THE NEW WORLD
How long I slept I do not know. My sleep was profound, yet disturbed
by troubled dreams, in which I lived over again all the eventful
scenes of the past; and these were all intermingled in the wildest
confusion. The cannibals beckoned to us from the peak, and we landed
between the two volcanoes. There the body of the dead sailor received
us, and afterward chased us to the boat. Then came snow and volcanic
eruptions, and we drifted amid icebergs and molten lava until we
entered an iron portal and plunged into darkness. Here there were vast
swimming monsters and burning orbs of fire and thunderous cataracts
falling from inconceivable heights, and the sweep of immeasurable
tides and the circling of infinite whirlpools; while in my ears there
rang the never-ending roar of remorseless waters that came after us,
with all their waves and billows rolling upon us. It was a dream in
which all the material terrors of the past were renewed; but these
were all as nothing when compared with a certain deep underlying
feeling that possessed my soul--a sense of loss irretrievable, an
expectation of impending doom, a drear and immitigable despair.
In the midst of this I awoke. It was with a sudden start, and I looked
all around in speechless bewilderment. The first thing of which I
was conscious was a great blaze of light--light so lately lost, and
supposed to be lost forever, but now filling all the universe--bright,
brilliant, glowing bringing hope and joy and gladness, with all the
splendor of deep blue skies and the multitudinous laughter of ocean
waves that danced and sparkled in the sun. I flung up my arms and
laughed aloud. Then I burst into tears, and falling on my knees,
I thanked the Almighty Ruler of the skies for this marvellous
deliverance.
Rising from my knees I looked around, and once more amazement
overwhelmed me. I saw a long line of mountains towering up to
immeasurable heights, their summits covered with eternal ice and
snow. There the sun blazed low in the sky, elevated but a few degrees
above the mountain crests, which gleamed in gold and purple under its
fiery rays. The sun seemed enlarged to unusual dimensions, and the
mountains ran away on every side like the segment of some infinite
circle. At the base of the mountains lay a land all green with
vegetation, where cultivated fields were visible, and vineyards and
orchards and groves, together with forests of palm and all manner
of trees of every variety of hue, which ran up the sides of the
mountains till they reached the limits of vegetation and the regions
of snow and ice.
Here in all directions there were unmistakable signs of human
life--the outlines of populous cities and busy towns and hamlets;
roads winding far away along the plain or up the mountain-sides, and
mighty works of industry in the shape of massive structures, terraced
slopes, long rows of arches, ponderous pyramids, and battlemented
walls.
From the land I turned to the sea. I saw before me an expanse of water
intensely blue--an extent so vast that never before in all my ocean
voyages had anything appeared at all comparable with it. Out at sea,
wherever I had been, the water had always limited the view; the
horizon had never seemed far away; ships soon sank below it, and the
visible surface of the earth was thus always contracted; but here, to
my bewilderment, the horizon appeared to be removed to an immeasurable
distance and raised high in the air, while the waters were prolonged
endlessly. Starting from where I was, they went away to inconceivable
distances, and the view before me seemed like a watery declivity
reaching for a thousand miles, till it approached the horizon far up
in the sky. Nor was it any delusion of the senses that caused this
unparalleled spectacle. I was familiar with the phenomena of the
mirage, and knew well that there was nothing of that kind here; for
the mirage always shows great surfaces of stillness, or a regular
vibration--glassy tides and indistinct distances; but here everything
was sharply defined in the clear atmosphere: the sky overhung a deep
blue vault; the waves danced and sparkled in the sun; the waters
rolled and foamed on every side; and the fresh breeze, as it blew over
the ocean, brought with it such exhilarating influences that it acted
upon me like some reviving cordial.
From the works of nature I turned to those of man. These were visible
everywhere: on the land, in cities and cultivated fields and mighty
constructions; on the sea, in floating craft, which appeared wherever
I turned my eyes--boats like those of fishermen, ships long and low,
some like galleys, propelled by a hundred oars, others provided with
one huge square-sail, which enabled them to run before the wind.
They were unlike any ships which I had ever seen; for neither in the
Mediterranean nor in Chinese waters were there any craft like these,
and they reminded me rather of those ancient galleys which I had seen
in pictures.
I was lost in wonder as to where I was, and what land this could be to
which I had been brought. I had not plunged into the interior of the
earth, but I had been carried under the mountains, and had emerged
again into the glad light of the sun. Could it be possible, I thought,
that Agnew's hope had been realized, and that I had been carried into
the warm regions of the South Pacific Ocean? Yet in the South Pacific
there could be no place like this--no immeasurable expanse of waters,
no horizon raised mountain high. It seemed like a vast basin-shaped
world, for all around me the surface appeared to rise, and I was in
what looked like a depression; yet I knew that the basin and the
depression were an illusion, and that this appearance was due to
the immense extent of level surface with the environment of lofty
mountains. I had crossed the antarctic circle; I had been borne onward
for an immense distance. Over all the known surface of the earth no
one had ever seen anything like this; there were but two places
where such an immeasurable plain was possible, and those were at
the flattened poles. Where I was I now knew well. I had reached the
antarctic pole. Here the earth was flat--an immense level with no
roundness to lessen the reach of the horizon but an almost even
surface that gave an unimpeded view for hundreds of miles.
The subterranean channel had rushed through the mountains and had
carried me here. Here came all the waters of the Northern ocean
pouring into this vast polar sea, perhaps to issue forth from it by
some similar passage. Here, then, was the South Pole--a world by
itself: and how different from that terrible, that iron land on the
other side of the mountains!--not a world of ice and frost, but one
of beauty and light, with a climate that was almost tropical in its
warmth, and lands that were covered with the rank luxuriance of a
teeming vegetable life. I had passed from that outer world to this
inner one, and the passage was from death unto life, from agony and
despair to sunlight and splendor and joy. Above all, in all around me
that which most impressed me now was the rich and superabundant life,
and a warmth of air which made me think of India. It was an amazing
and an unaccountable thing, and I could only attribute it to the
flattening of the poles, which brought the surface nearer to the
supposed central fires of the earth, and therefore created a heat
as great as that of the equatorial regions. Here I found a tropical
climate--a land warmed not by the sun, but from the earth itself. Or
another cause might be found in the warm ocean currents. Whatever the
true one might be, I was utterly unable to form a conjecture.
But I had no time for such speculations as these. After the first
emotions of wonder and admiration had somewhat subsided, I began to
experience other sensations. I began to remember that I had eaten
nothing for a length of time that I had no means of calculating, and
to look around to see if there was any way of satisfying my hunger.
The question arose now, What was to be done? After my recent terrible
experience I naturally shrank from again committing myself to the
tender mercies of strange tribes; yet further thought and examination
showed me that the people of this strange land must be very different
from those frightful savages on the other side of the mountains.
Everywhere I beheld the manifest signs of cultivation and
civilization. Still, I knew that even civilized people would not
necessarily be any kinder than savages, and that I might be seized
and flung into hopeless imprisonment or slavery.
So I hesitated, yet what could I do? My hunger was beginning to be
insupportable. I had reached a place where I had to choose between
starvation on the one hand, or a venture among these people on the
other. To go back was impossible. Who could breast those waters in the
tremendous subterranean channel, or force his way back through such
appalling dangers? Or, if that were possible, who could ever hope to
breast those mighty currents beyond, or work his way amid everlasting
ice and immeasurable seas? No; return was impossible. I had been
flung into this world of wonders, and here would be my home for the
remainder of my days; though I could not now imagine whether those
days would be passed in peace or in bitter slavery and sorrow. Yet the
decision must be made and the risk must be run. It must be so. I must
land here, venture among these people, and trust in that Providence
which had hitherto sustained me.
Having thus resolved at all hazards to try my fate, I rowed in toward
the shore. Thus far I had seen galleys passing and small boats, but
they had taken no notice of me, for the reason that they were too far
away to perceive anything about me that differed from any other boat;
but now, as I rowed, I noticed a galley coming down toward me. She
seemed to be going in toward the shore at the very point at which I
was aiming, and her course and mine must soon meet if I continued to
row. After some hesitation I concluded to make signals to her, so as
to attract attention; for, now that I had resolved to venture among
the people here, I was anxious to end my suspense as soon as possible.
So I continued rowing, and gradually drew nearer. The galley was
propelled by oars, of which there were fifty on either side. The stem
was raised, and covered in like a cabin. At length I ceased rowing,
and sat watching her. I soon saw that I was noticed, but this did
not occur till the galley was close by me--so close, indeed, that I
thought they would pass without perceiving me. I raised my hands,
waved them, and gave a cry. The galley at once stopped, a boat was
lowered, and some men descended and rowed toward me.
They were men of strange appearance--very small in stature and slender
in frame. Their hair was black and straight, their features were quite
regular, and their general expression was one of great gentleness. I
was surprised to notice that they kept their eyes almost closed, as
though they were weak and troubled by the glare of the sun. With their
half-closed eyes they blinked at me, and then one who appeared to be
their chief spoke to me. I understood not a word; and then I answered
him in English, which, of course, was equally unintelligible to him.
I then made signs, pointing to the mountains and endeavoring to make
known to him that I had come from beyond them--that I had suffered
shipwreck, that I had drifted here, and that I needed assistance. Of
all this it was quite evident that they understood nothing except the
fact that I needed help. The moment that they comprehended this they
took me in tow and rowed back to the galley.
I found the galley to be about one hundred and fifty feet in length.
For about two thirds of this length forward it was open and filled
with seats, where there were about a hundred rowers, who all looked
like those that I had first seen, all being of small stature,
slender frames, and, moreover, all being apparently distressed by
the sunlight. There was in all of them the same mild and gentle
expression. In complexion and general outline of features they were
not unlike Arabs, but they were entirely destitute of that hardness
and austerity which the latter have. They all had beards, which were
dressed in a peculiar way in plaits. Their costume varied. The rowers
wore a coarse tunic, with a girdle of rope. The officers wore tunics
of fine cloth and very elegant mantles, richly embroidered, and with
borders of down. They all wore broad-brimmed hats, and the one who
seemed to be chief had on his some golden ornaments.
Here once more I tried to explain to them who I was. They looked at
me, examining me all over, inspecting my gun, pistol, coat, trousers,
boots, and hat, and talking all the time among themselves. They did
not touch me, but merely showed the natural curiosity which is felt at
the sight of a foreigner who has appeared unexpectedly. There was a
scrupulous delicacy and a careful and even ceremonious politeness in
their attitude toward me which was at once amazing and delightful. All
fear and anxiety had now left me; in the gentle manners and amiable
faces of these people I saw enough to assure me of kind treatment;
and in my deep joy and gratitude for this even my hunger was for a
time forgotten.
At length the chief motioned to me to follow him. He led the way to
the cabin, where, opening the door, he entered, and I followed, after
which the others came in also and then the door was shut. At first I
could see nothing. There were no windows whatever, and only one or two
slight crevices through which the light came. After a time my eyes
grew more accustomed to the darkness, and I could see that the cabin
was a spacious compartment, adorned with rich hangings of some unknown
material. There was a large table and seats. Taking me by the hand,
the chief led me to this, where I seated myself, while the others
remained standing. Then some of them went away, and soon returned with
food and drink. The food was of different kinds--some tasting like
goose, others like turkey, others like partridge. It was all the flesh
of fowls, though, judging from the slices before me, they must have
been of great size. I wondered much at the behavior of the officers
of the ship, who all, and the chief himself more than all, stood and
waited upon me; but it was a new world, and I supposed that this must
be the fashion; so I made no objections, but accepted the situation
and ate with a thankful heart.
As the first keenness of my appetite was satisfied I had more leisure
to make observations. I noticed that the eyes of my new friends no
longer blinked; they were wide open; and, so far as I could make
them out, their faces were much improved. Weakness of eyes seemed
common among these people, and therefore the officers had their cabin
darkened, while the unfortunate rowers had to labor in the blazing
sun. Such was my conclusion, and the fact reminded me of the miserable
fellahin of Egypt, who have ophthalmia from the blazing sun and
burning sand.
After the repast they brought me water in a basin, and all stood
around me. One held the basin, another a towel, another a flask,
another took a sponge and proceeded to wash my face and hands.
This was all strange to me, yet there was nothing left for me but
submission. Then the chief, who had stood looking on with a smile on
his face took off his rich furred mantle and handed it to me. I was
half inclined to refuse it, but was afraid of giving offence, so I
accepted it, and he himself fastened it around my shoulders. The
others seemed actually to envy the chief, as though he had gained some
uncommon good-fortune. Then they offered me various drinks, of which
I tasted several kinds. Some were sweet waters of different flavors,
others tasted like mild wine, one was a fermented drink, light, sweet,
and very agreeable to the palate. I now wished to show my generous
entertainers that I was grateful; so I raised my cup, bowed to all
of them, particularly the chief, and drank their health. They all
watched this ceremony with very sober faces, and I could not quite
make out whether they took my meaning or not. They certainly did not
look pleased, and it seemed to me as though they felt hurt at any
expression of gratitude, so I concluded for the future to abstain
from all such demonstrations.
Yet with every moment the manners of these people grew more
bewildering. It was strange, indeed, for me to find myself so suddenly
the centre of interest and of generous intentions. For a moment the
thought occurred to me that they regarded me as some wonderful being
with superior powers, and were trying to propitiate me by these
services; yet I soon saw that these services were not at all acts
of propitiation; they looked rather like those loving and profuse
attentions which a family showers down upon some dear one long absent
and at last returned, and with this my wonder grew greater than ever.
The galley had long since resumed her progress. I heard the steady
beat of the oars as they all moved in time, and at length the motion
ceased. The chief then signed to me and went out. I followed, and the
rest came after. And now as I emerged from the gloom of the cabin, I
found myself once more in the glorious light of day, and saw that we
had reached the land. The galley was hauled up alongside a stone quay,
and on the shore there were buildings and walls and trees and people.
The chief went ashore at once and I accompanied him. We walked for
some distance along a road with stone walls on either side, from
behind which there arose trees that from a distance had looked like
palms. I now found them to be giant ferns, arching overhead with their
broad fanlike leaves and branches in dense masses, making the roadway
quite dark in the shadow. Astonished as I was at the sight of these
trees, I soon forgot them in a still more astonishing sight, for after
going onward about a hundred paces I stopped, and found myself in a
wide space where four cross-roads met. Here there were three birds of
gigantic stature. They had vast bodies, short legs, short necks, and
seemed as large as an ordinary-sized ox. Their wings were short, and
evidently could not be used for flight; their beaks were like that of
a sea-gull; each one had a man on his back, and was harnessed to a
car. The chief motioned to me to enter one of these cars. I did so. He
followed, and thereupon the driver started the bird, which set forth
with long, rapid strides, at a pace fast as that of a trotting horse.
So astonished was I that for some time I did not notice anything else;
but at length, when my first feeling had subsided, I began to regard
other objects. All the way the dense fern foliage arched overhead,
throwing down deep shadows. They grew on either side in dense rows,
but between their stalks I could see the country beyond, which lay
all bright in the sunlight.
Here were broad fields, all green with verdure; farther away arose
clumps of tree-ferns; at every step of the way new vistas opened; amid
the verdure and the foliage were the roofs of structures that looked
like pavilions, and more massive edifices with pyramidal roofs. Our
road constantly ascended, and at length we came to a crossing. This
was a wide terrace at the slope of the mountain; on the lower side was
a row of massive stone edifices with pyramidal roofs, while on the
upper there were portals which seemed to open into excavated caverns.
Here, too, on either side arose the giant ferns, overarching and
darkening the terrace with their deep shadow. From this point I looked
back, and through the trunks of the tree-ferns I could see fields
and pavilions and the pyramidal roofs of massive edifices, and
broad, verdant slopes, while in the distance there were peeps of the
boundless sea. We continued on our way without stopping, and passed
several successive terraces like the first, with the same caverns on
the upper side and massive edifices on the lower, until at last the
ascent ended at the fifth terrace, and here we turned to the left.
Now the view became more varied. The tree-ferns arose on either side,
arching overhead; on my right were the portals that opened into
caverns, on my left solid and massive houses, built of great blocks of
stone, with pyramidal roofs. As far as I could judge, I was in a city
built on the slope of a mountain, with its streets formed thus of
successive terraces and their connecting cross-ways, one half its
habitations consisting of caverns, while the other half were pavilions
and massive stone structures. Few people, however, were to be seen.
Occasionally I saw one or two groping along with their eyes half
shut, seeking the darkest shadows; and it seemed to me that this
extraordinary race of men had some natural and universal peculiarity
of eyesight which made them shun the sunlight, and seek the darkness
of caves and of dense, overshadowing foliage.
At length we came to a place where the terrace ran back till it formed
a semicircle against the mountain slope, when several vast portals
appeared. Here there was a large space, where the tree-ferns grew in
long lines crossing each other, and making a denser shade than usual.
On the lower side were several stone edifices of immense size; and
in the middle of the place there arose a singular structure, shaped
like a half pyramid, with three sides sloping, and the fourth
perpendicular, flat on the top, which was approached by a flight of
steps. We now went on until we reached the central portal of the range
of caverns, and here we stopped. The chief got out and beckoned to me.
I followed. He then led the way into the cavern, while I, full of
wonder, walked behind him.