PEARL ISLAND
For some weeks after sighting the South Sea Islands we continued to
cruise among them, visiting many places, some of which were unknown to
former navigators.
The weather at this time was calm and fine, but one day when in the
open sea a tempest drove us among a number of islands, most of which
appeared to be little better than barren rocks. As we approached,
however, we observed one of large size, mountainous, well wooded, and
fertile, and here we hoped to find the fresh water and vegetable food
of which we stood in need. On rounding a coral reef which made a
natural breakwater, we anchored in a quiet bay opposite a beach, and a
party of us made ready to go ashore.
The waters of this bay were blue as the sky above, and we could see in
the depths below a marine garden of seaweed and coral, and what
interested us more, a great quantity of pearl shell. As we rowed
towards the shore the beach became thronged with natives who appeared
by their gestures to be full of wonder at the sight of our vessel. The
people here were of a light coffee colour, with wavy hair. The men, of
large stature, well formed, and dressed with a degree of taste far in
advance of any of the savages we had hitherto met with. Elaborate
devices were tattooed upon the exposed parts of their bodies; a
petticoat of finely-plaited cloth reached from waist to knee; beautiful
necklets made from red and white coral hung round their necks; while
their hair was frizzled like a mop upon their heads, powdered red or
yellow. The women were similarly attired, save that their petticoats
were longer and their hair hung straight, while the children went
entirely naked except for garlands of bright flowers. No weapons were
carried by these islanders, and upon landing we found them friendly,
and inclined to offer us hospitality.
The houses in the town to which they welcomed us are of a beehive
shape; the sides open during the day, but closed at nights by blinds
made from the leaves of the coconut tree. The floor is formed of
powdered white coral, and is very clean. The town was built in a
semi-circle facing the beach. In the centre was the king's house, a
building of the same construction as the others, but of larger size.
Beautifully-made mats and wooden bowls formed the only furniture in
these dwellings, some of the mats being trimmed with red feathers,
while others resembled shaggy white wool rugs, which, on closer
inspection, proved to be made from the bark of a dwarf hibiscus, with
which the islands abound, bearing a bright red flower. The food of the
islanders consists of fish, coconuts, taro, yams, and breadfruit, of
which there is a plentiful supply.
In return for their hospitality, Hartog distributed among the natives
pieces of bright-coloured cloth, beads, knives, and other trifles,
which, in the eyes of these simple savages, were so many wonders
hitherto undreamed of.
When we had been some days upon the island Hartog expressed to the king
his desire to obtain the pearl shells of which we could see an
abundance at the bottom of the bay, within easy reach of an expert
diver, and as these islanders were as much at home in the water as upon
land, we soon had a pile of shell upon the beach which some of the crew
set to work to open; but although we opened a great number of shells
very few pearls were found, and none of any special value.
When the king observed what we were in search of he offered Hartog for
his acceptance a number of pearls, some of large size and perfect
colour, which from time to time he had collected.
"'Twill be enough to satisfy the merchants," said Hartog to me when he
had safely locked up this treasure on board the "Endraght", "but
nothing over, unless we can add to the collection by our own
exertions." But although we continued to open shells for several days
no great haul of pearls was made. The pearl shell we shipped, knowing
that it would fetch a good price at Amsterdam.
Hartog was so relieved at having secured something that would repay the
expenses of the voyage that he recovered his natural buoyancy of
spirits which had lately been oppressed by the prospect of returning
home empty-handed.
"'Tis wonderful, the power of money, Peter," he said to me one evening
when we were counting, in secret, the pearls which the king of the
island had given him; "we have come through some perils, as you know,
but I give you my word I was never so afraid of anything as of going
back without money's worth to satisfy the men who put their capital
into this voyage. It was that which broke the great heart of Columbus,
and I'd have become a pirate sooner than return empty-handed. The pious
rogues who sent us out, and who never miss their churchgoing, would not
have cared whence the money came so long as it filled their pouches."
Hartog had not confided the secret of the king's present to any but me,
as he feared the crew, disappointed in the treasure hunt which they had
been promised, might try to take forcible possession of it. He was so
absorbed in counting the pearls and in speculating upon their value
that he gave no heed to the possibility of being spied upon. But since
I was to have no share in them, the pearls did not interest me as much
as they did the captain, and I allowed my eyes to wander, when, in a
flash of summer lightning, I saw the face of Van Luck looking down upon
us from the skylight above our heads.
Making an excuse to go on deck, I stole cautiously up the
companion-stairs, expecting to catch Van Luck red-handed in the act of
playing the spy upon us, but when I reached the skylight I could see no
sign of him. From where I stood, however, I was able to observe the
captain counting the pearls, and I determined to warn him to have a cover
made for the skylight, or a blind inside that might be drawn to ensure
privacy. But I did not think it would be wise to say anything about my
suspicion. It would be hard to prove, and might be set down to malice,
though honestly I bore Van Luck no ill will.