THE FOUNDING OF THE CITY OF DARIEN.
Whether the buccaneers went off for reinforcements, or simply withdrew
sadder and wiser, if not better, men, cannot be said. They certainly
disappeared before sunset, and no more was ever seen of them. For once
at least the blood-stained Brethren of the Coast had met more than
their match, and been foiled in their villainous work.
Having repaired the damage done to the spars and rigging, the _Bonnie
Scotland_ continued her course, and on the first day of November came
in sight of the long-desired Golden Island--the goal of their hopes,
the end of their weary voyage.
Wonderfully refreshing was the sight to the delighted eyes of the
expedition, sick of the monotonous sea. Clothed with rich green sward,
from which rose lofty trees laden with fruit, and surrounded by still
waters of crystalline purity, this island stood forth like a beautiful
specimen of the vast regions beyond, which it was hoped were some day
to become a province of Scotland.
Donalblane's freckled face glowed with joy. "Eh, but it's bonnie--it's
verra bonnie!" he exclaimed, grasping Mr. Sutherland's arm. "There's
naethin' like that in Scotland."
"No, indeed, Donald," responded Mr. Sutherland, smiling at the boy's
enthusiasm. "It's very different from Scotland, and far more
beautiful; and if its fulfilment only equals its promise we shall have
done well to come here."
By a clever bit of strategy Donalblane managed to get into the first
boat that left the ship, and, curled up in the bow, waited until they
touched ground, when he sprang out, recking naught of wet feet so long
as he was really the first one of the expedition to set foot on the New
World.
"Hurrah!" he shouted, waving his cap as he raced up the beach. "Come
along and see the land!"
There were plenty to follow his example, and before long the little
island which lay at the mouth of the Golden River had been pretty well
explored.
It was indeed a lovely spot, but it did not afford the good harbour or
the natural facilities for defence which were necessary for the
permanent establishment of the expedition. Mr. Paterson, however,
thought it best for the _Bonnie Scotland_ to remain there until the
other ships put in an appearance. This they did in the course of the
next few weeks, one at a time straggling in, each with its own tale of
storm and stress, of baffling winds and disheartening calms, but none
of them having shared the _Bonnie Scotland's_ experience with the
buccaneers.
After all had been rested and refreshed, Mr. Paterson, who had well
employed the interval of waiting by exploring the surrounding region,
Donalblane being usually permitted to accompany him, announced that he
had decided upon the site of the city whose foundations they were to
lay, and under his directions the little fleet moved thither.
The spot was so admirably adapted for their purpose that it seemed as
if it had been destined by nature. About a cannon-shot southward from
the Golden Island a peninsula, having a deep harbour at its extremity,
stretched out into the sea. The outer arm of the harbour was lofty and
commanding, affording protection to the water within. The other arm
was low, and well fitted for the construction of forts and other
defences; while between the two lay a wide, calm, sheltered bay capable
of containing all the fleets of Europe.
The shores of the bay were of bright yellow sand that suggested gold to
the eager eyes of the new settlers; and the waters were so clear that
full five fathoms deep you could see the shells and coral fragments as
through the purest glass. In many places mangroves dropped into the
pellucid water, their boughs laden with a strange kind of fruit, for
they bore oysters that were good to eat. Beyond the golden beach rose
stately palms interspersed with orange and other fruit trees, and here
and there spread rich savannahs ready for homes to be built upon them.
It seemed an earthly paradise indeed, and Donalblane expressed the
feelings of the rest when he exclaimed in his characteristic way--
"Here we've come and here we'll bide, for there can surely be no
bonnier place on all the earth!"
Only one member of the entire expedition had any knowledge of the
country. This was William Paterson, the founder of the expedition; and
so at the outset all his counsel and directions were unquestioningly
obeyed.
When, just before sunset, the ships came to anchor in the noble
harbour, and with utmost haste the boats were filled and urged ashore,
Mr. Paterson was the first to land. His first action was to fall on
his knees and offer up fervent thanksgiving for their safe arrival.
Each Scotsman as he landed followed his example, until the whole
expedition formed one great congregation worshipping upon that shore
which had never before heard the name of God.
Their prayer ended, they rose and embraced one another in the impulse
of mutual congratulation. Every heart beat high with hope; and that
night there was not a single member of the party who was troubled by
the slightest doubt as to the success of their great undertaking.
They had arrived in the very best season of the year, it being the
springtime of that climate, when Nature was at her best in every way,
and they made haste to get out of their cramped quarters on shipboard
and put up temporary huts and tents in the shade of the trees in which
they could live until permanent homes were built.
Donalblane was immensely happy. He had no hut to build. He could
sleep on the ship or ashore just according to his fancy, so he was a
gentleman of leisure, and he thoroughly enjoyed himself exploring the
wonderful New World.
By common consent the settlers took holiday at first. They hunted the
wild boar in the depths of the forest; they fished in the neighbouring
streams and surrounding seas; they threaded the woods, where almost
every bough bore some kind of fruit with which they were glad to make
acquaintance.
Then they turned their attention to work, and, after huts had been
provided for all, a fort was built commanding the harbour, and
threescore guns, taken from the ships, mounted upon its battlements.
Their next proceeding was to cut a canal across the isthmus, thereby
rendering their peninsula an island; and having named the fort St.
Andrews, and the surrounding region Caledonia, they began to feel more
at home.
While they were thus occupied, and everything seemed to be going on
smoothly and prosperously, Mr. Paterson thought it well to make a
journey into the interior in order to open up friendly relations with
the natives, and by effecting treaties with them to secure a proper
title to the land upon which the expedition had settled. He
accordingly made up a party for this purpose.
It included Mr. Sutherland, and he was thoughtful enough to let
Donalblane know of the project.
"Ay; but I'd like fine to be going with you," said the boy, his face
full of eagerness. "Can ye no' tak me?"
"It's not for me to say, Donald," replied Mr. Sutherland kindly; "but
suppose you have a word with Mr. Paterson? We're starting in the
morning."
Donalblane needed no second hint. He set off at once in search of Mr.
Paterson, and, happening to find him disengaged, promptly proffered his
request.
"Can I gang wi' you to-morrow?" he said, fixing his big grey eyes upon
him, his whole frame trembling with the eagerness that possessed him.
Mr. Paterson woke from the reverie in which he had been lost, and,
regarding Donalblane with a half-puzzled, half-amused smile, asked--
"To-morrow? Where?"
"I dinna ken, sir," was the odd response. "But wherever ye're going
yersel'. Away off yonder," he added, pointing inland, where, in the
remote distance, a range of mountains, blue and vague, enclosed the
horizon. Mr. Paterson now fully understood him.
"And why do you want to go with me, Donald? Are you not content here?"
he inquired in the gentle, winning tone that was one of his many
personal charms.
"Ay, to be sure," responded the boy heartily. "But you're ganging to
see the Indians, and I'd like fine to see them too."
Mr. Paterson laughed at this frank confession of curiosity, and then
was silent for a brief space while he seemed lost in thought.
Donalblane, thrilling with anxiety, kicked a hole in the turf as he
waited.
"I think you may come with us, Donald," said Mr. Paterson presently,
laying his hand upon the other's shoulder. "But you must be a very
good boy, and do just what you are told."
"You may be sure I'll do that!" cried Donalblane, giving a jump of
delight. "Mony thanks, sir, for your kindness."
Thus it was settled to Donalblane's satisfaction, but to the great envy
of others who would have liked to be in his place.
Bright and early the following morning the party set forth. It
comprised twelve of the Scots all fully armed, and half as many of
natives whose friendship had been already secured; these latter serving
in the double capacity of guides and bearers of the presents intended
to be given to the Indian chieftains. They were all in high spirits,
the hard work of founding St. Andrews having made a holiday very
welcome, while the novelty and interest of the trip certainly promised
to be sufficient to satisfy the most enterprising.
Mr. Sutherland kindly took Donalblane as his companion, and they
trudged along together, their attention alert for everything in nature
that was strange or beautiful. For the most part their route lay
through shadowy forests, into whose dim recesses the hot rays of the
sun never penetrated, with here and there a grassy glade that brought
them into sunlight again. They travelled at a leisurely pace and in
short stages, as they were not pressed for time, and Donalblane enjoyed
every moment. He was as happy as a hummingbird.