As I sat in the cavern by the side of the dying pirate, his voice grew
fainter and fainter, and his strength was evidently ebbing fast away. I
observed that while he was speaking, his hand grasped a letter, well
worn and crumpled.
"Ah that I had followed her advice, that I had listened to her
entreaties, I should not have been brought to this pass!" he muttered to
himself.
The letter was from his mother. For many years he had preserved it, and
at his last moments it was not forgotten. I promised to write to her,
and to tell her that he had died repentant. It is not, I hope,
presumptuous in me to suppose, that it might have been owing to his
kindness to Eva, to his one redeeming virtue, that he was allowed thus
to die with one who could speak to him on matters of religion; or,
perchance, a mother's earnest prayers might have been heard at the
throne of grace. So earnestly was I talking, that I did not observe the
change which had come over the heavens. Suddenly, to my surprise and
horror, the pirate sat bolt upright--his hair stood on end--his eyeballs
rolled terrifically--his hand pointed towards the ocean.
"I knew it! I knew it! They come! they come!" he exclaimed, in a
hollow voice, trembling with fear. "Such as I could not die like other
men. Oh! mercy! mercy!"
Dark rolling clouds in fantastic forms came rushing over the sky. His
voice was drowned in the loud roar of the tempest as it swept over the
rocks. One shriek of agony alone was heard joining with the wailing of
the fierce blast, and the wretched being by my side fell back upon his
rude couch a livid corpse.
It was long ere I could erase from my memory the agonised expression of
his countenance, as I beheld it when I attempted to draw the lids over
his starting eyeballs. The storm was as furious as it was sudden.
Thunder in rattling peals rolled through the sky; vivid lightning darted
from the clouds; and rain in deluges came down, and drove me for shelter
to the farthermost corner of the cavern. I could just distinguish my
schooner through the sheet of water which was falling before me. The
squall struck her; she heeled over to it, and for an instant I feared
she would never have risen again but answering her helm she paid off,
and away she flew before the gale. When I looked again, she had run far
out of sight, under bare poles. My position was very disagreeable; but
as there were food and water in the island, it might have been much
worse. My chief concern was for Prior, Fairburn, and the boat's crew.
There had been plenty of time for them to get on board; but I questioned
whether they had remained there, or endeavoured to return on shore
before the gale came on. It suddenly occurred to me that they might
have made the attempt, and that the boat might have been wrecked. No
sooner did I think this, than, in spite of the rain, I started up and
rushed down the rock towards the place where we had landed. I looked
around on every side. There was no sign of the boat; but the wild waves
were lashing the rocks with relentless fury, throwing up masses of foam
to the topmost branches of the loftiest trees. To satisfy myself more
thoroughly, I walked completely round the island; no boat, nor even a
fragment, was to be seen; and at length I endeavoured to find the path
to the cavern. I had some difficulty in discovering it, as it was now
growing rapidly dark, the obscurity being increased by the dark masses
of cloud floating in the sky. I fortunately found some plantains, which
I plucked, as also a cocoa-nut; and with these in my hand I retraced my
way back to the cavern. I would have selected any place to rest in
rather than the one where the dead pirate lay; but I knew of no other
where I could obtain shelter, and I did not like to turn the body out to
be exposed to the tempest. He had collected a store of wood, and as I
had my rifle with me, I easily kindled a fire. I was anxious to have a
fire to dry my clothes, which were thoroughly drenched by the rain and
exposure to the spray. This operation being performed, I began to feel
the pangs of hunger; but as I had had but little practical experience of
cookery, I was rather puzzled to know how to dress my plantains. I
tried one under the ashes, but I burnt it to a cinder, and was obliged
to stay my appetite by munching a piece of cocoa-nut, while I was making
a fresh attempt.
I had a knife in my pocket, and by means of it I formed a toasting-fork
out of a thin branch of a shrub, with which I more carefully roasted
another plantain, very much to my satisfaction. It would doubtless have
been better dressed in a more scientific way; but I was too hungry to be
particular. The cocoa-nut served me as dessert; and the spring and some
limes afforded me a most delicious and cooling draught. When my hunger
was appeased, the strangeness of the scene, and the recollection of my
own somewhat critical position, presented themselves to me with greater
force than before. Unless, however, some accident had happened to the
schooner, I felt very sure that she would return as soon as possible to
my rescue.
The present, therefore, most oppressed me. I had no superstition; but
yet I was not altogether free from a natural repugnance to being left
with the dead pirate during the darkness of the night, while the storm
was raging so furiously around. To sleep, I found, was impossible; so I
sat up by the side of my fire, husbanding the wood with the greatest
care, lest it should not last me till morning. Now and then a blast
more furious than ordinary would come and almost sweep the fire out of
the cavern.
In the intervals of the rain, while the lightning illuminated the dark
abyss below my feet, I looked out to see if a glimpse could be caught of
the schooner, as I pictured her trying to beat up to my rescue; but had
I considered, I should have known that it would have been impossible for
her so to do.
I had thrown a cloak I found over the body of the pirate, which I had
drawn to the side of the cavern farthest from me; and as the flames cast
their fitful light on it, I fancied that I saw the limbs moving. I
watched--I was certain that they moved again.
"Can it be possible that he is not dead?" I thought. "Perhaps he is in
a swoon, brought on by agitation and excessive weakness." Taking a
brand from the fire, I approached the body, and lifted the cloak from
his face. The features remained fixed and rigid as before. The stamp
of death was there. My fancy had deceived me. Replacing the cloak, I
returned to my seat by the fire. Never has a night appeared so long.
At last my fuel was almost exhausted, and my watch told me that it
wanted some time to sunrise. The storm had in no degree abated. I had
scraped the leaves together, which had formed the pirate's bed, and I
kept adding a few at a time to the fire. Whether the smoke they caused
had any effect on me, I know not; but by degrees forgetfulness stole
over me, and I sunk into a sound slumber. When I awoke, the storm had
passed away, and the sun was shining brightly on the blue waters beneath
me. Arousing myself completely, I offered up my morning prayers to
Heaven, and then hurried out to take a survey around the island, in the
hopes of discovering the _Fraulein_ in the distance. I first looked to
the south. She was not to be seen. I then climbed to the highest
point, where the flag-staff was placed, when what was my surprise and no
little dismay to see below me a fleet of prahus, which, from their size
and the appearance of those on board them, I knew must belong to one of
the neighbouring piratical communities! The cause of their presence was
explained, when I observed that several of them had been driven on shore
on the weather side of the island, the remainder having taken shelter to
leeward of it. The wind which had blown the _Fraulein_ off the coast,
had, to my misfortune, blown them on it. I consoled myself with the
hope that they might soon take their departure, and that I should have
simply to undergo the inconvenience of lying hid in the cavern, and was
about to hurry away from my conspicuous situation, when, to my dismay, I
saw, from the gestures of some of those on the shore below, that I was
perceived. Still I thought that I might reach the cavern before any of
them could get up the hill, and that, should they possibly not take much
trouble in searching for me, I might still escape discovery. I
therefore hurriedly descended to it, and sat myself down in the most
retired part to wait events. My rifle was by my side. I loaded it, and
considered whether I should try and defend the post, should they appear
to be hostile. I seldom missed my aim; and I felt that I could keep a
number at bay, if I posted myself at the angle of the rock, where I
could command a pathway, up which not more than one person at a time
could proceed.
There was, however, unfortunately no spot whence I could watch them to
judge of their disposition without being perceived. I therefore must be
the aggressor against people who might not desire to injure me. At all
events, I must sacrifice a good many lives, and should probably be
overpowered in the end. Of course I could have no scruple about
defending my life or my liberty; but I could not tell that the strangers
wished to deprive me of either one or the other. While I was still
undecided, I heard the voices of the Malays, shouting to each other as
they climbed the hill in search of me.
As I had so easily discovered the cavern, so probably would they.
"Come," I thought, "I will not be taken like a rat in a hole, crouching
up here in the corner. They will think that I am afraid and despise me.
That must not be." So, starting with my rifle carefully loaded, I went
to the angle, whence I could observe them. As I stood listening, I
judged by the sound of their voices that they were drawing near, and had
probably already discovered the pathway to my place of concealment.
Stepping out, therefore, with my rifle grasped in my left hand, ready to
fire if necessary, I presented myself full in front of them. There were
some twenty or thirty fellows; and savage-looking warriors they
appeared, with head-dresses of feathers, and skins of wild animals on
their shoulders, while they held their krisses in their hands ready to
strike. I saw, from their active movements as they sprang up the rocks,
that I should not have the slightest chance with them if we came to
blows, and yet they did not seem like people with whom there was much
chance of keeping on peaceable terms, if one happened to be the weakest
party. I fortunately had a white handkerchief in my pocket; and on the
instant I thought I would try what effect exhibiting a flag of truce
would have. As soon as they saw the rifle, they stopped and held a
consultation, evidently well knowing its powers of mischief. Probably
they supposed that there might be several others behind it ready to pick
them off as they advanced. When, however, they saw me holding out the
handkerchief in my right hand, they suspected that I was not inclined
for war, and their confidence immediately returning, they once more
advanced towards me. I again presented my rifle and they halted. Their
leader suspected that he should have a bullet sent through him, so he
kept back the rest, who, not anticipating such a reception for
themselves, were more induced to push on.
My readers will believe that I had good reason for my apprehensions,
when I describe the fierce group winding up the pathway and scattered
about the more distant rocks before me, where they had climbed when the
front ranks came to a halt. Some I judged by their dress and features
to be Malays; others were evidently Dyaks, or some of the native tribes
of Borneo. The leader was a Malay apparently. He had on his head a
turban of gay-coloured cloth, richly embroidered, twisted round a helmet
of ancient form; his breast was guarded by a coat of plate armour, and
the scabbard of his sword hung to a gold band across his shoulders. On
his back he wore a scarlet coat, while a shawl, also embroidered, was
fastened loosely round his waist, below which again appeared a sort of
kilt, and loose trousers. His sword was ready in one hand and a spear
in the other, so that he promised to be a formidable opponent at close
quarters. But behind him came another, whose appearance was far more
terrific, and whom I guessed was of the Dyak race, probably a chief
among them.
Strange as it may seem, I was well able to observe him. On his head he
wore a sort of crown or cap, of large size, made of monkey's skins,
trimmed with feathers, and surmounted by two very long feathers of the
Argus pheasant, hanging out on either side. From each of his ears were
pendant two large rings of tin or lead, which weighed the lobes almost
down to his shoulders, while the upper part of the ear had a tiger's
tooth passed through it. He had on a long jacket of scarlet cloth,
trimmed with yellow, and thickly padded to serve as armour; and a cloak
of tiger's skin thrown over his shoulders, with the head of the animal
hanging behind. A thick cloth girded his loins, and hung down before
and behind like the tail of a coat, while into it was stuck his parang
or broad-pointed sword. A spear was grasped in his left arm, which bore
a long shield made of hard wood, and curved round, barely of width to
cover the body at once; and in his right was his sumpitan or tube to
blow out poisoned arrows, one of which he had ready to discharge at me,
his followers imitating his very disagreeable example. His legs and
feet were entirely bare. The handle of his sword, as also his quiver,
were profusely ornamented with tufts of hair, which added to the
wildness of his general appearance; indeed, altogether my assailants
were as savage a band of warriors as a single man would wish to
encounter.
As yet they were too far-off to send their arrows at me: at the same
time, there was little chance of my rifle missing one of them; but then,
had I fired, before I could again have loaded, the rest would have
rushed on, and cut me down. I therefore, as my only resource, resolved
to try what would be the effect of showing confidence in them.
Accordingly I placed my rifle against the rock, and waving my
handkerchief, advanced towards them. I own that my heart was beating
tolerably quickly all the time, but I tried to look as brave as a lion.
When they saw that I had laid aside my weapon, for which I had reason to
suspect they thought me a great simpleton, their own courage returned,
and then rushing forward, I was soon surrounded by their motley band,
each man amusing himself, very much to his satisfaction though very
little to mine, by thrusting the point of his sword or spear-head at me,
to try whether I could bear the prick without flinching. As it would
not now have done to have shown any signs of fear, I took no notice of
their insults, and looked around with an air as unconcerned as I could
assume.
I fear that I did not act my part sufficiently well to command their
respect, for the chief seized my handkerchief, and putting it into his
belt, proved that he had no respect for flags of truce; another got hold
of my rifle, and, on examining the lock, pulled the trigger, and very
nearly shot one of his companions. One then took off my jacket, and one
appropriated my hat, not withstanding my significant entreaties to be
allowed to retain it; indeed, I soon found that I had little chance of
being treated with any ceremony.
Some had gone into the cavern, where they discovered the dead body of
the pirate. Immediately they stripped it of its clothes, and hurled it
over the precipice, to become a prey to the fowls of the air; so that I
was unable, as I wished, to have bestowed burial on one who, miscreant
as he might have been called, had, at all events, been the protector of
my little sister.
When, on further examination, they found nothing else to carry off, they
dragged me down to the shore, off which several of their prahus were
lying at anchor. The rest of the people were busily engaged in
collecting everything that was valuable from the wrecks of those which
had been driven on shore; and I very soon found that, though they might
spare my life, I was to be treated, not only as a prisoner, but as a
slave; for a fellow having collected a load, without ceremony placed it
on my back, and, giving me a poke with his spear, made a sign to me to
carry it to a canoe floating close to the beach. The rest laughed, and
seemed to think it a good joke. I tried hard to keep up my temper and
courage; so, as soon as I had deposited the load in the canoe, I came
back, and assiduously began to collect another, which in like manner I
carried to the canoe. When, however, I had collected a third, rather
heavier than the rest, seeing a fellow passing me without one, I very
quietly placed it on his back, and giving him a shove, pointed to the
canoe, as his countryman had done when he put the load on me. This
seemed to tickle the fancies of the rest, and they all laughed
immoderately, except the one on whom I had played the trick, and he
immediately threw the burden down. On this I pretended to fancy that he
was too weak to carry it, and making signs as if I commiserated him, I
took it up and bore it off to the boat. By this sort of behaviour I
believe that I gained considerably the good opinion of my captors, if I
did not by it save my life. Had I been weak or obstinate, they might
have killed me, as of no use to them; but from my willingness to work,
they judged that I should make a useful slave, and valued me
accordingly. Having collected all they wanted from the wrecks, and laid
in a store of fruit and water, they began to go on board the prahus. I
resolved to make an attempt to preserve my liberty, and putting out my
hand, tried to shake hands with them and to bid them farewell, as if I
expected to remain on the island. Alas! I speedily discovered that
they had no intention to let me off. I endeavoured to explain that I
had friends who would return and look for me, and would be grievously
disappointed at not finding me. They probably did not understand my
explanations; at all events they totally disregarded them, and the
spears which were pointed at me convinced me that I had no resource but
to step into the canoe towards which I was thus unpleasantly conducted.
We were soon on board one of the prahus, which, I learned, belonged to
the chief who had captured me, and I was given to understand that I was
his especial property. My rifle was given to the leader of the
expedition, as a more valuable perquisite. I am not quite certain
whether my jacket or I ranked next in consideration. I suspect that we
were considered of about equal value. The prahu on which I was on board
differed but little from those which composed the fleet by which it had
been my chance before to be captured. The chief cabin extended farther
forward, and was less substantially built; and the whole vessel was
longer, and much more decorated with paint and carving. I was placed
under the fighting deck among a quantity of booty, of which I found they
had been pillaging some of the neighbouring islands. Fortunately there
were plenty of slaves to work the oars, so that I was saved from a task
which would have knocked me up completely. The wind being contrary, the
oars were got out, and we pulled away to the northward. At first we
proceeded at a moderate speed, but I then observed some little commotion
on board, and the officers went round with thongs in their hands to urge
the slaves to fresh exertions. As we cleared the island, and I managed
to creep up so as to get a look astern, I discovered the cause. In the
far distance was my own little craft, the _Fraulein_, beating up under
all sail towards the island. I was certain it was she, and it was a
satisfaction to know that she had escaped shipwreck in the gale; but it
was indeed doubly tantalising to me to see my friends so near and unable
to help me. What a change had a few short hours wrought in my
circumstances! Yesterday I was on board my own vessel, with every one
anxious to serve me; now I was a slave, surrounded by savages, who,
without provocation, might any moment put an end to my existence. I
remembered, however, the advice I have so often repeated. I resolved to
keep up my spirits, and to make every exertion to escape, trusting that
He who had hitherto been my Guardian would think fit still to preserve
me. I watched the _Fraulein_ anxiously; she had not yet reached the
island to discover that I was no longer on it.
We had almost sunk the island when I saw her topgallant-sails come
abreast of it. For some time they remained stationary, and then I saw
her evidently standing after us. She pursued us under all sail, but we
were pulling into the wind's eye, and had the advantage of her. At
length the shades of evening shut her out from my view.