a live subject, but consented to make a trial of skill by aiming at the stump of a tree at no great distance.
My success surpassed my own expectations; the stump was entwined by the cord in such a way as to leave no doubt whatever as to the feasibility of the wonderful performances I described; and I was assailed by petitions from the boys, each anxious to possess a lasso of his own, without a moment's delay.
As the manufacture was simple, their wishes were speedily gratified, and lasso-practice became the order of the day.
Fritz, who was the most active and adroit, besides having, of course, the greatest muscular strength, soon became skilled in the art.
That night a change came over the weather, and early next morning I perceived that a gale of wind was getting up. From the height of our trees I could see that the surface of the sea was in violent agitation.
It was with no small satisfaction that I thought of our hard-won pinnace, safely moored in the harbour, and recollected that there was nothing to call us to the wreck for the next few days.
My attention was by no means monopolised by my sons and their amusements. The good mother had much to show me demanding my approval, advice, or assistance, as the case might be.
A good supply of wild pigeons and ortolans had been snared, partly cooked, and preserved in lard. Of these she showed me her small cask well filled.
Then the nests of various pairs of tame pigeons were exhibited, but her chief care was the unpromising condition of her dear little fruit trees, for, having been forgotten, they were so dry and withered, that unless planted without further delay, she feared we should lose them.
This needful work we set about, therefore, at once, proposing
