Six weeks passed while we worked hard.
We planted fruit trees at Falconhurst. After that we worked at Tentholm.
I wanted to make it safe in case of emergency.
First we planted a thick, prickly hedge that would protect us from wild animals.
Then we mounted two cannons from the wreck on a hill above the bay.
The boys were growing strong as I encouraged them to run, climb, and swim.
For fun, I also taught them how to use a lasso, and Jack took his everywhere.
But all this work and play was wearing out their clothes.
Therefore I decided to pay another visit to the wreck to replenish our wardrobes.
I also wanted to see how much longer the vessel was likely to hold together.
Luckily there hadn't been a storm yet.
The three older boys and I set off in the sailboat.
"Come, boys," I said.
"Don't leave behind a single item of the slightest value.
Search the ship to the bottom of its hold."
The boys scattered throughout the ship.
Soon everything from bales of cloth to window shutters lay in a heap on the deck.
We loaded the sailboat and went onshore.
After a few more trips, nothing remained.
"I left two barrels of gunpowder on board and lit a very long fuse," I said to my wife when we returned to Tentholm.
That night we ate supper at a spot from which we could see the wreck.
Suddenly a vivid pillar of fire rose from the black waters.
"That's the end of the brave ship that carried us from Switzerland," I said softly.
We had planned the destruction of the ship, but we went to bed that night feeling sad.
We felt as if we'd lost a dear friend.
The next morning we found the shore lined with a rich supply of wood.
Our ship had been good to us until the end.
Meanwhile Fritz and I had been planning another expedition into the countryside surrounding Falconhurst.
"Why does Fritz always get to go?" complained Jack.
"Yes," said my wife. "I'd like to see what's beyond Falconhurst too."
So the next morning the whole family started off in our cart pulled by the cow and donkey.
We took everything necessary for an expedition of several days.
On the first day we gathered more berries to make candles and tapped the rubber trees for their gummy sap.
After pitching our tent, we were enjoying supper when our donkey, Grizzle, let out a loud bray.
"What's wrong with him?" asked little Franz as the donkey galloped away.
"I have no idea," I replied, "but we can't afford to lose such a valuable animal."
We followed the donkey for a short distance, but had to give up because it was getting dark.
The next morning I took Jack and the dogs with me.
We followed Grizzle's tracks in the soil until they mingled with those of other animals.
At last we reached a wide plain, and I saw a herd of large animals. Buffalo!
Turk and Juno saw them too and dashed forward before I could stop them.
The dogs surrounded a young buffalo, causing the rest of the herd to attack.
I fired my gun in the air, and the herd retreated.
"If we could capture that little buffalo, we might train him to work for us," I said.
"I know what to do!" said Jack.
He pulled out his lasso and, twirling it in the air, caught the buffalo by the hind legs.
We fastened a rope around the buffalo's neck.
With the dogs herding it from either side, we managed to get the buffalo to walk with us.
I decided to give up our donkey search for the moment and return to camp.
Juno dashed ahead and was about to rush into a little cave.
Suddenly a large jackal sprang out at her.
Turk joined the fight, and the two dogs managed to drive off the jackal.
Jack peered inside the cave.
"Baby jackals! Oh, Father, may I take one home?"
I glanced around nervously. "Hurry up before the parents come back."
Jack went into the cave and emerged with a yellow cub the size of a cat.
He was eager to show his new pet to his brothers.
"Look what I found!" he said triumphantly when we arrived back at our tent.
"And look what I found!" said Fritz, showing us a small eagle.
"Now, boys," I said. "You're collecting a lot of pets.
It's not your mother's job to take care of them.
You must each look after your own, and if I find any animal neglected, I will set it free. Do you understand?"
The boys nodded solemnly while my wife looked quite relieved.