THE MANATITLANS;
OR A
RECORD
OF
SCIENTIFIC EXPLORATIONS
IN THE
ANDEAN LA PLATA, S. A.
R. ELTON SMILE,
PRO-SCRIPTOR.
Buenos Ayres:
_Calla Derécho, Imprenta De Razon_,
1877.
U. S. Copyright
BY
ELTON R. SMILE.
DEDICATED
AS A
MEMORIAL TRIBUTE OF AFFECTION
TO THE EVER PRESENT ANIMUS OF MY
PARENTS, SISTERS, MRS. HIRAM HOLLY, AND
MRS. SOPHIA VISCHER.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONTENTS
PREFATORY INTRODUCTION. BY THE HISTORIOGRAPHER
CHAPTER I.
CHAPTER II.
CHAPTER III.
CHAPTER IV.
CHAPTER V.
CHAPTER VI.
CHAPTER VII.
CHAPTER VIII.
CHAPTER IX.
CHAPTER X.
CHAPTER XI.
CHAPTER XII.
CHAPTER XIII.
CHAPTER XIV.
CHAPTER XV.
CHAPTER XVI.
CHAPTER XVII.
CHAPTER XVIII.
CHAPTER XIX.
CHAPTER XX.
CHAPTER XXI.
CHAPTER XXII.
CHAPTER XXIII.
CHAPTER XXIV.
CHAPTER XXV.
CHAPTER XXVI.
CHAPTER XXVII.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
CHAPTER XXIX.
CHAPTER XXX.
CHAPTER XXXI.
CHAPTER XXXII.
CHAPTER XXXIII.
CONCLUSION.
PREFATORY INTRODUCTION.
BY THE HISTORIOGRAPHER
In the following record of the explorations of the Teutonic corps of the
R. H. B. Society of Berlin, dispatched for the classification of
parasitical animalculæ peculiar to the vegetable productions of the
tropics, I shall confine myself exclusively to the revelations of the
day until the culmination of the corps discoveries, and then to
Manatitlan dictation, either direct or through the medium of thought
dictation.
The discoveries, as verified, will undoubtedly tax “public credulity” to
its utmost stretch; but as the absorptive power of human instinct for
the marvelous is unlimited in its superstitious gullibility, it will
peradventure receive—with perhaps an awkward spasm from the novelty of
goodness—the practical experience adduced as worthy of disputatious
consideration. Still we feel assured that there is a reasonable minority
who will adopt the practical suggestions with joyful avidity. The facts
related—although at present stranger than the instinctive fictions
projected from the unreason of the stomach’s rule—will prove, to the
affectionately disposed, of easy reconciliation with healthy digestion,
and in every respect worthy of universal adoption by our race. Assuming
the privilege of narrative relation in recording the progressive events,
I shall only advert to the leading adventures of the scientific corps
while en route toward their ultimate field of exploitation. But while in
progress shall endeavor to render the characteristic peculiarities of
the members sufficiently conspicuous for the clear exposition of their
national traits, that the reader may realize the obstacles opposed, in
degree, to their assimilation with the practical teachings of the
Manatitlans demonstrated by Heraclean example.
Lucenhouck, in prophetic forecast, says, “Man, in the arrogance of his
pride, believes that he is of a race separate and distinct from the
lower orders of the animal creation. Assuming attributes of deity he has
constituted himself arbitrator of his own destiny. Yet, with all his
affectation of superiority, there is an approximation in his form and
physical conformation that distinctly declares his relationship to the
simia species; among which there is as great a variety in form and
racial intelligence as with those of the genus to which he stands
confessed. With the full development of microscopical power, future
generations will learn that the wonders of Creation are beyond present
conception, and that well defined organic humanity may yet be revealed
on the utmost verge of atomic divisibility.”
------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE MANATITLANS.
BOOK FIRST.
CHAPTER I.
In the month of January, 187-, M. Hollydorf was selected to conduct an
exploring corps of the R. H. B. Society to the head waters of the
Paraguay and its tributaries, for the purpose of observing the habits
and classifying the different species of animalcular life native to the
trees and plants appertaining to those regions. The Royal Society had
supplied him with able assistants, and the most complete set of
instruments ever constructed for botanical or other research in the
fields of natural science. Among the instruments of recent invention,
was one of Lutsenwitz’s solar reflecting microscopes, especially
designed for field explorations. This was of the highest concentrated
power yet attempted by that artist,—the intensity of its magnifying
capacity being capable of showing the facial contortions of the most
minute animalculæ. Attached to the focal platform was one of
Phlegmonhau’s highest grade of responsive tympanums, with reflecting
auricle for magnifying the articulation of sound. The corps arrived at
Montevideo on the first day of April, and was fortunate in finding a
small trading steamer, under neutral colors, ready with quick despatch
for a barter voyage up the Paraguay and its tributaries, without a
specified port of final destination.
The captain was sole owner, and proved to be a man of rare intelligence,
which had been cultivated by travel and study. To his love of adventure
was added a strong amateur predisposition for the pursuits of natural
history. These qualifications led to a speedy agreement, with
conditional arrangements for a charter of the steamer open to variations
suited to the requirements of the corps.
* * * * *
On the 15th of April the members of the corps, instruments, camp
utensils, and travelling gear, were safely stowed on board the little
steamer _Tortuga_,—a name that implied slow progress, which to our
satisfaction her speed decried. At eleven A. M., having bid farewell to
our newly acquired friends, we left the anchorage with their “Good
speed,” and after threading her way among the vessels in the roadstead
the little steamer puffed her way up the broad expanse of the La Plata
estuary. The balance of the day was occupied in arranging instruments
for river observations, the while listening to praises lavished by the
captain upon the “worthy” qualities of his little propeller, of which he
was the architect and builder. During the evening he regaled us with
incidents of his life in California and the East Indies. His adventures
in California received occasional illustrations from a genial individual
introduced as Padre Simon, the prefix having been conferred—as we
afterwards learned—from his zealous support of the Catholic dogmas,
theoretically. As the padre was eventually enlisted in our corps, we
will foreshadow some of his peculiar characteristics. In form he was of
medium height, with a rotund outline visibly inclining to jovial
obesity; his face was in-dyed with a complexion blending with the Roman
auburn of his hair, which gave a warm glow to his expression when
lighted with a smile. In the first generation of descent from Irish
parentage, he retained the full impression of inconsistency in the
practical adaptation of his habits to the faithful index of goodness
ingrafted from the maternal stock. Guileless in thought, when free from
temptation, he possessed a ready facility of excusing his habits of
excess with the plea of saving grace administered under the seal of
confession. With this hint, in forecast of development, we will proceed
in the relation of events transpiring during the river voyage.
On the morning of the 21st of May, after having been subjected to our
full share of vexatious delays, incident to the provincial _poco
pocoism_ of the guarda and custom-house officials, the steamer gained
the river post of Santa Anna on the Pilcomayo, two miles above its
mouth. At Santa Anna they found the well-known American naturalist,
Diego Dow, waiting for an opportunity to obtain sufficient aid to
attempt the exploration of the Pilcomayo as far as the reputed
settlement of Tenedos, which rumor located on a confluent stream rising
and flowing eastward through the valleys of the Andean spur that reached
into central La Plata.
The ultra-savage disposition of the wandering tribes on the banks of
these rivers, having defeated every previous attempt made to establish
trading-posts, but few had been found willing to incur the hazard
proposed by Mr. Dow. Even the indomitable Jesuits had been foiled in all
their endeavors to conciliate the Indians in degree sufficient for the
establishment of missions preliminary to their subjugation.
The magnet of Mr. Dow’s desire had been drawn thitherward by the reputed
existence of a walled city inhabited by a white race of great beauty. He
considered the report sufficiently well authenticated to warrant the
adventure of his life for its discovery and relief from the constant
siege to which it had been subjected by the savage tribes from time
beyond date. His chief authority, which had incited him to engage in the
emprise, was his Auraucanian servant, who had, in his wanderings and
progress northward, served in an Indian marauding expedition, which
invaded the valley of the city for the purpose of lifting the cattle of
the inhabitants, who were in seasons of drought obliged to protect them
while feeding beyond the walls. As Indian forays were expected, the
herds were well guarded by shepherd escorts, whose persons were safely
protected with defensive armor, so that with the exception of the face
the other parts of the body were proof to the poisoned arrows. In
addition they were armed with a bow which in their practiced hands sent
the arrow sure to its mark far beyond the range of their savage foes’
weapons, so that in the open valley they were safe. Besides, their
tactics embraced so many precautionary variations that the Indians were
almost invariably decoyed and blinded from real intention. These feints
caused the savages to become over wary, never venturing an attack unless
with the advantage of overwhelming numbers. The party with which
Aabrawa, Mr. Dow’s servant, was engaged, met with a severe repulse that
indisposed them to renew the attempt, notwithstanding an opportunity was
offered on the succeeding day. So well managed were the citizens’ plans
of protection that they rarely lost either men or cattle, and without
being aggressive frequently administered well merited punishment upon
their foes, who were inspired with wholesome fear from a superiority so
manifest in deadly effect. Unable to cope with their white antagonists
in the open field, they, with constant wariness peculiar to the savage,
neglected no opportunity to harass, hoping at some time with constant
worrying to catch them off their guard. The cause of this implacable
hatred was hereditary, reaching, as Aabrawa learned, far back to a time
when the forefathers of the citizens abused their supremacy by enslaving
their Indian benefactors. The Indians having surprised and overcome
their oppressors, a remnant of the whites obtained refuge in the present
city, which had since been kept under constant espial. As the city was
overlooked from an adjacent height, but little passed in the streets
unknown to the besiegers, who were quick to discover any relaxation of
vigilance; and whenever from pestilence or other cause it did occur,
couriers were dispatched to summon aid from distant tribes.
Curiosity and love of exciting adventure had enlisted the members of the
corps in favor of aiding Mr. Dow’s projected enterprise, and through
their continued solicitation, M. Hollydorf consented to waive the strict
interpretation of his commission, designating a particular field of
operation, by using his discretionary power in favor of the proposed
scheme for raising the siege of the beleaguered city. Captain Greenwood
without hesitation tendered the aid of his steamer, and being one of
those peculiar persons who are accustomed to take the head of time by
the forelock, he immediately commenced the precautionary labors to
protect his vessel from the wily tricks of surprise practiced by the
savages. The commandante of Santa Anna, being well acquainted with the
methods of attack that led to the defeat of the various expeditions
directed against the Chacas, proved of great use in suggesting
precautions. The chief dread arose from the poisoned arrows of the
savages, which inflicted incurable wounds, adding to death the horrors
of lingering putrefaction. The fears anticipated from this source were
relieved by the confidence inspired through the energetic character of
the captain, whose experience with the superior cunning of the North
American Indians prepared him to cope with the lower instincts of their
southern congeners.
* * * * *
On the morning of the 23d of May the _Tortuga’s_ bow was turned against
the swift middle current of the Pilcomayo’s bayou expanse, then at its
height from the copious contributions of the rainy season in the high
lands and mountain sources of its tributaries. Night still found us in
the broad sea of waters, baffled in search of the interior mouth which
was made more difficult from the confluent branches uniting with it near
its Paraguayan embouchure. The commandante, anticipating the difficulty
likely to be encountered, had been particular in giving directions; but
although strictly followed, from a calculation of the steamer’s speed,
twice the distance had been run without discovering the described
landmarks. Uncertainty was rendered still more uncomfortable by the
shallowing of the water, showing plainly that we were inland from the
river’s channel. At midnight, while anchored, a hurricane, heralded by a
thunder-storm, made the waters seethe with its force, causing our little
craft to careen and bob with a politeness to the gusts that impaired our
confidence in its self reliance. Padre Simon declared that the lightning
set his teeth on edge, prompting him from its dazzling flashes to pray,
but that the thunder so startled and confused him that he was unable to
think, and as a dernier ressort was obliged to drink. This remedy
finally rendered him proof to the best efforts of Jupiter Tonans; but on
waking in the morning he complained that he could still hear the roll of
the thunder in his head.
On the morning of the 24th the sun rose bright and clear in a cloudless
sky, compensating with its splendor the discomforts of the night; its
reflected light glancing upon the waters discovered far to the south a
broad ripple, indicating the sought-for channel. The river’s stream was
soon gained, and followed in a southwesterly course until the river’s
limits were defined by partially submerged trees growing upon its banks.
Having at Santa Anna filled every available portion of the vessel with
fuel, sufficient for a run of four days, the boat was enabled to keep on
her course under a full head of steam, without anxiety from the dull
prospect offered for replenishing.
May 25th, at sunrise, after a good night’s run, we discovered a headland
above the surface of the water covered with fire-scathed trees, from
which the captain, for a surety, concluded to add to his diminished
supply of fuel. The labor of taking in wood from this source was by no
means pleasant, but the sailors with good-will made the “virtue of
necessity” cheerful with songs and jokes, the “passengers,” suitably
clothed, contributing with the zest of energy their labor for its
stowage, so that by eight o’clock we were again under way. With the
exception of this wooded bluff nothing but sky, water, and foliage had
met our eyes since leaving Santa Anna, the monotonous compound making us
well content with cabin associations.
On the 28th at sunrise, our ears were gladdened with the cry of “Land
ho!” Rushing on deck, with the expectation of a greeting from well
defined banks, we were disappointed, as the contrasted elements of the
previous day still prevailed. Seeing that we were a little inclined to
be vexed, at what we considered to be an ill-timed joke, the man at the
wheel, an old river navigator, pointed to a mud bank that closed our
view with the bend of the river, at the same time directing our
attention to the eddy cast from it far out toward a line of trees on the
opposite shore. From these indications he assured us that in a half
hour’s time we should hear the songs of birds to make us lively.
Doubling the muddy cape we were greeted with the screams of parrots,
while other birds of gay plumage were crossing and recrossing the river
singly and in flocks, causing, in apparent salutation, a lively line of
demarcation between the land enclosed current and the smooth waters of
the flood below. The welcome sight raised our spirits into a sympathetic
mood of song, which was unfortunately too nearly allied to the screaming
discord of the parrots to evoke other than a mirthful disposition for
repartee which expended itself in humorous comparisons, favoring the
advent of genial omens.
Mr. Welson, a prominent official of the Panama Railroad Company, had
accepted the freedom proffered by the steamship lines plying between the
maritime cities of the eastern coast of South America, for his
recuperative vacation of three months, and on his arrival in Montevideo
had been induced by Captain Greenwood to extend his voyage up the river.
A Scotsman by birth, he possessed in an eminent degree the predilection
of his people for dry, caustic humor; and in his position of commercial
agent had cultivated the art of extracting fun from the vagaries of
migrating humanity in their transit across the isthmus. Scientific
whimsies were especially adapted to his quizzical vein, and a happier
combination of material could scarcely have been conjured for his
entertainment, than he found on board of the _Tortuga_. Padre Simon was
his especial favorite as a stimulating provocative. Won by his naïve
simplicity, he had soon interested himself to learn the object of his
river voyage, with the intention of rendering him assistance. Greatly to
his surprise the padre informed him that he had no other expectations in
visiting Entre Rios than the chance one “of hitting an opportunity to
make a strike.” Amused with his vernacular, and the easy carelessness of
his manner, which seemed to defy disappointment, he was delighted to
discover his growing fondness for polemical disputations, which was
gratified by a kindred disposition cultivated by Dr. Baāhar, the
naturalist of the corps. On the steamer’s arrival at Entre Rios, the
port of his destination, the padre’s thoughts were absorbed in the
dogmatic discussion of the soul’s material identity with the body after
the resurrection, so that he gave no heed to the frequent repetition of
the name of the town. Aware of his total abstraction from all thoughts
and anxieties connected with the business responsibilities of life,
necessary for material sustenance, Mr. Welson connived with the doctor
to hold him in argument until after the steamer’s departure, well
assured that no material harm could arise from the derangement of plans
so lightly impressed as to give place to chimerical argument. For a
characteristic illustration of the disputants’ peculiarities we will
give the burden of their colloquial subjects of exposition.
_Padre._ “My conscience’ sake alive, man! Why, you might as well set us
down as beasts at once, as to argue that in resurrection we shall assume
the form of animals whose habits we most affect in life! Surely your
naturalistic learning has run mad with your orthodox catholic ideas,
for, upon my soul, they are rank with transmigration, and if confessed,
you would be denied absolution by every ecclesiastic in the Christian
world. Look you! the very fact, if admitted, would controvert all that
we hold sacred. Why, man, it would render absurd our reliquary faith in
the efficacy of sainted bones and vestments for healing the sick and
lame, for the marrow-bones of swine and the hair of dogs would hardly
serve to enlist belief in the Christian doctrine of divine
transubstantiation?”
_Dr. B._ “As we claim that reason has been bestowed as an endowment to
distinguish us in reality from the brute creation, its possession
presupposes preordination of intention in decree for its use. Now, if
you will devote your share of this human endowment to the demonstration
I am about to give of cause and effect, you will not fail to perceive
the distinctions upon which our faith is founded. Humanity possesses
omnivorously, in its varieties of genera and species, all the habits of
the lower orders of the animal creation in their separate
representation! But superadded to this resemblance in the community of
instinct, man has a discretionary power inherent with his endowment of
reason, which enables him to profit by experience in shaping his course
for the avoidance of consequent evils which follow from the
transgression of natural laws. This power presupposes accountability
that directs itself to Creative Cause. Upon this innate feeling of
responsibility, impressed by repentance from transgressions, and joys
imparted from adherence to the monitor indications of our superiority,
man has founded his religious distinctions of vice and virtue. In
furtherance of this natural division man has volunteered to represent
vice, and woman, unprejudiced by his influence, would have naturally
assumed the role of virtue in truthful vindication of her vocation as
the mother of our race. Now, as you well know, it is impossible to
harmonize vice and virtue, even with the instinctive coalescence of the
sexes? Hence, as you must acknowledge, there will be a constant struggle
for ascendency. Man as the stronger of the two, in representative
selfish determination, and the moral force of muscular strength, is as
full of devices for the beguilement of woman from her sacred trust as
the variations of his ability admit.”
_Padre._ “Yes, all that may be true; but you don’t talk at all like
yourself, and I can’t see what you have said has to do with revealed
religion.”
_Dr. B._ “Why, its connection is self suggestive; virtue and vice in
sexual array, for the supremacy of example, naturally oppose to each
other their attractions and temptations. Fortunately, the harmonizing
beauty of woman, with loving affection, impressed on the rude
selfishness of man the preferred happiness of a home subject to graceful
refinements, and with her sex in the majority held his passions and
appetites of instinct in abeyance. To overcome this tacit rule man
devised a series of temptations to hold her in subjugation to his
control. These were addressed to her vanity and envy, incited by the
jealous instigations of man’s preferment on the score of beauty. This
led to artificial adornment, which placed the means of temptation in the
hands of man. Then, as a plea for the encouragement of virtue, religious
revelations were instituted under the conjurations of mystery to
control, with fear, superstitious simplicity.”
_Padre._ “Perhaps I don’t quite understand you, for I can scarcely
account for my own thoughts as they seem to be so mixed with new
impressions; but if I understand what you express in words, I will
answer for myself that the revealed way of salvation is to use all the
blessings of life with moderation.”
_Mr. Welson._ (Amused.) “With the doctor’s permission, you will perhaps
appreciate an illustration that occurs to me? Woman’s naturally
unselfish affection, unbiased by the temptations of vanity and envious
curiosity, exerts with gentle forbearance a restraint upon the more
brutal appetites of man, softening asperities provoked by over
indulgence. Theodosius, the emperor champion of Christianity, opened a
way for the incursions of northern barbarians by patronizing the
intolerant sway it usurped over the more primitive and lenient rites of
paganism, as it weakened, by the introduction of effeminate luxuries
which allied the sexes for degeneration.”
_Padre._ “I have never been much of a book-worm, but it appears to me if
man, as Dr. Baāhar says, represents vice and woman virtue, your college
learning directly tends to the cultivation of a vicious course by
keeping before the people the barbarous acts of the ancients derived
from their own language, which gives the scholar a directing power, from
a studied understanding of the corruptions practiced in past ages. So
you see, it’s far better for woman, and the world at large, that she’s
denied the means of classical study; for from your own admissions, her
curiosity and envious vanity rages so greatly at the present day she’d
be more likely to play the part of a Cleopatra than a Zenobia. As the
world runs, I think the less we know of the past the better it will be
for our salvation.”
_Mr. W._ “But you forget church history, padre, from the record of which
you derive your knowledge of the fathers?”
_Padre._ “Well, but that is different from profane, for it teaches us
the way of salvation by saving grace.”
_Mr. W._ “Yes, through the tender mercies of the Inquisition.”
_Mr. Dow._ “As a listener I must acknowledge that you have each with
good arguments strangely confounded your former selves.”
The above colloquial rejoinders will serve as an illustration of the
attraction that beguiled the padre’s attention until the second day
after he had passed his port of destination. Then inquiring of the
captain the distance that still “intervened,” the supposed number of
miles being given, he relapsed into his usual routine without suspecting
that it was calculated from the stern instead of the bow. When informed
at the port of Rosas that the town of “Three Rivers” had been passed
some days previous, he exclaimed, “My goodness gracious, there was where
I wished to stop; my conscience’ sake alive, what shall I do?” The
captain, to whom he appealed, answered by asking, “What did you intend
to do at Entre Rios, padre?”
_Padre._ “A brokerage business of some sort, real estate or sugar,
whichever offered the best opening.”
_Captain._ “But, padre, you cannot speak the language, which would
render your expectations abortive, for a bargain is never closed in
these countries without a great deal of word chaffering. A clear
understanding of the language is absolutely necessary, for the
inhabitants of the river towns are very apt to “fly” from a bad bargain
when they find themselves caught and lightly held, so that the only safe
way to secure them is to clip their wings and hood-wink them in black
and white. But I can send you back without cost when we meet the next
downward bound steamer; then you will have the advice and assistance of
Mr. Welson, who perfectly understands the habits and customs of the
people.”
_Padre._ “Well, I declare to gracious, I hardly know what to do?”
_Captain._ “Would you like employment on board? I think that there is a
berth that would suit you! Besides it will afford you an opportunity to
convince Dr. Baāhar of his errors; at the same time you can perfect
yourself in speaking Spanish.”
Notwithstanding the captain’s quizzical looks and speech the padre
thankfully accepted the proffered position of second officer, with the
expressed hope that he might perform its duties in an acceptable manner.
Captain Greenwood, although somewhat crispy in speech and austere in
address, had a strong undertow of humorous appreciation when the shafts
of irony were not directed against himself. His disinterested
disposition, prompted by the padre’s kindly _vis inertiæ_, had suggested
the offer; nevertheless he really desired a person capable of
superintending small matters that would relieve him from a
responsibility not greatly to his relish. The duties imposed by the
captain were as follows: “You must be the first up in the morning and
the last in bed at night. While on duty, see that everything in the way
of labor is well done, and never interfere with advice when a helping
hand is required. Lastly, never report to me necessary changes until
after they have been made.”
_Padre._ “But, captain, if I am never to speak how am I to improve or
correct to suit you?”
_Captain._ “With the moral influence of your head and hands, when you
see anything necessary to be done!”
This settled the question of the padre’s new vocation, and he was
forthwith introduced to the crew, who greeted his installation with
marked approbation. At night, when he became genial in confessional
overflow and dogmatic in argument, he was the source of humorous
repartee and good-will among the passengers on the quarter-deck. His
American birth having toned down the quarrelsome disposition legitimate
as an inheritance to the native-born Irishman, when under the influence
of whiskey, he indulged in quaint disputations, peculiar to his Yankee
ingraft, in freedom from ill humor.
With this insight descriptive of mood foreign to the members of the
corps, we will now resume our narration of events transpiring in the
daily progress of the steamer’s river voyage.
_May 28._—The banks of the river are now clearly defined, but the water
still submerges the undergrowth that margins its lower stages in the
season of drought; the more matured growths are already peopled with the
smaller species of birds delighting in the bushy retreats overhanging
the waters. Our naturalists’ eyes are now greedily engaged in busy
search for new specimens of the feathered species.
_May 29._—This morning we reached a sand-spit formed by a confluent
stream, upon which the receding waters had left a wood-drift well suited
for the steamer’s use, having been forced by the jam of flood-tide high
out of the current. The eddies and backwater of the Pilcomayo’s stronger
flow had carried the raft and lodged it high up above the mouth of the
lesser stream, leaving an extension inter-stayed by the roots that
reached into deep water; alongside of the raft, in the smaller stream,
the steamer moored. The axes of the firemen and sailors were soon busy,
wakening for the first time the forest echoes to the chucking sound of
their strokes. The more active members of the corps volunteered their
services in aid for speedy replenishment, deriving in recompense the
invigorating novelty of exercise. While actively engaged with ready
hands and merry voices they were suddenly startled with the scream of
the steamer’s whistle, simultaneously accompanied with a flight of
arrows from the ambush of the forest screen above the raft. Fortunately
distance and trepidation from the unearthly screech of the whistle
rendered their aim harmless; the check it afforded enabled the
woodcutters to scramble up the sides of the steamer before the savages
recovered from their surprise. When they realized that the shriek was
harmless in effect, the Indians rushed forth from their concealment to
secure the axes which had been abandoned by the men in their sudden
fright, but were again momentarily intimidated by the rumbling sound of
the gong, which Antonio, the steward, had seized to increase with
concerted din the scream of the whistle. The savages’ hesitation was but
momentary, seeing that like the former the steward’s overture was
harmless in effect, then with a counter whoop of defiance they sprang
forward to secure the coveted prizes. But the second diversion brought
with it presence of mind and time for the use of more effective weapons
than empty sound. One of the two howitzers, which had been taken as
freight to Santa Anna, the commandante loaned to Captain Greenwood for
the voyage; this had been loaded as a precautionary measure the day
previous, and intrusted to the charge of Jack and Bill, two sailors who
had “shipped” on the river voyage for a “lark.” With thoughts trained to
the duty of their charge they were the first that reached the steamer’s
deck, and before the savages recovered from their second hesitation
sighted the gun and answered their whoop with a discharge of grape, with
an effect that left five of their number stretched on the logs, killed
outright, the others in quick retreat leaving a trail of blood showing
from its copious flow the infliction of dangerous wounds. The retreating
savages in their turn dropped clubs, spears, blow-pipes, and arrows, so
that there was but little danger of their return. But the premonition
caused the captain to place a guard in a position to command the
isthmus, accompanied by two hounds belonging to Mr. Dow. The dogs
following the bloody trail soon gave intimation that they had discovered
the wounded savages. Proceeding cautiously into the thicket beyond the
abattis they found near together, an elderly savage and a boy of
seventeen or eighteen years, both severely wounded. The padre, with
heedless but kindly intention, attempted to raise the head of the old
Indian upon his arm to relieve his uncomfortable position, while the
others stanched his wounds. In a second from the time the padre’s arm
came within reach of the savage, his teeth were fastened upon the arm
above the elbow, while with working tenacity he used his utmost energy
to penetrate the sleeve of his coat. His intention was evident from the
greenish slaver that oozed from the corners of his mouth, betraying in
appearance the characteristics of the dreaded poison. Bill, who was near
at hand, relieved the padre from the danger of poisonous inoculation,
before the teeth of the savage had penetrated the cloth, by the
introduction of a marlin-spike with a decisive force that showed but
little care for their preservation. The boy was more tractable,
permitting his captors to handle him as they pleased. Two other savages
were overtaken dragging themselves from bush to bush. When surrounded
they were still defiant, threatening all who approached with spear-heads
attached to short staffs; these were finally struck out of their hands,
but they still repelled peaceful overtures, making a formidable show of
resistance with teeth and nails. We had been specially warned against
coming into close quarters with them by an old trader, who had
frequently encountered their ferocious tendencies in his travels.
Finding all our conciliatory attempts futile the wounded savages were
left to their fate. Adopting the padre’s suggestion, the young Indian
and his savage companion were taken on board, with the intention of
trying the effect of kind treatment, but a lasso in the practiced hands
of a guacho was required to persuade the latter to accept the proffered
hospitality of the boat. Aside from the comparative docility of the boy,
his lack of resemblance in feature and general conformation plainly
declared that his subserviency to the will of his companion did not
arise from parental affection. Shackling them to the windlass they were
placed under the guardianship of the dogs, whose favorite lounge was on
either side of the bowsprit heel beneath the shadow of the chocks. After
they were secured, all hands, with the exception of the engineer,
steward, and cooks, resumed their labors on the raft. As the padre
insisted that it was a barbarous shame to throw the bodies of the dead
savages into the water to become the food of alligators, when a few
minutes’ labor would make them a decent grave in the sand, he was
allowed the privilege of extending to the defuncts the rites of burial.
As the spade in his hands had not been a favorite specialty during the
more elastic periods of his existence under the benign influence of
temperate heat, the torrid glow of the morning acting in concert with a
stimulant he had taken to steady his nerves, caused a sweltering
perspiration that in no way accelerated the progress of his pious
undertaking. The sands having become quick from recent saturation were
constantly caving, so that in addition to aggravation he was in danger
of becoming a victim to his sextonic benevolence. While trying to
extricate himself from the caving sand, the while vainly pleading for
assistance from the laughing spectators of his disaster, his attention
became fixed upon an array of yellow nuggets which he had overlooked
when thrown from their bed with the sand. His silence and curious
investigation with hands and eyes extorted the inquiry, “What is it,
padre?” The laconic answer, “Gold!” brought the whole party to his
rescue, including the sentinels from the logs above, while the engineer,
steward, and cook deserted their posts in greedy haste. When the truth
of his announcement was verified they with some difficulty dragged him
from his grave, then oblivious to thoughts of savage surprise and
poisoned arrows, they consigned the dead to the river, without
remonstrance from the padre, and with flushed avidity commenced with
spade and pan to unearth the precious metal. Mid-day, with its heat,
found them still engaged, heedless of danger from the sun’s rays and the
miasmic current converging upon the spit from the confluent streams.
Silence alternating with wild bursts of hilarity, caused the captive
savages, chained to the steamer’s windlass, to gaze with wondering looks
of amazement.
Through the day, until darkness precluded the possibility of detecting
the golden grains, the wild search continued, then when collected on the
steamer’s deck they bethought themselves of the dangers to which they
had been exposed. Although resolved to be more cautious in future while
gathering their golden trove, its tangible presence banished fear; still
as a thoughtful precaution the steamer was dropped into the stream as a
guard against surprise.