The boys movement on the beach brought the natives out of their trance as they danced around the lifeless body of their latest conquest. They turned their attention to the boys on the beach and with the prospect of even more victims, they renewed their pursuit. Screams and curses floated through the air making the boys run as fast as their legs would carry them through the dense jungle. In the front of the group, ran Hugh and his two friends, not wanting to help any of the younger boys.
Cumberbatch brought up the rear helping the slowest through the undergrowth of the thick foliage. On they ran with the horrible screams of the attackers echoing in their ears urging even the youngest and slowest to run faster and faster.
At length, they found a path of sorts. John called over his shoulder "Come on everyone. Stay on the path and keep running. Follow me!"
They ran for several minutes. Many of the boys were nearing the point of exhaustion. John stopped suddenly in the middle of the path and held up his hand for all to stop. "Hush. Listen!" Many fell to the ground gasping for breath. John repeated, "Quiet!"
John cocked his head as he tried to listen to the jungle and the natives in pursuit. Buster Jack whispered between breaths, "What do you hear?"
"Nothing, that's just the problem, I don't think they have given up though. We must keep going!" John commanded.
Buster Jack asked, "Where are we going? How do you know your way around this island?"
John grimaced as he too struggled to catch his breath, "No time now. I'll explain later." To Mr. Cumberbatch, in the rear he called, "Are you Ok, Mr. Cumberbatch? All the boys here?" Cumberbatch could not speak, he simply waved his hand. Being at sea had taken its toll on his ability to run for more than a few yards.
"Come on, Lads!" John commanded.
A native jumped out of the jungle and attempted to run Cumberbatch through with his spear, but Cumberbatch deftly dodged the spear and grabbed it by both ends and hit the determined attacker squarely on the his nose which sent him to the ground, knocked senseless and bleeding.
Cumberbatch yelled, "Apparently, they can be very quiet like. Get going!" and he ran.
The terrain turned steeper as they neared the base of a mountain cliff. The vegetation thinned the higher they went. Soon they were out of the jungle and the trail was strewn with small rocks and pebbles which caused some of the boys to stumble and fall. They helped each other up and urged each other to keep going.
Finally, John stopped under the branches of the only tall tree in the area and motioned all to join him there. When the last boy made it to the tree followed by Mr. Cumberbatch John asked, "Is everyone all right?" Most did not acknowledge the question, just struggled to gain their breath back.
John pointed, "Look, Lads. You can see the wreck of the Hopeful from here and the beach where you were."
Everyone turned and looked below them. Indeed, they had come a fair distance and could actually see the beach where Roscoe was killed. Out into the bay, they could see the remnants of their ship lying on the rocks that had destroyed her in the night and had nearly cost them their lives.
Buster Jack managed to ask again, "We thought you was dead John. Where're you tak'n us?"
"I was almost dead. I'll tell you later what happened. As to your other question, I'm taking us to the other side of the island. They won't follow us there."
Mr. Cumberbatch was on his knees with exhaustion. The color drained from his face. He managed to ask, "Beg pardon, but why won't they follow?
John stood up as he said, "Sacred ground. That's why!"
"Sacred ground?" asked Buster Jack.
"Aye. Sacred ground. Found it last night, or rather I was led to it."
Cumberbatch licked his parched lips, "By who, if you don't mind me ask'n?"
"No time. Come on now. We have to keep moving. It's not much further." With that, John motioned the boys to follow him. He slowed his pace so the others could keep up. The path became steeper the further they went and led them higher and higher over the base of a mountain and finally, just as their strength was about to give out, the trail suddenly descended back down towards the jungle.
As they neared the tree line of the jungle, John stopped again and pointed to two statues on either side of the path. They were carved out of wood and looked like demons. Each statue had their arms crossed over their chests and in each hand was a short spear. Their heads had no eyes, mouth or nose. "These are taboo to the natives. They won't venture past here no matter what."
Dylan Seachrist said, "Don't know what taboo is, but if it keeps them buggers away from us, I'll be none too sad!" Some of the boys managed a nervous laugh. Not that what Dylan said was funny. It was because they were still in shock. They could not believe they were safe from the same fate the cowardly crew suffered.
Their pace quickened as they descended to the base of the mountain. The sun rose higher in the sky and steam rose up from the jungle like a thin cloud.
Eventually, they stood on a cliff from which they could see the ocean below. John smiled as he said, "Look there, Lads. Below us is the most beautiful sight ever seen!"
The group stepped closer to the cliff's edge and looked down. About two hundred feet down at the base of the cliff they saw the land below. A forest of trees surrounded the ground below them on three sides. Scattered all around were brightly colored flowers and hanging vines that disappeared up in the tall trees. From where the boys stood they saw dozens of monkeys playing in the tops of the trees and swinging from vine to vine.
There was a broad open field with tall green grass that looked soft as velvet. It led away from the forest and down to a small lake of clear blue water. Beyond the water was a narrow strip of land that separated the lake from a larger body of water - a bay or lagoon which led to the sea. But the sea was kept out by a long, high rock wall.
John excitedly pointed, "Look over there… a waterfall! They boys looked and saw a magnificent tall waterfall. A stream from somewhere up on the mountain fed the waterfall which in turn fed the lake below. As the water fell, misty plumes of water sprayed up into the air. On either side of the waterfall there were rocks and other smaller streams that ran through cracks and crevices forming a maze of slippery rocks. "It's called Angel Falls."
"Don't care what it's called," Hugh mumbled, "just so it's water what you can drink!"
Mesmerized John said, "Aye. All you can drink!" John pointed past the lake, "See the lagoon? See that pier? A ship could dock there. But the rocks keep the ocean out. I'll tell you about that later." He smiled as he said, "See those trees around the lake? Guess what's in them?" Everyone was too mesmerized by the vision below to speak, "Food! Coconuts, oranges, bananas, All sorts!"
John turned and ran down the path that led to the paradise below, "Come on Lads. The last one down is a foul cuttlefish!"
Chapter 9
Paradise Found
Every boy ran down the mountain path and threw themselves into the lake. They drank the cool clear water until they could drink no more and after that, they sat in the shallows and allowed the water to cleanse the dirt from the trail, the stink from the jungle and that foul ship. Cumberbatch waded out into the lake and keeled over like a giant tree that was felled by a wood cutter. He stayed beneath the water until he rolled over on his back and spewed water from his mouth and exclaimed, "That's great!" and over on his belly again he went as if he could not get enough of it.
The boys splashed each other, grabbed one another and tried to dunk their friends in the water. Some dug down to the bottom, produced large mud balls and nimbly threw them at their companions with whoops of joy and pleasure.
Blake, nicked-named Scrounger, came running up to the lake with bananas in one arm and several coconuts in his other arm. "There's food over there in the trees!" he cried. Scrounger had the uncanny ability to find whatever was needed, usually for a price.
After a while, the boys left the water and ran over and picked whatever they liked off the trees. They ate with one hand and picked with th
e other. Some of them had never seen these different fruits. It took others to explain and demonstrate how to peel and eat the delicious bounty. The coconuts were the hardest until Cumberbatch showed them how to hack and peel away the husk and then crack open the nut and eat the white, juicy meat inside.
John sat in the water and watched the boys with amusement. He smiled and laughed at their antics. Never had he seen such pure joy at being alive. Movement from his left caught his eye. He stood and walked over to the solitary large boulder that stood in the middle of the nearby field and disappeared behind it. Cumberbatch, Buster Jack and Scrounger watched as John finally emerged from behind and motioned for someone to follow him. To their amazement a man, or what resembled a man, slowly stepped out from behind. John gently took the man's arm and guided him over to the edge of the lake where most of the boys had gathered to see who this odd-looking fellow was.
The man was old, older than most had ever seen before. His head was bald except on the sides which sprouted long white wisps of hair that blew in the gentle breeze. His face was round and tanned by what must have been years in the sun, wrinkled and dried like leather. There was a big contrast between his leather-brown skin and his eyes, which were a perfect pale-blue. His razor-sharp nose was longer than most. His lips were hidden in the folds of a great fluffy white beard that cascaded nearly down to his waist. It too, swayed in the wind. The shirt he wore was threadbare with no sleeves and so thin it was nearly invisible in places. His breeches were shredded revealing a bowlegged skinny frame and a thin rope around his skinny waist held those the remnants in place. He wore no shoes.
"Everyone," John said as they neared the boys, "this is Scurvy Jones. He showed me the trail that led to the beach this morning."
Presented with such a sight, the boys remained silent, not knowing what to say. "Well. Go on, say hello." John commanded.
Some said hello, but most were quiet as they studied him. Mr. Cumberbatch stepped forward and held out his hand. With great reluctance, Scurvy Jones took the offered hand. "Scurvy Jones eh? Strange name. How long yah been on this island, Matey?"
Scurvy struggled to speak, but the words would not come. John came to his defense, "Scurvy's been here for a very long time. He has difficulty speaking - can't remember the words. Give him time though."
Scurvy smiled and stammered, "Been long time here, hee hee!" His voice screeched like that of a seagull. He had only a few teeth which made him slur his words. "Old Scurvy did right by Mr. Henry."
"Just call me John, if you please." John smiled as he corrected him, "Yes you did and I'm grateful."
"John it be… hee hee hee!" Jones cackled.
Cumberbatch asked, "Shipwrecked were yah?"
Scurvy considered the question, "Shipwrecked? No. Not shipwrecked. Marooned it were."
"By who?" Cumberbatch asked.
"Evil. Evil she were. Scurvy don't like her at all!"
Cumberbatch asked, "Her? You mean a woman did this to you?"
Scurvy did not answer. He lowered his head and stared at the sand.
John smiled, "What was her name, Scurvy?"
"Name? She don't have no name. Evil… evil." Scurvy looked around as if he had lost interest in the conversation.
"I've asked him several times who it was and all I get is: 'she's evil'." John explained. "He either does not remember, or he has been here so long he has become unhinged."
Hugh smirked, "Looney more like!"
John leveled his eyes at the Miscreant. "That will do, Hugh! He was smart enough to stay here where those native can't get to him."
Mr. Cumberbatch furrowed his brow and asked, "Scurvy, why is there a pier in the middle of a land-locked lagoon?"
Scurvy just smiled. His words were becoming clearer the more he talked. "You thinks me a fool! Everyone knows it be for the ships to tie up to!"
Perplexed, Cumberbatch remarked, "There be no entrance to it. So how's a ship to get inside?
John motioned to Cumberbatch and Buster Jack, "Come with me, I want to show you something. The rest of you stay here… better yet, we are going to need shelter. Try and find something so we can make a shelter that will keep us dry if it rains."
They followed John who took them to the far side of the lake and just inside the trees that lined the field. He showed them a crude hut that Scurvy must have made a long time ago. Inside was an old hand-carved wooden bowl, white-bone carvings in the form of ships. He must have worked on these miniatures for months at a time. There were coconut shells broken in half he used for drinking or holding food and one more very important possession, a few old charts of the Caribbean ocean. It was apparent Scurvy had lived here for many years.
Scurvy followed them to his hut and stood outside somewhat anxious. "Don't take me things! Don't take me possessions!"
John smiled, "Of course not, Scurvy… we're your friends and friends don't steal from one another. Isn't that right, Mr. Cumberbatch?"
"Aye, Mr. Henry. We be shipmates here, Scurvy. There be none here what would steal or hurt you, so don't be go'n on so."
Grabbing his stomach, Buster Jack said, "I dunno 'bout the rest of you, but I could use some food!" Together they walked to the trees to sample some of what the island provided them with.
The rest of the day was spent in learning their way around their little cove of paradise. John and Cumberbatch divided up the boys into two groups. One group gathered wood for a fire. The second gathered food and put it all in one place. Some of them had found some logs with which to make a lean-to covered with fronds from the palm trees. Others followed their idea and made themselves one as well.
The first night on the island, they build a large fire and sat around it as John related how he managed to escape from the Hopeful right before she broke apart. He told them how he waited until the water was over his head and how he swam through the hole in the side of the ship. Every ear was listening but each face was watching the fire, mesmerized by the dancing flames.
He told them how he struggled to reach the surface without getting himself smashed on the rocks. "When I went through the hole, I was on the other side of the ship right next to the rocks. I had to fight not to be crushed by them. I swam away from the rocks then tried to get around the ship. When I did, the current and waves kept pushing me back to the rocks. I was just about to give up when a black seal swam up from underneath me. It has a length of rope in it's mouth so I grabbed rope and it pulled me away from the ship. It took me in the opposite direction away from where all of you had gone. I had trouble keeping my head above the water but I was clear of the rocks and the ship."
"The seal took me all the way around to this side of the island. Finally, when I could touch bottom, I let go of the rope and staggered up the beach. I must've passed out because the next morning, Scurvy Jones found me laying there and took me to the lake and gave me water. After I ate some bananas to regain my strength, Scurvy told me you were all in danger on the other side of the island. He said natives lived there. He said they were bad and would kill all of you." Some of the boys nodded in agreement. They had never seen such savagery in their lives.
John told them that it was Scurvy who told him about this end of the island and that the natives would not come here because it is sacred ground. "He led me up the mountain and showed me the path that led down the other side to where you were on the beach. When I heard the screaming I ran as fast as I could. Just in time!"
He did not tell the group about how a seal had helped him save little Fynn and how he had seen a seal when he came aboard the Hopeful. He could not understand why this seal had helped him twice now.
They spent a few hours gathered round the fire talking and retelling each other about how they had participated in this day's action. It did not take long until some of them made their way to their shelters to sleep. Others just slept where they sat.
In the days that followed, the boys gathered materials so they could build more than just simple lean-to's. Mr. Cumberbatch showed them how to
construct huts similar to the one Scurvy Jones built. Some of the boys argued to build one large hut for all of them to sleep in, but they soon decided to divide into four groups of ten. Hugh and his two friends went a little ways off and built one for just them.
Building the huts proved to be a difficult task given their lack of tools and experience. Mr. Cumberbatch had to supervise all the work. They used small sapling trees and small logs to create walls, windows, doorways and the trusses for the roof. They covered the roof with smaller stick and then laid palm tree leaves over them.
The island itself was the strangest thing anyone had ever experienced. Each day they took whatever supply of food they needed but the next day, the food was right back on the trees, plants and vines where they had picked it the day before. After a few days of this, they realized that they would never run out of food! Cumberbatch declared that it must have been like the Garden of Eden and how Adam and Eve must have spent their days.
After the first week, Scrounger found the nesting place of dozens of chickens… wild chickens! Now they had eggs for breakfast and if they caught a chicken, they could have roasted chicken for dinner. A few days after that, they discovered a herd of pigs close by. Now they could have roasted pork. As with the fruit and plants, the chickens and pigs were replenished the next day too.
Each day, John took a few boys at a time and taught them how to swim. "What's the sense of having a lake and waterfall if you can't swim?" he'd say to them. The boys progressed rapidly and within a week, most could swim across the lake. They became comfortable in the water and soon some were climbing the rock ledges around the lake and would jump down and into the water. Others discovered the smooth rocks made it possible to slide down the face of the cliff and splash into the water below.
One morning, Mr. Cumberbatch and John took a leisurely stroll to the lagoon. A wide sandy beach separated the fresh water lake from the sea water. A tall rock wall separated the lagoon from the sea. It resembled a half-circle stone jetty except there was no opening for the sea water to come in. They guessed the lagoon must have an underground cave or opening which allowed water to come in and out of the lagoon with the changing of the tides.
Crossbone Children and the Orphans of Avalon Page 8
