The boys thought them so inviting, that they tasted them at once, but
angry exclamations and much spitting and spluttering followed the
experiment; even Knips rejected them, and they would have been cast
aside with contempt, had not the smell induced me to examine them. I
decided that this was the fruit of the clove.
Some plants were immediately set in the nursery garden, and my wife was
pleased to have this excellent spice wherewith to flavour her boiled
rice and other dishes, in lieu of pepper--a very welcome variety to
everyone.
Having a good supply of clay, brought from the bed near Falconhurst, I
proposed to use it for making aqueducts; and, observing how much the
recent rain had promoted the growth of our young corn, I determined to
irrigate the fields with the drainage from our crushing-mill.
The fishing season was again successful. Large takes of salmon,
sturgeon and herring rewarded our annual exertions, and our store-room
again assumed a well-stocked appearance. Much as I wished that we could
obtain a constant supply of these fish fresh, I was obliged to reject
the naive proposal from Jack, that we should tether a shoal of salmon
by the gills to the bottom of the bay as we had secured the turtles.
Many quiet uneventful days passed by and I perceived that the boys,
wearied by the routine of farm work at Rockburg, were longing for a
cruise in the yacht or an expedition into the woods, which would
refresh both mind and body.
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