In the Eastern Seas
Page 33
CHAPTER THIRTY THREE.
WALTER'S ADVENTURES.
Although our friends were greatly exhausted by having to cling so longto the cutter with the sea breaking furiously over them, after restingfor some time on the beach they were able to proceed to the house. Iclung to Walter's arm as we walked along, and could only again and againsay how rejoiced and thankful I was that he had escaped. He seemed sopale and weak, that I forebore asking him questions. Still, of course,I was longing to know what adventures he had gone through. He, however,seemed more anxious to be told what had occurred to us during hisabsence.
"You shall read all the chief events in the continuation of yourjournal," I said. "You remember, Walter, that you asked me to go onwith it should you be interrupted, and I have done so; and perhaps if Iread it to you I shall be able to make remarks as I go on, which willstill further enable you to understand all that has occurred since youwent away."
The next day, as Walter was utterly unable to go out, I spent in readingwhat I had written; and he then showed me his note-book, which he hadfortunately had with him, and in which he had also marked down the chiefpart of his adventures. The particulars of the voyage of the _Hope_ Ihad yet to learn. I now, however, handed him over his journal, that hemight enter more clearly the events he described to me. Mr Hookerafterwards told us about the voyage of the _Hope_, which had terminatedin so disastrous a way to our little vessel. Happily, the mountaincontinued burning slowly, though steadily, and our uncle told us hetrusted it would do so without committing further damage, though hesuspected that the beauties of many of the scenes we visited round itsbase must have been considerably marred; indeed, now and then a puff ofwind brought a quantity of fine dust in our direction, which coveredeverything, and even penetrated into the house.
I found that Mr Hooker, and those who had suffered least from theirshipwreck, had gone to Hope Harbour. They said they wished to see ifanything could be saved from the cutter; but I suspect, from someremarks which they let fall, that their intention was to increase thesize of the raft, and to make some further improvements on it, so thatit might carry, if required, the whole of the party without difficulty.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
WALTER'S JOURNAL.
Ali seemed as anxious as I was to obtain a nautilus, and we agreed earlyin the morning to set off in search of one. I found that he had broughtseveral bamboos full of water, as also a supply of sago-cake and rice.We had our fish-pots with long lines ready to lower in deep water, withfishing-lines and hooks and a supply of small fish for bait. We firsthauled up the pots which had been lowered a short distance from theshore; but though there were several fine fish in them, no nautilus wasfound. Ali now made me understand that we should be more likely toobtain what we wanted near a reef at a considerable distance from theshore, and taking the oars, he pulled away lustily out to sea. In ashort time a breeze sprang up, when we hoisted our little lugsail, andskimmed merrily over the water, just rippled into wavelets by the briskbreeze. Ali's countenance was at no time very prepossessing. I couldnot help thinking that it had a more than usually sinister expression.Still I persuaded myself that this was fancy, and, ashamed of mysuspicions, resolved to do as he proposed. At length I caught sight ofa part of the reef rising a few feet out of the water. By the whiteline of the surf which extended on either side, I saw that it was ofconsiderable length under the surface. Lowering our sail, we pulledround to leeward of it, where we found the water sufficiently shallow toenable us to lower the pots. Ali made signs to me that we should besure to catch a nautilus at this point if we waited long enough. Havingput down the pots, we pulled a little distance along the reef, where heproposed fishing with our lines. We had soon hauled in several finefish, one an enormous fellow, which must have weighed nearly two hundredpounds. We had great difficulty in hauling it in; but believing that itwould be acceptable at home, I was unwilling to let it go. The fishstruggled violently, and in our efforts to get it in, one of our oarsslipped overboard. I was so eager to get the fish, that I scarcelythought of the oar. We then got it into the boat; but it seemedinclined to take it from us, and send us overboard. Ali hammered awayat its head and tail till at last he quieted it; not, however, till theoar had been driven by a current to a considerable distance. Scarcelyhad we got the fish in, when we had another bite, and this was also alarge fish, and occupied us some time. When I at length looked aboutfor the oar, I could not see it. We, however, hoisted up the stonewhich served as an anchor, and Ali sculled in the direction we supposedit had gone. He thought he saw it; but when we got up to the spot wefound only a piece of sea-weed floating on the surface.
The weather, as you remember, had begun to change, and I saw it was timefor us to return to the shore. Without an oar, however, this was noeasy task, as the wind had begun to blow directly from the shore. Itnow came in strong gusts, and though there was not much sea, still itwas sufficient to try the boat, and we were obliged to continue bailingto keep her free of water. I now perceived clearly the dangerousposition in which we were placed. With only one oar, should the windcontinue blowing from the shore, we must inevitably be driven off. Iproposed getting back under the lee of the reef and anchoring. This wedid, and for some time held on. Our fish-pots had been lowered, and Iproposed hauling one of the nearest to us up. Great was my delight, ongetting it on board, to find that a nautilus had been caught. The shelland creature were perfect, although it was very different from thegraceful one I had seen pictured in books, with its tentaculi spreadout, and apparently employed in rowing over the water; but in reality,as Mr Hooker had told me, used as fishing-lines, or, at all events, forcatching its prey. Another pot was at some little distance, and sodelighted was I at catching this one, that I hoped we might find anothernautilus. We therefore hauled in our anchor. Scarcely had we done so,when a tremendous blast came over the land, and before we could regainthe reef, we were out of soundings. The boat was now tossed aboutviolently, and I saw, and so did Ali, that our only prospect ofpreserving our lives was to hoist the sail and keep before the wind.The sea had changed greatly, and came dancing and foaming up round us.Where we should drive to, we knew not. My heart sank within me at thethought of being driven away from Emily and my friends, and I knew, too,the great anxiety my absence would cause them. I could not tell also towhat dangers we might be exposed. If the boat escaped being swamped,she might be cast upon a reef. We had, providentially, a good supply ofwater and an abundance of food. Our fish, however, would not keep manydays; but while it lasted, we had no fear of starving.
Whether Ali had intended to get away from the island or not I could nottell. If he did, his purpose was answered. I saw him cut some of thefish into strips, and hang them up to the mast. This he did for thesake of drying them, and thus preserving them longer. All we could donow was to keep the boat directly before the wind, for I dreaded lestshe should broach to and be immediately overturned. I cast a look backat our island, which seemed gradually to sink into the sea, till atlength it was altogether lost to sight. Here we were in this small boattossing on the waves out of sight of land, and not knowing where we weregoing. Perhaps Ali knew better than I did. He, at all events, did notseem to be alarmed, and when unemployed, he continued humming melancholyMalay airs, which certainly did not tend to raise my spirits. There isa great difference in reading of an adventure and going through it. Iconfess I should have felt less anxiety had Oliver been with me; but asI could not exchange ideas with my companion, and we could only veryimperfectly understand each other, it was very trying. During the day Ihad managed to steer pretty well, so that with occasional bailing wekept the boat free of water; but at night it was far more difficult.Still, we had for present safety to run on before the gale. Often Ifancied that I heard voices calling to me across the water. More thanonce it appeared to me that tall ships were passing us; but as we couldnot alter our course, there was no hope of nearing them; indeed, Ibeliev
e that they were phantoms of my imagination. The Malay did notoffer to steer. He seemed contented with the way I was doing so. Inspite of the dangerous position in which we were placed, I was everymoment becoming more and more sleepy, and felt that I would have givenanything to be able to go to sleep for a few minutes. At length I madeAli understand that he must take the helm. He came carefully aft, and Ichanged places with him. I had every reason to suppose that he knewwell how to steer, from the way I had seen him manage the boat, and Itherefore confided the helm to him without fear. Scarcely had I lainwith my back against the mast than I was fast asleep. It appeared to methat the boat was flying on as before, though sometimes tossed even moreviolently than at first.
When I at length awoke the grey dawn was breaking, clouds were overhead,and the dark seas rolled up on either side, foaming and hissing as if tooverwhelm our small boat. It appeared wonderful that she should be ableto ride over such tempestuous seas. Still, on she went, Ali steering ascarefully as I had done. I felt very thirsty, and took a draught ofwater from one of the bamboos. Ali signed to me to give him another,which he drank off; and I then handed him a little sago-bread and somedried fish. He, however, preferred the fresh fish, which he ate raw.I, as yet, had no inclination to do that, and preferred biting away at adried piece with my sago. I became more anxious when I saw how far wewere getting from the island, as I knew the difficulty we should have inreturning. After a time I offered to relieve Ali, and he then lay downand went to sleep. In the course of the morning the sea had gone downconsiderably; but we still continued running before the breeze. Thetime seemed very, very long, and my only consolation was that the windwas decreasing, and that, at all events, we might be able to direct ourcourse for the island. I forgot for the moment that the wind might havechanged, and that not knowing how we had been steering, even with theaid of the sun we should be unable to find our way back. I was thankfulwhen Ali awoke and offered to take the helm.
When I again opened my eyes, I found that Ali had been eating some fishand sago and drinking the water. I had taken a draught, when, lookingto our supply, I found to my dismay that only one bamboo cask of waterremained. Ali, however, made no remark; indeed, my suspicions wereconfirmed of his wish to get away from the island, and he, at allevents, seemed to know more nearly whereabouts we were than I did. Iknew that nothing caused so much dreadful suffering as want of water,and I feared that we should be exposed to it unless we could fall inwith land. I was now able to stand up in the boat and scan the horizon,but nowhere was land to be seen. The sun rising enabled us to steermore steadily, and we continued to proceed towards the north. I nowtried to make Ali understand that we must economise our water to theutmost. He took the bamboo, and I saw, instead of returning it to itsplace, that he put it down by his side. I could not help thinking fromthis that he intended to appropriate it to himself. However, as I hadlately had a draught, and was not thirsty, I made no remark. The sunsoon struck down with great heat upon our heads, and gave me anincreased desire for water. I made signs to Ali that I wished for some,but he shook his head, as if to signify that I must wait some timelonger. I did so patiently, thinking that perhaps he was right.However, at length I could brook no longer delay, and springing up,seized the bamboo. He cast an angry glance at me, but even had he had aweapon in his hand, I should not have been prevented from drinking thewater. I could have swallowed the whole of it, but refrained, andmerely took a small draught, barely sufficient to quench my burningthirst. I then made signs to him that when he was equally thirsty hemight also have some, but kept it in my own possession. I suspected,however, that when I was again compelled to go to sleep he would seizeit, and perhaps drink the whole of the contents. Now and then thedreadful thought came across me that he might perhaps murder me, orthrow me overboard. I might be wronging the man; but I knew he had beena pirate, and was not likely to be very particular as to what he woulddo.
Again daylight departed, and when at length I fell asleep, I wasdreaming of fountains and lakes and sparkling streams and draughts ofcrystal water. I awoke to find my mouth parched with thirst, and onlifting the bamboo, I discovered that every drop had been drained. Ifelt sure that unless we could fall in with land death must be ourportion--at least, for my own part, I believed I could not go through awhole day without water. The sun had not been up long before I began tofeel the suffering I had expected. I knew that drinking salt water wasdangerous in the extreme. I saw, however, that Ali was continuallychewing a little dried fish, and sometimes a few grains of rice, ahandful of which had been in the boat. I followed his example, butfound but little relief. Again and again I looked round in the hope ofseeing land. At length I caught sight ahead of a long line of whitebreakers. I pointed them out to Ali, that we might avoid them,supposing that a reef existed in that direction. He stood up andexamined them, and then altered the course of the boat a little. As weapproached, I saw beyond the breakers a line of white sand. It was, Ijudged, a lately made coral island. We continued on till we got on thelee side of it, when we ran close into the rocks. It appeared, as faras I could judge, to be about a mile and a half in circumference, theshore so steep that a big ship might have run in alongside it. Thewhole was covered with fine white sand, without a vestige of vegetation.I was unwilling to land, though I thought it possible water might beobtained, for I had a dread that Ali might leave me there and go off byhimself. He seemed to understand my suspicions, and jumping out, madethe boat fast, and led the way over the sand. I saw that it was coveredwith a great variety of sea-birds, some of which rose immediately weadvanced, and began shrieking and uttering loud cries as they hoveredover our heads, disputing our advance. We had literally to defendourselves with the boat-stretchers which we carried, and knocked overseveral of them while on the wing as they flew towards us. They wereincited, we discovered, to attack us in defence of their young, numbersof which, from the little gaping nudity just out of the shell towell-fledged bantlings, covered the ground. There was also a greatnumber of eggs, many of which were newly laid. Of these we got a largestore, besides half filling the boat with the birds we had killed. Invain, however, we searched all the island round for water. Not a dropcould we discover. Even the hollows in the rocks were dry. It wasevident that no rain had fallen there for a long time. The blood of thebirds, however, somewhat quenched our thirst. At first Ali would nottouch it, but on seeing me take it, he at length overcame his scruples.I confess that when we returned to the boat I endeavoured to keep first,still feeling that he was very likely to leave me. I think, however, Iwronged him there, as he made no attempt to get off without me.
Once more we were steering to the north. All day long I kept a brightlook-out, in the hope of seeing some other island. Two days passed.Oh, how fearfully did I suffer from thirst during the last of them; Iwould have given everything I possessed for a draught of cold water. Wewere gliding on during the night, when it seemed to me as if suddenly atall grove had sprung out of the water. I rubbed my eyes, and looked,and looked again. Yes; there could be no doubt of it; we were passing apalm-covered island. I awoke Ali, who had just before fallen asleep.To land at night was dangerous. However some risk must be run. Wetherefore continued close to the shore, in the hope of finding somesheltered bay into which we might run the boat. The dawn was justbreaking, and at length, with the help of daylight, we discovered aplace where we thought we could venture to land. We ran in on a softwhite sand; but the sea following, almost filled the boat with water,and we had to jump out and haul her up to escape a second wave, whichcame rolling slowly in after the first. So eager were we to find water,that the instant we had hauled the boat up out of reach of the seas, webegan running along the beach.
The island was a small one, with numerous palm and other trees growingon it. I eagerly looked out for the sago-palm, remembering that it wasin a grove of one of these trees we had found water on our island. Wesearched and searched in vain. Already our tongues were clinging to theroofs of our
mouths. The birds had soon grown putrid, so that manyhours had passed since we had moistened our lips. I felt ready to drop,and Ali also was almost overcome. We eagerly chewed the leaves oftrees, but they gave us no relief. Oh, how delightful would have beenthe sound of a bubbling fountain! No sago-trees, no sign of water couldwe discover. I found my knees shaking, my strength leaving me. Atlength I could no longer stand. I leant against the trunk of a talltree, and gradually sank down to the ground. I began to dread thatdeath would overtake me, and what a fearful death! I had read of such,but never supposed that I should realise it myself. Ali cast a look atme. He could do nothing to help me. He was going to desert me, Ithought. My voice was failing. I tried to call him back, but I couldno longer articulate, and a dreamy, half-conscious state of feeling cameover me. "I shall thus sink calmly into death," I thought. I tried topray, I tried to collect my thoughts, but in vain. How long I thuscontinued I know not, when I heard a voice shouting. It was Ali's. Iopened my eyes, and saw that he was running towards a tall tree. Atlast I saw him ascend the trunk. It seemed wonderful how he could getup. Presently I heard something drop. It was a bunch of cocoa-nuts;another and another followed. I tried to crawl towards them, but had nostrength to move. Ali descended the tree. He seized a cocoa-nut, brokeit open, and drank the contents. Once more I tried to cry out. Then Isaw him running towards me. Oh, how delicious was the draught which hepoured down my throat! In a few seconds I felt like another being. Mystrength returned. I sat up and eagerly clutched another cocoa-nutwhich he handed me. In a wonderfully short time I felt perfectlyrecovered.
We hunted about, but could find very few more trees. We should soon, weknew, consume the young fruit. We remained, however, on the island allthe day, and as we wandered along the beach, we came to some soft hotsand, in which we discovered a number of turtles' eggs. We had nowsufficient to support life, but I well knew that our provisions wouldnot last long, and that we must once more put to sea. Ali also clearlyunderstood this. We quickly got a light with pieces of bamboo, andcooked our eggs, and having loaded ourselves with as many cocoa-nuts aswe could carry, set off to return to the boat. As we went along, thefear seized me that we had not hauled her up sufficiently, and thatperhaps she had been washed away. I could scarcely refrain from settingoff running, so eager was I to ascertain the truth. I soon, however,found that my strength was not sufficiently restored for activemovement. On we went, till we had reached the beach where I thought wehad left the boat. She was nowhere to be seen. I looked aboutanxiously. I was giving way to despair, when, casting my eyes along thesand, I observed that it had been undisturbed. There were no traces ofour feet. I knew therefore that we could not have been at the spot.Ali pointed along the beach, and we proceeded some way, when at length Icaught sight of a dark object in the distance. Yes, it was our boat;but already the water had reached her stern, and in another minute shewould have floated away. We drew her up still further, and secured herby her painter to a stone high up the beach.
My suspicions about Ali had not been altogether removed, but still, theway he had treated me in bringing the cocoa-nuts when he might have leftme to die, showed me that he could not have any sinister intentions. Itherefore proposed that we should sleep on shore that night, and proceedto sea early the following morning. We accordingly built a hut high upon the dry sand, and made ourselves comfortable beds with leaves, onwhich we could stretch our limbs and rest at ease during the night. Wefirst, however, lighted a large fire, though there was not much fear ofany creatures disturbing us on that small island.
Next morning we made a further search for turtles' eggs, and havingfound a good supply, we placed them and our cocoa-nuts on board theboat, and then launching her, once more put to sea, steering as beforeto the northward, where we hoped to find land with food and water on it.Our stock of sago-cake was getting low, but that mattered little, Ithought, as without water I found it very difficult to masticate. On,on we sailed. I had miscalculated distances, for though, looking at thechart, as I frequently had done on board the _Dugong_, the sea did notappear of great width, yet when sailing across it in a small boat thematter was very different. For two dreary days we glided on over thecalm sea, looking out for land, or for some passing vessel which mighttake us on board; but neither appeared. I recollected Macco's wonderfulvoyage in his frail canoe, and felt that I ought not to despair. TheMalay sat passive. What he was thinking of I could not tell.Occasionally he offered to take the helm when I grew weary, and I soonfell asleep. When I awoke, there he was sitting like a statue, scarcelymoving limb or eye. On we sailed. The sun rose and sank again, andstill we were in the midst of the circling horizon. Our stock ofcocoa-nuts was getting low; indeed, though the juice is very refreshingfor a draught, it cannot take the place of pure water. Our sago-cakewas exhausted. We had but three eggs remaining. It might be many daysmore before we could reach another island, I feared, and if so, could wesupport existence till then? These thoughts were passing across my mindas the sun was reaching the horizon. I saw Ali bending forward andlooking under the sail. He said not a word, however. I gazed in thesame direction, but could see nothing. The sun sank beneath the water,and darkness came on. I had been at the helm for some time, when Ifound Ali taking it out of my hands, for I had dropped to sleep. I laydown, and in an instant was unconscious of all that was taking place.
When I awoke it was broad daylight. A dark shadow was passing across myface. I looked up, and saw that we were gliding under some tallmangrove bushes. I sprang up eagerly. We were entering the mouth of ariver. Astern, the blue sea shone in the beams of the rising sun. Oneither side were dark trees. "Soon get water and food," said Ali. Onwe glided. I felt my spirits and strength greatly restored, andreturned thanks to Heaven for bringing us into so promising a region.We were soon amidst the most luxuriant vegetation. Tall trees rose upon either side of the river, with thick underwood, which here and theregave place to small patches of grass. From the banks we occasionallysaw huge alligators gliding slowly off into the water, or watching us aswe passed with their cruel-looking yellow eyes. Curiously shapedlizards crawled along the banks, or lay extended on the boughs of thetrees, gazing at us, and occasionally puffing themselves up intoextraordinary shapes. From either side also came strange sounds--theshrill call of pea-hens, the cooing of pigeons, high above all of whichwas the pertinacious chattering of monkeys, while parrots and othergaily-coloured birds flew from bough to bough, and gigantic butterflieswith brilliant wings skimmed over the surface of the stream. Themonkeys followed us as we proceeded, or else the banks must have beenthickly inhabited with them; some throwing themselves frantically frombough to bough, coming close down to our heads, others uttering hoarsecries, as if to frighten us away from their neighbourhood. Oftentimes Icould not help fancying that some natives were watching us, sohuman-like did the faces of the larger monkeys appear. Now and then weinterrupted a little family enjoying themselves in a clear space at thebase of a tree, the patriarch sitting calmly watching the proceedings ofhis progeny, while the mother was gambolling with her young one, orseeking food among the grass, or under the roots of a tree; and then shewould come with her prize, and commence playing with her infant, andcaressing him like any human mother, tumbling about perhaps in rather astrange fashion. As we came more in sight, the whole family wouldscamper off, a few remaining to the last, grinning fiercely at us,hooting and chattering hoarsely, and shaking the boughs in theirindignation at our unwelcome appearance. Anxious as I was, I could nothelp being amused at these things; but Ali was utterly indifferent tothem.
On we glided, till at a fresh turn of the river I saw rising above thebank some buildings on poles, extending a considerable way along it.The buildings we were approaching were raised eight or ten feet abovethe water on strong posts. There were wide platforms of bamboo beforethem, over part of which projected the roofs of the verandahs. Severalladders hung down from the platforms to enable the inhabitants to ascendfrom th
eir boats. They were somewhat similar to those we had seen inPapua, but far more substantial, and built in a much more elegant style.The inhabitants, apparently, had only lately risen, and came out on theplatforms as we approached. The men were dressed in waistcloths of bluecotton, hanging down behind, mostly bordered with red, blue, and white.Some had handkerchiefs of the same colour bound round their heads, andone or two were ornamented with gold lace. They wore also ear-rings ofbrass, and moon-shaped, with heavy necklaces of white and black beads.On their arms were numbers of rings made of brass or white shells, whileover their shoulders hung their long black shiny hair, which set off toadvantage their pure brown skin. Some of them held knife-headed spearsin their hands, while to a belt round the waist hung a long slenderknife and a pouch with materials for betel-chewing. One man, who seemedto be the chief, wore on his head a bunch of large gaily-colouredfeathers secured by a circle round it. They were mostlypleasant-looking people, and seemed ready to welcome us as weapproached. The women had far more covering than the men. Round thewaist they wore coils of ratan, stained red, to which their petticoatswere attached. Below it one whom we took to be a chief's wife wore agirdle of small silver coins. Others had additional ornaments ofbrass-wire, but most of them wore a large number of brass rings roundnot only their arms, but their legs, from the knee to the ankle, whilecuriously shaped hats adorned with beads ornamented their heads.Altogether they were far superior in appearance to the savages I hadexpected to see in these regions, and I had little doubt that we hadarrived at the mainland of Borneo, and that they were a tribe of Dyaks.
We made signs that we were very thirsty, pointing to our lips, and thechief, coming forward, beckoned us to ascend the ladder. This I didfirst, Ali following with not so much confidence behind me. He was atonce perceived to be a Malay, and he must have known that his countrymenare apt to ill-treat the Dyaks, and consequently he could scarcely haveexpected to be received by them as a friend. From the looks of thepeople, however, I had no fears of them, especially when one of thegirls, running off, brought back a large bamboo full of cool water. Oh,how delicious it was! the first which had passed my lips for many days.I handed it to Ali, whom they did not seem to treat so courteously asthey did me. When I signified that I should be glad of more, instantlya fresh supply was brought me. The chief now addressed Ali, who, Ifound, fully understood their language, and he seemed to be giving anaccount of the cause which had brought us to their country. The chiefappeared satisfied; and now giving orders to some of the women, a basketcontaining some pork and rice and some fine-looking bananas was broughtto us. I felt no great inclination to eat the pork and rice, for mythroat was hot and parched, but I got through a portion; and oh, howdelicious were the bananas! No sooner had I got them into my mouth thanthey seemed to melt away. They were of the colour of the finest yellowbutter, and of an exquisite flavour. I felt as I ate that I could nevertake enough of them. I saw in the open space behind the house aplantation of them, showing that they were carefully cultivated. TheDyaks showed me a corner of a room where I might rest, for theyperceived that I was sleepy and weary, and I believe most of the menwent out either to cultivate the ground or on a hunting expedition.What became of Ali I could not tell; but as, after a little time,notwithstanding his cool reception, he seemed to be at home with thepeople, I concluded he would take care of himself.