Our journey back appeared very long, for I was weak and tired, and from
the exertion I had undergone, every muscle in my body ached. We met
Cousin Silas coming to look for us; for he had become anxious at not
seeing Jerry return at all events, and feared something might have
happened to us. Ben Yool had set off in the other direction to search
for me. Therefore, instead of gaining a great deal of credit, as we
expected, by the feat we had accomplished, we found that we had caused
our friends no little trouble and anxiety. It was a lesson to me ever
afterwards not to attempt to perform any useless undertaking simply
because it might be difficult or dangerous. Many people have lost their
lives by such folly.
Silva had by this time completely recovered his health, but his spirits
were very uncertain. Sometimes he would sit for hours brooding over his
past life, and the treatment he had received from his companions; then
he would start up and walk about the beach, waving his arms, and calling
down imprecations on their heads. At other times he was very quiet and
sociable, and would talk rationally on any subject under discussion.
The lagoon swarmed with fish; but though very beautiful in appearance,
our difficulty was to catch them. We could manage to make some coarse
lines out of some rope-yarns which had been thrown into the boat with
the canvas; we could cut rods from the younger trees which grew around;
and there were plenty of projecting masses of rock on which we might sit
and angle; but a very important portion of our gear was wanting--we had
no fishing-hooks.
"Has any one a file?" asked Silva. We all examined our knives. I had
one in my knife-handle, but it was broken, and I had neglected to get
the blacksmith to put a new one in its place. We hunted eagerly in our
box of tools. Nothing like a file could we discover.
"What is this?" exclaimed Jerry, pulling out a bag of nails from the
bottom of a cask. "Here is something larger than a nail inside." It
proved to be part of a file.
"There is enough here to file through an iron bar, if properly used,"
said Silva, examining it. "Hand me the nails; I will see what I can
do." Seating himself under the shade of a cocoa-nut tree near the hut,
he began working away most assiduously. With a pair of pincers he
twisted the nail into the shape of a hook, and very soon filed, out a
barb, and some notches in the shank with which to secure the line. In
the course of two or three hours he had produced a dozen capital hooks.
"Now we may go fishing," said he. "We may catch as many fish as we can
want, but we should be the better of a canoe."
"Or a raft, eh, Harry? Should you like to try another cruise on one?"
asked Jerry.
I shuddered at the thought of the danger from which I had been
preserved. However, as we all felt that our health would benefit by
some fish diet, we soon had our gear fitted, and all hands, including
the doctor, might be seen perched, like so many cormorants, at the end
of all the projecting points in the neighbourhood. Jerry and I were
near each other; the rest of the party were pulling in fish pretty
quickly; and we had caught several very beautiful-looking fellows--a
species of rock-fish--when Jerry sang out that he had got a bite of some
big fish, and called to me to help him. Leaving my own rod, I ran round
towards him.
"Quick, quick, Harry!" he sung out, holding on by his rod with all his
might. "I shall be in! I shall be in!"
Still he would not let go his stick. I sprang forward, and was just in
time to seize him by the leg, when over he went splash into the sea. At
the same instant I caught sight of the malign countenance of a huge
shark, which had undoubtedly caught the fish he had at first hooked. I
exerted all my strength to haul him in; for the monster, instead of
being intimidated by the splash, made a dash forward for the purpose of
grabbing him. I almost shrieked with horror as I beheld the savage
fish; but Jerry had just time, as I drew him up by the legs, to put his
hand on a point of coral, and to throw back his head, though the shark's
snout almost touched his nose as he did so.
"Not a pleasant fellow to get a kiss from," exclaimed Jerry, as he
scrambled up the rock and shook off the water from his clothes. Then he
added, in a more serious tone, "Oh, Harry, what an ungrateful wretch I
am to be joking at such a moment, before I have expressed my gratitude
to God who has preserved me, or thanked you for coming to my
assistance."
While on the island we had had more time than usual for reflection, and
had profited also by the example and exhortations of Cousin Silas, so
that we were both happily becoming much more serious and thoughtful than
heretofore. Indeed, I have learned that what we consider misfortunes,
if seen in their proper light, may become the cause of the greatest
blessings.
Ben Yool had seen the accident from a distance, and now came hurrying up
to us. He was inclined to scold Jerry for the fright he had given him.
I believe truly that the old man loved us as much as if we had been his
own sons, and would have been miserable had any accident happened to
either of us.
On examining the fish we had caught, we found that, although very
beautiful in appearance, few of them were likely to prove palatable to
the taste. Some, Silva thought, were altogether poisonous; and those we
cooked had very little flavour.
"If we had but a canoe we might go off into deeper water, and then we
might catch a greater variety, and many fish very fit for food," he
remarked, eyeing as he spoke several trees which, he said, would make
good canoes. One or more canoes we accordingly resolved to have; so at
once we set to work to cut down a couple of trees. That operation our
axes quickly accomplished. It did not take us long to fashion the
outside. To scoop out the inside was more difficult. Our axes did the
rougher portion, and then we heated stones and bits of iron, and burned
out the remainder, scraping off the black part with our knives. In
about a week we had a couple of small canoes completed, with seats
across, and with three paddles in each. Silva took charge of one,
Cousin Silas of the other. The doctor and I went with him, while Ben
and Jerry accompanied Silva.
With no little satisfaction we launched our fleet into the lagoon. Both
canoes swam very well, and off we paddled with great delight across the
lagoon. How bright and clear were its waters! It was almost impossible
to estimate their depth, we could so completely see down to the bottom.
After pulling some time, we rested on our oars. As we looked over the
side, how beautiful was the sight which met our view! It was like a
fairy land. Coral rocks of the most fantastic shapes sprung up around.
Caverns, and arches, and columns, and pinnacles appeared. Gorgeous and
varied were the hues. There were white, and blue, and yellow
corallines. Among them grew marine vegetables of every description.
Here the delicate sea-green stem of the fucas twisted round a rock; and
near it the ocean fan expanded its broad leaves. Every point was
occupied by some feathery tuft of lovely tints, while from each cleft
projected the feelers of some sea-anemone or zoophyte. Among the
heights of the submarine landscape moved thousands of living beings, to
which the doctor gave some learned names which I do not pretend to
remember. Some he called chetodons. They were flat and of an oval
form, of a rich silvery hue, and had blue stripes downwards. They swam
in a perpendicular position, with one long, slender fin from the back
curving upwards, and another from the opposite side curving downwards.
Several came and looked at us, as if to inquire why we had visited their
domains. Others of still more curious forms and tints were darting in
and out among the rocks; and there were huge lobsters, and crabs, and
crayfish, of various sorts, poking their long antenna? out of gloomy
caverns; and sea-urchins, and star-fish, and the beche-de-mer, lay
scattered about; while huge clams opened wide their broad valves to
catch their unwary prey.
While we were all looking over the side, what had hitherto appeared to
be a huge piece of rock began to move, and the piercing, savage eyes,
and cruel jaws of a vast shark approached the canoe. I felt a shudder
run through my frame as I saw the monster darting out of his ambush.
"Give way!" cried Cousin Silas; "he means mischief." The doctor and I
plied our paddles. The brute made a dash at mine, and almost bit it in
two. Away we went as fast as we could towards the shore, pursued by
him. We shouted as loud as we could and splashed our oars about, to
frighten him away; but he seemed in no way disposed to be alarmed.
Silva, hearing our shouts, now came paddling toward us. Jack Shark,
however, seemed resolved to play us a trick if he could. Swimming off
to a short distance, he darted back, clearly with the intention of
upsetting the canoe. Cousin Silas turned her away from him just in
time, and giving the gentleman a smart blow over the snout, made him
think better of his intention. Silva coming up at the same moment, so
distracted his attention that we reached the shore without his
succeeding in doing us any material damage.
Sharks are generally quickly frightened by splashing and a noise, and I
had never seen any so bold and ferocious as those we met with about this
island. In a little time we got accustomed to them, and often have I
seen them gliding in and out among our lines, far down in the depths of
the lagoon, though they did not prevent us from catching as many fish as
we required. Sometimes, however, as we were hauling up a fish, a shark
would catch hold of it and deprive us of our prize. We never went out
without catching a large quantity, so we had always a good supply of
fresh fish--the rest we preserved. We had two ways of doing this. Some
we cut open and dried in the sun; others we salted. We made some
salt-pans by blocking up the outlets in the rocks when the water ran off
at high tide, and by scraping others in the sand. We thus had a supply
of salt for all our wants. Mr McRitchie also found in his chest some
papers containing a variety of vegetable seed. We accordingly scraped a
spot clear for a vegetable garden, and it was surprising how quickly
many of them sprang up and became fit for food. Thus I may say that we
were furnished with many of the necessaries of life.
We were somewhat scantily supplied with kitchen utensils; our saucepan,
or boiling-pot, especially, had seen much service. Silva showed us how
we might boil our fish without it. He collected a quantity of very fine
grass, and set to work to plait a large basket. So neatly did he put it
together, that, after he had soaked it in water, he filled it up to the
brim and not a drop ran out. Then he put the fish in; and lighting a
fire, heated a number of large stones. These, as soon as they were hot,
he kept putting into the basket. As soon as he supposed that all their
caloric had left them, he hooked them out with a forked stick. In this
way, by keeping the water boiling by a constant supply of hot stones, he
thoroughly cooked the fish. I should think anything which does not
require much boiling might be cooked in the same way.
Thanks to the example set us by Mr Brand, we were never idle. Of
course a good deal of our time was occupied in procuring provisions, as
is generally the case with those living in a savage state. We had not
made any excursion to a distance for some time, when one day Jerry, Ben,
and I, set out to take a long walk. After proceeding for about two
hours, we saw before us a bay, with a wide sandy beach. Ben put his
hand on our shoulders and pointed eagerly at the bay. The shore was
covered with a number of black spots.
"What are those?" I asked.
"Turtle," he answered; "won't we have a fine feast of, them!"
We approached the bay carefully, following Ben's footsteps. There must
have been a hundred fine, large, green turtle, basking in the sun before
us--enough to make the mouth of an alderman water. Ben crept up to the
nearest, a fine fat fellow, and catching him by the flapper turned him
over on his back, where he lay helplessly kicking, but unable to stir.
Jerry and I, watching how he did it, turned over several more, though
our united strength only enabled us to do it. We had got over a dozen
or more when we came to a big fellow who was too heavy for us. We had
got him almost over, when down he came again on his belly, and, very
naturally, not appreciating the honour of being turned into turtle-soup,
began scuttling away as hard as he could towards the sea. As may have
been discovered, neither Jerry nor I were fellows who ever liked to give
in; so we held on to the turtle with all our might, every now and then
lifting up one side in the hope of getting him over, when, in spite of
his strength, we should have made him ours. We shouted to Ben to come
and help us; but he was busily employed in turning the other turtles,
which, disturbed by our noise, were moving away towards the sea. Our
friend had got actually into the sea, and we still clung on though we
were up to our middles in water. We thought that by sticking to him we
might now more easily get him over. We did succeed in lifting him up a
little way, but he dealt us such severe blows with his flapper that over
we both went, getting our mouths full of sand and water, and, of course,
wet to the skin. Ben now saw that it was time to come to our aid, lest
the turtle should actually swim away with us. He rushed into the water;
but just then our friend struck out with both his paddles, and darting
away, we fell back head over heels, nor were sorry when Ben helped us to
regain _terra firma_, with our arms and legs not a little bruised with
the blows we had received.
We had no time to think of our hurts. "Come along," shouted Ben, "we
must turn a few more before they all go away." We had succeeded, we
found, in capturing nearly thirty. Leaving the poor brutes on their
backs--and very uncomfortable they must have found themselves--we
hurried back to get the canoes, that we might convey some of them
without delay to our home. We found that each canoe could only carry
three at a time, so that we had to make five or six trips to get them up
to the house. We inclosed a place in the shade, where we put them, and
kept them well supplied with wet sea-weed, so that we had hopes they
would be preserved in good condition for a long time.
Each time we visited the bay, we found it crowded with turtle. We
discovered that they assembled there to deposit their eggs. This they
do in holes which they dig out with their flappers in the sand. They
cover them up again with the same instruments, and leave them to be
hatched by the sun. We had not thought about this, when one day, as we
were pulling across the bay in our canoe, we remarked the great number
of sharks, and dog-fish, and sting-rays swimming about. Presently, as
we got close in with the shore, we saw a number of young turtle crawling
out of the sand and making their way to the sea, expecting, of course,
to enjoy a pleasant swim; instead of which, a very large number of the
poor little innocents must have been gobbled up by the voracious
monsters. It would seem as if none could escape, but I suppose that
some manage to run the gauntlet and to get clear off into deep water.
We had now a supply of turtle sufficient to last us till the return of
their brethren the next year, should we be kept on the island so long.
We thought that very probably we might have to remain even longer than a
year. Even four or five years might pass without a ship coming near us.
We had made steps up to the top of our flag-staff, and one of us never
failed to climb up there every morning, noon, and evening, to take a
look round to see if any sail was in sight. Sometimes we talked of
building a canoe in which we might cross to some other island, or
perhaps even reach the mainland of South America. This was Silva's
proposal. He had seen, he asserted, birds flying in that direction.
Some did not even stop on our island; and this circumstance convinced
him, he said, that land could not be far-off. Mr Brand did not approve
of this proposal. He said that, without a compass, and without knowing
the direction in which land was to be found, the experiment was too
hazardous, in so frail a bark as we had it in our power to construct.
Still Silva constantly harped on this subject, and seemed quite angry
when nobody seemed inclined to make the attempt.
Weeks and months rolled on. Silva used to listen to what Mr Brand said
to him, and he always behaved very well. Indeed, we had ceased to
remember that he had been a pirate, and had joined in the most atrocious
murders; still, I do not know that he was a changed man--I am afraid
not; that is to say, I am afraid had a piratical vessel come off the
island, he would not have refused to join her. One very hot day Jerry
and I had accompanied him in an excursion along the shore, when suddenly
he said that he should like to bathe. We walked on a little further,
leaving him to undress, and then we agreed that the water looked very
tempting, and that we would bathe also. We were by this time at some
little distance from him. We were partly undressed when we saw that the
tide was rising, so we carried our things higher up the beach.
"If it were not for those horrid sharks, I should like to have a good
long swim," exclaimed Jerry.
"But those sharks are quite sufficient reason why we should not attempt
anything of the sort," I remarked. "Here, I think, we are pretty safe;
but we must keep our eyes about us, depend on that." We were inside a
reef where sharks were unable to come.
While we were speaking, we observed Silva walk slowly into the water,
and we thought he was going to stoop down and swim off. First, he put a
foot forward, then he placed the other near it, and seemed to be trying
to lift them up; and then he put an arm down, and then another. We, not
thinking of danger, ran into the water and swam about for some time,
enjoying ourselves excessively. When we came out we looked for Silva;
he was nowhere to be seen. What had become of him? We dressed as fast
as we could, and ran along the beach to the spot where he had been.
There were his clothes, but there was no other trace of him. We
shouted, but we shouted in vain. Much alarmed, we ran back to the
settlement, as we called our hut, to get Cousin Silas or Ben to
accompany us in our search for him. Mr Brand had gone in an opposite
direction, but, after waiting some time, Ben Yool came in. After he had
heard our account he launched the canoe, and all three of us set off
along the coast to the spot where Silva had last been seen. As we got
near it we saw the doctor, and hailing him, told him what had occurred.
Silva's clothes showed us exactly where to look for him, though,
believing that a shark had carried him off, we had little hopes of
finding his body. As we were pulling in quite close to the shore, Ben
exclaimed, "Why, there he is, poor fellow, moored head and stern! What
can have got hold of him?" We called the doctor to come and see; and
Jerry jumping on shore, gave up his place to him in the canoe. When the
doctor, got over the spot, after a short examination he exclaimed, "Why,
it is a monster cephalopod--a squid, a horrid polypus has got hold of
him. Poor fellow, what a dreadful death to die! There can be no doubt
how it happened. He must have stepped on the squid, which caught hold
of him with its long and powerful tentaculas, and gradually infolding
him in its dreadful embrace, dragged him under the water. What strength
the creature must have! for Silva was a very strong man, and would not
easily have given in." Thus the doctor went on lecturing on the polypus
over the dead body of our late companion--his love of natural history
making him for the moment almost forget the horrors of the scene. How
to rescue the body from the grasp of the monster was our next
consideration. Returning on shore, we cut some long sticks, intending
to attack him with them. Again we launched the canoe, but when we
reached the spot the squid and the body of the pirate had disappeared.
This dreadful catastrophe had a great effect on me. Mr Brand also was
very much grieved when we got back and told him of what had occurred.
When one out of a small number, cut off as we were from the rest of our
fellow-creatures, is taken away, the loss must always be much felt. It
was many days before we recovered our spirits. When I thought of the
sharks, and the dog-fish, and these still more horrid polypi, I could
not help feeling as if we were on an enchanted island, surrounded by
terrific monsters to prevent our escape.
As time wore on, even Mr Brand began to talk of the possibility of
building a canoe in which we might endeavour to get away. One great
difficulty seemed to be that of carrying a sufficient quantity of water
and fuel with which to cook our food. Of provisions we had an ample
supply. Jerry proposed filling all the cocoa-nuts we could collect with
water. The idea did not seem a bad one; but the first thing to be done
was to get our canoe built.
We all the time kept a constant look-out from our flag-staff head. One
forenoon I was up there as usual, when I thought I saw a speck on the
water. It grew larger and larger. I watched it eagerly, till I saw
that it was a canoe with a large sail. It was approaching the island at
a point a mile or so from the house. I hailed to say what I had seen,
and advised my friends to get our arms ready, that we might be able to
defend ourselves should the strangers come as enemies. Mr Brand told
me to come down. He then went up, and, after watching the craft for
some time, pronounced her to be a large double canoe, and probably full
of people. On his coming down, a council of war was held. As we could
not tell what sort of savages those on board the canoe might be, we
agreed that it would be wise to be prepared, if necessary, to meet them
as enemies. Accordingly, we put ourselves under Mr Brand's orders. He
took the musket, and Jerry and I were armed with our fowling-pieces--Ben
and the doctor providing themselves with hatchets and knives and long
pointed sticks. Thus prepared, we hastily advanced towards the spot for
which the canoe was making. That we might not be seen, we kept
ourselves under cover of the trees and shrubs, or ran along a path on
the lagoon side of the island.
We reached a good place for concealment behind some rocks and thick
bushes before the canoe came to land, so that we had plenty of time to
examine her. She was, as Mr Brand had before discovered, a large
double canoe--that is to say, there were two canoes secured side to
side, and sharp at both ends. I afterwards had an opportunity of
measuring her. Each canoe was upwards of thirty feet long, and of fully
three feet beam; and as they were about two feet apart, with a platform
between them, the whole structure was about nine feet across. Each was
also between three and four feet deep, so that she had considerable hold
in the water, and was able to carry a large supply of provisions. Each
end was fitted for a rudder, so that she could sail either way without
tacking. The canoes were completely decked over, thus affording a cabin
to their crews, and the means of preserving their cargo from damage.
This also enabled the craft to go through very heavy seas without
foundering. This canoe, however, was only half the size of the large
double canoes of the Fejee and Tonga islanders, which are often a
hundred feet long, and proportionably deep and wide.
Meantime we were watching with deep interest the approach of the
strangers, expecting any moment we might be called on to engage in
deadly conflict with them, should they discover us and be inclined for
war. Cousin Silas had, however, charged us on no account to commence
hostilities till it was evident that they would not allow us to retain
peaceable possession of our island. As they drew near they lowered
their large mat sail, and took to their paddles. We held our breath
with anxiety, for we could count nearly forty people on board the canoe.
Besides the men, there were both women and children. The men were
tall, fine-looking fellows; some had on turbans and cloaks, and all had
wide kilts of native cloth, and the women were decently habited in
petticoats. We observed among them spears, and bows and arrows, and two
or three muskets, which they held up conspicuously above their heads.
As they approached the shore they looked about, apparently to discover
any signs of inhabitants. Perhaps their quick sight had shown them our
hut and flag-staff. On they came. They passed the passage through the
reef, and running the canoe on to the smooth sand, both men and women
leaped out, and began to haul her up on the beach. Now was the time to
appear before them, and to attack them if they gave signs of hostility;
but just as we were going to rush out to take them by surprise, they had
hauled up their canoe sufficiently high to prevent the possibility of
her drifting away, and then one and all, climbing up the beach, fell
down on their knees, lifting up their hands and bursting forth into a
hymn of praise. There could be no doubt about it; the words were
strange to our ears, but the tune was one well-known to us all. Then
one--the eldest of the party--uttered a prayer in a deep and solemn
voice, all the rest joining afterwards in a response. About that, also,
there could be no doubt.
Savages though they might seem, they were evidently Christians, and
though we might not be able to understand each other's language, they
would receive us in the bond of brotherhood. We all, I doubt not, felt
ashamed of our previous suspicions; though, to be sure, the precautions
we had taken were very right and just. At a sign from Cousin Silas, we
advanced slowly from our ambush, and, kneeling down at a little distance
from them, joined them in the tune of the last hymn they sang. They
looked surprised, but no one moved till the hymn was over; and then they
got up, and, advancing fearlessly towards us, we shook hands cordially
all round.
On a nearer inspection, we saw by their emaciated looks and the battered
condition of their canoe that they must have undergone much hardship.
Perhaps they thought us rather a rough set for Englishmen, for our
clothes were somewhat tattered, and Mr Brand's and the doctor's, and
Ben's beards, whiskers, and moustaches were of considerable length, and
not a little tangled.
After some experiments, we found that one of the men could speak a
little English, but we failed to get out of him an account of their
history. We were, however, able to explain to them that, if they would
accompany us, we would supply them with food, water, and shelter, of
which they evidently stood much in need. We first assisted them in
hauling their canoe still further up the beach, so that she could not
drift off again at the top of high-water; and then we all commenced our
journey to our house. Many of the poor creatures were very weak and
ill; and it was interesting to see Ben carrying a baby in each arm, and
helping along the mothers at the same time. We all did the same, but
his way was more remarkable. He would talk to the poor women, and
encourage him by his tone, if not by his words; and then he would kiss
the children, and dance them, and sing, and whistle, and chirp to them,
greatly to the delight of the little creatures, and, I have no doubt, to
that of their mothers also.
When we reached our settlement, we made up beds for the most
sickly-looking, and the doctor, examining them, administered some
restoratives. While he was doing so, we got fires lighted, and putting
all our pots, and pans, and cooking-baskets into requisition, we soon
had fish frying and boiling, and turtle stewing, and bread-fruit and
various roots baking; indeed, the eyes of the poor creatures glistened--
as well they might--with the anticipated feast. The doctor, seeing
their eagerness, warned us to take care that they did not eat too much
at a time; and, to prevent their doing so, assisted in serving out a
small share only to each. To the invalids and children he only gave at
first a few spoonfuls of turtle-soup; but that had a great effect in
reviving them. The people seemed to comprehend clearly the reason why
we gave them only a small quantity. Hungry as they were, before any one
would touch the food, one of the elders stood up and, spreading out his
hands, uttered a grace over it, in which the rest joined, evidently with
pious sincerity. I could not help thinking to myself, How differently
do these poor Christian savages, as they may be called, act to what
would be the case with many civilised Christians under similar
circumstances! The prayers of these poor people are undoubtedly
acceptable to the all-loving God, who bestows his bounteous gifts with
so lavish a hand on us his unworthy creatures; but what can we say of
the hurried, scarcely muttered ejaculations to which the master of many
a house in civilised England gives vent, as if afraid, in the presence
of his polished guests--miserable worms like himself--of uttering a word
of thanksgiving to the great Dispenser of all the blessings bestowed on
him? Should a bishop, or some high dignitary of the church, be present,
then perhaps, in an ostentatious tone, he is requested to ask a blessing
on the banquet; and grace for once is uttered in an audible voice. Far
be it from me to say that this is always the case, but who can deny that
it is too often so? My young friends, I have learned many things in my
voyage round the world, and this matter among others from those
missionary, taught savages. Grace being said, they quietly partook of
the provisions set before them, and though the eyes of some of the
younger ones wandered towards the pots and the fire, no one even asked
for more than we gave them.
When they had eaten, we made signs for them to lie down and rest. This
they did with the most perfect confidence, as if not the shade of any
suspicion of treachery crossed their minds. Some were suffering from
sores and ulcers, brought on by constant exposure and wet, and to these
the doctor at once attended with evident solicitude; which, it was
clear, completely won their hearts. We watched over them carefully
while they slept, driving away the flies and insects which seemed
disposed to settle on them; indeed, in every way, to the best of our
power, we treated them as men should men, and not as so-called
Christians too often treat their fellow-creatures. What we might have
done had not Cousin Silas set us the example, I cannot say; I only know
that we were, happily, much influenced by his conduct and exhortations.
My long stay in that lone island had, I feel, a very beneficial effect
with me. I had time to meditate, to reflect, to look into myself, to
examine my own heart and feelings, which I might never have done had I
been mixing with the bustling, thoughtless world. Again and again I
must urge my young friends to examine themselves--to reflect constantly.
Do not say that there is no time--make time. It is one of the most
important works of your life. Do not let trivialities put it off.
Nothing you can possibly gain by the neglect can recompense you, however
important you may for the time think the work in which you are engaged.
The first thing the strangers did on waking was to sit up and sing a
hymn, and then several of them pulled out of the pockets secured to
their waists books, which we had no doubt were Bibles; others had
hymn-books, or devotional books of some sort.
The next day two or three of the strongest made signs that they would
like to go and look at their canoe; but the others seemed content to
remain where they were--indeed, many of them could not have moved even
had they wished it. Jerry and I accompanied our new friends to the
canoe. They seemed satisfied when they saw that she was safe; and
having procured a few articles from her, and among them several cooking
utensils, they returned with us to the settlement. They made signs, as
they examined the canoe, that she would require much repair before she
was again fit to put to sea. She was, to our eyes, a wonderful
structure. There was not a nail in her; all her planks were sewed
together, and secured in the same way to the ribs. This made her very
strong and elastic, and accounted for her being able to endure the rough
seas to which she must have been exposed.
Several days passed away, and our guests showed that they were
recovering from the effects of their voyage. All this time we could not
tell from whence they had come, or where they were going. They tried to
explain, but we could not understand them. They were coming from some
Christian island, and they were probably going to one; or, perhaps, they
were native missionaries anxious to carry the gospel of salvation to
their benighted fellow-beings among the inhabitants of Polynesia. We
soon came to the conclusion that some were missionaries, who had their
wives and children with them. One was a chief, who was escorting them,
and the rest were the seamen of the canoe. Mr Brand arrived at this
conclusion.
"But, sir," said Jerry, "I thought missionaries always wore black coats
and white ties!"
"John the Baptist was a missionary, but his raiment was of camel's hair,
and his food locusts and wild honey," was the answer. "A man may be a
first-rate missionary who dresses in a fustian jacket and leather
gaiters, or whose costume is not more elaborate than that of these poor
people. A friend of mine told me that he has often, sitting hammer in
hand on the roof of a cottage nailing on shingles, preached the gospel
to a congregation who were as attentive as if he were in a high pulpit,
and were habited in lawn sleeves."
There was something in the manner and the grave and thoughtful
countenances of the missionaries which enabled us to distinguish them
from the rest, and the one who already spoke a few words in English
quickly acquired more by which to explain himself.
When they grew strong enough to move about, they made signs that they
would not longer consume our store of provisions, but would, if we would
let them have our canoes go and fish for themselves. To this, of
course, we gladly consented; and they never came back without offering
us a portion of what they had caught. We saw that they were preparing
to remain some time on the island. They built themselves huts near
their big canoe, and also three small canoes for fishing. Whatever fish
they caught which they did not wish to consume, they carefully cut in
two and dried in the sun. They also discovered a plantation of gourds,
some of which they dried to serve as jars for holding water. We also
went on with our preparations for a voyage. When they discovered what
we were about, they seemed much satisfied, and intimated that they hoped
we would accompany them. We, in reply, assured them that we would be
very glad to do so. They then took us to the big canoe, and showed us
how carefully they were at work repairing her. Whenever any of the
lacing which kept her together was in any way worn or chafed, they put
in fresh with the greatest neatness, covering all the seams up with a
sort of gum which they collected in the woods. In this we could not
help them, but we assisted in curing a large supply of fish and birds,
and in collecting roots, and filling the cocoa-nuts and gourds with
water. When they saw that we had still a number of turtle alive, they
seemed highly pleased, and signified that they would prove a very
valuable and wholesome provision for the voyage.
Everything was at last ready. The canoe was brought round into the
lagoon to load. We all assembled. One of the native missionaries
offered up in his own tongue some earnest prayers for our safety, and
thanksgiving for mercies bestowed. Mr Brand followed his example in
English. Then all went on board--the women and children first; the
missionaries went next, followed by the chief and the sailors; and we
five Englishmen, with Surley, brought up the rear. Another hymn was
sung, the canoe was cast loose, the seamen seized their paddles, and
slowly, to the music of a hymn sung by all the natives, we paddled out
of the lagoon. The sea was smooth, though there was a fresh breeze; the
sail was hoisted, and away we glided at a rapid rate to the eastward.