Close of the Rainy Season--A Whale--Coral
The end of the month of August was marked by a renewal of the bad
weather. The rain, the winds, the thunder redoubled with new fury.
How happy we were in the habitation we had made. What would have
become of us in our aërial palace at Falcon’s Nest? and our tent, how
could that have withstood the storm? But at last the weather became
more settled; the clouds dissipated; the rain ceased; and we were
able to venture out from our grotto, to see whether the world yet
remained firm.
We promenaded upon the belt of rocks that extended all along the
coast; and, as we had need of liberty and exercise, we took pleasure
in scaling the highest peaks, and looking over the plain which was
spread out beneath us. Fritz, always daring, and whose eye almost
rivalled that of his eagle, was standing upon the peak of rocks, when
he perceived, upon the little island in Flamingo Bay, a black spot,
the nature and form of which he could not determine; but he thought
it was a shipwrecked vessel. Ernest, who mounted after him, took
it for a sea-lion, such as Admiral Anson speaks of in his voyages.
I determined to go and inspect it myself. We walked down to the
sea-shore, emptied the rain-water from the canoe, and all set off.
The nearer we approached, the more rapidly one conjecture followed
another. At last, when we were near enough to distinguish it, what
was our surprise to see an enormous whale, lying on his side upon the
strand.
Being ignorant whether he was dead or sleeping, I did not think it
prudent to approach without precaution; consequently we turned around
and steered for the other side of the island, which consisted of
nothing more than a sand-bank elevated above the waves; but a rank
growth of herbs and plants covered it, and it was the resort of
numbers of sea-birds, whose nests and eggs we found in abundance.
There were two roads to choose, by which to reach the whale: one
by climbing over the rocks, which rendered it laborious; the other
longer, but far the less fatiguing. I took the first path, and
commanded the boys to take the other, as I wished to examine fully
this little island, which wanted but trees to render it charming.
From this elevation I could see the whole coast, from Tent House to
Falcon’s Nest, which spectacle made me almost forget the whale; and
when I reached the side where my children were, they came running
toward me, screaming with joy, and carrying their hats full of shells
and coral, which they had picked up on the beach. “Look, papa,” said
they, “what beautiful shells we have found; what can have brought
them here?”
“It is the sea, my children,” I answered; “the sea has thrown them up
from its abyss, and it appears to be little cause for astonishment
that she should bring such frail, light things as these shells, when
she has thrown upon our shores a monster whose bulk is so immense.”
On the return journey I related to my sons the phenomena of
the existence of coral; and, while talking, we arrived at our
destination, where my wife and son were ready to receive us. She
admired the beauty of our coral, but observed that it was of no use
in the household affairs; and when I had told her my resolution to
return to the whale that afternoon, she cheerfully declared that
she would accompany me. I was enchanted at this resolution, and we
hastened to prepare the necessary provisions and articles for a stay
of two days; for, perhaps, we might be detained on the island, and I
thought it best to make preparations accordingly.