Bob’s Voyage.
“Bob crossed his paws knowingly before him, and had nothing to do but sit still, and be blown along. It was now fine weather with Captain Robert. He looked upon the sky, and the water, and the shore, as if they all belonged to him, and he was merely taking a voyage of survey over his possessions. Every thing attracted his attention; and he made himself very happy, and very much at home in his excursion.
“The fine weather continued for two days and two nights, and Captain Robert Squirrel breakfasted, dined, and supped at his own hours, and helped himself first, because there was nobody else to eat. He thought it was mighty fine not to have to wait until his elders were served, and only wondered that he could have been willing to submit so long to his parents, when, by launching out into the world, he could be so much more of a hero, and his own master besides.”
Mrs. Goodman here watched her son’s eyes, and found by their animated expression that Master Frank was very much, just now, of the opinion of Captain Robert. Once, indeed, Frank’s lips parted, as if to speak; but he wisely thought he would wait, and hear a little more of the squirrel’s adventures, before he committed himself.
“This was all very fine,” continued Mr. Goodman, “but, unluckily, sailors have not the direction of the weather. If they had, any old lady might go to sea, without losing the starch from her nightcap, and any rattle-headed boy could launch away, whenever he was tired of his own good home. On the third day, a furious storm spoiled his breakfast. Heigho! thought Bob, this is life, and something like! So he kept all sail spread, in defiance of wind and weather, and fancied he was going ahead at a fine rate. But at last his pride was upset; Captain Robert, provisions, and all, were spilt into the water, and his little boat was made a complete wreck. He had to swim for it; and if his father had not taught him how, he would have been in a sad plight.
Bob Shipwrecked.
“Captain Robert did not feel like Captain any more, but like plain Bob, and very sorry at that, and heartily did he wish that he was safe and sound at home again, and in the tree he used to despise so much. Thoroughly broken down, tired, and almost dead with cold, he succeeded, at last, in getting to the shore.
“But it requires a great deal to teach wisdom to a discontented squirrel, or to a disobedient boy. So the shipwrecked Captain Robert hardly found himself safe on land, before his vanity returned again; and he was rather pleased than otherwise to have a shipwreck to boast of. What matters a little drenching? he said. What great squirrel ever went free of dangers? How many famous navigators have been cast upon unknown shores!