I do not know whether a more than usually substantial supper made us
sleep sounder than we were wont to do, but the sun had already risen
when, the next morning, I started up, hearing as I fancied some strange
noises near us. My two companions were still asleep on their bamboo
couches on either side of the hut. The noises seemed to me like human
voices. Oliver and Macco must have heard them also, for directly
afterwards they also started up, and looked about them with a somewhat
startled expression of countenance.
We sprang to the door of the hut. On opening it, we saw directly below
it a number of dark-skinned savages, almost destitute of clothing, some
of them having huge black mop heads, while others had simply thick
woolly hair. From this I knew them at once, as well as from their
strongly-marked, ferocious features, to be Papuans, or inhabitants of
New Guinea. They seemed as much surprised at seeing us as we were at
seeing them, and shouted out to us in a language we of course could not
understand. By their signs, however, we knew that they were telling us
to come down to them. This, from their unprepossessing appearance, we
were not well-disposed to do. Probably they supposed we possessed
fire-arms, and were therefore unwilling to approach nearer. They had
just landed, we knew, from seeing two long, low canoes with high stems
and sterns rudely carved and surmounted by plumes of feathers. A row of
mother-of-pearl shells apparently ornamented each side of the gunwale.
The men were armed with bows and arrows and huge clubs. Some of them
also had spears in their hands, but we saw no guns among them. This was
satisfactory. However, from their numbers we knew too well that they
could easily overpower us, if they had evil intentions.
Again they shouted to us, and we shouted in return, putting out our
hands, and making other signs to show that we desired to be friends.
They only answered by still louder shouts, some of them apparently
laughing at our appearance. They now began to approach, one party
coming up on one side, one on another, and a third in the centre. We
still held our post, hoping that they might not come to extremities. We
thought, too, that perhaps, seeing three people at the door, they might
suppose others were within, and not be aware of how far superior they
were in force to us. As they advanced they discovered our brush-turkey
pen, and, greatly to our distress, some of them instantly stooped over,
and began to seize the birds, and to fasten them by their legs round
their waists. Others rushed at the body of the kangaroo, which hung by
the legs to the branch of a tree, and immediately began cutting it up,
each man appropriating a portion.
"I hope they will be content with robbing us, and go away," said Oliver.
"I am afraid not," I answered. "They will soon find how few we are to
oppose them, and will not be content until they carry off everything we
possess, even if they do not kill us. They mean mischief, depend on
that."
The savages having searched about, and finding nothing else on which to
lay their hands, approached still nearer our hut.
"If they attack us we will sell our lives dearly," I said to Oliver.
"I am afraid we must do so," he answered. "I wish to fight for your
sake, though for myself I scarcely think I should do so."
Thinking that possibly, after all, they might go away without further
molesting us, we lifted up our ladder and shut the door. Scarcely had
we done so, than we felt the house violently shaken, and on looking out
once more I found that a number of men had got hold of the posts on
which it rested, and seemed attempting to shake it down. They shook,
and shook, and shook; but it was so strongly secured in the ground, that
their united strength could not pull it down. All the time they were
shouting and crying to each other, every now and then giving way to
hoarse laughter, which occasionally broke into shrieks of merriment.
"Bery good fun for dem, but bad for us," observed Macco, as the violent
shocks made us expect every instant to be hurled to the ground. At
length they stopped, and there was an ominous silence. We felt as
people do during the lull of a hurricane, when they know it will come
back with tenfold force. Presently we heard the savages crying out
louder than ever, and directly afterwards thin wreaths of smoke began to
ascend through the flooring. They were about, we dreaded, to burn us
out. Soon the crackling flames ascended. We had no help for it; so,
throwing open the door, we sprang to the ground. We were each of us
instantly surrounded by a number of savages. One black fellow, with a
huge head of frizzled-out hair, and a dark heavy club in his hand,
seized hold of me, and I thought he was about to dash my brains out with
his weapon. Others, in like manner caught my companions. I thought my
last moment had come, and expected every instant to see my friends
struck to the ground. No sooner had we jumped down than they began to
rake out the fire and to pull down the burning portions, though they
were only just in time to save the hut from destruction. Immediately a
number of them rushed up, and began to bring out our stores of sago and
dried mollusc, our cocoa-nuts, and other articles of food. They seemed
well pleased with their prize. These they quickly divided among
themselves.
The big man with a mop head now gave certain orders to several of his
companions, who hurried off into the wood. They soon returned with some
fine pieces of ratan, with which they immediately bound our arms behind
us, and our legs so close together, that we could with difficulty walk.
This being done, they all sat down and began to consume our provisions,
a large portion of which they quickly devoured. On seeing water in one
of our shells, they made signs to Macco to ask where we got it from, and
ordered him to lead a party to the spot. Going to their canoes, they
returned with a number of long jars and small casks, made of the thick
ends of large bamboos. The savages had apparently touched at our island
for the sake of getting food or water. Having supplied themselves with
this necessary article, they unceremoniously dragged us on board their
canoes. Oliver and I were taken to one, and poor Macco to the other.
He looked very disconsolate when he saw that he was to be separated from
us. I confess I felt very uncomfortable at the thoughts of being in
their power, for I had heard that they were not only fierce and
treacherous, but addicted to cannibalism, if they were not regular
cannibals. Still Oliver and I agreed that we would endeavour to show no
signs of fear. They seemed very well satisfied with the provisions with
which our stores had supplied them. Before shoving off, however, a
party of them again landed, and went to the cocoa-nut grove, of the
produce of which they brought back a quantity. They now, getting out
their paddles, began to glide away from the island where we had spent so
many weeks. Looking back at it, we admired the numberless beauties it
possessed--beauties which no change of season in that latitude could
possibly mar. There was one enemy, however, which might quickly scatter
destruction around. It was likely to proceed from the conical mountain
in the centre of the island. Already there appeared to be a white smoke
ascending from the summit.
"Perhaps, after all," said Oliver, "we are taken away in time to be
saved from destruction. See, our captors are watching the top of the
mountain; they too seem to think that something is likely to happen.
Let us be thankful, then, that we have been removed in time; for had the
mountain burst forth while we were on the island, we could not possibly
have escaped, if the lava or ashes had come down on our side of it."
While he was speaking I was looking towards the mountain. Instead of
the volumes of smoke which had hitherto been issuing forth, there
spouted out a bright sheet of flame, which, expanding as it rose towards
the sky, spread around like a vast fan, arching over and forming a
canopy of fire above the island. Thus for an instant it hung suspended,
threatening destruction to the smiling landscape below it. At the same
moment sounds like the loudest peals of rolling thunder rent the air,
almost deafening us with their roar. Even our captors, not unaccustomed
to such a spectacle, stood aghast, clutching each other's arms, and
gazing with horror-stricken countenances at the mountain. "See, see!"
cried Oliver; "how mercifully we have been preserved!"
Indeed we had; for down the mountain's side, half covering it, flowed a
river of burning liquid, setting fire to the trees and shrubs, the
conflagration spreading far and wide, fanned by the breeze among the
easily ignited timber, while from the sky above there rained down dense
showers of glowing stones and hot cinders, till the late green island
became enveloped in flame, amid which the tall palms waved to and fro,
as if struggling to escape from impending destruction. At the same
time, a shower of fine ashes began to fall on our heads. Thicker and
thicker they came, obscuring the atmosphere, till we could merely
distinguish the pyramid of fire with its fanlike summit, and the wide
circle of leaping flames which raged around it. In a short time the
canoe was thickly covered with ashes, which penetrated also through our
clothes, and filled our ears and nostrils, making even breathing
painful. The savages at length aroused themselves, and seizing their
paddles, began with desperate strokes to urge their canoe away from the
ill-fated island.
"O Walter, let us return thanks to our merciful Father in Heaven, that
what we thought so great a misfortune has been the means of our
preservation," said Oliver; "and never let us mistrust the kind
providence with which he watches over us."
We knelt down in the bottom of the canoe, and I joined Oliver in the
prayer he offered up, the savages looking at us with surprise, unable
probably to comprehend in the remotest degree what we were about.
I should say that some time had been spent after the events I have
briefly described had taken place. We had got to a distance from the
burning island, and were once more in safety. Having become very
hungry, we made signs to our captors that we should like to have some
food. With a careless air they handed us some lumps of our own sago,
and some pieces of cocoa-nut. We were compelled to take it, uncooked as
it was; for though we showed by signs that we should like to have some
bread made of it, they laughed at our request, and seemed to tell us
that it was good enough for such white-skinned slaves as we were.
These New Guinea men had apparently been on a voyage to the northward,
and were returning to their native land, which lay, we judged, somewhere
to the south. We ate our hard sago-cake, which we could scarcely have
got down without the aid of the cocoa-nut. We again made signs that we
should like an entire cocoa-nut, that we might drink the juice. They
pointed in return to the water alongside, and mockingly, by signs,
intimated that we might drink that. In vain we entreated that they
would give us some fresh water or a cocoa-nut. Our distress seemed to
amuse them amazingly; for both, the chief and his men indulged in most
uproarious shouts of laughter, rolling about as if they were thoroughly
tipsy. At length, however, when they had amused themselves sufficiently
at our expense, one of them threw a cocoa-nut, which hit Oliver on the
head. He could not help exhibiting some signs of suffering, which made
them again burst into fits of laughter; indeed, they appeared to be the
merriest fellows, though savage in their merriment, that I had ever met
with. The juice, however, which we got from the cocoa-nut, Oliver
declared, made ample amends for the treatment we had received.
"I do not think they can intend to kill and eat us," he observed, "or
they would feed us better than they are doing. We must see how we can
best win their good graces. If we could but do something to prove that
we would be useful to them, we might obtain better treatment."
"Very true," I answered; "I will do my best to help you, if you can
think of anything."
We could distinguish Macco sitting near the stern of the other canoe by
the different shape of his head, as well as by the seaman's woollen
shirt he wore. He seemed to be sitting quietly, as if listening to the
conversation of those around him. However, it was not likely that he
could comprehend anything of their language. Hour after hour the
savages paddled on, till at length we approached some rocky islets,
towards which they steered. Here they landed, and lighting a fire,
rudely cooked the remainder of our kangaroo. Not till we petitioned
very hard did they condescend to give us any portion of it. At length,
however, they made signs that we might cut off what flesh we required,
and we eagerly took advantage of the permission they granted. At the
same time, finding a bamboo cask of water at hand, we soon drained its
contents, and afterwards felt very much refreshed. The meal over, they
again took to their canoes, and continued their voyage. How they could
manage to cook their food on a long voyage, I could not discover.
Oliver suggested that they perhaps lived on those occasions on cold
provisions; indeed, their sago-cakes would provide them with sufficient
food, if they ever did make long voyages, which, however, I suspected
they did not.
At length, however, we got close in with the coast, which we took to be
that of New Guinea. On either side, as far as the eye could reach, it
was covered with tall forest trees and dense brushwood. They were
considerably taller than those on our island--some of the most lofty
being draped with festoons of the creeping ratans, which gave them a
peculiarly graceful appearance. The sands, unlike many of those of the
volcanic islands we had passed, were white and glittering, and the water
of the most transparent nature, so that, looking over the side, we could
see far down into the depths of the ocean. In the distant interior rose
up ranges of lofty mountains, appearing one beyond another, and
extending, till lost to view by distance, both to the north and south.
Altogether the country appeared magnificent in the extreme. Under other
circumstances I should have been delighted to visit it; but the idea of
having to live among such fierce-looking savages was terrible,
especially when we could not help thinking that if they did not kill and
eat us, they would at all events make us labour as slaves.
Our captors, instead of landing, continued to proceed towards the south.
As night approached, they ran into a little sandy bay, where, hauling
up their canoes, which, notwithstanding their large size, were very
light, they all assembled on shore. We were now on that mysterious
coast of New Guinea. Macco was allowed to come near us. I asked him
whether he thought we could manage to run away while our captors were
asleep.
"Dey run faster dan we," he answered, "and if dey catchy dey kill, and
if dey kill dey eat. No, no, Massa Walter; we stay and try and make
friends. I tell dem big ship come soon and bring cloth, and knives, and
hatchets, and all sorts of good t'ings for dem, if dey no hurt us."
How Macco had contrived to explain this I could not understand, but he
seemed very confident that they had comprehended him. Some of the
party, armed with bows and arrows, started away into the woods, while
the others collected sticks and lighted a fire. The hunters soon
returned, bringing with them a tree kangaroo and a cuscus, with several
large bats. The latter creatures I had seen before, and heard them
called flying-foxes. They were very ugly, and one of them; which I took
up had a rank, powerful, foxy odour. One of the natives who saw me
thought I was going to eat it raw, I suppose, for he shouted out, and I
quickly dropped it. They immediately set to work to skin these
creatures, and cutting them up, roasted them on sticks before the fire.
Some rough sago, which they baked on the embers, was also produced.
We sat apart from them, and they commenced their feast without intending
apparently to give us any. Macco, however, after waiting a few minutes,
observed, "Dis no do;" and getting up, approached the savage-looking
group. Pointing to his mouth, he quietly stooped down, and was carrying
off one of the bats.
"No, no," I shouted; "bring us a piece of kangaroo or the other animal."
The savages looked somewhat astonished at his audacity, but yet no one
prevented him. Throwing down the half-roasted bat, he placed several
pieces of the other meat on leaves, which served them as plates, and
came back to us with them in triumph. He then returned for some sago.
With this food we made a tolerably hearty meal, and certainly felt our
spirits a little the better for it. The savages then, again going into
the thicket, brought out a number of bamboos, with some tall ferns, with
which they constructed some rude huts, sufficient to hold all the party.
We, imitating their example, did the same, and commending ourselves to
Him who had hitherto so mercifully watched over us, lay down to sleep.
By dawn the next morning the savages were on foot, and having consumed
the remains of their supper, began to shove off their boats. Macco
managed to get hold of a little more sago and meat, with which we made a
scanty breakfast. We were in hopes that they were going to leave us
behind, but they had no such intentions; and as soon as the boats were
in the water, their mop-headed chief made signs to us to go on board--an
order we obeyed with as good a grace as we could command. The canoes
paddled on the whole of the next day, the coast scenery being very
similar to what we had previously passed. Towards evening we entered a
large bay completely sheltered from the sea. On one side of it, towards
which they directed their course, we came in sight of what appeared to
be a village built out on the water.
Their dwellings, if such they were, were curious, dilapidated edifices.
They stood on platforms supported by posts, placed apparently without
any attempt at regularity. Many of the posts were twisted and crooked,
and looked as if they were tumbling down. The houses were very low, the
roofs being in the shape of boats turned bottom upwards. They were
connected with the land by long rude bridges, which seemed as if they
could scarcely support the weight of a person going over them. As we
drew nearer, we saw that the fronts of these dwellings were ornamented
with rude carving, sometimes of the human figure, such as the grossest
savages alone could wish to exhibit. Under the roofs of the houses were
hung as decorations rows of human skulls; trophies, we concluded, of
their combats with neighbouring tribes.
The canoes were received with loud shouts from the inhabitants of the
village, who came out on the platforms to welcome them, lowering down
some roughly made ladders to enable them to ascend. Alongside the
platforms were a number of canoes of various sizes, some capable only of
containing one person, with outriggers to prevent them going over. Our
captors made a sign to us to follow them, and we now had to stand in a
row and be inspected by their friends. We were arranged on the
platform, for the houses were far too low to allow of our standing
upright in them.
Fierce as the savages looked, they were most of them remarkably fine
men, tall and athletic. The women, however, except a few who appeared
to be very young, were most unattractive. Their features were
strongly-marked, and their dress coarse and disgusting. It consisted of
stripes of palm-leaves, worn tightly round the body, and reaching to the
knees, and dirty in the extreme. Their hair, frizzled-out, was tied in
a huge bunch at the back of the head. We saw them, while they were
talking and looking at us, forking it out with large wooden forks,
having four or five prongs: indeed, an ordinary comb would have been of
little service in such a mass of cranial vegetation. The women wore
ear-rings and necklaces arranged in a variety of ways. Some of them had
two necklaces, made of white beads or kangaroo teeth, which looked well
on their dark glossy skins. The ear-rings were composed of thick silver
or copper wire, in hoops, the ends crossing each other. Some of them
had the ends of their necklaces attached to their ear-rings, and then
looped up to the chignon behind, which had a very elegant appearance, if
anything could look elegant on such unprepossessing dames.
The men had a far greater number of ornaments than the women, most of
them composed of the teeth of small animals. They had finger-rings as
well as necklaces and ear-rings, and also bracelets. Some, too, wore
bands round the arm, just beneath the shoulder, with bunches of
bright-coloured feathers or hair attached to them. Others, also, wore
anklets and bands, made of shell or brass-wire, below the knee. All the
chiefs, and those who wished to be exquisites, carried a huge forked
comb, which they continually employed in passing through their hair,
much as I have seen people with large whiskers keep pulling at them when
they had nothing better to do.
We only hoped that our captors had formed a better opinion of us than we
had of them. They appeared undecided what to do with us. At last,
however, the chief, whom we called Frizzlepate, made us a sign to enter
one of the houses, and pointed to a little box-like room, into which we
could just manage to creep. The partition walls of the house were
formed of a sort of thatch, and the only articles of furniture we saw
within were rude wooden plates and basins, with one or two metal
cooking-vessels apparently, and a number of baskets and mats. Their
weapons were spears, bows, and clubs. The mats were evidently used for
sleeping on. They were made of the broad leaves of the pandanus, sewn
together, with their usual neatness, in three layers. One end is
sewn-up, so that when used for sleeping it forms a kind of sack, serving
at the same time for mattress and coverlid. We saw them also used in
rainy weather, worn over the head, the sewn-up end being uppermost,
serving thus the purpose of umbrella and greatcoat. Most of the men
wore in their belts a chopping-knife and axe. Some of them had besides
smaller knives, and a skin pouch, with a bamboo case, containing
betel-root, tobacco, and lime. The mats, however, were certainly the
most useful articles in their possession. They could be folded up in a
very small space for travelling, both as a protection from rain and as
bedding at night: indeed, they were equal in most respects to the
Mackintosh rugs used by our officers in campaigning.
We were expecting to go supperless to our cramped-up bed, when a woman,
with a more pleasing expression of countenance than most of those we had
seen, came to our room with a basket containing some plantains and yams,
with a few cooked fish. She signed to us to take the contents and give
her back the basket, with which she immediately disappeared. Anxiety
for the future would have kept us awake, had not our ears been assailed
by the loud chattering and laughter of the natives in the hut in which
we were located, as well as in those around us. Even in that small hut
there must have been a dozen or twenty people, which was not surprising,
if they were contented with the small space they had awarded us.