I FIND MYSELF IN THE PARADISE OF FOOLS.
When we had regaled ourselves on the steaks of the tortugua, which is a
sweet, wholesome, and excellent meat, we rambled together into the woods
in search of fruit to quench our thirst, for water there was none save
that of the lake, which was troubled and brackish and not good to drink.
On my way I pointed out to my lady those fruits which were venomous, for
there are many such--nay, there be some plants whose flowers are
terribly unwholesome to smell--and those which are sweet and good; of
these latter we ate freely, also I did cull here and there a flower
whose delicacy and sweetness stayed her to admire.
But while we were looking for pine-nuts, which I deem the most estimable
fruit that exists, I found that which was better for quenching our
thirst than fruits. This was a tree, about twelve or fifteen fathoms
high, with leaves as broad as a hand and as long as one's forearm, which
I had found in the Oronoque country. With a cry of gladness I bade Lady
Biddy look to see a new marvel, and drawing my sword I gave the trunk a
fair cut; from this wound there started forth a thick white juice, and
by the time I had found a broad clean leaf and folded it to serve as a
vessel, the juice was running out abundantly. Clapping my folded leaf
below the wound I had in a few minutes as much as the leaf would
contain, which was the best part of a pint, and this I bade Lady Biddy
to drink of without fear. At the first sip she declared it was excellent
good milk as ever she did taste, and so it was, as I found when my turn
came to drink. This tree, I say, is common in Guiana, and I go about to
insist upon it, because I have found many here in England who would not
have it such a thing is in nature, albeit they will readily accept as
probable many stories of travelers that are outrageously impossible,
wherein they resemble him who strains at a gnat and swallows a camel.
Now being quite refreshed we returned to the shore, where, seeing the
fire yet smouldering, I bethought me to cook the rest of the tortuga as
a provision for the morrow. With a stick I raked a hole in the midst of
the embers; then at the bottom I set a flat clean stone for a hearth,
and on this I laid as much of the meat as was fit to eat, turning it
over from to time to brown on that hot stone.
As soon as Lady Biddy saw what I was at, and the manner of doing it, she
said:
"That is a woman's work, Benet, which I can do as well as you may. Leave
this business to me, I pray you, and occupy yourself with the serious
matters that are beyond my capacity": and though she meant no reproach,
I felt certain, these words put me in mind that I was in a fool's
paradise.
"Fool!" says I to myself, as I left her side, "think you this happiness
can endure? Are you so fond as to imagine that this savage life, which
is a joy for you, is fit for a lady of gentle breeding and refined
sentiments--that, because you can picture no greater joy than to live
with her alone in this wilderness, she can desire no better companion
than you? Because her mind is enfeebled by long days and nights of
suspense and terrible doubts, she rejoices like a child in the beauty of
flowers and the taste of fruits; she can join with you in laughter at
the discomfiture of her enemies; she can readily accommodate herself to
the rude necessities of her condition, but, when her mind recovers its
strength and composure, nothing in this wilderness, however beautiful
and enchanting it be, can content her for the loss of gentle friends,
and the absence of those delicate enjoyments which have made her what
she is. To-morrow she will weep, for she is a Christian lady, and thou
art but a savage."
With these arguments did I bring myself to a clearer perception of our
estate and of my duty, which was to sacrifice myself rather than Lady
Biddy; to endeavor my utmost to bring her to her friends, and therein
shrink not before any pain to myself. "And truly," adds I, addressing
myself as before--"truly your own interest prescribes this course, for
how can you hope to win the esteem of that dear creature unless you do
deserve it? If, instead of yielding her to your friends, you followed
the bent of evil inclination, and led her whither no help could reach
her, then would there be not a pin for her to choose betwixt you and
such a villain as Rodrigues; and though she regards you now with trust
and tenderness, how must her feelings change to contempt and disgust if
she find you are but an enemy, betraying her to your own selfish ends,
under the mask of friendship!"
Notwithstanding this reasoning, I was sadly downcast, and had no more
relish for duty than if the argument had been all on t'other side. And
so, being come to the edge of the sea, I stood there with my arms
folded, looking out over the sea, very down in the mouth, and as
sluggish in my mind as if I had nought to do but to stand there all the
rest of my days.
From this torpor I was aroused by Lady Biddy coming to my side, so
softly that I had not in my dull mood heard her approach, and touching
my arm.
Starting in surprise and turning about, I found her looking very gravely
and wistfully into my face; for I must think that the dear soul, seeing
me go off silent and heavy, and standing apart with a moody aspect, had
concluded that I was hurt by her taking the cooking of the tortuga out
of my hands.
"I have cooked the meat; but now," says she, with a little shrug and a
smile, "I don't know what to do with it."
An ordinary woman in her place would have asked what ailed me so
suddenly; but she was of a finer and more delicate nature, and sought to
reconcile me without causing me to blush for taking umbrage at a trifle.
For my own part I was glad to believe she had mistaken the cause of my
disorder, and was better content she should think me a fool than a
rogue. But I felt vastly ashamed of myself, for all that, to find that
my demeanor had discovered me. However, I did my best to make amends for
my sullen humor by rousing myself to a cheerful complexion as I answered
her.
"Why," says I, "the meat must be wrapped in fresh leaves, as well to
preserve it from the flies as to keep it cool and clean for our use in
traveling; and as I have not yet decided which course it will be best to
take, for it is a serious and grave question, I will leave you to seek
leaves for that purpose."
"With all my heart," says she cheerfully. "I want to be useful if I may;
but I will bring the leaves for you to see, lest the napkin poison our
food."
Thus by a little deception did I restore her better opinion of my
temper, at the same time that her pretty behavior roused me to a more
manly feeling.
Presently she comes back with a store of leaves, which I found very
proper for her use, and then away she trips to pack the meat.
When I had settled what was best to be done, I went to her and found she
had just finished her business, and admirably neat she had done it, so
that I was forced to admit I could never have succeeded so well, which I
thought it gave her great pleasure to hear.
"And have you decided what we are to do next?" she asked.
"I am not so fixed but that I should be glad to have your opinion," says
I; "and if you will come down to the point whence I have been surveying
our position, you may more readily judge what we may do for the best."
"You will make me vain, Benet," says she, with a smile.
"Now," says I, when we were come to the shore, "tell me if you can see
any trace of our pursuers opposite."
"No, I can see none of them--nothing moving," says she, after looking
intently.
"Then we may take it they are making their way round the coast to rejoin
their comrades who came in the other boat. By this time probably all the
crew is on the shore, looking for water. Unless they find a spring or a
stream to the west, which is little likely by the position of the hills,
they will come here again to the stream yonder. But to fill their
barricoes they must bring round a boat; now I can see none as far as my
vision reaches--can you?"
She scanned the distance carefully, and replied that she saw nothing
betwixt us and the ship.
"It is probable," says I, "that the men will content themselves with
fruit for the present, but when Rodrigues learns that we have taken the
boat, and that there is water in this part, he will send other boats
hither. That is not likely to happen for some hours. In the mean while
we must escape, and I think it will be best to do so in the boat. We are
too far distant to be perceived from the ship; and even if we be, we
have such a start of them as they can not hope to fetch up with us, for
if we see our pursuers a mile off we may take to the woods."
"Where do you reckon to go in the boat?" asks Lady Biddy.
"Why," says I, "betwixt the chain of hills that surrounds us and those
mountains we saw beyond, there should be a valley, and there should be a
river to carry off the waters that flow from the mountains. If we are to
find a town of Christians it should be at the mouth of that river, for
there would lie the most fitting place to receive the produce brought
down by the river from the interior parts of the country."
"Then you intend to make for that town?" says she, opening wide her
eyes, as I deemed (not without a pang of jealousy), with delight.
"Yes," says I.
"But, Benet," says she, "this may be the very town Rodrigues spoke of as
the one he intended to go to--the place where he has friends. Still, the
town must be far hence, or he would not have cast anchor where he has."
"Why, that is true," says I, greatly admiring this girl's quick
reasoning.
"In that case we may embark at once, and escape our present danger. We
ought not to lose that chance, for you see how poor I am upon my feet."
"I will not admit that; but you are right in all else you have put
forward, and so let us embark at once," says I.