In the Eastern Seas

by William Henry Giles Kingston

  CHAPTER THIRTY TWO.

  THE "HOPE" SAILS IN SEARCH OF WALTER.

  Several days have passed since I last wrote in dear Walter's journal.Mr Sedgwick seems scarcely yet to have got over the loss of Tanda;indeed he was his right hand man. Still he works away very hard byhimself in arranging the stores for our voyage, and the Frau and Emilyand I help him as much as we possibly can. We have a good supply ofsago-cake. We went out and helped him to gather in the maize, which isnow ripe--having enormous ears. We have busied ourselves in separatingthe grains. Then we have paddy. We assisted in cutting it, but wecould not make much progress; and Potto Jumbo devoted a couple of daysto that work, so that we have now enough. We find great difficulty,however, in beating off the hull in a large mortar. We had seen Tandado it, when not a grain was driven out; but when we attempted it, wesent them flying out in all directions. However, by placing a clothwith a hole in it, for the handle to go through, over the mouth, wemanaged to get on better, and prepared in the course of a few days agood supply. At a little distance from the house grew a grove of aspecies of banana which my uncle planted. He called it the _Musatextilis_. It was about fifteen feet high. From the fibrous stem ofthis plant the manilla hemp is manufactured. It was now cut down, andby being beaten thoroughly the fibres were drawn out, and our uncle andPotto Jumbo set to work to manufacture rope from it for rigging thevessel, as they did not consider there had been a sufficient supply ofrope saved from the brig.

  We had been anxious to go and see the vessel, and one day we set offwith the ship-builders at an early hour. Our surprise was very great tofind her perfectly ready for launching. Her masts and spars and rigginglay under a shed on one side, and it seemed as if it would only benecessary to put her in the water, and get the stores on board, to sailaway. But sail where? That was the question. Should I have anysatisfaction in sailing away without first looking for Walter? Wouldour uncle consent to do this? The uncertainty took away some of thesatisfaction I should otherwise have felt.

  The whole of the party now collected, when Mr Thudicumb announced thatthe launch was that morning to take place. Hopes and tackle had beenarranged and secured to the rocks to assist in hauling her off, and Iwas told that I was to throw a bottle of arrack at her bows, and to nameher. Having no bottle, I found that the arrack had been put into asmall gourd. It was hung from the bows, against which I was told toswing it. No sooner had I done so, wishing the _Hope_ a prosperousexistence, than she began to glide off towards the water. Quicker andquicker she went, and it seemed to me that she would slip away out tosea; but ropes restrained her, and in another instant she floated calmlyin the bay. Loud cheers broke from our small company, and Roger Trew,who had remained on board, waved his hat, and danced a hornpipe in hisglee at the success of their undertaking.

  All things are ready for the voyage. The _Hope_ is to be rigged as acutter. The seams have been filled in with dammar; and though no painthas been used, she appears to great advantage with the natural colour ofthe wood. I thought we were all to go in her at once; but it isconsidered better that she should first make a trial trip in search ofWalter. I was very anxious to go; but my uncle says he cannot allow me,and that Grace and I, with the Frau and Oliver, must remain on theisland. Her crew, therefore, will consist of Mr Thudicumb ascommander, Dick Tarbox, Roger Trew, and Potto Jumbo as crew, with MrHooker as passenger. He wishes to go, both on account of his anxiety tofind Walter, and also, as they will visit a number of islands and reefsin their search, he expects to find numerous objects of natural history.

  We were busily employed for several days in carrying down stores to HopeHarbour; even the water had to be carried a considerable distance. Itis contained in large pieces of bamboo, which can be stored securely inthe hold, as there are no casks in which to put it. Then they havesago, rice, and Indian corn, and young cocoa-nuts and bananas, mangoes,and several other roots and fruits. Among the most valuable are thebread-fruit, just now ripe, the trees of which my uncle planted when hefirst came to the island. He had also grown some tea-plants, and amongour other occupations I forgot to mention, was preparing the leavesaccording to the Chinese mode. The beverage does not taste very strong,but it has a nice flavour, and will answer its purpose very well. Thecocoa-nut oil which we manufactured is also contained in pieces ofbamboo. Our sugar is not very white, and would not be considered highlyrefined, but it is sweet and nice, and Grace and the Frau consider it avery delicious sweetmeat. The vessel is thus stored with thenecessaries of life. I hope she may sail well. She is deckedcompletely over, with three compartments for cabins. When we all sailwe are to have the centre, the men are to be forward, and the gentlemenaft, with a small cabin for Mr Thudicumb in the fore part of thevessel. There are large lockers on either side for stores, some ofwhich are to be placed in the hold, but only those which will not sufferfrom being wet, as it is thought likely that the vessel will leaksomewhat, perhaps, in consequence of the want of skill on the part ofthe workmen. However, each one says he has done his task to the best ofhis ability, and can do no more. My uncle and Oliver retain two of thebest fire-arms, and the rest are to be put on board the vessel, in casethey should fall in with pirates, or land on any part of the coast wheresavages exist. We are to go down to-morrow morning to see them off.Oh, how earnestly will my prayers ascend for their safety, and that theymay find dear Walter!

  The _Hope_ has sailed. We went down to Hope Harbour early in themorning, having breakfasted by lamp-light, and as soon as all had goneon board the anchor was weighed. It was like a Malay anchor, made ofwood, and a huge stone to keep it down. Favoured by the land-breeze,the _Hope_ glided out of the harbour. Oliver said she appeared to sitbeautifully on the water, and he thought she would be a fine sea-boat.Amid cheers and tears and prayers--oh, how earnestly I prayed, and I amsure so did Oliver and Grace--we saw her sail away from the land. Wehastened homeward, that we might get a last look of her from FlagstaffRock. The _Hope_, instead of proceeding out to sea, was now standingalong shore. How pretty and light she looked as she glided by. Wecontinued waving an adieu, but I do not think those on board could haveseen us; indeed, we could only just distinguish them as they stood onthe deck. Away, away she sailed towards the east. She went in thatdirection because Mr Thudicumb believed, from the way the wind blewwhen dear Walter was carried away from the land, that he would have beendriven to some place in that direction. The wind was light, so that shecontinued in sight for a long time. We could not tear ourselves awayfrom the spot. How well was she called the _Hope_; for our hope wasstrong that she would find him of whom she was in search. Gradually shebecame smaller and smaller, and less distinct; and now her hull wasentirely hid from view, and we could see only the white canvas above theocean. At length that began to descend in the horizon, and a smallwhite speck alone was visible, gradually decreasing in size till itdisappeared altogether. I could not help regretting that we were notall on board, but those who knew better than I do decided it otherwise,and so I do my best to silence my regrets. It is a good thing, too,that we have Oliver with us. He exerts himself not so much to keep upour spirits, as to show us how we ought to think and feel; and he provesclearly that as God knows best what should be done, we should bow humblyto his will, whatever may occur. What a blessing it is to know that Godwatches over us, and arranges our affairs for us better than we can forourselves, if we show a readiness to submit to his will. It would,however, be a hard trial should the vessel return without having foundWalter. My uncle is kinder than ever. He seems to understand howanxious I am, and continues to try and find employment for us. We havea number of curious birds to feed, and some poultry which escaped theMalays having been found, we take care of them, as also several animalswhich require being attended to.

  Among the most precious and beautiful were several birds of paradise,prized above all others in the collection. The first I will mention wascalled the superb bird of paradise. The plumage was black, though, asthe sun shone on it, the nec
k showed a rich bronze tinge, while the headappeared to be covered with scales of a brilliant metallic-green andblue. Over its breast was a shield of somewhat stiff feathers, with arich satiny gloss and of a bluish-green tint, while from the back of theneck rose a shield--in form like that on the breast, but considerablylarger and longer--of a rich black, tinged with purple and bronze. Itwould be difficult to do justice by a verbal description to the beautyof that little gem of a bird, when, animated, it expanded its shieldsand stood quivering on its perch. I often thought how much morebeautiful must be the appearance of numbers collected together in theirnative woods in the interior of New Guinea, from whence this one wasbrought. The feet of our little pet were yellow, and it had a blackbill. We fed it on fruits, especially small ripe figs, and also oninsects, such as grasshoppers, locusts, and cockroaches, withoccasionally caterpillars.

  Another of our pets was called the six-shafted or golden bird ofparadise. It was not less curious than the former. The plumage, thoughblack in the shade, glows in the sun with bronze and purple, and on thethroat and breast are broad feathers of a rich golden hue, exhibiting ina bright light green and blue tints. The back of the head is adornedwith the most brilliant feathers, shining as if composed of emeralds andtopazes; in front is a white satin-like spot, and from the sides springsix slender feathers, thin as wires, with small oval webs at theextremities. As if the beautiful creature was not sufficiently adorned,on each side of the breast rise masses of soft feathers, which greatlyincrease its apparent bulk when fully elevated, and almost hide itswings.

  Walter in his journal has already described several other birds ofparadise. Our uncle calculates that there are eighteen known species,all remarkable for their beauty, and the curious arrangements and colourof their plumage.

  Poor Tanda used to look after them, and now Oliver and Grace and I haveundertaken the task as far as we are able.

  We had for a long time given up watching for Walter. The _Hope_ mightfind him, but it was not very likely that he could come back in thesmall boat. I should have given way long ago to despair had not Oliverbeen with us; but he showed me that despair is on all occasions wrong,and I endeavoured to overcome my anxiety.

  How quiet our party appeared that evening, so many having gone. Myuncle spoke but little. Oliver did his best to interest Grace and me;and the Frau, though she did not talk very learnedly, talked away, anddid her best to amuse us. Every now and then she turned on Mr Sedgwickand bantered him on his silence. Merlin went up to the seats which hadusually been occupied by the absent ones and snuffed at them all round.Then he went and lay down in his usual place on a mat near the door. Hehad seen them go off in the vessel in the morning. I wonder if he knewwhere they had gone. I believe he was fully aware that they had gone insearch of Walter.

  There was another earthquake last night. The house shook almost as muchas before, and this morning I thought my uncle looked far more anxiousthan ever; indeed, he observed that he was not quite certain whether itwould not have been wiser for us all to have gone on board the _Hope_."These earthquakes are often forerunners of an eruption," I heard himremark to Oliver. Oliver and he went out soon afterwards to HopeHarbour with their axes, and were absent all the day. When they cameback Oliver said he had been employed in cutting down trees. I askedhim what they were for.

  "Why, Mr Sedgwick thinks it may be as well to prepare a raft, in casewe should wish to leave the island before the return of the boat."

  "But could we possibly wish to do that?" I exclaimed. "Not underordinary circumstances," he answered. "But, Miss Emily, I would urgeyou to brace up your nerves for whatever may occur; or better than that,seek for strength from above to go through any danger to which you maybe exposed. I think indeed that Mr Sedgwick himself wished me to talkto you about the matter, for he has grave apprehensions that there maybe, with short notice, an eruption of the mountain. I had terribleevidence of what that may produce, when Walter and I escaped from ourisland. He therefore thinks it prudent to have a raft ready sufficientto carry us all. If we could build it, it would remain secure in HopeHarbour, though we may pray that it may not be required. The trees wehave cut down are of a very light wood, which floats easily, and we aregoing to place the planks which remain over from the vessel, with aquantity of bamboo on the top of it, so that we may quickly make abuoyant and secure raft."

  I believe I should have been far more alarmed at this information had Ireceived it from any one else, but Oliver spoke in so calm a way that Ifelt sure that all would be for the best. I then told Grace, who wasperhaps more alarmed than I had expected her to be. I trusted, too,that the _Hope_ would return before such a fearful event should occur,and that we might be safe away from the island in her. We graduallytold the Frau what Mr Sedgwick apprehended. "Ah, yes!" she said,looking up at the mountain, "I think so too. Before long that send upstones and ashes, and send down rivers of lava from its sides; but Ihope we be away first. I would rather be living in my own Dutch land,where we see no hill higher than a mole-hill, and where we have the seaready to come in over the country with every storm, than I would liveout in these beautiful lands, where the earthquake like the sea, and themountains are like so many cannons stuck in the ground with theirmuzzles up."

  When my uncle came home I told him what I had heard, and begged he wouldallow us to come and help him and Oliver to make the raft. "I do notknow that you can help us in building the raft," he said; "but you canassist in preparing the provisions and stores, without which it would beof little use, as we should only put to sea to be starved."

  This we gladly undertook to do, and immediately commenced arrangingpackages for the buffaloes to carry. The Frau hurried off, and workedvery energetically, every now and then casting an anxious glance up atthe mountain. "What if it blow up before we ready?" she exclaimed."Dear, oh dear!" The buffaloes had become so accustomed to us that wecould lead them without difficulty, and as soon therefore as we wereready, we started off by the well-beaten track to Hope Harbour. I willnot say that we were not a little anxious lest we might meet a mias ortiger or other wild beast, but we had Merlin as a guard, besides which,we hoped that the frequent firing of the guns had driven them away. Wefound my uncle and Oliver hard at work upon the raft. It was now almostready to launch. "We must build a shed also in which to store our goodstill the moment comes for embarking, should we be compelled to quit theisland," he observed. "We will hope, however, for the best, and thatthe old mountain will remain quiet till the _Hope_ returns." We madethree trips with the buffaloes, till we had collected an ample supply ofprovisions, as also some additional clothing, and canvas with which toform a covering to the raft. We were of some assistance also in puttingup the shed. This was soon done. It had, however, to be tolerablysecure, to prevent the entrance of monkeys, or any wandering bear whichmight have found his way to the store. Both creatures are greatthieves, and would have carried off the whole of them. This done, myuncle and Oliver made several improvements on the raft. A strong railwas put up round it to serve as a bulwark, and a place raised in thecentre, also securely railed in, which they said should be our post.They rigged also a couple of masts and sails, and some long oars, aswell as a rudder and some short paddles, which latter might be used attimes when the oars could not be so well worked. Altogether we lookedwith some satisfaction on the raft, and felt thankful that we had themeans of escaping should we be driven from the island.

  We were now looking out every day for the return of the _Hope_. Theweather, which for long had been very fine, once more gave signs ofchanging. We remembered too clearly the sad night when the brig waslost, and we dreaded lest the cutter might be exposed to a similardanger. Hitherto the weather had been beautifully calm and clear; nowclouds were gathering in the sky, though the wind was not as yet verystrong.

  "How dreadful it would be," said Grace, "if the mountain were to burstforth while a hurricane was blowing! We should be driven from theisland, and yet not be able to venture on the sea."
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  "We should not give way to such thoughts, Miss Grace," remarked Oliver."Let us go on trusting to Him who has hitherto taken care of us."

  "I feel rebuked," said Grace, a little time afterwards; "I will try toquiet my alarms, and hope for the best."

  Having now made all the arrangements which could be thought of, we veryfrequently went down to Flagstaff Rock to look out for the _Hope_.Often we had to return disappointed, however. At length one day, whenOliver, Grace, and I, attended by Merlin, were collected there, Graceexclaimed--

  "See! see! there is a white spot in the horizon!"

  We all looked towards it.

  "I fear it is a line of foam-crested seas," said Oliver. "See! itextends far on either side. It is caused by a hurricane, which issweeping towards us."

  "Oh, but I am sure there is a sail too!" said Grace. "Look again,Oliver. If you shade your eyes, you will see it rising above the foam."

  We all looked; and at length both Oliver and I agreed with Grace thatthere was a vessel's sail. She seemed to be coming towards the island.How eagerly we gazed at her! At length we had no doubt about thematter; and Oliver said he was sure she was the cutter. We wished tolet Mr Sedgwick and the Frau know the good news; and yet neither of usliked to leave the spot.

  "Merlin can remain with you," said Oliver at length, "and I will go andtell them;" and off he set.

  The cutter drew nearer and nearer, carrying a press of sail, consideringthe strong wind which was now blowing. She was apparently making forHope Harbour, instead of standing in towards Flagstaff Rock. From theway of the wind, the entrance to Hope Harbour would be tolerablysheltered. This probably was the reason. I understood enough about seaaffairs to know that she was carrying so much canvas in order to weatherFlagstaff Cape. When that was done, I trusted she would be safe. Oh,how I wished we had a spy-glass to see who was on board! Could Walterbe there? How my heart beat! Poor dear Grace, too, was greatlyagitated. We had long wished for this moment; and now it had come. Notonly were we still in doubt, but agitated by anxiety for the safety ofthose on board. It appeared to me that our friends were in greatdanger, from the way the little cutter heeled over to the wind. On shestood, without attempting to lessen the sail; when, as we were gazing ather, suddenly a fearful blast struck her. Over bent her mast and sail.We both of us shrieked with horror. Before we could look again she wasupset, and the sea breaking wildly over her.

  "Oh, she will sink! she will sink!" cried Grace--"and all will bedrowned!"

  She had passed the cape, and was driving in towards the shore, the seaevery instant increasing in height and fury. Would she float till shereached it? or, should she reach it, would she escape the fearful rockswhich lined so long an extent of the coast? We watched her with fearfulanxiety, trying to ascertain what those on board were doing; but thedistance and the spray which drove over her almost concealed them fromour sight. We were still gazing at them, when we heard my uncle andOliver utter exclamations of dismay. They had just arrived at the spotwhere we were.

  "We must go round to Cormorant Bay," said my uncle. "I think she willdrive ashore thereabouts, if she floats as long; and if our friends canmanage to cling on till then, they may possibly be saved. But the riskis a fearful one."

  Hurrying from the rock, we had to go all the way round by the house toget to the bay of which my uncle spoke. The Frau saw us as we passed,and followed as fast as she could move, though she in vain attempted tokeep up with us. On we ran with Merlin. We no longer thought ofsnakes, or orang-outans, or tigers, so eager were we to reach the bay.As we passed the house, our uncle and Oliver snatched up some largebamboos and ropes to assist them in getting our friends on shore. Weeagerly looked out through each opening towards the sea, in the hope ofseeing the vessel; but she was nowhere visible. Oh, how my hearttrembled lest she should have sunk before reaching the shore! Sometimesour agitation was so great that Grace and I could scarcely proceed.Again we regained our courage, and ran on; but I felt as if I was insome fearful dream, so eager were we to get there, and yet so incapabledid we feel ourselves of moving fast. At length the bay to which wewere directing our course appeared between the trees. We made our waydown to the beach; but so fearfully agitated was the ocean that we couldnot at first distinguish the vessel. Yes! but there she was, though--still floating, and at some distance from the land; but the foaming seaswere washing over her, and it seemed impossible that anybody could yetbe clinging to her sides. The spray broke in our faces, and preventedus from seeing clearly. Oliver, however, at last exclaimed--

  "Yes, yes--I am sure there is some one holding on to the bulwarks! Yes!I see two--three figures! I am sure of that. Perhaps there are more."

  We stood with aching eyes gazing on the vessel. We could render her noassistance. Still it was evident she was driving in closer and closer.Happily the bay towards which she was coming was free of rocks; andthough a tremendous surf broke on it, yet it might be possible for them,with our assistance, to escape to land should she once reach the beach.As she drew near, my uncle fastened a rope round his waist, and toldOliver to do the same.

  "Now, Frau," he said, "you take hold of this rope, and do not let me go,or my life will be sacrificed. Girls, do you do the same for Oliver."

  And thus they stood, each with a long bamboo in his hand, ready to rushin and help those who might still be alive. Now the thought presseditself upon me, "Is Walter among them? If he is, will he reach theshore alive?"

  Grace and I grasped the rope tightly. Now a huge wave came roaring in,with the vessel on its summit. She seemed close to us, and then awayshe glided towards the ocean. Oh, how it tantalised us as we sawseveral persons still clinging to her!--and I thought I coulddistinguish Mr Hooker and Dick Tarbox. Yes--and there was a slightfigure also. "Can that be Walter? Yes, yes--it must be!" I thought.

  And now once again the vessel was driving towards the land. On--on shecame! Now at length she touched the beach.

  "Spring! spring!" cried Mr Sedgwick, rushing into the water, the Frauholding the rope with all her might. Oliver followed his example.

  The figure on which my eyes were fixed let go its hold, and the nextinstant was buffeting the waves, which seemed to be carrying him out tosea. Oliver dashed in, we almost being dragged in after him. But weheld the rope tightly, leaning back against it; and Oliver grasped theperson with his hand, and with desperate energy we hauled them bothashore. Oh, what joy and gratitude I felt when I recognised Walter, ashe staggered forward towards us!

  "Yes, I am safe, dear sister! And you--" He could say no more, ere hesank on the ground. "Go and help the others," he said, faintly. "Donot delay. On, Oliver, on!"

  Oliver again rushed forward, and caught hold of Potto Jumbo, who at thatmoment leapt from the vessel, to which he had till then been clinging,into the foaming surf. Oliver grasped him by his woolly hair just as hewas being torn away; and directly after, Potto, gaining his feet, rushedup the sand carrying Oliver in his arms. Oliver himself was almostovercome by his exertion. My uncle, in the meantime, had caught hold ofMr Hooker, and placed him in safety, and was now rushing in to helpDick Tarbox. He succeeded in his efforts. Meantime Potto Jumbo, takingthe rope off Oliver, fastened it round his own waist. "I go for theothers," he cried out. "You hold dere, Oliver and you young ladies.Don't let go. Walter, he soon come all right--no fear." Saying this,Potto rushed into the water, and reaching the wreck, seized hold of MrThudicumb, who was still clinging to it. But where was honest RogerTrew? Mr Thudicumb was landed, but greatly exhausted. Just then wesaw another figure holding on to the bulwarks forward; but he had beforebeen so completely covered with the foam, that we had not observed him.Mr Sedgwick and Potto made a dash at him together, and though heappeared more dead than alive, they succeeded in dragging him up thebeach. Still another person remained onboard. Who could he be? "Isee, I see!" cried Potto Jumbo. "I see; I go get him. He my cook-mate.Hurrah! hurrah!" Saying this, Potto Jumbo fastened the end of MrSedgwi
ck's rope to his own, and crying out to the rest to hold it, hedarted once more into the sea. Twice the surf bore him back again tothe beach; but he persevered, shouting out at the same time, "Come,come--no fear!" The person he was attempting to rescue heard him, andwaiting till a sea was approaching, sprang in. The wave carried himtowards Potto, who seized him in his powerful grasp; and those who hadhold of the rope hauling away, both were dragged up in safety. Yes,there stood Macco, whom we supposed, as Walter had done, had been killedby the savages. There he was, however, there could be no doubt aboutthat. He crawled to Walter's side, and taking his hand, looked in hisface, exclaiming, "Oh, I t'ankful you escape, Massa Walter. Me lub youas one fader, one broder, one eberyt'ing." The expression of Macco'scountenance showed that his words were true.

  Not till now could I run to Walter's side, and for some minutes I coulddo nothing else but put my arms round his neck and kiss him again andagain.

  "We may well thank Heaven that we have escaped," said Mr Hooker; "butwhat will become of the vessel I cannot tell."

  "We must try and secure her," said Mr Thudicumb; "for though she isgetting a fearful bumping, if she is thrown on shore we may manage tolaunch her again some day when we are ready for her."

  The matter, however, was settled in a different way; for another fiercesea rolling towards us, drove her with such violence against the beach,that her sides were completely beaten in, and in a few minutes shebecame a confused mass of wreck.