CHAPTER XI.
The Voyage up the River.--The Way to China.--The Note of a StrangeBird.--A Hasty Flight.--A Tropical Storm.--The Loss of the Canoes.--TheCave of the Bats.--A Toilsome Pilgrimage.
After the fervent heat of noon had somewhat subsided, the party arrangedthemselves in the two canoes, and, aided by the tide, swept up theriver, which now extended to the cliffs on both sides, and effectuallycut off any passage by land. Occasionally the fallen masses of thesandstone rocks, which lay shelving or sloping to the water, werecovered with a rich growth of low entangled shrubs, now bursting intoflowers of many a brilliant hue; amongst which numbers of pert, noisy,little green or variegated parrots hopped about, chattering over thesestrange disturbers of their wonted tranquillity.
"Charming! charming!" exclaimed Mr. Mayburn. "This is the sublimesolitude of which I have dreamed all my life. How glorious it would be
'To hold with Heaven communion meet, Meet for a spirit bound to Heaven,-- And, in this wilderness beneath, Pure zephyrs from above to breathe.'
What a completion of all my hopes it would be, my children, if you couldfind some quiet spot where we might land, and be content to pass ourlives upon it."
This desire of Mr. Mayburn was received by his children with someconsternation, while Ruth, though she but vaguely understood theproposal, looked round at the prison-like rocky walls, the sombretwilight, and the dashing waters, and began to cry. Even Wilkins, whoheard all that was said in Mr. Mayburn's canoe, cried out, "Nay, nay,master, that would upset all; I'se not flinch to sail wi' ye, or totramp wi' ye; but to bide here for good, among oysters and poll-parrots,is what I can't stand. It would soon set me off bush-ranging."
"We must move onward, papa," said Arthur, "but doubtless we shall find,as we proceed, scenes that will interest you even more than this. We mayeven encounter peaceful tribes; and though our ignorance of theirlanguage will prevent our holding any beneficial intercourse with them,we may at all events give them an example of kindness and forbearance."
"And remember, papa," said Margaret, "we have a definite aim in ourtravels. We must look forward to the pleasure of joining our friends,the Deverells."
"But, Margaret," replied he, "how can you hope that we shall ever beable to traverse the vast space that must separate us? How can you and Ipenetrate forests, climb mountains, or cross mighty rivers?"
"Few of them last to signify, master," said Wilkins, "by yer leave; andbetter for us if we had more. I kenned some of our chaps down yonder astired of slavery, and what would serve 'em but be off to Chinee, whichthey heared say lay to t' north; and reet glad were they to sneak backto hard work and full rations. Why, they'd gone miles and miles over drysand, wi' niver a tree to shelter 'em or a sup of water to drink. Whererivers ought to have been, there were just dry mud and wet mud, andthat were all. We'se want no boats in them there rivers."
"Pray, dear papa," said Arthur, "do not look so much alarmed atWilkins's exaggerated reports. I have read the travels of scientific andexperienced explorers, who certainly agree that large portions of thecoast are desert, but give strong reasons for hope that the interior maybe fruitful and well-watered. To these fertile regions, I am of opinion,we should endeavor to penetrate; for we have not means nor nauticalskill to attempt a sea-voyage, even to the inhabited islands of theIndian Ocean. But it is for you to decide, papa."
"I leave it to you, my boy," answered his father. "I rely on your energyand judgment, under Heaven."
"Are we to turn up our watering-river?" called Hugh, from the forwardboat.
"Here is a niche in the rocks," answered Arthur, "secure from the tide,where we will rest to-night, as we shall have our fresh water near athand."
The nook was as convenient as any roofless place could be for a nightabode; and even Margaret had now become accustomed to this wild life,and rested her head on a pillow of rock, in the open air, with the peaceand comfort of a tranquil and pious spirit.
Early in the morning the boys went up the fresh-water rivulet to enjoythe luxury of a bath; and such was the profusion of fish that filled theclear water, that they succeeded without difficulty in spearing two ofthe large species of river-cod that they had found in the island lake;and as these weighed ten or twelve pounds each, they returned verytriumphant with their spoil.
"I know it has been familiarly named the river-cod," said Hugh; "but youknow, papa, the cod is strictly a sea-fish; besides, this ugly fellow,if he were not so large, is not unlike a perch."
"It is like the productions of Australia," said Mr. Mayburn; "unclassedand strange. It seems to blend the distinctive features of the cod andthe perch,--the salt-water and fresh-water tribes."
"But it's safe to eat?" asked Jenny, anxiously.
"We have already tried it with impunity, nurse," answered Arthur; "alltravellers praise it as delicate and nutritious, and, from its abundancein the rivers, it must be a great boon to the natives."
The fish was boiled in the salt-water. But before night they had rowedbeyond the influence of the tide; and had now to labor hard to ascendthe river, the high banks of which continued to be shaded by mangroves,which were weighed down with clusters of oysters and fresh-watermussels, looking like some strange fruits of this new country.
There was something so sublime and awe-inspiring in the novelty of thescenery, that the whole party long contemplated it in silence, till anexclamation from Ruth, about the "bonnie ducks," roused them to observethe flocks of wild-fowl; and Jenny thanked God that there could be nofamine here; while Mr. Mayburn noted with admiration the varieties ofwater-fowl, beautiful and unknown, which sailed over the river orclamored noisily among the mangroves.
The labor of ascending the river in the heat of the day soon fatiguedall the rowers, and they were thankful to seek refuge and rest in anarrow ravine which ran out north, and which, after the rains, would bea rivulet. At present, all that proved its existence were a few narrowchannels, with here and there a pool of clear water. The rapidlyspringing tropical vegetation had already spread and matted itself inthe very bed of the river, forming a picturesque jungle, amidst the darkfoliage of which the tiny rills sparkled like diamonds. On each sidetowered lofty cliffs, hung gracefully with luxuriant creepers, and athick belt of tall gum-trees and wild nutmeg-trees, covered with greedy,noisy parrots, ran along the base. Every thing was new and charming; andhaving drawn the canoes up in safety beneath the roots of a mangrove,they wandered slowly up the ravine, to find, if possible, a grassy spoton which to rest and eat their dinner. As they walked along, they foundon each side openings in the cliffs, smaller ravines or river-beds; allsimilar in rich vegetation, and all equally lonely. It was a perfectlabyrinth of nature; a scene of enchantment that filled the minds of theeducated with admiration and holy thoughts, but shook the ignorant withall the tremor of supernatural terrors.
"I wonder much," said Margaret, "that we should find these beautifulscenes unpeopled."
"Ye'll see people soon enough, Miss," said Wilkins. "What would they dohere? Queer fellows as they be, they cannot perch atop of trees likethem howling poll-parrots, nor lie under water like oysters. Wait tillwe come on a bit of bare common, and ye'll see folks enough."
"Wilkins is right enough, Margaret," said Arthur, "this lovely spot,happily for the free inhabitants of the air and the water, is unfit forthe dwelling of man. I do not think it would be prudent to wander faramong these bewildering ravines, our safest guide will be the broadriver; and as we cannot meet with a convenient dining-room here, Ipropose that we should return to eat our dinner under the mangroves, indefiance of the troublesome inhabitants around us."
But Jenny contrived to smoke away the mosquitos with her cooking-fire,though the green ants still contrived to annoy her by falling as garnishon the beautiful fish which she served on a turtle's shell. The hungrygroup only laughed at the petty vexation, as they gathered round thefeast with oyster-shell plates and mussel-shell cups, to eat heartily,though they wanted forks, spoons, and, as Jenny declared, all Christia
ncomforts.
With renewed vigor they resumed their oars, and pursued their voyage onthe pleasant highway, which the young and ardent believed would forwardthem towards the distant home they hoped to reach. And when absolutefatigue compelled them to desist, they found a convenient landing-placefor the canoes on a broad patch of bare sand. They drew them on shore,and, to stretch their cramped legs, walked forward till they reached aspot where a slip of the rocks had formed a gradual ascent.
Though encumbered with trees and brushwood, they were all desirous toattempt this ascent to search for nests and eggs, and, above all, toattain, if possible, the heights above, that they might survey thecountry through which they were passing. They found innumerable nests ofducks, geese, and swans, and of a large bird which distracted Mr.Mayburn by its resemblance to the pelican. They found also somewell-grown young birds, but contented themselves with carrying off acouple of fine cygnets.
"Hark, Arthur!" said Hugh; "what a strange cry. It must be the note ofsome new bird. Let us follow the sound, that we may obtain it, ifpossible, for papa."
"Bird, indeed!" exclaimed Wilkins; "fiddlestick! Ye'll bide where yeare, Master Hugh. Ye little ken what sort on a bird that is. Ye'd betterkeep quiet, for them sort of birds is awkward customers. I reckon I kenthat 'Coo-ee! Coo-ee!' better nor either ye or t' auld master. It'snought else but them black fellows hailing one another."
"I fear it is but too true, Hugh," said Arthur. "I have heard of thecurious cry of the natives."
"Let us flee," said Mr. Mayburn, turning hastily back. "Let us not seekscenes of discord and bloodshed."
"Couldn't I steal among the trees and get a peep at them?" said O'Brien."The wood is so thick, they would never see me, and then I could let youknow what we had to fear."
"I wouldn't have ye to be over sure," said Wilkins, "that there's nothalf a hundred blackies skulking underneath this here scrub as we'retrailing through. They're cute rogues, and like enough, they've beentracking us all along. We'se be better looking after our boats, norafter them. We'se see plenty on 'em afore long."
It was plainly prudent to retreat, wherever the unseen enemy might be;and having secured their boats beneath a spreading mangrove, theyroasted and ate some eggs, and then discussed calmly the prospect ofmeeting the natives, which now seemed inevitable.
"I have finished another bow," said Jack; "we have arrows and spears,and a throwing-stick. And then Mr. Arthur has his rifle."
"That's worth all t' rest put together," replied Wilkins. "They can beatus out and out with spears, and them queer crookt boomerangs; but give'em a shot, and they'll fly off like sparrows. We'll have to mind, for,ye see, they'll never come on us boldly like men, but they'll sneak andcower, and spy, to see what we're made on. And I'd like to see t' auldmaster there keep up his heart; for if they see a fellow among us show awhite feather, we're all done."
"But I should never think of carrying a white feather, Wilkins," saidMr. Mayburn. "I confess that I have harbored the thought of holding outto them a green branch, which, I have understood, ever signifies a flagof truce among savage nations."
"A fig for yer flags!" cried Wilkins contemptuously. "Show 'em a stoutheart and a long rifle, and they'll understand 'em better nor a greenflag. There goes the _Coo-ee_ again! Will you put out that fire, lass.Is there any sense in sending up a smoke to let 'em see where we are?"
Ruth extinguished the fire, trembling with fright, and then crept closeto Margaret and Jenny. As it was now quite dark, the women, as usual,lay down in the canoes, and the men watched and rested alternately tilldaylight dispelled the fear of a nocturnal attack. Then, not likingtheir neighborhood, they launched the canoes again, resolving tobreakfast on a more secure spot; and after proceeding many miles up theriver, they disembarked on a flat rock that ran out from the cliffs,where they cooked eggs for their breakfast, and the cygnets to take withthem for the next meal.
But on embarking again, they found, with some uneasiness, that thenavigation of the river was becoming difficult. The breadth of the bedgradually contracted; the rocks on each side overhung the water, intowhich large blocks had fallen from above, among which the stream rushedin strong eddies, or poured over the masses in cascades; thus renderingtheir progress perilous, if not impossible.
Suddenly, before they had observed any premonitory signs, a terrificstorm of thunder and lightning burst upon them, accompanied by a violentwind and a deluge of rain. The peals of thunder, repeated again andagain among the towering cliffs, were tremendous. Ruth shrieked withterror, and Margaret, with all her firmness, trembled to hear the voiceof the tempest.
The little canoes, whirled round and dashed against the rocks, seemeddoomed to inevitable destruction. Wilkins, in this fearful emergency,succeeded in securing a rope to one canoe, then leaping out upon ashelving rock, he held it till, with Hugh's assistance, the three womenwere snatched out, one after another, to the rock, where they clung tothe trees to keep themselves from being swept away by the wind; but theytried in vain to save the canoe, as Wilkins had relinquished the rope toassist the women, and they were mortified to see it hurried down theimpetuous river beyond all hopes of recovery.
The river was already raised by the pouring rain, but Wilkins boldlyplunged in with an oar, which he extended to the men in the secondcanoe, and assisted them to reach the shore; but their boat, which hadbeen previously damaged, was whirled against a rock, and went to pieces.
"Thank God no lives are lost," murmured Mr. Mayburn, as, exhausted anddrenched with rain, he crouched under the trees, the light foliage ofwhich afforded very insufficient shelter from the torrents of rain whichdescended on them; and for some time they were so stunned with theirfears and their desolate condition, that they could not command theirthoughts sufficiently to consider where they should turn to search for abetter protection.
At length Arthur pointed out that a little higher up the river a slab ofrock ran out and formed a sort of canopy over the narrow hem of beachbeneath. Thither, therefore, the distressed party removed, and theyfound even a more convenient shelter than they had hoped; for the hollowbeneath the slab was raised about four feet from the ground, andextended backwards into the sandstone rock, forming a cavern imperviousto wind and rain. Their entrance dislodged hundreds of bats, of strangeand frightful forms, and Mr. Mayburn half forgot his fears and miserieswhile he looked with admiration on a huge, imp-like creature, which heasserted must be the animal distinguished by travellers as the "flyingfox."
After these hideous inhabitants were dispersed, Margaret and the twodistressed women gladly took possession of this gloomy retreat, whichwas dry and secure. Piles of dead wood lay scattered round it, whichenabled them to make a fire and dry their dripping garments. To theirgreat joy, they had been able to preserve their bows, spears, and rifle,and Ruth had grasped firmly her precious basket of chickens. At themoment when the danger was imminent, Wilkins had had presence of mind tothrow on shore the locker of potatoes, and also the portmanteau, fromwhich they all were now glad to procure changes of clothes. The cookedprovisions were lost; but they roasted some potatoes, and enjoyed theirsimple repast, while the thunder rolled loudly over their heads, and therain poured like a deluge into the swollen river.
"We can go no farther to-day," said Hugh, looking out with a melancholyair. "What can we do, Gerald?"
Jack was already at work in a retired nook, making arrows from thebamboos which were plentifully scattered round; and, roused by hisexample, the boys joined him to sharpen spears and shape bows, whichwere to be completed when they met with gum to cement them, and stringybark to form the bowstrings. Arthur cleaned his valuable rifle, Margaretwove some reeds into a basket for eggs, Mr. Mayburn lectured; Wilkinsalone seemed weary and out of his element, his good properties only cameout when roused to action by difficulties, and as Margaret watched himlazily rolling a piece of bark for a cigar, and then lying down to smokeit, she longed for some settled habitation, that this unfortunate man,now but half reclaimed, might have useful occupation and acquir
e regularhabits.
But even the most industrious of the party could not but find that wild,stormy day long and tedious in this damp and dismal shelter. Nor was itwithout alarm that they saw the river gradually rise, till the level waswithin a foot of the floor of their retreat; and if it should rise highenough to overflow the cave, they were aware there could be nopossibility of escape, for the waters already dashed against the cliffson each side of them. They watched anxiously. At length, withthankfulness, they saw the rain cease; and before darkness shut outobservation, the water had fallen a few inches. Then, free from theirusual nightly torment of the bush-haunting mosquitos, they enjoyed acalm night's rest in the cool cavern.
Morning brought new cares. The casual storm had passed away, and it wastoo early for the usual tropical rainy season; but, alas! they had nomeans of voyaging onward, and the waters blockaded them. There was nopath along the beach. They waited another day, in terror of famine oranother storm. A very slight decrease of the waters was seen nextmorning. The cliffs were too high and precipitate for even the boldestto climb, the river too deep and impetuous to be crossed except in aboat, and the narrow hem of sand now left at the edge was barelysufficient for the passage of one person; and even it seemed to themthat in some places the rocks ran out so far that all progress must becut off.
They might, perhaps, with great risk, have made their way along thebeach back to the sloping ascent to the cliffs which they had visitedtwo days before, and thus gain the heights; but that would probablybring them into contact with the wild natives from whom they had fled insuch haste. Besides, they were unwilling to leave the banks of theriver, which insured them fresh water, while, at the same time, itprevented them from being bewildered in a strange and perplexingcountry. Arthur asked his father to decide on what they should do inthis dilemma.
"I leave all to you, Arthur," answered he, "as usual. I am distractedwith sinful doubts and fears. We cannot, I am aware, continue to live ina cave, as men were wont to do in the early and barbarous ages; and theprospect of perilous wanderings in an unknown wilderness shakes my weaknerves. But I will trust in Him, my children, and pray for this blessedboon; may
'Israel's mystic guide, The pillared cloud, our steps decide!'"
"Well, then, make up your mind, General Arthur," said Hugh. "Call up theforces and arrange the march. Gerald, my boy, you can make no objectionto carry the _pratees_, I'm certain."
"We must each take a share in the toil of carrying off our slenderpossessions," said Margaret. "Let Arthur divide and portion this duty."
"Then, Margaret," said Arthur, "I determine that Nurse and you shouldunpack that portmanteau and tie up the contents in bundles, for thebetter convenience of division."
"Never ye fash to open it out, Miss," said Wilkins. "I reckon I'sequalified to take that leather box on my back without breaking 't."
But Arthur would not suffer the good-natured fellow to be overloaded;and Margaret lightened the trunk by filling some pillow-covers with partof the contents, and these were suspended across the shoulders ofArthur, Hugh, and Jack. Two of these useful bags were also filled withpotatoes, to be carried by Mr. Mayburn and Gerald. Ruth would not leaveher basket of poultry, and Margaret and Jenny collected the shells andsmall articles remaining. The locker was unwillingly left behind, as tooheavy for carriage; and then, each carrying, in addition to his burden,some weapon, they set out in single file, headed by Arthur, Wilkinsfollowing close behind him, along the narrow sandy path, which wasencumbered by masses of sandstone fallen from the rocks; andoccasionally rendered still more difficult by the roots of a mangrove,twisted with creepers, spreading even into the river, or a droopingacacia, or casuarina, which it was necessary laboriously to cut away, orto tear down, before they could force a passage.
The Kangaroo Hunters; Or, Adventures in the Bush Page 13
