Fritz secured the ladder so firmly to the branch, that I had no hesitation in ascending myself.

I carried with me a large pulley fixed to the end of a rope, which I attached to a branch above us, to enable us to raise the planks necessary to form the groundwork of our habitation.

I smoothed the branches a little by aid of my axe, sending the boys down to be out of my way.

After completing my day's work, I descended by the light of the moon, and was alarmed to find that Fritz and Jack were not below; and still more so, when I heard their clear, sweet voices, at the summit of the tree, singing the evening hymn, as if to sanctify our future abode.

They had climbed the tree, instead of descending, and, filled with wonder and reverence at the sublime view below them, had burst out into the hymn of thanksgiving to God.
I could not scold my dear boys, when they descended, but directed them to assemble the animals, and to collect wood, to keep up fires during the night, in order to drive away any wild beasts that might be near.
My wife then displayed her work,--complete harness for our two beasts of burden, and, in return, I promised her we would establish ourselves next day in the tree.