Because then we can dry the meat in the sun or over a slow fire, and so be able to keep it longer without spoiling. We must spend the night here for the purpose, and perhaps part of to-morrow.Why, Hockins, what are you about?
Makin a pair o shoes, sir; you see them old dancin pumps as I left the ship with wouldnt hold out another day o this rough travellin, so Im makin a noo pair of shoes when Ive got the chance.
They will be a primitive pair, observed Mark.
If that means a good pair, youre right, sir. They are after the pattern first made by Adam for Eveleaswise its supposed her first pair o dancin pumps was made this fashion. Ill make a simlar pair for you, sir, wen your boots give out.
In case the reader should ever be reduced to extremities in the matter of foot-gear we may explain the seamans method.
Selecting what he believed to be the thickest part of the bulls hide, he cut off a small portion about eighteen inches square. Spreading this on the ground with the hair upwards, he planted his naked foot on it and marked the shape thereon. Then with his knife he cut away the hide all round the foot-mark at four inches or so from the outline of the foot. Next, he bored little holes all round the margin, through which he ran a line, or lace, also made of raw hide. Then, planting his foot again in the middle of the hide, he drew the line tight, causing the edges to rise all round the foot and almost cover it.
There you are, sir, he said, stretching out his limb and admiring the contrivance; rough-an-ready, you see, but soon finished. It aint recorded in ancient history what Eve said when Adam presented her wi the little testimonial of his affection, but if I might ventur a guess I should opine that she said puckery.
Hm! Dey aint a tight fit, observed Ebony. Is ob opinion dat your corns are quite safe in em.
Having completed his shoe-making work, the ingenious seaman assisted his companions to prepare the dried meat, which they afterwards tied up in three convenient little parcels to be slung on their backs.
That night they found a more commodious tree to sleep in. Under the pleasant influence of a good supper they enjoyed unbroken rest, and awoke the following morning greatly refreshed. They were thus, both physically and mentally, prepared for the events of that day, to which, as they afterwards had a most important bearing on their fortunes in the island, we will devote a separate chapter.
Chapter Four.
The Doctor finds Unexpected Work in the Wilderness, and a Mysterious Stranger is Introduced
It has been said that the travellersfor we cannot now appropriately style them fugitiveshad reached a more open country, and that Hockinss fight with the wild bull had taken place on the margin of a wide grassy plain.
This plain, however, was limited. In front of them the scenery was undulating and beautifully variedalmost park-like in its character, and only in one directionto the rightdid it extend like a sea of waving grass to the horizon. Behind them lay the dense forest through which they had passed. The forest also curved round to their left, and stretched away, apparently unbroken, on to still far-off mountains.
After they had breakfasted, packed their dried meat, and sallied forth on the journey of another day, they walked in silence until they reached the edge of the plain, where there was room to walk abreast.
Now, comrades, said Mark Breezy, we will go to the top of yon mound, see how the land lies, and hold a council of war.
Just so, capn; take our bearins an lay our course, assented Hockins.
They soon reached the spot, and found the view from it unexpectedly beautiful. The whole landscape was clothed with tropical verdure. Past the foot of the mound ran a considerable stream, which opened out into a series of lakelets in the hollows beyond, the waters of which seemed to be the home of considerable numbers of wild-fowl,but there was no sign of the presence of man.
Strange, said Mark, in a low voice, that such a lovely scene should have been created a solitude, with no one to profit by or enjoy it.
Well now, sir, remarked the sailor, dee know that same thought has puzzled me now an again; for although my purfession is the sea, Ive travelled a good bit on the landspecially in South Americaand Ive seen miles on miles o splendid country, that made me think of Adam an Eve in paradise, with never a soul, as you say, to make use of or enjoy it. Ive often wondered what it was all made for!
Dont you tink, said Ebony, with his head a little on one side, and his earnest eyes betraying the sincerity of his nature, dont you tink dat praps de ducks an geese, an sitch-like, makes use ob an enjoys it? to say nuffin oh de beasts, hinsects, an fishes.
You may be right, Ebony, returned Hockins, with an approving nod; we human beings is apt to think too much of ourselves. Moreover, it has come into my mind that Great Britain was a solitood onceor much about itan its anything but that now; so mayhap them lands will be swarmin wi towns an villages some day or other. What dee think, Doctor?
But the young doctor said nothing, for while his companions were thus indulging in speculations, he was anxiously considering what course they should pursue.
You see, comrades, he said, turning to them abruptly, if we go to the right and traverse this fine country we may very likely fall in with villages, but the villagers may be savages, like those we met on the coast. On the other hand, if we go to the left, we shall have to traverse the somewhat dark and difficult forests, but then we shall be making for the mountains and table-lands of the interior; and as the capital, Ant Ant
Anty-all-alive-O! suggested Hockins.
No, s not dat. It ends wid arrive O! wich is just what we wants.
Well, whatever may be its name, I know that it is in the centre of the island somewhere, and the centre of any land always means the mountains; so I think we had better decide to go to the left, and
Hallo! look yonder, sir, said Hockins, pointing towards a low cliff which rose in front of them not a quarter of a mile from the spot where they stood.
Turning in the direction indicated, they observed a man running swiftly, as if in pursuit of something. They could see that he was clothed, and that he carried several spears, from which they judged that he was a hunter. Coming to the foot of the cliff before mentioned, the man ascended the face of it with wonderful agility, and had almost gained the top, when a treacherous root or stone gave way, causing him to lose his hold and roll violently to the bottom.
Poor fellow, hes killed! cried Mark, running towards the fallen hunter, who lay on the ground motionless.
He was not killed, however, though stunned and bleeding profusely from a deep wound in the arm, caused by one of his own spears while in the act of falling. When the three strangers suddenly appeared the hunter grasped one of the spears and made a vigorous attempt to rise, evidently under the impression that he was about to be attacked; but the fall and the loss of blood were too much for him. He sank back with a groan, yet there was a look of quiet dignity about him which showed that he gave way to no craven spirit.
Our young doctor, kneeling down beside him, proceeded at once to staunch the wound and bind up the arm with his pocket-handkerchief. While he was thus engaged, Hockins brought some water from a neighbouring stream in a cup which he had extemporised out of a piece of bark, and applied it to the mans lips. Ebony stood by, with a look of profound pity on his face, ready for whatever might be required of him.
The hunter showed by the expression of his handsome brown features that he was grateful for these attentions. Yet, at the same time, there seemed to be something of perplexity, if not surprise, in his looks as he gazed on the white mens faces. But he did not utter a word. When the dressing of the arm was completedof course in a most businesslike mannerhe again attempted to rise, but was so weak from loss of blood that he fell back fainting in the Doctors arms.
This is a most awkward business, said Mark, as he laid the man carefully on the ground, and put a bundle of grass under his head for a pillow. It behoves us to push on our journey without delay, yet it will never do to leave him here alone, and we cant very well take him on with us. What is to be done!
Both Hockins and the negro looked their incapacity to answer that question. Just then the answer came in the form they least expected, for a sound of many voices in clamorous talk suddenly broke on their ears. The speakers, whoever they might be, were still distant, and the formation of the ground prevented our travellers being seen by them.
Savages! exclaimed Mark and Hockins in the same breath.
Hide! cried Ebony, with a roll of his huge eyes, as he suited the action to the word, and leaped into the bushes. The others followed his example, and running about a hundred yards back into the woods, climbed into the branches of a lofty tree, from which outlook, well screened by leaves, they saw a band composed of some hundreds of natives walking smartly over the open plain. From the manner of their approach it was evident that they searched for some one, and as they made straight for the cliff where the wounded man lay, it seemed probable that they were following up his trail.
Were done for, said Mark, in a tone of despair, as he noted this.
Why dee think so, Doctor? asked Hockins, who did not by any means seem to take such a gloomy view of their case.
Dont you see? Savages can follow up peoples trails almost as well as dogs. Theyll easily trace us to the foot of this tree by our footprints, and then theyve only to look up!
Thats true. I had forgotten that.
Deres time to drop down yit, massa, and squatilate, suggested the negro, excitedly.
Mark shook his head.
Might as well try to run from tigers as from savages, he returned, unless youve got a good start.
But they aint all savages, sir, whispered Hockins, as the band drew nearer. Some o the naked black fellows look savage enough, no doubt, but theres a lot of em lightish brown in the skin, an clothed in fine though queer garments. They carry themselves, too, like gentlemen. Praps wed better go forard an trust them.
Trust to em, Ockins! said Ebony with a decided shake of the head, trust men wid brown faces? Nebber!
The whispered conversation ceased at this point for a loud shout of surprise mingled with alarm was raised as the band came to the foot of the cliff and found what appeared to be the dead body of the wounded man. Evidently they were friends, for while some of them kneeled down beside the injured hunter to examine him, others gave way to gestures and exclamations of grief.
Presently the watchers observed that one of those who kneeled beside the body looked up with a smile and a nod of satisfaction as he pointed to his chest.
Theyve discovered that hes not dead, said Mark.
Yes, massa, an deyve diskivered de bandaged arm.
Ay, an it seems to puzzle em, added the seaman.
It did more than puzzle them. They had not observed it at first, because, just before running into the woods, Mark had covered it with a loose shawla sort of linen plaidwhich the man had worn round his shoulders. When they removed this and saw the bandage which was wound round the limb in the most careful and perfect manner, they looked at each other in great surprise; then they looked solemn and spoke in low tones, glancing round now and then with saucer-like eyes, as if they expected to see something frightful.
I do believe, Doctor, whispered the seaman, that they think your work has been done by a goblin of some sort!
It would indeed seem as if some such idea had entered the minds of the band, for instead of examining the ground for footprints and following them upas was natural to have donethey silently constructed a litter of branches, covered it with some of their garments, and quietly bore the wounded and still unconscious man away in the direction of the plains.
With thankful hearts our travellers slid to the ground, and hurried off in the opposite direction towards the mountains.
That night they came to a deeply-shaded and rugged piece of ground in the heart of the forest where there were caverns of various sizes. Here the solitude seemed to be so profound that the fear of pursuit gradually left them, so they resolved to kindle a cheerful fire in one of the caves, cook a good supper, and enjoy themselves. Finding a cave that was small, dry, and well concealed, they soon had a bright fire blazing in it, round which they sat on a soft pile of branchesMark and Hockins looking on with profound interest and expectation while the negro prepared supper.
If I only had a quid o baccy now, said Hockins, Id be as happy as a king.
I have the advantage of you, friend, for I am as happy as a king without it, said the young doctor.
Well, theres no denyin, returned the seaman, that you have the advantage o me; but if I only had the baccy Id enjoy my disadvantage. Praps theres a bit left in some corner o
He plunged his hands into each pocket in his garments, one after another, but without success until he came to the left breast-pocket of his coat. When he had searched that to its deepest recesses he stopped and looked up with a beaming countenance.
Ho! got im? asked Ebony, with interest.
Hockins did not reply, but, slowly and tenderly, drew forthnot a quid, buta little piece of brown wood about five or six inches long.
A penny whistle! exclaimed Mark.
Speak with reverence, Doctor, returned the sailor, with a quiet smile, it aint a penny whistle, its a flageolet. I stuck it here the last time I was amoosin the crew o the Eastern Star an forgot I hadnt putt it away. Wait a bit, you shall hear.
Saying this Hockins put the tiny instrument to his lips, and drew from it sounds so sweet, so soft, so melodious and tuneful, that his companions seemed to listen in a trance of delight, with eyes as well as with ears!
Splendid! exclaimed Mark, enthusiastically, when the sailor ceased to play. Why, Hockins, I had no idea you could play like that! Of course I knew that you possessed musical powers to some extent, for I have heard the tooting of your flageolet through the bulkheads when at sea; but two or three inches of plank dont improve sweet sounds, I suppose.
Ho! massa, didnt I tell you tree or four times dat he play mos awrful well?
True, Ebony, so you did; but I used to think your energetic praise was due to your enthusiastic disposition, and so paid no attention to your invitations to go forard an listen. Well, I confess I was a loser. You must have played the instrument a long time, surely?turning to the seaman.
Yes, ever since I was a small boy. My father played it before me, and taught me how to finger it. He was a splendid player. He used sometimes to go to the back of the door when we had a small blow-out, an astonish the company by playin up unexpectedly. He was great at Scotch tunesspecially the slow ones, like this.