"
The next day, Fritz and Ernest set out on their expedition with
Parabery, in his canoe, to seek our two valued dogs. The good islander
carried his canoe on his back to the shore. I saw them set off, but not
without some dread, in such a frail bark, into which the water leaked
through every seam. But my boys could swim well; and the kind, skilful,
and bold Parabery undertook to answer for their safety. I therefore
recommended them to God, and returned to the grotto, to tranquillize my
wife's fears. Jack was inconsolable that he could not form one of the
party; but Sophia scolded him for wishing to leave them, to go upon the
sea, which had swallowed up poor Alfred.
In the evening we had the pleasure of seeing our brave dogs enter the
grotto. They leaped on us in a way that terrified the poor little girls
at first, who took them for bears; but they were soon reconciled to them
when they saw them fawn round us, lick our hands, and pass from one to
the other to be caressed. My sons had had no difficulty in finding them;
they had run to them at the first call, and seemed delighted to see
their masters again.
The poor animals had subsisted on the remains of the kangaroos, but
apparently had met with no fresh water, for they seemed dying with
thirst, and rushed to the brook as soon as they discovered it, and
returned again and again.
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