' And after removing the stains from his skin, he again sprang
into his canoe and piloted us to a picturesque little island in the
bay.
Now that there could be no doubt as to the success of Fritz's
expedition, I no longer hesitated to give to my wife an account of his
project, and to prepare her mind for the surprise which awaited her.
She was greatly startled, as I expected, and seemed almost overcome
with emotion at the idea of seeing a human being, and that being one of
her own sex.
`But why,' she asked, `did you not tell me of this at first? Why wait
until the last moment with such joyful news?'
`I was unwilling,' I replied, `to raise hopes which might never be
realized; but now, thank Heaven, he has succeeded, and there is no need
for concealment.'
The boys could not at all understand the evident air of mystery and
suppressed excitement which neither their mother, Fritz, nor I could
entirely conceal. They cast glances of the greatest curiosity towards
the island, and as soon as the sails were furled and the anchor
dropped, they sprang eagerly ashore. In a body we followed Fritz,
maintaining perfect silence.
Presently we emerged from the thicket through which we were passing,
and saw before us a hut of sheltering boughs, at the entrance of which
burned a cheerful fire.
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