CHAPTER XII.
Alligators.--The Giant's Staircase.--Access to a New Region.--ThePheasant Cuckoo.--Wild Oats.--The Unequal Contest.--The FirstKangaroo.--Scenes of Arcadia.--A Hint at Cannibalism.--The CockatooWatch.--The Enemy put to Flight.
The cliffs which rose above their path were about three hundred feet inheight; these were almost perpendicular, and even, in some places,overhung the river; which had again spread out to about a mile in width,while rocky masses in the midst, covered with vegetation, formedinnumerable little islets, among which, even if they had saved theircanoes, they would have found it perilous to navigate.
"Hugh! Hugh!" cried Gerald, who was at the end of the long line. "I seeour canoe; if you will join me, we will swim to it, and bring it in."
All eyes were directed to the dark floating object he had pointed put,when suddenly Ruth screamed out, "They're alive! Master Hugh, there's alot on 'em. They'll eat us all up."
"I perceive now indeed," said Mr. Mayburn, in much agitation, "whatthese huge masses are. Observe, Margaret, on that island where the tallmangrove is so conspicuous, those dark moving forms; they are alligatorsstretched in the sun, while some of the dangerous creatures are floatingon the river. See, my children, how providentially we have been snatchedfrom peril. One of these monsters might have capsized our little boat,and we should have been abandoned to be devoured by these frightfulcreatures."
At these words, Ruth shrieked out, and endeavored in her distraction toforce her way past the rest; but was held back by Jack, who followed herin the line, and who tried to convince her of the folly of her fears.Nevertheless, they all felt more comfortable, when they lost sight ofthe islets and their hideous inhabitants.
Again the river narrowed, and now they became alarmed as a strangerumbling noise gradually increased before them. They paused forconsideration; this was totally unlike the usual sounds of thewilderness, where the varied notes of the birds, and the continuedhumming of the insects, alone disturbed the silence.
"It resembles the roaring of waters," said Arthur. "I trust that now,when the river has obviously fallen, we need not fear that another floodshould overtake us. But follow me quickly--let us lose no time inendeavoring to reach the security of a wider strand."
As they proceeded, the roaring and rumbling grew louder and louder; theyknew it was the voice of a torrent, and it was with beating hearts theywound round a bend in the course of the greatly narrowed river, and sawat a short distance before them a majestic cataract, pouring its foamingwaters into the river, which bounded and dashed onward like a troubledsea, even to the spot where the wanderers stood, transfixed with wonderand admiration at the spectacle.
"This is indeed the majesty of nature!" exclaimed Mr. Mayburn. "Howfeeble seem all the labors of man, when compared with this stupendouswork of God!
'How profound The gulf! and how the giant element From rock to rock leaps with delirious bound, Crushing the cliffs!'"
"Ay! Ay! it's a grand thing to see, master," said Wilkins; "but how arewe to get out on our fix? We're not made wi' wings, like them bigfellows, clamoring and diving at t' top yonder."
A row of large birds were perched on fragments of rock at the verysummit of the fall, plunging their heads into the rushing waters, andseeming to rejoice in the grand commotion.
"They look like pelicans, papa," said Hugh; "I can see the red pouchunder their throat."
"The bird is one of the family, I apprehend, my son," answered Mr.Mayburn. "It is commonly called the frigate pelican, and is peculiar tothe tropics, fishing in rivers as well as in the sea. Its wings and tailare immensely long, but the body, if stripped of the feathers, is muchsmaller than you would expect to find it. But observe now, Hugh, anobler bird. See, far above us soars a superb black eagle, which seemsto look down with equal scorn on the noisy birds, the dashing waters,and the helpless men so far below it."
As they slowly drew near, they calculated that the height of thecataract must be a hundred and fifty feet at least, and saw that thewaters poured over horizontal strata of the sandstone rocks, each layerprojecting beyond the one above, and forming a series of steps, whichrose from four to eight feet in height. The water did not descend in avolume, but in courses, which left parts of the rocks uncovered, and onthese parts moss and even grass had sprung up.
Amidst the admiration and enjoyment which all felt in the contemplationof this novel spectacle, an unpleasant conviction crossed the minds ofeven the most enthusiastic, that they were indeed, as Wilkins hadremarked, "in a fix." It was impossible to proceed unless they couldascend the formidable brush-covered cliffs, where the weight of a manclinging to the bushes might bring down an avalanche of the crumblingsandstone rock to bury him in its fall; or, still more perilous, thatthey should attempt to ascend what Gerald called "the Giant'sStaircase"--the mighty cataract itself.
The voice of the torrent drowned the weaker voice of man; Arthur couldnot understand that Gerald was calling out to Hugh to follow him; andbefore he could proclaim any interdiction, the two light-footed, activeboys, by clinging to the firmly-rooted grass in the crevices, had gaineda resting-place on the first step of the rocks at the extreme edge ofthe fall, and were calling on the rest to follow them.
At this extremity about four feet of the rocks remained dry from thesummit to the base, and certainly this must be the ladder they mustmount if they hoped to escape; but how difficult, how perilous, was theattempt! Jack surveyed the ground attentively, then producing from hispocket a large roll of cord, he tied one end to a mangrove-tree on thebeach, and unrolling it as he went up, followed the boys, holding theline tight to support Mr. Mayburn and Margaret, Jenny and Ruth, who,assisted by Arthur and Wilkins, were one after another raised to thefirst resting-place. Arthur soon joined them; but Wilkins remained tosee the whole ascent completed before he would leave the strand.
Distracted by the noise of the torrent, the dashing of the spray, andthe terror lest the slippery stone or the supporting clump of grassshould fail them, it was a fearful struggle for the timid women, and forMr. Mayburn, quite as timid and much less light than they, to be raisedfrom step to step, assisted always by Arthur below and Jack above; butfinally they were placed in safety on the heights of the cataract. ThenJack waved his handkerchief, for his voice would have been inaudible, asa signal for Wilkins to follow; and he, more accustomed than they toclimbing, loosed and leisurely wound up the cord, as he sprang from rockto rock, till he joined the grateful and happy family.
The first sentiment of all was thankfulness to God, poured forth inearnest prayer. Their next feeling was curiosity to look upon a new,open country, after being so long imprisoned in the gloomy ravine below.They saw that the river was no longer a broad, navigable stream, but wasflowing through many narrow channels from the east and south-east, whichunited above the cataract. An open and lovely glade lay before them,thinly wooded, and covered with tall grass, and flowers of the mostbrilliant dyes. Birds of rare beauty and strange notes hovered about therivulets, and the air was darkened with insects; but they saw no traceyet of man. Far away to the south-east lay a gray line of mountains,towards which the wishes of all the anxious travellers turned.
"That range of mountains must be our first aim, papa," said Arthur."Thank God, we seem yet to be in a land of plenty; nor need we have anyfear of destitution so long as we continue in a well-watered district.If you are now able to proceed, Margaret, we must endeavor to bivouacon some spot less exposed to the rays of the sun and the observation ofthe natives than this. Let us follow the nearest channel of the river;if we wish to diverge further south, it will not be difficult to crossit."
A sharp twang startled Mr. Mayburn, and a beautiful bird fell at hisfeet.
"Just as I wished it, sir," said Gerald. "I meant the bird to be laid atyour feet. Wasn't it a capital shot, Hugh?"
"Lucky, at any rate, Gerald," answered Hugh. "Well, papa, what bird isit?"
"It is perfectly new to me, Hugh," answered his father, "as, indeed,
allthe strange creation around me seems to be. The toes, like those of the_Scansores_, are placed two forward, and two backward, to facilitate therunning up trees, and in form it so much resembles our cuckoo, thatdoubtless it is the bird we have read of as the Pheasant-cuckoo. See,there are more running among the grass, like pheasants--and hark howthey _whirr_ as they take to flight, now that they have been startled bythat mischievous boy."
The pheasants were tempting game, and several brace were bagged beforeMargaret could restrain the ardent sportsmen, and remonstrate on thewanton cruelty of destroying more than their necessities required. Then,bending their course to a low hill, on which stood a wild nutmeg-tree,they saw that it was covered with beautiful white pigeons. On this spota fire was made, and the pheasants prepared for cooking, and thenspitted on slender peeled bamboos, which were set up with one end in theground, round the fire. Gerald would gladly have added to the feast byshooting some of the confiding pigeons, which continued to feed on thegreen fruits of the nutmeg-tree, without any fear of their dangerousneighbors; but even Nurse reproved the boy for his destructiveinclinations, declaring it would be very unlucky to shoot a whitepigeon.
Though they hoped this resting-place would have proved pleasant, theysoon found it would be impossible to remain near the water, so intenselyvexatious was the plague of flies. Thick clouds of these teasingcreatures buzzed round, settling in black bunches on the meat; fillingeyes, nose and mouth, and irritating the skin with their continualattempts to pierce it with their thin, tiny proboscis.
The boys declared the flies were ten times worse than the mosquitos; andto escape these Lilliputian foes, Arthur decided that they should crosssome of the narrow rills, which now ran wide apart, and deviate towardsthe south, where a rising ground promised to introduce them to newscenery.
When they reached the hills, they found them steeper than they expected;but on ascending to the height, they were gratified to see before them abeautiful country. Lofty trees adorned the plain, and high grass roseeven to their shoulders, as they passed through it. On several spots,vast fragments of the sandstone-rock, grown over with beautifulflowering creepers, lay in picturesque confusion; and the Eucalyptus,with its spicy flowers, the Pandanus, loaded with fragrant blossoms, andthe Cabbage-palm, were also encircled by the parasitic plants which addsuch a grace to tropical scenery. Wearied with forcing their way throughthe tall, sharp, wiry grass, they stopped before a high, broken rockwhich overhung and flung a shade over the spot they had selected fortheir resting-place. Then the boys cleared the ground, by laboriouslycutting down the long grass, which they spread to form beds, a luxury towhich they were unaccustomed.
"We'd better have fired it," said Wilkins. "Our bush-ranging chapsalways sets it in a low; it saves trouble."
"I should be grieved to destroy the luxuriant vegetation that God hasspread over these plains," said Mr. Mayburn. "Besides we could notcalculate where such a conflagration might end."
"Little matter where it ended," answered the man. "There's lots of thisstuff, such as it is; but Ruth, lass, ye've gotten hold on a bettersample."
Ruth usually released her unfortunate chickens at each resting-place,that they might have air, and seek food, and she had herself beenrunning about for grubs, seeds, or any thing they could eat, and she nowreturned with a perfect sheaf of some kind of bearded grain, suspendedon the ear by slender filaments like the oat, but still unripe.
"This surely should be an edible grain," said Mr. Mayburn, "and willprobably be ripe as early as November, in a climate which produces twoharvests. How richly laden is each ear, and the straw cannot be lessthan six feet in length. I conclude it is an _Anthistiria_. Feed yourfowls, Ruth; the food is suitable, and happily abundant. Had we but amill to grind it, we might hope in due season to enjoy once more theblessing of bread."
"There's not likely to be any mills handy hereabout," said Wilkins;"but when folks is put to it, it's queer what shifts they can make. Justhand us over a handful of that there corn, my lass."
Wilkins soon found two flat stones suited to his purpose, spread theshelled grains on the larger stone and bruised the soft corn into apaste, which he handed over to Jenny, saying, "Here's yer dough, mother!now see and bake us a damper, bush fashion; it's poor clammy stuff yet abit, but a bad loaf's better nor no bread."
Then Wilkins showed Jenny that slovenly mode of bread-making, commoneven among the civilized colonists of Australia, the product of which isa sort of pancake baked in the ashes. But this substitute for the staffof life was thankfully received by those who had been so long deprivedof the genuine blessing; but the green paste was stringy and dry, andJenny proposed to blend a boiled potato with the next damper, to make itmore like bread.
"Nevertheless," said Arthur, "if we only boil it as a green vegetable,this acquisition will be an agreeable addition to our roast birds.Suppose we each reap a bundle of the ears to carry onwards: at allevents the grains will feed the fowls."
The boys soon cut down a quantity of the heads of the corn, and earlynext morning they rubbed out the grains, with which they filled severalbags, Ruth herself collecting a store for the poultry. Then, resolvingto wait till the heat of the day was over before they marched on theirjourney, Margaret employed herself in making useful bags of grass, whilethe young men sauntered about, observing the novelties around them, andprocuring from one of the clear rivulets a large provision of fish forthe day's consumption.
"And see, Margaret," said Gerald, "would you not have been proud, inEngland, of such a magnificent bouquet as this," presenting to her abrilliant assemblage of flowers.
"Now, papa, come to our assistance," said Margaret, "and name these'illustrious strangers.' Surely I scent among them our own deliciousJasmine."
"It certainly resembles the jasmine, as well in form, as in perfume,"answered Mr. Mayburn. "Yet, like all Australian productions, it differsessentially from the species it resembles. We will, however, name itjasmine. This golden flower of the ranunculus race, might represent thebutter-cup of our meadows, yet it certainly is not the butter-cup. Andthis might be a rose, with its slender stem, and pale-pink wax-likepetals--is it not a _Boronea_, Arthur? This crimson flower resembles thesweet-pea, of which it has the scent, and the papillonaceous form. Butit is vain to attempt to class, at once, a strange and marvellous newFlora. Well might Dr. Solander honor the first spot discovered of thislovely country with the name of Botany Bay, thus propheticallyanticipating the rich harvests naturalists should reap in its wealth ofplants. This is truly a tour of pleasure, my children, and I care nothow long I linger on the flowery road."
"If it were not for the flies and mosquitos, papa," added Hugh, rubbinghis tortured nose, which being rather prominent, was a favorite resortof the insects.
"What an advantage it is, in this country, to have a snub nose!" saidGerald. "Oh! my boy, it is my turn to laugh now. But I say, Arthur!Wilkins! What is yon fellow? See, papa, what a splendid spectacle!"
Not twenty yards from where they stood, and on part of the ground theyhad cleared from the tall grass, they saw, with admiration mingled withfear, an immense bright yellow and brown serpent slowly winding amongthe low stubble. No one seemed to know exactly how to act on seeing thisstrange visitor, except Gerald, who sprung forward, armed with a stoutstick; but Arthur forcibly held him back, and Wilkins said,--
"Let him be! let him be! ye'd best not mell on him. I ken his sneakingways; he never bites; but he squeezes like a millstone. Now then; he'safter his own business. See what he's at."
An elegant brownish-grey animal, which, though they now saw for thefirst time, they recognized at once, bounded from the grass; and whilethe boys were crying out in ecstacy, "The kangaroo! the kangaroo!" theysaw the wily serpent raise itself, and envelope the terrified animal inits coils; and they knew well the doom of the poor kangaroo, for theembrace of its foe was certain death.
"Now come on, all on ye; we're safe enough now," cried Wilkins; and allthe young men, armed with sticks, and undeterred by the shrieks of thewom
en, ran up to the animals, and attacked the serpent by striking thehead with repeated blows. When, roused to defence, it began to uncoilitself from its victim, knives were produced; and with many wounds, theysucceeded at length in putting an end to a creature at the very sight ofwhich man instinctively shudders.
"Be sartin he's dead," said Wilkins. "I'd niver trust them fellows; I'veseen one on 'em march off two ways when he's been cut in two pieces.They do say they niver die outright. But blacky has a way to settle andkeep him quiet: he just eats him."
To eat a serpent was an exploit at which the civilized stomach revolted;and the creature was abandoned to take its chance of reviving to commitmore destruction in the world, after Mr. Mayburn had examined it with asmuch interest as he could feel for a creature so abhorred. It was abouttwelve feet long, and certainly one of the Boa family, but resemblingmore the boa of Africa and Asia, than that of America. Mr. Mayburnearnestly desired to preserve the skin; but any additional incumbrancein the long pilgrimage that lay before them was not to be thought of,and he reluctantly relinquished the idea.
"I'd scorn to mell wi' such a foul beast," said Wilkins, "for t' sake ofhis bonnie skin; but by yer leave, I'se uncoil him, 'cause, ye see, abit of kangaroo meat will suit us as well as he. It's canny fair meat,specially about t' broad stern."
The kangaroo, which was but a young one, not standing more than fourfeet in height, was extricated from the murderous grasp of the boa; butwas almost flattened by the powerful pressure. The boys gathered roundthe strange animal with great curiosity, lost in admiration of itsgraceful form, powerful hind legs, and pretty small head. The long ears,divided upper lip, like that of the hare, long tapering tail, andremarkable pouch, in which a very young animal was found, were allremarked before it was skinned and turned over to the cooks. The skinwas then washed, and spread to dry, to be converted into boots whenthose useful articles of clothing should be needed.
Before they set out, part of the kangaroo flesh was roasted, or ratherbroiled, to be in readiness for supper, and the rest of the meat carriedoff by the willing Wilkins. Then, delighted with the novelties of theday, they went on in the same direction as before, walking cheerfullyalong, uninterrupted by any alarm, through the wild and charmingscenery, where bright skies, and birds and flowers, might have given afanciful mind the idea of an Arcadia.
The sudden darkness of the tropics compelled them to rest at the foot ofsome steep hills covered with brushwood, and opening on more forest-likescenery than any they had yet passed. Tiny rills trickled down thecrevices in the hills, and the rich emerald green of the turf proclaimeda moist soil, and assured them they were yet far from the dreadeddeserts.
Their night's rest was again painfully disturbed, for, though at a greatdistance, the peculiar _coo-ee_ of the natives was several timesdistinctly heard; nor would Mr. Mayburn and Margaret venture to sleeptill a watch was arranged, of two persons, who were instructed toconverse loudly the whole time; for, according to the report of Wilkins,the natives would never venture to attack a party who were prepared toreceive them.
"They'll be tracking us all along, Master Arthur," said Wilkins, as heand Arthur kept watch together. "That's their way. Then they think torun down on us unawares, to pick, and steal, and murder, and eat us upinto t' bargain, if they get a chance."
"Surely not, Wilkins," answered Arthur. "I know that the New Zealanderswere, in their original wild state, cannibals; but I never heard suchan abominable character given of the Australian aborigines."
"If ye have to rove long about t' bush," answered the man, "ye'll comeon many a picked bone that niver was that of a kangaroo or a 'possum.Why, they'll not mind telling ye as how man's flesh is twice as tenderas 'possum's. There's no dealing wi' 'em, master. They're just a meanlot. It were a bad job our losing them guns."
"It was a loss, Wilkins," said Arthur; "but I should not feel that I hadthe same right to shoot a native that I had to shoot a kangaroo."
"There's nought to choose atween 'em," replied Wilkins, "but justthis--we can make a good meal of a kangaroo, and a Christian must besore set afore he could stomach a black fellow."
"But even a black man has a soul, Wilkins," said Arthur.
"I question if these dogs have much of that," answered he; "and if theyhave oughts of soul, it's all given to him that's bad. Lord help us, Mr.Arthur, they're all, as one may say, lost; like them creaturs as oldmaster reads on, full of devils."
"And yet those unhappy men, so possessed, you remember, Wilkins,"answered Arthur, "were not lost beyond redemption. Our blessed Lord notonly banished the evil spirits, but forgave the men their sins. So mightthese ignorant natives, if they were taught and received God's holyword, yet be saved."
"I'se not set on gainsaying ye, Mr. Arthur, in that," said the man, "forI were nigh as bad as them mysel'; and is yet, for what I ken, if I'd achance to fall back. I'd like not, if I could help it; now when I kenreet fra' wrong; and pray God keep me fra' Black Peter and his crew."
"Hark Wilkins! did you hear a rustling?" asked Arthur.
"Nay, but I tell you what I heared," replied he. "I heared themcockatoos flacker and cry out, on yon trees; and depend on't they hear astrange foot."
"Then they are better watchmen than we are," said Arthur. "What shall wedo, Wilkins?"
"Just ye tell your folks not to be fleyed at nought," said he, "andwe'll set them rogues off in no time."
Arthur warned Margaret and his father not to be alarmed at any noisethey might hear, and the other young men, roused at the report of anassault, were soon in the ranks. Then, at a signal agreed, they raisedtheir voices in a simultaneous halloo! that rang against the rockyhills. A loud rustling succeeded, and a dozen dark figures, visible inthe moonlight, emerged from the bushes, and fled swiftly across theplain.
"Saved!" cried Hugh: "for this time at least. But, I say, Arthur, wemust not sleep in the bush every night, or they'll catch us at last. Isaw several fine roomy caves in the rocks as we came along. We must takepossession of the next we fall in with, and then we shall only have theentrance to guard."
"They held spears in their hands, I saw," said Gerald; "I wonder whythey did not send a few among us?"
"They're ower sly for that, Master Gerald," said Wilkins. "They'd liketo come on us all asleep, and butcher us. Now they'll dog us, day afterday; but if we hold on steady-like, we'se wear 'em out at last."
"If we could but put a good broad river between us," said Jack, "wemight feel safe. Did you see that stringy bark tree just at hand, Mr.Arthur? I marked it in my mind, and if Master Hugh, and you, and MasterO'Brien will help me, we will twist some long ropes, on our roadto-morrow, and then, I fancy, if we came to a river we could not ford,we might contrive a ferry-boat."