It consisted of all sorts of utensils: a copper boiler, some plates of iron, tobacco-graters, two grindstones, a barrel of powder, and one of flints.
Jack did not forget his wheelbarrow; and we found two more, which we added to our cargo, and then sailed off speedily, to avoid the land-wind, which rises in the evening.
As we drew near, we were astonished to see a row of little creatures standing on the shore, apparently regarding us with much curiosity.

They were dressed in black, with white waistcoats, and thick cravats; their arms hung down carelessly; but from time to time they raised them as if they wished to bestow on us a fraternal embrace.
"I believe," said I, laughing, "this must be the country of pigmies, and they are coming to welcome us." "They are the Lilliputians, father," said Jack; "I have read of them; but I thought they had been less." "As if Gulliver's Travels was true!" said Fritz, in a tone of derision.
"Then are there no pigmies ?" asked he.
"No, my dear boy," said I; "all these stories are either the invention or the mistakes of ancient navigators, who have taken troops of monkeys for men, or who have wished to repeat something marvellous.

But the romance of Gulliver is an allegory, intended to convey great truths." "And now," said Fritz, "I begin to see our pigmies have beaks and wings." "You are right," said I; "they are penguins, as Ernest explained to us some time since.

They are good swimmers; but, unable to fly, are very helpless on land." I steered gently to the shore, that I might not disturb them; but Jack leaped into the water up to his knees, and, dashing among the penguins, with a stick struck right and left, knocking down half a dozen of the poor stupid birds before they were aware.

Some of these we brought away alive.