I then announced my plan of visiting the vessel, and ordered Fritz to make preparations.

My wife resigned herself mournfully to the necessity.

When we were ready to depart, Ernest and Jack were not to be found; their mother suspected they had gone to get potatoes.

This calmed my apprehension; but I charged her to reprimand them for going without leave.

We set out towards Tent House, leaving Flora to protect the household, and taking our guns as usual.
We had scarcely left the wood, and were approaching Jackal River, when we heard piercing cries, and suddenly Ernest and Jack leaped from a thicket, delighted, as Jack said, in having succeeded in their plan of accompanying us, and, moreover, in making us believe we were beset with savages.