IN THE JAVA SEA
The 'Alert,' with studding-sails and all square canvas set, soon
passed the brig, and throughout the following day only a few reefs,
and those at considerable distances, were seen. The weather remained
beautifully fine, but the wind fell so light that the smaller vessel,
drawing much less water, soon forged ahead and disappeared. They
were now drawing well away from the dangerous strait, and, with a
clear course, shaped directly for Batavia.
Every day Jack Clewlin felt increasing pleasure from his exchange of
ships; and the wider scope for acquiring knowledge of his profession
also added to that feeling. Beside that, Readyman had by no means
dropped his voluntary advice and tutorship, and many an evening
dog-watch was still usefully passed.
'I wish you would borrow the hand lead-line from Mr. Statten,' he
once observed. 'I could show you how to use it.'
Jack immediately obtained the line, and another lesson began.
'Of course,' the quarter-master continued, 'you already know that on
board ship everything is measured in feet and fathoms, and that a
fathom is six feet, or two yards in length. Every vessel carries one
hand and one deep-sea lead-line. The shorter and lighter one is only
used in shallow water. Now then, lad, listen to me. At two fathoms,
you see, there is a bit of leather; at three fathoms the mark is the
same, but the leather tag is split; at five fathoms the mark is white
rag; at seven fathoms there is a red one; at ten fathoms it is a
piece of leather with a hole in it; at fifteen fathoms it is a blue
rag; at seventeen, it is the same as at seven, and at twenty fathoms
there is a bit of cord with two knots in it.'
'How is the hand line used?' Jack inquired.
'You stand in the main chains, grip the line about six feet from the
sinker, swing it over your head, and let it fly as far for'a'd as
possible. The deep-sea lead is too heavy for that, so it is carried
to the forecastle-head, while the line is passed outside of
everything to windward, and, when fastened to the sinker, is thrown
overboard.'
'I never thought there was so much to learn about ships.'
'Much!' Readyman exclaimed, 'why, sonny, you don't know anything yet.
What about the cutting and the fitting of rigging, masting and
dismasting, stowage of cargoes, and a hundred other matters? It will
need your four years' apprenticeship to know but a little; and as an
officer you must be a good navigator. Ay, Master Jack, and talking
like that reminds me that you should learn sail-making. It comes in
very handy to use a palm.'
He produced a small band of leather, in the centre of which the head
of a strong sewing thimble appeared, with some canvas and twine.
'There you are,' he said. 'Put the palm on your right hand, and push
the needle through the cloth. You could not do that with your
fingers.'
Jack set to work forming correct stitches, and soon made good
progress, and in that way many pleasant hours were passed. Neither
of the friends forgot their Bible-classes, while, now that everyone
had settled down in their places, Captain Thorne himself read prayers
each Sunday in the cabin.
One morning, shortly before reaching Batavia, the watch on deck
witnessed a most remarkable and interesting spectacle. At four
o'clock Mr. Statten and the starboard watch relieved the deck. Even
at that early hour it was almost broad daylight, its exquisite
softness and purity being noticeably striking. Save a number of
small puff-like clouds ranged along the western horizon nothing was
visible. Just after five o'clock, however, the lookout reported an
island slowly rising off the starboard bow.
Mr. Statten expressed considerable surprise, and immediately ran
forward.
By that time the object had become much more distinct, and seemed to
be thickly covered with trees from its triangular summit down to the
water's edge. But the most perplexing fact was, that although the
barque was not moving faster than three knots an hour, the island
approached at four times that rate.
'I cannot understand how it can be so near,' the mate said. 'There
is nothing marked on the chart within forty miles of us.'
'And five minutes ago, sir, there wasn't the least trace of it,' a
sailor replied.
'Run aft and call the captain, Jack,' Mr. Statten said.
'Island!' the old man sang out from his room. 'You and the mate must
be asleep and dreaming.'
'It is quite distinct, and about twelve miles off, sir,' Jack replied.
The skipper was astonished on perceiving the island, while, to the
still greater surprise of all spectators, it suddenly vanished as
mysteriously as it had appeared.
'A mirage!' the captain laughingly exclaimed. 'At anyrate, it was
the most remarkable I've ever seen. All others were inverted on the
clouds, but that one looked perfectly natural. At first I believed
my reckoning, or the chronometer, was wrong. The longer one lives
the more one learns.'
Without further incident the 'Alert' arrived at Batavia. There the
brig, which had forged far ahead in the light winds, was already
discharging her cargo in the roadstead.
The rescued German crew was immediately sent ashore, and some of them
went to hospital to have their spear wounds dressed.
The 'Alert' immediately prepared to discharge her coals, and during
several weeks Jack Clewlin experienced the most arduous toil of his
life. From early morning till darkness set in he took his place at
the winch, by which the cargo was raised from the hold, or used a
shovel down below as stoutly as anyone on board.
'I like it,' he said to his old friend. 'It doesn't need rocking to
put me to sleep at night.'
Captain Thorne and the mates kept watchful eyes on him, but when the
work was done, and he was not allowed to visit the capital with any
of the men, the disappointed lad became thoroughly disheartened and
suspicious. Was the skipper punishing him for having left the barque
without permission when she touched at the island in Torres Strait?
He failed to perceive any other cause for such apparent neglect, and
would have preferred a summary 'drum-head' court-martial to thus
remaining neglected by those whom he had always endeavoured to serve
faithfully. One morning he was called aft.
'Put up a shirt, collars, and a tooth-brush,' the skipper said.
'Am I to put on my best gear, sir,' Jack inquired.
'Why, of course,' the captain said. 'You're going ashore.'
In 'spick-and-span' trim Jack presently stood beside the gangway;
but, truth to say, his brass-buttoned uniform was fast becoming too
small for its owner, who had now been nearly twelve months at sea,
and was fast filling out in breadth of shoulder and length of limb.
The captain's 'clew-to-earing' glance, as sailors say, proved
satisfactory, and tumbling over the side with his small bundle Jack
presently found himself passing along a narrow canal, beloved of the
Dutch who govern the island.
In the early part of the sixteenth century the Portuguese discovered
the country, and some seventy years later it was occupied by the
Dutch, after considerable opposition. Later on they were driven out
by the French, who, in their turn, surrendered to the English, and
the latter finally exchanged the possession with the Hollanders for
other islands in those seas.
The Island of Java is six hundred miles long, by from twenty to
forty-five miles wide, and is considered the 'Paradise of the East.'
Batavia, the capital, was built by the Dutch not far from Sunda
Strait, which lies between it and the opposite coast of Sumatra.
The climate generally is healthy, if somewhat oppressive for
Europeans; but the elevated country of the interior enjoys a cool
temperature, and there most of the officials reside. The soil is
extraordinarily fertile, and all the fruits and commercial exports
indigenous to the Far East are freely raised. The natives are highly
intelligent, friendly, and gentle-mannered, but they were not
permitted to acquire the Dutch language, and were compelled to sell
their produce at fixed rates to their masters. Competition with
outsiders was rigorously prohibited. Strangers might procure
passports when visiting the country, yet their presence was not
sought, nor by any means desired.
Captain Thorne and his young companion presently reached the
principal hotel, and there Jack was temporarily left to study the
manners and customs of the people.
The houses were not lofty, but that was owing to the fear of sudden
collapse, since the whole of Java is peculiarly subject to violent
volcanic disturbances. Many Europeans appeared about the town, and
their strange and decidedly 'airy' attire during the first part of
each day much astonished young Jack. The gentlemen strolled about in
straw hats, pyjamas, and grass slippers, while the ladies appeared,
even in the streets, without stockings, and wearing only a light kind
of blouse, with a light dress of native material and simple design.
'I am glad they are all foreigners,' Jack mused. 'I cannot recognise
an English face among the crowd.'
At noon the customary 'rice-table' was announced, and beside Captain
Thorne Jack took his place. Each of the guests was supplied with a
large soup-plate containing a quantity of cooked rice. From dishes
handed round by servants, portions of fish, fowl, meat, and several
kinds of vegetables, were selected and placed on the rice. Over all
curry, chutney, and other condiments were poured, the combination
being then well mixed and consumed.
To the watchful and imitative youngster such a meal seemed more than
sufficient; but when a second course of roast meat, vegetables, and
quantities of delicious fruit were washed down by excellent coffee,
he concluded that Dutch men and women were blessed with enormous
appetites. He was not greatly surprised to find that all of them
soon retired to enjoy a nap; but Captain Thorne hastened off to visit
his agent.
Jack strolled out to see something of the capital, which stood on low
ground, and he found a barrack filled with European troops. The
soldiers greeted him cheerily, but not being able to speak their
language all efforts to make themselves understood failed. The
natives were all of a light-brown complexion, and although small and
slight of build their movements were graceful.
At five o'clock that evening Captain Thorne returned to the hotel,
and Jack could scarcely believe that the stylishly-dressed people
beginning to appear were those whom he had seen in such careless, if
comfortable, attire earlier in the day. But such was the fact. All
of them were decked out in the latest home fashion, and having
finished their coffee they all drove out to enjoy the cool evening
breeze, or leave cards on friends.
At nine o'clock dinner was served. At its conclusion Jack believed
that his short spell of 'liberty' had ended.
'Fetch your gear, Clewlin,' the old man said. 'Bear a hand.'
On returning to the vestibule he found a Java car and three ponies
standing before the door.
'Come here, boy,' the skipper exclaimed, and then, turning toward a
friend, added, 'This is the lad I spoke of, Sergeant. Do you see any
resemblance?'
The gentleman thus addressed took Jack's hand, and by the strong
light from the hotel peered in his face.
'Yes, very considerable,' he replied. 'I am glad to make your
acquaintance, Jack,' he continued. 'Of course, you do not know me.
Well, my son, years ago I sailed in a barque as her supercargo, and
your father was her first mate. I only escaped drowning by the
merest accident. I left her the voyage before she was lost in the
China Sea.'
'Was that the "Isabella," sir?' Jack inquired.
'Yes,' replied Mr. Sergeant, who was the barque's agent. 'Did your
father tell you about it?'
'No, sir; but there is a man on the "Alert" whom he saved at that
time.'
'Indeed! What is his name?'
'Readyman. He told me all about the wreck.'
'And that is why you two have always been such friends,' Captain
Thorne laughed. 'He is a good and steady man.'
'Well, Jack,' Mr. Sergeant continued, 'I am taking the captain and
you for a drive up-country. If you don't enjoy it, do not put the
blame on me. All aboard!'
They were soon seated in the car. Mr. Sergeant took the reins, and
away at top speed went the ponies, each apparently bent on having 'a
good time,' as their master said, and thoroughly enjoying the
beautiful cool breeze. That drive was long remembered by the
youngest of the party. The night and the breeze were delightful.
Numberless stars twinkled brilliantly, the outlook was wonderfully
clear, and the lights of Batavia soon disappeared.
For a while the flat and dusty road proved somewhat monotonous.
Gradually, however, they began to ascend to higher levels, and the
flat and unhealthy neighbourhood of Batavia loomed dimly far below
them, till wholly obscured in the night gloom. The country soon
became more thickly timbered, and trees lined the well-kept road for
considerable distances. Myriads of fire-flies flitted about the
foliage, and with the accurate knowledge of the highway possessed by
the driver, rapid progress was made. Here and there Mr. Sergeant
pointed out the residences of certain wealthy Dutch planters, and he
also supplied the strangely-sounding names of villages passed through.
Shortly after two o'clock next morning he pulled up before a house
owned by a cheery-faced but exceedingly rotund little Dutchman, and
by him the party was most kindly welcomed.
They had evidently been expected. Light refreshment was served, and
almost asleep Jack Clewlin finally tumbled into a home-like bed, and
remembered no more of his first night drive in Java.
Shortly after six o'clock he was aroused. In the bathroom, which was
really a screened-off portion of an open scullery, he found a small
basin of water and a large wooden spoon awaiting his convenience.
Such a primitive arrangement provoked a laugh, but the 'sprinkle' was
nevertheless enjoyed, and he speedily joined his friends. He felt
prodigiously hungry, but presently discovered that nothing like a
solid English breakfast was forthcoming, and that only a cup of
coffee with some fruit was served. As a matter of fact, the European
residents never partook of any real meal before the usual twelve
o'clock 'rice-table.'
With their host the gentlemen visited his sugarcane and coffee
plantations, and there found numbers of native men and women engaged
in light work.
The ponies being again ready for the road Mr. Sergeant took leave of
his Dutch friend, and during the drive he thoughtfully supplied both
Captain Thorne and young Jack with biscuits and lemonade. 'You are
not accustomed to our meal hours,' he said.
Just before noon they again halted at a neat little inn kept by a
native, and there the 'rice-table' was again discussed. The ponies
were there exchanged for others, and during the afternoon much ground
was covered.
Ever since leaving Batavia they had been gradually ascending and
getting deeper into the real country. Immense peaks began to rise
round them, and pointing in a certain direction Mr. Sergeant
explained that not very far distant the finest botanical garden in
the world was situated.
'It is at a place called Buitenzorg,' he said, 'and the
governor-general resides there. The Dutchmen almost worship the
spot, and I really do not blame them. Although it is only eight
hundred feet above sea level, the climate is cool and healthy.
Botanists from all parts of the world visit the gardens, where you
may see candles, and even bread, growing in profusion.'
'And perhaps clothes?' Captain Thorne laughingly added.
'Yes; in the same sense that yours grew on sheep,' Mr. Sergeant
replied. 'The _tappa_ cloth of the Pacific islanders is made from
the inner bark and fine fibres of certain palms, so I may truly say
that clothes grow there also. There is a famous avenue of trees
there, and thousands of blossoms growing on the trunks instead of on
the branches of different trees. I greatly wish we could have gone
there this trip. At anyrate, Jack, I shall endeavour to show you
something quite as interesting, and assuredly far more ancient.'
That afternoon they reached a certain spot from which a magnificent
view was obtainable, and the ponies were brought to a stand. Some
thirty miles away, in a southerly direction, the placid and sparkling
Java Sea lay spread out below them, small blue clouds here and there
dotting the horizon and denoting islands, while toward the south-east
mountains rose twelve and thirteen thousand feet. From two of them
Jack perceived faint traces of smoke rising.
'Volcanoes, sir!' he cried.
'Yes,' Mr. Sergeant replied, 'and there are many of them throughout
the island. I know of four which stand round an immense desert of
sand, itself the bottom of an extinct crater, and others near
Soerabaya are always active. Eighty years ago one named Papandajan
suddenly became active, one side of it was blown out, and four
thousand people were instantly destroyed. Thirty years later the
island of Sombava, three hundred miles off, was almost obliterated by
an earthquake, and only after a violent volcanic eruption did the
fearful disturbance cease, and many thousands of natives lost their
lives then; the shock was severely felt for one thousand miles round,
and vast quantities of lava dust fell on this island. Indeed,
although everything looks peaceful now, no one knows when a similar
outburst may happen.'
As a matter of fact, scarcely twenty years later the Sunda Strait was
entirely altered by earthquake, and a volcanic eruption destroyed the
island of Krakatoa. Java itself was also severely smitten, and some
thirty thousand people killed; while even in England, thousands of
miles away, the magnificent sunsets visible about that time were
accounted for by the impalpable lava dust held in suspension and
slowly spreading all over the world.
Jack listened to the story, and that night saw flames issuing from
the two craters, and immediately determined to send his father a long
account of his most interesting adventures, and also described how
kind Captain Thorne and Mr. Sergeant had been.
After several days of most interesting experiences the party arrived
at the end of their outward journey, and at a village of some size
found suitable accommodation.
Next morning they again set out for a short drive, and presently
reached a plain of considerable extent, where, almost in its centre,
Jack Clewlin beheld a most wonderful spectacle.
Before him, and in terrace after terrace of pinnacles, spires, and
domes, there rose to a height of about one hundred and fifty feet a
most extraordinary combination of temples, shrines, and bas-reliefs
of the life and manners of people long dead and forgotten, but who,
in their eagerness to perpetuate their religion, had executed this
marvellous work in honour of their heathen deity, Buddha.
'What do you think of it, captain?' Mr. Sergeant inquired.
'Think!' the old man exclaimed; 'why, it is simply astonishing. I
have heard of it, but thought it was quite a small affair. It must
be four or five miles round.'
'It is three miles in circumference. I have spent weeks at a time in
examining its marvellous wonders, one of the most magnificent
creations in the world. It covers nine acres; the great central dome
which you see rising over all is fifty feet in diameter. There are
no less than four hundred and forty-one images of Buddha, nearly all
of them being seated within separate shrines of beautiful stone
lattice work, and over fifteen hundred bas-relief pictures
representing the life and manners of that distant period.'
'When was it done?' the captain inquired.
'The actual date is not known,' Mr. Sergeant replied; 'but from the
most reliable sources it appears to have been executed somewhere
about the eighth or ninth century of the Christian era.'
'More than a thousand years ago,' the skipper said. 'It is indeed a
wonderful piece of work, and must have employed vast numbers of
people.'
'And yet not many visitors come to see it,' Mr. Sergeant added. 'Of
course, that is wholly owing to the Dutch dislike of having strangers
roaming about, and writing of what they have seen or heard.'