We felt pretty well satisfied of the friendly intentions of the natives,
but Uncle Jack considered that it would be prudent to be on our guard,
and directed us all to keep close together. We feared, from the long
discussion held by the natives, that we should find a difficulty in
obtaining guides, none of them being willing to encounter the dangers
they expected to meet with. We told Kalong to offer a handsome payment
to each man who would accompany us, and at length two fine young fellows
stepped forward and agreed to go. They would not, however, consent to
start until the following morning at daybreak. They offered one of
their huts that we might rest in it at night. We selected one which
overhung the stream, so that we might secure our boat beneath and
retreat to it if necessary. The inhabitants of the hut, who had no
heavy articles of furniture to remove, at once cleared out and gave us
possession.
As evening approached we saw them cooking in large earthen bowls.
Supper consisted of yams, vegetables, fish, and pork, some dishes being
seasoned with cocoa-nut, finely shred over them, and all very well
cooked. This showed us that the natives were not the savages they have
so generally been represented to be, and the hospitable treatment we
received gave us confidence that they intended to act honestly.
Night passed away quietly, and the next morning, after a further supply
of cooked provisions had been brought us, our two guides said that they
were ready to start. They told Kalong that they intended to row along
the coast some distance to the eastward, where there was a bay in which
we could land, and from thence proceed directly towards a village
perched on the side of a mountain, where the white men had been living
when last heard of.
We agreed at once to embark. Pulling down the river, for there was no
wind for sailing, we steered as the natives directed. The shore, as far
as we could see, was densely wooded, with high hills, also covered with
trees, rising in the far distance into lofty mountain ranges. Here and
there were openings in the forest through which we could distinguish
villages, but the natives either did not see us, or supposed that the
whale boat was one of their own canoes.
At all events we were not followed. We had rowed fifteen and twenty
miles when our pilots pointed to an opening on the shore, off which we
had arrived. A short distance ahead we saw lying off the coast a small
island thickly covered with trees. Eager to land, scarcely giving it a
second glance, we pulled in for the bay the natives pointed out. As we
approached we observed near the beach a number of houses similar to
those of our friends, and fully expected to encounter fresh difficulties
with the natives, but on getting nearer we saw no one moving about.
We told Kalong to ask whether the people were likely to prove friendly
or not. After consulting with our guides he answered that the huts were
deserted, the whole of the inhabitants having been carried off by a
fleet of prahus which lately visited the coast.
On landing we found that this account was correct. Looking out for some
thick underwood we dragged up our whale boat on the beach, and so
concealed her that she could not be seen by strangers entering the bay.
We now prepared for our march. We each of us carried, besides our arms
and ammunition, some biscuits, tea, and sugar, a small bale of goods
consisting of coloured cloth, axes, knives, beads, and glittering
ornaments likely to suit the savage taste.
Ned and Charley had, besides, our simple cooking utensils. We felt sure
of obtaining game enough and wild fruits to enable us to fare
sumptuously.
Blyth and I were in high spirits, for I felt sure ere long that we
should find my father, and I was surprised that Uncle Jack did not
appear equally confident. We found the woods as we proceeded full of
birds of magnificent plumage, parrots, cockatoos, lories, and others of
exquisite form and colour, which Blyth at once declared were birds of
paradise. They, however, kept at such a distance that we were unable to
shoot any of them had we been so disposed. Looking up at the top of a
lofty tree we saw a large number flying backwards and forwards from
branch to branch, so that the trees appeared filled with waving plumes.
We stopped for a moment to admire them. Their wings were raised
directly over their backs. Their heads were stretched out, while their
long hinder feathers, being elevated and expanded, formed two superb
fans. The heads of the birds were yellow, their throats emerald green,
but we could scarcely distinguish the tints amid the rich golden glory
which waved above them. Magnificent butterflies, also of the most
gorgeous colours, flew round us, and glittering beetles, of equally
beautiful tints, crept along the ground or up the stems of the trees.
In one or two open spots we startled several kangaroos of a small
species which went hopping away, looking back curiously at us every now
and then. Suddenly also we came upon a cassowary, a wingless bird, the
body of which is about twice the size of a large turkey, but its long
legs raise it to the height of five or six feet from the ground. It is
covered with long close black hair like feathers. The skin of the neck
is bare, and it is of a bright blue and red. Instead of wings it has on
its sides a bunch of horny black spines like porcupine quills. There
are several species which differ in appearance from each other.
Mr Blyth told me there must be at least eighteen species of birds of
paradise, inhabiting different localities. The commonest is yellow with
a long tail of the same colour. We saw numerous pigeons also, and a
curious animal called the cuscus, something like an opossum, with a long
tail, small head, large eyes, and a dense covering of woolly fur. We
observed traces also of other animals, but what they were we could not
make out--perhaps some large species of kangaroo or deer. I mention
these creatures together to show the abundance of animal life in Papua.
But, as may be supposed, we had no time to attend to natural history,
our great object being, as soon as possible, to meet the tribe among
whom our countrymen were said to be living. We travelled on until night
approached, when our guides signified that we must form a camp. They
set to work by first clearing away the grass and examining the
neighbouring bushes to be satisfied that neither snakes nor savage
animals lurked within. They then told Kalong to cut a quantity of
bamboos which grew on the banks of a stream a short distance off. With
these they quickly formed a hut, to which they fixed a floor at some
distance from the ground to serve as a sleeping-place. It was thatched
with large leaves, and was of sufficient size to hold all the party when
somewhat closely packed. Uncle Jack, Blyth, and I kept watch by turns,
though our guides did not seem to consider this necessary. We were not
disturbed with the various sounds which came out of the forest,
produced, however, I believe, rather by insects and birds than by wild
beasts.
Next morning, after cooking several birds which we had shot and taken
our breakfast, we recommenced our journey. We had marched on five or
six miles up a gradual ascent, differing, however, very little from the
ground we had left, when our guides informed us that we were approaching
the village for which we were bound. Soon after we saw in the distance
a large number of leaf-covered huts stretching over a considerable
extent of ground. It was agreed that our guides should go forward, each
provided with some of the articles we had brought to present to the
chief, and to say that some white strangers had arrived who desired to
become friends and to trade with him. We told Kalong that they must not
fail to hint that we were well-armed and able to defend ourselves, but
at the same time that we were peaceably disposed. Observing a rock a
short distance off, partly covered with trees, from which we could
command a view of the country around us, we climbed to the top of it to
wait there in the shade until the return of the two Papuans. We
employed part of the time in making a meal off the provisions which we
had cooked in the morning. How eagerly I looked out for our guides,
expecting to see them perhaps accompanied by my father. We waited and
waited, but still nowhere could we discover them. At length, a large
portion of the day having passed, we saw a person hurrying towards us,
and as he began to climb the rock we perceived that he was one of our
Papuan friends. His countenance showed that he was greatly agitated.
We anxiously waited until Kalong and Ned could interpret for us.
"He brings bad news, sir," said Ned, at length; "from what I can make
out, the savages have seized his companion, and he had a hard job to get
away from them. He says that some of the white men are dead, and that
the others, not long ago, made their escape. This made the people very
savage, and he fears if we go near them that they will seize and keep us
instead."
"But, my father! Do you make out that he has escaped?" I inquired
eagerly.
"It is a very difficult question to answer," said Ned; "our friend here
thinks that the man whom they call the `White Chief,' and who I take it
was the captain, did get away, and that makes them so angry. It seems
that they had been very friendly with him up to that time, only they
would not let him go because he was teaching them all sorts of things.
I don't suppose if they were to make us prisoners they would kill us,
but we should lose our object in coming, and may be they would keep too
strict a watch to let us escape."
We had no reason to doubt our guide; indeed, his story appeared so
probable that Uncle Jack at once resolved to beat a retreat. If the
white men had escaped, they were now probably on the coast, and we might
fall in with them.
This hope greatly softened the disappointment we should otherwise have
felt. Our native friend seemed satisfied with our resolution. We
inquired what he intended to do with regard to his companion. He
replied that he would not lose his life, and that he would probably some
day make his escape, and when we told him that he should have the
promised reward notwithstanding the failure of the expedition, he was
evidently highly satisfied.
There was no time to be lost, as we wished to put as great a distance as
possible between ourselves and the villagers before they discovered that
we had begun to retreat. We had the advantage of knowing the way and of
a beaten track to traverse. Our loads, too, were lightened somewhat by
the presents we had sent; at the same time Uncle Jack thought it would
be imprudent to throw the remainder away, lest they should fall into the
hands of our pursuers, who would consequently be less likely to come to
terms with us, should we be overtaken. It was dark when we reached our
camping-place. As our guide undertook to lead us back to our boat
during the night, we continued our journey without waiting to rest. We
could see the stars through the opening of the forest, and we knew that
we were going in the right direction. Without our native guide,
however, we could not have ventured to make the attempt. With due
thankfulness we at length caught sight of the ocean, on which the light
from a crescent moon was glittering brightly.
Our boat was safe, but it was a question whether we should launch her at
once, or remain on shore until the following morning. As we were all
pretty well tired, Uncle Jack determined on turning her bottom up, so
that we might sleep beneath her while one of us kept watch in case any
natives should approach. We dragged her out from among the bushes,
therefore, down to the beach, just above high water mark, so that we
might be able to put off quickly should it become necessary. Of course
we could think and talk only of one subject. What had become of my
father?
We must of course continue our search for him, and we all hoped that,
unless he had escaped on board some passing vessel, which was not at all
likely, he would not be far off.
It was arranged that Blyth should keep the first watch, Uncle Jack the
second, and I the third.
I never slept more soundly in my life, as I was very tired with our long
tramp, for it seemed but a moment after I lay down before I was aroused
by my uncle giving me a pull by the leg I crept out from under the boat,
and shouldering my musket began to pace up and down close to the boat to
keep myself awake, while my uncle took my place.
The stars were shining brightly, and a light wind rustled the leaves of
the neighbouring trees, while the water lapped gently on the beach. No
other sounds reached my ears. I still felt so drowsy that I was sure,
should I sit down, that I should go to sleep. Occasionally I extended
my walk to the borders of the forest.
I had made several turns, and calculated that I had been half an hour or
so on watch, when it appeared to me that the night was growing darker,
and looking up I saw that the stars overhead were obscured, while the
murmuring sound in the trees had increased in loudness; though sheltered
as we were by the forest we did not feel the wind, which was blowing off
shore. The clouds continued gathering until the whole sky was obscured.
I fully expected before long that there would be a downpour of rain,
but as we were on a weather shore I did not think it necessary to call
my companions. I continued my walk, occasionally approaching the forest
and then returning to the boat.
I looked out anxiously for the approach of day, but even had the sky
been clear, the trees would have prevented me from seeing the first
streaks of dawn, and as it was the sun itself would probably not be
visible.
At last I knew by the light that the day had broke. I had gone back to
the forest, and intended to arouse my companions at the end of the next
turn, when I fancied that I could distinguish the sound of human voices
amid the soughing of the wind in the branches overhead. Stooping down
to the ground I listened attentively--I was sure I was not mistaken.
The voices might be those of the natives, who finding we had retreated
had pursued us. Hurrying back to the boat as quickly as I could, I
roused up Uncle Jack, telling him what I had heard.
"Very likely you are right, Harry," he answered, "though we might drive
back the savages, we could not do so without bloodshed, and our safest
plan will be to get our boat off and hold a parley with them from her.
If they show hostility, we can keep them at bay until we get to a safe
distance."
Without a moment's delay we called up our companions. We quickly turned
the boat on her keel and ran her down into the water. We two held her,
while the rest carried our goods on board.
Just as we were jumping in we saw a number of savages, armed with spears
and bows, emerging from the forest, and they, catching sight of us,
rushed forward, others following, until a formidable band was collected
on the beach.
"Shove off, lads!" cried the first mate, seizing an oar, and the rest of
us imitating his example, aided by the wind, we speedily drove the boat
away from the shore.
The savages, seeing us about to escape them, bent their bows and let fly
a shower of arrows, which came whistling about our ears, some falling in
the boat and others on either side.
The first mate steered, Blyth sat by his side with a musket in his hand
ready to fire, while our Papuan guide crouched down in the stern-sheets.
"Shall I fire?" asked Blyth, "I can knock over one of those fellows; the
chief, I suspect, who seems to be leading them on."
"No, hold fast, I would not injure the poor wretches if it can be
avoided," answered the first mate. "We shall be out of their reach in
another minute. We can then settle how to treat with them."
A few strokes took us beyond the range of their missiles. He was right,
for their bows were comparatively small, intended rather to shoot birds
than for war, while their javelins could not be thrown to any great
distance.
He now directed Ned to tell Kalong to address them, and to say that we
had come with friendly intentions to trade, and to recover some
countrymen who had been wrecked on their coast.
The chief, on hearing this, invited us on shore, observing that we could
talk more easily there, and that he would hear what we had to say.
The Malay and our native guide talked together.
"Kalong says we had better not trust them," observed Ned; "if we land
they may shoot us for the sake of getting our goods. They don't know
how far our firearms can reach. Better give them a volley to show
them."
This Uncle Jack was unwilling to do, though we might have shot down half
a dozen of them at least, had we fired as Ned proposed.
While this palaver was going forward I took a glance seaward, when what
was my astonishment to see the "Iris" and "Lily" standing along the
coast, under close reefed topsails, as if coming to look for us. I
could judge by the way they heeled over that a pretty strong breeze was
blowing in the offing.
If we were to get on board there was no time to lose; indeed, it seemed
very doubtful whether we could reach either of the vessels. They were
too far off to see us, and it was doubtful whether they could hear our
muskets. Uncle Jack directed Blyth and me to fire at the same time, but
neither the ship nor the brig altered their course. They had good
reason for not wishing to approach the land, as the wind, rapidly
increasing, was shifting to the north-west, and they might at any moment
find themselves on a lee shore. They had also got so far from the
harbour they had left that it was evident that they could not manage to
get back.
"They'll not desert us, lads, depend upon that," said Uncle Jack, as we
saw them standing away from the coast; "we can neither overtake them nor
land while those fellows on shore show so unfriendly a disposition. We
must try and get back to the village where we procured our guides,
though I don't know what sort of reception we shall meet with when their
friends hear that we have lost one of them. It will be a long pull and
a heavy one, for we shall have a head sea as soon as we get clear of
this bay."
"Why not then make for yonder island to the eastward?" I observed.
"These savages, who don't appear to have any canoes, cannot follow us
there, and we shall be able to remain in safety until our friends come
to take us off."
"We may have to follow your suggestion, Harry, but we must first try to
get back to the river to land our guide according to our promise. He
has proved faithful, and we will supply him with goods with which he may
be able to ransom his companion."
This was said as we were pulling out of the bay, but no sooner did we
get beyond the point than we met so heavy a sea that it was impossible
to pull the whale boat against it, and we were in danger of being
swamped. Our only alternative was, as I proposed, to run for the
island. Even now we had to pull hard to avoid the following seas which
threatened to poop us. We saw the savages on shore dancing, shouting,
and gesticulating when they discovered that we had escaped them. On
finding, however, that we were steering for the island they rushed along
the beach in the same direction, which made us fear that they might
possess the means of crossing over to it, and that after all we should
have to fight for our lives. We had not much apprehension, however, as
to the result. Uncle Jack intended to pull round to the lee side of the
island, and then, should they persist in attacking us, we could shoot
them down from the boat while we kept out of range of their arrows.
As we pulled along we watched the two vessels which were getting further
and further from the coast, although the ship had only her fore and
mizen topsail set, and the brig was under equally snug canvas.
Aided by the wind the boat went faster than the savages could run, and
they were out of sight when we reached the passage between the island
and the main land. We could see no canoes on the shore, and this made
us hope that we might at all events avoid an attack until the gale was
over, and we could resume our search for my father.
We did not doubt for a moment that the "Lily" would come to look for us,
and by hoisting a signal on the outer end of the island we hoped to
attract her attention. Passing through the channel, which was about a
mile wide, we rounded the eastern point of the island where the water
was perfectly smooth, when discovering a small bay with a sandy beach we
at once pulled in. As we saw no huts or plantations we calculated that
the island was uninhabited. We therefore landed without hesitation, and
hauled up our boat. From a rocky elevation on the northern side of the
bay we could command a view of the main land along the whole length of
the strait.
Uncle Jack sent Blyth and me to watch should any natives appear, but
sharp as were our eyes we could discover neither canoes nor human beings
moving about.
The savages therefore supposing we had escaped had, we concluded,
returned to their village. As there was some probability that we should
have to remain several days on the island, Uncle Jack proposed that we
should build a hut, which would be a pleasanter sleeping-place than
under the boat. We at once therefore set to work.
The Papuan showed himself an adept at the use of the axe, and
understanding clearly what we wanted was of great assistance. A bamboo
thicket and some large palm leaves afforded us materials, so that in a
short time we had a well built hut erected capable of containing all the
party, the upper floor affording us a sleeping-place, while the lower
would shelter us during the day should it come on to rain. We naturally
felt much anxiety about the vessels, though we trusted that they would
avoid any of the dangers which lay to the westward.
Night passed without any adventure. The gale raged with unabated fury,
though we felt it but little in our sheltered cove. We had brought a
good store of provisions and a breaker of water in the boat, but that,
from the frequent applications to it, was almost exhausted. It was
necessary to search for a fresh supply. Uncle Jack was unwilling to
leave the beach in case the natives might find the means of crossing.
Blyth and I therefore undertook to go in search of water. We hoped,
although we might not discover a stream--which from the size of the
island was unlikely--we might find a spring, or ground by digging into
which fresh water might be reached. As soon, therefore, as we had
breakfasted we set off. As we had pulled along it the previous day we
calculated that the island was between three and four miles long and
about two miles broad.
Besides our guns we each carried a long bamboo stick, one end pointed
and the other formed like a gouge to serve as a spade, with which we
might dig for water, should we fail to find a stream.
So thick was the jungle immediately at the back of the cove that we had
to proceed along the shore some distance before we could make our way
inland. In several places we found it lined with the pandanus or screw
palm, which looks as if it had branches at both ends, the lower being
the roots which had lifted the trunk into the air. In other places
there were cocoa-nut trees with nuts hanging from them, so we knew that
even were we to be kept there many weeks we should have an ample supply
of vegetable diet.
"We shall find other food too," said Blyth, pointing to some trees which
grew in a hollow at the foot of a hill. "Those are sago trees; if hard
pressed we might manufacture sufficient sago from them to last us for
months, or even years. They require moisture, and I have little doubt
that by digging we shall find water not far from their roots. But we
will search further, perhaps we may discover a spring which will give us
a more ample supply, so that there is no fear of our starving. What a
number of birds there are! Many of them, too are birds of paradise. I
cannot tell you their names, but they seem to be the same as are found
in the Aru islands away to the southward. We shall have no difficulty
in shooting them, or some of those magnificent pigeons when we want
them, but it would be a pity to expend our ammunition unnecessarily. We
can kill a few as we return to serve us for dinner."
The whole of the island indeed appeared to be a perfect garden, and yet,
as far as we could discover, not a single inhabitant did it contain. We
made our way on, not without great difficulty, sometimes having to cut a
passage for ourselves through the underwood until we reached the
southern end, or rather western shore, where we could see the ocean
still covered over with raging foam-topped seas, which made us fear that
for many days to come our friends could not return, and until the brig
did come back I was sure that Uncle Jack would consider it his duty to
remain on the island, whence he could communicate with her.
As we were more likely to find a spring inland than on the coast we
continued our course up the centre of the island. "We shall have to
dig, I suspect, after all, in the sago grove," said Blyth, as we at last
began our return. "However, we may as well carry some game with us; I
intend to shoot the first fine pigeon I see. You can try your luck,
although I would advise you not to fire unless you feel sure of your
aim."
In a short time Blyth, who was a good shot, killed three or four
pigeons, and I had shot a parrot and a bird of paradise, but I felt
ashamed at having deprived so beautiful a creature of life, yet
thousands were flying about unseen by human eye, which they are formed
to delight. We went on a little further, when I again fired and brought
down another parrot. Just as I pulled the trigger I caught sight
between the trees of a face watching us. At the first glance I thought
it must be some huge baboon, but still it looked human though covered
thickly with hair. I was a little in advance of Blyth. Supposing that
if not a baboon it was a savage, I was hurriedly reloading, ready to
defend myself, when a man stepping forward exclaimed--
"Who are you mates, and where do you come from?"
For a moment my astonishment at the sudden apparition prevented me from
answering. The man, however, advanced without fear. His dress, though
in tatters, was that of a seaman, fastened together by all sorts of
contrivance, while a roughly-formed palm-leaf hat covered his head.
"I heard your shots some time ago, and have been long hunting for you,
for I was sure no natives could have fired as you have done."
Without answering his inquiries, I with intense eagerness put the same
questions, "Who are you? And where do you come from?"
"I am an Englishman, who was cast away out there, and who was kept a
prisoner for many a long year by a set of savages up the country, until
about six months ago, when the captain and I got free from them and
crossed over here, where we have been ever since, hoping that some craft
would appear and take us off."
"What ship did you belong to? Who is your captain?" I asked, with
intense eagerness.
"The `Amphion,' Captain Musgrave was my captain," he answered.
"He is not, then, living?"
"Yes, he is alive, but he is in a bad way, I fear. He kept up his
spirits until yesterday, when we saw two English vessels run past us to
the southward. Then it seemed to him, and to me too, for that matter,
that all hope was gone, and that we might have to remain here for years
more for what we could tell, since all the time we have been here we
have never seen a vessel."
At that moment Blyth came up, and in a voice choking with agitation I
told him what I had heard.
"Lead us at once to your captain," he said, turning to the seaman; "we
came here expressly to look for him, and are expecting the vessels back
as soon as the weather will allow them to return to the coast. If your
father is ill, Harry, there will be a risk in agitating him by
presenting yourself suddenly to him. Let our friend here first tell him
that he has found some Englishmen on the island, and then I will go in
and tell him that his son and brother-in-law have come to look for him.
Where is he living?" he asked of the sailor.
"In a poor enough place, sir, close on the sea shore. It is a cave,
inside a rock. We thought it safer than a hut, where the natives, if
they had come to the island, would be more likely to find us."
I begged the seaman to hurry on. "What! Are you the captain's son?" he
asked, as I ran by his side. "Often and often he has talked about you.
If anything will set him on his legs the sight of you will."
We soon reached the beach, when scrambling for some distance among the
rocks the seaman pointed to the entrance of a cave at the side of a hill
which sloped up from the water.
As agreed on the seaman went first, followed by Blyth. I stood outside
eagerly waiting to be summoned. It seemed so long that I was afraid my
father had been overcome with the news.
At length Blyth appeared, and beckoned me in, and the next instant I was
kneeling by my father's side, as he lay stretched on a bed of leaves and
matting, which Dick Meade, his faithful follower, had arranged for him.
"What! Are you Harry, really my son Harry?" he exclaimed, throwing his
arms around my neck; "I was sure that you and my good brother Jack
Radburn would come to look for me if you thought I was alive, and not
until yesterday, when God in his mercy had sent you to this island, did
I lose hope. Ungrateful I was, after having been preserved from so many
dangers; but your appearance has brought me back to life."
"What the captain wants is some good food," I heard Dick observe to
Blyth; "if you'll let me cook one of those pigeons it will do him all
the good in the world."
As Blyth carried a flint and steel they soon had a fire lighted in a
sheltered spot, just outside the cave. While I sat by my father I was
thankful to see that he appeared stronger as we conversed.
Blyth soon again came in and volunteered to carry the joyful
intelligence to Uncle Jack. During his absence the pigeon was cooked
and eaten. Dick brought in a shell full of water from a spring, which
he said bubbled out of the hill side close at hand.
Soon I heard Uncle Jack's voice. I need not describe the meeting
between him and my father. He had left Blyth with directions to bring
the boat round should the sea have gone down sufficiently to enable her
without risk to reach a little cove which we found not far from the
cave, where she might be hauled up if necessary. Uncle Jack, with his
usual forethought, had brought tea and sugar and biscuit, luxuries to
which my poor father had long been a stranger. They appeared to benefit
him much. In a few hours he was able to sit up and converse freely with
us. Before nightfall we had the satisfaction of seeing the boat, and
Dick ran down to pilot her into the cove. Some of the party spent the
night in the cave, which was of considerable size, and others under the
boat.
The first thing all hands did in the morning was to cut down the tallest
trees we could find to form a flag-staff, which we placed on the highest
part of the hill overlooking the ocean. We then fastened together the
two flags we had in the boat with a number of our handkerchiefs, which,
combined, formed a flag of a size which could be seen at a considerable
distance; eagerly we watched day after day for the appearance of sail.
I had never seen Uncle Jack so anxious, he could not help reflecting
that during the gale some accident might have happened to the "Iris,"
and that his dear Grace might be among the sufferers.
"Cheer up, brother Jack," said my father, when he saw him thus cast
down; "I have learned more than ever to put confidence in God's loving
mercy during my exile. Had I not been able to trust Him, I should have
sank long ago. I have known Haiselden and Bingley all their lives, and
they are not the men to desert their friends."
Still another and another day passed. At length, one morning, I was
awakened by a shout from Dick Meade, and running out of the cave, I saw
the rising sun shining on the white canvas of a brig in the offing.
That she was the "Lily" I had no doubt, but where was the "Iris"? What
would be Uncle Jack's feelings at not seeing her?
Dick was hoisting up the flag which he had just bent on. The breeze was
from the south-east, which would enable the brig to approach the island
without risk. She was standing on farther to the northward, and I began
to fear that she was not the "Lily" after all. I was expressing my
doubts to Dick, when I found Uncle Jack standing by me with a telescope
to his eye.
"Yes she's the `Lily,' no doubt about it; she'll see our signal before
long, as she will be looking out for us."
In another minute the whole of our party were on foot. I ran in to tell
my father, who insisted on coming out to have a look at the object for
which his eyes had so often ached in vain.
In the meantime our men had lighted a fire, believing that a long pull
would be before them. Fortunate it was that they did so. My father was
not in a fit state to go off without breakfast. The meal was scarcely
over when the brig tacked, and the "Lily's" flag was run up at the
mast-head.
Not a moment was lost in launching the boat. My father was assisted
down to the beach. We waited a few minutes, when the "Lily" hove to.
Our last act was to lower the signal flag, and we then, getting on
board, with hearty strokes pulled away for the brig.
"We have found him, we have found him!" I could not help calling out as
we approached her side.
My father was helped on board, and warmly welcomed by our kind-hearted
captain. Uncle Jack's first inquiry was for the "Iris."
"She's all safe at the Aru islands, where I promised to rejoin her as
soon as I had recovered you," answered Captain Haiselden; "and as she
has received some damage in the gale, she is likely to be detained there
several days."
The only person who looked unhappy was our Papuan guide; but he was
reassured when the captain promised to land him at his own village,
towards which we stood, as soon as the whale boat was dropped astern.
In a couple of hours we were off the mouth of the river, when we once
more pulled off, with the same party which had before landed in the
whale boat.
As we approached, a shout of joy arose from our companions. The cause
was soon explained. One of the first persons we saw standing on the
platform in front of the hut was the lost guide who had, we afterwards
found, made his escape, while his captors were pursuing us.
The natives were delighted with the things we brought them, and we could
have laden our boat up to the gunwale with the articles they offered in
return.
Wishing our friends good-bye, and promising that we would as soon as
possible pay them another visit, we pulled back to the brig.
In three days we reached the Aru islands, seldom visited by English
vessels, and brought up before the chief town Dobbo, which is, however,
only a collection of huts such as those described in Papua and Borneo,
though of a more substantial character. The population of the islands
are mostly Papuans, though people from various other parts of the
Eastern seas have settled there. The islands are generally level, and
thickly wooded, the forests containing amongst other birds two or three
of the most beautiful species of birds of paradise.
The "Iris" was almost ready to sail, so that we remained there but a
couple of days, when, threading our way among the coral reefs, we once
more got into the open sea.
I should have been happy to give a further description of our voyage and
our visit to Timor, where we anchored to obtain fresh provisions. We
then shaped our course along the south coast of Java, and then, crossing
the Indian Ocean, rounded the Cape of Good Hope; after which we had a
remarkably fine passage home, and, strange to say, did not once lose
sight of the "Iris."
Whether Uncle Jack had anything to do with this I can only guess. I
know that he told me to keep a bright look-out for her whenever he was
below, and report to him any change in her position. The "Iris" led the
way up the Thames. Immediately she dropped her anchor, before going
into dock, Uncle Jack and my father went on board and arranged a plan
with Grace for breaking the news of his return to my mother; she and
Mrs Bingley at once went on shore promising to act with due discretion.
I have every reason to believe they carried out their duty well, for
when I arrived at home a few hours after my father, I found my mother
looking the picture of happiness, and almost as calm and composed as
usual.
I have not entered into the trading particulars of the voyages of the
two vessels, but both were considered highly satisfactory. It was the
first of several I made on board the brig to the same region, the mate
of the "Lily" being now her captain.
In the next voyage my Aunt Grace, now Uncle Jack's wife, accompanied
him. He has since retired from the sea. I served with him as his
second, and then his first mate for some years, until I got the command
of a ship. I must acknowledge that I greatly owe my success to having
followed the good example set me by my excellent uncle once The Mate of
the "Lily."