While the events related in the preceding chapter were in progress,
which gave advent to the new era, the manacled savages would have fared
poorly but for the ever mindful benevolence of Padre Simon, who
ministered to their relief after depositing with his traps his godsend,
which he averred came from the source of their misfortunes. His arm
warned him to be cautious in his approach to the old savage, but he
could not refrain from the pitying exclamation “It’s a shame,” when he
saw him bound to the links of the cable with its coils for his bed.
Placing the food he had brought cautiously within reach, he left with
intention of pleading for some aid in mitigation of their painful
position, but the question of an equitable division of the gold trove
diverted his thoughts. But after the ablutions of the succeeding
morning, and Antonio’s improvement of the younger savage, his
dereliction occurred to his thoughts under the stimulating inspiration
of a somewhat copious oblation to memory, which served to render the
sincerity of his repentant remorse heedless. Under the sacrificial
impression he hastened forward to make amends for his forgetful
inhumanity. Without observing the change already made for the ease of
the savage, he attempted to place an oakum fender between his back and
the cable. Exposing his arm the brute again seized it with a vicious
energy that bespoke his determination of obtaining recompense for his
morning’s aggravations. With the pain, caused by the working teeth of
the savage, the padre’s terror of the deadly poison was revived, which
caused him to cry for help in frenzied accents, alarming all on board.
Again English Jack was the first to reach the struggling victim of
misplaced pity. With a sailor’s promptness he forced his sheath knife
between the back teeth of the cannibal with a delicacy peculiar to the
tar when called upon to repel boarders; working the blade, with a prying
motion, hither and thither with the edge directed toward the ear the
backward capacity of the mouth was insensibly enlarged, which produced a
diminution of muscular tenacity and consequent release of the padre’s
arm. His release was not effected until the teeth of the savage had
penetrated through his linen coat and sleeve of his shirt, inflicting
bruised punctures beneath the skin sufficient for the absorption of
virus. The general consternation was greatly increased by the exultant
gleams darted from the eyes of the bleeding savage. Dr. Baāhar had just
prescribed whiskey to be taken in copious draughts for _ad deliquium_
effect, which the padre, with a sense of relief, said he had premised,
when the young savage attracted attention by pantomimic gesticulation,
at the same time producing from his mouth a small sac of an acorn’s size
and shape. From the pleased honesty of his expression and the scowls of
the old savage, it was apparent that it contained an antidote for the
poison. Aabrawa having caught some familiar words, he was soon able to
add his assurance in verification of the boy’s ability to counteract the
effects of the poison with a sure antidote. The padre with fear
hesitatingly submitted his arm to the boy’s mouth, the old savage
regarding the operation with looks that boded ill to the savior and
saved if by accident they should come within his reach for injury. The
padre, when impressed with the kindly intention of the boy,
apostrophized the old wretch in this wise: “You ungrateful venomous old
serpent, upon my conscience you ought to be made to crawl on your belly
all the days of your life with a rattle tied to your—well if you haven’t
a tail, you are a vile reptile all the same, and I don’t believe all the
purgatories in creation can change you! Upon my soul, it’s a shame and
an imposition for you to pretend to be a man with a soul to be saved!”
Here the padre observing the smiles provoked by the earnestness of his
address to an object as incapable of appreciating as he was of
understanding the language in which the anathematizing sentence was
couched, apologetically appealed to his auditors, “You know that what I
have said is as true as there is a day of salvation for man to sin
away.”
“Are you not assuming,” asked Mr. Welson, “the privilege and
understanding of a judge without knowledge sufficient for the
condemnatory sentence you have pronounced as a penalty against this
savage?”
“By their works ye shall know them,” replied the padre, looking wofully
at his arm.
This retort placed the padre’s star in the ascendant, and it was
immediately proposed that the mouth of the old savage should be rid of
its poison, a task which Jack and Bill volunteered to accomplish.
Preparing a running noose they slipped it over his arms, pinioning them
to his side, and then proceeded with sheath knife and marline-spike to
open his mouth for investigation, but not without strenuous efforts on
the part of the subject for revengeful retaliation. Beneath his tongue
they found two sacs, or bladders of the river whiting, attached to the
cuspid teeth, which by the tongue’s pressure could be made to eject
their contents into wounds inflicted with the sharpened teeth, which
were pointed like fangs, verifying the padre’s estimate of his reptile
instincts. Above, attached to teeth upon either side, were the sacs
containing the antidote in position to be pressed by the cheeks. Rid of
these venomous appliances the nozzle of the steamer’s hose played the
part of a purifier by injecting a bountiful supply of water into his
mouth, regardless of the published restrictions of the humane Society
for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
* * * * *
During the passage of the two days succeeding that of the padre’s
mishap, parties of savages were discovered tracking the progress of the
steamer, the while with opportunity holding communication by signs with
the captive chief. As he did not appear to be in the slightest degree
amenable to kind treatment, and his presence on board was neither safe,
agreeable, or ornamental, a consultation was held for the best means to
be used for his disposal. As no feasible method appeared for his
immediate transfer to the shore with beneficial effect upon his kindred,
Mr. Welson asked the privilege of retaining him on board as a subject
for instinctive experiment. The savage chief having, in the thoughtless
zeal of the two sailors,—bred from automatic education on board of a
“man of war,”—received gratuitous injury, they lost caste in the
captain’s favor, which caused them to “overhaul” their thoughts for a
restorative. Bill sagely remarked that “What’s done’s done, but now we
see the drift to smooth water we must kedge for the current and a fair
wind; so we must try to make the old shark as comfortable as we can.”
This opinion meeting with the hearty approval of his mate, they at once
“set about” rectifying the effects of their brutality, without fully
realizing in thought the extent of their own culpability. Still there
was a vague remonstrance that “loomed up” from youthful impression which
admonished them of the source of the captain’s silent reproof. While
engaged in their propitiatory labors the Indian boy, or “cub” as they
styled him, watched, and apparently detected the source of the kindly
influence wrought in the mood of the sailors. His looks of grateful
appreciation attracted the sailors’ attention, which caused Jack to
exclaim, “I say Bill, the young un’s throwing out signals of distress;
odds, we were too hard on the old brute. P’raps we can take the young un
in tow; suppose we give him an outfit, he seems to take kindly to his
head-gear.”
Bill bestowed an “observation” on the boy, and became convinced that no
treachery was meditated, but that all was fair and above board, so they
resolved to rig him out ship-shape in their watch below. Their intention
being discovered while in progress, there was a general overhauling of
kits, so that the originators were obliged to accept contributions in
excess of their requirements. Aabrawa, while the metamorphosis was in
progress, discovered that he was an adopted prisoner of the old savage,
and that his name with his own tribe was Waantha. To all the trial
changes in the process of clothing him, Waantha submitted with
unmistakable evidences of gratification; and when fully dressed to the
satisfaction of his impromptu guardians he was escorted by Antonio and
the sailors aft for the captain’s inspection and approval. The pleasing
expression of his joyfully bewildered face won the kindly confidence of
all, and he was voted his liberty. When asked by the captain if he would
like to be employed, he expressed his desire to help Antonio, who with
permission cordially adopted him as an apprentice in the culinary
department. When duly installed, as a dish-washer, the concentrated ire
of the old chief was fully aroused, causing his eyes to fairly
scintillate with fury as he readily understood that his plans would be
exposed. The sailors’ thoughtful endeavors to win back the captain’s
favor gradually proved successful, and when fully reinstated showed a
careful regard for its retention.
Mr. Dow in his naturalistic wanderings had acquired a keenness of
perception for the detection of danger from premonitory indications that
exceeded, from his natural endowments, the sagacity of the veteran
trappers of the North American wilds, so that with Aabrawa and his two
well trained dogs he had felt himself proof from surprisal. In proof of
his cultivated superiority he instructed the members of the corps in the
various causes inciting the flight of birds along the banks of the river
and over the distant forests, which invariably proved to be correct in
inception. The flight of water-fowl disturbed by alligators or other
causes, birds by serpents or monkeys, or like inimical foes, he could
detect the intruding species with unerring certainty while distant to
the utmost reach of the eye. Early in the afternoon a flight of parrots
rose over a distant headland, settling again in the same place; this was
repeated frequently with upward impetuosity, which with irregularity in
rise and descent indicated some vengeful cause. In explanation, Mr. Dow
said, “You will find on rounding the headland a settlement of Brazilian
apes, of a different species from any you have yet seen, also in the
neighborhood a plantation of sugar bananas. These the natives believe
the apes plant, as the spot selected is always adapted in a special way
to their growth, and in close proximity to a grove of trees suited in
spread of limbs for their arboreal habitations. The parrots have
likewise a great fondness for the luscious fruit, which is known as the
ape banana, and gather in flocks for poaching depredations, in which
large numbers lose their lives, for they are no match in quickness of
flight for the nimble quadrumanal defenders of the rights of freehold
proprietorship, who have acquired considerable skill in the use of
projectile weapons. When we reach the plantation you will find them
engaged in defending ‘the fruits of their labor,’ unless the unusual
appearance of the steamer alarms both parties.”
Doubling the headland a well protected cove opened to view with a
crescent shaped hill sloping to the southwest, enclosing in its semi-
amphitheatre a tamarisk grove with a banana patch upon the rise of the
hillside. As the parrots had taken flight on the approach of the boat,
and there were no signs of Indians or apes, the members of the corps
proposed an exploring party for the verification of Mr. Dow’s
descriptive sagacity. Mr. Dow excused himself from joining the exploring
party, on the plea that he had once visited a settlement on one of the
tributaries of the Amazon, of which he still retained a vivid
impression, that was too recent to require revival. His ambiguity in
describing the peculiarities of their domestic economy and defensive
resources we had occasion to recollect. After precautionary measures had
been taken to avoid surprise from the tracking savages, we landed,
directing our steps in the first instance to the banana plantation. Its
appearance well sustained the popular traditions of the Indians, as the
plants were separated by well defined paths, and around their stalks not
a weed or spear of grass was to be detected. This at least denoted care
in grubbing, which of itself is an initiatory indication of cultivation.
The plat was continued within the slope of the hillock; at one time the
bluff bank of an inlet from the river which had been filled up by the
drift debris and alluvial deposit caught in its curve, intermixed with
the wash from the highlands. After completing our survey of the banana
garden, and in our progress selecting and cutting unbidden the ripest
bunches of the golden fruit, which were sent on board, we descended into
the basin of the tamarisk grove to inspect the community habitations of
the apes. Supposing, from the universal silence, that the inhabitants
had fled in alarm on the steamer’s approach, we were admiring the high
order of architecture displayed in the arrangement of their habitations,
at the same time questioning with wonder their unnatural desertion
despite the prevailing curiosity of the species in the presence of
mankind, when a guttural challenge was reëchoed from hundreds of mouths
in answer to our query. In a moment the branches above were alive with
the hosts we had excluded from our reckoning, who in chattering response
tendered us the hospitalities of their aerial city in a shower of
cocoanuts, stones, clubs, and other missiles rank with the “reverence”
of ordure, prostrating three of our number outright, while they bewrayed
all with an unendurable odor, that would have rendered the stink-pots of
ancient Greece worthy of being esteemed pouncet-boxes for relief. These
tokens of high admiration, designed for the distinguished reception of
allied humanity, were accompanied with a jabbering outburst which could
only be likened to an explosion of Chinese tongues. To save ourselves
was impossible, for in a moment after they had discharged their weapons,
pendant from every branch above was an ape ready to fall upon us. At
this threatened juncture, when our lives depended upon the drop, the
screech of the steam-whistle saved us. Some of our late assailants,
paralyzed with the fearful shriek, dropped nerveless to the ground;
others upon us, and clinging to our persons grinned beseechingly for
protection. But the majority swung themselves from limb to limb in wild
panic, disappearing over the brow of the hill. Without waiting to test
the permanency of their fears, or courage for a rally, we shook off our
personal attachments, and assisted the wounded on board, under cover of
the still sounding whistle. In candor I must confess that our reception
by those who remained on board ill accorded, from a lack of pitying
sympathy, with our narrow escape from imminent peril. Yet I will as
frankly acknowledge that there was ample cause for the levity of their
manifest disgust at our approach; but when the old savage added his grin
to the measure of our disgrace it was more than human nature could bear,
and we thankfully accepted a warm bath, in our clothes, proffered by the
engineer, while standing on the outjutting portion of the gangway plank,
which he administered through the nozzle of the deck hose. Even Jack,
who had received an ugly gash which had sounded the depth of his scalp,
was obliged to submit to purification before Doctor Baāhar would bestow
upon him the rites of absolution conferred by adhesive plaster,
notwithstanding his plight was equally abnormal. But the sailor, in the
spirit of his invincible good humor, provoked by the novelty of the
encounter, declared that he knew the fellow who had barked his head-
piece, and would have his revenge. Although we failed to appreciate the
mirth of our scathless “friends,” we were exceedingly thankful for our
escape, for we realized in the cool moments of reflection the peril we
had encountered too vividly for the capital of a laugh at our own
expense. Neither did we wish for a second trial of Mr. Dow’s skill in
aping practical jokes. Bill, in expressing his gratitude for his
friend’s escape, said, “There you lay, Jack, knocked on the head, and
them fellows just ready to drop on us tooth and nail; well, I can tell
you our lives weren’t worth the flutter of a gaff to’sel in a gale of
wind, when the whistle brought them up with a sharp turn. But what’s
food for one’s fun for another; the squall just took the wild ones aback
like the wink of a gib in a luff, so they turned tail and scuttled away,
and we hauled off for repairs, mighty glad they didn’t grapple.”
While the explorers’ ablutions were in progress ape sentinels were seen
in the tree tops above their habitations, in which position they
continued until a curve of the river concealed them from view.
_June 8._—Large parties of Indians have been seen inland on both banks
of the river during the day. The swiftness of the river’s current has
greatly increased, giving indication of an upward incline to a more
elevated plateau. Open glades reaching to the river are now of frequent
occurrence. The left or eastern bank is less defined than the western,
and bears stronger evidences of alluvial deposits in its arboreal
growths.
* * * * *
_June 10._—Our redeemed captive boy begins to show many pleasing traits,
among which grateful fidelity is not the least. His attachment to
Antonio, who first bestowed upon him pitying kindness, is prominently
manifest and touching in the simplicity of its promptings. He desired
Aabrawa to ask the captain to allow him to remain on board, promising
that he would try and speak and make himself useful when recovered from
his wound. The captain received his professions of attachment with a
warmth that made his eyes glisten with joy. Mr. Welson suggested that it
would be necessary to christen him, proposing that Padre Simon should
officiate in administering baptismal rites. But the padre objected that
he was not in orders, and for a layman to assume the solemn
responsibility of baptizing was in his opinion but a grade less than
presumptuous blasphemy. M. Hollydorf referred him to the example of John
the Baptist when in a similar position, exhorting him to do his duty
fearlessly, as the act of consummating the conversion of a heathen would
be esteemed a meritorious service by the most bigoted of the sects. The
padre still urged, “He does not understand our language, and
consequently the effect of redeeming grace necessary for the
consecrational rites of Christian adoption fulfilled by baptism.” Mr.
Welson said, he need have no scruples on that score, for Xavier, Ricci,
and other missionary apostles of the Church boast, each, of the baptism
of five thousand and more heathen Chinese in less than a month after
their arrival in the country, and without being able to communicate with
their catechumens by the aid of interpretation. Having a strong
reverence for the opinion of Mr. Welson, he reluctantly consented to
officiate. Antonio standing as godfather, he was christened “Tortuga
Waantha.” Scenes of this description were a source of renewed vitality
to Mr. Welson, as it afforded him special delight to expose the vagaries
of the three professions founded upon theoretical science. In fact, the
very chairs of his Panamanian office were made available for startling
effects in support of his specialities; indeed, his reputation had
obtained such distant recognition, that strangers en route preferred to
stand isolated in his presence. From these experimental essays none of
his friends escaped; sensitiveness, dignity, and reserve, were in fact
special invitations for the exercise of his curative skill, if in the
slightest degree morbid in tendency. After meridian, when his books had
been laid aside for the day, it had been his custom to indulge his
quizzical humor in trolling for fun, and it was a rare occasion that did
not offer a European or American gudgeon, isthmus bound, ready to take
his bait.
As before mentioned, it had been his intention to return from his river
voyage by a Brazilian steamer, but the varied characteristics of the
members of the scientific corps, with the chance additions, made him
resolve to forego the obligations of his business relations for the
indulgence offered to his humorous inclinations. Meeting unexpectedly
with his old friend Dow at Santa Anna, he eagerly seconded the exploring
adventure of the Pilcomayo, from the prospective novelty it offered for
the cultivation of his humorous studies. In addition to the incompatible
whimsies of scientific association, the questionable reports of an
undiscovered inland city provoked a second incentive. With this more
explicit introduction of Mr. Welson, who from accident and inclination
became one of the most important aids in directing and harmonizing the
attainable objects of the expedition, we will resume the thread of our
narrative.