A REMARKABLE GATHERING.
Refreshed by the profound slumber, and his mind fully occupied with
thoughts called forth by the discovery of the skeleton, Philip continued
straight on, knowing not where he was going until nightfall. So intent
was he on this subject that he felt no fatigue, but traveled like one in
a dream through the forest, which was partially illumined by the moon;
and not until this pale, cold light underwent a most complete change did
he fully realize what was passing around him.
The diminution of light, the gray, reddish mist which arose on the air,
came from no natural cause, and Philip instinctively climbed a tree to
gain, if possible, a more extended view.
To his great joy, from this point of vantage he could see flames on the
further side of the island. Fire betokened the presence of human beings,
and with a glad cry Philip descended from the tree to press forward at
full speed.
The conflagration, however, was much further away than he at first
supposed. An hour passed, and yet he had not approached near enough to
discern it through the thicket. Several times, while following the
depressions of the land, his range of vision was so obscured that it
became necessary to again climb a tree to make certain he was pursuing
the proper direction, and after four hours had elapsed the guiding light
died away entirely.
He was now without any means of shaping a course, and, knowing full
well the folly of traveling at random in a forest during the night when
objects are distorted by the gloom, he came to a halt.
While groping around to find a suitable place in which to sleep, he
discovered, to his great surprise, that the trees no longer grew at
irregular intervals, but were standing in straight rows, as if planted
by the hand of man. The soil had every appearance of having been tilled;
instead of walking on a springy turf, or over the decaying leaves of the
jungle, his feet sunk in the loam. The foliage no longer presented such
a variety of plants, but was all of the same species and covered thickly
with fruit.
Plucking one from a branch that bent down within reach he discovered that
it was a guava, produced by a regular system of culture. There was an
absence of harshness which characterizes this fruit in its natural state,
and the discovery was further proof to him that human beings dwelt upon
the island.
After a light repast of the pleasant-flavored but ill-smelling apple he
lay down to rest, and did not awaken until a terrific uproar, similar to
that which so startled his disagreeable companions the first day of his
arrival at the island, rang out on the clear air.
The din, indistinct at first, assumed the various gradations belonging to
the voices of wild animals—from the tiger’s snarl and the howling of the
hyena to the most piercing shrieks and shrillest whistles.
It was but natural that Philip should feel thoroughly alarmed, and make
every effort to seek refuge from this new danger which seemed close at
hand. Running forward he followed, without absolutely intending to do so,
the line of cultivated trees, and at the further end, in what appeared to
be a vast thicket, he crouched, waiting until the sun should reveal the
denizens of the jungle.
The day, which in the tropics does not steal on by degrees but bursts
forth in a sudden glory, filled the forest with dazzling light, and
through the numerous openings in the foliage Philip beheld that which
might seem to be improbable but for the fact that it can be supported by
the testimony of one of the most celebrated German naturalists.
In a vast cleared space which formed a natural arena was a group of
individuals partially clad in uniforms such as are worn by many of our
merchant-sailors, who believe that a distinctive dress on shipboard is
conducive to discipline.
The members of this gathering were seated on a slight elevation
apparently in grave deliberation, as if holding a sort of court-martial,
while among them was one who towered above the others, with a cap on
which were three bands of gold-lace, and a coat plentifully bedecked with
the same material.
It was not the uniforms nor the positions of these individuals which
surprised Philip. The cause of his profound astonishment, amounting
almost to bewilderment, was the fact that the entire assembly was
composed of apes, and the one in authority wore a uniform identical with
that which Philip had seen on Captain Seaworth the day when he and his
officers made the purchases at the animal-trainer’s establishment.
Composing this court—if such it can be called—and ranged about the
leader in circles, were all species of the monkey-tribe, or, to speak
more correctly, the ferocious members of that large family. Each one
was clad in some portion of a uniform, but none save the leader boasted
of an entire suit. Two or three had nothing more than caps; others wore
trousers, and several displayed partial suits of underclothing. One
ape was the proud possessor of a blue coat; another carried a saber
with the belt around his neck, while a number had the weapons minus
belts. Two or three were fortunate only in having gloves, which were as
often on their feet as their hands. Some had coats on hind-side before
without any attempt at buttoning them, and not a few were decorated with
bright-colored ribbons. Philip also noticed half a dozen who had portions
of female wearing apparel, such as dresses or capes.
The majority of the party were armed with some kind of a weapon, either
saber, boarding-pike, or capstan-bar.
Philip hardly completed his inspection of this singular-looking assembly
when he who appeared to be the leader began what was evidently a speech
lasting four or five minutes, and listened to with the utmost gravity by
all.
When he had concluded, half a dozen of those nearest him marched solemnly
into the thicket opposite Philip’s hiding-place, and returned with twenty
of the most inoffensive of the monkey-tribe, known as vervets, all of
whom were securely bound with ropes made from bark.
These were arraigned before the leader like so many criminals, and he
addressed them with a succession of harsh, guttural cries until the poor
creatures vainly tried to escape from the awful presence, but only to be
dragged back by their captors, who belabored them with bamboo sticks.
During fully a quarter of an hour this scene was continued, and then, as
if at a signal from the leader, a squad of huge apes, each of whom was
armed with a long stick, began flogging the prisoners unmercifully.
It was possible for Philip to hear the blows even though so far away,
and the unfortunate vervets gave vent to the most plaintive cries, which
sounded very much like appeals for mercy.
The executioners—for such they appeared to be—continued the punishment
until seemingly wearied with their cruel exertions, and then, unloosing
their bonds, drove the culprits from among them into the depths of the
forest.
No sooner was this done than the entire assembly crowded around the
leader, stroking his back, licking his hands, fawning at his feet, and in
every possible way showing the utmost respect mingled with fear.
When the big ape had received sufficient adulation to satisfy him he
waved his hand by way of signal for his followers to desist, and then,
arising majestically, started toward what was evidently a continuation of
the clearing, followed by his adherents.
If Philip’s surprise at this strange proceeding had been great, one can
imagine how much it was intensified when he recognized in this pompous
leader none other than the gigantic Goliah whom he had once owned and
sold to Captain Seaworth!