The soldiers of the Queen, said Ravonino, in answer to Mark Breezys look. They are out hunting.
What do they hunt for? asked Mark.
Men and women.
By which I suppose you mean rebels.
No, they are not rebels; they are the queens most loyal subjects!
But loyal subjects do not usually fly from their rulers, objected Mark.
True, but loyal subjects sometimes fly from tyranny, returned the guide. Come, I will introduce you to some fugitives from tyranny.
He turned as he spoke and led the way into the cave before mentioned. Profound darkness did not prevent his advancing with a firm unhesitating step. As he led Mark by the hand, Hockins and Ebony held on to him and to each other, and had no difficulty in following. Presently they came to a wooden obstruction which proved to be a door. Voices in conversation were heard on the other side of it. A knock from the guide produced sudden silence. Another knock drew from those within an exclamation of surprise, and next moment the heavy door swung open on creaking hinges.
Yes, it is Ravoninohitriniony! I knew his knock. He is come! exclaimed a girlish voice, as a pair of arms were seen dimly to encircle the guides neck.
Of course the girl spoke in the native tongue, which was quite incomprehensible to our travellers, but if we are to enlighten our readers we must needs translate as we go along.
My sister, Ra-Ruth, said the guide, presenting her to his new friends. She was a lady in the palace of the queen once. Now she is an outlaw, like myselfhas fled from tyranny, and, perhaps, death. All in this cave are in the same casefugitives from our tyrant queen.
They reached the interior of the place as he spoke, and Ravonino, pointing to a bundle of dried ferns, bade his companions rest there until he had explained some private matters to the people.
Nothing lothfor they were all somewhat fatigued by their recent exertionsour travellers flung themselves on what proved to be a luxurious couch, and observed what went on around them.
Truly it was a strange scene, romantic enough even to satisfy the longings of Mark Breezy!
The cavern itself was a curious one, being in the form of a vast hall, with three smaller chambers opening out of it. The central hall seemed to have no roof, for although brightly lighted by several torches fixed to its rugged walls the upper part was lost in profound obscurity.
This strange abode was peopled by a considerable number of men and womennatives of the islandwho from the variety in their costume, features, and complexion, evidently belonged to different tribes. Some were strong, tall, and rather harsh-featured, others were more slender in build and with refined countenances. A few were almost black, others of a light olive colour, and several made that approach to whiteness of skin which in England is known as brunette. All were more or less characterised by that quiet gentleness and gravity of demeanour which one is accustomed to associate with humbly borne misfortune.
It was evident from the appearance of the large chamber that its inhabitants were associated in groups or families, spaces being marked off by an arrangement of logs and household goods, etcetera, as if to indicate the habitation of each group, and, from certain indications in the smaller chambers, it was equally evident that these had been apportioned as the sleeping-places of the females. A larger space at the end of the cave, opposite to that on which Mark and his comrades reclined, seemed to be a general meeting-place.
To this spot it was that Ravonino went, leading his little sister Ra-Ruth by the hand, and followed by all the inmates of the place, who were eager to know what news he had brought. That the news was the reverse of good soon became evident, from the bowed heads and frequent sighs with which it was received.
Of course our travellers could make no use of their ears, but they made the best use of their eyes, and were deeply interested in the expressions and actions of the various members of the group who successively spoke after the guide had told his story. Poor little Ra-Ruth, whose age might have been about seventeen, was not one of the speakers. She was evidently a timid as well as a pretty little creature, for she clung to and nestled against her stout brothers arm while he was speaking, and hid her face now and then in the masses of her luxuriant brown hair.
Close to her sat a young woman whose appearance and manner formed a striking contrast. She was much darker in complexion, but her features were of classical beauty and her air calm and self-possessed. When she had occasion to speak, she arose, displaying a tall elegantly-formed figure, which moved with queen-like dignity while she gesticulated with graceful animation, and frequently pointed upwards as if appealing to. God. When she was speaking Ra-Ruths timidity seemed to vanish, for she shook back her hair, and fixed her eyes on the others face with a gaze that told of ardent love as well as admiration.
The next who spoke was a young man, who in face and figure so strongly resembled the last speaker, that it was impossible to resist the conclusion that they were brother and sister. There was the same tall commanding figure, of course on a larger scale, the same noble cast of feature and the same dignified mien. But in the man, more than in the woman, there was an air of gentle modesty which contrasted well with his powerful frame. He did not gesticulate much in speaking, and, judging from the brevity of his speech, he had not much to say, but what he said was listened to with profound respect by all.
After this youth, several others took part in the debate. Then they all stood up, and, to the surprise of their visitors, began to singvery sweetlyan old familiar hymn!
It minds me o home, whispered Hockins, scarce able to restrain the tears that filled his eyes.
The hymn was nearly finished, when a rushing sound and a subdued cry were heard to issue from a dark passage, the mouth of which was close to the couch of our travellers. The singing ceased instantly. Next moment a man rushed into the chamber with labouring breath and flashing eyes. Springing towards Ravonino, he spoke several words eagerly, at the same time pointing in the direction of the passage just referred to.
Lights out and silence! cried the guide, authoritatively, in the native tongue.
Another moment and the cave was in total darkness, and a silence so profound reigned there that the three visitors could hardly persuade themselves the whole affair was not a strange dream. The voice of Ravonino, however, soon dispelled that idea.
Be still! whispered the guide, laying his hand on Marks shoulder. Our foes have discovered our retreat.
Theres a lot of stout fellows here, returned Mark, also in a whisper. We will help you if you have to fight.
We may not fight, replied Ravonino softly. If it be Gods will, we must die. Hush! They come.
Once more total silence prevailed in the cavern, and the sound of distant voices could be heard. In a few minutes a tiny light was seen at the end of the dark passage. It gradually increased in size, revealing a soldier who bore a torch. He advanced on tip-toe, and with slightly scared looks, into an outer cavern which formed a sort of vestibule to the large inner cave.
The soldier was brave, no doubt, and would have faced an army in the field, but he was extremely superstitious, and advanced with a palpitating heart, the torch held high above his head, and eyes glancing nervously from side to side. A crowd of comrades, similarly affected more or less, followed the torch-bearer and pushed him on.
Nothing here, said the leading man, of course in Malagasy.
Let us be gone, then, said one of his comrades.
No, observed a third, who seemed bolder than the rest, perhaps there is another cave beyond, (pointing to the dark passage, through which, though unseen, Mark and his companions with the guide were gazing anxiously at their foes). Give me the torch.
The soldier seized the light and advanced quickly towards the opening. Another minute and all must have been revealed. A feeling of despair took possession of Ravoninos breast and he gave vent to an involuntary sigh.
The sound reached the ear of the soldier with the torch and for a moment arrested him, but, thinking probably that the sound was in his imagination, he again advanced. The case was now desperate. Just then a gleam of light flashed into the mind of Hockins. Next moment, to the consternation of his comrades and the guide, a strain of the sweetest music floated softly in the air!
The soldiers stood stillspell-bound. It was not an unfamiliar air, for they had often heard the hated Christians sing it, but the sweet, liquidwe might almost say tinytones in which it was conveyed, were such as had never before reached their ears or even entered their imaginations. It was evident from their countenances that the soldiers were awe-stricken. The seaman noted this. He played only a few bars, and allowed the last notes of his flageolet to grow faint until they died away into absolute silence.
For a minute or two the soldiers stood rooted to the spot, gazing up into the roof of the cave as if expecting a renewal of the sounds. Then they looked solemnly at each other. Without uttering a word they turned slowly round, retreated on tip-toe as they came, and finally disappeared.
We need hardly say that the astonishment of the people in the cave at the mode of their deliverance from the threatened danger was intense.
When the torches were relighted the men and women assembled round Ravonino with looks little less solemn than those of the soldiers who had just taken their departure.
Surely, said the handsome young man whom we have already introduced, surely God has wrought a miracle and sent an angels voice for our deliverance.
Not so, Laihova, replied Ravonino, with a slight smile. We are too apt to count everything that we fail to understand a miracle. God has indeed sent the deliverance, but through a natural channel.
Yet we see not the channel, Ravoninohitriniony, said Laihovas queen-like sister, Ramatoa.
True, Ramatoa. Nevertheless I can show it to you. Come, Hockins, he added in English, clear up the mystery to them.
Thus bidden, our seaman at once drew forth the little instrument and began to play the hymn they had just been singing, with the air of which, as we have said, he chanced to be well acquainted.
It would be hard to say whether surprise or pleasure predominated in the breasts of his audience. At last the latter feeling prevailed, and the whole assembly joined in singing the last verse of the hymn, which appropriately terminated in Praise ye the Lord.
But our retreat is no longer safe, said Ravonino, when the last echo of their thanksgiving had died away. We must change our abodeand that without delay. Get ready. By the first light of morning I will lead you to a new home. These soldiers will not return, but they will tell what they have seen, and others less timorous will come here to search for us.
Immediately the people set about collecting together and packing up what may be termed their household goods, leaving the guide and their visitors to enjoy supper and conversation in their own corner of the cave.
Chapter Six.
The Guide becomes Communicative, and tells of Terrible Doings
During the progress of supper, which consisted of cold dried meat and rice, the quartette seated on the ferns in the corner of the cave were unusually silent. Mark Breezy and Ravonino continued to eat for some time without speaking a word. Ebony, although earnestly absorbed in victuals, rolled his eyes about as he looked from time to time at his companions with unwonted solemnity, and John Hockins frowned at his food, and shook his shaggy head with an air of dissatisfied perplexity.
Ravonino, at length said the last, looking up, and using his grass pocket-handkerchief, it seems to me, bein a plain straight-forard sort o seaman, that theres somethin not exactly fair an above-board in all them proceedins. Of course its not for me to say what a independent man should do or say; but dont you think that wen a man like you professes to be honest, an asks other men to trust him, he should at least explain some o the riddles that surround him? Im a loyal man myself, an Ill stand up for my Queen an country, no matter what may be the circumstances in wich Im placed; so that wen I sees another man admittin that hes a outlaw, an finds the soldiers of his Queen a-huntin all about the country arter him and his comradesseems to me theres a screw loose somewheres.
Dats my sentments zactly, said the negro, with a decisive nod.
Mark took no notice of this speech, but silently continued his supper. For a few moments the guide did not speak or look up. Then, laying down his knife and clasping his hands over one of his knees, he looked earnestly into the seamans face.
You tell me you are loyal, he said.
Hockins nodded.
If your queen, continued Ravonino, were to tell you to give up the service of God and worship idols, would you do it?
Cernly not, replied the seaman, promptly, for she has no right to rule over my soul. My duty to the King of Kings stands before my duty to the Queen of England.
Again the guide was silent for a few minutes. Then he said:
Hockins, by Gods blessing you have saved the lives of all our party this dayat least it seemed so, for, another step, and that soldier would have discovered us if your little pipe had not stopped him. You are therefore entitled to expect some gratitude, and, from what I have seen of you and your comrades, I have reason to believe you will not betray us, even if you get the chance.
Right you are, friend, I will never betray an honest man; an I may speak for my comrades as well as self, for theyre true-blue to the back-bone
Furder nor dat, interposed Ebony, troo-bloo to de marrow!
Dont you shove in your oar till youre ordered, you nigger! Well, as I was a-sayin, well never betray honest men, but I give you fair warnin if youre not honest, well have nothin to do wi your secrets, an if our duty to God an man requires us to go against you, well do it without flinchin.
So be it. I am satisfied, returned Ravonino, calmly. I will tell you as much as I think you are entitled to know. It may have reached your ears, perhaps, that there has been terrible persecution in this island for many years.
Here Mark Breezy took up the conversation.
No, said he, with something of a deprecatory air, we did not know it. For my part I am ashamed to say so; but I will say in excuse that the British empire is widely extended in every quarter of the globe, and her missions are so numerous that average men can scarcely hope to keep up with the details of all of the persecutions that occur. Rumours, indeed, I have heard of doings in Madagascar that vie with the persecutions of the Scottish Covenanters; but more than this I know not, though of course there are men connected with our Missionary Societiesand many people, no doubt, interested in missionswho know all about the persecutions in Madagascar. Is it in connection with this that you have been outlawed?