CHAPTER XXVIII.
BY MY ARRANT FOLLY I LOSE MY DEAR LADY BIDDY.
The sides of this gorge (which was prodigiously steep and profound,looking as if the rock had at one time been riven asunder) were craggyand barren, save here and there where some vines and brush had takenroot in the crannies; however, by dint of agility in helping each otherwith our hands, we got down to a shelf or table of rock very agreeablycovered with a soft sward, where we could rest in comfort, and refreshourselves to our hearts' content with the wonderful sweet water we foundthere in a pool formed by a hollow of the rock.
And here was shade from the sun (which was now at its height), and alittle cool breeze carried down by the falling water, so that we werewell disposed to rest awhile, and overcome the fatigue produced by ourlong and difficult march, to say nothing of the exhaustion which we owedto the terrors of the morning. It seemed to me prudent also, as well aspleasurable, to repose till the heat of the day was moderated, in orderto gain strength for our next march, which must carry us beyond thereach of Rodrigues and his wicked pirates, and as no place could be moreproper for that purpose than this (wherein only by accident could we bediscovered), I tore up from the rock half a dozen soft turfs, and,disposing them like a pillow, begged Lady Biddy to lie down at her ease.
Thanking me very sweetly, she did as I bade her, and presently fellasleep as gently as any child, which gave me exceeding happiness, for itshowed how greatly she trusted in my protecting care.
For some time I sat watching her face, from which peaceful sleep hadsmoothed away all traces of fear and trouble, observing how her whiteteeth did gleam through her parted red lips; how her nether lip wasround, and her upper lip pointed like a little bow, curved up; how herdark lashes curled; and how a little lock of hair had strayed from hergathered tresses and fluttered in the breeze loose upon her pale brow. Isay I sat noting these trifles with an indescribable emotion in mybreast; and truly, if all the world had been offered me, in exchange formy present condition, I would have refused it a thousand times. Nay, soselfish did my great joy make me, that I believe I would not have undonethe past, though it had been to Lady Biddy's advantage.
My emotions growing by indulgence, and passion stirring within me as Ifeasted my eyes upon that lovely face, I was sorely tempted to touch herhead with my fingers, yet in such a gentle manner as it should not awakeher; but stretching out my hand I seemed to see upon it the blood ofthose men I had killed, so that I dropped it in shame, thinking what awretch I was, and how cowardly to attempt upon her sleeping what I darednot offer if she were waking; moreover, what cleansing of my heart aswell as of my hands there must be ere I might touch her withoutreproach.
Taking myself to task in this manner, I perceived that I must give mypassion no loose, lest it should run away with me; and so, turning myeyes from her face, I set myself to think about the future and whatmeasure I must take for my tender companion's comfort, as being vastlymore creditable than the self-indulgence I had given way to.
And first, a griping in my vitals did put me in mind that we could notlive on guava apples and water alone, but must have more solid victualsto strengthen us against the hardships of traveling in the desert thatlay before us.
How was I to get meat? Never was man since the days of Orson so nakedfor the chase. Not a bodkin had I; nay, not even a stick with which tostrike down a snake. Birds we had seen galore in the fruitful thicket,and thinking of the savory dish I might make of a young macaw for myLady Biddy put me in mind of my old weapon--a sling. Then casting aboutfor material to make this simple engine, I bethought me of my shoe thatwas furnished with a tongue, very proper for my purpose. Whereupon Iwhipped off the said shoe, and getting a sharp-edged stone I made ashift to cut it out.
"Now," thinks I, "if I had but a thorn for an awl, and a strip of silkgrass for a thong, the business would be done in a trice."
Thorns there were (and to spare) in the thicket above, and I doubted notI might also find grass or the fibre of a palmetto to serve my turn. Andseeing that I could get to the thicket and yet keep my eye on Lady Biddyfor her safety, I cast a glance at my companion, whose bosom stillheaved very gently and regularly; and satisfied she would not awake forsome while, I rose and scaled the steep side of the gorge.
Being come to the top I looked down; my lady had not stirred, and so Iset about cheerfully to get me the things I needed. After a littlesearch I found a sort of grass nearly an ell long and reasonably tough,and stripping this down so as to get the mid-rib, I tested it, and foundit would serve well enough for a few casts. As for a thorn, I found thatwithout seeking--a stickle as long as a cock's spur and as sharp as anyneedle piercing through my breeches as I stooped to pluck a blade of theaforesaid grass.
Having all that I needed (and more, by the smarting wound in my thigh),I went back to the edge of the gorge whence I could see Lady Biddy, andset about making my sling. This being done to my satisfaction--not sostout as I could wish, but good enough as a makeshift--I hunted aboutfor round stones, and got me half a dozen suitable enough. And now beingarmed, I itched to put my weapon to its use.
There was not a sound but the breaking of the water, and all aroundlooked so still and peaceful that I deemed I might safely venture toramble a little way in quest of game. Yet still I hesitated, but justthen I heard the whir of wings hard by, and casting my eye that way,spied a bird which later I heard the Indians call a _macucagua_, aboutthe size of an English pheasant and not unlike it, making for a plantaintree that stood in a coppice not far distant. I saw him alight on thetree and attack its fruit, on which this bird is a greedy feeder, andafter him I started as stealthily as I might, that he should not takewing again before I got within range. From bush to bush I crept, till,getting pretty close, I slipped a stone into the sole of my sling, andstepping into the open gave my sling a twirl and let fly. By good chancemy shot hit the bird in the neck, and so much to his damage that flyingup he beat his wings vainly against the boughs and then fell flutteringto the ground. Yet was he only stupefied by the blow, and, being come tothe ground, flew up again away for a furlong, and thence up once moreand off for half a furlong more, so that by the time I finally overtookhim and put an end to the business by wringing his neck I was prettywell three parts of a mile from the coppice where I started. However, Itook not much heed of this or of the time it had taken me to steal tothe coppice from the gorge, being mightily pleased with myself for myaddress.
Handling my bird I was as pleased as any fool to observe how fat he was,to find that he weighed four pounds if an ounce, etc.: nay, I was sofond as to pluck one of his tail feathers and stick it in my coat for atrophy. Then I fell to considering how I should dress him, andremembering how I had got fire by rubbing two dry sticks together thattime I was in the Oronoque, I wasted another ten minutes in seeking woodthat would serve my turn now. In short, by the time I had brought thissilly business to an end and started off to rejoin Lady Biddy, more thanhalf an hour was gone from the moment I began it.
When I got back to the edge of the gorge and looked down, I came to astand like one suddenly bereft of his senses. Lady Biddy was gone!
I could not fetch my breath; the bird that was paid for so dearlyslipped from my powerless fingers, nor did I ever see anything more ofhim save the feather I had stuck in my coat, and my limbs quaked underme. Then I would not believe but that I had mistaken the place, untilthe turfs I had pulled up for a pillow met my eye and convinced me thatit was there and nowhere else that I had left her.
"She is gone!" I moaned; and then, striking my breast with my clenchedfist, I muttered, "And thou, villain, must answer for her fate."
Then, hoping that she had but strolled a little way to find me, I rushedalong the edge of the ravine to a rock that hung over the deep cleft.From this point I could see down to the bottom of the gorge where thestream ran into the river. Just within this creek lay a boat, which onlytoo clearly discovered the reason why Lady Biddy was no longer where Ihad left her.
At that very moment I
heard her voice calling faintly as from a greatdistance--
"Benet, Benet!" Then there was silence while I looked in vain to see herdown the ravine, doubting not that she was being carried away to theboat below.
"Benet!" she cried, yet a little louder, yet still faintly. "Benet!"
I felt sure that she saw me and was crying for help, and it maddened methat I could not see her. Nor could I guess from her voice in what partof the ravine she had been taken for the breaking of the waters and theecho of the rocks. But leaping to another rock and craning my neck over,I caught sight of two fellows, whom I knew for Rodrigues' rascals,rounding a bend of the gorge below. And one of them, facing about, liftshis finger warningly as if to signal those who followed that they shouldstifle Lady Biddy's cry for help.