"Doubtless that of Tahiti, or the Friendly Islands," said he; "but the
dialect of these islanders differs much from theirs. I have resided here
more than a year, and have studied it, so may be of use to you; let us
go. Which way did you come?"
"Through that thick wood," replied I; "where we wandered a long time;
and I fear we shall have some difficulty in finding our way back."
"You should have taken the precaution to notch the trees as you came,"
said our worthy friend; "without that precaution, you were in danger of
being lost; but we will find my marks, which will lead us to the brook,
and following its course we shall be safe."
"We saw no brook," remarked Fritz.
"There is a brook of excellent water, which you have missed in crossing
the forest; if you had ascended the course of the stream, you would have
reached the hut which contains your dear friends; the brook runs
before it."
Fritz struck his forehead with vexation.
"God orders all for the best," said I to the good priest; "we might not
have met with you; we should have been without Ernest; you might have
sought us all day in vain. Ah! good man, it is under your holy auspices
that our family ought to meet, in order to increase our happiness. Now
please to tell me"--
"But first," interrupted Fritz, "pray tell me how Jack is? He was
wounded, and"--
"Be composed, young man," said the calm man of God; "the wound, which he
confesses he owes to his own imprudence, will have no evil consequences;
the savages had applied some healing herbs to it, but it was necessary
to extract a small ball, an operation which I performed yesterday
evening.
Pages:
380
381
382
383
384
385
386
387
388
389
390
391
392
393
394
395
396
397
398
399
400
401
402
403
404