CHAPTER IV.
A day of rest—A parable for the young people—Quiet recreation—Geographical nomenclature—The margay and porcupine skins made of use—An expedition to Tentholm—Potatoes, potatoes—Tropical vegetation—The use of the Karatas—Jack's greediness and its punishment—Ernest discovers cochineal—Arrive at Tentholm—The poultry rebellious—Return to Falconhurst—Ernest roused out early—We collect wood for a sledge—Master Knips turns thief—Franz's plan for the saving of ammunition—Ernest and I take the sledge to Tentholm—Ernest's laziness exemplified—He catches a salmon—We start for home—Kill a kangaroo—And cook it.
Next morning all were early awake, and the children sprang about the tree like young monkeys.
“What shall we begin to do, father?” they cried. “What do you want us to do, to-day.”
“Rest, my boys,” I replied, “rest.”
“Rest?” repeated they. “Why should we rest?”
“ ‘Six days shalt thou labour and do all that thou hast to do, but on the seventh, thou shalt do no manner of work.’ This is the seventh day,” I replied, “on it, therefore, let us rest.”
“What, is it really Sunday?” said Jack; “how jolly! oh, I won't do any work; but I'll take a bow and arrows and shoot, and we'll climb about the tree and have fun all day.”
“That is not resting,” said I, “that is not the way you are accustomed to spend the Lord's day.”
“No! but then we can't go to church here, and there is nothing else to do.”
“We can worship here as well as at home,” said I.
