THE BRITISH CORVETTE "UNICORN"
The _Unicorn_, a small ten gun corvette, flying the British flag, was
on her way from Sydney to the Cape of Good Hope. Her commander was
Lieutenant Littlestone, and she had a crew of sixty men. Although
ordinarily a war-ship carries no passengers the _Unicorn_ had received
official permission to take on board an English family, the head of
which was compelled by considerations of health to return to Europe.
This family consisted of Mr. Wolston, a mechanical engineer, his wife,
Merry Wolston, and his two daughters Hannah and Dolly, aged seventeen
and fourteen, respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Wolston also had a son, James,
who at this time was living in Cape Town with his wife and young son.
The _Unicorn_ had left Sydney harbour in July, 1816, and after skirting
the southern coast of Australia had turned her course towards the
north-east waters of the Indian Ocean.
Lieutenant Littlestone had been ordered by the Admiralty to cruise
about these latitudes and endeavour to find, either upon the western
coast of Australia or in the neighbouring islands, traces of the
existence of any survivors of the _Dorcas_, of whom no news had been
heard for two and a half years.
It was not known precisely where the wreck had occurred, although there
was no doubt about the catastrophe, since the second mate and three
men of the crew had been picked up at sea and taken to Sydney, only
those four out of all who were in the ship's longboat. As for Captain
Greenfield, the sailors and the passengers--the daughter of Colonel
Montrose among them--it would have been difficult to cherish any hope
of their recovery after the story told of the wreck by the second
mate. However, the British Government had desired that further search
should be made in this portion of the Indian Ocean as well as in the
approaches to the Timor Sea. There are many islands there not much
frequented by trading vessels, and it was desirable to pay a visit to
those in the neighbourhood of the seas where the _Dorcas_ had probably
been lost.
So, after doubling Cape Leeuwin, at the south-west extremity of
Australia, the _Unicorn_ had borne northwards. She touched at a few of
the Sunday Islands without result, and resumed her journey to the Cape.
It was then that she met with a succession of violent storms against
which she had to struggle for a whole week, sustaining serious damage,
which compelled her to seek some anchorage for repairs.
On the 8th of October the lookout descried to the southward a land--in
all probability an island--which was not marked in the latest charts.
Lieutenant Littlestone steered for this land and found refuge in the
heart of a bay on its eastern coast which was completely sheltered
from adverse winds and offered an excellent anchorage.
The crew set to work at once. Tents were pitched on the beach at the
foot of the cliff. A regular camp was arranged, and every precaution
taken that prudence dictated. It was quite possible that this coast was
inhabited or visited by savages, and as everybody knows the natives of
the Indian Ocean have an evil reputation.
The _Unicorn_ had been at her moorings for two days when, on the
morning of the 10th of October, the attention of the commander and the
crew was arrested by a double detonation coming from the west.
This double report was entitled to a reply, and the _Unicorn_ answered
with the discharge of three guns from her port side.
Lieutenant Littlestone could do nothing but wait. His ship, being still
in dock undergoing repair, could not have got under way and rounded the
cape on the north-east. Several days were required before she would
be in a condition to put to sea. And in any case, he assumed that the
corvette's guns had been heard, since the wind was blowing off the sea,
and he quite expected to see some ship come within sight of the bay at
any moment.
So lookout men were posted at the mast-head. Evening came yet no sail
had appeared. The sea to the north was absolutely deserted, as was that
portion of the coast bounded by the bend of the bay. As for landing a
detachment of men and sending it to reconnoitre, Lieutenant Littlestone
decided not to do this from prudential considerations. Besides, the
circumstances did not appear to demand it imperatively. Directly the
_Unicorn_ was in a fit state to leave her moorings she would follow
round the coastline of this land, whose precise position had now been
definitely fixed as latitude 19° 30′, longitude 114° 5′ east of the
meridian of Ferro Island which belongs to the Canary Islands group in
the Atlantic Ocean.
Three days passed without anything fresh happening, except, indeed, a
violent storm, which caused wide and profound disturbance but left the
_Unicorn_ unharmed under the protection of the coast.
[Illustration: "A violent storm causes "Unicorn" to seek protection of
the coast."]
On the 13th of October several reports of cannon were heard from the
same direction as the former ones.
To this fire, each discharge of which was separated by an interval
of two minutes, the _Unicorn_ replied with seven guns fired at equal
intervals. Inasmuch as the new reports did not seem to come from
any nearer point than those which had preceded them, the commander
concluded that the ship whence they proceeded could not have changed
her position in the meantime.
On this same day, about four o'clock in the afternoon, Lieutenant
Littlestone, while pacing the bridge with his spyglass in use, caught
sight of a little boat. Manned by two men, it was gliding between the
rocks, coming from the promontory. These men, who were black-skinned,
could only be Malay or Australian aborigines. Their presence was proof
that this portion of the coast was inhabited, and accordingly steps
were taken to be prepared for an attack, an eventuality always to be
feared in these waters of the Indian Ocean.
However, the canoe drew near, a craft resembling an Esquimau kayak. It
was allowed to approach. But when it was within three cables' length of
the corvette, the two savages spoke in a language which was absolutely
unintelligible.
Lieutenant Littlestone and his officers waved their handkerchiefs and
held up their hands to show that they were unarmed. But the canoe
showed no disposition to draw nearer. A moment later it sped rapidly
away, to disappear behind the promontory.
At nightfall Lieutenant Littlestone took counsel with his officers as
to sending the ship's longboat to reconnoitre the northern coast. The
situation was certainly one which required to be cleared up. It could
not have been the aborigines who had fired the guns which had been
heard in the morning. Beyond all question there must be a ship on the
west of the island, and perhaps she was in distress and asking for
assistance.
Accordingly it was decided that a reconnaissance should be made next
morning in that direction and the ship's boat was on the point of being
launched, at nine o'clock, when Lieutenant Littlestone stopped the
proceedings.
There had just appeared at the extreme point of the cape, not a kayak,
nor yet one of the canoes commonly in use among the aborigines, but a
light vessel of modern construction, a pinnace of some fifteen tons.
As soon as she had drawn near the _Unicorn_ she hoisted a red and white
flag.
The astonishment of the commander, officers, and crew of the corvette
can be imagined when they saw a canoe put off from the pinnace,
carrying a white flag at the stern in sign of friendship, and make
straight for the corvette.
Two men came aboard the _Unicorn_ and introduced themselves. They were
Swiss, Jean Zermatt and his eldest son Fritz, survivors of the wrecked
_Landlord_, of whom no news had ever been heard.
The Englishmen welcomed most heartily the father and son, and
Lieutenant Littlestone responded with alacrity to the invitation they
gave him to go on board their pinnace.
It was only natural that M. Zermatt should feel some pride when
presenting the commander of the _Unicorn_ first to his brave helpmate
and then to his other three sons. It was impossible not to admire their
resolute bearing, their intelligent faces, their splendid health. Every
member of this family was good to look upon. Then Jenny was introduced
to Lieutenant Littlestone.
"But what land is this, where you have been living for these twelve
years past, M. Zermatt?" he enquired.
"We have named it New Switzerland," M. Zermatt replied, "a name which
it will always keep, I hope."
"Is it an island, commander?" Fritz asked.
"Yes: an island in the Indian Ocean, which was not marked on the
charts."
"We did not know that it was an island," Ernest observed, "for we have
never left this part of the coast, fearing that we might meet with
danger."
"You did right, for we have seen some aborigines," Lieutenant
Littlestone replied.
"Aborigines?" echoed Fritz, unable to conceal his surprise.
"Sure," the commander declared. "Yesterday--in a kind of canoe, or
rather a kayak."
"Those aborigines were only my brother and myself," Jack answered,
laughing. "We blackened our faces and arms in order to be taken for
savages."
"Why disguise yourselves?"
"Because we did not know whom we had to deal with, commander, and your
ship might have been a pirate ship!"
"Oh!" said Lieutenant Littlestone. "One of the ships of His Majesty
King George III.!"
"I quite agree," Fritz replied, "but we thought it better to get back
to our dwelling at Rock Castle so as to return all together."
"I must add," M. Zermatt put in, "that we should have done so at break
of day. Fritz and Jack had observed that your corvette was undergoing
repairs, and so we were sure of finding her in this bay."
Jenny's happiness was great when the commander told her that he knew
Colonel Montrose by name. Further, before the _Unicorn_ had sailed for
the Indian Ocean the papers had reported the Colonel's arrival at
Portsmouth, and later in London. But since, subsequently to this, the
news had been published that the passengers and crew of the _Dorcas_
had all perished, with the exception of the second mate and the three
sailors landed at Sydney, one can imagine the despair that must have
racked the unhappy father at the thought of his daughter's death. His
grief could only be equalled by his joy when he should learn that Jenny
had survived the wreck of the _Dorcas_.
Meanwhile the pinnace was getting ready to return to Deliverance Bay,
where M. and Mme. Zermatt proposed to offer hospitality to Lieutenant
Littlestone. The latter, however, wished to keep them until the end of
the day. And then, as they agreed to spend the night in the bay, three
tents were pitched at the foot of the rocks, one for the four sons,
another for the father and mother, and the third for Jenny Montrose.
And then the history of the Zermatt family could be related in full
detail, from the moment of their setting foot on this land of New
Switzerland. It was only natural that the commander and his officers
should express their keen desire to go and see the arrangements of the
little colony and the comfortable accommodations they had made at Rock
Castle and Falconhurst.
After an excellent repast served on board the _Unicorn_, M. and Mme.
Zermatt with their four sons and Jenny took leave of Lieutenant
Littlestone and sought the shelter of the tents within the bay.
When he was alone with his wife M. Zermatt spoke to her as follows:
"My dear Betsy, an opportunity is afforded us of returning to Europe,
of seeing our fellow-countrymen and our friends once more. But it
behooves us to think that our position is altered now. New Switzerland
is no longer an unknown island. Other ships will be putting in here
before long."
"Of what are you doubtful?" Mme. Zermatt asked.
"I am trying to decide whether or not we should take advantage of this
opportunity."
"My dear," Betsy replied, "ever since yesterday I have been thinking
earnestly, and this is the result. Why should we leave this land, where
we are so happy? Why should we try to renew relations which time and
absence must have broken altogether? Have we not come to an age when
one longs too ardently for rest to face the risks of a long voyage?"
"Ah! my dear wife," cried M. Zermatt, embracing her, "you have
understood me! Yes, it would be almost like ingratitude to Heaven to
forsake our New Switzerland! But it is not we alone who are concerned.
Our children----"
"Our children," Betsy rejoined. "I quite understand that they should
long to return to their own country. They are young; they have the
future before them; and although their absence must be a great grief to
us, it is only right to leave them free."
"You are right, Betsy; I agree with you."
"Let our boys sail on the _Unicorn_, my dear. If they go, they will
come back."
"And we must think of Jenny, too," said M. Zermatt. "We cannot forget
that her father, Colonel Montrose, has been in England two years, has
been mourning her for two years. It is only natural that she should
want to see her father again."
"It will be a great sorrow for us when we see her go," Betsy replied;
"she has become a daughter to us. Fritz has a deep affection for her,
and the affection is returned. But Jenny is not ours to dispose of."
M. and Mme. Zermatt talked long of all these things. They quite
realised the consequences involved by the alteration in their
situation, and it was at a very late hour that night that sleep came to
them.
The next day, after having left the bay, rounded Cape East, and gained
Deliverance Bay, the pinnace landed Lieutenant Littlestone, two of his
officers, the Zermatt family, and the Wolstons at the mouth of Jackal
River.
The Englishmen were as full of admiration and surprise as Jenny
Montrose had been when visiting Rock Castle for the first time. M.
Zermatt received his guests at his winter habitation before taking
them to see the chateau of Falconhurst, the villa at Prospect Hill,
the farms at Wood Grange and Sugar-cane Grove, and the hermitage at
Eberfurt. Lieutenant Littlestone and his officers could not fail to
marvel at the prosperity of this Promised Land, all due to the courage
and intelligence of a shipwrecked family during their eleven years'
stay on this island. At the end of the repast which was served to them
in the great hall of Rock Castle they did not forget to drink a toast
in honour of the colonists of New Switzerland.
In the course of this day Mr. Wolston, with his wife and his two
daughters, had an opportunity of becoming much more intimate with M.
and Mme. Zermatt. Before they separated for the night, Mr. Wolston
spoke thus:
"M. Zermatt, have I your permission to speak quite frankly and
confidentially?"
"Of course."
"The existence you lead upon this island delights me," said Mr.
Wolston. "I fancy I am better already in the midst of all these
beauties of nature, and I should think myself fortunate to live in a
corner of your Promised Land, provided, of course, you would be so kind
as to give your consent."
"Rest assured of it, Mr. Wolston!" M. Zermatt replied with enthusiasm.
"My wife and I would be enchanted to admit you a member of our little
colony and to share its happiness with you. Moreover, so far as we
two are concerned, we have made up our minds to end our days in New
Switzerland, which has become our second fatherland, and our intention
is never to leave it."
"Three cheers for New Switzerland!" cried their guests gaily.
And in honour of New Switzerland they emptied their glasses which had
been filled with the Canary wine which Mme. Zermatt substituted for the
native wine on great occasions.
"And three cheers for those who want to stay here whatever happens!"
added Ernest and Jack.
Fritz had not said a word, and Jenny was silent and hung her head.
Afterwards, when the visitors had gone in the ship's boat sent from
the _Unicorn_ to fetch them, and Fritz was alone with his mother he
embraced her without venturing to speak.
Then seeing her so affected by the idea that her eldest son was
thinking of leaving her, he dropped upon his knees beside her and cried:
"No, mother, no; I will not go away!"
And Jenny, who had joined them, threw herself into Mme. Zermatt's arms
and said over and over again:
"Forgive me! forgive me, if I am causing you pain; I who love you as if
you were my own mother! But, over there ... my father ... have I any
right to hesitate?"
Mme. Zermatt and Jenny remained together. And when their conversation
was ended it seemed as if Betsy were almost resigned to a separation.
M. Zermatt and Fritz came back at this moment and Jenny returned to M.
Zermatt.
"My father," she said--it was the first time that she had so addressed
him--"bless me as my mother has just blessed me! Let me--let us--leave
for Europe! Your children will come back to you, and you need not fear
that anything can ever separate them from you. Colonel Montrose is a
man of feeling who will wish to pay his daughter's debt. Let Fritz come
to England to meet him. Trust us to each other. Your son will answer
for me as I will answer for him!"
Finally, this was what was arranged, with the consent of the commander
of the _Unicorn_. The landing of the Wolstons would set some berths
on the corvette free. Fritz, Frank, and Jenny were to embark upon her
accompanied by Dolly, the younger of the Wolston girls. Dolly was to go
to Cape Town to join her brother whom she would then bring back to New
Switzerland with his wife and child. As for Ernest and Jack, they would
not hear of leaving their parents.
Lieutenant Littlestone's mission was accomplished, for he had found
Jenny Montrose, the sole survivor of the passengers on the _Dorcas_,
and in this island of New Switzerland had discovered an excellent
anchorage in the Indian Ocean. And since M. Zermatt, who in his
capacity of its first occupier was its owner, desired to offer it to
Great Britain, Lieutenant Littlestone promised to take the matter to a
satisfactory conclusion and to bring back the formal acceptance of the
British Government.
The presumption, therefore, was that the _Unicorn_ would return to take
possession of the island. She would bring back Fritz, Frank, and Jenny
Montrose, and would also embark at Cape Town James Wolston with his
sister Dolly, and his wife and child. Fritz would provide himself,
with the consent of M. and Mme. Zermatt, with the papers necessary for
his marriage--a marriage of which Colonel Montrose would be delighted
to approve. Everybody took it for granted that the colonel would want
to accompany the young couple to New Switzerland.
So everything was arranged. But still it would not be without much
sorrow that the members of the Zermatt family would be separated for a
time. Of course when Fritz came back, with Frank and Jenny, and Jenny's
father, with perhaps other colonists who might ask leave to accompany
them, there would be nothing but happiness--happiness that nothing
would disturb thereafter, and a prosperous future for the colony!
Preparations were made at once for the start. A few days more and the
_Unicorn_ would be ready to leave the bay upon the coast to which her
name had been given. Directly her rigging had been repaired and reset,
the corvette would stand out to sea again and turn her course towards
the Cape of Good Hope.
Jenny naturally wanted to take away, or, rather, take to Colonel
Montrose, the few articles she had made with her own hands upon Burning
Rock. Each one of them would be a reminder of the existence she had
endured so bravely during more than two years of utter solitude. So
Frank took charge of these things, which he would guard like priceless
treasure.
M. Zermatt placed in the hands of his two sons everything that had
marketable value and could be converted into money in England, the
pearls, which would produce a considerable sum, the coral picked up
along the islands in Nautilus Bay, the nutmegs and vanilla pods, with
which several sacks were filled. With the cash realised by the sale
of these various products, Fritz was to buy the material and stores
necessary to the colony--stores which would be sent out by the first
ship on which the future colonists might take passage with their own
outfit. The whole would form a cargo large and valuable enough to
require a vessel of several hundred tons.
M. Zermatt, on his part, made various exchanges with Lieutenant
Littlestone. He thus procured several casks of brandy and of wine,
clothes, linen, stores, and a dozen barrels of powder, shot, lead and
bullets. Inasmuch as New Switzerland was able to supply the needs of
her inhabitants, it was of the first importance to make sure of an
adequate supply of fire-arms. These were indispensable, not only for
hunting but also for purposes of self-defence in the event, possible
if unlikely, of the colonists being attacked by pirates or even by
aborigines.
At the same time the commander of the _Unicorn_ undertook to return to
the families of the passengers who had perished the valuable securities
and the jewelry that had been found on board the _Landlord_. As for
the journal of his life which M. Zermatt had kept from day to day,
Fritz was to arrange for its publication in England in order to secure
the place to which New Switzerland was entitled in geographical
nomenclature.[1]
[Footnote 1: It was this journal which appeared under the title of "The
Swiss Family Robinson."]
All these preparations were completed the day before the departure.
Every moment that Lieutenant Littlestone could spare from his work
he spent in the bosom of the Zermatt family. All hoped that before a
year should have passed, after touching at the Cape, and after having
received in London the Admiralty's orders with respect to the colony,
he would return to take official possession of it in the name of Great
Britain. When the _Unicorn_ returned the Zermatt family would be
reunited for good and all.
At last the 19th of October arrived.
The day before the corvette had left Unicorn Bay and dropped anchor
within a cable's length from Shark's Island.
It was a sad day for M. and Mme. Zermatt, and for Ernest and Jack, from
whom Fritz and Frank and Jenny would be parting the next morning, and
it was a sad day for Mr. and Mrs. Wolston, too, since their daughter
Dolly was leaving also.
At daybreak the launch took the passengers to Shark's Island. M.
and Mme. Zermatt, Ernest and Jack, Mr. and Mrs. Wolston, and Hannah
accompanied them.
It was on that island at the entrance into Deliverance Bay that the
last farewells were exchanged, while the launch took the baggage to the
corvette.
There could be no question of writing, since no means of communication
existed between England and New Switzerland. No; they only spoke of
seeing each other once more, of returning as speedily as might be, and
of resuming their life together again.
Then the ship's boat of the _Unicorn_ came for Jenny Montrose, for
Dolly Wolston entrusted to her care, and for Fritz and Frank, and took
them on board.
Half an hour later the _Unicorn_ weighed anchor, and with a fair
north-east breeze behind her she stood out to the open sea, after
having saluted the flag of New Switzerland with a discharge of three
guns.
To this salute the guns from the battery on Shark's Island, fired by
Ernest and Jack, replied.
An hour later the top sails of the corvette had disappeared behind the
farthest rocks of False Hope Point.