Our first attempts were
clumsy enough; but, as usual, perseverance was rewarded, and we
produced a good supply of all sorts and sizes. One very large basket I
furnished with openings through which to pass a strong stick, so that
it might, when heavily laden, be carried by two persons.
No sooner did the children see the force of this idea, than they got a
bamboo, and popping little Franz into the basket, carried him about in
triumph.
This amusement suggested a fresh notion to Fritz. `Oh, father,' cried
he, `don't you think we might make something like this for mother, and
carry her much more comfortably than jolting along in the cart?'
The boys shouted with glee at the proposal, and though their mother
thought the plan feasible enough, she confessed that she did not much
like the thought of sitting in the middle of a basket, and just looking
out now and then over the rim.
However, I assured her it should be a well-shaped comfortable
sedan-chair, or litter; and the next question was how it should be
carried, since the boys could not play the part of Indian
palanquin-bearers, either with safety to their mother, or with any
pleasure to themselves.
`The bull and the buffalo!' cried Jack. `Why not use them for it?
Let's go and try them now!'
Off ran the boys, and in a short time the basket was securely hung
between Storm and Grumble.
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