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262 THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON |
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On one occasion Fritz took with him some provisions, and went to sea in his cajack. He had set out before daylight, and when night was approaching nothing could be seen of him. My wife was in a state of the greatest suspense; and, to comfort her, I launched the canoe, and we set out for Shark Island. There, from the top of the flagstaff, we displayed our flag and fired a cannon. A few moments after we saw a black spot in the far distance, and, by the aid of a telescope, we discovered Fritz. He advanced slowly towards us, beating the sea with his oars, as if his canoe were charged with a double load.
As he came nearer we saw that his boat was filled with different things; and something heavy and dark, which looked like the head of a large animal, was being towed behind. He did not land, so we joined him on the water, and kept him company to the shore. But it was not until we had all arrived safely at Cliff House, that he told us anything. He explained he had gone for a considerable distance along the coast, and seen several walruses, and penetrated into a vast cave in which many little birds like swallows were flying about. He thought they were of the kind whose nests are eaten by the Chinese, being made of a sort of |
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