The Kangaroo Hunters; Or, Adventures in the Bush

by Clarence Young

  CHAPTER XIV.

  Rambles through the Caves.--Fairy Bower.--A Rough Path toFreedom.--Preparations for Flight.--The Use of the Rifle.--A Case ofConscience.--Departure.--Travelling among the Bogs.--A View of theRiver.--Making an Axe.--A New Plant.

  After they had dined with strict economy, and ascertained that theirsavage foes had for the present withdrawn into the bush, they resumedtheir usual occupations. Hugh and Gerald, impatient under theirconfinement, chose to ramble through the mazy windings of the varioushollows which existed in the sandstone rock, searching for a long timein vain for novelty or adventure; at length they wound along a branchpassage, which terminated, to their astonishment, in a wall, hung, likea bower, with garlands of flowery creeping plants, from which the notesof various birds greeted the ears of the delighted boys.

  "Sure enough, Hugh, this is Fairy Bower," said Gerald.

  "It is open to the day," said Hugh, "and we must find out what liesbeyond it."

  A slab of rock, which had fallen inwards, lay close to the wall; it wassix feet in height, but by making a staircase of other fragments whichwere lying round, they mounted the fallen slab, and putting aside theleafy curtains which hid the opening, they looked out on a completewilderness of rocky masses and green thickets, which appeared at onceimpervious and interminable. The temptation to be once more under theopen sky could not be resisted, and without much difficulty the boysdescended among the matted bushes.

  "We will follow out the adventure," said Gerald, "till we reach theEnchanted Castle. Had we not better cut some spears as we make our way,that we may be prepared to slay the dragons?"

  "We had better have had one of Jack's balls of cord," replied Hugh,"that we might have tied one end here before we set out, or we shallnever be able to find our way back through such a labyrinth."

  "Couldn't we drop pebbles, as Hop-o'-my-Thumb did?" asked Gerald.

  "Where are we to get the pebbles?" answered Hugh, "and how could we findthem again, man, among this brush? But what is this white,chalky-looking material by the pool? I cannot help thinking it must bethe clay which the savages use for painting their bodies. Let us getsome; I have a use for it."

  They collected some of this moist pipe-clay on a large leaf, andclimbing again to the opening, they cut away a portion of the creepersto uncover the rock, upon which they marked, as high as they couldreach, a large white cross.

  "We cannot miss that holy and propitious sign," said Hugh, "so let usventure forward, Gerald. It is such a charming novelty to be able towalk fearlessly in the open air. You observe we are now facing thesouth; so if we can discover an outlet from this thicket, we shall be onthe direct track to continue our journey."

  It was not easy, however, to preserve any direct course through thetangled brake, which was occasionally broken by patches of fine grassand rills of water, and diversified by tall trees; the various kinds ofEucalyptus, the wild nutmeg with its spicy odor, and the acacia coveredwith golden blossoms, the whole being mingled with masses of rock fallenfrom the regular range, broken into fragments and scattered far andwide; some grown over with the vegetation of years, and others freshlyrent from the soft decaying mountains.

  Threading their way through this lovely wilderness, not forgetting tolook back frequently at their guiding signal, the boys now hailed withpleasure and admiration the sight of thousands of birds springing fromtheir nests, while each, in its own peculiar language, seemed todeprecate the intrusion of the presumptuous strangers.

  "Won't we carry back birds and eggs enough to victual the fortress for aweek!" said Gerald.

  "No need for that, Gerald," answered Hugh, "when we have the preserve inour own private grounds. We can just bag a brace or two, to prove thetruth to our people. But, now, my boy, we must try to find the end ofthis wonderful maze--who knows but what it may lead to liberty?"

  "It is a rough road anyhow," said Gerald. But they struggled throughthick bushes, leaped over rocks, or waded through pools or rills formore than an hour, and then, fearful of alarming their friends, theyproposed to return. But just as they had made this resolve, Hughdeclared that he heard the sound of rolling water, and they continuedtheir toilsome exertions till they reached at length the side of a rapidriver, which poured through a narrow gorge in the mountains, and flowedtowards the west. The river seemed about fifty yards across, and toodeep to be forded; the banks were overgrown with tall bamboos mingledwith fine rushes; but beyond the south banks, the country appeared moreopen.

  "If we could only cross this river," said Hugh, "we should completelyescape from those cowardly blacks, who have, I believe, no canoes. Wewill bring Jack here; he can find bark in abundance for his use, and ifwe help him, I have no doubt he can make a canoe that will carry usacross. At any rate, let us take him a piece of the bark to tempt him tocome."

  They soon stripped from the stem a piece of flexible bark, and, withsome of the fibres of the stringy bark, they tied this into a bag, whichthey filled, as they returned, with eggs and four brace of good-sizedyoung pheasants. They kept in the track they had made in coming, andhaving the white cross before them as a guide, they had much lessdifficulty in their homeward course than they expected, and in verygreat spirits presented themselves before their greatly anxious friends.

  "We have been out on a sporting expedition," said Gerald, flinging downthe birds. "What do you think of our game-bag, General Arthur?"

  "I must think that you have been very rash and imprudent," answeredArthur. "I conclude, boys, that you have found some other outlet fromthe cave; but how could you risk discovery for the sake of these birds?"

  "We have discovered an outlet," replied Hugh; "but I think even Margaretand my father will agree that there was no risk, when they see theplace. Now you must all listen to our wonderful adventure."

  They did listen with great pleasure and thankfulness. The earnest desireof every heart was to escape from the constant dogged and depressingpursuit of their savage and artful foes, and the account of theunsuspected path to the river filled them with the hopes which they hadnearly abandoned.

  "Can we not set out now?" asked Mr. Mayburn eagerly. "Certainly not, myfather," answered Arthur. "It will first be necessary that we have somemeans arranged for crossing the river; besides, the day is too faradvanced for us to make such an important movement before night; and wemust try to divert the suspicions of the savages from our flight, byletting them believe we still intend to hold the fortress."

  "If you're not knocked up, Master Hugh," said Jack, "I should like wellto see with my own eyes what there is to do, and whether I can do it ornot. Would you mind guiding me; and Wilkins, may be, will go with us, tohelp me to carry down my ropes?"

  Wilkins was always ready and willing; he shouldered a coil of rope, andthe two unwearied boys, followed by him and Jack, set out to show theirmarvellous discovery to the two practical men, who looked round at thecharming wilderness with an eye to the usefulness rather than to thebeauty of all they saw.

  "Birds is poor feeding, and eggs is worse," said Wilkins; "but if weiver get free fra' them dowly stone walls, we'se see if we can't get ashot at them kangaroos. Ay, ay! Master Hugh, any sky over head's betternor a jail; not but I've been shut in worse prisons nor yon, God forgiveme; but ye see I were reet sarved then. But it is aggravatin, I say, tobar oneself up wi' one's own will like."

  "See here, Wilkins," exclaimed Jack; "what a grand stock of all kinds ofwood, if we had but a few good tools. I noticed that a black fellow thatwas fighting yesterday had a capital axe in his hand; it seemed to bemade of a sort of flint stone, and I only wish we could meet with apiece fit for such a job."

  "It's not a time to be felling trees," replied Wilkins, "when we've atroop of black rogues at our heels. Now come, we're here, it seems, att' river they telled on, and a canny river it is; if we can manage toput it atween us and them, we'se have a clear coast, I reckon; for theyalways keep at their own side."

  "Then help me to bark this tree," said Jack; "and if we cannot manage acanoe, we'll t
ry a ferry-boat."

  The tree was barked in one long sheet, the ends were tied up with cords,and this was Jack's extempore canoe. But as soon as it was hastilycompleted, they were compelled to speed homeward to prevent themselvesbeing bewildered in the darkness; and even now, but for the visiblewhite cross, they would have been unable to distinguish the entrance."Now, Nurse, darling," cried Gerald, dancing round Jenny, "pack up yourpots and pans and bundles, and you, Ruth, call up your precious chicks,and make ready. Then, at daybreak, when you hear me whistle the_reveille_, fall into your ranks, to march."

  "We do not know how far the ground beyond the wilderness may beexposed," said Arthur, "and we had better look out before we leave inthe morning, to observe if all continues still."

  "That's all just as it ought, Mr. Arthur," said Wilkins; "ye're a sharpchap at a drill. And we'd as well puzzle 'em a bit, and rattle out a fewarrows just afore we start, to make 'em believe we mean to haud ourown."

  In the morning, when all was ready for setting out, and they had laidthe foundation of a good breakfast, the scream of Ruth, who had climbedto an aperture to obtain a look-out, announced that the objects of herantipathy were in sight. All flocked to the crevices to ascertain whatthey had to fear, and observed that a number of the natives were ladenwith bundles of dry wood, which they had piled before the rock, and madeup a fire, having apparently chosen to establish themselves there, andkeep a perpetual watch, and yet keep too close to the rock to be indanger from the arrows of the besieged. This was vexatious, and Wilkinssaid,--"Ye're tied to waste a shot on 'em, or here they'll sit and watchand listen, and sure enough they'll make out we're away, if they hearnought stirring inside, and they'll be off to stop us. Look at yonfellow, painted red, quavering about, and banging t' stones wi' his axe.That's t' chap as sent his spear close to my ears, and I owe him yet forthat job. Just let me have a chance, Mr. Arthur. I ken ye're allsoft-hearted, so I'se not kill him outright."

  Arthur was very reluctant to waste one cartridge or spill one drop ofblood; but the fierce gestures of the powerful savage, and his violentblows against the walled entrance, rendered him a dangerous antagonist;and on the promise of Wilkins that he would not mortally wound the man,Arthur resigned the loaded rifle to one he knew to be well skilled infire-arms.

  Wilkins carefully selected his position and his time, and when thesavage raised his arm for the stroke, he fired into his shoulder. Witha horrible yell, the man threw down the axe, and fell upon his face. Ina moment the whole troop, with cries of terror, were flying towards thewoods; two only remaining, who hastily lifted and carried away thewounded man, with loud wailings.

  "There! we'se be clear on 'em for one bit," said Wilkins. "Now's ourtime to be off."

  "But I should like much to have the axe," said Jack. "Surely, Mr.Arthur, there could be no harm in our taking the axe."

  "And sure we will take it," exclaimed Gerald. "All fair, you know,general; the spoils of battle. The axe we may consider as prize-money."

  "What does papa say? I leave the affairs of justice to him," saidArthur, smiling.

  "Then, I think," said Mr. Mayburn, deliberately--"Margaret, tell me if Iam right--I think we, as Christians, should set a bad example toheathens, if we carried off their property."

  Jack sighed, as he looked wistfully at the axe through an opening in therock, and said,--"It is tied to the handle with the stringy-bark, andthen it seems fixed with gum. I'm sure I could manage it, Mr. Arthur, ifwe could only meet with the right stone; but this soft sandy rock isgood for nothing."

  But now no more time was to be wasted. All marched along, more or lessladen, headed by the two proud pioneers, and with their various packageswere safely got through the opening, and, to their great joy, once moretasted the blessing of fresh air. The pleasure of Mr. Mayburn, among thevariety of strange birds, was unbounded; and he was with difficultyprevailed on to move forwards, by the promise that, under morefavorable circumstances, they would all assist him in obtainingspecimens of the curious new species. But now expedition was prudent,and even imperative, and over the twice-trodden track they movedsilently and speedily till they reached the river.

  There lay the frail bark Jack had contrived for crossing the river, andto each end of which he now attached one of his long coils of cord.Then, taking up two pieces of bark he had prepared for paddles, hecalled out,--"Now, Master Hugh, just take hold of the coil at the prow;step in, and we'll try her. Mr. Arthur and Wilkins must run out thestern-rope, and when we're over, Miss need have no fear."

  Hugh, pleased to be selected for the first enterprise, leaped upon theslender canoe, and assisted Jack to paddle it across the rapid river;and when they safely reached the reedy bank, they unrolled their ropeand secured the end, allowing the bark to be drawn back for Margaret,who was the first single passenger. She accomplished her short voyagehappily, and, one at a time, the party were ferried over, bringing theirpackages with them. Then the ropes were cut away to be preserved, andthe light boat was suffered to drift down the stream; while thethankful, emancipated prisoners forced their way through the jungle ofreeds and canes, and saw before them a bright-green luxuriant plain,spreading as far as the eye could reach.

  "Musha!" cried the Irish O'Brien, laughing joyfully. "Sure I have comeon my own dear native bogs! the emerald plains of old Hibernia. No wantof water now, my boys! Don't I hear it trickling beneath that brightturf, and won't we soak our boots well, my dears?"

  "They're bogs, sure enough," said Wilkins, "and there's nought for itbut making a run. Slow and sure would be all wrong here, Mr. Arthur,where, if ye don't skip, ye must sink. Here, give me hold of yer hand,old woman, and lope on wi' me."

  Jenny, to whom this invitation was addressed, was not accustomed to_lope_; but, half dragged and half lifted by Wilkins, she followed therest, who were plunging, wading, running, or leaping, from one dry spotto another, over the luxuriant reedy marsh. The ground was thronged withthousands of wild fowls, especially with numbers of a graceful,bright-colored bird of the crane species, very attractive to Mr.Mayburn. Clouds of troublesome insects filled the air; but life andliberty were in view, and small annoyances were disregarded; and, in thestrength of their substantial breakfast, the travellers pursued theirtoilsome course across the marshy ground, till towards the end of theday, completely worn out, they cast themselves down to rest on the sideof a firm hillock, beneath the shade of a lofty spreading tree, whichhad the rare quality, in Australia, of a thick foliage of large leaves,and seemed to be a species of chestnut.

  Then the boys were put in requisition, and wild ducks procured forsupper; and, after this needful refreshment, they united in thanks toGod for their escape, and for the plenty that surrounded them, in aregion where the air was pure and healthy, and the animals innocuous;and this night they slept in the open air, fearless of disturbance.

  Next morning they proceeded on their way, after the boys had cut astrong staff for each traveller; likening themselves to a party ofpilgrims with their long crooks. Still the same luxuriant vegetation laybefore them, and still they continued the same arduous toiling over thesoft yielding soil, in which every footstep was buried; but their stoutstaves and cheerful spirits carried them on for hours.

  They continually saw the kangaroo bounding over the ground, and theactive opossum running up the tall gum-tree, or the pandanus, and weresorely tempted to pursue them.

  "But only reflect, boys," said Arthur, "on the imprudence of attemptingto chase or shoot these animals now. It would be impossible for us tocarry more than our usual burdens over this heavy ground. Wait till wearrive at our resting-place; and in the profusion of food around us, Itrust we shall not want. But observe, papa, we no longer see the rangeof sandstone hills lying to the east: we are certainly entering a newregion. That ridge before us will probably lead us from these tediousmarshes. We must try to toil up the ascent before we rest."

  It was really a toil, in the heated atmosphere, to climb thebush-encumbered hills; but on reaching the summit, they were repaid bylooking d
own on a lovely valley.

  It was on a lower level than that they had left, dotted over with greenhills, and adorned with a forest-like scattering of majestic trees,beneath which the grass was as rich as that of a cultivated meadow, andenamelled with brilliant flowers; while the scented jasmine blossomsclung round the taller trees, and filled the air with perfume. Parrotsof every bright color played in the sunbeams, chattering in the mostdistracting manner; while at intervals the discordance of their harshcries was broken by the clear, bell-like notes of a musical warbler.Numerous silver streams might be seen at a distance, threading theplains, all on their way, Arthur observed, to swell some large river.

  "Which we shall have to cross, most likely," said Hugh; "so, Jack, wemust look about for materials for canoes again."

  "I am almost afraid to suggest it," said Mr. Mayburn; "but why should weleave this lovely, tranquil valley? Why should we not erect a simplehut, and dwell here in peace, abundance, and contentment, without toiland without care? What say you, Margaret?"

  "Would it not be an idle and useless existence, papa?" answered she.

  "With not even wild beasts to hunt," added Gerald.

  "No books to read, or horses to ride," said Hugh, sadly.

  "Ay, it would be dowly enough a bit at first," said Wilkins, "and thenthem rogues would somehow make us out, and lead us a bonnie life."

  "And it isn't fit, master," said nurse, indignantly, "that decent women,let alone Miss Margaret, should live their lives among heathens withouta rag to their backs. Here's poor Ruth breaking her heart to think ofthem savages."

  "I believe, papa," said Arthur, laughing, "the votes are against yourresolution. For my own part, I cannot believe this rich and well-wateredspot should be neglected by the natives. Depend on it, there are tribesnot far distant, that might annoy us if we were stationary, though Itrust we may not meet with many so ferocious as our last acquaintances."

  "I am wrong, my son," replied Mr. Mayburn. "I know my own weakness ofjudgment, and you see I have grace to acknowledge my blunder."

  "We will descend into the valley now," said Arthur, "and have a pleasantrest among this rich scenery. I hope that in a few days more we mayreach some important river, which, if we can cross, we may at all eventsbe satisfied that we have left our old enemies behind us, though wecannot tell what new ones we may encounter."

  After many days' pleasant travelling over the well-watered and plentifulplains, they passed over a succession of green ridges, from the highestof which they had a view of a large river, certainly too wide to becrossed by Jack's bark ferry-boat; and now speculations were awakened ofboats, canoes, and easy voyaging.

  "I'm sure you could make a bark canoe, Jack," said Hugh, "that might bepaddled well enough on a fair open river like that. Let us push forwardand reconnoitre our chances of changing trudging for voyaging."

  "I'd have ye look about ye," said Wilkins, "and mind yer steps. Yon'sjust t' place for 'em to gather. There'll be fish, and slugs, andsnakes, and all that sort of varmint. Why, bless ye, Jenny, woman, yeneedn't make such a face; I've seen 'em gobbling for hours at worms andgrubs, and then they'll suck lots of stuff out of them gum-trees. But Isay, what's yon black bit?"

  The "black bit" was a circle where a fire had been made not long before;near the scorched spot lay half-finished spears, headed with sharp hardstones, of which some large slabs were piled near the place, and afinished axe made from the same flint-like stone.

  "I will not take their axe, Mr. Arthur," said Jack, "because they havemanufactured it, and of course it is property like; but stones arenothing but stones all the world over, and free to anybody. So if you'llwait I'll sit down now and try to make an axe the model of that, and itwill be a shame if I cannot improve on it."

  He was not denied the trial, and the result was, that Jack's axe was acapital tool. Hugh had cut a handle from one tree, while Geraldcollected the gum oozing from another into a mussel-shell, and Jackselected the stone, and sharpened the edge on a block of sandstone, forthe blade. Then cutting a cleft in the handle, he inserted and tied theblade first, covering the joining with gum, and finally placing it inthe sun to dry. This success induced him to make a second axe, while thewhole party sat down to watch the interesting work.

  But the uneasiness of Mr. Mayburn compelled them at length to leave aspot which was evidently a haunt of the natives. They continued to walktowards the river over rich undulating ground covered with soft grassand the wild oats, the spring crop of which was here nearly ripe, andwas eagerly reaped to increase the provision store. Then they came on aswampy soil, which had been apparently overflowed by the river after therains, and which was grown over by a perfect forest of mangroves,thickly peopled by mosquitos. It was with difficulty they could forcetheir way through the trees to the river, which they judged to be aboutthree hundred yards across, flowing towards the west, and certainly toodeep to be forded. High cliffs shut out all view of the country on theopposite bank; and, much as it would have been desirable, Arthur fearedthey would not be able to cross it except in canoes.

  "I think it would be still better to sail up it," said Hugh.

  "We have no canoes ready for such a purpose," answered Arthur, "nor canwe yet begin to make one till our axes are sufficiently hardened to usewith safety. I propose that we should draw back beyond the marshyground, and follow up the course of the stream for one day at least. Wecan all be at work collecting materials for boats."

  Any thing that gave them employment was acceptable to the boys, and theyscampered from one tree to another to examine the quality or try todiscover the species. The names they did not know, but were content todistinguish the varieties as palm, oak, ash, cedar, or box, as theyfancied they resembled those well-known trees. There were also thevarious gum-trees, the cabbage-palm, and a new and interesting object toMr. Mayburn, which he recognized from description,--the grass-tree,_Xanthorrhoea arborea_, the rough stem of which was ten feet in heightand about two feet in circumference, and which terminated in a palm-treeform, with a cluster of long grass-like foliage drooping gracefully;while from the midst of the cluster sprang a single stamen of ten feetin height.

  Mingled with the loftier trees was a sort of shrub, called by Wilkinsthe _Tea Shrub_, the leaves of which, he told them, were used in thecolony as tea "by them as liked such wishwash;" and as Jenny and Ruthdeclared that they especially did like this "wishwash," they gathered aquantity of the leaves to make the experiment of its virtues.

  "It certainly belongs to a family of plants," said Mr. Mayburn, "whichare all-important to the comfort and health of man; and though I do notknow the species, I should judge that an infusion of these leaves wouldproduce a wholesome, and probably an agreeable, beverage. The delicatewhite flowers are not unlike those of the tea-plant, certainly. Butpray, nurse, do not load yourself with too great a burden of the leaves,for the shrub seems abundant, and we have already too much to carry inthis burning climate."