CROSSING THE EQUATOR—THE SOUTHEAST TRADE-WINDS—THE EQUATORIAL
CURRENT—THE GULF STREAM—STRUCK BY A TORNADO—LAND IN SIGHT—AFRICA
AT LAST—THE GREAT FOREST.
In spite of the counter currents and contrary squalls, we crept slowly
southward to meet the southeasterly winds, the captain taking advantage
of every opportunity offered by the weather. After many discouragements
and setbacks, we at last crossed the equator.
One afternoon a squall rose and drove us southward. After it had blown
over, it became calm again. Then we saw, far away, ripples on the ocean,
which gradually came nearer and nearer. These ripples were the
forerunners of the southeast trade-winds that were coming towards us.
Soon after we felt a cool, gentle breeze, and a shout of joy came from
all on board. Our imprisonment in the “Doldrums” was over!
The southeast trade-winds were at first very light, for we had reached
just where they were dying away, close to the region of the “Doldrums,”
but towards evening the breeze freshened. The next day white caps
covered the sea, and life became pleasant once more. The southeast
trade-winds were strong, and now we had the same beautiful blue sky as
under the northeast trade-winds, and the same beautiful white and often
transparent clouds.
These southeast trade-winds have also blown from time immemorial—the hot
air of the South African continent bringing about the same results as
the hot air of the desert of Sahara.
Then we tacked ship, and laid our course towards the west coast of
Africa. I asked the captain if I should have to pass again through such
dreadful regions as that of the “Doldrums” when I returned home. “No,”
he replied; “on the return trip from the equatorial regions of Africa,
we sail with the southeast trade-winds, south of the equator, to avoid
these dreaded ‘Doldrums,’ carried onward by the southeast trade-winds
until a few hundred miles off the coast of Brazil; then we get into
variable, and often light winds.”
Then I thought that if our little ship were left to drift within the
area of the northeast or southeast trade-winds, in the course of time
she would reach the South American coast, then drift gradually
northward, and, if not stranded on the way, would get into the Gulf
Stream, then be carried northward, passing the latitude of New York,
whence we came.
The northeast and southeast trade-winds cause the initial movement of
the currents which, in their course, make the current known to us as the
Gulf Stream.
The two trade-winds, blowing continually from the hot regions of Africa,
drive the hot water of the tropics from Africa westward, towards South
America, and this current is known as the equatorial current.
The Bight of Biafra, in the Gulf of Guinea, may be considered the head
waters of this equatorial current, which runs all the way from about
eighteen to twenty-five miles every twenty-four hours, until it strikes
the South American coast.
This equatorial current, or stream, is a shallow river of warm water,
not deeper than three hundred feet. The temperature of the water is
between 75° and 80° Fahrenheit at the surface, and not more than 60° at
the depth of six hundred feet,—the deeper water not being so heated by
the sun, of course, as the surface water. Besides, from below there is a
continual rising or flow of cold polar water.
This equatorial current strikes the American coast about Cape St. Roque,
some three hundred miles south of the equator. The obstruction of the
land divides the current into two parts, one going southward, but the
greater volume of water going northward, with great increase of
velocity, for the simple reason that any current, even in a river, that
finds an obstruction, runs more rapidly along the obstruction. So the
equatorial current, which presses northward along the coast from Cape
St. Roque and the Orinoco River, flows with great rapidity—from sixty to
eighty miles in twenty-four hours. Then it passes the Caribbean Sea,
turns westward, and follows the shores of the Gulf of Mexico at the rate
of from thirty to sixty miles a day.
The Gulf Stream flows along the American coast, from which it is
separated by a cold current from the icy north, forming what might be
called a wide band separating the Gulf Stream from our shores. We ought
to be thankful to this cold-water band, otherwise our climate would be
much warmer.
Now we were sailing towards the west coast of Africa,—the innermost part
of the Gulf of Guinea, situated somewhat near the equator. At last came
the day when we were not more than one hundred and fifty miles from the
mainland. In the afternoon of that day a dark, compact mass rose from
the east, over the horizon, and became larger and larger, in spite of
the contrary winds that struck against it. There was a contest between
the two, and one had to get the mastery over the other. The captain was
watching anxiously that part of the horizon. Finally he turned to me and
said: “A tornado is going to burst upon us very soon. We must be ready
when it strikes us.” So all the sails were furled. The muttering of the
thunder could be heard. The wind had died away, and the calm was the
forerunner of the tornado.
In the meantime a grayish spot rose from the horizon under the black
mass. Soon after, this great spot rose with great rapidity, driving and
breaking the dark mass into black clouds that flew wildly in every
direction. The tornado was coming. We saw the sea enveloped with spray,
and in an instant it was upon us. Fortunately we were ready. The wind
blew with terrific force, our little vessel careened over, the gunwales
on the starboard side almost reaching the sea. The force of the wind was
so great that it prevented the sea from rising into big waves.
Then came rain, lightning, and thunder. Never in my life before had I
heard such thunder, or seen such vivid lightning, or such pouring rain.
I was constantly afraid that we would be struck by lightning, and I had
powder enough on board to blow the ship to pieces. Gradually the thunder
and lightning moved away from us, and the wind, though strong,
moderated. By that time it was night, and as dark as pitch. When I awoke
in the morning the wind had gone down, and I saw an island covered with
forest. After a noon observation we found that it was Princess Island,
belonging to Portugal, and situated about one hundred and fifty miles
from the coast of Africa.
Two days after we came in sight of the mainland, and saw the great
African equatorial forest as if rising from the sea. Far inland were
mountains clad with trees to their very tops. The forest was inhabited
by numerous savage tribes who had never seen a white man, and ferocious
and strange-looking beasts, seen in no other part of the world. In that
great forest I was to live, and we skirted the shore until we found a
proper anchorage. Then we saw numerous canoes, filled with men paddling
towards us. These came on board and inquired if we wanted to barter for
ivory with them. They had, they said, a number of big elephants’ tusks
in their village. I replied that I did not want to trade with them, but
would like to stay with them and kill wild beasts and birds, and stuff
them, and collect also all the butterflies and insects I could, and keep
them, and take these to the country of the white man. We told them to go
back and to tell their king that I was coming. One canoe remained behind
to take me ashore.
How strange was that great forest! Not a tree was like those we had at
home. Their leaves were different in shape, and some of them were large
and beautiful. Many of these trees bore brilliant flowers. Some were as
big as the California trees. The foliage was so thick that for long
distances in the forest the sun, the moon, the stars, and the sky could
not be seen.
There were hunting and other paths leading from one village to another.
The way from one tribe to another was often very tedious. At a certain
season of the year there was great thunder, lightning, and rain,
preceded by tornadoes. This was called the rainy season. Then there was
a time without rain. This was called the dry season, or _enomo_.
I had no white man with me—and as time went on I learned many languages
or dialects, so that I could talk to the people. When I was absent, the
kings or other friends took care of the goods I left in their hands.