"Come along, Mr Marsden, the sooner we can get out of sight the
better," exclaimed Bigg, as he led the way towards a thick wood which
appeared a quarter of a mile or so in front of us.
The boat pulled back to the ship, while we ran as hard as we could
towards the wood. It was at all events satisfactory to find that there
could not be many natives in that neighbourhood. In less than five
minutes we were safe inside the wood, and Bigg lost no time in hunting
about to find the berries with which he proposed to dye our skins. He
soon discovered them, as also the leaves of some other plants, which
assisted to heighten the colour. We had the means of lighting a fire,
and a pot for cooking our food. A stream was near at hand, and in a
short time we had a strong ink-like decoction formed, which, when I
applied it to my hand, very quickly gave it a fine glossy black hue. I
could not help hesitating for a moment, when I saw the effect produced,
about covering my whole skin with it, lest I should never get white
again.
"Never fear, sir, a little oil and hot water will soon take it all off
again," said Bigg, who had observed my proceedings.
I felt ashamed of myself when I remembered the object I had in view; and
setting to work at once, with Bigg's assistance, very soon got myself
turned into a very respectable looking young blackamoor. I helped Bigg,
and touched him up here and there where he had left spots uncovered.
Solon all the time sat watching our proceedings with the greatest
astonishment. He looked up in my face and gazed earnestly at it, and
when he found that it was entirely black, he whined piteously, as if
some great misfortune had happened to me. He, however, knew me by my
voice, so that I had no fear of his running away from me, and in a very
little time he got perfectly accustomed to my appearance.
Having done up our bundles again, and got ourselves ready for our march,
we started off towards the interior. We had a journey of three or four
days at the least before us. Bigg had been fully that time finding his
way to the sea. We had numberless dangers to encounter--not only from
natives, but from wild beasts and venomous reptiles. I had known of
them before, but they now presented themselves more vividly before me,
and I felt how grateful I ought to be to Bigg for his readiness to
encounter them for my sake. We soon left the region of mangrove-trees.
We got on easily enough across downs and grassy plains, but we had often
great difficulty in forcing our way through the bush and the dense
forests which lay in our course. We had gone some miles, and had not
hitherto seen any natives. Just as we were emerging from a wood, Bigg
touched my shoulder and pointed to several black figures with calabashes
on their heads, some three or four hundred yards off; across an open
glade which lay before us. In another moment we should have been
discovered. I signed to Solon to keep behind me, and we turned on one
side, skirting the border of the forest to avoid them. We were not
quite certain whether we had altogether escaped detection, for we
observed them looking about as if their quick eyes had detected
something unusual in the wood. As soon as we had got round, still
sheltered by trees, we were able to continue our proper course. We had
arranged what Bigg was to say should we meet any natives, and we were to
give them some small present to show our friendly disposition; at the
same time hinting that we had friends who would wreak their vengeance on
the heads of any one ill-treating us. We had not gone far before we
came to the outside of the forest, and now for a great distance an open,
undulating country, with here and there trees scattered over it,
appeared before us.
Suddenly Solon stopped, pricked up his ears, and looked intently back
towards the point whence we had come. We followed with our eyes the
direction at which the dog was pointing, and directly afterwards the
brushwood and the branches of the trees were bent outward, and the head
and trunk of a huge elephant appeared, as he dashed furiously out of the
forest. No sooner did he catch sight of us than he set up a loud
trumpeting, indicative of rage, and rushed towards us. He was,
fortunately, still at some distance, so I had time to take off the
covering of my rifle, and to cock it ready for his reception. The
experience I had gained of elephant-shooting in Ceylon now stood me in
good stead. My sailor companion, who was not aware of what I was able
to do, was naturally much alarmed on my account.
"Much better climb up this tree out of the way of the brute. I'll help
you up, sir," he sung out, beginning to make his own way up the gnarled
and crooked trunk.
"No, no; I'll stand below and kill the elephant. You get up out of his
way. In case I should miss him, I'll dodge round the tree," I answered;
"I am safe enough; don't fear for me."
While we were speaking, I observed directly behind the elephant a
considerable number of blacks--some dozen or more--armed with spears and
darts. They were evidently in chase of him, and had not perceived us.
When Solon saw the elephant, he began to bark furiously, rushing towards
him, and then retreating again to me. His barking attracted the
attention of the natives, who now first perceived us. The elephant had
halted, trumpeting and shrieking louder than ever, when some of the
natives again darted their spears at him, while Solon assailed him with
his barking in front. The monster probably thought that the dog had
inflicted the pain he felt, for he now rushed at him with such fury that
I became not a little anxious for his safety. Solon, however, seemed
perfectly well aware what was best to be done, and contrived nimbly to
keep just beyond the distance that his huge antagonist's trunk could
reach. Once the elephant had tried to strike him with his trunk, but he
was then a long way off from me. He had now come within twenty yards of
the tree behind which I stood. Again he lowered his trunk to strike the
dog. The opportunity was not to be lost. I took a steady aim and
fired. Never have I made a better shot. The bullet struck the monster
directly on the forehead; and without advancing another foot, down he
sank an inanimate mass. Solon sprung on the body, barking with delight.
Bigg slid down from the tree; and forgetting his character of a negro,
was about to give a true British cheer, when I stopped him; and the
negroes who had been in chase of the animal came rushing up, staring
with astonishment at his sudden death. The moment I found that I had
killed the elephant, I had again covered up my rifle, so they could not
even see by what means the deed had been done. As they assembled round
the animal, I pointed to it to let them understand that they were
welcome to make what use of it they might wish. My companion also
addressed them, and told them a long story, at which they seemed highly
pleased, for they clapped their hands and gave other signs of
satisfaction. What they thought of us I could not tell; but I could not
help fancying that they had strong suspicions that we were not real
blacks. This, however, did not appear to be of much consequence, as
they were evidently impressed with the idea that we were very important
personages, and were prepared to pay us all possible respect.
Bigg discovered that the elephant had only been slightly wounded by
their arrows; and that, had it not been for my shot, he would very
probably have escaped from them. I was, therefore, in high favour with
them, and they were all very curious to know how I had done the deed.
This I thought it prudent not to tell them, and Bigg tried to mystify
them as much as possible. They were also equally puzzled to know who I
was. In this case also Bigg did his utmost to mystify them; and I
believe that they were under the impression that I was a regular black
prince, the son of some mighty potentate or other to the north of their
country. I had no difficulty in keeping up my character of being dumb,
but I found it necessary to pretend to be deaf also, as they were
constantly addressing me, and of course I could not understand a word
they said. In the meantime, Bigg talked away for both of us; and
although I very much doubt if his language was particularly grammatical,
he seemed to get on famously with the savages; and acting on an idea
which came into his head, he confirmed the notion they had adopted that
I was a person of no little importance.
By degrees more natives came up from different parts of the forest, and
seemed highly delighted at finding the elephant dead. I had to go
through the ceremony of being introduced to them, and in a short time I
found myself on the most friendly and sociable terms with them all.
They now began to cut down boughs and erect huts under the surrounding
trees. Bigg followed their example; but when I offered to assist him,
he begged that I would not, saying that such work would be derogatory to
a person of my exalted rank. He took the opportunity of telling me,
while no one was listening, that the natives were going to cut up the
elephant for the purpose of obtaining the fat, which they prize
exceedingly.
"You'll see, Mr Marsden, they will eat the whole of him up in a very
short time, though they value most the trunk and the fat."
It was now getting late in the day; and all hands having built their
huts, set to work to collect sticks and to dig holes in the ground.
Each hole was about two feet deep and three wide. Having lit huge fires
in them with rotten branches of trees, they proceeded to cut off the
trunk and feet of the elephant. They then scraped out the ashes, and
put a foot or a piece of the trunk in each hole, covering it first with
sand, and then with the hot ashes. A fresh fire was then made above the
hole; and when that had burned out, the feet were exhumed, and scraped
clean of the ashes. While these operations were going forward, I sat in
the hut Bigg had formed watching the proceedings. He had made a fire
also in front of the hut, at which he boiled some tea, which, with some
ham and biscuit, formed our evening meal. He had secured a piece of the
elephant's feet for Solon, who ate it with considerable satisfaction.
It was late in the night before the natives had finished their culinary
operations. They then came and invited us to join their feast; and
though I would gladly have excused myself, I did not think it prudent to
do so. I had a slice from the trunk and another from a foot presented
to me; and though I took it with reluctance, I was agreeably surprised
to find how very palatable it was. Bigg seemed also to relish it
exceedingly. Having made a good supper, we retired once more to our
hut; when Bigg having made up our fire to scare away any wild beasts who
might be disposed to pay us a visit, I fell asleep, with my faithful
Solon by my side. I knew full well that he would arouse us at the
approach of danger. Probably the noise made by the natives kept the
wild beasts away, otherwise the smell of the baked elephant would have
attracted them to the spot. When we awoke in the morning, we found the
natives preparing to cut up the elephant. Having removed the rough
outer skin, they cut off an inner one, with which they make bags for the
conveyance of water. The flesh is cut into strips and dried, while the
fat is carefully removed and preserved. We left them engaged in this
operation, several men having completely disappeared inside the huge
carcass. They were all too busy and eager in the work to notice our
departure, and so we got off without the ceremony of leave-taking. We
went on in good spirits, for we had made a fair beginning, and secured
friends in our rear, which was of great importance. We walked on for
about two hours in the cool of the morning, when, beginning to get very
hungry, we looked about for water to cook our breakfast. None, however,
could we discover. At length, pushing on ahead, we saw before us a
small antelope called a sassaby. Bigg said that he was now certain that
water was not far off. As the antelope did not take to flight, and we
wanted food, I unslung my rifle, and aiming steadily, shot it through
the body. It ran on for some way, and I thought we should have lost it;
but Solon gave chase, and in a few minutes brought it to the ground. We
hurried up, and having killed the animal, and cut off as much of the
flesh as we could consume, proceeded on in the direction where we
thought water was to be procured. Still we did not reach it, and our
thirst and hunger became excessive.
While considering how we could best direct our steps, a flight of birds
passed over our heads to the east. They, however, circled round after
some time, and flew back westward. Soon after another flight passed
over our heads, and appeared to descend a quarter of a mile or so ahead.
This encouraged our hopes. The country was undulating, and there were
hollows which at no distant period had contained water. Then we came to
one which was still muddy; and ascending a hill near it, we saw before
us a bright mass glittering in the sunbeams. Solon gave a bark of
delight, and trotted on, and we followed as fast as we could, till we
came to a pool of pure, clear water. We soon had a fire lighted, and
some water boiling for our tea; while our venison, stuck on little
sticks round it, was toasting, and hissing, and bubbling away right
merrily. After this we lay down in the shade of a tree to rest. We
might have travelled through a part of the country where more water was
to be found, but then we should have been certain to meet with more
natives, who might have impeded our progress.
Scarcely had we proceeded half a mile after our forenoon rest, than,
emerging from a wood, we saw before us a very beautiful and to me most
extraordinary sight. Before us stood, with their heads lifted high up,
a troop of eighteen or twenty giraffes, or camelopards. Few of them
were under eighteen feet in height, of a delicate colour, and very
graceful. They turned their small heads at the noise we made, and
perceiving us, switching their long tails with a loud sound, cantered
away before us. I could easily have brought one of them down, I
fancied, but I had no wish to merit the appellation of the destroyer,
and we continued our course as before. It was some time, however,
before we lost sight of them.
I cannot describe the variety of animals we met with in our progress.
Many of them I had not seen before, but had no difficulty in recognising
them from the descriptions I had read of African wild beasts. We were
beginning to look out for a spot on which to camp for the night, when
before us appeared a grove of wide topped mimosa-trees. If water was to
be found near at hand we agreed that this would just suit us. We were
approaching the place when up started a huge white she-rhinoceros with
her calf. I got my rifle ready, expecting that she would attack us; but
after looking at us a minute, she and the calf turned aside, and away
they went, greatly to our satisfaction. I had never seen a more hideous
monster. She was inferior only to an elephant in size, and had two
horns, one before the other, on the top of her long head; the hinder
horn was not more than half a foot long, while the front horn, which
inclined forward, was nearly four feet in length. She carried her
strange, wrinkled head low down to the ground. In spite of her ugliness
she seemed to be a very inoffensive creature.
There are four varieties of the rhinoceros--two white and two black.
The black are smaller, and by far the fiercer of the two. They will
turn round and charge their pursuers, ploughing up the ground with their
horns. They are subject to paroxysms of rage, when they will attack a
bush or a tree, and with loud snorts and blowing they will plough up the
ground round it, and charge it till they have broken it in pieces. Is
not this the animal referred to by Job when he says, "Canst thou bind
the unicorn with his hand in the furrow? or will he harrow the valleys
after thee? Wilt thou trust him, because his strength is great? or wilt
thou leave thy labour to him? Wilt thou believe him, that he will bring
home thy seed, and gather it into thy barn?" (Job xxxix. 10-12).
Not finding water as we expected, we had to walk on till it was very
nearly dark, when we came to a large pool fed by a stream which appeared
never to be dry. On going round it, however, to find a convenient place
to dip in our water-bottles, we discovered so many traces of lions,
elephants, rhinoceroses, and other savage animals, that we agreed it
would be wiser to pitch our camp at some distance from the spot. We
accordingly pushed on an eighth of a mile or so out of sight of the
water, and built our hut and lighted our fire.
We were cooking some of our antelope flesh, and I had put on our
saucepan to boil the water for our tea, when by some carelessness I
upset it. To go without our tea would have been most disagreeable, so I
at once jumped up and said that I would go off and replenish it. Bigg
wanted to go and let me stay.
"No, no," I answered; "it was through my fault that the water was lost;
it is my duty to get some more. You keep up the fire and take care of
the camp." Just as I was going off I took up my rifle. "I'll have my
old friend with me," I observed.
Solon of course followed me. I had got to the pool and refilled both
the bottles, while Solon was lapping at the water, when on looking up I
saw standing on the top of the bank above me a huge lion. He was
regarding me attentively, as if considering what sort of strange animal
I was who had come to his drinking-place. Solon discovered him at the
same time, and turned round ready to fly at him had I given the word. I
signed him to lie down, knowing that one pat of the lion's paw would
have killed him in an instant. I unslung my rifle, ready to fire should
it be necessary, but I did not wish to throw a shot away. Keeping my
weapon presented, and covering the kingly animal, I walked steadily up
the bank towards him, crying out, "Boo, boo, boo!" gradually raising my
voice. The lion stared at me without moving, but as I got nearer he
gradually drew back till he fairly turned round and trotted off into the
bush. As I got to a distance I looked round, and saw two or three other
lions, followed by some elephants and a couple of rhinoceroses, all of
which animals live on amicable terms; as the two latter have no wish to
eat the lion, and the lion finds them rather tough morsels to swallow.
I hurried back, with Solon close upon my heels, to the camp, when Bigg
and I congratulated ourselves that we had pitched it away from such
unpleasant neighbours.
It was quite dark before we had finished our meal. We were sitting
before the fire still discussing our venison with no little appetite.
Solon was sitting by my side, and I was every now and then throwing him
a piece, which he seemed to relish as much as we did, when suddenly he
pricked his ears, and jumping up, threw himself into an attitude of the
most earnest watchfulness. I was certain that some animal or other was
prowling round, so seizing my rifle I stepped out a little way beyond
the fire to try and discover what it was. Scarcely had I done so when I
heard a roar, and there stood, the bright glare of the fire lighting up
his tawny mane, either the huge lion I had seen at the pond, or one
equally large and powerful. He had, I suspected, regretted letting me
off so easily, and had followed me to our camp. He stood looking
fiercely at me for a few seconds, then, uttering a terrific roar, he
seemed about to spring on me. I held my rifle ready to fire, but I felt
that there were many chances of my missing him. I would much rather
have had to encounter even the fiercest of elephants.