CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE.
WALTER'S ADVENTURES CONTINUED.
How long I had slept I could not tell, when a voice reached my ear. Myheart bounded. Could it be some one calling me from a ship! I tried torise, but felt unable. It was still night. Presently I saw rising highabove me, as I thought, the lofty masts and sails of a large ship. Onshe came, so fast it seemed that a rope thrown from her could reach me.At length I tried to shout. I lifted up my hands, for I thought theywould not fail to heave a rope, but she glided by. I could see no oneon her deck, but I thought I could count the ports. She must be a shipof war, I fancied. On she went. I turned my aching eyes towards her asshe glided away from me; and I thought a shout of mocking laughter cameover the water towards me in answer to my appeals for help. Again andagain I tried to cry out; but it seemed as if my voice would not leavemy chest. I lay still in the bottom of the boat, with a feeling ofhopeless despair creeping over me. Then again I closed my eyes; andwhen I once more opened them, the sun was shining across the water, justrisen from his ocean bed. There was not a breath of air blowing acrossthe water. No land was in sight. Here and there a flying-fish rose outof the mirror-like deep, skimming across it, again to disappear. Oncemore I rose, and was about to seize the oars, when I bethought me thatit would be labour in vain. In what direction should I pull? Hungerreminded me of the provisions Ali had put on board the boat. I took adraught of water and ate some food. It restored my strength; and I nowbegan to suspect that the ship I had seen had been but a phantom of thebrain, and that I had been dreaming all the time. I sat at the helm,longing for a breeze. Then I stepped my mast and hoisted my sail,hoping that it might come, and I should be ready for it.
I remembered that I had not offered up my petitions to Heaven. I kneltdown in the boat and prayed fervently. Once more I rose, refreshed inbody and mind. I began to reflect that He who had hitherto guarded mefrom so many dangers would guard me still. The thought restoredconfidence to my heart. Presently I saw a light ripple on the water.It disappeared; but again, at a little distance, another cat's-paw spedover the surface. I hoped it might be the forerunner of a breeze. Soonmy sail began to bulge out. A gentle breeze blew me along. Now theboat was running rapidly along through the smooth water. I felt sure,should I keep to the south or south-west, that I should fall in at lastwith land. To regain the island I knew was almost a vain hope, and Imight lose too much valuable time in making the attempt. Hour afterhour I sat at the helm, gliding over the water. Again I thought of poorMacco. How much better off I was than he had been. I had a supply ofprovisions and water, and was in a well-built boat, and knew that I mustin a short time, if I continued on my course, inevitably fall in withland; whereas he had been on the wide Indian Ocean, and might havesailed on for many hundred miles without meeting it. Thus I continuedall day long, till night again came down over the world of waters. Formany hours during the night I kept awake. At length I began to feel myhead drop on my breast. Each time I did so I raised myself with aneffort; but I found I could only keep awake for a short time, when againthat terrible drowsiness came over me. It arose, I knew, from weakness,and the hot sun to which I had been exposed all day. Still I steered onbefore the wind. I did my utmost to keep awake till daylight shouldagain appear. I thought my eyes were open, and that I was steering asbefore. Suddenly I felt a violent shock; and starting up, I found theseas washing round me, and tall trees rising up a short distance ahead.The boat had run upon a sandy beach. Another sea came rolling in, andsent the boat broadside on to the beach, throwing me out. Withdifficulty I crawled up over the sand. The sheet had been made fast;and what was my dismay to see the boat's head going round, and before Icould rush into the water to seize her, she had already receded from theshore. I was on the point of rushing into the water to swim after her,when, overcome by weakness, I sank on the sand; and I well knew that hadI made the attempt I should probably have lost my life. I endeavouredto collect my scattered thoughts; but rudely roused from sleep, I haddifficulty in reflecting where I could be. At length, however, I beganto consider that I could not possibly have reached Java, or any of thelarge islands in a line with it; and thought I must be on some smallerisland; but whether inhabited or not I could not tell, or whether or notI could there find the means of supporting life. How anxiously Iwatched my boat, hoping that perhaps some other sea might put her headround, and that once more she might return to the shore. The breeze hadfreshened, and she quickly glided away. In a short time I could nolonger distinguish her amidst the gloom of night.
I sat down on the beach, endeavouring to consider what I should do. Isaw, at a short distance behind me, a thick wood; while on either sidedark rocks ran into the sea. "I might have been driven against those,"I reflected; "and had I been so, in all probability the boat would havebeen dashed to pieces, and I should have been drowned. Have I notreason then to be thankful that I have been preserved? No, I should bewrong to despair. I will yet hope that I may find means of preservingmy life." With this thought I lay on the sand to wait till the light ofday would enable me to explore the island and search for the means ofsupporting existence. I had no food, no weapon of defence; but onfeeling in my pocket I was thankful to find I had my knife. Oh, of howmuch value was that little clasp-knife then to me! At first the noiseof the surf had prevented me from hearing any other sound; but, as myears got accustomed to it, I could distinguish the usual noises of anEastern jungle--the cries of the night-birds, and the chattering andmoaning of the monkeys. They gave me assurance that I should be able tosupport existence, for I knew that where they were food would be found.My mind thus set somewhat more at rest, I dropped to sleep.
The bright rays of the sun shining in my eyes awoke me; and rising to myfeet I found that I was on a green, smiling island, with rocks and hillsscattered here and there towards the centre; while a thick belt ofpalms, the ever-present pandanus, and numerous other trees, surroundedit. My first thought was to search for water. The experience I hadgained when with Macco on our island was now of the greatest assistanceto me. Had I been cast alone upon such a spot I might have perished;but now I knew well where to search for the sign of water. I had notgone far when I saw between the trees a grove of bamboo. I soon cutdown a stout piece, the point of which I sharpened; and thus it servedme as a staff and a weapon of defence. I also made a spade, such asMacco had manufactured; and before long I came to a hollow under sometrees where the ground appeared soft. I eagerly set to work to dig, andafter getting down to the depth of three or four feet, my satisfactionwas great to see water springing up. I had expected to be compelled todig much deeper. A piece of bamboo served me as a cup, and allowing thewater to settle, I was enabled to obtain a delicious draught. Thus oneof my chief causes of apprehension was dissipated.
Returning along the beach, I walked along looking up for some cocoa-nuttrees. The shore, however, was lined with rocks, and it did not occurto me that at such a spot they were not likely to be found. I thenremembered that it was only on low beaches, where the nuts had beenwashed ashore, that I had ever seen the trees growing. I thereforeclimbed to the top of the highest rock in the neighbourhood, and lookedalong the shore, in the hope of discovering some open beach. I saw oneat some distance, and eagerly made towards it. I was not disappointed,for no sooner had I reached it than I saw in the centre a grove ofcocoa-nut palms. But how should I be able to climb so tall a tree, weakand unnerved as I was! I was approaching the nearest tree, eagerlycasting up my eyes towards the tempting fruit, which hung down inclusters, when I heard a loud hammering sound; and there I saw on theground a huge crab, such as I had before met with in Amboyna, busilyemployed in breaking the shell. If I could kill him, I could secureboth meat and vegetable at the same time. I had got close to him beforehe heard me approach, when he began to sidle off at a great rate.Seizing the cocoa-nut which he had just broken, I ran after him.Brought to bay, he lifted up his huge claw; but I darted my spearthrough the joint and fixed him
in the sand. As I did so I dashed thecocoa-nut with all my might on his back. It bounded off; but I seizedit again, and once more struck him a blow which effectually preventedhim from making further resistance.
I had now an ample supply of food for a hearty meal. I was at no lossto light a fire; and collecting a supply of sticks and leaves, I strucka light with the two pieces of bamboo as Macco had done, and soon hadthe crab roasting before the fire; while I satisfied the cravings ofhunger with a draught from the cocoa-nut and a portion of the fruit. Inow hunted about under the trees and found several other cocoa-nutswhich had fallen, and though not equal to those which were less ripe,they were sufficient to satisfy hunger and support life. Having thusobtained the means of subsistence, I bethought me that the next wisestthing to do would be to build a hut. I had been greatly tormented bymosquitoes and sandflies, and I thought by going a little way into theinterior I might avoid them. On searching I discovered a large rockwithin which was a cave. Here I thought I might find shelter, and atthe same time light a fire, the smoke of which might keep off mytormentors. As I had but little clothing, and found the night, afterthe heat of the day, chilly--though, probably, in England it would havebeen considered intensely hot--I determined to build a front to my cave,so that I might keep out the night air, and at the same time anyunwelcome intruders. The cave was in a peculiarly sheltered spot; and,indeed, had I been in search of such a retreat, I do not think I shouldhave discovered it.
I cut down a number of bamboos, and these I placed close together infront of the cave, leaving only a narrow opening through which I couldpass. I strengthened the interior by cross pieces, thus leaving onlyroom to creep under. The door I also formed of bamboo, which I couldshut closely. I thus hoped that I might not only keep out any largeanimals, but snakes or reptiles, which might be inclined to get in. Imade a torch of dry wood, with which I surveyed my cave, carefullyexamining every hole and crevice. I discovered several bats, which Isoon put to flight. Had I been very hungry, I should probably havekilled them for food; but while I saw a prospect of obtaining cocoa-nutsand crabs, I was not reduced to such an extremity.
I little thought at the time of what importance this hiding-place wouldbe to me. It took me some time to scrape out the dirt on the ground,and it was almost dark before I had finished the operation. I managed,however, to collect some leaves and branches with which to form my bed.I had only time to eat a piece of cocoa-nut and crab for supper beforedarkness came on. I then lighted my torch, and with the smoke managedto drive away all the mosquitoes, and then shut to my door. Closely,however, as I had placed the bamboos, the creatures quickly came backagain; and I had to start up and strike a light and make some moresmoke, in order to get rid of them before I could again go to sleep.However, I got tired of this operation, and at length dropped off tosleep, allowing them to sting me at their will.
I soon found that I ought to have been grateful for having been cast onthis island. Scarcely had I left my abode the next morning, when I cameupon a tree with enormous leaves, many of them a foot wide and a footand a half long. From it hung a fruit in the form of a melon, attachedby its stem directly to the trunk or limbs. I recognised it at once asthe valuable bread-fruit tree. Here was a supply of wholesome food forme as long as I might have, I hoped, to live on the island. To get atthe fruit, however, was the difficulty, though it was at no greatheight. I bethought me, therefore, that I would make a ladder ofbamboo. I should have liked to have had some fruit for breakfast, butas it would take some time to make my ladder securely, I had to contentmyself with the remainder of the crab and some more cocoa-nut, and adraught of water from my well. I had, indeed, to go towards the wellfor the purpose of obtaining a bamboo. To secure the rounds, I cut aquantity of fine ratan, or some of the smaller creeper, which answeredthe purpose pretty well; and to prevent them slipping, I secured fromthe top to the bottom a piece of ratan twined round them on both sides.My ladder, though not very sightly, was, I hoped, thus made secure. Onreaching the bread-fruit, I was delighted to find that it was scarcelyyet mature,--the best state, indeed, for eating. I eagerly cut down acouple of the melon-like fruit and descended with them to the ground.
As my breakfast had not been substantial, I lost no time in cutting up abread-fruit into slices, which I toasted before the fire, pouring overit a little cocoa-nut milk.
I must not take up too much space in describing the various events of mylife on the island. I spent most of the clay on the beach, sometimesclambering up to the top of a high rock, whence I could gain anextensive view of the sea, in the hope of seeing some vessel passing,and being able to attract her attention.
I may say at once that I had an abundance of food, both crabs andshell-fish, and various fruits, so that I was kept in good health. Myclothes, however, had already been much worn, and were now torn almostinto tatters by my excursions through the woods.
I had just climbed up a rock, when I saw a fleet of native vesselsapproaching the island. I examined them anxiously, and was soonconvinced that they were either the same pirates who had paid us a visitat my uncle's island, or gentry of a similar character. I could nothelp feeling considerable alarm for my own safety. What was I to do?If they touched on the island, should I be able to conceal myself fromthem? As I had walked about the woods the possibility of such acontingency had occurred to me. At first I thought of hiding away in mycave; but the marks of the fire outside, and the trees I had cut down,should they find their way to it, might betray me. Still I knew that,even should they land, they were not likely to go far into the interior.Near the top of the rock was a hollow in which I might lie completelyconcealed, with the assistance of a few boughs, which I might placeacross it. Here, therefore, I determined to take up my post, should Isee that they intended landing. As they came nearer I left the beachand watched them from the underwood. I was soon convinced that theywere pirates, probably on some marauding expedition, and that they wereabout to land. I hoped that they would not remain long, as probablythey were coming ashore to repair some of their vessels, or to obtaincocoa-nuts or water. At length I saw the vessels entering the bay.Some anchored, while others ran on to the beach, when their crews,leaping out, carried tackles and ropes to the nearest trees, and beganto haul them up. My idea as to their object, therefore, was correct. Iretired as soon as they had done this, making my way as silently aspossible towards the spot I had fixed on. I had, as far as I was able,obliterated the marks of my fire by covering them with leaves and brokenbranches. I had also concealed the mouth of my cave with branches, in away which I thought looked so natural, that no one would attempt toenter. I then climbed up to my proposed hiding-place, carrying someother branches which I had cut down for the purpose I contemplated. Ifelt somewhat like a bird in a nest, for I was completely concealed fromthe view of those below; at the same time I could look out between thebranches and see what was going forward. I had taken the precaution ofcarrying up some provisions with me, so that I might not suffer fromhunger.
I had remained here for some time, when I heard the Malays shouting toeach other in the distance. What the cause of their doing so was Icould not guess, as they are not generally addicted to making a noise.The sounds now grew nearer; then once more they appeared to recede.Sometimes I fancied that they had discovered some sign of a person beingon the island, and were in search of me. Still, my concealment was socomplete that I hoped to escape discovery. Presently I heard a noise asif some human being or beast was breaking through the underwood, andlooking out I caught sight of a man running. I looked again and again.Could my eyes deceive me? If that was not Macco, it was a personwonderfully like him. And yet I felt sure I had seen Macco killed onthe shore of Papua; but yet he was so unlike a Malay or a Dyak, or anyof the inhabitants of New Guinea, that I could scarcely suppose he couldbe any other than Macco. It seemed to me that he was looking about forsome place to conceal himself. I could resist the temptation no longer,but shouted out, "Macco, Macco!" He stopped and looked up
with a glanceof astonishment. "Macco, is it you?" I again cried out.
"Yes, yes; oh, de joy!" he answered.
I now showed myself, and scrambling down from my aerie, I was in a fewminutes by his side, taking his hands and looking into his face.
"Yes, yes; you Massa Walter!" he could only exclaim, his feelingsovercoming him.
"But why are you thus running through the wood?" I asked.
"I run from de pirates. Dey make me slave," he answered.
"Then climb up here with me; there is room for both of us," I said. "Notime to be lost, or your pursuers may overtake you."
He was quickly stowed away in the hollow, across which I drew the bushesas before. We had not been there long when again the voices of theMalays sounded nearer. They were making their way through the jungle,evidently determined to retake their captive. After a time they drewnear the rock. They seemed to be passing close to the spot where we layhid; but so well had I concealed the opening to the cavern, that thoughthey went completely round the rock, they did not discover it. Maccotrembled in every limb at the thought of being retaken. I whispered tohim to be calm, for I was in hopes we should escape. The shadows of thetrees began to grow longer and longer, and soon we had the satisfactionof seeing the shades of evening draw over the island. We were safe, Inow knew, till the following morning, for I was sure the Malays wouldnot wander about during the night in a strange place. I thereforeinvited Macco to descend, that we might rest more comfortably in mycavern. I here had, as I before said, a supply of food, to which Maccodid justice, for I found that he had been a long time without a meal.
His history was a brief one. He had remained for some time as a slaveamong the Papuans, and had then been sold by them to some traders, whowere carrying him off, when they were attacked by the pirates, intowhose possession he thus fell. They had compelled him to work at theoars in their boats. The labour, he said, he did not so much mind, asthe fearful scenes of cruelty which he was obliged to witness. Hetherefore determined to make his escape on the first opportunity.Having lived so well on our island, he determined to hide himself onlanding on this one, preferring to live a life of solitude to thesociety of heathen savages. "Now, Massa Walter, I no care. Oliveralways say One above look after poor people who lub him, and now I knowhe does." We slept soundly in our cave, and at the earliest dawnclambered back into our aerie.
I had been longing for a companion from the time I landed, and often andoften thought how far better would have been my lot if I had had Oliveror Macco with me; and here the latter had been sent to bear me company.We spent the day in our hiding-place, for we were afraid that the Malaysmight renew their search for Macco; and we could still hear them in thefar distance, their voices reaching to the top of the rock over theheads of the trees. I was proposing to descend to try and see what theywere about, when again we heard their voices drawing near. We could nothelp feeling anxious, lest on this occasion they might discover us.
"But we must hope for the best," I said half aloud.
"Yes, Massa Walter, hope for de best," repeated Macco; "and if it nocome, still hope for de best. All best when we put trust in God."
Once more we caught sight of the Malays forcing their way through theforest, and calling to each other, evidently again searching for Macco.Several times I thought they were coming close up to the mouth of thecavern, and once a party of them stopped directly under where we wereconcealed. I held my breath with anxiety, and my heart once morebounded as if released from a weight when I saw them take their waythrough the forest.
We again passed the night in my abode, and afterwards climbed up to thetop of the rock. No sounds reached our ears. "Now I must go and see ifthey are really getting away," I said, "but you stay here. I know myway through the forest, and one person is less likely to be discoveredthan two." I accordingly set out towards the beach, taking my bamboospear, which I trailed after me. Some of the pirate vessels had theirsails hoisted, and were gliding out of the bay. The crews of the otherswere just shoving them off into deep water. I watched them eagerly, andat length they all went on board. Still I thought it possible that atthe last moment some might land, and make another search for Macco. Itherefore waited till they were all well out of the bay, and thenhurried back with the satisfactory intelligence to my dark-skinnedfriend. "We have reason to be t'ankful, Massa Walter," he observed."Dose great cut-t'roats!" I was now much happier than before, havingMacco as my companion; at the same time, I was very anxious to let mydear Emily know that I was safe. I told Macco of my anxiety.
"Why, then, we not build canoe?" he said. "It take time, but it can bedone."
"But I have only my knife to do it with," I said.
"But I have knife too," he said, drawing out a longish weapon from hisbelt.
Still I thought with such weapons our object could not be attained. Twodays after that, as I was walking on the beach, I saw something stickingup in the sand. I was going to pass it carelessly, when I thought itwas a piece of wrought wood. I went towards it, when great was myastonishment, and greater still my satisfaction, to find that it was aMalay axe, which had been left by the pirates in the sand. I called toMacco, who was at a little distance. "Dere, dere!" he exclaimed. "Nowno difficulty. I use dat well, and build boat." At first I proposedmaking a dug-out, but Macco said he had often assisted in boat-building,and that a plank boat would be far superior.
"But how are we to get the planks?"
"Oh," he said, "I split some of de trees, and work dem down."
"But that would take so very long," I observed.
"Neber mind, Massa Walter. Long time come to end, and work done."
His courage raised my spirits, and I now determined to set heartily towork in carrying out our proposed undertaking. Several days passedaway, and some progress had been made. Macco had already cut down atree, and formed some wedges to split it up with, when one morning,while he was at his work, I agreed to go down to the beach to look forsome shell-fish or crabs as a variety to our food. No sooner did Ireach it than my eye caught sight of a white sail shining in the morningsun. I rubbed my eyes. I could not be mistaken. No; there was aEuropean vessel, I was sure of it, with a single mast. Could she be thecutter which my friends had proposed building? Were they on theirhomeward voyage, or were they coming to look for me? Perhaps, afterall, the island where I now was might be at no great distance fromtheirs. Perhaps they were sailing away, having given me up in despair.I could not move from the spot, but kept gazing and gazing at the sailto ascertain whether it was approaching. Yes, yes; I was sure it was.On it came. The breeze freshening, the seas rolled in on the beach.Nearer and nearer drew the cutter. I ran down to the water, and wavedmy hands and shouted. They could not have heard me, but yet they camein directly towards where I was standing. Presently I saw the sailsbrailed up, and now a boat, with several people in her, put off from thevessel. They approached. Mr Hooker was in the stern. The boat's headwas turned round, so as to allow her to drop in through the surf. Irushed in towards her, and burst into tears as I shook my kind friend'shand, and helped him to spring on shore.
"My dear boy, you are safe! We had given up almost all hope of findingyou, when we picked up your boat!" he exclaimed.
Great was my astonishment to find that the boat was my own craft whichhad brought me to the island.
"Are they all well?" I asked, looking eagerly towards the vessel. "IsEmily well, and Grace, and Oliver?"
"Yes, yes," he answered; "all are well. We left them at the island; butthere is no time to be lost. The weather looks threatening, MrThudicumb says, and the sooner you are away from this the better. Stepin now. I suppose there is nothing to detain you?"
"No, but I have a friend," I answered; and told them how Macco hadescaped from the pirates.
Begging them to wait, I ran back to where I had left him at work.
"Well den," he said, "we leab de boat for some oder person to build. Ibery glad to see Potto Jumb
o and my old friends."
I ran back to the boat, Macco following me. We were soon on board, andpulling to the cutter. All sail was then made for Sedgwick Island; forso we resolved to call it. The weather, however, got worse and worse,but still Mr Thudicumb was very anxious to enter Hope Harbour; and inspite of the threatening sky and strong wind and increasing sea, wecontinued our course towards it. The loss of the vessel, and themerciful way in which our lives were preserved, has already beendetailed by Emily.
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