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242 THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
its wearer. Thus, if any accident did happen to him, he would be comparatively safe.
The winter had glided away; reading, the study of languages, and other literary pursuits had been mingled with our domestic occupations, and helped to make the gloomy days pass.
The wind calmed, the sea resumed its smoothness the grass sprang up under our feet, and we revisited Falcon's Nest, with its giant trees and its rich harvest of springing grain.
The swimming costume was the last thing that we had made, and Fritz was anxious to try it; consequently, one fine afternoon, dinner over, he put on his jacket, which was drawn close round his neck; then his hood, with its pipe for air, was fitted to the jacket, and two pieces of talc inserted so that he could see. He looked so droll that we all burst into a fit of laughter; but he plunged gravely into the water, and struck out for Shark Island.
When he returned we found that his costume was quite water-tight, and he might safely brave a wetting anywhere.
The trial of the cajack was a grand holiday fete. All were anxious to join in it, and when Fritz appeared, clad in his odd costume, he was greeted |
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