Ali seemed as anxious as I was to obtain a nautilus, and we agreed early
in the morning to set off in search of one. I found that he had brought
several bamboos full of water, as also a supply of sago-cake and rice.
We had our fish-pots with long lines ready to lower in deep water, with
fishing-lines and hooks and a supply of small fish for bait. We first
hauled up the pots which had been lowered a short distance from the
shore; but though there were several fine fish in them, no nautilus was
found. Ali now made me understand that we should be more likely to
obtain what we wanted near a reef at a considerable distance from the
shore, and taking the oars, he pulled away lustily out to sea. In a
short time a breeze sprang up, when we hoisted our little lugsail, and
skimmed merrily over the water, just rippled into wavelets by the brisk
breeze. Ali's countenance was at no time very prepossessing. I could
not help thinking that it had a more than usually sinister expression.
Still I persuaded myself that this was fancy, and, ashamed of my
suspicions, resolved to do as he proposed. At length I caught sight of
a part of the reef rising a few feet out of the water. By the white
line of the surf which extended on either side, I saw that it was of
considerable length under the surface. Lowering our sail, we pulled
round to leeward of it, where we found the water sufficiently shallow to
enable us to lower the pots. Ali made signs to me that we should be
sure to catch a nautilus at this point if we waited long enough. Having
put down the pots, we pulled a little distance along the reef, where he
proposed fishing with our lines. We had soon hauled in several fine
fish, one an enormous fellow, which must have weighed nearly two hundred
pounds. We had great difficulty in hauling it in; but believing that it
would be acceptable at home, I was unwilling to let it go. The fish
struggled violently, and in our efforts to get it in, one of our oars
slipped overboard. I was so eager to get the fish, that I scarcely
thought of the oar. We then got it into the boat; but it seemed
inclined to take it from us, and send us overboard. Ali hammered away
at its head and tail till at last he quieted it; not, however, till the
oar had been driven by a current to a considerable distance. Scarcely
had we got the fish in, when we had another bite, and this was also a
large fish, and occupied us some time. When I at length looked about
for the oar, I could not see it. We, however, hoisted up the stone
which served as an anchor, and Ali sculled in the direction we supposed
it had gone. He thought he saw it; but when we got up to the spot we
found only a piece of sea-weed floating on the surface.
The weather, as you remember, had begun to change, and I saw it was time
for us to return to the shore. Without an oar, however, this was no
easy task, as the wind had begun to blow directly from the shore. It
now came in strong gusts, and though there was not much sea, still it
was sufficient to try the boat, and we were obliged to continue bailing
to keep her free of water. I now perceived clearly the dangerous
position in which we were placed. With only one oar, should the wind
continue blowing from the shore, we must inevitably be driven off. I
proposed getting back under the lee of the reef and anchoring. This we
did, and for some time held on. Our fish-pots had been lowered, and I
proposed hauling one of the nearest to us up. Great was my delight, on
getting it on board, to find that a nautilus had been caught. The shell
and creature were perfect, although it was very different from the
graceful one I had seen pictured in books, with its tentaculi spread
out, and apparently employed in rowing over the water; but in reality,
as Mr Hooker had told me, used as fishing-lines, or, at all events, for
catching its prey. Another pot was at some little distance, and so
delighted was I at catching this one, that I hoped we might find another
nautilus. We therefore hauled in our anchor. Scarcely had we done so,
when a tremendous blast came over the land, and before we could regain
the reef, we were out of soundings. The boat was now tossed about
violently, and I saw, and so did Ali, that our only prospect of
preserving our lives was to hoist the sail and keep before the wind.
The sea had changed greatly, and came dancing and foaming up round us.
Where we should drive to, we knew not. My heart sank within me at the
thought of being driven away from Emily and my friends, and I knew, too,
the great anxiety my absence would cause them. I could not tell also to
what dangers we might be exposed. If the boat escaped being swamped,
she might be cast upon a reef. We had, providentially, a good supply of
water and an abundance of food. Our fish, however, would not keep many
days; but while it lasted, we had no fear of starving.
Whether Ali had intended to get away from the island or not I could not
tell. If he did, his purpose was answered. I saw him cut some of the
fish into strips, and hang them up to the mast. This he did for the
sake of drying them, and thus preserving them longer. All we could do
now was to keep the boat directly before the wind, for I dreaded lest
she should broach to and be immediately overturned. I cast a look back
at our island, which seemed gradually to sink into the sea, till at
length it was altogether lost to sight. Here we were in this small boat
tossing on the waves out of sight of land, and not knowing where we were
going. Perhaps Ali knew better than I did. He, at all events, did not
seem to be alarmed, and when unemployed, he continued humming melancholy
Malay airs, which certainly did not tend to raise my spirits. There is
a great difference in reading of an adventure and going through it. I
confess I should have felt less anxiety had Oliver been with me; but as
I could not exchange ideas with my companion, and we could only very
imperfectly understand each other, it was very trying. During the day I
had managed to steer pretty well, so that with occasional bailing we
kept the boat free of water; but at night it was far more difficult.
Still, we had for present safety to run on before the gale. Often I
fancied that I heard voices calling to me across the water. More than
once it appeared to me that tall ships were passing us; but as we could
not alter our course, there was no hope of nearing them; indeed, I
believe that they were phantoms of my imagination. The Malay did not
offer to steer. He seemed contented with the way I was doing so. In
spite of the dangerous position in which we were placed, I was every
moment becoming more and more sleepy, and felt that I would have given
anything to be able to go to sleep for a few minutes. At length I made
Ali understand that he must take the helm. He came carefully aft, and I
changed places with him. I had every reason to suppose that he knew
well how to steer, from the way I had seen him manage the boat, and I
therefore confided the helm to him without fear. Scarcely had I lain
with my back against the mast than I was fast asleep. It appeared to me
that the boat was flying on as before, though sometimes tossed even more
violently than at first.
When I at length awoke the grey dawn was breaking, clouds were overhead,
and the dark seas rolled up on either side, foaming and hissing as if to
overwhelm our small boat. It appeared wonderful that she should be able
to ride over such tempestuous seas. Still, on she went, Ali steering as
carefully as I had done. I felt very thirsty, and took a draught of
water from one of the bamboos. Ali signed to me to give him another,
which he drank off; and I then handed him a little sago-bread and some
dried fish. He, however, preferred the fresh fish, which he ate raw.
I, as yet, had no inclination to do that, and preferred biting away at a
dried piece with my sago. I became more anxious when I saw how far we
were getting from the island, as I knew the difficulty we should have in
returning. After a time I offered to relieve Ali, and he then lay down
and went to sleep. In the course of the morning the sea had gone down
considerably; but we still continued running before the breeze. The
time seemed very, very long, and my only consolation was that the wind
was decreasing, and that, at all events, we might be able to direct our
course for the island. I forgot for the moment that the wind might have
changed, and that not knowing how we had been steering, even with the
aid of the sun we should be unable to find our way back. I was thankful
when Ali awoke and offered to take the helm.
When I again opened my eyes, I found that Ali had been eating some fish
and sago and drinking the water. I had taken a draught, when, looking
to our supply, I found to my dismay that only one bamboo cask of water
remained. Ali, however, made no remark; indeed, my suspicions were
confirmed of his wish to get away from the island, and he, at all
events, seemed to know more nearly whereabouts we were than I did. I
knew that nothing caused so much dreadful suffering as want of water,
and I feared that we should be exposed to it unless we could fall in
with land. I was now able to stand up in the boat and scan the horizon,
but nowhere was land to be seen. The sun rising enabled us to steer
more steadily, and we continued to proceed towards the north. I now
tried to make Ali understand that we must economise our water to the
utmost. He took the bamboo, and I saw, instead of returning it to its
place, that he put it down by his side. I could not help thinking from
this that he intended to appropriate it to himself. However, as I had
lately had a draught, and was not thirsty, I made no remark. The sun
soon struck down with great heat upon our heads, and gave me an
increased desire for water. I made signs to Ali that I wished for some,
but he shook his head, as if to signify that I must wait some time
longer. I did so patiently, thinking that perhaps he was right.
However, at length I could brook no longer delay, and springing up,
seized the bamboo. He cast an angry glance at me, but even had he had a
weapon in his hand, I should not have been prevented from drinking the
water. I could have swallowed the whole of it, but refrained, and
merely took a small draught, barely sufficient to quench my burning
thirst. I then made signs to him that when he was equally thirsty he
might also have some, but kept it in my own possession. I suspected,
however, that when I was again compelled to go to sleep he would seize
it, and perhaps drink the whole of the contents. Now and then the
dreadful thought came across me that he might perhaps murder me, or
throw me overboard. I might be wronging the man; but I knew he had been
a pirate, and was not likely to be very particular as to what he would
do.
Again daylight departed, and when at length I fell asleep, I was
dreaming of fountains and lakes and sparkling streams and draughts of
crystal water. I awoke to find my mouth parched with thirst, and on
lifting the bamboo, I discovered that every drop had been drained. I
felt sure that unless we could fall in with land death must be our
portion--at least, for my own part, I believed I could not go through a
whole day without water. The sun had not been up long before I began to
feel the suffering I had expected. I knew that drinking salt water was
dangerous in the extreme. I saw, however, that Ali was continually
chewing a little dried fish, and sometimes a few grains of rice, a
handful of which had been in the boat. I followed his example, but
found but little relief. Again and again I looked round in the hope of
seeing land. At length I caught sight ahead of a long line of white
breakers. I pointed them out to Ali, that we might avoid them,
supposing that a reef existed in that direction. He stood up and
examined them, and then altered the course of the boat a little. As we
approached, I saw beyond the breakers a line of white sand. It was, I
judged, a lately made coral island. We continued on till we got on the
lee side of it, when we ran close into the rocks. It appeared, as far
as I could judge, to be about a mile and a half in circumference, the
shore so steep that a big ship might have run in alongside it. The
whole was covered with fine white sand, without a vestige of vegetation.
I was unwilling to land, though I thought it possible water might be
obtained, for I had a dread that Ali might leave me there and go off by
himself. He seemed to understand my suspicions, and jumping out, made
the boat fast, and led the way over the sand. I saw that it was covered
with a great variety of sea-birds, some of which rose immediately we
advanced, and began shrieking and uttering loud cries as they hovered
over our heads, disputing our advance. We had literally to defend
ourselves with the boat-stretchers which we carried, and knocked over
several of them while on the wing as they flew towards us. They were
incited, we discovered, to attack us in defence of their young, numbers
of which, from the little gaping nudity just out of the shell to
well-fledged bantlings, covered the ground. There was also a great
number of eggs, many of which were newly laid. Of these we got a large
store, besides half filling the boat with the birds we had killed. In
vain, however, we searched all the island round for water. Not a drop
could we discover. Even the hollows in the rocks were dry. It was
evident that no rain had fallen there for a long time. The blood of the
birds, however, somewhat quenched our thirst. At first Ali would not
touch it, but on seeing me take it, he at length overcame his scruples.
I confess that when we returned to the boat I endeavoured to keep first,
still feeling that he was very likely to leave me. I think, however, I
wronged him there, as he made no attempt to get off without me.
Once more we were steering to the north. All day long I kept a bright
look-out, in the hope of seeing some other island. Two days passed.
Oh, how fearfully did I suffer from thirst during the last of them; I
would have given everything I possessed for a draught of cold water. We
were gliding on during the night, when it seemed to me as if suddenly a
tall grove had sprung out of the water. I rubbed my eyes, and looked,
and looked again. Yes; there could be no doubt of it; we were passing a
palm-covered island. I awoke Ali, who had just before fallen asleep.
To land at night was dangerous. However some risk must be run. We
therefore continued close to the shore, in the hope of finding some
sheltered bay into which we might run the boat. The dawn was just
breaking, and at length, with the help of daylight, we discovered a
place where we thought we could venture to land. We ran in on a soft
white sand; but the sea following, almost filled the boat with water,
and we had to jump out and haul her up to escape a second wave, which
came rolling slowly in after the first. So eager were we to find water,
that the instant we had hauled the boat up out of reach of the seas, we
began running along the beach.
The island was a small one, with numerous palm and other trees growing
on it. I eagerly looked out for the sago-palm, remembering that it was
in a grove of one of these trees we had found water on our island. We
searched and searched in vain. Already our tongues were clinging to the
roofs of our mouths. The birds had soon grown putrid, so that many
hours had passed since we had moistened our lips. I felt ready to drop,
and Ali also was almost overcome. We eagerly chewed the leaves of
trees, but they gave us no relief. Oh, how delightful would have been
the sound of a bubbling fountain! No sago-trees, no sign of water could
we discover. I found my knees shaking, my strength leaving me. At
length I could no longer stand. I leant against the trunk of a tall
tree, and gradually sank down to the ground. I began to dread that
death would overtake me, and what a fearful death! I had read of such,
but never supposed that I should realise it myself. Ali cast a look at
me. He could do nothing to help me. He was going to desert me, I
thought. My voice was failing. I tried to call him back, but I could
no longer articulate, and a dreamy, half-conscious state of feeling came
over me. "I shall thus sink calmly into death," I thought. I tried to
pray, I tried to collect my thoughts, but in vain. How long I thus
continued I know not, when I heard a voice shouting. It was Ali's. I
opened my eyes, and saw that he was running towards a tall tree. At
last I saw him ascend the trunk. It seemed wonderful how he could get
up. Presently I heard something drop. It was a bunch of cocoa-nuts;
another and another followed. I tried to crawl towards them, but had no
strength to move. Ali descended the tree. He seized a cocoa-nut, broke
it open, and drank the contents. Once more I tried to cry out. Then I
saw him running towards me. Oh, how delicious was the draught which he
poured down my throat! In a few seconds I felt like another being. My
strength returned. I sat up and eagerly clutched another cocoa-nut
which he handed me. In a wonderfully short time I felt perfectly
recovered.
We hunted about, but could find very few more trees. We should soon, we
knew, consume the young fruit. We remained, however, on the island all
the day, and as we wandered along the beach, we came to some soft hot
sand, in which we discovered a number of turtles' eggs. We had now
sufficient to support life, but I well knew that our provisions would
not last long, and that we must once more put to sea. Ali also clearly
understood this. We quickly got a light with pieces of bamboo, and
cooked our eggs, and having loaded ourselves with as many cocoa-nuts as
we could carry, set off to return to the boat. As we went along, the
fear seized me that we had not hauled her up sufficiently, and that
perhaps she had been washed away. I could scarcely refrain from setting
off running, so eager was I to ascertain the truth. I soon, however,
found that my strength was not sufficiently restored for active
movement. On we went, till we had reached the beach where I thought we
had left the boat. She was nowhere to be seen. I looked about
anxiously. I was giving way to despair, when, casting my eyes along the
sand, I observed that it had been undisturbed. There were no traces of
our feet. I knew therefore that we could not have been at the spot.
Ali pointed along the beach, and we proceeded some way, when at length I
caught sight of a dark object in the distance. Yes, it was our boat;
but already the water had reached her stern, and in another minute she
would have floated away. We drew her up still further, and secured her
by her painter to a stone high up the beach.
My suspicions about Ali had not been altogether removed, but still, the
way he had treated me in bringing the cocoa-nuts when he might have left
me to die, showed me that he could not have any sinister intentions. I
therefore proposed that we should sleep on shore that night, and proceed
to sea early the following morning. We accordingly built a hut high up
on the dry sand, and made ourselves comfortable beds with leaves, on
which we could stretch our limbs and rest at ease during the night. We
first, however, lighted a large fire, though there was not much fear of
any creatures disturbing us on that small island.
Next morning we made a further search for turtles' eggs, and having
found a good supply, we placed them and our cocoa-nuts on board the
boat, and then launching her, once more put to sea, steering as before
to the northward, where we hoped to find land with food and water on it.
Our stock of sago-cake was getting low, but that mattered little, I
thought, as without water I found it very difficult to masticate. On,
on we sailed. I had miscalculated distances, for though, looking at the
chart, as I frequently had done on board the _Dugong_, the sea did not
appear of great width, yet when sailing across it in a small boat the
matter was very different. For two dreary days we glided on over the
calm sea, looking out for land, or for some passing vessel which might
take us on board; but neither appeared. I recollected Macco's wonderful
voyage in his frail canoe, and felt that I ought not to despair. The
Malay sat passive. What he was thinking of I could not tell.
Occasionally he offered to take the helm when I grew weary, and I soon
fell asleep. When I awoke, there he was sitting like a statue, scarcely
moving limb or eye. On we sailed. The sun rose and sank again, and
still we were in the midst of the circling horizon. Our stock of
cocoa-nuts was getting low; indeed, though the juice is very refreshing
for a draught, it cannot take the place of pure water. Our sago-cake
was exhausted. We had but three eggs remaining. It might be many days
more before we could reach another island, I feared, and if so, could we
support existence till then? These thoughts were passing across my mind
as the sun was reaching the horizon. I saw Ali bending forward and
looking under the sail. He said not a word, however. I gazed in the
same direction, but could see nothing. The sun sank beneath the water,
and darkness came on. I had been at the helm for some time, when I
found Ali taking it out of my hands, for I had dropped to sleep. I lay
down, and in an instant was unconscious of all that was taking place.
When I awoke it was broad daylight. A dark shadow was passing across my
face. I looked up, and saw that we were gliding under some tall
mangrove bushes. I sprang up eagerly. We were entering the mouth of a
river. Astern, the blue sea shone in the beams of the rising sun. On
either side were dark trees. "Soon get water and food," said Ali. On
we glided. I felt my spirits and strength greatly restored, and
returned thanks to Heaven for bringing us into so promising a region.
We were soon amidst the most luxuriant vegetation. Tall trees rose up
on either side of the river, with thick underwood, which here and there
gave place to small patches of grass. From the banks we occasionally
saw huge alligators gliding slowly off into the water, or watching us as
we passed with their cruel-looking yellow eyes. Curiously shaped
lizards crawled along the banks, or lay extended on the boughs of the
trees, gazing at us, and occasionally puffing themselves up into
extraordinary shapes. From either side also came strange sounds--the
shrill call of pea-hens, the cooing of pigeons, high above all of which
was the pertinacious chattering of monkeys, while parrots and other
gaily-coloured birds flew from bough to bough, and gigantic butterflies
with brilliant wings skimmed over the surface of the stream. The
monkeys followed us as we proceeded, or else the banks must have been
thickly inhabited with them; some throwing themselves frantically from
bough to bough, coming close down to our heads, others uttering hoarse
cries, as if to frighten us away from their neighbourhood. Oftentimes I
could not help fancying that some natives were watching us, so
human-like did the faces of the larger monkeys appear. Now and then we
interrupted a little family enjoying themselves in a clear space at the
base of a tree, the patriarch sitting calmly watching the proceedings of
his progeny, while the mother was gambolling with her young one, or
seeking food among the grass, or under the roots of a tree; and then she
would come with her prize, and commence playing with her infant, and
caressing him like any human mother, tumbling about perhaps in rather a
strange fashion. As we came more in sight, the whole family would
scamper off, a few remaining to the last, grinning fiercely at us,
hooting and chattering hoarsely, and shaking the boughs in their
indignation at our unwelcome appearance. Anxious as I was, I could not
help being amused at these things; but Ali was utterly indifferent to
them.
On we glided, till at a fresh turn of the river I saw rising above the
bank some buildings on poles, extending a considerable way along it.
The buildings we were approaching were raised eight or ten feet above
the water on strong posts. There were wide platforms of bamboo before
them, over part of which projected the roofs of the verandahs. Several
ladders hung down from the platforms to enable the inhabitants to ascend
from their boats. They were somewhat similar to those we had seen in
Papua, but far more substantial, and built in a much more elegant style.
The inhabitants, apparently, had only lately risen, and came out on the
platforms as we approached. The men were dressed in waistcloths of blue
cotton, hanging down behind, mostly bordered with red, blue, and white.
Some had handkerchiefs of the same colour bound round their heads, and
one or two were ornamented with gold lace. They wore also ear-rings of
brass, and moon-shaped, with heavy necklaces of white and black beads.
On their arms were numbers of rings made of brass or white shells, while
over their shoulders hung their long black shiny hair, which set off to
advantage their pure brown skin. Some of them held knife-headed spears
in their hands, while to a belt round the waist hung a long slender
knife and a pouch with materials for betel-chewing. One man, who seemed
to be the chief, wore on his head a bunch of large gaily-coloured
feathers secured by a circle round it. They were mostly
pleasant-looking people, and seemed ready to welcome us as we
approached. The women had far more covering than the men. Round the
waist they wore coils of ratan, stained red, to which their petticoats
were attached. Below it one whom we took to be a chief's wife wore a
girdle of small silver coins. Others had additional ornaments of
brass-wire, but most of them wore a large number of brass rings round
not only their arms, but their legs, from the knee to the ankle, while
curiously shaped hats adorned with beads ornamented their heads.
Altogether they were far superior in appearance to the savages I had
expected to see in these regions, and I had little doubt that we had
arrived at the mainland of Borneo, and that they were a tribe of Dyaks.
We made signs that we were very thirsty, pointing to our lips, and the
chief, coming forward, beckoned us to ascend the ladder. This I did
first, Ali following with not so much confidence behind me. He was at
once perceived to be a Malay, and he must have known that his countrymen
are apt to ill-treat the Dyaks, and consequently he could scarcely have
expected to be received by them as a friend. From the looks of the
people, however, I had no fears of them, especially when one of the
girls, running off, brought back a large bamboo full of cool water. Oh,
how delicious it was! the first which had passed my lips for many days.
I handed it to Ali, whom they did not seem to treat so courteously as
they did me. When I signified that I should be glad of more, instantly
a fresh supply was brought me. The chief now addressed Ali, who, I
found, fully understood their language, and he seemed to be giving an
account of the cause which had brought us to their country. The chief
appeared satisfied; and now giving orders to some of the women, a basket
containing some pork and rice and some fine-looking bananas was brought
to us. I felt no great inclination to eat the pork and rice, for my
throat was hot and parched, but I got through a portion; and oh, how
delicious were the bananas! No sooner had I got them into my mouth than
they seemed to melt away. They were of the colour of the finest yellow
butter, and of an exquisite flavour. I felt as I ate that I could never
take enough of them. I saw in the open space behind the house a
plantation of them, showing that they were carefully cultivated. The
Dyaks showed me a corner of a room where I might rest, for they
perceived that I was sleepy and weary, and I believe most of the men
went out either to cultivate the ground or on a hunting expedition.
What became of Ali I could not tell; but as, after a little time,
notwithstanding his cool reception, he seemed to be at home with the
people, I concluded he would take care of himself.