It was amusing to see the two naturalists eagerly examining the nautilus
when we brought it in.
"Walter, you have rendered science an important service!" exclaimed Mr
Hooker. "So difficult is this creature to be obtained, that I know of
one only that has ever been brought to England, now preserved in the
Royal College of Surgeons."
Immediately a jar of arrack, which my uncle had brewed for the sake of
preserving his specimens--certainly not for drinking--was produced, and
the nautilus was carefully embalmed within it.
"If you can obtain another, which we can dissect, you will have rendered
Mr Hooker and me the greatest possible service," he exclaimed
enthusiastically. "Us, did I say!--the whole scientific world at large.
You will deserve to become a member of all the societies of Europe--the
most honourable distinction which a man of any age might desire to
obtain."
Of course we undertook to manufacture a further number of fish-pots, and
to place them out in deep water, where we might have a chance of
catching another of these creatures. We measured the hole they would
require for entering, and discovered that out of the number we had made,
the one which had caught the nautilus was the only one with a hole
sufficiently large to allow it to enter.
"But surely, uncle, the nautilus has sails by which it glides over the
water," said Emily, as she was examining the creature.
"In the imagination of the poets only, my niece," he answered. "The
shells often float from their excessive lightness, in consequence of the
air contained in certain chambers within them. It is then often swept
away by wind or tide to some neighbouring shore. Thus large numbers of
the shells are found thrown up on the beach. The animal, however, when
alive, floats occasionally with its shell on the surface; but I doubt
much whether it has any power of locomotion beyond that which the wind
or current gives it."
"How disappointing!" exclaimed Emily and Grace together. "We always
thought that it had tiny sails, which it spread to the breeze; and
pictured it to ourselves skimming on the calm surface, and delighting in
its freedom and rapidity of movement."
"There is, no doubt, an abundance of wonders in Nature, young ladies,"
said Mr Hooker, "but a more intimate acquaintance with the habits of
animals will often dispel some of the common ideas which have been
connected with them, albeit in many instances held for centuries. For
instance, till within a very late period people believed that the
upas-tree, which grows in Java, possessed such noxious qualities that it
destroyed all vegetable life in the neighbourhood. The sap is,
undoubtedly, a poison; but I believe people may sleep under its boughs
without receiving the slightest injury, though perhaps, were any of the
sap to fall from the tree and to enter a wound, it would prove fatal.
Once upon a time people believed that the barnacles which are found
attached to ships' bottoms, or pieces of timber long floating on the
ocean, turned into geese, and the barnacle-goose was so called because
it was supposed to have its origin in that common mollusc, the
barnacle."
Mr Thudicumb had more than once to suggest to the two enthusiastic
naturalists that we should lose no further time in commencing the
building of our vessel, for although we had no great reason to complain
of our position, yet the mate was anxious to let his friends know that
he was safe, as also Captain and Mrs Davenport that their daughter and
the rest of us were still alive. The sea was now so calm that we had
plenty of occupation in going backwards and forwards to the wreck. Mr
Thudicumb, who was at length able to accompany us, suggested that a raft
should be made, by which means we might bring a larger quantity of
stores on shore at a time. All hands were thus actively employed.
Tanda had to attend to affairs on shore, the Frau and the two girls
assisting him in household matters. The two naturalists were engaged
all day long in collecting and arranging their specimens, while the
three other men, under the command of the mate, with Oliver and I, were
preparing for the building of the vessel.
It must be understood that all the timber and the heavy things were
towed round to the bay I have before described, which we now called Hope
Harbour--the _Hope_ being the name we proposed giving our vessel.
Oliver and I, with Roger Trew, generally managed the boat, while the
others remained on board tearing up the planks, and collecting such
articles as they could fish up from the bottom.
We had just returned on board one forenoon, when, on scrambling up on
the deck, we found our friends in a state of great agitation. "See
dere!" exclaimed Potto Jumbo, who was the first person we met. "What do
you say to dat?" There, standing in towards the island, though still at
a considerable distance, were several mat-sailed vessels, which had
certainly a great resemblance to the piratical craft we had before seen.
Mr Thudicumb had been examining them with his glass, and had great
fears that they were pirates.
"We must get on shore as fast as we can," he said, "and prepare our
friends. If they come here, we must try and seek for safety in the
interior. I know these fellows too well. It would be madness to trust
to their mercy; and I am afraid, if they once get sight of the wreck,
they are sure to overhaul her. It is fortunate we have got most of the
things on shore;--but we must lose no time."
As the boat could not carry the whole party, Mr Thudicumb and Tarbox
remained on board, sending Potto Jumbo with Oliver and I on shore, while
Roger Trew was to return with the boat for them. We pulled away as fast
as we could lay our backs to the oars, and as soon as we landed we
hurried up to the house. We were anxious not to alarm the young ladies
and the good Frau, and therefore as we came in sight of it we walked
rather more steadily. Fortunately our uncle and Mr Hooker were within
doors, engaged in their usual work. I hastened up to them and told them
what we had seen.
"I must go down and judge with my own eyes," said my uncle. "Their
fears probably have made our friends imagine that these vessels in sight
have a piratical look. After all, possibly, they are only a fleet of
harmless traders, bound for the south part of Borneo, or perhaps up to
Sumatra, or the Malay Peninsula."
"However, in case of accidents, brother Sedgwick, we may as well get our
valuables into a place of safety," observed Mr Hooker, quietly.
I accompanied my uncle back to the beach, as we agreed we would not tell
the Frau or her charges what we had seen. My uncle had a spy-glass with
him. After examining the vessels, which were still at a considerable
distance, he shut it up with a slam.
"There is no doubt about it," he exclaimed. "Those, if I mistake not,
are Sooloo pirates, and bloodthirsty villains they are. I wish our
friends were on shore; but we must hurry back to the house, and get our
valuables packed up as fast as we can. I do not think they will follow
us far inland; but if they do, we must be prepared for them."
"Had we not better at once hasten to the hill we fixed upon, and begin
to fortify it," I asked. "They are not likely to make their way there
in a hurry, and we shall probably have time to put it into a fair state
of defence."
"The best thing we can do, Walter," he answered. "I only hope the good
Frau will not go into fits with alarm; and as we will take the way by
which we came the other day--along our torrent road--we shall at all
events have a good start of our invaders."
By this time we had reached the house. I found that Oliver had
gradually broken the news to my sister and Grace, as well as to the
Frau, and they were now all prepared for whatever might be arranged.
They were already indeed busily employed in making up bundles of such
things as were likely to be most required. Mr Hooker was now all life
and spirits.
"The first thing we require, remember, is a good supply of provisions
and ammunition. Those are the chief necessaries. Water we cannot
carry, but I hope we may find it on the hill. At all events, let us
take care to have some pitchers to contain it. Then some cooking
apparatus, seeing we cannot eat our provisions raw. Then we shall
require some bedding for you young ladies. We can rough it well enough
on the ground."
We had made some progress in our preparations, when Mr Thudicumb and
Dick Tarbox arrived. With their assistance we got on still more
rapidly. Roger Trew had remained on the beach to watch the movements of
the supposed pirates. The boxes of collections were at once carried to
a place of concealment which had been arranged, and a few other articles
which were likely to excite the cupidity of the pirates. All things
were now ready for commencing our march, but we were unwilling to begin
it till we ascertained that we were really likely to be attacked. We
were still in hopes that the pirates might pass by, or land on some
other part of the coast where they were not likely to find any traces
which might lead them to the house.
"Quick, quick! haste away!" cried a voice, and Roger Trew was seen
running up as fast as his legs could carry him to the house. "The
pirates have seen the wreck, and are pulling in fast towards it," he
exclaimed.
We were all now in rapid movement. Mr Sedgwick led the way, as knowing
the country best; followed by the Frau and the two girls, with Oliver
and I to assist them. Mr Hooker came next, carrying his gun, and as
much ammunition and provisions as he could strap on to his back. The
two coloured men and Roger Trew came next, well armed; Mr Thudicumb and
Dick Tarbox bringing up the rear, with Merlin, who seemed to consider
that the post of danger and honour. Several of the tamer animals had
been let loose, and now followed us, a buffalo and babirusa following
behind, two deer keeping close to Emily and Grace, whose especial
favourites they were. Several monkeys flung themselves along the
branches over our heads, to the great astonishment of their kindred whom
they met on the road. Several tame jungle cocks and hens ran in and out
among our feet. Indeed, so attached had all the more tameable animals
become to our uncle, that they would follow at his call, wherever he
went. We had representatives, therefore, of a large number of the
creatures inhabiting those regions. As soon as we reached the highroad
I have described along the rocky but dry stream, we halted, to conceal
as much as possible the place where we entered it from view, by placing
boughs at the entrance and strewing the ground thickly with leaves,
retreating backwards as we did so. This done, we again moved forward at
a rapid rate. The men could not march more easily, in reality, than the
weaker members of our party, as they were all heavily laden. We had
gone some way, when Mr Sedgwick thought of despatching Tanda as a scout
to bring us information of what the Malays were about. We should thus
run less risk of being taken by surprise. Our road was far from even,
or such as would have suited delicately-nurtured people, but fortunately
even the girls had become accustomed to rough walking, and made no
complaint of the difficulties. Now and then we had to descend into a
hollow, now to scramble over some huge boulders. More than once,
scorpions, centipedes, snakes, and other reptiles, started up from under
the rocks. We each of us, I should have said, carried pieces of ratan
in our hands, which against such enemies proved useful weapons, as a
well-aimed blow with a ratan at even a large snake will turn it aside.
Our numbers, also, kept the larger serpents and beasts of prey at a
distance.
We had still some way further to go, before we could reach our proposed
fort, when we who were in advance heard a loud rustling in the underwood
near us. We called to Mr Sedgwick. He turned round and peered in
among the trees. Nothing could be seen. "Perhaps Merlin will find the
creature, whatever it is." I called Merlin up, and he instantly
understood what he was to do. My uncle was unwilling to fire, lest the
sound of the shot might be heard by the pirates. He told the men,
however, to be ready to use their bamboo spears, which might keep even a
tiger at bay. Suddenly Merlin began to bark furiously. Now he darted
forward, now he retreated. There was evidently some animal concealed
there. "Shout!" cried my uncle; "that may possibly rouse it." We did
so, when Merlin having pushed aside some boughs, we saw lurking among
them a huge tiger. The creature was apparently alarmed at seeing so
many enemies, and unaccustomed to the sound of the dog's voice, could
not make out what it was. The underwood, also, was so thick that he was
entangled among it, and could not make his usual spring.
"I am sorely tempted to fire," exclaimed Mr Hooker.
"Do not till it is absolutely necessary," said my uncle.
The animal was moving slowly along, apparently trying to hide itself, as
a cat does when in search of its prey. Presently it caught sight of
several of our party with their formidable looking spears pointed
towards it. It seemed for once to consider discretion the better part
of valour, and an open space appearing on one side, we had the
satisfaction of seeing it creep more rapidly, and then bound away into
the distant part of the forest.
We had no other adventure of importance till we reached the foot of the
hill, up which we wound our way. At the steeper part, however, Oliver
and I, as well as the girls and the Frau, found it impossible to carry
our burdens. "Put them down, young people," said Dick Tarbox, "and we
will come back for them. You get up yourselves." At length we reached
the top, and piled our goods in the centre.
"The first thing to be done is to clear away some of this brushwood,"
said Mr Thudicumb. "Were it not that we might point out where we are
to the enemy, the quickest way would be by burning it."
However, the men with their axes soon cleared off a sufficient space on
which we might build our huts; and this done, they set to work cutting
down thick stakes to form our proposed palisade. At this Oliver and I,
as well as Mr Hooker and our uncle, worked away, the Frau, Emily, and
Grace carrying them up as we cut them, and placing them ready to be
driven into the ground. For some distance round the hill the rocks were
so precipitous, that we had no fear of being attacked on those sides.
We therefore first fortified the part where the slope was more gradual;
and we hoped that, should our ammunition last, we might be able to keep
a large number at bay. We continued working on in spite of fatigue, the
Frau and her assistants bringing us a draught of water, or a piece of
sago-cake to recruit our strength. Thus in a short time we had a
considerable number of stakes ready for use. Mr Thudicumb and the
other men now began driving them in, while the two gentlemen, with
Oliver and I, continued cutting more stakes.
By this time we were anxiously looking out for the appearance of Tanda.
Already some progress had been made with the fortifications, and Mr
Thudicumb expressed his opinion that even should the pirates appear at
once, they would afford us great assistance in keeping them at bay. The
remainder of our stakes were now brought up, and we were still driving
them in, when, the sun setting, darkness began to steal over the forest.
"And all this time we have not thought of a shelter for you, young
ladies!" said Mr Hooker. "That must be our next consideration."
We accordingly hastened down the hill, and brought up a quantity of the
huge palm-leaves which I have before described, as well as a number of
bamboos, and with these we soon erected a hut sufficient to accommodate
the Frau and the girls. For ourselves, we agreed that, as we should
have to work all night, it mattered nothing our having no shelter. We
found, indeed, the night air, in that elevated spot, thoroughly dry,
cool, and refreshing; so that, in spite of the labour we had already
gone through, we were well able to continue it. Having at length driven
in the stakes all round, we commenced an embankment. The outer crust of
the soil looked hard and dry enough; but we soon found, on digging down,
that it was sufficiently soft to enable us to get our spades into it
without difficulty.
"What can have become of Tanda?" said Mr Sedgwick.
"I hope the tiger has not carried him off," I could not help saying.
"No fear of that," was the answer. "The tiger is not likely to return
to the spot from whence we drove him, and Tanda has so quick an ear that
he would easily get out of the creature's way. It is more likely that
he has ventured too near the pirates, and been captured."
"I am afraid, then, that he will betray us to them," observed Mr
Thudicumb.
"I think not," answered our uncle. "He is a faithful fellow, and I
believe that he would rather be torn in pieces than do so."
These remarks were made while we were taking a few mouthfuls of food,
and resting for an instant from our toils. Just then the sound of a
voice reached our ears. Mr Sedgwick shouted in return.
"All right," he said, "here comes Tanda;" and directly afterwards a
human form was seen climbing the side of the hill. He stopped, and
again uttered an exclamation as he approached the fortification.
"He thinks it is the work of magic," answered Mr Sedgwick, "and
scarcely likes to enter the circle." Mr Sedgwick then spoke a few more
words to Tanda, who now came forward with greater confidence. We had
left a small opening on one side for going in and out, and by this Tanda
entered the fort. An earnest conversation ensued between him and his
master, who explained that the pirates, after proceeding some way along
the coast, had caught sight of the wreck; that they had pulled close up
to it, and then gone on board. They had also visited Flagstaff Rock,
and hauled down the flag, of which they had taken possession. They had
been till dark engaged in plundering the wreck. Not finding, however,
any good landing-place, they had pulled away along the shore, happily in
the opposite direction to that where our vessel was building. Tanda had
then followed them. Having anchored their prows in the sheltered bay,
they had, as is their custom, landed and encamped. He had left them all
busily engaged cooking and eating their food, so that there was no fear
of their moving that night. It was but too probable, however, that they
would return to the wreck on the following morning. We could only hope
that there would be too much sea on the rocks to enable them to land
near the house.
This information was satisfactory, and we agreed that the probabilities
of their attacking us were less than we had supposed. We accordingly
lay down to rest for a short time, till the return of daylight should
enable us the better to recommence our labours. Two of our party,
however, stood assemblies during the remainder of the night, to give
timely notice of the approach of the enemy, should the pirates have
discovered us.
As soon as it was daylight Tanda again went out to watch their
proceedings, taking some sago and a little cocoa, to enable him to
remain out as long as necessary without returning. We, having
breakfasted, recommenced our labours, and at length had finished the
fort to the satisfaction of Mr Thudicumb. We had now, however, to dig
some pits, in one of which the ladies might be sheltered should we be
attacked, while in the other we might stow our ammunition.
"But we are ready to run every risk you do," said Emily, when she
understood what we were about.
We however persuaded her that it would be much more to our satisfaction
to know that the Frau and they were in safety, should bullets be flying
about. "Besides, Miss Emily, if any of us are wounded, we must look to
you to attend to us," said Oliver.
She gave a glance up at Oliver's face. "Oh, I pray that may not be,"
she observed. "How dreadful to think that, although we have done no one
any harm, we run a risk of having to fight those savage men."
The tops of the trees came so short a distance above our hill, that Mr
Thudicumb thought, by erecting a post in the centre, we might have a
good look-out over the sea. The idea was so excellent, that we
accordingly at once went down the hill to obtain a tall and straight
tree for the purpose. A little way down the hill were some beautiful
cotton-trees. Although the trunk of the largest was not more than
twelve inches in diameter, it rose to a height of thirty feet, which we
thought would be sufficient for our purpose. The bark was of light
olive-green, remarkably smooth and fair. The limbs shot out in whirls,
at right angles to the trunk; and as they were separated by a
considerable space, they would form, we agreed, steps by which to mount
to the top. These trees appeared to great advantage, rising out of the
thick jungle amidst which they grew. The fruit, I may as well observe,
is a pod, and the fibrous substance within it greatly resembles cotton.
I do not know whether it can be used for the same purpose; but Mr
Hooker and our uncle employed it for stuffing the birds they killed. We
soon had one of these trees down, and fixed in the centre of the fort.
We stayed it up by ropes, while another rope hanging from the top
enabled us to ascend without difficulty. Our rope, I should say, was
formed from the fibre of the gomiti or sagaru palm-tree. The large
petioles of this tree spread out at the base into broad fibrous sheets,
which enclose the trunk. It is from this material that the natives of
these regions manufacture the coir-rope. It is a very coarse, rough
style of rope, for the fibres soon break, and projecting in every
direction, make it difficult to handle. We had an abundance of this
palm growing on the hill-side, as it prefers higher land than the
cocoa-nut. Its most valuable property is, being almost indestructible
in water. Among the fibres there are some coarser ones, with which the
Dyaks of Borneo manufacture arrows for their blow-pipes, and
occasionally the Malays use them for pins. Interwoven with them is a
mass of small fibre almost as soft as cotton. This, from its
combustible nature, is used as tinder. From the tree, also, a
refreshing beverage is extracted. The flower part is cut off with a
knife, when the sap which issues is gathered in a bamboo cup. It is now
of a slightly acid and bitter taste, resembling the thin part of
butter-milk. When this is allowed to ferment, it becomes what the
natives call tuak--a very intoxicating beverage, of which they are very
fond. The seeds grow in such large bunches, that one alone is as much
as two men can carry. The envelopes of these seeds contain a poisonous
juice, in which the natives dip their arrows.
Well, as I was saying, we manufactured a supply of this rope for our
look-out post. As soon as it was erected, Roger Trew climbed to the
top.
"Capital!" he exclaimed. "There is the sea away on two sides of us,
though as to the pirates, I can see nothing of them. Maybe they are
near the wreck, and that's too close in to be seen."
We thought that perhaps by erecting a higher post we might obtain a
better view; but when Mr Thudicumb went up, he calculated that the
trees were far too high near the shore to enable us to do this. We all
in succession went up to have a look at the blue sea; but it was then
agreed that the post might possibly be seen by our enemies, and we
therefore at once lowered it, but kept it ready to set up again in case
of need. We had been so much occupied in preparing our fort, that we
had thought little of eating or drinking.
"What we do for water?" exclaimed the Frau, bringing a large shell into
our midst. "This is the last we have got!"
"I must blame myself for my forgetfulness," exclaimed Mr Sedgwick. "We
ought to have lost no time in searching for water. If one of you will
come with a spade, we will go out at once to look for it, while the rest
continue at the work in the fort."
I volunteered to accompany my uncle. "But we may require a stronger
digger than you are, Walter," he said, and fixed on Roger Trew.
Roger, throwing his spade over his shoulder in navvy fashion, answered,
"I am ready, sir."
"Well, you can come too then," said my uncle to me. "You may bring your
gun, though, in case of necessity. We must remember not to fire if it
can be helped."
As only one iron spade could be spared, my uncle and I armed ourselves
with a couple which we had formed out of bamboo, and which might assist
Roger should we have to dig deep. We took our way down the hill, and as
we looked up we agreed that our fort presented a very satisfactory
appearance, and that, probably, should we be discovered, the enemy would
be wary before they attacked us; indeed, they would very likely suppose
from its appearance that our numbers were far greater than they were in
reality. As those people fight for plunder, and never for glory or mere
victory, they would, we hoped, take their departure without attempting
an assault. This cheered our spirits. We had arranged that should
Tanda return with any important news, we were to be instantly summoned,
though as the fort should we proceed into the forest, would be
completely hid, from our sight, it would be necessary for some one to be
sent after us. Oliver agreed to come. My uncle examined the ground as
we proceeded, now telling Roger to dig a hole here, now there; but no
water was found. He therefore said that it would be of no use digging
more, as the hill was evidently of volcanic origin, and no water would
be contained within it.
"Let us go on further, however," he observed. "If a stream does not
flow there, at all events a spring may be found."
The ground as we advanced grew softer, and the herbage greener and
greener.
"Stay," he said; "I think some animal must be there! We will advance
cautiously."
As we proceeded my uncle signed us to stop, and looking along the
boughs, a huge black creature appeared before us, digging his snout into
the ground.
"That's a huge pig," whispered Roger to me.
"A pig, man!" answered my uncle. "That is no less a creature than a
rhinoceros!"
We watched it for some time, afraid of moving lest we might draw its
attention towards us. Sometimes these creatures are savage, and will
attack man. At length, however, it began to move off in an opposite
direction to where we were posted.
"A rifle-ball would do little to stop that fellow," said my uncle; "but
we may possibly yet capture him, and I should like to obtain his
skeleton, though I may not add him to my menagerie."
"But we have come to search for water," I suggested.
"To be sure we have," answered my uncle. "I was forgetting that. Here,
at this very spot, I am sure we shall find it without having to dig very
deep."
Roger Trew instantly dug his spade into the ground, and began
energetically throwing up the earth. It grew softer and softer as he
proceeded, I helping him with my bamboo. My uncle had meantime cut down
a tall bamboo, the end of which he sharpened, and he now came back and
forced it into the ground. Drawing it up, the end was perfectly wet.
"This is encouraging!" he exclaimed; and Roger and I now setting to work
with greater energy, at length a little whitish-looking liquid came
welling up. A larger quantity appeared as we dug deeper and deeper, and
at length we had an ample supply to fill the shell we had brought for
that purpose. It was somewhat like dirty milk; but my uncle said it was
wholesome, and if allowed to settle, that it would become perfectly
clear. After resting a little the upper part became purer, and from
this we thankfully quenched our thirst. As our well was at a
considerable distance from the fort, it would be necessary to carry up a
supply, for should we be besieged, it might be difficult to reach it.
"Now," said my uncle, "as our friends are not absolutely suffering from
thirst, we may as well try and catch the rhinoceros."
"What! make chase after it?" asked Roger.
"No; the creature is sure to come back here, and we will make a trap."
"A hard job to make one strong enough to catch that brute," answered
Roger.
"Very little strength is required," said my uncle. "With your spade and
my axe we can quickly make it. Here, let me set to work and dig!"
Roger, however, would not hear of that, and he and I commenced under my
uncle's directions, who aided us in digging a pit about the size of the
rhinoceros, the earth around being somewhat soft and slimy. In the
meantime the water in our well had not only bubbled up, but settled
down, and was perfectly sweet and clear. Under Mr Sedgwick's
directions, we covered over the pit with boughs and leaves, so that the
hollow below was not visible.
"The next time Mr Rhinoceros comes this way, he will find himself
prevented from proceeding on his journey," observed my uncle. "I have
seen the creature caught in a pit like this, and I have little doubt
that ours will succeed."
We now filled the shells we had brought with water, and slinging them on
a bamboo, proceeded back to the fort.