From this little incident, however, we saw how dangerous was our
position, and how difficult escape would be should any fierce
beast steal upon us unawares: we therefore hastened to make our
way to the open seashore. Here the scene which presented itself
was indeed delightful. A background of hills, the green waving
grass, the pleasant groups of trees stretching here and there
to the very water's edge, formed a lovely prospect.
On the smooth sand we searched carefully for any trace of our
hapless companions, but not the mark of a footstep could we find.
`Shall I fire a shot or two?' said Fritz. `That would bring our
companions, if they are within hearing.'
`It would indeed,' I replied, `or any savages that may be here.
No, no; let us search diligently, but as quietly as possible.'
`But why, father, should we trouble ourselves about them at all?
They left us to shift for ourselves, and I for one don't care to
set eyes on them again.'
`You are wrong, my boy,' said I. `In the first place, we should
not return evil for evil; then, again, they might be of great
assistance to us in building a house of some sort; and lastly,
you must remember that they took nothing with them from the
vessel, and may be perishing of hunger.'
`But father, while we are wandering here and losing our time
almost without a hope of benefit to them, why should we not
instead return to the vessel and save the animals on board?'
`When a variety of duties present themselves for our choice,
we should always give the preference to that which can confer
the most solid advantage,' I replied.
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