贝壳电子书 > 英文原著电子书 > masterman ready >

第34章

masterman ready-第34章

小说: masterman ready 字数: 每页4000字

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页,按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页,按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部!
————未阅读完?加入书签已便下次继续阅读!



s of rock。 We agreed that one should watch while the other two slept; this Hastings undertook to do; as he was not inclined to sleep。 At daylight he woke Romer and me; and we made our breakfast。 From the place we were concealed in; we had a bird's…eye view of the farmhouse; and of what was going on。

〃The farmhouse and buildings just below us were much smaller than the other two; which were more distant。 We watched the people as they went about。 In about an hour the Hottentots came out; and we perceived that they were yoking the oxen to the waggon; they yoked twelve pair; and then the Hottentot driver got in and drove off towards Cape Town。 Soon after that; another Hottentot drove the cows up the valley to feed; and then a Dutch woman came out of the house with two children; and fed the poultry。

〃We watched for another hour; and then the farmer himself made his appearance; with a pipe in his mouth; and sat down on a bench。 When his pipe was out; he called to the house; and a Hottentot woman came to him with more tobacco and a light。 During the whole of the day we did not see any other people about the house; so we concluded that there were no more than the farmer; his wife; the Hottentot woman; and two children。 About two hours after noon the farmer went to the stable and led out his horse; mounted; mid rode away; we saw him speak to the Hottentot woman when he rode off; and she soon after went down the valley with a basket on her head; and a long knife in her hand。 Then Hastings said it was time that we moved; for there was but one woman in the house; and we could easily overpower her and get what we wanted; still there was a great risk; as she might give the alarm; and we should have to escape in the day…time; and might be seen and taken prisoners again。 However; as it was our only chance; we resolved to go down to the farmhouse very cautiously; and be all ready to seize any opportunity。 We crept down the hill; and gained the fence; which was at the back of the farmhouse; without being discovered: we remained there for about a quarter of an hour; when; to our great joy; we observed the farmer's wife go out of the house; leading a child in each hand; apparently she was going to visit one of her neighbours; for she went in the direction of one of the other farms。 As soon as she was a hundred yards off; Hastings crept softly through the fence; and entered the farmhouse by the back…door; he came out again; and made a sign for us to come in。 We found him already in possession of a rifle and a musket; which had been hanging over the fire…place; and we soon handed down the powder…horns and ammunition pouches; which were hung up at a different part of the room; away from the fire…place。

〃Having gained these; Hastings set me to watch at the front door; lest anybody should return; while Romer and he looked out for something else in the way of provisions。 We got possession of three hams; and a large loaf of bread as big as a small washing…tub。 With these articles we made our way safe back to our retreat。 We then looked round; and could see nobody in any direction; so we presumed that we were not discovered。 As there was a sort of ravine full of rocks dividing the hill; which we were obliged to pass before we could get into the valley; unless we went down close to the farmhouse; we agreed that it would be better at once to cross it during the day…time; so that we should get that difficulty over; and; at the same time; be further from the farmhouse。 We did so; and found a very secure hiding…place; where we lay down; waiting for the sun to set before we started on our journey into the interior。 I think I had better leave off now; William; as it is getting late。〃



Chapter XXXVII

The fishpond was commenced the next morning。 Ready; Mr。 Seagrave; and William went down together to the beach; and; after much examination; chose a spot about one hundred yards from the turtle…pond as most eligible for the purpose; the water being shallow; so that at the part farthest from the shore there would not be more than three feet。

〃Now; sir;〃 said Ready; 〃this is a very simple job; all we have to do is to collect small rocks and stones; pile them up wall…fashion inside; and with a slope outside; so as to break the force of the waves when the water is a little rough; of course; the water will find its way through the stones; and will be constantly changed。 It's very true; that we can at most times catch fish when we want them; but it is not always that we can spare the time; so it's just as well to have always a certain quantity at hand; to take out at a moment's warning; and we can; of course; catch them and put them in here when we have nothing else to do。 Juno will be able to come down and take them out with a spear; when we are away and she wants something for dinner。〃

〃But there are few stones about here; Ready; we shall have to fetch them a long way;〃 said William。

〃Well; then; William; let us get the wheels down here; and then we can carry a quantity at a time。〃

〃But how shall we carry them; Ready?〃

〃We will sling a tub on the axle; I will go up and get that ready and bring it down; in the meantime; you and Mr。 Seagrave can collect all the stones which are near at hand。〃

Ready soon returned with the wheels; and the tub slung with rope on the axle; and by that means they found that they could collect the stones very fast; Mr。 Seagrave and William bringing them; and Ready in the water; building up the wall。

〃We have quite forgot another job which we must put in hand; sir;〃 observed Ready; 〃but the fish…pond reminds me of it。〃

〃What is that; Ready?〃

〃A bathing…place for the children; and indeed for us all; we shall want it when the hot weather comes on; but we will put it off till then。 I can tell you; sir; that although I don't mind building this wall in the shallow water; I shall be very careful when the water is up to my knees; for you don't know how bold the sharks are in these latitudes。 When I was at St。 Helena; not very long ago; we had a melancholy proof of it。〃

〃Tell us the story; Ready。〃

〃Well; two soldiers were standing on the rocks at St。 Helena; the rocks were out of the water; but the swell just broke over them。 Two sharks swam up to them; and one of them; with a blow of his tail; turning round the same way; tripped one of them into the water; which was very deep。 His comrade was very much frightened; and ran to the barracks to tell the story。 About a week afterwards; a schooner was in Sandy Bay; on the other side of the island; and the people seeing a very large shark under the stern; put out a hook with a piece of pork; and caught him; they opened him; and found inside of him; to their horror; the whole of the body of the soldier; except the legs below the knees: the monster had swallowed him whole; with the exception of his legs; which it had nipped off when it closed its jaws。〃

〃I really had no idea that they were so bold; Ready。〃

〃It is a fact; I assure you; and therefore we cannot be too careful how we go into the water: you saw how soon the poor pig was despatched。〃

〃I wonder how the pigs get on; Ready;〃 said William。

〃I dare say they have littered by this time; sir; they have no want of food。〃

〃But can they eat the cocoa…nuts?〃

〃Not the old ones; but they can the young ones; which are constantly dropping from the trees; and then there's plenty of roots for them。 If we stay long here we shall soon have good sport hunting them; but we must be very careful; for although they were tame pigs when we brought them on shore; they will be wild and very savage in a very short time。〃

〃How must we hunt them?〃 said Mr。 Seagrave。

〃Why; sir; with the dogs; and then shoot them。 I am glad that Vixen will have pups soon; we shall want more dogs。〃

〃Shall we not have more mouths than we can find food for?〃

〃Never fear that; sir; as long as we have the sea to fish in。 Dogs live very well upon fish; even if it is raw。〃

〃We shall have some lambs soon; Ready; shall we not?〃

〃Yes; sir; I expect very soon。 I wish we had more food for the animals: they are put rather hard to it just now; but next year; if we find more food on the island; we must keep the grass near home; to make ha

返回目录 上一页 下一页 回到顶部 0 0

你可能喜欢的