I TRAVEL NORTH-EAST--BREAKFAST--A STRANGE SUPPER COMPANION--ANOTHER
DAY'S JOURNEY--MEET SOME GIRLS--THE PRINCESS CARRIED OFF BY AN APE--I
SHOOT HIM--TRIUMPHANT PROCESSION TO THE VILLAGE--THE MAIDEN'S SONG
ALARMS ME--AM THANKED BY THE KING--THE KING'S WEAVERS--MY FRIENDS
RETURN--WE ARE MOST HANDSOMELY TREATED--THE PRINCESS AND HER
GRANDFATHER--MY ALARM ONLY TOO WELL FOUNDED--CHARLEY COMES TO THE
RESCUE--DISCUSS OUR PROSPECTS.
A bright light streamed into my eyes--it was the sun, just rising,
sending his rays darting through the boughs. I felt very unwilling to
get up, and when I began to move I discovered that my limbs were
somewhat stiff from the hardness of my couch. At length I rose, and,
kneeling down, thanked Heaven for the protection which had been afforded
me. I now began to feel the sensations of hunger. I hoped, however,
that I might be able to find something with which to satisfy my
appetite, and enable me to continue my search for my friends. It was
important to lose no time; I accordingly descended, letting myself down
by the vine. I could now, guided by the sun, steer a tolerably straight
course. I judged that if I proceeded to the north-east I should in
time, though I might miss my travelling companions, at all events reach
King Sanga Tanga's village. I looked about me, half expecting to see
the monster who had passed by in the evening, walk out from behind some
thick bushes which grew around. I stood close to the very tree by which
I had seen the creature supporting itself, and although I hoped that it
had gone on to a distance, I felt a disinclination to camp at that spot.
I had, fortunately, some matches and a tinder-box in my pocket, so that
I could light a fire as soon as I had something to cook at it. I had
not gone far when a chorus of loud screams announced the approach of a
flock of grey parrots, which were issuing forth from their
resting-places in search of berries and nuts. Crouching down behind a
bush, I allowed them to come so close to me that I shot a couple, and
knocked down a third with the barrel of my gun before it had time to fly
off. Slinging them over my shoulder, I trudged on until I came to the
bank of a small stream. Going along it I found an open spot, in the
centre of which I could kindle a fire without the risk of setting light
to the neighbouring trees. I quickly had two of my parrots plucked, and
by means of the usual wooden spit, soon had them roasting. Before
sitting down, I looked carefully around to ascertain that no monster ape
was near, likely to invite himself to the repast. I must own it, I was
seized with a sort of horror of the monster apes, and as I went along I
could not help every now and then looking over my shoulder, expecting to
see one following. I dreaded the thought of an encounter with one of
the creatures far more than I did with a leopard or lion. I hurried
over my breakfast, and having taken a good draught from the bright
stream, filled up my water bottle, and stowed a portion of the cooked
parrot in my wallet that I might not be delayed by having to cook a
mid-day meal, I pushed on. The forest in many places was more open than
I expected to find it, and I made good progress.
I did not wish to expend my ammunition by firing signals, but I
occasionally shouted at the top of my voice, hoping that my friends
would hear me. I was disappointed, however, and another evening found
me still in the forest. I was certain, by the course of the sun, which
I had carefully noted, that I had kept a tolerably correct course, and I
calculated that by the end of a couple of days at most, I should reach
King Sanga Tanga's town. My chief regret was, that my non-appearance
would cause anxiety, and that Charley and Harry would be delayed in
searching for me--still that could not be helped. Had I gone in any
other direction, I might naturally have lost my way, whereas I now felt
sure that they must ultimately come up with me. I have not described
the various animals I met with. Now and then a buffalo passed at a
distance, and several species of antelopes. Once I saw a leopard
stealing by, but he did not see me, having some other game in view.
There were also hyenas, but I had no reason to be afraid of them, as
they seldom attack a human being unless they find them asleep. There
were numerous small monkeys, as well as big apes of several species.
The most curious monkey was a small frolicsome little animal which,
whenever seen, indicated that water was not far off, as they have an
especial fondness for water. They are great friends with a pretty bird,
which is constantly found in their company. They are often seen playing
together, whether it is that they are attracted by the same object, or
really have a mutual affection, I am unable positively to determine.
The country teeming with animal life, and producing numerous berries as
well as large fruits, I had no fear of suffering from hunger, provided
my stock of ammunition should hold out. Without it, in the midst of
abundance, I might have starved. Although I determined, as on the
previous night, to sleep up a tree; I lit a big fire, at which I could
cook my supper, on the ground near at hand. While the birds were
roasting, I threw a vine over the bough, by climbing up which I could
gain a place of safety. The birds I had shot being cooked, I was
discussing my supper, washing it down with draughts from my water
battle, when looking up, I saw the shadow of a creature moving some
fifty yards off; a second glance convinced me that it was a leopard.
The fire kept him at bay, but he stood gazing at me, and probably
scenting the odour of the roasted birds from afar. I saw him creep
nearer and nearer. I might have shot him, but might have missed, so
considering discretion the better part of valour, I caught hold of one
of the birds by the leg, and holding it in my mouth, I swarmed up to the
bough, where I was in perfect safety. I had before this fixed on a spot
where I could rest for the night, and at once made my way to it,
intending to start at daybreak the next morning. However, I could not
resist the temptation of watching the leopard. He walked round and
round my fire, but as long as it blazed up was afraid of approaching.
As, however, the flames sank down, and only the bright embers remained,
he made a dash at the portion of the birds I had left behind, and
gobbled them up in a moment. I then threw him the bones of the one
which I had been gnawing. He looked up very much surprised, wondering
where it came from. I was greatly inclined to shoot him, but there was
no object in doing so, as I should very likely only have wounded him,
and sent him off to die miserably. At last, finding there was nothing
more to be got, and possibly forgetting all about me, the leopard took
his departure. I slept as soundly up the tree as I did the previous
night, and coming down in the morning, immediately pushed forward in the
direction I had before been travelling. I was able to make good some
eight or ten miles before the air had become heated with the sun.
Another day passed so like the former, that I could scarcely distinguish
one from the other. Another evening was coming on. I fully expected by
this time to have reached my destination, but I had met with no
plantations, or any other sign to show that I was approaching an
inhabited spot, I therefore supposed that I must be still some way off.
I was travelling along when I heard the sound of voices--they were those
of females, several with baskets on their heads, while others were
busily employed in plucking wild fruits, which grew in abundance in an
open glade in the forest. Some thick bushes sheltered me from view. I
was thankful to see them, as I hoped that they belonged to the village
of Sanga Tanga, and that my long solitary journey was now nearly over.
Still I thought that should I appear among them suddenly I might alarm
them--I was, therefore, determined to remain concealed, and to follow
them when they should return homeward, being sure that they would lead
me, if not to the village of which I was in search, to another where I
might hope to be well received. The girls were all scattered about,
plucking the fruit from the bushes, when I heard a fearful scream, and
looking in the direction from whence it came, I saw one of those
dreadful monsters which had for days haunted my imagination, approaching
two of the girls. The creature was too far off to allow me to fire with
a certainty of killing him, and should I merely wound him, I should
probably only make him more savage; I therefore crept forward as rapidly
as I could, hoping to get close enough to shoot him before he could
seize either of the girls. One, overcome by terror, seemed scarcely
able to fly, or make an effort to escape, the others fled shrieking
away. Before I could get sufficiently close to make sure of my aim, the
hideous monster seized the hapless girl round the waist with one of his
long arms, and immediately began to make his way towards a neighbouring
tree. I dashed forward. Should he once get to my height up the
branches, nothing could save the girl, for even should I shoot him she
might be killed by the fall. I knew that by firing I ran the risk of
shooting her, but that risk must be run, her death was certain should he
escape with her. He had reached the first branch of a tree, scarcely
more than twelve feet from the ground, when I brought my rifle to bear
on him, I fired, aiming at his breast. As the bullet struck him he
uttered a terrific roar; but at the same moment opening his left arm,
which had encircled the girl, he let her fall, fortunately on a bed of
leaves. She was senseless. I was afraid that the monster would fall
upon her, and if so in his struggles he might tear her with his teeth
and claws, but he held fast to the bough, roaring loudly and striking
his breast. Under other circumstances I think that I should have put a
considerable distance between myself and the beast, but the life of a
fellow-creature was at stake. Summoning all the coolness I could
command, I reloaded and then shouted to the other girls to come back and
take their companion away. They all seemed to dread approaching the
monster. I was afraid that, should I go under the bough, he might
spring on me, and that the only safe mode of proceeding was to keep him
covered by my rifle, so that, should he make any movement, I might again
shoot. Presently I saw him swaying backwards and forwards as if his
strength was leaving him; still he growled as fiercely as before. I
moved slightly, so as to get a better aim at him. He thought, perhaps,
that I was about to fly, for he stepped onto another bough.
Now was my opportunity; I fired, and down he came with a crash, breaking
away several rotten boughs, until he reached a quantity of dead wood,
where he struggled in vain to rise. Having reloaded, I dashed forward,
and, lifting the girl in my arms, bore her towards a party of her
friends, who had stopped, gazing horror-stricken at what was taking
place. They received her with loud cries of grief, supposing her to be
dead. She, in a short time, began to breathe, and, opening her eyes,
gazed round with a scared and terrified look, then she clung to her
companion, shrieking out, as she caught sight of me standing by--"Save
me, save me!" Apparently she for a moment supposed that I was the being
who had carried her off. Her friends, however, were apparently doing
their best to reassure her; and at length, pointing to me, they made her
understand that I was the person who had saved her from the grasp of the
monster ape, which they pointed out lying dead beneath the tree. They
then all came round me, and I had no doubt from the signs they made and
their looks, that they were expressing their gratitude for the service I
had rendered them in saving the young girl.
I tried in return to make them understand how glad I was that I had done
so. I was now able more particularly to remark the appearance of the
damsel. She was young, and for a negress remarkably pretty. As she
recovered she took my hand and placed it, on her head as a sign, I
supposed, that she was much obliged to me for saving her. I tried to
make out whether the girls belonged to King Sanga Tanga's village. When
I mentioned his name they all clapped their hands and pointed to the
girl whom they called Iguma. In consequence of this action I began to
hope that she was in some way related to him, perhaps his daughter, in
which case my friends and I were likely to be better treated than we
could otherwise have expected.
As far as I could judge from the signs the girls made, I understood that
the village was not far off. Having picked up the baskets and refilled
them with the fruit which had been strewn on the ground, they prepared
to return. Four of them carried Iguma, who placed her arms round the
necks of two, while the others supported her legs. Before setting off I
was anxious to secure the skin of the huge ape--if ape it was, for it
looked to me, as it lay stretched on the ground, more like some savage
human being of the forest. I pointed it out to the girls, who, I
believe, fancied that the creature had made its escape into the wood.
As soon as they saw it and knew from the signs I made that it was dead,
they began to advance cautiously in the direction where it lay. I went
first, with my knife drawn ready to flay it. They now crept forward,
two or three of the bolder ones in front of the rest, when they would
stop and gaze at the creature, talking to each other, even now
apparently having some doubt whether it was dead or not. Then, as I got
nearer to it and at last gave it a kick or two with my foot, they came
crowding around with more confidence, crying out loudly and chattering
away to each other. I was about to begin to flay it when it struck me
that they would perhaps be unwilling to carry the skin, and I certainly
had no wish to bear it on my own shoulders all the way to the village,
even although the distance might not be great. I tried to make them
understand that if they would send some young men I should be very much
obliged. They, after a little time, took in my meaning, and two of
them, handing their baskets to their companions, set off running.
As I was not particularly anxious to skin the creature myself,
remembering that if I did so I should not be in a very fit state to be
presented to the king and the inhabitants of the village, I accepted the
invitation of the girls to accompany them at once.
Leaving the dead ape to any fate which might befall it, I set off with
my new friends, who now surrounding me, formed themselves into a sort of
triumphal procession. First went Iguma and her supporters, then
followed four of my attendants, then I came with two on either hand, the
rest bringing up the rear, all shouting and singing impromptu verses in
praise of me, for I could tell by certain words that such was the case.
The words were to this effect--
"The king's daughter with her maidens went out to pick berries, then
came a huge ape, and they fled with fright. The monster seized the
maiden, the pride of her father's heart, and bore her off to a cruel
death. Already he had reached a tree, the cries of her companions
availed her not. In another moment she would have been beyond our
reach, when a pale-faced stranger appeared with a wonderful thunder
maker in his hand. He made thunder, and the ape, huge as it was, fell
dead at his feet. The beautiful Iguma was saved. He who had saved her
has won our hearts, we will do him honour, we will do all he asks of us.
The king will rejoice, he will weep with joy over his child, and he
will give her to the young stranger as a reward. He will become our
prince and live with us, and lead our young men to battle. We will
serve him gladly."
As the meaning of these last expressions dawned upon me, I began to feel
somewhat uncomfortable. I was very happy to have saved the young lady,
but had no wish whatever to become the husband of a black beauty,
however charming she might be in the eyes of her countrymen. I was
puzzled to think how I might get out of the difficulty without offending
her or her father, or her female companions, who had so unreservedly
bestowed her on me without being asked. I could only hope that the
maidens were indulging in poetical licence, and that they did not really
mean that I should marry their mistress. At all events, I determined to
put the best face on the matter I could, hoping that they might not
insist on the event coming off immediately.
At last I caught sight of some magnificent palm trees, rising in the
midst of a number of houses. In a short time we entered a broad street
which led into the square, and in the middle were the palm trees I had
just before observed. It struck me as an exceedingly picturesque place,
and very neat. On each side of the square two other streets branched
off. Every house had a veranda in front of it, and an open space
between it and the road. I should have said as we approached we met a
party of young men running at full speed, who, after exchanging a few
words with the girls, hastened on in the direction whence we had come.
On entering the town we saw a number of persons approaching, several
playing on tom-toms and various musical instruments, and others shouting
and singing. In their midst talked their king in full costume, which I
suspect he had put on in a hurry, for his head dress was rather awry.
Coming forward, he embraced his daughter, tears falling from his eyes as
a mark of his paternal affection; then he came up to me, and saluted me
in the same fashion, a ceremony I would gladly have avoided. He then
poured out expressions which I took to signify how deeply grateful he
was to me for saving his daughter from the huge ape. He then asked me
what had become of my companions, and how it was that I was there all
alone. I may have been wrong, but this, I believe, was what he said to
me. I tried to explain by signs rather than words, how I had been
separated from them while out hunting, that I had looked for them in
vain, and then made my way towards his village, where I fortunately
arrived in time to do the happy deed which I trusted would guild my
humble name in the eyes of his majesty and his subjects. I do not know
whether the king understood what I said, but as I put my hand to my
heart and looked very much pleased, I was sure that he understood, at
all events, that I wished to say something civil. From what I heard the
girls say, I confess that I was somewhat afraid that his majesty would
propose bestowing his daughter on me at once, and was greatly relieved
when I found he had not in any way alluded to the subject. Having seen
her carried into one of the huts by her attendants, the king took my
hand and led me towards another hut on the opposite side of the square.
It was a very well-constructed building, of fair size and height and
look, remarkably neat and clean. Behind it was a plantain grove; a
garden with lime and other trees, and shrubs of beautiful foliage, with
an enclosure in which were a number of goats and fowls.
Many of the inhabitants were clothed in robes of bongo, a species of
cloth made from the delicate cuticle of palm leaflets, which are
stripped off and ornamented with feathers. These are woven very neatly,
many of them are striped, and some made even with check pattern. The
pieces of cloth are then stitched together in a regular way with
needles, also manufactured by the natives. I saw in the town a number
of men sitting at looms in the middle of a hut with a wood fire burning
near them. The weavers were smoking their long pipes, the bowls of
which rested on the ground, and shouting to each other as they worked
merrily away. Some of the king's attendants brought in cushions and
mats, which they placed on the floor. He then, begging me to be seated,
placed himself by my side, and tried to enter into conversation, but I
must confess that I had great difficulty in making out what he said I
tried, however, to look very wise, lest his majesty might lose patience,
for there was something in his countenance which showed me that he might
be apt to do so, as is often the case with persons who have been
accustomed to have their own way.
We were still carrying on this somewhat unintelligible conversation,
when loud shouts were heard, and the king and I going to the door of the
hut saw the young men who had been sent to bring in the dead ape, four
carrying the skin, with the head stuck on a pole, and the arms stretched
out, and the rest bearing the body, cut up into portions. From the way
the king licked his lips, I suspected that he intended to enjoy a feast
on the flesh of the beast. I should as soon thought of eating a human
being, so human did it look in many respects. They halted before us,
and asked what they were to do with it. I, in reply, merely claimed the
skin, at which they appeared well satisfied, and marched off with the
remainder to the king's house at the other side of the square. I hoped,
by hanging up the skin, we might be able to clean it, and preserve it
sufficiently to carry it with us to the coast, for I was sure that
otherwise no one would believe that so enormous an ape existed. I
managed to make the king understand what I wanted, and he, with several
other persons whom he summoned, assisted me in hanging it up to a branch
of a tree, my intention being to light a fire under it, and try to cure
it by smoking. I was thus employed when I heard several shots. The
king and his attendants rushed out to the front of the house, and I
followed. They were evidently in a state of agitation, wondering what
the shots could mean. Presently we heard shouts. In a short time a
number of persons appeared at the further end of the town. As they drew
near, to my great joy I recognised Charley and Harry with Tom Tubbs and
Aboh, accompanied by Prince Ombay. On seeing me they all hurried
forward, eager to know how I had been separated from them and found my
way to the village. While I briefly narrated my adventures, Prince
Ombay learned how I had rescued his sister. He now came forward and
embraced me, telling me that I was his brother, that we should never
part.
Calling Aboh, I begged him to say everything civil he could think of;
but, at the same time, not to commit me by making any promises on my
part. The king in his generosity would have appropriated a house to
each of us, but we begged that we might be allowed to live together in
the one he had fixed on for me, which was amply large enough for all of
us. We could thus, we agreed, defend ourselves should the feelings of
the people assume any unpleasant change towards us; or we could, if
necessary, better arrange for making our escape should the king take it
into his head to detain us. At present everything appeared at pleasant
as we could desire.
Soon after we had taken possession of the house a number of girls
appeared with baskets of provisions on their heads, and bowls of farina.
There was flesh and fowl and fruits of all descriptions. We told Aboh
that we should be very glad if he would bring us some big bowls of water
in which we could wash our feet, and as he had before seen us perform
that operation, he at once understood what we wanted. Hastening out, he
quickly returned with a large gourd full of cool water, supplied by a
spring which ran from a hill close to the village. We were about to
perform our ablutions, when a damsel appeared carrying a basket of fruit
on her head. She approached accompanied by a white-haired old gentleman
clothed in one of the robes I have described. Looking up I recognised
Iguma. I asked Aboh who the old gentleman was, suspecting that he had
come with some object in view.
"That's her grandfather," he answered, looking very knowing. We, of
course, rose to greet the young lady, and to receive and open the basket
she had brought. The ebon damsel then said something, and stood with
her hands clasped before her. What it was about I, of course, could not
exactly make out, and Aboh did not appear inclined to translate it. Her
venerable grandsire then made a long speech. It was even more
unintelligible to us than were the words which had dropped from Iguma's
lips. At last we were obliged to apply to Aboh for information.
"Him say makee her wife," said Aboh at length. It was certainly a great
abridgment of what had been uttered by the old man, although probably it
contained the pith of the matter.
"Tell him," said Charley, pointing to me, "that I am his elder brother,
that he cannot marry without my leave, and that I consider him far too
young to think about taking upon himself the responsibilities of
matrimony. That he must come home first then, if he gets our parents
permission, that he will come back with chains and beads and
looking-glasses, and ornaments of all sorts for the young lady, and
guns, powder and shot, and a variety of other articles for her papa.
Make this very clear, if you please, for I must have no misunderstanding
on that point."
Aboh, who understood the chief part of what Charley had said,
immediately translated it to the old gentleman, with a good many
additions of his own. Iguma pouted a little at the thought, I suppose,
of having to wait so long, on which I told Aboh to remind her of the
quantity of beads I was to bring when I got our father's leave to marry
a black wife. I must own I had my doubts how far we were justified in
using this deceit, but our position was a difficult one and might become
dangerous, and just then we did not consider the consequences which
might result from the artifice we had resorted to. I tried to make
Iguma understand how much I was obliged to her by eating some of the
food she had brought, and assuring her how very nice I found it. At
last she appeared tolerably well satisfied, and as it was getting late
she and her grandfather took their departure. We were now left alone,
with only Aboh and Shimbo to attend on us.
"Things have turned out much better than I expected, and we are very
jolly here," observed Charley; "but I wonder whether Mr Sanga Tanga
will let us proceed on our journey."
"To my mind I am afraid that, now he has got us, he intends to keep us,"
observed Tom. "These nigger chiefs fancy that white men can do
everything, and as we have arms and ammunition, the king will, I
suspect, take it into his head to try and conquer all the country round
him. King Quagomolo, as he calls himself, is evidently afraid of him,
or he would not have given me and our traps up so easily."
"We, however, must try and get away," observed Harry; "we may be jolly
enough, as Charley says, just now, but we shall soon get weary of the
life."
"We must first try fair means, and endeavour to persuade the king to let
us go home to ask our father to allow Dick to marry Miss Iguma, as I
propose," said Charley; "that appears to me to be the safest plan to
pursue."
"But suppose the king says no, and insists on your brother marrying his
daughter with or without your father's leave, what's to be done then?"
"We must cut and run," I exclaimed; "I should be very sorry to treat the
young lady ill, but if her father insists on my marrying her, I shall
regret having been the means of saving her from the wild man of the
woods. I certainly thought that he would be grateful to me for what I
had done, but I confess that he exhibits his gratitude in a very awkward
manner as far as I am concerned. However, there is no use talking about
the matter any longer, I'm getting very sleepy, and should be glad to
turn in and get a quiet snooze, after spending the last three nights up
trees."
My companions were ready enough to follow my advice, and we all wrapped
ourselves up in the pieces of matting with which our new friends had
supplied us, and went to sleep.