shore."

Off ran Jack to the shore, with Ernest at his heels, and back they both
came with large and small shells for us all.

Just then Fritz came in, with a look of gloom on his face, which I
could see was a sham.

"You do not mean to tell me you have come back with nought?" said I, as
he put out his hands as if to prove that such was the case. But Jack,
who had been round him, cried out, "No, no! he's got a pig!--such a
fine one. Tell us where you found it."

Fritz now brought forth his prize. When I saw it, I knew, from what I
had read, that it was not a pig, but a swift beast, known in these
parts, that lives on fruit and nuts, and hides in the earth. (*The
Agouti.)

"I like the place much more than I do this spot," said he. "The shore
lies low, and there are planks, casks, chests, and all sorts of things,
that the sea has thrown up. Why not leave this place at once, and go
there?"

"There is a time for all things," said I. "We must at least rest here
for one night."

We all sat down to take our soup with the shell spoons. Ernest took
from his coat a large shell, which he had hid till now, put it in the
soup, and then set it down to cool.