TOM AND DESMOND WITH THEIR PARTY RETREAT INTO THE INTERIOR--NICK SETS
OUT TO SCOUT--RETURNS--TOM GOES OUT AND BRINGS UNSATISFACTORY
INTELLIGENCE--THE PARTY REACH THE RIVER--EMBARK IN A CANOE--PURSUED--
ESCAPE UP THE RIVER--MOOR TO A TREE FOR THE NIGHT--A PLENTIFUL
BREAKFAST--THROUGH A FOREST--TOM AND PIPES VISIT THE SHORE--SEE THE SHIP
SAIL--A STORM--RETURN TO THEIR COMPANIONS--COMMENCE JOURNEY TO THE
SOUTHWARD--ESCAPE OBSERVATION OF NATIVES--NUMEROUS DANGERS--PETER SEIZED
BY A TIGER--BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS--BIRDS OF GAY PLUMAGE SHOT--BILLY NARROWLY
ESCAPES FROM A CROCODILE--ATTACKED BY MONKEYS--CROSS A WIDE PRAIRIE--
WANT OF WATER--FIND WATER-MELONS--BUFFALOES KILLED--SIGHT A SNOWY
MOUNTAIN--DEER KILLED, AND A FIGHT WITH A TIGER--CROSSING THE
MOUNTAINS--SEE A VOLCANO--AN ERUPTION--SERPENTS--A LARGE LAKE--A
FRIENDLY CHIEF--JOURNEY CONTINUED--THE COAST REACHED--AN ENGLISH BRIG IN
THE HARBOUR.
The party consisting of Tom Rogers, Gerald Desmond, and Billy
Blueblazes, with Casey, Peter, and the two Papuans, Nick and Pipes, had
penetrated a considerable distance to the south-west, when they heard
the sound of hot firing in the rear. The midshipmen proposed at once
returning to rejoin their friends, but Pipes, in great alarm, pointed
out the probability that the Papuans had got between them and the
English, and that they would to a certainty, should such be the case, be
attacked and killed before they could regain the beach. Nick joined his
entreaties to those of his countryman, and offered to steal forward and
ascertain the position of the two parties, begging his friends to remain
concealed behind some rocks and thick bushes until his return. The
sound of firing continued. From the nature of the volleys it was
evident that two parties were engaged, and that the Papuans must possess
a considerable number of muskets. Tom, therefore, thought it prudent to
agree to Nick's proposal. He and his companions accordingly concealed
themselves in the spot proposed, while Nick hurried forward in the
direction of the firing. Tom and Desmond considered that it must have
been further off than they had at first supposed. As Nick did not
re-appear, they at last began to fear that he had been caught by the
enemy, or had perhaps deserted to them. They suggested this to Pipes,
who replied, "No, no; he good man; come back!"
"I wish that we had run for it, and tried to reach the shore," said
Desmond.
"We might have been knocked on the head had we made the attempt,"
answered Tom; "but should we be discovered by the enemy we will sell our
lives dearly, if we can but get possession of one of those rocks near us
and hold it until our ammunition is expended."
"Oh dear? how dreadful!" exclaimed Billy. "I'm thankful to say,
however, that I brought away a powder flask quite full, and an
ammunition pouch, so that we may hold out for some hours; and I hope by
that time our friends will come to our rescue."
They waited for nearly an hour longer. Again there came the sound of
even sharper firing than before, though it seemed further off. Pipes
now and then crept out of his hiding-place to ascertain if any one was
approaching, a proceeding, had such been the case, which would very
likely have betrayed him.
"Here come Nick! Him sure!" exclaimed Pipes at last.
"I hope it is," said Tom. "But silence, all of you, in case it should
prove an enemy who might betray our hiding-place."
It was Nick, however. He looked very much alarmed. His report, as far
as could be understood, was that the Papuans, having collected from
other villages, had taken up positions some little distance from the
coast, whence they could watch the proceedings of the white men, and
that it would be impossible to get down to the shore without being
discovered.
Tom and Desmond, on this, proposed fighting their way through. Casey
and Peter were ready enough to do so, or anything else they wished; but
Nick and Pipes objected strongly to such a proceeding, affirming that
they should be discovered and shot down were they to make the attempt.
"Wait; by-and-by mans go away!" said Pipes.
Tom, not satisfied with this, determined to go out and scout for
himself. Desmond and Billy wanted to go with him.
"One is enough to run the risk," he answered. "Two are more likely to
be observed. I will not go far, and keep well under cover."
Desmond and Billy felt very anxious while Tom was away, lest he should
fall into the hands of the Papuans.
"If they get him they will cut off his head," said Billy, "and we shall
never see him again."
"Tom knows what he is about; and unless the enemy suspect that we are in
their rear, and are looking about, there is not much risk of his being
discovered," answered Desmond.
"It would have been better to have sent one of the black fellows,"
observed Billy. "I say, Desmond, what are we to do for grub? I'm
getting very sharp set, in spite of my feelings."
"I suspect we shall get nothing to-night," answered Desmond. "If we
were to fire we should betray ourselves, and have the enemy down upon
us. Perhaps Tom will report that they have moved away, and we shall
after all be able to reach the beach. Lieutenant Norman is sure not to
go away without us."
"But he won't stop if he fancies that we are killed; and that will be
his opinion, depend upon it," said Billy, in a melancholy tone.
"Hark! I hear some one coming," said Desmond. "Keep quiet!" It proved
to be Tom, who looked unusually grave.
"I have been a considerable distance," he said, "and have had a sharp
run for it to keep ahead of the enemy. They are coming this way, and I
question whether this will prove a secure hiding-place; for, as I
watched them, they seemed to be stowing themselves away between trees or
behind hillocks and rocks, and some of them are sure to pop in here."
Nick and Pipes appeared quickly to understand what he was saying. "Den
we go on higher," said Nick, pointing towards the bank of the river.
It at once occurred to Tom that the Papuan expected to find a canoe by
which they might escape down the river and get out to sea. He
accordingly without hesitation followed Nick's advice; and the party set
out, following the two Papuans as fast as they could run, hoping to
avoid being seen by the enemy. Instead, however, of keeping down the
stream, as Tom expected they would do, they proceeded up it.
"I suppose they think we shall find a canoe in that direction more
likely than below," said Tom to Desmond, "but it won't do to turn back."
They continued along the bank in the direction their guides led them,
thus getting further and further from the coast. They had gone on some
way when Tom asked Nick whether he was sure they should find a canoe.
"Yes, yes, sure," was the answer.
"We shall soon get back with the current," observed Desmond. "It won't
make much difference, indeed it will be sufficient if we wait until
dark, and then we shall run but little risk of being seen."
The two Papuans were still positive that before long they would find a
canoe. Casey was of the same opinion, although on what he grounded it,
it was difficult to say. When they stopped they could hear the enemy
shouting and shrieking behind them, which convinced them that it would
be safer to go on than to turn back. At last, after a run of several
miles along the banks of the river, they caught sight of five canoes
hauled up on the shore, and not far off several huts. None of the
inhabitants were visible; perhaps they had gone down to defend their
shores from the expected invasion of the white men.
"Hurrah! we are all right now!" cried Desmond. "We will take the best
canoe, and it might be prudent to smash the others to prevent the enemy
giving chase to us."
"Let us get our own into the water first, and see about that
afterwards," said Tom, looking about for paddles. He found enough for
each of his party, and a couple besides, which were carried off.
It took some little time to launch the canoe, which was somewhat heavy
and drawn up at a distance from the water. Tom seated himself aft to
steer. Desmond and Billy sat next to him, Casey and Peter next, and the
two Papuans in the bows to use the two foremost paddles. Pipes was
still on shore prepared to shove off the bow of the canoe before he
stepped on board, when pointing to the eastward, he exclaimed "Here
come!" The midshipmen, looking in that direction, saw a large body of
men approaching.
"Jump in, Pipes, jump in!" exclaimed Tom. "We must get down the stream
before the enemy reach the banks, or they may be peppering us more
warmly than we may find pleasant."
Tom was about to turn the head of the canoe in that direction, when
Desmond exclaimed--
"Look there, look there! what are those fellows about?" Three canoes
full of men were seen darting from behind some thick bushes out of
another small river which had not before been observed. They would
effectually prevent the escape of the midshipmen's canoe.
"We shall have a desperate fight with those fellows before: we can get
down the river," cried Desmond, "and they will have the assistance of
their friends on shore."
While Desmond was speaking and Tom was considering what was best to be
done, several men flourishing paddles in their hands were seen to rush
out of the huts.
"Dat way, dat way!" exclaimed both Nick and Pipes at the same time,
pointing up the river.
The sun was by this time on the point of setting, and Tom considered
that if they could keep ahead of their enemies until darkness set in,
they might then either find some place of concealment, or paddle
silently down during the night and escape observation. There was no
time to consider the plan proposed; they must either follow it at once,
or prepare for a desperate encounter.
"It is the only thing to be done," observed Desmond; and Tom, turning
the head of the canoe up the river, told his crew to paddle away for
their lives. They had scarcely got good way on the canoe, before the
men from the village began to launch theirs. More natives appeared, and
in two or three minutes the whole of the native fleet was in the water.
"They don't appear to have firearms, but they have got bows and arrows,"
said Tom, looking astern. "If we had a good English boat, the whole
fleet should not make us fly, but they might quickly capsize this canoe
and have us in their power. I fear that more than their arms. Paddle,
paddle, lads!" he shouted.
His crew did paddle, probably harder than they had ever done in their
lives. Poor Billy exerted himself until he was red in the face,
"puffing and blowing," as Desmond declared, "like a grampus;" for in
spite of the danger they were in, he amused himself by quizzing his
companion.
"We are gaining on them at all events," said Tom. "If we do not
encounter any more higher up the river, we shall distance them by the
time it is dark, and then we shall have a good chance of getting clear."
The river continued broad, and as the current was not very strong, the
canoe made good headway. They kept in the centre, to run no risk of
being attacked by the natives on the shore. Here and there among the
trees huts were seen, but the inhabitants either did not perceive them
or supposed that they were Papuans, for although they saw several canoes
drawn up on the banks, no attempt was made to launch them.
Thus they went on without relaxing their efforts for an instant until
sunset, when the shades of night quickly crept over the scene. Tom felt
very unwilling to go further from the coast, and proposed looking out
for some creek or bay, shaded by trees, where they could remain
concealed until their enemies were likely to be no longer watching the
river, and they might steal down unobserved. No such spot, however,
could they discover, and when at last wearied by their exertions they
stopped paddling, they heard the shrieks of their pursuers in the
distance.
"They have not given up the chase yet," observed Desmond. "The fact of
their following us shows that they fear we may escape them by some other
way. Perhaps we may find a branch with another outlet to the sea."
"Oh, do let us paddle on," cried Billy. "I don't like the thoughts of
being caught and eaten by the savages."
"Whether they eat men or not, they will knock us on the head, and it
will come to much the same thing," said Casey; "so that we had better
keep ahead of them until they give up the chase, and very likely, when
they don't find us, they will fancy that we have landed, and turn back
to where they come from."
The paddles were accordingly plied with as much vigour as before. Tom
had a pocket compass, but it was too dark to see it; he however judged
by the stars overhead that the river was running from the southward, and
he hoped, by landing on the right bank, to be able to strike eastward
across the country and regain the sea-shore. Had he known the nature of
the task, he would have considered the undertaking far more difficult
than he now supposed it to be. In vain he and his companions looked out
for another branch of the river which they might descend. No opening
appeared either on one side or the other. After paddling on for another
hour, they again stopped. At first no sounds were heard except the
cries of night birds and the strange shrieks of animals in the forest.
"We might pull in now to one bank or the other, and rest until it is
time to slip down again," observed Desmond.
They were on the point of doing as proposed, when again the sound of the
natives' voices was heard coming up the stream. The enemy had probably
by this time been joined by the other canoes which had been seen on the
banks, and Tom confessed that he considered the risk of attempting to
escape by the way they had come very great. The only thing they could
therefore do was to keep on until Tom and Desmond had good reason to
believe that they had completely distanced their pursuers, and then as
soon as it was daylight they might hope to strike across the country and
regain the coast, where they were sure that the boats would be on the
look-out for them.
For some time they had seen no lights on the banks or other indications
that the country was inhabited, and the further they got up the river
the less risk there was of being discovered. They had not correctly
calculated the distance they had gone. There had been for some time
little or no current against them, but this they had not discovered
while they were paddling on. The tide was setting up the river, and had
thus sent them on much faster than they had supposed. Nick and Pipes
urged them to continue their course.
"All right; we get away!" cried Nick.
"No fear," cried Pipes. "Paddle, boys, paddle!" Thus hour after hour
they paddled on, until Tom declared that it would be folly to go
further, and that they must either land or else secure the canoe to the
trunk of a tree and wait in her until daylight. The latter plan was
adopted. Steering to the right bank, where some thick branches overhung
the stream, they secured the canoe to the stem of a small tree.
"We must keep watch," said Tom, "or we may receive a visit from a wild
beast, or be found napping by the natives, and be made prisoners or
killed without an opportunity of defending ourselves."
Gerald agreed to keep the first watch for a couple of hours, and then to
call Tom.
"I wish we had something to eat," said Billy. "I shall grow as thin as
a whipping-post, and never be able to march all the way to the coast,
which must be very far off, I suspect."
"Never fear, Billy; you had better get some sleep, and forget all about
the matter. In the morning we shall probably be able to kill some
birds, or find some wild fruit," answered Tom.
Billy, with a groan, lay down in the bottom of the canoe, in which the
rest of the party had stretched themselves as well as they could,
although there was not much room for their legs.
Desmond sat up with his musket in his hands, keeping an eye down the
river, and occasionally peering in among the trees on the shore.
Mournful sounds ever and anon came out of the forest, but he could
detect no human voices; and he therefore hoped that the enemy had given
up the pursuit. He had a hard matter to keep awake, the murmur of the
water, as it passed by, tending much to lull him to sleep. He
contrived, however, to keep his eyes open. He knew that in that region
such disagreeable creatures existed as anacondas, tigers, huge baboons,
and alligators, and that one or the other of them might suddenly make
its appearance. He had stood his watch, as near as he could calculate,
about a couple of hours, when feeling that, notwithstanding the danger
to be apprehended, he could not hold out much longer, he roused up Tom,
who, after his two hours' sound sleep, was soon wide awake.
"I have been thinking of all sorts of horrible creatures who may chance
to be in the neighbourhood. Take care you do not let any of them get
hold of us," said Gerald.
"No fear of that," answered Tom, taking Gerald's musket; "I will try and
give a good account of any beast which comes near us."
Tom sat, as Desmond had done, with his rifle ready for immediate action.
It had hitherto been too dark to look at his watch, and he thought it
imprudent to strike a light for the purpose. He had, therefore, no
notion of how time went by. Greatly to his surprise he very shortly saw
the streaks of dawn in the sky, and ere long a rich glow, heralding the
rising sun, appeared to the eastward, shedding a ruddy tint over the
calm surface of the river.
He had now to decide what was next to be done. To attempt to descend
the river during the daytime would expose them to certain capture. He
was anxious to try and reach the coast as early as possible. Taking out
his compass, he ascertained that it lay due east, and that the course of
the river was south-west and north-east; but how far off the shore was
it was difficult to say. Nick and Pipes evidently did not like the
thoughts of having to proceed in that direction, and, pointing towards
the south, said that that was where their native village was situated.
"We must go to the coast, at all events," said Tom. "If they desert us
we cannot help it."
"Since that matter is settled, let us have some breakfast," exclaimed
Billy. "I wish you would knock over a few birds. There are plenty of
them. Here are some small shot. I thought it would be useful."
There were parrots, paraquets, doves, and several other birds of
exquisite plumage, flying about; and Tom, who was a very good shot, even
with a ship's musket, in a few minutes shot as many as would serve the
party for breakfast. The men then set to work to pluck them, caring
very little for their fine feathers. An open space, where they could
venture to light a fire, was soon found. Nick and Pipes had in the mean
time been hunting about for wild fruit, and quickly brought in a good
supply.
"There's no fear of starving in this country; that's one comfort,"
observed Billy, as he began to munch away at his share of a parrot.
The fruits were very refreshing. They ate them without fear, although
they did not know their names, as Nick and Pipes assured them they were
good.
The meal over, the party prepared to set out. They first, however, drew
up the canoe, and concealed it as closely as possible under the bushes,
that they might again make use of it if necessary. Nick and Pipes, when
they understood what Tom required, offered to go in front and scout, but
gave him to understand that should they fall in with an enemy they would
retreat, and that he must be prepared to halt or turn back again, as
they might deem necessary.
They soon found themselves in a very dense forest, through which it was
a hard matter to make their way. Wherever there was an open space the
ground was covered with a profusion of flowers; and birds of gay plumage
flew amid the trees, and monkeys of various sizes leaped from branch to
branch. Occasionally they had to make their way with their cutlasses,
but it was a somewhat slow business, and fatiguing into the bargain. In
many places Nick and Pipes were no more able to get through than they
were, and they were also constantly afraid that they might come suddenly
upon some natives and betray themselves. At last, coming to a brook,
from sheer fatigue they were compelled to halt and eat the remainder of
the provisions they had cooked in the morning. After resting they again
pushed on, but their progress was not more rapid than at first. Towards
evening Tom, in hopes of getting a sight of the ocean, climbed a tree
taller than most of its fellows. Having his spy-glass, he could see to
a great distance.
"How far off is it?" inquired Desmond, when Tom came down.
"Shall we get there to-night?" asked Billy.
"Not for a week if we do not make better way than we have done this
morning," answered Tom. "I could make out the sea in the distance, and
I fancied some huts and plantations between us and the shore. We must
try to pass by them without being discovered by the inhabitants."
The heat had been excessive, and the midshipmen were glad to rest until
the following morning. During the night it was utterly impossible to
make their way through the wood. As no huts had been seen near, they
ventured to light a fire, watching carefully that it should not spread,
when, as Billy observed, their provisions would have been very much
overdone.
After camping, the first thing they had to do was to look out for food.
The parrots, for some reason or other, were rather shy, but a troop of
inquisitive monkeys came near to ascertain what the strangers were
about.
Pipes, who accompanied Tom, urged him to shoot.
"Him very good, very good," he said.
Tom had of course heard that the creatures were eaten, although he had
never tasted monkey. He accordingly fired, and brought down two who
were sitting together grinning at him. The rest on this came chattering
and screeching to the boughs close above his head, and began to throw
down sticks and nuts, some of the latter of which they had been eating,
and to spit at him in the most furious fashion.
"Kill more, kill more!" cried Pipes.
Tom again fired, and two others fell to the ground, when the remainder
ran shrieking away through the forest. Pipes, taking possession of the
game, marched back to the camp with a well-satisfied air.
"You do not mean to say we are to feed on these creatures?" exclaimed
Desmond.
"I can't shoot anything else, and better eat them than starve," answered
Tom.
"Ah! let's try them," cried Billy. "Anything better than an empty
stomach."
By the time the monkeys had been cooked the appetites of all the party
had considerably increased. Although the midshipmen made some wry faces
at first, after a few mouthfuls they went on eating monkey as if they
had been accustomed to it all their lives. Nick and Pipes advised that
they should keep up the fire all night, as otherwise they might find
that somebody had been carried off by a huge species of tiger which they
said infested the woods and forests of their country. Their advice was
followed, and all hands took it by turns to remain on watch. Billy
called up his companions twice, declaring that he saw the head of a huge
tiger peering from between the bushes, but he did not fire, as he was
afraid of missing. Though Desmond grumbled at being roused up, it was
proved that Billy was right by the marks the tiger had left on the
ground.
They had not got far the next day when their scouts came back and urged
them not to proceed. As to reaching the shore without being discovered,
they said that it was impossible, as the country was thickly inhabited
and open, their only chance being to pass through it at night. Should
they advance much further they would run great risk of being seen.
After searching about Pipes and his companion discovered a good
hiding-place, very similar to the one in which they had before concealed
themselves. Towards night they could tell, by the soughing of the wind
in the trees and the appearance of the sky, that there was a change in
the weather.
"I am sure the boats won't leave us while there is a chance," observed
Tom. "I will make my way alone, with the help of Pipes, and see what
has become of them. If I do not come back you will know that I am
caught, and I would advise you to try and get to the southward, where
you may perhaps find the inhabitants more friendly, and be able to get
across to Australia."
Desmond begged Tom to let him go instead; but Tom had made up his mind
to undertake the excursion, and as soon as it was dark he set off with
Pipes, who had agreed to go, although he evidently did not like the
work. Tom and his faithful attendant set off. They had a long distance
to go, and detours to make. Occasionally they heard dogs bark, and saw
lights in the windows of huts; but they kept clear of them, and made
good progress. They had one or two narrow escapes; and on one occasion
both tumbled into a water-course. They, however, scrambled out again,
with only the inconvenience of a wetting, which, considering the warmth
of the weather, was of no great consequence, even to Tom; and Pipes had
only to rub himself over with his hand, and he was dry again in a few
minutes. It was nearly daylight, however, before the beach was reached,
when they hunted about and found shelter under some rocks, which would
prevent their being seen by the people on shore.
Here they waited until daylight, when Tom eagerly looked out for the
ship.
"There she is!" he cried out, as the gloom of night clearing away he saw
her standing in towards the land, though at some distance to the
northward of where he was. Presently a gun was fired, followed shortly
afterwards by another. He was about to set off to try and make his way
along the beach, feeling sure that the guns were fired as signals to
some of the crew on shore, when he saw through his telescope a boat pull
out from behind a point and make her way towards the ship, which at the
same time swept round until her head was off shore. He had no means of
making a signal. Even should he fire his rifle, it would not be heard.
To shout would be of no avail. He watched the boat until she was
alongside, when she was hoisted up and the ship steamed away. It was
high time that she should get off the shore, for a heavy gale had sprung
up, sending the heavy breakers with fury against the rock-bound coast.
"There is no chance of our getting off if this continues," said Tom to
himself; "we are left to our own resources, I see that. The best thing
would be to start to the southward, as Pipes recommends."
Tom was eager to return and consult with Desmond, but Pipes earnestly
entreated him to remain concealed during the day, and then at night
there would be but little difficulty in making their way back to their
companions.
It was a melancholy day, as he sat on the sea-shore under the rocks,
watching the departing ship. A few shell-fish was the only food he and
Pipes could procure. As soon as night came on and the inhabitants had
returned to their huts, he and his faithful companion set out. As the
storm was howling and making a tremendous noise, there was little danger
of being discovered.
Desmond and Billy had become very anxious and were thankful to see them,
although Billy uttered a deep groan when he heard that the ship had
sailed away, and that he would have some hundreds of miles to trudge
through the country. None of them indeed knew what they were about to
undertake, and, with the exception of Billy, looked upon the journey as
a pleasant excursion.
As Tom had had plenty of time to rest during the previous day, he was
ready to set off early in the morning.
Guided by Tom's pocket compass, they steered westward of south, which
was the direction Nick and Pipes wished them to take.
The two Papuans explained that they would have to go out of their way to
reach the river, and advised them to keep in the direction they were now
pursuing.
During the day they travelled on without stopping, anxious to get away
from the sea-board. It was evidently the most thickly populated part of
the country, while, judging from what they had seen, there were few or
no inhabitants in the interior. In the afternoon, as they were moving
on, Pipes, who had been scouting in front, came back and made a sign to
them all to get under the cover of some bushes, which he pointed out
close at hand.
Scarcely had they crouched down, when they heard the voices of a party
of natives who passed close by without discovering them. Further on
they came upon a plantation, with a number of women working on it. By
turning aside in time, they escaped observation. They were, however,
afraid of lighting a fire that night, lest it might betray their
whereabouts to the natives. They had, fortunately, preserved some of
the cooked meat before starting, and had enough for supper, with the
help of some fruit. Tom urged all hands, each man in his turn, to keep
a strict watch; for having no fire there would be a great risk of being
attacked by wild beasts. All promised to obey his injunctions.
Tom intended to take the first watch, Casey the next, Desmond the third,
and Billy--who, it was hoped, after a good sleep, would keep awake--the
fourth. The three first had carefully kept their watches, moving round
and round their sleeping companions, so that no savage beast could
approach unperceived. Desmond, however, fancied that he saw some object
moving amid the trees in the gloom. At last he called up Billy, and
charged him to keep a bright look-out. "If you don't, depend upon it
you or some of us will be carried off by one of those beasts of tigers,"
he said, with much emphasis. "I have not felt so uncomfortable for a
long time as I have been during the time I have been on the watch."
Billy promised to remain broad awake and to keep his weather eye open.
"Mind you do!" said Desmond, as he lay down.
The whole camp was awakened by a fearful shriek and a loud cry from
Billy, and starting to their feet, they saw by the light of the day,
which had just broken, a huge animal carrying off Peter, the black, in
its jaws, while Billy lay sprawling on the ground where he had fallen,
his foot having caught in a supple jack, as he was making chase after
the depredator. The whole party followed, but the tiger, if tiger it
was, quickly bounded out of sight. Tom and the other midshipmen had a
sincere regard for honest Peter, and were grieved to think that they had
lost him. Rushing on, they caught sight of Peter in the monster's jaws.
But the black was not inactive, for having been seized by the left
shoulder, with his right hand, which was free, he was punching the tiger
furiously in the eyes. Tom was afraid of firing, lest he should hit
Peter; at the same time it seemed scarcely possible that the poor fellow
would escape being torn to pieces. Suddenly, however, the tiger gave a
spring forward, when the midshipmen saw that Peter was no longer in the
creature's mouth. Tom and Desmond both fired together, but the tiger
bounded away. On getting up, what was their surprise to find Peter
rising to his feet, and, although his left shoulder was very much torn
and he looked somewhat confused, he was well able to accompany them back
to the camp. He knew no more about the matter than they did. Suddenly
he had felt himself carried off in the jaws of a big animal, and as he
said, "naturally made the best use of his fists to get free."
Billy looked very much ashamed of himself, and was compelled to
acknowledge that he must have been dozing, as he certainly did not see
the tiger coming.
"It shows that we must keep very wide awake, or none of us will reach
the end of our journey," said Tom. "Now, the sooner we get away from
this the better; for the sound of our shots may have attracted the
attention of the natives in the neighbourhood."
Casey, who had been accustomed to see all sorts of wounds, assisted to
bind up the hurt of poor Peter, who declared that he was perfectly ready
to continue the march. As they were afraid of lighting a fire and had
no food, they pushed on during the cool hours of the morning, intending
to take a substantial meal as soon as it was too hot to proceed. They
had no little difficulty, however, in making their way amid the creepers
and climbing plants, which, hanging from tree to tree, interlaced each
other in a perfect network. They often, therefore, had to hunt about
until they could discover a more open place, through which they could
advance.
They calculated that they had pushed forward about ten miles, when they
reached a stream, arched over by tall trees, from which hung numberless
flowers, bearing climbers of great beauty and of varied and brilliant
colours. Many of them were convolvulus-shaped, and of prodigious size,
some white and yellow, spotted with red, others of a pale violet. There
were scarlet flowers, blue, and sulphur-coloured flowers, and others of
similar tints, striped and spotted in the most curious way. But far
more interesting to the hungry travellers were the numberless
water-fowl, which flew up and down the stream, and Tom and Desmond in a
few minutes had knocked over several kingfishers, storks, and ducks,
amply sufficient to supply all hands with food.
The two natives had, in the mean time, been searching for honey and
nuts, of which they brought in a supply. The latter grew on some
enormous trees at no great distance. The natives had picked them up
from the ground to which they had fallen, having been bitten off by the
parrots. The outer shell was black and hard, about the size and shape
of a lemon, and the kernel, enclosed in a thick inner covering, was
white and hard, resembling chestnuts when roasted.
"Hurrah!" cried Billy. "We shall run no risk of starving, at all
events. These nuts will serve us for bread, and with the honey will
stay our appetites."
The fire was quickly blazing up, and the birds, plucked and spitted,
placed before it. A sharp look-out was kept on every side for natives,
snakes, tigers, or any other wild beasts which might be tempted to pay
them a visit. Tom urged his friends to keep together as much as
possible, and always to have their arms ready. After a good rest they
again pushed on, and encamped in the evening on the bank of a large
river, no doubt the one up which they had come in the canoe.
While Casey and Peter were lighting the fire, the two Papuans were
looking out for honey, and Tom and Desmond were shooting some birds for
supper, Billy went down to the water to fill a large gourd which Pipes
had procured for them. Just as he was about to dip it in, a long snout
appeared above the surface, the possessor of which--a huge crocodile--
made directly at him. Billy, throwing down the gourd, scampered off.
Fortunately for him the monster stopped for an instant to pick up the
gourd, which it crushed in its huge jaws, and thus Billy was able to
increase his distance.
Pat Casey and Peter, on hearing his cries, started up with their rifles,
and as they ran forward uttered loud shouts to distract the attention of
the crocodile. Still, so determined was the monster to seize poor
Billy, that it did not seem to heed them.
"Jump on one side, sir, jump on one side!" cried Casey to Billy, who
followed the advice, and the seaman, levelling his rifle, poured the
contents down the crocodile's throat. It immediately rolled over, and
after a few struggles lay dead.
Tom and Desmond considered it advisable on their return to move further
away from the river. Fortunately they did so, for while they were
sitting round the fire cooking their game, a dozen crocodiles crept out
of the water and came towards them. The whole party, starting to their
feet, shouted and shrieked, but not until Tom and Desmond had fired down
the throats of a couple of the saurians did the rest turn tail, when,
plunging into the water, they disappeared beneath the surface.
"If we don't keep a bright look-out during the night one or other of us
will be carried off, depend upon that," observed Tom.
His warning had a good effect, and it was agreed that two of the party
should keep watch together, as they had to risk an attack from
crocodiles on one side and tigers on the other, not to speak of big
serpents and other creatures. The most dangerous of these were
scorpions, several of which were seen five and six inches long, with
stings which the natives asserted would deprive a person of life in the
course of an hour or less.
"Oh dear, oh dear!" sighed Billy. "I knew the journey would be
fatiguing enough, but I little thought the trouble all these horrid
beasts would cause us."
For several days they travelled on along the course of the river, but
taking care not to camp near enough to the bank to be surprised by a
hungry crocodile. On several occasions they caught sight of tigers, and
three were shot which came nearer to them than was pleasant. Among the
vast numbers of the feathered tribe which perched in the trees, or
flitted amid the boughs, or soared high into the air, were the beautiful
birds of paradise, of brilliant colours and graceful forms, which Tom
and Desmond agreed it was a shame to kill when they could obtain as much
game of a different species as they required. Monkeys of various sizes
were seen, some not larger than cats and others half as big as a man.
The travellers were moving on, Nick and Pipes scouting in front, the
three midshipmen following, Casey and the black bringing up the rear.
Presently they heard a loud chattering overhead, and down came a shower
of nuts, one of which hit Billy on the nose. The pain made him cry out,
when his voice was replied to by shrieks of laughter from overhead,
followed by another volley. On looking up they caught sight of a large
troop of big monkeys scampering from bough to bough, some of them
descending as close as possible in order to get nearer the intruders of
their domain.
One old fellow spat right at Desmond, and when he saw that the shot had
been successful, shrieked and chuckled with laughter as he climbed back
to a more secure part of the bough. The monkeys on this, emboldened by
success and increased in numbers, discharged volleys of missiles of all
descriptions, some of a very disagreeable character, so that the three
midshipmen with their followers were fairly put to flight, the monkeys
pursuing them, chattering and shrieking until they made their escape
from the forest, which here fortunately came to a termination.
"I'll pay you off for this!" cried Desmond, who had been a sufferer with
Billy, and, firing, he brought down one of the monkeys, on which the
rest set up the most fearful cries, shaking their fists and making all
sorts of defiant grimaces.
They now entered on a region totally different to any they had hitherto
passed through. It was a vast open prairie, covered in many places with
long grass, amid which snakes of large size were seen creeping, but Nick
assured Tom that they were not venomous, and would afford a meal at any
time, should game not be abundant. The difficulty of walking over this
grass was considerable, as they had to lift their feet high at every
step, while they were exposed to the rays of the sun. Having hitherto
obtained as much water as they required, it did not occur to them that
they might fail to procure it. They caught sight of herds of buffalo
and deer, but none during the day came near enough to be shot. All day
they trudged on without water, and were well nigh ready to drop from
thirst.
"I shall die if I don't get something to drink," cried poor Billy.
Tom got Casey and Peter to lift him up on their shoulders that he might
obtain thereby a wider view, but nowhere was a stream or lake to be
seen. He, however, caught sight of several round yellow objects on the
ground, and on getting nearer, great was the joy of the party to
discover that they were melons, the produce of a creeper with ivy-shaped
leaves.
The fruit proved even more refreshing than water, and enabled them to
march on for several hours during the night. This they did in the hopes
of reaching some clump of trees the next day before the sun had attained
its greatest height. At last, overcome with fatigue, they were
compelled to camp on the open prairie without afire. They were afraid
of lighting one lest it should ignite the grass. After a few hours'
rest they again moved on. Already the sun had risen and every moment it
was gaining strength, when they saw before them a grove of palm trees
rising out of the plain. Although they hastened their steps and went on
for some time, they still seemed a long way off, but happily they found
an abundance of water melons, which quenched their thirst. Without them
they must have perished. They were also getting very hungry, and in the
open country no honey or nuts were to be procured, nor did birds come
near them. A flight of parrots passed over their heads, but too high up
for a shot, Billy was crying out that he should die, when a herd of
buffaloes were seen scampering across the plain towards them.
"Down, down!" cried the two Papuans; "dey no see us den."
The whole party hid themselves in the tall grass, with their rifles
ready for action. There seemed great likelihood, however, that the
buffaloes would trample them to death as they came rushing furiously on
not dreaming of danger. The leading animals were close upon them when
Nick and Pipes jumped up and waved their hands, shouting loudly at the
same time. This turned the herd slightly, and as they swept by the
animals presented a good shot, when their concealed foes, Tom and
Gerald, fired, and two young bulls rolled over. The rest were not so
successful, and before the first two who had fired had time to re-load,
the herd were out of range. The two buffaloes shot were, however, more
than sufficient for their wants, and in an instant Casey and Peter,
aided by the Papuans, were engaged with their long knives in flaying the
two beasts, and cutting off such pieces of flesh as they could carry.
Here was a supply of food which would last them as long as it would keep
good. The midshipmen did not fancy eating it raw, but the rest of the
party were not so fastidious, and cut off favourite bits, which they
clapped into their mouths with evident satisfaction. They were, in
consequence, better able to bear their loads of meat than the
midshipmen, who had satisfied themselves with two or three water melons
apiece. At length the clump of trees was reached.
The party seated in the shade enjoyed the cool air which played among
the tall stems. Having cleared away the grass in front of them, they
lighted a fire and cooked a part of their meat, the rest being cut into
strips and hung up in the sun to dry. It was fortunate for them that
they took this precaution. For two days or more they travelled on
without meeting with a drop of water, but existed as before on water
melons, which prevented them suffering from thirst--as valuable to them
as the plant of a similar species which exists on the arid sands of
Africa is to many a weary traveller, as well as to the wild beasts who
roam over those sandy regions.
They were keeping a look-out ahead for some prominent object by which to
steer, when, as the sun rose one day, after they had been marching all
night, his rays fell on what seemed like a white cone rising out of the
plain. As they pushed on and on it rose higher and higher, although it
seemed as far off as ever.
"Why, it must be a snow-covered mountain!" exclaimed Tom.
"I hope we shall not have to climb it, although I should not object to a
good roll in the snow just to cool myself," said Billy.
In spite of their eagerness they were compelled to rest as before at the
first wood they reached, near the banks of a stream. As most of the
party lay fast asleep in the shade, Tom, who was on the watch, observed
a herd of small deer apparently coming down to drink. He roused up
Desmond, and taking their rifles they crept behind two trees. The deer
came on in single file. They were graceful little animals of a dark
drab colour on their backs and sides, and white underneath, and pretty
large antlers. Without hesitation they at once began to cross the
stream, passing along close to where the midshipmen were concealed. Tom
selected one animal and Gerald another, and both firing brought the two
to the ground. The rest of the deer looked about very much astonished,
but did not take to flight. Those who had crossed still continued the
same course as before. This gave Tom and Gerald time to re-load, and
they brought down two more animals. Not until this did the herd bound
off in confusion. The firing had roused up the rest of the party. Tom
and Desmond were eagerly rushing out to despatch one deer which was not
quite dead, when they saw before them a large tiger, which had been
following the herd, and was now going to seize hold of one of the slain
deer. The beast looked at them, and seemed about to spring. Neither of
them had re-loaded his rifle, Tom immediately began to do so, keeping
his eyes on the tiger.
"Don't move, Desmond," he cried out, "or the brute will spring on you!"
Desmond, imitating Tom's coolness, also began to load, the tiger in the
mean time lashing his tail and showing his huge teeth, while he kept a
paw on one of the deer, which he seemed to claim as his prize.
"Now!" cried Tom. "I'll fire at his head, you at his shoulder."
Just as the tiger was about to make a spring which might have proved
fatal to one of the party, Tom fired and hit him in the head. The
creature gave a bound into the air. Desmond's bullet struck him at the
same moment and he rolled over dead.
"Well done, your honour!" cried Casey, who had just come up; "that was a
fine shot."
"Hurrah! we shall have some venison now," exclaimed Billy, who followed
him.
"We shall want it," said Tom, "if we have to climb those mountains
ahead, for very likely we shall find no food there."
The deer were collected, and without delay all hands set to work to cook
some of the fresh flesh and to dry the remainder.
Three days after this they found themselves at the foot of a large and
lofty mountain, which if they were to get to the south must be crossed.
Each man cut a stout stick, the end of which he pointed in the fire.
Their dried meat held out; fortunately they shot a couple more deer out
of a herd which came to drink at a pool near their camp, and thus the
next morning at daybreak, with their provisions strapped on their backs,
they commenced the ascent. The cone which they had seen in the distance
rose high on their left hand, but they discovered a passage lower down.
Up and up they climbed, feeling the cold increase, and suffering
intensely after the heat of the plain. At length they could with
difficulty breathe, and a desire to sleep seized all the party. Tom,
knowing the danger of giving way to it, urged his companions to keep
moving. Once Peter sat down, declaring that he could go no further.
Tom and Desmond dragged him up, and told Casey to prick him on with the
point of his stick if he attempted to stop again. Poor Billy puffed and
panted, and at last declared that "he must have a snooze."
"It won't be until you are over the other side," cried Desmond. "Haul
him along! Do you want to leave your bones here, or come with us? Just
think of the venison pasties and the parrot pies we will have when we
get down into a more civilised country!" Thus urged, Billy exerted
himself afresh. None of them could afterwards describe the way they got
over the mountain. For several miles they dragged themselves over the
snow, with the fear of sinking down into some crevice or hollow, while
fearful precipices yawned now on one side, now on the other. The two
Papuans held out bravely, and, considering their scanty clothing, this
was surprising. For a considerable time the whole party moved on
without speaking, staggering as if in sleep. Their eyes were dazzled
with the whiteness of the snow, which now surrounded them on all sides.
Above their heads hung icicles of fantastic shapes, ornamenting cliff
and crag.
At length the summit of the pass was gained, and they commenced their
descent, less painful because they knew that soon they would get into a
warmer region. By nightfall they reached a valley, where the trees
afforded them fuel to light a fire, round which they gathered, its
genial blaze restoring warmth to their frozen limbs. For two days more
they continued among the mountains, but gradually attained a lower
altitude, until at last they once more found themselves in a tolerably
level country. As far as they could see to the south, rose here and
there ranges of hills, but they hoped, by skirting round their bases, to
avoid the sufferings they had lately endured. The cooler air of this
region enabled them to make longer journeys than before. They had been
travelling along a range of hills, which shut out the country to the
south from their view. Having crossed these, they encamped one evening
on some rocky ground, from whence they saw away to their left conical
mountains, several thousand feet in height, of which they had only just
before obtained a view. There appeared to be clouds rising above their
summits, of which they, however, took but little notice, as they were
busy preparing for the night. Tom and Desmond, as usual, were hunting
for game. They had shot several birds and a couple of monkeys, which
they immediately brought into the camp to be cooked.
After the heat they had endured, finding the night chilly, they piled up
some pieces of rock and slabs of bark to form a shelter from the wind.
They had all stretched themselves to sleep, with the exception of Casey,
who had to keep the first watch, when they were aroused by a loud
exclamation uttered by him, and at the same time by a thundering sound
and by feeling the earth shake beneath them. Starting to their feet,
their eyes were attracted by a bright light, which rose from the
mountain, where shooting upwards, it increased in size, until it assumed
a mushroom appearance, the top extending far and wide round the
mountain. It was a volcano which had suddenly burst forth. No lava,
however, was seen descending its sides, but they felt a shower of fine
ashes falling on their heads. The screen they had put up, however,
partially sheltered them from it. Nothing further could be done, so
they resolved to remain where they were, hoping that the eruption would
not increase.
Further sleep was out of the question; all night long they watched the
fearful flames, expecting every moment to find a fiery shower falling
upon them.
"It might have been much worse," said Tom. "We might have been close
under it, and here, at all events, we only get a little peppered."
Towards morning the eruption began to subside, and by daylight dense
smoke only was seen ascending out of the crater. In spite of their want
of sleep, they at once continued their march, hoping to get well to the
southward. As none of the party had pocket-books, they were unable to
note down a description of the curious creatures they met with and the
wonderful scenery they passed through. They frequently saw serpents of
fifteen or twenty feet in length, and huge apes, upwards of five feet in
height, with hideous features, of almost human shape. They were
thankful when they got out of the volcanic region, although they had
again to endure the heat of the plains. What was their joy, after
ascending a low ridge, to see before them a wide expanse of water,
glittering in the sun.
"The sea! the sea!" exclaimed Billy.
Casey and Peter echoed the cry. Had they truly reached the termination
of their journey? Tom doubted it. Looking through his telescope, he
discovered both to the east and west, a low shore. It might be an
estuary extending a long way inland, but they might still be many days'
journey from the coast. Whether it was really the sea or a fresh water
lake, could only be determined by getting down to it and tasting its
waters.
With stout hearts they marched on. They were now well supplied with
food. Seldom many hours passed without their meeting herds of deer and
buffalo, from which they obtained an ample supply of food. Smaller
game, such as monkeys and parrots, were in abundance in the woods, while
there were plenty of streams and lakelets of pure water, in which they
often took a refreshing bath.
Billy, whose spirits had risen with the expectation of reaching the
coast, insisted to the last that the water they had seen from the height
was the sea. Casey and the black agreed with him. At last they got
close to it. They all hurried forward. Fortunately the bank they
reached was hard, and they without difficulty got down to the water.
Billy dipped in his hand.
"It's fresh!" he exclaimed, as he tasted it.
"I was sure of that," said Tom. "It's a lake, and a good big one too.
We are a couple of hundred miles yet from the coast."
They continued their course along the western shore of the lake, and as
they spent fully four days before they reached the southern end,
calculating by the rate at which they travelled it must have been
between seventy and eighty miles long.
After this they had another range of mountains to pass, which, though
wild and rugged in the extreme, were of less elevation than those to the
north. Once more they were on a level country, covered with tall grass.
They crossed several streams, in wading through one of which a huge
crocodile made a dash at them and very nearly caught poor Billy.
Nick and Pipes now began to examine the country with more curious eyes
than before, and at last led them into a native path.
"Friends there!" said Pipes, pointing ahead, and they saw through an
opening in the trees several huts.
The two Papuans hurried on, begging their friends to sit down in the
shade. In a short time they returned with a large party of natives,
who, ugly as they were, had smiling faces. One of them who seemed to be
the chief, advanced to Tom and made him a speech, which Pipes, who had
accompanied him, interpreted as an invitation to the strangers to come
to his village.
"Good mans!" said Pipes. "Plenty food!" The invitation was, of course,
accepted. The chief, taking Tom by the hand and signing to the rest to
follow, led him towards the village, which consisted of a number of
large huts composed of wooden frames covered with mats, with which the
floor was also spread. The chief begged his visitors to sit down, and
ordered food to be brought in. A number of yellow-skinned damsels in a
short time appeared, bearing boiled rice and messes of roasted and
stewed monkey and yams. Whatever the midshipmen might formerly have
thought of such a repast, they acknowledged that this was delicious.
Calabashes full of toddy, prepared from the sap of the cocoa-nut tree,
were then introduced.
"I say!" said Tom, after he had drunk two or three cups, "we had better
not take too much of this, or we shall find ourselves fou."
They wisely declined a pressing invitation of the chief to imbibe any
more of the apparently harmless liquor, but their two Papuan friends,
after their long absence, seemed to enjoy it, and were in a short time
perfectly drunk. This was a misfortune, as they could no longer
communicate with the friendly chief. However, he made signs to them to
lie down on their mats. Feeling confident of his honesty, they
willingly complied with his request.
After a day's rest, which all the party greatly required, Nick and Pipes
having recovered, they set off for a village on the coast, about thirty
miles distant.
Here the two Papuans found friends and relatives, who welcomed them
cordially, having long given them up for lost. The chief of the
village, to whom Nick and Pipes were related, requested the midshipmen
to take up their abode in his hut. It was situated in the midst of a
grove of magnificent trees, and near it was a garden, in which were
growing yams, bananas, pumpkins, and many other vegetables and fruits.
They were glad to accept the invitation, as the hut was of considerable
size, the floor spread neatly with mats, and perfectly clean. The
reception over, they made their way down to the shores of the harbour,
where, among several Chinese and other strange craft, what was their
satisfaction to see an English brig.