A Bark Sledge.--The Friendly Tribe.--The Wild Melon.--A Nocturnal
Alarm.--The Wombats.--The Bivouac on the Heath.--The Savages
again.--Away to the South.
The women had prepared breakfast, and Arthur was becoming impatient,
before Jack and the two young boys appeared, dragging after them a large
sheet of bark, to which they had attached ropes.
"It was Jack's thought!" exclaimed Gerald. "Is it not a capital
plan?--the baggage-wagon! Off with your knapsack, Arty; Jenny, bring
your pots and pans. Every thing must be tied on our sledge, and we will
draw it in turns--two men to form a team."
"It will be a great relief, certainly," said Arthur, "so long as the
plains continue tolerably clear and level; but, I fear, over the matted
brush or the rugged mountain we shall find it useless."
"Why then, Mr. Arthur," said Jack, "it will only be taking up our loads
a bit, and leaving the sledge. We can soon cut another sheet when the
road gets smoother."
The sledge answered admirably, and, relieved from their burdens, they
went on for several days, over well-watered and well-wooded plains,
without interruption, and without delay, except when the disengaged
youths lingered behind to shoot a few pheasants or cockatoos, that the
bread might not be too soon exhausted. In a week after they had left the
cave, they saw kangaroos again, and even the sledge was abandoned, that
all might join in the chase. After a long hunt, they succeeded in
killing one; and the weather being now less sultry, they were able to
preserve the meat for two days. The skin was cleaned and dried, and then
converted into bags for the biscuit, for showers of rain still fell
occasionally, and they had been compelled to take off their cloaks to
protect their valuable food.
One evening, an unwelcome return of the heavy rain induced them to look
anxiously round for some shelter, and turning round a clump of tall
bushes, they came suddenly on a cluster of scattered huts, formed of
green boughs and open in front. Beneath these canopies several women,
wearing cloaks of fur, were employed in pounding grain or nuts between
two stones, while they sung some song in a low, musical tone, and in
perfect harmony.
Outside the huts stood several tall men. They had a single loose garment
of fur cast round them, but the bust was wholly uncovered, and marked by
many raised cicatrices. They were engaged in making arrows or spears,
and never raised their heads from their employment; but, with the usual
dignified indifference of the savage, did not appear to notice the
approach of the strangers, though probably they had never before seen
the white man. Even the women continued their work and their song; and
it was only when Baldabella, who had been introduced by her protectors,
went forward, holding her child, to ask the women to give some good
white people shelter from the rain in their huts, that the men turned to
listen, and the women suspended their labor. The head of the family,
pointing out an empty hut, spoke to Baldabella, and said, as she
interpreted his words, "That very good for white man; for black man;
plenty rain make much cold."
Glad of the refuge, while Baldabella remained to talk to the women of
the tribe, the rest took possession of the slight hut, and prepared
their supper of the remains of the kangaroo, of which they invited their
friendly hosts to partake. The natives now assembled round them with
some curiosity, tasted the seethed kangaroo, and seemed to relish it;
rejected the roasted potatoes with disgust, but greedily enjoyed the
biscuit, especially the jumbles, as the boys called them, which were
flavored with the juice of the figs.
Then the women in return for this hospitality, brought to them some
pods, which Arthur recognized to be the fruit of the _Acacia
stenophylla_, the seeds, or nuts, resembling in flavor the cachou-nut.
They brought also a small melon, or cucumber, now ripe and sweet, with
which the plains that the travellers had crossed this day had been
covered; but they had not ventured to eat it till now, when they saw how
the natives enjoyed it.
"It certainly belongs to one of the most useful orders of plants
considered as the food of man," said Mr. Mayburn; "and, as far as I can
determine from recollection, I believe it to be the _Cucumis pubescens_.
This is truly a country of rich and abundant resources; wanting but the
light of civilization and religion to render it a paradise."
"Surely, papa," said Margaret, "our countrymen acted unwisely when they
suffered the first steps into these lovely and untrodden wilds to be
made by the vilest of criminals. Alas! alas! what must the ignorant
natives think of such Christian missionaries!"
"It was an error, Margaret," answered her father, "wide in its mischief,
fatal in its results; and generations must pass away before the error
can be rectified. But a purer and holier influence is at work; and, in
his own good time, God will assuredly enlighten the people, through the
efforts of his faithful servants. Would that I were able to take my
share in the great work! but, alas! I am but the barren fig-tree, and
continually I hear that awful sentence ringing in my ear, 'Cut it down;
why cumbereth it the ground?'"
The earnest father then called on his family to kneel in prayer, while
the natives stood round in silent wonder, especially when they remarked
the devout demeanor of Baldabella, and heard the little child murmuring
in English the responses, in imitation of her kind teachers. After
prayers the women seemed to be earnestly questioning Baldabella; and
Margaret was pleased to hear the woman speak long and earnestly to the
questioners, for she was convinced that Baldabella was truly a Christian
in faith, so far as her simple mind could comprehend the faith.
Though they considered it prudent to keep a watch, the sleep of the
family was not disturbed by any fears, for these natives seemed quiet
and inoffensive; and through Baldabella they learnt that they had ever
shunned the restless and destructive tribes to the north, and a still
more dangerous people, whom they spoke of with terror, as the tribes of
the "Great River," to the south. But, the interpreter added, they did
not like the white people who came to kill the _menuah_, as they named
the kangaroo; and the emu, and to carry off their weapons. But they were
satisfied that these white strangers were peaceful like themselves, and
they wished them well, and would show them the way through the
mountains.
The weary travellers gratefully accepted this offer, for the prospect of
having to ascend, without guidance, a line of mountains which cut off
their progress to the south, and of being compelled to resume their
heavy burdens, was alarming. Early in the morning they sought the women,
to present them with some biscuit and with a pair of fowls, of which
Baldabella undertook to explain the great usefulness, and the domestic
habits and proper mode of feeding.
Then they once more set out, guided by the chief among the natives; and
having skirted the mountains for three or four miles to the east, found
a narrow gorge, through which a shallow rill ran towards the south,
along the flowery margin of which they passed till they came upon
another wide plain, less wooded and fertile than that which they had
left, but grown over with the _Cucumis_ laden with fruit. This plain was
perforated with dangerous holes, which their guide told them were the
dens of a large animal, very fierce, which he called the Wombat, and
which the boys were filled with a great desire to encounter and
vanquish.
Once on the plains, the native pointed out the direction which they were
to follow, greatly to the east of south. He shook his head when they
intimated their wish to proceed due south, and, according to Baldabella,
declared there was "no water"--a most important objection to the route.
Arthur gave the man one of the table-knives, much to the discontent of
Jenny and the great delight of the receiver; and the gratified native
stood watching them for some time, and then slowly returned to his
people.
"Now for the wombats!" exclaimed Gerald, looking anxiously down into one
of the dens of these unknown animals. But all was still and dark; and
Arthur begged that there might be no delay, as, in all probability, the
animals could only be drawn from their retreats by dogs, or be surprised
by long watching, and time was now too precious to be spent on such an
uncertain pursuit. Continuing, therefore, to follow the course of the
slender rivulet, which, however, soon became but a chain of pools, they
travelled for several miles, eating, as they went on, the juicy melons,
as they called the _Cucumis_, till the sight of a smoke in the direction
of the pools induced them reluctantly to forsake even this small supply
of water, and to diverge directly to the south, till they should have
passed the danger of encountering another tribe, who might prove less
friendly than their late hosts.
The sudden fall of night compelled them to rest at a spot where no water
was to be discovered, and, too late, they regretted that they had not
brought a supply from the pools. Reluctantly they made their only meal
of the day on bread; fortunately they were able to add melons; still the
privation was felt; they were unsatisfied and much depressed, till
calmed by the blessed influence of prayer. Then all anxiety was hushed
by a sound sleep on the wide, treeless plain.
They had slept some hours, when Arthur was awaked by a startling cry,
and, springing up in alarm, he seized his gun, and called hastily to
Jack to follow him. The moon was shining brightly, and they were enabled
to see some moving objects at no great distance, towards which they
quickly directed their steps, and, on drawing near, they heard the voice
of O'Brien crying out, "Arthur! Arthur! come and kill these frightful
beasts! I shall be worried!"
They now saw the head of O'Brien, who, supported only by his hands, had
sunk into a hole or den, and was surrounded by a troop of hideous large
animals, with the form of a bear and the nose of a badger. They were
actually running over the boy, and apparently very uneasy at his
intrusion. Jack's spear soon despatched one of the animals; the rest
fled to their dens at the sight of more invaders of their homes; and
O'Brien was dragged from the hole he had accidentally taken possession
of, and scolded by Arthur for his imprudence. It appeared that he had,
while lying awake, seen one of the wombats roaming about in search of
food, and while pursuing it with his spear he had fallen into the den,
and by his cries raised the whole community of these social and harmless
beasts, which, powerful and numerous as they were, had attempted no
injury against the rude invader.
The wombat Jack had killed was about the size of a sheep; they divested
it of its smooth thick fur skin, which was hung up to dry immediately.
In the morning they had an opportunity of examining the curious, clumsy
animals, which were still busily feeding. Wilkins declared their flesh
to be delicate and excellent food; but, without water, no one felt any
appetite for meat.
"Doubtless," said Mr. Mayburn, "this creature is the _Phascolomys
ursinus_, partaking of the form of the bear and the hog; but, like the
great majority of Australian animals, marsupial."
"He is an ugly fellow," said Hugh, "with his huge body and short legs;
but his skin is capital; we will clean it to make a mattrass for papa,
and we must have another skin for Margaret. After all, Jenny, a
wombat-steak will be more juicy than this dreadful dry, husky biscuit;
and I suppose we must try to eat, or we shall never have strength to get
out of this desert."
The steaks were really excellent with sliced melon, if the travellers
could have relished food without water; and after breakfast they set
out, again eagerly watching for signs of water; but no one feeling
sufficient energy to execute another wombat before they departed. They
continued to struggle on over a loose sandy soil, covered with a bush
resembling the heath, so dear to the northern people of Great Britain;
the very sight of which cheered the thirsty wanderers in the dry desert;
and they talked of the moors of home till their steps grew lighter. But
the toil of dragging the light sledge over or through the bushes became
hard labor; and at length Mr. Mayburn, exhausted with thirst, was so
overcome that two of the young men had to support him, as they slowly
moved on to escape from this desert.
"Keep up your heart, master," said the attached Wilkins; "and Jenny,
woman, be getting yer cans ready; we'se have a sup of rain afore long,
depend on't. Now some of ye light-heeled young uns, run on, and seek out
a shelter for t' master."
The sky was dark, the thunder rumbled at a distance, and the young
people looked round in happy anxiety for some shelter; but in vain,--not
even a tree was to be seen; and at last they were obliged to content
themselves with a little cleared spot, backed by a low brush-covered
hill, and surrounded by the tea-shrub mingled with the graceful heath.
There they hollowed out a sort of recess in the soft sandy hill-side,
before which they hung the skin of the wombat, that Mr. Mayburn and
Margaret, at least, might be sheltered. By this time the rain had begun
to fall in torrents, and every vessel they had brought away was placed
to catch the precious drops.
Then the boys made _forms_ as they called them, beneath the brushwood,
into which they crept, to escape, as far as they could, the deluge of
rain. But ever and anon a hand was stretched out to obtain a draught of
the long-pined-for water; and though they declared it tasted warm, they
felt so refreshed that there succeeded a great appetite for
wombat-steak, which could not, however, be gratified; for to attempt to
make a fire was hopeless.
"What charming dormitories we have!" said Gerald. "The rain dripping
through these narrow-leaved shrubs and dabbling your face all night
long, will be so comfortable. I don't think a wombat's den would be such
a bad thing to-night. Ruth, how do the cocks and hens like this
weather?"
"I keeps 'em covered an' under my cloak, Master Gerald," answered she;
"but, bonnie things, they tremmel and cower all of a heap. You see,
birds and such-like, are all for sunshine."
"And sunshine enough they've had here, Ruth," replied he; "and now we
must not be unthankful for the rain we wanted much. Pleasant dreams to
you all, my friends!" called out the lively boy, as he dived under the
bushes, to scratch himself out a den, as he said. But the rain and the
thunder prevented much sleep, and at the first gleam of light, the boys
issued from their comfortless dens, with some dry twigs which had
formed their beds, and with which they proposed, though the rain was
still falling, to make a fire to cook some meat. But before they could
accomplish their plan, they were disturbed by a trampling among the
bushes, and the sound of human voices.
"The savages! the savages!" whispered Hugh; "I think I can distinguish
the voice of Black Peter."
"Scatter the twigs," said Arthur; "put the water-vessels underneath the
bushes. Draw these skins into your form, Margaret, and crouch out of
sight. Now! now! to cover, all of you!"
They had scarcely given the place the appearance of being unvisited, and
drawn themselves securely under the scrub, when the voices were so close
to them that they could distinguish, though they could not understand
the words. Only Black Peter, who pronounced the language slowly, was
sufficiently distinct for them to make out the words signifying
"mountains" and "plenty of water."
The party passed close to them, but without pausing, and when the steps
and voices sounded sufficiently distant, Arthur looked out, and saw the
same men who had besieged them in their mountain retreat, still headed
by Peter. All the men were outrageously painted white and red, though
they were partially covered with opossum cloaks to shelter them from the
rain. Arthur observed that they moved on towards the east, where, at a
great distance, appeared a dark line, which he concluded was the
mountain-range Peter had alluded to.
One after another the alarmed family appeared from their hiding-places;
Baldabella was eagerly questioned about their discourse, and she replied
that she had heard Peter say, "White men go to mountain, find much
water. Peter go to mountain, find plenty water, plenty white fellow,
plenty gun, knife. Kill white man, kill bad fellow Wilkins."
"She's reet! I'll uphold her," said Wilkins. "Depend on 't Peter's
heared of some bush-rangers out ower yonder, and he'll want to join 'em.
We'se have to keep clear of their track, master. Just look round ye,
what chance should we have again a lot of them desp'rate rogues, wi'
guns in their hands, and blood in their hearts; and when they're fairly
set on, them blacks is as bad; they reckon nought of a dozen lives to
get haud on a gun."
"Whither shall we flee?" cried Mr. Mayburn, in a distracted tone.
"Speak, Margaret--Arthur--and you, my good man, who, steeped in evil,
had yet strength given you to turn away from it, guide and save us!
Alas! it is but too true; man, civilized or savage, preserves his innate
and original depravity. 'There is none good; no, not one.' Men have
spoken of the simple and pure life of the desert; we see what it is in
truth."
"Yes, dear papa," said Margaret, "we must bid adieu to the fallacious
dreams of poetry, the romance of that golden age when men were virtuous
because they were ignorant. These are men to whom the temptations of the
world are unknown; men who have never looked on the brilliant
decorations of vice; yet they are harsh, cruel, selfish, and faithless.
Is this truly human nature, papa?"
"I fear, my child, it is too truly human nature," answered Mr.
Mayburn,--"fallen, degraded, unredeemed human nature. Well does a great
and wise writer on the natural depravity of man picture the ignorant
savage as 'a compound of pride and indolence, and selfishness, and
cunning and cruelty; full of a revenge which nothing could satiate, of a
ferocity which nothing could soften; strangers to the most amiable
sensibilities of nature.' Then what weight of sin must rest on the souls
of those who, having been taught the way of truth themselves, take
advantage of the frailty of humanity to lead these heathens into the
gulf of crime. Woe to those men 'who know the best, and yet the worst
pursue.'"
While they watched the gradual disappearance of their enemies, the rain
ceased, and Jenny summoned the party to the enjoyment of tea to their
dry biscuit, before they resumed their journey, the prospect of which
was still unpromising.
"We must now, defying all the threatened deserts, go on towards the
south," said Arthur, "and evade, if we possibly can, our implacable and
inveterate pursuers. The temptation to cross the eastern mountains is
great, but I fear, Wilkins, we should hardly be safe, even in the rear
of such dangerous company."
"Nay, nay! Mr. Arthur, keep out of their way," said Wilkins. "Ye heared
what Baldabella said about their going to rondessvowse ower yonder wi'
them roguish bush-rangers; and I see no sense in running into t' thick
on 'em."
"Certainly not, Wilkins," answered Arthur. "Then we will decide on a
route due south. So, forward, my brave men, and let us carefully carry
away the water we have preserved, for I fear much we have not yet passed
the wilderness."