The Tunnel through the Mountains.--The Chase of the Emu.--An Encounter
with the Natives.--The Rescue of Baldabella and her Child.--Making a
Bridge.--Canoes Again.--The Fishing of Baldabella.
The report of the boys decided the movement of the family, and they
hastened through the long tunnel to the cheerless glen. They then sought
the easiest ascent, that they might escape from these widely-spread
mountains, and a herd of kangaroos in the bush, disturbed by strange
voices, just then appeared, and bounded up the steep wood at a place
which the travellers who followed them found had been selected with a
happy instinct, for it was less abrupt and less matted with brush than
that which Gerald had ascended. The strong assisted the weak, and with
some difficulty all were brought to the ridge, and looked down with
mingled feelings of relief and alarm on the widely-spread, thinly-wooded
plains so far below them.
The descent was much more tedious and laborious. Axes and ropes were put
in requisition; but finally all planted their feet thankfully on the
green sward, and looked round on a new region, where their progress
would be less retarded, but their exposure to observation would
necessarily be greater than before.
"And I see neither meat nor water," said Jenny, despondingly.
"We have still potatoes left," said Margaret; "and though we have not
yet seen much animal life, I trust there is no fear of famine. I
certainly see some creature moving beneath yon golden acacia."
"Huzza! papa!" cried Gerald. "There's the Emu at last! I saw one at the
Zoological Gardens, and I know the fellow at once. Now, how are we to
get hold of him? I fear his skin is too tough for a spear or an arrow to
do much harm, and Arthur is so careful of his charges."
"I have but four left," answered Arthur, with a sigh, "and I am
unwilling to waste my shot, and perhaps attract the attention of the
wandering natives. We will try arrows and spears, and, if we can, the
boomerang."
"Be canny, lads!" cried Wilkins, in great excitement. "Keep at his back,
I tell ye; he can see half a mile afore him, but he's as deaf as a post;
and if he once gets a sight on us he'll be off like Voltigeur, and he'll
be a smart chap as sets eyes on him again. Stand here, we'll try a throw
now; and _Jin_, woman, gie us a touch of yer boomerang."
Baldabella was as much excited as any of the party, and perfectly
understood the rules of emu-hunting. They fixed themselves at a proper
distance, and then, seeing that the bird, which had been feeding on some
root or herbage, had raised its head, as if about to move, they flung
their spears and discharged their arrows with some effect, as a spear
and an arrow were left in its side; Baldabella at the same time threw
her boomerang, which struck it with such force that it staggered, and
uttered a deep, booming cry; but, rallying again, it began to run very
swiftly, till a second flight of spears and arrows brought it to the
ground.
All the party then went up to it; and O'Brien had approached, and was
about to touch it, when Wilkins seized his arm, and drew him back just
in time; for the animal struck out its powerful leg, and shattered the
bow which the boy held in his hand.
"He would have sarved your leg as bad," said Wilkins, "if he could have
hitten ye. He has a leg like a sledge hammer for a hit. We'se be forced
to give him a few more spears afore it will be safe to come nigh him."
But a blow on the head stunned the huge creature; and it was then
quickly dispatched and cut up. They contented themselves with carrying
off the two hind quarters, which Wilkins assured them afforded the most
palatable meat, and which would be ample provision for two days.
"There are some eggs, too," said Hugh, "which we might carry off for
papa; but they are so tremendously large and heavy."
"The egg is, I believe, excellent food," said Arthur; "but with food we
are abundantly supplied. I think we must take two, however; one for
papa, the other to form into that very useful vessel, a water-bottle or
bucket."
Delighted with the immense dark green egg, and the examination of the
curious, fur-like plumage of the emu, Mr. Mayburn no longer regretted
the forest scenery he had left, but cheerfully went forward over the
green and flowery plain, till, after walking many miles, they encamped
beneath a gum-tree, made a fire, and broiled some emu-steaks, which all
pronounced would have been better than beef-steaks if they could have
had a little salt to eat with them; but they were gradually becoming
reconciled to this privation.
No one dared to murmur, amidst their blessings, because they had been a
day without water; but they trusted in God to provide them with this
boon, too, in his good time. The large egg was carefully cleaned out
through a small opening made by Jack at one end, and then slung with
cords, to make it convenient to carry next day, before they took their
rest.
But the next day they had travelled for many hours, till, faint and
weary, their steps were feeble and languid, when the sight of a line of
casuarina-trees directed them to the bed of a river, now quite dry; and
while the most exhausted sat down to rest, the young and active
proceeded up the hard bed till it became mud, and a little higher, muddy
pools. Into these pools they, at once, plunged their faces, and drank,
and moistened their burning skin, and then each laughed at the crust of
dirt left on his neighbor's face. But by persevering in walking on, they
met with a pool of clearer water, from which they filled their water
buckets and mussel-shells, and returned to take the refreshment to their
friends, and then to conduct them to the moister region.
They continued to pursue the course of the chain of pools which must in
a short time be really a river, when the periodical rains came on. The
prospect of these approaching rains rendered all the thoughtful of the
party anxious and uneasy; for the pleasant open air life to which they
had become habituated would then be intolerable.
For two days the emu-flesh was eatable, and the pools amply supplied
them with water. Then they again reached a line of low hills from which
the river had its source; and through the shrubs and brushwood that
covered them they forced or cut their way, and descended on a more
fertile and pleasant plain.
But, to their great annoyance, they beheld before them several natives
gathered round a fire, employed in making spears and arrows, which they
were hardening in the fire. On one side sat two women, bruising some
grain or nuts between two stones: these women wore cloaks of opossum
fur; but the men were almost entirely naked, and had their bodies marked
with frightful cicatrices. Though it was plain these natives must have
seen the approach of the strangers, and probably now, for the first time
beheld white men, they preserved a dignified composure, pursuing their
labors, without any apparent notice of the intruders.
Arthur drew up the forces abreast in a long line, saying, "Walk on
firmly, and imitate the indifference of the natives. I entreat you,
above all, not to show the least fear."
They marched slowly forward till they were close to the savages, when
the little Nakinna, attracted by the sight of a child about her own age,
which was playing near the women, broke from her mother and ran up to
the child. The tallest of the men then stepped from the rest and caught
up the child in his arms. The distracted mother darted forward to rescue
her, and was also seized and detained by two natives, while she called
out piteously to her white friends to assist her.
Arthur was much vexed at this incident, which he feared would form a
pretext for a quarrel; but it was impossible to abandon poor Baldabella,
who seemed very repugnant to return to savage life. He therefore called
Wilkins to follow him, and going up to the man who held the child, made
an effort to remove her gently from his arms. The man resisted and held
her firmly; then Arthur, assuming a threatening expression of
countenance, uttered some words in a loud, stern tone, and at the same
time pointed to his rifle.
The savage stared at him and his weapon with a countenance half of fear,
half of wonder. He then pointed to the complexion of the mother and the
child, and also to his own, and to Arthur's, as if he questioned the
right of the white people to detain those who certainly were not of
their race.
Arthur then made Baldabella comprehend that she must tell the men that
if they did not release her and Nakinna, the white men would kill them
all. The woman at once understood and repeated the message; and was
answered by the tall savage. She shook with terror as he spoke, and
turning to Arthur said,--
"Black fellow say, Peter want Baldabella. Baldabella must go. No, no!
good white man! Bad Peter kill Baldabella! kill Nakinna!"
It was doubly annoying to find these troublesome natives were acquainted
with the villanous bush-ranger; but it was certain Baldabella must not
be left in the power of the wretch, at any cost. While he hesitated what
steps to take, one of the women, roused by the cries of Nakinna, went up
to the savage who held her, and spoke to him in soft, persuasive
accents, at the same time attempting to take the child from him. The
hardened wretch put down the child at his feet, and snatching up a club,
struck the woman to the earth, senseless, if not dead.
No longer able to control his indignation, Arthur, seeing a herd of
kangaroos bounding along within reach of a shot, directed the attention
of the man to them, and then fired his rifle, and shot a large animal
dead. Astonishment and terror overcame the usual assumed calmness of
the natives, and several of them fled in confusion.
Arthur then, pointing to the kangaroo, and then to Baldabella, indicated
his wish for the exchange, and the two men who still held her readily
resigned their captive, and ran up to take possession of the more
valuable spoil, followed by the inhuman chief; after he had, with a
vindictive countenance, spurned the poor child from him with his foot.
The mother caught up her child and fled to her friends, prostrated
herself before Arthur, and placed his foot on her neck; then rising, she
resumed her usual dignified and graceful step, and fell into the rank
with the rest of the party, who lost no time in moving forward, after
Margaret had seen that the unfortunate victim of the chief's cruelty was
kindly attended to by the woman who was her companion.
"It were a burning shame," grumbled Wilkins, "to let them saucy niggers
take off with that fine beast, and have to fast ourselves. For ye see,
Master Hugh, that shot's flayed away all on 'em, and it may be long
enough afore we light on 'em again."
"Have some faith, my good man," said Mr. Mayburn. "We have been fed like
the prophet in the wilderness, by miracle, let us not fear, God will
still provide us with food."
"At the present moment," said Arthur, "it would be imprudent to delay
even to seek provisions. Our first consideration must be to move away
from this part as quickly as possible, for I suspect these people will
keep us in sight as long as they can."
"Ay, master," said Wilkins, "they'll need ye to shoot beasts for 'em!
Depend on't they'll dog us."
This was an uncomfortable suspicion, and Margaret and Arthur talked and
pondered deeply on plans and arrangements, almost regardless of the
brilliant buds and blossoms that enchanted Mr. Mayburn. They walked on
with regular and rapid steps over the flower-strewed ground, amidst the
rich smell of the foliage and the flowers and the strange music of the
woods. Kangaroos and emus were seen at some distance, but prudence
forbade any delay for the chase, and they made no halt till extreme
fatigue compelled them to rest on the side of a grassy hill, where the
least wearied set out to search the bushes for nests. Some fine young
birds supplied them with a good supper; eggs were now rarely found, but
with these Ruth's fowls frequently supplied them.
"Where next?" asked Margaret. "I think, Arthur, I can distinguish a
deep-green line far distant to the south-east. May we not hope it
indicates the situation of another river?"
"We have ever been cheered, thank God," said Mr. Mayburn, "through all
our pilgrimage, with continued benefits. We have never yet experienced
the perils and privations of the desert, which has ever been supposed to
exist in the interior of Australia."
"Travellers in South Australia," replied Arthur, "have certainly met
with those barren regions; but in this tropical country we have, indeed,
enjoyed all the plenty which nature can bestow. At present we need
water; but in the morning we will, if God permits, direct our course to
the green belt we have seen. If we can again resume our canoe voyaging,
it will be a great relief to us; and even if the river be dried up at
present, we can take the bed for our guide, and may find pools of water
for our daily use. But, my dear Margaret, I am ashamed to say I feel
despondent when I reflect that this is January; the autumn rains may
soon come on, and we have no idea where we can shelter you and dear papa
from the fury of tropical storms."
"I could soon run up a bit of a hut, with bark roofing," said Jack,
briskly.
"I am quite aware of that, Jack," answered Arthur, "and have much
reliance on your skill and promptness. The great difficulty seems to be
the selection of a site out of the observation of the treacherous and
vindictive natives; or of one whom I dread still more, that vile
bush-ranger, who appears to be tracking us for some evil purpose."
"He has a spite again me, that's sartain, Mr. Arthur," said Wilkins.
"Then, he'd like to put his hands on that gun; and there would be,
likely, some pickings of things as would suit him, let alone money,
that, like enough, ye'll have amang ye."
"But what possible use can the misguided man have for money in a
wilderness among savages?" asked Mr. Mayburn, in astonishment.
"Why, not a deal of use just hereabouts," answered Wilkins; "but ye ken
nought about bush-rangers, and all their rounds and changes. If Peter
had cash, he'd be off to some of them far away bush publics; and there
he'd have a grand tuck out, till he'd spent every rap, and be fresh to
set out on a new hook. That's bush-ranging life, master."
"And a fearful life it is in this world, Wilkins," said Mr. Mayburn;
"but still more fearful as a preparation for the world to come. Thank
God that you are rescued from it, my poor man."
"Ay, I'se clear on't now," replied he, "thanks to ye, master; and, God
be praised, there's no shame can stick to a fellow for turning round
when he's got into a slough."
"Not at all, Wilkins," said his good teacher; "the best Christians have
sinned and repented; and to all it is said that they must through much
tribulation enter the kingdom of God."
The heart of Wilkins was enclosed in a rough husk, but the soil was not
bad; the seed that was sown in it was not unfruitful, but was slowly
coming to maturity.
Early in the morning the pilgrims took the road towards the green belt
they had observed the previous day; and though many tedious hours
intervened before they reached it, they were rewarded by discovering
that the belt of trees hung over the banks of a considerable river,
narrow, but deep, with high rocky banks, so far above the level of the
stream on the side on which they stood, that the water which they so
much required was unattainable.
This disappointment was vexatious, and they continued to pass along the
edge of the cliff for some time in melancholy silence, till, at a very
narrow part of the river, Jack stopped, and, pointing to a tall tree on
the edge, proposed that they should cut it down, so that it should fall
across the river and form a bridge. This would be an undertaking at once
tedious and hazardous; but the advantage of placing the river between
themselves and the inimical savages was obvious, as it was improbable
that they should have the means of crossing. It was therefore agreed
that they should make the experiment.
They had found abundance of the wild oats on the plain, which were now
quite ripe; and Ruth was busily employed in bruising the grain to make
biscuits, while Jenny roasted potatoes in the ashes, and looked down on
the river with longing eyes, for the tea-shrub was abundant round them,
and nurse pined for her cup of tea again. Leaving the women thus
engaged, the young woodcutters commenced their operations with their
stone axes, though they had failed to render them very sharp, relieving
each other at intervals; for in truth the cutting down a stout tree was
not a little tiresome.
But perseverance subdues great difficulties; at last the tree fell
majestically, and rested securely on the opposite bank. Then the proud
young workmen proceeded to lop the branches which stood in the way,
levelling and smoothing the trunk as much as they were able, and running
over it to prove its security; and, finally, Jack carried a rope across,
attached to some of the erect boughs, to form a sort of hand-rail to
satisfy the timid. With some persuasion, Mr. Mayburn was so far
satisfied of the safety of the rude bridge, that he suffered himself to
be led across; then Margaret and the two women were safely conducted
over; Baldabella followed, looking with astonishment at their timidity,
and tripping lightly along with her child upon her shoulder.
When all had crossed, the rope was withdrawn and coiled up again, and,
with the aid of levers and axes, the bridge was broken and cast down, to
be floated away by the stream, that the savages might not have the
advantage of it in their pursuit.
The banks on which the travellers now stood were less precipitous than
those they had left; they were clothed with bamboos and rushes, and in
many places open down to the river, where they gladly procured the
water of which they were so much in need. Then they continued to walk
along a narrow muddy strand, looking with longing eyes at the smooth
water, on which a canoe might have been paddled with so much less
exertion than the continued labor of walking. It would soon be made,
Jack declared; and, after a night's rest, all were ready to work, if the
work were provided for them--the great point, as Jack said, being "to
fall on the right sort of tree."
Before they had finished another weary day's walk, they had "fallen on
the right tree," barked it, and, uniting their efforts, formed and
gummed two canoes. These required a day to be hardened for service,
during which they made paddles, cut down the oat grass to serve for
lining the canoes, after they had thrashed out the ripe grain. The women
baked biscuits and boiled fish, with which the river abounded, collected
some tea-leaves, and finished provisioning the boats.
Next morning they were again seated in these very commodious canoes,
delighted to rest after all their fatigues; for the labor of paddling on
the smooth river was comparatively easy. They continued an uninterrupted
voyage of many days, though they several times saw the smoke of fires
rising from the brush on the north bank, and sometimes even heard the
_coo-ee_ of the natives, which made them apprehensive that they were not
unnoticed; but they satisfied themselves that their mode of travelling
defied pursuit. They rarely landed more than once a day, usually on the
south bank, where they often met with some small tributary stream,
abounding in fish, and the adroit spearing of Baldabella always provided
them with an abundant supply, sufficient for supper and breakfast. This
fish was principally the fresh-water cod, as they named it, of very
large size. Every morning after breakfast, before they embarked, they
walked out to look round for some favorable spot to which they might
retire during the approaching rains, but in vain. Still the high cliffs
continued on one side of the river; and on the side where they wished to
remain they still saw spread before them marshy plains.