Better far to lead an active life; and live well too--by providing plenty to eat and plenty to drink--which with industry they could easily do.

All this might not make them cheerful; but they would certainly be less a prey to melancholy while engaged in some active industry, than if they remained brooding over their fate.
These thoughts, as we have said, arose on the morning of the second day succeeding that on which the balloon had been abandoned.

Karl gave words to them, in an attempt to cheer his brother Caspar--who had relapsed into a state of unusual despondency.

Ossaroo equally required cheering; and therefore it devolved on the botanist to attempt enlivening the spirits of his companions.
For a time, he met with very slight success; but gradually the necessity of action forced itself upon the attention of all--if only to provide the means to keep them from starving; and without further loss of time, they resumed the various branches of industry, by which they had hitherto been enabled to supply their larder.
To Caspar, as before, the chase was entrusted; while Ossaroo attended to the fishing; as he, better than either of the others, understood the management of hooks, lines, and nets.
The botanist busied himself in the old way, exploring the valley, in search of such seeds, plants, and roots, as might be found wholesome for food--not neglecting others of a medicinal character, that might serve in case of sickness.

Many such had the young plant-hunter encountered during his early researches; and had made note of them against the possibility of their being required.
Fortunately, up to that time there had been no real need for any of the party to make trial of the natural _Pharmacopoeia_ which the valley afforded: and it was to be hoped they should never have occasion to test the virtues of the specifics which the plant-hunter had discovered.
Karl nevertheless collected several kinds; and, after submitting them to a process necessary for their preservation, had stored them away within the hut.
Of those vegetable products adapted for food, the chief article obtained was the nutritive seed yielded by the edible pine (_Pinus Gerardiana_).
The cones of this valuable tree were as large as artichokes; each yielding several seeds of the size and appearance of pistachio nuts.
The wild cockscomb (_Amaranthus Cruentus_) also furnished a portion of their supply.