noon
I could not help feeling distressed at the prospect of my dear children 's solitary old age , and I determined , if they did not wish to return with Captain Johnson , to request him to send some colonists out to people our island . It will be remembered that I had left home alone , and at an early hour , having perceived a vessel from the top of our tree with my telescope . I had set out without breakfast , without giving my sons their tasks , or making any arrangements for the labours of the day . My conference with Lieutenant Bell had been long ; it was now past noon , and knowing how prompt my wife was to alarm herself , I was surprised that I did not meet her , nor any of my sons . I began to be uneasy , and on my arrival I hastily mounted the tree , and found my faithful partner extended on her bed , surrounded by her four sons , and apparently in great pain . I demanded , with a cry of grief , what had happened ; all wished to speak at once , and it was with some difficulty I learned , that my dear wife , in descending the staircase , had been seized with a giddiness in her head , and had fallen down and injured herself so much , that she was unable to rise without assistance ; she was now enduring great pain in her right leg and in her left foot . `` Ernest and I , '' added Fritz , `` carried her without delay to her bed , though not without difficulty , for the staircase is so narrow ; but she continued to get worse , and we did not know what to do . ''