as you would observe, nearly as large as the tiger of the East, though his bright yellow spotted skin resembles more that of the leopard: these spots on the back and neck, are ocellated black rings, with a black spot in the centre; the under part of the animal is white, with transverse black stripes. He is truly a beautiful creature, but I trust, as the jaguar is the solitary animal, and usually frequents warmer latitudes than this, we need not fear having a nocturnal visit from another of these fierce creatures, which could easily climb into the corral and destroy all the stock. I should rather have liked to see the jaguar living, if I could have done it in security; but to meet him alone would be a very undesirable shock to the nerves."

One more very important expedition was projected before the increasing waters of the river should imprison them.

They proposed to go at once to the Salina, and in the first place bring away several large bags of salt; but they had still another motive for tho visit, for they had observed, on the borders of the lake, an arborescent grass of great length, resembling the bamboo, which grew in entangled masses. Of this grass or cane, they determined to collect a large quantity for the purpose of weaving the walls of the projected huts.

The morning was dear and frosty when they set out in good spirits prepared for a hard day's work, after the long ride to the Salt Lake. On reaching the lake, they broke the surface with axes, filled several large bags with salt, and then proceeded to cut down the bamboos, tying them up in bundles with thongs. These bundles were again tied together in one large pile, on which the bags of salt were laid, the whole to be drawn along by Niger and the mule, the most tractable of the animals in harness.

Tired with their long labor, they sat down to refresh themselves with some slices of beef they had brought with them, regretting that with that large space of water before them, they could not find any fit to drink. They were startled as | | 176 they sat on that still spot by two pigeon flying from a tree near them; and Jack, persuaded that there must be a nest in some hollow of the tree, with his usual untiring activity climbed up to search for it. But, in a moment, he slid down the tree, pale and agitated, and exclaimed "I see people coming towards us! Let us make ready, for they must, I fear, be the Indians."

"Most assuredly, if any people be coming this way," said Lewis, "they must be Indians for, at this season, no one else would be crossing the dreary Pampas. But let us immediately ascertain their number, and the distance they are from us, that we may calculate whether we have time to escape ourselves, after concealing those traces of the presence of man," pointing to the piles of bamboo.

Almagro sprung up the tree to survey the plains, and came down with a look of wonder. "Those are not Indians," said he; "they are the men of civilized countries, for they have carriages drawn by horses."

For a moment all were silent, mixed thoughts of pain and pleasure crossed their minds. Jack was the first who spoke.

"How unlucky!" said he, "There's an end of our Robinson Crusoe life. Who would ever have thought of people coming with their carts and carriages here, as if it was market-day; when we flattered ourselves we were in an untrodden solitude, and that the land was all our own."

"For my part," said Tom, "I shall not object to learn the way out of this wilderness. There is so much work before you can obtain the smallest comforts, and there are so many things, absolutely mecessary, that we never can get here, that I am rather tired of such a hard life."

"We are really in a very unfit state to receive company," said Charles, "especially if there should be any ladies of the party. If it were possible, I would gladly withdraw; I feel so much ashamed of this rude, savage, ungentlemanly costume." The lamentations of Charles, and the idea of ladies on the Pampas at this season, occasioned much mirth but soon they all forgot their own feelings and fancies, in anxiety and watchfulness for the arrival of the party, which they now saw slowly approaching the place where they were | | 177 resting. As the carriages drew nearer, they discovered that they were two long covered waggons; the first, drawn by a single horse; the second, by two mules. Each of the animals was led by a person who seemed to have great difficulty in getting his charge to move onward with the ponderous waggons.

The friends now mounted their horses, and riding briskly forward, soon came up to the procession. "Thank Heaven!" cried a pale, emaciated man, in English, as they approached, "We are saved! for if you are Christians, you will not suffer us to perish in this interminable wilderness."

"We will do all in our power to aid you," replied Lewis. "Tell us who you are and whither you are going?"

They were now joined by a tall fine looking man, who seemed likewise much exhausted by fatigue or privation.

We are brothers-in-law," continued the first speaker. "This is William Douglas; my name is Henry Carruthers. In this waggon are our wives and an infant; the waggon behind is driven by our servant John Armstrong: this is our whole party. We left Buenos Ayres three months ago for Chili, intending to cross the Andes before the snows fell. Our purpose in visiting Chili, was, to work some mines in that rich country. We have been betrayed, robbed, and deserted by our guides; we have lost our way, and have wandered blindly over these dreary wastes, till we have been almost reduced to absolute famine. In another day our last remaining animals must have died of fatigue. with them, every hope of our escape. But God heard our cry in the wilderness, and has sent you to save us; His name be blessed!"

"Did I not tell you, Henry, to keep up your courage," cried a pretty little active woman, who, folded in a dark cloak, now descended from a door at the back of the carriage. "What was the use of falling into despair And you see, as usual, I was right. My good strangers, your faces were never so welcome in this world as they are just now. I must have some talk to you; and, now William, take that poor horse out of the traces, and let him have a mouthful of grass,--such as it is. And you, Henry, just step into the wagom, and beg Eliza to give up that sighing and moaning, which is very bad for the child, and to cheer up, for we shall | | 178 soon visit her, and introduce these charming kind young strangers to her."

Having employed her husband and brother, Mrs. Douglas, as she proved to be, introduced herself to her new friends, and was soon on familiar terms with them.

"You must excuse my sister, young gentlemen," continued she. "She is delicate and nervous, and has almost fretted herself to death about our misfortunes; and would never hear me when I told her I felt sure that God would send us help, if we trusted in him, and used our own senses and energies. Poor Eliza! all she begged for was, that we should remain in one place till somebody came to help us, for she could not bear the jolting of the waggon. To be sure, I must allow, the motion is not easy, especially since we broke one of the wheels by driving over the fallen trunk of a tree. John Armstrong did his best to mend it, but he is no great workman; he certainly said he could have managed it, if he could have had a forge, but we could not wait tll be set up a smith's shop on the Pampas. Oh! he made a sad bungling job of that wheel, which has never turned round since; so you may conceive how rough our travelling has been."

As soon as the voluble lady made a pause, Dr. Lewis inquired if Mrs. Carruthers was ill, as he was a medical practitioner, and would be glad to offer his services if required. Mr. Carruthers, who had joined them, accepted his offer with grateful acknowledgements, and conducted him into the long, clumsy carriage, which formed the lodging of the ladies; the gentlemen having been obliged to sleep on the piled luggage in the second waggon.