THE SCENERY OF JAMAICA--PROCEEDINGS AT BELLEVUE--A DESCRIPTION OF THE
SLAVES ON THE ESTATE--AN EXPEDITION PROPOSED--ARRIVAL OF MAJOR MALCOLM
AND LIEUTENANT BELT--A MORNING RIDE--A PICNIC--VISIT TO A REMARKABLE
CAVERN--CURIOUS OBJECTS WITHIN--THE GUIDE'S TERROR AT SEEING SHADOWS IN
THE DISTANCE--ARCHIE'S NARROW ESCAPE--WARNINGS--RETURN HOMEWARDS--MEET
MARTIN BRINGING ALARMING INTELLIGENCE.
Among the numberless lovely islands which dot the ocean, few surpass
Jamaica in beauty and magnificence of scenery, or are adorned with a
richer vegetation. Grand as are the views the island presents to the
voyager who approaches it on the southern shore, they are fully equalled
by those of its northern coast. At a short distance from the beach the
island rises into hills of gentle ascent, generally separated from each
other by wide valleys, amid which numerous streams find their way to the
ocean. The hills, mostly rounded, are covered with groves of beautiful
trees, many of them loaded with rich fruits and flowers scented with the
most delicious odours. Here is seen the pimento, remarkable for its
beauty and fragrance, the dark green of its foliage finely contrasting
with the bright tints of the grass beneath; while in every direction are
fruit trees of various hues, the orange, pineapple, or tamarind, many
bearing at the same time blossoms, unripe fruit, and others fit for
plucking. In the lower grounds are fertile and level savannahs, plains
waving with cane-fields, displaying a luxuriance of vegetation, the
verdure of spring blended with the mellow exuberance of autumn. In the
distance, running down the centre of the island, rise the Blue
Mountains, their tops dimly seen through the fleecy clouds, the greater
portion of the range being covered with impenetrable forests, their
sides often broken into inaccessible cliffs and abrupt precipices.
These forests and cliffs have afforded for several centuries an asylum
and fortress to fugitive blacks, who have there set pursuit at defiance,
the game and wild fruits the woods supply enabling them to find
subsistence without the necessity of descending into the lower regions
to obtain food. Rocks and mountains, woodlands and plains, everywhere
beautifully blending, form conspicuous features in the landscape of
Jamaica. Dotted over the country are the pens, or farms, of the
planters--their residences extensive, though not often more than one
story in height, with gardens surrounding them, the works,
boiling-houses, and other buildings generally concealed from view by
thick woods; while beyond are the cane-fields and the dark, low huts of
the negroes, standing together in the form of a village, far more
picturesque at a distance than when closely approached. But the woods
are the pride and beauty of the country; there the palm, the cocoa-nut,
the mountain cabbage, and the plantain are often associated with the
tamarind and orange, the oleander and African rose growing in rich
luxuriance, the scarlet cordium of a glowing red, the jasmine and
grenadilla vine forming verdant bowers, the lilac with tufted plumes,
the portlandia with white and silky leaves, together with an infinite
variety of flower and fruit bearing shrubs.
Such was the scenery surrounding Bellevue House, at which Ellen Ferris
and her father had now spent some weeks with the worthy attorney, Mr
Twigg, and his wife and family. Although there were rumours that the
blacks in distant districts were disaffected, it was difficult to trace
whence the reports originated, and it was generally believed that they
were without foundation. The Jumby dance which Archie Sandys had
witnessed some time before was considered a suspicious circumstance by
Mr Ferris; but the overseer assured him that the blacks on the estate
were all peaceably disposed, and that the assembly at the hut under the
cotton-tree was merely for the performance of some rite of their
barbarous religion, and should not cause the slightest uneasiness.
"I will keep an eye on what goes forward, and if I hear of any more
meetings of the sort, I will take good care to learn their object," said
the overseer. "You must let the blacks amuse themselves in their own
way, provided it does not interfere with work."
To Ellen, the blacks appeared happy and contented. She had no
opportunity, indeed, of looking very deeply into the state of the
matter. If the lash was used, she did not hear the cries of the
victims, nor see the marks on their backs. She heard that if they were
sick they were taken care of in an hospital, or rather in some huts
appropriated to that object, and that they were attended by the medical
man who had charge of that and two or three neighbouring estates. He
occasionally visited at the house, and appeared to be a good-natured,
merry individual, who told amusing stories about the negroes and their
wonderful ignorance. The negroes of whom she saw most were the domestic
slaves, who seemed attached to their masters, and were always willing
and obedient, and, being well fed, looked sleek and contented. The most
interesting was Martha, the black nurse of Mrs Twigg's children. Her
devoted affection for her charges was remarkable; she seemed to have no
care or thought for anything besides them, and though she occasionally
joined in the village festivities among her own people, she invariably
came back full of anxiety lest any harm should have happened to them
during her absence. She was treated by her mistress with great kindness
and consideration, and perfect confidence was placed in her. The old
grey-headed butler, Martin, was also on a more familiar footing with his
master than any white servant of the same position in an English
household would have been; while all the other domestic slaves, or boys
as they were generally called, were merry fellows, always laughing and
joking, though holding old Martin in great respect--their garments
consisting of a checked shirt, white trousers, and white jacket, though
their feet were shoeless, and they generally dispensed with hats. They
looked neat and clean, and had no reason to complain of want of physical
comfort. Probably, in other cases where the master was ill-tempered,
they would have been liable to punishment, deserved or undeserved.
"But what about the agricultural labourers?" asked Ellen Sandys, who was
ever, when he could be so with propriety, by her side--she looking upon
him as a well-mannered, intelligent schoolboy; so that Lieutenant Foley
would have experienced no jealous feelings had he seen them together.
"Well, they, I suppose, are in their way as happy and contented as they
need be," answered Archie. "The field slaves, as we call them, who live
out in the huts there, are divided into gangs. The first is composed of
the stronger men and women, who work together, the women being able to
do almost as much as the men. Their business is to clear the land, dig
and plant the cane-fields, and in crop-time cut the canes and attend to
the mill-house, where the canes are crushed and the sugar and molasses
manufactured. The second gang is composed chiefly of the bigger boys
and girls and more weakly women, who are unable to do the harder work,
and the older men who have lost their strength. They have to weed the
canes and attend to other lighter duties. The third gang consists of
the young children, who are employed chiefly in weeding the gardens,
collecting fodder or food for the pigs, and similar easy tasks. The men
drivers are employed in looking after the first two gangs, and are
allowed to carry whips to hold over them in terror, even if not often
used. The gang of children is confided to the charge of an old woman,
who carries a long switch; and with her it is no mere emblem of
authority, for she employs it pretty frequently on the backs of the
urchins. You have seen Mammy Quasheba, and I dare say she appears to
you to be a very amiable old dame, for she takes care only to tickle her
little charges when you or Mrs Twigg are in sight."
"But do the drivers often make use of those dreadful whips?" asked
Ellen.
"On our estate they certainly do not; but on others, seldom or never
visited by the proprietors, the only notion they have of maintaining
order is the lash," answered Archie. "The unfortunate black is
unmercifully flogged for the slightest offence, or for apparent
idleness. You ask how many hours they work. Generally before daybreak
they are aroused by the head driver, who comes into the village blowing
a horn, and if they fail to turn out immediately, they become intimately
acquainted with his whip. They work for three hours, and are then
allowed half an hour for breakfast, during which they manage to stow way
an enormous quantity of vegetable food. They then labour on till noon,
when they have two whole hours, either to take their dinner, to sleep,
or to work in their own provision grounds and attend to their pigs and
poultry. From two till dark they resume their labours, when they
generally knock off and return home, except in crop-time, when it is
important to get the canes cut and carried as rapidly as possible, and
the boiling-house requires a number of hands. However, they become fat
and sleek during that period, as they may suck as much of the cane as
they like, and do not look upon the task as especially laborious. As a
number of artisans are required on the estate, such as carpenters,
blacksmiths, masons, and coopers, the more intelligent lads are selected
and sent as apprentices to learn those trades; though they get pretty
hardly treated at times, they afterwards possess considerable advantages
over the untrained blacks, and often contrive to save enough money to
buy their freedom. Altogether, I don't think the negroes of Jamaica can
be said to be much worse off than the peasantry in many parts of the old
country; they may in some respects be even better off than the Irish
peasantry."
"But yet the poorest Irishman would not readily change places with
them," remarked Ellen, "and I am afraid, from what I hear, that they are
totally neglected as to their religious and moral condition."
"As to that, their mental powers are too low to receive religious
instruction, and their habits too confirmed to be improved; and so,
provided they can be maintained in health and perform the required
amount of labour, few proprietors or overseers trouble themselves much
about anything else," answered Archie. "Some, however, have tried to
improve them, and have supported ministers and missionaries among them;
but I don't know with what success."
"Oh, I wish that something could be done for the blacks on this estate!"
said Ellen. "It is dreadful to think that they should be allowed by
their so-called Christian masters to remain on in their heathen
darkness."
"It is very kind in you to interest yourself in the poor blacks, and I
am afraid not many white people trouble their heads about them," said
Archie. "But I came, Miss Ferris, to propose an excursion to an
interesting place in this neighbourhood which you should see before you
go away--and I fear that your stay is not likely to be prolonged;" and
Archie looked unutterable things, and heaved a sigh which Ellen did not
observe.
"What are its peculiarities, and where is it?" she asked. "I should
certainly like to visit any place worth seeing."
"It is a wonderful cave, about twelve or fifteen miles to the eastward
of this," answered Archie. "I have never been there myself, as I have
not had a whole holiday to enable me to make the trip, nor companions
with whom I could enjoy it; but if you could persuade Mr Ferris and Mr
and Mrs Twigg to go, I am sure they will be repaid for the fatigue of
the journey. By starting early in the morning we can return by
nightfall, as there is a carriage road all the way, or what is called
one in Jamaica; but perhaps you are a horsewoman, and if so, the whole
distance might be performed before the sun has attained an overpowering
heat."
Ellen was delighted; her only regret was that, the _Champion_ not having
appeared, Lieutenant Foley could not be of the party. Mr Ferris, when
she told him of the proposal, expressed his readiness to go; and Mr and
Mrs Twigg, though they had lived so long in the island, never having
seen the cavern, were also willing to join the expedition.
"We must let the Pembertons know," said Mrs Twigg. "The other day
Fanny Pemberton told me that she was especially wishing to visit the
cave. She and her brother are sure to come."
"Pray ask them," exclaimed Ellen. "She is a dear, nice girl; and if she
is fond of riding, she will be ready to accompany me."
"The sooner, then, we start the better," said Mr Ferris, "or business
of some sort may prevent us, and we must not prolong our stay here."
"Then I propose we start to-morrow morning," said Mr Twigg. "There's
nothing like fixing an early day, as an ardent lover would say, and we
couldn't well choose an earlier. We'll order the buggies and horses to
be at the door on the first sound of the slave-driver's born, so that we
may enjoy the full freshness of the morning."
Mrs Twigg forthwith despatched a messenger with a note to Walton Hall,
Mr Pemberton's estate, which was situated about four miles inland from
Bellevue, asking Miss Pemberton and her brother to come over at once,
that they might be ready to start at daybreak.
The proposed expedition formed the subject of conversation for the rest
of the evening, Archie Sandys being especially pleased that his
suggestion had been so readily adopted. He and two other young
book-keepers were to form members of the party. The family had
collected for an early supper, when horses' hoofs were heard approaching
the house; and it being announced that several gentlemen were coming,
Mr Twigg, followed by half a dozen blacks, hurried out to meet them.
He speedily returned, accompanied by two strangers in military uniforms,
whom he introduced as Major Malcolm and Lieutenant Belt. The officers
bowed to the ladies and shook hands with the gentlemen, and at once felt
themselves at home.
"Supper will be ready in about ten minutes; in the mean time, will you
go to your rooms and make yourselves comfortable after your ride," said
Mr Twigg.
"What, did you expect us?" exclaimed the major.
"We always expect guests," answered Mr Twigg, laughing--"at all events,
we are always ready for them. Let me show you the way, gentlemen; your
valises are already there."
On their return, Major Malcolm, a fine, soldierly looking man who had
apparently seen much service, explained that he and Lieutenant Belt were
on their way to Montego Bay, having to inspect several small fortresses
along the coast. "We pushed on, however," he continued, "rather faster
than was prudent, and knocked up our horses so that they require a day's
rest before proceeding further; and we must therefore impose ourselves
on you as guests, unless you turn us out."
"My dear sir, you and your men and horses are perfectly welcome to
remain as long as you please," answered Mr Twigg; "and so you would be
if you'd brought your whole regiment, though we might, in that case,
have found some difficulty in housing you."
Of course Major Malcolm and the lieutenant heard of the proposed
expedition. Mr Ferris suggested that it could be put off, but the
major begged that that should on no account be done, and that if steeds
could be found for him and Lieutenant Belt, they might accompany the
party.
"With great pleasure, my dear sir; we can mount you without difficulty,"
said Mr Twigg; and turning round, he gave the order to old Martin, who
was standing behind his chair. Supper was still proceeding when Miss
Pemberton and her brother Jack arrived and were heartily welcomed. She
was a Creole, but with far more life and animation than the generality
of her fair countrywomen; still, her cheek, pure as alabaster, was
colourless; but her figure was good, and her features remarkably
handsome. Altogether, she fully merited the encomiums Ellen had passed
on her. She had been sent to school in England, and was thoroughly well
educated and accomplished. Her brother Jack had had the same advantage,
though he spoke, unless when excited, with the usual Creole drawl. From
the few remarks he made--for he was not much addicted to talking--he
was, however, not destitute of spirit; and, among his other good
qualities, he evidently looked upon his lovely sister with the most
devoted admiration. The two young people promised to be a pleasant
addition to the party.
The family retired earlier than usual, that they might be ready to start
at the hour fixed on. The gallant major and the young subaltern were
escorted to their room by Mr Twigg.
"I little expected to find two such houris in this out-of-the-way spot,"
observed the major, as he was throwing off his uniform.
"Nor did I," exclaimed the lieutenant. "It is difficult to decide which
of the two is the most charming, but I am most inclined to lose my heart
to the young lady with the roses in her cheeks. She hasn't been long in
this burning clime, I suspect, or they would have faded ere this."
"We shall not be rivals, then," observed the major, standing up in his
shirt and trousers, and striking out with his doubled fists, as was his
wont before turning in. "I prefer the last arrival, with the classical
features and cheeks as pure as the lily--a fit model for Juno. If I
were to be long in her society, I should fall desperately in love with
her; but I am not likely to commit such a folly, and take care that you
don't, Belt. We shall know more about them to-morrow, and perchance we
shall discover that their charms are not so overpowering as we fancy. I
have often found it to be the case on a second interview."
"I expect to be more enthralled than ever," remarked the lieutenant.
"However, I have seldom found it difficult to break my fetters; so,
major, you needn't trouble yourself on my account."
"We shall see by to-morrow evening," said the major. After a few more
remarks in a similar strain, the two officers, both old campaigners,
threw themselves on their beds, and were soon fast asleep.
They were aroused by a black servant, who, bringing in some large ewers
of cold water, lighted their lamps and announced that the horses would
soon be at the door. On descending to the hall they found the two young
ladies in their riding-habits, whip in hand, ready to mount. Mrs Twigg
and her husband and the other gentlemen soon made their appearance, and
the servants brought round trays with cups of hot chocolate and bottles
of liqueur.
"You must fortify yourselves, gentlemen," said Mr Twigg. "Let me
recommend this curacoa; it is a good preventive against any ill effects
from the morning air."
While the major was engaged in sipping his chocolate, the young ladies
had gone out, and the two officers, greatly to their vexation, found
that Archie Sandys had performed the office they had expected to have
undertaken, and had assisted Ellen and Fanny to mount. The horses
provided for the officers were next brought forward.
"Here is your horse, major," said Mr Twigg, pointing to a fine-looking
animal; "and, Lieutenant Belt, I hope you will not find yours inferior."
The two officers mounted, and had every reason to be satisfied with
their steeds. Archie Sandys assumed the leadership of the party, and as
they moved forward he managed to place himself by the side of Ellen.
The carriages started almost immediately afterwards. Major Malcolm very
quickly found an opportunity of riding up to Miss Pemberton, a position
he seemed in no way disposed to abdicate. The young lieutenant in vain
attempted to gain an equally favourable place by the side of Ellen, for
Archie kept his post pertinaciously, determined not to be
out-manoeuvred, and the road was not of a width to allow of three
abreast. The rest of the gentlemen followed, talking and joking
merrily.
The road led between hedges of prickly-pear, eight or ten feet in
height, and often of considerable width, the broad leaves so closely
overlapping each other that they formed a dense mass through which the
light failed to penetrate, bright scarlet flowers and purple fruit
ornamenting the massive wall. Here and there cocoa-nut trees sprang up
from the inner side like oaks or elms in an English hedgerow, most of
them loaded with fruit; while occasionally a cabbage palm or the
palmetto royal towered above them, surpassing its neighbours in graceful
beauty, its straight trunk rising without a branch to the height of a
hundred feet or more, crowned by a waving plume, in the centre of which
appeared a tender green shoot. Through the openings to the right
appeared plantations of sugar-cane, and occasionally fields of Indian
corn--the magnificent yellow cobs, with long, wavy beards, hanging from
their vigorous stalks.
"Did you taste the cabbage palm the other day at dinner?" asked Archie.
"Yes, I thought it very nice," answered the young lady, rather surprised
at the question.
"Do you know where it came from?" asked Archie.
"From a cabbage garden, I suppose," answered Ellen, laughing.
"No, from the top of one of those lofty trees," answered Archie. "That
is to say, it was at the top, but to obtain it the tree had to be cut
down."
"What a cruel sacrifice! I should not have eaten it with any
satisfaction had I known that," exclaimed Ellen.
"We soon get indifferent to such matters in this country," said Archie.
"See how many of them there are in all directions."
"I am afraid that you will become indifferent in other matters,"
observed Ellen--"to those slave-whips, for instance, though you say they
are only used in cases of necessity. When the drivers are judges as to
whether that necessity is lawful, the poor slaves are likely to feel the
lash very frequently, I suspect."
"It is found from experience that they cannot otherwise be kept in
order," answered Archie. "I confess that at first I shuddered as I saw
the whip used."
"Do the blacks never rebel against such treatment?" asked Ellen.
"They have at times," replied Archie. "In the year '37 there was an
outbreak, and there have been others at different periods; but they were
put down in so rigorous a fashion that the negroes are not likely again,
I fancy, to make the attempt."
"I trust not," said Ellen, "for it would be a fearful thing were these
tens of thousands of blacks, discovering their strength, to rise on
their masters and attempt to revenge the wrongs they have suffered."
The conversation between Ellen and her devoted attendant was, it must be
confessed, of a very unsentimental character; indeed, she would very
quickly have put a stop to anything that had been otherwise, although
the romantic scenery through which they were passing might, under other
circumstances, have exercised its influence over her. Not a breath of
wind as yet disturbed the calm, pure atmosphere; the ocean appeared like
a sheet of glass; the blue sky overhead was undimmed by a cloud; the
mountain-tops seen to the right rose above the mass of green, their
outline distinctly marked, though at a considerable distance. The only
sounds which reached them were the lowing of cattle and the signal horns
of the drivers summoning the negroes to their work. In a short time the
light increased, the sun rose above the ocean, and a gentle breeze waved
the topmost boughs of the trees, breaking the sea below on the left into
tiny wavelets. Now the road led round a hill, with a steep precipice on
the left reaching down to the water, and high cliffs to the right
covered with shrubs and creepers of every hue. As it was seen ahead, it
appeared as if there was barely room for more than one horse to pass,
and that no carriage could possibly get along without risk of falling
over the precipice; but as they proceeded it widened out, and Archie,
notwithstanding Ellen's cautions, insisted on still keeping his place,
riding between her and the edge of the precipice.
"Pray keep behind me, or ride on in front, Mr Sandys," she exclaimed.
"You would horrify me exceedingly were you to fall over the edge; and to
save you from running the risk, I am compelled, you see, to ride so
close to the cliff that I run the chance of having my hat torn off by
the boughs above, or getting my shoulder struck by a projecting rock."
Still Archie begged to ride on as he was doing. "Were your horse to
shy, Miss Ferris," he remarked, "I might be the means of saving you, and
I would run every risk for the sake of doing that."
Ellen laughed. "I am very ungrateful," she said, "but I cannot allow
you to be placed in any danger on my account: you make me feel
uncomfortable, if not nervous, and I am almost inclined to be angry with
you for your disobedience."
Archie at length rode on, though very unwillingly, and the hill being
passed the road now struck more inland, sometimes leading over slight
elevations, and at others along the levels for some distance, when the
steeds, trained to a Spanish amble suitable for a tropical climate, got
quickly over the ground. The groves of tall trees threw a shade across
the road which prevented the heat from being overpowering. Before the
sun had attained its full strength a rocky hill rose before them with a
wood at its base; here they found a tent already pitched, and a fire at
a little distance from it. A number of black servants, who, it
appeared, had been sent on before, were busily engaged in cooking
breakfast.
"De tent for de missee," said a black, Quambo by name, who acted as
under-butler to old Martin, coming forward. "Dey rest dere till de
carriages come if dey like."
The gentlemen threw themselves from their horses, eager to assist Ellen
and Miss Pemberton to dismount, the lieutenant rushing forward and
offering his hand to the former, who accepted it with a smile which sent
a pang of jealousy through poor Archie's breast, the gallant major
helping Fanny from her horse. While the young ladies took advantage of
the tent to rest--for the ride had been much longer than they had been
accustomed to take, and they felt somewhat tired--the gentlemen,
lighting their cigars, strolled through the thick wood towards the
entrance of the cavern. On their way they passed a large lagoon of
stagnant water, surrounded by trees, every branch and leaf reflected on
its mirror-like surface with a peculiar clearness. They could discover
only two holes, which looked like the upper parts of arched doorways.
Between them, in the face of the rock, was a niche in which a statue
might have been placed, while just below it was a basin or hollow in the
rock, which appeared to have been formed by art for the purpose of
holding water.
"I shouldn't be surprised if the Spaniards had made a sort of chapel
here when they had possession of the country," observed Lieutenant Belt.
"See, that niche looks as if a figure of the Virgin Mary, for instance,
had been placed there. This basin was evidently made to hold what they
call holy water. They had probably made an attempt to convert the
Indians by introducing their worship, but finding them obdurate and
unable to comprehend its mysteries, put them to death as a punishment.
From an account I read the other day, the island, when first discovered
by Columbus, was thickly populated; but in the course of a few years,
after the Spaniards took possession, the greater number of the natives
had been murdered or expended in some other way."
The rest of the party agreed with him. As they were all getting hungry,
they returned to the camp, where, in a space which had been cleared by
the servants, a tablecloth had been spread, and was already covered with
viands, cushions and mats being placed around on which the ladies could
recline. The carriage party soon arrived, and Mr Twigg, in his cheery
voice, summoned his guests to breakfast, which consisted of numberless
West Indian delicacies. In spite of the good appetites their ride had
given them, most of the party were too eager to explore the cavern to
pay them that attention they undoubtedly deserved. After the gentlemen
had smoked their cigars, and the ladies had put on costumes more
suitable for the object in view than their riding-habits, headed by Mr
Twigg the party set forth, Major Malcolm escorting Miss Pemberton, and
Ellen being attended by Archie and Lieutenant Belt, who was determined
no longer to be cut out. Mr Ferris had taken charge of Mrs Twigg, who
confessed that had not the girls required her as a chaperone, she would
rather have remained at home.
"Martha, indeed, particularly wanted me not to come," she remarked.
"She seemed unusually put out about something or other. Whether she
fancied that the children were not as well as usual, or for some other
cause, I could not guess; but they appeared to me to be so perfectly
happy that I did not think it necessary to listen to her. She urged,
however, that we should come back before dark, and Mr Twigg agreed that
it would be important to get by the cliffs before sunset; after that,
the ride is so easy, and we know it so well that there can be no
danger."
This was said as they were proceeding through the wood. Mr Ferris
agreed that it would certainly be advisable not to delay their departure
after they had explored the cavern and taken luncheon, and that it would
be better to endure the heat of the afternoon than to run the risk of
travelling in the dark. An experienced guide and a supply of torches,
consisting of bundles of candlewood split into small strips, had been
provided. The party stood before the face of the rock.
"What, are we to go in there?" asked Miss Pemberton, in a tone of
dismay.
"I am afraid that we shall discover no other mode of ingress," said Mr
Twigg, as the guide, with the torches under his arm, crept through the
larger of the two openings. "Come, Archie, do you and the rest of you
go next," he said, turning to the two book-keepers, "and hail when the
torches are lighted. You will assist to sweep the passage."
Archie, not very well pleased, obeyed his superior, and in a short time
the voices of the young gentlemen from within were heard shouting, "All
right!" The gallant lieutenant next went down on his hands and knees,
his long legs disappearing through the entrance. The major stood bowing
to Mrs Twigg, who seemed to consider that it was her duty to go next,
that she might be ready to receive her charges; they, laughing, quickly
followed her, the major and the other gentlemen bringing up the rear.
They found themselves in a circular vestibule about twenty feet in
diameter and fourteen in height, with an irregular concave ceiling
covered, as were the sides, with innumerable glittering stalactites,
reflecting on their polished surfaces the light of the torches held by
the guide and the young book-keepers, who stood round in a circle,
flourishing them over their heads. Several columns of stalactite
forming arches overhead gave the cavern, the appearance of a Gothic
chapel, while between the pillars various openings led into avenues
which diverged in different directions, apparently running far away into
the interior of the mountain.
"See, there sits the presiding genius of the cavern," said Mr Twigg,
taking a torch and advancing a few steps towards an object which had a
wonderful resemblance to a statue carved by the sculptor's hand. It was
that of a venerable hermit, sitting in profound meditation, wrapped in a
flowing robe, his arms folded and his beard descending to his waist.
His head was bald, his forehead wrinkled with age, while his features
were well defined, the eyes, nose, and mouth being perfect. The
graceful, easy folds of the drapery and the wavy flow of his beard were
especially remarkable. Mr Twigg did not say that he had gone in
shortly before with the guide and artistically touched up the features
by the liberal use of charcoal.
"Shouldn't wonder if the old fellow was a god of the original
inhabitants of the island," said Lieutenant Belt. "Never saw anything
so natural in my life."
Expressions of delighted surprise escaped from the young ladies, and
even Mrs Twigg was very glad that she had come.
"But we have only seen the commencement of this magic cavern; it has
more wonders to reveal to us," remarked her husband, desiring the black
guide to lead on. He accordingly proceeded through one of the widest
passages in front of them, holding his torch high above his head to show
its height, which appeared to be from twelve to fifteen feet. Each of
the young men also carried a torch, which illumined the otherwise total
darkness of the cavern, bringing out the numberless objects hanging from
the roof or appearing on either side--canopies studded with bright gems,
festoons of sparkling icicles, rostrums and thrones, busts of warriors
and poets. Here were skulls grinning from the wall; columns of every
order of architecture; fonts and basins, some holding water; and a
thousand other representations of works of art. Here and there other
passages struck off to the right or left, adorned in the same curious
fashion. Most of the arches and columns appeared to consist of a
greyish marble, and were wild and curious in the extreme. Some of the
pillars were perfect, sustaining apparently the massive superstructure;
others were only half formed; and many were but just commenced by the
dripping of water from above. Several of the apartments were cellular;
others spacious and airy, having eyelet holes through the roof, which
allowed the escape of noxious vapours, and assisted greatly to ventilate
the cavern. The ground beneath their feet was of a soft nature, deep
and yielding, and had a peculiar smell. As they advanced, thousands of
bats flew out from among the crevices of the rock, disturbed by the
light of the torches and the voices of the visitors, which echoed
through the passages and vaulted roof. They had not gone far when the
guide stopped short, and an exclamation of alarm escaped him.
"What is dem? Did you see dem, massa?" he asked of Archie, who was by
his side. The rest of the party, who were close at his heels, saw
numerous dark forms flitting by at the further end of a passage directly
in front of them, while unearthly sounding voices reached their ears.
"Those must be shadows cast by the light of our torches," observed the
major; "the sounds are merely echoes."
"No, no, massa, dey duppies," cried the guide; "de echo nebber take so
long to come back to us."
Still the major was not convinced, although Mr Twigg suspected that
they had disturbed an assembly of negroes, who, not expecting that the
cavern was about to be visited by strangers, had met there for some
purpose or other. It was some time before the guide recovered his
courage.
"Come along," said Archie; "if they were duppies they will be afraid of
interfering with white people, and if black fellows, they are still less
likely to trouble us."
The other young men, who were always ready to follow Archie, insisted on
the guide going on; but he let them proceed in advance, directing them
which way to take. They had gone some distance further, passing the
entrances of several more passages, when the guide cried out, "Stop,
atop, massa; we got furder dan I tink." Scarcely were the words out of
his mouth than Archie and his torch disappeared, and before they could
stop themselves, two of his companions fell over. The ladies shrieked,
supposing that the young men had fallen down some frightful hollow; but
the shouts of laughter which followed soon reassured them, as did the
assertions of the guide, that there was no harm done. It was found that
they had merely gone done a descent of four or five feet, and had
quickly again picked themselves up. The guide followed them, and the
ladies, assisted by the gentlemen, easily leaped down to a lower level
of the cavern. They continued their walk without further interruption,
till daylight streamed down upon them from above, and they found
themselves in an open area, with steep rocks covered with trees
surrounding them on all sides. This area, as nearly as they could
conjecture, lay about a quarter of a mile from the entrance of the
grotto. From it numerous other passages branched off, into one of which
the guide led them. They shortly came to a magnificent circular chamber
with a vaulted ceiling eighteen feet or more in height. The most
curious feature was the straight taproot of a tree which descended from
above, about the size of a cable, uniform in shape from the top to the
bottom. It had apparently made its way through a cleft in the rock, and
penetrated downwards till it reached the floor of the apartment. On one
side was an opening into a narrow passage, which the guide endeavoured
to dissuade the gentlemen from entering. Archie, however, who had
become excited, and considered himself the leader of the party, insisted
on going forward.
"Don't go, massa, don't go; you'll fall down deep well and nebber come
up again," shrieked the guide. Archie and his companions,
notwithstanding this warning, pushed forward, holding their torches well
before them. The passage became more and more contracted, till they
reached an upright ledge of rock rising like a parapet wall almost
breast high. They climbed up it, but on the other side it sloped
rapidly down, and Archie, bold as he had become, thought it prudent to
draw back; but instead of doing so he found himself slipping forward,
and would have been unable to stop had not one of the other book-keepers
caught hold of his coat and assisted him to scramble up again. Just
then the guide came up. "Massa, you not know what you escape," he
exclaimed. "See." And he threw a stone, which, after descending for
some seconds of time, was heard to plunge into water, the noise echoing
backwards and forwards amid the rocks which formed the side of the
chasm. Archie shuddered as he thought of his merciful escape. Other
stones of larger size being thrown in produced a loud, hoarse sound
which reached to a considerable distance.
"What a fearful uproar you would have made, Archie, if you'd taken a
leap into the chasm!" said one of his companions.
"Don't talk of it, man; it is a lesson to me for the future to look
before I leap," was the answer.
"No, massa, as I say, you nebber come up again, unless you pop up in de
sea," observed the guide. "Dat hole full ob salt water and full ob big
fish; but I nebber gone down, and nebber intend to go--he, he, he!"
Further exploration in that direction having been cut short, the party
turned back, slowly to retrace their steps, occasionally entering for a
short distance some of the numerous avenues which they discovered as
they proceeded; but they were all apparently much like those they had
already visited. The ceilings were incrusted with stalactites, between
which in several places the fibrous roots of trees and plants forced
their way downwards through the interstices; in many places honeycombed
rocks formed the roof-work of the grotto; and in others, where openings
appeared towards the sky, the ground was strewed with various seeds and
roots, that of the bread-nut especially being in great abundance.
Reptiles, too, of curious shape were seen scuttling away, disturbed by
the intruders--toad, snake, and lizard forms, all curiously covered with
incrustations. The parts of the cavern open to the air were
delightfully cool, and Lieutenant Belt proposed that they should send
for their provisions and lunch in one of the larger apartments. His
motion, however, was overruled, the ladies especially objecting to sit
down with the bats flying overhead, and the creatures they had seen
crawling about round them. Still, they all lingered to examine more
particularly the numberless curious formations, unwilling to bid
farewell to the grotto, which few of them were likely again to visit.
Perhaps, too, they hesitated to commence the undignified exit which they
would have to make. The torches being nearly exhausted, Mr Twigg,
looking at his watch, announced that it was time for luncheon.
"After which we must not delay in commencing our homeward journey,"
observed Mr Ferris, who had remembered Mrs Twigg's warnings.
With much laughter, Major Malcolm on this occasion leading the way, the
whole party crept in succession through the opening of the cavern, and
stood at length in the free air, their sensations reminding them of the
feeling experienced on entering a hot-house. Major Malcolm had scarcely
for a moment left Fanny Pemberton's side; he now escorted her back to
the camp. His first inquiry of the servants was whether they had seen
any strange negroes in the wood. The blacks all declared that they had
not; but his own man, who had made an excursion by himself to the side
of the lagoon, stated that while he was looking towards the rock he saw
some dozen or twenty black fellows steal out of a small opening and run
off in an opposite direction, evidently, as he supposed, endeavouring to
keep themselves concealed.
"Were they armed?" asked the major.
"Yes, sir; each man had a weapon of some sort--a spear or bow--in his
hands, and two or three had firelocks," was the answer.
"That looks suspicious," thought the major; and he mentioned what his
man had told him to Mr Ferris, who became very grave.
"Fortunately the fellows don't consider us enemies, or they might have
shot us down with impunity," he observed. "There is something going
forward among the blacks, I fear; and at all events the sooner we are on
our return home the better."
An ample luncheon of fish, flesh, and fowl, vegetables, and fruit of
every description had been prepared. It was hurried over somewhat
rapidly; the servants were directed to pack up and proceed on their way
homeward; and as soon as the tent was struck, the steeds, which had been
tethered in the shade with their heads in nose-bags, were bridled and
saddled.
"To horse! to horse! ladies and gentlemen," shouted Mr Twigg. "We must
brave the heat and dust, instead of riding home by moonlight as we
proposed; we shall enjoy the cool evening all the more on our arrival."
The younger members of the party, who had heard nothing of the cause
which had created anxiety in the minds of Major Malcolm and Mr Ferris,
were somewhat surprised at the summons, but quickly prepared to start.
"Let me assist you to mount, Miss Pemberton," said Major Malcolm.
Leading forward her horse, and placing his hand a little above the
ground, he dexterously lifted her into her saddle. Lieutenant Belt,
imitating his example, brought forward Ellen's steed, and was delighted
to find that she accepted his services, poor Archie being compelled to
fall into the rear. The party on horseback led the way, the carriages
rattling after them. Major Malcolm, who once having gone a road never
forgot it, rode on with Miss Pemberton, Ellen and her cavalier following
close behind them. They had just passed the cliff, when, the road being
broad and level, Fanny proposed a canter. They had ridden on about a
mile further, when they saw, beneath the shade of the tall trees
directly ahead, a horseman galloping at full speed towards them. As he
approached he was seen to be a white-headed negro, his hat, which just
then blew off, exposing his hoary locks.
"He is old Martin, Mr Twigg's butler," exclaimed Fanny. "What could
have made him come out to meet us in so great a hurry?"
"Where Massa Twigg?" exclaimed the old man. "I tank Heaven I meet you
so soon."
"He is close behind," answered Major Malcolm. "I trust that you are not
the bearer of bad news?"
"Yes, sar, I bring berry bad news: we all hab our troats cut and be
murdered and burnt before dis night," answered old Martin, who had
fastened a huge silver spur to one of his heels, and had caught up a
slave-driver's whip. Without waiting for further questions he galloped
forward, leaving Major Malcolm and Miss Pemberton as ignorant as at
first of what had occurred.