ashore caused them a good deal of apprehension. They might themselves
have easily found concealment among the trees that stood thickly on the
land-side; but the large pinnace lying upon the open beach was a
conspicuous object, and could be seen miles off by any one straying
along the shore, or coming abruptly out of the forest. If there were
any pirates' nest near, the boat would surely betray them, and the
question arose as to what should be done with it.
To have dragged it up the sand, and hidden it among the underwood, is
probably what they would have done had they been possessed of sufficient
strength. But they knew that they were not, and therefore the thing was
not thought of. It was as much as they could yet do to drag their own
bodies about, much less a heavy ship's boat.
Murtagh suggested breaking it up, and letting the fragments float off
upon the waves. But Captain Redwood did not approve of this mode. The
craft that had so long carried them through an unknown sea, and at
length set them safely ashore, deserved different treatment. Besides,
they might again stand in need of it; for it was not yet certain whether
they were on the coast of the Bornean mainland, or one of the numerous
outlying islets to be found along its eastern side. If an island, the
boat would still be required to carry them across to the main.
While they were engaged in discussing this subject on the day they had
made discovery of the maleos' eggs, Saloo's sharp eye, wandering about,
caught sight of something that promised a solution of the difficulty.
It was the little stream not far off, or rather, the estuary formed by
its current, which, flowing out through the sands, had cut a channel
deep enough for the keel of a much larger craft than a ship's pinnace.
"Why we no blingee boat up libba?" he asked.
"Saloo is right; it may be done," assented the captain.
"Troth an' that may it. It's clivver of the nigger to be the first of
us to think of that same. Then we'd betther set about it at once--
hadn't we, captin?"
"By all means," was the reply; and the three men, rising to their feet,
walked off toward the boat, leaving the young people under the tree.
CHAPTER TWELVE.
KRISSING A CONSTRICTOR.
It took them nearly an hour to get the pinnace round into the stream,
and opposite the place they had fixed upon for their temporary
encampment. The current acting against their feeble efforts at rowing,
was the cause of delay. They succeeded, however, and the boat was made
safe from being observed by the eye of any one going along the beach.
But, to make it still more secure, they poled it in under the branches
of an over-hanging tree not far off--a large Indian fig, or _banyan_,
whose umbrageous top overshadowed the water nearly half-way across the
stream.
To one of its numerous root-stems the craft was made fast by means of
the tiller-ropes; and they were stepping out of it to return to their
camping-place, when a shout from Saloo warned them of some danger ahead.
It was not ahead, but _overhead_; for, as his companions looked up--
following the example of the Malay--they saw what at first appeared to
be one of the stems of the banyan in motion, as if endowed with life!
They were soon convinced of their mistake; for instead of the moving
thing being part of the fig-tree, its supple, cylindrical body and
glittering scales showed it to be a serpent.
It was a python, and one of enormous dimensions, as they could tell by
what they saw of it, knowing that this was only a portion of the whole;
at least ten feet of it were depending from the tree, while, judging by
the taper of its body, and applying the ordinary rule as to serpent
shape, there could not be less than ten or twelve other feet concealed
among the branches above.
As Saloo first caught sight of it, it was descending from the tree, no
doubt having been disturbed by the noise made in mooring the boat, and
tempted to forsake its perch for some purpose unknown. It was coming
down head foremost--not along any of the stems, but in an open space
between them--its tail coiled round a branch above, affording it a
support for this descent, monkey or 'possum-fashion.
Its snout had already touched the ground, and perhaps its whole body
would soon have been elongated upon the earth but for the shout of
Saloo. At this it suddenly jerked up its head, but without taking in
any of its coils above; and with jaws agape and tongue protruding, it
commenced oscillating around as if trying its range, and ready to pounce
upon any creature that came within the radius of that wide circle of
which its forked tongue was describing the circumference.
The warning of the Malay was given soon enough to save Captain Redwood,
but not the ship-carpenter. Murtagh was either too long in hearing, or
too slow in giving heed to it. He was a step or two in advance of the
others, carrying in his arms some implements from the boat. In looking
around and above he saw the snake sweeping about in its grand circular
vibrations, and at the same time perceived that he was within their
range.
It was but the simple obedience of instinct to leap to one side, which
he did; but as ill luck would have it, hampered by the _impedimenta_
carried in his arms, he came in violent collision with one of the stems
of the banyan, which not only sent him back with a rebound, but threw
him down upon the earth, flat on his face. He would have done better by
lying still, for in that position the snake could not have coiled around
and constricted him. And the python rarely takes to its teeth till it
has tried its powers of squeezing.
But the ship-carpenter, ignorant of this herpetological fact, and as an
Irishman not highly gifted either with patience or prudence, after
scrambling a while upon his hands and knees, stood once more upon his
feet.
He had scarcely got into an erect attitude when his body was embraced by
a series of spiral annulations that extended from head to foot--huge
thick rings, slimy and clammy to the touch, which he knew to be the
foldings of the python.
Had there been any Lanoons, or Dyak pirates, within a mile's distance,
they might have heard the cry that escaped him. The forest birds heard
it afar off, and ceased their chatterings and warblings, so that there
was no sound for some time save the continuous shrieks and ejaculations
that came from Murtagh's lips.
Captain Redwood, altogether unarmed, leaped back into the pinnace to
seize the boat-hook, thinking it the best weapon for the occasion. It
might have been of service if obtainable in time. But long before he
could have returned with it the ship-carpenter's ribs would have been
compressed into a mass of broken bones, and the breath crushed out of
his body.
This would certainly have been the lamentable result but for a weapon
with which a Malay is always armed, carrying it on his body nearer than
his shirt, and almost as near as his skin. It was the _kris_. As a
matter of course, Saloo had one, and luckily for his old shipmate,
"Multa," he knew how to handle it with skill, so that, in driving its
twisted blade through the python's throat, he did not also impale upon
its point the jugular vein of the Irishman. He did the one dexterously
without doing the other, and the consequence was that the huge snake,
suffering keenly from having its throat pierced through, quickly
uncoiled itself from the body of its intended victim, glad to let the
latter escape, and only thinking of getting free itself by scuttling off
into the thickest of the underwood, where it disappeared evidently
writhing in pain.
Too anxious about the condition of their comrade, neither Captain
Redwood nor Saloo thought of pursuing it, but stooped down over the
released body of the Irishman, who had fallen prostrate to the earth.
On due examination it proved that there was not much harm done beyond a
terrible fright; and after some congratulations, he was induced to get
once more upon his feet and accompany them to the camp. But for Saloo
and his kris, beyond doubt he would never have returned to it alive.
For the python in the Old World is quite as formidable as the boa in the
New. Perhaps it is even more to be dreaded; for, notwithstanding its
great length--twenty-five to thirty feet--it is exceedingly nimble and
its muscular strength is immense. There are numerous authentic stories
on record of its having crushed the buffalo and the tiger in its huge
constricting folds. The _python reticulatus_ is probably the largest
species.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN.
CHICKS QUICK TO TAKE WING.
Two more days passed without any occurrence of an unusual nature, though
the castaways made several short excursions and explorations into the
forest, and also up and down the shore, keeping, however, close to the
edge of the timber. These ended without any important discovery being
made, but confirmed them in their conjecture that the coast on which
they had been cast was uninhabited, at least for a considerable distance
on each side of the place where they had landed.
The most disappointing thing about these exploratory trips was their
fruitlessness in obtaining food, the chief object for which they had
been made. Excepting some stray roots and berries of an esculent
nature, they had nothing to eat after the maleos' eggs were consumed;
and these had lasted them only into the second day. It is true the
durion stood near, and its fruit would for a time keep them from
starving. Still it would do little for the restoration of their
strength; and upon such diet it would be a long time before they could
undertake the arduous journey contemplated with any fair prospect of
being able to finish it. No more Singapore oysters could be found, no
fish caught; and such birds and beasts of the forest as Captain Redwood
had accidentally got a glimpse of, had either flown or fled away without
giving him as much as the chance of a snap shot.
At night they again heard the stridulous clamour of the maleos, and
every morning looked out for them; but these fine fowls did not put in
another appearance, much less deposit three dozen eggs right under their
eyes, and in a convenient spot for being gathered.
Saloo, however, who knew all about their habits, believed he might yet
find another ovarium; and with this view, on the morning of the third
day, after giving up all further attempts at getting shell-fish, he
started upon a "prospecting" expedition after eggs, the others going
with him.
Their route led along the shore, and among the dry sand-wreaths, swirled
up near the selvedge of the woods. If another egg depository existed,
it was there it should be found. He told his companions that not only
did different gangs of the maleos bury their eggs in different places,
but the same tribe or flock had the habit of returning to the beach at
different times, each time laying their collected eggs in a new and
separate pit. That, moreover, these curious birds, guided by instinct
or cunning, are accustomed to conceal the place of deposit, which might
be easily recognised by their tracks and scratchings. This they do by
scoring the ground in other places, and giving to the surface the same
appearance as it bears over the spot where their eggs have been left to
the hatching of the sun.
In this searching excursion Saloo had brought with him a boat-hook; and
it was not long before he had an opportunity of proving the truth of his
words. A place where the sand was very much tracked by the huge feet of
the megapodes soon presented itself, exactly resembling the spot where
they had procured the first supply of eggs. But on probing it with the
boat-hook, Saloo at once pronounced it one of the sham nests.
After all, the creatures did not show too much cunning; for the presence
of this pretended place of deposit told the Malay that a real one would
not be far off; and, sure enough, another was soon after discovered,
which, on being sounded by the iron point of the boat-hook, gave back a
firm feel and a sharp metallic click, that told him there were eggs
underneath.
The sand as before, was carefully removed--Murtagh having brought with
him an oar for the purpose--when, for the second time, nearly three
dozen beautiful salmon-coloured eggs were disclosed to their view.
These were carefully taken up, and carried back to the place of
encampment, where they were left lying upon the ground, the party
resuming their quest, in hope of being able to lay in a larger and more
permanent supply.
As it chanced, another considerable receptacle was struck, giving back
sweet music to the probing of the boat-hook; and its contents were also
added to the larder.
As the last lot had been found under sand that appeared but recently
stirred, it followed that they were fresher than those of the second
finding, and therefore was it determined upon that they should be first
eaten.
The egg-gatherers having been now several hours engaged, and again
become almost as hungry as when first cast upon the shore, once more
kindled a fire, set the huge shells upon it, and using the one as a
boiling-pot, and the other as a frying-pan, prepared themselves a meal
of two courses--_oeuf bouille_ and _omelette_.
Next day they again went in search of other eggs, intending to lay in a
store against the eventuality of any possible period of famine.
But although they discovered several scratched places, and carefully
"sounded" them, no more maleos' eggs could be found; and they came to
the conclusion that they had despoiled all the "incubator" beds existing
on that section of the Bornean coast.
By reason of their rapidly-increasing strength, their appetites were by
this time almost insatiable. They were, therefore, not long in using up
all the "setting" last gathered, and were about to begin upon the other
lot that did not seem so "newly laid." These had been kept separate,
and permitted to lie where they had first placed them--out on the open
surface of the sand, some fifteen or twenty yards beyond the shadow of
the tree. Negligently, and somewhat unwisely, had this been done; for
during the day the hot sun shining down upon them would naturally have a
tendency to spoil and addle them. Still the time had not been very
long; and as no one thought of their being damaged, they were preparing
to turn them into eggs poached, fried, boiled, or otherwise.
Saloo had rekindled the fire, and got ready his pots and pans; while
Murtagh, who had stepped out to the "larder", was about to take up one
of the eggs, and carry it to the "kitchen." But at that moment a sight
met the eyes of the Irishman, that not only astonished, but caused him
to sing out so excitedly as at once to attract the attention of the
others to the same singular spectacle.
It was that of an egg rolling, as it were, spontaneously over the
ground? And not only one egg; for, as they continued to gaze a while,
the whole lot, as if taking their cue from it, commenced imitating the
movement, some with a gentle, others a more violent motion! Murtagh
sprang back affrighted, and stood with his red hair on end, gazing at
the odd and inexplicable phenomenon. The others were as much puzzled as
he--all except the Malay, who at a glance understood the philosophy of
the movement.
"Young malee inside," he cried in explanation. "We no eat egg, we get
chickee. Wait little minnit. You him see come out full featha."
Truly enough the "chicks" did come out, not as down-covered helpless
creatures, but pults in full plumage, as Saloo had predicted: at all
events, full enough to enable them to fly; for as the shells one after
another commenced crackling--burst outward by the young birds'
strength--each showed a perfect fledgling; that, springing forth from
the shivered encasement, like Jack out of his box, at once flapped its
little wings, and essayed short flights over the surface of the sand.
So much were the spectators taken by surprise, that one and all of the
new-born but completely equipped birds, would have winged their way into
the forest and been lost, had it not been for Saloo, who, accustomed to
such transformations, was in no way discomposed, but preserved his
coolness and equanimity.
Fortified by these, and armed with the boat-hook, which he had suddenly
seized, he struck down the precocious chicks one after another, and put
an end to their aspiring flights by laying them lifeless upon the sand.
In the end it was neither eggs nor omelettes, but tender, delicate
"squabs" the castaways had for their prandial repast.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN.
A GRAND TREE-CLIMBER.
The castaways having made a repast on chicks instead of eggs, as they
had been expecting, were for the time satisfied, so far as concerned
their appetites. But aware that these would ere long recommence their
craving, they could not be contented to remain inactive. It would be
necessary to procure some other kind of provisions, and, if possible, a
permanent stock on which they could rely until ready to set out on their
journey, with a surplus to carry them some way along it.
Although in Borneo there are many kinds of strange birds, and some of
them large ones, they are not to be found everywhere, and when seen, not
so easily caught or shot. There are some large quadrupeds too, as the
Indian rhinoceros, and the Sumatran tapir; and although the flesh of
these great thick-skinned animals is neither tender nor delicate, yet
men who can get no other soon find themselves in a position to relish
it, despite its toughness and its coarse texture. But neither
rhinoceros nor tapir was seen by our castaways; neither seemed to
frequent that part of the coast, as no tracks of them were observed
during their excursions. If they had fallen in with a rhinoceros, they
would have had some difficulty in killing it; seeing that this enormous
brute is as large as a small elephant, its body protected by a thick
hide embossed with hard knob-like protuberances, like those upon
shields, giving to the animal the appearance of being encased in a full
suit of ancient armour.
The Sumatran tapir, too, is a creature that does not readily succumb to
its assailant, being larger and stronger than its namesake of South
America.
There are two species of deer known in Borneo; one of them, the "rusa,"
a fine large animal.
Captain Redwood was in hopes he might meet with an individual of either
species; and with this object in view, he continued to make short
excursions into the woods, taking his rifle along with him, occasionally
accompanied by Murtagh, with the ship's musket.
But they always returned empty-handed, and a good deal down-hearted,
having seen nothing that could be converted into venison.
Saloo had again tried for eggs and shell-fish, but was unsuccessful in
his search after both; evidently there were no more depositories of
maleos' eggs, nor Singapore oysters, nor, indeed, any kind of
shell-fish, on that part of the shore. They did not again see any of
the mound-making birds--not even those they had despoiled; for it is not
the habit of the megapodes to return to their eggs, but to leave them to
be hatched under the hot sand, and the chicks to scratch their way
upward to the surface, thus taking care of themselves from the very
moment of their birth, and, indeed, we may say, before it, since it can
scarcely be said they are born before breaking through the shell; and
this they have to do for themselves, else they would never see daylight.
Talk of precocious chicks! There are none anywhere to be compared with
the megapodean pullets of the Malayan Archipelago, no birds half so
"early" as they.
For some days, after eating up the last chicken of the flock, our
castaways could get nothing to live upon but durions; and although these
formed a diet sufficiently agreeable to the palate, they were not very
strengthening. Besides, they were not so easily gathered; the few they
had found on some trees, which Saloo had conveniently climbed, being
quickly exhausted. The large durion-tree under which they had first
encamped was well furnished with fruit. But its tall stem, nearly a
hundred feet, without a branch, and with a bark smooth as that of a
sycamore, looked as if no mortal man could ascend it. Captain Redwood
had fired several rounds of his chain-shot up into it, and brought down
many of the grand spinous pericarps; but this cost an expenditure of
ammunition; and, circumstanced as they were, they saw it would never do
to waste it in such whimsical fashion. Still, for want of food, the
fruit must be obtained some way or other, and the question was how to
"pluck" it.
In their dilemma the Malay once more came to their aid. Fortunately for
all, Saloo was a native of Sumatra, and had been brought up among its
forests, much resembling those of Borneo. He was skilled in the
wood-craft common to both islands; and, perhaps, of all the crew of the
castaway ship, not one could have survived whose services would have
been of more value to Captain Redwood and his party than those of the
brown-skinned pilot;--especially since it had been their fate to be cast
upon the shores of Borneo. His companions had already experienced the
benefit to be derived from his knowledge of the country's productions,
and were beginning to consult him in almost every difficulty that
occurred. He appeared capable of accomplishing almost anything.
For all this, they were no little surprised and somewhat incredulous
when he declared his intention of climbing the great durion-tree.
Murtagh was very much inclined to deny that he could do it.
"The nigger's makin' game of us, captin," he said. "It would be as much
as a squirrel could do to speel up that tall trunk. Why, it's as smooth
as the side of a copper-bottomed ship, an' nothin' to lay howlt on.
He's jokin'."
"No jokee, Mista Multa. Saloo that tlee climb soon. You help you see."
"Oh, be aisy now! I'll help you all I can, if that'll do any good. How
do you mane to set about it?"
To this Saloo made no verbal rejoinder, but laying hold of a small axe,
that had been brought away in the boat, he walked off toward a clump of
bamboos growing near the spot where they had made their camp.
The first thing he did was to cut down five or six of the largest of
these canes, some of them being several inches in diameter, directing
Murtagh to drag them off, and deposit them close to the durion-tree.
As soon as he had felled what he deemed a sufficient number, he returned
to the spot where the Irishman had deposited them, and commenced
chopping them into pieces of about eighteen inches in length. In this
the ship-carpenter, by reason of his calling, was able to give him
efficient aid; and the ground was soon strewed with disjointed bamboos.
Each of the pieces was then split into two, and sharply pointed at one
end, so as to resemble a peg designed for being driven into the ground.
But it was not into the ground Saloo intended driving them, as will be
presently seen.
While Murtagh was engaged in splitting and sharpening the sections of
bamboo, the Malay went off once more into the woods, and soon came back
again, bearing in his arms what looked like a quantity of rough
packing-cord. The freshly-cut ends of it, however, with their greenish
colour and running sap, told it to be some species of creeping-plant--
one of the parasites, or epiphytes, that abound everywhere in the
forests of Borneo, as in those of all tropical countries, and render the
trade of the ropemaker altogether superfluous.
Throwing down his bundle of creepers, Saloo now took up one of the
pointed pegs, and, standing by the trunk of the durion, drove it into
the soft sapwood, a little above the height of his own head. The axe,
which was a light one, and had a flat hammer-shaped head, served him for
a mallet.
As soon as the first peg had been driven to the depth of several inches,
he threw aside the axe, and laid hold of the stake with both hands.
Then drawing his feet from the ground, so that all his weight came upon
the peg, he tried whether it would sustain him without yielding. It
did, and he was satisfied.
His next movement was another excursion into the forest, where he found
some bamboo stems of a slenderer kind than those already cut, but quite
as tall. Having selected three or four of these, he chopped them down,
and dragged them up to the durion. Then taking one, he set it upright
on its butt-end, parallel to the trunk of the tree, and at such a
distance from it as to strike near the outer extremity of the peg
already driven home, close to the end of which he had already cut a
couple of notches.