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CHAPTER IX |
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OUR HOUSE IN THE GIANT TREE
As for myself, I had quite decided that T would not go to sleep during this first night in the forest, but without telling anyone would keep watch. Every leaf that stirred gave me a thrill, making me think that a tiger, or other ferocious beast, might be creeping up to attack us. As soon as one of the bonfires was consumed, I got up quietly and lighted another; but at length finding that no animal appeared, I became reassured and fell into a sound sleep.
The next morning, after breakfast, we all eagerly set to work. My wife went off with Ernest, Jack, and Francis, leading the donkey to the seashore to collect more wood. In their absence I ascended the tree with Fritz. I found that to place such a platform as I intended would be a work of no great difficulty, for the branches grew close to each other,
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