NAMING OUR VESSEL--SAMBO'S SUGAR MANUFACTORY--THE WONDERFUL COW-TREE--
TIM'S "BEAUTIFUL PIG?"--TREED BY PECCARIES--A JAGUAR RENDERS US A
VALUABLE SERVICE--PEACH-PALMS--KALLOLO CAPTURES THE CURIOUS JACANA--A
LUCKY FIND--IN SEARCH OF TURTLES--GOOD LUCK--LAUNCH OF THE "GOOD
HOPE"--"FLY! FLY! THE SAVAGES ARE COMING!"--A NARROW ESCAPE--OUR
VILLAGE SET ON FIRE.
We had a grand discussion one evening as to the name to be bestowed on
our new vessel. Various appellations were suggested. Arthur proposed
that she should be called the "Marian;" Tim, who had a voice in the
matter, suggested the "Erin."
"The `Fair Maiden' would be a fitting name," said the mate Peter, bowing
with the gallantry of a sailor to my young sister.
"Oh no! pray don't name the vessel after me," exclaimed Marian; "for
though I am obliged to Mr Peter, yet I am sure I am no longer a `fair
maiden.'"
It had never occurred to me to think about the matter; but now, as I
looked at her sweet countenance, I saw that it was tanned almost to a
nut-brown hue, and covered over with still darker freckles--the result
of constant exposure to the air and hot sun.
"Now, with all due respect for Miss Marian, I consider that we may find
a better name than any hitherto suggested," observed the skipper. "I
propose that our vessel be called the _Good Hope_. Although not yet
finished, we have `good hope' that she will be; and we have also `good
hope' that, escaping the Spanish cruisers, and storms and rocks and
shoals, she will carry us safely to Stabroek. What say you, Mr Paul?"
"The _Good Hope_--the _Good Hope_," said Uncle Paul, repeating the name
several times. "I like it. Yes, yes; it is a fitting name--a good
name. Our craft has been the result of faith in One who watches over
us--of skill and energy and perseverance; and such must always afford
`good hope' of success. What do you say, brother Dennis?"
"I have felt too often that I have bidden farewell to `hope' in any form
to venture on selecting such a name; and yet, if you are pleased so to
call our craft, I should be content to embark on board the _Good Hope_;
and should she carry us to civilised lands in safety, I might believe
once more that there is hope for me, even in this world," answered my
father.
I had been inclined to agree with Arthur; but as the elders of the party
seemed to consider that the name of _Good Hope_ was the proper one, I
voted for it, and Marian did likewise. Thus it was settled that our
vessel was to be called the _Good Hope_; and so we ever afterwards
designated her.
As she approached completion, the hunters were urged to be diligent in
endeavouring to procure the means of provisioning her for the voyage.
We at once built two kilns for drying fish and flesh, to assist the
preserving powers of the hot sun. Several large periecus were caught,
cut up, and dried in the sun, and then smoked; but though wholesome and
nutritious, they were not considered very palatable. As fruits and nuts
became ripe they were gathered in large quantities, and Marian exerted
her skill in drying the former.
"If I had some sugar, I would make a supply of preserves," she observed,
as she examined a basket of palm-fruit, and several varieties of plums,
which we had brought in. "I often assisted at home, and know perfectly
well how to manage."
I remembered one day having seen some long canes, which I took for
ordinary reeds, growing among the abundant vegetation. I now tried to
recollect whereabouts they were.
"I know," exclaimed Sambo. "They be wild sugar-cane."
"How do you know that?" I asked.
"Because I suck 'em, and dey berry sweet," he answered, grinning as only
a well-satisfied negro can grin, having, of all the human race, a mouth
specially adapted for the purpose.
"Then do you think you could find them again, Sambo?" I asked.
"Oh yes, massa! I will bring home enough to make sugar for all the
preserves Miss Marian can make."
"But when we have cut the canes, how is the sugar to be manufactured?"
I inquired.
"I do dat," he answered. "I 'long on sugar plantation in Jamaica, and
know how to make sugar as well as any nigger slave."
Sambo at once set out, and soon brought back a load of sugar-canes--a
convincing proof that they grew in the neighbourhood. We all tried
them; and for several days each member of our community was to be seen
walking about with a piece of sugar-cane in his mouth. Sambo was an
ingenious mechanic, and forthwith set to work to construct a sugar
manufactory. It was very simple, consisting of a number of our largest
clay pots for boiling the juice, and a long trough with sides, and a
board at each end, slightly inclining towards the pans. Into the trough
fitted a huge stone,--a large round boulder, to which ropes were
attached, for hauling it backwards and forwards. The canes being placed
in the trough, the heavy weight passing over them pressed out the juice,
which ran through holes in the lower end into the bowls. The fuel which
had previously been placed under the bowls was then lighted. As soon as
the juice became hot, the impure portions rose in the form of scum,
which was skimmed off. Sambo had found some lime, with which he formed
lime-water to temper the liquor. The boiling process over, the fires
were allowed to go out, and the liquor was then poured out into fresh
pans, in which it was again gently boiled. It was afterwards
transferred to a number of open wooden boxes, where it was allowed to
cool, while the molasses ran off into pans placed beneath them, the part
remaining in the boxes being in the form of crystals. Another draining
process was then gone through, when really very respectable-looking
sugar was produced.
"It would not fetch anything of a price in the market," observed my
father; "but I have no doubt that Marian will find it good enough to
preserve her fruit."
Marian was delighted, and assured Sambo that his sugar would answer very
well indeed. "If we could find some tea-plants, we might have a
pleasanter beverage for breakfast than either cold water or palm-wine,"
observed Marian; "though, to be sure, we should have no milk to mix with
it."
"I don't despair of finding that," said Uncle Paul; "indeed, I can
promise to bring you some fresh milk directly you can produce the tea.
I only yesterday caught sight of the massaranduba, or cow-tree; and as
it is not far off, I will this evening bring you a bowlful of the juice,
which, when fresh, you will be unable to distinguish from the finest
milk."
Marian was of course very eager to see this wonderful vegetable milk;
and in the evening Uncle Paul set out with a large bowl. Sambo and I
accompanied him, Sambo carrying an axe. On going some distance through
the forest, we saw a tree with deeply-scored reddish and rugged bark.
"Surely nothing like white juice can come out of so rough a skin," I
observed to Uncle Paul.
"Wait till Sambo has put his axe through it.--Cut hereabouts, Sambo," he
said, pointing to a part of the trunk under which he could hold the
bowl.
The black did as directed, and made a deep incision, following it up by
other cuts.
"That's enough," exclaimed Uncle Paul; and having, as he spoke, placed
the bowl beneath the cut, there literally gushed forth a stream of the
purest white milk, so rapidly that the bowl was quickly filled. I smelt
it and tasted it; and though it might have been said to be a little
coarse, I certainly should have supposed it to be pure milk. Uncle Paul
cautioned us not to drink much, as, swallowed in any considerable
quantity, it is looked upon as unwholesome.
We returned with the bowl full, Sambo having carried it on his head.
Marian was of course delighted with it, though she could not give us
tea. Kallolo had brought her a berry, however, which he assured her was
perfectly wholesome, and which, when pounded and boiled, afforded a fair
substitute for coffee. I suspect, indeed, that it was wild coffee, and
that the original seed had been brought to the spot by some bird.
We had thus secured a very palatable beverage, and had obtained milk and
sugar to mix with it; but my father still had a fancy for procuring tea,
or at all events a substitute for it.
"If we find any, it will be a satisfaction when we drink it to remember
that it is not taxed," he observed, "and that the revenue derived from
it will not be spent in a way over which we have no control."
My poor father was alluding at the time to one of the grievances which
the American colonies had already begun to feel very severely. We
hunted in vain, however, for any shrub whose leaves were at all to be
compared with those of the tea-tree of China, though we made several
decoctions which afforded us refreshing beverages.
On the borders of the small lake Kallolo had discovered a large quantity
of wild rice, on which numberless waterfowl fed. We collected an ample
supply of the seed, and found it very useful in lieu of other
farinaceous food. After it had been well stewed, it assisted to
fricassee macaws, parrots, and monkeys, which formed our staple diet.
We had long got over anything like squeamishness as to what we ate; and
it was evident that our food agreed with us, for we were all as fat and
strong as we could desire--indeed, accustomed as we had become to the
life we were leading, no one complained of hardships or scanty fare. We
certainly had to work for our subsistence, and the food did not exactly
drop into our mouths; but we were sure to get it by exerting ourselves.
We caught two more tapirs in our pitfall; but being older than the
first, they showed no inclination to become domesticated, so we were
compelled to kill them, and to cut up and dry their flesh--which, though
rather tough, was not otherwise unpalatable. Notwithstanding the
quantity around him, Tim often sighed for a good fat pig.
"Sure, there's nothing like pork after all; and I wish we could have two
or three fat grunters to keep happy and contented in the corner of our
hut, just as they may be seen in many cabins in the `ould country,'" he
exclaimed one day. "They would remind us of home more than anything
else."
I recollected Tim's remark when, shortly afterwards, he came rushing
in from the direction of our pitfall, exclaiming as he
approached,--"Hurrah! hurrah!--a real `beautiful pig' has been caught;
but the baste looked as if his mind was so ill at ease, that I thought
it prudent not to slip down and help him out; so, if anyone will come
and assist me, sure we'll soon make the beginning of a piggery."
Uncle Paul, Sambo, and I, carrying some rope between us, hastened off to
get out the pig. On reaching the pitfall, Uncle Paul, looking down,
exclaimed,--"It was well, Tim, that you did not jump in to help out your
friend. Just see his mouth!" And poking the end of his stick in front
of the creature's nose, it exhibited a pair of tusks sharp as lancets.
"It is a pig, certainly, but very unlike the pig of northern lands," he
observed. "This creature is a peccary; and though it is of no great
size, it is one of the most savage little animals in existence. A herd
of them will run down a jaguar; and though he may slay a few with his
paws, they will soon worry him to death with their sharp tusks, having
nothing like fear in their composition. We will take the precaution of
securing it before we haul it out, or it will be sure to do some of us
an injury."
A noose having been formed, it was slipped over the peccary's head, and
the animal was hauled-out and quickly despatched. Uncle Paul then
showed us a gland on the hinder part of the back, which he carefully cut
out, remarking that unless this was done it would impart a disagreeable
flavour to the rest of the meat. Tim and Sambo, after having secured it
to the end of a long stick, carried it in triumph to the settlement. We
found the meat excellent; and what we could not eat was smoked and laid
by for the voyage.
Tim was still dissatisfied at not being able to tame a few peccaries to
keep in his hut. He had sallied forth at daybreak one morning, bow in
hand, in search of game, promising to be back at breakfast. When
breakfast-time came, however, Tim did not appear. Arthur and I waited
for an hour or more, till we became somewhat anxious about our faithful
follower, and at last determined to go in search of him. We had noted
the direction he had taken, and hoped, therefore, to get upon his track.
We first visited the pitfall. It was empty; but we caught sight of
some recently broken twigs some way beyond, which showed that he had
gone further. On we went, therefore, shooting several birds which came
in our way.
We were pushing on, when we heard a voice which we knew to be Tim's
shouting out, "Up a tree! up a tree, gentlemen--for your lives!" We
looked round. Fortunately one was near, the branches of which enabled
us, without difficulty, to climb up it. At that instant we caught sight
of several dozen black-skinned creatures rushing towards us. Up the
tree we sprang; and scarcely had we got a few feet from the ground when
a whole herd of peccaries came rushing towards us, ploughing up the
ground with their tusks, and exhibiting other signs of rage.
No sooner had we seated ourselves on a bough than we made out Tim a
little way off, perched in the same manner upon another tree. It was
pretty clear that he had been besieged by the herd, as we now were.
We shouted to him, inquiring how long he had been there.
"For the last two hours or more," was his answer. "I was just walking
through the forest on my way home when these terrible little bastes
caught sight of me; and if I had not sprung up this tree like lightning,
they would have dug their sharp tusks into my legs. Though I have shot
every arrow I had at my back, and have killed half a score of them,
nothing I could do would make them go away; and by my faith, too, the
brutes seem determined to starve us out."
This was not pleasant, as we might expect to be treed in the same
manner. We determined, however, to do what we could to put the
peccaries to flight, and began shooting away; taking good aim, that we
might not uselessly expend our arrows. The little brutes kept rushing
about below us, now and then charging against the trunk of the tree, and
then looking up at us with their wicked eyes, evidently wishing that we
might slip and tumble down among them.
"A pretty condition we should be in if we did so," I remarked to Arthur.
"Take care what you are about, then," he answered. "Keep your feet
firmly fixed on the branch below you before you shoot."
We were standing up on one branch, leaning against another some way
above it,--a good situation for our purpose. We had killed nearly a
dozen peccaries; still the animals seemed totally to disregard the
falling of their companions, and rushed about as fiercely as at first.
We at length began to fear that they would remain till we were starved,
for we had already expended the greater number of our arrows. Arthur at
last advised that we should stop shooting, in the hope that, from some
cause or other, the peccaries would raise the siege and take their
departure. "Even could we cut up the slaughtered animals, we could not
carry home a quarter of them, and it is evidently useless to shoot more
of them," he observed.
Arthur had turned round to speak to Tim, when I heard him whisper, "See,
see! look at that creature!" Casting my eyes in the direction in which
he pointed, I beheld a large jaguar stealing cautiously along towards
one of the peccaries which lay wounded on the ground. We kept perfectly
silent, as we hoped the jaguar would not only carry off the dying
peccary, but a few of its living companions. The loud squeaks which the
poor wounded peccary set up on finding itself in the claws of the savage
jaguar, attracted the attention of the whole herd; but instead of
running away, they rushed simultaneously towards him. He saw them
coming, and lifting his victim in his jaws, he bounded off. They were
not, however, to be disappointed of their revenge, and away they all
started in chase. We watched them with no small interest, expecting,
however, that when they found they could not overtake the jaguar they
would quickly return and again lay siege to us. Greatly to our
satisfaction, however, on they went.
"Now is our time; let us run for it!" exclaimed Arthur, shouting to Tim,
who speedily descended from the tree.
"Sure, you would not be after leaving such a fine supply of good pork,"
said Tim, drawing his knife. "If the peccaries come back, we must just
slip up our trees again; and as for the jaguar, there's little chance of
his showing his nose here, for the brutes will soon kill him, if he has
not got a fast pair of heels of his own."
As there appeared little probability of the peccaries returning, we
followed Tim's advice, and began cutting up the animals, so as to secure
the best joints from each. We soon had three as heavy loads of meat as
we could carry; and placing them on our shoulders, we set off towards
the settlement looking back, every now and then to ascertain if we were
followed.
We hastened along as fast as we could, as we wished not only to escape
from the living peccaries, but to bring our friends to carry off a
further supply of the slaughtered meat. From some cause or other we
were not pursued, and arrived safely at the settlement. Our friends
immediately armed themselves with bows and arrows and spears, and got
ready to return with us. Kallolo merely took his blowpipe; and giving a
peculiar smile, he observed,--"If the creatures will kindly come near
me, I will take good care that not one of them gets away." However, on
reaching the spot where we had left the slaughtered peccaries no living
ones were to be seen, nor did it appear that the jaguar had come back
for any of them; so we concluded that he had either been killed, that
the savage little brutes had driven him to a distance, or that he had
crossed a piece of water, into which they themselves will never
willingly enter. Several vultures and eagles had, however, collected to
enjoy the feast we had prepared for them, while two armadillos and
numerous insects had already attacked the carcasses. We found that
several of those we had last killed were untouched, and each of us was
able to carry back a heavy load of joints, to turn into hams and bacon
in our smoking-house.
We had now, we found after taking stock of our provisions, a supply
sufficient to last for our voyage to Stabroek, even though it might
prove longer than we calculated on. We had jars of clay and cuja-nuts
to carry our stock of water, of which we did not require much, as we
should not be compelled to use it till we got out of the river. As the
earthen jars, however, were liable to be broken, Uncle Paul determined
to manufacture a number of indiarubber bottles. They might possibly
impart an unpleasant odour to the water, but would not render it
unwholesome; and this supply would serve in case the rest should be
exhausted. For this purpose he made a number of clay moulds, with round
sticks for the mouths, and baked them slightly. He then covered the
moulds to a sufficient thickness with the seringa juice, and dried them
in the smoke as our shoes had been. The moulds were easily broken; and
the pieces being taken out, the indiarubber bottles were completed, only
requiring corks and pieces of string to make them suitable for our
object. We were thus supplied with the chief means of supporting
existence during our voyage. We had dried fish and flesh, nuts and
preserved fruit, rice and the farinaceous produce of the palm-tree. We
were more indebted to various species of palm than to any other tree,
both for fruit, and flour to supply the place of wheat.
In a spot once apparently inhabited by Indians, but long since
abandoned, were several peach-palms,--tall and elegant trees, which rose
to the height of sixty feet, and were perfectly straight. Each tree
bore several bunches of fruit, a single bunch being as much as the
strongest of our party could carry. The fruit takes its name from the
colour of the peach, not from its flavour or nature, for it is dry and
mealy, and we agreed, when tasting it, that it was like a mixture of
chestnuts and cheese. On boiling the fruit it became nearly as mealy as
a potato. Each fruit was about the size of a large peach. We found it
very nutritious; and eight or ten were as much as one of us could eat at
a meal. The appearance of the tree is very beautiful, owing to the rich
colour of the foliage. The leaves are green, evenly arched over and
forming a deep green vault, with the heavy clusters of ripe red fruit
hanging beneath it. We were attracted to the spot by seeing numerous
vultures hovering over it; and on reaching the tree we found that they
had come not to devour a carcass beneath, as we had supposed, but to
feed on the fruit.
Another palm, the assai, afforded us an abundance of berries, about the
size of a cranberry, and of a dark brown colour. From it we
manufactured a refreshing beverage. The trunk is perfectly smooth, and
the fruit grows in heavy clusters just below the long leaves which crown
its summit. At first we thought it would be impossible to reach them,
but Maco showed us how they were to be obtained. Binding his feet
together by a strip of palm-leaves above his instep, he pressed his
knees against the trunk, and quickly ascended the polished stem, till he
reached the fruit at the summit.
Although we could generally obtain as much game as we required in the
immediate neighbourhood of the settlement, we occasionally made long
excursions, for the purpose of seeking for a variety. I had one day
accompanied Kallolo further to the north, along the shore of the lake,
than we had hitherto gone. As we were pushing our way through the
forest, we unexpectedly came upon the shores of a small lake, united, as
we afterwards discovered, with several other lakes of a similar size and
appearance. As we stood there, concealed by the trees which thickly
covered its banks, Kallolo whispered to me, "Don't move or make the
slightest sound, and we will quickly capture a bird which will be highly
prized by our friends." He pointed, as he spoke, to the water, on which
I observed a number of enormous circular leaves floating, like vast
dishes, their edges turned up all round, and with beautiful flowers
rising amidst them. But what was more surprising than the leaves, was
to see a large bird with long legs calmly walking over them, and, as far
as I could judge, scarcely making them sink in the slightest degree in
the water.
Kallolo, telling me to remain quiet, threw off his clothes, and having
covered his head with a bunch of grass which he hastily plucked from the
bank, he made his way amid the water towards the bird; which, standing
on a leaf, was engaged in picking up aquatic insects floating by, and
uttering a low-sounding "cluck, cluck" at short intervals. When the
bird turned towards Kallolo, he immediately stopped; then on he went
again, till he got close behind it, when, suddenly darting out his hand,
he seized it by its long legs and drew it quickly under water.
The bird struggled in vain to free itself, and Kallolo brought it to me
in triumph. It was, he told me, called the oven-bird, because it walks
over those enormous leaves shaped like the pans used for baking the
mandioca. I at once recognised it as the jacana. It had black plumage,
with a greenish gloss; its legs were very long and slight, as were its
toes and claws, especially the hind toe. The body, though it appeared
large, was of a singularly light construction, so that it weighs but
little when pressing on the floating leaves. Indeed, on measuring it we
found that it was about ten inches long; the beak, of an orange colour,
being upwards of an inch in length. We carried home our captive; but
though we were anxious to keep it and tame it, it died in a few days,
probably from being unable to obtain the food to which it was
accustomed.
The day after this adventure I was in the woods, when I saw the grass
close to me move; I started back, supposing that a serpent was crossing
my path, and might spring on me. I stood prepared with my stick to
strike it without any sensation of fear; indeed, no snakes need be
dreaded by persons of good nerve and correct eye, if seen in time. I
watched the spot, when, instead of a snake, a land-tortoise came
creeping along. I immediately pounced upon it, and carried it off. It
weighed, I judged, about twenty pounds.
Sambo was well-pleased at seeing it. "This is better food than any we
have yet found!" he exclaimed. "If we can catch a few more, we shall
have enough fresh provisions during the voyage, for they will live a
long time without eating."
As it was possible that more might be found in the same spot, Sambo and
Maco set off with me to hunt for them. We were more successful than we
expected, for we had fallen, it appeared, on a colony of the creatures;
and in a short time we captured six, of about the same size as the
first. Maco said that, as they seldom move far from home, we should
probably catch many more.
We returned home with a tortoise under each arm; and we had now to
consider how they were to be kept. They would not remain quietly on
their backs, as turtle are wont to do; for immediately they were put in
that position they managed to turn over, and began to crawl away. It
was therefore settled that we should build a pen in which to confine
them till we were ready to sail.
We set to work at once, having in the meantime secured ropes round their
bodies, and tethered them to sticks; and before night we had put up a
pen of sufficient size to contain as many as we were likely to catch.
As they cannot climb, the palings were of no great height; while, as the
creatures require a good-sized hole to get through, we were able to put
the stakes some distance apart. We at once turned in our tortoises, and
gave them various fruits, all of which they ate willingly.
The tortoises made us think of turtle. Though turtle flesh is not
considered by many people to equal that of the tortoise, it was very
desirable that we should obtain some, as they also can be preserved a
long time on board ship.
It was now about the time when they come on shore to lay their eggs, so
we agreed to make an excursion along the borders of the lake, in the
hope of finding some sandy beach which they might have chosen for that
object. As it was a matter of importance, Uncle Paul determined to go
himself on the smaller raft, taking Sambo, Kallolo, and me with him. We
started at daybreak, provisioned for three days; but as Kallolo carried
his blowpipe, and we our bows and arrows, with our long pointed sticks
for spears, and some fishing-lines, we could obtain more food should we
require it.
We kept along the western shore of the lake towards the north, passing
on our way several inlets, which led, we had no doubt, to other lakes in
the interior, similar to the one in which we had caught the jacana.
After we had gone some distance, no sandy beach appearing in which
turtle were likely to lay their eggs, we began to despair of obtaining
our object. Still Uncle Paul determined to go further. He expressed
his regret that we had not built a canoe in the first instance. We
might then have navigated the shores of the lake to a considerable
distance; and it would also have served us far better than the raft for
fishing. However, as it would have occupied not only our time, but
engaged the tools which were required for building the vessel, it had
not been considered advisable to attempt the construction of one.
The wind being from the south, we glided calmly on before it.
Sometimes, when the wind was fresh, we made good way; at others, when it
fell, we had again to take to our paddles.
We were thus moving forward, when Kallolo espied an object floating on
the surface of the water. "Paddle slowly!" he said; "and make as little
noise as possible. There is a sleeping turtle; and though we cannot
catch it alive, we will have it notwithstanding." Saying this, he got
his bow ready, with one of several large arrows which he had formed
fixed in it. We had cautiously approached; when, standing up, he shot
his arrow into the air, which formed a curve and came down
perpendicularly on the shell of the turtle.
"Paddle up rapidly!" he exclaimed. We did as he directed, but just as
we got near it the turtle disappeared beneath the surface. The shaft of
the arrow, however, remaining above it, Kallolo sprang into the water
and caught it just as it was sinking, and towed it alongside. Passing a
rope round the body of the turtle, we next hauled it on board, when
Kallolo, breaking off the shaft, turned the animal on its back. It was
alive, but from the weak way in which it moved its legs it was evident
that life was ebbing fast. We should, at all events, not return
empty-handed.
We were at last thinking of putting about, when Uncle Paul, who was
taking another look along the shore, announced that he saw just such a
beach as we were in search of. We at once with renewed vigour paddled
towards it, and as we drew nearer he declared his belief that we should
find it frequented by turtle. Instead of landing on the beach, however,
we paddled in on one side, and there saw an open space which would
afford us camping-ground. As turtles are timid creatures, and will not
lay their eggs on ground disturbed by the footsteps of their human or
other foes, it was important not to walk over the ground until they had
come on shore. This they do during the night, though they do not return
to the water till after sunrise.
We built a hut of boughs, and lighting a fire, cooked our provisions;
then, having eaten our supper, we lay down to rest, one of us keeping
watch while the rest slept.
Uncle Paul, who had chosen the morning watch, called us just before
daylight. We made our way along the shore, cautiously approaching the
beach, on which, to our infinite satisfaction, we saw a number of dark
objects crawling slowly along. We now hurried forward--Uncle Paul and
Kallolo taking one side, Tim and I the other--and were soon among the
turtle, which, with all the strength we could exert, we rapidly turned
over on their backs. On seeing us, the creatures began to crawl away
towards the water; but we were too quick for many of them, and in a
short time had, between us, turned over twenty.
There they lay, utterly helpless and at our mercy. But what to do with
them, was the first question. We could not carry them all on the raft,
and if we left them, they would certainly become the prey of jaguars or
alligators, and probably vultures and eagles. Indeed, the poor turtle
finds, from its birth to the day of its death, innumerable enemies ready
to prey on it. I, as a joke, recommended harnessing them, and letting
them tow us; but Sambo observed gravely that, as we could not guide
them, they were very likely to carry us off in exactly the opposite
direction to that we wished to go.
As the raft, we calculated, could only carry six, we at last determined
to build a pen in which to leave them, on their backs, and to cover it
over with boughs, so as to protect them from the attacks of any of the
foes I have mentioned. As it was only necessary to cut sticks for the
purpose four or five feet long, we soon had enough prepared, with a
number of the heaviest boughs we could manage to bring to the spot. We
then dragged our captives to the pen, and covered them up. People in
general do not take this precaution, but then they always leave some one
to watch the turned turtles till they can carry them away.
Placing the others on the raft, in high spirits we commenced our return
voyage. We met with no accident by the way, and, of course, were
heartily welcomed.
While we set off again, the rest of the party commenced building a pen
on the shore of the lake, by driving in sticks, so as to enclose a
semicircular piece of water, in which the turtles might live at their
ease. And on this occasion we carried with us a number of baskets, to
fill with turtles' eggs.
On reaching the spot where we had left our turtles, we found that our
precautions had not been in vain. An alligator had apparently poked his
nose against the sticks, but had been unable to uproot them; and one or
more jaguars had certainly visited the spot, but had not succeeded in
breaking through the thick roof. During the previous night more turtle
had, we found, visited the spot, and we very speedily filled our baskets
with eggs.
We had also brought with us a large trough and several clay jars. We
broke a considerable number of eggs into the trough, filling it to the
brim. In a short time a rich oil rose to the surface. This we skimmed
off and put into the jars; repeating the process till all our jars were
full. We had thus a good supply of excellent oil, for any purpose for
which it might be required. Then, somewhat heavily laden, we returned
homewards.
"Well done, my friends! you have amply provisioned the _Good Hope_; and,
please Heaven, we will in a few days get her off the stocks and ready
for rigging!" exclaimed the skipper. "That will not take long; and we
may then, before the rain sets in, bid farewell to this place, which we
shall ever remember with affection for the happy home it has afforded us
for so many months."
We were now more busy than ever. The last planks were put on. Our
craft was completely decked over, and a cabin raised in the afterpart
for Marian and my father. We had manufactured an ample supply of
sailcloth, which, with the addition of the sail saved from the old
craft, would be sufficient. Cordage and blocks had been made, and the
masts and spars were already put up. The fibres of several plants
served as oakum for caulking the planks; and two or three resinous trees
afforded pitch for the seams, as also for paying over the outside. As
we had no paint, the interior was covered over with a varnish which
quickly became hard.
The day for the launch was at last fixed. We had no gay-coloured flags,
but Sambo had preserved a red handkerchief, which was hoisted to the
head of the mainmast, and waved proudly in the breeze. The sky was
bright, the wind light and balmy. The shores were then knocked away;
and, with loud cheers, and prayers that the _Good Hope_ might have a
prosperous voyage, we saw her glide gently into the waters of the lake,
on which she sat, as Peter observed, like a wild duck ready to take
wing. We had formed a rough pier with the trunks of two large trees,
alongside of which she was hauled, for the greater facility of carrying
her rigging and spars aboard. The rafts were drawn up on the other side
for the same purpose--the last service they were likely to render us.
Though we had an abundance of substantial provisions, we required for
our daily wants a supply of fruit and vegetables, as also some wildfowl
and other birds. For the purpose of obtaining them, Kallolo and I set
out one morning, each of us carrying a large basket on our back; he with
his blowpipe in his hand, and I with my bow in mine, and our pointed
sticks, without which we never went out. We took the way towards the
small lakes, where we were certain to find birds, and probably a variety
of fruits, as so bountifully is that land supplied by nature, that some
fruits are found in perfection all the year round, though we had to go
further than usual to obtain them.
We reached the lake where Kallolo had caught the jacana; and skirting
its shore, we passed along a narrow causeway which separated it from
another lake of smaller dimensions. We were still proceeding, when
Kallolo stopped me, and pointed to a thin column of smoke which arose at
some distance, apparently from a fire kindled close to the shore.
"There must be natives there," he whispered; "but whether they are
likely to prove friends or foes, I cannot say till I have got a sight of
them. Stop here while I wade into the lake; I see by the character of
the water-plants that it is shallow, and by keeping behind the bushes I
may observe them without being seen myself."
He did as he proposed, and, while I remained hidden behind the bushes,
made his way, now swimming, now wading, towards the opening where he had
seen the smoke. I watched him anxiously. He stopped, at length,
resting his hand on a fallen trunk, and looking out eagerly before him;
while I kept an arrow fixed in my bow, ready to shoot should the
strangers discover him. Slowly sinking down, so as the more effectually
to conceal himself, he made his way towards where I anxiously awaited
his return. I saw by the caution he used that he was not satisfied.
"We must hurry away from hence," he whispered. "I saw a large number of
people; and, from their paint and the weapons they carry, I have no
doubt that they are out on a warlike expedition. They probably are not
aware that we are in the neighbourhood, and they may pass by without
discovering us; but if they do so, and find how few we are in number,
they may be tempted to attack us, under the belief that we possess such
articles as they value."
Kallolo said this as we hurried away. We were soon out of sight of the
strangers, but he considered it imprudent to remain in their vicinity;
and although we had collected only a portion of the fruit for which we
had come, and killed but a few birds, we hurried back to the village.
The account we gave made everyone more anxious than ever to get the
vessel ready for sea without delay, so that, should the natives attack
us, we might, as we had no adequate means of defence, hurry on board and
push off into the lake, even though the rigging of the craft was not
complete. All hands therefore worked away till darkness put an end to
our labours. Kallolo and Maco then volunteered to go out as scouts, to
ascertain if the strangers were approaching, that we might not be taken
by surprise.
The night, however, passed away as usual; and next morning, as soon as
daylight returned we were all on foot--the seamen of the party engaged
in rigging the vessel, while the rest of us carried provisions on board.
Marian took her share in all our labours, as she had done in
manufacturing the sails, the matting for making the baskets, and even
the ropes, and in preparing the provisions. We were all, indeed, as
busy as ants, going backwards and forwards from the storehouse to the
vessel. The last of the provisions carried on board were the turtles
and tortoises. The former were laid on their backs on deck, covered
with a piece of matting; and the latter were shut up in a box formed for
them in the hold.
Another day came to an end, and the Indians, as before, went out to act
the part of scouts. On their return they brought the intelligence that
the strangers had kept on the other side of the lake, and would, they
supposed, pass at a distance from the settlement. However, as we could
not be certain that this would be the case, it was agreed that it would
be wise to keep a sharp lookout as long as we remained on shore.
We had now only to bend the sails. All who were required were engaged
in the work, while the rest were employed in conveying on board the last
remaining articles. Polo, who, never having been at sea, was the least
handy on board, had gone a short distance from the huts to shoot some
parrots from a flock which frequented the neighbourhood, and which had
already supplied us with several of their number. They were to be
cooked, with the flesh of one of the turtles, before we embarked, as our
culinary appliances on board were limited. We had contrived a stove
made of clay, but, as it was of small dimensions, it would only serve
for boiling our kettle and preparing small dishes. I was assisting
Marian to pack up some food for her favourites, which were standing
around her: the ara parrot perched on her shoulder, the curassow running
round and picking up the grain which I let drop, while Quacko was seated
on the roof of her hut, munching a nut. My father and Arthur were
engaged in some other way; and Tim had just got a load on his shoulders,
when, hearing a shout, we looked round and saw Polo running at full
speed towards us.
"Fly! fly! Hasten, my masters; escape for your lives!" he exclaimed in
eager tones. "The enemy have caught sight of me, and are following.
There are hundreds of them; and they will destroy us all, if they catch
us!"
Though I was at first inclined to believe that there could scarcely be
so much cause for Polo's alarm, yet I saw that my father and Arthur
considered the matter in a serious light.
"Guy, my boy, go at once on board with Marian. Arthur and I will
follow," cried my father.
Captain van Dunk, hearing Polo's shouts, inquired what was the matter.
Polo repeated what he had said to us. "We will shove off at once,
then," exclaimed the skipper. "If the people approaching prove
friendly, we can return and get whatever remains. As prudent people, we
should not longer delay."
I took Marian's hand, and followed by our feathered pets and a couple of
young monkeys in addition to Quacko, we hastened along the stage to the
_Good Hope_. Having seen her safe on board, I was about to return and
assist in bringing the few things which remained, when I caught sight of
a number of dusky forms in the distance, a bristling array of bows and
spears being visible above their heads. The captain shouted to my
father and the rest to hasten their steps, while those on board got out
some long poles prepared for impelling the vessel when in shallow water.
The shouts of the savages rang through the forest. It was very evident
that we had been discovered, and that they intended to attack us. My
father and Arthur came hurrying to the beach; Maco came next, bearing a
load; and Tim, who seemed to consider it a duty to remain till the last
for the defence of his master, brought up the rear. There was no time
to be lost. The captain and Peter stretched out their hands to help
them on board; and no sooner had Tim leaped on the deck than the last
warp was cast off, and the _Good Hope_ began to move into deep water.
At that moment our poor tapir, which had been feeding at a safe
distance, came trotting down to the beach. He could not under any
circumstances have been taken on board, as from his bulk and weight he
would have been too much in the way; but we were very sorry to leave him
behind, especially when we saw him wading into the lake till his head
alone appeared above water.
Our attention, however, was occupied in watching the savages, who now,
in overwhelming numbers, came rushing into the midst of our little
village. On finding that we had escaped, they hurried down to the
beach, uttering loud shrieks and cries, and ordering us to return; while
some, drawing their bows, shot their arrows towards us. This, of
course, increased our anxiety to escape from them; so the oars were got
out and we pulled lustily away, till a light breeze getting up, we
hoisted our sail, and the _Good Hope_ began to glide rapidly across the
smooth waters of the lake.
On looking back we saw the natives shooting their arrows towards us, and
frantically waving their spears; while behind them rose a volume of
smoke above the bright flames which were consuming our little village.
I could not help fearing that they had vented their rage on the poor
tapir, which could scarcely have had time to regain the shore before
they reached it. Our huts, too, must have been completely consumed; but
as we stood across the lake a point of land shut out for ever our little
settlement from our eyes.