It was my intention to have remained quietly on shore, after so many
hairbreadth escapes and singular adventures; but I found France so
changed, that I was disgusted with my own country. Every thing was
upside down--the nobles, the wealthy, the talented, either were
murdered, or living in abject poverty in other countries, while the
lower classes had usurped their place, and governed the land. But what
decided me once more to go to sea, was that the continual demands for
fresh levies to recruit the republican armies, convinced me that I had
no chance of long remaining in quiet. Of two evils I preferred what I
considered to be the least; and rather than die in a ditch on shore, I
preferred the dangers which might be incurred afloat. I bought a large
ship, and fitted her for a voyage of speculation to Lima in South
America. As the English cruisers covered the seas, and I was resolved
that I would not be taken by a vessel of small force, I shipped with me
a complement of forty men, and had twelve guns mounted on her decks. We
escaped through the gut of Gibraltar, and steered our course for Cape
Horn, the southernmost point of America. Nothing worth narrating
occurred until we made the land, when a strong adverse gale came on,
which, after attempting in vain to beat against it, blew away most of
our sails and finally obliged us to bear up, and run away to the
southward and eastward.
From the working and straining of the vessel, the decks had become so
leaky, that the water ran through every part of the ship. Our
provisions (particularly our bread) being spoiled, and obliged to be
thrown overboard, we were necessitated to be put upon short allowance.
As we had no hopes of being able to support ourselves upon what was left
until our arrival at Lima, I determined to run for the nearest island,
where I might obtain a fresh supply, and then renew our attempt to beat
round the Cape. I was in some doubts where to proceed, but after
running eastward for a fortnight, we discovered land on the lee bow,
which I considered to be the uninhabited Island of New Georgia; but as
we approached it, we thought that we perceived people on the beach, and
when within five miles we could plainly distinguish that they were
soldiers in their uniforms, ranged up, rank and file. The colour of
their clothes could not be made out with the glass, but it was easy to
be distinguished that they had yellow facings; from which I inferred
that they were our enemies the English. "Peste!" thought I, "is it
possible that these grasping islanders have made a settlement on this
place? Where will they go to next?" The different companies appeared
to be from one to two dozen in number; sometimes they stood quite still,
at others they walked a little way on the beach; but they constantly
adhered to their rank-and-file position, and as I could not perceive
that they had any muskets in their hands, I inferred that they were
merely practising the marching evolutions. No houses or fortifications
were distinguishable, and I determined to run the ship nearer in, that I
might observe their motions. I did so, and when within two miles, I
again rounded to, and putting my eye to the glass, perceived to my
astonishment that a whole regiment of them ran into the surf, and
re-appeared on the outside of it, in the form of aquatic birds, swimming
and diving in every direction. I now began to suspect, that it was an
enchanted island, and not forgetting the lesson of the Golden Fountain,
I made all sail, and we soon left it out of sight astern. I think it
right to state to your highness, that on mentioning this circumstance to
an Englishman, who had been employed in the spermaceti whale fishery, he
asserted that they really were birds, called Patagonian penguins, who
had often deceived others by their martial appearance. He stated that
they had no wings, but only flappers, and when on shore, invariably
stood upright like men in ranks--that they were about three or four feet
high when in this posture, and had two broad yellow streaks on each side
of their necks. How far his assertions were true I do not know, for the
people of that country, who have doubled the Cape, consider themselves
entitled to tell any falsehoods which they think proper, and to shoot
you if you venture to express a doubt as to their veracity: one of my
chief reasons for disliking the English is, that they are such
abominable liars.
We now steered more to the southward, and in three days discovered
another small island. It was apparently well wooded, although not
large. We hove-to, to windward of it, and not perceiving any
inhabitants, I lowered down a boat, and sent the first mate on shore to
reconnoitre. He returned in an hour, informing me that the island was
covered with cocoa-nut trees in full bearing, and that he had seen
several wild pigs, but no symptoms of its being inhabited--that there
was no anchorage that he could discover, as the shore rose
perpendicularly, like a wall, from the ocean. We therefore ran to
leeward, and discovered that a reef of coral rocks extended nearly two
miles from that side of the island. The boats were again lowered; and
after surveying, the mate reported that there was a passage, with plenty
of water for the ship, through the very centre of the reef, which would
bring her into a small bay, where she might lay in perfect security.
Before night we had gained the anchorage, and furled sails. The next
morning I went on shore to reconnoitre; we found some springs of fresh
water, cocoa-nuts and other trees in abundance, and occasionally fell in
with herds of wild pigs, which appeared, with the exception of birds, to
be the only animals that existed upon the island. Satisfied that I now
had an opportunity of revictualling my ship, I unbent my sails, struck
my topmasts, unrove my running rigging, and, in short, made every
preparation for a long stay. I then sent parties on shore to erect
tents, and shoot the wild pigs, while I superintended the fixing of
coppers on the beach to boil the salt out of the sea water, which would
be necessary for curing the provisions. I also dug shallow pans in the
rock, close to the water's edge, that I might gain as much salt as
possible by means of evaporation. Every thing was prepared in the
course of the day, and the major part of my ship's company were landed,
and slept in the tents. In three days we had salted down several casks
of pork, and had collected a large quantity of cocoa-nuts.
On the fourth morning I beard a dispute among the men, some of them
swearing that they would not remain, and that the ship ought to go to
sea immediately. Astonished at these remarks, after they had expressed
them selves so well pleased, I inquired the reason. They answered, that
there was magic in the island, and on my requiring an explanation, they
took me to the salt pans, which, upon our arrival, had been cut in the
rocks within a foot of the water's edge, but had now receded from the
shore to a distance of nine or ten feet. I must own that I was
surprised at the circumstance, which was quite unaccountable: but still
did not feel inclined to leave the island, without first obtaining the
necessary supply of provisions. I pointed out to the men, that although
I could not explain so strange an incident, yet as we had seen and heard
nothing, and should certainly starve if we went to sea without
provisions, it would be better to remain until we had procured a supply:
observing that it was not impossible that the water might have receded,
instead of the island having advanced. The latter remark seemed to
quiet them, although at the time that I made it, I knew it to be
incorrect, as the rocks above water near the beach were not higher out
of it than before. This the seamen did not pay attention to, and I took
care not to point it out to them. They agreed with my supposition, that
the water had receded, and said no more about it.
We remained a fortnight longer, during which the same phenomenon
continued, each day the salt pans and coppers being further off from the
beach. At last the men perceiving that the rocks did not rise higher
from the water again became alarmed, and broke out into open mutiny. By
this time I had cured a sufficiency of provisions, and I made no
objection, indeed I must confess that I was by no means easy in my own
mind at these supernatural appearances. We struck our tents, sent every
thing on board, rove the rigging, bent the sails, and prepared for our
departure. Soon after we repaired on board, I happened to cast my eyes
upon the lead line, which was hanging over from the main chains, and
observed that it lay in a bight; hauling up the slack, I found, to my
surprise, that instead of five fathoms water in which we had anchored,
we were in less than three.
At first it occurred to me that this was a floating island, like the one
I before described, and that it was gradually rising more to the
surface; but this idea did not satisfy me. Throwing the lead and line
in the boat, I pushed off, and sounded in several directions, and had
the mortification to find that in the passage which the ship had
entered, there was not sufficient water for her to go out again, even if
we were to have discharged the whole cargo. I soon discovered the cause
of this apparent mystery; for as I went further out on the reef, I found
that whole trees and solid masses of coral had sprung up to the water's
edge, in parts which I knew were several fathoms deep when we entered.
I had often heard that the islands in these seas were formed by corals,
but I had no idea of the rapidity with which they were extended.
Your highness must know that all the zoophyte, or animal plants, are
composed of small insects, who work in millions under the water, until
they rise to the top. Such was the case in the present instance, and
thus by the labours of the minutest of the creation, in the short space
of three weeks my ship was shut up so as to render escape hopeless.
I returned on board, and explained to the men the real cause of the
apparently supernatural effects of what we had witnessed. Satisfied
that my assertions were correct, they seemed to care little at being
obliged to remain on an island which afforded them the means of such
comfortable subsistence. As nothing could be done for the ship, we went
on shore again, and repitching the tents, waited quietly until we might
be taken off by some vessel who should chance to pass that way.
In a fortnight the ship was aground, and the island continued to
increase so rapidly, that in two months she was raised high and dry out
of the water, about half a mile from the beach. The vegetation seemed
to advance as regularly and as rapidly as the island, and after the
rainy season the trees had grown up so high, that the ship was
completely hid in a large wood, and it was just possible to see her
lower masts above the branches. For some time the men seemed perfectly
contented. We had plenty of stores in the ship of every description:
the cargo I had taken on board was chiefly manufactures, and as the
island provided fresh meat, fish, and fruit, they were in want of
nothing. But sailors are such changeable and restless beings, that I
really believe they would soon be tired of Paradise itself. After a
sojourn of nine months, during which they perhaps lived better than they
ever had before, they began to murmur and talk of getting away in some
manner or another. As my cargo was valuable, I was in hopes that a
vessel would visit the island, and take it on board: I therefore made
every remonstrance that I could imagine to induce them to wait some time
longer; but they would not listen to me, and made preparations for
building a vessel at the weather-side of the island, out of the
materials that the ship afforded. The reason why they chose the weather
side was, that they perceived that the island only increased to leeward;
whereas to windward it was a perpendicular rock of coral, which you
could not obtain bottom alongside of, with two hundred fathoms of line.
They had cut a slip out of the rock, and were already occupied with
driving out the bolts and fastenings of the ship that was shored up in
the woods, when one evening we perceived a large fleet of canoes coming
towards us. As I knew that I could not be far from the Sandwich
Islands, I immediately pronounced them to come from that quarter, in
which supposition I was correct; for although the island was not
inhabited, the islanders had for some years been aware of its existence,
and came to gather the crop of cocoa-nuts which it annually produced. I
advised my men to keep quiet in the woods, removing the tents and every
object that might create suspicion of our being on the island; but they
were of a different opinion, and as they had lately discovered the means
of collecting the toddy from the cocoa-nut trees, and distilling arrack,
they had been constantly drunk, mutinous, and regardless of my
authority. They thought it would be much easier to take the large
canoes from the islanders, and appropriate them to their own use, than
to build a vessel, and notwithstanding my entreaties, they persisted in
their resolution to make the attempt.
As the canoes approached, we counted fourteen, all of a very large size,
and with my glass I could distinguish that they had fifty or sixty
persons on board of each, including the women. I pointed this out to
the sailors, stating that I did not believe there were more than ten
women in each canoe, so that the men must amount to seven hundred, a
force much too large to give them any chance of success in their rash
intentions. But I did more harm than good; the mention of the women
seemed to inspire them with fresh ardour, and they vowed that they would
kill all the men, and then would be content to remain on the island with
the women. They armed themselves with muskets, and retired among the
trees as the canoes approached, fearful that the islanders would not
land if they were discovered. The canoes ran between the reefs, and in
a few minutes the whole of the islanders disembarked; not conceiving it
necessary to leave any but the women in the canoes, the water being as
smooth as a fish-pond.
The arrangements of my men were certainly very good: they allowed the
islanders to go up to the tents, which were now more than a mile from
the beach, and then walking down under cover of the trees, rushed to the
canoes, and putting one man in each with their muskets and ammunition,
shoved them off and made them fast to the coral rocks, about two hundred
yards distant. The screams of the women, and the shoving off of the
canoes, alarmed the men, who hastened down to ascertain the cause. As
soon as they came within half musket shot, the sailors who were on
shore, amounting to twenty-five, fired a volley out of the wood, which
killed and wounded a great number. The islanders retreated in
confusion, then gave a loud shout and advanced. Another volley was
fired, and they again retreated, bearing off their killed and wounded.
They now held a consultation, which ended in their dividing into two
bodies, one of which separated from the other, so that they might attack
the party in the wood from two different points.
In the meantime several of the women leaped overboard and swam on shore,
and the men in the boats were so busy in preventing the others from
following, that they could give no assistance to the party in the wood,
although they were within musket-shot. The conduct of the islanders
puzzled our men; and although I had taken no part in this murderous
attack, yet as I considered my life at stake, I thought that I must
assist. I therefore advised them to retreat to the ship, which, if they
once gained possession of, they would be enabled to keep the islanders
at bay. My advice was followed, and creeping through the thick we
reached the ship in safety, having climbed up by rope-ladders, which
were hanging from her, to enable us to go on board, to fetch any
articles we required. We hauled them up after us, and waited the issue.
In a few minutes, one of the parties of the islanders came up, and
seeing the ship with us on board, gave a loud yell, and let fly their
spears. We returned a volley which killed many, but they were very
brave, and continued the attack although we fired twenty or thirty
rounds with great execution.
The other party now came up, and the conflict continued; they made every
attempt to climb the stern and sides of the vessel, but were repulsed;
and as the evening closed in, they retired taking away their killed and
wounded, which we estimated at two hundred men. When they retreated, we
fired some of our large guns in that direction, as much to frighten the
islanders, as to let our comrades in the canoes know where we were.
We kept a sharp look out till dark, but saw no more of them. I proposed
that we should attempt to communicate with the men in the canoes, and
desire them to permit some of them to drift on shore after taking out
the women, as the islanders would then in all probability go away. But
as the men very justly remarked, nobody in the first place would venture
on such a dangerous service, and in the next, if the islanders obtained
some of their canoes, they would attack the others and overpower the
sailors that were in them. This plan was therefore justly overruled. I
then proposed that one man should steal down to the beach, swim off, and
desire the fourteen men to take all the women into one canoe, and pull
round to the north side of the island during the night, leaving the
remainder for the islanders to go away in. This was considered a good
scheme, but no one would volunteer; and, as I had proposed it, I thought
that I was in honour bound to go, as otherwise the men would, in future,
have had no opinion of me. I therefore stated my intention, and taking
my musket and ammunition, I slipped down by a rope. As soon as I was on
my legs, I perceived something crawling out of the wood towards the
ship. I could not exactly decipher what it was, so I crept under the
counter of the vessel, where it was so dark that I could not be
distinguished. As it approached, I made it out to be one of the
islanders with a faggot of wood on his back; he placed it close to the
side of the vessel, and then crawled back as before. I now perceived
that there were hundreds of these faggots about the ship, which the
islanders had contrived to carry there during the night; for although
the moon was up, yet the vessel was so inclosed with trees that the
light did not penetrate. I immediately comprehended that it was their
intention to set fire to the vessel, and I was thinking of communicating
the information to my companions on board, when two more crawled from
the woods, and deposited their bundles so close to me, that we were
nearly in contact. I therefore was obliged to leave those who were on
board to make the best of it, and imitating the islanders, I crawled
from the vessel into the brushwood, trailing the gun after me. It was
fortunate that I took this precaution, for in the very part of the wood
where I crept to, there were dozens of them making up faggots, but it
was too thick with underwood, and too dark to distinguish any thing,
although I heard them close to me breaking off the branches. I did the
same as I went on, to avoid discovery, until I had passed by them, when
I continued my route to where the canoes had been left. I arrived in
safety at the outskirts of the wood close to the beach, and perceived
the canoes still lying at the rocks, to which they had been taken; but
the moon shone bright, and I hesitated to walk out in the light, until I
ascertained whether there were any islanders on the beach. As I waited
a short time in the dark shade of the trees, close to one of the springs
of fresh water, I heard a moan close to me, and looking in that
direction I perceived a body on the ground. I went towards it, and
could distinguish very plainly that it was one of the women who had swam
on shore. She was nearly lifeless, and feeling, as every man must have
done, compassion at her unfortunate condition, I knelt down by her to
see if I could afford her any assistance. As she had very little
clothes round her body, I discovered, by passing my hand over her, that
she was wounded with a musket-ball above the knee, and was exhausted
from pain and loss of blood. I tore my neck-cloth and shirt into
bandages, and bound up her leg; I then fetched some water from the
spring in my hat, which I poured into her mouth, and threw over her
face. She appeared to recover and I felt happy that I had been of some
use, and not being able to descry any of the islanders, was proceeding
to the beach, that I might swim off to the canoes, when just as I walked
out of the shade, two or three muskets were fired by those on board.
These were followed by others, and loud yells from the islanders, who
had swum off in hundreds, and were attacking our people. The conflict
was very short, for the men, not being able to load their muskets
quickly enough, were overpowered by the islanders, who climbed into the
canoes; and in a few minutes they were all paddled to the beach.
I now thought that it was all over with my men on board of the ship, and
so it proved; for an hour before daylight the islanders lighted the
faggots, and, at the same time, attacked the vessel with great fury.
The fire continued to blaze higher and higher, the muskets were
constantly discharging, and the shouts and yells continued for about an
hour, when I heard no more reports from the muskets, and took it for
granted that my men were overcome, which was the case, as I afterwards
found out; many were killed by the spears when on board, others when
they leaped from the vessel to avoid the flames, and the remainder had
been suffocated.
As the sun rose above the horizon, a loud explosion took place, by which
I knew that the flames had communicated with the magazine, and that the
ship had been blown to atoms. I determined to hide myself in the
bushes, with the hope of not being discovered. Before I went, I made a
hasty visit to the poor wounded woman, to see how she was. It was broad
daylight, and I found that I had afforded succour to a very beautiful
young girl, about sixteen or seventeen years old. As she still appeared
faint, I brought her some more water, and when I gave it to her, she
expressed her gratitude with her eyes. Examining the bandages, which
had slipped a little on one side, I replaced them, and then darted into
the thickest of the underwood. As I pressed on, bent half double, my
head suddenly came in contact with something hard; I looked up, and
found that it was the head of one of the islanders, who was also forcing
his way through the bushes, an immense, powerful man, who immediately
sprung upon me, and pinned me to the ground. He was followed by several
others who came to his assistance, and all resistance was useless. They
pulled some of the creeping withies, that grow in those countries, and
bound me hand and foot; then selecting a large pole, they made me fast
to it, and carried me away. When they arrived at the beach, I was laid
down on my back, exposed to the burning sun. Left to my own
reflections, and calling to mind all that I could recollect from the
voyages and travels which I had read, I concluded that I was to be made
a sacrifice of to their gods. I prayed to Heaven for mercy, and
resigned myself to my fate, which appeared inevitable.
The islanders had all assembled on the beach close to where I lay. The
dead bodies of their companions, who had fallen in the conflict, and the
wounded, were carried into the canoes. They formed a circle round the
fire, which they had kindled, made several speeches, and danced a
war-dance. I turned round on my side, and perceived to my horror, that
they had collected all the bodies of my companions, and were devouring
them. What they did not feel inclined to eat, they packed up in
baskets, and put into the canoes. I anticipated that such would be my
own fate--not at present, as they had more than they could consume--but
that I should be reserved for a festival, after their arrival in their
own country. Nor was I incorrect in my supposition; they collected
together all the bones, which they carried with them, and putting me on
board, hoisted their mat sails, and steered away for their own islands.
On the third day we arrived, when I was carried on shore and confined in
what I believe was a burying-ground. They stuffed me every day with
pork and other victuals to keep me alive, and in good condition, but
they never cast me loose from the pole to which I was bound. I heard
processions, shouts, and lamentations for the dead; but I could see
nothing, for I was now too weak to turn on my side. When I had been a
week in this confined state, the agony arising from the swelling of my
limbs, and from the increased tightness of the ligatures was so great,
that I called for death to relieve me from my sufferings; and when I
once more found myself raised upon the shoulders of men, I was as
impatient for my approaching fate, as I should have been, under other
circumstances, for my release. My senses were gradually overpowered by
the pain, which was so much increased by the renewed suspension of my
body. I have a distinct recollection of being placed on the ground in a
large circle--of the screams of a woman, and of a confused uproar, which
followed. When I came to my senses, I found myself in a hut, unbound,
and lying upon soft mats, with fomentations applied to my limbs and when
my eyes opened, I beheld, hanging over me with an air of the tenderest
solicitude, the beautiful savage, whom I had found wounded, and had
succoured on the night of the affray. I subsequently learnt, that when
I had been brought into the circle, she had recognised me as the person
who had assisted her; that she claimed my life, pointing to her wound,
and producing the bandages with which I had bound it up, and which were
identified with the remainder, as part of the dress which I still wore.
A council was held; and as it appeared that I could not have been with
the party in the ship, for I had been taken prisoner in the woods, near
to where the girl lay, after many speeches pro and con, it was decided
that my life should be spared, and that I should be married to the girl
who had been the means of preserving it. She had carried me away to her
hut, and was now returning the debt of gratitude which she had incurred.
Owing to her unwearied kindness and attention, I soon recovered, and
before I was aware that I was to be her husband I courted her by signs,
and all the little attentions that could be suggested by gratitude and
love. As soon as I was supposed to be sufficiently recovered I was led
into a large circle of the islanders, to be formally admitted into their
society. A venerable old man made a speech, which I presume was not a
very good one from its extreme length, and then several men laid hold of
me, and throwing me on the ground, face downwards, sat astride on me,
and commenced running needles into the upper part of my thighs. The
pain was excessive; but as all the islanders were tattooed about the
loins, I presumed it was an operation that I must submit to, and bore it
with fortitude.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
"And pray what is that tattooing?"
"Tattooing, may it please your highness, is puncturing the skin with
needles or sharp points--and then rubbing Indian ink or gunpowder into
the wounds. This leaves an indelible mark of a deep blue tint. All the
islanders in those seas practise it, and very often the figures that are
drawn are very beautiful."
"Mashallah! How wonderful is God! I should like to see it," rejoined
the pacha.
"Allah forbid," replied the renegade, "that I should expose my person to
your highness. I know my duty better."
"Yes, but I must see it, yaha bibi, my friend!" continued the pacha,
impatiently; "never mind your person. Come--obey my orders."
The renegade was a little at a nonplus, as he never had undergone the
operation which he had described. Fortunately for the support of his
veracity, it happened that during one of his piratical excursions, in an
idle fit, he had permitted one of his companions to tattoo a small
mermaid on his arm.
"Min Allah! God forbid," rejoined the renegade; "my life is at the
disposal of your highness, and I had sooner that you should take it,
than I would affront your august eyes with the exposure in question;
fortunately I can gratify your highness's curiosity without offending
decency--as, after they had finished the operation I was describing,
they made the figure of their most respected deity upon my arm." The
renegade then pulled up his sleeve, and showed the figure of a mermaid,
with a curling tail, a looking-glass in one hand and a comb in the
other. "Here your highness will perceive a specimen of their art. This
is a representation of their goddess, Bo-gee. In one hand she holds an
iron rake, with which she tattoos those who are good, and the mark
serves as a passport when they apply for admittance into the regions of
bliss. In the other, she brandishes a hot iron plate, with which she
brands those who are sentenced to be punished for their sins."
"Allah karim--God is merciful! And why has she a fish's tail?" inquired
the pacha.
"The people I am describing, inhabit a cluster of islands, and it is to
enable her to swim from one to the other, as her presence may be
required."
"Very true," observed the pacha--"now you may go on with your story."
------------------------------------------------------------------------
As I mentioned to your highness, they tattooed me without mercy; the
operation lasted an hour, when they put me on my feet again. Another
speech was made, which I understood as little of as the former; they
left me with my wife, and the ceremony was at an end.
I must say I wished that I had not been naturalised and married both on
the same day. I was so swelled and so stiff with the tattooing, that it
was with difficulty I could, with the assistance of my wife, walk back
to my hut. However, by the remedies which she constantly applied, in
the course of three days I felt no further inconvenience.
I now considered myself settled for the remainder of my life. I was
passionately attached to Naka-poop, for such was the name of my young
wife, and notwithstanding my French education, could not but acknowledge
that her natural and unsophisticated manners were more graceful and more
fascinating, than is all the studied address of my own countrywomen.
She was of high rank in her own country, being nearly allied to the
king; and for two years my life slipped away, in uninterrupted happiness
and peace. But, alas!--and the renegade covered up his face.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Come, Huckaback, you surely have been too much accustomed to lose your
wives by this time, to make a fuss about it. These Franks are strange
people," observed the pacha to the vizier; "they've a tear for every
woman."
"Your highness must excuse me; I shall not offend again, for I never
married afterwards. My charming Naka-poop died in child-bed, and the
island became so hateful to me, that I determined to quit it. An
opportunity occurred by an American vessel, which arrived with some
missionaries."
"What are missionaries?" inquired the pacha.
"People who came to inform the islanders, that Bo-gee was not a goddess,
and to persuade them to embrace the true faith."
"Very right," replied the pacha, "there is but one God, and Mahomet is
his prophet. Well--"
------------------------------------------------------------------------
As I understood both languages, I was employed as an interpreter, but it
was impossible to explain what the missionaries intended to convey, as
the language of the islanders had not words that were analogous. A
council was held; and the answer which the missionaries received was as
follows:--
"You tell us that your God rewards the good and punishes the wicked--so
does Bo-gee. We speak one language, you speak another. Perhaps the
name of your God means Bo-gee in ours. Then we both worship the same
God, under different names. No use to talk any more; take plenty of
pigs and yams, and go home."
The missionaries took their advice, their pigs and their yams, and I
went home with them. We arrived at New York, where I claimed and
received from the Bible Society my pay as interpreter to the
missionaries from the time that they landed up to the day of our return.
I never should have thought of claiming it, had it not been for the
advice of one of the missionaries, who took a fancy to me.
With the money that I received I paid my passage in a vessel bound to
Genoa, where I arrived in safety, but without the means of subsistence.
But what doth the poet say, "Necessity is a strong rider with sharp
stirrups, who maketh the sorry jade do that which the strong horse
sometimes will not do." Having no other resource, I determined once
more to try my fortune upon the ocean.
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"Allah wakbar--God is every where! It was your talleh--your destiny,
Huckaback."
"It was his kismet--his fate, your sublime highness," rejoined Mustapha,
"that he should go through those perils to amuse your leisure hours."
"Wallah thaib--well said, by Allah! Let the slave rejoice in our
bounty. Give him ten pieces of gold; we will open our ears to his next
voyage to-morrow. Murakhas, you are dismissed."
"May your sublime shadow never be less," replied Huckaback, as he
salaamed out of the pacha's presence.