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+The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Crater, by James Fenimore Cooper
+
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+
+
+
+Title: The Crater
+
+Author: James Fenimore Cooper
+
+Release Date: March 14, 2004  [eBook #11573]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: iso-8859-1
+
+
+***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CRATER***
+
+
+E-text prepared by Project Gutenberg Distributed Proofreaders
+
+
+
+THE CRATER
+
+Or, Vulcan's Peak
+
+A Tale of the Pacific.
+
+By J. Fenimore Cooper.
+
+1863
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                                "Thus arise
+    Races of living things, glorious in strength
+    And perish, as the quickening breath of God
+    Fills them, or is withdrawn."--_Bryant._
+
+
+Complete In One Volume
+
+
+
+
+Preface.
+
+
+The reader of this book will very naturally be disposed to ask the
+question, why the geographies, histories, and other works of a similar
+character, have never made any mention of the regions and events that
+compose its subject. The answer is obvious enough, and ought to satisfy
+every mind, however "inquiring." The fact is, that the authors of the
+different works to which there is any allusion, most probably never
+heard there were any such places as the Reef, Rancocus Island, Vulcan's
+Peak, the Crater, and the other islands of which so much is said in our
+pages. In other words, they knew nothing about them.
+
+We shall very freely admit that, under ordinary circumstances, it would
+be _prima facie_ evidence against the existence of any spot on the face
+of this earth, that the geographies took no notice of it. It will be
+remembered, however, that the time was, and that only three centuries
+and a half since, when the geographies did not contain a syllable about
+the whole of the American continent; that it is not a century since they
+began to describe New Zealand, New Holland, Tahiti, Oahu, and a vast
+number of other places, that are now constantly alluded to, even in the
+daily journals. Very little is said in the largest geographies, of
+Japan, for instance; and it may be questioned if they might not just as
+well be altogether silent on the subject, as for any accurate
+information they do convey. In a word, much as is now known of the
+globe, a great deal still remains to be told, and we do not see why the
+"inquiring mind" should not seek for information in our pages, as well
+as in some that are ushered in to public notice by a flourish of
+literary trumpets, that are blown by presidents, vice-presidents and
+secretaries of various learned bodies.
+
+One thing we shall ever maintain, and that in the face of all who may be
+disposed to underrate the value of our labours, which is this:--there is
+not a word in these volumes which we now lay before the reader, _as
+grave matter of fact_, that is not entitled to the most implicit credit.
+We scorn deception. Lest, however, some cavillers may be found, we will
+present a few of those reasons which occur to our mind, on the spur of
+the moment, as tending to show that everything related here _might_ be
+just as true as Cook's voyages themselves. In the first place, this
+earth is large, and has sufficient surface to contain, not only all the
+islands mentioned in our pages, but a great many more. Something is
+established when the possibility of any hypothetical point is placed
+beyond dispute. Then, not one half as much was known of the islands of
+the Pacific, at the close of the last, and at the commencement of the
+present century, as is known to-day. In such a dearth of precise
+information, it may very well have happened that many things occurred
+touching which we have not said even one word. Again, it should never be
+forgotten that generations were born, lived their time, died, and have
+been forgotten, among those remote groups, about which no civilized man
+ever has, or ever will hear anything. If such be admitted to be the
+facts, why may not _all_ that is here related have happened, and equally
+escape the knowledge of the rest of the civilized world? During the wars
+of the French revolution, trifling events attracted but little of the
+general attention, and we are not to think of interests of this nature,
+in that day, as one would think of them now.
+
+Whatever may be thought of the authenticity of its incidents, we hope
+this book will be found not to be totally without a moral. Truth is not
+absolutely necessary to the illustration of a principle, the imaginary
+sometimes doing that office quite as effectually as the actual.
+
+The reader may next wish to know why the wonderful events related in
+these volumes have so long been hidden from the world. In answer to this
+we would ask if anyone can tell how many thousands of years the waters
+have tumbled down the cliffs at Niagara, or why it was that civilized
+men heard of the existence of this wonderful cataract so lately as only
+three centuries since. The fact is, there must be a beginning to
+everything; and now there is a beginning to the world's knowing the
+history of Vulcan's Peak, and the Crater. Lest the reader, however,
+should feel disposed to reproach the past age with having been negligent
+in its collection of historical and geological incidents, we would again
+remind him of the magnitude of the events that so naturally occupied its
+attention. It is scarcely possible, for instance, for one who did not
+live forty years ago to have any notion how completely the world was
+engaged in wondering at Napoleon and his marvellous career, which last
+contained even more extraordinary features than anything related here;
+though certainly of a very different character. All wondering, for near
+a quarter of a century, was monopolized by the French Revolution and its
+consequences.
+
+There are a few explanations, however, which are of a very humble nature
+compared with the principal events of our history, but which may as well
+be given here. The Woolston family still exists in Pennsylvania, and
+that, by the way, is something towards corroborating the truth of our
+narrative. Its most distinguished member is recently dead, and his
+journal has been the authority for most of the truths here related. He
+died at a good old age, having seen his three-score years and ten,
+leaving behind him, in addition to a very ample estate, not only a good
+character, which means neither more nor less than what "the neighbours,"
+amid their ignorance, envy, love of detraction, jealousy and other
+similar qualities, might think proper to say of him, but the odour of a
+well-spent life, in which he struggled hard to live more in favour with
+God, than in favour with man. It was remarked in him, for the last forty
+years of his life, or after his return to Bucks, that he regarded all
+popular demonstrations with distaste, and, as some of his enemies
+pretended, with contempt. Nevertheless, he strictly acquitted himself of
+all his public duties, and never neglected to vote. It is believed that
+his hopes for the future, meaning in a social and earthly sense, were
+not very vivid, and he was often heard to repeat that warning text of
+Scripture which tells us, "Let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed
+lest he fall."
+
+The faithful, and once lovely partner of this principal personage of our
+history is also dead. It would seem that it was not intended they should
+be long asunder. But their time was come, and they might almost be said
+to have departed in company. The same is true of Friends Robert and
+Martha, who have also filled their time, and gone hence, it is to be
+hoped to a better world. Some few of the younger persons of our drama
+still exist, but it has been remarked of them, that they avoid
+conversing of the events of their younger days. Youth is the season of
+hope, and hope disappointed has little to induce us to dwell on its
+deceptive pictures.
+
+If those who now live in this republic, can see any grounds for a timely
+warning in the events here recorded, it may happen that the mercy of a
+divine Creator may still preserve that which he has hitherto cherished
+and protected.
+
+It remains only to say that we have endeavoured to imitate the
+simplicity of Captain Woolston's journal, in writing this book, and
+should any homeliness of style be discovered, we trust it will be
+imputed to that circumstance.
+
+
+
+
+The Crater.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter I.
+
+
+
+    "'Twas a commodity lay fretting by you;
+    'Twill bring you gain, or perish on the seas."
+
+    _Taming of the Shrew._
+
+
+There is nothing in which American Liberty, not always as much
+restrained as it might be, has manifested a more decided tendency to run
+riot, than in the use of names. As for Christian names, the Heathen
+Mythology, the Bible, Ancient History, and all the classics, have long
+since been exhausted, and the organ of invention has been at work with
+an exuberance of imagination that is really wonderful for such a
+matter-of-fact people. Whence all the strange sounds have been derived
+which have thus been pressed into the service of this human
+nomenclature, it would puzzle the most ingenious philologist to say. The
+days of the Kates, and Dollys, and Pattys, and Bettys, have passed away,
+and in their stead we hear of Lowinys, and Orchistrys, Philenys,
+Alminys, Cytherys, Sarahlettys, Amindys, Marindys, &c. &c. &c. All these
+last appellations terminate properly with an a, but this unfortunate
+vowel, when a final letter, being popularly pronounced like y, we have
+adapted our spelling to the sound, which produces a complete bathos to
+all these flights in taste.
+
+The hero of this narrative was born fully sixty years since, and happily
+before the rage for modern appellations, though he just escaped being
+named after another system which we cannot say we altogether admire;
+that of using a family, for a christian name. This business of names is
+a sort of science in itself and we do believe that it is less
+understood and less attended to in this country than in almost all
+others. When a Spaniard writes his name as Juan de Castro y[1] Muņos, we
+know that his father belonged to the family of Castro and his mother to
+that of Muņos. The French, and Italian, and Russian woman, &c., writes
+on her card Madame this or that, _born_ so and so; all which tells the
+whole history of her individuality Many French women, in signing their
+names, prefix those of their own family to those of their husbands, a
+sensible and simple usage that we are glad to see is beginning to obtain
+among ourselves. The records on tomb-stones, too, might be made much
+more clear and useful than they now are, by stating distinctly who the
+party was, on both sides of the house, or by father and mother; and each
+married woman ought to be commemorated in some such fashion as this:
+"Here lies Jane Smith, wife of John Jones," &c., or, "Jane, daughter of
+Thomas Smith and wife of John Jones." We believe that, in some
+countries, a woman's name is not properly considered to be changed by
+marriage, but she becomes a Mrs. only in connection with the name of her
+husband. Thus Jane Smith becomes Mrs. _John_ Jones, but not Mrs. Jane
+Jones. It is on this idea we suppose that our ancestors the
+English--every Englishman, as a matter of course, being every American's
+ancestor--thus it is, we suppose, therefore, that our ancestors, who pay
+so much more attention to such matters than we do ourselves, in their
+table of courtesy, call the wife of Lord John Russell, Lady _John_, and
+not Lady--whatever her Christian name may happen to be. We suppose,
+moreover, it is on this principle that Mrs. General This, Mrs. Dr. That,
+and Mrs. Senator T'other, are as inaccurate as they are notoriously
+vulgar.
+
+     [Footnote 1: Some few of our readers may require to be told that,
+     in Spanish, y, pronounced as e, is the simple conjunction "and;"
+     thus this name is de Castro _and_ Muņos.]
+
+Mark Woolston came from a part of this great republic where the names
+are still as simple, unpretending, and as good Saxon English, as in the
+county of Kent itself. He was born in the little town of Bristol, Bucks
+county, Pennsylvania. This is a portion of the country that, Heaven be
+praised! still retains some of the good old-fashioned directness and
+simplicity. Bucks is full of Jacks, and Bens, and Dicks, and we question
+if there is such a creature, of native growth, in all that region, as an
+Ithusy, or a Seneky, or a Dianthy, or an Antonizetty, or a Deidamy.[2]
+The Woolstons, in particular, were a plain family, and very unpretending
+in their external appearance, but of solid and highly respectable habits
+around the domestic hearth. Knowing perfectly how to spell, they never
+dreamed anyone would suspect them of ignorance. They called themselves
+as their forefathers were called, that is to say, Wooster, or just as
+Worcester is pronounced; though a Yankee schoolmaster tried for a whole
+summer to persuade our hero, when a child, that he ought to be styled
+Wool-ston. This had no effect on Mark, who went on talking of his uncles
+and aunts, "Josy Wooster," and "Tommy Wooster," and "Peggy Wooster,"
+precisely as if a New England academy did not exist on earth; or as if
+Webster had not actually put Johnson under his feet!
+
+     [Footnote 2: Absurd and forced as these strange appellations may
+     appear, they are all genuine. The writer has collected a long list
+     of such names from real life, which he may one day
+     publish--Orchistra, Philena, and Almina are among them. To all the
+     names ending in a, it must be remembered that the sound of a final
+     y is given.]
+
+The father of Mark Woolston (or Wooster) was a physician, and, for the
+country and age, was a well-educated and skilful man. Mark was born in
+1777, just seventy years since, and only ten days before the surrender
+of Burgoyne. A good deal of attention was paid to his instruction, and
+fortunately for himself, his servitude under the eastern pedagogue was
+of very short duration, and Mark continued to speak the English language
+as his fathers had spoken it before him. The difference on the score of
+language, between Pennsylvania and New Jersey and Maryland, always
+keeping in the counties that were not settled by Germans or Irish, and
+the New England states, and _through_ them, New York, is really so
+obvious as to deserve a passing word. In the states first named,
+taverns, for instance, are still called the Dun Cow, the Indian Queen,
+or the Anchor: whereas such a thing would be hard to find, at this day,
+among the six millions of people who dwell in the latter. We question
+if there be such a thing as a coffee-house in all Philadelphia, though
+we admit it with grief, the respectable town of Brotherly Love has, in
+some respects, become infected with the spirit of innovation. Thus it is
+that good old "State House _Yard_" has been changed into "Independence
+Square." This certainly is not as bad as the _tour de force_ of the
+aldermen of Manhattan when they altered "Bear Market" into "_Washington_
+Market!" for it is not a prostitution of the name of a great man, in the
+first place, and there is a direct historical allusion in the new name
+that everybody can understand. Still, it is to be regretted; and we hope
+this will be the last thing of the sort that will ever occur, though we
+confers our confidence in Philadelphian stability and consistency is a
+good deal lessened, since we have learned, by means of a late law-suit,
+that there are fifty or sixty aldermen in the place; a number of those
+worthies that is quite sufficient to upset the proprieties, in Athens
+itself!
+
+Dr. Woolston had a competitor in another physician, who lived within a
+mile of him, and whose name was Yardley. Dr. Yardley was a very
+respectable person, had about the same degree of talents and knowledge
+as his neighbour and rival, but was much the richest man of the two. Dr.
+Yardley, however, had but one child, a daughter, whereas Dr. Woolston,
+with much less of means, had sons and daughters. Mark was the oldest of
+the family, and it was probably owing to this circumstance that he was
+so well educated, since the expense was not yet to be shared with that
+of keeping his brothers and sisters at schools of the same character.
+
+In 1777 an American college was little better than a high school. It
+could not be called, in strictness, a grammar school, inasmuch as all
+the sciences were glanced at, if not studied; but, as respects the
+classics, more than a grammar school it was not, nor that of a very high
+order. It was a consequence of the light nature of the studies, that
+mere boys graduated in those institutions. Such was the case with Mark
+Woolston, who would have taken his degree as a Bachelor of Arts, at
+Nassau Hall, Princeton, had not an event occurred, in his sixteenth
+year, which produced an entire change in his plan of life, and nipped
+his academical honours in the bud.
+
+Although it is unusual for square-rigged vessels of any size to ascend
+the Delaware higher than Philadelphia, the river is, in truth, navigable
+for such craft almost to Trenton Bridge. In the year 1793, when Mark
+Woolston was just sixteen, a full-rigged ship actually came up, and lay
+at the end of the wharf in Burlington, the little town nearly opposite
+to Bristol, where she attracted a great deal of the attention of all the
+youths of the vicinity. Mark was at home, in a vacation, and he passed
+half his time in and about that ship, crossing the river in a skiff of
+which he was the owner, in order to do so. From that hour young Mark
+affected the sea, and all the tears of his mother and eldest sister, the
+latter a pretty girl only two years his junior, and the more sober
+advice of his father, could not induce him to change his mind. A six
+weeks' vacation was passed in the discussion of this subject, when the
+Doctor yielded to his son's importunities, probably foreseeing he should
+have his hands full to educate his other children, and not unwilling to
+put this child, as early as possible, in the way of supporting himself.
+
+The commerce of America, in 1793, was already flourishing, and
+Philadelphia was then much the most important place in the country. Its
+East India trade, in particular, was very large and growing, and Dr.
+Woolston knew that fortunes were rapidly made by many engaged in it.
+After, turning the thing well over in his mind, he determined to consult
+Mark's inclinations, and to make a sailor of him. He had a cousin
+married to the sister of an East India, or rather of a Canton
+ship-master, and to this person the father applied for advice and
+assistance. Captain Crutchely very willingly consented to receive Mark
+in his own vessel, the Rancocus, and promised "to make a man and an
+officer of him."
+
+The very day Mark first saw the ocean he was sixteen years old. He had
+got his height, five feet eleven, and was strong for his years, and
+active. In fact, it would not have been easy to find a lad every way so
+well adapted to his new calling, as young Mark Woolston. The three years
+of his college life, if they had not made him a Newton, or a Bacon, had
+done him no harm, filling his mind with the germs of ideas that were
+destined afterwards to become extremely useful to him. The young man was
+already, indeed, a sort of factotum, being clever and handy at so many
+things and in so many different ways, as early to attract the attention
+of the officers. Long before the vessel reached the capes, he was at
+home in her, from her truck to her keelson, and Captain Crutchely
+remarked to his chief mate, the day they got to sea, that "young Mark
+Woolston was likely to turn up a trump."
+
+As for Mark himself, he did not lose sight of the land, for the first
+time in his life, altogether without regrets. He had a good deal of
+feeling in connection with his parents, and his brothers and sisters;
+but, as it is our aim to conceal nothing which ought to be revealed, we
+must add there was still another who filled his thoughts more than all
+the rest united. This person was Bridget Yardley, the only child of his
+father's most formidable professional competitor.
+
+The two physicians were obliged to keep up a sickly intercourse, not
+intending a pun. They were too often called in to consult together, to
+maintain an open war. While the heads of their respective families
+occasionally met, therefore, at the bed-side of their patients, the
+families themselves had no direct communications. It is true, that Mrs.
+Woolston and Mrs. Yardley were occasionally to be seen seated at the
+same tea-table, taking their hyson in company, for the recent trade with
+China had expelled the bohea from most of the better parlours of the
+country; nevertheless, these good ladies could not get to be cordial
+with each other. They themselves had a difference on religious points,
+that was almost as bitter as the differences of opinions between their
+husbands on the subject of alternatives. In that distant day,
+homoeopathy, and allopathy, and hydropathy, and all the opathies, were
+nearly unknown; but men could wrangle and abuse each other on medical
+points, just as well and as bitterly then, as they do now. Religion,
+too, quite as often failed to bear its proper fruits, in 1793, as it
+proves barren in these, our own times. On this subject of religion, we
+have one word to say, and that is, simply, that it never was a meet
+matter for self-gratulation and boasting. Here we have the
+Americo-Anglican church, just as it has finished a blast of trumpets,
+through the medium of numberless periodicals and a thousand letters from
+its confiding if not confident clergy, in honour of its quiet, and
+harmony, and superior polity, suspended on the very brink of the
+precipice of separation, if not of schism, and all because it has
+pleased certain ultra-sublimated divines in the other hemisphere, to
+write a parcel of tracts that nobody understands, themselves included.
+How many even of the ministers of the altar fall, at the very moment
+they are beginning to fancy themselves saints, and are ready to thank
+God they are "not like the publicans!"
+
+Both. Mrs. Woolston and Mrs. Yardley were what is called 'pious;' that
+is, each said her prayers, each went to her particular church, and very
+_particular_ churches they were; each fancied she had a sufficiency of
+saving faith, but neither was charitable enough to think, in a very
+friendly temper, of the other. This difference of religious opinion,
+added to the rival reputations of their husbands, made these ladies
+anything but good neighbours, and, as has been intimated, years had
+passed since either had entered the door of the other.
+
+Very different was the feeling of the children. Anne Woolston, the
+oldest sister of Mark, and Bridget Yardley, were nearly of an age, and
+they were not only school-mates, but fast friends. To give their mothers
+their due, they did not lessen this intimacy by hints, or intimations of
+any sort, but let the girls obey their own tastes, as if satisfied it
+was quite sufficient for "professors of religion" to hate in their own
+persons, without entailing the feeling on posterity. Anne and Bridget
+consequently became warm friends, the two sweet, pretty young things
+both believing, in the simplicity of their hearts, that the very
+circumstance which in truth caused the alienation, not to say the
+hostility of the elder members of their respective families, viz.
+professional identity, was an additional reason why _they_ should love
+each other so much the more. The girls were about two and three years
+the juniors of Mark, but well grown for their time of life, and frank
+and affectionate as innocence and warm hearts could make them. Each was
+more than pretty, though it was in styles so very different, as
+scarcely to produce any of that other sort of rivalry, which is so apt
+to occur even in the gentler sex. Anne had bloom, and features, and fine
+teeth, and, a charm that is so very common in America, a good mouth; but
+Bridget had all these added to expression. Nothing could be more soft,
+gentle and feminine, than Bridget Yardley's countenance, in its ordinary
+state of rest; or more spirited, laughing, buoyant or pitying than it
+became, as the different passions or feelings were excited in her young
+bosom. As Mark was often sent to see his sister home, in her frequent
+visits to the madam's house, where the two girls held most of their
+intercourse, he was naturally enough admitted into their association.
+The connection commenced by Mark's agreeing to be Bridget's brother, as
+well as Anne's. This was generous, at least; for Bridget was an only
+child, and it was no more than right to repair the wrongs of fortune in
+this particular. The charming young thing declared that she would
+"rather have Mark Woolston for her brother than any other boy in
+Bristol; and that it was delightful to have the same person for a
+brother as Anne!" Notwithstanding this flight in the romantic, Bridget
+Yardley was as natural as it was possible for a female in a reasonably
+civilized condition of society to be. There was a vast deal of
+excellent, feminine self-devotion in her temperament, but not a particle
+of the exaggerated, in either sentiment or fueling. True as steel in all
+her impulses and opinions, in adopting Mark for a brother she merely
+yielded to a strong natural sympathy, without understanding its tendency
+or its origin. She would talk by the hour, with Anne, touching _their_
+brother, and what they must make him do, and where he must go with them,
+and in what they could oblige him most. The real sister was less active
+than her friend, in mind and body, and she listened to all these schemes
+and notions with a quiet submission that was not entirely free from
+wonder.
+
+The result of all this intercourse was to awaken a feeling between Mark
+and Bridget, that was far more profound than might have been thought in
+breasts so young, and which coloured their future lives. Mark first
+became conscious of the strength of this feeling when he lost sight of
+the Capes, and fancied the dear little. Bucks county girl he had left
+behind him, talking with his sister of his own absence and risks. But
+Mark had too much of the true spirit of a sailor in him, to pine, or
+neglect his duty; and, long ere the ship had doubled the Cape of Good
+Hope, he had become an active and handy lad aloft. When the ship reached
+the China seas, he actually took his trick at the helm.
+
+As was usual in that day, the voyage of the Rancocus lasted about a
+twelvemonth. If John Chinaman were only one-half as active as Jonathan
+Restless, it might be disposed of in about one-fourth less time; but
+teas are not transported along the canals of the Celestial Empire with
+anything like the rapidity with which wheat was sent to market over the
+rough roads of the Great Republic, in the age of which we are writing.
+
+When Mark Woolston re-appeared in Bristol, after the arrival of the
+Rancocus below had been known there about twenty-four hours, he was the
+envy of all the lads in the place, and the admiration of most of the
+girls. There he was, a tall, straight, active, well-made, well-grown and
+decidedly handsome lad of seventeen, who had doubled the Cape of Good
+Hope, seen foreign parts, and had a real India handkerchief hanging out
+of each pocket of a blue round-about of superfine cloth, besides one
+around his half-open well-formed throat, that was carelessly tied in a
+true sailor knot! The questions he had to answer, and _did_ answer,
+about whales, Chinese feet, and "mountain waves!" Although Bristol lies
+on a navigable river, up and down which frigates had actually been seen
+to pass in the revolution, it was but little that its people knew of the
+ocean. Most of the worthy inhabitants of the place actually fancied that
+the waves of the sea were as high as mountains, though their notions of
+the last were not very precise, there being no elevations in that part
+of the country fit even for a windmill.
+
+But Mark cared little for these interrogatories. He was happy; happy
+enough, at being the object of so much attention; happier still in the
+bosom of a family of which he had always been the favourite and was now
+the pride; and happiest of all when he half ravished a kiss from the
+blushing cheek of Bridget Yardley. Twelve months had done a great deal
+for each of the young couple. If they had not quite made a man of Mark,
+they had made him manly, and his _soi-disant_ sister wondered that any
+one could be so much improved by a sea-faring life. As for Bridget,
+herself, she was just bursting into young womanhood, resembling the bud
+as its leaves of green are opening to permit those of the deepest
+rose-coloured tint to be seen, before they expand into the full-blown
+flower. Mark was more than delighted, he was fascinated; and young as
+they were, the month he passed at home sufficed to enable him to tell
+his passion, and to obtain a half-ready, half-timid acceptance of the
+offer of his hand. All this time, the parents of these very youthful
+lovers were as profoundly ignorant of what was going on, as their
+children were unobservant of the height to which professional
+competition had carried hostilities between their respective parents.
+Doctors Woolston and Yardley no longer met even in consultations; or, if
+they did meet in the house of some patient whose patronage was of too
+much value to be slighted, it was only to dispute, and sometimes
+absolutely to quarrel.
+
+At the end of one short month, however, Mark was once more summoned to
+his post on board the Rancocus, temporarily putting an end to his
+delightful interviews with Bridget. The lovers had made Anne their
+confidant, and she, well-meaning girl, seeing no sufficient reason why
+the son of one respectable physician should not be a suitable match for
+the daughter of another respectable physician, encouraged them in their
+vows of constancy, and pledges to become man and wife at a future, but
+an early day. To some persons all this may seem exceedingly improper, as
+well as extremely precocious; but the truth compels us to say, that its
+impropriety was by no means as obvious as its precocity. The latter it
+certainly was, though Mark had shot up early, and was a man at a time of
+life when lads, in less genial climates, scarcely get tails to their
+coats; but its impropriety must evidently be measured by the habits of
+the state of society in which the parties were brought up, and by the
+duties that had been inculcated. In America, then, as now, but little
+heed was taken by parents, more especially in what may be called the
+middle classes, concerning the connections thus formed by their
+children. So Long as the parties were moral, bore good characters, had
+nothing particular against them, and were of something near the same
+social station, little else was asked for; or, if more were actually
+required, it was usually when it was too late, and after the young
+people had got themselves too deeply in love to allow ordinary
+prudential reasons to have their due force.
+
+Mark went to sea this time, dragging after him a "lengthening chain,"
+but, nevertheless, filled with hope. His years forbade much despondency,
+and, while he remained as constant as if he had been a next-door
+neighbour, he was buoyant, and the life of the whole crew, after the
+first week out. This voyage was not direct to Canton, like the first;
+but the ship took a cargo of sugar to Amsterdam, and thence went to
+London, where she got a freight for Cadiz. The war of the French
+Revolution was now blazing in all the heat of its first fires, and
+American bottoms were obtaining a large portion of the carrying trade of
+the world. Captain Crutchely had orders to keep the ship in Europe,
+making the most of her, until a certain sum in Spanish dollars could be
+collected, when he was to fill up with provisions and water, and again
+make the best of his way to Canton. In obeying these instructions, he
+went from port to port; and, as a sort of consequence of having Quaker
+owners, turning his peaceful character to great profit, thus giving Mark
+many opportunities of seeing as much of what is called the world, as can
+be found in sea-ports. Great, indeed, is the difference between places
+that are merely the marts of commerce, and those that are really
+political capitals of large countries! No one can be aware of, or can
+fully appreciate the many points of difference that, in reality, exist
+between such places, who has not seen each, and that sufficiently near
+to be familiar with both. Some places, of which London is the most
+remarkable example, enjoy both characters; and, when this occurs, the
+town gels to possess a tone that is even less provincial and narrow, if
+possible, than that which is to be found in a place that merely rejoices
+in a court. This it is which renders Naples, insignificant as its
+commerce comparatively is, superior to Vienna, and Genoa to Florence.
+While it would be folly to pretend that Mark, in his situation, obtained
+the most accurate notions imaginable of all he saw and heard, in his
+visits to Amsterdam, London, Cadiz, Bordeaux, Marseilles, Leghorn,
+Gibraltar, and two or three other ports that might be mentioned and to
+which he went, he did glean a good deal, some of which was useful to him
+in after-life. He lost no small portion of the provincial rust of home,
+moreover, and began to understand the vast difference between "seeing
+the world" and "going to meeting and going to mill."[3] In addition to
+these advantages, Mark was transferred from the forecastle to the cabin
+before the ship sailed for Canton. The practice of near two years had
+made him a very tolerable sailor, and his previous education made the
+study of navigation easy to him. In that day there was a scarcity of
+officers in America, and a young man of Mark's advantages, physical and
+moral, was certain to get on rapidly, provided he only behaved well. It
+is not at all surprising, therefore, that our young sailor got to be the
+second-mate of the Raucocus before he had quite completed his eighteenth
+year.
+
+     [Footnote 3: This last phrase has often caused the writer to smile,
+     when he has heard a countryman say, with a satisfied air, as is so
+     often the case in this good republic, that "such or such a thing
+     here is good enough for _me_;" meaning that he questions if there
+     be anything of the sort that is better anywhere else. It was
+     uttered many years since, by a shrewd Quaker, in West-Chester, who
+     was contending with a neighbour on a subject that the other
+     endeavoured to defend by alluding to the extent of his own
+     observation. "Oh, yes, Josy," answered the Friend, "thee's been to
+     meeting and thee's been to mill, and thee knows all about it!"
+     America is full of travellers who have been to meeting and who have
+     been to mill. This it is which makes it unnecessarily provincial.]
+
+The voyage from London to Canton, and thence home to Philadelphia,
+consumed about ten months. The Rancocus was a fast vessel, but she could
+not impart her speed to the Chinamen. It followed that Mark wanted but a
+few weeks of being nineteen years old the day his ship passed Cape May,
+and, what was more, he had the promise of Captain Crutchely, of sailing
+with him, as his first officer, in the next voyage. With that promise in
+his mind, Mark hastened up the river to Bristol, as soon as he was clear
+of the vessel.
+
+Bridget Yardley had now fairly budded, to pursue the figure with which
+we commenced the description of this blooming flower, and, if not
+actually expanded into perfect womanhood, was so near it as to show
+beyond all question that the promises of her childhood were to be very
+amply redeemed. Mark found her in black, however; or, in mourning for
+her mother. An only child, this serious loss had thrown her more than
+ever in the way of Anne, the parents on both sides winking at an
+association that could do no harm, and which might prove so useful. It
+was very different, however, with the young sailor. He had not been a
+fortnight at home, and getting to be intimate with the roof-tree of
+Doctor Yardley, before that person saw fit to pick a quarrel with him,
+and to forbid him his house. As the dispute was wholly gratuitous on the
+part of the Doctor, Mark behaving with perfect propriety on the
+occasion, it may be well to explain its real cause. The fact was, that
+Bridget was an heiress; if not on a very large scale, still an heiress,
+and, what was more, unalterably so in right of her mother; and the
+thought that a son of his competitor, Doctor Woolston, should profit by
+this fact, was utterly insupportable to him. Accordingly he quarrelled
+with Mark, the instant he was apprised of the character of his
+attentions, and forbade him the house, To do Mark justice, he knew
+nothing of Bridget's worldly possessions. That she was beautiful, and
+warm-hearted, and frank, and sweet-tempered, and feminine, and
+affectionate, he both saw and felt; but beyond this he neither saw
+anything, nor cared about seeing anything. The young sailor was as
+profoundly ignorant that Bridget was the actual owner of certain three
+per cents, that brought twelve hundred a year, as if she did not own a
+'copper,' as it was the fashion of that period to say,'_cents_' being
+then very little, if at all, used. Nor did he know anything of the farm
+she had inherited from her mother, or of the store in town, that brought
+three hundred and fifty more in rent. It is true that some allusions
+were made to these matters by Doctor Yardley, in his angry comments on
+the Woolston family generally, Anne always excepted, and in whose
+flavour he made a salvo, even in the height of his denunciations. Still.
+Mark thought so much of that which was really estimable and admirable
+in Bridget, and so little of anything mercenary, that even after these
+revelations he could not comprehend the causes of Doctor Yardley's harsh
+treatment of him. During the whole scene, which was purposely enacted in
+the presence of his wondering and trembling daughter, Mark behaved
+perfectly well. He had a respect for the Doctor's years, as well as for
+Bridget's father, and would not retort. After waiting as long as he
+conceived waiting could be of any use, he seized his hat, and left the
+room with an air of resentment that Bridget construed into the
+expression of an intention never to speak to any of them again. But Mark
+Woolston was governed by no such design, as the sequel will show.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter II.
+
+
+
+    "She's not fourteen."
+            "I'll lay fourteen of my teeth,
+    And yet, to my teen be it spoken, I have but four,--
+    She is not fourteen."--
+
+    _Romeo and Juliet._
+
+
+Divine wisdom has commanded us to "Honour your father and your mother."
+Observant travellers affirm that less respect is paid to parents in
+America, than is usual in Christian nations--we say _Christian_ nations;
+for many of the heathen, the Chinese for instance, worship them, though
+probably with an allegorical connection that we do not understand. That
+the parental tie is more loose in this country than in most others we
+believe, and there is a reason to be found for it in the migratory
+habits of the people, and in the general looseness in all the ties that
+connect men with the past. The laws on the subject of matrimony,
+moreover, are so very lax, intercourse is so simple and has so many
+facilities, and the young of the two sexes are left so much to
+themselves, that it is no wonder children form that connection so often
+without reflection and contrary to the wishes of their friends. Still,
+the law of God is there, and we are among those who believe that a
+neglect of its mandates is very apt to bring its punishment, even in
+this world, and we are inclined to think that much of that which Mark
+and Bridget subsequently suffered, was in consequence of acting directly
+in the face of the wishes and injunctions of their parents.
+
+The scene which had taken place under the roof of Doctor Yardley was
+soon known under that of Doctor Woolston. Although the last individual
+was fully aware that Bridget was what was then esteemed rich, at
+Bristol, he cared not for her money. The girl he liked well enough, and
+in secret even admired her as much as he could find it in his heart to
+admire anything of Doctor Yardley's; but the indignity was one he was by
+no means inclined to overlook, and, in his turn, he forbade all
+intercourse between the girls. These two bitter pills, thus administered
+by the village doctors to their respective patients, made the young
+people very miserable. Bridget loved Anne almost as much as she loved
+Mark, and she began to pine and alter in her appearance, in a way to
+alarm her father. In order to divert her mind, he sent her to town, to
+the care of an aunt, altogether forgetting that Mark's ship lay at the
+wharves of Philadelphia, and that he could not have sent his daughter to
+any place, out of Bristol, where the young man would be so likely to
+find her. This danger the good doctor entirely overlooked, or, if he
+thought of it at all, he must have fancied that his sister would keep a
+sharp eye on the movements of the young sailor, and forbid him _her_
+house, too.
+
+Everything turned out as the Doctor ought to have expected. When Mark
+joined his ship, of which he was now the first officer, he sought
+Bridget and found her. The aunt, however, administered to him the second
+potion of the same dose that her brother had originally dealt out, and
+gave him to understand that his presence in Front street was not
+desired. This irritated both the young people, Bridget being far less
+disposed to submit to her aunt than to her father, and they met
+clandestinely in the streets. A week or two of this intercourse brought
+matters to a crisis, and Bridget consented to a private marriage. The
+idea of again going to sea, leaving his betrothed entirely in the hands
+of those who disliked him for his father's sake, was intolerable to
+Mark, and it made him so miserable, that the tenderness of the deeply
+enamoured girl could not withstand his appeals. They agreed to get
+married, but to keep their union a secret until Mark should become of
+age, when it was hoped he would be in a condition, in every point of
+view, openly to claim his wife.
+
+A thing of this sort, once decided on, is easily enough put in execution
+in America. Among Mark's college friends was one who was a few years
+older than himself, and who had entered the ministry. This young man was
+then acting as a sort of missionary among the seamen of the port, and he
+had fallen in the way of the young lover the very first day of his
+return to his ship. It was an easy matter to work on the good nature of
+this easy-minded man, who, on hearing of the ill treatment offered to
+his friend, was willing enough to perform the ceremony. Everything being
+previously arranged, Mark and Bridget were married, early one morning,
+during the time the latter was out, in company with a female friend of
+about her own age, to take what her aunt believed was her customary walk
+before breakfast. Philadelphia, in 1796, was not the town it is to-day.
+It then lay, almost entirely, on the shores of the Delaware, those of
+the Schuylkill being completely in the country. What was more, the best
+quarters were still near the river, and the distance between the
+Rancocus--meaning Mark's ship, and not the creek of that name--and the
+house of Bridget's aunt, was but trifling. The ceremony took place in
+the cabin of the vessel just named, which, now that the captain was
+ashore in his own house, Mark had all to himself, no second-mate having
+been shipped, and which was by no means an inappropriate place for the
+nuptials of a pair like that which our young people turned out to be, in
+the end.
+
+The Rancocus, though not a large, was a very fine, Philadelphia-built
+ship, then the best vessels of the country. She was of a little less
+than four hundred tons in measurement, but she had a very neat and
+commodious poop-cabin. Captain Crutchely had a thrifty wife, who had
+contributed her full share to render her husband comfortable, and
+Bridget thought that the room in which she was united to Mark was one of
+the prettiest she had ever seen. The reader, however, is not to imagine
+it a cabin ornamented with marble columns, rose-wood, and the maples, as
+so often happens now-a-days. No such extravagance was dreamed of fifty
+years ago; but, as far as judicious arrangements, neat joiner's work,
+and appropriate furniture went, the cabin of the Rancocus was a very
+respectable little room. The circumstance that it was on deck,
+contributed largely to its appearance and comfort, sunken cabins, or
+those below decks, being necessarily much circumscribed in small ships,
+in consequence of being placed in a part of the vessel that is
+contracted in its dimensions under water, in order to help their sailing
+qualities.
+
+The witnesses of the union of our hero and heroine were the female
+friend of Bridget named, the officiating clergyman, and one seaman who
+had sailed with the bridegroom in all his voyages, and who was now
+retained on board the vessel as a ship-keeper, intending to go out in
+her again as soon as she should be ready for sea. The name of this
+mariner was Betts, or Bob Betts as he was commonly called; and as he
+acts a conspicuous part in the events to be recorded, it may be well to
+say a word or two more of his history and character; Bob Betts was a
+Jerseyman;--or, as he would have pronounced the word himself, a
+Jarseyman--in the American meaning of the word, however, and not in the
+English. Bob was born in Cape May county, and in the _State_ of New
+Jersey, United States of America. At the period of which we are now
+writing, he must have been about five-and-thirty, and seemingly a
+confirmed bachelor. The windows of Bob's father's house looked out upon
+the Atlantic Ocean, and he snuffed sea air from the hour of his birth.
+At eight years of age he was placed, as cabin-boy, on board a coaster;
+and from that time down to the moment when he witnessed the marriage
+ceremony between Mark and Bridget, he had been a sailor. Throughout the
+whole war of the revolution Bob had served in the navy, in some vessel
+or other, and with great good luck, never having been made a prisoner of
+war. In connection with this circumstance was one of the besetting
+weaknesses of his character. As often happens to men of no very great
+breadth of views, Bob had a notion that that which he had so
+successfully escaped, viz. captivity, other men too might have escaped
+had they been equally as clever. Thus it was that he had an
+ill-concealed, or only half-concealed contempt for such seamen as
+suffered themselves, at any time or under any circumstances, to fall
+into the enemies' hands. On all other subjects Bob was not only
+rational, but a very discreet and shrewd fellow, though on that he was
+often harsh, and sometimes absurd. But the best men have their weakness,
+and this was Bob Betts's.
+
+Captain Crutchely had picked up Bob, just after the peace of 1783, and
+had kept him with him ever since. It was to Bob that he had committed
+the instruction of Mark, when the latter first joined the ship, and from
+Bob the youth had got his earliest notions of seamanship. In his calling
+Bob was full of resources, and, as often happens with the American
+sailor, he was even handy at a great many other things, and particularly
+so with whatever related to practical mechanics. Then he was of vast
+physical force, standing six feet two, in his stockings, and was
+round-built and solid. Bob had one sterling quality--he was as fast a
+friend as ever existed. In this respect he was a model of fidelity,
+never seeing a fault in those he loved, or a good quality in those he
+disliked. His attachment to Mark was signal, and he looked on the
+promotion of the young man much as he would have regarded preferment
+that befel himself. In the last voyage he had told the people in the
+forecastle "That young Mark Woolston would make a thorough sea-dog in
+time, and now he had got to be _Mr._ Woolston, he expected great things
+of him. The happiest day of my life will be that on which I can ship in
+a craft commanded by _Captain_ Mark Woolston. I teached him, myself, how
+to break the first sea-biscuit he ever tasted, and next day he could do
+it as well as any on us! You see how handy and quick he is about a
+vessel's decks, shipmates; a ra'al rouser at a weather earin'--well,
+when he first come aboard here, and that was little more than two years
+ago, the smell of tar would almost make him swound away." The latter
+assertion was one of Bob's embellishments, for Mark was never either
+lackadaisical or very delicate. The young man cordially returned Bob's
+regard, and the two were sincere friends without any phrases on the
+subject.
+
+Bob Betts was the only male witness of the marriage between Mark
+Woolston and Bridget Yardley, with the exception of the officiating
+clergyman; as Mary Bromley was the only female. Duplicate certificates,
+however, were given to the young couple, Mark placing his in his
+writing-desk, and Bridget hers in the bosom of her dress. Five minutes
+after the ceremony was ended, the whole party separated, the girls
+returning to their respective residences, and the clergyman going his
+way, leaving the mate and the ship-keeper together on the vessel's deck.
+The latter did not speak, so long as he saw the bridegroom's eyes
+fastened on the light form of the bride, as the latter went swiftly up
+the retired wharf where the ship was lying, on her way to Front street,
+accompanied by her young friend. But, no sooner had Bridget turned a
+corner, and Bob saw that the attraction was no longer in view, than he
+thought it becoming to put in a word.
+
+"A trim-built and light-sailing craft, Mr. Woolston," he said, turning
+over the quid in his mouth; "one of these days she'll make a noble
+vessel to command."
+
+"She is my captain, and ever will be, Bob," returned Mark. "But you'll
+be silent concerning what has passed."
+
+"Ay, ay, sir. It is not my business to keep a log for all the women in
+the country to chatter about, like so many monkeys that have found a bag
+of nuts. But what was the meaning of the parson's saying, 'with all my
+worldly goods I thee endow'--does that make you any richer, or any
+poorer, sir?"
+
+"Neither," answered Mark, smiling. "It leaves me just where I was, Bob,
+and where I am likely to be for some time to come, I fear."
+
+"And has the young woman nothing herself, sir? Sometimes a body picks up
+a comfortable chest-full with these sort of things, as they tell me,
+sir."
+
+"I believe Bridget is as poor as I am myself, Bob, and that is saying
+all that can be said on such a point. However, I've secured her now,
+and two years hence I'll claim her, if she has not a second gown to
+wear. I dare say the old man will be for turning her adrift with as
+little as possible."
+
+All this was a proof of Mark's entire disinterestedness. He did not know
+that his young bride had quite thirty thousand dollars in reversion, or
+in one sense in possession, although she could derive no benefit from it
+until she was of age, or married, and past her eighteenth year. This
+fact her husband did not learn for several days after his marriage, when
+his bride communicated it to him, with a proposal that he should quit
+the sea and remain with her for life. Mark was very much in love, but
+this scheme scarce afforded him the satisfaction that one might have
+expected. He was attached to his profession, and scarce relished the
+thought of being dependent altogether on his wife for the means of
+subsistence. The struggle between love and pride was great, but Mark, at
+length, yielded to Bridget's blandishments, tenderness and tears. They
+could only meet at the house of Mary Bromley, the bride's-maid, but then
+the interviews between them were as frequent as Mark's duty would allow.
+The result was that Bridget prevailed, and the young husband went up to
+Bristol and candidly related all that had passed, thus revealing, in
+less than a week, a secret which it was intended should remain hid for
+at least two years.
+
+Doctor Woolston was sorely displeased, at first; but the event had that
+about it which would be apt to console a parent. Bridget was not only
+young, and affectionate, and beautiful, and truthful; but, according to
+the standard of Bristol, she was rich. There was consolation in all
+this, notwithstanding professional rivalry and personal dislikes. We are
+not quite certain that he did not feel a slight gratification at the
+thought of his son's enjoying the fortune which his rival had received
+from his wife, and which, but for the will of the grandfather, would
+have been enjoyed by that rival himself. Nevertheless, the good Doctor
+did his duty in the premises. He communicated the news of the marriage
+to Doctor Yardley in a very civilly-worded note, which left a fair
+opening for a settlement of all difficulties, had the latter been so
+pleased. The latter did not so please, however, but exploded in a
+terrible burst of passion, which almost carried him off in a fit of
+apoplexy.
+
+Escaping all physical dangers, in the end, Doctor Yardley went
+immediately to Philadelphia, and brought his daughter home. Both Mark
+and Bridget now felt that they had offended against one of the simplest
+commands of God. They had _not_ honoured their father and their mother,
+and even thus early came the consciousness of their offence. It was in
+Mark's power, however, to go and claim his wife, and remove her to his
+father's house, notwithstanding his minority and that of Bridget. In
+this last respect, the law offered no obstacle; but the discretion of
+Doctor Woolston did. This gentleman, through the agency of a common
+friend, had an interview with his competitor, and they talked the matter
+over in a tolerably composed and reasonable temper. Both the parents, as
+medical men, agreed that it would be better that the young couple should
+not live together for two or three years, the very tender age of
+Bridget, in particular, rendering this humane, as well as discreet.
+Nothing was said of the fortune, which mollified Doctor Yardley a good
+deal, since he would be left to manage it, or at least to receive the
+income so long as no legal claimant interfered with his control. Elderly
+gentlemen submit very easily to this sort of influence. Then, Doctor
+Woolston was exceedingly polite, and spoke to his rival of a difficult
+case in his own practice, as if indirectly to ask an opinion of his
+competitor. All this contributed to render the interview more amicable
+than had been hoped, and the parties separated, if not friends, at least
+with an understanding on the subject of future proceedings.
+
+It was decided that Mark should continue in the Rancocus for another
+voyage. It was known the ship was to proceed to some of the islands of
+the Pacific, in quest of a cargo of sandal-wood and bęche-le-mar, for
+the Chinese market, and that her next absence from home would be longer,
+even, than her last. By the time the vessel returned, Mark would be of
+age, and fit to command a ship himself, should it be thought expedient
+for him to continue in his profession. During the period the vessel
+still remained in port, Mark was to pay occasional visits to his wife,
+though not to live with her; but the young couple might correspond by
+letter, as often as they pleased. Such was an outline of the treaty made
+between the high contracting parties.
+
+In making these arrangements, Doctor Yardley was partly influenced by a
+real paternal interest in the welfare of his daughter, who he thought
+altogether too young to enter on the duties and cares of the married
+life. Below the surface, however, existed an indefinite hope that
+something might yet occur to prevent the consummation of this most
+unfortunate union, as he deemed the marriage to be, and thus enable him
+to get rid of the hateful connection altogether. How this was to happen,
+the worthy doctor certainly did not know. This was because he lived in
+1796, instead of in 1847. Now-a-days, nothing is easier than to separate
+a man from his wife, unless it be to obtain civic honours for a
+murderer. Doctor Yardley, at the present moment, would have coolly gone
+to work to get up a lamentable tale about his daughter's fortune, and
+youth, and her not knowing her own mind when she married, and a ship's
+cabin, and a few other embellishments of that sort, when the worthy and
+benevolent statesmen who compose the different legislatures of this vast
+Union would have been ready to break their necks, in order to pass a
+bill of divorce. Had there been a child or two, it would have made no
+great difference, for means would have been devised to give the custody
+of them to the mother. This would have been done, quite likely, for the
+first five years of the lives of the dear little things, because the
+children would naturally require a mother's care; and afterwards,
+because the precocious darlings, at the mature age of seven, would
+declare, in open court, that they really loved 'ma' more than they did
+'pa'! To write a little plainly on a very important subject, we are of
+opinion that a new name ought to be adopted for the form of government
+which is so fast creeping into this country. New things require new
+names; and, were Solomon now living, we will venture to predict two
+things of him, viz. he would change his mind on the subject of
+novelties, and he would never go to congress. As for the new name, we
+would respectfully suggest that of Gossipian, in lieu of that of
+Republican, gossip fast becoming the lever that moves everything in the
+land. The newspapers, true to their instincts of consulting the ruling
+tastes, deal much more in gossip than they deal in reason; the courts
+admit it as evidence; the juries receive it as fact, as well as the law;
+and as for the legislatures, let a piteous tale but circulate freely in
+the lobbies, and bearded men, like Juliet when a child, as described by
+her nurse, will "stint and cry, ay!" In a word, principles and proof are
+in much less esteem than assertions and numbers, backed with enough of
+which, anything may be made to appear as legal, or even constitutional.
+
+But neither of our doctors entered into all these matters. It was enough
+for them that the affair of the marriage was disposed of, for a time at
+least, and things were permitted to drop into their ancient channels.
+The intercourse between Bridget and Anne was renewed, just as if nothing
+had happened, and Mark's letters to his virgin bride were numerous, and
+filled with passion. The ship was 'taking in,' and he could only leave
+her late on Saturday afternoons, but each Sunday he contrived to pass in
+Bristol. On such occasions he saw his charming wife at church, and he
+walked with her in the fields, along with Anne and a favoured admirer of
+hers, of an afternoon, returning to town in season to be at his post on
+the opening of the hatches, of a Monday morning.
+
+In less than a month after the premature marriage between Mark Woolston
+and Bridget Yardley, the Rancocus cleared for the Pacific and Canton.
+The bridegroom found one day to pass in Bristol, and Doctor Yardley so
+far pitied his daughter's distress, as to consent that the two girls
+should go to town, under his own care, and see the young man off. This
+concession was received with the deepest gratitude, and made the young
+people momentarily very happy. The doctor even consented to visit the
+ship, which Captain Crutchely, laughing, called St. Mark's chapel, in
+consequence of the religious rite which had been performed on board her.
+Mrs. Crutchely was there, on the occasion of this visit, attending to
+her husband's comforts, by fitting curtains to his berth, and looking
+after matters in general in the cabin; and divers jokes were ventured
+by the honest ship-master, in making his comments on, and in giving his
+opinion of the handy-work of his own consort. He made Bridget blush more
+than once, though her enduring tenderness in behalf of Mark induced her
+to sit out all the captain's wit, rather than shorten a visit so
+precious, one moment.
+
+The final parting was an hour of bitter sorrow. Even Mark's young heart,
+manly, and much disposed to do his duty as he was, was near breaking:
+while Bridget almost dissolved in tears. They could not but think how
+long that separation was to last, though they did not anticipate by what
+great and mysterious events it was to be prolonged. It was enough for
+them, that they were to live asunder two whole years; and two whole
+years appear like an age to those who have not yet lived their four
+lustrums. But the final moment must and did arrive, and the young people
+were compelled to tear themselves asunder, though the parting was like
+that of soul and body. The bride hung on the bridegroom's neck, as the
+tendril clings to its support, until removed by gentle violence.
+
+Bridget did not give up her hold upon Mark so long as even his vessel
+remained in sight. She went with Anne, in a carriage, as low as the
+Point, and saw the Rancocus pass swiftly down the river, on this its
+fourth voyage, bearing those in her who as little dreamed of their fate,
+as the unconscious woods and metals, themselves, of which the ship was
+constructed. Mark felt his heart beat, when he saw a woman's
+handkerchief waving to him from the shore, and a fresh burst of
+tenderness nearly unmanned him, when, by the aid of the glass, he
+recognised the sweet countenance and fairy figure of Bridget. Ten
+minutes later, distance and interposing objects separated that young
+couple for many a weary day!
+
+A few days at sea restored the equanimity of Mark's feelings, while the
+poignant grief of Bridget did not fail to receive the solace which time
+brings to sorrows of every degree and nature. They thought of each other
+often, and tenderly; but, the pain of parting over, they both began to
+look forward to the joys of meeting, with the buoyancy and illusions
+that hope is so apt to impart to the bosoms of the young and
+inexperienced. Little did either dream of what was to occur before
+their eyes were to be again gladdened with the sight of their respective
+forms.
+
+Mark found in his state-room--for, in the Rancocus, the cabin was fitted
+with four neat little state-rooms, one for the captain, and two for the
+mates, with a fourth for the supercargo--many proofs of Bridget's love
+and care. Mrs. Crutchely, herself, though so much longer experienced,
+had scarcely looked after the captain's comfort with more judgment, and
+certainly not with greater solicitude, than this youthful bride had
+expended on her bridegroom's room. In that day, artists were not very
+numerous in America, nor is it very probable that Doctor Yardley would
+have permitted his daughter to take so decided a step as to sit for her
+miniature for Mark's possession; but she had managed to get her profile
+cut, and to have it framed, and the mate discovered it placed carefully
+among his effects, when only a week out. From this profile Mark derived
+the greatest consolation. It was a good one, and Bridget happened to
+have a face that would tell in that sort of thing, so that the husband
+had no difficulty in recognising the wife, in this little image. There
+it was, with the very pretty slight turn of the head to one side, that
+in Bridget was both natural and graceful. Mark spent hours in gazing at
+and in admiring this inanimate shadow of his bride, which never failed
+to recall to him all her grace, and nature, and tenderness and love,
+though it could not convey any direct expression of her animation and
+spirit.
+
+It is said ships have no Sundays. The meaning of this is merely that a
+vessel must perform her work, week-days and sabbaths, day and night, in
+fair or foul. The Rancocus formed no exception to the rule, and on she
+travelled, having a road before her that it would require months ere the
+end of it could be found. It is not our intention to dwell on the
+details of this long voyage, for two reasons. One is the fact that most
+voyages to the southern extremity of the American continent are marked
+by the same incidents; and the other is, that we have much other matter
+to relate, that must be given with great attention to minutiae, and
+which we think will have much more interest with the reader.
+
+Captain Crutchely touched at Rio for supplies, as is customary; and,
+after passing a week in that most delightful of all havens, went his
+way. The passage round the Horn was remarkable neither way. It could not
+be called a very boisterous one, neither was the weather unusually mild.
+Ships do double this cape, occasionally, under their top-gallant-sails,
+and we have heard of one vessel that did not furl her royals for several
+days, while off that formidable head-land; but these cases form the
+exception and not the rule. The Rancocus was under close-reefed topsails
+for the better part of a fortnight, in beating to the southward and
+westward, it blowing very fresh the whole time; and she might have been
+twice as long struggling with the south-westerly gales, but for the
+fortunate circumstance of the winds veering so far to the southward as
+to permit her to lay her course, when she made a great run to the
+westward. When the wind again hauled, as haul it was almost certain to
+do, Captain Crutchely believed himself in a meridian that would admit of
+his running with an easy bowline, on the larboard tack. No one but a
+sailor can understand the effect of checking the weather-braces, if it
+be only for a few feet, and of getting a weather-leach to stand without
+'swigging out' on its bowline. It has much the same influence on the
+progress of a ship, that an eloquent speech has on the practice of an
+advocate, a great cure or a skilful operation on that of a medical man,
+or a lucky hit in trade on the fortunes of the young merchant. Away all
+go alike, if not absolutely with flowing sheets, easily, swiftly, and
+with less of labour than was their wont. Thus did it now prove with the
+good ship Rancocus. Instead of struggling hard with the seas to get
+three knots ahead, she now made her six, and kept all, or nearly all,
+she made. When she saw the land again, it was found there was very
+little to spare, but that little sufficed. The vessel passed to windward
+of everything, and went on her way rejoicing, like any other that had
+been successful in a hard and severe struggle. A fortnight later, the
+ship touched at Valparaiso.
+
+The voyage of the Rancocus may now be said to have commenced in earnest.
+Hitherto she had done little but make her way across the endless waste
+of waters; but now she had the real business before her to execute. A
+considerable amount of freight, which had been brought on account of
+the Spanish government, was discharged, and the vessel filled up her
+water. Certain supplies of food that was deemed useful in cases of
+scurvy, were obtained, and after a delay of less than a fortnight, the
+ship once more put to sea.
+
+In the year 1796 the Pacific Ocean was by no means as familiar to
+navigators as it is to-day. Cooke had made his celebrated voyages less
+than twenty years before, and the accounts of them were then before the
+world; but even Cooke left a great deal to be ascertained, more
+especially in the way of details. The first inventor, or discoverer of
+anything, usually gains a great name, though it is those who come after
+him that turn his labours to account. Did we know no more of America
+to-day than was known to Columbus, our knowledge would be very limited,
+and the benefits of his vast enterprise still in their infancy.
+
+Compared with its extent, perhaps, and keeping in view its ordinary
+weather, the Pacific can hardly be considered a dangerous sea; but he
+who will cast his eyes over its chart, will at once ascertain how much
+more numerous are its groups, islands, rocks, shoals and reefs, than
+those of the Atlantic. Still, the mariners unhesitatingly steered out
+into its vast waters, and none with less reluctance and fewer doubts
+than those of America.
+
+For nearly two months did Captain Crutchely, after quitting Valparaiso,
+hold his way into the depths of that mighty sea, in search of the
+islands he had been directed to find. Sandal-wood was his aim, a branch
+of commerce, by the way, which ought never to be pursued by any
+Christian man, or Christian nation, if what we hear of its uses in China
+be true. There, it is said to be burned as incense before idols, and no
+higher offence can be committed by any human being than to be principal,
+or accessory, in any manner or way, to the substitution of any created
+thing for the ever-living God. In after-life Mark Woolston often thought
+of this, when reflection succeeded to action, and when he came to muse
+on the causes which may have led to his being the subject of the
+wonderful events that occurred in connection with his own fortunes. We
+have now reached a part of our narrative, however, when it becomes
+necessary to go into details, which we shall defer to the commencement
+of a new chapter.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter III.
+
+
+
+    "God of the dark and heavy deep!
+      The waves lie sleeping on the sands,
+    Till the fierce trumpet of the storm
+      Hath summon'd up their thundering bands;
+    Then the white sails are clashed like foam,
+      Or hurry trembling o'er the seas,
+    Till calmed by thee, the sinking gale
+      Serenely breathes, Depart in peace."
+
+    Peabody.
+
+
+The day that preceded the night of which we are about to speak, was
+misty, with the wind fresh at east-south-east. The Rancocus was running
+off, south-west, and consequently was going with the wind free. Captain
+Crutchely had one failing, and it was a very bad one for a ship-master;
+he would drink rather too much grog, at his dinner. At all other times
+he might have been called a sober man; out, at dinner, he would gulp
+down three or four glasses of rum and water. In that day rum was much
+used in America, far more than brandy; and every dinner-table, that had
+the smallest pretension to be above that of the mere labouring man, had
+at least a bottle of one of these liquors on it. Wine was not commonly
+seen at the cabin-table; or, if seen, it was in those vessels that had
+recently been in the vine-growing countries, and on special occasions.
+Captain Crutchely was fond of the pleasures of the table in another
+sense. His eating was on a level with his drinking; and for pigs, and
+poultry, and vegetables that would keep at sea, his ship was always a
+little remarkable.
+
+On the day in question, it happened to be the birthday of Mrs.
+Crutchely, and the captain had drunk even a little more than common.
+Now, when a man is in the habit of drinking rather more than is good for
+him, an addition of a little more than common is very apt to upset him.
+Such, a sober truth, was the case with the commander of the Rancocus,
+when he left the dinner-table, at the time to which there is particular
+allusion. Mark, himself, was perfectly sober. The taste of rum was
+unpleasant to him, nor did his young blood and buoyant spirits crave its
+effects. If he touched it at all, it was in very small quantities, and
+greatly diluted with water. He saw the present condition of his
+superior, therefore, with regret; and this so much the more, from the
+circumstance that an unpleasant report was prevailing in the ship, that
+white water had been seen ahead, during a clear moment, by a man who had
+just come from aloft. This report the mate repeated to the captain,
+accompanying it with a suggestion that it might be well to shorten sail,
+round-to, and sound. But Captain Crutchely treated the report with no
+respect, swearing that the men were always fancying they were going
+ashore on coral, and that the voyage would last for ever, did he comply
+with all their conceits of this nature. Unfortunately, the second-mate
+was an old sea-dog, who owed his present inferior condition to his being
+a great deal addicted to the practice in which his captain indulged only
+a little, and he had been sharing largely in the hospitality of the
+cabin that afternoon, it being his watch below. This man supported the
+captain in his contempt for the rumours and notions of the crew, and
+between them Mark found himself silenced.
+
+Our young officer felt very uneasy at the account of the sailor who had
+reported white water ahead, for he was one of the best men in the ship,
+and altogether unlikely to say that which was not true. It being now six
+o'clock in the evening, and the second-mate having taken charge of the
+watch, Mark went up into the fore-top-gallant cross-trees himself, in
+order to get the best look ahead that he could before the night set in.
+It wanted but half an hour, or so of sunset, when the young man took his
+station in the cross-trees, the royal not being set. At first, he could
+discern nothing ahead, at a distance greater than a mile, on account of
+the mist; but, just as the sun went below the waters it lighted up to
+the westward, and Mark then plainly saw what he was perfectly satisfied
+must be breakers, extending for several miles directly across the
+vessel's track!
+
+Such a discovery required decision, and the young man shouted out--
+
+"Breakers ahead!"
+
+This cry, coming from his first officer, startled even Captain
+Crutchely, who was recovering a little from the effect of his potations,
+though it was still treated with contempt by the second-mate, who had
+never forgiven one as young as Mark, for getting a berth that he fancied
+due to his own greater age and experience. He laughed openly at this
+second report of breakers, at a point in the ocean where the chart laid
+down a clear sea; but the captain knew that the charts could only tell
+him what was known at the time they were made, and he felt disposed to
+treat his first officer, young as he was, with more respect than the
+second-mate. All hands were called in consequence, and sail was
+shortened. Mark came down to assist in this duty, while Captain
+Crutchely himself went aloft to look out for the breakers. They passed
+each other in the top, the latter desiring his mate to bring the ship by
+the wind, on the larboard tack, or with her head to the southward, as
+soon as he had the sail sufficiently reduced to do so with safety.
+
+For a few minutes after he reached the deck, Mark was fully employed in
+executing his orders. Sail was shortened with great rapidity, the men
+working with zeal and alarm, for they believed their messmate when the
+captain had not. Although the vessel was under top-mast studding-sails
+when the command to take in the canvas was given, it was not long before
+Mark had her under her three topsails, and these with two reefs in them,
+and the ship on an easy bowline, with her head to the southward. When
+all this was done the young man felt a good deal of relief, for the
+danger he had seen was ahead, and this change of course brought it
+nearly abeam. It is true, the breakers were still to leeward, and
+insomuch most dangerously situated but the wind did not blow strong
+enough to prevent the ship from weathering them, provided time was taken
+by the forelock. The Rancocus was a good, weatherly ship, nor was there
+sufficient sea on to make it at all difficult for her to claw off a lee
+shore. Desperate indeed is the situation of the vessel that has rocks or
+sands under her lee, with the gale blowing in her teeth, and heavy seas
+sending her bodily, and surely, however slowly, on the very breakers she
+is struggling to avoid! Captain Crutchely had not been aloft five
+minutes before he hailed the deck, and ordered Mark to send Bob Betts up
+to the cross-trees. Bob had the reputation of being the brightest
+look-out in the vessel, and was usually employed when land was about to
+be approached, or a sail was expected to be made. He went up the
+fore-rigging like a squirrel, and was soon at the captain's side, both
+looking anxiously to leeward. A few minutes after the ship had hauled by
+the wind, both came down, stopping in the top, however, to take one more
+look to leeward.
+
+The second-mate stood waiting the further descent of the captain, with a
+soft of leering look of contempt on his hard, well-dyed features, which
+seemed to anticipate that it would soon be known that Mark's white water
+had lost its colour, and become blue water once more. But Captain
+Crutchely did not go as far as this, when he got down. He admitted that
+he had seen nothing that he could very decidedly say was breakers, but
+that, once or twice, when it lighted up a little, there had been a
+gleaming along the western horizon which a good deal puzzled him. It
+might be white water, or it might be only the last rays of the setting
+sun tipping the combs of the regular seas. Bob Betts, too, was as much
+at fault as his captain, and a sarcastic remark or two of Hillson, the
+second-mate, were fast bringing Mark's breakers into discredit.
+
+"Jest look at the chart, Captain Crutchely," put in Hillson--"a regular
+Tower Hill chart as ever was made, and you'll see there _can_ be no
+white water hereabouts. If a man is to shorten sail and haul his wind,
+at every dead whale he falls in with, in these seas, his owners will
+have the balance on the wrong side of the book at the end of the
+v'y'ge!"
+
+This told hard against Mark, and considerably in Hillson's favour.
+
+"And could _you_ see nothing of breakers ahead, Bob?" demanded Mark,
+with an emphasis on the '_you_' which pretty plainly implied that the
+young man was not so much surprised that the captain had not seen them.
+
+"Not a bit of it, Mr. Woolston," answered Bob, hitching up his
+trowsers, "and I'd a pretty good look ahead, too."
+
+This made still more against Mark, and Captain Crutchely sent for the
+chart. Over this map he and the second-mate pondered with a sort of
+muzzy sagacity, when they came to the conclusion that a clear sea _must_
+prevail around them, in all directions, for a distance exceeding a
+thousand miles. A great deal is determined in any case of a dilemma,
+when it is decided that this or that fact _must_ be so. Captain
+Crutchely would not have arrived at this positive conclusion so easily,
+had not his reasoning powers been so much stimulated by his repeated
+draughts of rum and water, that afternoon; all taken, as he said and
+believed, not so much out of love for the beverage itself, as out of
+love for Mrs. John Crutchely. Nevertheless, our captain was accustomed
+to take care of a ship, and he was not yet in a condition to forget all
+his duties, in circumstances so critical. As Mark solemnly and steadily
+repeated his own belief that there were breakers ahead, he so far
+yielded to the opinions of his youthful chief-mate as to order the
+deep-sea up, and to prepare to sound.
+
+This operation of casting the deep-sea lead is not done in a moment,
+but, on board a merchant vessel, usually occupies from a quarter of an
+hour to twenty minutes. The ship must first be hove-to, and her way
+ought to be as near lost as possible before the cast is made. Then the
+getting along of the line, the stationing of the men, and the sounding
+and hauling in again, occupy a good many minutes. By the time it was all
+over, on this occasion, it was getting to be night. The misty, drizzling
+weather threatened to make the darkness intense, and Mark felt more and
+more impressed with the danger in which the ship was placed.
+
+The cast of the lead produced no other result than the certainty that
+bottom was not to be found with four hundred fathoms of line out. No
+one, however, not even the muzzy Hillson, attached much importance to
+this fact, inasmuch as it was known that the coral reefs often rise like
+perpendicular walls, in the ocean, having no bottom to be found within a
+cable's-length of them. Then Mark did not believe the ship to be within
+three leagues of the breakers he had seen, for they had seemed, both to
+him and to the seaman who had first reported them, to be several leagues
+distant. One on an elevation like that of the top-gallant cross-trees,
+could see a long way, and the white water had appeared to Mark to be on
+the very verge of the western horizon, even as seen from his lofty
+look-out.
+
+After a further consultation with his officers, during which Hillson had
+not spared his hits at his less experienced superior, Captain Crutchely
+came to a decision, which might be termed semi-prudent. There is nothing
+that a seaman more dislikes than to be suspected of extra-nervousness on
+the subject of doubtful dangers of this sort. Seen and acknowledged, he
+has no scruples about doing his best to avoid them; but so long as there
+is an uncertainty connected with their existence at all, that miserable
+feeling of vanity which renders us all so desirous to be more than
+nature ever intended us for, inclines most men to appear indifferent
+even while they dread. The wisest thing Captain Crutchely could have
+done, placed in the circumstances in which he now found himself, would
+have been to stand off and on, under easy canvas, until the return of
+light, when he might have gone ahead on his course with some confidence,
+and a great deal more of safety. But there would have been an air of
+concession to the power of an unknown danger that conflicted with his
+pride, in such a course, and the old and well-tried ship-master did not
+like to give the 'uncertain' this advantage over him. He decided
+therefore to stand on, with his topsails reefed, keeping bright
+look-outs ahead, and having his courses in the brails, ready for getting
+the tacks down to claw off to windward, should it prove to be necessary.
+With this plan Mark was compelled to comply, there being no appeal from
+the decrees of the autocrat of the quarter deck.
+
+As soon as the decision of Captain Crutchely was made, the helm was put
+up, and the ship kept off to her course. It was true, that under
+double-reefed topsails, and jib, which was all the canvas set, there was
+not half the danger there would have been under their former sail; and,
+when Mark took charge of the watch, as he did soon after, or eight
+o'clock, he was in hopes, by means of vigilance, still to escape the
+danger. The darkness, which was getting to be very intense, was now the
+greatest and most immediate source of his apprehensions. Could he only
+get a glimpse of the sea a cable's-length ahead, he would have felt vast
+relief; but even that small favour was denied him. By the time the
+captain and second-mate had turned in, which each did after going below
+and taking a stiff glass of rum and water in his turn, it was so dark
+our young mate could not discern the combing of the waves a hundred
+yards from the ship, in any direction. This obscurity was owing to the
+drizzle that filled the atmosphere, as well as to the clouds that
+covered the canopy above that lone and wandering ship.
+
+As for Mark, he took his station between the knight-heads, where he
+remained most of the watch, nearly straining the eyes out of his head,
+in the effort to penetrate the gloom, and listening acutely to ascertain
+if he might not catch some warning roar of the breakers, that he felt so
+intimately persuaded must be getting nearer and nearer at each instant.
+As midnight approached, came the thought of Hillson's taking his place,
+drowsy and thick-headed as he knew he must be at that hour. At length
+Mark actually fancied he heard the dreaded sounds; the warning, however,
+was not ahead, but well on his starboard beam. This he thought an ample
+justification for departing from his instructions, and he instantly
+issued an order to put the helm hard a-starboard, so as to bring the
+vessel up to the wind, on the contrary tack. Unfortunately, as the
+result proved, it now became his imperative duty to report to Captain
+Crutchely what he had done. For a minute or two the young man thought of
+keeping silence, to stand on his present course, to omit calling the
+second-mate, and to say nothing about what he had done, keeping the deck
+himself until light should return. But reflection induced him to shrink
+from the execution of this plan, which would have involved him in a
+serious misunderstanding with both his brother officers, who could not
+fail to hear all that had occurred in the night, and who must certainly
+know, each in his respective sphere, that they themselves had been
+slighted. With a slow step, therefore, and a heavy heart, Mark went
+into the cabin to make his report, and to give the second-mate the
+customary call.
+
+It was not an easy matter to awaken either of those, who slept under the
+influence of potations as deep as the night-caps taken by Captain
+Crutchely and Mr. Hillson. The latter, in particular, was like a man in
+a state of lethargy, and Mark had half a mind to leave him, and make his
+condition an excuse for not having persisted in the call. But he
+succeeded in arousing the captain, who soon found the means to bring the
+second-mate to a state of semi-consciousness.
+
+"Well, sir," cried the captain, as soon as fairly awake himself, "what
+now?"
+
+"I think I heard breakers abeam, sir, and I have hauled up to the
+southward."
+
+A grunt succeeded, which Mark scarce knew how to interpret. It might
+mean dissatisfaction, or it might mean surprise. As the captain,
+however, was thoroughly awake, and was making his preparations to come
+out on deck, he thought that he had done all that duty required, and he
+returned to his own post. The after-part of the ship was now the best
+situation for watching, and Mark went up on the poop, in order to see
+and hear the better. No lower sail being in the way, he could look ahead
+almost as well from that position as if he were forward; and as for
+hearing, it was much the best place of the two, in consequence of there
+being no wash of the sea directly beneath him, as was the case when
+stationed between the knight-heads. To this post he soon summoned Bob
+Betts, who belonged to his watch, and with whom he had ever kept up as
+great an intimacy as the difference in their stations would allow.
+
+"Bob, your ears are almost as good as your eyes," said Mark; "have you
+heard nothing of breakers?"
+
+"I have, Mr. Woolston, and now own I did see something that may have
+been white water, this afternoon, while aloft; but the captain and
+second-mate seemed so awarse to believing in sich a thing, out here in
+the open Pacific, that I got to be awarse, too."
+
+"It was a great fault in a look-out not to let what he had seen be
+known," said Mark, gravely.
+
+"I own it, sir; I own how wrong I was, and have been sorry for it ever
+since. But it's going right in the wind's eye, Mr. Woolston, to go ag'in
+captain and dickey!"
+
+"But, you now think you have _heard_ breakers--where away?"
+
+"Astarn first; then ahead; and, just as you called me up on the poop,
+sir, I fancied they sounded off here, on the weather bow."
+
+"Are you serious, Bob?"
+
+"As I ever was in my life, Mr. Mark. This oversight of the arternoon has
+made me somewhat conscientious, if I can be conscientious, and my sight
+and hearing are now both wide awake. It's my opinion, sir, that the ship
+is in the _midst_ of breakers at this instant, and that we may go on 'em
+at any moment!"
+
+"The devil it is!" exclaimed Captain Crutchely, who now appeared on the
+poop, and who caught the last part of Bob Betts's speech. "Well, for my
+part, I hear nothing out of the way, and I will swear the
+keenest-sighted man on earth can see nothing."
+
+These words were scarcely out of the captain's mouth, and had been
+backed by a senseless, mocking laugh from Hillson, who was still muzzy,
+and quite as much asleep as awake, when the deep and near roar of
+breakers was most unequivocally heard. It came from to windward, too and
+abeam! This was proof that the ship was actually among the breakers when
+Mark hauled up, and that she was now passing a danger to leeward, that
+she must have previously gone by, in running down on her course. The
+captain, without waiting to consult with his cool and clear-headed young
+mate, now shouted for all hands to be called, and to "stand by to ware
+ship." These orders came out so fast, and in so peremptory a manner,
+that remonstrance was out of the question, and Mark set himself at work
+to obey them, in good earnest. _He_ would have tacked in preference to
+waring, and it would have been much wiser to do so; but it was clearly
+expedient to get the ship on the other tack, and he lent all his present
+exertions to the attainment of that object. Waring is much easier done
+than tacking, certainly; when it does not blow too fresh, and there is
+not a dangerous sea on, no nautical manoeuvre can be more readily
+effected, though room is absolutely necessary to its success. This room
+was now wanting. Just as the ship had got dead before the wind, and was
+flying away to leeward, short as was the sail she was under, the
+atmosphere seemed to be suddenly filled with a strange light, the sea
+became white all around them, and a roar of tumbling waters arose, that
+resembled the sound of a small cataract. The ship was evidently in the
+midst of breakers, and the next moment she struck!
+
+The intense darkness of the night added to the horrors of that awful
+moment. Nevertheless, the effect was to arouse all that there was of
+manliness and seamanship in Captain Crutchely, who from that instant
+appeared to be himself again. His orders were issued coolly, clearly and
+promptly, and they were obeyed as experienced mariners will work at an
+instant like that. The sails were all clewed up, and the heaviest of
+them were furled. Hillson was ordered to clear away an anchor, while
+Mark was attending to the canvas. In the mean time, the captain watched
+the movements of the ship. He had dropped a lead alongside, and by that
+he ascertained that they were still beating ahead. The thumps were not
+very hard, and the white water was soon left astern, none having washed
+on deck. All this was so much proof that the place on which they had
+struck must have had nearly water enough to float the vessel, a fact
+that the lead itself corroborated. Fifteen feet aft was all the Rancocus
+wanted, in her actual trim, and the lead showed a good three fathoms, at
+times. It was when the ship settled in the troughs of the sea that she
+felt the bottom. Satisfied that his vessel was likely to beat over the
+present difficulty, Captain Crutchely now gave all his attention to
+getting her anchored as near the reef and to leeward of it, as possible.
+The instant she went clear, a result he now expected every moment, he
+was determined to drop one of his bower anchors, and wait for daylight,
+before he took any further steps to extricate himself from the danger by
+which he was surrounded.
+
+On the forecastle, the work went on badly, and thither Captain Crutchely
+proceeded. The second-mate scarce knew what he was about, and the
+captain took charge of the duty himself. At the same time he issued an
+order to Mark to get up tackles, and to clear away the launch,
+preparatory to getting that boat into the water. Hillson had bent the
+cable wrong, and much of the work had to be done over again. As soon as
+men get excited, as is apt to be the case when they find serious
+blunders made at critical moments, they are not always discreet. The
+precise manner in which Captain Crutchely met with the melancholy fate
+that befel him, was never known. It is certain that he jumped down on
+the anchor-stock, the anchor being a cock-bill, and that he ordered Mr.
+Hillson off of it. While thus employed, and at an instant when the cable
+was pronounced bent, and the men were in the act of getting inboard, the
+ship made a heavy roll, breakers again appeared all around her, the
+white foam rising nearly to the level of her rails. The captain was seen
+no more. There is little doubt that he was washed from the anchor stock,
+and carried away to leeward, in the midst of the darkness of that
+midnight hour.
+
+Mark was soon apprised of the change that had occurred, and of the heavy
+responsibility that now rested on his young shoulders. A feeling of
+horror and of regret came over him, at first; but understanding the
+necessity of self-command, he aroused himself, at once, to his duty, and
+gave his orders coolly and with judgment. The first step was to
+endeavour to save the captain. The jolly-boat was lowered, and six men
+got in it, and passed ahead of the ship, with this benevolent design.
+Mark stood on the bowsprit, and saw them shoot past the bows of the
+vessel, and then, almost immediately, become lost to view in the gloomy
+darkness of the terrible scene. The men never reappeared, a common and
+an unknown fate thus sweeping away Captain Crutchely and six of his best
+men, and all, as it might be, in a single instant of time!
+
+Notwithstanding these sudden and alarming losses, the work went on.
+Hillson seemed suddenly to become conscious of the necessity of
+exertion, and by giving his utmost attention to hoisting out the launch,
+that boat was got safely into the water. By this time the ship had
+beaten so far over the reef, as scarcely to touch at all, and Mark had
+everything ready for letting go his anchors, the instant he had reason
+to believe she was in water deep enough to float her. The thumps grew
+lighter and lighter, and the lead-line showed a considerable drift; so
+much so, indeed, as to require its being hauled in and cast anew every
+minute. Under all the circumstances, Mark expected each instant, to find
+himself in four fathoms' water, and he intended to let go the anchor the
+moment he was assured of that fact. In the mean time, he ordered the
+carpenter to sound the pumps. This was done, and the ship was reported
+with only the customary quantity of water in the well. As yet her bottom
+was not injured, materially at least.
+
+While Mark stood with the lead-line in his hand, anxiously watching the
+drift of the vessel and the depth of water, Hillson was employed in
+placing provisions in the launch. There was a small amount of specie in
+the cabin, and this, too, was transferred to the launch; everything of
+that sort being done without Mark's knowledge, and by the second-mate's
+orders. The former was on the forecastle, waiting the proper moment to
+anchor; while all of the after-part of the ship was at the mercy of the
+second-mate, and a gang of the people, whom that officer had gathered
+around him.
+
+At length Mark found, to his great delight, that there were four good
+fathoms of water under the ship's bows, though she still hung abaft. He
+ascertained this fact by means of Bob Betts, which true-hearted tar
+stood by him, with a lantern, by swinging which low enough, the marks
+were seen on the lead-line. Foot by foot the ship now surged ahead, the
+seas being so much reduced in size and power, by the manner in which
+they had been broken to windward, as not to lift the vessel more than an
+inch or two at a time. After waiting patiently a quarter of an hour,
+Mark believed that the proper time had come, and he gave the order to
+'let run.' The seaman stationed at the stopper obeyed, and down went the
+anchor. It happened, opportunely enough, that the anchor was thus
+dropped, just as the keel cleared the bottom, and the cable being
+secured at a short range, after forging ahead far enough to tighten the
+hitter, the vessel tended. In swinging to her anchor, a roller came down
+upon her, however; one that had crossed the reef without breaking, and
+broke on board her. Mark afterwards believed that the rush and weight
+of this sea, which did no serious harm, frightened the men into the
+launch, where Hillson was already in person, and that the boat either
+struck adrift under the power of the roller, or that the painter was
+imprudently cast off in the confusion of the moment. He had got in as
+far as the windlass himself, when the sea came aboard; and, as soon as
+he recovered his sight after the ducking he received, he caught a dim
+view of the launch, driving off to leeward, on the top of a wave.
+Hailing was useless, and he stood gazing at the helpless boat until it
+became lost, like everything else that was a hundred yards from the
+ship, in the gloom of night. Even then Mark was by no means conscious of
+the extent of the calamity that had befallen him. It was only when he
+had visited cabin, steerage and forecastle, and called the crew over by
+name, that he reached the grave fact that there was no one left on board
+the Rancocus but Bob Betts and himself!
+
+As Mark did not know what land was to be found to leeward, he naturally
+enough hoped and expected that the people in both boats might reach the
+shore, and be recovered in the morning; but he had little expectation of
+ever seeing Captain Crutchely again. The circumstances, however,
+afforded him little time to reflect on these things, and he gave his
+whole attention, for the moment, to the preservation of the ship.
+Fortunately, the anchor held, and, as the wind, which had never blown
+very heavily, sensibly began to lessen, Mark was sanguine in the belief
+it would continue to hold. Captain Crutchely had taken the precaution to
+have the cable bitted at a short range with a view to keep it, as much
+as possible, off the bottom; coral being known to cut the hempen cables
+that were altogether in use, in that day, almost as readily as axes. In
+consequence of this bit of foresight, the Rancocus lay at a distance of
+less than forty fathoms from her anchor, which Mark knew had been
+dropped in four fathoms' water. He now sounded abreast of the main-mast,
+and ascertained that the ship itself was in nine fathoms. This was
+cheering intelligence, and when Bob Betts heard it, he gave it as his
+opinion that all might yet go well with them, could they only recover
+the six men who had gone to leeward in the jolly-boat. The launch had
+carried off nine of their crew, which, previously to this night, had
+consisted of nineteen, all told. This suggestion relieved Mark's mind of
+a load of care, and he lent himself to the measures necessary to the
+continued safety of the vessel, with renewed animation and vigour.
+
+The pump-well was once more sounded, and found to be nearly empty. Owing
+to the nature of the bottom on which they had struck, the lightness of
+the thumps, or the strength of the ship herself, it was clear that the
+vessel had thus far escaped without any material injury. For this
+advantage Mark was deeply grateful, and could he only recover four or
+five of the people, and find his way out into open water, he might hope
+to live again to see America, and to be re-united to his youthful and
+charming bride.
+
+The weather continued to grow more and more moderate, and some time
+before the day returned the clouds broke away, the drizzle ceased, and a
+permanent change was to be expected. Mark now found new ground for
+apprehensions, even in these favourable circumstances. He supposed that
+the ship must feel the influence of the tides, so near the land, and was
+afraid she might tail the other way, and thus be brought again over the
+reef. In order to obviate this difficulty, he and Bob set to work to get
+another cable bent, and another anchor clear for letting go. As all our
+readers may not be familiar with ships, it may be well to say that
+vessels, as soon as they quit a coast on a long voyage, unbend their
+cables and send them all below, out of the way, while, at the same time,
+they stow their anchors, as it is called; that is to say, get them from
+under the cat-heads, from which they are usually suspended when ready to
+let go, and where they are necessarily altogether on the outside of the
+vessel, to positions more inboard, where they are safer from the force
+of the waves, and better secured. As all the anchors of the Rancocus had
+been thus stowed, until Captain Crutchely got the one that was down, off
+the gunwale, and all the cables below, Mark and Bob had labour enough
+before them to occupy several hours, in the job thus undertaken.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter IV.
+
+
+
+    "Deep in the wave is a coral grove,
+    Where the purple mullet and gold fish rove,
+    Where the sea-flower spreads its leaves of blues,
+    That never are wet with falling dew,
+    But in bright and changeful beauty shine,
+    Far down in the green and grassy brine."
+
+    Percival.
+
+
+Our young mate, and his sole assistant, Bob Betts, had set about their
+work on the stream-cable and anchor, the lightest and most manageable of
+all the ground-tackle in the vessel. Both were strong and active, and
+both were expert in the use of blocks, purchases, and handspikes; but
+the day was seen lighting the eastern sky, and the anchor was barely off
+the gunwale, and ready to be stoppered in the meanwhile the ship still
+tended in the right direction, the wind had moderated to a mere
+royal-breeze, and the sea had so far gone down as nearly to leave the
+vessel without motion. As soon as perfectly convinced of the existence
+of this favourable state of things, and of its being likely to last,
+Mark ceased to work, in order to wait for day, telling Bob to
+discontinue his exertions also. It was fully time, for both of those
+vigorous and strong-handed men were thoroughly fatigued with the toil of
+that eventful morning.
+
+The reader may easily imagine with what impatience our two mariners
+waited the slow return of light. Each minute seemed an hour, and it
+appeared to them as if the night was to last for ever. But the earth
+performed its usual revolution, and by degrees sufficient light was
+obtained to enable Mark and Bob to examine the state of things around
+them. In order to do this the better, each went into a top, looking
+abroad from those elevations on the face of the ocean, the different
+points of the reef, and all that was then and there to be seen. Mark
+went up forward, while Bob ascended into the main-top. The distance
+between them was so small, that there was no difficulty in conversing,
+which they continued to do, as was natural enough to men in their
+situation.
+
+The first look that each of our mariners bestowed, after he was in his
+top, was to leeward, which being to the westward, was of course yet in
+the darkest point of the horizon. They expected to obtain a sight of at
+least one island, and that quite near to them, if not of a group. But no
+land appeared! It is true, that it was still too dark to be certain of a
+fact of this sort, though Mark felt quite assured that if land was
+finally seen, it must be of no great extent, and quite low. He called to
+Bob, to ascertain what _he_ thought of appearances to leeward, his
+reputation as a look-out being so great.
+
+"Wait a few minutes, sir, till we get a bit more day," answered his
+companion. "There is a look on the water, about a league off here on the
+larboard quarter, that seems as if something would come out of it. But,
+one thing can be seen plain enough, Mr. Mark, and that's the breakers.
+There's a precious line on 'em, and that too one within another, as
+makes it wonderful how we ever got through 'em as well as we did!"
+
+This was true enough, the light on the ocean to windward being now
+sufficient to enable the men to see, in that direction, to a
+considerable distance. It was that solemn hour in the morning when
+objects first grow distinct, ere they are touched with the direct rays
+from the sun, and when everything appears as if coming to us fresh and
+renovated from the hands of the Creator. The sea had so far gone down as
+to render the breakers much less formidable to the eye, than when it was
+blowing more heavily; but this very circumstance made it impossible to
+mistake their positions. In the actual state of the ocean, it was
+certain that wherever water broke, there must be rocks or shoals
+beneath; whereas, in a blow, the combing of an ordinary sea might be
+mistaken for the white water of some hidden danger. Many of the rocks,
+however, lay so low, that the heavy, sluggish rollers that came
+undulating along, scarce did more than show faint, feathery lines of
+white, to indicate the character of the places across which they were
+passing. Such was now the case with the reef over which the ship had
+beaten, the position of which could hardly have been ascertained, or its
+danger discovered, at the distance of half a mile. Others again were of
+a very different character, the water still tumbling about them like so
+many little cataracts. This variety was owing to the greater depth at
+which some of the rocks lay than others.
+
+As to the number of the reefs, and the difficulty in getting through
+them, Bob was right enough. It often happens that there is an inner and
+an outer reef to the islands of the Pacific, particularly to those of
+coral formation; but Mark began to doubt whether there was any coral at
+all in the place where the Rancocus lay, in consequence of the entire
+want of regularity in the position of these very breakers. They were
+visible in all directions; not in continuous lines, but in detached
+parts; one lying within another, as Bob had expressed it, until the eye
+could not reach their outer limits. How the ship had got so completely
+involved within their dangerous embraces, without going to pieces on a
+dozen of the reefs, was to him matter of wonder; though it sometimes
+happens at sea, that dangers are thus safely passed in darkness and fog,
+that no man would be bold enough to encounter in broad daylight, and
+with a full consciousness of their hazards. Such then had been the sort
+of miracle by which the Rancocus had escaped; though it was no more easy
+to see how she was to be got out of her present position, than it was to
+see how she had got into it. Bob was the first to make a remark on this
+particular part of the subject.
+
+"It will need a reg'lar branch here, Mr. Mark, to carry the old Rancocus
+clear of all them breakers to sea again," he cried. "Our Delaware banks
+is just so many fools to 'em, sir!"
+
+"It is a most serious position for a vessel to be in, Bob," answered
+Mark, sighing--"nor do I see how we _are_ ever to get clear of it, even
+should we get back men enough to handle the ship."
+
+"I'm quite of your mind, sir," answered Bob, taking out his tobacco-box,
+and helping himself to a quid. "Nor would I be at all surprised should
+there turn out to be a bit of land to leeward, if you and I was to
+Robinson Crusoe it for the rest of our days. My good mother was always
+most awarse to my following the seas on account of that very danger;
+most especially from a fear of the savages from the islands round
+about."
+
+"We will look for our boats," Mark gravely replied, the image of
+Bridget, just at that instant, appearing before his mind with a painful
+distinctness.
+
+Both now turned their eyes again to leeward, the first direct rays of
+the sun beginning to illumine the surface of the ocean in that quarter.
+Something like a misty cloud had been settled on the water, rather less
+than a league from the ship, in the western board, and had hitherto
+prevented a close examination in that part of the horizon. The power of
+the sun, however, almost instantly dispersed it, and then, for the first
+time, Bob fancied he did discover something like land. Mark, however,
+could not make it out, until he had gone up into the cross-trees, when
+he, too, got a glimpse of what, under all the circumstances, he did not
+doubt was either a portion of the reef that rose above the water, or was
+what might be termed a low, straggling island. Its distance from the
+ship, they estimated at rather more than two leagues.
+
+Both Mark and Bob remained aloft near an hour longer, or until they had
+got the best possible view of which their position would allow, of
+everything around the ship. Bob went down, and took a glass up to his
+officer, Mark sweeping the whole horizon with it, in the anxious wish to
+make out something cheering in connection with the boats. The drift of
+these unfortunate craft must have been towards the land, and that he
+examined with the utmost care. Aided by the glass, and his elevation, he
+got a tolerable view of the spot, which certainly promised as little in
+the way of supplies as any other bit of naked reef he had ever seen. The
+distance, however, was so great as to prevent his obtaining any certain
+information on that point. One thing, however, he did ascertain, as he
+feared, with considerable accuracy. After passing the glass along the
+whole of that naked rock, he could see nothing on it in motion. Of birds
+there were a good many, more indeed than from the extent of the visible
+reef he might have expected; but no signs of man could be discovered. As
+the ocean, in all directions, was swept by the glass, and this single
+fragment of a reef, which was less than a mile in length, was the only
+thing that even resembled land, the melancholy conviction began to force
+itself on Mark and Bob, that all their shipmates had perished! They
+might have perished in one of several ways; as the naked reef did not
+lie precisely to leeward of the ship, the boats may have driven by it,
+in the deep darkness of the past night, and gone far away out of sight
+of the spot where they had left the vessel, long ere the return of day.
+There was just the possibility that the spars of the ship might be seen
+by the wanderers, if they were still living, and the faint hope of their
+regaining the vessel, in the course of the day, by means of their oars.
+It was, however, more probable that the boats had capsized in some of
+the numerous fragments of breakers, that were visible even in the
+present calm condition of the ocean, and that all in them had been
+drowned. The best swimmer must have hopelessly perished, in such a
+situation, and in such a night, unless carried by a providential
+interference to the naked rock to leeward. That no one was living on
+that reef, the glass pretty plainly proved.
+
+Mark and Bob Betts descended to the deck, after passing a long time
+aloft making their observations. Both were pretty well assured that
+their situation was almost desperate, though each was too resolute, and
+too thoroughly imbued with the spirit of a seaman, to give up while
+there was the smallest shadow of hope. As it was now getting past the
+usual breakfast hour, some cold meat was got out, and, for the first
+time since Mark had been transferred to the cabin, they sat down on the
+windlass and ate the meal together. A little, however, satisfied men in
+their situation; Bob Betts fairly owning that he had no appetite, though
+so notorious at the ship's beef and a biscuit, as to be often the
+subject of his messmates' jokes. That morning even he could eat but
+little, though both felt it to be a duty they owed to themselves to take
+enough to sustain nature. It was while these two forlorn and desolate
+mariners sat there on the windlass, picking, as it might be, morsel by
+morsel, that they first entered into a full and frank communication with
+each other, touching the realities of their present situation. After a
+good deal had passed between them, Mark suddenly asked--
+
+"Do you think it possible, Bob, for us two to take care of the ship,
+should we even manage to get her into deep water again?"
+
+"Well, that is not so soon answered, Mr. Woolston," returned Bob. "We're
+both on us stout, and healthy, and of good courage, Mr. Mark; but
+'twould be a desperate long way for two hands to carry a wessel of four
+hundred tons, to take the old 'Cocus from this here anchorage, all the
+way to the coast of America; and short of the coast there's no ra'al
+hope for us. Howsever, sir, _that_ is a subject that need give us no
+consarn."
+
+"I do not see that, Bob; we shall have to do it, unless we fall in with
+something at sea, could we only once get the vessel; out from among
+these reefs."
+
+"Ay, ay, sir--could' we get her out from among these reefs, indeed!
+There's the rub, Mr. Woolston; but I fear 't will never be 'rub and
+_go_.'"
+
+"You think, then, we are too fairly in for it, ever to get the ship
+clear?"
+
+"Such is just my notion, Mr. Woolston, on that subject, and I've no wish
+to keep it a secret. In my judgment, was poor Captain Crutchely alive
+and back at his post, and all hands just as they was this time
+twenty-four hours since, and the ship where she is now, that _here_ she
+would have to stay. Nothing short of kedging can ever take the wessel
+clear of the reefs to windward on us, and man-of-war kedging could
+hardly do it, then."
+
+"I am sorry to hear you say this," answered Mark, gloomily, "though I
+feared as much myself."
+
+"Men is men, sir, and you can get no more out on 'em than is in 'em. I
+looked well at these reefs, sir, when aloft, and they're what I call as
+hopeless affairs as ever I laid eyes on. If they lay in any sort of way,
+a body might have some little chance of getting through 'em, but they
+don't lay, no how. 'T would be 'luff' and 'keep her away' every half
+minute or so, should we attempt to beat up among 'em; and who is there
+aboard here to brace up, and haul aft, and ease off, and to swing yards
+sich as our'n?"
+
+"I was not altogether without the hope, Bob, of getting the ship into
+clear water: though I have thought it would be done with difficulty, I
+am still of opinion we had better try it, for the alternative is a very
+serious matter."
+
+"I don't exactly understand what you mean by attorneytives, Mr. Mark;
+though it's little harm, or little good that any attorney can do the old
+'Cocus, now! But, as for getting this craft through them reefs, to
+windward, and into clear water, it surpasses the power of man. Did you
+just notice the tide-ripples, Mr. Mark, when you was up in the
+cross-trees?"
+
+"I saw them, Bob, and am fully aware of the difficulty of running as
+large a vessel as this among them, even with a full crew. But what will
+become of us, unless we get the ship into open water?"
+
+"Sure enough, sir. I see no other hope for us, Mr. Mark, but to Robinson
+Crusoe it awhile, until our times come; or, till the Lord, in his marcy,
+shall see fit to have us picked up."
+
+"Robinson Crusoe it!" repeated Mark, smiling at the quaintness of Bob's
+expression, which the well-meaning fellow uttered in all simplicity, and
+in perfect good faith--"where are we to find even an uninhabited island,
+on which to dwell after the mode of Robinson Crusoe?"
+
+"There's a bit of a reef to-leeward, where I dare say a man might pick
+up a living, arter a fashion," answered Bob, coolly; "then, here is the
+ship."
+
+"And how long would a hempen cable hold the ship in a place like this,
+where every time the vessel lifts to a sea, the clench is chafing on a
+rock? No, no, Bob--the ship cannot long remain where she is, depend on
+_that_. We must try and pass down to leeward, if we cannot beat the ship
+through the dangers to windward."
+
+"Harkee, Mr. Mark; I thought this matter over in my mind, while we was
+aloft, and this is my idee as to what is best to be done, for a start.
+There's the dingui on the poop, in as good order as ever a boat was. She
+will easily carry two on us, and, on a pinch, she might carry half a
+dozen. Now, my notion is to get the dingui into the water, to put a
+breaker and some grub in her, and to pull, down to that bit of a reef,
+and have a survey of it. I'll take the sculls going down, and you can
+keep heaving the by way of finding out if there be sich a thang as a
+channel in that direction. If the ship is ever to be moved by us two,
+it must be by going to leeward, and not by attempting to turn up ag'in
+wind and tide among them 'ere rocks, out here to the eastward. No, sir;
+let us take the dingui, and surwey the reef, and look for our shipmates;
+a'ter which we can best tell what to undertake, with some little hope of
+succeeding. The weather seems settled, and the sooner we are off the
+better."
+
+This proposal struck Mark's young mind as plausible, as well as
+discreet. To recover even a single man would be a great advantage, and
+he had lingering hopes that some of the people might yet be found on the
+reef. Then Bob's idea about getting the ship through the shoal water, by
+passing to leeward, in preference to making the attempt against the
+wind, was a sound one; and, on a little reflection, he was well enough
+disposed to acquiesce in it. Accordingly, when they quitted the
+windlass, they both set about putting this project in execution.
+
+The dingui was no great matter of a boat, and they had not much
+difficulty in getting it into the water. First by slinging, it was
+swayed high enough to clear the rail, when Bob bore it over the side,
+and Mark lowered away. It was found to be tight, Captain Crutchely
+having kept it half full of water ever since they got into the Pacific,
+and in other respects it was in good order. It was even provided with a
+little sail, which did very well before the wind. While Bob saw to
+provisioning the boat, and filling its breakers with fresh water, Mark
+attended to another piece of duty that he conceived to be of the last
+importance. The Rancocus carried several guns, an armament prepared to
+repel the savages of the sandal-wood islands, and these guns were all
+mounted and in their places. There were two old-fashioned sixes, and
+eight twelve-pound carronades. The first made smart reports when
+properly loaded. Our young mate now got the keys of the magazine, opened
+it, and brought forth three cartridges, with which he loaded three of
+the guns. These guns he fired, with short intervals between them, in
+hopes that the reports would be carried to the ears of some of the
+missing people, and encourage them to make every effort to return. The
+roar of artillery sounded strangely enough in the midst of that vast
+solitude; and Bob Betts, who had often been in action, declared that he
+was much affected by it, As no immediate result was expected from the
+firing of these guns, Mark had no sooner discharged them, than he joined
+Betts, who by this time had everything ready, and prepared to quit the
+ship. Before he did this, however, he made an anxious and careful survey
+of the weather it being all-important to be certain no change in this
+respect was likely to occur in his absence. All the omens were
+favourable, and Bob reporting for the third time that everything was
+ready, the young man went over the side, and descended, with a
+reluctance he could not conceal, into the boat. Certainly, it was no
+trifling matter for men in the situation of our two mariners, to leave
+their vessel all alone, to be absent for a large portion of the day. It
+was to be done, however; though it was done reluctantly, and not without
+many misgivings, in spite of the favourable signs in the atmosphere.
+
+When Mark had taken his seat in the dingui, Bob let go his hold of the
+ship, and set the sail. The breeze was light, and fair to go, though it
+was by no means so certain how it would serve them on the return.
+Previously to quitting the ship, Mark had taken a good look at the
+breakers to leeward, in order to have some general notion of the course
+best to steer, and he commenced his little voyage, but entirely without
+a plan for his own government. The breakers were quite as numerous to
+leeward as to windward, but the fact of there being so many of them made
+smooth water between them. A boat, or a ship, that was once fairly a
+league or so within the broken lines of rocks, was like a vessel
+embayed, the rollers of the open ocean expending their force on the
+outer reefs, and coming in much reduced in size and power. Still the
+uneasy ocean, even in its state of rest, is formidable at the points
+where its waters meet with rocks, or sands and the breakers that did
+exist, even as much embayed as was the dingui, were serious matters for
+so small a boat to encounter. It was necessary, consequently, to steer
+clear of them, lest they should capsize, or fill, this, the only craft
+of the sort that now belonged to the vessel, the loss of which would be
+a most serious matter indeed.
+
+The dingui slided away from the ship with a very easy movement. There
+was just about as much wind as so small a craft needed, and Bob soon
+began to sound, Mark preferring to steer. It was, however, by no means
+easy to sound in so low a boat, while in such swift motion; and Bob was
+compelled to give it up. As they should be obliged to return with the
+oars, Mark observed that then he would feel his way back to the ship.
+Nevertheless, the few casts of the lead that did succeed, satisfied our
+mariners that there was much more than water enough for the Rancocus,
+between the reefs. _On_ them, doubtless it would turn out to be
+different.
+
+Mark met with more difficulty than he had anticipated in keeping the
+dingui out of the breakers. So very smooth was the sort of bay he was
+in--a bay by means of the reefs to windward, though no rock in that
+direction rose above the surface of the sea--so very smooth, then, was
+the sort of bay he was in, that the water did not break, in many places,
+except at long intervals; and then only when a roller heavier than
+common found its way in from the outer ocean. As a consequence, the
+breakers that did suddenly show themselves from a cause like this, were
+the heaviest of all, and the little dingui would have fared badly had it
+been caught on a reef, at the precise moment when such a sea tumbled
+over in foam. This accident was very near occurring once or twice, but
+it was escaped, more by providential interference than by any care or
+skill in the adventurers.
+
+It is very easy to imagine the intense interest with which our two
+mariners drew near to the visible reef. Their observations from the
+cross-trees of the ship, had told them this was all the land anywhere
+very near them, and if they did not find their lost shipmates here, they
+ought not to expect to find them at all. Then this reef, or island, was
+of vast importance in other points of view. It might become their future
+home; perhaps for years, possibly for life. The appearances of the
+sunken reefs, over and among which he had just passed, had greatly
+shaken Mark's hope of ever getting the ship from among them, and he even
+doubted the possibility of bringing her down, before the wind, to the
+place where he was then going. All these considerations, which began to
+press more and more painfully on his mind, each foot as he advanced,
+served to increase the intensity of the interest with which he noted
+every appearance on, or about, the reef, or island, that he was now
+approaching. Bob had less feeling on the subject. He had less
+imagination, and foresaw consequences and effects less vividly than his
+officer, and was more accustomed to the vicissitudes of a seaman's life.
+Then he had left no virgin bride at home, to look for his return; and
+had moreover made up his mind that it was the will of Providence that he
+and Mark were to 'Robinson Crusoe it' awhile, on 'that bit of a reef.'
+Whether they should ever be rescued from so desolate a place, was a
+point on which he had not yet begun to ponder.
+
+The appearances were anything but encouraging, as the dingui drew nearer
+and nearer to the naked part of the reef. The opinions formed of this
+place, by the examination made from the cross-trees, turned out to be
+tolerably accurate, in several particulars. It was just about a mile in
+length, while its breadth varied from half a mile to less than an eighth
+of a mile. On its shores, the rock along most of the reef rose but a
+very few feet above the surface of the water, though at its eastern, or
+the weather extremity, it might have been of more than twice the usual
+height; its length lay nearly east and west. In the centre of this
+island, however, there was a singular formation of the rock, which
+appeared to rise to an elevation of something like sixty or eighty feet,
+making a sort of a regular circular mound of that height, which occupied
+no small part of the widest portion of the island. Nothing like tree,
+shrub, or grass, was visible, as the boat drew near enough to render
+such things apparent. Of aquatic birds there were a good many: though
+even they did not appear in the numbers that are sometimes seen in the
+vicinity of uninhabited islands. About certain large naked rocks, at no
+great distance however from the principal reef, they were hovering in
+thousands.
+
+At length the little dingui glided in quite near to the island. Mark was
+at first surprised to find so little surf beating against even its
+weather side, but this was accounted for by the great number of the
+reefs that lay for miles without it; and, particularly, by the fact
+that one line of rock stretched directly across this weather end,
+distant from it only two cables' lengths, forming a pretty little sheet
+of perfectly smooth water between it and the island. Of course, to do
+this, the line of reef just mentioned must come very near the surface;
+as in fact was the case, the rock rising so high as to be two or three
+feet out of water on the ebb, though usually submerged on the flood. The
+boat was obliged to pass round one end of this last-named reef, where
+there was deep water, and then to haul its wind a little in order to
+reach the shore.
+
+It would be difficult to describe the sensations with which Mark first
+landed. In approaching the place, both he and Bob had strained their
+eyes in the hope of seeing some proof that their shipmates had been
+there; but no discovery rewarded their search. Nothing was seen, on or
+about the island, to furnish the smallest evidence that either of the
+boats had touched it. Mark found that he was treading on naked rock when
+he had landed, though the surface was tolerably smooth. The rock itself
+was of a sort to which he was unaccustomed; and he began to suspect,
+what in truth turned out on further investigation to be the fact, that
+instead of being on a reef of coral, he was on one of purely volcanic
+origin. The utter nakedness of the rock both surprised and grieved him.
+On the reefs, in every direction, considerable quantities of sea-weed
+had lodged, temporarily at least; but none of it appeared to have found
+its way to this particular place. Nakedness and dreariness were the two
+words which best described the island; the only interruption to its
+solitude and desolation being occasioned by the birds, which now came
+screaming and flying above the heads of the intruders, showing both by
+their boldness and their cries, that they were totally unacquainted with
+men.
+
+The mound, in the centre of the reef, was an object too conspicuous to
+escape attention, and our adventurers approached it at once, with the
+expectation of getting a better look-out from its summit, than that they
+had on the lower level of the surface of the ordinary reef. Thither then
+they proceeded, accompanied by a large flight of the birds. Neither Mark
+nor Bob, however, had neglected to turn his eyes towards the now
+distant ship, which was apparently riding at its anchor, in exactly the
+condition in which it had been left, half an hour before. In that
+quarter all seemed right, and Mark led the way to the mount, with active
+and eager steps.
+
+On reaching the foot of this singular elevation, our adventurers found
+it would not be so easy a matter as they had fancied, to ascend it.
+Unlike the rest of the reef which they had yet seen, it appeared to be
+composed of a crumbling rock, and this so smooth and perpendicular as to
+render it extremely difficult to get up. A place was found at length,
+however, and by lending each other a hand, Mark and Bob finally got on
+the summit. Here a surprise was ready for them, that drew an exclamation
+from each, the instant the sight broke upon him. Instead of finding an
+elevated bit of table-rock, as had been expected, a circular cavity
+existed within, that Mark at once recognised to be the extinct crater of
+a volcano! After the first astonishment was over, Mark made a close
+examination of the place.
+
+The mound, or barrier of lava and scoriæ that composed the outer wall of
+this crater, was almost mathematically circular. Its inner precipice was
+in most places absolutely perpendicular, though overhanging in a few;
+there being but two or three spots where an active man could descend in
+safety. The area within might contain a hundred acres while the wall
+preserved a very even height of about sixty feet, falling a little below
+this at the leeward side, where there existed one narrow hole, or
+passage, on a level with the bottom of the crater; a sort of gateway, by
+which to enter and quit the cavity. This passage had no doubt been
+formed by the exit of lava, which centuries ago had doubtless broken
+through at this point, and contributed to form the visible reef beyond.
+The height of this hole was some twenty feet, having an arch above it,
+and its width may have been thirty. When Mark got to it, which he did by
+descending the wall of the crater, not without risk to his neck, he
+found the surface of the crater very even and unbroken, with the
+exception of its having a slight descent from its eastern to its western
+side; or from the side opposite to the outlet, or gateway, to the
+gateway itself. This inclination Mark fancied was owing to the
+circumstance that the water of the ocean had formerly entered at the
+hole, in uncommonly high tides and tempests, and washed the ashes which
+had once formed the bottom of the crater, towards the remote parts of
+the plain. These ashes had been converted by time into a soft, or
+friable rock, composing a stone that is called tufa. If there had ever
+been a cone in the crater, as was probably the case, it had totally
+disappeared under the action of time and the wear of the seasons. Rock,
+however, the bed of the crater could scarcely be yet considered, though
+it had a crust which bore the weight of a man very readily, in nearly
+every part of it. Once or twice Mark broke through, as one would fall
+through rotten ice, when he found his shoes covered with a light dust
+that much resembled ashes. In other places he broke this crust on
+purpose, always finding beneath it a considerable depth of ashes,
+mingled with some shells, and a few small stones.
+
+That the water sometimes flowed into this crater was evident by a
+considerable deposit of salt, which marked the limits of the latest of
+these floods. This salt had probably prevented vegetation. The water,
+however, never could have entered from the sea, had not the lava which
+originally made the outlet left a sort of channel that was lower than
+the surface of the outer rocks. It might be nearer to the real character
+of the phenomenon were we to say, that the lava which had broken through
+the barrier at this point, and tumbled into the sea, had not quite
+filled the channel which it rather found than formed, when it ceased to
+flow. Cooling in that form, an irregular crevice was left, through which
+the element no doubt still occasionally entered, when the adjacent ocean
+got a sufficient elevation. Mark observed that, from some cause or
+other, the birds avoided the crater. It really seemed to him that their
+instincts warned them of the dangers that had once environed the place,
+and that, to use the language of sailors, "they gave it a wide berth,"
+in consequence. Whatever may have been the cause, such was the fact; few
+even flying over it, though they were to be seen in hundreds, in the air
+all round it.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter V.
+
+
+    "The king's son have I landed by himself;
+    Whom I left cooling of the air with sighs
+    In an odd angle of the isle, and sitting,
+    His arms in this sad knot."
+
+    _Tempest._
+
+
+Having completed this first examination of the crater, Mark and Bob next
+picked their way again to the summit of its wall, and took their seats
+directly over the arch. Here they enjoyed as good a look-out as the
+little island afforded, not only of its own surface, but of the
+surrounding ocean. Mark now began to comprehend the character of the
+singular geological formation, into the midst of which the Rancocus had
+been led, as it might almost be by the hand of Providence itself. He was
+at that moment seated on the topmost pinnacle of a submarine mountain of
+volcanic origin--submarine as to all its elevations, heights and spaces,
+with the exception of the crater where he had just taken his stand, and
+the little bit of visible and venerable lava, by which it was
+surrounded. It is true that this lava rose very near the surface of the
+ocean, in fifty places that he could see at no great distance, forming
+the numberless breakers that characterized the place; but, with the
+exception of Mark's Reef, as Bob named the principal island on the spot,
+two or three detached islets within a cable's-length of it, and a few
+little more remote, the particular haunts of birds, no other land was
+visible, far or near.
+
+As Mark sat there, on that rock of concrete ashes, he speculated on the
+probable extent of the shoals and reefs by which he was surrounded.
+Judging by what he then saw, and recalling the particulars of the
+examination made from the cross-trees of the ship, he supposed that the
+dangers and difficulties of the navigation must extend, in an east and
+west direction, at least twelve marine leagues; while, in a north and
+south, the distance seemed to be a little, and a very little less. There
+was necessarily a good deal of conjecture in this estimate of the extent
+of the volcanic mountain which composed these extensive shoals; but,
+from what he saw, from the distance the ship was known to have run amid
+the dangers before she brought up, her present anchorage, the position
+of the island, and all the other materials before him to make his
+calculation on, Mark believed himself rather to have lessened than to
+have exaggerated the extent of these shoals. Had the throes of the
+earth, which produced this submerged rock, been a little more powerful,
+a beautiful and fertile island, of very respectable dimensions, would
+probably have been formed in its place.
+
+From the time of reaching the reef, which is now to bear his name in all
+future time, our young seaman had begun to admit the bitter possibility
+of being compelled to pass the remainder of his days on it. How long he
+and his companion could find the means of subsistence in a place so
+barren, was merely matter of conjecture; but so long as Providence
+should furnish these means, was it highly probable that solitary and
+little-favoured spot was to be their home. It is unnecessary to state
+with what bitter regrets the young bridegroom admitted this painful
+idea; but Mark was too manly and resolute to abandon himself to despair,
+even at such a moment. He kept his sorrows pent up in the repository of
+his own bosom, and endeavoured to imitate the calm exterior of his
+companion. As for Bob, he was a good deal of a philosopher by nature
+and, having made up his mind that they were doomed to 'Robinson Crusoe
+it,' for a few years at least, he was already turning over in his
+thoughts the means of doing so to the best advantage. Under such
+circumstances, and with such feelings, it is not at all surprising that
+their present situation and their future prospects soon became the
+subject of discourse, between these two solitary seamen.
+
+"We are fairly in for it, Mr. Mark," said Bob, "and differ from Robinson
+only in the fact that there are two of us; whereas he was obliged to set
+up for himself, and by himself, until he fell in with Friday!"
+
+"I wish I could say _that_ was the only difference in our conditions,
+Betts, but it is very far from being so. In the first place he had an
+island, while we have little more than a reef; he had soil, while we
+have naked rock; he had fresh water, and we have none; he had trees,
+while we have not even a spear of grass. All these circumstances make
+out a case most desperately against us."
+
+"You speak truth, sir; yet is there light ahead. We have a ship, sound
+and tight as the day she sailed; while Robinson lost his craft under his
+feet. As long as there is a plank afloat, a true salt never gives up."
+
+"Ay, Bob, I feel that, as strongly as you can yourself; nor do I mean to
+give up, so long as there is reason to think God has not entirely
+deserted us. But that ship is of no use, in the way of returning to our
+friends and home; or, of no use as a ship. The power of man could
+scarcely extricate her from the reefs around her."
+
+"It's a bloody bad berth," said Bob, squirting the saliva of his tobacco
+half-way down the wall of the crater, "that I must allow. Howsomever,
+the ship will be of use in a great many ways, Mr. Mark, if we can keep
+her afloat, even where she is. The water that's in her will last us two
+a twelvemonth, if we are a little particular about it; and when the
+rainy season sets in, as the rainy season will be sure to do in this
+latitude, we can fill up for a fresh start. Then the ship will be a
+house for us to live in, and a capital good house, too. You can live
+aft, sir, and I'll take my swing in the forecastle, just as if nothing
+had happened."
+
+"No, no, Bob; there is an end of all such distinctions now. Misery, like
+the grave, brings all upon a level. You and I commenced as messmates,
+and we are likely to end as messmates. There is a use to which the ship
+may be put, however, that you have not mentioned, and to which we must
+look forward as our best hope for this world. She may be broken up by
+us, and we may succeed in building a craft large enough to navigate
+these mild seas, and yet small enough to be taken through, or over the
+reefs. In _that_ way, favoured by Divine Providence, we may live to see
+our friends again."
+
+"Courage, Mr. Mark, courage, sir. I know it must be hard on the feelin's
+of a married man, like yourself, that has left a parfect pictur' behind
+him, to believe he is never to return to his home again. But I don't
+believe that such is to be our fate. I never heard of such an end to a
+Crusoe party. Even Robinson, himself, got off at last, and had a
+desperate hard journey of it, after he hauled his land-tacks aboard. I
+like that idee of the new craft 'specially well, and will lend a hand to
+help you through with it with all my heart. I'm not much of a carpenter,
+it's true; nor do I suppose you are anything wonderful with the
+broad-axe and adze; but two willing and stout men, who has got their
+lives to save, can turn their hands to almost anything. For my part,
+sir, since I _was_ to be wrecked and to Robinson it awhile, I'm
+gratefully thankful that I've got you for a companion, that's all!"
+
+Mark smiled at this oblique compliment, but he felt well assured that
+Bob meant all for the best. After a short pause, he resumed the
+discourse by saying--
+
+"I have been thinking, Bob, of the possibility of getting the ship
+safely down as far as this island. Could we but place her to leeward of
+that last reef off the weather end of the island, she might lie there
+years, or until she fell to pieces by decay. If we are to attempt
+building a decked boat, or anything large enough to ride out a gale in,
+we shall want more room than the ship's decks to set it up in. Besides,
+we could never get a craft of those dimensions off the ship's decks, and
+must, of necessity, build it in some place where it may be launched. Our
+dingui would never do to be moving backward and forward, so great a
+distance, for it will carry little more than ourselves. All things
+considered, therefore, I am of opinion we can do nothing better to begin
+with, than to try to get the ship down here, where we have room, and may
+carry out our plans to some advantage."
+
+Bob assented at once to this scheme, and suggested one or two ideas in
+approbation of it, that were new even to Mark. Thus, it was evident to
+both, that if the ship herself were ever to get clear of the reef, it
+must be by passing out to leeward; and by bringing her down to the
+island so much would be gained on the indispensable course. Thus, added
+Bob, she might be securely moored in the little bay to windward of the
+island; and, in the course of time it was possible that by a thorough
+examination of the channels to the westward, and by the use of buoys, a
+passage might be found, after all, that would carry them out to sea.
+Mark had little hope of ever getting the Rancocus extricated from the
+maze of rocks into which she had so blindly entered, and where she
+probably never could have come but by driving over some of them; but he
+saw many advantages in this plan of removing the ship, that increased in
+number and magnitude the more he thought on the subject. Security to the
+fresh water was one great object to be attained. Should it come on to
+blow, and the ship drift down upon the rocks to leeward of her, she
+would probably go to pieces in an hour or two, when not only all the
+other ample stores that she contained, but every drop of sweet water at
+the command of the two seamen, would inevitably be lost. So important
+did it appear to Mark to make sure of a portion of this great essential,
+at least, that he would have proposed towing down to the reef, or
+island, a few casks, had the dingui been heavy enough to render such a
+project practicable. After talking over these several points still more
+at large, Mark and Bob descended from the summit of the crater, made
+half of its circuit, and returned to their boat.
+
+As the day continued calm, Mark was in no hurry, but passed half an hour
+in sounding the little bay that was formed by the sunken rocks that lay
+off the eastern, or weather end of the Crater Reef, as, in a spirit of
+humility, he insisted on calling that which everybody else now calls
+Mark's Reef. Here he not only found abundance of water for all he
+wanted, but to his surprise he also found a sandy bottom, formed no
+doubt by the particles washed from the surrounding rocks under the
+never-ceasing abrasion of the waves. On the submerged reef there were
+only a few inches of water, and our mariners saw clearly that it was
+possible to secure the ship in this basin, in a very effectual manner,
+could they only have a sufficiency of good weather in which to do it.
+
+After surveying the basin, itself, with sufficient care, Bob pulled the
+dingui back towards the ship, Mark sounding as they proceeded. But two
+difficulties were found between the points that it was so desirable to
+bring in communication with each other. One of these difficulties
+consisted in a passage between two lines of reef, that ran nearly
+parallel for a quarter of a mile, and which were only half a
+cable's-length asunder. There was abundance of water between these
+reefs, but the difficulty was in the course, and in the narrowness of
+the passage. Mark passed through the latter four several times, sounding
+it, as it might be, foot by foot, and examining the bottom with the eye;
+for, in that pellucid water, with the sun near the zenith, it was
+possible to see two or three fathoms down, and nowhere did he find any
+other obstacle than this just mentioned. Nor was any buoy necessary, the
+water breaking over the southern end of the outer, and over the northern
+end of the inner ledge, and nowhere else near by, thus distinctly noting
+the very two points where it would be necessary to alter the course.
+
+The second obstacle was much more serious than that just described. It
+was a reef with a good deal of water over most of it; so much, indeed,
+that the sea did not break unless in heavy gales, but not enough to
+carry a ship like the Rancocus over, except in one, and that a very
+contracted pass, of less than a hundred feet in width. This channel it
+would be indispensably necessary to buoy, since a variation from the
+true course of only a few fathoms would infallibly produce the loss of
+the ship. All the rest of the distance was easily enough made by a
+vessel standing down, by simply taking care not to run into visible
+breakers.
+
+Mark and Bob did not get back to the Rancocus until near three o'clock.
+They found everything as they had left it, and the pigs, poultry and
+goat, glad enough to see them, and beginning to want their victuals and
+drink. The two first are to be found on board of every ship, but the
+last is not quite so usual. Captain Crutchely had brought one along to
+supply milk for his tea, a beverage that, oddly enough, stood second
+only to grog in his favour. After Bob had attended to the wants of the
+brute animals, he and Mark, again sat down on the windlass to make
+another cold repast on broken meat--as yet, they had not the hearts to
+cook anything. As soon as this homely meal was taken Mark placed a
+couple of buoys in the dingui, with the pig-iron that was necessary to
+anchor them, and proceeded to the spot on the reef, where it was
+proposed to place them.
+
+Our mariners were quite an hour in searching for the channel, and near
+another in anchoring the buoys in a way to render the passage perfectly
+safe. As soon as this was done, Bob pulled back to the ship, which was
+less than a mile distant, as fast as he could, for there was every
+appearance of a change of weather. The moment was one, now, that
+demanded great coolness and decision. Not more than an hour of day
+remained, and the question was whether to attempt to move the ship that
+night, when the channel and its marks were all fresh in the minds of the
+two seamen, and before the foul weather came, or to trust to the cable
+that was down to ride out any blow that might happen. Mark, young as he
+was, thought justly on most professional subjects. He knew that heavy
+rollers would come in across the reef where the vessel then lay, and was
+fearful that the cable would chafe and part, should it come on to blow
+hard for four-and-twenty hours continually. These rollers, he also knew
+by the observation of that day, were completely broken and dispersed on
+the rocks, before they got down to the island, and he believed the
+chances of safety much greater by moving the ship at once, than by
+trying the fortune of another night, out where she then lay. Bob
+submitted to this decision precisely as if Mark was still his officer,
+and no sooner got his orders than he sprang from sail to sail, and rope
+to rope, like a cat playing among the branches of some tree. In that
+day, spensers were unknown, staysails doing their duty. Thus Bob loosed
+the jib, main-topmast and mizen-staysails, and saw the spanker clear for
+setting. While he was thus busied, Mark was looking to the stopper and
+shank-painter of the sheet-anchor, which had been got ready to let go,
+before Captain Crutchely was lost. He even succeeded in getting that
+heavy piece of metal a cock-bill, without calling on Bob for assistance.
+
+It was indeed time for them to be in a hurry; for the wind began to come
+in puffs, the sun was sinking into a bank of clouds, and all along the
+horizon to windward the sky looked dark and menacing. Once Mark changed
+his mind, determining to hold on, and let go the sheet-anchor where he
+was, should it become necessary; but a lull tempted him to proceed. Bob
+shouted out that all was ready, and Mark lifted the axe with which he
+was armed, and struck a heavy blow on the cable. That settled the
+matter; an entire strand was separated, and three or four more blows
+released the ship from her anchor. Mark now sprang to the jib-halliards,
+assisting Bob to hoist the sail. This was no sooner done than he went
+aft to the wheel, where he arrived in time to help the ship to fall off.
+The spanker was next got out as well as two men could do it in a hurry,
+and then Bob went forward to tend the jib-sheet, and to look out for the
+buoys.
+
+It was indispensable in such a navigation to make no mistake, and Mark
+enjoined the utmost vigilance on his friend. Twenty times did he hail to
+inquire if the buoys were to be seen, and at last he was gratified by an
+answer in the affirmative.
+
+"Keep her away, Mr. Mark--keep her away, you may, sir; we are well to
+windward of the channel. Ay, that'll do, Mr. Woolston--that's your
+beauty, sir. Can't you get a sight of them b'ys yourself, sir?"
+
+"Not just yet, Bob, and so much the greater need that you should look
+out the sharper. Give the ship plenty of room, and I'll let her run down
+for the passage, square for the channel."
+
+Bob now ran aft, telling the mate he had better go on the forecastle
+himself and conn the ship through the passage, which was a place he did
+not like. Mark was vexed that the change should be made just at that
+critical instant, but bounding forward, he was between the knight-heads
+in half a minute, looking out for the buoys. At first, he could not see
+them; and then he most felt the imprudence of Bob's quitting his post in
+such a critical instant. In another minute, however, he found one; and
+presently the other came in sight, fearfully close, as, it now appeared
+to our young mariner, to its neighbour. The position of the ship,
+nevertheless, was sufficiently to windward, leaving plenty of room to
+keep off in. As soon as the ship was far enough ahead, Mark called out
+to Bob to put his helm hard up. This was done, and away the Rancocus
+went, Mark watching her with the utmost vigilance, lest she should
+sheer a little too much to the one side or to the other. He hardly
+breathed as the vessel glided down upon these two black sentinels, and,
+for an instant, he fancied the wind or the current had interfered with
+their positions. It was now too late, however, to attempt any change,
+and Mark saw the ship surging onward on the swells of the ocean, which
+made their way thus far within the reefs, with a greater intensity of
+anxiety than he had ever before experienced in his life. Away went the
+ship, and each time she settled in the water, our young man expected to
+hear her keel grating on the bottom, but it did not touch. Presently the
+buoys were on her quarters, and then Mark knew that the danger of this
+one spot was passed!
+
+The next step was to find the southern end of the outer ledge that
+formed the succeeding passage. This was not done until the ship was
+close aboard of it. A change had come over the spot within the last few
+hours, in consequence of the increase of wind, the water breaking all
+along the ledge, instead of on its end only; but Mark cared not for
+this, once certain he had found that end. He was now half-way between
+his former anchorage and the crater, and he could distinguish the latter
+quite plainly. But sail was necessary to carry the ship safely through
+the channel ahead, and Mark called to Bob to lash the helm a-midships
+after luffing up to his course, and to spring to the main-topmast
+staysail halliards, and help him hoist the sail. This was soon done, and
+the new sail was got up, and the sheet hauled aft. Next followed the
+mizen staysail, which was spread in the same manner. Bob then flew to
+the wheel, and Mark to his knight-heads again. Contrary to Mark's
+apprehensions, he saw that the ship was luffing up close to the weather
+ledge, leaving little danger of her going on to it. As soon as met by
+the helm, however, she fell off, and Mark no longer had any doubt of
+weathering the northern end of the inner ledge of this passage. The wind
+coming in fresher puffs, this was soon done, when the ship was kept dead
+away for the crater. There was the northern end of the reef, which
+formed the inner basin of all, to double, when that which remained to do
+was merely to range far enough within the reef to get a cover, and to
+drop the anchor. In order to do this with success, Mark now commenced
+hauling down the jib. By the time he had that sail well in, the ship was
+off the end of the sunken reef, when Bob put his helm a-starboard and
+rounded it. Down came the main-topmast staysail, and Mark jumped on the
+forecastle, while he called out to Bob to lash the helm a-lee. In an
+instant Bob was at the young man's side, and both waited for the ship to
+luff into the wind, and to forge as near as possible to the reef. This
+was successfully done also, and Mark let go the stopper within twenty
+feet of the wall of the sunken reef, just as the ship began to drive
+astern. The canvas was rolled up and secured, the cable payed out, until
+the ship lay just mid-channel between the island and the sea-wall
+without, and the whole secured. Then Bob took off his tarpaulin and gave
+three cheers, while Mark walked aft, silently returning thanks to God
+for the complete success of this important movement.
+
+Important most truly was this change. Not only was the ship anchored,
+with her heaviest anchor down, and her best cable out, in good holding
+ground, and in a basin where very little swell ever penetrated, and that
+entering laterally and diminished in force; but there she was within a
+hundred and fifty feet of the island, at all times accessible by means
+of the dingui, a boat that it would not do to trust in the water at all
+outside when it blew in the least fresh. In short, it was scarcely
+possible to have a vessel in a safer berth, so long as her spars and
+hull were exposed to the gales of the ocean, or one that was more
+convenient to those who used the island. By getting down her spars and
+other hamper, the power of the winds would be much lessened, though Mark
+felt little apprehension of the winds at that season of the year, so
+long as the sea could not make a long rake against the vessel. He
+believed the ship safe for the present, and felt the hope of still
+finding a passage, through the reef to leeward, reviving in his breast.
+
+Well might Mark and Bob rejoice in the great feat they had just
+performed. That night it blew so heavily as to leave little doubt that
+the ship never could have been kept at her anchor, outside; and had she
+struck adrift in the darkness nothing could have saved them from almost
+immediate destruction. The rollers came down in tremendous billows,
+breaking and roaring on all sides of the island, rendering the sea white
+with their foam, even at midnight; but, on reaching the massive, natural
+wall that protected the Rancocus, they dashed themselves into spray
+against it, wetting the vessel from her truck down, but doing her no
+injury. Mark remained on deck until past twelve o'clock, when finding
+that the gale was already breaking, he turned in and slept soundly until
+morning. As for Bob, he had taken his watch below early in the evening,
+and there he remained undisturbed until the appearance of day, when he
+turned out of his own accord.
+
+Mark took another look at the sea, reefs and islands, from the
+main-topmast cross-trees of the ship, as she lay in her new berth. Of
+course, the range of his vision was somewhat altered by this change of
+position, and especially did he see a greater distance to the westward,
+or towards the lee side of the reefs. Nothing encouraging was made out,
+however; the young man rather inclining more to the opinion than he had
+ever done before, that the vessel could not be extricated from the rocks
+which surrounded her. With this conviction strongly renewed, he
+descended to the deck, to share in the breakfast Bob had set about
+preparing, the moment he quitted his cat-tails; for Bob insisted on
+sleeping in the forecastle, though Mark had pressed him to take one of
+the cabin state-rooms. This time the meal, which included some very
+respectable ship's coffee, was taken on the cabin-table, the day being
+cloudless, and the sun's rays possessing a power that made it unpleasant
+to sit long anywhere out of a shade. While the meal was taken, another
+conversation was held touching their situation.
+
+"By the manner in which it blew last night," Mark observed, "I doubt if
+we should have had this comfortable cabin to eat in this morning, and
+these good articles to consume, had we left the ship outside until
+morning,"
+
+"I look upon it as a good job well done, Mr. Mark," answered Bob. "I
+must own I had no great hopes of our ever getting here, but was willing
+to try it; for them rollers didn't mind half-a-dozen reefs, but came
+tumbling in over them, in a way to threaten the old 'Cocus with being
+ground into powder. For my part, sir, I thank God, from the bottom of
+my heart, that we are here."
+
+"You have reason to do so, Bob; and while we may both regret the
+misfortune that has befallen us, we had need remember how much better
+off we are than our shipmates, poor fellows!--or how much better we are
+off than many a poor mariner who loses his vessel altogether."
+
+"Yes, the saving of the ship is a great thing for us. We can hardly call
+this a shipwreck, Mr. Mark, though we have been ashore once; it is more
+like being docked, than anything else!"
+
+"I have heard, before, of vessels being carried over reefs, and bars of
+rivers, into berths they could not quit," answered Mark. "But, reflect a
+moment, Bob, how much better our condition is, than if we had been
+washed down on this naked reef, with only such articles to comfort us,
+as could be picked up along shore from the wreck!"
+
+"I'm glad to hear you talk in this rational way, Mr. Mark; for it's a
+sign you do not give up, or take things too deeply to heart. I was
+afeard that you might be thinking too much of Miss Bridget, and make
+yourself more unhappy than is necessary for a man who has things so
+comfortable around him."
+
+"The separation from my wife causes me much pain, Betts, but I trust in
+God. It has been in his pleasure to place us in this extraordinary
+situation, and I hope that something good will come of it."
+
+"That's the right sentiments, sir--only keep such feelings uppermost,
+and we shall do right down well. Why, we have water, in plenty, until
+after the rainy season shall be along, when we can catch a fresh supply.
+Then, there is beef and pork enough betwixt decks to last you and me
+five or six years; and bread and flour in good quantities, to say
+nothing of lots of small stores, both forward and aft."
+
+"The ship is well found, and, as you say, we might live a long time,
+years certainly, on the food she contains. There is, however, one thing
+to be dreaded, and to provide against which shall be my first care. We
+are now fifty days on salted provisions, and fifty more will give us
+both the scurvy."
+
+"The Lord in his mercy protect me from that disease!" exclaimed Bob. "I
+had it once, in an old v'y'ge round the Horn, and have no wish to try it
+ag'in, But there must be fish in plenty among these rocks, Mr. Mark, and
+we have a good stock of bread. By dropping the beef and pork, for a few
+days at a time, might we not get shut of the danger?"
+
+"Fish will help us, and turtle would be a great resource, could we meet
+with any of _that_. But, man requires mixed food, meats and vegetables,
+to keep him healthy; and nothing is so good for the scurvy as the last.
+The worst of our situation is a want of soil, to grow any vegetables in.
+I did not see so much as a rush, or the coarsest sea-plant, when we were
+on the island yesterday. If we had soil, there is seed in plenty on
+board, and this climate would bring forward vegetation at a rapid rate."
+
+"Ay, ay, sir, and I'll tell you what I've got in the way of seeds,
+myself. You may remember the delicious musk and watermelons we fell in
+with last v'y'ge, in the east. Well, sir, I saved some of the seed,
+thinking to give it to my brother, who is a Jarsey farmer, you know,
+sir; and, sailor-like, I forgot it altogether, when in port. If a fellow
+could get but a bit of earth to put them melon-seeds in, we might be
+eating our fruit like gentlemen, two months hence, or three months, at
+the latest."
+
+"That is a good thought, Betts, and we will turn it over in our minds.
+If such a thing is to be done at all, the sooner it is done the better,
+that the melons maybe getting ahead while we are busy with the other
+matters. This is just the season to put seed into the ground, and I
+think we might make soil enough to sustain a few hills of melons. If I
+remember right, too, there are some of the sweet potatoes left."
+
+Bob assented, and during the rest of the meal they did nothing but
+pursue this plan of endeavouring to obtain half-a-dozen or a dozen hills
+of melons. As Mark felt all the importance of doing everything that lay
+in his power to ward off the scurvy, and knew that time was not to be
+lost, he determined that the very first thing he would now attend to,
+would be to get all the seed into as much ground as he could contrive to
+make. Accordingly, as soon as the breakfast was ended, Mark went to
+collect his seeds Bob set the breakfast things aside, after properly
+cleaning them.
+
+There were four shoats on board, which had been kept in the launch,
+until that boat was put into the water, the night the Rancocus ran upon
+the rocks. Since that time they had been left to run about the decks,
+producing a good deal of dirt, and some confusion. These shoats Bob now
+caught, and dropped into the bay, knowing that their instinct would
+induce them to swim for the nearest land. All this turned out as was
+expected, and the pigs were soon seen on the island, snuffing around on
+the rocks, and trying to root. A small quantity of the excrement of
+these animals still lay on the deck, where it had been placed when the
+launch was cleaned for service, no one thinking at such a moment of
+cleaning the decks. It had been washed by the sea that came aboard quite
+across the deck, but still formed a pile, and most of it was preserved.
+This manure Mark was about to put in a half-barrel, in order to carry it
+ashore, for the purpose of converting it into soil, when Bob suddenly
+put an end to what he was about, by telling him that he knew where a
+manure worth two of that was to be found. An explanation was asked and
+given. Bob, who had been several voyages on the western coast of
+America, told Mark that the Peruvians and Chilians made great use of the
+dung of aquatic birds, as a manure, and which they found on the rocks
+that lined their coast. Now two or three rocks lay near the reef, that
+were covered with this deposit, the birds still hovering about them, and
+he proposed to take the dingui, and go in quest of a little of that
+fertilizing manure. A very little, he said, would suffice, the Spaniards
+using it in small quantities, but applying it at different stages in the
+growth of the plant. It is scarcely necessary to say that Bob had fallen
+on a knowledge of the use of the article which is now so extensively
+known under the name of guano, in the course of his wanderings, and was
+enabled to communicate the fact to his companion. Mark knew that Betts
+was a man of severe truth, and he was so much the more disposed to
+listen to his suggestion. While our young mate was getting the boat
+ready, therefore, Bob collected his tools, provided himself with a
+bucket, passed the half-barrel, into which Mark had thrown the
+sweepings of the decks, into the dingui, and descended himself and took
+the sculls. The two then proceeded to Bob's rock, where, amid the
+screams of a thousand sea-birds, the honest fellow filled his bucket
+with as good guano as was ever found on the coast of Peru.
+
+While the boat was at the rock, Mark saw that the pigs had run round to
+the western end of the island, snuffing at everything that came in their
+way, and trying in vain to root wherever one of them could insert his
+nose. As a hog is a particularly sagacious animal, Mark kept his eyes on
+them while Bob was picking out his guano, in the faint hope that they
+might discover fresh water, by means of their instinct. In this way he
+saw them enter the gate way of the crater, pigs being pretty certain to
+run their noses into any such place as that.
+
+On landing, Mark took a part of the tools and the bucket of guano, while
+Bob shouldered the remainder, and they went up to the hole, and entered
+the crater together, having landed as near to the gate-way as they could
+get, with that object. To Mark's great delight he found that the pigs
+were now actually rooting with some success, so far as stirring the
+surface was concerned, though getting absolutely nothing for their
+pains. There were spots on the plain of the crater, however, where it
+was possible, by breaking a sort of crust, to get down into coarse ashes
+that were not entirely without some of the essentials of soil. Exposure
+to the air and water, with mixing up with sea-weed and such other waste
+materials as he could collect, the young man fancied would enable him to
+obtain a sufficiency of earthy substances to sustain the growth of
+plants. While on the summit of the crater-wall, he had seen two or three
+places where it had struck him sweet-potatoes and beans might be made to
+grow, and he determined to ascend to those spots, and make his essay
+there, as being the most removed from the inroads of the pigs. Could he
+only succeed in obtaining two or three hundred melons, he felt that a
+great deal would be done in providing the means of checking any
+disposition to scurvy that might appear in Bob or himself. In this
+thoughtful manner did one so young look ahead, and make provision for
+the future.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter VI.
+
+
+
+                     "----that done, partake
+    The season, prime for sweetest scents and airs;
+    Then commune how that day they best may ply
+    Their growing work; for much their work outgrew
+    The hands dispatch of two gard'ning so wide."
+
+    Milton.
+
+
+Our two mariners had come ashore well provided with the means of
+carrying out their plans. The Rancocus was far better provided with
+tools suited to the uses of the land, than was common for ships, her
+voyage contemplating a long stay among the islands she was to visit.
+Thus, axes and picks were not wanting, Captain Crutchely having had an
+eye to the possible necessity of fortifying himself against savages.
+Mark now ascended the crater-wall with a pick on his shoulder, and a
+part of a coil of ratlin-stuff around his neck. As he went up, he used
+the pick to make steps, and did so much in that way, in the course of
+ten minutes, as greatly to facilitate the ascent and descent at the
+particular place he had selected. Once on the summit, he found a part of
+the rock that overhung its base, and dropped one end of his line into
+the crater. To this Bob attached the bucket, which Mark hauled up and
+emptied. In this manner everything was transferred to the top of the
+crater-wall that was needed there, when Bob went down to the dingui to
+roll up the half-barrel of sweepings that had been brought from the
+ship.
+
+Mark next looked about for the places which had seemed to him, on his
+previous visit, to have most of the character of soil. He found a plenty
+of these spots, mostly in detached cavities of no great extent, where
+the crust had not yet formed; or, having once formed, had been disturbed
+by the action of the elements. These places he first picked to pieces
+with his pick; then he stirred them well up with a hoe, scattering a
+little guano in the heaps, according to the directions of Betts. When
+this was done, he sent down the bucket, and hauled up the sweepings of
+the deck, which Bob had ready for him, below. Nor was this all Bob had
+done, during the hour Mark was at work, in the sun, on the summit of the
+crater. He had found a large deposit of sea-weed, on a rock near the
+island, and had made two or three trips with the dingui, back and forth,
+to transfer some of it to the crater. After all his toil and trouble,
+the worthy fellow did not get more than a hogshead full of this new
+material, but Mark thought it well worth while to haul it up, and to
+endeavour to mix it with his compost. This was done by making it up in
+bundles, as one would roll up hay, of a size that the young man could
+manage.
+
+Bob now joined his friend on the crater-wall, and assisted in carrying
+the sea-weed to the places prepared to receive it, when both of the
+mariners next set about mixing it up with the other ingredients of the
+intended soil. After working for another hour in this manner, they were
+of opinion that they might make the experiment of putting in the seed.
+Melons, of both sorts, and of the very best quality, were now put into
+the ground, as were also beans peas, and Indian-corn, or maize. A few
+cucumber-seeds, and some onions were also tried, Captain Crutchely
+having brought with him a considerable quantity of the common garden
+seeds, as a benefit conferred on the natives of the islands he intended
+to visit, and through them on future navigators. This care proceeded
+from his owners, who were what is called 'Friends,' and who somewhat
+oddly blended benevolence with the practices of worldly gain.
+
+Mark certainly knew very little of gardening, but Bob could turn his
+hand to almost anything. Several mistakes were made, notwithstanding,
+more particularly in the use of the seed, with which they were not
+particularly acquainted. Mark's Reef lay just within the tropics, it is
+true (in 21° south latitude), but the constant sea-breeze rendered its
+climate much cooler than would otherwise have been the case. Thus the
+peas, and beans, and even the onions, did better, perhaps, on the top of
+the crater, than they would have done in it; but the ochre, egg-plants,
+melons, and two or three other seeds that they used, would probably
+have succeeded better had they been placed in the warmest spots which
+could be found. In one respect Mark made a good gardener. He knew that
+moisture was indispensable to the growth of most plants, and had taken
+care to put all his seeds into cavities, where the rain that fell (and
+he had no reason to suppose that the dry season had yet set in) would
+not run off and be wasted. On this point he manifested a good deal of
+judgment, using his hoe in a way to avoid equally the danger of having
+too much or too little water.
+
+It was dinner-time before Mark and Betts were ready to quit the
+'Summit,' as they now began to term the only height in their solitary
+domains. Bob had foreseen the necessity of a shade, and had thrown an
+old royal into the boat. With this, and two or three light spars, he
+contrived to make a sort of canopy, down in the crater, beneath which he
+and Mark dined, and took their siestas. While resting on a spare
+studding-sail that had also been brought along, the mariners talked over
+what they had done, and what it might be best to undertake next.
+
+Thus far Mark had been working under a species of excitement, that was
+probably natural enough to his situation, but which wanted the coolness
+and discretion that are necessary to render our efforts the most
+profitable to ourselves, or to others. Now, that the feverish feeling
+which set him at work so early to make a provision against wants which,
+at the worst, were merely problematical, had subsided, Mark began to see
+that there remained many things to do, which were of even more pressing
+necessity than anything yet done. Among the first of these there was the
+perfect security of the ship. So long as she rode at a single anchor,
+she could not be considered as absolutely safe; for a shift of wind
+would cause her to swing against the 'sea-wall,' as he called the
+natural breakwater outside of her, where, if not absolutely wrecked, she
+might receive material damage. Prudence required, therefore, that the
+ship should be moored, as well as anchored. Nevertheless, there was a
+good deal of truth in what Mark had said touching the plants growing
+while he and Bob were busy at other matters; and this thought, of
+itself, formed a sufficient justification for what he had just done,
+much as it had been done under present excitement. As they under the
+shade of the royal, our mariners discussed these matters, and matured
+some plans for the future.
+
+At two o'clock Mark and Bob resumed their work. The latter suggested the
+necessity of getting food and water ashore for the pigs, as an act that
+humanity imperiously demanded of them; not humanity in the sense of
+feeling for our kind, but in the sense in which we all ought to feel for
+animal suffering, whether endured by man or beast. Mark assented as to
+the food, but was of opinion a thunder shower was about to pass over the
+reef. The weather certainly did wear this aspect, and Bob was content to
+wait the result, in order to save himself unnecessary trouble. As for
+the pigs, they were still in the crater rooting, as it might be for life
+or death, though nothing edible had as yet rewarded them for their toil.
+Perhaps they found it pleasant to be thrusting their noses into
+something that resembled soil, after so long a confinement to the planks
+of a ship. Seeing them at work in this manner, suggested to Mark to try
+another experiment, which certainly looked far enough ahead, as if he
+had no great hopes of getting off the island for years to come. Among
+the seeds of Captain Crutchely were those of oranges, lemons, limes,
+shaddocks, figs, and grapes; all plants well enough suited to the place,
+if there were only soil to nourish them. Now, one of the hogs had been
+rooting, as best he might, just under the wall, on the northern side of
+the crater, making a long row of little hillocks, of earthy ashes, at
+unequal distances it is true, but well enough disposed for the nature of
+the different fruits, could they only be got to grow. Along this
+irregular row of hillocks did Mark bury his seeds, willing to try an
+experiment which might possibly benefit some other human being, if it
+never did any good to himself. When this was done, he and Betts left the
+crater, driving the hogs out before them.
+
+Having made his plantation, Mark felt a natural desire to preserve it.
+He got the royal, therefore, and succeeded in fastening it up as a
+substitute for a gate, in their natural gate-way. Had the pigs met with
+any success in rooting, it is not probable this slight obstacle would
+have prevented their finding their way, again, into the cavity of the
+crater; but, as it was, it proved all-sufficient, and the sail was
+permitted to hang before the hole, until a more secure gate was
+suspended in its stead.
+
+The appearances of the thunder-shower were so much increased by this
+time, that our mariners hastened back to the ship in order to escape a
+ducking. They had hardly got on board before the gust came, a good deal
+of water falling, though not in the torrents in which one sometimes sees
+it stream down within the tropics. In an hour it was all over, the sun
+coming out bright and scorching, after the passage of the gust. One
+thing occurred, however, which at first caused both of the seamen a good
+deal of uneasiness, and again showed them the necessity there was for
+mooring the ship. The wind shifted from the ordinary direction of the
+trades, during the squall, to a current of air that was nearly at right
+angles to the customary course. This caused the ship to swing, and
+brought her so near the sea-wall, that once or twice her side actually
+rubbed against it. Mark was aware, by his previous sounding, that this
+wall rather impended over its base, being a part of an old crater,
+beyond a question, and that there was little danger of the vessel's
+hitting the bottom, or taking harm in any other way than by friction
+against the upper part; but this friction might become too rude, and
+finally endanger the safety of the vessel.
+
+As soon as the weather became fine, however, the trades returned, and
+the ship swung round to her old berth. Bob now suggested the expediency
+of carrying out their heaviest kedge ashore, of planting it in the
+rocks, and of running out to it two or three parts of a hawser, to which
+a line of planks might be lashed, and thus give them the means of
+entering and quitting the ship, without having recourse to the dingui.
+Mark approved of this plan, and, it requiring a raft to carry ashore the
+kedge, the dingui being so light they were afraid to trust it, it was
+decided to commence that work in the morning. For the rest of the
+present day nothing further was done, beyond light and necessary jobs,
+and continuing the examination of the island. Mark was curious to look
+at the effect of the shower, both in reference to his plantations, and
+to the quantity of fresh water that might have lodged on the reef. It
+was determined, therefore, to pass an hour or two ashore before the
+night shut in again.
+
+Previously to quitting the ship, Bob spoke of the poultry. There were
+but six hens, a cock, and five ducks, left. They were all as low in
+flesh and spirits, as it was usual to find birds that have been at sea
+fifty days, and the honest tar proposed turning them all adrift on the
+reef, to make their own living in the best way they could. Now and then
+a little food might be put in their way, but let them have a chance for
+their lives. Mark assented at once, and the coops were opened. Each fowl
+was carried to the taffrail, and tossed into the air, when it flew down
+upon the reef, a distance of a couple of hundred feet, almost as a
+matter of course. Glad enough were the poor things to be thus liberated.
+To Mark's surprise, no sooner did they reach the reef, than to work they
+went, and commenced picking up something with the greatest avidity, as
+if let loose in the best supplied poultry-yard. Confident there was
+nothing for even a hen to glean on the rocks when he left there, the
+young man could not account for this, until turning his eyes inboard, he
+saw the ducks doing the same thing on deck. Examining the food of these
+last-mentioned animals, he found there were a great number of minute
+mucilaginous particles on the deck, which no doubt had descended with
+the late rain, and which all the birds, as well as the hogs, seemed
+eager to devour. Here, then, was a supply, though a short-lived one, of
+a manna suited to those creatures, which might render them happy for a
+few hours, at least. Bob caught the ducks, and tossed them overboard,
+when they floundered about and enjoyed themselves in a way that
+communicated a certain pleasure even to the desolate and shipwrecked men
+who had set them at liberty. Nothing with life now remained in the ship
+but the goat, and Mark thought it best not to turn her ashore until they
+had greater facilities for getting the necessary food to her than the
+dingui afforded. As she was not likely to breed, there was no great use
+in keeping this animal at all, to say nothing of the means of feeding
+her, for any length of time; but Mark was unwilling to take her life,
+since Providence had brought them all to that place in company. Then he
+thought she might be a pretty object leaping about the cliffs of the
+crater, giving the island a more lively and inhabited appearance, though
+he foresaw she might prove very destructive to his plantations, did his
+vegetables grow. As there was time enough to decide on her final fate,
+it was finally settled she should be put ashore, and have a comfortable
+fortnight, even though condemned to die at the end of that brief period.
+
+On landing, every hole in the face of the cliff was found filled with
+fresh water. Betts was of opinion that the water-casks might all be
+filled with the water which was thus collected, the fluid having
+seemingly all flowed into these receptacles, while little had gone into
+the sea. This was encouraging for the future, at any rate; the want of
+water, previously to this shower, appearing to Mark to be a more
+probable occurrence than the want of food. The sea might furnish the
+last, on an emergency, while it could do nothing with the first. But the
+manner in which the ducks were enjoying themselves, in these fresh
+pools, can scarcely be imagined! As Mark stood looking at them, a doubt
+first suggested itself to his mind concerning the propriety of men's
+doing anything that ran counter to their instincts, with any of the
+creatures of God. Pet-birds in cages, birds that were created to fly,
+had always been disagreeable to him; nor did he conceive it to be any
+answer to say that they were born in cages, and had never known liberty.
+They were created with an instinct for flight, and intense must be their
+longings to indulge in the power which nature had bestowed on them. In
+the cage in which he now found himself, though he could run, walk, leap,
+swim, or do aught that nature designed him to do, in the way of mere
+animal exploits, young Mark felt how bitter were the privations he was
+condemned to suffer.
+
+The rain had certainly done no harm, as yet, to the planting. All the
+hills were entire, as Mark and Bob had left them, though well saturated
+with water. In a few, there might be even too much of the element,
+perhaps, but Mark observed that a tropical sun would soon remove that
+objection. His great apprehension was that he had commenced his
+gardening too late, and that the dry weather might set in too soon for
+the good of his vegetables; if any of them, indeed, ever came up at all.
+Here was one good soaking secured, at all events; and, knowing the
+power of a tropical sun, Mark was of opinion that the fate of the great
+experiment he had tried would soon be known. Could he succeed in
+producing vegetation among the _débris_ of the crater, he and Bob might
+find the means of subsistence during their natural lives; but, should
+that resource fail them, all their hopes would depend on being able to
+effect their escape in a craft of their own construction. In no case,
+however, but that of the direst necessity, did Mark contemplate the
+abandonment of his plan for getting back to the inhabited world, his
+country, and his bride!
+
+That night our mariners had a sounder sleep than they had yet been blest
+with since the loss of their shipmates, and the accident to the vessel
+itself. The two following days they passed in securing the ship. Bob
+actually made a very respectable catamaran, or raft, out of the spare
+spars, sawing the topmasts and lower yards in two, for that purpose, and
+fastening them together with ingenuity and strength, by means of
+lashings. But Mark hit upon an expedient for getting the two kedges
+ashore, that prevented the necessity of having recourse to the raft on
+that occasion. These kedges lay on the poop, where they were habitually
+kept, and two men had no great difficulty in getting them over the
+stern, suspended by stoppers. Now Mark had ascertained that the rock of
+the Reef rose like a wall, being volcanic, like all the rest of the
+formation, and that the ship could float almost anywhere alongside of
+it. Aided by the rake of the stern of an old-fashioned Philadelphia-built
+ship, nothing was easier than to veer upon the cable, let the vessel drop
+in to the island, until the kedges actually hung over the rocks, and then
+lower the last down. All this was done, and the raft was reserved for
+other purposes. Notwithstanding the facility with which the kedges were
+got ashore, it took Mark and Bob quite half a day to plant them in the
+rock precisely where they were wanted. When this was accomplished,
+however, it was so effectually done as to render the hold even greater
+than that of the sheet-anchor. The stocks were not used at all, but the
+kedges were laid flat on the rock, quite near to each other, and in such
+a manner that the flukes were buried in crevices of the lava, giving a
+most secure hold, while the shanks came out through natural grooves,
+leading straight towards the ship. Six parts of a hawser were bent to
+the kedges, three to each, and these parts were held at equal distances
+by pieces of spars ingeniously placed between them, the whole being kept
+in its place by regular stretchers that were lashed along the hawsers at
+distances of ten feet, giving all the parts of the ropes the same level.
+Before these stretchers were secured, the ship was hove ahead by her
+cable, and the several parts of the hawser brought to an equal strain.
+This left the vessel about a hundred feet from the island, a convenient,
+and if the anchor held, a _safe_ position; though Mark felt little
+fear of losing the ship against rocks that were so perpendicular and
+smooth. On the stretchers planks were next laid and lashed, thus making
+a clear passage between the vessel and the shore, that might be used at
+all times, without recourse to the dingui; besides mooring the ship head
+and stern, thereby keeping her always in the same place, and in the same
+position.
+
+The business of securing the ship occupied nearly two days, and was not
+got through with until about the middle of the afternoon of the second
+day. It was Saturday, and Mark had determined to make a good beginning,
+and keep all their Sabbaths, in future, as holy times, set apart for the
+special service of the Creator. He had been born and educated an
+Episcopalian, but Bob claimed to be a Quaker, and what was more he was a
+little stiff in some of his notions on the opinion of his sect. The part
+of New Jersey in which Betts was born, had many persons of this
+religious persuasion, and he was not only born, but, in one sense,
+educated in their midst; though the early age at which he went to sea
+had very much unsettled his practice, much the most material part of the
+tenets of these good persons. When the two knocked off work, Saturday
+afternoon, therefore, it was with an understanding that the next day was
+to be one of rest in the sense of Christians, and, from that time
+henceforth, that the Sabbath was to be kept as a holy day. Mark had ever
+been inclined to soberness of thought on such subjects. His early
+engagement to Bridget had kept him from falling into the ways of most
+mariners, and, time and again, had a future state of being been the
+subject of discourse between him and his betrothed. As the seasons of
+adversity are those in which men are the most apt to bethink them of
+their duties to God, it is not at all surprising that one of this
+disposition, thus situated, felt renewed demands on his gratitude and
+repentance.
+
+While Mark, in this frame of mind, went rambling around his narrow
+domains, Bob got the dingui, and proceeded with his fishing-tackle
+towards some of the naked rocks, that lifted their caps above the
+surface of the sea, in a north-westerly direction from the crater. Of
+these naked rocks there were nearly twenty, all within a mile of the
+crater, and the largest of them not containing more than six or eight
+acres of dry surface. Some were less than a hundred feet in diameter.
+The great extent and irregular formation of the reefs all around the
+island, kept the water smooth, for some distance, on all sides of it;
+and it was only when the rollers were sent in by heavy gales, that the
+dingui could not move about, in this its proper sphere, in safety.
+
+Betts was very fond of fishing, and could pass whole days, at a time, in
+that quiet amusement, provided he had a sufficient supply of tobacco.
+Indeed, one of the greatest consolations this man possessed, under the
+present misfortune, was the ample store of this weed which was to be
+found in the ship. Every man on board the Rancocus, Mark alone excepted,
+made use of tobacco; and, for so long a voyage, the provision laid in
+had been very abundant. On this occasion, Bob enjoyed his two favourite
+occupations to satiety, masticating the weed while he fished.
+
+With Mark it was very different. He was fond of his fowling-piece, but
+of little use was that weapon in his present situation. Of all the birds
+that frequented the adjacent rocks, not one was of a sort that would be
+eaten, unless in cases of famine. As he walked over the island, that
+afternoon, his companion was the goat, which had been driven ashore on
+the new gangway, and was enjoying its liberty almost as much as the
+ducks. As the animal frisked about him, accompanying him everywhere in
+his walks. Mark was reminded of the goats of Crusoe, and his mind
+naturally adverted to the different accounts of shipwrecks of which he
+had read, and to a comparison between his own condition and those of
+other mariners who had been obliged to make their homes, for a time, on
+otherwise uninhabited islands.
+
+In this comparison, Mark saw that many things made greatly against him,
+on the one hand; while, on the other, there were many others for which
+he had every reason to be profoundly grateful. In the first place, this
+island was, as yet, totally without vegetation of every kind. It had
+neither plant, shrub, nor tree. In this he suffered a great privation,
+and it even remained to be proved by actual experiment, whether he was
+master of what might be considered the elements of soil. It occurred to
+him that something like vegetation must have shown itself, in or about
+the crater, did its _débris_ contain the fertilizing principle, Mark not
+being sufficiently versed in the new science of chemical agriculture, to
+understand that the admixtures of certain elements might bring to life
+forces that then were dormant. Then the Reef had no water. This was a
+very, very great privation, the most serious of all, and might prove to
+be a terrible calamity. It is true that, just at that moment, there was
+a shower every day, and sometimes two or three of them; but it was then
+spring, and there could be little reason to doubt that droughts would
+come in the hot and dry season. As a last objection, the Reef had no
+great extent, and no variety, the eye taking it all in at a glance,
+while the crater was its sole relief against the dullest monotony. Nor
+was there a bit of wood, or fuel of any sort to cook with, after the
+supply now in the ship should be exhausted. Such were the leading
+disadvantages of the situation in which our mariners were placed, as
+compared with those into which most other shipwrecked seamen had been
+thrown.
+
+The advantages, on the other hand, Mark, in humble gratitude to God,
+admitted to be very great. In the first place, the ship and all she
+contained was preserved, giving them a dwelling, clothes, food and
+water, as well as fuel, for a long time to come; possibly, aided by what
+might be gleaned on even that naked reef, sufficient to meet all their
+wants for the duration of a human life. The cargo of the Rancocus was
+of no great extent, and of little value in a civilized country; but Mark
+knew that it included many articles that would be of vast service where
+he was. The beads and coarse trinkets with which it had been intended to
+trade with the savages, were of no use whatever, it is true; but the
+ship's owners were pains-taking and thoughtful Quakers, as has been
+already intimated, who blended with great shrewdness in the management
+of their worldly affairs, a certain regard to benevolence in general,
+and a desire to benefit their species. On this principle, they had
+caused a portion of their cargo to be made up, sending, in addition to
+all the ruder and commoner tools, that could be used by a people without
+domestic animals, a small supply of rugs, coarse clothes, coarse
+earthen-ware, and a hundred similar things, that would be very
+serviceable to any who knew how to use them. Most of the seeds came from
+these thoughtful merchants.
+
+If fresh water were absolutely wanting on the reef, it rained a good
+deal; in the rainy season it must rain for a few weeks almost
+incessantly, and the numerous cavities in the ancient lava, formed
+natural cisterns of great capacity. By taking the precaution of filling
+up the water-casks of the ship, periodically, there was little danger of
+suffering for the want of this great requisite. It is true, the sweet,
+cool, grateful draught, that was to be got from the gushing spring, must
+be forgotten; but rain-water collected in clean rock, and preserved in
+well-sweetened casks, was very tolerable drinking for seamen. Captain
+Crutchely, moreover, had a filterer for the cabin, and through it all
+the water used there was habitually passed.
+
+In striking the balance between the advantages and disadvantages of his
+own situation, as compared with that of other shipwrecked mariners, Mark
+confessed that he had quite as much reason to be grateful as to repine.
+The last he was resolved not to do, if possible; and he pursued his walk
+in a more calm and resigned mood than he had been in since the ship
+entered among the shoals.
+
+Mark, naturally enough, cast his eyes around him, and asked himself the
+question what was to be done with the domestic animals they had now all
+landed. The hogs might, or might not be of the greatest importance to
+them as their residence on the island was or was not protracted, and as
+they found the means of feeding them. There was still food enough in the
+ship to keep these creatures for some months, and food that had been
+especially laid in for that purpose; but that food would serve equally
+well for the fowls, and our young man was of opinion, that eggs would be
+of more importance to himself and Betts, than hog's flesh. Then there
+was the goat; she would soon cease to be of any use at all, and green
+food was not to be had for her. A little hay, however, remained; and
+Mark was fully determined that Kitty, as the playful little thing was
+called, should live at least as long as that lasted. She was fortunate
+in being content with a nourishment that no other animal wanted.
+
+Mark could see absolutely nothing on the rocks for a bird to live on,
+yet were the fowls constantly picking up something. They probably found
+insects that escaped his sight; while it was certain that the ducks were
+revelling in the pools of fresh water, of which there might, at that
+moment, have been a hundred on the reef. As all these creatures were, as
+yet, regularly fed from the supplies in the ship, each seemed to be
+filled with the joy of existence; and Mark, as he walked among them,
+felt how profound ought to be his own gratitude, since he was still in a
+state of being which admitted of a consciousness of happiness so much
+beyond anything that was known to the inferior animals of creation. He
+had his mind, with all its stores gathered from study and observation,
+his love for God, and his hopes of a blessed future, ever at command.
+Even his love for Bridget had its sweets, as well as its sorrows. It was
+grateful to think of her tenderness to himself, her beauty, her
+constancy, of which he would not for a moment doubt, and of all the
+innocent and delightful converse they had had during a courtship that
+occupied so much of their brief lives.
+
+Just as the sun was setting, Bob returned from his fishing excursion. To
+Mark's surprise, he saw that the dingui floated almost with her
+gunwale-to, and he hastened down to meet his friend, who came ashore in
+a little bay, quite near the gate-way, and in which the rock did not
+rise as much like a wall as it did on most of the exterior of the reef.
+Bob had caught about a dozen fish, some of which were of considerable
+size, though all were of either species or varieties that were unknown
+to them both. Selecting two of the most promising-looking, for their own
+use, he threw the others on the rocks, where the pigs and poultry might
+give them a trial. Nor was it long before these creatures were hard at
+work on them, disregarding the scales and fins. At first the hens were a
+little delicate, probably from having found animal food enough for their
+present wants in the insects; but, long before the game was demolished,
+they had come in for their full share. This experiment satisfied the
+mariners that there would be no difficulty in furnishing plenty of food
+for all their stock, and for any length of time, Kitty excepted. It is
+true, the pork and the poultry would be somewhat fishy; but that would
+be a novelty, and should it prove disagreeable on tasting it, a little
+clean feeding, at the proper moment, would correct the flavour.
+
+But the principal cargo of the dingui was not the dozen fish mentioned.
+Bob had nearly filled the boat with a sort of vegetable loam, that he
+had found lodged in the cavity of one of the largest rocks, and which,
+from the signs around the place, he supposed to have been formed by
+deposits of sea-weed. By an accident of nature, this cavity in the rock
+received a current, which carried large quantities of floating weed
+_into_ it, while every storm probably had added to its stores since the
+mass had risen above the common level of the sea, by throwing fresh
+materials on to the pile, by means of the waves, nothing quitting it.
+Bob reported that there were no signs of vegetation around the rock,
+which circumstance, however, was easily enough accounted for by the salt
+water that was incessantly moistening the surface, and which, while it
+took with it the principle of future, was certain to destroy all
+present, vegetable life; or, all but that which belongs exclusively to
+aquatic plants.
+
+"How much of this muck do you suppose is to be found on your rock, Bob?"
+asked Mark, after he had examined the dingui's cargo, by sight, taste,
+and smell. "If is surprisingly like a rich earth, if it be not actually
+so."
+
+"Lord bless you, Mr. Mark, there is enough on't to fill the old 'Cocus,
+ag'in and ag'in. How deep it is, I don't pretend to know; but it's a
+good hundred paces across it, and the spot is as round as that there
+chimbly, that you call a cr'ature."
+
+"If that be the case, we will try our hands at it next week, and see
+what can be done with an importation. I do not give up the blessed hope
+of the boat, Bob--that you will always bear in mind--but it is best to
+keep an eye on the means of living, should it please God to prevent our
+getting to sea again."
+
+"To sea, Mr. Mark, neither you nor I, nor any mortal man will ever get,
+in the old 'Cocus ag'in, as I know by the looks of things outside of us.
+'Twill never do to plant in my patch, however, for the salt water must
+wash it whenever it blows; though a very little work, too, might keep it
+out, when I come to think on it. Sparrow-grass would grow there, as it
+is, desperately well; and Friend Abraham White had both seeds and roots
+put up for the use of the savages, if a body only know'd whereabouts to
+look for them, among the lot of rubbish of that sort, that he sent
+aboard."
+
+"All the seeds and roots are in two or three boxes, in the steerage,"
+answered Mark. "I'll just step up to the crater and bring a shovel, to
+throw this loam out of the boat with, while you can clean the fish and
+cook the supper. A little fresh food, after so much salt, will be both
+pleasant and good for us."
+
+Bob assented, and each went his way. Mark threw the loam into a
+wheelbarrow, of which Friend Abraham had put no less than three in the
+ship, as presents to the savages, and he wheeled it, at two or three
+loads, into the crater, where he threw it down in a pile, intending to
+make a compost heap of all the materials of the sort he could lay his
+hands on.
+
+As for Bob he cleaned both fish, taking them on board the ship to do so.
+He put the largest and coarsest into the coppers, after cutting it up,
+mixing with it onions, pork, and ship's bread, intending to start a fire
+beneath it early in the morning, and cook a sort of chowder. The other
+he fried, Mark and he making a most grateful meal on it, that evening.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter VII.
+
+
+
+   "Be thou at peace!--Th' all-seeing eye,
+    Pervading earth, and air, and sky,
+    The searching glance which none may flee,
+    Is still, in mercy, turn'd on thee."
+
+    Mrs. Hemans.
+
+
+The Sabbath ever dawns on the piously-inclined, with hope and a devout
+gratitude to the Creator for all his mercies. This is more apt to be the
+case in genial seasons, and rural abodes, perhaps, than amidst the
+haunts of men, and when the thoughts are diverted from the proper
+channels by the presence of persons around us. Still greater is the
+influence of absolute solitude, and that increased by the knowledge of a
+direct and visible dependence on the Providence of God, for the means of
+even prolonging existence. In the world, men lose sight of this
+dependence, fancying themselves and their powers of more account than
+the truth would warrant, and even forgetting whence these very boasted
+powers are derived; but man, when alone, and in critical circumstances,
+is made to feel that he is not sufficient for his own wants, and turns
+with humility and hope to the divine hand that upholds him.
+
+With feelings of this character, did Mark and Betts keep their first
+Sabbath on the reef. The former read the morning service, from beginning
+to end, while the latter sat by, an attentive listener. The only proof
+given of any difference in religious faith between our mariners, was of
+so singular a nature as to merit notice. Notwithstanding Bob's early
+familiarity with Mark, his greater age, and the sort of community of
+feeling and interest created by their common misfortune, the former had
+not ceased to treat the last with the respect due to his office. This
+deference never deserted him, and he had riot once since the ship was
+embayed, entered the cabin without pulling off his hat As soon as church
+commenced, however, Bob resumed his tarpaulin, as a sort of sign of his
+own orthodoxy in the faith of his fathers; making it a point to do as
+they had done in meeting, and slightly concerned lest his companion
+might fall into the error of supposing he was a man likely to be
+converted. Mark also observed that, in the course of that Sabbath, Bob
+used the pronouns 'thee' and 'thou,' on two or three occasions, sounding
+oddly enough in the mouth of the old salt.
+
+Well did both our mariners prove the efficacy of the divine provision of
+a day of rest, in a spiritual sense, on the occasion of this their first
+Sabbath on the reef. Mark felt far more resigned to his fate than he
+could have believed possible, while Betts declared that he should be
+absolutely happy, had he only a better boat than the dingui; not that
+the dingui was at all a bad craft of its kind, but it wanted size. After
+the religious services, for which both our mariners had shaved and
+dressed, they took a walk together, on the reef, conversing of their
+situation and future proceedings. Bob then told Mark, for the first
+time, that, in his opinion, there was the frame and the other materials
+of a pinnace, or a large boat, somewhere in the hold, which it was
+intended to put together, when the ship reached the islands, as a
+convenience for cruising about among them to trade with the savages, and
+to transport sandal-wood. The mate had never heard of this boat, but
+acknowledged that a part of the hold-had been stowed while he was up at
+Bristol, and it might have been taken in then. Bob confessed that he had
+never seen it, though he had worked in the stevedore's gang; but was
+confident he had heard Friend Abraham White and Captain Crutchely
+talking of its dimensions and uses. According to his recollection it was
+to be a boat considerably larger than the launch, and to be fitted with
+masts and sails, and to have a half-deck. Mark listened to ah1 this
+patiently, though he firmly believed that the honest fellow was
+deceiving himself the whole time. Such a craft could scarcely be in the
+ship, and he not hear of it, if he did not actually see it; though he
+thought it possible that the captain and owners may have had some such
+plan in contemplation, and conversed together on it, in Betts's
+presence. As there were plenty of tools on board, however, by using
+stuff of one sort or another, that was to be found in the ship, Mark
+had strong hopes of their being able, between them, to construct, in the
+course of time--though he believed a long time might be necessary--a
+craft of some sort, that should be of sufficient stability to withstand
+the billows of that ordinarily mild sea, and enable them to return to
+their homes and friends. In conversing of things of this sort, in
+religious observances, and in speculating on the probable fate of their
+shipmates, did our mariners pass this holy day. Bob was sensibly
+impressed with the pause in their ordinary pursuits, and lent himself to
+the proper feelings of the occasion with a zeal and simplicity that gave
+Mark great satisfaction; for, hitherto, while aware that his friend was
+as honest a fellow as ever lived, in the common acceptation of such a
+phrase, he had not supposed him in the least susceptible of religious
+impressions. But the world had suddenly lost its hold on Betts, the
+barrier offered by the vast waters of the Pacific, being almost as
+impassable, in his actual circumstances, as that of the grave; and the
+human heart turns to God in its direst distress, as to the only being
+who can administer relief. It is when men are prosperous that they
+vainly imagine they are sufficient for their own wants, and are most apt
+to neglect the hand that alone can give durable support.
+
+The following morning our mariners resumed their more worldly duties
+with renewed powers. While the kettle was boiling for their tea, they
+rolled ashore a couple of empty water-casks, and filled them with fresh
+water, at one of the largest natural reservoirs on the reef; it having
+rained hard in the night. After breakfast, Mark walked round to examine
+his piles of loam, in the crater, while Bob pulled away in the dingui,
+to catch a few fish, and to get a new cargo of the earth; it being the
+intention of Mark to join him at the next trip, with the raft, which
+required some little arranging, however, previously to its being used
+for such a purpose. The rain of the past night had thoroughly, washed
+the pile of earth, and, on tasting it. Mark was convinced that much of
+the salt it contained had been carried off. This encouraged him to
+persevere in his gardening projects. As yet, the spring had only just
+commenced, and he was in hopes of being able to prepare one bed, at
+least, in time to obtain useful vegetables from it.
+
+The Rancocus had a great many planks and boards in her hold, a part of
+the ample provision made by her owners for the peculiar voyage on which
+she had been sent. Of real cargo, indeed, she had very little, the
+commerce between the civilized man and the savage being ordinarily on
+those great principles of Free Trade, of which so much is said of late
+years, while so little is understood, and which usually give the lion's
+share of the profit to them who need it least. With some of these
+planks, Mark made a staging for his raft. By the time he was ready, Bob
+returned with a load of loam, and, on the next outward voyage, the raft
+was taken as well as the dingui. Mark had fitted pins and grummets, by
+which the raft was rowed, he and Bob impelling it, when light, very
+easily at the rate of two miles in the hour.
+
+Mark found Betts's deposit of decayed vegetable matter even larger and
+more accessible than he had hoped for. A hundred loads might be got
+without even using a wheelbarrow; and to all appearances there was
+enough of it to give a heavy dressing to many acres, possibly to the
+whole area of the crater. The first thing the young man did was to
+choose a suitable place, dig it well up, mixing a sufficiency of guano
+with it, agreeably to Betts's directions, and then to put in some of his
+asparagus roots. After this he scattered a quantity of the seed, raking
+the ground well after sowing. By the time this was done, Bob had both
+dingui and raft loaded, when they pulled the last back to the reef,
+towing the boat. In this manner our two mariners continued to work most
+of the time, for the next fortnight, making, daily, more or less trips
+to the 'loam-rock,' as they called the place where this precious deposit
+had been made; though they neglected none of their other necessary
+duties. As the distance was short, they could come and go many times in
+a day, transporting at each trip about as much of the loam as would make
+an ordinary American cart-load of manure. In the whole, by Mark's
+computation, they got across about fifty of these cargoes, in the course
+of their twelve days' work. The entire day, however, was on no occasion
+given up wholly to this pursuit. On the contrary, many little odd tasks
+wore completed, which were set by their necessities, or by fore thought
+and prudence. All the empty water-casks, for one thing, were rolled
+ashore, and filled at the largest pool; the frequency of the rains
+admonishing them of the wisdom of making a provision for the dry season.
+The Rancocus had a good deal of water still left in her, some of it
+being excellent Delaware river water, though she had filled up at
+Valparaiso, after passing the Horn. Mark counted the full casks, and
+allowing ten gallons a day for Bob and himself, a good deal more than
+could be wanted, there remained in the ship fresh water enough to last
+them two years. It is true, it was not such water as the palate often
+craved of a warm day; but they were accustomed to it, and it was sweet.
+By keeping it altogether between decks, the sun had no power on it, and
+it was even more palatable than might have been supposed. Mark
+occasionally longed for one good drink at some gushing spring that he
+remembered at home, it is true; and Bob was a little in the habit of
+extolling a particular well that, it would seem, his family were reputed
+to have used for several generations. Notwithstanding these little
+natural backslidings on this subject, our mariners might be thought well
+off on the score of water, having it in great abundance, and with no
+reasonable fear of ever losing it altogether. The casks taken ashore
+were filled for their preservation, as well as for convenience, an old
+sail being spread over them, after they were rolled together and
+chocked. As yet, no water was given to any of the stock, all the animals
+finding it in abundance, in the cavities of the lava.
+
+Some of the time, moreover, Betts passed in fishing, supplying not only
+Mark and himself, but the pigs and the poultry, with as much food as was
+desired. Several of the fish caught turned out to be delicious, while
+others were of a quality that caused them to be thrown into the compost
+heap. A cargo of guano was also imported, the rich manure being mixed up
+in liberal quantities with the loam. At the end of the first week of
+these voyages to 'loam-rock,' Betts went out to fish in a new direction,
+passing to windward of the 'sea-wall,' as they called the reef that
+protected the ship, and pulling towards a bit of naked rock a short
+distance beyond it, where he fancied he might find a particular sort of
+little fish, that greatly resembled the Norfolk Hog-fish, one of the
+most delicious little creatures for the pan that is to be found in all
+the finny tribe. He had been gone a couple of hours, when Mark, who was
+at work within the crater, picking up the encrusted ashes that formed
+its surface, heard Bob's shout outside, as if he wished assistance.
+Throwing down the pick, our young man ran out, and was not a little
+surprised to see the sort of cargo with which Bob was returning to port.
+It would seem that a great collection of sea-weed had formed to windward
+of the rock where Bob had gone to fish, at which spot it ordinarily
+gathered in a pile until the heap became too large to lodge any longer,
+when, owing to the form of the rock, it invariably broke adrift, and
+passed to the southward of the Reef, floating to leeward, to fetch up on
+some other rock, or island, in that direction. Bob had managed to get
+this raft round a particular point in the reef, when the wind and
+current carried it, as near as might be, directly towards the crater. He
+was calling to Mark to come to his assistance, to help get the raft into
+a sort of bay, ahead of him, where it might be lodged; else would there
+be the danger of its drifting past the Reef, after all his pains. Our
+young man saw, at once, what was wanted, got a line, succeeded in
+throwing it to Bob, and by hauling upon it brought the whole mass ashore
+in the very spot Betts wished to see it landed.
+
+This sea-weed proved to be a great acquisition on more accounts than
+one. There was as much of it in quantity as would have made two
+good-sized loads of hay. Then, many small shell-fish were found among
+it, which the pigs and poultry ate with avidity. It also contained
+seeds, that the fowls picked up as readily as if it had been corn. The
+hogs moreover masticated a good deal of the weed, and poor Kitty, the
+only one of the domestic animals on the Reef that was not now living to
+its heart's content, nibbled at it, with a species of half-doubting
+faith in its salubrity. Although it was getting to be late in the
+afternoon, Mark and Bob got two of Friend Abraham White's pitchforks
+(for the worthy Quaker had sent these, among other implements of
+husbandry, as a peace-offering to the Fejee savages), and went to work
+with a hearty good-will, landed all this weed, loaded it up, and wheeled
+it into the crater, leaving just enough outside to satisfy the pigs and
+the poultry. This task concluded the first week of the labour already
+mentioned.
+
+At the termination of the second week, Mark and Betts held a council on
+the subject of their future proceedings. At this consultation it was
+decided that it would be better to finish the picking up of a
+considerable plot of ground, one of at least half an acre in extent,
+that was already commenced, within the crater, scatter their compost
+over it, and spade all up together, and plant, mixing in as much of the
+sea-weed as they could conveniently spade under. Nothwithstanding their
+success in finding the loam, and this last discovery of a means of
+getting sea-weed in large supplies to the Reef, Mark was not very
+sanguine of success in his gardening. The loam appeared to him to be
+cold and sour, as well as salt, though a good deal freshened by the rain
+since it was put in the crater; and he knew nothing of the effects of
+guano, except through the somewhat confused accounts of Bob. Then the
+plain of the crater offered nothing beside a coarse and shelly ashes.
+These ashes were deep enough for any agricultural purpose, it is true,
+for Mark could work a crowbar down into them its entire length; but they
+appeared to him to be totally wanting in the fertilizing principle. Nor
+could he account for the absence of everything like vegetation, on or
+about the reef, if the elements of plants of any sort were to be found
+in the substances of which it was composed. He had read, however, that
+the territory around active volcanoes, and which was far enough removed
+from the vent to escape from the destruction caused by lava, scoriæ and
+heat, was usually highly fertile, in consequence of the ashes and
+impalpable dust that was scattered in the air; but seeing no proofs of
+any such fertility here, he supposed that the adjacent sea had swallowed
+up whatever there might have been of these bountiful gifts. With these
+impressions, it is not surprising that Mark was disposed to satisfy
+himself with a moderate beginning, in preference to throwing away time
+and labour in endeavouring to produce resources which after all would
+fail them.
+
+Mark's plan, as laid before his companion, on the occasion of the
+council mentioned, was briefly this:--He proposed to pass the next month
+in preparing the half-acre they had commenced upon, and in getting in
+seed; after which they could do no more than trust their husbandry to
+Providence and the seasons. As soon as done with the tillage, it was his
+idea that they ought to overhaul the ship thoroughly, ascertain what was
+actually in her, and, if the materials of the boat mentioned by Betts
+were really to be found, to set that craft up as soon as possible, and
+to get it into the water. Should they not find the frame and planks of
+the pinnace, as Betts seemed to think they would, they must go to work
+and get out the best frame they could themselves, and construct such a
+craft as their own skill could contrive. After building such a boat, it
+was Mark's opinion that he and Bob could navigate her across that
+tranquil ocean, until they reached the coast of South America, or some
+of the islands that were known to be friendly to the white man; for,
+fifty yearns ago, it will be remembered, we did not possess the same
+knowledge of the Pacific that we possess to-day, and mariners did not
+trust themselves always with confidence among the natives of its
+islands. With this plan pretty well sketched out, then, our mariners saw
+the first month of their captivity among the unknown reefs of this
+remote quarter of the world, draw to its close.
+
+Mark was a little surprised by a proposal that he received from Bob,
+next morning, which was the Sabbath, of course. "Friends have monthly
+meetings," Betts observed, "and he thought they ought to set up some
+such day on the Reef. He was willing to keep Christmas, if Mark saw fit,
+but rather wished to pay proper respect to all the festivals and
+observances of Friends." Mark was secretly amused with this proposition,
+even while it pleased him. The monthly meeting of the Quakers was for
+the secular part of church business, as much as for the purposes of
+religious worship; and Bob having all those concerns in his own hands,
+it was not so easy to see how a stated day was to aid him any in
+carrying out his church government. But Mark understood the feeling
+which dictated this request, and was disposed to deal gently by it.
+Betts was becoming daily more and more conscious of his dependence on a
+Divine Providence, in the situation in which he was thrown; and his
+mind, as well as his feelings, naturally enough reverted to early
+impressions and habits, in their search for present relief. Bob had not
+the clearest notions of either the theory or practice of his sect, but
+he remembered much of the last, and believed he should be acting right
+by conforming as closely as possible to the 'usages of Friends,' Mark
+promised to take the matter into consideration, and to come to some
+decision on it, at an early day.
+
+The following Monday it rained nearly the whole morning, confining our
+mariners to the ship. They took that occasion to overhaul the
+''twixt-deck' more thoroughly than had yet been done, and particularly
+to give the seed-boxes a close examination. Much of the lumber, and most
+of the tools too, were stowed on this deck, and something like a survey
+was also made of them. The frame and other materials of the pinnace were
+looked for, in addition, but without any success. If in the ship at all,
+they were certainly not betwixt decks. Mark was still of opinion no such
+articles would ever be found; but Betts insisted on the conversation he
+had overheard, and on his having rightly understood it. The provision of
+tools was very ample, and, in some respects, a little exaggerated in the
+way of Friend White's expectations of civilizing the people of Fejee. It
+may be well, here, to say a word concerning the reason that the Rancocus
+contained so many of these tributes to civilization. The voyage of the
+ship, it will be remembered, was in quest of sandal-wood. This
+sandal-wood was to be carried to Canton and sold, and a cargo of teas
+taken in with the avails. Now, sandal-wood was supposed to be used for
+the purposes of idolatry, being said to be burned before the gods of
+that heathenish people, Idolatry being one of the chiefest of all sins,
+Friend Abraham White had many compunctions and misgivings of conscience
+touching the propriety of embarking in the trade at all. It was true,
+that our knowledge of the Chinese customs did not extend far enough to
+render it certain that the wood was used for the purpose of burning
+before idols, some pretending it was made into ornamental furniture; but
+Friend Abraham White had heard the first, and was disposed to provide a
+set-off, in the event of the report's being true, by endeavouring to do
+something towards the civilization of the heathen. Had he been a
+Presbyterian merchant, of a religious turn, it is probable a quantity of
+tracts would have been made to answer the purpose; but, belonging to a
+sect whose practice was generally as perfect as its theory is imperfect,
+Friend Abraham White's conscience was not to be satisfied with any such
+shallow contrivance. It is true that he expected to make many thousands
+of dollars by the voyage, and doubtless would so have done, had not the
+accident befallen the ship, or had poor Captain Crutchely drank less in
+honour of his wedding-day; but the investment in tools, seeds, pigs,
+wheelbarrows, and other matters, honestly intended to better the
+condition of the natives of Vanua Levu and Viti Levu, did not amount to
+a single cent less than one thousand dollars, lawful money of the
+republic.
+
+In looking over the packages, Mark found white clover seed, and Timothy
+seed, among other things, in sufficient quantity to cover most of the
+mount of the crater. The weather temporarily clearing off, he called to
+Bob, and they went ashore together, Mark carrying some of the grass seed
+in a pail, while. Betts followed with a vessel to hold guano. Providing
+a quantity of the last from a barrel that had been previously filled
+with it, and covered to protect it from the rain, they clambered up the
+side of the crater. This was the first time either had ascended since
+the day they finished planting there, and Mark approached his hills with
+a good deal of freshly-revived interest in their fate. From _them_ he
+expected very little, having had no loam to mix with the ashes; but, by
+dwelling so much of late on the subject of tillage, he was not without
+faint hopes of meeting with some little reward for the pains he had
+taken. The reader will judge of the rapture then, as well as of the
+surprise, with which he first saw a hill of melons, already in the
+fourth leaf. Here, then, was the great problem successfully solved.
+Vegetation had actually commenced on that hitherto barren mount, and the
+spot which had lain--how long, Mark knew not, but probably for a
+thousand years, if not for thousands of years, in its nakedness--was
+about to be covered with verdure, and blest with fruitfulness. The inert
+principles which, brought to act together; had produced this sudden
+change from barrenness to fertility, had probably been near neighbours
+to each other all that time, but had failed of bringing forth their
+fruits, for the want of absolute contact. So Mark reasoned, for he
+nothing doubted that it was Betts's guano that had stimulated the
+otherwise barren deposit of the volcano, and caused his seed to
+germinate. The tillage may have aided, as well as the admission of air,
+light and water; but something more than this, our young gardener
+fancied, was wanting to success. That something the manure of birds,
+meliorated and altered by time, had supplied, and lo! the glorious
+results were before his eyes.
+
+It would not be easy to portray to the reader all the delight which
+these specks of incipient verdure conveyed to the mind of Mark Woolston.
+It far exceeded the joy that would be apt to be awakened by a relief
+from an apprehension of wanting food at a distant day, for it resembled
+something of the character of a new creation. He went from hill to hill,
+and everywhere did he discover plants, some just peeping through the
+ashes, others already in leaf, and all seemingly growing and thriving.
+Fortunately, Kitty had not been on the mount for the last fortnight, her
+acquired habits, and the total nakedness of the hills, having kept her
+below with the other animals, since her first visits. Mark saw the
+necessity of keeping her off the elevation, which she would certainly
+climb the instant anything like verdure caught her eyes from below. He
+determined, therefore, to confine her to the ship, until he had taken
+the precautions necessary to prevent her ascending the mount. This last
+was easily enough done. On the exterior of the hills there were but
+three places where even a goat could get up. This was owing to the
+circumstance that the base of the ascent rose like a wall, for some ten
+or twelve feet, everywhere but at the three points mentioned. It
+appeared to Mark as if the sea had formerly washed around the crater,
+giving this form to its bottom for so wall-like was the rock for these
+ten or twelve feet, that it would have defied the efforts of a man for
+a long time, to overcome the difficulties of the ascent. At two of the
+places where the _débris_ had made a rough footing, half an hour's work
+would remove the material, and leave these spots as impassable as the
+others. At the third point, it might require a good deal of labor to
+effect the object. At this last place, Mark told Betts it would be
+necessary, for the moment, to make some sort of a fence. Within the
+crater, it was equally difficult to ascend, except at one or two places;
+but these ascents our mariners thought of improving, by making steps, as
+the animals were effectually excluded from the plain within by means of
+the sail which served for a curtain at the gateway, or hole of entrance.
+
+As soon as Mark had recovered a little from his first surprise, he sent
+Bob below to bring up some buckets filled with the earth brought from
+Loam Rock, or island. This soil was laid carefully around each of the
+plants, the two working alternately at the task, until a bucket-full had
+been laid in each hill. Mark did not know it at the time, but subsequent
+experience gave him reason to suspect, that this forethought saved most
+of his favourites from premature deaths. Seed might germinate, and the
+plants shoot luxuriantly from out of the ashes of the volcano, under the
+united influence of the sun and rains, in that low latitude, but it was
+questionable whether the nourishment to be derived from such a soil, if
+soil it could yet be called, would prove to be sufficient to sustain the
+plants when they got to be of an age and size to demand all the support
+they wanted. So convinced did Mark become, as the season advanced, of
+the prudence of what he then did out of a mere impulse, that he passed
+hours, subsequently, in raising loam to the summit of the mount, in
+order to place it in the different hills. For this purpose, Bob rigged a
+little derrick, and fitted a whip, so that the buckets were whipped up,
+sailor-fashion, after two or three experiments made in lugging them up
+by hand had suggested to the honest fellow that there might be a cheaper
+mode of obtaining their wishes.
+
+When Mark was temporarily satisfied with gazing at his new-found
+treasures, he went to work to scatter the grass stood over the summit
+and sides of the crater. Inside, there was not much motive for sowing
+anything, the rock being so nearly perpendicular; but on the outside of
+the hill, or 'mountain,' as Bob invariably called it, the first ten or
+twelve feet excepted, there could be no obstacle to the seeds taking;
+though from the want of soil much of it, Mark knew, must be lost; but,
+if it only took in spots, and gave him a few green patches for the eye
+to rest on, he felt he should be amply rewarded for his trouble. Bob
+scattered guano wherever he scattered grass-seed, and in this way they
+walked entirely round the crater, Mark using up at least half of Friend
+Abraham White's provision in behalf of the savages of Fejee, in the way
+of the grasses. A gentle soft rain soon came to moisten this seed, and
+to embed it with whatever there was of soil on the surface, giving it
+every chance to take root that circumstances would allow.
+
+This preliminary step taken towards covering the face of the mount with
+verdure, our mariners went to work to lay out their garden, regularly,
+within the crater. Mark manifested a good deal of ingenuity in this
+matter. With occasional exceptions the surface of the plain, or the
+bottom of the crater, was an even crust of no great thickness, compared
+of concrete ashes, scoriæ &c., but which might have borne the weight of
+a loaded wagon. This crust once broken, which it was not very difficult
+to do by means of pick and crows, the materials beneath were found loose
+enough for the purposes of agriculture, almost without using the spade.
+Now, space being abundant, Mark drew lines, in fanciful and winding
+paths, leaving the crust for his walks, and only breaking into the loose
+materials beneath, wherever he wished to form a bed. This variety served
+to amuse him and Betts, and they worked with so much the greater zeal,
+as their labours produced objects that were agreeable to the eye, and
+which amused them now, while they promised to benefit them hereafter. As
+each bed, whether oval, winding or straight, was dug, the loam and
+sea-weed was mixed up in it, in great abundance, after which it was
+sown, or planted.
+
+Mark was fully aware that many of Friend Abraham White's seeds, if they
+grew and brought their fruits to maturity, would necessarily change
+their properties in that climate; some for the worse, and others for the
+better. From the Irish potato, the cabbage, and most of the more
+northern vegetables, he did not expect much, under any circumstances;
+but, he thought he would try all, and having several regularly assorted
+boxes of garden-seeds, just as they had been purchased out of the shops
+of Philadelphia, his garden scarce wanted any plant that was then known
+to the kitchens of America.
+
+Our mariners were quite a fortnight preparing, manuring, and sowing
+their _parterre_, which, when complete, occupied fully half an acre in
+the very centre of the crater, Mark intending it for the nucleus of
+future similar works, that might convert the whole hundred acres into a
+garden. By the time the work was done, the rains were less frequent,
+though it still came in showers, and those that were still more
+favourable to vegetation. In that fortnight the plants on the mount had
+made great advances, showing the exuberance and growth of a tropical
+climate. It sometimes, nay, it often happens, that when the sun is the
+most genial for vegetation, moisture is wanting to aid its power, and,
+in some respects, to counteract its influence. These long and periodical
+droughts, however, are not so much owing to heat as to other and local
+causes, Mark now began to hope, as the spring advanced, that his little
+territory was to be exempt, in a great measure, from the curse of
+droughts, the trades, and some other causes that to him were unknown,
+bringing clouds so often that not only shed their rain upon his garden,
+but which served in a great measure to mitigate a heat that, without
+shade of some sort or other, would be really intolerable.
+
+With a view to the approaching summer, our mariners turned their
+attention to the constructing of a tent within the crater. They got some
+old sails and some spars ashore, and soon had a spacious, as well as a
+comfortable habitation of this sort erected. Not only did they spread a
+spacious tent for themselves, within the crater, but they erected
+another, or a sort of canopy rather, on its outside, for the use of the
+animals, which took refuge beneath it, during the heats of the day, with
+an avidity that proved how welcome it was. This outside shed, or canopy,
+required a good deal of care in its construction, to resist the wind,
+while that inside scarce ever felt the breeze. This want of wind, or of
+air in motion, indeed, formed the most serious objection to the crater,
+as a place of residence, in the hot months; and the want of breeze that
+was suffered in the tent, set Mark to work to devise expedients for
+building some sort of tent, or habitation, on the in net itself, where
+it would be always cool, provided one could get a protection from the
+fierce rays of the sun.
+
+After a good deal of search, Mark selected a spot on the 'Summit,' as he
+began to term the place, and pitched his tent on, it. Holes were made in
+the soft rocks, and pieces of spars were inserted, to answer for posts.
+With a commencement as solid as this, it was not difficult to make the
+walls of the tent (or marquee would be the better word, since both
+habitations had nearly upright sides) by means of an old fore-course. In
+order to get the canvas up there, however, it was found necessary to cut
+out the pieces below, when, by means of the purchase at the derrick, it
+was all hoisted to the Summit.
+
+These several arrangements occupied Mark and Bob another fortnight,
+completing the first quarter of a year they had passed on the Reef. By
+this time they had got accustomed to their situation, and had fallen
+into regular courses of duty, though the increasing heats admonished
+both of the prudence of not exposing themselves too much beneath the
+fiery sun at noon-day.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter VIII.
+
+
+
+    "Now from the full-grown day a beamy shower
+    Gleams on the lake, and gilds each glossy flower,
+    Gay insects sparkle in the genial blaze,
+    Various as light, and countless as its rays--
+    Now, from yon range of rocks, strong rays rebound,
+    Doubling the day on flowery plains around."
+
+    Savage.
+
+
+After the tent on the Summit was erected, Mark passed much of his
+leisure time there. Thither he conveyed many of his books, of which he
+had a very respectable collection, his flute, and a portion of his
+writing materials. There he could sit and watch the growth of the
+different vegetables he was cultivating. As for Bob, he fished a good
+deal, both in the way of supplies and for his amusement. The pigs and
+poultry fared well, and everything seemed to thrive but poor Kitty. She
+loved to follow Mark, and cast many a longing look up at the Summit,
+whenever she saw him strolling about among his plants.
+
+The vegetables on the Summit, or those first put into the ground,
+flourished surprisingly. Loam had been added repeatedly, and they wanted
+for nothing that could bring forward vegetation. The melons soon began
+to run, as did the cucumbers, squashes, and pumpkins; and by the end of
+the next month, there were a dozen large patches on the mount that were
+covered by a dense verdure. Nor was this all; Mark making a discovery
+about this time, that afforded him almost as, much happiness as when he
+first saw his melons in leaf. He was seated one day, with the walls of
+his tent brailed up, in order to allow the wind to blow through, when
+something dark on the rock caught his eye. This spot was some little
+distance from him, and going to it, he found that large quantities of
+his grass-seed had actually taken! Now he might hope to convert that
+barren-looking, and often glaring rock, into a beautiful grassy hill,
+and render that which was sometimes painful to the eyes, a pleasure to
+look upon. The young man understood the laws of vegetation well enough
+to be certain that could the roots of grasses once insinuate themselves
+into the almost invisible crevices of the crust that coveted the place,
+they would of themselves let in light, air and water enough for their
+own wants, and thus increase the very fertility on which they subsisted.
+He did not fail, however, to aid nature, by scattering a fresh supply of
+guano all over the hill.
+
+While Mark was thus employed at home, Bob rowed out to the reef,
+bringing in his fish in such quantities that it occurred to Mark to
+convert them also into manure. A fresh half-acre was accordingly broken
+up, within the crater, the cool of the mornings and of the evenings
+being taken for the toil; and, as soon as a bed was picked over,
+quantities of fish were buried in it, and left there to decay. Nor did
+Betts neglect the sea-weed the while. On several occasions he floated
+large bodies of it in, from the outer reefs, which were all safely
+landed and wheeled into the crater, where a long pile of it was formed,
+mingled with loam from Loam Island, and guano. This work, however,
+gradually ceased, as the season advanced, and summer came in earnest.
+That season, however, did not prove by any means as formidable as Mark
+had anticipated, the sea-breezes keeping the place cool and refreshed.
+Our mariners now missed the rain, which was by no means as frequent a it
+had been, though it fell in larger quantities when it did come. The
+stock had to be watered for several weeks, the power of the sun causing
+all the water that lodged it the cavities of the rocks to evaporate
+almost immediately.
+
+During the time it was too warm to venture out in the dingui, except for
+half an hour of a morning, or for as long a period of an evening, Mark
+turned his attention to the ship again. Seizing suitable moments, each
+sail was loosened, thoroughly dried, unbent, and got below. An awning
+was got out, and spread, and the decks were wet down, morning and
+evening, both for the purposes of cleanliness, and to keep them from
+cheeking. The hold was now entered, and overhauled, for the first time
+since the accident. A great many useful things were found in it, and
+among other articles two barrels of good sharp vinegar, which Friend
+Abraham White had caused to be put on board to be used with anything
+that could be pickled, as an anti-scorbutic. The onions and cucumbers
+both promising so well, Mark rejoiced at this discovery, determining at
+once to use some of the vinegar on a part of his expected crop of those
+two vegetables.
+
+One day as Bob was rummaging about in the hold, and Mark was looking on,
+that being the coolest place on the whole reef, the former got hold of a
+piece of wood, and began to tug at it to draw it out from among a pile
+that lay in a dark corner. After several efforts, the stick came, when
+Mark, struck with a glimpse he got of its form, bade Bob bring it under
+the light of the hatchway. The instant he got a good look at it,
+Woolston knew that Bob's 'foolish, crooked stick, which was fit to stow
+nowhere,' as the honest fellow had described it when it gave him so much
+trouble, was neither more nor less than one of the ribs of a boat of
+larger size than common.
+
+"This is providential, truly!" exclaimed Mark. "Your crooked stick, Bob,
+is a part of the frame of the pinnace of which you spoke, and which we
+had given up, as a thing not to be found on board!"
+
+"You're right, Mr. Mark, you're right!" answered Bob--"and I most have
+been oncommon stupid not to have thought of it, when it came so hard.
+And if there's one of the boat's bones stowed in that place, there must
+be more to be found in the same latitude."
+
+This was true enough. After working in that dark corner of the hold for
+several hours, all the materials of the intended craft were found and
+collected in the steerage. Neither Mark nor Betts was a boat-builder, or
+a shipwright; but each had a certain amount of knowledge on the subject,
+and each well knew where every piece was intended to be put. What a
+revolution this discovery made in the feelings of our young husband! He
+had never totally despaired of seeing Bridget again, for that would
+scarce have comported with his youth and sanguine temperament; but the
+hope had, of late, become so very dim, as to survive only as that
+feeling will endure in the bosoms of the youthful and inexperienced Mark
+had lived a long time for his years; had seen more and performed far
+more than usually falls to persons of his age, and he was, by character,
+prudent and practical; but it would have been impossible for one who had
+lived as long and as well as himself, to give up every expectation of
+being restored to his bride, even in circumstances more discouraging
+than those in which he was actually placed. Still, he had been slowly
+accustoming himself to the idea of a protracted separation, and had
+never lost sight of the expediency of making his preparations for
+passing his entire life in the solitary place where he and Betts had
+been cast by a mysterious and unexpected dispensation of a Divine
+Providence. When Bob, from time to-time, insisted on his account of the
+materials for the pinnace being in the ship, Mark had listened
+incredulously, unconscious himself how much his mind had been occupied
+by Bridget when this part of the cargo had been taken in, and unwilling
+to believe such an acquisition could have been made without his
+knowledge. Now that he saw it, however, a tumultuous rushing of all the
+blood in his body towards his heart, almost overpowered him, and the
+future entirely changed its aspects. He did not doubt an instant, of the
+ability of Bob and himself to put these blessed materials together, or
+of their success in navigating the mild sea around them, for any
+necessary distance, in a craft of the size this must turn out to be. A
+bright vista, with Bridget's brighter countenance at its termination,
+glowed before his imagination, and a great deal of wholesome philosophy
+and Christian submission were unsettled, as it might be, in the
+twinkling of an eye, by this all-important discovery. Mark had never
+abandoned the thought of constructing a little vessel with materials
+torn from the ship; but that would nave been a most laborious, as well
+as a doubtful experiment, while here was the problem solved, with a
+certainty and precision almost equal to one in mathematics!
+
+The agitation and revulsion of feeling produced in Mark by the discovery
+of the materials of the pinnace, were so great as to prevent him from
+maturing any plan for several days. During that time he could perceive
+in himself an alteration that amounted almost to an entire change of
+character. The vines on the Summit were now in full leaf, and they
+covered broad patches of the rock with their luxuriant vegetation, while
+the grass could actually be seen from the ship, converting the
+drab-coloured concretions of the mount into slopes and acclivities of
+verdure. But, all this delighted him no longer. Home and Bridget met him
+even in the fanciful and now thriving beds within the crater, where
+everything appeared to push forward with a luxuriance and promise of
+return, far exceeding what had once been his fondest expectations. He
+could see nothing, anticipate nothing, talk of nothing, think of
+nothing, but these new-found means of quitting the Reef, and of
+returning to the abodes of men, and to the arms of his young wife.
+
+Betts took things more philosophically. He had made up his mind to
+'Robinson Crusoe it' a few years, and, though he had often expressed a
+wish that the dingui was of twice its actual size, he would have been
+quite as well content with this new boat could it be cut down to
+one-fourth of its real dimensions. He submitted to Mark's superior
+information, however; and when the latter told him that he could wait no
+longer for the return of cooler weather, or for the heat of the sun to
+become less intense before he began to set up the frame of his craft, as
+had been the first intention, Bob acquiesced in the change of plan,
+without remonstrance, bent on taking things as they came, in humility
+and cheerfulness.
+
+Nevertheless, it was far easier bravely to determine in this matter,
+than to execute. The heat was now so intense for the greater part of the
+day, that it would have far exceeded the power of our two mariners to
+support it, on a naked rock, and without shade of any sort. The frame of
+the pinnace must be set up somewhere near the water, regular ways being
+necessary to launch her; and nowhere, on the shore, was the smallest
+shade to be found, without recourse to artificial means of procuring it.
+As Mark's impatience would no longer brook delay, this artificial shade,
+therefore, was the first thing to be attended to.
+
+The leeward end of the reef was chosen for the new ship-yard. Although
+this choice imposed a good deal of additional labour on the two workmen,
+by compelling them to transport all the materials rather more than a
+mile, reflection and examination induced Mark to select the spot he
+did. The formation of the rock was more favourable there, he fancied,
+than in any other place he could find; offering greater facilities for
+launching. This was one motive; but the principal inducement was
+connected with an apprehension of floods. By the wall-like appearance of
+the exterior base of the mount, by the smoothness of the surface of the
+Reef in general, which, while it had many inequalities, wore the
+appearance of being semi-polished by the washing of water over it; and
+by the certain signs that were, to be found on most of the lower half of
+the plain of the crater itself, Mark thought it apparent that the entire
+reef the crater excepted, had been often covered with the water of the
+ocean, and that at no very distant day. The winter months were usually
+the tempestuous months in that latitude, though hurricanes might at any
+time occur. Now, the winter was yet an untried experiment with our two
+'reefers,' as Bob sometimes laughingly called himself and Mark, and
+hurricanes were things that often raised the seas in their neighbourhood
+several feet in an hour or two. Should the water be actually driven upon
+the Reef, so as to admit of a current to wash across it, or the waves to
+roll along its surface, the pinnace would be in the greatest danger of
+being carried off before it could be even launched. All these things
+Mark bore in mind, and he chose the spot he did, with an eye to these
+floods, altogether. It might be six or eight months before they could be
+ready to get the pinnace into the water, and it now wanted but six to
+the stormy season. At the western, or leeward, extremity of the island,
+the little craft would be under the lee of the crater, which would form
+a sort of breakwater, and might be the means of preventing it from being
+washed away. Then the rock, just at that spot, was three or four feet
+higher than at any other point, sufficiently near the sea to admit of
+launching with ease; and the two advantages united, induced our young
+'reefer' to incur the labour of transporting the materials the distance
+named, in reference to foregoing them. The raft, however, was put in
+requisition, and the entire frame, with a few of the planks necessary
+for a commencement, was carried round at one load.
+
+Previously to laying the keel of the pinnace, Mark named it the
+Neshamony, after a creek that was nearly opposite to the Rancocus,
+another inlet of the Delaware, that had given its name to the ship from
+the circumstance that Friend Abraham White had been born on its low
+banks. The means of averting the pains and penalties of working in the
+sun, were also attended to, as indeed the great preliminary measure in
+this new enterprise. To this end, the raft was again put in requisition;
+an old main-course was got out of the sail-room, and lowered upon the
+raft; spare spars were cut to the necessary length, and thrown into the
+water, to be towed down in company; ropes, &c., were provided, and Bob
+sailed anew on this voyage. It was a work of a good deal of labour to
+get the raft to windward, towing having been resorted to as the easiest
+process, but a trip to leeward was soon made. In twenty minutes after
+this cargo had left the ship, it reached its point of destination.
+
+The only time when our men could work at even their awning, were two
+hours early in the morning, and as many after the sun had got very low,
+or had absolutely set. Eight holes had to be drilled into the lava, to a
+depth of two feet each. Gunpowder, in very small quantities, was used,
+or these holes could not have been made in a twelvemonth. But by
+drilling with a crowbar a foot or two into the rock, and charging the
+cavity with a very small portion of powder, the lava was cracked, when
+the stones rather easily were raised by means of the picks and crows.
+Some idea may be formed of the amount of labour that was expended on
+this, the first step in the new task, by the circumstance that a month
+was passed in setting those eight awning-posts alone. When up, however,
+they perfectly answered the purpose, everything having been done in a
+thorough, seaman-like manner. At the top of each post, itself a portion
+of solid spar, a watch-tackle was lashed, by means of which the sail was
+bowsed up to its place. To prevent the bagging unavoidable, in an awning
+of that size, several uprights were set in the centre, on end, answering
+their purpose sufficiently without boring into the rocks.
+
+Bob was in raptures with the new 'ship-yard.' It was as large as the
+mainsail of a ship of four hundred tons, was complete as to shade, with
+the advantage of letting the breeze circulate, and had a reasonable
+chance of escaping from the calamities of a flood. Mark, too, was
+satisfied with the result, and the very next day after this task was
+completed, our shipwrights set to work to lay their keel. That day was
+memorable on another account. Bob had gone to the Summit in quest of a
+tool left there, in fitting up the boat of Mark, and while on the mount,
+he ascertained the important fact that the melons were beginning to
+ripen. He brought down three or four of these delicious fruits, and Mark
+had the gratification of tasting some of the bounties of Providence,
+which had been bestowed, as a reward of his own industry and
+forethought. It was necessary to eat of these melons in moderation,
+however; but it was a great relief to get them at all, after subsisting
+for so long a time on salted meats, principally, with no other
+vegetables but such as were dry, and had been long in the ship. It was
+not the melons alone, however, that were getting to be ripe; for, on
+examining himself, among the vines which now covered fully an acre of
+the Summit, Mark found squashes, cucumbers, onions, sweet-potatoes,
+tomatoes, string-beans, and two or three other vegetables, all equally
+fit to be used. From that time, some of these plants were put into the
+pot daily, and certain slight apprehensions which Woolston had begun
+again to entertain on the subject of scurvy, were soon dissipated. As
+for the garden within the crater, which was much the most extensive and
+artistical, it was somewhat behind that on the Summit, having been later
+tilled; but everything, there, looked equally promising, and Mark saw
+that one acre, well worked, would produce more than he and Betts could
+consume in a twelvemonth.
+
+It was an important day on the Reef when the keel of the pinnace was
+laid. On examining his materials, Mark ascertained that the
+boat-builders had marked and numbered each portion of the frame, each
+plank, and everything else that belonged to the pinnace. Holes were
+bored, and everything had been done in the boat-yard that could be
+useful to those who, it was expected, were to put the work together in a
+distant part of the world. This greatly facilitated our new
+boat-builders' labours in the way of skill, besides having done so much
+of the actual toil to their hands. As soon as the keel was laid, Mark
+set up the frame, which came together with very little trouble. The
+wailes were then got out, and were fitted, each piece being bolted in
+its allotted place. As the work had already been put together, there was
+little or no dubbing necessary. Aware that the parts had once been
+accurately fitted to each other, Mark was careful not to disturb their
+arrangement by an unnecessary use of the adze, or broad-axe,
+experimenting and altering the positions of the timbers and planks; but,
+whenever he met with any obstacle, in preference to cutting and changing
+the materials themselves, he persevered until the parts came together as
+had been contemplated. By observing this caution, the whole frame was
+set up, the wailes were fitted and bolted, and the garboard-streak got
+on and secured, without taking off a particle of the wood, though a week
+was necessary to effect these desired objects.
+
+Our mariners now measured their new frame. The keel was just
+four-and-twenty feet long, the distance between the knight-heads and the
+taffrail being six feet greater; the beam, from outside to outside, was
+nine feet, and the hold might be computed at five feet in depth. This
+gave something like a measurement of eleven tons; the pinnace having
+been intended for a craft a trifle smaller than this. As a vessel of
+eleven tons might make very good weather in a sea-way, if properly
+handled, the result gave great satisfaction, Mark cheering Bob with
+accounts of crafts, of much smaller dimensions, that had navigated the
+more stormy seas, with entire safety, on various occasions.
+
+The planking of the Neshamony was no great matter, being completed the
+week it was commenced. The caulking, however, gave more trouble, though
+Bob had done a good deal of that sort of work in his day. It took a
+fortnight for the honest fellow to do the caulking to his own mind, and
+before it was finished another great discovery was made by rummaging in
+the ship's hold, in quest of some of the fastenings which had not at
+first been found. A quantity of old sheet-copper, that had run its time
+on a vessel's bottom, was brought to light, marked "copper for the
+pinnace." Friend Abraham White had bethought him of the worms of the low
+latitudes, and had sent out enough of the refuse copper of a vessel that
+had been broken up to cover the bottom of this little craft fairly up to
+her bends. To work, then, Mark and Bob went to put on the
+sheathing-paper and copper that had thus bountifully been provided for
+them, as soon as the seams were well payed. This done, and it was no
+great job, the paint-brush was set to work, and the hull was completed!
+In all, Mark and Betts were eight weeks, hard at work, putting their
+pinnace together. When she was painted, the summer was more than half
+gone. The laying of the deck had given more trouble than any other
+portion of the work on the boat, and this because it was not a plain,
+full deck, or one that covered the whole of the vessel, but left small
+stern-sheets aft, which was absolutely necessary to the comfort and
+safety of those she was to carry. The whole was got together, however,
+leaving Mark and Bob to rejoice in their success thus far, and to puzzle
+their heads about the means of getting their craft into the water, now
+she was built. In a word, it was far easier to put together a vessel
+often tons, that had been thus ready fitted to their hands, than it was
+to launch her.
+
+As each of our mariners had necessarily seen many vessels in their
+cradles, each had some idea of what it was now necessary to do. Mark had
+laid the keel as near the water as he could get it, and by this
+precaution had saved himself a good deal of labour. It was very easy to
+find materials for the ways, many heavy planks still remaining; but the
+difficulty was to lay them so that they would not spread. Here the
+awning-posts were found of good service, plank being set on their edges
+against them, which, in their turn, were made to sustain the props of
+the ways. In order to save materials in the cradle, the ways themselves
+were laid on blocks, and they were secured as well as the skill of our
+self-formed shipwrights could do it. They had some trouble in making the
+cradle, and had once to undo all they had done, in consequence of a
+mistake. At length Mark was of opinion they had taken all the necessary
+precautions, and told Betts that he thought they might venture to
+attempt launching the next day. But Bob made a suggestion which changed
+this plan, and caused a delay that was attended with very serious
+consequences.
+
+The weather had become cloudy, and a little menacing, for the last, few
+days, and Bob proposed that they should lower the awning, get up shears
+on the rock, and step the mast of the pinnace before they launched her,
+as a means of saving some labour. The spar was not very heavy, it was
+true, and it might be stepped by crossing a couple of the oars in the
+boat itself; but a couple of light spars--top-gallant studding-sail
+booms for instance--would enable them to do it much more readily, before
+the craft was put into the water, than it could be done afterwards. Mark
+listened to the suggestion, and acquiesced. The awning was consequently
+lowered, and got out of the way. To prevent the hogs from tearing the
+sail, it was placed on two of the wheelbarrows and wheeled up into the
+crater, whither those animals had never yet found their way. Then the
+shears were got up, and the mast was stepped and rigged; the boat's
+sails were found and bent. Mark now thought enough had been done, and
+that, the next day, they might undertake the launch. But another
+suggestion of Bob's delayed the proceedings.
+
+The weather still continued clouded and menacing. Betts was of opinion,
+therefore, that it might be well to stow the provisions and water they
+intended to use in the pinnace, while she was on the stocks, as they
+could work round her so much the more easily then than afterwards.
+Accordingly, the breakers were got out, on board the ship, and filled
+with fresh water. They were then stuck into the raft. A barrel of beef,
+and one of pork followed, with a quantity of bread. At two trips the
+raft carried all the provisions and stores that were wanted, and the
+cargoes were landed, rolled up to the side of the pinnace, hoisted on
+board of her, by means of the throat-halliard, and properly stowed. Two
+grapnels, or rather one grapnel, and a small kedge, were found among the
+pinnace's materials, everything belonging to her having been stowed in
+the same part of the ship. These, too, were carried round to the
+ship-yard, got on board, and their hawsers bent. In a word, every
+preparation was made that might be necessary to make sail on the
+pinnace, and to proceed to sea in her, at once.
+
+It was rather late in the afternoon of the third clouded day, that Betts
+himself admitted no more could be done to the Neshamony, previously to
+putting her into the water When our two mariners ceased the business of
+the day, therefore, it was with the understanding that they would turn
+out early in the morning, wedge up, and launch. An hour of daylight
+remaining, Mark went up to the Summit to select a few melons, and to
+take a look at the state of the plantations and gardens. Before
+ascending the hill, the young man walked through his garden in the
+crater, where everything was flourishing and doing well. Many of the
+vegetables were by this time fit to eat, and there was every prospect of
+there being a sufficient quantity raised to meet the wants of two or
+three persons for a long period ahead. The sight of these fruits of his
+toil, and the luxuriance of the different plants, caused a momentary
+feeling of regret in Mark at the thought of being about to quit the
+place for ever. He even fancied he should have a certain pleasure in
+returning to the Reef; and once a faint outline of a plan came over his
+mind, in which he fancied that he might bring Bridget to this place, and
+pass the rest of his life with her, in the midst of its peace and
+tranquillity. This was but a passing thought, however, and was soon
+forgotten in the pictures that crowded on his mind, in connection with
+the great anticipated event of the next day.
+
+While strolling about the little walks of his garden, the appearance of
+verdure along the edge of the crater, or immediately beneath the cliff,
+caught Mark's eye. Going hastily to the spot, he found that there was a
+long row of plants of a new sort, not only appearing above the ground,
+but already in leaf, and rising several inches in height. These were the
+results of the seeds of the oranges, lemons, limes, shaddocks, figs, and
+other fruits of the tropics, that he had planted there as an experiment,
+and forgotten. While his mind was occupied with other things, these
+seeds had sent forth their shoots, and the several trees were growing
+with the rapidity and luxuriance that distinguish vegetation within the
+tropics. As Mark's imagination pictured what might be the effects of
+cultivation and care on that singular spot, a sigh of regret mingled
+with his hopes for the future, as he recollected he was so soon to
+abandon the place for ever; while on the Summit, too, this feeling of
+regret was increased, rather than diminished. So much of the grass-seed
+had taken, and the roots had already so far extended, that acres were
+beginning to look verdant and smiling. Two or three months had brought
+everything forward prodigiously, and the frequency of the rains in
+showers, added to the genial warmth of the sun, gave to vegetation a
+quickness and force that surprised, as much as it delighted our young
+man.
+
+That night Mark and Betts both slept in the ship. They had a fancy it
+might be the last in which they could ever have any chance of doing so,
+and attachment to the vessel induced both to return to their old berths;
+for latterly they had slept in hammocks, swung beneath the ship-yard
+awning, in order to be near their work. Mark was awoke at a very early
+hour, by the howling of a gale among the rigging and spars of the
+Rancocus, sounds that he had not heard for many a day, and which, at
+first, were actually pleasant to his ears. Throwing on his clothes, and
+going out on the quarter-deck, he found that a tempest was upon them.
+The storm far exceeded anything that he had ever before witnessed in the
+Pacific. The ocean was violently agitated, and the rollers came in over
+the reef, to windward, with a force and majesty that seemed to disregard
+the presence of the rocks. It was just light, and Mark called Bob, in
+alarm. The aspect of things was really serious, and, at first, our
+mariners had great apprehensions for the safety of the ship. It was
+true, the sea-wall resisted every shock of the rollers that reached it,
+but even the billows after they were broken by this obstacle, came down
+upon the vessel with a violence that brought a powerful strain on every
+rope-yarn in the sheet-cable. Fortunately, the ground-tackle, on which
+the safety of the vessel depended, was of the very best quality, and the
+anchor was known to have an excellent hold. Then, the preservation of
+the ship was no longer a motive of the first consideration with them;
+that of the pinnace being the thing now most to be regarded. It might
+grieve them both to see the Rancocus thrown upon the rocks, and broken
+up; but of far greater account was it to their future prospects that the
+Neshamony should not be injured. Nor were the signs of the danger that
+menaced the boat to be disregarded. The water of the ocean appeared to
+be piling in among these reefs, the rocks of which resisted its passage
+to leeward, and already was washing up on the surface of the Reef, in
+places, threatening them with a general inundation. It was necessary to
+look after the security of various articles that were scattered about on
+the outer plain, and our mariners went ashore to do so.
+
+Although intending so soon to abandon the Reef altogether, a sense of
+caution induced Mark to take everything he could within the crater. All
+the lower portions of the outer plain were already covered with water,
+and those sagacious creatures, the hogs, showed by their snuffing and
+disturbed manner of running about, that they had internal as well as
+external warnings of danger. Mark pulled aside the curtain, and let all
+the animals into the crater. Poor Kitty was delighted to get on the
+Summit, whither she soon found her way, by ascending the steps commonly
+used by her masters. Fortunately for the plants, the grass was in too
+great abundance, and too grateful to her, not to be her choice in
+preference to any other food. As for the pigs, they got at work in a
+pile of sea-weed, and overlooked the garden, which was at some distance,
+until fairly glutted, and ready to lie down.
+
+In the meanwhile the tempest increased in violence, the sea continued to
+pile among the rocks, and the water actually covered the whole of the
+outer plain of the Reef Now it was that Mark comprehended how the base
+of the crater had been worn by water, the waves washing past it with
+tremendous violence. There was actually a strong current running over
+the whole of the reef, without the crater; the water rushing to leeward,
+as if glad to get past the obstacle of the island on any terms, in order
+to hasten away before the tempest. Mark was fully half an hour engaged
+in looking to his marquee and its contents, all of which were exposed,
+more or less, to the power of the gale. After securing his books,
+furniture, &c., and seeing that the stays of the marquee itself were
+likely to hold out, he cast an eye to the ship, which was on that side
+of the island, also. The staunch old 'Cocus, as Bob called her, was
+rising and falling with the waves that now disturbed her usually placid
+basin; but, as yet, her cable and anchor held her, and no harm was done.
+Fortunately, our mariners, when they unbent the sails, had sent down all
+the upper and lighter spars, and had lowered the fore and main yards on
+the gunwale, measures of precaution that greatly lessened the strain on
+her ground-tackle. The top-gallant-masts had also been lowered, and the
+vessel was what seamen usually term 'snug.' Mark would have been very,
+very sorry to see her lost, even though he did expect to have very
+little more use out of her; for he loved the craft from habit.
+
+After taking this look at the ship, our mate passed round the Summit,
+having two or three tumbles on his way in consequence of puffs of wind,
+until he reached the point over the gate-way, which was that nearest to
+the ship-yard. It now occurred to him that possibly it might become
+necessary to look a little to the security of the Neshamony, for by this
+time the water on the reef was two or three feet deep. To his surprise,
+on looking round for Bob, whom he thought to be at work securing
+property near the gateway, he ascertained that the honest fellow had
+waded down to the ship-yard, and clambered on board the pinnace, with a
+view to take care of her. The distance between the point where Mark now
+stood and the Neshamony exceeded half a mile, and communication with the
+voice would have been next to impossible, had the wind not blown as it
+did. With the roaring of the seas, and the howling of the gale, it was
+of course entirely out of the question. Mark, however, could see his
+friend, and see that he was gesticulating, in the most earnest manner,
+for himself to join him. Then it was he first perceived that the pinnace
+was in motion, seeming to move on her ways. Presently the blockings were
+washed from under her, and the boat went astern half her length at a
+single surge. Mark made a bound down the hill, intending to throw
+himself into the racing surf, and to swim off to the aid of Betts; but,
+pausing an instant to choose a spot at which to get down the steep, he
+looked towards the ship-yard, and saw the pinnace lifted on a sea, and
+washed fairly clear of the land!
+
+
+
+
+Chapter IX.
+
+
+
+    "Man's rich with little, were his judgments true;
+    Nature is frugal, and her wants are few;
+    These few wants answered bring sincere delights,
+    But fools create themselves new appetites."
+
+    Young.
+
+
+It would have been madness in Mark to pursue his intention. A boat, or
+craft of any sort, once adrift in such a gale, could not have been
+overtaken by even one of those islanders who are known to pass half
+their lives in the water; and the young man sunk down on the rock,
+almost gasping for breath in the intensity of his distress. He felt more
+for Bob than he did for himself, for escape with life appeared to him to
+be a forlorn hope for his friend. Nevertheless, the sturdy old sea-dog
+who was cast adrift, amid the raging of the elements, comported himself
+in a way to do credit to his training. There was nothing like despair in
+his manner of proceeding; but so coolly and intelligently did he set
+about taking care of his craft, that Mark soon found himself a curious
+and interested observer of all he did, feeling quite as much of
+admiration for Bob's steadiness and skill, as concern for his danger.
+
+Betts knew too well the uselessness of throwing over his kedge to
+attempt anchoring. Nor was it safe to keep the boat in the trough of the
+sea, his wisest course being to run before the gale until he was clear
+of the rocks, when he might endeavour to lie-to, if his craft would bear
+it. In driving off the Reef the Neshamony had gone stern foremost,
+almost as a matter of course, vessels usually being laid down with their
+bows towards the land. No sooner did the honest old salt find he was
+fairly adrift, therefore, than he jumped into the stern-sheets and put
+the helm down. With stern-way on her, this caused the bows of the craft
+to fall off; and, as she came broadside to the gale, Mark thought she
+would fall over, also. Some idea could be formed of the power of the
+wind, in the fact that this sloop-rigged craft, without a rag of sail
+set, and with scarce any hamper aloft, no sooner caught the currents of
+air abeam, than she lay down to it, as one commonly sees such craft do
+under their canvas in stiff breezes.
+
+It was a proof that the Neshamony was well modelled, that she began to
+draw ahead as soon as the wind took her fairly on her broadside, when
+Betts shifted the helm, and the pinnace fell slowly off. When she had
+got nearly before the wind, she came up and rolled to-windward like a
+ship, and Mark scarce breathed as he saw her plunging down upon the
+reefs, like a frantic steed that knows not whither he is rushing in his
+terror. From the elevated position he occupied, Mark could see the ocean
+as far as the spray, which filled the atmosphere, would allow of
+anything being seen at all. Places which were usually white with the
+foam of breakers, could not now be distinguished from any of the raging
+cauldron around them, and it was evident that Bob must run at hazard.
+Twenty times did Mark expect to see the pinnace disappear in the foaming
+waves, as it drove furiously onward; but, in each instance, the light
+and buoyant boat came up from cavities where our young man fancied it
+must be dashed to pieces, scudding away to leeward like the sea-fowl
+that makes its flight with wings nearly dipping. Mark now began to hope
+that his friend might pass over the many reefs that lay in his track,
+and gain the open water to leeward. The rise in the ocean favoured such
+an expectation, and no doubt was the reason why the Neshamony was not
+dashed to pieces within the first five minutes after she was washed off
+her ways. Once to leeward of the vast shoals that surrounded the crater,
+there was the probability of Bob's finding smoother water, and the
+chance of his riding out the tempest by bringing his little sloop up
+head to sea. The water through which the boat was then running was more
+like a cauldron, bubbling and boiling under some intense heat produced
+by subterranean fires, than the regular, rolling billows of the ocean
+when piled up by gales. Under the lee of the shoals this cauldron would
+disappear, while the mountain waves of the open ocean could not rise
+until a certain distance from the shallow water enabled them to 'get
+up,' as sailors express it. Mark saw the Neshamony for about a quarter
+of an hour after she was adrift, though long before the expiration of
+even that brief period she was invisible for many moments at a time, in
+consequence of the distance, her want of sail, her lowness in the water,
+and the troubled state of the element through which she was driving. The
+last look he got of her was at an instant when the spray was filling the
+atmosphere like a passing cloud; when it had driven away, the boat could
+no longer be seen!
+
+Here was a sudden and a most unexpected change for the worse in the
+situation of Mark Woolston! Not only had he lost the means of getting
+off the island, but he had lost his friend and companion. It was true,
+Bob was a rough and an uncultivated associate; but he was honest as
+human frailty could leave a human being, true as steel in his
+attachments, strong in body, and of great professional skill. So great,
+indeed, was the last, that our young man was not without the hope he
+would be able to keep under the lee of the shoals until the gale broke,
+and then beat up through them, and still come to his rescue. There was
+one point, in particular, on which Mark felt unusual concern. Bob knew
+nothing whatever of navigation. It was impossible to teach him anything
+on that subject. He knew the points of the compass, but had no notion of
+the variations, of latitude or longitude, or of anything belonging to
+the purely mathematical part of the business. Twenty times had he asked
+Mark to give him the latitude and longitude of the crater; twenty times
+had he been told what they were, and just as often had he forgotten
+them. When questioned by his young friend, twenty-four hours after a
+lesson of this sort, if he remembered the figures at all, he was apt to
+give the latitude for the longitude, or the longitude for the latitude,
+the degrees for the minutes, or the minutes for the degrees. Ordinarily,
+however, he forgot all about the numbers themselves. Mark had in vain
+endeavoured to impress on his mind the single fact that any number which
+exceeded ninety must necessarily refer to longitude, and not to
+latitude; for Bob could not be made to remember even this simple
+distinction. He was just as likely to believe the Reef lay in the
+hundred and twentieth degree of latitude, as he was to fancy it lay in
+the twentieth. With such a head, therefore, it was but little to be
+expected Bob could give the information to others necessary to find the
+reef, even in the almost hopeless event of his ever being placed in
+circumstances to do so. Still, while so completely ignorant of
+mathematics and arithmetic, in all their details, few mariners could
+find their way better than Bob Betts by the simple signs of the ocean.
+He understood the compass perfectly, the variations excepted; and his
+eye was as true as that of the most experienced artist could be, when it
+became necessary to judge of the colour of the water. On many occasions
+had Mark known him intimate that the ship was in a current, and had a
+weatherly or a lee set, when the fact had escaped not only the officers,
+but the manufacturers of the charts. He judged by ripples, and sea-weed,
+and the other familiar signs of the seas, and these seldom failed him.
+While, therefore, there was not a seaman living less likely to find the
+Reef again, when driven off from its vicinity, by means of observations
+and the charts, there was not a seaman living more likely to find it, by
+resorting to the other helps of the navigator. On this last peculiarity
+Mark hung all his hopes of seeing his friend again, when the gale should
+abate.
+
+Since the moment when all the charge of the ship fell upon his
+shoulders, by the loss of Captain Crutchely, Mark had never felt so
+desolate, as when he lost sight of Bob and the Neshamony. Then, indeed,
+did he truly feel himself to be alone, with none between him and his God
+with whom to commune. It is not surprising, therefore, that one so much
+disposed to cherish his intercourse with the Divine Spirit, knelt on the
+naked rock and prayed. After this act of duty and devotion, the young
+man arose, and endeavoured to turn his attention to the state of things
+around him.
+
+The gale still continued with unabated fury. Each instant the water rose
+higher and higher on the Reef, until it began to enter within the
+crater, by means of the gutters that had been worn in the lava, covering
+two or three acres of the lower part of its plain. As for the Rancocus,
+though occasionally pitching more heavily than our young man could have
+believed possible behind the sea-wall, her anchor still held, and no
+harm had yet come to her. Finding it impossible to do any more, Mark
+descended into the crater, where it was a perfect lull, though the wind
+fairly howled on every side, and got into one of the South American
+hammocks, of which there had been two or three in the ship, and of which
+he had caused one to be suspended beneath the sort of tent he and poor
+Bob had erected near the garden. Here Mark remained all the rest of that
+day, and during the whole of the succeeding night. But for what he had
+himself previously seen, the roar of the ocean on the other side of his
+rocky shelter, and the scuffling of the winds about the Summit, he might
+not have been made conscious of the violence of the tempest that was
+raging so near him. Once and awhile, however, a puff of air would pass
+over him; but, on the whole, he was little affected by the storm, until
+near morning, when it rained violently. Fortunately, Mark had taken the
+precaution to give a low ridge to all his awnings and tent-coverings,
+which turned the water perfectly. When, therefore, he heard the
+pattering of the drops on the canvas, he did not rise, but remained in
+his hammock until the day returned. Previously to that moment, however,
+he dropped into a deep sleep, in which he lay several hours.
+
+When consciousness returned to Mark, he lay half a minute trying to
+recall the past. Then he listened for the sounds of the tempest. All was
+still without, and, rising, he found that the sun was shining, and that
+a perfect calm reigned in the outer world. Water was lying in spots, in
+holes on the surface of the crater, where the pigs were drinking and the
+ducks bathing. Kitty stood in sight, on the topmost knoll of the Summit,
+cropping the young sweet grass that had so lately been refreshed by
+rain, disliking it none the less, probably, from the circumstance that a
+few particles of salt were to be found among it, the deposit of the
+spray. The garden looked smiling, the plants refreshed, and nothing as
+yet touched in it, by the visitors who had necessarily been introduced.
+
+Our young man washed himself in one of the pools, and then crossed the
+plain to drive out the pigs and poultry, the necessity of husbanding his
+stores pressing even pain fully on his mind. As he approached the
+gate-way, he saw that the sea had retired; and, certain that the animals
+would take care of themselves, he drove them through the hole, and
+dropped the sail before it. Then he sought one of the ascents, and was
+soon on the top of the hill. The trades had returned, but scarce blew in
+zephyrs; the sea was calm; the points in the reefs were easily to be
+seen; the ship was at rest and seemingly uninjured, and the whole view
+was one of the sweetest tranquillity and security. Already had the pent
+and piled waters diffused themselves, leaving the Reef as before, with
+the exception that those cavities which contained rain-water, during
+most of the year, now contained that which was not quite so palatable.
+This was a great temporary inconvenience, though the heavy showers of
+the past night had done a good deal towards sweetening the face of the
+rock, and had reduced most of the pools to a liquid that was brackish
+rather than salt. A great many fish lay scattered about, on the island,
+and Mark hastened down to examine their qualities.
+
+The pigs and poultry were already at work on the game that was so
+liberally thrown in their way, and Mark felt indebted to these
+scavengers for aiding him in what he perceived was now a task
+indispensable to his comfort. After going to the ship, and breaking his
+fast, he returned to the crater, obtained a wheelbarrow, and set to work
+in earnest to collect the fish, which a very few hours' exposure to the
+sun of that climate would render so offensive as to make the island next
+to intolerable. Never in his life did our young friend work harder than
+he did all that morning. Each load of fish, as it was-wheeled into the
+crater, was thrown into a trench already prepared for that purpose, and
+the ashes were hauled over it, by means of the hoe. Feeling the
+necessity of occupation to lessen his sorrow, as well as that of getting
+rid of pestilence, which he seriously apprehended from this inroad of
+animal substances, Mark toiled two whole days at this work, until fairly
+driven from it by the intolerable effluvium which arose, notwithstanding
+all he had done, on every side of the island. It is impossible to say
+what would have been consequences had not the birds come, in thousands,
+to his relief. They made quick work of it, clearing off the fish in
+numbers that would be nearly incredible. As it was, however, our young
+hermit was driven into the ship, where-he passed a whole week, the
+steadiness of the trades driving the disagreeable odours to leeward. At
+the end of that time he ventured ashore, where he found it possible to
+remain, though the Reef did not get purified for more than a month.
+Finding a great many fish still remaining that neither hog nor bird
+would touch, Mark made a couple of voyages to Loam Island, whence he
+brought two cargoes of the deposit, and landed at the usual place. This
+he wheeled about the Reef, throwing two or three-shovels full on each
+offensive creature, thus getting rid of the effluvium and preparing a
+considerable store of excellent manure for his future husbandry. It may
+be as well said here, that, at odd times, he threw these little deposits
+into large heaps, and subsequently wheeled them into the crater, where
+they were mixed with the principal pile of compost that had now been,
+for months, collecting there.
+
+It is a proof of the waywardness of human nature that we bear great
+misfortunes better than small ones. So it proved with Mark, on this
+occasion; for, much as he really regarded Bob, and serious as was the
+loss of his friend to himself, the effects of the inundation occupied
+his thoughts, and disturbed him more, just at that time, than the
+disappearance of the Neshamony. Nevertheless, our young man had not
+forgotten to look out for the missing boat, in readiness to hail its
+return with joy. He passed much of the week he was shut up in the ship
+in her topmast-cross-trees, vainly examining the sea to leeward, in the
+hope of catching a distant view of the pinnace endeavouring to bear up
+through the reefs. Several times he actually fancied he saw her; but it
+always turned out to be the wing of some gull, or the cap of a distant
+breaker. It was when Mark had come ashore again, and commenced the toil
+of covering the decayed fish, and of gathering them into piles, that
+these smaller matters supplanted the deep griefs of his solitude.
+
+One of the annoyances to which our solitary man found himself most
+subject, was the glare produced by a burning sun on rocks and ashes of
+the drab colour of the crater. The spots of verdure that he had
+succeeded in producing on the Summit, not only relieved and refreshed
+his eyes, but they were truly delightful as aids to the view, as well as
+grateful to Kitty, which poor creature had, by this time, cropped them
+down to a pretty short herbage. This Mark knew, however, was an
+advantage to the grass, making it finer, and causing it to thicken at
+the roots. The success of this experiment, the annoyance to his eyes,
+and a feverish desire to be doing, which succeeded the disappearance of
+Botts, set Mark upon the project of sowing grass-seed over as much of
+the plain of the crater as he thought he should not have occasion to use
+for the purposes of tillage. To work he went then, scattering the seed
+in as much profusion as the quantity to be found in the ship would
+justify. Friend Abraham White had provided two barrels of the seed, and
+this went a good way. While thus employed a heavy shower fell, and
+thinking the rain a most favourable time to commit his grass-seeds to
+the earth, Mark worked through the whole of it, or for several hours,
+perspiring with the warmth and exercise.
+
+This done, a look at the garden, with a free use of the hoe, was the
+next thing undertaken. That night Mark slept in his hammock, under the
+crater-awning, and when he awoke in the morning it was to experience a
+weight, like that of lead in his forehead, a raging thirst, and a
+burning fever. Now it was that our poor solitary hermit felt the
+magnitude of his imprudence and the weight of the evils of his peculiar
+situation. That he was about to be seriously ill he knew, and it behoved
+him to improve the time that remained to him, to the utmost. Everything
+useful to him was in the ship, and thither it became indispensable for
+him to repair, if he wished to retain even a chance for life. Opening an
+umbrella, then, and supporting his tottering legs by a cane, Mark
+commenced a walk of very near a mile, under an almost perpendicular sun,
+at the hottest season of the year. Twenty times did the young man think
+he should be compelled to sink on the bare rock, where there is little
+question he would soon have expired, under the united influence of the
+fever within and the burning heat without. Despair urged him on, and,
+after pausing often to rest, he succeeded in entering the cabin, at the
+end of the most perilous hour he had ever yet passed.
+
+No words of ours can describe the grateful sense of coolness, in spite
+of the boiling blood in his veins, that Mark Woolston experienced when
+he stepped beneath the shade of the poop-deck of the Rancocus. The young
+man knew that he was about to be seriously ill and his life might depend
+on the use he made of the next hour, or half-hour, even. He threw
+himself on a settee, to get a little rest, and while there he
+endeavoured to reflect on his situation, and to remember what he ought
+to do. The medicine-chest always stood in the cabin, and he had used its
+contents too often among the crew, not to have some knowledge of their
+general nature and uses. Potions were kept prepared in that depository,
+and he staggered to the table, opened the chest, took a ready-mixed dose
+of the sort he believed best for him, poured water on it from the
+filterer, and swallowed it. Our mate ever afterwards believed that
+draught saved his life. It soon made him deadly sick, and produced an
+action in his whole system. For an hour he was under its influence, when
+he was enabled to get into his berth, exhausted and literally unable any
+longer to stand. How long he remained in that berth, or near it
+rather--for he was conscious of having crawled from it in quest of
+water, and for other purposes, on several occasions--but, how long he
+was confined to his cabin, Mark Woolston never knew. The period was
+certainly to be measured by days, and he sometimes fancied by weeks. The
+first probably was the truth, though it might have been a fortnight.
+Most of that time his head was light with fever, though there were
+intervals when reason was, at least partially, restored to him, and he
+became painfully conscious of the horrors of his situation. Of food and
+water he had a sufficiency, the filterer and a bread-bag being quite
+near him, and he helped himself often from the first, in particular; a
+single mouthful of the ship's biscuit commonly proving more than he
+could swallow, even after it was softened in the water. At length he
+found himself indisposed to rise at all, and he certainly remained
+eight-and-forty hours in his berth, without quitting it, and almost
+without sleeping, though most of the time in a sort of doze.
+
+At length the fever abated in its violence, though it began to assume,
+what for a man in Mark Woolston's situation was perhaps more dangerous,
+a character of a low type, lingering in his system and killing him by
+inches. Mark was aware of his condition, and though: of the means of
+relief. The ship had some good Philadelphia porter in her, and a bottle
+of it stood on a shelf over his berth. This object caught his eye, and
+he actually longed for a draught of that porter. He had sufficient
+strength to raise himself high enough to reach it, but it far exceeded
+his powers to draw the cork, even had the ordinary means been at hand,
+which they were not. There was a hammer on the shelf, however, and with
+that instrument he did succeed in making a hole in the side of the
+bottle, and in filling a tumbler. This liquor he swallowed at a single
+draught. It tasted deliciously to him, and he took a second tumbler
+full, when he lay down, uncertain as to the consequences. That his head
+was affected by these two glasses of porter, Mark himself was soon
+aware, and shortly after drowsiness followed. After lying in an uneasy
+slumber for half an hour, his whole person was covered with a gentle
+perspiration, in which condition, after drawing the sheet around him,
+the sick man fell asleep.
+
+Our patient never knew how long he slept, on this all-important
+occasion. The period certainly included part of two days and one entire
+night; but, afterwards, when Mark endeavoured to correct his calendar,
+and to regain something, like a record of the time, he was inclined to
+think he must have lain there two nights with the intervening day. When
+he awoke, Mark was immediately sensible that he was free from disease.
+He was not immediately sensible, nevertheless, how extremely feeble
+disease had left him. At first, he fancied he had only to rise, take
+nourishment, and go about his ordinary pursuits. But the sight of his
+emaciated limbs, and the first effort he made to get up, convinced him
+that he had a long state of probation to go through, before he became
+the man he had been a week or two before. It was well, perhaps, that his
+head was so clear, and his judgment so unobscured at this, his first
+return to consciousness.
+
+Mark deemed it a good symptom that he felt disposed to eat. How many
+days he had been altogether without nourishment he could not say, but
+they must have been several; nor had he received more than could be
+obtained from a single ship's biscuit since his attack. All this came to
+his mind, with a distinct recollection that he must be his own physician
+and nurse. For a few minutes he lay still, during which he addressed
+himself to God, with thanks for having spared his life until reason was
+restored. Then he bethought him, well as his feeble state would allow,
+of the course he ought to pursue. On a table in the cabin, and in sight
+of his berth, through the state-room door, was a liquor-case, containing
+wines, brandy, and gin. Our sick man thought all might yet go well,
+could he get a few spoonsfull of an excellent port wine which that case,
+contained, and which had been provided expressly for cases of sickness.
+To do this, however, it was necessary to obtain the key, to open the
+case, and to pour out the liquor; three things, of which he distrusted
+his powers to perform that which was the least difficult.
+
+The key of the liquor-case was in the draw of an open secretary, which,
+fortunately, stood between him and the table. Another effort was made to
+rise, which so far succeeded as to enable the invalid to sit up in his
+bed. The cool breeze which aired the cabin revived him a little, and he
+was able to stretch out a hand and turn the cock of the filterer, which
+he had himself drawn near his berth, while under the excitement of
+fever, in order to obtain easy access to water. Accidentally this
+filterer stood in a draught, and the quart or two of water that had not
+yet evaporated was cool and palatable; that is, cool for a ship and such
+a climate. One swallow of the water was all Mark ventured on, but it
+revived him more than he could believe possible. Near the glass into
+which he had drawn the water, lay a small piece of pilot bread, and this
+he dropped into the tumbler. Then he ventured to try his feet, when he
+found a dizziness come over him, that compelled him to fall back on his
+berth. Recovering from this in a minute or two, a second attempt
+succeeded better, and the poor fellow, by supporting himself against the
+bulkheads, and by leaning on chairs, was enabled to reach the desk. The
+key was easily obtained, and the table was next reached. Here Mark sunk
+into a chair, as much exhausted as he would have been, previously to his
+illness, by a desperate effort to defend life.
+
+The invalid was in his shirt, and the cool sea-breeze had the effect of
+an air-bath on him. It revived him in a little while, when he applied
+the key, opened the case, got out the bottle by using both hands, though
+it was nearly empty, and poured out a wine-glass of the liquor. With
+these little exertions he was so much exhausted as almost to faint.
+Nothing saved him, probably, but a sip of the wine which he took from
+the glass as it stood on the table. It has been much the fashion, of
+late years, to decry wine, and this because it is a gift of Providence
+that has been greatly abused. In Mark Woolston's instance it proved,
+what it was designed to be, a blessing instead of a curse. That single
+sip of wine produced an effect on him like that of magic. It enabled him
+soon to obtain his tumbler of water, into which he poured the remainder
+of the liquor. With the tumbler in his hand, the invalid next essayed to
+cross the cabin, and to reach the berth in the other state-room. He was
+two or three minutes in making this passage, sustained by a chair, into
+which he sunk not less than three times, and revived by a few more sips
+of the wine and water. In this state-room was a bed with clean cool
+linen, that had been prepared for Bob, but which that worthy fellow had
+pertinaciously refused to use, out of respect to his officer. On these
+sheets Mark now sank, almost exhausted. He had made a happy exchange,
+however, the freshness and sweetness of the new bed, of itself, acting
+as delicious restoratives.
+
+After resting a few minutes, the solitary invalid formed a new plan of
+proceeding. He knew the importance of not over-exerting himself, but he
+also knew the importance of cleanliness and of a renovation of his
+strength. By this time the biscuit had got to be softened in the wine
+and water, and he took a piece, and after masticating it well, swallowed
+it. This was positively the first food the sick and desolate young man
+had received in a week. Fully aware of this, he abstained from taking a
+second mouthful, though sorely pressed to it by hunger. So strong was
+the temptation, and so sweet did that morse taste, that Mark felt he
+might not refrain unless he had something to occupy his mind for a few
+minutes. Taking a small swallow of the wine and water, he again got on
+his feet, and staggered to the drawer in which poor Captain Crutchely
+had kept his linen. Here he got a shirt, and tottered on as far as the
+quarter-deck. Beneath the awning Mark had kept the section of a
+hogshead, as a bathing-tub, and for the purpose of catching the
+rain-water that ran from the awning, Kitty often visiting the ship and
+drinking from this reservoir.
+
+The invalid found the tub full of fresh and sweet water, and throwing
+aside the shirt in which he had lain so long, he rather fell than seated
+himself in the water. After remaining a sufficient, time to recover his
+breath, Mark washed his head, and long matted beard, and all parts of
+his frame, as well as his strength would allow. He must have remained in
+the water several minutes, when he managed to tear himself from it, as
+fearful of excess from this indulgence as from eating. The invalid now
+felt like a new man! It is scarcely possible to express the change that
+came over his feelings, when he found himself purified from the effects
+of so long a confinement in a feverish bed, without change, or nursing
+of any sort. After drying himself as well as he could with a towel,
+though the breeze and the climate did that office for him pretty
+effectually, Mark put on the clean, fresh shirt, and tottered back to
+his own berth, where he fell on the mattress, nearly exhausted. It was
+half-an-hour before he moved again, though all that time experiencing
+the benefits of the nourishment taken, and the purification undergone.
+The bath, moreover, had acted as a tonic, giving a stimulus to the whole
+system. At the end^of the half hour, the young man took another mouthful
+of the biscuit, half emptied the tumbler, fell back on his pillow, and
+was soon in a sweet sleep.
+
+It was near sunset when Mark lost his consciousness on this occasion,
+nor did he recover it until the light of day was once more cheering the
+cabin. He had slept profoundly twelve hours, and this so much the more
+readily from the circumstance that he had previously refreshed himself
+with a bath and clean linen. The first consciousness of his situation
+was accompanied with the bleat of poor Kitty. That gentle animal,
+intended by nature to mix with herds, had visited the cabin daily, and
+had been at the sick man's side, when his fever was at its height; and
+had now come again, as if to inquire after his night's rest. Mark held
+out his hand, and spoke to his companion, for such she was, and thought
+she was rejoiced to hear his voice again, and to be allowed to lick his
+hand. There was great consolation in this mute intercourse, poor Mark
+feeling the want of sympathy so much as to find a deep pleasure in this
+proof of affection even in a brute.
+
+Mark now arose, and found himself sensibly improved by his night's rest,
+the washing, and the nourishment received, little as the last had been.
+His first step was to empty the tumbler, bread and all. Then he took
+another bath, the last doing quite as much good, he fancied, as his
+breakfast. All that day, the young man managed his case with the same
+self-denial and prudence, consuming a ship's biscuit in the course of
+the next twenty-four hours, and taking two or three glasses of the wine,
+mixed with water and sweetened with sugar. In the afternoon he
+endeavoured to shave, but the first effort convinced him he was getting
+well too fast.
+
+It was thrice twenty-four hours after his first bath, before Mark
+Woolston had sufficient strength to reach the galley and light a fire.
+In this he then succeeded, and he treated himself to a cup of good warm
+tea. He concocted some dishes of arrow-root and cocoa, too, in the
+course of that and the next day, continuing his baths, and changing his
+linen repeatedly. On the fifth day, he got off his beard, which was a
+vast relief to him, and by the end of the week he actually crawled up on
+the poop, where he could get a sight of his domains.
+
+The Summit was fast getting to be really green in considerable patches,
+for the whole rock was now covered with grass. Kitty was feeding quietly
+enough on the hillside, the gentle creature having learned to pass the
+curtain at the gate, and go up and down the ascents at pleasure. Mark
+scarce dared to look for his hogs, but there they were rooting and
+grunting about the Reef, actually fat and contented. He knew that this
+foreboded evil to his garden, for the creatures must have died for want
+of food during his illness, had not some such relief been found. As yet,
+his strength would not allow him to go ashore, and he was obliged to
+content himself with this distant view of his estate. The poultry
+appeared to be well, and the invalid fancied he saw chickens running at
+the side of one of the hens.
+
+It was a week later before Mark ventured to go as far as the crater. On
+entering it, he found that his conjectures concerning the garden were
+true. Two-thirds of it had been dug over by the snouts of his pigs,
+quite as effectually as he could have done it, in his vigour, with the
+spade. Tops and roots had been demolished alike, and about as much
+wasted as had been consumed, Kitty was found, _flagrante delictu_,
+nibbling at the beans, which, by this time, were dead ripe. The peas,
+and beans, and Indian corn had made good picking for the poultry; and
+everything possessing life had actually been living in abundance, while
+the sick man had lain unconscious of even his own, existence, in a state
+as near death as life.
+
+Mark found his awning standing, and was glad to rest an hour or two in
+his hammock, after looking at the garden. While there the hogs entered
+the crater, and made a meal before his eyes. To his surprise, the sow
+was followed by ten little creatures, that were already getting to be of
+the proper size for eating. A ravenous appetite was now Mark's greatest
+torment, and the coarse food of the ship was rather too heavy for him.
+He had exhausted his wit in contriving dishes of flour, and pined for
+something more grateful than salted beef, or pork. Although he somewhat
+distrusted his strength, yet longing induced him to make an experiment.
+A fowling-piece, loaded with ball, was under the awning; and freshening
+the priming, the young man watched his opportunity when one of the
+grunters was in a good position, and shot it in the head. Then cutting
+its throat with a knife, he allowed it to bleed, when he cleaned, and
+_skinned it_. This last operation was not very artistical, but it was
+necessary in the situation of our invalid. With the carcase of this pig,
+which was quite as much as he could even then carry back to the ship,
+though the animal was not yet six weeks old, Mark made certain savoury
+and nourishing dishes, that contributed essentially to the restoration
+of his strength. In the course of the ensuing month three more of the
+pigs shared the same fate, as did half-a-dozen of the brood of chickens
+already mentioned, though the last were not yet half-grown. But Mark
+felt, now, as if he could eat the crater, though as yet he had not been
+able to clamber to the Summit.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter X.
+
+
+
+    "Yea! long as nature's humblest child
+    Hath kept her temple undefiled
+      By sinful sacrifice,
+    Earth's fairest scenes are all his own,
+    He is a monarch, and his throne
+      Is built amid the skies."
+
+    Wilson.
+
+
+Our youthful hermit was quite two months in regaining his strength,
+though, by the end of one he was able to look about him, and turn his
+hand to many little necessary jobs. The first thing he undertook was to
+set up a gate that would keep the animals on the outside of the crater.
+The pigs had not only consumed much the largest portion of his garden
+truck, but they had taken a fancy to break up the crust of that part of
+the crater where the grass was showing itself, and to this inroad upon
+his meadows, Mark had no disposition to submit. He had now ascertained
+that the surface of the plain, though of a rocky appearance, was so far
+shelly and porous that the seeds had taken very generally; and as soon
+as their roots worked their way into the minute crevices, he felt
+certain they would of themselves convert the whole surface into a soil
+sufficiently rich to nourish the plants he wished to produce there.
+Under such circumstances he did not desire the assistance of the hogs.
+As yet, however, the animals had done good, rather than harm to the
+garden, by stirring the soil up, and mixing the sea-weed and decayed
+fish with it; but among the grass they threatened to be more
+destructive; than useful. In most places the crust of the plain was just
+thick enough to bear the weight of a man, and Mark, no geologist, by the
+way, came to the conclusion that it existed at all more through the
+agency of the salt deposited in ancient floods, than from any other
+cause. According to the great general law of the earth, soil should have
+been formed from rock, and not rock from soil: though there certainly
+are cases in which the earths indurate, as well as become disintegrated.
+As we are not professing to give a scientific account of these matters,
+we shall simply state the facts, leaving better scholars than ourselves
+to account for their existence.
+
+Mark made his gate out of the fife-rail, at the foot of the mainmast,
+sawing off the stanchions for that purpose. With a little alteration it
+answered perfectly, being made to swing from a post that was wedged into
+the arch, by cutting it to the proper length. As this was the first
+attack upon the Rancocus that had yet been made, by axe or saw, it made
+the young man melancholy; and it was only with great reluctance that he
+could prevail on himself to begin what appeared like the commencement of
+breaking up the good craft. It was done, however, and the gate was hung,
+thereby saving the rest of the crop. It was high time; the hogs and
+poultry, to say nothing of Kitty, having already got their full share.
+The inroads of the first, however, were of use in more ways than one,
+since they taught our young cultivator a process by which he could get
+his garden turned up at a cheap rate. They also suggested to him an idea
+that he subsequently turned to good account. Having dug his roots so
+early, it occurred to Mark that, in so low a climate, and with such a
+store of manure, he might raise two crops in a year, those which came in
+the cooler months varying a little in their properties from those which
+came in the warmer. On this hint he endeavoured to improve, commencing
+anew beds that, without it, would probably have lain fallow some months
+longer.
+
+In this way did our young man employ-himself until he found his strength
+perfectly restored. But the severe illness he had gone through, with the
+sad views it had given him of some future day, when he might be
+compelled to give up life itself, without a friendly hand to smooth his
+pillow, or to close his eyes, led him to think far more seriously than
+he had done before, on the subject of the true character of our
+probationary condition here on earth, and on the unknown and awful
+future to which it leads us. Mark had been carefully educated on the
+subject of religion, and was well enough disposed to enter into the
+inquiry in a suitable spirit of humility; but, the grave circumstances
+in which he was now placed, contributed largely to the clearness of his
+views of the necessity of preparing for the final change. Cut off, as he
+was, from all communion with his kind; cast on what was, when he first
+knew it, literally a barren rock in the midst of the vast Pacific Ocean,
+Mark found himself, by a very natural operation of causes, in much
+closer communion with his Creator, than he might have been in the haunts
+of the world. On the Reef, there was little to divert his thoughts from
+their true course; and the very ills that pressed upon him, became so
+many guides to his gratitude by showing, through the contrasts, the many
+blessings which had been left him by the mercy of the hand that had
+struck him. The nights in that climate and season were much the
+pleasantest portions of the four-and-twenty hours. There were no
+exhalations from decayed vegetable substances or stagnant pools, to
+create miasma, but the air was as pure and little to be feared under a
+placid moon as under a noon-day sun. The first hours of night,
+therefore, were those in which our solitary man chose to take most of
+his exercise, previously to his complete restoration to strength; and
+then it was that he naturally fell into an obvious and healthful
+communion with the stars.
+
+So far as the human mind has as yet been able to penetrate the mysteries
+of our condition here on-earth, with the double connection between the
+past and the future, all its just inferences tend to the belief in an
+existence of a vast and beneficent design. We have somewhere heard, or
+read, that the gipsies believe that men are the fallen angels, oiling
+their way backward on the fatal path along which hey formerly rushed to
+perdition. This may not be, probably is not true in its special detail;
+but that men are placed here to prepare themselves for a future and
+higher condition of existence, is not only agreeable to our
+consciousness, but is in harmony with revelation. Among the many things
+that have been revealed to us, where so many are hid, we are told that
+our information is to increase, as we draw nearer to the millennium,
+until "The whole earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the Lord,
+as the waters cover the sea." We may be far from that blessed day;
+probably are; but he has lived in vain, who has dwelt his half century
+in the midst of the civilization of this our own age, and does not see
+around him the thousand proofs of the tendency of things to the
+fulfilment of the decrees, announced to us ages ago by the pens of holy
+men. Rome, Greece, Egypt, and all that we know of the past, which comes
+purely of man and his passions; empires, dynasties, heresies and
+novelties, come and go like the changes of the seasons; while the only
+thing that can be termed stable, is the slow but sure progress of
+prophecy. The agencies that have been employed to bring about the great
+ends foretold so many centuries since, are so very natural, that we
+often lose sight of the mighty truth in its seeming simplicity. But, the
+signs of the times are not to be mistaken. Let any man of fifty, for
+instance, turn his eyes toward the East, the land of Judea, and compare
+its condition, its promises of to-day, with those that existed in his
+own youth, and ask himself how the change has been produced. That which
+the Richards and Sts. Louis of the middle ages could not effect with
+their armed hosts, is about to happen as a consequence of causes so
+obvious and simple that they are actually overlooked by the multitude.
+The Ottoman power and Ottoman prejudices are melting away, as it might
+be under the heat of divine truth, which is clearing for itself a path
+that will lead to the fulfilment of its own predictions.
+
+Among the agents that are to be employed, in impressing the human race
+with a sense of the power and benevolence of the Deity, we think the
+science of astronomy, with its mechanical auxiliaries, is to act its
+full share. The more deeply we penetrate into the arcana of nature, the
+stronger becomes the proofs of design; and a deity thus obviously,
+tangibly admitted, the more profound will become the reverence for his
+character and power. In Mark Woolston's youth, the great progress which
+has since been made in astronomy, more especially in the way of its
+details through observations, had but just commenced. A vast deal, it is
+true, had been accomplished in the way of pure science, though but
+little that came home to the understandings and feelings of the mass.
+Mark's education had given him an outline of what Herschel and his
+contemporaries had been about, however; and when he sat on the Summit,
+communing with the stars, and through those distant and still unknown
+worlds, with their Divine First Cause, it was with as much familiarity
+with the subject as usually belongs to the liberally educated, without
+carrying a particular branch of learning into its recesses. He had
+increased his school acquisitions a little, by the study and practice of
+Navigation, and had several works that he was fond of reading, which may
+have made him a somewhat more accurate astronomer than those who get
+only leading ideas on the subject. Hours at a time did Mark linger on
+the Summit, studying the stars in the clear, transparent atmosphere of
+the tropics, his spirit struggling the while to get into closer
+communion with that dread Being which had produced all these mighty
+results; among which the existence of the earth, its revolutions, its
+heats and colds, its misery and happiness, are but specks in the
+incidents of a universe. Previously to this period, he had looked into
+these things from curiosity and a love of science; now, they impressed
+him with the deepest sense of the power and wisdom of the Deity, and
+caused him the better to understand his own position in the scale of
+created beings.
+
+Not only did our young hermit study the stars with his own eyes, but he
+had the aid of instruments. The ship had two very good spy-glasses, and
+Mark himself was the owner of a very neat reflecting telescope, which he
+had purchased with his wages, and had brought with him as a source of
+amusement and instruction. To this telescope there was a brass stand,
+and he conveyed it to the tent on the Summit, where it was kept for use.
+Aided by this instrument, Mark could see the satellites of Jupiter and
+Saturn, the ring of the latter, the belts of the former, and many of
+the phenomena of the moon. Of course, the spherical forms of all the
+nearer planets, then known to astronomers, were plainly to be seen by
+the assistance of this instrument; and there is no one familiar fact
+connected with our observations of the heavenly bodies, that strikes the
+human mind, through the senses, as forcibly as this. For near a month,
+Mark almost passed the nights' gazing at the stars, and reflecting on
+their origin and uses. He had no expectations of making discoveries, or
+of even adding to his own stores of knowledge: but his thoughts were
+brought nearer to his Divine Creator by investigations of this sort; for
+where a zealous mathematician might have merely exulted in the
+confirmation of some theory by means of a fact, he saw the hand of God
+instead of the solution of a problem. Thrice happy would it be for the
+man of science, could he ever thus hold his powers in subjection to the
+great object for which they were brought into existence; and, instead of
+exulting in, and quarrelling about the pride of human reason, be brought
+to humble himself and his utmost learning, at the feet of Infinite
+Knowledge and power, and wisdom, as they are thus to be traced in the
+path of the Ancient of Days!
+
+By the time his strength returned, Mark had given up, altogether, the
+hope of ever seeing Betts again. It was just possible that the poor
+fellow might fall in with a ship, or find his way to some of the
+islands; but, if he did so, it would be the result of chance and not of
+calculations. The pinnace was well provisioned, had plenty of water,
+and, tempests excepted, was quite equal to navigating the Pacific; and
+there was a faint hope that Bob might continue his course to the
+eastward, with a certainty of reaching some part of South America in
+time. If he should lake this course, and succeed, what would be the
+consequence? Who would put sufficient faith in the story of a simple
+seaman, like Robert Betts, and send a ship to look for Mark Woolston? In
+these later times, the government would doubtless despatch a vessel of
+war on such an errand, did no other means of rescuing the man offer;
+but, at the close of the last century, government did not exercise that
+much of power. It scarcely protected its seamen from the English
+press-gang and the Algerine slave-driver; much less did it think of
+rescuing a solitary individual from a rock in the midst of the Pacific.
+American vessels did then roam over that distant ocean, but it was
+comparatively in small numbers, and under circumstances that promised
+but little to the hopes of the hermit. It was a subject he did not like
+to dwell on, and he kept his thoughts as much diverted from it as it was
+in his power so to do.
+
+The season had now advanced into as much of autumn as could be found
+within the tropics, and on land so low. Everything in the garden had
+ripened, and much had been thrown out to the pigs and poultry, in
+anticipation of its decay. Mark saw that it was time to re-commence his
+beds, selecting such seed as would best support the winter of that
+climate, if winter it could be called. In looking around him, he made a
+regular survey of all his possessions, inquiring into the state of each
+plant he had put into the ground, as well as into that of the ground
+itself. First, then, as respects the plants.
+
+The growth of the oranges, lemons, cocoa-nuts, limes, figs, &c., placed
+in rows beneath the cliffs, had been prodigious. The water had run off
+the adjacent rocks and kept them well moistened most of the season,
+though a want of rain was seldom known on the Reef. Of the two, too
+much, rather than too little water fell; a circumstance that was of
+great service, however, in preserving the stock, which had used little
+beside that it found in the pools, for the last ten months. The shrubs,
+or little trees, were quite a foot high, and of an excellent colour.
+Mark gave each of them a dressing with the hoe, and manured all with a
+sufficient quantity of the guano. About half he transplanted to spots
+more favourable, putting the cocoa-nuts, in particular, as near the sea
+as he could get them.
+
+With respect to the other plants, it was found that each had flourished
+precisely in proportion to its adaptation to the climate. The products
+of some were increased in size, while those of others had dwindled. Mark
+took note of these facts, determining to cultivate those most which
+succeeded best. The melons of both sorts, the tomatoes, the egg-plants,
+the peppers, cucumbers, onions, beans, corn, sweet-potatoes, &c. &c.,
+had all flourished; while the Irish potato, in particular, had scarce
+produced a tuber at all.
+
+As for the soil, on examination Mark found it had beer, greatly
+improved by the manure, tillage and water it had received. The hogs were
+again let in to turn it over with their snouts, and this they did most
+effectually in the course of two or three days. By this time, in
+addition to the three grown porkers our young man possessed, there were
+no less than nine young ones. This number was getting to be formidable,
+and he saw the necessity of killing off, in order to keep them within
+reasonable limits. One of the fattest and best he converted into pickled
+pork, not from any want of that article, there being still enough left
+in the ship to last him several years, but because he preferred it
+corned to that which had been in the salt so long a time. He saw the
+mistake he had made in allowing the pigs to get to be so large, since
+the meat would spoil long before he could consume even the
+smallest-sized shoats. For their own good, however, he was compelled to
+shoot no less than five, and these he buried entire, in deep places in
+his garden, having heard that earth which had imbibed animal substances,
+in this way, was converted into excellent manure.
+
+Mark now made a voyage to Loam Island, in quest of a cargo, using the
+raft, and towing the dingui. It was on this occasion that our young man
+was made to feel how much he had lost, in the way of labour, in being
+deprived of the assistance of Bob. He succeeded in loading his raft,
+however, and was just about to sail for home again, when it occurred to
+him that possibly the seeds and roots of the asparagus he had put into a
+corner of the deposit might have come to something. Sure enough, on
+going to the spot, Mark found that the seed had taken well, and hundreds
+of young plants were growing flourishingly, while plants fit to eat had
+pushed their tops through the loam, from the roots. This was an
+important discovery, asparagus being a vegetable of which Mark was
+exceedingly fond, and one easily cultivated. In that climate, and in a
+soil sufficiently rich, it might be made to send up new shoots the
+entire year; and there was little fear of scurvy so long as he could
+obtain plenty of this plant to eat. The melons and other vegetables,
+however, had removed all Mark's dread of that formidable disease; more
+especially as he had now eggs, chickens, and fresh fish, the latter in
+quantities that were almost oppressive. In a word, the means of
+subsistence now gave the young man no concern whatever. When he first
+found himself on a barren rock, indeed, the idea had almost struck
+terror into his mind; but, now that he had ascertained that his crater
+could be cultivated, and promised, like most other extinct volcanoes,
+unbounded fertility, he could no longer apprehend a disease which is
+commonly owing to salted provisions.
+
+When Mark found his health completely re-established, he sat down and
+drew up a regular plan of dividing his time between work, contemplation,
+and amusement. Fortunately, perhaps, for one who lived in a climate
+where vegetation was so luxuriant when it could be produced at all, work
+was pressed into his service as an amusement. Of the last, there was
+certainly very little, in the common acceptation of the word; but our
+hermit was not without it altogether. He studied the habits of the
+sea-birds that congregated in thousands around so many of the rocks of
+the Reef, though so few scarce ever ventured on the crater island. He
+made voyages to and fro, usually connecting business with pleasure.
+Taking favourable times for such purposes, he floated several cargoes of
+loam to the Reef, as well as two enormous rafts of sea-weed. Mark was
+quite a month in getting these materials into his compost heap, which he
+intended should lie in a pile during the winter, in order that it might
+be ready for spading in the spring. We use these terms by way of
+distinguishing the seasons, though of winter, strictly speaking, there
+was none. Of the two, the grass grew better at mid-winter than at
+mid-summer, the absence of the burning heat of the last being favourable
+to its growth. As the season advanced, Mark saw his grass very sensibly
+increase, not only in surface, but in thickness. There were now spots of
+some size, where a turf was forming, nature performing all her tasks in
+that genial climate, in about a fourth of the time it would take to
+effect the same object in the temperate zone. On examining these places,
+Mark came to the conclusion that the roots of his grasses acted as
+cultivators, by working their way into the almost insensible crevices of
+the crust, letting in air and water to places whence they had hitherto
+been excluded. This seemed, in particular, to be the case with the grass
+that grew within the crater, which had increased so much in the course
+of what may be termed the winter, that it was really fast converting a
+plain of a light drab colour, that was often painful to the eyes, into a
+plot of as lovely verdure as ever adorned the meadows of a Swiss
+cottage. It became desirable to keep this grass down, and Kitty being
+unable to crop a meadow of so many acres, Mark was compelled to admit
+his pigs and poultry again. This he did at stated times only, however;
+or when he was at work himself in the garden, and could prevent their
+depredations on his beds. The rooting gave him the most trouble; but
+this he contrived in a great measure to prevent, by admitting his hogs
+only when they were eager for grass, and turning them out as soon as
+they began to generalize, like an epicure picking his nuts after dinner.
+
+It was somewhere near mid-winter, by Mark's calculations, when the young
+man commenced a new task that was of great importance to his comfort,
+and which _might_ affect his future life. He had long determined to lay
+down a boat, one of sufficient size to explore the whole reef in, if not
+large enough to carry him out to sea. The dingui was altogether too
+small for labour; though exceedingly useful in its way, and capable of
+being managed even in pretty rough water by a skilful hand, it wanted
+both weight and room. It was difficult to float in, even a raft of
+sea-weed, with so light a boat; and as for towing the raft, it was next
+to impossible. But the raft was unwieldy, and when loaded down, besides
+carrying very little for its great weight, it was very much at the mercy
+of the currents and waves. Then the construction of a boat was having an
+important purpose in view, and, in that sense, was a desirable
+undertaking.
+
+Mark had learned so much in putting the pinnace together, that he
+believed himself equal to this new undertaking. Materials enough
+remained in the ship to make half-a-dozen boats, and in tumbling over
+the lumber he had found a quantity of stuff that had evidently been
+taken in with a view to repair boats, if not absolutely to construct
+them. A ship's hold is such an omnium gatherum, stowage being
+necessarily so close, that it usually requires time for who does not
+know where to put his hand on everything, to ascertain how much or how
+little is to be found in it. Such was the fact with Mark, whose
+courtship and marriage had made a considerable inroad on his duties as a
+mate. As he overhauled the hold, he daily found fresh reasons for
+believing that Friend Abraham White had made provisions, of one sort and
+another, of which he was profoundly ignorant, but which, as the voyage
+had terminated, proved to be of the greatest utility. Thus it was, that
+just as he was about to commence getting out these great requisites from
+new planks, he came across a stem, stern-frame, and keel of a boat, that
+was intended to be eighteen feet long. Of course our young man profited
+by this discovery, getting the materials of all sorts, including these,
+round to the ship-yard by means of the raft.
+
+For the next two months, or until he had reason to believe spring had
+fairly set in, Mark toiled faithfully at his boat. Portions of his work
+gave him a great deal of trouble; some of it on account of ignorance of
+the craft, and some on account of his being alone. Getting the awning up
+anew cost poor Mark the toil of several days, and this because his
+single strength was not sufficient to hoist the corners of that heavy
+course, even when aided by watch-tackles. He was compelled to rig a
+crab, with which he effected his purpose, reserving the machine to aid
+him on other occasions. Then the model of the boat cost him a great deal
+of time and labour. Mark knew a good bottom when he saw it, but that was
+a very different thing from knowing how to make one. Of the rules of
+draughting he was altogether ignorant, and his eye was his only guide.
+He adopted a plan that was sufficiently ingenious, though it would never
+do to build a navy on the same principle.
+
+Having a great plenty of deal, Mark got out in the rough about twice as
+many timbers for one side of his boat as would be required, in this thin
+stuff, when he set them up in their places. Aided by this beginning, the
+young man began to dub and cut away, until he got each piece into
+something very near the shape his eye told him it ought to be. Even
+after he had got as far as this, our boat-builder passed a week in
+shaving, and planing, and squinting, and in otherwise reducing his lines
+to fair proportions. Satisfied, at length, with the bottom he had thus
+fashioned, Mark took out just one half of his pieces, leaving the other
+half standing. After these moulds did he saw and cut his boat's timbers,
+making, in each instance, duplicates. When the ribs and floors of his
+craft were ready, he set them up in the vacancies, and secured them,
+after making an accurate fit with the pieces left standing. On knocking
+away the deal portions of his work, Mark had the frame of his boat
+complete. This was much the most troublesome part of the whole job; nor
+was it finished, when the young man was obliged, by the progress of the
+seasons, to quit the ship-yard for the garden.
+
+Mark had adopted a system of diet and a care of his person, that kept
+him in perfect health, illness being the evil that he most dreaded. His
+food was more than half vegetable, several plants having come forward
+even in the winter; and the asparagus, in particular, yielding at a rate
+that would have made the fortune of a London gardener. The size of the
+plants he cut was really astounding, a dozen stems actually making a
+meal. The hens laid all winter, and eggs were never wanting. The corned
+pork gave substance, as well as a relish, to all the dishes the young
+man cooked; and the tea, sugar and coffee, promising to hold out years
+longer, the table still gave him little concern. Once in a month, or so,
+he treated himself to a bean-soup, or a pea-soup, using the stores of
+the Rancocus for that purpose, foreseeing that the salted meats would
+spoil after a time, and the dried vegetables get to be worthless, by
+means of insects and worms. By this time, however, there were fresh
+crops of both those vegetables, which grew better in the winter than
+they could in the summer, in that hot climate. Fish, too, were used as a
+change, whenever the young man had an inclination for that sort of food,
+which was as often as three or four times a week; the little pan-fish
+already mentioned, being of a sort of which one would scarcely ever
+tire.
+
+It being a matter of some moment to save unnecessary labour, Mark seldom
+cooked more than once in twenty-four hours, and then barely enough to
+last for that day. In consequence of this rule, he soon learned how
+little was really necessary for the wants of one person, it being his
+opinion that a quarter of an acre of such soil as that which now
+composed his garden, would more than furnish all the vegetables he could
+consume. The soil, it is true, was of a very superior quality. Although
+it had lain so long unproductive and seemingly barren, now that it had
+been stirred, and air and water were admitted, and guano, and sea-weed,
+and loam, and dead fish had been applied, and all in quantities that
+would have been deemed very ample in the best wrought gardens of
+christendom, the acre he had under tillage might be said to have been
+brought to the highest stage of fertility. It wanted a little in
+consistency, perhaps; but the compost heap was very large, containing
+enough of all the materials just mentioned to give the garden another
+good dressing. As for the grass, Mark was convinced the guano was
+all-sufficient for that, and this he took care to apply as often as once
+in two or three months.
+
+Our young man was never tired, indeed, with feasting his eyes with the
+manner in which the grass had spread over the mount. It is true, that he
+had scattered seed, at odd and favourable moments, over most of it, by
+this time; but he was persuaded the roots of those first sown would have
+extended themselves, in the course of a year or two, over the whole
+Summit. Nor were these grasses thin and sickly, threatening as early an
+extinction as they had been quick in coming to maturity. On the
+contrary, after breaking what might be called the crust of the rock with
+their vigorous though nearly invisible roots, they made a bed for
+themselves, on which they promised to repose for ages. The great
+frequency of the rains favoured their growth, and Mark was of opinion
+after the experience of one summer, that his little mountain might be
+green the year round.
+
+We have called the mount of the crater little, but the term ought not to
+be used in reference to such a hill, when the extent of the island
+itself was considered. By actual measurement, Mark had ascertained that
+there was one knoll on the Summit which was just seventy-two feet above
+the level of the rock. The average height, however, might be given as
+somewhat less than fifty. Of surface, the rocky barrier of the crater
+had almost as much as the plain within it, though it was so broken and
+uneven as not to appear near as large. Kitty had long since determined
+that the hill was more than large enough for all her wants; and glad
+enough did she seem when Mark succeeded, after a great deal of
+difficulty, in driving the hogs up a flight of steps he had made within
+the crater, to help her crop the herbage. As for the rooting of the
+last, so long as they were on the Summit, it was so much the better;
+since, in that climate, it was next to impossible to kill grass that was
+once fairly in growth, and the more the crust of the ashes was broken,
+the more rapid and abundant would be the vegetation.
+
+Mark had, of course, abandoned the idea of continuing to cultivate his
+melons, or any other vegetables, on the Summit, or he never would have
+driven his hogs there. He was unwilling, notwithstanding, to lose the
+benefit of the deposits of soil and manure which he and Bob had made
+there with so much labour to themselves. After reflecting what he could
+do with them, he came to the conclusion that he would make small
+enclosures around some fifteen or twenty of the places, and transplant
+some of the fig-trees, orange-trees, limes, lemons, &c., which still
+stood rather too thick within the crater to ripen their fruits to
+advantage. In order to make these little enclosures, Mark merely drove
+into the earth short posts, passing around them old rope, of which there
+was a superabundance on board the ship. This arrangement suggested the
+idea of fencing in the garden, by the same means, in order to admit the
+pigs to eat the grass, when he was not watching them. By the time these
+dispositions were made, it was necessary to begin again to put in the
+seeds.
+
+On this occasion Mark determined to have a succession of crops, and not
+to bring on everything at once, as he had done the first year of his
+tillage. Accordingly, he would manure and break up a bed, and plant or
+sow it, waiting a few days before he began another. Experience had told
+him that there was never an end to vegetation in that climate, and he
+saw no use in pushing his labours faster than he might require their
+fruits. It was true, certain plants did better if permitted to come to
+maturity in particular periods, but the season was so long as very well
+to allow of the arrangement just mentioned. As this distribution of his
+time gave the young man a good deal of leisure, he employed it in the
+ship-yard. Thus the boat and the garden were made to advance together,
+and when the last was sown and planted, the first was planked. When the
+last bed was got in, moreover, those first set in order were already
+giving forth their increase. Mark had abundance of delicious salad,
+young onions, radishes that seemed to grow like mushrooms, young peas,
+beans, &c., in quantities that enabled him to turn the hogs out on the
+Reef, and keep them well on the refuse of his garden, assisted a little
+by what was always to be picked up on the rocks.
+
+By this time Mark had settled on a system which he thought to pursue.
+There was no use in his raising more pigs than he could use. Taking care
+to preserve the breed, therefore, he killed off the pigs, of which he
+had fresh litters, from time to time; and when he found the old hogs
+getting to be troublesome, as swine will become with years, he just shot
+them, and buried their bodies in his compost heap, or in his garden,
+where one common-sized hog would render highly fertile several yards
+square of earth, or ashes. This practice he continued ever after,
+extending it to his fowls and ducks, the latter of which produced a
+great many eggs. By rigidly observing this rule, Mark avoided an evil
+which is very common even in inhabited countries, that of keeping more
+stock than is good for their owner. Six or eight hens laid more eggs
+than he could consume, and there was always a sufficient supply of
+chickens for his wants. In short, our hermit had everything he actually
+required, and most things that could contribute to his living in great
+abundance. The necessity of cooking for himself, and the want of pure,
+cold spring water, were the two greatest physical hardships he endured.
+There were moments, indeed, when Mark would have gladly yielded one-half
+of the advantages he actually possessed, to have a good spring of living
+water. Then he quelled the repinings of his spirit at this privation, by
+endeavouring to recall how many blessings were left at his command,
+compared to the wants and sufferings of many another shipwrecked
+mariner of whom he had read or heard.
+
+The spring passed as pleasantly as thoughts of home and Bridget would
+allow, and his beds and plantations flourished to a degree that
+surprised him. As for the grass, as soon as it once got root, it became
+a most beneficial assistant to his plans of husbandry. Nor was it grass
+alone that rewarded Mark's labours and forethought in his meadows and
+pastures. Various flowers appeared in the herbage; and he was delighted
+at finding a little patch of the common wild strawberry, the seed of
+which had doubtless got mixed with those of the grasses. Instead of
+indulging his palate with a taste of this delicious and most salubrious
+fruit, Mark carefully collected it all, made a bed in his garden, and
+included the cultivation of this among his other plants. He would not
+disturb a single root of the twenty or thirty different shoots that he
+found, all being together, and coming from the same cast of his hand
+while sowing, lest it might die; but, with the seed of the fruit, he was
+less chary. One thing struck Mark as singular. Thus far his garden was
+absolutely free from weeds of every sort. The seed that he put into the
+ground came up, and nothing else. This greatly simplified his toil,
+though he had no doubt that, in the course of time, he should meet with
+intruders in his beds. He could only account for this circumstance by
+the facts, that the ashes of the volcano contained of themselves no
+combination of the elements necessary to produce plants, and that the
+manures he used, in their nature, were free from weeds.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XI.
+
+
+
+    "The globe around earth's hollow surface shakes,
+    And is the ceiling of her sleeping sons:
+    O'er devastation we blind revels keep;
+    While buried towns support the dancer's heel."
+
+    Young.
+
+
+It was again mid-summer ere Mark Woolston had his boat ready for
+launching. He had taken things leisurely, and completed his work in all
+its parts, before he thought of putting the craft into the water. Afraid
+of worms, he used some of the old copper on this boat, too; and he
+painted her, inside and out, not only with fidelity, but with taste.
+Although there was no one but Kitty to talk to, he did not forget to
+paint the name which he had given to his new vessel, in her
+stern-sheets, where he could always see it. She was called the "Bridget
+Yardley;" and, notwithstanding the unfavourable circumstances in which
+she had been put together, Mark thought she did no discredit to her
+beautiful namesake, when completed. When he had everything finished,
+even to mast and sails, of the last of which he fitted her with mainsail
+and jib, the young man set about his preparations for getting his vessel
+afloat.
+
+There was no process by which one man could move a boat of the size of
+the Bridget, while out of its proper element, but to launch it by means
+of regular ways. With a view to this contingency, the keel had been laid
+between the ways of the Neshamony, which were now all ready to be used.
+Of course it was no great job to make a cradle for a boat, and our
+boat-builder had 'wedged up,' and got the keel of his craft off the
+'blocks,' within eight-and-forty hours after he had begun upon that part
+of his task. It only remained to knock away the spur-shores and start
+the boat. Until that instant, Mark had pursued his work on the Bridget
+as mechanically and steadily as if hired by the day When, however, he
+perceived that he was so near his goal, a flood of sensations came over
+the young man, and his limbs trembled to a degree that compelled him to
+be seated. Who could tell the consequences to which that boat might
+lead? Who knew but the 'Bridget' might prove the means of carrying him
+to his own Bridget, and restoring him to civilized life? At that
+instant, if appeared to Mark as if his existence depended on the
+launching of his boat, and he was fearful some unforeseen accident might
+prevent it. He was obliged to wait several minutes in order to recover
+his self-possession.
+
+At length Mark succeeded in subduing this feeling, and he resumed his
+work with most of his former self-command. Everything being ready, he
+knocked away the spur-shores, and, finding the boat did not start, he
+gave it a blow with a mawl. This set the mass in motion, and the little
+craft slid down the ways without any interruption, until it became
+water-born, when it shot out from the Reef like a duck. Mark was
+delighted with his new vessel, now that it was fairly afloat, and saw
+that it sat on an even keel, according to his best hopes. Of course he
+had not neglected to secure it with a line, by which he hauled it in
+towards the rock, securing it in a natural basin which was just large
+enough for such a purpose. So great, indeed, were his apprehensions of
+losing his boat, which now seemed so precious to him, that he had worked
+some ringbolts out of the ship and let them into the rock, where he had
+secured them by means of melted lead, in order to make fast to.
+
+The Bridget was not more than a fourth of the size of the Neshamony,
+though rather more than half as long. Nevertheless, she was a good boat;
+and Mark, knowing that he must depend on sails principally to move her,
+had built a short deck forward to prevent the seas from breaking aboard
+her, as well as to give him a place in which he might stow away various
+articles, under cover from the rain. Her ballast was breakers, filled
+with fresh water, of which there still remained several in the ship. All
+these, as well as her masts, sails, oars, &c., were in her when she was
+launched; and that important event having taken place early in the
+morning, Mark could not restrain his impatience for a cruise, but
+determined to go out on the reef at once, further than he had ever yet
+ventured in the dingui, in order to explore the seas around him.
+Accordingly, he put some food on board, loosened his fasts, and made
+sail.
+
+The instant the boat moved ahead, and began to obey her helm, Mark felt
+as if he had found a new companion. Hitherto Kitty had, in a measure,
+filled this place; but a boat had been the young man's delight on the
+Delaware, in his boyhood, and he had not tacked his present craft more
+than two or three times, before he caught himself talking to it, and
+commending it, as he would a human being. As the wind usually blew in
+the same direction, and generally a good stiff breeze, Mark beat up
+between the Reef and Guano Island, working round the weather end of the
+former, until he came out at the anchorage of the Rancocus. After
+beating about in that basin a little while, as if merely to show off the
+Bridget to the ship, Mark put the former close by the wind, and stood
+off in the channel by which he and Bob had brought the latter into her
+present berth.
+
+It was easy enough to avoid all such breakers as would be dangerous to a
+boat, by simply keeping out of white water; but the Bridget could pass
+over most of the reefs with impunity, on account of the depth of the sea
+on them. Mark beat up, on short tacks, therefore, until he found the two
+buoys between which he had brought the ship, and passing to windward of
+them, he stood off in the direction where he expected to find the reef
+over which the Rancocus had beaten. He was not long in making this
+discovery. There still floated the buoy of the bower, watching as
+faithfully as the seaman on his look-out! Mark ran the boat up to this
+well-tried sentinel, and caught the lanyard, holding on by it, after
+lowering his sails.
+
+The boat was now moored by the buoy-rope of the ship's anchor, and it
+occurred to our young man that a certain use might be made of this
+melancholy memorial of the calamity that had befallen the Rancocus. The
+anchor lay quite near a reef, on it indeed in one sense; and it was in
+such places that fish most abounded. Fishing-tackle was in the boat, and
+Mark let down a line. His success was prodigious. The fish were hauled
+in almost as fast as he could bait and lower his hook, and what was
+more they proved to be larger and finer than those taken at the old
+fishing-grounds. By the experience of the half hour he passed at the
+spot, Mark felt certain that he could fill his boat there in a day's
+fishing. After hauling in some twenty or thirty, however, he cast off
+from the lanyard, hoisted his sails, and crossed the reef, still working
+to windward.
+
+It was Mark's wish to learn something of the nature and extent of the
+shoals in this direction. With this object in view, he continued beating
+up, sometimes passing boldly through shallow water, at others going
+about to avoid that which he thought might be dangerous, until he
+believed himself to be about ten miles to windward of the island. The
+ship's masts were his beacon, for the crater had sunk below the horizon,
+or if visible at all, it was only at intervals, as the boat was lifted
+on a swell, when it appeared a low hummock, nearly awash. It was with
+difficulty that the naked spars could be seen at that distance; nor
+could they be, except at moments, and that because the compass told the
+young man exactly where to look for them.
+
+As for the appearance of the reefs, no naked rock was anywhere to be
+seen in this direction, though there were abundant evidences of the
+existence of shoals. As well as he could judge, Mark was of opinion that
+these shoals extended at least twenty miles in this direction, he having
+turned up fully five leagues without getting clear of them. At that
+distance from his solitary home, and out of sight of everything like
+land, did the young man eat his frugal, but good and nourishing dinner,
+with his jib-sheet to windward and the boat hove-to. The freshness of
+the breeze had induced him to reef, and under that short sail, he found
+the Bridget everything he could wish. It was now about the middle of the
+afternoon, and Mark thought it prudent to turn out his reef, and run
+down for the crater. In half an hour he caught a sight of the spars of
+the ship; and ten minutes later, the Summit appeared above the horizon.
+
+It had been the intention of our young sailor to stay out all night, had
+the weather been promising. His wish was to ascertain how he might
+manage the boat, single-handed, while he slept, and also to learn the
+extent of the shoals. As the extraordinary fertility of the crater
+superseded the necessity of his labouring much to keep himself supplied
+with food, he had formed a plan of cruising off the shoals, for days at
+a time, in the hope of falling in with something that was passing, and
+which might carry him back to the haunts of men. No vessel would or
+could come in sight of the crater, so long as the existence of the reefs
+was known; but the course steered by the Rancocus was a proof that ships
+did occasionally pass in that quarter of the Pacific. Mark had indulged
+in no visionary hopes on this subject, for he knew he might keep in the
+offing a twelvemonth and see nothing; but an additional twenty-four
+hours might realize all his hopes.
+
+The weather, however on this his first experiment, did not encourage him
+to remain out the whole night. On the contrary, by the time the crater
+was in sight, Mark thought he had not seen a more portentous-looking sky
+since he had been on the Reef. There was a fiery redness in the
+atmosphere that alarmed him, and he would have rejoiced to be at home,
+in order to secure his stock within the crater. From the appearances, he
+anticipated another tempest with its flood. It is true, it was not the
+season when the last occurred, but the climate might admit of these
+changes. The difference between summer and winter was very trifling on
+that reef, and a hurricane, or a gale, was as likely to occur in the one
+as in the other.
+
+Just as the Bridget was passing the two buoys by which the ship-channel
+had been marked, her sail flapped. This was a bad omen, for it betokened
+a shift of wind, which rarely happened, unless it might be from six
+months to six months, without being the precursor of some sort of a
+storm. Mark was still two miles from the Reef, and the little wind there
+was soon came ahead. Luckily, it was smooth water, and very little air
+sufficed to force that light craft ahead, while there was usually a
+current setting from that point towards the crater. The birds, moreover,
+seemed uneasy, the air being filled with them, thousands flying over the
+boat, around which they wheeled, screaming and apparently terrified. At
+first Mark ascribed this unusual behaviour of his feathered neighbours
+to the circumstance of their now seeing a boat for the commencement of
+such an acquaintance; but, recollecting how often he had passed their
+haunts, in the dingui, when they would hardly get out of the way, he
+soon felt certain there must be another reason for this singular
+conduct.
+
+The sun went down in a bank of lurid fire, and the Bridget was still a
+mile from the ship. A new apprehension now came over our hermit. Should
+a tempest bring the wind violently from the westward, as was very likely
+to be the case under actual circumstances, he might be driven out to
+sea, and, did the little craft resist the waves, forced so far off as to
+make him lose the Reef altogether. Then it was that Mark deeply felt how
+much had been left him, by casting his lot on that beautiful and
+luxuriant crater, instead of reducing him to those dregs of misery which
+so many shipwrecked mariners are compelled to swallow! How much, or how
+many of the blessings that he enjoyed on the Reef, would he not have
+been willing to part with, that evening, in order to secure a safe
+arrival at the side of the Rancocus! By the utmost care to profit by
+every puff of air, and by handling the boat with the greatest skill,
+this happy result was obtained, however, without any sacrifice.
+
+About nine o'clock, and not sooner, the boat was well secured, and Mark
+went into his cabin. Here he knelt and returned thanks to God, for his
+safe return to a place that was getting to be as precious to him as the
+love of life could render it. After this, tired with his day's work, the
+young man got into his berth and endeavoured to sleep.
+
+The fatigue of the day, notwithstanding the invigorating freshness of
+the breeze, acted as an anodyne, and our young man soon forgot his
+adventures and his boat, in profound slumbers. It was many hours ere
+Mark awoke, and when he did, it was with a sense of suffocation. At
+first he thought the ship had taken fire, a lurid light gleaming in at
+the open door of the cabin, and he sprang to his feet in recollection of
+the danger he ran from the magazine, as well as from being burned. But
+no cracking of flames reaching his ears, he dressed hastily and went out
+on the poop. He had just reached this deck, when he felt the whole ship
+tremble from her truck to her keel, and a rushing of water was heard on
+all sides of him, as if a flood were coming. Hissing sounds were heard,
+and streams of fire, and gleams of lurid light were seen in the air. It
+was a terrible moment, and one that might well induce any man to imagine
+that time was drawing to its close.
+
+Mark Woolston now comprehended his situation, notwithstanding the
+intense darkness which prevailed, except in those brief intervals of
+lurid light. He had felt the shock of an earthquake, and the volcano had
+suddenly become active. Smoke and ashes certainly filled the air, and
+our poor hermit instinctively looked towards his crater, already so
+verdant and lively, in the expectation of seeing it vomit flames.
+Everything there was tranquil; the danger, if danger there was, was
+assuredly more remote. But the murky vapour which rendered breathing
+exceedingly difficult, also obstructed the view, and prevented his
+seeing where the explosion really was. For a brief space our young man
+fancied he must certainly be suffocated; but a shift of wind came, and
+blew away the oppressive vapour, clearing the atmosphere of its
+sulphurous and most offensive gases and odours. Never did feverish
+tongue enjoy the cooling and healthful draught, more than Mark rejoiced
+in this change. The wind had got back to its old quarter, and the air he
+respired soon became pure and refreshing. Had the impure atmosphere
+lasted ten minutes longer, Mark felt persuaded he could not have
+breathed it with any safety.
+
+The light was now most impatiently expected by our young man. The
+minutes seemed to drag; but, at length, the usual signs of returning day
+became apparent to him, and he got on the bowsprit of the ship, as if to
+meet it in its approach. There he stood looking to the eastward, eager
+to have ray after ray shoot into the firmament, when he was suddenly
+struck with a change in that quarter of the ocean, which at once
+proclaimed the power of the effort which the earth had made in its
+subterranean throes. Naked rocks appeared in places where Mark was
+certain water in abundance had existed a few hours before. The sea-wall,
+directly ahead of the ship, and which never showed itself above the
+surface more than two or three inches, in any part of it, and that only
+at exceedingly neap tides, was now not only bare for a long distance,
+but parts rose ten and fifteen feet above the surrounding sea. This
+proved, at once, that the earthquake had thrust upward a vast surface
+of the reef, completely altering the whole appearance of the shoal! In a
+word, nature had made another effort, and islands had been created, as
+it might be in the twinkling of an eye.
+
+Mark was no sooner assured of this stupendous fact, than he hurried on
+to the poop, in order to ascertain what changes had occurred in and
+about the crater. It had been pushed upward, in common with all the
+rocks for miles on every side of it, though without disturbing its
+surface! By the computation of our young man, the Reef, which previously
+lay about six feet above the level of the ocean, was now fully twenty,
+so many cubits having been, by one single but mighty effort of nature,
+added to its stature. The planks which led from the stern of the vessel
+to the shore, and which had formed a descent, were now nearly level, so
+much water having left the basin as to produce this change. Still the
+ship floated, enough remaining to keep her keel clear of the bottom.
+
+Impatient to learn all, Mark ran ashore, for by this time it was broad
+daylight, and hastened into the crater, with an intention to ascend at
+once to the Summit. As he passed along, he could detect no change
+whatever on the surface of the Reef; everything lying just as it had
+been left, and the pigs and poultry were at their usual business of
+providing for their own wants. Ashes, however, were strewn over the
+rocks to a depth that left his footprints as distinct as they could have
+been made in a light snow. Within the crater the same appearances were
+observed, fully an inch of ashes covering its verdant pastures and the
+whole garden. This gave Mark very little concern, for he knew that the
+first rain would wash this drab-looking mantle into the earth, where it
+would answer all the purposes of a rich dressing of manure.
+
+On reaching the Summit, our young man was enabled to form a better
+opinion of the vast changes which had been wrought around him, by this
+sudden elevation of the earth's crust. Everywhere sea seemed to be
+converted into land, or, at least, into rock. All the white water had
+disappeared, and in its place arose islands of rock, or mud, or sand. A
+good deal of the last was to be seen, and some quite near the Reef, as
+we shall still continue to call the island of the crater. Island,
+however, it could now hardly be termed. It is true that ribands of water
+approached it on all sides, resembling creeks, and rivers and small
+sounds; but, as Mark stood there on the Summit, it seemed to him that it
+was now possible to walk for leagues, in every direction, commencing at
+the crater and following the lines of reefs, and rocks, and sands, that
+had been laid bare by the late upheaving. The extent of this change gave
+him confidence in its permanency, and the young man had hopes that what
+had thus been produced by the Providence of God would be permitted to
+remain, to answer his own benevolent purposes. It certainly made an
+immense difference in his own situation. The boat could still be used,
+but it was now possible for him to ramble for hours, if not for days,
+along the necks, and banks, and hummocks, and swales that had been
+formed, and that with a dry foot. His limits were so much enlarged as to
+offer something like a new world to his enterprise and curiosity.
+
+The crater, nevertheless, was apparently about the centre of this new
+creation. To the south, it is true, the eye could not penetrate more
+than two or three leagues. A vast, dun-looking cloud, still covered the
+sea in that direction, veiling its surface far and wide, and mingling
+with the vapours of the upper atmosphere. Somewhere within this cloud,
+how far or how near from him he knew not, Mark made no doubt a new
+outlet to the pent forces of the inner earth was to be found, forming
+another and an active crater for the exit of the fires beneath. Geology
+was a science that had not made its present progress in the day of Mark
+Woolston, but his education had been too good to leave him totally
+without a theory for what had happened. He supposed that the internal
+fires had produced so much gas, just beneath this spot, as to open
+crevices at the bottom of the ocean, through which water had flowed in
+sufficient quantities to create a vast body of steam, which steam had
+been the immediate agent of lifting so much of the rock and land, and of
+causing the earthquake. At the same time, the internal fires had acted
+in concert; and following an opening, they had got so near the surface
+as to force a chimney for their own exit, in the form of this new
+crater, of the existence of which, from all the signs to the southward,
+Mark did not entertain the smallest doubt.
+
+This theory may have been true, in whole or in part, or it may have been
+altogether erroneous. Such speculations seldom turn out to be minutely
+accurate. So many unknown causes exist in so many unexpected forms, as
+to render precise estimates of their effects, in cases of physical
+phenomena, almost as uncertain as those which follow similar attempts at
+any analysis of human motives and human conduct. The man who has been
+much the subject of the conjectures and opinions of his
+fellow-creatures, in this way, must have many occasions to wonder, and
+some to smile, when he sees how completely those around him misjudge his
+wishes and impulses. Although formed of the same substance, influenced
+by the same selfishness, and governed by the same passions, in nothing
+do men oftener err than in this portion of the exercise of their
+intellects. The errors arise from one man's rigidly judging his fellow
+by himself, and that which he would do he fancies others would do also.
+This rule would be pretty safe, could we always penetrate into the wants
+and longings of others, which quite as often fail to correspond closely
+with our own, as do their characters, fortunes, and hopes.
+
+At first sight, Mark had a good deal of difficulty in understanding the
+predominant nature of the very many bodies of water that were to be seen
+on every side of him. On the whole, there still remained almost as much
+of one element as of the other, in the view; which of itself, however,
+was a vast change from what had previously been the condition of the
+shoals. There were large bodies of water, little lakes in extent, which
+it was obvious enough must disappear under the process of evaporation,
+no communication existing between them and the open ocean. But, on the
+other hand, many of these sheets were sounds, or arms of the sea, that
+must always continue, since they might be traced, far as eye could
+reach, towards the mighty Pacific. Such, Mark was induced to believe,
+was the fact with the belt of water that still surrounded, or nearly
+surrounded the Reef; for, placed where he was, the young man was unable
+to ascertain whether the latter had, or had not, at a particular point,
+any land communication with an extensive range of naked rock, sand,
+mud, and deposit, that stretched away to the westward, for leagues. In
+obvious connection with this broad reach of what might be termed bare
+ground, were Guano and Loam Islands; neither of which was an island any
+longer, except as it was a part of the whole formation around it.
+Nevertheless, our young man was not sorry to see that the channel around
+the Reef still washed the bases of both those important places of
+deposit, leaving it in his power to transport their valuable manures by
+means of the raft, or boat.
+
+The situation of the ship next became the matter of Mark's most curious
+and interested investigation. She was clearly afloat, and the basin in
+which she rode had a communication on each side, of it, with the sound,
+or inlet, that still encircled the Reef. Descending to the shore, our
+young mariner got into the dingui, and pulled out round the vessel, to
+make a more minute examination. So very limpid was the water of that
+sea, it was easy enough to discern a bright object on the bottom, at a
+depth of several fathoms. There were no streams in that part of the
+world to pour their deposits into the ocean, and air itself is scarce
+more transparent than the pure water of the ocean, when unpolluted with
+any foreign substances. All it wants is light, to enable the eye to
+reach into it's mysteries for a long way. Mark could very distinctly
+perceive the sand beneath the Rancocus' keel, and saw that the ship
+still floated two or three feet clear of the bottom. It was near high
+water, however; and there being usually a tide of about twenty inches,
+it was plain enough that, on certain winds, the good old craft would
+come in pretty close contact with the bottom. All expectation of ever
+getting the vessel out of the basin must now be certainly abandoned,
+since she lay in a sort of cavity, where the water was six or eight feet
+deeper than it was within a hundred yards on each side of her.
+
+Having ascertained these facts, Mark provided himself with a
+fowling-piece, provisions, &c., and set out to explore his newly
+acquired territories on foot. His steps were first directed to the point
+where it appeared to the eye, that the vast range of dry land to the
+westward, extending both north and south, had become connected with the
+Reef. If such connection existed at all, it was by two very narrow necks
+of rock, of equal height, both of which had come up out of the water
+under the late action, which action had considerably altered and
+extended the shores of Crater Island. Sand appeared in various places
+along these shores, now; whereas, previously to the earthquake, they had
+everywhere been nearly perpendicular rocks.
+
+Mark was walking, with an impatient step, towards the neck just
+mentioned, and which was at no great distance from the ship-yard, when
+his eye was attracted towards a sandy beach of several acres in extent,
+that spread itself along the margin of the rocks, as clear from every
+impurity as it was a few hours before, when it had been raised from out
+of the bosom of the ocean. To him, it appeared that water was trickling
+through this sand, coming from beneath the lava of the Reef. At first,
+he supposed it was merely the remains of some small portion of the ocean
+that had penetrated to a cavity within, and which was now trickling back
+through the crevices of the rocks, to find its level, under the great
+law of nature. But it looked so pleasant to see once more water of any
+sort coming upwards from the earth, that the young man jumped down upon
+the sands, and hastened to the spot for further inquiry. Scooping up a
+little of the water in the hollow of his hand, he found it sweet, soft,
+and deliciously cool. Here was a discovery, indeed! The physical comfort
+for which he most pined was thus presented to him, as by a direct gift
+from heaven; and no miser who had found a hoard of hidden gold, could
+have felt so great pleasure, or a tenth part of the gratitude, of our
+young hermit, if hermit we may call one who did not voluntarily seek his
+seclusion from the world, and who worshipped God less as a penance than
+from love and adoration.
+
+Before quitting this new-found treasure, Mark opened a cavity in the
+sand to receive the water, placing stone around it to make a convenient
+and clean little basin. In ten minutes this place was filled with water
+almost as limpid as air, and every way as delicious as the palate of man
+could require. The young man could scarce tear himself away from the
+spot, but fearful of drinking too much he did so, after a time. Before
+quitting the spring, however, he placed a stone of some size at a gap
+in the rock, a precaution that completely prevented the hogs, should
+they stroll that way, from descending to the beach and defiling the
+limpid basin. As soon as he had leisure, Mark resolved to sink a barrel
+in the sand, and to build a fence around it; after which the stock might
+descend and drink at a pool he should form below, at pleasure.
+
+Mark proceeded. On reaching the narrowest part of the 'Neck,' he found
+that the rocks did not meet, but the Reef still remained an island. The
+channel that separated the two points of rock was only about twenty feet
+wide, however, though it was of fully twice that depth. The young man
+found it necessary to go back to the ship-yard (no great distance, by
+the way), and to bring a plank with which to make a bridge. This done,
+he passed on to the newly emerged territory. As might have been
+expected, the rocks were found tolerably well furnished with fish, which
+had got caught in pools and crevices when the water flowed into the sea;
+and what was of still more importance, another and a much larger spring
+of fresh water was found quite near the bridge, gushing through a
+deposit of sand of some fifteen or twenty acres in extent. The water of
+this spring had run down into a cavity, where it had already formed a
+little lake of some two acres in surface, and whence it was already
+running into the sea, by overflowing its banks. These two discoveries
+induced Mark to return to the Reef again, in quest of the stock. After
+laying another-plank at his bridge, he called every creature he had over
+into the new territory; for so great was the command he had obtained
+over even the ducks, that all came willingly at his call. As for Kitty,
+she was never more happy than when trotting at his side, accompanying
+him in his walks, like a dog.
+
+Glad enough were the pigs, in particular, to obtain this new range. Here
+was everything they could want; food in thousands, sand to root on,
+fresh water to drink, pools to wallow in, and a range for their
+migratory propensities. Mark had no sooner set them at work on the
+sea-weed and shell-fish that abounded there, for the time being at
+least, than he foresaw he should have to erect a gate at his bridge, and
+keep the hogs here most of the time. With such a range, and the
+deposits of the tides alone, would have no great difficulty in making
+their own living. This would enable him to increase the number kept,
+which he had hitherto been obliged to keep down with the most rigid
+attention to the increase.
+
+Mark now set out, in earnest, on his travels. He was absent from the
+Reef the entire day. At one time, he thought he was quite two leagues in
+a straight line from the ship, though he had been compelled to walk four
+to get there. Everywhere he found large sheets of salt water, that had
+been left on the rocks, in consequence of the cavities in the latter. In
+several instances, these little lakes were near a mile in length, having
+the most beautifully undulating outlines. None of them were deep, of
+course, though their bottoms varied. Some of these bottoms were clean
+rock; others contained large deposits of mud; and others, again, were of
+a clean, dark-coloured sand. One, and one only, had a bottom of a
+bright, light-coloured sand. As a matter of course, these lakes, or
+pools, must shortly evaporate, leaving their bottoms bare, or encrusted
+with salt. One thing gave the young man great satisfaction. He had kept
+along the margin of the channel that communicated with the water that
+surrounded the Reef, and, when at the greatest distance from the crater,
+he ascended a rock that must have had an elevation of a hundred feet
+above the sea. Of course most of this rock had been above water
+previously to the late eruption, and Mark had often seen it at a
+distance, though he had never ventured through the white water near so
+far, in the dingui. When on its apex, Mark got an extensive view of the
+scene around him. In the first place, he traced the channel just
+mentioned, quite into open water, which now appeared distinctly not many
+leagues further, towards the north-west. There were a great many other
+channels, some mere ribands of water, others narrow sounds, and many
+resembling broad, deep, serpenting creeks, which last was their true
+character, being strictly inlets from the sea. The lakes or pools, could
+be seen in hundreds, creating some confusion in the view; but all these
+must soon disappear, in that climate.
+
+Towards the southward, however, Mark found the objects of his greatest
+wonder and admiration. By the time he reached the apex of the rock, the
+smoke in that quarter of the horizon had, in a great measure, risen from
+the sea; though a column of it continued to ascend towards a vast,
+dun-coloured cloud that overhung the place. To Mark's astonishment he
+had seen some dark, dense body first looming through the rising vapour.
+When the last was sufficiently removed, a high, ragged mountain became
+distinctly visible. He thought it arose at least a thousand feet above
+the ocean, and that it could not be less than a league in extent. This
+exhibition of the power of nature filled the young man's soul with
+adoration and reverence for the mighty Being that could set such
+elements at work. It did not alarm him, but rather tended to quiet his
+longings to quit the place; for he who lives amid such scenes feels that
+he is so much nearer to the arm of God than those who dwell in uniform
+security, as to think less of ordinary advantages than is common.
+
+Mark knew that there must have been a dislocation of the rocks, to
+produce such a change as that he saw to the southward. It was well for
+him it occurred there at a distance, as he then thought, of ten or
+fifteen miles from the Reef, though in truth it was at quite fifty,
+instead of happening beneath him. It was possible, however, for one to
+have been on the top of that mountain, and to have lived through the
+late change, could the lungs of man have breathed the atmosphere. Not
+far from this mountain a column of smoke rose out of the sea, and Mark
+fancied that, at moments, he could discern the summit of an active
+crater at its base.
+
+After gazing at these astonishing changes for a long time, our young man
+descended from the height and retraced his steps homeward. Kitty gladly
+preceded him, and some time after the sun had set, they regained the
+Reef. About a mile short of home, Mark passed all the hogs, snugly
+deposited in a bed of mud, where they had esconced themselves for the
+night, as one draws himself beneath his blanket.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XII.
+
+
+
+    "All things in common nature should produce
+    Without sweat or endeavour: treason, felony,
+    Sword, pike, gun, or need of any engine
+    Would I not have; but nature should bring forth
+    Of its own kind, all foizen, all abundance
+    To feed my innocent people."
+
+    _Tempest._
+
+
+For the next ten days Mark Woolston did little but explore. By crossing
+the channel around the Reef, which he had named the 'Armlet' (the young
+man often talked to himself), he reached the sea-wall, and, once there,
+he made a long excursion to the eastward. He now walked dryshod over
+those very reefs among which he had so recently sailed in the Bridget,
+though the ship-channel through which he and Bob had brought in the
+Rancocus still remained. The two buoys that had marked the narrow
+passage were found, high and dry; and the anchor of the ship, that by
+which she rode after beating over the rocks into deep water, was to be
+seen so near the surface, that the stock could be reached by the hand.
+
+There was little difference in character between the newly-made land to
+windward and that which Mark had found in the opposite direction. Large
+pools, or lakes, of salt water, deposits of mud and sand, some of which
+were of considerable extent and thickness, sounds, creeks, and arms of
+the sea, with here and there a hummock of rock that rose fifteen or
+twenty feet above the face of the main body, were the distinguishing
+peculiarities. For two days Mark explored in this direction, or to
+windward, reaching as far by his estimate of the distance, as the place
+where he had bore up in his cruise in the Bridget. Finding a great many
+obstacles in the way, channels, mud, &c., he determined, on the
+afternoon of the second day, to return home, get a stock of supplies,
+and come out in the boat, in order to ascertain if he could not now
+reach the open water to windward.
+
+On the morning of the fourth day after the earthquake, and the
+occurrence of the mighty change that had altered the whole face of the
+scene around him, the young man got under way in the Bridget. He shaped
+his course to windward, beating out of the Armlet by a narrow passage,
+that carried him into a reach that stretched away for several miles, to
+the northward and eastward, in nearly a straight line. This passage, or
+sound, was about half a mile in width, and there was water enough in
+nearly all parts of it to float the largest sized vessel. By this
+passage the poor hermit, small as was his chance of ever seeing such an
+event occur, hoped it might be possible to come to the very side of the
+Reef in a ship.
+
+When about three leagues from the crater, the 'Hope Channel,' as Mark
+named this long and direct passage, divided into two, one trending still
+more to the northward, running nearly due north, indeed, while the other
+might be followed in a south-easterly direction, far as the eye could
+reach. Mark named the rock at the junction 'Point Fork,' and chose the
+latter passage, which appeared the most promising, and the wind
+permitting him to lay through it. The Bridget tacked in the Forks,
+therefore, and stood away to the south-east, pretty close to the wind.
+Various other channels communicated with this main passage, or the Hope;
+and, about noon, Mark tacked into one of them, heading about north-east,
+when trimmed up sharp to do so. The water was deep, and at first the
+passage was half a mile in width; but after standing along it for a mile
+or two, it seemed all at once to terminate in an oval basin, that might
+have been a mile in its largest diameter, and which was bounded to the
+eastward by a belt of rock that rose some twenty feet above the water.
+The bottom of this basin was a clear beautiful sand, and its depth of
+water, on sounding, Mark found was uniformly about eight fathoms. A more
+safe or convenient basin for the anchorage of ships could not have been
+formed by the art of man, had there been an entrance to it, and any
+inducement for them to come there.
+
+Mark had beaten about 'Oval Harbour,' as he named the place, for half
+an hour, before he was struck by the circumstance that the even
+character of its surface appeared to be a little disturbed by a slight
+undulation which seemed to come from its north-eastern extremity.
+Tacking the Bridget, he stood in that direction, and on reaching the
+place, found that there was a passage through the rock of about a
+hundred yards in width. The wind permitting, the boat shot through this
+passage, and was immediately heaving and setting in the long swells of
+the open ocean. At first Mark was startled by the roar of the waves that
+plunged into the caverns of the rocks, and trembled lest his boat might
+be hove up against that hard and iron-bound coast, where one toss would
+shatter his little craft into splinters. Too steady a seaman, however,
+to abandon his object unnecessarily, he stood on, and soon found he
+could weather the rocks under his lee, tacking in time. After two or
+three short stretches were made, Mark found himself half a mile to
+windward of a long line, or coast, of dark rock, that rose from twenty
+to twenty-five feet above the level of the water, and beyond all
+question in the open ocean. He hove-to to sound, and let forty fathoms
+of line out without reaching bottom. But everywhere to leeward of him
+was land, or rock; while everywhere to windward, as well as ahead and
+astern, it was clear water. This, then, was the eastern limit of the old
+shoals, now converted into dry land. Here the Rancocus had, unknown to
+her officers, first run into the midst of these shoals, by which she had
+ever since been environed.
+
+It was not easy to compute the precise distance from the outlet or inlet
+of Oval Harbour, to the crater. Mark thought it might be five-and-twenty
+miles, in a straight line, judging equally by the eye, and the time he
+had been in running it. The Summit was not to be seen, however, any more
+than the masts of the ship; though the distant Peak, and the column of
+dark smoke, remained in sight, as eternal land-marks. The young man
+might have been an hour in the open sea, gradually hauling off the land,
+in order to keep clear of the coast, when he bethought him of returning.
+It required a good deal of nerve to run in towards those rocks, under
+all the circumstances of the case. The wind blew fresh, so much indeed
+as to induce Mark to reef, but there must always be a heavy swell
+rolling in upon that iron-bound shore. The shock of such waves expending
+their whole force on perpendicular rocks may be imagined better than it
+can be described. There was an undying roar all along that coast,
+produced by these incessant collisions of the elements; and
+occasionally, when a sea entered a cavern, in a way suddenly to expel
+its air, the sound resembled that which some huge animal might be
+supposed to utter in its agony, or its anger. Of course, the spray was
+flying high, and the entire line of black rocks was white with its
+particles.
+
+Mark had unwittingly omitted to take any land-marks to his inlet, or
+strait. He had no other means of finding it, therefore, than to discover
+a spot in which the line of white was broken. This inlet, however, he
+remembered did not open at right angles to the coast, but obliquely; and
+it was very possible to be within a hundred yards of it, and not see it.
+This fact, our young sailor was not long in ascertaining; for standing
+in towards the point where he expected to find the entrance, and going
+as close to the shore as he dared, he could see nothing of the desired
+passage. For an hour did he search, passing to and fro, but without
+success. The idea of remaining out in the open sea for the night, and to
+windward of such an inhospitable coast, was anything but pleasant to
+Mark, and he determined to stand to the northward, now, while it was
+day, and look for some other entrance.
+
+For four hours did Mark Woolston run along those dark rocks, whitened
+only by the spray of the wide ocean, without perceiving a point at which
+a boat might even land. As he was now running off the wind, and had
+turned out his reef, he supposed he must have gone at least
+five-and-twenty miles, if not thirty, in that time; and thus had he some
+means of judging of the extent of his new territories. About five in the
+afternoon a cape, or headland, was reached, when the coast suddenly
+trended to the westward. This, then, was the north-eastern angle of the
+entire formation, and Mark named it Cape North-East. The boat was now
+jibed, and ran off west, a little northerly, for another hour, keeping
+quite close in to the coast, which was no longer dangerous as soon as
+the Cape was doubled. The seas broke upon the rocks, as a matter of
+course; but there being a lee, it was only under the power of the
+ceaseless undulations of the ocean. Even the force of the wind was now
+much less felt, the Bridget carrying whole sail when hauled up, as Mark
+placed her several times, in order to examine apparent inlets.
+
+It was getting to be too late to think of reaching home that night, for
+running in those unknown channels after dark was not a desirable course
+for an explorer to adopt. Our young man, therefore, limited his search
+to some place where he might lie until the return of light. It is true,
+the lee formed by the rocks was now such as to enable him to remain
+outside, with safety, until morning; but he preferred greatly to get
+within the islands, if possible, to trusting himself, while asleep, to
+the mercy of the open ocean. Just as the sun was setting, leaving the
+evening cool and pleasant, after the warmth of an exceedingly hot day,
+the boat doubled a piece of low headland; and Mark had half made up his
+mind to get under its lee, and heave a grapnel ashore in order to ride
+by his cable during the approaching night, when an opening in the coast
+greeted his eyes. It was just as he doubled the cape. This opening
+appeared to be a quarter of a mile in width, and it had perfectly smooth
+water, a half-gunshot within its mouth. The helm was put down, the
+sheets hauled aft, and the Bridget luffed into this creek, estuary,
+sound, or harbour, whichever it might prove to be. For twenty minutes
+did Mark stand on through this passage, when suddenly it expanded into a
+basin, or bay, of considerable extent. This was at a distance of about a
+league within the coast. This bay was a league long, and half a league
+in width, the boat entering it close to its weather side. A long and
+wide sandy beach offered on that side, and the young man stood along it
+a short distance, until the sight of a spring induced him to put his
+helm down. The boat luffed short round, and came gently upon the beach.
+A grapnel was thrown on the sands, and Mark leaped ashore.
+
+The water proved to be sweet, cool, and every way delicious. This was at
+least the twentieth spring which had been seen that day, though it was
+the first of which the waters had been tasted. This new-born beach had
+every appearance of having been exposed to the air a thousand years.
+The sand was perfectly clean, and of a bright golden colour, and it was
+well strewed with shells of the most magnificent colours and size. The
+odour of their late tenants alone proclaimed the fact of their recent
+shipwreck. This, however, was an evil that a single month would repair;
+and our sailor determined to make another voyage to this bay, which he
+called Shell Bay, in order to procure some of its treasures. It was true
+he could not place them before the delighted eyes of Bridget, but he
+might arrange them in his cabin, and fancy that she was gazing at their
+beauties. After drinking at the spring, and supping on the rocks above,
+Mark arranged a mattress, provided for that purpose, in the boat, and
+went to sleep.
+
+Early next morning the Bridget was again under way, but not until her
+owner had both bathed and broken his fast. Bathe he did every morning
+throughout the year, and occasionally at night also. A day of exertion
+usually ended with a bath, as did a night of sweet repose also. In all
+these respects no one could be more fortunate. From the first, food had
+been abundant; and now he possessed it in superfluity, including the
+wants of all dependent on him. Of clothes, also, he had an inexhaustible
+supply, a small portion of the cargo consisting of coarse cotton jackets
+and trousers, with which to purchase sandal-wood. To these means,
+delicious water was now added in inexhaustible quantities. The late
+changes had given to Mark's possession territory sufficient to occupy
+him months, even in exploring it thoroughly, as it was his purpose to
+do. God was there, also, as he is everywhere. This our secluded man
+found to be a most precious consolation. Again and again, each day, was
+he now in the practice of communing in spirit, directly with his
+Creator; not in cold and unmeaning forms and commonplaces, but with such
+yearning of the soul, and such feelings of love and reverence, as an
+active and living faith can alone, by the aid of the Divine Spirit,
+awaken in the human breast.
+
+After crossing Shell Bay, the Bridget continued on for a couple of
+hours, running south, westerly, through a passage of a good width, until
+it met another channel, at a point which Mark at once recognized as the
+Forks. When at Point Fork, he had only to follow the track he had come
+the previous day, in order to arrive at the Reef. The crater could be
+seen from the Forks, and there was consequently a beacon in sight, to
+direct the adventurer, had he wanted such assistance; which he did not,
+however, since he now recognized objects perfectly well as he advanced,
+About ten o'clock he ran alongside of the ship, where he found
+everything, as he had left it. Lighting the fire, he put on food
+sufficient to last him for another cruise, and then went up into the
+cross-trees in order to take a better look than he had yet obtained, of
+the state of things to the southward.
+
+By this time the vast, murky cloud that had so long overhung the new
+outlet of the volcano, was dispersed. It was succeeded by one of
+ordinary size, in which the thread of smoke that arose from the crater,
+terminated. Of course the surrounding atmosphere was clear, and nothing
+but distance obstructed the view. The Peak was indeed a sublime sight,
+issuing, as it did, from the ocean without any relief. Mark now began to
+think he had miscalculated its height, and that it might be _two_
+thousand feet, instead of one, above the water. There it was, in all its
+glory, blue and misty, but ragged and noble. The crater was clearly many
+miles beyond it, the young man being satisfied, after this look, that he
+had not yet seen its summit. He also increased his distance from
+Vulcan's Peak, as he named the mountain, to ten leagues, at least. After
+sitting in the cross-trees for fully an hour, gazing at this height with
+as much pleasure as the connoisseur ever studied picture, or statue, the
+young man determined to attempt a voyage to that place, in the Bridget.
+To him, such an expedition had the charm of the novelty and change which
+a journey from country to town could bring to the wearied worldling, who
+sighed for the enjoyment of his old haunts, after a season passed in the
+ennui of his country-house. It is true, great novelties had been
+presented to our solitary youth, by the great changes wrought
+immediately in his neighbourhood, and they had now kept him for a week
+in a condition of high excitement; but nothing they presented could
+equal the interest he felt in that distant mountain, which had arisen so
+suddenly in a horizon that he had been accustomed to see bare of any
+object but clouds, for near eighteen months.
+
+That afternoon Mark made all his preparations for a voyage that he felt
+might be one of great moment to him. All the symptoms of convulsions in
+the earth, however, had ceased; even the rumbling sounds which he had
+heard, or imagined, in the stillness of the night, being no longer
+audible. From that source, therefore, he had no great apprehensions of
+danger; though there was a sort of dread majesty in the exhibition of
+the power of nature that he had so lately witnessed, which disposed him
+to approach the scene of its greatest effort with secret awe. So much
+did he think of the morrow and its possible consequences, that he did
+not get asleep for two or three hours, though he awoke in the morning
+unconscious of any want of rest. An hour later, he was in his boat, and
+under way.
+
+Mark had now to steer in an entirely new direction, believing, from what
+he had seen while aloft the day before, that he could make his way out
+into the open ocean by proceeding a due south course. In order to do
+this, and to get into the most promising-looking channel in that
+direction, he was obliged to pass through the narrow strait that
+separated the Reef from the large range of rock over which he had roamed
+the day succeeding the earthquake. Of course, the bridge was removed, in
+order to allow the boat's mast to pass; but for this, Mark did not care.
+He had seen his stock the previous evening, and saw that it wanted for
+nothing. Even the fowls had gone across to the new territory, on
+exploring expeditions; and Kitty herself had left her sweet pastures on
+the Summit, to see of what the world was made beyond her old range. It
+is true she had made one journey in that quarter, in the company, of her
+master; but, one journey no more satisfied her than it would have
+satisfied the curiosity of any other female.
+
+After passing the bridge, the boat entered a long narrow reach, that
+extended at least two leagues, in nearly a direct line towards Vulcan's
+Peak. As it approached the end of this piece of water, Mark saw that he
+must enter a bay of considerable extent; one, indeed, that was much
+larger than any he had yet seen in his island, or, to speak more
+accurately, his group of islands. On one side of this bay appeared a
+large piece of level land, or a plain, which Mark supposed, might cover
+one or two thousand acres. Its colour was so different from anything he
+had yet seen, that our young man was induced to land, and to walk a
+short distance to examine it. On reaching its margin, it was found to be
+a very shallow basin, of which the bottom was mud, with a foot or two of
+salt water still remaining, and in which sea weed, some ten or twelve
+inches in thickness, was floating. It was almost possible for Mark to
+walk on this weed, the green appearance of which induced him to name the
+place the Prairie. Such a collection of weed could only have been owing
+to the currents, which must have brought it into this basin, where it
+was probably retained even previously to the late eruption. The presence
+of the deposit of mud, as well as the height of the surrounding rocks,
+many of which were doubtless out of water previously to the phenomenon,
+went to corroborate this opinion.
+
+After working her way through a great many channels, some wide and some
+narrow, some true and some false, the Bridget reached the southern verge
+of the group, about noon. Mark then supposed himself to be quite twenty
+miles from the Reef, and the Peak appeared very little nearer than when
+he left it. This startled him on the score of distance; and, after
+meditating on all his chances, the young man determined to pass the
+remainder of that day where he was, in order to put to sea with as much
+daylight before him as possible. He desired also to explore the coast
+and islands in that vicinity, in order to complete his survey of the
+cluster. He looked for a convenient place to anchor his boat,
+accordingly, ate his dinner, and set out on foot to explore, armed as
+usual with a fowling-piece.
+
+In the first place, an outlet to the sea very different from that on the
+eastern side of the group, was found here, on its southern. The channel
+opened into a bay of some size, with an arm of rock reaching well off on
+the weather side, so that no broken water was encountered in passing
+into or out of it, provided one kept sufficiently clear of the point
+itself. As there was abundance of room, Mark saw he should have no
+difficulty in getting out into open water, here, or in getting back
+again. What was more, the arm, or promontory of rock just mentioned, had
+a hummock near a hundred feet in height on its extremity, that answered
+admirably for a land-mark. Most of this hummock must have been above
+water previously to the late eruption, though it appeared to our
+explorer, that all the visible land, as he proceeded south, was lifted
+higher and on a gradually-increasing scale, as if the eruption had
+exerted its force at a certain point, the new crater for instance, and
+raised the earth to the northward of that point, on an inclined plane.
+This might account, in a measure, for the altitude of the Peak, which
+was near the great crevice that must have been left somewhere, unless
+materials on its opposite side had fallen to fill it up again. Most of
+these views were merely speculative, though the fact of the greater
+elevation of all the rocks, in this part of the group, over those
+further north, was beyond dispute. Thus the coast, here, was generally
+fifty or eighty feet high; whereas, at the Reef, even now, the surface
+of the common rock was not much more than twenty feet above the water.
+The rise seemed to be gradual, moreover, which certainly favoured this
+theory.
+
+As a great deal of sand and mud had been brought up by the eruption,
+there was no want of fresh water. Mark found even a little brook, of as
+perfectly sweet a stream as he had ever tasted in America, running into
+the little harbour where he had secured the boat. He followed this
+stream two miles, ere he reached its source, or sources; for it came
+from at least, a dozen copious springs, that poured their tribute from a
+bed of clean sand several miles in length, and which had every sign of
+having been bare for ages. In saying this, however, it is not to be
+supposed that the signs, as to time, were very apparent anywhere. Lava,
+known to have been ejected from the bowels of the earth thousands of
+years, has just as fresh an appearance, to the ordinary observer, as
+that which was thrown out ten years ago; and, had it not been for the
+deposits of moist mud, the remains of fish, sea-weed that was still
+undecayed, pools of salt water, and a few other peculiarities of the
+same sort, Mark would have been puzzled to find any difference between
+the rocks recently thrown up, and those which were formerly exposed to
+the air. Even the mud was fast changing its appearance, cracking and
+drying under the sun of the tropics. In a month or two, should as much
+rain as usual fall, it was probable the sea-weed would be far gone in
+decay.
+
+It was still early when our adventurer kneeled on the sand, near his
+boat, to hold his last direct communication with his Creator, ere he
+slept. Those communications were now quite frequent with Mark, it being
+no unusual thing for him to hold them when sailing in his boat, on the
+deck of the ship, or in the soft salubrious air of the Summit. He slept
+none the less soundly for having commended his soul to God, asking
+support against temptations, and forgiveness for past sins. These
+prayers were usually very short. More than half the time they were
+expressed in the compendious and beautiful words given to man by Christ
+himself, the model and substance of all petitions of this nature. But
+the words were devoutly uttered, the heart keeping even pace with them,
+and the soul fully submitting to their influence.
+
+Mark arose, next morning, two hours before the light appeared, and at
+once left the group. Time, was now important to him; for, while he
+anticipated the possibility of remaining under the lee of the mountain
+during the succeeding night, he also anticipated the possibility of
+being compelled to return. In a favourable time, with the wind a little
+free, five knots in the hour was about the maximum of the boat's rate of
+sailing, though it was affected by the greater or less height of the sea
+that was on. When the waves ran heavily, the Bridget's low sails got
+becalmed in the troughs, and she consequently lost much of her way. On
+the whole, however, five knots might be set down as her average speed,
+under the pressure of the ordinary trades, and with whole canvas, and a
+little off the wind. Close-hauled, she scarcely made more than three;
+while, with the wind on the quarter, she often went seven, especially in
+smooth water.
+
+The course steered was about a point to the westward of south, the boat
+running altogether by compass, for the first two hours. At the end of
+that time day returned and the dark, frowning Peak itself became
+visible. The sun had no sooner risen, than Mark felt satisfied with his
+boat's performance. Objects began to come out of the mass of the
+mountain, which no longer appeared a pile of dark outline, without
+detail. He expected this, and was even disappointed that his eyes could
+not command more, for he now saw that he had materially underrated the
+distance between the crater and the Peak, which must be nearer sixty
+than fifty miles. The channel between the group and this isolated mass
+was, at least, twelve leagues in width. These twelve leagues were now to
+be run, and our young navigator thought he had made fully three of them,
+when light returned.
+
+From that moment every mile made a sensible difference in the face of
+the mountain. Light and shadow first became visible; then ravines,
+cliffs, and colours, came into the view. Each league that he advanced
+increased Mark's admiration and awe; and by the time that the boat was
+on the last of those leagues which had appeared so long, he began to
+have a more accurate idea of the sublime nature of the phenomenon that
+had been wrought so near him. Vulcan's Peak, as an island, could not be
+less than eight or nine miles in length, though its breadth did not much
+exceed two. Running north and south, it offered its narrow side to the
+group of the crater, which had deceived its solitary observer. Yes! of
+the millions on earth, Mark Woolston, alone, had been so situated as to
+become a witness of this grand display of the powers of the elements.
+Yet, what was this in comparison with the thousand vast globes that were
+rolling about in space, objects so familiar as to be seen daily and
+nightly without raising a thought, in the minds of many, from the
+created to the creator? Even these globes come and go, and men remain
+indifferent to the mighty change!
+
+The wind had been fresh in crossing the strait, and Mark was not sorry
+when his pigmy boat came under the shadow of the vast cliffs which
+formed the northern extremity of the Peak. When still a mile distant, he
+thought he was close on the rocks; nor did he get a perfectly true idea
+of the scale on which this rare mountain had been formed until running
+along at its base, within a hundred yards of its rocks. Coming in to
+leeward, as a matter of course, Mark found comparatively smooth water,
+though the unceasing heaving and setting of the ocean rendered it a
+little hazardous to go nearer to the shore. For some time our explorer
+was fearful he should not be able to land at all; and he was actually
+thinking of putting about, to make the best of his way back, while light
+remained to do so, when he came off a place that seemed fitted by art,
+rather than by nature, to meet his wishes. A narrow opening appeared
+between two cliffs, of about equal height, or some hundred feet in
+elevation, one of which extended further into the ocean than its
+neighbour. The water being quite smooth in this inlet, Mark ventured to
+enter it, the wind favouring his advance. On passing this gateway, he
+found himself nearly becalmed, in a basin that might be a hundred yards
+in diameter, which was not only surrounded by a sandy beach, but which
+had also a sandy bottom. The water was several fathoms deep, and it was
+very easy to run the bows of the boat anywhere on the beach. This was
+done, the sails were furled, and Mark sprang ashore, taking the grapnel
+with him. Like Columbus, he knelt on the sands, and returned his thanks
+to God.
+
+Not only did a ravine open from this basin, winding its way up the
+entire ascent, but a copious stream of water ran through it, foaming and
+roaring amid its glens. At first, Mark supposed this was sea-water,
+still finding its way from some lake on the Peak; but, on tasting it, he
+found it was perfectly sweet. Provided with his gun, and carrying his
+pack, our young man entered this ravine, and following the course of the
+brook, he at once commenced an ascent. The route was difficult only in
+the labour of moving upwards, and by no means as difficult in that as he
+had expected to find it. It was, nevertheless, fortunate that this
+climbing was to be done in the shade, the sun seldom penetrating into
+those cool and somewhat damp crevices through which the brook found its
+way.
+
+Notwithstanding his great activity, Mark Woolston was just an hour in
+ascending to the Peak. In no place had he found the path difficult,
+though almost always upward; but he believed he had walked more than two
+miles before he came out on level ground. When he had got up about
+three-fourths of the way, the appearances of things around him suddenly
+changed. Although the rock itself looked no older than that below, it
+had, occasionally, a covering that clearly could never have emerged from
+the sea within the last few days. From that point everything denoted an
+older existence in the air, from which our young man inferred that the
+summit of Vulcan's Peak had been an island long prior to the late
+eruption. Every foot he advanced confirmed this opinion, and the
+conclusion was that the ancient island had lain too low to be visible to
+one on the Reef.
+
+An exclamation of delight escaped from our explorer, as he suddenly came
+out on the broken plain of the Peak. It was not absolutely covered, but
+was richly garnished with wood; cocoa-nut, bread-fruits, and other
+tropical trees; and it was delightfully verdant with young grasses. The
+latter were still wet with a recent shower that Mark had seen pass over
+the mountain, while standing for the island; and on examining them more
+closely, the traces of the former shower of volcanic ashes were yet to
+be seen. The warmth in the sun, after so sharp a walk, caused the young
+man to plunge into the nearest grove, where he had no difficulty in
+helping himself to as many cocoa-nuts, fresh from the trees, as a
+thousand men could have consumed. Every one has heard of the delicious
+beverage that the milk of the cocoa-nut, and of the delicious food that
+its pulp furnishes, when each is taken from the fruit before it hardens.
+How these trees came there, Mark did not know. The common theory is that
+birds convey the seeds from island to island; though some suppose that
+the earth contains the elements of all vegetation, and that this or that
+is quickened, as particular influences are brought to bear by means of
+climate and other agents.
+
+After resting himself for an hour in that delicious grove, Mark began to
+roam around the plain, to get an idea of its beauties and extent. The
+former were inexhaustible, offering every variety of landscape, from the
+bold and magnificent to the soft and bewitching. There were birds
+innumerable, of the most brilliant plumage, and some that Mark imagined
+must be good to eat. In particular did he observe an immense number of
+a very small sort that were constantly pecking at a wild fig, of which
+there was a grove of considerable extent. The fig itself, he did not
+find as palatable as he had hoped, though it was refreshing, and served
+to vary the diet; but the bird struck him to be of the same kind as the
+celebrated reed-bird, of the Philadelphia market, which we suppose to be
+much the same as the _becca fichi_ of Italy. Being provided with
+mustard-seed shot, Mark loaded his piece properly, and killed at least
+twenty of these little creatures at one discharge. After cleaning them,
+he struck a light by means of the pan and some powder, and kindled a
+fire. Here was wood, too, in any quantity, an article of which he had
+feared in time he might be in want, and which he had already begun to
+husband, though used only in his simple cookery. Spitting half-a-dozen
+of the birds, they were soon roasted. At the same time he roasted a
+bunch of plantain, and, being provided with pepper and salt in his pack,
+as well as with some pilot-bread, and a pint-bottle of rum, we are
+almost ashamed to relate how our young explorer dined. Nothing was
+wanting to such a meal but the sweets of social converse. Mark fancied,
+as he sat enjoying that solitary repast, so delicious of itself, and
+which was just enough sweetened with toil to render it every way
+acceptable, that he could gladly give up all the rest of the world, for
+the enjoyment of a paradise like that before him, with Bridget for his
+Eve.
+
+The elevation of the mountain rendered the air far more grateful and
+cool than he was accustomed to find it, at mid-summer, down on the Reef,
+and the young man was in a sort of gentle intoxication while breathing
+it. Then it was that he most longed for a companion, though little did
+he imagine how near he was to some of his species, at that very moment;
+and how soon that, the dearest wish of his heart, was to be met by an
+adventure altogether so unexpected to him, that we must commence a new
+chapter, in order to relate it.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XIII.
+
+
+
+    "The merry homes of England!
+      Around their hearths by night,
+    What gladsome looks of household love
+      Meet in the ruddy light!
+    There woman's voice flows forth in song,
+      Or childhood's tale is told,
+    Or lips move tunefully along
+      Some glorious page of old."
+
+    Mrs. Hemans.
+
+
+The peak, or highest part of the island, was at its northern extremity,
+and within two miles of the grove in which Mark Woolston had eaten his
+dinner. Unlike most of the plain, it had no woods whatever, but rising
+somewhat abruptly to a considerable elevation, it was naked of
+everything but grass. On the peak itself, there was very little of the
+last even, and it was obvious that it must command a full view of the
+whole plain of the island, as well as of the surrounding sea, for a wide
+distance. Resuming his pack, our young adventurer, greatly refreshed by
+the delicious repast he had just made, left the pleasant grove in which
+he had first rested, to undertake this somewhat sharp acclivity. He was
+not long in effecting it, however, standing on the highest point of his
+new discovery within an hour after he had commenced its ascent.
+
+Here, Mark found all his expectations realized touching the character of
+the view. The whole plain of the island, with the exceptions of the
+covers made by intervening woods, lay spread before him like a map. All
+its beauties, its shades, its fruits, and its verdant glades, were
+placed beneath his eye, as if purposely to delight him with their
+glories. A more enchanting rural scene the young man had never beheld,
+the island having so much the air of cultivation and art about it, that
+he expected, at each instant, to see bodies of men running across its
+surface. He carried the best glass of the Rancocus with him, in all his
+excursions, not knowing at what moment Providence might bring a vessel
+in sight, and he had it now slung from his shoulders. With this glass,
+therefore, was every part of the visible surface of the island swept, in
+anxious and almost alarmed search for the abodes of inhabitants. Nothing
+of this sort, however, could be discovered. The island was
+unquestionably without a human being, our young man alone excepted. Nor
+could he see any trace of beast, reptile, or of any animal but birds.
+Creatures gifted with wings had been able to reach that little paradise;
+but to all others, since it first arose from the sea, had it probably
+been unapproached, if not unapproachable, until that day. It appeared to
+be the very Elysium of Birds!
+
+Mark next examined the peak itself. There was a vast deposit of very
+ancient guano on it, the washings of which for ages, had doubtless
+largely contributed to the great fertility of the plain below. A stream
+of more size than one would expect to find on so small an island,
+meandered through the plain, and could be traced to a very copious
+spring that burst from the earth at the base of the peak. Ample as this
+spring was, however, it could never of itself have supplied the water of
+the brook, or rivulet, which received the contributions of some fifty
+other springs, that reached it in rills, as it wound its way down the
+gently inclined plane of the island. At one point, about two leagues
+from the Peak, there was actually a little lake visible, and Mark could
+even trace its outlet, winding its way beyond it. He supposed that the
+surplus tumbled into the sea in a cascade.
+
+It will readily be imagined that our young man turned his glass to the
+northward, in search of the group he had left that morning, with a most
+lively interest. It was easy enough to see it from the great elevation
+at which he was now placed. There it lay, stretched far and wide,
+extending nearly a degree of latitude, north and south, and another of
+longitude, east and west, most truly resembling a vast dark-looking map,
+spread upon the face of the waters for his special examination. It
+reminded Mark of the moon, with its ragged outlines of imaginary
+continents, as seen by the naked eye, while the island he was now on,
+bore a fancied resemblance to the same object viewed through a
+telescope; not that it had the look of molten silver which is observed
+in the earth's satellite, but that it appeared gloriously bright and
+brilliant. Mark could easily see many of the sheets of water that were
+to be found among the rocks, though his naked eye could distinguish
+neither crater nor ship. By the aid of the glass, however, the first was
+to be seen, though the distance was too great to leave the poor deserted
+Rancocus visible, even with the assistance of magnifying-glasses.
+
+When he had taken a good look at his old possessions, Mark made a sweep
+of the horizon with the glass, in order to ascertain if any other land
+were visible, from the great elevation on which he now stood. While
+arranging the focus of the instrument, an object first met his eye that
+caused his heart almost to leap into his mouth. Land was looming up, in
+the western board, so distinctly as to admit of no cavil about its
+presence. It was an island, mountainous, and Mark supposed it must be
+fully a hundred miles distant. Still it was land, and strange land, and
+might prove to be the abode of human beings. The glass told him very
+little more than his eye, though he could discern a mountainous form
+through it, and saw that it was an island of no great size. Beyond this
+mountain, again, the young man fancied that he could detect the haze of
+more land; but, if he did, it was too low, too distant, and too
+indistinct, to be certain of it. It is not easy to give a clear idea of
+the tumult of feeling with which Mark Woolston beheld these unknown
+regions, though it might best be compared with the emotions of the
+astronomer who discovers a new planet. It would scarce exceed the truth
+to say that he regarded that dim, blue mountain, which arose in the
+midst of a watery waste, with as much of admiration, mysterious awe and
+gratification united, as Herschel may have been supposed to feel when he
+established the character of Uranus. It was fully an hour before our
+hermit could turn his eyes in any other direction.
+
+And when our young mariner did look aside, it was more with the
+intention of relieving eyes that had grown dim with gazing, than of not
+returning to the same objects again, as soon as restored to their power.
+It was while walking to and fro on the peak, with this intent, that a
+new subject of interest caused him almost to leap into the air, and to
+shout aloud. He saw a sail! For the first time since Betts disappeared
+from his anxious looks, his eyes now surely rested on a vessel. What was
+more, it was quite near the island he was on, and seemed to be beating
+up to get under its lee. It appeared but a speck on the blue waves of
+the ocean, seen from that height, it is true; but Mark was too well
+practised in his craft to be mistaken. It was a vessel, under more or
+less canvas, how much he could not then tell, or even see--but it was
+most decidedly a vessel. Mark's limbs trembled so much that he was
+compelled to throw himself upon the earth to find the support he wanted.
+There he lay several minutes, mentally returning thanks to God for this
+unexpected favour; and when his strength revived, these signs of
+gratitude were renewed on his knees. Then he arose, almost in terror
+lest the vessel should have disappeared, or it should turn out that he
+was the subject of a cruel illusion.
+
+There was no error. There was the little white speck, and he levelled
+the glass to get a better look at it. An exclamation now clearly broke
+from his lips, and for a minute or two the young man actually appeared
+to be out of his senses. "The pinnace," "the Neshamony," however, were
+words that escaped him, and, had there been a witness, might have given
+an insight into this extraordinary conduct. Mark had, in fact,
+ascertained that the sail beneath the peak was no other than the little
+craft that had been swept away, as already described, with Betts in it.
+Fourteen months had elapsed since that occurrence, and here it was
+again, seemingly endeavouring to return to the place where it had been
+launched! Mark adopted perhaps the best expedient in his power to
+attract attention to himself, and to let his presence be known. He fired
+both barrels of his fowling-piece, and repeated the discharges several
+times, or until a flag was shown on board the sloop, which was now just
+beneath the cliff, a certain sign that he had succeeded. A musket was
+also fired from the vessel.
+
+Our young man rather flew than ran to the ravine, down which he went at
+a pace that several times placed his neck in jeopardy. It was a very
+different thing to descend from ascending such a mountain. In less than
+a quarter of an hour the half-distracted hermit was in his boat, nearly
+crazy with the apprehension that he might yet not meet with his friend;
+for, that it was Bob looking for the Reef and himself, he did not now
+entertain the least doubt. The most plausible course for him to adopt
+was precisely that which he followed. He pushed off in the Bridget,
+making sail on the boat, and getting out of the cove in the shortest
+time he could. On quitting his little haven, and coming out clear of all
+the rocks, another shout burst out of his very soul, when he saw the
+Neshamony, beyond all cavil, within a hundred fathoms of him, running
+along the shore in search of a place to land. That shout was returned,
+and Mark and Bob recognised each other at the next instant. As for the
+last, he just off tarpaulin, and gave three hearty cheers, while the
+former sank on a seat, literally unable to stand. The sheet of the sail
+got away from him, nor could he be said to know what he was about, until
+some little time after he was in the arms of his friend, and on board
+the pinnace.
+
+It was half-an-hour before Mark was master of himself again. At length
+tears relieved him; nor was he ashamed to indulge in them, when he saw
+his old companion not only alive and well, but restored to him. He
+perceived another in the boat; but as he was of a dark skin, he
+naturally inferred this second person was a native of some neighbouring
+island where Bob had been, and who had consented to come with him in
+this, his search after the shipwrecked mariner. At length Bob began to
+converse.
+
+"Well, Mr. Mark, the sight of you is the pleasantest prospect that has
+met my eyes this many a day," exclaimed the honest fellow. "It was with
+fear and trembling that I set out on the search, and little did I hope
+to fall in with you so early in the cruise."
+
+"Thank you, thank you, Bob, and God be praised for this great mercy! You
+have been to some other island, I see, by your companion; but the
+miraculous part of all is, that you should find your way back to the
+Reef, since you are no navigator."
+
+"The Reef! If this here mountain is the Reef, the country has greatly
+altered since I left it," answered Bob. Mark then briefly explained the
+great change that had actually occurred, and told his own story touching
+his boat and his late voyages of discovery. Betts listened with the
+greatest attention, casting occasional glances upward at the immense
+mass that had been so suddenly lifted out of the sea, as well as turning
+his head to regard the smoke of the more distant volcano.
+
+"Well, this explains our 'arthquake," he answered, as soon as Mark was
+done. "I must have been as good as a hundred and fifty leagues from this
+very spot at the time you mention, and we had tremblings there that
+would scarce let a body stand on his feet. A ship came in two days
+arterwards, that must have been a hundred leagues further to the nor'ard
+when it happened, and her people reported that they thought heaven and
+'arth was a coming together, out there in open water."
+
+"It has been a mighty earthquake--must have been, to have wrought these
+vast changes; though I had supposed that Providence had confined a
+knowledge of its existence to myself. But, you spoke of a ship,
+Bob--surely we are not in the neighbourhood of vessels."
+
+"Sartain--but, I may as well tell you my adventures at once, Mr. Mark;
+though I own I should like to land first, as it is a long story, and
+take a look at this island that you praise so much, and taste them
+reed-birds of which you give so good an account. I'm Jarsey-born and
+bred, and know what the little things be."
+
+Mark was dying to hear Bob's story, more especially since he understood
+a ship was connected with it, but he could not refuse his friend's
+demand for sweet water and a dinner. The entrance of the cove was quite
+near and the boats entered that harbour and were secured; after which
+the three men commenced the ascent, Mark picking up by the way the
+spy-glass, fowling-piece, and other articles that he had dropped in the
+haste of his descent. While going up this sharp acclivity, but little
+was said; but, when they reached the summit, or the plain rather,
+exclamations of delight burst from the mouths of both of Mark's
+companions. To the young man's great surprise, those which came from
+Bob's dark-skinned associate were in English, as well as those which
+came from Bob himself. This induced him to take a good look at the man,
+when he discovered a face that he knew!
+
+"How is this, Bob?" cried Mark, almost gasping for breath--"whom have
+you here? Is not this Socrates?"
+
+"Ay, ay, sir; that's Soc; and Dido, his wife, is within a hundred miles
+of you."
+
+This answer, simple as it was, nearly overcame our young man again.
+Socrates and Dido had been the slaves of Bridget, when he left home; a
+part of the estate she had received from her grandmother. They dwelt in
+the house with her, and uniformly called her mistress. Mark knew them
+both very well, as a matter of course; and Dido, with the archness of a
+favourite domestic, was often in the habit of calling him her 'young
+master.' A flood of expectations, conjectures and apprehensions came
+over our hero, and he refrained from putting any questions immediately,
+out of pure astonishment. He was almost afraid indeed to ask any.
+
+Nearly unconscious of what he was about, he led the way to the grove
+where he had dined two or three hours before, and where the remainder of
+the reed-birds were suspended from the branch of a tree. The embers of
+the fire were ready, and in a few minutes Socrates handed Betts his
+dinner.
+
+Bob ate and drank heartily. He loved a tin-pot of rum and-water, or
+grog, as it used to be called--though even the word is getting to be
+obsolete in these temperance times--and he liked good eating. It was not
+epicurism, however, or a love of the stomach, that induced him to defer
+his explanations on the present occasion. He saw that Mark must hear
+what he had to relate gradually, and was not sorry that the recognition
+of the negro had prepared him to expect something wonderful. Wonderful
+it was, indeed; and at last Betts, having finished his dinner, and given
+half-a-dozen preparatory hints, in order to lessen the intensity of his
+young friend's feelings, yielded to an appeal from the other's eyes, and
+commenced his narrative. Bob told his story, as a matter of course,
+with a great deal of circumlocution, and in his own language. There was
+a good deal of unnecessary prolixity in it, and some irrelative
+digressions touching currents, and the trades, and the weather; but, on
+the whole, it was given intelligibly, and with sufficient brevity for
+one who devoured every syllable he uttered. The reader, however, would
+most probably prefer to hear an abridgement of the tale in our own
+words.
+
+When Robert Betts was driven off the Reef, by the hurricane of the
+preceding year, he had no choice but to let the Neshamony drive to
+leeward with him. As soon as he could, he got the pinnace before the
+wind, and, whenever he saw broken water ahead, he endeavoured to steer
+clear of it. This he sometimes succeeded in effecting; while at others
+he passed through it, or over it, at the mercy of the tempest.
+Fortunately the wind had piled up the element in such a way as to carry
+the craft clear of the rocks, and in three hours after the Neshamony was
+lifted out of her cradle, she was in the open ocean, to leeward of all
+the dangers. It blew too hard, however, to make sail on her, and Bob was
+obliged to scud until the gale broke. Then, indeed, he passed a week in
+endeavouring to beat back and rejoin his friend, but without success,
+'losing all he made in the day, while asleep at night.' Such, at least,
+was Bob's account of his failure to find the Reef again; though Mark
+thought it probable that he was a little out in his reckoning, and did
+not look in exactly the right place for it.
+
+At the end of this week high land was made to leeward, and Betts ran
+down for it, in the hope of finding inhabitants. In this last
+expectation, however, he did not succeed. It was a volcanic mountain, of
+a good many resources, and of a character not unlike that of Vulcan's
+Peak, but entirely unpeopled. He named it after his old ship, and passed
+several days on it. On describing its appearance, and its bearings from
+the place where they then were, Mark had no doubt it was the island that
+was visible from the peak near them, and at which he had been gazing
+that very afternoon, for fully an hour with longing eyes. On describing
+its form to Bob, the latter coincided in this opinion, which was in fact
+the true one.
+
+From the highest point of Rancocus Island, land was to be seen to the
+northward and westward, and Bob now determined to make the best of his
+way in that direction, in the hope of falling in with some vessel after
+sandal-wood or bęche-le-mar. He fell in with a group of low islands, of
+a coral formation, about a hundred leagues from his volcanic mountain,
+and on them he found inhabitants. These. people were accustomed to see
+white men, and turned out to be exceedingly mild and just. It is
+probable that they connected the sudden appearance of a vessel like the
+Neshamony, having but one man in it, with some miraculous interposition
+of their gods, for they paid Bob the highest honours, and when he
+landed, solemnly tabooed his sloop. Bob was a long-headed fellow in the
+main, and was not slow to perceive the advantage of such a ceremony, and
+encouraged it. He also formed a great intimacy with the chief,
+exchanging names and rubbing noses with him. This chief was styled
+Betto, after the exchange, and Bob was called Ooroony by the natives.
+Ooroony stayed a month with Betto, when he undertook a voyage with him
+in a large canoe, to another group, that was distant two or three
+hundred miles, still further to the northward, and where Bob was told he
+should find a ship. This account proved to be true, the ship turning out
+to be a Spaniard, from South America, engaged in the pearl fishery, and
+on the eve of sailing for her port. From some misunderstanding with the
+Spanish captain, that Bob never comprehended and of course could not
+explain, and which he did not attempt to explain, Betto left the group
+in haste, and without taking leave of his new friend, though he sent him
+a message of apology, one-half of which was lost on Bob, in consequence
+of not understanding the language. The result was, however, to satisfy
+the latter that his friend was quite as sorry to abandon _him_, as he
+was glad to get away from the Spanish captain.
+
+This desertion left Betts no choice between remaining on the pearl
+island, or of sailing in the brig, which went to sea next day. He
+decided to do the last. In due time he was landed at Panama, whence he
+made his way across the isthmus, actually reaching Philadelphia in less
+than five months after he was driven off the Reef. In all this he was
+much favoured by circumstances; though an old salt, like Bob, will
+usually make his way where a landsman would be brought up.
+
+The owners of the Rancocus gave up their ship, as soon as Betts had told
+his story, manifesting no disposition to send good money after bad. They
+looked to the underwriters, and got Bob to make oath to the loss of the
+vessel; which said oath, by the way, was the ground-work of a law-suit
+that lasted Friend Abraham White as long as he lived. Bob next sought
+Bridget with his tale. The young wife received the poor fellow with
+floods of tears, and the most eager attention to his story, as indeed
+did our hero's sister Anne. It would seem that Betts's arrival was most
+opportune. In consequence of the non-arrival of the ship, which was then
+past due two or three months, Doctor Yardley had endeavoured to persuade
+his daughter that she was a widow, if indeed, as he had of late been
+somewhat disposed to maintain, she had ever been legally married at all.
+The truth was, that the medical war in Bristol had broken out afresh, in
+consequence of certain cases that had been transferred to that village,
+during one of the fever-seasons in Philadelphia. Greater cleanliness,
+and the free use of fresh water, appear to have now arrested the course
+of this formidable disease, in the northern cities of America; but, in
+that day, it was of very frequent occurrence. Theories prevailed among
+the doctors concerning it, which were bitterly antagonistical to each
+other; and Doctor Woolston headed one party in Bucks, while Doctor
+Yardley headed another. Which was right, or whether either was right, is
+more than we shall pretend to say, though we think it probable that both
+were wrong. Anne Woolston had been married to a young physician but a
+short time, when this new outbreak concerning yellow fever occurred. Her
+husband, whose name was Heaton, unfortunately took the side of this
+grave question that was opposed to his father-in-law, for a reason no
+better than that he believed in the truth of the opposing theory, and
+this occasioned another breach. Doctor Yardley could not, and did not
+wholly agree with Doctor Heaton, because the latter was Doctor
+Woolston's son-in-law, and he altered his theory a little to create a
+respectable point of disagreement; while Doctor. Woolston could not
+pardon a disaffection that took place, as it might be, in the height of
+a war. About this time too, Mrs. Yardley died.
+
+All these occurrences, united to the protracted absence of Mark, made
+Bridget and Anne extremely unhappy. To increase this unhappiness, Doctor
+Yardley took it into his head to dispute the legality of a marriage that
+had been solemnized on board a ship. This was an entirely new legal
+crotchet, but the federal government was then young, and jurisdictions
+had not been determined as clearly as has since been the case. Had it
+been the fortune of Doctor Yardley to live in these later times, he
+would not have given himself the trouble to put violent constructions on
+anything; but, getting a few female friends to go before the necessary
+judge, with tears in their eye's, anything would be granted to their
+requests, very much as a matter of course. Failing of this, moreover,
+there is always the resource of the legislature, which will usually pass
+a law taking away a man's wife, or his children, and sometimes his
+estate, if a pretty pathetic appeal can be made to it, in the way of
+gossip. We have certainly made great progress in this country, within
+the last twenty years; but whether it has been in a direction towards
+the summit of human perfection, or one downward towards the destruction
+of all principles, the next generation will probably be better able to
+say than this. Even the government is getting to be gossipian.
+
+In the case of Bridget, however, public sympathy was with her, as it
+always will be with a pretty woman. Nevertheless, her father had great
+influence in Bucks county, more especially with the federalists and the
+anti-depletionists, and it was in his power to give his daughter great
+uneasiness, if not absolutely to divorce her. So violent did he become,
+that he actually caused proceedings to be commenced in Bridget's name,
+to effect a legal separation, taking the grounds that the marriage had
+never been consummated, that the ceremony had occurred on board a ship,
+that the wife was of tender years, and lastly, that she was an heiress.
+Some persons thought the Doctor's proceedings were instigated by the
+circumstance that another relative had just died, and left Bridget five
+thousand dollars, which were to be paid to her the day she was eighteen,
+the period of a female's reaching her majority, according to popular
+notions. The possession of this money, which Bridget received and,
+placed in the hands of a friend in town, almost made her father frantic
+for the divorce, or a decree against the marriage, he contending there
+was no marriage, and that a divorce was unnecessary. The young wife had
+not abandoned the hope of seeing her husband return, all this time,
+although uneasiness concerning the fate of the ship, was extending from
+her owners into the families of those who had sailed in her. She wished
+to meet Mark with a sum of money that would enable him, at once, to
+commence life respectably, and place him above the necessity of
+following the seas.
+
+Betts reached Bristol the very day that a decision was made, on a
+preliminary point, in the case of Yardley versus Woolson, that greatly
+encouraged the father in his hopes of final success, and as greatly
+terrified his daughter. It was, in fact, a mere question of practice,
+and had no real connection with the merits of the matter at issue; but
+it frightened Bridget and her friend Anna enormously. In point of fact,
+there was not the smallest danger of the marriage being declared void,
+should any one oppose the decision; but this was more than any one of
+the parties then knew, and Doctor Yardley seemed so much in earnest,
+that Bridget and Anne got into the most serious state of alarm on the
+subject. To increase their distress, a suitor for the hand of the former
+appeared in the person of a student of medicine, of very fair
+expectations and who supported every one of Doctor Yardley's theories,
+in all their niceties and distinctions; and what is more, would have
+supported them, had they been ten times as untenable as they actually
+were, in reason.
+
+Had the situation of Doctor Heaton been more pleasant than it was, it is
+probable that the step taken by himself, his wife, and Bridget, would
+never have been thought of. But it was highly unpleasant. He was poor,
+and dependent altogether on his practice for a support. Now, it was in
+Doctor Woolston's power to be of great service to the young couple, by
+introducing the son-in-law to his own patients, but this he could not
+think of doing with a depletionist; and John, as Anne affectionately
+styled her husband, was left to starve on his system of depletion. Such
+was the state of things when Bob appeared in Bristol, to announce to the
+young wife not only the existence but the deserted and lone condition of
+her husband. The honest fellow knew there was something clandestine
+about the marriage, and he used proper precautions not to betray his
+presence to the wrong persons. By means of a little management he saw
+Bridget privately, and told his story. As Bob had been present at the
+wedding, and was known to stand high in Mark's favour, he was believed,
+quite as a matter of course, and questioned in a thousand ways, until
+the poor fellow had not really another syllable to communicate.
+
+The sisters shed floods of tears at the thought of poor Mark's
+situation. For several days they did little besides weep and pray. Then
+Bridget suddenly dried her tears, and announced an intention to go in
+person to the rescue of her husband. Not only was she determined on
+this, but, as a means of giving a death-blow to all expectations of a
+separation and to the hopes of her new suitor, she was resolved to go in
+a way that should enable her to remain on the Reef with Mark, and, if
+necessary, to pass the remainder of her days there. Bob had given a very
+glowing description of the charms of the residence, as well as of the
+climate, the latter quite justly, and declared his readiness to
+accompany this faithful wife in the pursuit of her lost partner. The
+whole affair was communicated to Doctor and Mrs. Heaton, who not only
+came into the scheme, but enlisted in its execution in person. The idea
+pleased the former in particular, who had a love of adventure, and a
+desire to see other lands, while Anne was as ready to follow her husband
+to the ends of the earth, as Bridget was to go to the same place in
+quest of Mark. In a word, the whole project was deliberately framed, and
+ingeniously carried out.
+
+Doctor Heaton had a brother, a resident of New York, and often visited
+him. Bridget was permitted to accompany Anne to that place, whither her
+money was transferred to her. A vessel was found that was about to sail
+for the North-west Coast, and passages were privately engaged. A great
+many useful necessaries were laid in, and, at the proper time, letters
+of leave-taking were sent to Bristol, and the whole party sailed.
+Previously to the embarkation, Bob appeared to accompany the
+adventurers. He was attended by Socrates, and Dido, and Juno, who had
+stolen away by order of their young mistress, as well as by a certain
+Friend Martha Waters, who had stood up in 'meeting' with Friend Robert
+Betts, and had become "bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh;" and her
+maiden sister, Joan Waters, who was to share their fortunes. In a word,
+Bob had brought an early attachment to the test of matrimony.
+
+So well had the necessary combinations been made, that the ship sailed
+with our adventurers, nine in number, without meeting with the slightest
+obstacle. Once at sea, of course nothing but that caused by the elements
+was to be anticipated. Cape Horn was doubled in due time, are Doctor
+Heaton, with all under his care, was landed at Panama, just five months,
+to a day, after leaving New York. Here passages were taken in the same
+brig that Bob had returned in, which was again bound out, on a
+pearl-fishing voyage. Previously to quitting Panama, however, a recruit
+was engaged in the person of a young American shipwright, of the name of
+Bigelow, who had run from his ship a twelvemonth before, to marry a
+Spanish girl, and who had become heartily tired of his life in Panama.
+He and his wife and child joined the party, engaging to serve the
+Heatons, for a stipulated sum, for the term of two years.
+
+The voyage from Panama to, the pearl islands was a long one, but far
+from unpleasant. Sixty days after leaving port the adventurers were
+safely landed, with all their effects. These included two cows, with a
+young bull, two yearling colts, several goats obtained in South America,
+and various implements of husbandry that it had not entered into the
+views of Friend Abraham White to send to even the people of Fejee. With
+the natives of the pearl island, Bob, already known to them and a
+favourite, had no difficulty in negotiating. He had brought them
+suitable and ample presents, and soon effected an arrangement, by which
+they agreed to transport him and all his stores, the animals included,
+to Betto's Islands, a distance of fully three hundred miles. The horses
+and cows were taken on a species of catamaran, or large raft, that is
+much used in those mild seas, and which sail reasonably well a little
+off the wind, and not very badly on. At Betto's Islands a new bargain
+was struck, and the whole party proceeded to Rancocus Island, Bob making
+his land-fall without any difficulty, from having observed the course
+steered in coming from it.
+
+At Betto's group, however, Bob found the Neshamony, covered with mats,
+and tabooed, precisely as he had left her to a rope-yarn. Not a human
+hand had touched anything belonging to the boat, or a human foot
+approached it, during the whole time of his absence. Ooroony, or Betto,
+was rewarded for his fidelity by the present of a musket and some
+ammunition, articles that were really of the last importance to his
+dignity and power. They were as good as a standing army to him, actually
+deciding summarily a point of disputed authority, that had long been in
+controversy between himself and another chief, in his favour. The voyage
+between Betto's group and Rancocus Island was made in the Neshamony, so
+far as the human portion of the freight was concerned, The catamarans
+and canoes, however, came on with the other animals, and all the
+utensils and stores.
+
+The appearance of Rancocus Island created quite as much astonishment
+among the native mariners, as had that of the horses, cows, &c. Until
+they saw it, not one of them had any notion of its existence, or of a
+mountain at all. They dwelt themselves on low coral islands, and quite
+beyond the volcanic formation, and a hill was a thing scarcely known to
+them. At this island Heaton and Betts deemed it prudent to dismiss their
+attendants, not wishing them to know anything of the Reef, as they were
+not sure what sort of neighbours they, might prove, on a longer
+acquaintance. The mountain, however, possessed so many advantages over
+the Reef, as the latter was when Bob left it, that the honest fellow
+frankly admitted its general superiority, and suggested the possibility
+of its becoming their permanent residence. In some respects it was not
+equal to the Reef, as a residence, however, the fishing in particular
+turning out to be infinitely inferior. But it had trees and fruits,
+being very much of the same character as Vulcan's Peak, in this respect.
+Nevertheless, there was no comparison between the two islands as places
+of residence, the last having infinitely the most advantages. It was
+larger, had more and better fruits, better water, and richer grasses. It
+had also a more even surface, and a more accessible plain. Rancocus
+Island was higher and more broken, and, while it might be a pleasanter
+place of residence than the Reef during the warm months, it never could
+be a place as pleasant as the plain of the Peak.
+
+Bob found it necessary to leave his friends, and most of his stores, at
+Rancocus Island; Mrs. Heaton becoming a mother two days after their
+arrival at it, and the cows both increasing their families in the course
+of the same week. It was, moreover, impossible to transport everybody
+and everything in the Neshamony, at the same time. As Doctor Heaton
+would not leave Anne at such a moment, and Bridget was of the same way
+of thinking, it was thought best to improve the time by sending out
+Betts to explore. It will be remembered that he was uncertain where the
+Reef was to be found exactly, though convinced it was to windward, and
+within a hundred miles of him. While roaming over the rocks of Rancocus,
+however, Vulcan's Peak had been seen, as much to Bob's surprise as to
+his delight. To his surprise, inasmuch as he had no notion of the great
+physical change that had recently been wrought by the earthquake, yet
+could scarce believe he had overlooked such an object in his former
+examinations; and to his delight, because he was now satisfied that the
+Reef must be to the northward of that strange mountain, and a long
+distance from it, because no such peak had been visible from the former
+when he left it. It was a good place to steer for, nevertheless, on this
+new voyage, since it carried him a hundred miles to wind ward; and when
+Bob, with Socrates for a companion, left Rancocus to look for the Reef,
+he steered as near the course for the Peak as the wind would permit. He
+had made the island from the boat, after a run of ten hours; and, at the
+same time, he made the crater of the active volcano. For the latter, he
+stood that night, actually going within a mile of it, and, next
+morning, he altered his course, and beat up for the strange island. When
+Mark first discovered him, he had nearly made the circuit of Vulcan's
+Peak, in a vain endeavour to land, and he would actually have gone on
+his way, had it not been for the firing of the fowling-piece, the report
+of which he heard, and the smoke of which he saw.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XIV.
+
+
+
+    "Compell the hawke to sit, that is unmanned,
+    Or make the hound, untaught, to draw the deere,
+    Or bring the free, against his will, in band,
+    Or move the sad, a pleasant tale to heere,
+    Your time is lost, and you no whit the neere!
+      So love ne learnes, of force, the heart to knit:
+      She serves but those, that feels sweet fancie's fit."
+
+    _Churchyard_,
+
+
+We leave the reader to imagine with what feelings Mark heard these
+facts. Bridget, for whom his tenderness was unabated; Bridget, who had
+been the subject of so many of his thoughts since his shipwreck, had
+shown herself worthy to be thus loved, and was now on an island that he
+might easily reach in a run of a few hours! The young man retired
+further within the grove, leaving Bob and Socrates behind, and
+endeavoured to regain his composure by himself. Before rejoining his
+companions, he knelt and returned thanks to God for this instance of his
+great kindness. It was a long time, notwithstanding before he could
+become accustomed to the idea of having associates, at all. Time and
+again, within the next month or two, did he _dream_ that all this
+fancied happiness was only a _dream_, and awoke under a sense of having
+been the subject of an agreeable illusion. It took months perfectly to
+restore the tone of his mind in this respect, and to bring it back into
+the placid current of habitual happiness. The deep sense of gratitude to
+God he never lost; but the recollection of what he had suffered, and
+from what he had been relieved by the Divine mercy, remained indelibly
+impressed on his heart, and influenced his future life to a degree that
+increased the favour a thousand-fold.
+
+The mode of proceeding was next discussed, in the course of doing which
+Mark communicated to Bob, somewhat in detail, the circumstance of the
+recent convulsion, and the changes which it had produced. After talking
+the matter over, both agreed it would be every way desirable to bring
+the whole party, and as much of the property as could be easily moved,
+up to windward at once. Now, that the natives knew of the existence of
+Rancocus Island, their visits might be often expected, and nothing was
+more uncertain than their policy and friendship. Once on Rancocus Island
+the Peak could be seen, and from the Peak the Reef was visible. In this
+way, then, there was every reason to believe that the existence of their
+little colony would soon become known, and the property they possessed
+the object of cupidity and violence. Against such consequences it would
+be necessary to guard with the strictest care, and the first step should
+be to get everything of value up to windward, with the least possible
+delay. The natives often went a long distance, in their canoes and on
+their rafts, with the wind abeam, but it was not often they undertook to
+go directly to windward. Then the activity of the volcano might be
+counted on as something in favour of the colonists, since those
+uninstructed children of nature would be almost certain to set the
+phenomenon down to the credit of some god, or some demon, neither of
+whom would be likely to permit his special domains to be trespassed on
+with impunity.
+
+While Mark and Bob were talking these matters over, Socrates had been
+shooting and cleaning a few dozen more of the reed-birds. This provision
+of the delicacy was made, because Betts affirmed no such delicious
+little creature was to be met with on Rancocus, though they were to be
+found on Vulcan's Peak literally in tens of thousands. This difference
+could be accounted for in no other way, than by supposing that some of
+the birds had originally found their way to the latter, favoured by
+accidental circumstances, driven by a hurricane, transported on
+sea-weed, or attending the drift of some plants, and that the same, or
+similar circumstances, had never contributed to carry them the
+additional hundred miles to leeward.
+
+It was near sunset when the Neshamony left Snug Cove, as Mark had named
+his little haven, at the foot of the ravine, which, by the way, he
+called the Stairs, and put to sea, on her way to Rancocus Island. The
+bearings of the last had been accurately taken, and our mariners were
+just as able to run by night as by day. It may as well be said here,
+moreover, that the black was a capital boatman, and a good fresh-water
+sailor in general, a proficiency that he had acquired in consequence of
+having been born and brought up on the banks of the Delaware. But it
+would have been very possible to run from one of these islands to the
+other, by observing the direction of the wind alone, since it blew very
+steadily in the same quarter, and changes in the course were always to
+be noted by changes in the violence or freshness of the breeze. In that
+quarter of the ocean the trades blew with very little variation from the
+south-east, though in general the Pacific Trades are from the
+south-west.
+
+Mark was delighted with the performances of the Neshamony. Bob gave a
+good account of her qualities, and said he should not hesitate to make
+sail in her for either of the continents, in a case of necessity.
+Accustomed, as he had been of late, to the little Bridget, the pinnace
+appeared a considerable craft to Mark, and he greatly exalted in this
+acquisition. No seaman could hesitate about passing from the Reef to the
+islands, at any time when it did not absolutely blow a gale, in a boat
+of this size and of such qualities; and, even in a gale, it might be
+possible to make pretty good weather of it. Away she now went, leaving
+the Bridget moored in Snug Cove, to await their return. Of course, Mark
+and Bob had much discourse, while running down before the wind that
+night, in which each communicated to the other many things that still
+remained to be said. Mark was never tired of asking questions about
+Bridget; her looks, her smiles, her tears, her hopes, her fears, her
+health, her spirits, and her resolution, being themes of which he never
+got weary. A watch was set, nevertheless, and each person in the pinnace
+had his turn of sleep, if sleep he could.
+
+At the rising of the sun Mark was awake. Springing to his feet, he saw
+that Rancocus Island was plainly in view. In the course of the ten hours
+she had been out, the Neshamony had run about seventy miles, having a
+square-sail set, in addition to her jib and mainsail. This brought the
+mountain for which she was steering within ten leagues, and directly to
+leeward. A little impatience was betrayed by the young husband, but, on
+the whole, he behaved reasonably well. Mark had never neglected his
+person, notwithstanding his solitude. Daily baths, and the most
+scrupulous attention to his attire, so far as neatness went, had kept
+him not only in health, but in spirits, the frame of the mind depending
+most intimately on the condition of the body. Among other habits, he
+preserved that of shaving daily. The cutting of his hair gave him the
+most trouble, and he had half a mind to get Bob to act as barber on the
+present occasion. Then he remembered having seen Bridget once cut the
+hair of a child, and he could not but fancy how pleasant it would be to
+have her moving about him, in the performance of the same office on
+himself. He decided, consequently, to remain as he was, as regarded his
+looks, until his charming bride could act as his hair-dresser. The
+toilette, however, was not neglected, and, on the whole, there was no
+reason to complain of the young man's appearance. The ship furnished him
+clothes at will, and the climate rendered so few necessary, that even a
+much smaller stock than he possessed, would probably have supplied him
+for life.
+
+When about a league from the northern end of Rancocus Island, Bob set a
+little flag at his mast-head, the signal, previously arranged, of his
+having been successful. Among the stores brought by the party from
+America, were three regular tents, or marquees, which Heaton purchased
+at a sale of old military stores, and had prudently brought with him, to
+be used as occasion might demand. These marquees were now pitched on a
+broad piece of low land, that lay between the cliffs and the beach, and
+where the colony had temporarily established itself. Mark's heart beat
+violently as Bob pointed out these little canvas dwellings to him. They
+were the abodes of his friends, including his young wife. Next the cows
+appeared, quietly grazing near by, with a pleasant home look, and the
+goats and colts were not far off, cropping the grass. Altogether our
+young man was profoundly overcome again, and it was some time ere he
+could regain his self-command. On a point that proved to be the
+landing-place, stood a solitary female figure. As the boat drew nearer
+she extended her arms, and then, as if unable to stand, she sunk on a
+rock which had served her for a seat ever since the distant sail was
+visible. In two more minutes Mark Woolston had his charming young bride
+encircled in his arms. The delicacy which kept the others aloof from
+this meeting, was imitated by Bob, who, merely causing the boat, to
+brush near the rock, so as to allow of Mark's jumping ashore, passed on
+to a distant landing, where he was met by most of his party, including
+'Friend Martha,' who rejoiced not a little in the safe return of Friend
+Robert Betts. In half-an-hour Mark and Bridget came up to the marquees,
+when the former made the acquaintance of his brother-in-law, and had the
+happiness of embracing his sister. It was a morning of the purest joy,
+and deepest gratitude. On the one side, the solitary man found himself
+restored to the delights of social life, in the persons of those on
+earth whom he most loved and, on the other hand, the numberless
+apprehensions of those who looked for him, and his place of retirement,
+had all their anxiety rewarded by complete success. Little was done that
+day but to ask and answer questions. Mark had to recount all that had
+happened since Bob was taken from him, and not trifling was the
+trepidation created among his female listeners, when he related the
+history of the earthquake. Their fears, however, were somewhat appeased
+by his assurances of security; the circumstance that a volcano was in
+activity near by, being almost a pledge that no very extensive
+convulsions could follow.
+
+The colonists remained a week at Rancocus Island, being actually too
+happy to give themselves the disturbance of a removal. At the end of
+that time, however, Anne was so far recovered that they began to talk of
+a voyage, Bridget, in particular, dying to see the place where Mark had
+passed so many solitary hours; and, as he had assured her more than
+once, where her image had scarcely ever been absent from his thoughts
+an hour at a time. As it would be impossible to embark all the effects
+at once, in the Neshamony, some method was to be observed in the
+removal. The transportation of the cows and horses was the most serious
+part of the undertaking, the pinnace not being constructed to receive
+such animals. Room, nevertheless, could be made for one at a time, and
+still leave sufficient space in the stern-sheets for the accommodation
+of five or six persons. It was very desirable to get the females away
+first, lest the rumour of the mountain, hitherto unknown, should spread
+among the islands, and bring them visitors who might prove to be
+troublesome, if not dangerous. Parties existed in Betto's group, as we
+believe they exist everywhere else; and Bob knew very well that nothing
+but the ascendancy of his friend, the chief, Ooroony, had been the means
+of his escaping as well as he did, in the land-fall among them that he
+had made. The smallest reverse of fortune might put Betto down, and some
+bitter foe up, and then there was the certainty that war canoes might
+come off in quest of the mountain, at any time, without asking the leave
+of the friendly chief, even while he remained in power. On the whole,
+therefore, it was determined to freight the pinnace with the most
+valuable of the effects, put all the females on board, and send her off
+under the care of Mark, Heaton, and Socrates, leaving Bob and Bigelow to
+look after the stock and the rest of the property. It was supposed the
+boat might be absent a week. This was done accordingly, Bob, on taking
+leave of Friend Martha, particularly recommending to her attention the
+Vulcan's Peak reed-birds, throwing in a hint that he should be glad to
+find a string of them in the pinnace, on her return.
+
+The voyage to windward was a much more serious business than the run to
+leeward. By Bob's advice Mark reefed his mainsail, and took the bonnet
+off the jib. Following the same instructions, he stood away to the
+southward, letting the boat go through the water freely, intending to
+tack when he came near the volcano, and not before. This was what Bob
+himself had done, and that which had turned out so well with him, he
+fancied might succeed with his friend. The Neshamony left Rancocus
+Island just at sunset. Next morning Mark saw the smoke of the Volcano,
+and stood for it. After making two stretches he came up within a league
+of this spot, when he tacked and stood to the northward and eastward,
+Vulcan's Peak having been in plain view the entire day. As respects the
+volcano, it was in a comparatively quiet state, though rumbling sounds
+were heard, and stones were cast into the air in considerable
+quantities, while the boat was nearest in. One thing, moreover, Mark
+ascertained, which greatly increased his confidence in the permanency of
+the changes that had lately occurred in the physical formation of all
+that region. He found himself in comparatively shoal water, when fully a
+league from this new crater. Shoal in a seaman's sense, though not in
+shallow water; the soundings being from fifteen to twenty fathoms, with
+a rocky bottom.
+
+Between the volcano and Vulcan's Peak it blew quite fresh, and Mark had
+a good occasion to ascertain the qualities of the pinnace. A long, heavy
+swell came rolling through the passage, which was near sixty miles in
+width, seemingly with a sweep that extended to the Southern Ocean.
+Notwithstanding all this, the little craft did wonders, struggling along
+in a way one would hardly have expected from so small a vessel. She made
+fully two knots' headway in the worst of it, and in general her rate of
+sailing, close on a wind and under pretty short canvas, was about three.
+The night was very dark, and there was nothing to steer by but the wind,
+which gave some little embarrassment; but finding himself in much
+smoothe water than he had been all the previous day, about midnight, our
+young man felt satisfied that he was under the lee of the island, and at
+no great distance from it. He made short tacks until daylight, when the
+huge mass hove up out of the departing darkness, within a mile of the
+boat. It only remained to run along the land for two or three miles, and
+to enter the haven of Snug Cove. Mark had been telling his companions
+what a secret place this haven was to conceal a vessel in, when he had a
+practical confirmation of the truth of his statement that caused him to
+be well laughed at. For ten minutes he could not discover the entrance
+himself, having neglected to take the proper land-marks, that he might
+have no difficulty in running for his port. After a time, however, he
+caught sight of an object that he remembered, and found his way into the
+cove. Here lay the little namesake of his pretty wife, just as he had
+left her, the true Bridget smiling and blushing as the young husband
+pointed out the poor substitute he had been compelled to receive for
+herself, only ten days earlier.
+
+Mark, and Socrates, and Dido, and Teresa, Bigelow's wife, all carried up
+heavy loads; while Heaton had as much as he could do to help Anne and
+the child up the sharp acclivity. Bridget, with her light active step,
+and great eagerness to behold a scene that Mark had described with so
+much eloquence, was the first, by a quarter of an hour, on the plain.
+When the others reached the top, they saw the charming young thing
+running about in the nearest grove, that in which her husband had dined,
+collecting fruit, and apparently as enchanted as a child. Mark paused as
+he gained the height, to gaze on this sight, so agreeable in his eyes,
+and which rendered the place so very different from what it had been so
+recently, while he was in possession of its glorious beauties, a
+solitary man. Then, he had several times likened himself to Adam in the
+garden of Eden, before woman was given to him for a companion. Now, now
+he could feast his eyes on an Eve, who would have been highly attractive
+in any part of the world.
+
+The articles brought up on the plain, at this first trip, comprised all
+that was necessary to prepare and to partake of a breakfast in comfort.
+A fire was soon blazing, the kettle on, and the bread-fruit baking. It
+was almost painful to destroy the reed-birds, or _becca fichi_ so
+numerous were they, and so confiding. One discharge from each barrel of
+the fowling-piece had enabled Heaton to bring in enough for the whole
+party, and these were soon roasting. Mark had brought with him from the
+Reef a basket of fresh eggs, and they had been Bridget's load, in
+ascending the mountain. He had promised her an American breakfast, and
+these eggs, boiled, did serve to remind everybody of a distant home,
+that was still remembered with melancholy pleasure. A heartier, or a
+happier meal, notwithstanding, was never made than was that breakfast.
+The mountain air, invigorating though bland, the exercise, the absence
+of care, the excellence of the food, which comprised fresh figs, a tree
+or two of tolerable sweetness having been found, the milk of the
+cocoa-nut, the birds, the eggs, the bread-fruit, &c., all contributed
+their share to render the meal memorable.
+
+The men, and the three labouring women, were employed two days in
+getting the cargo of the Neshamony up on the plain; or to Eden, as
+Bridget named the spot, unconscious how often she herself had been
+likened to a lovely Eve, in the mind of her young husband. Two of the
+marquees had been brought, and were properly erected, having board
+floors, and everything comfortably arranged within and without them. A
+roof, however, was scarcely necessary in that delicious climate, where
+one could get into the shade of a grove; and a thatched shed was easily
+prepared for a dwelling for the others. By the end of the third day the
+whole party in Eden was comfortably established, and Mark took a short
+leave of his bride, to sail for Rancocus again, Bridget shed fears at
+this separation short as it was intended to be; and numberless were the
+injunctions to be wary of the natives, should the latter have visited
+Betts, in the time intervening between the departure of the Neshamony
+and her return.
+
+The voyage between the two islands lost something of its gravity each
+time it was made. Mark learned a little every trip, of the courses to be
+steered, the peculiarities of the currents, and the height of the seas.
+He ran down to Rancocus, on this occasion, in three hours less time than
+he had done it before, sailing at dusk, and reaching port next day at
+noon. Nothing had occurred, and to work the men went at once, to load
+the pinnace. Room was left for one of the cows and its calf: and Bob
+being seriously impressed with the importance of improving every moment,
+the little sloop put to sea again, the evening of the very day on which
+it had arrived.
+
+Bridget was standing on a rock, by the side of the limpid water of the
+cove, when the Neshamony shot through its entrance into the little
+haven, and her hand was in Mark's the instant he landed. Tears gushed
+into the eyes of the young man as he recalled his year of solitude, and
+felt how different was such a welcome from his many melancholy arrivals
+and departures, previously to the recent events.
+
+It was rather a troublesome matter to get the cow and calf up the
+mountain. The first did not see enough that was attractive in naked
+rocks, to induce her to mount in the best of humours. She drank freely,
+however, at the brook, appearing to relish its waters particularly well.
+At length the plan was adopted of carrying the calf up a good distance,
+the cries of the little thing inducing its mother immediately to follow.
+In this way both were got up into Eden, in the course of an hour. And
+well did the poor cow vindicate the name, when she got a look at the
+broad glades of the sweetest grasses, that were stretched before her. So
+strongly was her imagination struck with the view--for we suppose that
+some cows have even more imagination than many men--that she actually
+kicked up her heels, and away she went, head down and tail erect,
+scampering athwart the sward like a colt. It was not long, however,
+before she began to graze, the voyage having been made on a somewhat
+short allowance of both food and water. If there ever was a happy
+animal, it was that cow! Her troubles were all over. Sea-sickness, dry
+food, short allowances of water, narrow lodgings, and hard beds, were
+all, doubtless, forgotten, as she roamed at pleasure over boundless
+fields, on which the grass was perennial, seeming never to be longer or
+shorter than was necessary to give a good bite; and among which
+numberless rills of the purest waters were sparkling like crystal. The
+great difficulty in possessing a dairy, in a warm climate, is the want
+of pasture, the droughts usually being so long in the summer months. At
+Vulcan's Peak, however, and indeed in all of that fine region, it rained
+occasionally, throughout the year; more in winter than in summer, and
+that was the sole distinction in the seasons, after allowing for a
+trifling change in the temperature. These peculiarities appear to have
+been owing to the direction of the prevalent winds, which not only
+brought frequent showers, but which preserved a reasonable degree of
+freshness in the atmosphere. _Within_ the crater, Mark had often found
+the beat oppressive, even in the shade; but, _without_, scarcely ever,
+provided his body was not directly exposed to the sun's rays. Nor was
+the difference in the temperature between the Reef and the Peak, as
+marked as might have been expected from the great elevation of the last.
+This was owing to the circumstance that the sea air, and that usually in
+swift motion, entered so intimately into the composition of the
+atmosphere down on that low range of rocks, imparting its customary
+freshness to everything it passed over.
+
+Mark did not make the next trip to Rancocus. By this time Anne passed
+half the day in the open air, and was so fast regaining her strength
+that Heaton did not hesitate to leave her. The doctor had left many
+things behind him that he much wished to see embarked in person, and he
+volunteered to be the companion of Socrates, on this occasion, leaving
+the bridegroom behind, with his bride. By this time Heaton himself was a
+reasonably good sailor, and to him Mark confided the instructions as to
+the course to be steered, and the distance to be run. All resulted
+favourably, the Neshamony making the trip in very good time, bringing
+into the cove, the fourth day after she had sailed, not only the
+remaining cow, and her calf, but several of the goats. Convinced he
+might now depend on Heaton and Socrates to sail the pinnace, and Anne
+expressing a perfect willingness to remain on the Peak, in company with
+Teresa and Dido, Mark resolved to proceed to the crater with his two
+Bridgets, feeling the propriety of no longer neglecting the property in
+that quarter of his dominions. There was nothing to excite apprehension,
+and the women had all acquired a certain amount of resolution that more
+properly belonged to their situation than to their sex or nature. Anne's
+great object of concern was the baby. As long as that was safe,
+everything with her was going on well; and Dido being a renowned baby
+doctor, and all the simples for a child's ailings being in the
+possession of the young mother, she raised no objection whatever to her
+brother's quitting her.
+
+Bridget had great impatience to make this voyage, for she longed to see
+the spot where her husband had passed so many days in solitude.
+Everything he had mentioned, in their many conferences on this subject,
+was already familiar to her in imagination; but, she wished to become
+more intimately acquainted with each and all. For Kitty she really
+entertained a decided fondness, and even the pigs, as Mark's companions,
+had a certain romantic value in her eyes.
+
+The morning was taken for the departure, and just as the little craft
+got out from under the lee of the Peak, and began to feel the true
+breeze, the sun rose gloriously out of the eastern waves, lighting the
+whole of the blue waters with his brilliant rays. Never did Vulcan's
+Peak appear more grand or more soft--for grandeur or sublimity, blended
+with softness, make the principal charm of noble tropical scenery--than
+it did that morning; and Bridget looked up at the dark, overhanging
+cliffs, with a smile, as she said--
+
+"We may love the Reef, dear Mark, for what it did for you in your
+distress, but I foresee that this Eden will eventually become our home."
+
+"There are many things to render this mountain preferable to the Reef;
+though, now we are seriously thinking of a colony, it may be well to
+keep both. Even Rancocus would be of great value to us, as a pasture for
+goats, and a range for cattle. It may be long before the space will be
+wanted by human beings, for actual cultivation; but each of our present
+possessions is now, and long will continue to be, of great use to us as
+assistants. We shall live principally on the Peak, I think myself; but
+we must fish, get our salt, and obtain most of our vegetables from the
+Reef."
+
+"Oh! that Reef, that Reef--how long will it be, Mark, before we see it?"
+
+The enamoured young husband laughed, and kissed his charming wife, and
+told her to restrain her impatience. Several hours must elapse before
+they could even come in sight of the rocks. These hours did pass, and
+with the occurrence of no event worthy of being recorded. The Trades
+usually blew fresh in that quarter of the ocean, but it was seldom that
+they brought tempests. Occasionally squalls did occur, it is true; but a
+prudent and experienced mariner could ordinarily guard against their
+consequences, while the hurricane seldom failed, like most other great
+physical phenomena, to have its precursors, that were easily seen and
+understood. On the present occasion, the boat ran across the passage in
+very good time, making the crater in about five hours, and the ship's
+masts in six. Mark made a good land-fall coming in to leeward of the
+cape, or low promontory already mentioned--Cape South he called
+it--while there still remained several hours of day. Bridget was greatly
+struck with the vast difference she could not help finding between the
+appearance of these low, dark, and so often naked rocks, and that of the
+Eden she had just left. Tears came into her eyes, as she pictured her
+husband a solitary wanderer over these wastes, with no water, even, but
+that which fell from the clouds, or which came from the casks of the
+ship. When, however, she gave utterance to this feeling, one so natural
+to her situation, Mark told her to have patience until they reached the
+crater, when she would see that he had possessed a variety of blessings,
+for which he had every reason to be grateful to God.
+
+There was no difficulty in getting into the proper channel, when the
+boat fairly flew along the rocks that lined the passages. So long as she
+was in rough water, the sails of so small a craft were necessarily
+becalmed a good deal of the time; but, now that there was nothing to
+intercept the breeze, she caught it all, and made the most of it. To
+Mark's surprise, as they passed the Prairie, he saw all of his swine on
+it, now, including two half-unconsumed litters of well-grown pigs, some
+seventeen in number. These animals had actually found their way along
+the rocks, a distance of at least twenty miles from home, and by the
+crooked path they had taken, probable one much greater. They all
+appeared full, and contented. So much of the water had already
+evaporated as to make it tolerable walking on the sea-weed; and Mark,
+stopping to examine the progress of things, prognosticated that another
+year, in that climate, would convert the whole of that wide plain into
+dry land. In many places, the hogs had already found their way down,
+through the sea-weed, into the mud; and there was one particular spot,
+quite near the channel, where the water was all gone, and where the pigs
+had rooted over so much of the surface, as to convert two or three
+acres into a sort of half-tilled field, in which the sea-weed was nearly
+turned under the mud. Nothing but drenching rains were wanting to render
+such a place highly productive, and it was certain those rains would
+come at the end of the season.
+
+About the middle of the day, Mark ran the beat alongside of the Reef, at
+the usual landing, and welcomed Bridget to his and her home, with a
+kiss. Everything was in its place, and a glance sufficed to show that no
+human foot had been there, during the weeks of his absence. Kitty was
+browsing on the Summit, and no spaniel could have played more antics
+than she did, at the sight of her master. At first, Mark had thought of
+transferring this gentle and playful young goat to the Peak, and to
+place her in the little flock collected there; but he had been induced
+to change his mind, by recollecting how much she contributed to the
+beauty of the Summit, by keeping down the grass. He had therefore
+brought her a companion, which had no sooner been landed on the Reef,
+than it bounded off to make acquaintance with the stranger on the
+elevation.
+
+Bridget was almost overcome when she got on board the ship. There was
+even a certain sublimity in the solitude that reigned over everything,
+that impressed her imagination, and she wondered that any human being
+could so long have dwelt there alone, uncheered by the hope of
+deliverance. In the cabin of that vessel she had plighted her faith to
+Mark, and a flood of recollections burst upon her as she entered it.
+Mark was obliged to allow her to seek relief in tears. But, half an hour
+brought her round again, and then she set about putting things in order,
+and making this very important abode submit to the influence of woman's
+love of comfort and order. By the time Mark came back from his garden,
+whither he had gone to ascertain its condition, Bridget had his supper
+ready for him, prepared with a neatness and method to which he had long
+been a stranger. That was a very delicious meal to both. The husband had
+lighted a fire in the galley, where the wife had cooked the meal, which
+consisted principally of some pan-fish, taken in the narrow channels
+between the rocks, and which had been cleaned by Mark himself, as they
+sailed along. It was, indeed, a great point of solicitude with this
+young husband to prevent his charming wife from performing duties for
+which she was unfitted by education, while the wife herself was only too
+solicitous to make herself useful. In one sense, Bridget was a very
+knowing person about a household. She knew how to prepare many savoury
+compounds, and had the whole culinary art at her fingers' ends, in the
+way of giving directions. It was no wonder, then, that Mark found
+everything she touched, or prepared, good, as everything she said
+sounded pleasant and reasonable. The last is a highly important
+ingredient in matrimonial life, but the first has its merit. And Bridget
+Woolston was both pleasant and reasonable. Though a little romantic, and
+inclined to hazard all for feeling, and what she conceived to be duty,
+at the bottom of all ran a vein of excellent sense, which had been
+reasonably attended to. Her temper was sweetness itself, and that is one
+of the greatest requisites in married happiness. To this great quality
+must be added affection, for she was devoted to Mark, and nothing he
+wished would she hesitate about striving to obtain, even at painful
+sacrifices to herself. One as generous-minded and manly as her husband,
+could not fail to discover and appreciate such a disposition, which
+entered very largely into the composition of their future happiness.
+
+Our young couple did not visit the crater and the Summit until the sun
+had lost most of its power. Then Mark introduced his wife into his
+garden, and to his lawn. Exclamations of delight escaped the last, at
+nearly every step; for, in addition to the accidental peculiarities of
+such a place, the vegetation had advanced, as vegetation only can
+advance within the tropics, favoured by frequent rains and a rich soil.
+The radishes were half as large as Bridget's wrists, and as tender as
+her heart. The lettuce was already heading; the beans were fit to pull;
+the onions large enough to boil, and the peas even too old. On the
+Summit Mark cut a couple of melons, which were of a flavour surpassing
+any he had ever before tasted. With that spot Bridget was especially
+delighted. It was, just then, as green as grass could be, and Kitty had
+found its plants so very sweet, that she had scarce descended once to
+trespass on the garden. Here and there the imprint of her little hoof
+was to be traced on a bed, it is true, but she appeared to have gone
+there more to look after the condition of the garden than to gratify her
+appetite.
+
+While on the Summit, Mark pointed out to his wife the fowls, now
+increased to something like fifty. Two or three broods of chickens had
+come within the last month, making their living on the reef that was
+separated from that of the crater by means of the bridge of planks. As
+two or three flew across the narrow pass, however, he was aware that the
+state of his garden must be owing to the fact that they still found a
+plenty on those rocks for their support. In returning to the ship, he
+visited a half-barrel prepared for that purpose, and, as he expected,
+found a nest containing a dozen eggs. These he took the liberty of
+appropriating to his own use, telling Bridget that they could eat some
+of them for their breakfast.
+
+But food never had been an interest to give our solitary man much
+uneasiness. From the hour when he found muck, and sea-weed, and guano,
+he felt assured of the means of subsistence; being in truth, though he
+may not have known it himself, more in danger of falling behind hand, in
+consequence of the indisposition to activity that almost ever
+accompanies the abundance of a warm climate, than from the absolute want
+of the means of advancing. That night Mark and Bridget knelt, side by
+side, and returned thanks to God for all his mercies. How sweet the
+former found it to see the light form of his beautiful companion moving
+about the spacious cabin, giving it an air of home and happiness, no one
+can fully appreciate who has not been cut off from these accustomed
+joys, and then been suddenly restored to them.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XV.
+
+
+
+    "I beg, good Heaven, with just desires,
+    What need, not luxury, requires;
+    Give me, with sparing hands, but moderate wealth,
+    A little honour, and enough of health;
+    Free from the busy city life,
+    Near shady groves and purling streams confined,
+    A faithful friend, a pleasing wife;
+    And give me all in one, give a contented mind."
+
+    Anonymous.
+
+
+Mark and Bridget remained at the Reef a week, entirely alone. To them
+the time seemed but a single day; and so completely were they engrossed
+with each other, and their present happiness, that they almost dreaded
+the hour of return. Everything was visited, however, even to the
+abandoned anchor, and Mark made a trip to the eastward, carrying his
+wife out into the open water, in that direction. But the ship and the
+crater gave Bridget the greatest happiness. Of these she never tired,
+though the first gave her the most pleasure. A ship was associated with
+all her earliest impressions of Mark; on board that very ship she had
+been married; and now it formed her home, temporarily, if not
+permanently. Bridget had been living so long beneath a tent, and in
+savage huts, that the accommodations of the Rancocus appeared like those
+of a palace. They were not inelegant even, though it was not usual, in
+that period of the republic, to fit up vessels with a magnificence
+little short of royal yachts, as is done at present. In the way of
+convenience, however, our ship could boast of a great deal. Her cabins
+were on deck, or under a poop, and consequently enjoyed every advantage
+of light and air. Beneath were store-rooms, still well supplied with
+many articles of luxury, though time was beginning to make its usual
+inroads on their qualities. The bread was not quite as sound as it was
+once, nor did the teas retain all their strength and flavour. But the
+sugar was just as sweet as the day it was shipped, and in the coffee
+there was no apparent change. Of the butter, we do not choose to say
+anything. Bridget, in the prettiest manner imaginable, declared that as
+soon as she could set Dido at work the store-rooms should be closely
+examined, and thoroughly cleaned. Then the galley made such a convenient
+and airy kitchen! Mark had removed the house, the awning answering every
+purpose, and his wife declared that it was a pleasure to cook a meal for
+him, in so pleasant a place.
+
+The first dish Bridget ever literally cooked for Mark, with her own
+hands, or indeed for any one else, was a mess of 'grass,' as it was the
+custom of even the most polished people of America then to call
+asparagus. They had gone together to the asparagus bed on Loam Island,
+and had found the plant absolutely luxuriating in its favourite soil.
+The want of butter was the greatest defect in this mess, for, to say the
+truth, Bridget refused the ship's butter on this occasion, but luckily,
+enough oil remained to furnish a tolerable substitute. Mark declared he
+had never tasted anything in his life half so good!
+
+At the end of the week, the governor, as Heaton had styled Mark, and as
+Bridget had begun playfully to term him, gave the opinion that it was
+necessary for them to tear themselves away from their paradise. Never
+before, most certainly, had the Reef appeared to the young husband a
+spot as delightful as he now found it, and it did seem to him very
+possible for one to pass a whole life on it without murmuring. His wife
+again and again assured him she had never before been half as happy, and
+that, much as she loved Anne and the baby, she could remain a month
+longer, without being in the least wearied. But it was prudent to return
+to the Peak, for Mark had never felt his former security against foreign
+invasion, since he was acquainted with the proximity of peopled islands.
+
+The passage was prosperous, and it gave the scene an air of civilization
+and life, to fall in with the Neshamony off the cove. She was coming in
+from Rancocus, on her last trip for the stores, having brought
+everything away but two of the goats. These had been driven up into the
+mountains, and there left. Bigelow had come away, and the whole party of
+colonists were now assembled at Vulcan's Peak. But Betts had a
+communication to make that gave the governor a good deal of concern. He
+reported that after they had got the pinnace loaded, and were only
+waiting for the proper time of day to quit Rancocus, they discovered a
+fleet of canoes and catamarans, approaching the island from the
+direction of the Group, as they familiarly termed the cluster of islands
+that was known to be nearest to them, to the northward and westward. By
+means of a glass, Betts had ascertained that a certain Waally was on
+board the leading canoe, and he regarded this as an evil omen. Waally
+was Ooroony's most formidable rival and most bitter foe; and the
+circumstance that he was leading such a flotilla, of itself, Bob
+thought, was an indication that he had prevailed over honest Betto, in
+some recent encounter, and was now abroad, bent on further mischief.
+Indeed, it seemed scarcely possible that men like the natives should
+hear of the existence of such a mountain as that of Rancocus Island, in
+their vicinity, and not wish to explore, if not to possess it.
+
+Betts had pushed off, and made sail, as soon as assured of this fact. He
+knew the pinnace could outsail anything the islanders possessed, more
+especially on a wind, and he manoeuvred about the flotilla for an hour,
+making his observations, before he left it. This was clearly a war
+party, and Bob thought there were white men in it. At least, he saw two
+individuals who appeared to him to be white sailors, attired in a
+semi-savage way, and who were in the same canoe with the terrible
+Waally. It was nothing out of the way for seamen to get adrift on the
+islands scattered about in the Pacific, there being scarcely a group in
+which more or less of them are not to be found. The presence of these
+men, too, Bob regarded as another evil omen, and he felt the necessity
+of throwing all the dust he could into their eyes. When the pinnace left
+the flotilla, therefore, instead of passing out to windward of the
+island, as was her true course, she steered in an almost contrary
+direction, keeping off well to leeward of the land, in order not to get
+becalmed under the heights, for Bob well knew the canoes, with paddles,
+would soon overhaul him, should he lose the wind.
+
+It was the practice of our colonists to quit Rancocus just before the
+sun set, and to stand all night on a south-east course. This invariably
+brought them in sight of the smoke of the volcano by morning, and
+shortly after they made the Peak. All of the day that succeeded, was
+commonly passed in beating up to the volcano, or as near to it as it was
+thought prudent to go; and tacking to the northward and eastward, about
+sunset of the second day, it was found on the following morning, that
+the Neshamony was drawing near to the cliffs of Vulcan's Peak, if she
+were not already beneath them. As a matter of course, then, Bob had not
+far to go, before night shut in, and left him at liberty to steer in
+whatever direction he pleased. Fortunately, that night had no moon,
+though there was not much danger of so small a craft as the Neshamony
+being seen at any great distance on the water, even by moonlight. Bob
+consequently determined to beat up off the north end of the island, or
+Low Cape, as it was named by the colonists, from the circumstance of its
+having a mile or two of low land around it, before the mountains
+commenced. Once off the cape again, and reasonably well in, he might
+possibly make discoveries that would be of use.
+
+It took two or three hours to regain the lost ground, by beating to
+windward. By eleven o'clock, however, the Neshamony was not only off the
+cape, but quite close in with the landing. The climate rendering fires
+altogether unnecessary at that season, and indeed at nearly all seasons,
+except for cooking, Bob could not trace the encampment of the savages,
+by that means. Still, he obtained all the information he desired. This
+was not done, however, without great risk, and by a most daring step on
+his part. He lowered the sails of the boat and went alongside of the
+rock, where the pinnace usually came to, the canoes, &c., having made
+another, and a less eligible harbour. Bob then landed in person, and
+stole along the shore in the direction of the sleeping savages. Unknown
+to himself, he was watched, and was just crouching under some bushes, in
+order to get a little nearer, when he felt a hand on his shoulder. There
+was a moment when blood was in danger of being shed, but Betts's hand
+was stayed by hearing, in good English, the words--
+
+"Where are you bound, shipmate?"
+
+This question was asked in a guarded, under-tone, a circumstance that
+reassured Bob, quite as much as the language. He at once perceived that
+the two men whom he had, rightly enough, taken for seamen, were in these
+bushes, where it would seem they had long been on the watch, observing
+the movements of the pinnace. They told Bob to have no apprehensions, as
+all the savages were asleep, at some little distance, and accompanied
+him back to the Neshamony. Here, to the surprise and joy of all parties,
+Bigelow recognised both the sailors, who had not only been his former
+shipmates, but were actually his townsmen in America, the whole three
+having been born within a mile of each other. The history of these three
+wanderers from home was very much alike. They had come to the Pacific in
+a whaler, with a drunken captain, and had, in succession, left the ship.
+Bigelow found his way to Panama, where he was caught by the dark eyes of
+Theresa, as has been related. Peters had fallen in with Jones, in the
+course of his wanderings, and they had been for the last two years among
+the pearl islands, undecided what to do with themselves, when Waally
+ordered both to accompany him in the present expedition. They had
+gathered enough in hints given by different chiefs, to understand that a
+party of Christians was to be massacred, or enslaved, and plundered of
+course. They had heard of the 'canoe' that had been tabooed for twelve
+moons, but were at a loss to comprehend one-half of the story, and were
+left to the most anxious conjectures. They were not permitted to pass on
+to the islands under the control of Ooroony, but were jealously detained
+in Waally's part of the group, and consequently had not been in a
+situation to learn all the particulars of the singular party of
+colonists who had gone to the southward. Thus much did Peters relate, in
+substance, when a call among the savages notified the whole of the
+whites of the necessity of coming to some conclusion concerning the
+future. Jones and Peters acknowledged it would not be safe to remain any
+longer, though the last gave his opinion with an obvious reluctance. As
+it afterwards appeared, Peters had married an Indian wife, to whom he
+was much attached, and he did not like the idea of abandoning her. There
+was but a moment for reflection, however, and almost without knowing it
+himself, when he found the pinnace about to make sail in order to get
+off the land, he followed Jones into her, and was half a mile from the
+shore before he had time to reflect much on her he had left behind him.
+His companion consoled him by telling him that an opportunity might
+occur of sending a message to Petrina, as they had named the pretty
+young savage, who would not fail to find her way to Rancocus, sooner or
+later.
+
+With these important accessions to his forces, Bob did not hesitate
+about putting to sea, leaving Waally to make what discoveries he might.
+Should the natives ascend to the higher parts of the mountain, they
+could hardly fail to see both the smoke of the volcano and the Peak,
+though it would luckily not be in their power to see the Reef, or any
+part of that low group of rocks. It was very possible they might attempt
+to cross the passage between the two mountains, though the circumstance
+that Vulcan's Peak lay so directly to windward of Rancocus offered a
+very serious obstacle to their succeeding. Had the two sailors remained
+with them, _they_, indeed, might have taught the Indians to overcome the
+winds and waves; but these very men were of opinion, from what they had
+seen of the natives and of their enterprises, that it rather exceeded
+their skill and perseverance, to work their canoes a hundred miles dead
+to windward, and against the sea that was usually on in that quarter of
+the Pacific.
+
+The colonists, generally, gave the two recruits a very welcome
+reception. Bridget smiled when Mark suggested that Jones, who was a
+well-looking lad enough, would make a very proper husband for Joan, and
+that he doubted not his being called on, in his character of magistrate,
+to unite them in the course of the next six months. The designs of the
+savages, however, caused the party to think of anything but weddings,
+just at that moment, and a council was held to devise a plan for their
+future government. As Mark was considered the head of the colony, and
+had every way the most experience, his opinion swayed those of his
+companions, and all his recommendations were adopted. There were on
+board the ship eight carronades, then quite a new gun, and mounted on
+trucks. They were of the bore of twelve-pounders, but light and
+manageable, There was also abundance of ammunition in the vessel's
+magazine, no ship coming to the Fejees to trade without a proper regard
+to the armament. Mark proposed going over to the Reef with the
+Neshamony, the very next day, in order to transport two of the guns,
+with a proper supply of powder and shot, to the Peak. Now there was one
+place on the path, or Stairs, where it would be easy to defend the last
+against an army, the rocks, which were absolutely perpendicular on each
+side of it, coming so close together, as to render it practicable to
+close the passage by a narrow gate. This gate Mark did not purpose to
+erect now, for he thought it unnecessary. All he intended was to plant
+the two guns at this pass; one on a piece of level rock directly over
+it, and a little on one side, which would command the entrance of the
+cove, and the cove itself, as well as the whole of the path beneath, and
+the other on another natural platform, a short distance above, where it
+could not only command the pass, but, by using the last as a sort of
+embrasure, by firing through it, could not only sweep the ravine for
+some distance down, but could also rake the entrance of the cove, and
+quite half of the little basin itself.
+
+Bob greatly approved of this arrangement, though all the seamen were too
+much accustomed to obey their officers to raise the smallest objections
+to anything that Mark proposed. Betts was the only person who had made
+the circuit of the Peak; but he, and Mark, and Heaton, who had been a
+good deal round the cliffs, on the side of the water, all agreed in
+saying they did not believe it possible for a human being to reach the
+plain, unless the ascent was made by the Stairs. This, of course,
+rendered the fortifying of the last a matter of so much the greater
+importance, since it converted the whole island into a second Gibraltar.
+It was true, the Reef would remain exposed to depredations; though Mark
+was of opinion that, by leaving a portion of their force in the ship,
+with two or three of the guns at command, it would not be difficult to
+beat off five hundred natives. As for the crater, it might very easily
+be made impregnable.
+
+At this meeting Heaton proposed the establishment of some sort of
+government and authority, which they should all solemnly swear to
+support. The idea was favourably received, and Mark was unanimously
+chosen governor for life, the law being the rule of right, with such
+special enactments as might, from time to time, issue from a council of
+three, who were also elected for life. This council consisted of the
+governor, Heaton, and Setts. Human society has little difficulty in
+establishing itself on just principles, when the wants are few and
+interests simple. It is the bias given by these last that perverts it
+from the true direction. In our island community, most of its citizens
+were accustomed to think that education and practice gave a man certain
+claims to control, and, as yet, demagogueism had no place with them. A
+few necessary rules, that were connected with their particular
+situation, were enacted by the council and promulgated, when the meeting
+adjourned. Happily they were as yet far, very far from that favourite
+sophism of the day, which would teach the inexperienced to fancy it an
+advantage to a legislator to commence his career as low as possible on
+the scale of ignorance, in order that he might be what it is the
+fashion, to term "a self-made man."
+
+Mark now took the command, and issued his orders with a show of
+authority. His attention was first turned to rendering the Peak
+impregnable. There were a plenty of muskets and fowling-pieces already
+there, Heaton having come well provided with arms and ammunition. As
+respects the last, Peters and Jones were set to work to clear out a sort
+of cavern in the rock, that was not only of a convenient size, but which
+was conveniently placed for such a purpose, at no great distance from
+the head of the Stairs, to receive the powder, &c. The cavity was
+perfectly dry, an indispensable requisite, and it was equally well
+protected against the admission of water.
+
+The next thing was to collect a large pile of dry wood on the naked
+height of the Peak. This was to be lighted, at night, in the event of
+the canoes appearing while he was absent, Mark being of opinion that he
+could see such a beacon-fire from the Reef, whither he was about to
+proceed. Having made these arrangements, the governor set sail with
+Betts, Bigelow, and Socrates for his companions; leaving Heaton, with
+Peters and Jones, to take care of most of the females. We say of most,
+since Dido and Juno went along, in order to cook, and to wash all the
+clothes of the whole colony, a part of which were sent in the pinnace,
+but most of which were on hoard the ship. This was a portion of his
+duty, when a solitary man, to which Mark was exceedingly averse, and
+having shirts almost _ad libitum_, Bridget had found nearly a hundred
+ready for the 'buck-basket.' There was no danger, therefore, that the
+'wash' would be too small.
+
+Betts was deeply impressed with the change that he found in the rocks.
+There, where he had left, water over which he had often floated his
+raft, appeared dry land. Nor was he much less struck with the appearance
+of the crater. It was now a hill of a bright, lively verdure, Kitty and
+her new friend keeping it quite as closely cropped as was desirable. The
+interior, too, struck him forcibly; for there, in addition to the
+garden, now flourishing, though a little in want of the hoe, was a
+meadow of acres in extent, in which the grass was fit to cut. Mark had
+observed this circumstance when last at the crater, and Socrates had
+brought his scythe and forks, to cut and cure the hay.
+
+The morning after the arrival, everybody went to work. The women set up
+their tubs, under an awning spread for that purpose, near the spring,
+and were soon up to their elbows in suds. The scythe was set in motion,
+and the pinnace was taken round to the ship. Three active seamen soon
+hoisted out the carronades, and stowed them in the little sloop. The
+ammunition followed, and half-a-dozen barrels of the beef and pork were,
+put in the Neshamony also. Mark scarcely ever touched this food now, the
+fish, eggs, chickens, and pigs, keeping his larder sufficiently well
+supplied. But some of the men pined for _ship's_ provisions, beef and
+pork that had now been packed more than two years, and the governor
+thought it might be well enough to indulge them. The empty barrels would
+be convenient on the Peak, and the salt would be acceptable, after being
+dried and pulverized.
+
+The day was passed in loading the Neshamony, and in looking after
+various interests on the Reef. The hogs had all come in, and were fed.
+Mark shot one, and had it dressed, putting most of its meat into the
+pinnace. He also sent Bob out to his old place of resort, near Loam
+Island, whence he brought back near a hundred hog-fish. These were
+divided, also, some being given to Dido's mess, and the rest put in the
+pinnace, after taking out enough for a good supper. About ten at night
+the Neshamony sailed, Mark carrying her out into the open water, when he
+placed Bob at the helm. Bigelow had remained in the ship, to overhaul
+the lumber, of which there were still large piles both betwixt decks and
+in the lower hold, as did the whole of the Socrates family, who were yet
+occupied with the hay harvest and the 'wash.' Before he lay down to
+catch his nap, Mark took a good look to the southward, in quest of the
+beacon, but it was not burning, a sign the savages had not appeared in
+the course of the day. With this assurance he fell asleep, and slept
+until informed by Bob that the pinnace was running in beneath the
+cliffs. Betts called him, because the honest fellow was absolutely at a
+loss to know where to find the entrance of the cove. So closely did the
+rocks lap, that this mouth of the harbour was most effectually concealed
+from all but those who happened to get quite close in with the cliffs,
+and in a particular position. Mark, himself, had caught a glimpse of
+this narrow entrance accidentally, on his first voyage, else might he
+have been obliged to abandon the hope of getting on the heights; for
+subsequent examination showed that there was but that one spot, on the
+whole circuit of Vulcan's Peak, where man could ascend to the plain,
+without having recourse to engineering and the labour of months, if not
+of years.
+
+Bob had brought along one of the two swivels of the ship, as an armament
+for the Neshamony, and he fired it under the cliffs, as a signal of her
+return. This brought down all the men, who, with their united strength,
+dragged the carronades up the Stairs, and placed them in position. With
+a view to scale the guns, the governor now had each loaded, with a round
+shot and a case of canister. The gun just above the pass, he pointed
+himself, at the entrance of the cove, and touched it off. The whole of
+the missiles went into the passage, making the water fairly foam again.
+The other gun was depressed so as to sweep the Stairs and, on
+examination, it was found that its shot had raked the path most
+effectually for a distance exceeding a hundred yards. Small magazines
+were made in the rocks, near each guy, when the most important part of
+the arangements for defence were considered to be satisfactorily made
+for the present. The remainder of the cargo was discharged, and got up
+the mountain, though it took three days to effect the last. The
+provisions were opened below and overhauled, quite one-half of the pork
+being consigned to the soap-fat, though the beef proved to be still
+sound and sweet. Such as was thought fit to be consumed was carried up
+in baskets, and re-packed on the mountain, the labour of rolling up the
+barrels satisfying everybody, after one experiment. This difficulty set
+Mark to work with his wits, and he found a shelf that overhung the
+landing, at a height of fully a hundred yards above it, where there was
+a natural platform of rock, that would suffice for the parade of a
+regiment of men. Here he determined to rig a derrick, for there was an
+easy ascent and descent to this 'platform,' as the place was called, and
+down which a cart might go without any difficulty, if a cart was to be
+had. The 'platform' might also be used for musketeers, in an action, and
+on examining it, Mark determined to bring over one of the two long
+sixes, and mount it there, with a view to command the offing. From that
+height a shot could be thrown in any direction, for more than a mile,
+outside of the harbour.
+
+Heaton had seen no signs of the canoes, nor could Mark, at any time
+during the next four clays after his return, though he was each day on
+the Peak itself, to examine the ocean. On the fifth day, therefore, he
+and Bob crossed over to the Reef again, taking Bridget along this time.
+The latter delighted in the ship, the cabins of which were so much more
+agreeable and comfortable than the tents, and which had so long been her
+husband's solitary abode.
+
+On reaching the Reef, the governor was greatly surprised to find that
+Bigelow had the frame of a boat even larger than the pinnace set up, one
+that measured fourteen tons, though modelled to carry, rather than to
+sail. In overhauling the 'stuff' in the ship, he had found not only all
+the materials for this craft, but those necessary for a boat a little
+larger than the Bridget, which, it seems, had been sent for the
+ordinary service of the ship, should anything occur to occasion the loss
+of the two she commonly used, in addition to the dingui. These were
+treasures, indeed, vessels of this size being of the utmost use to the
+colonists. For the next month, several hands were kept at work on these
+two boats, when both were got into the water, rigged, and turned over
+for duty. The largest boat of the little fleet, which had no deck at
+all, not even forward, and which was not only lighter-built but
+lighter-rigged, having one large sprit-sail that brailed, was called the
+Mary, in honour of Heaton's mother; while the jolly-boat carried joy to
+the hearts of the house of Socrates, by being named the Dido. As she was
+painted black as a crow, this appellation was not altogether
+inappropriate, Soc declaring, "dat 'e boat did a good deal favour his
+ole woman."
+
+While these things were in progress, the Neshamony was not idle. She
+made six voyages between the Reef and the Peak in that month, carrying
+to the last, fish, fresh pork, various necessaries from the ship, as
+well as eggs and salt. Some of the fowls were caught and transferred to
+the Peak, as well as half-a-dozen of the porkers. The return cargo
+consisted of reed-birds, in large quantities, several other varieties of
+birds, bread-fruits, bananas, yams, cocoa-nuts, and a fruit that Heaton
+discovered, which was of a most delicious flavour, resembling
+strawberries and cream, and which was afterwards ascertained to be the
+charra-moya, the fruit that, of all others, when good, is thought to
+surpass everything else of that nature. Bridget also picked a basket of
+famously large wild strawberries on the Summit, and sent them to Anne.
+In return. Anne sent her sister, not only cream and milk, by each
+passage, but a little fresh butter. The calves had been weaned, and the
+two cows were now giving their largest quantity of milk, furnishing
+almost as much butter as was wanted.
+
+At the crater, Socrates put everything in order. He mowed the grass, and
+made a neat stack of it, in the centre of the meadow. He cleaned the
+garden thoroughly, and made some arrangements for enlarging it, though
+the yield, now, was quite as great as all the colonists could consume;
+for, no sooner was one vegetable dug, or cut, than another was put in
+its place. On the Peak, Peters, who was half a farmer, dug over an acre
+or two of rich loam, and made a fence of brush, with a view of having a
+garden in Eden. Really, it almost seemed superfluous; though those who
+had been accustomed to salads, and beans, and beets, and onions, and
+cucumbers, and all the other common vegetables of a civilized kitchen,
+soon began to weary of the more luscious fruits of the tropics. With the
+wild figs, however, Heaton, who was a capital horticulturist, fancied he
+could do something. He picked out three or four thriving young trees of
+that class, which bore fruit a little better flavoured than most around
+them, and cut away all their neighbours, letting in the sun and air
+freely. He also trimmed their branches, and dug around the roots, which
+he refreshed with guano; the use of which had been imparted by Mark to
+his fellow-colonists, though Bigelow knew all about it from-having lived
+in Peru, and Bob had early let the governor himself into the secret.
+
+The governor and his lady, as the community now began to term Mr. and
+Mrs. Mark Woolston, were on the point of embarking in the Neshamony, to
+visit Vulcan's Peak, after a residence on the Reef of more than a month,
+when the orders for sailing were countermanded, in consequence of
+certain signs in the atmosphere, which indicated something like another
+hurricane. The tempest came, and in good earnest, but without any of the
+disastrous consequences which had attended that of the previous year. It
+blew fearfully, and the water was driven into all the sounds, creeks,
+channels and bays of the group, bringing many of the islands, isthmuses,
+peninsulas, and plains of rock, what the seamen call 'awash,' though no
+material portion was actually overflowed. At the Reef itself, the water
+rose a fathom, but it did not reach the surface of the island by several
+feet, and all passed off without any other consequences than giving the
+new colonists a taste of the climate.
+
+Mark, on this occasion, for the first time, noted a change that was
+gradually taking place on the surface of the Reef, without the crater.
+Most of its cavities were collecting deposits, that were derived from
+various sources. Sea-weed, offals, refuse stuff of all kinds, the
+remains of the deluge of fish that occurred the past year, and all the
+indescribable atoms that ever contribute to form soil in the
+neighbourhood of man. There were many spots on the Reef, of acres in
+extent, that formed shallow basins, in which the surface might be two or
+three inches lower than the surrounding rocks, and, in these spots in
+particular, the accumulations of an incipient earthy matter were plainly
+visible. As these cavities collected and retained the moisture, usually
+from rain to rain, Mark had some of Friend Abraham White's grass-seed
+sown over them, in order to aid nature in working out her own benevolent
+designs. In less than a month, patches of green began to appear on the
+dusky rocks, and there was good reason to hope that a few years would
+convert the whole Reef into a smiling, verdant plain. It was true, the
+soil could not soon obtain any useful depth, except in limited spots;
+but, in that climate, where warmth and moisture united to push
+vegetation to the utmost, it was an easy thing to obtain a bottom for
+grasses of almost all kinds.
+
+Nor did Mark's provident care limit itself to this one instance of
+forethought. Socrates was sent in the dinghy to the prairie, over which
+the hogs had now been rooting for fully two months, mixing together mud
+and sea-weed, somewhat loosely it is true, but very extensively; and
+there he scattered Timothy-seed in tolerable profusion. Socrates was a
+long-headed, as well as a long-footed fellow, and he brought back from
+this expedition a report that was of material importance to the future
+husbandry of the colonists. According to his statement, this large
+deposit of mud and sea-weed lay on a peninsula, that might be barricaded
+against the inroads of hogs, cattle, &c., by a fence of some two or
+three rods in length. This was a very favourable circumstance, where
+wood was to be imported for many years to come, if not for ever; though
+the black had brought the seeds of certain timbers, from the Peak, and
+put them into the ground in a hundred places on the Reef, where the
+depth of deposit, and other circumstances, seemed favourable to their
+growth. As for the Prairie, could it be made to grow grasses, it would
+be a treasure to the colony, inasmuch as its extent reached fully to a
+thousand acres. The examination of Socrates was flattering in other
+respects. The mud was already dry, and the deposit of salt did riot seem
+to be very great; little water having been left there after the
+eruption, or lifting of the earth's crust. The rains had done much, and
+certain coarse, natural grasses, were beginning to show themselves in
+various parts of the field. As the hogs would not be likely to root over
+the same spot twice, it was not proposed to exclude them, but they were
+permitted to range over the field at pleasure, in the hope that they
+would add to its fertility by mixing the materials for soil. In such a
+climate, every change of a vegetable character was extremely rapid, and
+now that no one thought of abandoning the settlement, it was very
+desirable to obtain the different benefits of civilization as soon as
+possible.
+
+All the blacks remained at the Reef, where Mark himself passed a good
+deal of his time. In their next visit to the Peak, they found things
+flourishing, and the garden looking particularly well. The Vulcanists
+had their melons in any quantity, as well as most vegetables without
+limits. It was determined to divide the cows, leaving one on the Peak,
+and sending the other to the crater, where there was now sufficient
+grass to keep two or three such animals. With a view to this
+arrangement, Bob had been directed to fence in the garden and stack, by
+means of ropes and stanchions let into the ground. When the Anne
+returned to the Reef, therefore, from her first voyage to the Peak, a
+cow was sent over in her. This change was made solely for the
+convenience of the milk, all the rest of the large stock being retained
+on the plain, where there was sufficient grass to sustain thousands of
+hoofs.
+
+But the return cargo of the Anne, on this her first voyage, was composed
+mainly of ship-timber. Heaton had found a variety of the teak in the
+forests that skirted the plain, and Bigelow had got out of the trees the
+frame of a schooner that was intended to measure about eighty tons. A
+craft of that size would be of the greatest service to them, as it would
+enable the colonists to visit any part of the Pacific they pleased, and
+obtain such supplies as they might find necessary. Nor was this all; by
+mounting on her two of the carronades, she would effectually give them
+the command of their own seas, so far as the natives were concerned at
+least. Mark had some books on the draughting of vessels, and Bigelow had
+once before laid down a brig of more than a hundred tons in dimensions.
+Then the stores, rigging, copper, &c., of the ship, could never be
+turned to better account than in the construction of another vessel, and
+it was believed she could furnish materials enough for two or three such
+craft. Out of compliment to his old owner, Mark named this schooner in
+embryo, the 'Friend Abraham White,' though she was commonly known
+afterwards as the 'Abraham.'
+
+The cutting of the frame of the intended schooner was a thing easy
+enough, with expert American axemen, and with that glorious implement of
+civilization, the American axe. But it was not quite so easy to get the
+timber down to the cove. The keel, in particular, gave a good deal of
+trouble. Heaton had brought along with him both cart and wagon wheels,
+and without that it is questionable if the stick could have been moved
+by any force then at the command of the colony. By suspending it in
+chains beneath the axles, however, it was found possible to draw it,
+though several of the women had to lend their aid in moving the mass.
+When at the head of the Stairs, the timber was lowered on the rock, and
+was slid downwards, with occasional lifts by the crowbar and handspike.
+When it reached the water it was found to be much too heavy to float,
+and it was by no means an easy matter to buoy it up in such a way that
+it might be towed. The Anne was three times as long making her passage
+with this keel in tow, as she was without it. It was done, however, and
+the laying of the keel was effected with some little ceremony, in the
+presence of nearly every soul belonging to the colony.
+
+The getting out and raising of the frame of the 'Friend Abraham White'
+took six weeks. Great importance was attached to success in this matter,
+and everybody assisted in the work with right good will. At one time it
+was doubted if stuff enough could be found in the ship to plank her up
+with, and it was thought it might become necessary to break up the
+Rancocus, in order to complete the job. To Bridgets great joy, however,
+the good _old_ Rancocus--so they called her, though she was even then
+only eight years old--the good old Rancocus' time had not yet come, and
+she was able to live in her cabin for some months longer. Enough planks
+were found by using those of the 'twixt decks, a part of which were not
+bolted down at all to accomplish all that was wanted.
+
+Heaton was a man of singular tastes, which led him to as remarkable
+acquirements. Among other accomplishments, he was a very good general
+mechanician, having an idea of the manner in which most of the ordinary
+machinery ought to be, not only used, but fabricated. At the point where
+the rivulet descended the cliff into the sea, he discovered as noble a
+mill-seat as the heart of man could desire to possess. To have such a
+mill-seat at command, and not to use it, would, of itself, have made him
+unhappy, and he could not be easy until he and Peters, who had also a
+great taste and some skill in that sort of thing, were hard at work
+building a saw-mill. The saw had been brought from America, as a thing
+very likely to be wanted, and three months after these, two ingenious
+men had commenced their work, the saw was going, cutting teak, as well
+as a species of excellent yellow pine that was found in considerable
+quantities, and of very respectable size, along the cliffs in the
+immediate vicinity of the mill. The great difficulty to be overcome in
+that undertaking, was the transportation of the timber. By cutting the
+trees most favourably situated first, logs were got into the pond
+without much labour; but after they were in planks, or boards, or
+joists, they were quite seven miles horn the head of the Stairs, in the
+vicinity of which it was, on several accounts, the most desirable to
+dwell. Had the Abraham been kept on the stocks, until the necessary
+timber was brought from the mill, across the plain of Eden, she would
+have been well seasoned before launching; but, fortunately, that was not
+necessary--materials sufficient for her were got on board the ship, as
+mentioned, with some small additions of inch boards that were cut to
+finish her joiners' work.
+
+Months passed, as a matter of course, while the schooner and the mill
+were in the course of construction. The work on the first was frequently
+intermitted, by little voyages in the other craft, and by labour
+necessary to be done in preparing dwellings on the Peak, to meet the
+rainy season, which was now again near at hand. Past experience had told
+Mark that the winter months in his islands, if winter a season could be
+termed, during which most of the trees, all the grasses, and many of the
+fruits continued to grow and ripen as in summer, were not very
+formidable. It is true it then rained nearly every day, but it was very
+far from raining all day. Most of the rain, in fact, fell at night,
+commencing a little after the turn in the day, and terminating about
+midnight. Still it must be very unpleasant to pass such a season beneath
+canvass, and, about six weeks ere the wet time commenced, everybody
+turned to, with a will, to erect, proper framed houses. Now that the
+mill was sawing, this was no great task, the pine working beautifully
+and easily into almost every article required.
+
+Heaton laid out his house with some attention to taste, and more to
+comfort. It was of one story, but fully a hundred feet in length, and of
+half that in depth. Being a common American dwelling that was
+clap-boarded, it was soon put up and enclosed, the climate requiring
+very little attention to warmth. There were windows, and even glass, a
+small quantity of that article having been brought along by the
+colonists. The floors were beautiful, and extremely well laid down; nor
+were the doors, window-shutters, &c., neglected. The whole, moreover,
+was painted, the stores of the ship still furnishing the necessary
+materials. But there was neither chimney nor plastering, for Heaton had
+neither bricks nor lime. Bricks he insisted he could and would make, and
+did, though in no great number; but lime, for some time, baffled his
+ingenuity. At last, Socrates suggested the burning of oyster-shells, and
+by dint of fishing a good deal, among the channels of the reef, a noble
+oyster-bed was found, and the boats brought in enough of the shells to
+furnish as much lime as would put up a chimney for the kitchen; one
+apartment for that sort of work being made, as yet, to suffice for the
+wants of all who dwelt in Eden.
+
+These various occupations and interests consumed many months, and
+carried the new-comers through the first wet season which they
+encountered as a colony. As everybody was busy, plenty reigned, and the
+climate being so very delicious as to produce a sense of enjoyment in
+the very fact of existence, everybody but Peters was happy. He, poor
+fellow, mourned much for his Peggy, as he called the pretty young
+heathen wife he had left behind him in Waally's country.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XVI.
+
+
+
+    "Forthwith a guard at every gun
+    Was placed along the wall;
+    The beacon blazed upon the roof
+    Of Edgecombe's lofty hall;
+    And many a fishing bark put out,
+    To pry along the coast;
+    And with loose rein, and bloody spur
+    Rode inland many a post."
+
+    _The Spanish Armada._ Macauley.
+
+
+The building of the houses, and of the schooner, was occupation for
+everybody, for a long time. The first were completed in season to escape
+the rains; but the last was on the stocks fully six months after her
+keel had been laid. The fine weather had returned, even, and she was not
+yet launched. So long a period had intervened since Waally's visit to
+Rancocus Island without bringing any results, that the council began to
+hope the Indians had given up their enterprises, from the consciousness
+of not having the means to carry them out; and almost every one ceased
+to apprehend danger from that quarter. In a word, so smoothly did the
+current of life flow, on the Reef and at Vulcan's Peak, that there was
+probably more danger of their inhabitants falling into the common and
+fatal error of men in prosperity, than of anything else; or, of their
+beginning to fancy that they deserved all the blessings that were
+conferred on them, and forgetting the hand that bestowed them. As if to
+recall them to a better sense of things, events now occurred which it is
+our business to relate, and which aroused the whole colony from the
+sort of pleasing trance into which they had fallen, by the united
+influence of security, abundance, and a most seductive climate.
+
+As time rolled on, in the first place, the number of the colony had
+begun to augment by natural means. Friend Martha had presented Friend
+Robert with a little Robert; and Bridget made Mark the happy parent of a
+very charming girl. This last event occurred about the commencement of
+the summer, and just a twelvemonth after the happy reunion of the young
+couple. According to Mark's prophecy, Jones had succeeded with Joan, and
+they were married even before the expiration of the six months
+mentioned. On the subject of a marriage ceremony there was no
+difficulty, Robert and Martha holding a Friends' meeting especially to
+quiet the scruples of the bride, though she was assured the form could
+do no good, since the bridegroom did not belong to meeting. The governor
+read the church service on the occasion, too, which did no harm, if it
+did no good. About this time, poor Peters, envying the happiness of all
+around him, and still pining for his Petrina, or Peggy, as he called her
+himself, begged of the governor the use of the Dido, in order that he
+might make a voyage to Wally's group in quest of his lost companion.
+Mark knew how to feel for one in the poor fellow's situation, and he
+could not think of letting him go alone on an expedition of so much
+peril. After deliberating on the matter, he determined to visit Rancocus
+Island himself--not having been in that direction, now, for months--and
+to go in the Neshamony, in order to take a couple of hogs over; it
+having long been decided to commence breeding that valuable animal, in
+the wild state, on the hills of that uninhabited land.
+
+The intelligence that a voyage was to be made to Rancocus Island seemed
+to infuse new life into the men of the colony, every one of whom wished
+to be of the party. The governor had no objection to indulging as many
+as it might be prudent to permit to go; but he saw the necessity of
+putting some restraint on the movement. After canvassing the matter in
+the council, it was determined that, in addition to Mark and Peters, who
+went of course, the party should consist of Bob, Bigelow, and Socrates.
+The carpenter was taken to look for trees that might serve to make the
+ways of the schooner, which was yet to be launched; and the latter was
+thought necessary in his capacity of a cook. As for Betts, he went along
+as the governor's counsellor and companion.
+
+Bridget's little girl was born in the cabin of the ship; and the week
+preceding that set for the voyage, she and the child were taken across
+to the Peak, that the former might spend the period of her husband's
+absence with Anne, in the Garden of Eden. These absences and occasional
+visits gave a zest to lives that might otherwise have become too
+monotonous, and were rather encouraged than avoided. It was, perhaps, a
+little strange that Bridget rather preferred the Reef than the Peak for
+a permanent residence; but there was her much-beloved ship, and there
+she ever had her still more beloved husband for a companion.
+
+On the appointed day, the Neshamony set sail, having on board a family
+of three of the swine. The plan for the excursion included a trip to the
+volcano, which had not yet been actually visited by any of the
+colonists. Mark had been within a league of it, and Bob had passed quite
+near to it in his voyage to the Peak; but no one had ever positively
+landed, or made any of those close examinations of the place, which,
+besides being of interest in a general way, was doubly so to those who
+were such near neighbours to a place of the kind. This visit Mark now
+decided to make on his way to leeward, taking the volcano in his course
+to Rancocus Island. The _détour_ would lead the Neshamony some fifteen
+or eighteen leagues on one side; but there was abundance of time, and
+the volcano ought to be no longer neglected.
+
+The wind did not blow as fresh as in common, and the Neshamony did not
+draw near to the volcano until late in the afternoon of the day she
+sailed. The party approached this place with due caution, and not
+without a good deal of awe. As the lead was used, it was found that the
+water shoaled gradually for several leagues, becoming less and less,
+deep as the boat drew near to the cone, which was itself a circular and
+very regular mountain, of some six or eight hundred feet in height,
+with a foundation of dry rock and lava, that might have contained a
+thousand acres. Everything seemed solid and permanent; and our mariners
+were of opinion there was very little danger of this formation ever
+disappearing below the surface of the sea again.
+
+The volcano being in activity, some care was necessary in landing. Mark
+took the Neshamony to windward, and found a curvature in the rocks where
+it was possible to get ashore without having the boat knocked to pieces.
+He and Bob then went as near the cone as the falling stones would allow,
+and took as good a survey of the place as could be done under the
+circumstances. That there would be soil, and plenty of it, sooner or
+later, was plain enough; and that the island might become a scene of
+fertility and loveliness, in the course of ages, like so many others of
+volcanic origin in that quarter of the world, was probable. But that day
+was distant; and Mark was soon satisfied that the great use of the spot
+was its being a vent to what would otherwise be the pent and dangerous
+forces that were in the course of a constant accumulation beneath.
+
+The party had been about an hour on the island, and was about to quit
+it, when a most startling discovery was made. Bob saw a canoe drawn
+close in among the rocks to leeward, and, on a further examination, a
+man was seen near it. At first, this was taken as an indication of
+hostilities, but, on getting a second look, our mariners were satisfied
+that nothing of that sort was to be seriously apprehended. It was
+determined to go nearer to the stranger, at once, and learn the whole
+truth.
+
+A cry from Peters, followed by his immediately springing forward to meet
+a second person, who had left the canoe, and who was bounding like a
+young antelope to meet him, rendered everything clear sooner even than
+had been anticipated. All supposed that this eager visitor was a woman,
+and no one doubted that it was Peggy, the poor fellow's Indian wife.
+Peggy it proved to be; and after the weeping, and laughing, and
+caressing of the meeting were a little abated, the following explanation
+was made by Peters, who spoke the language of his wife with a good deal
+of facility, and who acted as interpreter.
+
+According to the accounts now given by Peggy, the warfare between
+Ooroony and Waally had been kept up with renewed vigour, subsequently to
+the escape of Jones and her own husband. Fortune had proved fickle, as
+so often happens, and Waally got to be in the ascendant. His enemy was
+reduced to great straits, and had been compelled to confine himself to
+one of the smallest islands of the group, where he was barely able to
+maintain his party, by means of the most vigilant watchfulness. This
+left Waally at liberty to pursue his intention of following the party of
+whites, which was known to have gone to the southward, with so much
+valuable property, as well as to extend his conquests, by taking
+possession of the mountain visited by him the year previously. A grand
+expedition was accordingly planned, and a hundred canoes had actually
+sailed from the group, with more than a thousand warriors on board, bent
+on achieving a great exploit. In this expedition, Unus, the brother of
+Peggy, had been compelled to join, being a warrior of some note, and the
+sister had come along, in common with some fifty other women; the rank
+of Unus and Peggy not being sufficient to attract attention to their
+proceedings. Waally had postponed this, which he intended for the great
+enterprise of a very turbulent life, to the most favourable season of
+the year. There was a period of a few weeks every summer, when the
+trades blew much less violently than was usually the case, and when,
+indeed, it was no unusual thing to have shifts of wind, as well as light
+breezes. All this the Indians perfectly well understood, for they were
+bold navigators, when the sizes and qualities of their vessels were
+considered. As it appeared, the voyage from the group to Rancocus
+Island, a distance of fully a hundred leagues, was effected without any
+accident, and the while of that formidable force was safely landed at
+the very spot where Betts had encamped on his arrival out with the
+colonists. Nearly a month had been passed in exploring the mountain, the
+first considerable eminence most of the Indians had ever beheld; and in
+making their preparations for further proceedings. During that time,
+hundreds had seen Vulcan's Peak, as well as the smoke of the volcano,
+though the reef, with all its islands, lay too low to be discerned from
+such a distance. The Peak was now the great object to be attained, for
+there it was universally believed that Betto (meaning Betts) and his
+companions had concealed themselves and their much-coveted treasures.
+Rancocus Island was well enough, and Waally made all his plans for
+colonizing it at once, but the other, and distant mountain, no doubt was
+the most desirable territory to possess, or white men would not have
+brought their women so far in order to occupy it.
+
+As a matter of course, Unus and Peggy learned the nature of the intended
+proceedings. The last might have been content to wait for the slower
+movements of the expedition, had she not ascertained that threats of
+severely punishing the two deserters, one of whom was her own husband,
+had been heard to fall from the lips of the dread Waally himself. No
+sooner, therefore, did this faithful Indian girl become mistress of the
+intended plan, than she gave her brother no peace until he consented to
+put off into the ocean with her, in a canoe she had brought from home,
+and which was her own property. Had not Unus been disaffected to his new
+chief, this might not so easily have been done, but the young Indian was
+deadly hostile to Waally, and was a secret friend of Ooroony: a state of
+feeling which disposed him to desert the former, at the first good
+opportunity.
+
+The two adventurers put off from Rancocus Island just at dark, and
+paddled in the direction that they believed would carry them to the
+Peak. It will be remembered that the last could not be seen from the
+ocean, until about half the passage between the islands was made, though
+it was plainly apparent from the heights of Rancocus, as already
+mentioned. Next morning, when day returned, the smoke of the volcano was
+in sight, but no Peak. There is little question that the canoe had been
+set too much to the southward, and was diagonally receding from its
+desired point of debarkation, instead of approaching it. Towards the
+smoke, Unus and his sister continued to paddle, and, after thirty-six
+hours of nearly unremitted labour, they succeeded in landing at the
+volcano, ignorant of its nature, awe-struck and trembling, but compelled
+to seek a refuge there, as the land-bird rests its tired wing on the
+ship's spars, when driven from the coast by the unexpected gale. When
+discovered, Peggy and her brother were about to take a fresh start from
+their resting-place, the Peak being visible from the volcano.
+
+Mark questioned these two friends concerning the contemplated movement
+of Waally, with great minuteness, Unus was intelligent for a savage, and
+appeared to understand himself perfectly. He was of opinion that his
+countrymen would endeavour to cross, the first calm day, or the first
+day when the breeze should be light; and that was just the time when our
+colonists did not desire to meet the savages out at sea. He described
+the party as formidable by numbers and resolution, though possessing few
+arms besides those of savages. There were half a dozen old muskets in
+the canoes, with a small supply of ammunition; but, since the desertion
+of Jones and Peters, no one remained who knew how to turn these weapons
+to much account. Nevertheless, the natives were so numerous, possessed
+so many weapons that were formidable in their own modes of fighting, and
+were so bent on success, that Unus did not hesitate to give it as his
+opinion, the colonists would act wisely in standing off for some other
+island, if they knew where another lay, even at the cost of abandoning
+most of their effects.
+
+But, our governor had no idea of following any such advice. He was fully
+aware of the strength of his position on the Peak, and felt no
+disposition to abandon it. His great apprehension was for the Reef,
+where his territories were much more assailable. It was not easy to see
+how the crater, and ship, and the schooner on the stocks, and all the
+other property that, in the shape of hogs, poultry, &c., was scattered
+far and wide in that group, could be protected against a hundred canoes,
+by any force at his command. Even with the addition of Unus, who took
+service at once, with all his heart, among his new friends, Mark could
+muster but eight men; viz., himself, Heaton, Betts, Bigelow, Socrates,
+Peters, Jones and Unus. To these might possibly be added two or three of
+the women, who might be serviceable in carrying ammunition, and as
+sentinels, while the remainder would be required to look after the
+children, to care for the stock, &c. All these facts passed through
+Mark's mind, as Peters translated the communication of Unus, sentence by
+sentence.
+
+It was indispensable to come to some speedy decision. Peters was now
+happy and contented with his nice little Peggy, and there was no longer
+any necessity for pursuing the voyage on his account. As for the project
+of placing the hogs on Rancocus, this was certainly not the time to do
+it, even if it were now to be done at all; we say 'now,' since the
+visits of the savages would make any species of property on that island,
+from this time henceforth, very insecure. It was therefore determined to
+abandon the voyage, and to shape their course back to the Peak, with as
+little delay as possible. As there were indications of shell-fish,
+sea-weed, &c., being thrown ashore at the Volcano, two of the hogs were
+put ashore there to seek their fortunes. According to the new plan, the
+Neshamony made sail on her return passage, about an hour before the sun
+set. As was usual in that strait, the trades blew pretty fresh, and the
+boat, although it had the canoe of Unus in tow, came under the frowning
+cliffs some time before the day reappeared. By the time the sun rose,
+the Neshamony was off the cove, into which she hastened with the least
+possible delay. It was the governor's apprehension that his sails might
+be seen from the canoes of Waally, long before the canoes could be seen
+from his boat, and he was glad to get within the cover of his little
+haven. Once there, the different crafts were quite concealed from the
+view of persons outside, and it now remained to be proved whether their
+cover was not so complete as effectually to baffle a hostile attempt to
+find it.
+
+The quick and unexpected return of the Neshamony produced a great deal
+of surprise on the Plain. She had not been seen to enter the cove, and
+the first intimation any one in the settlement had of such an
+occurrence, was the appearance of Mark before the door of the dwelling.
+Bigelow was immediately sent to the Peak with a glass, to look out for
+canoes, while Heaton was called in from the woods by means of a conch.
+In twenty minutes the council was regularly in session, while the men
+began to collect and to look to their arms. Peters and Jones were
+ordered to go down to the magazine, procure cartridges, and then proceed
+to the batteries and load the carronades. In a word, orders were given
+to make all the arrangements necessary for the occasion.
+
+It was not long ere a report came down from Bigelow. It was brought by
+his Spanish wife, who had accompanied her husband to the Peak, and who
+came running in, half breathless, to say that the ocean was covered with
+canoes and catamarans; a fleet of which was paddling directly for the
+island, being already within three leagues of it. Although this
+intelligence was expected, it certainly caused long faces and a deep
+gloom to pervade that little community. Mark's fears were always for the
+Reef, where there happened to be no one just at that moment but the
+black women, who-were altogether insufficient to defend it, under the
+most favourable circumstances, but who were now without a head. There
+was the hope, however, of the Indians not seeing those low islands,
+which they certainly could not do as long as they remained in their
+canoes. On the other hand, there was the danger that some one might
+cross from the Reef in one of the boats, a thing that was done as often
+as once a week, in which case a chase might ensue, and the canoes be led
+directly towards the spot that it was so desirable to conceal. Juno
+could sail a boat as well as any man among them, and, as is usually the
+case, that which she knew she could do so well, she was fond of doing;
+and she had not now been across for nearly a week. The cow kept at the
+crater gave a large mess of milk, and the butter produced by her means
+was delicious when eaten fresh, but did not keep quite as well in so
+warm a climate as it might have done in one that was colder, and Dido
+was ever anxious to send it to Miss Bridget, as she still called her
+mistress, by every available opportunity. The boat used by the negresses
+on such occasions, was the Dido, a perfectly safe craft in moderate
+weather, but she was just the dullest sailer of all those owned by the
+colony. This created the additional danger of a capture, in the event of
+a chase. Taking all things into consideration therefore, Mark adjourned
+the council to the Peak, a feverish desire to look out upon the sea
+causing him to be too uneasy where he was, to remain there in
+consultation with any comfort to himself. To the Peak, then, everybody
+repaired, with the exception of Bigelow, Peters, and Jones, who were now
+regularly stationed at the carronades to watch the entrance of the
+cove. In saying everybody, we include not only all the women, but even
+their children.
+
+So long as the colonists remained on the plain, there was not the
+smallest danger of anyone of them being seen from the surrounding ocean.
+This the woods, and their great elevation, prevented. Nor was there much
+danger of the party in the batteries being seen, though so much lower,
+and necessarily on the side of the cliff, since a strict order had been
+given to keep out of sight, among the trees, where they could see
+everything that was going on, without being seen themselves. But on the
+naked Peak it was different. High as it was, a man might be seen from
+the ocean, if moving about, and the observer was tolerably near by. Bob
+had seen Mark, when his attention was drawn to the spot by the report of
+the latter's fowling-piece; and the governor had often seen Bridget, on
+the look-out for him, as he left the island, though her fluttering dress
+probably made her a more conspicuous object than most persons would have
+been. From all this, then, the importance of directing the movements of
+the party that followed him became apparent to Mark, who took his
+measures accordingly.
+
+By the time the governor reached the Peak, having ascended it on its
+eastern side, so as to keep his person concealed, the hostile fleet was
+plainly to be seen with the naked eye. It came on in a tolerably
+accurate line, or lines, abreast; being three deep, one distant from the
+other about a cable's length. It steered directly for the centre of the
+island, whereas the cove was much nearer to its northern than to its
+southern end; and the course showed that the canoes were coming on at
+random, having nothing in view but the island.
+
+But Mark's eyes were turned with the greatest interest to the northward,
+or in the direction of the Reef. As they came up the ascent, Bridget had
+communicated to him the fact that she expected Juno over that day, and
+that it was understood she would come quite alone. Bridget was much
+opposed to the girl's taking this risk; but Juno had now done it so
+often successfully, that nothing short of a positive command to the
+contrary would be likely to stop her. This command, most unfortunately,
+as Mark now felt, had not been given; and great was his concern when
+Betts declared that he saw awhile speck to the northward, which looked
+like a sail. The glass was soon levelled in that direction, and no doubt
+any longer remained on the subject. It was the Dido, steering across
+from the Reef, distant then about ten miles; and she might be expected
+to arrive in about two hours! In other words, judging by the progress of
+the canoes, there might be a difference of merely half an hour or so
+between the time of the arrival of the boat and that of the canoes.
+
+This was a very serious matter; and never before had the council a
+question before it which gave its members so much concern, or which so
+urgently called for action, as this of the course that was now to be
+taken to avert a danger so imminent. Not only was Juno's safety
+involved; but the discovery of the cove and the reef, one or both, was
+very likely to be involved in the issue, and the existence of the whole
+colony placed in extreme jeopardy. As the canoes were still more than a
+league from the island, Bob thought there was time to go out with the
+Bridget, and meet the Dido, when both boats could ply to windward until
+it was dark; after which, they might go into the reef, or come into the
+cove, as circumstances permitted. The governor was about to acquiesce in
+this suggestion, little as he liked it, when a new proposition was made,
+that at first seemed so strange that no one believed it could be put in
+execution, but to which all assented in the end.
+
+Among the party on the Peak were Unus and Peggy. The latter understood a
+good deal of English, and that which she did not comprehend, in the
+course of the discussions on this interesting occasion, Bob, who had
+picked up something of the language of her group, explained to her, as
+well as he could. After a time, the girl ran down to the battery and
+brought up her husband, through whom the proposal was made that, at
+first, excited so much wonder. Peggy had told Unus what was going on,
+and had pointed out to him the boat of Juno, now sensibly drawing nearer
+to the island, and Unus volunteered to _swim_ out and meet the girl, so
+as to give her timely warning, as well as instructions how to proceed!
+
+Although Mark, and Heaton, and Bridget, and all present indeed, were
+fully aware that the natives of the South Seas could, and often did pass
+hours in the water, this proposal struck them all, at first, as so wild,
+that no one believed it could be accepted. Reflection, however did its
+usual office, and wrought a change in these opinions. Peters assured the
+governor that he had often known Unus to swim from island to island in
+the group, and that on the score of danger to him, there was not the
+least necessity of feeling any uneasiness. He did not question the
+Indian's power to swim the entire distance to the Reef, should it be
+necessary.
+
+Another difficulty arose, however, when the first was overcome. Unus
+could speak no English, and how was he to communicate with Juno, even
+after he had entered her boat? The girl, moreover, was both resolute and
+strong, as her present expedition sufficiently proved, and would be very
+apt to knock a nearly naked savage on the head, when she saw him
+attempting to enter her boat. From this last opinion, however, Bridget
+dissented. Juno was kind-hearted, and would be more disposed, she
+thought, to pick up a man found in the water at sea, than to injure him.
+But Juno could read writing. Bridget herself had taught her slaves to
+read and write, and Juno in particular was a sort of 'expert,' in her
+way. She wrote and read half the nigger-letters of Bristol, previously
+to quitting America. She would now write a short note, which would put
+the girl on her guard, and give her confidence in Unus. Juno knew the
+whole history of Peters and Peggy, having taken great interest in the
+fate of the latter. To own the truth, the girl had manifested a very
+creditable degree of principle on the subject, for Jones had tried to
+persuade his friend to take Juno, a nice, tidy, light-coloured black, to
+wife, and to forget Peggy, when Juno repelled the attempt with spirit
+and principle. It is due to Peters, moreover, to add that he was always
+true to his island bride. But the occurrence had made Juno acquainted
+with the whole history of Peggy; and Bridget, in the few lines she now
+wrote to the girl, took care to tell her that the Indian was the brother
+of Peggy. In that capacity, he would be almost certain of a friendly
+reception. The rest of the note was merely an outline of their
+situation, with, an injunction to let Unis direct the movements.
+
+No sooner was this important note written, than Unus hastened down to
+the cove. He was accompanied by Mark, Peters and Peggy; the former to
+give his instructions, and the two latter to act as interpreters. Nor
+was the sister without feeling for the brother on the occasion. She
+certainly did not regard his enterprise as it would have been looked
+upon by a civilized woman, but she manifested a proper degree of
+interest in its success. Her parting words to her brother, were advice
+to keep well to windward, in order that, as he got near the boat, he
+might float down upon it with the greater facility, aided by the waves.
+
+The young Indian was soon ready. The note was secured in his hair, and
+moving gently in the water, he swam out of the cove with the ease, if
+not with the rapidity of a fish. Peggy clapped her hands and laughed,
+and otherwise manifested a sort of childish delight, as if pleased that
+one of her race should so early make himself useful to the countrymen of
+her husband. She and Peters repaired to the battery, which was the
+proper station of the man, while Mark went nimbly up the Stairs, on his
+way to the Peak. And here we might put in a passing word on the subject
+of these ascents and descents. The governor had now been accustomed to
+them more than a twelvemonth, and he found that the effect they produced
+on the muscles of his lower limbs was absolutely surprising. He could
+now ascend the Stairs in half the time he had taken on his first trials,
+and he could carry burthens up and down them, that at first he would not
+have dreamed of attempting even to take on his shoulders. The same was
+true with all the colonists, male and female, who began to run about the
+cliffs like so many goats--_chamois_ would be more poetical--and who
+made as light of the Stairs as the governor himself.
+
+When Mark reached the Peak again, he found matters drawing near to a
+crisis. The canoes were within a league of the island, coming on
+steadily in line, and paddling with measured sweeps of their paddles. As
+yet, the sail of Juno's boat had escaped them. This was doubtless owing
+to their lowness in the water, and the distance that still separated
+them. The Dido was about five miles from the northern end of the island,
+while the fleet was some five more to the southward of it. This placed
+the two almost ten miles apart though each seemed so near, seen from the
+elevation of the Peak, that one might have fancied that he could throw a
+shot into either.
+
+Unus was the great point of interest for the moment. He was just coming
+out clear of the island, and might be seen with the naked eye, in that
+pure atmosphere, a dark speck floating on the undulating surface of the
+ocean. By the aid of the glass, there was no difficulty in watching his
+smallest movement. With a steady and sinewy stroke of his arms, the
+young savage pursued his way, keeping to windward, as instructed by his
+sister, and making a progress in the midst of those rolling billows that
+was really wonderful. The wind was not very fresh, nor were the seas
+high; but the restless ocean, even in its slumbers, exhibits the repose
+of a giant, whose gentlest heavings are formidable and to be looked to.
+In one particular, our colonists were favoured. Owing to some accidental
+circumstances of position, a current set round the northern end of the
+island, and diffused itself on its western side by expanding towards the
+south. This carried the canoes from the boat and the cove, and insomuch
+increased Juno's chance of escape.
+
+The meeting between Unus and the boat took place when the latter was
+within a league of the land. As the sailing directions were for every
+craft to fall in with the island rather to windward of the Peak, on
+account of the very current just mentioned, it was questionable with
+Mark and Betts whether any in the canoes could now perceive the boat, on
+account of the intervening heights. It was pretty certain no one, as
+yet, had made this important discovery, for the impetuosity of savages
+would instantly have let the fact be known through their shouts and
+their eagerness to-chase. On the contrary, all remained tranquil in the
+fleet, which continued to approach the land with a steady but regulated
+movement, that looked as if a secret awe pervaded the savages as they
+drew nearer and nearer to that unknown and mysterious world. To them the
+approaching revelations were doubtless of vast import; and the stoutest
+heart among them must have entertained some such sensations as were
+impressed on the spirits of Columbus and his companions, when they drew
+near to the shores of Guanahani.
+
+In the mean time, Juno came confidingly on, shaping her course rather
+more to windward than usual even, on account of the lightness of the
+breeze. This effectually prevented her seeing or being seen from the
+canoes; the parties diagonally drawing nearer, in utter ignorance of
+each other's existence. As for Unus, he manoeuvred quite skilfully.
+After getting a couple of miles off the land, he swam directly to
+windward; and it was well he did, the course of the boat barely
+permitting his getting well on her weather-bow, when it was time to
+think of boarding.
+
+Unus displayed great judgment in this critical part of the affair. So
+accurately did he measure distances, that he got alongside of the Dido,
+with his hand on her weather gunwale, without Juno's having the least
+idea that he was anywhere near her. At one effort he was in the boat;
+and while the girl was still uttering her scream of alarm, he stood
+holding out the note, pronouncing the word "Missus" as well as he could.
+The girl had acquired too much knowledge of the habits of the South Sea
+islanders, while passing through and sojourning in the different groups
+she had visited, to be overwhelmed with the occurrence. What is more,
+she recognised the young Indian at a glance; some passages of gallantry
+having actually taken place between them during the two months Heaton
+and his party remained among Ooroony's people. To be frank with the
+reader, the first impression of Juno was, that the note thus tendered to
+her was a love-letter, though its contents instantly undeceived her. The
+exclamation and changed manner of the girl told Unus that all was right;
+and he went quietly to work to take in the sail, as the most effectual
+method of concealing the presence of the boat from the thousand hostile
+and searching eyes in the canoes. The moment Mark saw the canvas come
+in, he cried out 'all is well,' and descended swiftly from the Peak, to
+hasten to a point where he could give the necessary attentions to the
+movements of Waally and his fleet.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XVII.
+
+
+
+    "Ho! strike the flag-staff deep, Sir Knight,--
+      Ho! scatter flowers, fair maids,--
+     Ho! gunners fire a loud salute--
+      Ho! gallants, draw your blades;--"
+
+    Macaulay.
+
+
+So much time had passed in the execution of the plan of Unus, that the
+canoes were close under the cliffs, when the governor and his party
+reached the wood that fringed their summits, directly over the northern
+end of their line. Even this extremity of their formation was a mile or
+two to leeward of the cove, and all the craft, catamarans included, were
+drifting still further south, under the influence of the current. So
+long as this state of things continued, there was nothing for the
+colonists to apprehend, since they knew landing at any other spot than
+the cove was out of the question. The strictest orders had been given
+for every one to keep concealed, a task that was by no means difficult,
+the whole plain being environed with woods, and its elevation more than
+a thousand feet above the sea. In short, nothing but a wanton exposure
+of the person, could render it possible for one on the water to get a
+glimpse of another on the heights above him.
+
+The fleet of Waally presented an imposing sight. Not only were his
+canoes large, and well filled with men, but they were garnished with the
+usual embellishments of savage magnificence. Feathers and flags, and
+symbols of war and power, were waving and floating over the prows of
+most of them, while the warriors they contained were gay in their
+trappings. It was apparent, however, to the members of the council, who
+watched every movement of the fleet with the utmost vigilance, that
+their foes were oppressed with doubts concerning the character of the
+place they had ventured so far to visit. The smoke of the Volcano was
+visible to them, beyond a doubt, and here was a wall of rock interposed
+between them and the accomplishment of their desire to land. In this
+last respect, Rancocus Island offered a shore very different from that
+of Vulcan's Peak. The first; in addition to the long, low point so often
+mentioned, had everywhere a beach of some sort or other; while, on the
+last, the waves of the Pacific rose and fell as against a precipice,
+marking their power merely by a slight discoloration of the iron-bound
+coast. Those superstitious and ignorant beings naturally would connect
+all these unusual circumstances with some supernatural agencies; and
+Heaton early, gave it as his opinion that Waally, of whom he had some
+personal knowledge, was hesitating, and doubtful of the course he ought
+to pursue, on account of this feeling of superstition. When this opinion
+was expressed, the governor suggested the expediency of firing one of
+the carronades, under the supposition that the roar of the gun, and most
+especially the echo, of which there was one in particular that was truly
+terrific, might have the effect to frighten away the whole party. Heaton
+was in doubt about the result, for Waally and his people knew something
+of artillery, though of echoes they could not know anything at all.
+Nothing like an echo, or indeed a hill, was to be found in the low coral
+islands of their group, and the physical agents of producing such sounds
+were absolutely wanting among them. It might be that something like an
+echo had been heard at Rancocus Island, but it must have been of a very
+different calibre from that which Heaton and Mark were in the habit of
+making for the amusement of the females, by firing their fowling-pieces
+down the Stairs. As yet neither of the guns had been fired from the
+proper point, which was the outer battery, or that on the shelf of rock,
+though a very formidable roaring had been made by the report of the gun
+formerly fired, as an experiment to ascertain how far it would command
+the entrance of the cove. After a good deal of discussion, it was
+decided to try the experiment, and Betts, who knew all about the means
+necessary to produce the greatest reverberations, was despatched to the
+shelf-battery with instructions to scale its gun, by pointing it along
+the cliff and making all the uproar he could.
+
+This plan was carried out just as Waally had assembled his chiefs
+around his own canoe, whither he had called them by an order, to consult
+on the manner in which the entire coast of the island ought to be
+examined, that a landing might be effected. The report of the gun came
+quite unexpectedly to all parties; the echo, which rolled along the
+cliffs for miles, being absolutely terrific! Owing to the woods and
+intervening rocks, the natives could see no smoke, which added to their
+surprise, and was doubtless one reason they did not, at first,
+comprehend the long, cracking, thundering sounds that, as it might be,
+rolled out towards them from the island. A cry arose that the strange
+rocks were speaking, and that the Gods of the place were angry. This was
+followed by a general and confused flight;--the canoes, paddling away as
+if their people were apprehensive of being buried beneath the tumbling
+rocks. For half an hour nothing was seen but frantic efforts to escape,
+nothing heard but the dip of the paddle and the wash of its rise.
+
+Thus far the plan of the governor had succeeded even beyond his
+expectations. Could he get rid of these savages without bloodshed, it
+would afford him sincere delight, it being repugnant to all his feelings
+to sweep away rows of such ignorant men before the murderous fire of his
+cannon. While he and Heaton were congratulating each other on the
+encouraging appearances, a messenger came down from the Peak, where
+Bridget remained on the look-out, to report that the boat had drifted
+in, and was getting close under the cliffs, on the northern end of the
+island, which was in fact coming close under the Peak itself. A signal
+to push for the cove had been named to Juno, and Bridget desired to know
+whether it ought to be made, else the boat would shortly be too near in,
+to see it. The governor thought the moment favourable, for the canoes
+were still paddling in a body away from the spot whence the roar had
+proceeded, and their course carried them to the southward and westward,
+while Unus would approach from the northward and eastward. Word was
+sent, accordingly, to make the signal.
+
+Bridget no sooner received this order than she showed the flag, which
+was almost immediately answered by setting the boat's sail. Unus now
+evidently took the direction of matters on board the Dido, It is
+probable he appreciated the effect of the gun and its echo, the first of
+which he fully comprehended, though the last was as great and as awful a
+mystery to him, as to any one of his countrymen. Nevertheless, he
+imputed the strange and fearful roar of the cliffs to some control of
+the whites over the power of the hills, and regarded it as a friendly
+roar, even while he trembled. Not so would it be with his countrymen,
+did he well know; they would retire before it; and the signal being
+given at that instant, the young Indian had no hesitation about the
+course he ought to take.
+
+Unus understood sailing a boat perfectly well. On setting his sail, he
+stood on in the Dido until he was obliged to bear up on account of the
+cliffs. This brought him so close to the rocks as greatly to diminish
+the chances of being seen. There both wind and current aided his
+progress; the first drawing round the end of the island, the coast of
+which it followed in a sort of eddy, for some time, and the latter
+setting down towards the cove, which was less than two miles from the
+north bluff. In twenty minutes after he had made sail, Unus was entering
+the secret little harbour, Waally and his fleet being quite out of sight
+from one as low as the surface of the ocean, still paddling away to the
+south-west, as hard as they could.
+
+Great was the exultation of the colonists, at this escape of Juno's. It
+even surpassed their happiness at the retreat of their invaders. If the
+boat were actually unseen, the governor believed the impression was
+sufficient to keep the savages aloof for a long time, if not for ever;
+since they would not fail to ascribe the roar, and the smoke of the
+volcano, and all the mysteries of the place, to supernatural agencies.
+If the sail _had_ been seen, however, it was possible that, on
+reflection, their courage might revive, and more would be seen of them.
+Unus was extolled by everybody, and seemed perfectly happy. Peggy
+communicated his thoughts, which were every way in favour of his new
+friends. Waally he detested. He denounced him as a ruthless tyrant, and
+declared he would prefer death to submission to his exactions. Juno
+highly approved of all his sentiments, and was soon known as a sworn
+friend of Peggy's. This hatred of tyranny is innate in men, but it is
+necessary to distinguish between real oppression and those restraints
+which are wholesome, if not indispensable to human happiness. As for the
+canoes, they were soon out of sight in the south-western hoard, running
+off, under their sails, before the wind. Waally, himself, was too
+strong-minded and resolute, to be as much overcome by the echo, as his
+companions; but, so profound and general was the awe excited, that he
+did not think it advisable to persevere in his projects, at a moment so
+discouraging. Acquiescing in the wishes of all around him, the
+expedition drew off from the island, making the best of its way back to
+the place from which it had last sailed. All these circumstances became
+known to the colonists, in the end, as well as the reasoning and the
+more minute incidents that influenced the future movements; For the time
+being, however, Woolston and his friends were left to their own
+conjectures on the Subject; which, however, were not greatly out of the
+way. It was an hour after Juno and Unus were safe up on the plain,
+before the look-outs at the Peak finally lost sight of the fleet, which,
+when last seen, was steering a course that would carry it between the
+volcano and Rancocus Island, and might involve it in serious
+difficulties in the succeeding night. There was no land in sight from
+the highest points on Rancocus Island, nor any indications of land, in a
+south-westerly direction; and, did the canoes run past the latter, the
+imminent danger of a general catastrophe would be the consequence. Once
+at sea, under an uncertainty as to the course to be steered, the
+situation of those belonging to the expedition would be painful, indeed,
+nor could the results be foreseen. Waally, nevertheless, escaped the
+danger. Edging off to keep aloof from the mysterious smoke, which
+troubled his followers almost as much as the mysterious echoes, the
+party, most fortunately for themselves, got a distant view of the
+mountains for which they were running, and altered their course in
+sufficient time to reach their place of destination, Ly the return of
+light the succeeding morning.
+
+All thoughts of the expedition to Rancocus Island were temporarily
+abandoned by the governor and his council. Mark was greatly
+disappointed, nor did his regrets cease with disappointment only.
+Should Waally leave a portion of his people on that island, a collision
+must occur, sooner or later; there being a moral impossibility of the
+two colonies continuing friends while so near each other. The nature of
+an echo would be ascertained, before many months, among the hills of
+Rancocus Island, and when that came to be understood, there was an end
+of the sacred character that the recent events had conferred on the
+Peak. Any straggling vagabond, or runaway from a ship, might purchase a
+present importance by explaining things, and induce the savages to renew
+their efforts. In a word, there was the moral certainty that hostilities
+must be renewed ere many months, did Waally remain so near them, and the
+question now seriously arose, whether it were better to press the
+advantage already obtained, and drive him back to his group, or to
+remain veiled behind the sort of mystery that at present enshrouded
+them. These points were gravely debated, and became subjects of as great
+interest among the colonists, as ever banks, or abolitionism, or
+antimasonry, or free-trade, or any other of the crotchets of the day,
+could possibly be in America. Many were the councils that were convened
+to settle this important point of policy, which, after all, like most
+other matters of moment, was decided more by the force of circumstances,
+than by any of the deductions of human reason. The weakness of the
+colony and the dangers to its existence, disposed of the question of an
+aggressive war. Waally was too strong to be assailed by a dozen enemies,
+and all the suggestions of prudence were in favour of remaining quiet,
+until the Friend Abraham White could, at least, be made available in the
+contest. Supported by that vessel, indeed, matters would be changed; and
+Mark thought it would be in his power to drive in Waally, and even to
+depose him and place Ooroony at the head of the natives once more. To
+finish and launch the schooner, therefore, was now the first great
+object, and, after a week of indecision and consultations, it was
+determined to set about that duty with vigour.
+
+It will be easily seen, that the getting of the Abraham into the water
+was an affair of a good deal of delicacy, under the circumstances. The
+strait between the Peak and Cape South was thirty miles wide, and it
+was twenty more to the crater. Thus the party at work on the vessel
+would be fully fifty miles from the main abodes of the colony, and
+thrown quite out of the affair should another invasion be attempted. As
+for bringing the Neshamony, the Dido, the Bridget, and the fighter, into
+the combat, everybody was of opinion it would be risking too much. It is
+true, one of the swivels was mounted on the former, and might be of
+service, but the natives had got to be too familiar with fire-arms to
+render it prudent to rely on the potency of a single swivel, in a
+conflict against a force so numerous, and one led by a spirit as
+determined as that of Waally's was known to be. All idea of righting at
+sea, therefore, until the schooner was launched, was out of the
+question, and every energy was turned to effect the latter most
+important object. A separation of the forces of the colony was
+inevitable, in the meanwhile; and reliance must be placed on the
+protection of Providence, for keeping the enemy aloof until the vessel
+was ready for active service.
+
+The labour requiring as much physical force as could be mustered, the
+arrangement was settled in council and approved by the governor, on the
+following plan, viz:--Mark was to proceed to the Reef with all the men
+that could be spared, and a portion of the females. It was not deemed
+safe, however, to leave the Peak with less than three defenders, Heaton,
+Peters and Unus being chosen for that important station; the former
+commanding, of course. Mark, Betts, Bigelow, Socrates, and Jones, formed
+the party _for_ the Reef, to which were attached Bridget, Martha,
+Teresa, and the blacks. Bigelow went across, indeed, a day or two before
+the main party sailed, in order to look after Dido, and to get his work
+forward as fast as possible. When all was ready, and that was when ten
+days had gone by after the retreat of Waally, without bringing any
+further tidings from him, the governor sailed in the Neshamony, having
+the Bridget and the lighter in company, leaving the Dido for the
+convenience of Heaton and his set. Signals were agreed on, though the
+distance was so great as to render them of little use, unless a boat
+were mid-channel. A very simple and ingenious expedient, nevertheless,
+was suggested by Mark, in connection with this matter. A single tree
+grew so near the Peak as to be a conspicuous object from the ocean; it
+was not large, though it could be seen at a great distance, more
+particularly in the direction of the Reef. The governor intimated an
+intention to send a boat daily far enough out into the strait to
+ascertain whether this tree were, or were not standing; and Heaton was
+instructed to have it felled as soon as he had thoroughly ascertained
+that Waally was abroad again with hostile intentions. Other signals were
+also agreed on, in order to regulate the movements of the boats, in the
+event of their being called back to the Peak to repel an invasion.
+
+With the foregoing arrangements completed and thoroughly understood, the
+governor set sail for the Reef, accompanied by his little squadron. It
+was an exquisitely beautiful day, one in which all the witchery of the
+climate developed itself, soothing the nerves and animating the spirits.
+Bridget had lost most of her apprehensions of the natives, and could
+laugh with her husband and play with her child almost as freely as
+before the late events. Everybody, indeed, was in high spirits, the
+launching of the schooner being regarded as a thing that would give them
+complete command of the adjacent seas.
+
+The passage was short, a fresh breeze blowing, and four hours after
+quitting the cliffs, the Neshamony was under the lee of Cape South, and
+heading for the principal inlet. As the craft glided along, in perfectly
+smooth water now, Mark noted the changes that time was making on those
+rocks, which had so lately emerged from the depths of the ocean. The
+prairie, in particular, was every way worthy of his attention. A mass of
+sea-weed, which rested on a sort of stratum of mud immediately after the
+eruption, had now been the favourite pasturage of the hogs for more than
+a twelvemonth. These hogs at the present time exceeded fifty full-grown
+animals, and there were twice that number of grunters at their heels.
+Then the work they had done on the Prairie was incredible. Not less than
+hundreds of acres had they rooted over, mixing the sea-weed with the
+mud, and fast converting the whole into soil. The rains had washed away
+the salt, or converted it into manure, as well as contributing to the
+more rapid decay of the vegetable substances. In that climate the
+changes are very rapid, and Mark saw that another year or two would
+convert the whole of that vast range, which had been formerly computed
+at a surface of a thousand acres, into very respectable pastures, if not
+into meadows. Of meadows, however, there was very little necessity in
+that latitude; the eternal summer that reigned furnishing pasturage the
+year round. The necessary grasses might be wanting to seed down so large
+a surface, but those which Socrates had put in were well-rooted, and it
+was pretty certain they would, sooner or later, spread themselves over
+the whole field. In defiance of the hogs, and their increasing inroads,
+large patches were already green and flourishing. What is more, young
+trees were beginning to show themselves along the margin of the
+channels. Henton had brought over from Betto's group several large
+panniers made of green willows, and these Socrates had cut into strips,
+and thrust into the mud. Almost without an exception they had struck out
+roots, and never ceasing, day or night, to grow, they were already
+mostly of the height of a man. Four or five years would convert them
+into so many beautiful, if not very useful trees.
+
+Nor was this all. Heaton, under the influence of his habits, had studied
+the natures of the different trees he had met with on the other islands.
+The cocoa-nut, in particular, abounded in both groups, and finding it
+was a tree that much affected low land and salt water, he had taken care
+to set out various samples of his roots and fruits, on certain detached
+islets near this channel, where the soil and situation induced him to
+believe they would flourish. Sea sand he was of opinion was the most
+favourable for the growth of this tree, and he had chosen the sites of
+his plantations with a view to those advantages. On the Peak cocoa-nuts
+were to be found, but they were neither very fine, nor in very large
+quantities. So long as Mark had that island to himself, the present,
+supply-would more than equal the demand, but with the increase of the
+colony a greater number of the trees would become very desirable. Five
+or six years would be needed to produce the fruit-bearing tree, and the
+governor was pleased to find that the growth of one of those years had
+been already secured, in the case of those he had himself planted, in
+and on the crater, near three years had contributed to their growth, and
+neither the Guano nor Loam Island having been forgotten, many of them
+were now thirty feet high. As he approached the crater, on that
+occasion, he looked at those promising fruits of his early and provident
+care for the future with great satisfaction, for seldom was the labour
+of man better rewarded. Mark well knew the value of this tree, which was
+of use in a variety of ways, in addition to the delicious and healthful
+fruit it bears; delicious and healthful when eaten shortly after it is
+separated from the tree. The wood of the kernel could be polished, and
+converted into bowls, that were ornamental as well as useful. The husks
+made a capital cordage, and a very respectable sail-cloth, being a good
+substitute for hemp, though hemp, itself, was a plant that might be
+grown on the prairies to an almost illimitable extent. The leaves were
+excellent for thatching, as well as for making brooms, mats, hammocks,
+baskets and a variety of such articles, while the trunks could be
+converted into canoes, gutters, and timber generally. There was also one
+other expensive use of this tree, which the governor had learned from
+Heaton. While Bridget was still confined to the ship, after the birth of
+her daughter. Mark had brought her a dish of greens, which she
+pronounced the most delicious of any thing in its way she had ever
+tasted. It was composed of the young and delicate leaves of the new
+growth, or of the summit of the cocoa-nut tree, somewhat resembling the
+artichoke in their formation, though still more exquisite in taste. But
+the tree from which this treat was obtained died,--a penalty that must
+ever be paid to partake of that dish. As soon as Bridget learned this,
+she forbade the cutting of any more for her use, at least. All the boats
+got into port in good season, and the Reef once more became a scene of
+life and activity. The schooner was soon completed, and it only remained
+to put her into the water. This work was already commenced by Bigelow,
+and the governor directed everybody to lend a hand in effecting so
+desirable an object. Bigelow had all his materials ready, and so
+perseveringly did our colonists work, that the schooner was all ready
+to be put into the water on the evening of the second day. The launch
+was deferred only to have the benefit of daylight. That afternoon Mark,
+accompanied by his wife, had gone in the Bridget, his favourite boat, to
+look for the signal tree. He went some distance into the strait, ere he
+was near enough to get a sight of it even with the glass; when he did
+procure a view, there it was precisely as he had last seen it. Putting
+the helm of the boat up, the instant he was assured of his fact, the
+governor wore short round, making the best, of his way back to the
+crater, again. The distances, it will be remembered, were considerable,
+and it required time to make the passage. The sun was setting as Mark
+was running along the channel to the Reef, the young man pointing out to
+his charming wife the growth of the trees, the tints of the evening sky,
+the drove of hogs, the extent of his new meadows, and such other objects
+as would be likely to interest both, in the midst of such a scene. The
+boat rounded a point where a portion of the hogs had been sleeping, and
+as it came sweeping up, the animals rose in a body, snuffed the air, and
+began scampering off in the way conformable to their habits, Mark
+laughing and pointing with his fingers to draw Bridget's attention to
+their antics.
+
+"_There_ are more of the creatures" said Bridget; "yonder, on the
+further side of the prairie--I dare say the two parties will join each
+other, and have a famous scamper, in company."
+
+"More!" echoed Mark; "that can hardly be, as we passed some thirty of
+them several miles to the southward.--What is it you see, dearest, that
+you mistake for hogs?"
+
+"Why, yonder--more than a mile from us; on the opposite side of the
+prairie and near the water, in the other channel."
+
+"The other is not a channel at all; it is a mere bay that leads to
+nothing; so none of our boats or people can be there. The savages, as I
+am your husband, Bridget!"
+
+Sure enough, the objects which Bridget had mistaken for mere hogs, were
+in truth the heads and shoulders of some twenty Indians who were
+observing the movements of the boat from positions taken on the other
+side of the plain, so as to conceal all but the upper halves of their
+bodies. They had two canoes; war canoes, moreover; but these were the
+whole party, at that point at least.
+
+This was a most grave discovery. The governor had hoped the Reef, so
+accessible on every side by means of canoes, would, for years at least,
+continue to be a _terra incognita_ to the savages. On this ignorance of
+the natives would much of its security depend, for the united forces of
+the colonists could scarcely suffice to maintain the place against the
+power of Waally. The matter as it was, called for all his energies, and
+for the most prompt measures.
+
+The first step was to apprise the people at the Reef of the proximity of
+these dangerous neighbours. As the boat was doubtless seen, its sails
+rising above the land, there was no motive in changing its course, or
+for attempting to conceal it. The crater, ship and schooner on the
+stocks, were all in sight of the savages at that moment, though not less
+than two leagues distant, where they doubtless appeared indistinct and
+confused. The ship might produce an influence in one or two ways. It
+might inflame the cupidity of Waally, under the hope of possessing so
+much treasure, and tempt him on to hasten his assault; or it might
+intimidate him by its imagined force, vessels rarely visiting the
+islands of the Pacific without being prepared to defend themselves. The
+savages would not be likely to comprehend the true condition of the
+vessel, but would naturally suppose that she had a full crew, and
+possessed the usual means of annoying her enemies. All this occurred to
+the governor in the first five minutes after his discovery, while his
+boat was gliding onwards towards her haven.
+
+Bridget behaved admirably. She trembled a little at first, and pressed
+her child to her bosom with more than the usual warmth, but her
+self-command was soon regained, and from that instant, Mark found in her
+a quick, ingenious, and useful assistant and counsellor. Her faculties
+and courage seemed to increase with the danger, and so far from proving
+an encumbrance, as might naturally enough have been expected, she was
+not only out of the way, as respects impediments, but she soon became of
+real use, and directed the movements of the females with almost as much
+skill and decision as Mark directed those of their husbands.
+
+The boat did not reach the Reef until dusk, or for an hour after the
+savages had been seen. The colonists had just left their work, and the
+evening being cool and refreshing after a warm summer's day, they were
+taking their suppers under a tent or awning, at no great distance from
+the ship-yard, when the governor joined them. This tent, or awning, had
+been erected for such purposes, and had several advantages to recommend
+it. It stood quite near the beach of the spring, and cool fresh water
+was always at hand. It had a carpet of velvet-like grass, too, a rare
+thins for the Reef, on the outside of the crater. But, there were
+cavities on its surface, in which foreign substances had collected, and
+this was one of them. Sea-weed, loam, dead fish, and rain-water had made
+a thin soil on about an acre of rocks at this spot, and the rain
+constantly assisting vegetation, the grass-seed had taken root there,
+and this being its second season, Betts had found the sward already
+sufficient for his purposes, and caused an awning to be spread,
+converting the grass into a carpet. There might now have been a dozen
+similar places on the reef, so many oases in its desert, where soil had
+formed and grass was growing. No one doubted that, in time and with
+care, those, then living might see most of those naked rocks clothed
+with verdure, for the progress of vegetation in such a climate, favoured
+by those accidental causes which seemed to prevent that particular
+region from ever suffering by droughts, is almost magical, and might
+convert a wilderness into a garden in the course of a very few years.
+
+Mark did not disturb the happy security in which he found his people by
+any unnecessary announcement of danger. On the contrary, he spoke
+cheerfully, complimented them on the advanced state of their work, and
+took an occasion to get Betts aside, when he first communicated the
+all-important discovery he had made. Bob was dumbfounded at first; for,
+like the governor himself, he had believed the Reef to be one of the
+secret spots of the earth, and had never anticipated an invasion in that
+quarter. Recovering himself, however, he was soon in a state of mind to
+consult intelligently and freely.
+
+"Then we're to expect the rep_tyles_ to-night?" said Betts, as soon as
+he had regained his voice.
+
+"I think not," answered Mark. "The canoes I saw were in the false
+channel, and cannot possibly reach us without returning to the western
+margin of the rocks and entering one of the true passages. I rather
+think this cannot be done before morning. Daylight, indeed, may be
+absolutely necessary to them; and as the night promises to be dark, it
+is not easy to see how strangers can find their way to us, among the
+maze of passages they must meet. By land, they cannot get here from any
+of the islands on the western side of the group; and even if landed on
+the central island, there is only one route, and that a crooked one,
+which will bring them here without the assistance of their canoes. We
+are reasonably well fortified, Betts, through natural agencies, on that
+side; and I do not apprehend seeing anything more of the fellows until
+morning."
+
+"What a misfortin 'tis that they should ever have discovered the Reef!"
+
+"It certainly is; and it is one, I confess, I had not expected. But we
+must take things as they are, Betts, and do our duty. Providence--that
+all-seeing Power, which spared you and me when so many of our shipmates
+were called away with short notice--Providence may still be pleased to
+look on us with favour."
+
+"That puts me in mind, Mr. Mark, of telling you something that I have
+lately l'arn'd from Jones, who was about a good deal among the savages,
+since his friend's marriage with Peggy, and before he made his escape to
+join us. Jones says that, as near as he can find out, about three years
+ago, a ship's launch came into Betto's Land, as we call it--Waally's
+Country, however, is meant; and that is a part of the group I never
+ventured into, seeing that my partic'lar friend, Ooroony, and Waally,
+was always at daggers drawn--but a ship's launch came in there, about
+three years since, with seven living men in it. Jones could never get a
+sight of any of the men, for Waally is said to have kept them all hard
+at work for himself; but he got tolerable accounts of them, as well as
+of the boat in which they arrived."
+
+"Surely, Bob, you do not suppose that launch to have been ours, and
+those men to have been a part of our old crew!" exclaimed Mark, with a
+tumult of feeling he had not experienced since he had reason to think
+that Bridget was about to be restored to him.
+
+"Indeed, but I do, sir. The savages told Jones that the boat had a bird
+painted in its starn-sheets; and that was the case with our launch, Mr.
+Mark, which was ornamented with a spread-eagle in that very spot. Then,
+one of the men was said to have a red mark on his face; and you may
+remember, sir, that Bill Brown had a nat'ral brand of that sort. Jones
+only mentioned the thing this arternoon, as we was at work together; and
+I detarmined to let you know all about it, at the first occasion. Depend
+on it, Mr. Woolston, some of our chaps is still living."
+
+This unexpected intelligence momentarily drove the recollection of the
+present danger from the governor's mind. He sent for Jones, and
+questioned him closely touching the particulars of his information; the
+answers he received certainly going far towards corroborating Betts's
+idea of the character of the unknown men. Jones was never able even to
+get on the island where these men were said to be; but he had received
+frequent descriptions of their ages, appearances, numbers, &c. It was
+also reported by those who had seen them, that several of the party had
+died of hunger before the boat reached the group; and that only about
+half of those who had originally taken to the boat, which belonged to a
+ship that had been wrecked, lived to get ashore. The man with a mark on
+his face was represented as being very expert with tools, and was
+employed by Waally to build him a canoe that would live out in the gales
+of the ocean. This agreed perfectly with the trade and appearance of
+Brown, who had been the Rancocus's carpenter, and had the sort of mark
+so particularly described.
+
+The time, the boat, the incidents of the wreck, meagre as the last were,
+as derived through the information of Jones, and all the other facts
+Mark could glean in a close examination of the man's statements, went to
+confirm the impression that a portion of those who had been carried to
+leeward in the Rancocus's launch, had escaped with their lives, and were
+at that moment prisoners in the power of the very savage chief who now
+threatened his colony with destruction.
+
+But the emergency did not admit of any protracted inquiry into, or any
+consultation on the means necessary to relieve their old shipmates from
+a fate so miserable. Circumstances required that the governor should now
+give his attention to the important concerns immediately before him.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XVIII.
+
+
+
+    "To whom belongs this valley fair,
+    That sleeps beneath the filmy air,
+          Even like a living thing?
+    Silent as infant at the breast,
+    Save a still sound that speaks of rest,
+          That streamlet's murmuring?"
+
+    Wilson.
+
+
+When the governor had communicated to his people that the savages were
+actually among the islands of their own group, something very like a
+panic came over them. A few minutes, however, sufficed to restore a
+proper degree of confidence, when the arrangements necessary to their
+immediate security were entered into. As some attention had previously
+been bestowed on the fortifications of the crater, that place was justly
+deemed the citadel of the Reef. Some thought the ship would be the most
+easily defended, on account of the size of the crater, and because it
+had a natural ditch around it, but so much property was accumulated in
+and around the crater that it could not be abandoned without a loss to
+which the governor had no idea of submitting. The gate of the crater was
+nothing in the way of defence, it is true; but one of the cannonades had
+been planted so as to command it, and this was thought sufficient for
+repelling all ordinary assaults. It has been said, already, that the
+outer wall of the crater was perpendicular at its base, most probably
+owing to the waves of the ocean in that remote period when the whole
+Reef was washed by them in every gale of wind. This perpendicular
+portion of the rock, moreover, was much harder than the ordinary surface
+of the Summit, owing in all probability to the same cause. It was even
+polished in appearance, and in general was some eighteen or twenty feet
+in height, with the exception of the two or three places, by one of
+which Mark and Betts had clambered up on their first visit to the
+Summit. These places, always small, and barely sufficient to allow of a
+man's finding footing on them, had long been picked away, in order to
+prevent the inroads of Kitty, and when the men had turned their
+attention to rendering the place secure against a sudden inroad, they
+being the only points where an enemy could get up, without resorting to
+ladders or artificial assistance, had, by means of additional labour,
+been rendered as secure as all the rest of the 'outer wall,' as the base
+of the crater was usually termed among them. It was true, that civilized
+assailants, who had the ordinary means at command, would soon have
+mastered this obstacle; but savages would not be likely to come prepared
+to meet it. The schooner, with her cradle and ways, had required all the
+loose timber, to the last stick, and the enemy was not likely to procure
+any supplies from the ship-yard. Two of the carronades were on the
+Summit, judiciously planted; two were on board the Abraham, as was one
+of the long sixes, and the remainder of the guns, (three at the rock
+excepted) were still on board the ship.
+
+Mark divided his forces for the night. As Bridget habitually lived in
+the Rancocus' cabins, he did not derange her household at all, but
+merely strengthened her crew, by placing Bigelow and Socrates on board
+her; each with his family; while Betts assumed the command of the
+crater, having for his companion Jones. These were small garrisons; but
+the fortresses were strong, considering all the circumstances, and the
+enemy were uncivilized, knowing but little of fire-arms. By nine o'clock
+everything was arranged, and most of the women and children were on
+their beds, though no one there undressed that night.
+
+Mark and Betts met, by agreement, alongside of the schooner, as soon as
+their respective duties elsewhere would allow. As the Reef, proper, was
+an island, they knew no enemy could find his way on it without coming
+by water, or by passing over the narrow bridge which has already been
+mentioned as crossing the little strait near the spring. This rendered
+them tolerably easy for the moment, though Mark had assured his
+companion it was not possible for the canoes to get to the Reef under
+several hours. Neither of the men could sleep, however, and they thought
+it as well to be on the look-out, and in company, as to be tossing about
+in their berths, or hammocks, by themselves. The conversation turned on
+their prospects, almost as a matter of course.
+
+"We are somewhat short-handed, sir, to go to quarters ag'in them
+vagabonds," observed Betts, in reply to some remark of the governor's.
+"I counted a hundred and three of their craft when they was off the Peak
+the other day, and not one on 'em all had less than four hands aboard
+it, while the biggest must have had fifty. All told, I do think, Mr.
+Mark, they might muster from twelve to fifteen hundred fighting men."
+
+"That has been about my estimate of their force, Bob; but, if they were
+fifteen thousand, we must bring them to action, for we fight for
+everything."
+
+"Ay, ay, sir," answered Betts, ejecting the tobacco juice in the
+customary way, "there's reason in roasted eggs, they say, and there's
+reason in firing a few broadsides afore a body gives up. What a
+different place this here rock's got to be, sir, from what it was when
+you and I was floating sea-weed and rafting loam to it, to make a melon
+or a cucumber bed! Times is changed, sir, and we're now at war. Then it
+was all peace and quiet; and now it's all hubbub and disturbance."
+
+"We have got our wives here now, and that I think you'll admit is
+something, Bob, when you remember the pains taken by yourself to bring
+so great a happiness about,"
+
+"Why, yes, sir--I'll allow the wives is something--"
+
+"Ship ahoy!" hailed a voice in good English, and in the most approved
+seaman-like tones of the voice.
+
+The hail came from the margin of the island nearest to the Reef; or that
+which was connected with the latter by means of the bridge, but not
+from a point very near the latter.
+
+"In the name of heavenly mercy!" exclaimed Betts, "what can that mean,
+governor?"
+
+"I know that voice," said Mark, hurriedly; "and the whole matter begins
+to clear up to me. Who hails the Rancocus?"
+
+"Is that ship the Rancocus, then?" answered the voice from the island.
+
+"The Rancocus, and no other--are you not Bill Brown, her late
+carpenter?"
+
+"The very same, God bless you, Mr. Woolston, for I now know _your_
+voice, too. I'm Bill, and right down glad am I to have things turn out
+so. I half suspected the truth when I saw a ship's spars this afternoon
+in this place, though little did I think, yesterday, of ever seeing
+anything more of the old 'Cocus. Can you give me a cast across this bit
+of a ferry, sir?"
+
+"Are you alone, Bill--or who have you for companions?"
+
+"There's two on us, sir, only--Jim Wattles and I--seven on us was saved
+in the launch; Mr. Hillson and the supercargo both dying afore we
+reached the land, as did the other man, we seven still living, though
+only two on us is here."
+
+"Are there any black fellows with you?--Any of the natives?"
+
+"Not one, sir. We gave 'em the slip two hours ago, or as soon as we saw
+the ship's masts, being bent on getting afloat in some craft or other,
+in preference to stopping with savages any longer. No, Mr. Woolston; no
+fear of them to-night, for they are miles and miles to leeward, bothered
+in the channels, where they'll be pretty sartain to pass the night;
+though you'll hear from 'em in the morning. Jim and I took to our land
+tacks, meeting with a good opportunity, and by running directly in the
+wind's eye, have come out here. We hid ourselves till the canoes was out
+of sight, and then we carried sail as hard as we could. So give us a
+cast and take us aboard the old ship again, Mr. Woolston, if you love a
+fellow-creatur', and an old shipmate in distress."
+
+Such was the singular dialogue which succeeded the unexpected hail. It
+completely put a new face on things at the Reef. As Brown was a valuable
+man, and one whose word he had always relied on, Mark did not hesitate,
+but told him the direction to the bridge, where he and Betts met him and
+Wattles, after each of the parties had believed the others to be dead
+now fully three years!
+
+The two recovered seamen of the Rancocus were alone, having acted in
+perfect good faith with their former officer, who led them to the
+awning, gave them some refreshment, and heard their story. The account
+given by Jones, for the first time that very day, turned out to be
+essentially true. When the launch was swept away from the ship, it drove
+down to leeward, passing at no great distance from the crater, of which
+the men in her got a glimpse, without being able to reach it. The
+attention of Hillson was mainly given to keeping the boat from filling
+or capsizing; and this furnished abundance of occupation. The launch got
+into one of the channels, and by observing the direction, which was
+nearly east and west, it succeeded in passing through all the dangers,
+coming out to leeward of the shoals. As everybody believed that the ship
+was hopelessly lost, no effort was made to get back to the spot where
+she had been left. No island appearing, Hillson determined to run off to
+the westward, trusting to fall in with land of some sort or other. The
+provisions and water were soon consumed, and then came the horrors usual
+to such scenes at sea. Hillson was one of the first that perished, his
+previous excesses unfitting him to endure privation. But seven survived
+when the launch reached an island in Waally's part of the group, so
+often mentioned. There they fell into the hands of that turbulent and
+warlike chief. Waally made the seamen his slaves, treating them
+reasonably well, but exacting of them the closest attention to his
+interests. Brown, as a ship-carpenter, soon became a favourite, and was
+employed in fashioning craft that it was thought might be useful in
+carrying out the ambitious projects of his master. The men were kept on
+a small island, and were watched like any other treasure, having no
+opportunity to communicate with any of those whites who appeared in
+other parts of the group. Thus, while Betts passed two months with
+Ooroony, and Heaton and his party nearly as much more time, these
+sailors, who heard of such visitors, could never get access to them.
+This was partly owing to the hostilities between the two chiefs--Ooroony
+being then in the ascendant--and partly owing to the special projects of
+Waally, who, by keeping his prisoners busily employed on his fleet,
+looked forward to the success which, in fact, crowned his efforts
+against his rival.
+
+At length Waally undertook the expedition which had appeared in such
+force beneath the cliffs of the Peak. By this time, Brown had become so
+great a favourite, that he was permitted to accompany the chief; and
+Wattles was brought along as a companion for his shipmate. The remaining
+five were left behind, to complete a craft on which they had now been
+long employed, and which was intended to be the invincible war-canoe of
+those regions. Brown and Wattles had been in Waally's own canoe when the
+terrible echoes so much alarmed the uninstructed beings who heard it.
+They described them as much the most imposing echoes they had ever
+heard; nor did they, at first, know what to make of them, themselves. It
+was only on reflection, and after the retreat to Rancocus Island, that
+Brown, by reasoning on the subject, came to the conclusion that the
+whites, who were supposed to be in possession of the place, had fired a
+gun, which had produced the astounding uproar that had rattled so far
+along the cliff. As all Brown's sympathies were with the unknown people
+of his own colour, he kept his conjectures to himself, and managed to
+lead Waally in a different direction, by certain conclusions of his own
+touching the situation of the reef where the Rancocus had been lost.
+
+Bill Brown was an intelligent man for his station and pursuits. He knew
+the courses steered by the launch, and had some tolerably accurate
+notions of the distances run. According to his calculations, that reef
+could not be very far to the northward of the Peak, and, by ascending
+the mountains on Rancocus Island, he either saw, or fancied he saw, the
+looming of land in that part of the ocean. It then occurred to Brown
+that portions of the wreck might still be found on the reef, and become
+the means of effecting his escape from the hands of his tyrants. Waally
+listened to his statements and conjectures with the utmost attention,
+and the whole fleet put to sea the very next day, in quest of this
+treasure. After paddling to windward again, until the Peak was fairly in
+sight, Brown steered to the north-east, a course that brought him out,
+after twenty-four hours of toil, under the lee of the group of the reef.
+This discovery of itself, filled Waally with exultation and pride. Here
+were no cliffs to scale, no mysterious mountain to appal, nor any
+visible obstacle to oppose his conquests. It is true, that the
+newly-discovered territory did not appear to be of much value, little
+beside naked rock, or broad fields of mud and sea-weed intermingled,
+rewarding their first researches. But better things were hoped for. It
+was something to men whose former domains were so much circumscribed and
+girded by the ocean, to find even a foundation for a new empire. Brown
+was now consulted as to every step to be taken, and his advice was
+implicitly followed. Columbus was scarcely a greater man, for the time
+being, at the court of Ferdinand and Isabella, than Bill Brown
+immediately became at the court of Waally. His words were received as
+prophecies, his opinions as oracles.
+
+Honest Bill, who anticipated no more from his discoveries than the
+acquisition of certain portions of wood, iron, and copper, with,
+perhaps, the addition of a little rigging, certain sails and an anchor
+or two, acted, at first, for the best interests of his master. He led
+the fleet along the margin of the group until a convenient harbour was
+found. Into this all the canoes entered, and a sandy beach supplying
+fresh water in abundance having been found, an encampment was made for
+the night. Several hours of daylight remaining, however, when these
+great preliminary steps had been taken, Brown proposed to Waally an
+exploring expedition in a couple of the handiest of the canoes. The
+people thus employed were those who had given the alarm to the governor.
+On that occasion, not only was the boat seen, but the explorers were
+near enough to the reef, to discover not only the crater, but the spars
+of the ship. Here, then, was a discovery scarcely less important than
+that of the group itself! After reasoning on the facts, Waally came to
+the conclusion that these, after all, were the territories that Heaton
+and his party had come to seek; and that here he should find those cows
+which he had once seen, and which he coveted more than any other riches
+on earth. Ooroony had been weak enough to allow strangers in possession
+of things so valuable, to pass through _his_ islands; but _he_, Waally,
+was not the man to imitate this folly. Brown, too, began to think that
+the white men sought were to be found here. That whites were in the
+group was plain enough by the ship, and he supposed they might be
+fishing for the pearl-oyster, or gathering bęche-le-mar for the Canton
+market. It was just possible that a colony had established itself in
+this unfrequented place, and that the party of which he had heard so
+much, had come hither with their stores and herds. Not the smallest
+suspicion at first crossed his mind that he there beheld the spars of
+the Rancocus; but, it was enough for him and Wattles that Christian men
+were there, and that, in all probability, they were men of the
+Anglo-Saxon race. No sooner was it ascertained that the explorers were
+in a false channel, and that it would not be in their power to penetrate
+farther in their canoes, than our two seamen determined to run, and
+attach themselves to the strangers. They naturally thought that they
+should find a vessel armed and manned, and ready to stand out to sea as
+soon as her officers were apprized of the danger that threatened them,
+and did not hesitate about joining their fortune with hers, in
+preference to remaining with Waally any longer. Freedom possesses a
+charm for which no other advantage can compensate, and those two old
+sea-dogs, who had worked like horses all their lives, in their original
+calling, preferred returning to the ancient drudgery rather than live
+with Waally, in the rude abundance of savage chiefs. The escape was
+easily enough made, as soon, as it was dark, Brown and Wattles being on
+shore most of the time, under the pretence that it was necessary, in
+order that they might ascertain the character of there unknown colonists
+by signs understood best by themselves.
+
+Such is a brief outline of the explanations that the two recovered
+seamen made to their former officer. In return, the governor as briefly
+related to them the manner in which the ship had been saved, and the
+history of the colony down to that moment. When both tales had been
+told, a consultation on the subject of future proceedings took place,
+quite as a matter of course. Brown, and his companion, though delighted
+to meet their old shipmates, were greatly disappointed in not finding a
+sea-going vessel ready to receive them. They did not scruple to say that
+had they known the actual state of things on the Reef, they would not
+have left the savages, but trusted to being of more service even to
+their natural friends, by continuing with Waally, in their former
+relation, than by taking the step they had. Repentance, or regrets,
+however, came too late; and now they were fairly in for it, neither
+expressed any other determination than to stand by the service into
+which they had just entered, honestly, if not quite as gladly as they
+had anticipated.
+
+The governor and Betts both saw that Brown and Wattles entertained a
+high respect for the military prowess of the Indian chief. They
+pronounced him to be not only a bold, but an adroit warrior; one, full
+of resources and ingenuity, when his means were taken into the account.
+The number of men with him, however, Brown assured Mark, was less than
+nine hundred, instead of exceeding a thousand, as had been supposed from
+the count made on the cliffs. As it now was explained, a great many
+women were in the canoes. Waally, moreover, was not altogether without
+fire-arms. He was master of a dozen old, imperfect muskets, and what was
+more, he had a four-pound gun. Ammunition, however, was very scarce, and
+of shot for his gun he had but three. Each of these shot had been fired
+several times, in his wars with Ooroony, and clays had been spent in
+hunting them up, after they had done their work, and of replacing them
+in the chief's magazine. Brown could not say that they had done much
+mischief, having, in every instance, being fired at long distances, and
+with a very uncertain aim. The business of sighting guns was not very
+well understood by the great mass of Christians, half a century since;
+and it is not at all surprising that savages should know little or
+nothing about it. Waally's gunners, according to Brown's account of the
+matter, could never be made to understand that the bore of a gun was not
+exactly parallel to its exterior surface, and they invariably aimed too
+high, by sighting along the upper side of the piece. This same fault is
+very common with the inexperienced in using a musket; for, anxious to
+get a sight of the end of their piece, they usually stick it up into the
+air and overshoot their object. It was the opinion of Brown, on the
+whole, that little was to be apprehended from Waally's fire-arms. The
+spear and club were the weapons to be dreaded; and with these the
+islanders were said to be very expert. But the disparity in numbers was
+the main ground of apprehension.
+
+When Brown was told how near the schooner was to being launched, he
+earnestly begged the governor, to let him and Bigelow go to work and put
+her into the water, immediately. Everything necessary to a cruise was on
+board her, even to her provisions and water, the arrangements having
+been made to launch her with her sails bent; and, once in the water,
+Bill thought she would prove of the last importance to the defence. If
+the worst came to the worst, all hands could get on board her, and by
+standing through some of the channels that were clear of canoes, escape
+into the open water. Once there, Waally could do nothing with them, and
+they might be governed by circumstances.
+
+Woolston viewed things a little differently. He loved the Reef; it had
+become dear to him by association and history, and he did not relish the
+thought of abandoning it. There was too much property at risk, to say
+nothing of the ship, which would doubtless be burned for its metals,
+should the Indians get possession, even for a day. In that ship he had
+sailed; in that ship he had been married; in that ship his daughter had
+been born; and in that ship Bridget loved still to dwell, even more than
+she affected all the glories of the Eden of the Peak. That ship was not
+to be given up to savages without a struggle Nor did Mark believe
+anything would be gained by depriving the men of their rest during the
+accustomed hours. Early in the morning, with the light itself, he did
+intend to have Bigelow under the schooner's bottom; but he saw no
+occasion for his working in the dark. Launching was a delicate business,
+and some accident might happen in the obscurity. After talking the
+matter over, therefore, all hands retired to rest, leaving one woman at
+the crater, and one on board the ship, on the look-out; women being
+preferred to men, on this occasion, in order that the latter might
+reserve their strength for the coming struggle.
+
+At the appointed hour next morning, every one on the Reef was astir at
+the first peep of day. No disturbance had occurred in the night, and,
+what is perhaps a little remarkable, the female sentinels had not given
+any false alarm. As soon as a look from the Summit gave the governor
+reason to believe that Waally was not very near him, he ordered
+preparations to be made for the launch of the Friend Abraham White. A
+couple of hours' work was still required to complete this desirable
+task; and everybody set about his or her assigned duty with activity and
+zeal. Some of the women prepared the breakfast; others carried
+ammunition to the different guns, while Betts went round and loaded
+them, one and all; and others, again, picked up such articles of value
+as had been overlooked in the haste of the previous evening, carrying
+them either into the crater, or on board the ship.
+
+On examining his fortifications by daylight, the governor resolved to
+set up something more secure in the way of a gate for the crater. He
+also called off two or three of the men to get out the boarding-netting
+of the ship, which was well provided in that respect; a good provision
+having been made, byway of keeping the Fejee people at arms' length.
+These two extraordinary offices delayed the work on the ways; and when
+the whole colony went to breakfast, which they did about an hour after
+sunrise, the schooner was not yet in the water, though quite ready to be
+put there, Mark announced that there was no occasion to be in a hurry,
+no canoes were in sight, and there was time to have everything done
+deliberately and in order.
+
+This security came very near proving fatal to the whole party. Most of
+the men breakfasted under the awning, which was near their work; while
+the women took that meal in their respective quarters. Some of the last
+were in the crater, and some in the ship. It will be remembered that the
+awning was erected near the spring, and that the spring was but a short
+distance from the bridge. This bridge, it will also be recollected,
+connected the Reef with an island that stretched away for miles, and
+which had formed the original range for the swine, after the changes
+that succeeded the eruption. It was composed of merely two long ship's
+planks, the passage being only some fifty or sixty feet in width.
+
+The governor, now, seldom ate with his people. He knew enough of human
+nature to understand that authority was best preserved by avoiding
+familiarity. Besides, there is, in truth, no association more unpleasant
+to those whose manners have been cultivated, than that of the table,
+with the rude and unrefined. Bridget, for instance, could hardly be
+expected to eat with the wives of the seamen; and Mark naturally wished
+to eat with his own family. On that occasion he had taken his meal in
+the cabin of the Rancocus, as usual, and had come down to the awning to
+see that the hands turned-to as soon as they were through with their own
+breakfasts. Just as he was about to issue the necessary order, the air
+was filled with frightful yells, and a stream of savages poured out of
+an opening in the rocks, on to the plain of the "hog pasture," as the
+adjoining field was called, rushing forward in a body towards the
+crater. They had crept along under the rocks by following a channel, and
+now broke cover within two hundred yards of the point they intended to
+assail.
+
+The governor behaved admirably on this trying occasion. He issued his
+orders clearly, calmly, and promptly. Calling on Bigelow and Jones by
+name, he ordered them to withdraw the bridge, which could easily be done
+by hauling over the planks by means of wheels that had long been fitted
+for that purpose. The bridge withdrawn, the channel, or harbour,
+answered all the purposes of a ditch; though the South Sea islanders
+would think but little of swimming across it. Of course, Waally's men
+knew nothing of this bridge, nor did they know of the existence of the
+basin between them and their prey. They rushed directly towards the
+ship-yard, and loud were their yells of disappointment when they found a
+broad reach of water still separating them from the whites. Naturally
+they looked for the point of connection; but, by this time, the planks
+were wheeled in, and the communication was severed. At this instant,
+Waally had all his muskets discharged, and the gun fired from the
+catamaran, on which it was mounted. No one was injured by this volley,
+but a famous noise was made; and noise passed for a good deal in the
+warfare of that day and region.
+
+It was now the turn of the colonists. At the first alarm everybody
+rushed to arms, and every post was manned, or _womaned_, in a minute. On
+the poop of the ship was planted one of the cannon, loaded with grape,
+and pointed so as to sweep the strait of the bridge. It is true, the
+distance was fully a mile, but Betts had elevated the gun with a view to
+its sending its missiles as far as was necessary. The other carronades
+on the Summit were pointed so as to sweep the portion of the hog pasture
+that was nearest, and which was now swarming with enemies, Waally,
+himself, was in front, and was evidently selecting a party that was to
+swim for the sandy beach, a sort of forlorn hope. No time was to be
+lost. Juno, a perfect heroine in her way, stood by the gun on the poop,
+while Dido was at those on the Summit, each brandishing or blowing, a
+lighted match. The governor made the preconcerted signal to the last,
+and she applied the match. Away went the grape, rattling along the
+surface of the opposite rocks, and damaging at least a dozen of Waally's
+men. Three were killed outright, and the wounds of the rest were very
+serious. A yell followed, and a young chief rushed towards the strait,
+with frantic cries, as if bent on leaping across the chasm. He was
+followed by a hundred warriors. Mark now made the signal to Juno. Not a
+moment was lost by the undaunted girl, who touched off her gun in the
+very nick of time. Down came the grape, hissing along the Reef; and,
+rebounding from its surface, away it leaped across the strait, flying
+through the thickest of the assailants. A dozen more suffered by that
+discharge. Waally now saw that a crisis was reached, and his efforts to
+recover the ground lost were worthy of his reputation. Calling to the
+swimmers, he succeeded in getting them down into the water in scores.
+
+The governor had ordered those near him to their stations. This took
+Jones and Bigelow on board the Abraham, where two carronades were
+pointed through the stern ports, forming a battery to rake the hog
+pasture, which it was foreseen must be the field of battle if the enemy
+came by land, as it was the only island that came near enough to the
+Reef to be used in that way. As for Mark himself, accompanied by Brown
+and Wattles, all well armed, he held his party in reserve, as a corps to
+be moved wherever it might be most needed. At that all-important moment
+a happy idea occurred to the young governor. The schooner was all ready
+for launching. The reserve were under her bottom, intending to make a
+stand behind the covers of the yard, when Mark found himself at one of
+the spur-shores, just as Brown, armed to the teeth, came up to the
+other.
+
+"Lay aside your arms," cried the governor, "and knock away your
+spur-shore, Bill!--Down with it, while I knock this away!--Look out on
+deck, for we are about to launch you!"
+
+These words were just uttered, when the schooner began to move. All the
+colonists now cheered, and away the Abraham went, plunging like a
+battering-ram into the midst of the swimmers. While dipping deepest,
+Bigelow and Jones fired both their carronades, the shot of which threw
+the whole basin into foam. This combination of the means of assault was
+too much for savages to resist. Waally was instantly routed. His main
+body retreated into the coves of the channel, where their canoes lay,
+while the swimmers and stragglers got out of harm's way, in the best
+manner they could.
+
+Not a moment was to be lost. The Abraham was brought up by a hawser, as
+is usual, and was immediately boarded by Mark, Bigelow and Wattles. This
+gave her a crew of five men, who were every way equal to handling her.
+Betts was left in command of the Reef, with the remainder of the forces.
+To make sail required but two minutes, and Mark was soon under way,
+rounding Loam Island, or what had _once_ been Loam Island, for it was
+now connected with the hog pasture, in order to get into the reach where
+Waally had his forces. This reach was a quarter of a mile wide, and gave
+room for manoeuvring. Although the schooner bore down to the assault
+with a very determined air, it was by no means Mark's cue to come to
+close quarters. Being well to windward, with plenty of room, he kept
+the Abraham tacking, yawing, waring, and executing other of the devices
+of nautical delay, whilst his men loaded and fired her guns, as fast as
+they could. There were more noise and smoke, than there was bloodshed,
+as commonly happens on such occasions; but these sufficed to secure the
+victory. The savages were soon in a real panic, and no authority of
+Waally's could check their flight. Away they paddled to leeward,
+straining every nerve to get away from pursuers, whom they supposed to
+be murderously bent on killing them to a man. A more unequivocal flight
+never occurred in war.
+
+Although the governor was much in earnest, he was riot half as
+bloodthirsty as his fleeing enemies imagined. Every dictate of prudence
+told him not to close with the canoes until he had plenty of sea-room.
+The course they were steering would take them all out of the group, into
+the open water, in the course of three or four hours, and he determined
+to follow at a convenient distance, just hastening the flight by
+occasional hints from his guns. In this manner, the people of the
+Abraham had much the easiest time of it, for they did little besides
+sail, while the savages had to use all their paddles to keep out of the
+schooner's way; they sailed, also, but their speed under their cocoa-nut
+canvas was not sufficient to keep clear of the Friend Abraham White,
+which proved to be a very fast vessel, as well as one easily handled.
+
+At length, Waally found his fleet in the open ocean, where he trusted
+the chase would end. But he had greatly mistaken the course of events,
+in applying that 'flattering unction.' It was now that the governor
+commenced the chase in good earnest, actually running down three of the
+canoes, and making prisoners of one of the crews. In this canoe was a
+young warrior, whom Bill Brown and Wattles at once recognised as a
+favourite son of the chief. Here was a most important conquest, and,
+Mark turned it to account. He selected a proper agent from among the
+captives, and sent him with a palm-branch to Waally himself, with
+proposals for an exchange. There was no difficulty in communicating,
+since Brown and Wattles both spoke the language of the natives with
+great fluency. Three years of captivity had, at least, taught them that
+much.
+
+A good deal of time was wasted before Waally could be brought to
+confide in the honour of his enemies. At last, love for his offspring
+brought him, unarmed, alongside of the schooner, and the governor met
+this formidable chief, face to face. He found the latter a wily and
+intelligent savage. Nevertheless, he had not the art to conceal his
+strong affection for his son, and on that passion did Mark Woolston
+play. Waally offered canoes, robes of feathers, whales' teeth, and every
+thing that was most esteemed among his own people, as a ransom for the
+boy. But this was not the exchange the governor desired to make. He
+offered to restore the son to the arms of his father as soon as the five
+seamen who were still prisoners on his citadel island should be brought
+alongside of the schooner. If these terms were rejected, the lad must
+take the fate of war.
+
+Great was the struggle in the bosom of Waally, between natural
+affection, and the desire to retain his captives. After two hours of
+subterfuges, artifices, and tricks, the former prevailed, and a treaty
+was made. Agreeably to its conditions, the schooner was to pilot the
+fleet of canoes to Betto's group, which could easily be done, as Mark
+knew not only its bearings, but its latitude and longitude. As soon as
+this was effected, Waally engaged to send a messenger for the seamen,
+and to remain himself on board the Abraham until the exchange was
+completed. The chief wished to attach terms, by which the colonists were
+to aid him in more effectually putting down Ooroony, who was checked
+rather than conquered, but Mark refused to listen to any such
+proposition. He was more disposed to aid, than to overcome the kind
+hearted Ooroony, and made up his mind to have an interview with him
+before he returned from the intended voyage.
+
+Some delay would have occurred, to enable Mark to let Bridget know of
+his intended absence, had it not been for the solicitude of Betts.
+Finding the sails of the schooner had gone out of sight to leeward, Bob
+manned the Neshamony, and followed as a support. In the event of a
+wreck, for instance, his presence might have been of the last
+importance. He got alongside of the Abraham just as the treaty was
+concluded, and was in time to carry back the news to the crater, where
+he might expect still to arrive that evening. With this arrangement,
+therefore, the parties separated, Batts beating back, through the
+channels of the Reef and the governor leading off to the northward and
+westward, under short canvas; all of Waally's canoes, catamarans, &c.
+following about a mile astern of him.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XIX.
+
+
+
+    "Nay, shrink not from the word 'farewell!'
+    As if 'twere friendship's final knell;
+    Such fears may prove but vain:
+    So changeful is life's fleeting day,
+    Whene'er we sever--hope may say,
+    We part--to meet again."
+
+    Bernard Barton.
+
+
+The Abraham went under short canvas, and she was just three days,
+running dead before the wind, ere she came in sight of Waally's islands.
+Heaving-to to windward of the group, the canoes all passed into their
+respective harbours, leaving the schooner in the offing, with the
+hostages on board, waiting for the fulfilment of the treaty. The next
+day, Waally himself re-appeared, bringing with him Dickinson, Harris,
+Johnson, Edwards and Bright, the five seamen of the Rancocus that had so
+long been captives in his hands. It went hard with that savage chief to
+relinquish these men, but he loved his son even more than he loved
+power. As for the men themselves, language cannot portray their delight.
+They were not only rejoiced to be released, but their satisfaction was
+heightened on finding into whose hands they had fallen. These men had
+all kept themselves free from wives, and returned to their _colour_,
+that word being now more appropriate than _colours,_ or ensign,
+unshackled by any embarrassing engagements. They at once made the
+Abraham a power in that part of the world. With twelve able seamen, all
+strong, athletic and healthy men, to handle his craft, and with his two
+carronades and a long six, the governor felt as if he might interfere
+with the political relations of the adjoining states with every prospect
+of being heard. Waally was, probably, of the same opinion, for he made a
+great effort to extend the treaty so far as to overturn Ooroony
+altogether, and thus secure to their two selves the control of all that
+region. Woolston inquired of Waally, in what he should be benefited by
+such a policy? when the wily savage told him, with the gravest face
+imaginable, that he, Mark, might retain, in addition to his territories
+at the Reef, Rancocus Island! The governor thanked his fellow potentate
+for this hint, and now took occasion to assure him that, in future, each
+and all of Waally's canoes must keep away from Rancocus Island
+altogether; that island belonged to him, and if any more expeditions
+visited it, the call should be returned at Waally's habitations. This
+answer brought on an angry discussion, in which Waally, once or twice,
+forgot himself a little; and when he took his leave, it was not in the
+best humour possible.
+
+Mark now deliberated on the state of things around him. Jones knew
+Ooroony well, having been living in his territories until they were
+overrun by his powerful enemy, and the governor sent him to find that
+chief, using a captured canoe, of which they had kept two or three
+alongside of the schooner for the purpose. Jones, who was a sworn friend
+of the unfortunate chief, went as negotiator. Care was taken to land at
+the right place, under cover of the Abraham's guns, and in six hours
+Mark had the real gratification of taking Ooroony, good, honest, upright
+Ooroony, by the hand, on the quarter-deck of his own vessel. Much as the
+chief had suffered and lost, within the last two years, a gleam of
+returning happiness shone on him when he placed his foot on the deck of
+the schooner. His reception by the governor was honourable and even
+touching. Mark thanked him for his kindness to his wife, to his sister,
+to Heaton, and to his friend Bob. In point of fact, without this
+kindness, he, Woolston, might then have been a solitary hermit, without
+the means of getting access to any of his fellow-creatures, and doomed
+to remain in that condition all his days. The obligation was now frankly
+admitted, and Ooroony shed tears of joy when he thus found that his
+good deeds were remembered and appreciated.
+
+It has long been a question with moralists, whether or not, good and
+evil bring their rewards and punishments in this state of being. While
+it might be dangerous to infer the affirmative of this mooted point, as
+it would be cutting off the future and its consequences from those whose
+real hopes and fears ought to be mainly concentrated in the life that is
+to come, it would seem to be presuming to suppose that principles like
+these ever can be nugatory in the control even of our daily concerns.
+
+If it be true that God "visits the sins of the fathers upon the children
+even to the third and fourth generations of them that hate him," and
+that the seed of the righteous man is never seen begging his bread,
+there is much reason to believe that a portion of our transgressions is
+to meet with its punishment here on earth. We think nothing can be more
+apparent than the fact that, in the light of mere worldly expediency, an
+upright and high-principled course leads to more happiness than one that
+is the reverse; and if "honesty is the best policy," after all the
+shifts and expedients of cupidity, so does virtue lead most unerringly
+to happiness here, as it opens up the way to happiness hereafter.
+
+All the men of the Abraham had heard of Ooroony, and of his benevolent
+qualities. It was his goodness, indeed, that had been the cause of his
+downfall; for had he punished Waally as he deserved to be, when the
+power was in his hands, that turbulent chief, who commenced life as his
+lawful tributary, would never have gained a point where he was so near
+becoming his master. Every man on board now pressed around the good old
+chief, who heard on all sides of him assurances of respect and
+attachment, with pledges of assistance. When this touching scene was
+over, Mark held a council on the quarter-deck, in which the whole matter
+of the political condition of the group was discussed, and the wants and
+dangers of Ooroony laid bare.
+
+As commonly happens everywhere, civilized nations and popular
+governments forming no exceptions to the rule, the ascendency of evil in
+this cluster of remote and savage islands was owing altogether to the
+activity and audacity of a few wicked men, rather than to the
+inclination of the mass. The people greatly preferred the mild sway of
+their lawful chief, to the violence and exactions of the turbulent
+warrior who had worked his way into the ascendant; and, if a portion of
+the population had, unwittingly, aided the latter in his designs, under
+the momentary impulses of a love of change, they now fully repented of
+their mistake, and would gladly see the old condition of things
+restored. There was one island, in particular, which might be considered
+as the seat of power in the entire group. Ooroony had been born on it,
+and it had long been the residence of his family; but Waally succeeded
+in driving him off of it, and of intimidating its people, who, in
+secret, pined for the return of their ancient rulers. If this island
+could be again put in his possession, it would, itself, give the good
+chief such an accession of power, as would place him, at once, on a
+level with his competitor, and bring the war back to a struggle on equal
+terms. Could this be done with the assistance of the schooner, the moral
+effect of such an alliance would, in all probability, secure Ooroony's
+ascendency as long as such an alliance lasted.
+
+It would not have been easy to give a clearer illustration of the truth
+that "knowledge is power," than the case now before us affords. Here was
+a small vessel, of less than a hundred tons in measurement, with a crew
+of twelve men, and armed with three guns, that was not only deemed to be
+sufficient but which was in fact amply sufficient to change a dynasty
+among a people who counted their hosts in thousands. The expedients of
+civilized life gave the governor this ascendency, and he determined to
+use it justly, and in moderation. It was his wish to avoid bloodshed;
+and after learning all the facts he could, he set about his task coolly
+and with prudence.
+
+The first thing done, was to carry the schooner in, within reach of shot
+of Waally's principal fortress, where his ruling chiefs resided, and
+which in fact was the hold where about a hundred of his followers dwelt;
+fellows that kept the whole island in fear, and who rendered it
+subservient to Waally's wishes. This fortress, fort, or whatever it
+should be called, was then summoned, its chief being commanded to quit,
+not only the hold, but the island altogether. The answer was a defiance.
+As time was given for the reception of this reply, measures had been
+taken to support the summons by a suitable degree of concert and
+activity. Ooroony landed in person, and got among his friends on the
+island, who, assured of the support of the schooner, took up arms to a
+man, and appeared in a force that, of itself, was sufficient to drive
+Waally's men into the sea. Nevertheless, the last made a show of
+resistance until the governor fired his six-pounder at them. The shot
+passed through the wooden pickets, and, though it hurt no one, it made
+such a clatter, that the chief in command sent out a palm-branch, and
+submitted. This bloodless conquest caused a revolution at once, in
+several of the less important islands, and in eight-and-forty hours,
+Ooroony found himself where he had been when Betts appeared in the
+Neshamony. Waally was fain to make the best of matters, and even he came
+in, acknowledged his crimes, obtained a pardon, and paid tribute. The
+effect of this submission on the part of Waally, was to establish
+Ooroony more strongly than ever in authority, and to give him a chance
+of reigning peacefully for the remainder of his days. All this was done
+in less than a week after the war had begun in earnest, by the invasion
+of the Reef!
+
+The governor was too desirous to relieve the anxiety of those he had
+left behind him to accept the invitations that he, and his party, now
+received to make merry. He traded a little with Ooroony's people,
+obtaining many things that were useful in exchange for old iron, and
+other articles of little or no value. What was more, he ascertained that
+sandal-wood was to be found on Rancocus Island in small quantities, and
+in this group in abundance. A contract was made, accordingly, for the
+cutting and preparing of a considerable quantity of this wood, which was
+to be ready for delivery in the course of three months, when it was
+understood that the schooner was to return and take it in. These
+arrangements completed, the Friend Abraham White sailed for home.
+
+Instead of entangling himself in the channels to leeward, Mark made the
+land well to the northward, entering the group by a passage that led him
+quite down to the Reef, as the original island was now uniformly
+called, with a flowing sheet. Of course the schooner was seen an hour
+before she arrived, and everybody was out on the Reef to greet the
+adventurers. Fears mingled with the other manifestations of joy, when
+the result of this great enterprise came to be known. Mark had a
+delicious moment when he folded the sobbing Bridget to his heart, and
+Friend Martha was overcome in a way that it was not usual for her to
+betray feminine weakness.
+
+Everybody exulted in the success of the colony, and it was hoped that
+the future would be as quiet as it was secure.
+
+But recent events began to give the governor trouble, on other accounts.
+The accession to his numbers, as well as the fact that these men were
+seamen, and had belonged to the Rancocus, set him thinking on the
+subject of his duty to the owners of that vessel. So long as he supposed
+him self to be a cast-away, he had made use of their property without
+compunction, but circumstances were now changed, and he felt it to be a
+duty seriously to reflect on the possibility of doing something for the
+benefit of those who had, undesignedly it is true, contributed so much
+to his own comfort. In order to give this important subject a due
+consideration, as well as to relieve the minds of those at the Peak, the
+Abraham sailed for the cove the morning after her arrival at the Reef.
+Bridget went across to pay Anne a visit, and most of the men were of the
+party. The Neshamony had carried over the intelligence of Waally's
+repulse, and of the Abraham's having gone to that chief's island, but
+the result of this last expedition remained to be communicated.
+
+The run was made in six hours, and the Abraham was taken into the cove,
+and anchored there, just as easily as one of the smaller craft. There
+was water enough for anything that floated, the principal want being
+that of room, though there was enough even of room to receive a dozen
+vessels of size. The place, indeed, was a snug, natural basin, rather
+than a port, but art could not have made it safer, or even much more
+commodious. It was all so small an island could ever require in the way
+of a haven, it not being probable that the trade of the place would
+reach an amount that the shipping it could hold would not carry.
+
+The governor now summoned a general council of the colony. The seven
+seamen attended, as well as all the others, one or two at the crater
+excepted, and the business in hand was entered on soberly, and, in some
+respects, solemnly. In the first place, the constitution and intentions
+of the colonists were laid before the seven men, and they were asked as
+to their wishes for the future. Four of these men, including Brown, at
+once signed the constitution, and were sworn in as citizens. It was
+their wish to pass their days in that delicious climate, and amid the
+abundance of those rich and pleasing islands. The other three engaged
+with Mark for a time, but expressed a desire to return to America, after
+awhile. Wives were wanting; and this the governor saw, plainly enough,
+was a difficulty that must be got over, to keep the settlement
+contented. Not that a wife may not make a man's home very miserable, as
+well as very happy; but, most people prefer trying the experiment for
+themselves, instead of profiting by the experience of others.
+
+As soon as the question of citizenship was decided, and all the
+engagements were duly made, the governor laid his question of conscience
+before the general council. For a long time it had been supposed that
+the Rancocus could not be moved. The eruption had left her in a basin,
+or hole, where there was just water enough to float her, while twelve
+feet was the most that could be found on the side on which the channel
+was deepest. Now, thirteen feet aft was the draught of the ship when she
+was launched. This Bob well knew, having been launched in her. But,
+Brown had suggested the possibility of lifting the vessel eighteen
+inches or two feet, and of thus carrying her over the rock by which she
+was imprisoned. Once liberated from that place, every one knew there
+would be no difficulty in getting the ship to sea, since in one of the
+channels, that which led to the northward, a vessel might actually carry
+out fully five fathoms, or quite thirty feet. This channel had been
+accurately sounded by the governor himself, and of the fact he was well
+assured. Indeed, he had sounded most of the true channels around the
+Reef. By true channels is meant those passages that led from the open
+water quite up to the crater, or which admitted the passage of vessels,
+or boats: while the false were _culs de sac_, through which there were
+no real passages.
+
+The possibility, thus admitted, of taking the Rancocus to sea, a grave
+question of conscience arose. The property belonged to certain owners in
+Philadelphia, and was it not a duty to take it there? It is true, Friend
+Abraham White and his partners had received back their money from the
+insurers--this fact Bridget remembered to have heard before she left
+home; but those insurers, then, had their claims. Now, the vessel was
+still sound and seaworthy. Her upper works might require caulking, and
+her rigging could not be of the soundest; but, on the whole, the
+Rancocus was still a very valuable ship, and a voyage might be made for
+her yet. The governor thought that could she get her lower hold filled
+with sandal-wood, and that wood be converted into teas at Canton, as
+much would be made as would render every one contented with the result
+of the close of the voyage, disastrous as had been its commencement.
+Then Bridget would be of age shortly, when she would become entitled to
+an amount of property that, properly invested, would contribute largely
+to the wealth and power of the colony, as well as to those of its
+governor.
+
+In musing on all these plans, Mark had not the least idea of abandoning
+the scheme for colonizing. That was dearer to him now than ever;
+nevertheless, he saw obstacles to their execution. No one could navigate
+the ship but himself; in truth, he was the only proper person to carry
+her home, and to deliver her to her owners, whomsoever those might now
+be, and he could not conceal from himself the propriety, as well as the
+necessity, of his going in her himself. On the other hand, what might
+not be the consequences to the colony, of his absence for twelve months?
+A less time than that would not suffice to do all that was required to
+be done. Could he take Bridget with him, or could he bear to leave her
+behind? Her presence might be necessary for the disposal of the real
+estate of which she was the mistress, while her quitting the colony
+might be the signal for breaking it up altogether, under the impression
+that the two persons most interested in it would never return.
+
+Thus did the management of this whole matter become exceedingly
+delicate. Heaton and Betts, and in the end all the rest, were of opinion
+that the Rancocus ought to be sent back to America, for the benefit of
+those to whom she now legally belonged. Could she get a cargo, or any
+considerable amount of sandal-wood, and exchange it for teas by Canton,
+the proceeds of these teas might make a very sufficient return for all
+the outlays of the voyage, as well as for that portion of the property
+which had been used by the colonists. The use of this property was a
+very different thing, now, from what it was when Mark and Betts had
+every reason to consider themselves as merely shipwrecked seamen. Then,
+it was not only a matter of necessity, but, through that necessity, one
+of right; but, now, the most that could be said about it, was that it
+might be very convenient. The principles of the colonists were yet too
+good to allow of their deceiving themselves on this subject. They had,
+most of them, engaged with the owners to take care of this property, and
+it might be questioned, if such a wreck had ever occurred as to
+discharge the crew. The rule in such cases we believe to be, that, as
+seamen have a lien on the vessel for their wages, when that lien ceases
+to be of value, their obligations to the ship terminate. If the Rancocus
+_could_ be carried to America, no one belonging to her was yet legally
+exonerated from his duties.
+
+After weighing all these points, it was gravely and solemnly declared
+that an effort should first be made to get the ship out of her present
+duresse, and that the question of future proceedings should then be
+settled in another council. In the mean time, further and more valuable
+presents were to be sent to both Ooroony and Waally, from the stores of
+beads, knives, axes, &c., that were in the ship, with injunctions to
+them to get as much sandal-wood as was possible cut, and to have it
+brought down to the coast. Betts was to carry the presents, in the
+Neshamony, accompanied by Jones, who spoke the language, when he was to
+return and aid in the work upon the vessel.
+
+The duty enjoined in these decisions was commenced without delay. Heaton
+and Unus were left at the Peak, as usual, to look after things in that
+quarter, and to keep the mill from being idle, while all the rest of the
+men returned to the Reef, and set about the work on the ship. The first
+step taken was to send down all the spars and rigging that remained
+aloft; after which everything was got up out of the hold, and rolled, or
+dragged ashore. Of cargo, strictly speaking, the Rancocus had very
+little in weight, but she had a great many water-casks, four or five
+times as many as would have been put into her in an ordinary voyage.
+These casks had all been filled with fresh water, to answer the double
+purpose of a supply for the people, and as ballast for the ship. When
+these casks were all got on deck, and the water was started, it was
+found that the vessel floated several inches lighter than before. The
+sending ashore of the spars, sails, rigging, lumber, provisions, &c.,
+produced a still further effect, and, after carefully comparing the
+soundings, and the present draught of the vessel, the governor found it
+would be necessary to lift the last only eight inches, to get her out of
+her natural dock. This result greatly encouraged the labourers, who
+proceeded with renewed spirit. As it would be altogether useless to
+overhaul the rigging, caulk decks, &c., unless the ship could be got out
+of her berth, everybody worked with that end in view at first. In the
+course of a week, the water-casks were under her bottom, and it was
+thought that the vessel would have about an inch to spare. A gale having
+blown in the water, and a high tide coming at the same time, the
+governor determined to try the experiment of crossing the barrier. The
+order came upon the men suddenly, for no one thought the attempt would
+be made, until the ship was lifted an inch or two higher. But Mark saw
+what the wind had been doing for them, and he lost not a moment. The
+vessel was moved, brought head to her course, and the lines were hauled
+upon. Away went the Rancocus, which was now moved for the first time
+since the eruption!
+
+Just as the governor fancied that the ship was going clear, she struck
+aft. On examination it was found that her heel was on a knoll of the
+rock, and that had she been a fathom on either side of it, she would
+have gone clear. The hold, however, was very slight, and by getting two
+of the anchors to the cat-heads, the vessel was canted sufficiently to
+admit, of her passing. Then came cheers for success, and the cry of
+"walk away with her!" That same day the Rancocus was hauled alongside of
+the Reef, made fast, and secured just as she would have been at her own
+wharf, in Philadelphia.
+
+Now the caulkers began their part of the job. When caulked and scraped,
+she was painted, her rigging was overhauled and got into its places, the
+masts and yards were sent aloft, and all the sails were overhauled. A
+tier of casks, filled with fresh water, was put into her lower hold for
+ballast, and all the stores necessary for the voyage were sent on board
+her. Among other things overhauled were the provisions. Most of the beef
+and pork was condemned, and no small part of the bread; still, enough
+remained to take the ship's company to a civilized port. So reluctant
+was the governor to come to the decision concerning the crew, that he
+even bent sails before a council was again convened. But there was no
+longer any good excuse for delay. Betts had long been back, and brought
+the report that the sandal-wood was being hauled to the coast in great
+quantities, both factions working with right good will. In another month
+the ship might be loaded and sail for America.
+
+To the astonishment of every one, Bridget appeared in the council, and
+announced her determination to remain behind, while her husband carried
+the ship to her owners. She saw and felt, the nature of his duty, and
+could consent to his performing it to the letter. Mark was quite taken
+by surprise by this heroic and conscientious act in his young wife, and
+he had a great struggle with himself on the subject of leaving her
+behind him. Heaton, however, was so very prudent, and the present
+relations with their neighbours--neighbours four hundred miles
+distant--were so amicable, the whole matter was so serious, and the duty
+so obvious, that he finally acquiesced, without suffering his doubts to
+be seen.
+
+The next thing was to select a crew. The three men who had declined
+becoming citizens of the colony, Johnson, Edwards, and Bright, all able
+seamen, went as a matter of course. Betts would have to go in the
+character of mate, though Bigelow might have got along in that
+capacity. Betts knew nothing of navigation, while Bigelow might find
+his way into port on a pinch. On the other hand, Betts was a prime
+seaman--a perfect long-cue, in fact--whereas the most that could be said
+of Bigelow, in this respect, was that he was a stout, willing fellow,
+and was much better than a raw hand. The governor named Betts as his
+first, and Bigelow as his second officer. Brown remained behind, having
+charge of the navy in the governor's absence. He had a private interview
+with Mark, however, in which he earnestly requested that the governor
+would have the goodness "to pick out for him the sort of gal that he
+thought would make a fellow a good and virtuous wife, and bring her out
+with him, in whatever way he might return." Mark made as fair promises
+as the circumstances of the case would allow, and Brown was satisfied.
+
+It was thought prudent to have eight white men on board the ship, Mark
+intending to borrow as many more of Ooroony's people, to help pull and
+haul. With such a crew, he thought he might get along very well. Wattles
+chose to remain with his friend Brown; but Dickinson and Harris, though
+ready and willing to return, wished to sail in the ship. Like Brown,
+they wanted wives, but chose to select them for themselves. On this
+subject Wattles said nothing. We may add here, that Unus and Juno were
+united before the ship sailed. They took up land on the Peak, where Unus
+erected for himself a very neat cabin. Bridget set the young couple up,
+giving the furniture, a pig, some fowls, and other necessaries.
+
+At length the day for sailing arrived. Previously to departing, Mark had
+carried the ship through the channel, and she was anchored in a very
+good and safe roadstead, outside of everything. The leave-taking took
+place on board her. Bridget wept long in her husband's arms, but finally
+got so far the command of herself, as to assume an air of encouraging
+firmness among the other women. By this time, it was every way so
+obvious Mark's presence would be indispensable in America, that his
+absence was regarded as a necessity beyond control. Still it was hard to
+part for a year, nor was the last embrace entirely free from anguish.
+Friend Martha Betts took leave of Friend Robert with a great appearance
+of calmness, though she felt the separation keenly. A quiet,
+warm-hearted woman, she had made her husband very happy; and Bob was
+quite sensible of her worth. But to him the sea was a home, and he
+regarded a voyage round the world much as a countryman would look upon a
+trip to market. He saw his wife always in the vista created by his
+imagination, but she was at the end of the voyage.
+
+At the appointed hour, the Rancocus sailed, Brown and Wattles going down
+with her in the Neshamony as far as Betto's group, in order to bring
+back the latest intelligence of her proceedings. The governor now got
+Ooroony to assemble his priests and chiefs, and to pronounce a taboo on
+all intercourse with the whites for one year. At the end of that time,
+he promised to return, and to bring with him presents that should render
+every one glad to welcome him back. Even Waally was included in these
+arrangements; and when Mark finally sailed, it was with a strong hope
+that in virtue of the taboo, of Ooroony's power, and of his rival's
+sagacity, he might rely on the colony's meeting with no molestation
+during his absence. The reader will see that the Peak and Reef would be
+in a very defenceless condition, were it not for the schooner. By means
+of that vessel, under the management of Brown, assisted by Wattles,
+Socrates and Unus, it is true, a fleet of canoes might be beaten off;
+but any accident to the Abraham would be very likely to prove fatal to
+the colony, in the event of an invasion. Instructions were given to
+Heaton to keep the schooner moving about, and particularly to make a
+trip as often as once in two months, to Ooroony's country, in order to
+look after the state of things there. The pretence was to be
+trade--beads, hatchets, and old iron being taken each time, in exchange
+for sandal-wood; but the principal object was to keep an eye on the
+movements, and to get an insight into the policy, of the savages.
+
+After taking in a very considerable quantity of sandal-wood, and
+procuring eight active assistants from Ooroony the Rancocus got under
+way for Canton. By the Neshamony, which saw her into the offing, letters
+were sent back to the Reef, when the governor squared away for his port.
+At the end of fifty days, the ship reached Canton, where speedy and
+excellent sale was made of her cargo. So very lucrative did Mark make
+this transaction, that, finding himself with assets after filling up
+with teas, he thought himself justified in changing his course of
+proceeding. A small American brig, which was not deemed fit to double
+the capes, and to come-on a stormy coast, was on sale. She could run
+several years in a sea as mild as the Pacific, and Mark purchased her
+for a song. He put as many useful things on board her as he could find,
+including several cows, &c. Dry English cows were not difficult to find,
+the ships from Europe often bringing out the animals, and turning them
+off when useless. Mark was enabled to purchase six, which, rightly
+enough, he thought would prove a great acquisition to the colony. A
+plentiful supply of iron was also provided, as was ammunition, arms, and
+guns. The whole outlay, including the cost of the vessel, was less than
+seven thousand dollars; which sum Mark knew he should receive in
+Philadelphia, on account of the personal property of Bridget, and with
+which he had made up his mind to replace the proceeds of the
+sandal-wood, thus used, did those interested exact it. As for the
+vessel, she sailed like a witch, was coppered and copper-fastened, but
+was both old and weak. She had quarters, having been used once as a
+privateer, and mounted ten sixes. Her burthen was two hundred tons, and
+her name the Mermaid. The papers were all American, and in perfect rule.
+
+The governor might not have made this purchase, had it not been for the
+circumstance that he met an old acquaintance in Canton, who had got
+married in Calcutta to a pretty and very well-mannered English girl--a
+step that lost him his berth, however/on board a Philadelphia ship.
+Saunders was two or three years Mark's senior, and of an excellent
+disposition and diameter. When he heard the history of the colony, he
+professed a desire to join it, engaging to pick up a crew of Americans,
+who were in his own situation, or had no work on their hands, and to
+take the brig to the Reef. "This arrangement was made and carried out;
+the Mermaid sailing for the crater" the day before the Rancocus left for
+Philadelphia, having Bigelow on board as pilot and first officer; while
+Woolston shipped an officer to supply his place. The two vessels met in
+the China seas, and passed a week in company, when each steered her
+course; the governor quite happy in thinking that he had made this
+provision for the good of his people. The arrival of the Mermaid would
+be an eventful day in the colony, on every account; and, the
+instructions of Saunders forbidding his quitting the islands until the
+end of the year, her presence would be a great additional means of
+security.
+
+It is unnecessary for us to dwell on the passage of the Rancocus. In due
+time she entered the capes of the Delaware, surprising all interested
+with her appearance. Friend Abraham White was dead, and the firm
+dissolved. But the property had all been transferred, to the insurers by
+the payment of the amount underwritten, and Mark made his report at the
+office. The teas were sold to great advantage, and the whole matter was
+taken fairly into consideration. After deducting the sum paid the firm,
+principal and interest, the insurance company resolved to give the ship,
+and the balance of the proceeds of the sale, to Captain Woolston, as a
+reward for his integrity and prudence. Mark had concealed nothing, but
+stated what he had done in reference to the Mermaid, and told his whole
+story with great simplicity, and with perfect truth. The result was,
+that the young man got, in addition to the ship, which was legally
+conveyed to him, some eleven thousand dollars in hard money. Thus was
+honesty shown to be the best policy!
+
+It is scarcely necessary to say that his success made Mark Woolston a
+great man, in a small way. Not only was he received with open arms by
+all of his own blood; but Dr. Yardley now relented, and took him by the
+hand. A faithful account was rendered of his stewardship; and Mark
+received as much ready money, on account of his wife, as placed somewhat
+more than twenty thousand dollars at his disposal. With this money he
+set to work, without losing a day, to make arrangements to return to
+Bridget and the crater; for he always deemed that his proper abode, in
+preference to the Peak. In this feeling, his charming wife coincided;
+both probably encouraging a secret interest in the former, in
+consequence of the solitary hours that had been passed there by the
+young husband, while his anxious partner was far away.
+
+
+
+Chapter XX.
+
+
+
+    "There is no gloom on earth, for God above
+      Chastens in love;
+    Transmuting sorrows into golden joy
+      Free from alloy.
+    His dearest attribute is still to bless,
+    And man's most welcome hymn is grateful cheerfulness."
+
+    Moral Alchemy.
+
+
+The mode of proceeding now required great caution on the part of Mark
+Woolston. His mind was fully made up not to desert his islands, although
+this might easily be done, by fitting out the ship for another voyage,
+filling her with sandal-wood, and bringing off all who chose to abandon
+the place. But Woolston had become infatuated with the climate, which
+had all the witchery of a low latitude without any of its lassitude. The
+sea-breezes kept the frame invigorated, and the air reasonably cool,
+even at the Reef; while, on the Peak, there was scarcely ever a day, in
+the warmest months, when one could not labour at noon. In this respect
+the climate did not vary essentially from that of Pennsylvania, the
+difference existing in the fact that there was no winter in his new
+country. Nothing takes such a hold on men as a delicious climate. They
+may not be sensible of all its excellencies while in its enjoyment, but
+the want of it is immediately felt, and has an influence on all their
+pleasures. Even the scenery-hunter submits to this witchery of climate,
+which casts a charm over the secondary beauties of nature, as a sweet
+and placid temper renders the face of woman more lovely than the colour
+of a skin, or the brilliancy of fine eyes. The Alps and the Apennines
+furnish a standing proof of the truth of this fact. As respects
+grandeur, a startling magnificence, and all that at first takes the
+reason, as well as the tastes, by surprise, the first are vastly in
+advance of the last; yet, no man of feeling or sentiment, probably ever
+dwelt a twelve-month amid each, without becoming more attached to the
+last. We wonder at Switzerland, while we get to love Italy. The
+difference is entirely owing to climate; for, did the Alps rise in a
+lower latitude, they would be absolutely peerless.
+
+But Mark Woolston had no thought of abandoning the crater and the Peak.
+Nor did he desire to people them at random, creating a population by any
+means, incorporating moral diseases in his body politic by the measures
+taken to bring it into existence. On the contrary, it was his wish,
+rather, to procure just as much force as might be necessary to security,
+so divided in pursuits and qualities as to conduce to comfort and
+civilization, and then to trust to the natural increase for the growth
+that might be desirable in the end. Such a policy evidently required
+caution and prudence. The reader will perceive that governor Woolston
+was not influenced by the spirit of trade that is now so active,
+preferring happiness to wealth, and morals to power.
+
+Among Woolston's acquaintances, there was a young man of about his own
+age, of the name of Pennock, who struck him as a person admirably suited
+for his purposes. This Pennock had married very young, and was already
+the father of three children. He began to feel the pressure of society,
+for he was poor. He was an excellent farmer, accustomed to toil, while
+he was also well educated, having been intended for one of the
+professions. To Pennock Mark told his story, exhibited his proofs, and
+laid bare his whole policy, under a pledge of secresy, offering at the
+same time to receive his friend, his wife, children, and two unmarried
+sisters, into the colony. After taking time to reflect and to consult,
+Pennock accepted the offer as frankly as it had been made. From this
+time John Pennock relieved the governor, in a great measure, of the duly
+of selecting the remaining emigrants, taking that office on himself.
+This allowed Mark to attend to his purchases, and to getting the ship
+ready for sea. Two of his own brothers, however, expressed a wish to
+join the new community, and Charles and Abraham Woolston were received
+in the colony lists. Half-a-dozen more were admitted, by means of direct
+application to the governor himself, though the accessions were
+principally obtained through the negotiations and measures of Pennock.
+All was done with great secrecy, it being Mark's anxious desire, on many
+accounts, not to attract public attention to his colony.
+
+The reasons were numerous and sufficient for this wish to remain
+unknown. In the first place, the policy of retaining the monopoly of a
+trade that must be enormously profitable, was too obvious to need any
+arguments to support it. So long as the sandal-wood lasted, so long
+would it be in the power of the colonists to coin money; while it was
+certain that competitors would rush in, the moment the existence of this
+mine of wealth should be known. Then, the governor apprehended the
+cupidity and ambition of the old-established governments, when it should
+be known that territory was to be acquired. It was scarcely possible for
+man to possess any portion of this earth by a title better than that
+with which Mark Woolston was invested with his domains. But, what is
+right compared to might! Of his native country, so abused in our own
+times for its rapacity, and the desire to extend its dominions by any
+means, Mark felt no apprehension. Of all the powerful nations of the
+present day, America, though not absolutely spotless, has probably the
+least to reproach herself with, on the score of lawless and purely
+ambitious acquisitions. Even her conquests in open war have been few,
+and are not yet determined in character. In the end, it will be found
+that little will be taken that Mexico could keep; and had that nation
+observed towards this, ordinary justice and faith, in her intercourse
+and treaties, that which has so suddenly and vigorously been done, would
+never have even been attempted.
+
+It may suit the policy of those who live under the same system, to decry
+those who do not; but men are not so blind that they cannot see the sun
+at noon-day. One nation makes war because its consul receives the rap of
+a fan; and men of a different origin, religion and habits, are coerced
+into submission as the consequence. Another nation burns towns, and
+destroys their people in thousands, because their governors will not
+consent to admit a poisonous drug into their territories: an offence
+against the laws of trade that can only be expiated by the ruthless
+march of the conqueror. Yet the ruling men of both these communities
+affect a great sensibility when the long-slumbering young lion of the
+West rouses himself in his lair, after twenty years of forbearance, and
+stretches out a paw in resentment for outrages that no other nation,
+conscious of his strength, would have endured for as many months,
+because, forsooth, he _is_ the young lion of the West. Never mind: by
+the time New Zealand and Tahiti are brought under the yoke, the
+Californians may be admitted to an equal participation in the rights of
+American citizens.
+
+The governor was fully aware of the danger he ran of having claims, of
+some sort or other, set up to his islands, if he revealed their
+existence; and he took the greatest pains to conceal the fact. The
+arrival of the Rancocus was mentioned in the papers, as a matter of
+course; but it was in a way to induce the reader to suppose she had met
+with her accident in the midst of a naked reef, and principally through
+the loss of her men; and that, when a few of the last were regained, the
+voyage was successfully resumed and terminated. In that day, the great
+discovery had not been made that men were merely incidents of
+newspapers; but the world had the folly to believe that newspapers were
+incidents of society, and were subject to its rules and interests. Some
+respect was paid to private rights, and the reign of gossip had not
+commenced.[4]
+
+     [Footnote 4: We hold in our possession a curious document, the
+     publication of which might rebuke this spirit of gossip, and give a
+     salutary warning to certain managers of the press, who no sooner
+     hear a rumour than they think themselves justified in embalming it
+     among the other truths of their daily sheets. The occurrences of
+     life brought us in collision, legally, with an editor; and we
+     obtained a verdict against him. Dissatisfied with defeat, as is apt
+     to be the case, he applied for a new trial. Such an application was
+     to be sustained by affidavits, and he made his own, as usual. Now,
+     in this affidavit, our competitor swore distinctly and
+     unequivocally, to certain alleged facts (we think to the number of
+     six), every one of which was untrue. Fortunately for the party
+     implicated, the matter sworn to was purely _ad captandum_ stuff,
+     and, in a legal sense, not pertinent to the issue. This prevented
+     it from being perjury in law. Still, it was all untrue, and nothing
+     was easier than to show it. Now, we do not doubt that the person
+     thus swearing _believed_ all that he swore to, or he would not have
+     had the extreme folly to expose himself as he did; but he was so
+     much in the habit of publishing gossip in his journal, that, when
+     an occasion arrived, he did not hesitate about swearing to what he
+     had read in other journals, without taking the trouble to inquire
+     if it were true! One of these days we may lay all this, along with
+     much other similar proof of the virtue there is in gossip, so
+     plainly before the world, that he who runs may read.]
+
+In the last century, however, matters were not carried quite so far as
+they are at present. No part of this community, claiming any portion of
+respectability, was willing to publish its own sense of inferiority so
+openly, as to gossip about its fellow-citizens, for no more direct
+admissions of inferiority can be made than this wish to comment on the
+subject of any one's private concerns. Consequently Mark and his islands
+escaped. There was no necessity for his telling the insurers anything
+about the Peak, for instance, and on that part of the subject,
+therefore, he wisely held his tongue. Nothing, in short, was said of any
+colony at all. The manner in which the crew had been driven away to
+leeward, and recovered, was told minutely, and the whole process by
+which the ship was saved. The property used, Mark said had been
+appropriated to his wants, without going into details, and the main
+results being so very satisfactory, the insurers asked no further.
+
+As soon as off the capes, the governor set about a serious investigation
+of the state of his affairs. In the way of cargo, a great many articles
+had been laid in, which experience told him would be useful. He took
+with him such farming tools as Friend Abraham White had not thought of
+furnishing to the natives of Fejee, and a few seeds that had been
+overlooked by that speculating philanthropist. There were half a dozen
+more cows on board, as well as an improved breed of hogs. Mark carried
+out, also, a couple of mares, for, while many horses could never be much
+needed in his islands, a few would always be exceedingly useful. Oxen
+were much wanted, but one of his new colonists had yoked his cows, and
+it was thought they might be made useful, in a moderate degree, until
+their stouter substitutes could be reared. Carts and wagons were
+provided in sufficient numbers. A good stock of iron in bars was laid
+in, in addition to that which was wrought into nails, and other useful
+articles. Several thousand dollars in coin were also provided, being
+principally in small pieces, including copper. But all the emigrants
+took more or less specie with them.
+
+A good deal of useful lumber was stowed in the lower hold, though the
+mill by this time furnished a pretty good home supply. The magazine was
+crammed with ammunition, and the governor had purchased four light
+field-guns, two three-pounders and two twelve-pound howitzers, with
+their equipments. He had also brought six long, iron twelves, ship-guns,
+with their carriages &c. The last he intended for his batteries, the
+carronades being too light for steady work, and throwing their shot too
+wild for a long range. The last could be mounted on board the different
+vessels. The Rancocus, also, had an entire new armament, having left all
+her old guns but two behind her. Two hundred muskets were laid in, with
+fifty brace of pistols. In a word, as many arms were provided as it was
+thought could, in any emergency, become necessary.
+
+But it was the human portion of his cargo that the governor, rightly
+enough, deemed to be of the greatest importance. Much care had been
+bestowed on the selection, which had given all concerned in it not a
+little trouble. Morals were the first interest attended to. No one was
+received but those who bore perfectly good characters. The next thing
+was to make a proper division among the various trades and pursuits of
+life. There were carpenters, masons, blacksmiths, tailors, shoemakers,
+&c., or, one of each, and sometimes more. Every 'man was married, the
+only exceptions being in the cases of younger brothers and sisters, of
+whom about a dozen were admitted along with their relatives. The whole
+of the ships' betwixt decks was fitted up for the reception of these
+emigrants, who were two hundred and seven in number, besides children.
+Of the last there were more than fifty, but they were principally of an
+age to allow of their being put into holes and corners.
+
+Mark Woolston was much too sensible a man to fall into any of the
+modern absurdities on the subject of equality, and a community of
+interests. One or two individuals, even in that day, had wished to
+accompany him, who were for forming an association in which all property
+should be shared in common, and in which nothing was to be done but that
+which was right. Mark had not the least objection in the world to the
+last proposition, and would have been glad enough to see it carried out
+to the letter, though he differed essentially with the applicants, as to
+the mode of achieving so desirable an end. He was of opinion that
+civilization could not exist without property, or property without a
+direct personal interest in both its accumulation and its preservation.
+They, on the other hand, were carried away by the crotchet that
+community-labour was better than individual labour, and that a hundred
+men would be happier and better off with their individualities
+compressed into one, than by leaving them in a hundred subdivisions, as
+they had been placed by nature. The theorists might have been right, had
+it been in their power to compress a hundred individuals into one, but
+it was riot. After all their efforts, they would still remain a hundred
+individuals, merely banded together under more restraints, and with less
+liberty than are common.
+
+Of all sophisms, that is the broadest which supposes personal liberty is
+extended by increasing the power of the community. Individuality is
+annihilated in a thousand things, by the community-power that already
+exists in this country, where persecution often follows from a man's
+thinking and acting differently from his neighbours, though the law
+professes to protect him. The reason why this power becomes so very
+formidable, and is often so oppressively tyrannical in its exhibition,
+is very obvious. In countries where the power is in the hands of the
+few, public sympathy often sustains the man who resists its injustice;
+but no public sympathy can sustain him who is oppressed by the public
+itself. This oppression does not often exhibit itself in the form of
+law, but rather in its denial. He, who has a clamour raised against him
+by numbers, appeals in vain to numbers for justice, though his claim may
+be clear as the sun at noon-day. The divided responsibility of bodies
+of men prevents anything like the control of conscience, and the most
+ruthless wrongs are committed, equally without reflection and without
+remorse.
+
+Mark Woolston had thought too much on the subject, to be the dupe of any
+of these visionary theories. Instead of fancying that men never knew
+anything previously to the last ten years of the eighteenth century, he
+was of the opinion of the wisest man who ever lived, that 'there was
+nothing new under the sun.' That 'circumstances might alter cases' he
+was willing enough to allow, nor did he intend to govern the crater by
+precisely the same laws as he would govern Pennsylvania, or Japan; but
+he well understood, nevertheless, that certain great moral truths
+existed as the law of the human family, and that they were not to be set
+aside by visionaries; and least of all, with impunity.
+
+Everything connected with the colony was strictly practical. The
+decision of certain points had unquestionably given the governor
+trouble, though he got along with them pretty well, on the whole. A
+couple of young lawyers had desired to go, but he had the prudence to
+reject them. Law, as a science, is a very useful study, beyond a
+question; but the governor, rightly enough, fancied that his people
+could do without so much science for a few years longer. Then another
+doctor volunteered his services. Mark remembered the quarrels between
+his father and his father-in-law, and thought it better to die under one
+theory than under two. As regards a clergyman, Mark had greater
+difficulty. The question of sect was not as seriously debated half a
+century ago as it is to-day; still it was debated. Bristol had a very
+ancient society, of the persuasion of the Anglican church, and Mark's
+family belonged to it. Bridget, however, was a Presbyterian, and no
+small portion of the new colonists were what is called Wet-Quakers; that
+is, Friends who are not very particular in their opinions or
+observances. Now, religion often caused more feuds than anything else:
+still it was impossible to have a priest for every persuasion, and one
+ought to suffice for the whole colony. The question was of what sect
+should that one clergyman be? So many prejudices were to be consulted,
+that the governor was about to abandon the project in despair, when
+accident determined the point. Among Heaton's relatives was a young man
+of the name of Hornblower, no bad appellation, by the way, for one who
+had to sound so many notes of warning, who had received priest's orders
+from the hands of the well-known Dr. White, so long the presiding Bishop
+of America, and whose constitution imperiously demanded a milder climate
+than that in which he then lived. As respects him, it became a question
+purely of humanity, the divine being too poor to travel on his own
+account, and he was received on board the Rancocus, with his wife, his
+sister, and two children, that he might have the benefit of living
+within the tropics. The matter was fully explained to the other
+emigrants, who could not raise objections if they would, but who really
+were not disposed to do so in a case of such obvious motives. A good
+portion of them, probably, came to the conclusion that Episcopalian
+ministrations were better than none, though, to own the truth, the
+liturgy gave a good deal of scandal to a certain portion of their
+number. _Reading_ prayers was so profane a thing, that these individuals
+could scarcely consent to be present at such a vain ceremony; nor was
+the discontent, on this preliminary point, fully disposed of until the
+governor once asked the principal objector how he got along with the
+Lord's Prayer, which was not only written and printed, but which usually
+was committed to memory! Notwithstanding this difficulty, the emigrants
+did get along with it without many qualms, and most of them dropped
+quietly into the habit of worshipping agreeably to a liturgy, just as if
+it were not the terrible profanity that some of them had imagined. In
+this way, many of our most intense prejudices get lost in new
+communications.
+
+It is not our intention to accompany the Rancocus, day by day, in her
+route. She touched at Rio, and sailed again at the end of eight and
+forty hours. The passage round the Horn was favourable, and having got
+well to the westward, away the ship went for her port. One of the cows
+got down, and died before it could be relieved, in a gale off the cape;
+but no other accident worth mentioning occurred. A child died with
+convulsions, in consequence of teething, a few days later; but this did
+not diminish the number on board, as three were born the same week. The
+ship had now been at sea one hundred and sixty days, counting the time
+passed at Rio, and a general impatience to arrive pervaded the vessel.
+If the truth must be said, some of the emigrants began to doubt the
+governor's ability to find his islands again, though none doubted of
+their existence. The Kannakas, however, declared that they began to
+smell home, and it is odd enough, that this declaration, coming as it
+did from ignorant men who made it merely on a fanciful suggestion,
+obtained more credit with most of the emigrants, than all the governor's
+instruments and observations.
+
+One day, a little before noon it was, Mark appeared on deck with his
+quadrant, and as he cleaned the glasses of the instrument, he announced
+his conviction that the ship would shortly make the group of the crater.
+A current had set him further north than he intended to go, but having
+hauled up to south-west, he waited only for noon to ascertain his
+latitude, to be certain of his position. As the governor maintained a
+proper distance from his people, and was not in the habit of
+making-unnecessary communications to them, his present frankness told
+for so much the more, and it produced a very general excitement in the
+ship. All eyes were on the look-out for land, greatly increasing the
+chances of its being shortly seen. The observation came at noon, as is
+customary, and the governor found he was about thirty miles to the
+northward of the group of islands he was seeking. By his calculation, he
+was still to the eastward of it, and he hauled up, hoping to fall in
+with the land well to windward. After standing on three hours in the
+right direction, the look-outs from the cross-trees declared no land was
+visible ahead. For one moment the dreadful apprehension of the group's
+having sunk under another convulsion of nature crossed Mark's mind, but
+he entertained that notion for a minute only. Then came the cry of "sail
+ho!" to cheer everybody, and to give them something else to think of.
+
+This was the first vessel the Rancocus had seen since she left Rio. It
+was to windward, and appeared to be standing down before the wind. In an
+hour's time the two vessels were near enough to each other to enable the
+glass to distinguish objects; and the quarter-deck, on board the
+Rancocus, were all engaged in looking at the stranger.
+
+"'Tis the Mermaid," said Mark to Betts, "and it's all right. Though what
+that craft can be doing here to windward of the islands is more than I
+can imagine!"
+
+"Perhaps, sir, they's a cruising arter us," answered Bob. "This is about
+the time they ought to be expectin' on us; and who knows but Madam
+Woolston and Friend Marthy may not have taken it into their heads to
+come out a bit to see arter their lawful husbands?"
+
+The governor smiled at this conceit, but continued his observations in
+silence.
+
+"She behaves very strangely, Betts," Mark, at length, said. "Just take a
+look at her. She yaws like a galliot in a gale, and takes the whole road
+like a drunken man. There can be no one at the helm."
+
+"And how lubberly, sir, her canvas is set! Just look at that
+main-taw-sail, sir; one of the sheets isn't home by a fathom, while the
+yard is braced in, till it's almost aback!"
+
+The governor walked the deck for five minutes in intense thought, though
+occasionally he stopped to look at the brig, now within a league of
+them. Then he suddenly called out to Bob, to "see all clear for action,
+and to get everything ready to go to quarters."
+
+This order set every one in motion. The women and children were hurried
+below, and the men, who had been constantly exercised, now, for five
+months, took their stations with the regularity of old seamen. The guns
+were cast loose--ten eighteen-pound carronades and two nines, the new
+armament--cartridges were got ready, shot placed at hand, and all the
+usual dispositions for combat were made. While this was doing, the two
+vessels were fast drawing nearer to each other, and were soon within
+gun-shot. But, no one on board the Rancocus knew what to make of the
+evolutions of the Mermaid. Most of her ordinary square-sails were set,
+though not one of them all was sheeted home, or well hoisted. An attempt
+had been made to lay the yards square, but one yard-arm was braced in
+too far, another not far enough, and nothing like order appeared to have
+prevailed at the sail-trimming. But, the of the brig was the most
+remarkable. Her general course would seem to be dead before the wind;
+but she yawed incessantly, and often so broadly, as to catch some of her
+light sails aback. Most vessels take a good deal of room in running down
+before the wind, and in a swell; but the Mermaid took a great deal more
+than was Common, and could scarce be said to look any way in particular.
+All this the governor observed, as the vessels approached nearer and
+nearer, as well as the movements of those of the crew who showed
+themselves in the rigging.
+
+"Clear away a bow-gun," cried Mark, to Betts--"something dreadful must
+have happened; that brig is in possession of the savages, who do not
+know how to handle her!"
+
+This announcement produced a stir on board the Rancocus, as may well be
+imagined. If the savages had the brig, they probably had the group also;
+and what had become of the colonists? The next quarter of an hour was
+one of the deepest expectation with all in the ship, and of intense
+agony with Mark. Betts was greatly disturbed also; nor would it have
+been safe for one of Waally's men to have been within reach of his arm,
+just then. Could it be possible that Ooroony had yielded to temptation
+and played them false? The governor could hardly believe it; and, as for
+Betts, he protested loudly it could not be so.
+
+"Is that bow-gun ready?" demanded the governor.
+
+"Ay, ay, sir; all ready."
+
+"Fire, but elevate well--we will only frighten them, at first. We betide
+them, if they resist."
+
+Betts did fire, and to the astonishment of everybody, the brig returned
+a broadside! But resistance ceased with this one act of energy, if it
+could be so termed. Although five guns were actually fired, and nearly
+simultaneously, no aim was even attempted. The shot all flew off at a
+tangent from the position of the ship; and no harm was done to any but
+the savages themselves, of whom three or four were injured by the
+recoils. From the moment the noise and smoke were produced, everything
+like order ceased on board the brig, which was filled with savages. The
+vessel broached to, and the sails caught aback. All this time, the
+Rancocus was steadily drawing nearer, with an intent to board; but,
+unwilling to expose his people, most of whom were unpractised in
+strife, in a hand-to-hand conflict with ferocious savages, the governor
+ordered a gun loaded with grape to be discharged into the brig. This
+decided the affair at once. Half a dozen were killed or wounded; some
+ran below; a few took refuge in the top; but most, without the slightest
+hesitation, jumped overboard. To the surprise of all who saw them, the
+men in the water began to swim directly to windward; a circumstance
+which indicated that either land or canoes were to be found in that
+quarter of the ocean. Seeing the state of things on board the brig, Mark
+luffed up under her counter, and laid her aboard. In a minute, he and
+twenty chosen men were on her decks; in another, the vessels were again
+clear of each other, and the Mermaid under command.
+
+No sooner did the governor discharge his duties as a seaman, than he
+passed below. In the cabin he found Mr. Saunders, (or Captain Saunders,
+as he was called by the colonists,) bound hand and foot. His steward was
+in the same situation, and Bigelow was found, also a prisoner, in the
+steerage. These were all the colonists on board, and all but two who had
+been on board, when the vessel was taken.
+
+Captain Saunders could tell the governor very little more than he saw
+with his own eyes. One fact of importance, however, he could and did
+communicate, which was this: Instead of being to windward of the crater,
+as Mark supposed, he was to leeward of it; the currents no doubt having
+set the ship to the westward faster than had been thought. Rancocus
+Island would have been made by sunset, had the ship stood on in the
+course she was steering when she made the Mermaid.
+
+But the most important fact was the safety of the females. They were all
+at the Peak, where they had lived for the last six months, or ever since
+the death of the good Ooroony had again placed Waally in the ascendant.
+Ooroony's son was overturned immediately on the decease of the father,
+who died a natural death, and Waally disregarded the taboo, which he
+persuaded his people could have no sanctity as applied to the whites.
+The plunder of these last, with the possession of the treasure of iron
+and copper that was to be found in their vessels, had indeed been the
+principal bribe with which the turbulent and ambitious chief regained
+his power. The war did not break out, however, as soon as Waally had
+effected the revolution in his own group. On the contrary, that wily
+politician had made so many protestations of friendship after that
+event, which he declared to be necessary to the peace of his island; had
+collected so much sandal-wood, and permitted it to be transferred to the
+crater, where a cargo was already stored; and had otherwise made so many
+amicable demonstrations, as completely to deceive the colonists. No one
+had anticipated an invasion; but, on the contrary, preparations were
+making at the Peak for the reception of Mark, whose return had now been
+expected daily for a fortnight.
+
+The Mermaid had brought over a light freight of wood from Betto's group,
+and had discharged at the crater. This done, she had sailed with the
+intention of going out to cruise for the Rancocus, to carry the news of
+the colony, all of which was favourable, with the exception of the death
+of Ooroony and the recent events; but was lying in the roads, outside of
+everything--the Western Roads, as they were called, or those nearest to
+the other group--waiting for the appointed hour of sailing, which was to
+be the very morning of the day in which she was fallen in with by the
+governor. Her crew consisted only of Captain Saunders, Bigelow, the cook
+and steward, and two of the people engaged at Canton--one of whom was a
+very good-for-nothing Chinaman. The two last had the look-out, got
+drunk, and permitted a fleet of hostile canoes to get alongside in the
+dark, being knocked on the head and tossed overboard, as the penalty of
+this neglect of duty. The others owed their lives to the circumstance of
+being taken in their sleep, when resistance was out of the question. In
+the morning, the brig's cable was cut, sail was set, after a fashion,
+and an attempt was made to carry the vessel over to Betto's group. It is
+very questionable whether she ever could have arrived; but that point
+was disposed of by the opportune appearance of the Rancocus.
+
+Saunders could communicate nothing of the subsequent course of the
+invaders. He had been kept below the whole time, and did not even know
+how many canoes composed the fleet. The gang in possession of the
+Mermaid was understood, however, to be but a very small part of Waally's
+force present, that chief leading in person. By certain
+half-comprehended declarations of his conquerors, Captain Sauriders
+understood that the rest had entered the channel, with a view to
+penetrate to the crater, where Socrates, Unus and Wattles were
+residing with their wives and families, and where no greater force was
+left when the Mermaid sailed. The property there, however, was out of
+all proportion in value to the force of those whose business it was to
+take care of it. In consequence of the Rancocus's removal, several
+buildings had been constructed on the Reef, and one house of very
+respectable dimensions had been put up on the Summit. It is true, these
+houses were not very highly finished; but they were of great value to
+persons in the situation of the colonists. Most of the hogs, moreover,
+were still rooting and tearing up the thousand-acre prairie; where,
+indeed, they roamed very much in a state of nature. Socrates
+occasionally carried to them a boat-load of 'truck' from the crater, in
+order to keep up amicable relations with them; but they were little
+better than so many wild animals, in one sense, though there had not yet
+been time materially to change their natures. In the whole, including
+young and old, there must have been near two hundred of these animals
+altogether, their increase being very rapid. Then, a large amount of the
+stores sent from Canton, including most of the iron, was in store at the
+crater; all of which would lay at the mercy of Waally's men; for the
+resistance to be expected from the three in possession, could not amount
+to much.
+
+The governor was prompt enough in his decision, as soon as he understood
+the facts of the case. The first thing was to bring the vessels close by
+the wind, and to pass as near as possible over the ground where the
+swimmers were to be found; for Mark could not bear the idea of
+abandoning a hundred of his fellow-creatures in the midst of the ocean,
+though they were enemies and savages. By making short stretches, and
+tacking two or three times, the colonists found themselves in the midst
+of the swimmers; not one in ten of whom would probably ever have
+reached the land, but for the humanity of their foe. Alongside of the
+Mermaid were three or four canoes; and these were cast adrift at the
+right moment, without any parleying. The Indians were quick enough at
+understanding the meaning of this, and swam to the canoes from all
+sides, though still anxious to get clear of the vessels. On board the
+last canoe the governor put all his prisoners, when he deemed himself
+happily quit of the whole gang.
+
+There were three known channels by which the Rancocus could be carried
+quite up to the crater. Mark chose that which came in from the
+northward, both because it was the nearest, and because he could lay his
+course in it, without tacking, for most of the way. Acquainted now with
+his position, Mark had no difficulty in finding the entrance of this
+channel. Furnishing the Mermaid with a dozen hands, she was sent to the
+western roads, to intercept Waally's fleet, should it be coming out with
+the booty. In about an hour after the Rancocus altered her course, she
+made the land; and, just as the sun was setting, she got so close in as
+to be able to anchor in the northern roads, where there was not only a
+lee, but good holding-ground. Here the ship passed the night, the
+governor not liking to venture into the narrow passages in the dark.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XXI.
+
+
+
+    "Fancy can charm and feeling bless
+      With sweeter hours than fashion knows;
+    There is no calmer quietness,
+      Than home around the bosom throws."
+
+    Percival.
+
+
+Although the governor deemed it prudent to anchor for the night, he did
+not neglect the precaution of reconnoitring. Betts was sent towards the
+Reef, in a boat well armed and manned, in order to ascertain the state
+of things in that quarter. His instructions directed him to push
+forward as far as he could, and if possible to hold some sort of
+communication with Socrates, who might now be considered as commander at
+the point assailed.
+
+Fortunate was it that the governor bethought him of this measure. As
+Betts had the ship's launch, which carried two lugg-sails, his progress
+was both easy and rapid, and he actually got in sight of the Reef before
+midnight. To his astonishment, all seemed to be tranquil, and Betts at
+first believed that the savages had completed their work and departed.
+Being a bold fellow, however, a distant reconnoitring did not satisfy
+him; and on he went, until his boat fairly lay alongside of the natural
+quay of the Reef itself. Here he landed, and marched towards the
+entrance of the crater. The gate was negligently open, and on entering
+the spacious area, the men found all quiet, without any indications of
+recent violence. Betts knew that those who dwelt in this place, usually
+preferred the Summit for sleeping, and he ascended to one of the huts
+that had been erected there. Here he found the whole of the little
+garrison of the group, buried in sleep, and totally without any
+apprehension of the danger which menaced them. As it now appeared,
+Waally's men had not yet shown themselves, and Socrates knew nothing at
+all of what had happened to the brig.
+
+Glad enough was the negro to shake hands with Betts, and to hear that
+Master Mark was so near at hand, with a powerful reinforcement. The
+party already arrived might indeed be termed the last, for the governor
+had sent with his first officer, on this occasion, no less than
+five-and-twenty men, each completely armed. With such a garrison, Betts
+deemed the crater safe, and he sent back the launch, with four seamen in
+it, to report the condition in which he had found matters, and to
+communicate all else that he had learned. This done, he turned his
+attention to the defences of the place.
+
+According to Socrates' account, no great loss in property would be
+likely to occur, could the colonists make good the Reef against their
+invaders. The Abraham was over at the Peak, safe enough in the cove, as
+was the Neshamony and several of the boats, only two or three of the
+smaller of the last being with him. The hogs and cows were most
+exposed, though nearly half of the stock was now habitually kept on the
+Peak. Still, a couple of hundred hogs were on the prairie, as were no
+less than eight horned cattle, including calves. The loss of the last
+would be greatly felt, and it was much to be feared, since the creatures
+were very gentle, and might be easily caught. Betts, however, had fewer
+apprehensions touching the cattle than for the hogs, since the latter
+might be slain with arrows, while he was aware that Waally wished to
+obtain the first alive.
+
+Agreeably to the accounts of Socrates, the progress of vegetation had
+been very great throughout the entire group. Grass grew wherever the
+seed was sown, provided anything like soil existed, and the prairie was
+now a vast range, most of which was green, and all of which was firm
+enough to bear a hoof. The trees, of all sorts, were flourishing also,
+and Belts was assured he would not know the group again when he came to
+see it by daylight, All this was pleasant intelligence, at least, to the
+eager listeners among the new colonists, who had now been so long on
+board ship, that anything in the shape of _terra firma_, and of verdure
+appeared to them like paradise. But Betts had too many things to think
+of, just then, to give much heed to the eulogium of Socrates, and he
+soon bestowed all his attention on the means of defence.
+
+As there was but one way of approaching the crater, unless by water, and
+that was along the hog pasture and across the plank bridge, Bob felt the
+prudence of immediately taking possession of the pass. He ordered
+Socrates to look to the gate, where he stationed a guard, and went
+himself, with ten men, to make sure of the bridge. It was true, Waally's
+men could swim, and would not be very apt to pause long at the basin;
+but, it would be an advantage to fight them while in the water, that
+ought not to be thrown away. The carronades were all loaded, moreover;
+and these precautions taken, and sentinels posted, Betts suffered his
+men to sleep on their arms, if sleep they could. Their situation was so
+novel, that few availed themselves of the privilege, though their
+commanding officer, himself, was soon snoring most musically.
+
+As might have been, expected, Waally made his assault just as the day
+appeared. Before that time, however, the launch had got back to the
+ship, and the latter was under way, coming fast towards the crater.
+Unknown to all, though anticipated by Mark, the Mermaid had entered the
+western passage, and was beating up through it, closing fast also on
+Waally's rear. Such was the state of things, when the yell of the
+assailants was heard.
+
+Waally made his first push for the bridge, expecting to find it
+unguarded, and hoping to cross it unresisted. He knew that the ship was
+gone, and no longer dreaded _her_ fire; but he was fully aware that the
+Summit had its guns, and he wished to seize them while his men were
+still impelled by the ardour of a first onset. Those formidable engines
+of war were held in the most profound respect by all his people, and
+Waally knew the importance of success in a rapid movement. He had
+gleaned so much information concerning the state of the Reef, that he
+expected no great resistance, fully believing that, now he had seized
+the Mermaid, his enemies would be reduced in numbers to less than
+half-a-dozen. In all this, he was right enough; and there can be no
+question that Socrates and his whole party, together with the Reef, and
+for that matter, the entire group, would have fallen into his hands, but
+for the timely arrival of the reinforcement. The yell arose when it was
+ascertained that the bridge was drawn in, and it was succeeded by a
+volley from the guard posted near it, on the Reef. This commenced the
+strife, which immediately raged with great fury, and with prodigious
+clamour. Waally had all his muskets fired, too, though as yet he saw no
+enemy, and did not know in what direction to aim, He could see men
+moving about on the Reef, it is true, but it was only at moments, as
+they mostly kept themselves behind the covers. After firing his muskets,
+the chief issued an order for a charge, and several hundreds of his
+warriors plunged into the basin, and began to swim towards the point to
+be assailed. This movement admonished Betts of the prudence of retiring
+towards the gate, which he did in good order, and somewhat deliberately.
+This time, Waally actually got his men upon the Reef without a panic and
+without loss. They landed in a crowd, and were soon rushing in all
+directions, eager for plunder, and thirsting for blood. Betts was
+enabled, notwithstanding to enter the gate, which he did without delay,
+perfectly satisfied that all efforts of his to resist the torrent
+without must be vain. As soon as his party had entered, the gate was
+closed, and Betts was at liberty to bestow all his care on the defence
+of the crater.
+
+The great extent of the citadel, which contained an area of not less
+than a hundred acres, it will be remembered, rendered its garrison very
+insufficient for a siege. It is probable that no one there would have
+thought of defending it, but for the certainty of powerful support being
+at hand. This certainty encouraged the garrison, rendering their
+exertions more ready and cheerful. Betts divided his men into parties of
+two, scattering them along the Summit, with orders to be vigilant, and
+to support each other. It was well known that a man could not enter from
+without unless by the gate, or aided by ladders, or some other
+mechanical invention. The time necessary to provide the last would bring
+broad daylight, and enable the colonists to march such a force to the
+menaced point, as would be pretty certain to prove sufficient to resist
+the assailants. The gate itself was commanded by a carronade, and was
+watched by a guard.
+
+Great was the disappointment of Waally when he ascertained, by personal
+examination, that the Summit could not be scaled, even by the most
+active of his party, without recourse to assistance, by means of
+artificial contrivances. He had the sagacity to collect all his men
+immediately beneath the natural walls, where they were alone safe from
+the fire of the guns, but where they were also useless. A large pile of
+iron, an article so coveted, was in plain sight, beneath a shed, but he
+did not dare to send a single hand to touch it, since it would have
+brought the adventurer under fire. A variety of other articles, almost
+as tempting, though not perhaps of the same intrinsic value, lay also in
+sight, but were tabooed by the magic of powder and balls. Eleven hundred
+warriors, as was afterwards ascertained, landed on the Reef that
+eventful morning, and assembled under the walls of the crater. A hundred
+more remained in the canoes, which lay about a league off, in the
+western passage, or to leeward, awaiting the result of the enterprise.
+
+The first effort made by Waally was to throw a force upward, by rearing
+one man on another's shoulders. This scheme succeeded in part, but the
+fellow who first showed his head above the perpendicular part of the
+cliff, received a bullet in his brains. The musket was fired by the
+hands of Socrates. This one discharge brought down the whole fabric,
+several of those who fell sustaining serious injuries, in the way of
+broken bones. The completely isolated position of the crater, which
+stood, as it might be, aloof from all surrounding objects, added
+materially to its strength in a military sense, and Waally was puzzled
+how to overcome difficulties that might have embarrassed a more
+civilized soldier. For the first time in his life, that warrior had
+encountered a sort of fortress, which could be entered only by regular
+approaches, unless it might be carried by a _coup de main_. At the
+latter the savages were expert enough, and on it they had mainly relied;
+but, disappointed in this respect, they found themselves thrown back on
+resources that were far from being equal to the emergency.
+
+Tired of inactivity, Waally finally decided on making a desperate
+effort. The ship-yard was still kept up as a place for the repairing of
+boats, &c., and it always had more or less lumber lying in, or near it.
+Selecting a party of a hundred resolute men, and placing them under the
+orders of one of his bravest chiefs, Waally sent them off, on the run,
+to bring as much timber, boards, planks, &c., as they could carry,
+within the cover of the cliffs. Now, Betts had foreseen the probability
+of this very sortie, and had levelled one of his carronades, loaded to
+the muzzle with canister, directly at the largest pile of the planks. No
+sooner did the adventurers appear, therefore, than he blew his match.
+The savages were collected around the planks in a crowd, when he fired
+his gun. A dozen of them fell, and the rest vanished like so much dust
+scattered by a whirlwind.
+
+Just at that moment, the cry passed along the Summit that the Rancocus
+was in sight. The governor must have heard the report of the gun, for he
+discharged one in return, an encouraging signal of his approach. In a
+minute, a third came from the westward, and Betts saw the sails of the
+Mermaid over the low land. It is scarcely necessary to add, that the
+reports of the two guns from a distance, and the appearance of the two
+vessels, put an end at once to all Waally's schemes, and induced him to
+commence, with the least possible delay, a second retreat from the spot
+which, like Nelson's frigates, might almost be said to be imprinted on
+his heart.
+
+Waally retired successfully, if not with much dignity. At a given signal
+his men rushed for the water, plunged in and swam across the basin
+again. It was in Betts's power to have killed many on the retreat, but
+he was averse to shedding blood unnecessarily. Fifty lives, more or
+less, could be of no great moment in the result, as soon as a retreat
+was decided on; and the savages were permitted to retire, and to carry
+off their killed and wounded without molestation. The last was done by
+wheeling forward the planks, and crossing at the bridge.
+
+It was far easier, however, for Waally to gain his canoes, than to know
+which way to steer after he had reached them. The Mermaid cut off his
+retreat by the western passage, and the Rancocus was coming, fast along
+the northern. In order to reach either the eastern, or the southern, it
+would be necessary to pass within gun-shot of the Reef, and, what was
+more, to run the gauntlet between the crater and the Rancocus. To this
+danger Waally was compelled to submit, since he had no other means of
+withdrawing his fleet. It was true, that by paddling to windward, he
+greatly lessened the danger he ran from the two vessels, since it would
+not be in their power to overtake him in the narrow channels of the
+group, so long as he went in the wind's eye. It is probable that the
+savages understood this, and that the circumstance greatly encouraged
+them in the effort they immediately made to get into the eastern
+passage. Betts permitted them to pass the Reef, without firing at them
+again, though some of the canoes were at least half an hour within the
+range of his guns, while doing so. It was lucky for the Indians that the
+Rancocus did not arrive until the last of their party were as far to
+windward as the spot where the ship had anchored, when she was first
+brought up by artificial means into those waters.
+
+Betts went off to meet the governor, in order to make in early report of
+his proceedings. It was apparent that the langer was over, and Woolston
+was not sorry to find that success was obtained without recourse to his
+batteries. The ship went immediately alongside of the natural quay, and
+her people poured ashore, in a crowd, the instant a plank could be run
+out, in order to enable them to do so. In an hour the cows were landed,
+and were grazing in the crater, where the grass was knee-high, and
+everything possessing life was out of the ship, the rats and
+cock-roaches perhaps excepted. As for the enemy, no one now cared for
+them. The man aloft said they could be seen, paddling away as if for
+life, and already too far for pursuit. It would have been easy enough
+for the vessels to cut off the fugitives by going into the offing again,
+but this was not the desire of any there, all being too happy to be rid
+of them, to take any steps to prolong the intercourse.
+
+Great was the delight of the colonists to be once more on the land.
+Under ordinary circumstances, the immigrants might not have seen so many
+charms in the Reef and crater, and hog-lot; but five months at sea have
+a powerful influence in rendering the most barren spot beautiful.
+Barrenness, however, was a reproach that could no longer be justly
+applied to the group, and most especially to those portions of it which
+had received the attention of its people. Even trees were beginning to
+be numerous, thousands of them having been planted, some for their
+fruits, some for their wood, and-others merely for the shade. Of
+willows, alone, Socrates with his own hand had set out more than five
+thousand, the operation being simply that of thrusting the end of a
+branch into the mud. Of the rapidity of the growth, it is scarcely
+necessary to speak; though it quadrupled that known even to the most
+fertile regions of America.
+
+Here, then, was Mark once more at home, after so long a passage. There
+was his ship, too, well freighted with a hundred things, all of which
+would contribute to the comfort and well-being of the colonists! It was
+a moment when the governor's heart was overflowing with gratitude, and
+could he then have taken Bridget and his children in his arms, the cup
+of happiness would have been full. Bridget was not forgotten, however,
+for in less than half an hour after the ship was secured Betts sailed in
+the Neshamony, for the Peak; he was to carry over the joyful tidings,
+and to bring the 'governor's lady' to the Reef. Ere the sun set, or
+about that time, his return might be expected, the Neshamony making the
+trip in much less time than one of the smaller boats. It was not
+necessary, however, for Betts to go so far, for when he had fairly
+cleared Cape South, and was in the strait, he fell in with the Abraham,
+bound over to the Reef. It appeared that some signs of the hostile
+canoes had been seen from the Peak, as Waally was crossing from Rancocus
+Island, and, after a council, it had been decided to send the Abraham
+across, to notify the people on the Reef of the impending danger, and to
+aid in repelling the enemy. Bridget and Martha had both come in the
+schooner; the first, to look after the many valuables he had left at the
+'governor's house,' on the Summit, and the last, as her companion.
+
+We leave the reader to imagine the joy that was exhibited, when those on
+board the Abraham ascertained the arrival of the Rancocus! Bridget was
+in ecstasies, and greatly did she exult in her own determination to
+cross on this occasion, and to bring her child with her. After the first
+burst of happiness, and the necessary explanations had been made, a
+consultation was had touching what was next to be done. Brown was in
+command of the Abraham, with a sufficient crew, and Betts sent him to
+windward, outside of everything, to look after the enemy. It was thought
+desirable not only to see Waally well clear of the group, but to force
+him to pass off to the northward, in order that he might not again
+approach the Reef, as well as to give him so much annoyance on his
+retreat, as to sicken him of these expeditions for the future. For such
+a service the schooner was much the handiest of all the vessels of the
+colonists, since she might be worked by a couple of hands, and her
+armament was quite sufficient for all that was required of her, on the
+occasion. Brown was every way competent to command, as Betts well knew,
+and he received the females on board the Neshamony, and put about,
+leaving the schooner to turn to windward.
+
+Bridget reached the Reef before it was noon. All the proceedings of that
+day had commenced so early, that there had been time for this. The
+governor saw the Neshamony. as she approached, and great, uneasiness
+beset him He knew she had not been as far as the Peak, and supposed that
+Waally's fleet had intercepted her, Betts coming back for
+reinforcements. But, as the boat drew near, the fluttering of female
+dresses was seen, and then his unerring glass let him get a distant view
+of the sweet face of his young wife. From that moment the governor was
+incapable of giving a coherent or useful order, until Bridget had
+arrived. Vessels that came in from the southward were obliged to pass
+through the narrow entrance, between the Reef and the Hog Lot, where was
+the drawbridge so often mentioned. There was water enough to float a
+frigate, and it was possible to take a frigate through, the width being
+about fifty feet, though as yet nothing larger than the Friend Abraham
+White had made the trial. At this point, then, Woolston took his
+station, waiting the arrival of the Neshamony, with an impatience he was
+a little ashamed of exhibiting.
+
+Betts saw the governor, in good time, and pointed him out to Bridget,
+who could hardly be kept on board the boat, so slow did the progress of
+the craft now seem. But the tender love which this young couple bore
+each other was soon to be rewarded; for Mark sprang on board the
+Neshamony as she went through the narrow pass, and immediately he had
+Bridget folded to his heart.
+
+Foreigners are apt to say that we children of this western world do not
+submit to the tender emotions with the same self-abandonment as those
+who are born nearer to the rising sun; that our hearts are as cold and
+selfish as our manners; and that we live more for the lower and
+grovelling passions, than for sentiment and the affections. Most
+sincerely do we wish that every charge which European jealousy, and
+European superciliousness, have brought against the American character,
+was as false as this. That the people of this country are more
+restrained in the exhibition of all their emotions, than those across
+the great waters, we believe; but, that the last _feel_ the most, we
+shall be very unwilling to allow. Most of all shall we deny that the
+female form contains hearts more true to all its affections, spirits
+more devoted to the interests of its earthly head, or identity of
+existence more perfect than those with which the American wife clings
+to her husband. She is literally "bone of his bone, and flesh of his
+flesh." It is seldom that her wishes cross the limits of the domestic
+circle, which to her is earth itself, and all that it contains which is
+most desirable. Her husband and children compose her little world, and
+beyond them and their sympathies, it is rare indeed that her truant
+affections ever wish to stray. A part of this concentration of the
+American wife's existence in these domestic interests, is doubtless
+owing to the simplicity of American life and the absence of temptation.
+Still, so devoted is the female heart, so true to its impulses, and so
+little apt to wander from home-feelings and home-duties, that the
+imputation to which there is allusion, is just that, of all others, to
+which the wives of the republic ought not to be subject.
+
+It was even-tide before the governor was again seen among his people. By
+this time, the immigrants had taken their first survey of the Reef, and
+the nearest islands, which the least sanguine of their numbers admitted
+quite equalled the statements they had originally heard of the
+advantages of the place. It was, perhaps, fortunate that the fruits of
+the tropics were so abundant with Socrates and his companions. By this
+time, oranges abounded, more than a thousand trees having, from time to
+time, been planted in and around the crater, alone. Groves of them were
+also appearing in favourable spots, on the adjacent islands. It is true,
+these trees were yet too young to produce very bountifully; but they had
+begun to bear, and it was thought a very delightful thing, among the
+fresh arrivals from Pennsylvania, to be able to walk in an orange grove,
+and to pluck the fruit at pleasure!
+
+As for figs, melons, limes, shaddocks, and even cocoa-nuts, all were now
+to be had, and in quantities quite sufficient for the population. In
+time, the colonists craved the apples of their own latitude, and the
+peach; those two fruits, so abundant and so delicious in their ancient
+homes; but the novelty was still on them, and it required time to learn
+the fact that we tire less of the apple, and the peach, and the potato,
+than of any other of the rarest gifts of nature. That which the potato
+has become among vegetables, is the apple among fruits; and when we rise
+into the mere luscious and temporary of the bountiful products of
+horticulture, the peach (in its perfection) occupies a place altogether
+apart, having no rival in its exquisite flavour, while it never produces
+satiety. The peach and the grape are the two most precious of the gifts
+of Providence, in the way of fruits.
+
+That night, most of the immigrants slept in the ship; nearly all of
+them, however, for the last time. About ten in the forenoon, Brown came
+running down to the Reef, through the eastern passage, to report Waally
+well off, having quitted the group to windward, and made the best of his
+way towards his own islands, without turning aside to make a
+starting-point of Rancocus. It was a good deal questioned whether the
+chief would find his proper dominions, after a run of four hundred
+miles; for a very trifling deviation from the true course at starting,
+would be very apt to bring him out wide of his goal. This was a matter,
+however, that gave the colonists very little concern. The greater the
+embarrassments encountered by their enemies, the less likely would they
+be to repeat the visit; and should a few perish, it might be all the
+better for themselves. The governor greatly approved of Brown's course
+in not following the canoes, since the repulse was sufficient as it was,
+and there was very little probability that the colony would meet with
+any further difficulty from this quarter, now that it had got to be so
+strong.
+
+That day and the next, the immigrants were busy in landing their
+effects, which consisted of furniture, tools and stores, of one sort and
+another. As the governor intended to send, at once, forty select
+families over to the Peak, the Abraham was brought alongside of the
+quay, and the property of those particular families was, as it came
+ashore, sent on board the schooner. Males and females were all employed
+in this duty, the Reef resembling a beehive just at that point. Bill
+Brown, who still commanded the Abraham, was of course present; and he
+made an occasion to get in company with the governor, with whom he held
+the following short dialogue:
+
+"A famous ship's company is this, sir, you've landed among us, and some
+on 'em is what I calls of the right sort!"
+
+"I understand you, Bill," answered Mark, smiling. "Your commission has
+been duly executed; and Phoebe is here, ready to be spliced as soon as
+there shall be an opportunity."
+
+"_That_ is easily enough made, when people's so inclined," said Bill,
+fidgeting. "If you'd be so good, sir, as just to point out the young
+woman to me, I might be beginning to like her, in the meanwhile."
+
+"_Young?_ Nothing was said about that in the order, Bill. You wished a
+wife, invoiced and consigned to yourself; and one has been shipped,
+accordingly. You must consider the state of the market, and remember
+that the article is in demand precisely as it is youthful."
+
+"Well, well, sir, I'll not throw her on your hands, if she's old enough
+to be my mother; though I do rather suppose, Mr. Woolston, you stood by
+an old shipmate in a foreign land, and that there is a companion
+suitable for a fellow of only two-and-thirty sent out?"
+
+"Of that you shall judge for yourself, Bill. Here she comes, carrying a
+looking-glass, as if it were to look at her own pretty face; and if she
+prove to be only as good as she is good-looking, you will have every
+reason to be satisfied. What is more, Bill, your wife does not come
+empty-handed, having a great many articles that will help to set you up
+comfortably in housekeeping."
+
+Brown was highly pleased with the governor's choice, which had been made
+with a due regard to the interests and tastes of the absent shipmate.
+Phoebe appeared well satisfied with her allotted husband; and that very
+day the couple was united in the cabin of the Abraham. On the same
+occasion, the ceremony was performed for Unus and Juno, as well as for
+Peters and his Indian wife; the governor considering it proper that
+regard to appearances and all decent observances, should be paid, as
+comported with their situation.
+
+About sunset of the third day after the arrival of the Rancocus, the
+Abraham sailed for the Peak, having on board somewhat less than a
+hundred of the immigrants, including females and children. The Neshamony
+preceded her several hours, taking across the governor and his family.
+Mark longed to see his sister Anne, and his two brothers participated in
+this wish, if possible, in a still more lively manner.
+
+The meeting of these members of the same family was of the most touching
+character. The young men found their sister much better established than
+they had anticipated, and in the enjoyment of very many more comforts
+than they had supposed it was in the power of any one to possess in a
+colony still so young. Heaton had erected a habitation for himself, in a
+charming grove, where there were water, fruits, and other conveniences,
+near at hand, and where his own family was separated from the rest of
+the community. This distinction had been conferred on him, by common
+consent, in virtue of his near affinity to the governor, whose
+substitute he then was, and out of respect to his education and original
+rank in life. Seamen are accustomed to defer to station and authority,
+and are all the happier for the same; and the thought of any jealousy on
+account of this privilege, which as yet was confined to Mark and Heaton,
+and their respective families, had not yet crossed the mind of any one
+on the island.
+
+About twelve, or at midnight, the Abraham entered the cove. Late as was
+the hour, each immigrant assumed a load suited to his or her strength,
+and ascended the Stairs, favoured by the sweet light of a full moon.
+That night most of the new-comers passed in the groves, under tents or
+in an arbour that had been prepared for them; and sweet was the repose
+that attended happiness and security, in a climate so agreeable.
+
+Next morning, when the immigrants came out of their temporary dwellings,
+and looked upon the fair scene before them, they could scarcely believe
+in its reality! It is true, nothing remarkable or unexpected met their
+eyes in the shape of artificial accessories; but the bountiful gifts of
+Providence, and the natural beauties of the spot, as much exceeded their
+anticipations as it did their power of imagining such glories! The
+admixture of softness and magnificence made a whole that they had never
+before beheld in any other portion of the globe; and there was not one
+among them all that did not, for the moment, feel and speak as if he or
+she had been suddenly transformed to an earthly paradise.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XXII.
+
+
+
+    "You have said they are men;
+     As such their hearts are something."
+
+    Byron.
+
+
+The colony had now reached a point when it became necessary to proceed
+with method and caution. Certain great principles were to be
+established, on which the governor had long reflected, and he was fully
+prepared to set them up, and to defend them, though he knew that ideas
+prevailed among a few of his people, which might dispose them to cavil
+at his notions, if not absolutely to oppose him. Men are fond of change;
+half the time, for a reason no better than that it is change; and, not
+unfrequently, they permit this wayward feeling to unsettle interests
+that are of the last importance to them, and which find no small part of
+their virtue in their permanency.
+
+Hitherto, with such slight exceptions as existed in deference to the
+station, not to say rights of the governor, everything of an
+agricultural character had been possessed in common among the colonists.
+But this was a state of things which the good sense of Mark told him
+could not, and ought not to last. The theories which have come into
+fashion in our own times, concerning the virtues of association, were
+then little known and less credited. Society, as it exists in a legal
+form, is association enough for all useful purposes, and sometimes too
+much; and the governor saw no use in forming a wheel within a wheel. If
+men have occasion for each other's assistance to effect a particular
+object, let them unite, in welcome, for that purpose; but Mark was fully
+determined that there should be but one government in his land, and that
+this government should be of a character to encourage and not to depress
+exertion. So long as a man toiled for himself and those nearest and
+dearest to him, society had a security for his doing much, that would be
+wanting where the proceeds of the entire community were to be shared in
+common; and, on the knowledge of this simple and obvious truth did our
+young legislator found his theory of government. Protect all in their
+rights equally, but, that done, let every man pursue his road to
+happiness in his own way; conceding no more of his natural rights than
+were necessary to the great ends of peace, security, and law. Such was
+Mark's theory. As for the modern crotchet that men yielded _no_ natural
+right to government, but were to receive all and return nothing, the
+governor, in plain language, was not fool enough to believe it. He was
+perfectly aware that when a man gives authority to society to compel him
+to attend court as a witness, for instance, he yields just so much of
+his natural rights to society, as might be necessary to empower him to
+stay away, if he saw fit; and, so on, through the whole of the very long
+catalogue of the claims which the most indulgent communities make upon
+the services of their citizens. Mark understood the great desideratum to
+be, not the setting up of theories to which every attendant fact gives
+the lie, but the ascertaining, as near as human infirmity will allow,
+the precise point at which concession to government ought to terminate,
+and that of uncontrolled individual freedom commence. He was not
+visionary enough to suppose that he was to be the first to make this
+great discovery; but he was conscious of entering on the task with the
+purest intentions. Our governor had no relish for power for power's
+sake, but only wielded it for the general good. By nature, he was more
+disposed to seek happiness in a very small circle, and would have been
+just as well satisfied to let another govern, as to rule himself, had
+there been another suited to such a station. But there was not. His own
+early habits of command, the peculiar circumstances which had first put
+him in possession of the territory, as if it were a special gift of
+Providence to himself, his past agency in bringing about the actual
+state of things, and his property, which amounted to more than that of
+all the rest of the colony put together, contributed to give him a title
+and authority to rule, which would have set the claims of any rival at
+defiance, had such a person existed. But there was no rival; not a
+being present desiring to see another in his place.
+
+The first step of the governor was to appoint his brother, Abraham
+Woolston, the secretary of the colony. In that age America had very
+different notions of office, and of its dignity, of the respect due to
+authority, and of the men who wielded it, from what prevail at the
+present time. The colonists, coming as they did from America, brought
+with them the notions of the times, and treated their superiors
+accordingly. In the last century a governor was "_the_ governor," and
+not "_our_ governor," and a secretary "_the_ secretary," and not "_our_
+secretary," men now taking more liberties with what they fancy their
+own, than was their wont with what they believed had been set over them
+for their good. Mr. Secretary Woolston soon became a personage,
+accordingly, as did all the other considerable functionaries appointed
+by the governor.
+
+The very first act of Abraham Woolston, on being sworn into office, was
+to make a registry of the entire population. We shall give a synopsis of
+it, in order that the reader may understand the character of the
+materials with which the governor had room to work, viz:--
+
+      Males,                  147
+      Male Adults,            113
+      Male Children,           34
+      Male Married            101
+      Females,                158
+      Female Adults,          121
+      Female Children,         37
+      Female Married,         101
+      Widowers                  1
+      Widows,                   4
+      Seamen,                  38
+      Mechanics,               26
+      Physician,                1
+      Student in Medicine,      1
+      Lawyer,                   1
+      Clergyman,                1
+      Population,             305
+
+Here, then, was a community composed already of three hundred and five
+souls. The governor's policy was not to increase this number by further
+immigration, unless in special cases, and then only after due
+deliberation and inquiry. Great care had been taken with the characters
+of the present settlers, and careless infusions of new members might
+undo a great deal of good that had already been done. This matter was
+early laid before the new council, and the opinions of the governor met
+with a unanimous concurrence.
+
+On the subject of the council, it may be well to say a word. It was
+increased to nine, and a new election was made, the incumbents holding
+their offices for life. This last provision was made to prevent the
+worst part, and the most corrupting influence of politics, viz., the
+elections, from getting too much sway over the public mind. The new
+council was composed as follows, viz:--
+
+      Messrs. Heaton,
+              Pennock,
+              Betts,
+              C. Woolston, }
+              A. Woolston, } the governor's brothers
+              Charlton,
+              Saunders,
+              Wilmot, and
+              Warrington.
+
+These names belonged to the most intelligent men of the colony, Betts
+perhaps excepted; but his claims were too obvious to be slighted. Betts
+had good sense moreover, and a great deal of modesty. All the rest of
+the council had more or less claims to be gentlemen, but Bob never
+pretended to that character. He knew his own qualifications, and did not
+render himself ridiculous by aspiring to be more than he really was;
+still, his practical knowledge made him a very useful member of the
+council, where his opinions were always heard with attention and
+respect. Charlton and Wilmot were merchants, and intended to embark
+regularly in trade; while Warrington, who possessed more fortune than
+any of the other colonists, unless it might be the governor, called
+himself a farmer, though he had a respectable amount of general science,
+and was well read in most of the liberal studies.
+
+Warrington was made judge, with a small salary, all of which he gave to
+the clergyman, the Rev. Mr. White. This was done because he had no need
+of the money himself, and there was no other provision for the parson
+than free contributions. John Woolston, who had read law, was named
+Attorney-General, or colony's Attorney, as the office was more modestly
+styled; to which duties he added those of surveyor-general. Charles
+received his salary, which was two hundred and fifty dollars, being in
+need of it. The question of salary, as respects the governor, was also
+settled. Mark had no occasion for the money, owning all the vessels,
+with most of the cargo of the Rancocus, as well as having brought out
+with him no less a sum than five thousand dollars, principally in
+change--halves, quarters, shillings and six-pences. Then a question
+might well arise, whether he did not own most of the stock; a large part
+of it was his beyond all dispute, though some doubts might exist as to
+the remainder. On this subject the governor came to a most wise
+decision. He was fully aware that nothing was more demoralizing to a
+people than to suffer them to get loose notions on the subject of
+property. Property of all kinds, he early determined, should be most
+rigidly respected, and a decision that he made shortly after his return
+from America, while acting in his capacity of chief magistrate, and
+before the new court went into regular operation, was of a character to
+show how he regarded this matter. The case was as follows:--
+
+Two of the colonists, Warner and Harris, had bad blood between them.
+Warner had placed his family in an arbour within a grove, and to
+"aggravate" him, Harris came and walked before his door, strutting up
+and down like a turkey-cock, and in a way to show that it was intended
+to annoy Warner. The last brought his complaint before the governor. On
+the part of Harris, it was contended that no _injury_ had been done the
+property of Harris, and that, consequently, no damages could be claimed.
+The question of title was conceded, _ex necessitate rerum_. Governor
+Woolston decided, that a man's rights in his property were not to be
+limited by positive injuries to its market value. Although no grass or
+vegetables had been destroyed by Harris in his walks, he had _molested_
+Warner in such an enjoyment of his dwelling; as, in intendment of law,
+every citizen was entitled to in his possessions. The trespass was an
+aggravated one, and damages were given accordingly. In delivering his
+judgment, the governor took occasion to state, that in the
+administration of the law, the rights of every man would be protected
+in the fullest extent, not only as connected with pecuniary
+considerations, but as connected with all those moral uses and feelings
+which contribute to human happiness. This decision met with applause,
+and was undoubtedly right in itself. It was approved, because the
+well-intentioned colonists had not learned to confound liberty with
+licentiousness; but understood the former to be the protection of the
+citizen in the enjoyment of all his innocent tastes, enjoyments and
+personal rights, after making such concessions to government as are
+necessary to its maintenance. Thrice happy would it be for all lands,
+whether they are termed despotisms or democracies, could they thoroughly
+feel the justice of this definition, and carry out its intention in
+practice.
+
+The council was convened the day succeeding its election. After a few
+preliminary matters were disposed of, the great question was laid before
+it, of a division of property, and the grant of real estate. Warrington
+and Charles Woolston laid down the theory, that the fee of all the land
+was, by gift of Providence, in the governor, and that his patent, or
+sign-manual, was necessary for passing the title into other hands. This
+theory had an affinity to that of the Common Law, which made the prince
+the suzerain, and rendered him the heir of all escheated estates. But
+Mark's humility, not to say his justice, met this doctrine on the
+threshold. He admitted the sovereignty and its right, but placed it in
+the body of the colony, instead of in himself. As the party most
+interested took this view of the case, they who were disposed to regard
+his rights as more sweeping, were fain to submit. The land was therefore
+declared to be the property of the state. Ample grants, however, were
+made both to the governor and Betts, as original possessors, or
+discoverers, and it was held in law that their claims were thus
+compromised. The grants to Governor Woolston included quite a thousand
+acres on the Peak, which was computed to contain near thirty thousand,
+and an island of about the same extent in the group, which was
+beautifully situated near its centre, and less than a league from the
+crater. Betts had one hundred acres granted to him, near the crater
+also. He refused any other grant, as a right growing out of original
+possession. Nor was his reasoning bad on the occasion. When he was
+driven off, in the Neshamony, the Reef, Loam Island, Guano Island, and
+twenty or thirty rocks, composed all the dry land. He had never seen the
+Peak until Mark was in possession of it, and had no particular claim
+there. When the council came to make its general grants, he was willing
+to come in for his proper share with the rest of the people, and he
+wanted no more. Heaton had a special grant of two hundred acres made to
+him on the Peak, and another in the group of equal extent, as a reward
+for his early and important services. Patents were made out, at once, of
+these several grants, under the great seal of the colony; for the
+governor had provided parchment, and wax, and a common seal, in
+anticipation of their being all wanted. The rest of the grants of land
+were made on a general principle, giving fifty acres on the Peak, and
+one hundred in the group, to each male citizen of the age of twenty-one
+years; those who had not yet attained their majority being compelled to
+wait. A survey was made, and the different lots were numbered, and
+registered by those numbers. Then a lottery, was made, each man's name
+being put in one box, and the necessary numbers in another. The number
+drawn against any particular name was the lot of the person in question.
+A registration of the drawing was taken, and printed patents were made
+out, signed, sealed, and issued to the respective parties. We say
+printed, a press and types having been brought over in the Rancocus, as
+well as a printer. In this way, then, every male of full age, was put in
+possession of one hundred and fifty acres of land, in fee.
+
+As the lottery did not regard the wishes of parties, many private
+bargains were made, previously to the issuing of the patents, in order
+that friends and connections might be placed near to each other. Some
+sold their rights, exchanging with a difference, while others sold
+altogether on the Peak, or in the group, willing to confine their
+possessions to one or the other of these places. In this manner Mr,
+Warrington, or Judge Warrington, as he was now called, bought three
+fifty-acre lots adjoining his own share on the Peak, and sold his
+hundred-acre lot in the group. The price established by these original
+sales, would seem to give a value of ten dollars an acre to land on the
+Peak, and of three dollars an acre to land in the group. Some lots,
+however, had a higher value than others, all these things being left to
+be determined by the estimate which the colonists placed on their
+respective valuations. As everything was conducted on a general and
+understood principle, and the drawing was made fairly and in public,
+there was no discontent; though some of the lots were certainly a good
+deal preferable to others. The greatest difference in value existed in
+the lots in the group, where soil and water were often wanted; though,
+on the wholes much more of both was found than had been at first
+expected. There were vast deposits of mud, and others of sand, and
+Heaton early suggested the expediency of mixing the two together, by way
+of producing fertility. An experiment of this nature had been tried,
+under his orders, during the absence of the governor, and the result was
+of the most satisfactory nature; the acre thus manured producing
+abundantly.
+
+As it was the sand that was to be conveyed to the mud, the toil was much
+less than might have been imagined. This sand usually lay near the
+water, and the numberless channels admitted of its being transported in
+boats along a vast reach of shore. Each lot having a water front, every
+man might manure a few acres, by this process, without any great
+expense; and no sooner were the rights determined, and the decisions of
+the parties made as to their final settlements, than many went to work
+to render the cracked and baked mud left by the retiring ocean fertile
+and profitable. Lighters were constructed for the purpose, and the
+colonists formed themselves into gangs, labouring in common, and
+transporting so many loads of sand to each levee, as the banks were
+called, though not raised as on the Mississippi, and distributing it
+bountifully over the surface. The spade was employed to mix the two
+earths together.
+
+Most of the allotments of land, in the group, were in the immediate
+neighbourhood of the Reef. As there were quite a hundred of them, more
+than ten thousand acres of the islands were thus taken up, at the start.
+By a rough calculation, however, the group extended east and west
+sixty-three miles, and north and south about fifty,--the Reef being a
+very little west and a very little south of its centre. Of this surface
+it was thought something like three-fourths was dry land, or naked rock.
+This would give rather more than a million and a half of acres of land;
+but, of this great extent of territory, not more than two-thirds could
+be rendered available for the purposes of husbandry, for want of soil,
+or the elements of soil. There were places where the deposit of mud
+seemed to be of vast depth, while in others it did not exceed a few
+inches. The same was true of the sands, though the last was rarely of as
+great depth as the mud, or alluvium.
+
+A month was consumed in making the allotments, and in putting the
+different proprietors in possession of their respective estates. Then,
+indeed, were the results of the property-system made directly apparent.
+No sooner was an individual put in possession of his deed, and told that
+the lot it represented was absolutely his own, to do what he pleased
+with it, than he went to work with energy and filled with hopes, to turn
+his new domains to account. It is true that education and intelligence,
+if they will only acquit themselves of their tasks with disinterested
+probity, may enlighten and instruct the ignorant how to turn their means
+to account; but, all experience proves that each individual usually
+takes the best care of his own interests, and that the system is wisest
+which grants to him the amplest opportunity so to do.
+
+To work all went, the men forming themselves into gangs, and aiding each
+other. The want of horses and neat cattle was much felt, more especially
+as Heaton's experience set every one at the sand, as the first step in a
+profitable husbandry: wheelbarrows, however, were made use of instead of
+carts, and it was found that a dozen pair of hands could do a good deal
+with that utensil, in the course of a day. All sorts of contrivances
+were resorted to in order to transport the sand, but the governor
+established a regular system, by which the lighter should deliver one
+load at each farm, in succession. By the end of a month it was found
+that a good deal had been done, the distances being short and the other
+facilities constantly increasing by the accession of new boats.
+
+All sorts of habitations were invented. The scarcity of wood in the
+group was a serious evil, and it was found indispensable to import that
+material. Parts of Rancocus Island were well wooded, there growing among
+other trees a quantity of noble yellow pines. Bigelow was sent across in
+the Abraham to set up a mill, and to cut lumber. There being plenty of
+water-power, the mill was soon got at work, and a lot of excellent
+plank, boards, &c., was shipped in the schooner for the crater.
+Shingle-makers were also employed, the cedar abounding, as well as the
+pine. The transportation to the coast was the point of difficulty on
+Rancocus Island as well as elsewhere; none of the cattle being yet old
+enough to be used. Socrates had three pair of yearling steers, and one
+of two years old breaking, but it was too soon to set either at work.
+With the last, a little very light labour was done, but it was more to
+train the animals, than with any other object.
+
+On Rancocus Island, however, Bigelow had made a very ingenious canal,
+that was of vast service in floating logs to the mill. The dam made a
+long narrow pond that penetrated two or three miles up a gorge in the
+mountains, and into this dam the logs were rolled down the declivities,
+which were steep enough to carry anything into the water. When cut into
+lumber, it was found that the stream below the mill, would carry small
+rafts down to the sea.
+
+While all these projects were in the course of operation, the governor
+did not forget the high interests connected with his foreign relations;
+Waally was to be looked to, and Ooroony's son to be righted. The council
+was unanimously of opinion that sound policy required such an exhibition
+of force on the part of the colony, as should make a lasting impression
+on their turbulent neighbours. An expedition was accordingly fitted out,
+in which the Mermaid, the Abraham, and a new pilot-boat built schooner
+of fifty tons burthen, were employed. This new schooner was nearly ready
+for launching when the Rancocus returned, and was put into the water for
+the occasion. She had been laid down in the cove, where Bigelow had
+found room for a sufficient yard, and where timber was nearer at hand,
+than on the Reef. As Rancocus Island supplied the most accessible and
+the best lumber, the council had determined to make a permanent
+establishment on it, for the double purposes of occupation and building
+vessels. As the resources of that island were developed, it was found
+important on other accounts, also. Excellent clay for bricks was found,
+as was lime-stone, in endless quantities. For the purposes of
+agriculture, the place was nearly useless, there not being one thousand
+acres of good arable land in the whole island; but the mountains were
+perfect mines of treasure in the way of necessary supplies of the sorts
+mentioned.
+
+A brick-yard was immediately cleared and formed, and a lime-kiln
+constructed. Among the colonists, it was easy to find men accustomed to
+work in all these familiar branches. The American can usually turn his
+hand to a dozen different pursuits; and, though he may not absolutely
+reach perfection in either, he is commonly found useful and reasonably
+expert in all. Before the governor sailed on his expedition against
+Waally, a brick-kiln and a lime-kiln were nearly built, and a vast
+quantity of lumber had been carried over to the Reef. As sandal-wood had
+been collecting for the twelve months of her late absence, the Rancocus
+had also been filled up, and had taken in a new cargo for Canton. It was
+not the intention of the governor to command his ship this voyage; but
+he gave her to Saunders, who was every way competent to the trust. When
+all was ready, the Rancocus, the Mermaid, the Abraham, and the Anne, as
+the new pilot-boat schooner was called, sailed for Betto's group: it
+being a part of the governor's plan to use the ship, in passing, with a
+view to intimidate his enemies. In consequence of the revolution that
+had put Waally up again, every one of the Kannakas who had gone out in
+the Rancocus on her last voyage, refused to go home, knowing that they
+would at once be impressed into Waally's service; and they all now
+cheerfully shipped anew, for a second voyage to foreign lands. By this
+time, these men were very useful; and the governor had a project for
+bringing up a number of the lads of the islands, and of making use of
+them in the public service. This scheme was connected with his
+contemplated success, and formed no small part of the policy of the day.
+
+The appearance of so formidable a force as was now brought against
+Waally, reduced that turbulent chief to terms without a battle. About
+twenty of his canoes had got separated from the rest of the fleet in a
+squall, while returning from the unsuccessful attempt on the Reef, and
+they were never heard of more; or, if heard of, it was in uncertain
+rumours, which gave an account of the arrival of three or four canoes at
+some islands a long way to-leeward, with a handful of half-starved
+warriors on board. It is supposed that all the rest perished at sea.
+This disaster had rendered Waally unpopular among the friends of those
+who were lost; and that unpopularity was heightened by the want of
+success in the expedition itself. Success is all in all, with the common
+mind; and we daily see the vulgar shouting at the heels of those whom
+they are ready to crucify at the first turn of fortune. In this good
+land of ours, popularity adds to its more worthless properties the
+substantial result of power; and it is not surprising that so many
+forget their God in the endeavour to court the people. In time, however,
+all of these persons of mistaken ambition come to exclaim, with
+Shakspeare's Wolsey--
+
+    "Had I but served my God with half the zeal
+    I served my king, he would not in mine age
+    Have left me naked to mine enemies."
+
+Waally's power, already tottering through the influence of evil fortune,
+crumbled entirely before the force Governor Woolston now brought against
+it. Although the latter had but forty whites with him, they came in
+ships, and provided with cannon; and not a chief dreamed of standing by
+the offender, in this his hour of need. Waally had the tact to
+comprehend his situation, and the wisdom to submit to his fortune. He
+sent a messenger to the governor with a palm-branch, offering to restore
+young Ooroony to all his father's authority, and to confine himself to
+his strictly inherited dominions. Such, in fact, was the basis of the
+treaty that was now made, though hostages were taken for its fulfilment.
+To each condition Waally consented; and everything was settled to the
+entire satisfaction of the whites and to the honour and credit of young
+Ooroony. The result was, in substance, as we shall now record.
+
+In the first place, one hundred lads were selected and handed over to
+the governor, as so many apprentices to the sea. These young Kannakas
+were so many hostages for the good behaviour of their parents; while the
+parents, always within reach of the power of the colonists, were so many
+hostages for the good behaviour of the Kannakas. Touching the last,
+however, the governor had very few misgivings, since he believed it very
+possible so to treat, and so to train them, as to make them fast
+friends. In placing them on board the different vessels, therefore,
+rigid instructions were given to their officers to be kind to these
+youngsters; and each and all were to be taught to read, and instructed
+in the Christian religion. The Rev. Mr. Hornblower took great interest
+in this last arrangement, as did half the females of the colony. Justice
+and kind treatment, in fact, produced their usual results in the cases
+of these hundred youths; every one of whom got to be, in the end, far
+more attached to the Reef, and its customs, than to their own islands
+and their original habits. The sea, no doubt, contributed its share to
+this process of civilization; for it is ever found that the man who gets
+a thorough taste for that element, is loth to quit it again for _terra
+firma_.
+
+One hundred able-bodied men were added to the recruits that the governor
+obtained in Betto's group. They were taken as hired labourers, and not
+as hostages. Beads and old iron were to be their pay, with fish-hooks,
+and such other trifles as had a value in their eyes; and their
+engagement was limited to two months. There was a disposition among a
+few of the colonists to make slaves of these men, and to work their
+lands by means of a physical force obtained in Betto's group; but to
+this scheme the council would not lend itself for a moment. The governor
+well knew that the usefulness, virtue, and moral condition of his
+people, depended on their being employed, and he had no wish to
+undermine the permanent prosperity of the colony, by resorting to an
+expedient that might do well enough for a short time, but which would
+certainly bring its own punishment in the end.
+
+Still, an accession of physical force, properly directed, would be of
+great use in this early age of the colony. The labourers were
+accordingly engaged; but this was done by the government, which not only
+took the control of the men, but which also engaged to see them paid the
+promised remuneration. Another good was also anticipated from this
+arrangement. The two groups must exist as friends or as enemies. So long
+as young Ooroony reigned, it was thought there would be little
+difficulty in maintaining amicable relations; and it was hoped that the
+intercourse created by this arrangement, aided by the trade in
+sandal-wood, might have the effect to bind the natives to the whites by
+the tie of interest.
+
+The vessels lay at Betto's group a fortnight, completing all the
+arrangements made; though the Rancocus sailed on her voyage as soon as
+the terms of the treaty were agreed on, and the Anne was sent back to
+the Reef with the news that the war had terminated. As for Waally, he
+was obliged to place his favourite son in the hands of young Ooroony,
+who held the youthful chief as a hostage for his father's good
+behaviour.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XXIII.
+
+
+
+    "Thou shalt seek the beach of sand
+    Where the water bounds the elfin land;
+    Thou shalt watch the oozy brine
+    Till the sturgeon leaps in the bright moonshine,
+    Then dart the glistening arch below,
+    And catch a drop from his silver bow;
+    The water-sprites will wield their arms,
+    And dash around, with roar and rave,
+    And vain are the woodland spirit's charms,
+    They are the imps that rule the wave.
+    Yet trust thee in thy single might;
+    If thy heart be pure, and thy spirit right,
+    Thou shalt win the warlike fight."
+
+    Drake.
+
+
+A twelvemonth passed, after the return of the expedition against Betto's
+group, without the occurrence of any one very marked event. Within that
+time, Bridget made Mark the father of a fine boy, and Anne bore her
+fourth, child to Heaton. The propagation of the human species, indeed,
+flourished marvellously, no less than seventy-eight children having been
+born in the course of that single year. There were a few deaths, only
+one among the adults, the result of an accident, the health of the
+colony having been excellent. An enumeration, made near the close of the
+year, showed a total of three hundred and seventy-nine souls, including
+those absent in the Rancocus, and excluding the Kannakas.
+
+As for these Kannakas, the results of their employment quite equalled
+the governor's expectations. They would not labour like civilized men,
+it is true, nor was it easy to make them use tools; but at lifts, and
+drags, and heavy work, they could be, and were, made to do a vast deal.
+The first great object of the governor had been to get his people all
+comfortably housed, beneath good roofs, and out of the way of the rains.
+Fortunately there were no decayed vegetable substances in the group, to
+produce fevers; and so long as the person could be kept dry, there was
+little danger to the health.
+
+Four sorts, or classes, of houses were erected, each man being left to
+choose for himself, with the understanding that he was to receive a
+certain amount, in value, from the commonwealth, by contribution in
+labour, or in materials. All beyond that amount was to be paid for. To
+equalize advantages, a tariff was established, as to the value of labour
+and materials. These materials consisted of lumber, including shingles,
+stone, lime and bricks; bricks burned, as well as those which were
+unburned, or adobe. Nails were also delivered from the public store,
+free of charge.
+
+Of course, no one at first thought of building very largely. Small
+kitchens were all that were got up, at the commencement, and they varied
+in size, according to the means of their owners, as much as they
+differed in materials. Some built of wood; some of stones; some of
+regular bricks; and some of adobe. All did very well, but the stone was
+found to be much the preferable material, especially where the
+plastering within was furred off from the walls. These stones came from
+Rancocus Island, where they were found in inexhaustible quantities,
+partaking of the character of tufa. The largest of them were landed at
+the Reef, the loading and unloading being principally done by the
+Kannakas, while the smallest were delivered at different points along
+the channel, according to the wishes of the owners of the land. More
+than a hundred dwellings were erected in the course of the few months
+immediately succeeding the arrival of the immigrants. About half were on
+the Peak, and the remainder were in the group. It is true, no one of all
+these dwellings was large; but each was comfortable, and fully answered
+the purpose of protection against the rain. A roof of cedar shingles was
+tight, as a matter of course, and what was more, it was lasting. Some of
+the buildings were sided with these shingles; though clap-boards were
+commonly used for that purpose. The adobe answered very well when
+securely roofed, though it was thought the unburnt brick absorbed more
+moisture than the brick which had been burned.
+
+The largest of all the private dwellings thus erected, was thirty feet
+square, and the smallest was fifteen. The last had its cooking apartment
+under a shed, however, detached from the house. Most of the ovens were
+thus placed; and in many instances the chimneys stood entirely without
+the buildings, even when they were attached to them. There was but one
+house of two stories, and that was John Pennock's, who had sufficient
+means to construct such a building. As for the governor, he did not
+commence building at all, until nearly every one else was through, when
+he laid the corner-stones of two habitations; one on the Peak, which was
+his private property, standing on his estate; and the other on the Reef,
+which was strictly intended to be a Government, or Colony House. The
+first was of brick, and the last of stone, and of great solidity, being
+intended as a sort of fortress. The private dwelling was only a story
+and a half high, but large on the ground for that region, measuring
+sixty feet square. The. government building was much larger, measuring
+two hundred feet in length, by sixty feet in depth. This spacious
+edifice, however, was not altogether intended for a dwelling for the
+governor, but was so arranged as to contain great quantities of public
+property in its basement, and to accommodate the courts, and all the
+public offices on the first floor. It had an upper story, but that was
+left unfinished and untenanted for years, though fitted with
+arrangements for defence. Fortunately, cellars were little wanted in
+that climate, for it was not easy to have one in the group. It is true,
+that Pennock caused one to be blown out with gun-powder, under his
+dwelling, though every one prophesied that it would soon be full of
+water. It proved to be dry, notwithstanding; and a very good cellar it
+was, being exceedingly useful against the heats, though of cold there
+was none to guard against.
+
+The Colony House stood directly opposite to the drawbridge, being placed
+there for the purposes of defence, as well as to have access to the
+spring. A want of water was rather an evil on the Reef; not that the
+sands did not furnish an ample supply, and that of the most delicious
+quality, but it had to be carried to inconvenient distances. In general,
+water was found in sufficient quantities and in suitable places, among
+the group; but, at the Reef, there was certainly this difficulty to
+contend with. As the governor caused his brother, the surveyor-general,
+to lay out a town on the Reef, it was early deemed necessary to make
+some provision against this evil. A suitable place was selected, and a
+cistern was blown out of the rock, into which all the water that fell on
+the roof of Colony House was led. This reservoir, when full, contained
+many thousand gallons; and when once full, it was found that the rains
+were sufficient to prevent its being very easily emptied.
+
+But the greatest improvement that was made on the Reef, after all, was
+in the way of soil. As for the crater, that, by this time, was a mass of
+verdure, among which a thousand trees were not only growing, but
+flourishing. This was as true of its plain, as of its mounds; and of its
+mounds, as of its plain. But the crater was composed of materials very
+different from the base of the Reef. The former was of tufa, so far as
+it was rock at all; while the latter was, in the main, pure lava.
+Nevertheless, something like a soil began to form even on the Reef,
+purely by the accessions caused though its use by man. Great attention
+was paid to collecting everything that could contribute to the formation
+of earth, in piles; and these piles were regularly removed to such
+cavities, or inequalities in the surface of the rock, as would be most
+likely to retain their materials when spread. In this way many green
+patches had been formed, and, in a good many instances, trees had been
+set out, in spots where it was believed they could find sufficient
+nourishment. But, no sooner had the governor decided to build on the
+Reef, and to make his capital there, than he set about embellishing the
+place systematically. Whenever a suitable place could be found, in what
+was intended for Colony House grounds, a space of some ten acres in the
+rear of the building, he put in the drill, and blew out rock. The
+fragments of stone were used about the building; and the place soon
+presented a ragged, broken surface, of which one might well despair of
+making anything. By perseverance, however, and still more by skill and
+judgment, the whole area was lowered more than a foot, and in many
+places, where nature assisted the work, it was lowered several feet. It
+was a disputed question, indeed, whether stone for the building could
+not be obtained here, by blasting, cheaper and easier, than by
+transporting it from Rancocus Island. Enough was procured in this way
+not only to construct the building, but to enclose the grounds with a
+sufficient wall. When all was got off that was wanted, boat-loads of mud
+and sand were brought by Kannakas, and deposited in the cavity. This was
+a great work for such a community, though it proceeded faster than, at
+first, one might have supposed. The materials were very accessible, and
+the distances short, which greatly facilitated the labour, though
+unloading was a task of some gravity. The walls of the house were got up
+in about six months after the work was commenced, and the building was
+roofed; but, though the gardeners were set to work as soon as the stones
+were out of the cavities, they had not filled more than two acres at the
+end of the period mentioned.
+
+Determined to make an end of this great work at once, the Abraham was
+sent over to young Ooroony to ask for assistance. Glad enough was that
+chief to grant what was demanded of him, and he came himself, at the
+head of five hundred men, to aid his friend in finishing this task. Even
+this strong body of labourers was busy two months longer, before the
+governor pronounced the great end accomplished. Then he dismissed his
+neighbours with such gifts and pay as sent away everybody contented.
+Many persons thought the experiment of bringing so many savages to the
+Reef somewhat hazardous; but no harm ever came of it. On the contrary,
+the intercourse had a good effect, by making the two people better
+acquainted with each other. The governor had a great faculty in the
+management of those wild beings. He not only kept them in good-humour,
+but what was far more difficult, he made them work. They were converted
+into a sort of Irish for his colony. It is true, one civilized man could
+do more than three of the Kannakas, but the number of the last was so
+large that they accomplished a great deal during their stay.
+
+Nor would the governor have ventured to let such dangerous neighbours
+into the group, had there not been still more imposing mysteries
+connected with the Peak, into which they were not initiated. Even young
+Ooroony wag kept in ignorance of what was to be found on that dreaded
+island. He saw vessels going and coming, knew that the governor often
+went there, saw strange faces appearing occasionally on the Reef, that
+were understood to belong to the unknown land, and probably to a people
+who were much more powerful than those who were in direct communication
+with the natives.
+
+The governor induced his Kannakas to work by interesting them in the
+explosions of the blasts, merely to enjoy the pleasure of seeing a
+cart-load of rock torn from its bed. One of these men would work at a
+drill all day, and then carry off the fragments to be placed in the
+walls, after he had had his sport in this operation of blasting. They
+seemed never to tire of the fun, and it was greatly questioned if half
+as much labour could have been got out of them at any other work, as at
+this.
+
+A good deal of attention was paid to rendering the soil of the colony
+garden fertile, as well as deep. In its shallowest places it exceeded a
+foot in depth, and in the deepest, spots where natural fissures had
+aided the drill, it required four or five feet of materials to form the
+level. These deep places were all marked, and were reserved for the
+support of trees. Not only was sand freely mixed with the mud, or muck,
+but sea-weed in large quantities was laid near the surface, and finally
+covered with the soil. In this manner was a foundation made that could
+not fail to sustain a garden luxuriant in its products, aided by the
+genial heat and plentiful rains of the climate. Shrubs, flowers, grass,
+and ornamental trees, however, were all the governor aimed at in these
+public grounds; the plain of the crater furnishing fruit and vegetables
+in an abundance, as yet far exceeding the wants of the whole colony. The
+great danger, indeed, that the governor most apprehended, was that the
+beneficent products of the region would render his people indolent; an
+idle, nation becoming, almost infallibly, vicious as well as ignorant.
+It was with a view to keep the colony on the advance, and to maintain a
+spirit of improvement that so much attention was so early bestowed on
+what might otherwise be regarded as purely intellectual pursuits which,
+by creating new wants, might induce their subjects to devise the means
+of supplying them.
+
+The governor judged right; for tastes are commonly acquired by
+imitation, and when thus acquired, they take the strongest hold of those
+who cultivate them. The effect produced by the Colony Garden, or public
+grounds, was such as twenty-fold to return the cost and labour bestowed
+on it. The sight of such an improvement set both men and women to work
+throughout the group, and not a dwelling was erected in the town, that
+the drill did not open the rock, and mud and sand form a garden. Nor did
+the governor himself confine his horticultural improvements to the
+gardens mentioned. Before he sent away his legion of five hundred,
+several hundred blasts were made in isolated spots on the Reef; places
+where the natural formation favoured such a project; and holes were
+formed that would receive a boat-load of soil each. In these places
+trees were set out, principally cocoa-nuts, and such other plants as
+were natural to the situation, due care being taken to see that each had
+sufficient nourishment.
+
+The result of all this industry was to produce a great change in the
+state of things at the Reef. In addition to the buildings erected, and
+to the gardens made and planted, within the town itself, the whole
+surface of the island was more or less altered. Verdure soon made its
+appearance in places where, hitherto, nothing but naked rock had been
+seen, and trees began to cast their shades over the young and delicious
+grasses. As for the town itself, it was certainly no great matter;
+containing about twenty dwellings, and otherwise being of very modest
+pretensions. Those who dwelt there were principally such mechanics as
+found it convenient to be at the centre of the settlement, some half a
+dozen persons employed about the warehouses of the merchants, a few
+officials of the government, and the families of those who depended
+mainly on the sea for their support. Each and all of these heads of
+families had drawn their lots, both in the group and on the Peak, though
+some had sold their rights the better to get a good start in their
+particular occupations. The merchants, however, established themselves
+on the Reef, as a matter of necessity, each causing a warehouse to be
+constructed near the water, with tackles and all the usual conveniences
+for taking in and delivering goods. Each also had his dwelling near at
+hand. As these persons had come well provided for the Indian trade in
+particular, having large stocks of such cheap and coarse articles as
+took with the natives, they were already driving a profitable business,
+receiving considerable quantities of sandal-wood in exchange for their
+goods.
+
+It is worthy of being mentioned, that the governor and council early
+passed a sort of navigation act, the effect of which was to secure the
+carrying trade to the colony. The motive, however, was more to keep the
+natives within safe limits, than to monopolize the profits of the seas.
+By the provisions of this law, no canoe could pass from Betto's group to
+either of the islands of the colony, without express permission from the
+governor. In order to carry on the trade, the parties met on specified
+days at Ooroony's village, and there made their exchanges; vessels being
+sent from the Reef to bring away the sandal-wood. With a view to the
+final transportation of the last to a market, Saunders had been
+instructed to purchase a suitable vessel, which was to return with the
+Rancocus, freighted with such heavy and cheap implements as were most
+wanted in the colony, including cows and mares in particular. Physical
+force, in the shape of domestic animals, was greatly wanted; and it was
+perhaps the most costly of all the supplies introduced into the
+settlements. Of horned cattle there were already about five-and-twenty
+head in the colony--enough to make sure of the breed; but they were
+either cows, steers too young to be yet of much use, and calves. Nothing
+was killed, of course; but so much time must, pass before the increase
+would give the succour wanted, that the governor went to unusual expense
+and trouble to make additions to the herd from abroad.
+
+As for the horses, but three had been brought over, two of which were
+mares. The last had foaled twice; and there were four colts, all doing
+well, but wanting age to be useful. All the stock of this character was
+kept on the Peak, in order to secure it from invaders; and the old
+animals, even to the cows, were lightly worked there, doing a vast deal
+that would otherwise remain undone. It was so obviously advantageous to
+increase the amount of this sort of force, that Saunders had strict
+orders to purchase the vessel mentioned, and to bring over as many
+beasts as he could conveniently and safely stow. With this object in
+view, he was directed to call in, on the western side of Cape Horn, and
+to make his purchases in South America. The horned cattle might not be
+so good, coming from such a quarter, but the dangers of doubling the
+Cape would be avoided.
+
+While making these general and desultory statements touching the
+progress of the colony, it may be well to say a word of Rancocus Island.
+The establishments necessary there, to carry on the mills, lime and
+brick kilns, and the stone-quarry, induced the governor to erect a small
+work, in which the persons employed in that out-colony might take
+refuge, in the event of an invasion. This was done accordingly; and two
+pieces of artillery were regularly mounted on it. Nor was the duty of
+fortifying neglected elsewhere. As for the Peak, it was not deemed
+necessary to do more than improve a little upon nature; the colony being
+now too numerous to suppose that it could not defend the cove against
+any enemy likely to land there, should the entrance of that secret haven
+be detected. On the Reef, however, it was a very different matter. That
+place was as accessible as the other was secure. The construction of so
+many stout stone edifices contributed largely to the defence of the
+town; but the governor saw the necessity of providing the means of
+commanding the approaches by water. Four distinct passages, each
+corresponding to a cardinal point of the compass, led from the crater
+out to sea. As the south passage terminated at the bridge, it was
+sufficiently commanded by the Colony House. But all the others were
+wider, more easy of approach, and less under the control of the adjacent
+islands. But the Summit had points whence each might be raked by guns
+properly planted, and batteries were accordingly constructed on these
+points; the twelve-pounder being used for their armaments. Each battery
+had two guns; and when all was completed, it was the opinion of the
+governor that the post was sufficiently well fortified. In order,
+however, to give additional security, the crater was tabooed to all the
+Kannakas; not one of whom was permitted ever to enter it, or even to go
+near it.
+
+But defence, and building, and making soil, did not altogether occupy
+the attention of the colonists during these important twelve months.
+Both the brothers of the governor got married; the oldest, or the
+attorney-general, to the oldest sister of John Pennock, and the youngest
+to a sister of the Rev. Mr. Hornblower. It was in this simple colony, as
+it ever has been, and ever will be in civilized society, that, in
+forming matrimonial connections, like looks for like. There was no
+person, or family at the Reef which could be said to belong to the
+highest social class of America, if, indeed, any one could rank as high
+as a class immediately next to the highest; yet, distinctions existed
+which were maintained usefully, and without a thought of doing them
+away. The notion that money alone makes those divisions into castes
+which are everywhere to be found, and which will probably continue to be
+found as long as society itself exists, is a very vulgar and fallacious
+notion. It comes from the difficulty of appreciating those tastes and
+qualities which, not possessing ourselves, are so many unknown and
+mysterious influences. In marrying Sarah Pennock, John Woolston was
+slightly conscious of making a little sacrifice in these particulars,
+but she was a very pretty, modest girl, of a suitable age, and the
+circle to choose from, it will be remembered, was very limited. In
+America that connection might not have taken place; but, at the crater,
+it was all well enough, and it turned out to be a very happy union. Had
+the sacrifice of habits and tastes been greater, this might not have
+been the fact, for it is certain that our happiness depends more on the
+subordinate qualities and our cherished usages, than on principles
+themselves. It is difficult to suppose that any refined woman, for
+instance, can ever thoroughly overcome her disgust for a man who
+habitually blows his nose with his fingers, or that one bred a gentleman
+can absolutely overlook, even in a wife, the want of the thousand and
+one little lady-like habits, which render the sex perhaps more
+attractive than do their personal charms.
+
+Several other marriages took place, the scarcity of subjects making it
+somewhat hazardous to delay: when Hobson's choice is placed before one,
+deliberation is of no great use. It was generally understood that the
+Rancocus was to bring out very few immigrants, though permission had
+been granted to Capt. Saunders to take letters to certain friends of
+some already settled in the colony, with the understanding that those
+friends were to be received, should they determine to come. That point,
+however, was soon to be decided, for just a year and one week after the
+Rancocus had sailed from Betto's group, the news reached the Reef that
+the good ship was coming into the northern roads, and preparing to
+anchor. The governor immediately went on board the Anne, taking Betts
+with him, and made sail for the point in question, with a view to bring
+the vessel through the passage to the Reef. The governor and Betts were
+the only two who, as it was believed, could carry so large a vessel
+through; though later soundings showed it was only necessary to keep
+clear of the points and the shores, in order to bring in a craft of any
+draught of water.
+
+When the Anne ran out into the roads, there she found the Rancocus at
+anchor, sure enough. On nearing her, Capt. Saunders appeared on her
+poop, and in answer to a hail, gave the welcome answer of "all well."
+Those comprehensive words removed a great deal of anxiety from the mind
+of the governor; absence being, in one sense, the parent of uncertainty,
+and uncertainty of uneasiness. Everything about the ship, however,
+looked well, and to the surprise of those in the Anne, many heads
+belonging to others beside the crew were to be seen above the rail. A
+sail was in sight, moreover, standing in, and this vessel Capt. Saunders
+stated was the brig Henlopen, purchased on government account, and
+loaded with stock, and other property for the colony.
+
+On going on board the Rancocus it was ascertained that, in all, one
+hundred and eleven new immigrants had been brought out! The circle of
+the affections had been set at work, and one friend had induced another
+to enter into the adventure, until it was found that less than the
+number mentioned could not be gotten rid of. That which could not be
+cured was to be endured, and the governor's dissatisfaction was a good
+deal appeased when he learned that the new-comers were of excellent
+materials; beings without exception, young, healthful, moral, and all
+possessed of more or less substance, in the way of worldly goods. This
+accession to the colony brought its population up to rather more than
+five hundred souls, of which number, however, near a hundred and fifty
+were children, or, under the age of fourteen years.
+
+Glad enough were the new-comers to land at a little settlement which had
+been made on the island which lay abreast of the roads, and where,
+indeed, there was a very convenient harbour, did vessels choose to use
+it. The roads, however, had excellent anchorage, and were perfectly
+protected against the prevailing winds of that region. Only once,
+indeed, since the place was inhabited, had the wind been known to blow
+_on_ shore at that point; and then only during a brief squall. In
+general, the place was every way favourable for the arrival and
+departure of shipping, the trades making a leading breeze both in going
+and coming--as, indeed, they did all the way to and from the Reef. A
+long-headed emigrant, of the name of Dunks, had foreseen the probable,
+future, importance of this outer harbour, and had made such an
+arrangement with the council, as to obtain leave for himself and three
+or four of his connections to exchange the land they had drawn, against
+an equal quantity in this part of the group. The arrangement was made,
+and this little, out-lying colony had now been established an entire
+season. As the spot was a good deal exposed to an invasion, a stone
+dwelling had been erected, that was capable of accommodating the whole
+party, and pickets were placed around it in such a way as to prove an
+ample defence against any attempt to carry the work by assault. The
+governor had lent them a field-piece, and it was thought the whole
+disposition was favourable to the security of the colony, since no less
+than eleven combatants could be mustered here to repel invasion.
+
+The immigrants, as usual, found everything charming, when their feet
+touched terra firma. The crops _did_ look well, and the island being
+covered with mud, the sand had done wonders for the vegetation. It is
+true that trees were wanting, though the pickets, or palisades, being of
+willow, had all sprouted, and promised soon to enclose the dwelling in
+a grove. Some fifty acres had been tilled, more or less thoroughly, and
+timothy was already growing that was breast-high. Clover looked well,
+too, as did everything else; the guano having lost none of its virtue
+since the late arrivals.
+
+The governor sent back the Anne, with instructions to prepare room for
+the immigrants in the government dwelling, which, luckily, was large
+enough to receive them all. He waited with the Rancocus, however, for
+the Henlopen to come in and anchor. He then went on board this brig, and
+took a look at the stock. Saunders, a discreet, sensible man, so well
+understood the importance of adding to the physical force of the colony,
+in the way of brutes, that he had even strained the point to bring as
+many mares and cows as he could stow. He had put on board twenty-five of
+the last, and twenty of the first; all purchased at Valparaiso. The
+weather had been so mild, that no injury had happened to the beasts, but
+the length of the passage had so far exhausted the supplies that not a
+mouthful of food had the poor animals tasted for the twenty-four hours
+before they got in. The water, too, was scarce, and anything but sweet.
+For a month everything had been on short allowance, and the suffering
+creatures must have been enchanted to smell the land. Smell it they
+certainly did; for such a lowing, and neighing, and fretting did they
+keep up, when the governor got alongside of the brig, that he could not
+endure the sight of their misery, but determined at once to relieve it.
+
+The brig was anchored within two hundred yards of a fine sandy beach, on
+which there were several runs of delicious water, and which communicated
+directly with a meadow of grass, as high as a man's breast. A bargain
+was soon made with Dunks; and the two crews, that of the Rancocus, as
+well as that of the brig, were set to work without delay to hoist out
+every creature having a hoof, that was on board the Henlopen. As slings
+were all ready, little delay was necessary, but a mare soon rose through
+the hatchway, was swung over the vessel's side, and was lowered into the
+water. A very simple contrivance released the creature from the slings,
+and off it swam, making the best of its way towards the land. In three
+minutes the poor thing was on the beach, though actually staggering
+from weakness, and from long use to the motion of the vessel. The water
+was its first aim. Dunks was there, however, to prevent it from drinking
+too much, when it made its way up to the grass, which it began to eat
+ravenously. All the rest went through the same process, and in a couple
+of hours the poor things were relieved from their misery, and the brig,
+which smelled like a stable, was well quit of them. Brooms and water
+were set to work immediately, but it was a month before the Henlopen
+lost the peculiar odour of the cattle.
+
+Nor were the human beings much less rejoiced to go ashore than the
+brutes. Dunks gave them all a hearty welcome, and though he had little
+fruit to offer, he had plenty of vegetables, for which they were quite
+as thankful. Melons, however, he could and did give them, and the human
+part of the cargo had an ample feast on a sort of food to which they had
+now so long been strangers. The horses and cows were left on Dunks's
+Island, where they stayed until word was sent to the governor that they
+had eaten down all his grass, and would soon be on allowance again,
+unless taken away. Means, however, were soon found to relieve him of the
+stock, though his meadows, or pastures rather, having been seldom cut in
+that climate, were much improved by the visit paid them. As for the
+animals, they were parcelled out among the different farms, thus giving
+a little milk, and a little additional force to each neighbourhood.
+Fowls and pigs had been distributed some time previously, so that not a
+man in the group was without his breeding sow, and his brood of young
+chickens. These were species of stock that increased so rapidly, that a
+little care alone was wanting to make eggs and pork plenty. Corn, or
+maize, grew just for the planting; though it was all the better,
+certainly, for a little care.
+
+After sufficient time had been allowed to make the necessary
+preparations, the vessels sailed with the immigrants for the Reef. There
+was many a glad meeting between friends and relatives. Those who had
+just arrived had a great deal to tell those who had preceded then by
+eighteen months, and those who now considered themselves old settlers,
+entertained the new ones with the wonders of their novel situations.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XXIV.
+
+
+
+    "Welter upon the waters, mighty one--
+    And stretch thee in the ocean's trough of brine;
+    Turn thy wet scales up to the wind and sun,
+    And toss the billow from thy flashing fin;
+    Heave thy deep breathing to the ocean's din,
+    And bound upon its ridges in thy pride,
+    Or dive down to its lowest depths, and in
+    The caverns where its unknown monsters hide
+    Measure thy length beneath the gulf-stream's tide."
+
+    Brainard's _Sea-Serpent._
+
+
+The colony had now reached a point when its policy must have an eye to
+its future destinies. If it were intended to push it, like a new
+settlement, a very different course ought to be pursued from the one
+hitherto adopted. But the governor and council entertained more moderate
+views. They understood their real position better. It was true that the
+Peak, in one sense, or in that which related to soil and products, was
+now in a condition to receive immigrants as fast as they could come; but
+the Peak had its limits, and it could hold but a very circumscribed
+number. As to the group, land had to be formed for the reception of the
+husbandman, little more than the elements of soil existing over so much
+of its surface. Then, in the way of trade, there could not be any very
+great inducement for adventurers to come, since the sandal-wood was the
+only article possessed which would command a price in a foreign market.
+This sandal-wood, moreover, did not belong to the colony, but to a
+people who might, at any moment, become hostile, and who already began
+to complain that the article was getting to be very scarce. Under all
+the circumstances therefore, it was not deemed desirable to add to the
+population of the place faster than would now be done by natural means.
+
+The cargoes of the two vessels just arrived were divided between the
+state and the governor, by a very just process. The governor had
+one-half the proceeds for his own private use, as owner of the Rancocus,
+without which vessel nothing could have been done; while the state
+received the other moiety, in virtue of the labour of its citizens as
+well as in that of its right to impose duties on imports and exports. Of
+the portion which went to the state, certain parts were equally divided
+between the colonists, for immediate use, while other parts of the cargo
+were placed in store, and held as a stock, to be drawn upon as occasion
+might arise.
+
+The voyage, like most adventures in sandal-wood, teas, &c., in that day,
+had been exceedingly advantageous, and produced a most beneficent
+influence on the fortunes and comforts of the settlement. A
+well-selected cargo of the coarse, low-priced articles most needed in
+such a colony, could easily have been purchased with far less than the
+proceeds of the cargo of tea that had been obtained at Canton, in
+exchange for the sandal-wood carried out; and Saunders, accordingly, had
+filled the holds of both vessels with such articles, besides bringing
+home with him a considerable amount in specie, half of which went into
+the public coffers, and half into the private purse of governor
+Woolston. Money had been in circulation in the colony for the last
+twelve months; though a good deal of caution was used in suffering it to
+pass from hand to hand. The disposition was to hoard; but this fresh
+arrival of specie gave a certain degree of confidence, and the silver
+circulated a great deal more freely after it was known that so
+considerable an amount had been brought in.
+
+It would scarcely be in our power to enumerate the articles that were
+received by these arrivals; they included everything in common use among
+civilized men, from a grind-stone to a cart. Groceries, too, had been
+brought in reasonable quantities, including teas, sugars, &c.; though
+these articles were not so much considered _necessaries_ in America
+fifty years ago as they are to-day. The groceries of the state as well
+as many other articles, were put into the hands of the merchants, who
+either purchased them out and out, to dispose of at retail, or who took
+them on commission with the same object. From this time, therefore,
+regular shops existed, there being three on the Reef and one on the
+Peak, where nearly everything in use could be bought, and that, too, at
+prices that were far from being exorbitant. The absence of import duties
+had a great influence on the cost of things, the state getting its
+receipts in kind, directly through the labour of its citizens, instead
+of looking to a customhouse in quest of its share for the general
+prosperity.
+
+At that time very little was written about the great fallacy of the
+present day, Free Trade; which is an illusion about which men now talk,
+and dispute, and almost fight, while no living mortal can tell what it
+really is. It is wise for us in America, who never had anything but free
+trade, according to modern doctrines, to look a little closely into the
+sophisms that are getting to be so much in vogue; and which, whenever
+they come from our illustrious ancestors in Great Britain, have some
+such effect on the imaginations of a portion of our people, as purling
+rills and wooded cascades are known to posses over those of certain
+young ladies of fifteen.
+
+Free trade, in its true signification, or in the only signification
+which is not a fallacy, can only mean a commerce that is _totally
+unfettered by duties, restrictions, prohibitions, and charges of all
+sorts_. Except among savages, the world never yet saw such a state of
+things, and probably never will. Even free trade ports have exactions
+that, in a degree, counteract their pretended principle of liberty; and
+no free port exists, that is anything more, in a strict interpretation
+of its uses, than a sort of bonded warehouse. So long as your goods
+remain there, on deposit and unappropriated, they are not taxed; but the
+instant they are taken to the _consumer_, the customary impositions must
+be paid.
+
+_Freer_ trade--that is, a trade which is less encumbered than some
+admitted state of things which previously existed--is easily enough
+comprehended; but, instead of conveying to the mind any general theory,
+it merely shows that a lack of wisdom may have prevailed in the
+management of some particular interest; which lack of wisdom is now
+being tardily repaired. Prohibitions, whether direct, or in the form of
+impositions that the trade will not bear, may be removed without leaving
+trade _free_. This or that article may be thrown open to the general
+competition, without import duty or tax of any sort, and yet the great
+bulk of the commerce of a country be so fettered as to put an effectual
+check upon anything like liberal intercourse. Suppose, for instance,
+that Virginia were an independent country. Its exports would be tobacco,
+flour, and corn; the tobacco crop probably more than equalling in value
+those portions of the other crops which are sent out of the country.
+England is suffering for food, and she takes off everything like imposts
+on the eatables, while she taxes tobacco to the amount of many hundred
+per cent. Can that be called free trade?
+
+There is another point of view in which we could wish to protest against
+the shouts and fallacies of the hour. Trade, perhaps the most corrupt
+and corrupting influence of life--or, if second to anything in evil,
+second only to politics--is proclaimed to be the great means of
+humanizing, enlightening, liberalizing, and improving the human race!
+Now, against this monstrous mistake in morals, we would fain raise our
+feeble voices in sober remonstrance. That the intercourse which is a
+consequence of commerce may, in certain ways, liberalize a man's views,
+we are willing to admit; though, at the same time, we shall insist that
+there are better modes of attaining the same ends. But it strikes us as
+profane to ascribe to this frail and mercenary influence a power which
+there is every reason to believe the Almighty has bestowed on the
+Christian church, and on that alone; a church which is opposed to most
+of the practices of trade, which rebukes them in nearly every line of
+its precepts, and which, carried out in its purity, can alone give the
+world that liberty and happiness which a grasping spirit of cupidity is
+so ready to impute to the desire to accumulate gold!
+
+Fortunately, there was little occasion to dispute about the theories of
+commerce at the Reef. The little trade that did exist was truly
+unfettered; but no one supposed that any man was nearer to God on that
+account, except as he was farther removed from temptations to do wrong.
+Still, the governing principle was sound; not by canting about the
+beneficent and holy influences of commerce, but by leaving to each man
+his individuality, or restraining if only on those points which the
+public good demanded. Instead of monopolizing the trade of the colony,
+which his superior wealth and official power would have rendered very
+easy, governor Woolston acted in the most liberal spirit to all around
+him. With the exception of the Anne, which was built by the colony, the
+council had decided, in some measure contrary to his wishes, though in
+strict accordance with what was right, that all the vessels were the
+private property of Mark. After this decision, the governor formally
+conveyed the Mermaid and the Abraham to the state; the former to be
+retained principally as a cruiser and a packet, while the last was in
+daily use as a means of conveying articles and passengers, from one
+island to the other. The Neshamony was presented, out and out, to Betts,
+who turned many a penny with her, by keeping her running through the
+different passages, with freight, &c.; going from plantation to
+plantation, as these good people were in the practice of calling their
+farms. Indeed, Bob did little else, until the governor, seeing his
+propensity to stick by the water, and ascertaining that the intercourse
+would justify such an investment, determined to build him a sloop, in
+order that he might use her as a sort of packet and market-boat, united.
+A vessel of about forty-five tons was laid down accordingly, and put
+into the water at the end of six months, that was just the sort of craft
+suited to Bob's wishes and wants. In the mean time, the honest fellow
+had resigned his seat in the council, feeling that he was out of his
+place in such a body, among men of more or less education, and of habits
+so much superior and more refined than his own. Mark did not oppose this
+step in his friend, but rather encouraged it; being persuaded nothing
+was gained by forcing upon a man duties he was hardly fitted to
+discharge. Self-made men, he well knew, were sometimes very useful; but
+he also knew that they must be first _made_.
+
+The name of this new sloop was the Martha, being thus called in
+compliment to her owner's sober-minded, industrious and careful wife.
+She (the sloop, and not Mrs. Betts) was nearly all cabin, having lockers
+forward and aft, and was fitted with benches in her wings, steamboat
+fashion. Her canvas was of light duck, there being very little heavy
+weather in that climate; so that assisted by a boy and a Kannaka, honest
+Bob could do anything he wished with his craft. He often went to the
+Peak and Rancocus Island in her, always doing something useful; and he
+even made several trips in her, within the first few months he had her
+running, as far as Betto's group. On these last voyages, he carried over
+Kannakas as passengers, as well as various small articles, such as
+fish-hooks, old iron, hatchets even, and now and then a little tobacco.
+These he exchanged for cocoa-nuts, which were yet scarce in the colony,
+on account of the number of mouths to consume them; baskets, Indian
+cloth, paddles which the islanders made very beautifully and with a
+great deal of care; bread-fruit, and other plants that abounded more at
+Betto's group than at the Reef, or even on the Peak.
+
+But the greatest voyage Betts made that season was when he took a
+freight of melons. This was a fruit which now abounded in the colony; so
+much so as to be fed even to the hogs, while the natives knew nothing of
+it beyond the art of eating it. They were extraordinarily fond of
+melons, and Bob actually filled the cabin of the Martha with articles
+obtained in exchange for his cargo. Among other things obtained on this
+occasion, was a sufficiency of sandal-wood to purchase for the owner of
+the sloop as many groceries as he could consume in his family for twelve
+months; though groceries were high, as may well be supposed, in a place
+like the Reef. Betts always admitted that the first great turn in his
+fortune was the money made on this voyage, in which he embarked without
+the least apprehension of Waally, and his never-ceasing wiles and
+intrigues. Indeed, most of his sales were made to that subtle and active
+chief, who dealt very fairly by him.
+
+All this time the Rancocus was laid up for want of something to freight
+her with. At one time the governor thought of sending her to pick up a
+cargo where she could; but a suggestion by a seaman of the name of
+Walker set him on a different track, and put on foot an adventure which
+soon attracted the attention of most of the sea-faring portion of the
+community.
+
+It had been observed by the crew of the Rancocus, not only in her
+original run through those seas, but in her two subsequent passages
+from America, that the spermaceti whale abounded in all that part of the
+ocean which lay to windward of the group. Now Walker had once been
+second officer of a Nantucket craft, and was regularly brought up to the
+business of taking whales. Among the colonists were half a dozen others
+who had done more or less at the same business; and, at the suggestion
+of Walker, who had gone out in the Rancocus as her first officer,
+captain Saunders laid in a provision of such articles as were necessary
+to set up the business. These consisted of cordage, harpoons, spades,
+lances, and casks. Then no small part of the lower hold of the Henlopen
+was stowed with shook casks; iron for hoops, &c., being also provided.
+
+As the sandal-wood was now obtained in only small quantities, all idea
+of sending the ship to Canton again, that year, was necessarily
+abandoned. At first this seemed to be a great loss; but when the
+governor came to reflect coolly on the subject, not only he, but the
+council generally, came to the conclusion that Providence was dealing
+more mercifully with them, by turning the people into this new channel
+of commerce, than to leave them to pursue their original track.
+Sandal-wood had a purely adventitious value, though it brought,
+particularly in that age, a most enormous profit; one so large, indeed,
+as to have a direct and quick tendency to demoralize those embarked in
+the trade. The whaling business, on the other hand, while it made large
+returns, demanded industry, courage, perseverance, and a fair amount of
+capital. Of vessels, the colonists had all they wanted; the forethought
+of Saunders and the suggestions of Walker furnished the particular
+means; and of provisions there was now a superabundance in the group.
+
+It was exceedingly fortunate that such an occupation offered to interest
+and keep alive the spirit of the colonists. Man must have something to
+do; some main object to live for; or he is apt to degenerate in his
+ambition, and to fall off in his progress. No sooner was it announced
+that whales were to be taken, however, than even the women became alive
+to the results of the enterprise. This feeling was kept up by the
+governor's letting it be officially known that each colonist should
+have one share, or "lay," as it was termed, in the expected cargo; which
+share, or "lay," was to be paid for in provisions. Those actually
+engaged in the business had as many "lays" as it was thought they could
+earn; the colony in its collected capacity had a certain number more, in
+return for articles received from the public stores; and the governor,
+as owner of the vessels employed, received one-fifth of the whole cargo,
+or cargoes. This last was a very small return for the amount of capital
+employed; and it was so understood by those who reaped the advantages of
+the owner's liberality.
+
+The Rancocus was not fitted out as a whaler, but was reserved as a
+ware-house to receive the oil, to store it until a cargo was collected,
+and then was to be used as a means to convey it to America. For this
+purpose she was stripped, had her rigging thoroughly overhauled, was
+cleaned out and smoked for rats, and otherwise was prepared for service.
+While in this state, she lay alongside of the natural quay, near and
+opposite to some extensive sheds which had been erected, as a protection
+against the heats of the climate.
+
+The Henlopen, a compact clump of a brig, that was roomy on deck, and had
+stout masts and good rigging, was fitted out for the whaler; though the
+Anne was sent to cruise in company. Five whale-boats, with the necessary
+crews, were employed; two remaining with the Anne, and three in the
+brig. The Kannakas were found to be indefatigable at the oar, and a good
+number of them were used on this occasion. About twenty of the largest
+boys belonging to the colony were also sent out, in order to accustom
+them to the sea. These boys were between the ages of eight and sixteen,
+and were made useful in a variety of ways.
+
+Great was the interest awakened in the colony when the Henlopen and the
+Anne sailed on this adventure. Many of the women, the wives, daughters,
+sisters, or sweethearts of the whalers, would gladly have gone along;
+and so intense did the feeling become, that the governor determined to
+make a festival of the occasion, and to offer to take out himself, in
+the Mermaid, as many of both sexes as might choose to make a trip of a
+few days at sea, and be witnesses of the success of their friends in
+this new undertaking. Betts also took a party in the Martha. The
+Abraham, too, was in company; while the Neshamony was sent to leeward,
+to keep a look-out in that quarter, lest the natives should take it into
+their heads to visit the group, while so many of its fighting-men, fully
+a hundred altogether, were absent. It is true, those who stayed at home
+were fully able to beat off Waally and his followers; but the governor
+thought it prudent to have a look-out. Such was the difference produced
+by habit. When the whole force of the colony consisted of less than
+twenty men, it was thought sufficient to protect itself, could it be
+brought to act together; whereas, now, when ten times twenty were left
+at home, unusual caution was deemed necessary, because the colony was
+weakened by this expedition of so many of its members. But everything is
+comparative with man.
+
+When all was ready, the whaling expedition sailed; the governor leading
+on board the Mermaid, which had no less than forty females in
+her--Bridget and Anne being among them. The vessels went out by the
+southern channel, passing through the strait at the bridge in order to
+do so. This course was taken, as it would be easier to turn to windward
+in the open water between the south cape and the Peak, than to do it in
+the narrow passages between the islands of the group. The Mermaid led
+off handsomely, sparing the Henlopen her courses and royals. Even the
+Abraham could spare the last vessel her foresail, the new purchase
+turning out to be anything but a traveller. The women wondered how so
+slow a vessel could ever catch a whale!
+
+The direction steered by the fleet carried it close under the weather
+side of the Peak, the summit of which was crowded by the population, to
+see so unusual and pleasing a sight. The Martha led, carrying rather
+more sail, in proportion to her size, than the Mermaid. It happened, by
+one of those vagaries of fortune which so often thwart the best
+calculations, that a spout was seen to windward of the cliffs, at a
+moment when the sloop was about a league nearer to it than any other
+vessel. Now, every vessel in the fleet had its whale-boat and
+whale-boat's crew: though the men of all but those who belonged to the
+Henlopen were altogether inexperienced. It is true, they had learned the
+theory of the art of taking a whale; but they were utterly wanting in
+the practice. Betts was not the man to have the game in view, however,
+and not make an effort to overcome it. His boat was manned in an
+instant, and away he went, with Socrates in the bows, to fasten to a
+huge creature that was rolling on the water in a species of sluggish
+enjoyment of its instincts. It often happens that very young soldiers,
+more especially when an _esprit de corps_ has been awakened in them,
+achieve things from which older troops would retire, under the
+consciousness of their hazards. So did it prove with the Martha's boat's
+crew on this occasion. Betts steered, and he put them directly on the
+whale; Socrates, who looked fairly green under the influence of alarm
+and eagerness to attack, both increased by the total novelty of his
+situation, making his dart of the harpoon when the bows of the fragile
+craft were literally over the huge body of the animal. All the energy of
+the negro was thrown into his blow, for he felt as if it were life or
+death with him; and the whale spouted blood immediately. It is deemed a
+great exploit with whalers, though it is not of very rare occurrence, to
+inflict a death-wound with the harpoon; that implement being intended to
+make fast with to the fish, which is subsequently slain with what is
+termed a lance. But Socrates actually killed the first whale he ever
+struck, with the harpoon; and from that moment he became an important
+personage in the fisheries of those seas. That blow was a sort of Palo
+Alto affair to him, and was the forerunner of many similar successes.
+Indeed, it soon got to be said, that "with Bob Betts to put the boat on,
+and old Soc to strike, a whale commonly has a hard time on't." It is
+true, that a good many boats were stove, and two Kannakas were drowned,
+that very summer, in consequence of these tactics; but the whales were
+killed, and Betts and the black escaped with whole skins.
+
+On this, the first occasion, the whale made the water foam, half-filled
+the boat, and would have dragged it under, but for the vigour of the
+negro's arm, and the home character of the blow, which caused the fish
+to turn up and breathe his last, before he had time to run any great
+distance. The governor arrived on the spot, just as Bob had got a hawser
+to the whale and was ready to fill away for the South Cape channel
+again. The vessels passed each other cheering, and the governor
+admonished his friend not to carry the carcass too near the dwellings,
+lest it should render them uninhabitable. But Betts had his anchorage
+already in his eye, and away he went, with the wind on his quarter,
+towing his prize at the rate of four or five knots. It may be said,
+here, that the Martha went into the passage, and that the whale was
+floated into shallow water, where sinking was out of the question, and
+Bob and his Kannakas, about twenty in number, went to work to peel off
+the blubber in a very efficient, though not in a very scientific, or
+artistical manner. They got the creature stripped of its jacket of fat
+that very night, and next morning the Martha appeared with a set of
+kettles, in which the blubber was tried out. Casks were also brought in
+the sloop, and, when the work was done, it was found that that single
+whale yielded one hundred and eleven barrels of oil, of which
+thirty-three barrels were head-matter! This was a capital commencement
+for the new trade, and Betts conveyed the whole of his prize to the
+Reef, where the oil was started into the ground-tier of the Rancocus,
+the casks of which were newly repaired, and ready stowed to receive it.
+
+A week later, as the governor in the Mermaid, cruising in company with
+the Henlopen and Abraham, was looking out for whales about a hundred
+miles to windward of the Peak, having met with no success, he was again
+joined by Betts in the Martha. Everything was reported right at the
+Reef. The Neshamony had come in for provisions and gone out again, and
+the Rancocus would stand up without watching, with her hundred and
+eleven barrels of oil in her lower hold. The governor expressed his
+sense of Betts' services, and reminding him of his old faculty of seeing
+farther and truer than most on board, he asked him to go up into the
+brig's cross-trees and take a look for whales. The keen-eyed fellow had
+not been aloft ten minutes, before the cry of "spouts--spouts!" was
+ringing through the vessel. The proper signal was made to the Henlopen
+and Abraham, when everybody made sail in the necessary direction. By
+sunset a great number of whales were fallen in with, and as Capt. Walker
+gave it as his opinion they were feeding in that place, no attempt was
+made on them until morning. The next day, however, with the return of
+light, six boats were in the water, and palling off towards the game.
+
+On this occasion, Walker led on, as became his rank and experience. In
+less than an hour he was fast to a very large whale, a brother of that
+taken by Betts; and the females had the exciting spectacle, of a boat
+towed by an enormous fish, at a rate of no less than twenty knots in an
+hour. It is the practice among whalers for the vessel to keep working to
+windward, while the game is taking, in order to be in the most
+favourable position to close with the boats, after the whale is killed.
+So long, however, as the creature has life in it, it would be folly to
+aim at any other object than getting to windward, for the fish may be
+here at one moment, and a league off in a few minutes more. Sometimes,
+the alarmed animal goes fairly out of sight of the vessel, running in a
+straight line some fifteen or twenty miles, when the alternatives are to
+run the chances of missing the ship altogether, or to cut from the
+whale. By doing the last not only is a harpoon lost, but often several
+hundred fathoms of line; and it not unfrequently happens that whales are
+killed with harpoons in them, left by former assailants, and dragging
+after them a hundred, or two, fathoms of line.
+
+It may be well, here, to explain to the uninitiated reader, that the
+harpoon is a barbed spear, with a small, but stout cord, or whale line
+fastened to it. The boat approaches the fish bow foremost, but is made
+sharp at both ends that it may "back off," if necessary; the whale being
+often dangerous to approach, and ordinarily starting, when struck, in a
+way to render his immediate neighbourhood somewhat ticklish. The fish
+usually goes down when harpooned, and the line must be permitted to
+"run-out," or he would drag the boat after him. But a whale must breathe
+as well as a man, and the faster he runs the sooner he must come up for
+a fresh stock of air. Now, the proper use of the harpoon and the line is
+merely to fasten to the fish; though it does sometimes happen that the
+creature is killed by the former. As soon as the whale re-appears on
+the surface, and becomes stationary, or even moderates his speed a
+little, the men begin to haul in line, gradually closing with their
+intended victim. It often happens that the whale starts afresh, when
+line must be permitted to run out anew; this process of "hauling in" and
+"letting run" being often renewed several times at the taking of a
+single fish. When the boat can be hauled near enough, the officer at its
+head darts his lance into the whale, aiming at a vital part. If the
+creature "spouts blood," it is well; but if not hit in the vitals, away
+it goes, and the whole business of "letting run," "towing," and "hauling
+in" has to be gone over again.
+
+On the present occasion, Walker's harpooner, or boat-steerer, as he is
+called, had made a good "heave," and was well fast to his fish. The
+animal made a great circuit, running completely round the Mermaid, at a
+distance which enabled those on board her to see all that was passing.
+When nearest to the brig, and the water was curling off the bow of the
+boat in combs two feet higher than her gunwale, under the impulse given
+by the frantic career of the whale, Bridget pressed closer to her
+husband's side, and, for the first time in her life, mentally thanked
+Heaven that he was the governor, since that was an office which did not
+require him to go forth and kill whales. At that very moment, Mark was
+burning with the desire to have a hand in the sport, though he certainly
+had some doubts whether such an occupation would suitably accord with
+the dignity of his office.
+
+Walker got alongside of his whale, within half a mile of the two brigs,
+and to-leeward of both. In consequence of this favourable circumstance,
+the Henlopen soon had its prize hooked on, and her people at work
+stripping off the blubber. This is done by hooking the lower block of a
+powerful purchase in a portion of the substance, and then cutting a
+strip of convenient size, and heaving on the fall at the windlass. The
+strip is cut by implements called spades, and the blubber is torn from
+the carcass by the strain, after the sides of the "blanket-piece," as
+the strip is termed, are separated from the other portions of the animal
+by the cutting process. The "blanket-pieces" are often raised as high
+as the lower mast-heads, or as far as the purchase will admit of its
+being carried, when a transverse cut is made, and the whole of the
+fragment is lowered on deck. This "blanket-piece" is then cut into
+pieces and put into the try-works, a large boiler erected on deck, in
+order to be "tryed-out," when the oil is cooled, and "started" below
+into casks. In this instance, the oil was taken on board the Abraham as
+fast as it was "tryed-out" on board the Henlopen, the weather admitting
+of the transfer.
+
+But that single whale was far from being the only fruits of Betts'
+discovery. The honest old Delaware seaman took two more whales himself.
+Socrates making fast, and he killing the creatures. The boats of the
+Henlopen also took two more, and that of the Abraham, one. Betts in the
+Martha, and the governor in the Mermaid towed four of these whales into
+the southern channel, and into what now got the name of the Whaling
+Bight. This was the spot where Betts had tryed out the first fish taken,
+and it proved to be every way suitable for its business. The Bight
+formed a perfectly safe harbour, and there was not only a sandy shoal on
+which the whales could be floated and kept from sinking, a misfortune
+that sometimes occurs, but it had a natural quay quite near, where the
+Rancocus, herself, could lie. There was fresh water in abundance, and an
+island of sufficient size to hold the largest whaling establishment that
+ever existed. This island was incontinently named Blubber Island. The
+greatest disadvantage was the total absence of soil, and consequently of
+all sorts of herbage; but its surface was as smooth as that of an
+artificial quay, admitting of the rolling of casks with perfect ease.
+The governor no sooner ascertained the facilities of the place, which
+was far enough from the ordinary passage to and from the Peak to remove
+the nuisances, than he determined to make it his whaling haven.
+
+The Abraham was sent across to Rancocus Island for a load of lumber, and
+extensive sheds were erected, in time to receive the Henlopen, when she
+came in with a thousand barrels of oil on board, and towing in three
+whales that she had actually taken in the passage between Cape South and
+the Peak. By that time, the Rancocus had been moved, being stiff enough
+to be brought from the Reef to Blubber Island, under some of her lower
+sails. This moving of vessels among the islands of the group was a very
+easy matter, so long as they were not to be carried to windward; and, a
+further acquaintance with the channels, had let the mariners into the
+secret of turning up, against the trades and within the islands, by
+keeping in such reaches as enabled them to go as near the wind as was
+necessary, while they were not compelled to go nearer than a craft could
+lie.
+
+Such was the commencement of a trade that was destined to be of the last
+importance to our colonists. The oil that was brought in, from this
+first cruise, a cruise that lasted less than two months, and including
+that taken by all the boats, amounted to two thousand barrels, quite
+filling the lower hold of the Rancocus, and furnishing her with more
+than half of a full cargo. At the prices which then ruled in the markets
+of Europe and America, three thousand five hundred barrels of
+spermaceti, with a due proportion of head matter, was known to be worth
+near an hundred thousand dollars; and might be set down as large a
+return for labour, as men could obtain under the most advantageous
+circumstances.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XXV.
+
+
+
+    "The forest reels beneath the stroke
+    Of sturdy woodman's axe;
+    The earth receives the white man's yoke,
+    And pays her willing tax
+    Of fruits, and flowers, and golden harvest fields,
+    And all that nature to blithe labour yields."
+
+    Paulding.
+
+
+Notwithstanding the great success which attended the beginning of the
+whaling, it was six months before the Rancocus was loaded, and ready to
+sail for Hamburgh with her cargo. This time the ship went east, at once,
+instead of sailing to the westward, as she had previously done--taking
+with her a crew composed partly of colonists and partly of Kannakas. Six
+boys, however, went in the ship, the children of reputable settlers; all
+of whom the governor intended should be officers, hereafter, on board of
+colony vessels. To prevent difficulties on the score of national
+character, on leaving America the last time, Saunders had cleared for
+the islands of the Pacific and a market; meaning to cover his vessel,
+let her go where she might, by the latter reservation. This question of
+nationality offered a good deal of embarrassment in the long run, and
+the council foresaw future embarrassments as connected with the subject;
+but, every one of the colonists being of American birth, and America
+being then neutral, and all the American-built vessels having American
+papers, it was thought most prudent to let things take their natural
+course, under the existing arrangement, until something occurred to
+render a more decided policy advisable.
+
+As soon as the Rancocus got off, the Henlopen went out again, to cruise
+about two hundred leagues to windward; while the inshore fishery was
+carried on by Betts, in the Martha, with great spirit and most
+extraordinary success. So alive did the people get to be to the profit
+and sport of this sort of business, that boats were constructed, and
+crews formed all over the colony, there being often as many as a dozen
+different parties out, taking whales near the coasts. The _furor_
+existed on the Peak, as well as in the low lands, and Bridget and Anne
+could not but marvel that men would quit the delicious coolness, the
+beautiful groves, and all the fruits and bountiful products of that most
+delightful plain, to go out on the ocean, in narrow quarters, and under
+a hot sun, to risk their lives in chase of the whale! This did the
+colonists, nevertheless, until the governor himself began to feel the
+necessity of striking a whale, if he would maintain his proper place in
+the public opinion.
+
+As respects the governor, and the other high functionaries of the
+colony, some indulgence was entertained; it being the popular notion
+that men who lived so much within doors, and whose hands got to be so
+soft, were not exactly the sort of persons who would be most useful at
+the oar. Heaton, and the merchants, Pennock, and the two younger
+Woolstons, with the clergyman, were easily excused in the popular mind;
+but the governor was known to be a prime seaman, and a silent
+expectation appeared to prevail, that some day he would be seen in the
+bow of a boat, lancing a whale. Before the first season was over, this
+expectation was fully realized; Governor Woolston heading no less than
+four of what were called the colony boats, or boats that belonged to the
+state, and fished as much for honour as profit, taking a fine whale on
+each occasion. These exploits of the governor's capped the climax, in
+the way of giving a tone to the public mind, on the subject of taking
+whales. No man could any longer doubt of its being honourable, as well
+as useful, and even the boys petitioned to be allowed to go out. The
+Kannakas, more or less of whom were employed in each vessel, rose
+greatly in the public estimation, and no _young_ man could expect to
+escape animadversion, unless he had been present at least once at the
+taking of a whale. Those who had struck or lanced a fish were now held
+in a proportionate degree of repute. It was, in fact, in this group that
+the custom originally obtained, which prohibited a young man from
+standing at the head of the dance who had not struck his fish; and not
+at Nantucket, as has been erroneously supposed.
+
+In a community where such a spirit was awakened, it is not surprising
+that great success attended the fisheries. The Henlopen did well,
+bringing in eight hundred barrels; but she found six hundred more in
+waiting for her, that had been taken by the in-shore fishermen; some
+using the Abraham, some the Martha, some the Anne, and others again
+nothing but the boats, in which they pursued their game. In the latter
+cases, however, when a fish was taken, one of the larger vessels was
+usually employed to take the creature into the Bight. In this way was
+the oil obtained, which went to make up a cargo for the Henlopen. The
+governor had his doubts about sending this brig on so distant a voyage,
+the vessel being so slow; but there was no choice, since she must go, or
+the cargo must remain a long time where it was. The brig was accordingly
+filled up, taking in seventeen hundred barrels; and she sailed for
+Hamburgh, under the command of a young man named Thomas. Walker remained
+behind, preferring to superintend the whaling affairs at home.
+
+So high did the fever run, by this time, that it was determined to build
+a couple of vessels, each to measure about a hundred and eighty tons,
+with the sole object of using them to take the whale. Six months after
+laying their keels, these little brigs were launched; and lucky it was
+that the governor had ordered copper for a ship to be brought out, since
+it now came handy for using on these two craft. But, the whaling
+business had not been suffered to lag while the Jonas and the Dragon
+were on the stocks; the Anne, and the Martha, and the single boats,
+being out near half the time. Five hundred barrels were taken in this
+way; and Betts, in particular, had made so much money, or, what was the
+same thing, had got so much oil, that he came one morning to his friend
+the governor, when the following interesting dialogue took place between
+them, in the audience-chamber of the Colony House. It may as well be
+said here, that the accommodations for the chief magistrate had been
+materially enlarged, and that he now dwelt in a suite of apartments that
+would have been deemed respectable even in Philadelphia. Bridget had a
+taste for furniture, and the wood of Rancocus Island admitted of many
+articles being made that were really beautiful, and which might have
+adorned a palace. Fine mats had been brought from China, such as are,
+and long have been, in common use in America; neat and quaint chairs and
+settees had also been in the governor's invoices, to say nothing of
+large quantities of fine and massive earthenware. In a word, the
+governor was getting to be rich, and like all wealthy men, he had a
+disposition to possess, in a proportionate degree, the comforts and
+elegancies of civilized life. But to come to our dialogue--
+
+"Walk in, Captain Betts--walk in, sir, and do me the favour to take a
+chair," said the governor, motioning to his old friend to be seated.
+"You are always welcome, here; for I do not forget old times, I can
+assure you, my friend."
+
+"Thankee, governor; thankee, with all my heart. I _do_ find everything
+changed, now-a-days, if the truth must be said, but yourself. To me,
+_you_ be always, Mr. Mark, and Mr. Woolston, and we seem to sail along
+in company, much as we did the time you first went out a foremast-lad,
+and I teached you the difference between a flat-knot and a granny."
+
+"No, no, Bob, everything is not so much changed as you pretend--I am not
+changed, in the first place."
+
+"I confess it--_you_ be the same, governor, blow high, or blow low."
+
+"Then Martha is not changed, or nothing worth mentioning. A little more
+matronly, perhaps, and not quite as much of a girl as when you first
+made her acquaintance; but Martha, nevertheless. And, as for her heart,
+I'll answer for it, that is just the colour it was at sixteen."
+
+"Why, yes, governor; 'tis much as you say. Marthy is now the mother of
+four children, and that confarms a woman's appearance, depend on't. But,
+Marthy is Marthy; and, for that matter, Miss Bridget is Miss Bridget, as
+much as one pea is like another. Madam Woolston does full credit to the
+climate, governor, and looks more like eighteen than ever."
+
+"My wife enjoys excellent health, Betts; and grateful am I to God that
+it is so. But I think all our women have a fresh and sea-air sort of
+look, a cheerful freshness about them, that I ascribe to the salt and
+the sea-breezes. Then we have mountain air, in addition, on the Peak."
+
+"Ay, ay, sir--I dare say you've got it right, as you do most matters.
+Well, governor, I don't know which counts up the fastest in the colony,
+children or whales?"
+
+"Both flourish," answered Mark, smiling, "as our reports show. Mr.
+Secretary tells me that there were, on the first of the last month,
+three hundred and eighteen children in the colony under the age of ten
+years; of whom no less than one hundred and ninety-seven are born
+here--pure Craterinos, including your children and mine, Betts."
+
+"It's a fine beginning, governor--a most capital start; and, though the
+young 'uns can't do much at taking a whale, or securing the ile, just
+now, they'll come on in their turns, and be useful when we're in dock as
+hulks sir."
+
+"Talking of oil, you must be getting rich, Captain Betts. I hear you
+got in another hundred-barrel gentleman last week!"
+
+"Times is altered with me, governor; and times is altered with you, too,
+sir, since you and I rafted loam and sea-weed, to raise a few cucumbers,
+and squashes, and melons. _Then_, we should have been as happy as
+princes to have had a good roof over our heads."
+
+"I trust we are both thankful, where thanks are due, for all this,
+Betts?"
+
+"Why, yes, sir, I endivour so to be; though men is desperate apt to
+believe they desarve all they get but the ill luck. I and Marthy try to
+think of what is all in all to us, and I believe Marthy does make out
+pretty well, in that partic'lar, accordin' to Friends' ways; though I am
+often jammed in religion, and all for want of taking to it early as I
+sometimes think, sir."
+
+"There is no doubt, Betts, that men grow in Christian character, as well
+as in evil; and the most natural growth, in all things, is that of the
+young. A great deal is to be undone and unlearned, if we put off the
+important hour to a late period in life."
+
+"Well, as to unl'arnin', I suppose a fellow that had as little edication
+as myself will have an easy time of it," answered Betts, with perfect
+simplicity and good faith; "for most of my schoolin' was drowned in salt
+water by the time I was twelve."
+
+"I am glad of one thing," put in the governor, half in a congratulating
+way, and half inquiringly; "and that is, that the Rev. Mr. Hornblower
+takes so well with the people. Everybody appears to be satisfied with
+his ministrations; and I do not see that any one is the worse for them,
+although he is an Episcopalian."
+
+Betts twisted about on his chair, and seemed at first unwilling to
+answer; but his natural frankness, and his long habits of intimacy and
+confidence with Mark Woolston, both as man and boy, forbade his
+attempting anything seriously in the way of concealment.
+
+"Well, governor, they _do_ say that 'many men, many minds,'" he replied,
+after a brief pause; "and I suppose it's as true about religion, as in a
+judgment of ships, or in a ch'ice of a wife. If all men took to the same
+woman, or all seamen shipped for the same craft, a troublesome
+household, and a crowded and onhealthy vessel, would be the upshot
+on't."
+
+"We have a choice given us by Providence, both as to ships and as to
+wives, Captain Betts; but no choice is allowed any of us in what relates
+to religion. In that, we are to mind the sailor's maxim, 'to obey orders
+if we break owners.'"
+
+"Little fear of 'breaking owners,' I fancy, governor. But, the
+difficulty is to know what orders is. Now, Friends doesn't hold, at all,
+to dressing and undressing in church time; and I think, myself, books is
+out of place in praying to God."
+
+"And is there much said among the people, Captain Betts, about the
+parson's gown and surplice, and about his _reading_ his prayers, instead
+of writing them out, and getting them by heart?"
+
+There was a little malice in the governor's question, for he was too
+much behind the curtain to be the dupe of any pretending claims to
+sudden inspirations, and well knew that every sect had its liturgy,
+though only half-a-dozen have the honesty to print them. The answer of
+his friend was, as usual, frank, and to the point.
+
+"I cannot say but there is, Mr. Mark. As for the clothes, women will
+talk about _them_, as you well know, sir; it being their natur' to be
+dressing themselves out, so much. Then as to praying from the book,
+quite half of our people think it is not any better than no praying at
+all. A little worse, perhaps, if truth was spoken."
+
+"I am sorry to hear this, Betts. From the manner in which they attend
+the services, I was in hopes that prejudices were abating, and that
+everybody was satisfied."
+
+"I don't think, governor, that there is any great danger of a mutiny;
+though, many men, many minds, as I said before. But, my business here is
+forgotten all this time; and I know it isn't with your honour now as it
+used to be with us both, when we had nothing to think of but the means
+of getting away from this place, into some other that we fancied might
+be better. I wish you joy, sir, in having got the two new brigs into the
+water."
+
+"Thank you, Captain Betts. Does your present visit relate to either of
+those brigs?"
+
+"Why, to come to the p'int, it does, sir. I've taken a fancy to the
+Dragon, and should like to buy her."
+
+"Buy her! Have you any notion what such a vessel will cost, Betts?"
+
+"Not a great way from eight thousand dollars, I should think, governor,
+now that the copper is on. Some things is charged high, in this part of
+the world, about a wessel, and other some isn't. Take away the copper,
+and I should think a good deal less would buy either."
+
+"And have you eight thousand dollars at command, my friend, with which
+to purchase the brig?"
+
+"If ile is money, yes; if ile isn't money, no. I've got three hundred
+barrels on hand, one hundred of which is head-matter."
+
+"I rejoice to hear this, Captain Betts, and the brig you shall have. I
+thought to have sold both to the merchants, for I did not suppose any
+one else, here, could purchase them; but I would greatly prefer to see
+one of them in the hands of an old friend. You shall have the Dragon,
+Betts, since you like her."
+
+"Done and done between gentlemen, is enough, sir; not that I set myself
+up for a gentleman, governor, but I've lived too long and too much in
+your respected society not to have l'arn'd some of the ways. The brig's
+mine, if ile will pay for her. And now, sir, having completed the trade,
+I _should_ like to know if your judgment and mine be the same. I say the
+Dragon will beat the Jonas half a knot, the best day the Jonas ever
+seed."
+
+"I do not know but you are right, Bob. In looking at the two craft, last
+evening, I gave the preference to the Dragon, though I kept my opinion
+to myself, lest I might mortify those who built the Jonas."
+
+"Well, sir, I'm better pleased to hear this, than to be able to pay for
+the brig! It is something to a plain body like myself, to find his
+judgment upheld by them that know all about a matter."
+
+In this friendly and perfectly confidential way did Mark Woolston still
+act with his old and long-tried friend, Robert Betts. The Dragon was
+cheap at the money mentioned, and the governor took all of the old
+seaman's 'ile' at the very top of the market. This purchase at once
+elevated Betts in the colony, to a rank but a little below that of the
+'gentlemen,' if his modesty disposed him to decline being classed
+absolutely with them. What was more, it put him in the way of almost
+coining money. The brig he purchased turned out to be as fast as he
+expected, and what was more, the character of a lucky vessel, which she
+got the very first cruise, never left her, and gave her commander and
+owner, at all times, a choice of hands.
+
+The governor sold the Jonas to the merchants, and took the Martha off
+Betts' hands, causing this latter craft to run regularly, and at stated
+hours, from point to point among the islands, in the character of a
+packet. Twice a week she passed from the Reef to the Cove at the Peak,
+and once a fortnight she went to Rancocus Island. In addition to her
+other duties, this sloop now carried the mail.
+
+A post-office law was passed by the council, and was approved of by the
+governor. In that day, and in a community so simple and practical,
+new-fangled theories concerning human rights were not allowed to
+interfere with regulations that were obviously necessary to the comfort
+and convenience of the public.
+
+Fortunately, there was yet no newspaper, a species of luxury, which,
+like the gallows, comes in only as society advances to the corrupt
+condition; or which, if it happen to precede it a little, is very
+certain soon to conduct it there. If every institution became no more
+than what it was designed to be, by those who originally framed it, the
+state of man on earth would be very different from what it is. The
+unchecked means of publicity, out of all question, are indispensable to
+the circulation of truths; and it is equally certain that the
+unrestrained means of publicity are equally favourable to the
+circulation of lies. If we cannot get along safely without the
+possession of one of these advantages, neither can we get along very
+safely while existing under the daily, hourly, increasing influence of
+the other--call it what you will. If truth is all-important, in one
+sense, falsehood is all-important too, in a contrary sense.
+
+Had there been a newspaper at the Crater, under the control of some
+philosopher, who had neither native talent, nor its substitute
+education, but who had been struck out of a printer's devil by the rap
+of a composing-stick, as Minerva is reported to have been struck,
+full-grown, out of Jupiter's head by the hammer of Vulcan, it is
+probable that the wiseacre might have discovered that It was an
+inexcusable interference with the rights of the colonists, to enact that
+no one should carry letters for hire, but those connected with the
+regular post-office. But, no such person existing, the public mind was
+left to the enjoyment of its common-sense ignorance, which remained
+satisfied with the fact that, though it might be possible to get a
+letter carried from the Reef to the Cove, between which places the
+communications were constant and regular, for half the money charged by
+the office, yet it was not possible to get letters carried between some
+of the other points in the colony for twenty times the regulated
+postage. It is probable, therefore, that the people of the Crater and
+the Peak felt, that in supporting a general system, which embraced the
+good of all, they did more towards extending civilization, than if they
+killed the hen, at once, in order to come at the depository of the
+golden eggs, in the shortest way.
+
+In the middle ages, he who wished to send a missive, was compelled, more
+than half the time, to be at the expense of a special messenger. The
+butchers, and a class of traders that corresponds, in part, to the
+modern English traveller, took charge of letters, on the glorious Free
+Trade principle; and sometimes public establishments hired messengers to
+go back and forth, for their own purposes. Then, the governments,
+perceiving the utility of such arrangements, imperfect as they were, had
+a sort of post-offices for their use, which have reached down to our own
+times, in the shape of government messengers. There can be little doubt
+that the man who found he could get a letter safely and promptly
+conveyed five hundred miles for a crown, after having been obliged
+previously to pay twenty for the same service, felt that he was the
+obliged party, and never fancied for a moment, that, in virtue of his
+_patronage_, he was entitled to give himself airs, and to stand upon his
+natural right to have a post-office of his own, at the reduced price.
+But, indulgence creates wantonness, and the very men who receive the
+highest favours from the post-offices of this country, in which a letter
+is carried five-and-twenty hundred miles for ten cents, penetrating,
+through some fourteen or fifteen thousand offices, into every cranny of
+a region large as half Europe, kicks and grows restive because he has
+not the liberty of doing a few favoured portions of the vast enterprise
+for himself; while he imposes on the public the office of doing that
+which is laborious and unprofitable! Such is man; such did he become
+when he fell from his first estate; and such is he likely to continue to
+be until some far better panacea shall be discovered for his selfishness
+and cupidity, than what is called 'self-government.'
+
+But the Craterinos were thankful when they found that the Martha was set
+to running regularly, from place to place, carrying passengers and the
+mails. The two businesses were blended together for the sake of economy,
+and at the end of a twelvemonth it was found that the colony had nothing
+extra to pay. On the whole, the enterprise may be said to have
+succeeded; and as practice usually improves all such matters, in a few
+months it was ascertained that another very important step had been
+taken on the high-road of civilization. Certainly, the colonists could
+not be called a letter-writing people, considered as a whole, but the
+facilities offered a temptation to improve, and, in time, the character
+of the entire community received a beneficial impression from the
+introduction of the mails.
+
+It was not long after the two brigs were sold, and just as the Martha
+came into government possession, that all the principal functionaries
+made a tour of the whole settlements, using the sloop for that purpose.
+One of the objects was to obtain statistical facts; though personal
+observation, with a view to future laws, was the principal motive. The
+governor, secretary, attorney-general, and most of the council were
+along; and pleasure and business being thus united, their wives were
+also of the party. There being no necessity for remaining in the Martha
+at night, that vessel was found amply sufficient for all other purposes,
+though the "progress" occupied fully a fortnight, As a brief relation of
+its details will give the reader a full idea of the present state of
+the "country," as the colonists now began to call their territories, we
+propose to accompany the travellers, day by day, and to give some short
+account of what they saw, and of what they did. The Martha sailed from
+the cove about eight in the morning, having on board seventeen
+passengers, in addition to two or three who were going over to Rancocus
+Island on their regular business. The sloop did not sail, however,
+directly for the last-named island, but made towards the volcano, which
+had of late ceased to be as active as formerly, and into the condition
+of which it was now deemed important to make some inquiries. The Martha
+was a very fast vessel, and was soon quietly anchored in a small bay, on
+the leeward side of the island, where landing was not only practicable
+but easy. For the first time since its existence the crater was
+ascended. All the gentlemen went up, and Heaton took its measurement by
+means of instruments. The accumulation of materials, principally ashes
+and scoriæ, though lava had begun to appear in one or two small streams,
+had been very great since the governor's first visit to the spot. The
+island now measured about two miles in diameter, and being nearly round,
+might be said to be somewhere near six in circumference. The crater
+itself was fully half a mile in diameter, and, at that moment, was quite
+a thousand feet in height above the sea. In the centre of this vast
+valley, were three smaller craters or chimneys, which served as outlets
+to the fires beneath. A plain had formed within the crater, some four
+hundred feet below its summit, and it already began to assume that
+sulphur-tinged and unearthly hue, that is so common in and about active
+volcanoes. Occasionally, a deep roaring would be succeeded by a hissing
+sound, not unlike that produced by a sudden escape of steam from a
+boiler, and then a report would follow, accompanied by smoke and stones;
+some of the latter of which were projected several hundred yards into
+the air, and fell on the plain of the crater. But these explosions were
+not one-tenth as frequent as formerly.
+
+The result of all the observations was to create an impression that this
+outlet to the fires beneath was approaching a period when it would
+become inactive, and when, indeed, some other outlet for the pent
+forces might be made. After passing half-a-day on and around the
+volcano, even Bridget and Anne mustered courage and strength to ascend
+it, supported by the willing arms of their husbands. The females were
+rewarded for their trouble, though both declared that they should ever
+feel a most profound respect for the place after this near view of its
+terrors as well as of its beauties.
+
+On quitting the volcano, the Martha proceeded directly to leeward,
+reaching Rancocus Island about sunset. Here the sloop anchored in the
+customary haven, and everybody but her crew landed. The fort was still
+kept up at this place, on account of the small number of the persons who
+dwelt there, though little apprehension now existed of a visit from the
+natives; with the exception of the Kannakas, who went back and forth
+constantly on board the different craft in which they were employed, not
+a native had been near either island of the colony since the public
+visit of young Ooroony, on the occasion of bringing over labourers to
+help to form the grounds of Colony House. The number and force of the
+different vessels would seem to have permanently settled the question of
+ascendency in those seas, and no one any longer believed it was a point
+to be controverted.
+
+The population on Rancocus Island did not amount to more than fifty
+souls, and these included women and children. Of the latter, however,
+there were not yet many; though five or six were born annually, and
+scarcely one died. The men kept the mill going, cutting lumber of all
+sorts; and they made both bricks and lime, in sufficient quantities to
+supply the wants of the two other islands. At first, it had been found
+necessary to keep a greater force there, but, long before the moment of
+which we are writing, the people had all got into their regular
+dwellings, and the materials now required for building were merely such
+as were used in additions, or new constructions. The last, however, kept
+the men quite actively employed; but, as they got well paid for their
+work, everybody seemed contented. The Martha never arrived without
+bringing over quantities of fruits, as well as vegetables, the
+Rancocusers, lumber-men like, paying but little attention to gardening
+or husbandry. The island had its productions, and there was available
+land enough, perhaps, to support a few thousand people, but, after the
+group and the Peak, the place seemed so little tempting to the farmers,
+that no one yet thought of using it for the ordinary means of supporting
+life. The "visitors," as the party called themselves, had an inquiry
+made into the state of the animals that had been turned loose, on the
+pastures and mountain-sides of the island, to seek their own living. The
+hogs, as usual, had increased largely; it was supposed there might be
+near two hundred of these animals, near half of which, however, were
+still grunters. The labourers occasionally killed one, but the number
+grew so fast that it was foreseen it would be necessary to have an
+annual hunt, in order to keep it down. The goats did particularly well,
+though they remained so much on the highest peaks as to be seldom
+approached by any of the men. The cow had also increased her progeny,
+there being now no less than four younger animals, all of whom yielded
+milk to the people. The poultry flourished here, as it did in all that
+region, the great abundance of fruit, worms, insects, &c. rendering it
+unnecessary to feed them, though Indian-corn was almost to be had for
+the asking, throughout all the islands. This grain was rarely harvested,
+except as it was wanted, and the hogs that were fattened were usually
+turned in upon it in the fields.
+
+It may be well to say, that practice and experience had taught the
+colonists something in the way of fattening their pork. The animals were
+kept in the group until they were about eighteen months old, when they
+were regularly transported to the cove, in large droves, and made to
+ascend the steps, passing the last two months of their lives amid the
+delightful groves of the Peak. Here they had acorns in abundance, though
+their principal food was Indian corn, being regularly attended by
+Kannakas who had been trained to the business. At killing-time, each man
+either came himself, or sent some one to claim his hogs; all of which
+were slaughtered on the Peak, and carried away in the form of pork. The
+effect of this change was to make much finer meat, by giving the animals
+a cooler atmosphere and purer food.
+
+From Rancocus Island the Martha sailed for the group, which was visited
+and inspected in all its settlements by the governor and council. The
+policy adopted by the government of the colony was very much unlike that
+resorted to in America, in connection with the extension of the
+settlements. Here a vast extent of surface is loosely overrun, rendering
+the progress of civilization rapid, but very imperfect. Were the people
+of the United States confined to one-half the territory they now occupy,
+there can be little question that they would be happier, more powerful,
+more civilized, and less rude in manners and feelings; although it may
+be high treason to insinuate that they are not all, men, women and
+children, already at the _ne plus ultra_ of each of those attainments.
+But there is a just medium in the density of human population, as well
+as in other things; and that has not yet been reached, perhaps, even in
+the most thickly peopled of any one of the Old Thirteen. Now, Mark
+Woolston had seen enough of the fruits of a concentrated physical force,
+in Europe, to comprehend their value; and he early set his face against
+the purely skimming process. He was resolved that the settlements should
+not extend faster than was necessary, and that as much of civilization
+should go with them as was attainable. In consequence of this policy,
+the country soon obtained a polished aspect, as far as the settlements
+reached. There were four or five distinct points that formed exceptions
+to this rule, it having been considered convenient to make
+establishments there, principally on account of the whalers. One, and
+the largest of these isolated settlements, was in the Whaling Bight,
+quite near to Blubber Islano, where a village had sprung up, containing
+the houses and shops of coopers, rope-makers, boat-builders, carpenters,
+blacksmiths, &c.; men employed in making casks, whaling gear, and boats.
+There also were the dwellings of three or four masters and mates of
+vessels, as well as of sundry boat-steerers. In the whole, there might
+have been fifty habitations at this particular point; of which about
+two-thirds were in a straggling village, while the remainder composed so
+many farm-houses. Everything at this place denoted activity and a
+prosperous business; the merchants taking the oil as fast as it was
+ready, and returning for it, hoops, iron in bars, hemp, and such other
+articles as were wanted for the trade.
+
+By this time, the Rancocus had returned, and had discharged her
+inward-bound cargo at the Reef, bringing excellent returns for the oils
+sent to Hamburgh. She now lay in Whaling Bight, being about to load anew
+with oil that had been taken during her absence. Saunders was as busy as
+a bee; and Mrs. Saunders, who had come across from her own residence on
+the Peak, in order to remain as long as possible with her husband, was
+as happy as the day was long; seeming never to tire of exhibiting her
+presents to the other women at the Bight.
+
+At the Reef itself, an exceedingly well-built little town was springing
+up. Since the removal of the whaling operations to the Bight, all
+nuisances were abated, and the streets, quays, and public walks were as
+neat as could be desired. The trees had grown wonderfully, and the
+gardens appeared as verdant and fresh as if they had a hundred feet of
+loam beneath them, instead of resting on solid lava, as was the fact.
+These gardens had increased in numbers and extent, so that the whole
+town was embedded in verdure and young trees. That spot, on which the
+sun had once beaten so fiercely as to render it often too hot to be
+supported by the naked foot, was now verdant, cool, and refreshing,
+equally to the eye and to the feelings. The streets were narrow, as is
+desirable in warm climates--thus creating shade, as well as increasing
+the draughts of air through them; it being in the rear that the houses
+obtained space for ventilation as well as for vegetation. The whole
+number of dwellings on the Reef now amounted to sixty-four; while the
+warehouses, public buildings, ships, offices, and other constructions,
+brought the number of the roofs up to one hundred. These buildings,
+Colony House and the warehouses excepted, were not very large certainly,
+but they were of respectable dimensions, and neat and well put together.
+Colony House was large, as has been mentioned; and though plain, certain
+ornaments had been completed, which contributed much to its appearance.
+Every building, without exception, had some sort of verandah to it; and
+as most of these additions were now embowered in shrubs or vines, they
+formed delightful places of retreat during the heat of the day.
+
+By a very simple process, water was pumped up from the largest spring
+by means of wind-sails, and conveyed in wooden logs to every building in
+the place. The logs were laid through the gardens, for the double
+purpose of getting soil to cover them, and to put them out of the way.
+Without the town, a regular system had been adopted, by which to
+continue to increase the soil. The rock was blown out, as stone was
+wanted; leaving, however, a quay around the margin of the island. As
+soon as low enough, the cavities became the receptacles of everything
+that could contribute to form soil; and one day in each month was set
+apart for a "bee;" during which little was done but to transport earth
+from Loam Island, which was far from being exhausted yet, or even
+levelled, and scattering it on those hollow spots. In this manner, a
+considerable extent of surface, nearest to the town, had already been
+covered, and seeded, and planted, so that it was now possible to walk
+from the town to the crater, a distance of a quarter of a mile, and be
+the whole time amid flowering shrubs, young trees, and rich grasses!
+
+As for the crater itself, it was now quite a gem in the way of
+vegetation. Its cocoa-nut trees bore profusely; and its figs, oranges,
+limes, shaddocks, &c. &c., were not only abundant, but rich and large.
+The Summit was in spots covered with delicious groves, and the openings
+were of as dark a verdure, the year round, as if the place lay twenty
+degrees farther from the equator than was actually the case. Here Kitty,
+followed by a flock of descendants, was permitted still to rove at
+large, the governor deeming her rights in the place equal to his own.
+The plain of the crater was mostly under tillage, being used as a common
+garden for all who dwelt in the town. Each person was taxed so many
+days, in work, or in money, agreeably to a village ordinance, and by
+such means was the spot tilled; in return, each person, according, to a
+scale that was regulated by the amount of the contribution, was allowed
+to come or send daily, and dig and carry away a stated quantity of
+fruits and vegetables. All this was strictly regulated by a town law,
+and the gardener had charge of the execution of the ordinance; but the
+governor had privately intimated to him that there was no necessity for
+his being very particular, so long as the people were so few, and the
+products so abundant. The entire population of the Reef proper amounted,
+at this visitation, to just three hundred and twenty-six persons, of
+whom near a hundred were under twelve years of age. This, however, was
+exclusively of Kannakas, but included the absent seamen, whose families
+dwelt there permanently.
+
+The settlement at Dunks' Cove has been mentioned, and nothing need be
+said of it, beyond the fact that its agriculture had improved and been
+extended, its trees had grown, and its population increased. There was
+another similar settlement at East Cove--or Bay would be the better
+name--which was at the place where Mark Woolston had found his way out
+to sea, by passing through a narrow and half-concealed inlet. This
+entrance to the group was now much used by the whalers, who fell in
+with a great many fish in the offing, and who found it very convenient
+to tow them into this large basin, and cut them up. Thence the blubber
+was sent down in lighters to Whaling Bight, to be tryed out. This
+arrangement saved a tow of some five-and-twenty miles, and often
+prevented a loss of the fish, as sometimes occurred in the outside
+passage, by having it blown on an iron-bound coast. In consequence of
+these uses of the place, a settlement had grown up near it, and it
+already began to look like a spot to be civilized. As yet, however, it
+was the least advanced of all the settlements in the group.
+
+At the West Bay, there was a sort of naval station and look-out port, to
+watch the people of the neighbouring islands. The improvements did not
+amount to much, however, being limited to one farm, a small battery that
+commanded the roads, and a fortified house, which was also a tavern.
+
+The agricultural, or strictly rural population of the group, were seated
+along the different channels nearest to the Reef. Some attention had
+been paid, in the choice, to the condition of the soil; but, on the
+whole, few unoccupied spots could now be found within a league of the
+Reef, and on any of the principal passages that communicated with the
+different islands. There were foot-paths, which might be used by
+horses, leading from farm to farm, along the margins of the channels;
+but the channels themselves were the ordinary means of communicating
+between neighbours. Boats of all sorts abounded, and were constantly
+passing and repassing. Here, as elsewhere, the vegetation was luxuriant
+and marvellous. Trees were to be seen around the houses, that elsewhere
+might have required three times the number of years that these had
+existed, to attain the same height.
+
+The visitation terminated at the Peak. This place, so aptly likened to
+the garden of Eden, and frequently so called, could receive very little
+addition to its picturesque beauties from the hand of man. Parts of it
+were cultivated, it is true; enough to supply its population (rather
+more than three hundred souls) with food; but much the greater portion
+of its surface was in pasture. The buildings were principally of stones
+quarried out of the cliffs, and were cool as well as solid edifices.
+They were low, however, and of no great size on the ground. At the
+governor's farm, his private property, there was a dwelling of some
+pretension; low, like all the rest, but of considerable extent. Here
+Bridget now passed much of her time; for here it was thought best to
+keep the children. So cool and salubrious was the air on the Peak, that
+two schools were formed here; and a large portion of the children of the
+colony, of a suitable age, were kept in them constantly. The governor
+encouraged this plan, not only on account of the health of the children,
+but because great care was taken to teach nothing but what the children
+ought to learn. The art of reading may be made an instrument of evil, as
+well as of good; and if a people imbibe false principles--if they are
+taught, for instance, that this or that religious sect should be
+tolerated, or the reverse, because it was most or least in conformity
+with certain political institutions, thus rendering an institution of
+God's subservient to the institutions of men, instead of making the last
+subservient to the first--why, the less they know of letters, the
+better. Everything false was carefully avoided, and, with no great
+pretensions in the way of acquisitions, the schools of the Peak were
+made to be useful, and at least innocent. One thing the governor
+strictly enjoined; and that was, to teach these young creatures that
+they were fallible beings, carefully avoiding the modern fallacy of
+supposing that an infallible whole could be formed of fallible parts.
+
+Such is an outline of the condition of the colony at the period which we
+have now reached. Everything appeared to be going on well. The Henlopen
+arrived, discharged, loaded, and went out again, carrying with her the
+last barrel of oil in the Bight. The whalers had a jubilee, for their
+adventures made large returns; and the business was carried on with
+renewed spirit. In a word, the colony had reached a point where every
+interest was said to be prosperous--a state of things with communities,
+as with individuals, when they are, perhaps, in the greatest danger of
+meeting with reverses, by means of their own abuses.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XXVI.
+
+
+
+    "Cruel of heart, and strong of arm,
+     Proud in his sport, and keen for spoil,
+    He little reck'd of good or harm,
+     Fierce both in mirth and toil;
+    Yet like a dog could fawn, if need there were;
+    Speak mildly when he would, or look in fear."
+
+    Dana--_The Buccaneer._
+
+
+After the visitation, the governor passed a week at the Peak, with
+Bridget and his children. It was the habit of the wife to divide her
+time between the two dwellings; though Mark was so necessary to her as a
+companion, intellectually, and she was so necessary to Mark, for the
+same reason, that they were never very long separated. Bridget was all
+heart, and she had the sweetest temper imaginable; two qualities that
+endeared her to her husband, far more than her beauty. Her wishes were
+centred in her little family, though her kindness and benevolence could
+extend themselves to all around her. Anne she loved as a sister and as a
+friend; but it would not have been impossible for Bridget to be happy,
+had her fortune been cast on the Reef, with no one else but Mark and
+her two little ones.
+
+The Peak, proper, had got to be a sort of public promenade for all who
+dwelt near it. Here the governor, in particular, was much accustomed to
+walk, early in the day, before the sun got to be too warm, and to look
+out upon the ocean as he pondered on his several duties. The spot had
+always been pleasant, on account of the beauty and extent of the view;
+but a new interest was given to it since the commencement of the whaling
+operations in the neighbourhood. Often had Bridget and Anne gone there
+to see a whale taken; it being no uncommon thing for one of the boys to
+come shouting down from the Peak, with the cry of "a fish--a fish!" It
+was by no means a rare occurrence for the shore-boats to take whales
+immediately beneath the cliffs, and the vessels could frequently be seen
+to windward, working up to their game. All this movement gave life and
+variety to the scene, and contributed largely to the spot's becoming a
+favourite place of resort. The very morning of the day that he intended
+to cross over to the Reef, on his return from the "progress," the
+governor and his wife ascended to the Peak just as the sun was rising.
+The morning was perfectly lovely; and never had the hearts of our
+married couple expanded more in love to their fellows, or been more
+profoundly filled with gratitude to God for all his goodness to them,
+than at that moment. Young Mark held by his mother's hand, while the
+father led his little daughter. This was the way they were accustomed to
+divide themselves in their daily excursions, it probably appearing to
+each parent that the child thus led was a miniature image of the other.
+On that morning, the governor and Bridget were talking of the bounties
+that Providence had bestowed on them, and of the numberless delights of
+their situation. Abundance reigned on every side; in addition to the
+productions of the island, in themselves so ample and generous, commerce
+had brought its acquisitions, and, as yet, trade occupied the place a
+wise discrimination would give it. All such interests are excellent as
+_incidents_ in the great scheme of human happiness; but woe betide the
+people among whom they get to be _principals!_ As the man who lives only
+to accumulate, is certain to have all his nobler and better feelings
+blunted by the grasping of cupidity, and to lose sight of the great
+objects of his existence, so do whole communities degenerate into masses
+of corruption, venality, and cupidity, when they set up the idol of
+commerce to worship in lieu of the ever-living God. So far from denoting
+a healthful prosperity, as is too apt to be supposed, no worse signs of
+the condition of a people can be given, than when all other interests
+are made to yield to those of the mere money-getting sort. Among our
+colonists, as yet, commerce occupied its proper place; it was only an
+incident in their state of society, and it was so regarded. Men did not
+search for every means of increasing it, whether its fruits were wanted
+or not, or live in a constant fever about its results. The articles
+brought in were all necessary to the comfort and civilization of the
+settlements, and those taken away were obtained by means of a healthful
+industry.
+
+As they ascended the height, following an easy path that led to the
+Summit, the governor and his wife conversed about the late visitation,
+and of what each had seen that was striking and worthy of comment. Mark
+had a council to consult, in matters of state, but most did he love to
+compare opinions with the sweet matronly young creature at his side.
+Bridget was so true in all her feelings, so just in her inferences, and
+so kindly disposed, that a better counsellor could not have been found
+at the elbow of one intrusted with power.
+
+"I am more uneasy on the subject of religion than on any other,"
+observed the governor, as he helped his little companion up a difficult
+part of the ascent. "While out, I took great pains to sound the people
+on the subject, and I found a much greater variety of opinions, or
+rather of feelings, among them than I could have believed possible,
+after the quiet time we have hitherto had."
+
+"After all, religion is, and ought to be, more a matter of feeling, than
+of reason, Mark."
+
+"That is true, in one sense, certainly; but, it should be feeling
+subject to prudence and discretion."
+
+"Everything should be subject to those two qualities, though so very few
+are. I have all along known that the ministrations of Mr. Hornblower
+were only tolerated by a good number of our people. You, as an
+Episcopalian, have not been so much in the way of observing this; for
+others have been guarded before _you_; but, my family is known not to
+have been of that sect, and I have been treated more frankly."
+
+"And you have not let me know this important fact, Bridget!" said the
+governor, a little reproachfully.
+
+"Why should I have added to your other cares, by heaping this on your
+shoulder, dear Mark? The thing could not easily be prevented; though I
+may as well tell you, now, what cannot much longer be kept a secret--the
+Henlopen will bring a Methodist and a Presbyterian clergyman in her,
+this voyage, if any be found willing to emigrate; and I have heard,
+lately, that Friends expect a preacher."
+
+"The law against the admission of an immigrant, without the consent of
+the governor and council, is very clear and precise," answered the
+husband, looking grave.
+
+"That may be true, my love, but it would hardly do to tell the people
+they are not to worship God in the manner that may best satisfy their
+own consciences."
+
+"It is extraordinary that, as there is but one God, and one Saviour,
+there should be more than one mode of worshipping them!"
+
+"Not at all extraordinary, my dear Mark, when you come to consider the
+great diversity of opinion which exists among men, in other matters.
+But, Mr. Hornblower has a fault, which is a very great fault, in one
+situated as he is, without a competitor in the field. He lays too much
+stress on his particular mission; talking too much, and preaching too
+much of his apostolic authority, as a divine."
+
+"Men should never blink the truth, Bridget; and least of all, in a
+matter as grave as religion."
+
+"Quite right, Mark, when it is necessary to say anything on the subject,
+at all. But, after all, the apostolic succession is but a _means_, and
+if the end be attainable without dwelling on these means, it seems to me
+to be better not to conflict with the prejudices of those we wish to
+influence. Remember, that there are not fifty real Episcopalians in all
+this colony, where there is only clergyman, and he of that sect."
+
+"Very true; but, Mr. Hornblower naturally wishes to make them all
+churchmen."
+
+"It really seems to me, that he ought to be content with making them all
+Christians."
+
+"Perhaps he thinks the two identical--necessary to each other," added
+the governor, smiling on his charming young wife, who, in her own
+person, had quietly consented to the priestly control of her husband's
+clergyman, though but half converted to the peculiar distinctions of his
+sect, herself.
+
+"He should remember, more especially in his situation, that others may
+not be of the same way of thinking. Very few persons, I believe, inquire
+into the reasons of what they have been taught on the subject of
+religion, but take things as they find them."
+
+"And here they find an Episcopalian, and they ought to receive him
+confidingly."
+
+"That might do with children, but most of our people came here with
+their opinions formed. I wish Mr. Hornblower were less set in his
+opinions, for I am content to be an Episcopalian, with you, my dear
+husband; certain, if the authority be not absolutely necessary, it can,
+at least, do no harm."
+
+This ended the conversation at that time, for just then the party
+reached the Peak. Little, however, did the governor, or his pretty wife,
+imagine how much the future was connected with the interest of which
+they had just been speaking, or dream of the form in which the serpent
+of old was about to visit this Eden of modern times. But occurrences of
+another character almost immediately attracted their attention, and
+absorbed all the care and energy of the colony for some time. Scarcely
+was the party on the Peak, when the keen, lively eyes of the younger
+Bridget caught sight of a strange sail; and, presently, another and
+another came into view. In a word, no less than three vessels were in
+sight, the first that had ever been seen in those seas, with the
+exception of the regular and well-known craft of the colony. These
+strangers were a ship and two brigs; evidently vessels of some size,
+particularly the first; and they were consorts, keeping in company, and
+sailing in a sort of line, which would seem to denote more of order and
+concert than it was usual to find among merchantmen. They were all on a
+wind, standing to the southward and eastward, and were now, when first
+seen, fairly within the strait between the Peak and the group,
+unquestionably in full sight of both, and distant from each some five or
+six leagues. With the wind as it was, nothing would have been easier for
+them all, than to fetch far enough to windward to pass directly beneath
+the western cliffs, and, consequently, directly in front of the cove.
+
+Luckily, there were several lads on the Peak, early as was the hour, who
+had ascended in quest of the berries of certain plants that flourished
+there. The governor instantly despatched one of these lads, with a note
+to Heaton, written in pencil, in which he desired that functionary to
+send a messenger down to the cove, to prevent any of the fishermen from
+going out; it being the practice of many of the boys to fish in the
+shade of the cliffs, to leeward, ere the sun rose high enough to make
+the heat oppressive. Hitherto, the existence of the cove, as it was
+believed, remained unknown even to the Kannakas, and a stringent order
+existed, that no boat should ever enter it so long as craft was in
+sight, which might have any of those men on board it. Indeed, the whole
+Peak was just as much a place of mystery, to all but the colonists, as
+it was the day when Waally and his followers were driven away by their
+superstitious dread.
+
+Having taken this precaution, and kept the other lads to send down with
+any farther message he might deem necessary, the governor now gave all
+his attention to the strangers. A couple of glasses were always kept on
+the Peak, and the best of these was soon in his hand, and levelled at
+the ship. Bridget stood at her husband's side, eager to hear his
+opinion, but waiting with woman's patience for the moment it might be
+given with safety. At length that instant came, and the half-terrified
+wife questioned the husband on the subject of his discoveries.
+
+"What is it, Mark'?" said Bridget, almost afraid of the answer she was
+so desirous of obtaining. "Is it the Rancocus?"
+
+"If the Rancocus, love, be certain she would not be coming hither. The
+ship is of some size, and appears to be armed; though I cannot make out
+her nation."
+
+"It is not surprising that she should be armed, Mark. You know that the
+papers Captain Saunders brought us were filled with accounts of battles
+fought in Europe."
+
+"It is very true that the whole world is in arms, though that does not
+explain the singular appearance of these three vessels, in this remote
+corner of the earth. It is possible they may be discovery ships, for
+wars do not always put a stop to such enterprises. They appear to be
+steering for the Peak, which is some proof that they do not know of the
+existence of the settlements in the group. There they might anchor; but
+here, they cannot without entering the cove, of which they can know
+nothing."
+
+"If discovery vessels, would they not naturally come first to the Peak,
+as the most striking object?"
+
+"In that you are probably right, Bridget, though I think the commodore
+would be apt to divide his force, having three ships, and send one, at
+least, towards the group, even if he came hither with the others. No
+nation but England, however, would be likely to have vessels of that
+character out, in such a war, and these do not look like English craft,
+at all. Besides, we should have heard something of such an expedition,
+by means of the papers, were there one out. It would be bad enough to be
+visited by explorers; yet, I fear these are worse than explorers."
+
+Bridget very well understood her husband's apprehensions on the subject
+of exploring parties. As yet, the colony had got on very well, without
+having the question of nationality called into the account; but it had
+now become so far important, as, in a small way, to be a nursery for
+seamen; and there was much reason to fear that the ruthless policy of
+the strong would, in the event of a discovery, make it share the usual
+fortunes of the weak. It was on account of this dread of foreign
+interference, that so much pains had been taken to conceal the history
+and state of the little community, the strongest inducements being
+placed before all the seamen who went to Europe, to be discreet and
+silent. As for the Kannakas, they did not know enough to be very
+dangerous, and could not, at all, give any accurate idea of the position
+of the islands, had they been better acquainted than they were with
+their relation to other communities, and desirous of betraying them.
+
+The governor now sent another note down to Heaton, with a request that
+orders might be forwarded along the cliffs, for every one to keep out of
+sight; as well as directions that care should be taken not to let any
+smoke even be seen to rise from the plain. This message was speedily
+followed by another, directing that all the men should be assembled, and
+the usual preparations made for defence. He also asked if it were not
+possible to send a whale-boat out, by keeping immediately under the
+cliffs, and going well to windward, in such a manner as to get a
+communication across to the Reef, in order to put the people on their
+guard in that quarter. One or two whale-boats were always in the cove,
+and there were several crews of capital oarsmen among the people of the
+Peak. If such a boat could be prepared, it was to be held in readiness,
+as the governor himself might deem it expedient to cross the strait.
+
+All this time the strange vessels were not idle, but drew nearer to the
+Peak, at a swift rate of sailing. It was not usual for mere merchantmen
+to be as weatherly, or to make as much way through the water, as did all
+these craft. On account of the great elevation at which the governor
+stood, they appeared small, but he was too much accustomed to his
+situation not to know how to make the necessary allowances. After
+examining her well, when she was within a league of the cliffs, he came
+to the opinion that the ship was a vessel of about six hundred tons, and
+that she was both armed and strongly manned. So far as he could judge,
+by the bird's-eye view he got, he fancied she was even frigate-built,
+and had a regular gundeck. In that age such craft were very common,
+sloops of war having that construction quite as often as that of the
+more modern deep-waisted vessel. As for the brigs, they were much
+smaller than their consort, being of less than two hundred tons each,
+apparently, but also armed and strongly manned. The armaments were now
+easily to be seen, as indeed were the crews, each and all the vessels
+showing a great many men aloft, to shorten sail as they drew nearer to
+the island.
+
+One thing gave the governor great satisfaction. The strangers headed
+well up, as if disposed to pass to windward of the cliffs, from which he
+inferred that none on board them knew anything of the existence or
+position of the cove. So much care had been taken, indeed, to conceal
+this spot from, even the Kannakas, that no great apprehension existed of
+its being known to any beyond the circle of the regular colonists. As
+the ship drew still nearer, and came more under the cliffs, the governor
+was enabled to get a better view of her construction, and of the nature
+of her armament. That she was frigate-built was now certain, and the
+strength of her crew became still more evident, as the men were employed
+in shortening and making sail almost immediately under his eye.
+
+Great care was taken that no one should be visible on the Peak. Of the
+whole island, that was the only spot where there was much danger of a
+man's being seen from the ocean; for the fringe of wood had been
+religiously preserved all around the cliffs. But, with the exception of
+the single tree already mentioned, the Peak was entirely naked; and, in
+that clear atmosphere, the form of a man might readily be distinguished
+even at a much greater elevation. But the glasses were levelled at the
+strangers from covers long before prepared for that purpose, and no fear
+was entertained of the look-outs, who had their instructions, and well
+understood the importance of caution.
+
+At length, the vessels got so near, as to allow of the glasses being
+pointed directly down upon the upper deck of the ship, in particular.
+The strangers had a little difficulty in weathering the northern
+extremity of the island, and they came much closer to the cliffs than
+they otherwise would, in order to do so. While endeavouring to ascertain
+the country of the ship, by examining her people, the governor fancied
+he saw some natives on board her. At first, he supposed there might be
+Kannakas, or Mowrees, among the crew; but, a better look assured him
+that the Indians present were not acting in the character of sailors at
+all. They appeared to be chiefs, and chiefs in their war-dresses. This
+fact induced a still closer examination, until the governor believed
+that he could trace the person of Waally among them. The distance itself
+was not such as to render it difficult to recognize a form, or a face,
+when assisted by the glass; but the inverted position of all on board
+the ship did make a view less certain than might otherwise have been the
+case. Still the governor grew, at each instant, more and more assured
+that Waally was there, as indeed he believed his son to be, also. By
+this time, one of the men who knew the chief had come up to the Peak,
+with a message from Heaton, and he was of the same opinion as the
+governor, after taking a good look through the best glass. Bridget, too,
+had seen the formidable Waally, and _she_ gave it as her opinion that he
+was certainly on board the ship. This was considered as a most important
+discovery. If Waally were there, it was for no purpose that was friendly
+to the colonists. The grudge he owed the last, was enduring and deadly.
+Nothing but the strong arm of power could suppress its outbreakings, or
+had kept him in subjection, for the last five years. Of late, the
+intercourse between the two groups had not been great; and it was now
+several months since any craft had been across to Ooroony's islands,
+from the Reef. There had been sufficient time, consequently, for great
+events to have been planned and executed, and, yet, that the colonists
+should know nothing of them.
+
+But, it was impossible to penetrate further into this singular mystery,
+so long as the strangers kept off the land. This they did of course, the
+three vessels passing to windward of the Peak, in a line ahead, going to
+the southward, and standing along the cliffs, on an easy bowline. The
+governor now sent a whale-boat out of the cove, under her sails, with
+orders to stand directly across to the Reef, carrying the tidings, and
+bearing a letter of instructions to Pennock and such members of the
+council as might be present. The letter was short, but it rather assumed
+the probability of hostilities, while it admitted that there was a doubt
+of the issue. A good look-out was to be kept, at all events, and the
+forces of the colony were to be assembled. The governor promised to
+cross himself, as soon as the strangers quitted the neighbourhood of the
+Peak.
+
+In the mean time, Heaton mounted a horse, and kept company with the
+squadron as it circled the island. From time to time, he sent messages
+to the governor, in order to let him know the movements of the
+strangers. While this was going on, the men were all called in from
+their several occupations, and the prescribed arrangements were made for
+defence. As a circuit of the island required several hours, there was
+time for everything; and the whale-boat was fairly out of sight from
+even the Peak, when Heaton despatched a messenger to say that the
+squadron had reached the southern extremity of the island, and was
+standing off south-east, evidently steering towards the volcano.
+
+Doubts now began to be felt whether the colonists would see anything
+more of the strangers. It was natural that navigators should examine
+unknown islands, cursorily at least; but it did not follow that, if
+trade was their object, they should delay their voyage in order to push
+their investigations beyond a very moderate limit. Had it not been for
+the undoubted presence of savages in the ship, and the strong
+probability that Waally was one of them, the governor would now have had
+hopes that he had seen the last of his visitors. Nevertheless, there was
+the chance that these vessels would run down to Rancocus Island, where
+not only might a landing be easily effected, but where the mills, the
+brick-yards, and indeed the principal cluster of houses, were all
+plainly to be seen from the offing. No sooner was it certain, therefore,
+that the strangers had stood away to the southward and eastward, than
+another boat was sent across to let the millers, brickmakers,
+stone-quarriers, and lumbermen know that they might receive guests who
+would require much discretion in their reception.
+
+The great policy of secrecy was obviously in serious danger of being
+defeated. How the existence of the colony was to be concealed, should
+the vessels remain any time in the group, it was not easy to see; and
+that advantage the governor and Heaton, both of whom attached the
+highest importance to it, were now nearly ready to abandon in despair.
+Still, neither thought of yielding even this policy until the last
+moment, and circumstances rendered it indispensable; for so much
+reflection had been bestowed on that, as well as on every other
+interest of the colony, that it was not easy to unsettle any part of
+their plans--in the opinion of its rulers, at least.
+
+A sharp look-out for the squadron was kept, not only from the Peak, but
+from the southern end of the cliffs, all that day. The vessels were seen
+until they were quite near to the volcano, when their sudden
+disappearance was ascribed to the circumstance of their shortening sail.
+Perhaps they anchored. This could only be conjecture, however, as no
+boat could be trusted out to watch them, near by. Although there was no
+anchorage near the Peak, it was possible for a vessel to anchor anywhere
+in the vicinity of the volcano. The island of Vulcan's Peak appears to
+have been projected upwards, out of the depths of the ocean, in one
+solid, perpendicular wall, leaving no shallow water near it; but, as
+respects the other islands, the coast shoaled gradually in most places;
+though the eastern edge of the group was an exception to the rule.
+Still, vessels could anchor in any or all the coves and roadsteads of
+the group; and _there_ the holding ground was unusually good, being
+commonly mud and sand, and these without rocks.
+
+The remainder of the day, and the whole of the succeeding night, were
+passed with much anxiety, by the governor and his friends. Time was
+given to receive an answer to the messages sent across to the Reef, but
+nothing was seen of the strangers, when day returned. The boat that came
+in from the Reef, reported that the coast was clear to the northward. It
+also brought a letter, stating that notices had been sent to all the
+different settlements, and that the Anne had sailed to windward, to call
+in all the fishermen, and to go off to the nearest whaling-ground, in
+order to communicate the state of things in the colony to Captain Betts
+and his companions, who were out. The Dragon and the Jonas, when last
+heard from, were cruising only about a hundred miles to windward of the
+group, and it was thought important, on various accounts, that they
+should be at once apprised of the arrival of the strangers.
+
+The governor was perfectly satisfied with the report of what had been
+done, and this so much the more because it superseded the necessity of
+his quitting the Peak, just at the moment. The elevation of the mountain
+was of so much use as a look-out, that it was every way desirable to
+profit by it, until the time for observing was passed, and that for
+action had succeeded, in its stead. Of course, some trusty person was
+kept constantly on the Peak, looking out for the strangers, though the
+day passed without one of them being seen. Early next morning, however,
+a whale-boat arrived from Rancocus, with four stout oarsmen in it. They
+had left the station, after dark, and had been pulling up against the
+trades most of the intervening time. The news they brought was not only
+alarming, but it occasioned a great deal of surprise.
+
+It seemed that the three strange vessels appeared off the point, at
+Rancocus Island, early on the morning of the preceding day. It was
+supposed that they had run across from the volcano in the darkness,
+after having been lost sight of from the Peak. Much prudence was
+observed by the colonists, as soon as light let them into the secret of
+their having such unknown neighbours. Bigelow happening to be there, and
+being now a man of a good deal of consideration with his
+fellow-citizens, he assumed the direction of matters. All the women and
+children ascended into the mountains, where secret places had long been
+provided for such an emergency, by clearing out and rendering two or
+three caves habitable, and where food and water were at hand. Thither
+most of the light articles of value were also transported. Luckily,
+Bigelow had caused all the saws at the mill, to be taken down and
+secreted. A saw was an article not to be replaced, short of a voyage to
+Europe, even; for in that day saws were not manufactured in America;
+nor, indeed, was scarcely anything else.
+
+When he had given his directions, Bigelow went alone to the point, to
+meet the strangers, who had anchored their vessels, and had landed in
+considerable force. On approaching the place, he found about a hundred
+men ashore, all well armed, and seemingly governed by a sort of military
+authority. On presenting himself before this party, Bigelow was seized,
+and taken to its leader, who was a sea-faring man, by his appearance, of
+a fierce aspect and most severe disposition. This man could speak no
+English. Bigelow tried him in Spanish, but could get no answer out of
+him in that tongue either; though he suspected that what he said was
+understood. At length, one was brought forward who _could_ speak
+English, and that so well as to leave little doubt in Bigelow's mind
+about the stranger's being either an Englishman or an American.
+Communications between the parties were commenced through this
+interpreter.
+
+Bigelow was closely questioned touching the number of people in the
+different islands, the number of vessels they possessed, the present
+situation and employments of those vessels, the nature of their cargoes,
+the places where the property transported in the vessels was kept, and,
+in short, everything that bore directly on the wealth and movable
+possessions of the people. From the nature of these questions as well as
+from the appearance of the strangers, Bigelow had, at once, taken up the
+notion that they were pirates. In the eastern seas, piracies were often
+committed on a large scale, and there was nothing violent in this
+supposition. The agitated state of the world, moreover, rendered
+piracies much more likely to go unpunished then than would be the case
+to-day, and it was well known that several vessels often cruised
+together, when engaged in these lawless pursuits, in those distant
+quarters of the world. Then the men were evidently of different races,
+though Bigelow was of opinion that most of them came from the East
+Indies, the coasts, or the islands. The officers were mostly Europeans
+by birth, or the descendants of Europeans; but two-thirds of the people
+whom he saw were persons of eastern extraction; some appeared to be
+Lascars, and others what sailors call Chinamen.
+
+Bigelow was very guarded in his answers; so much so, indeed, as to give
+great dissatisfaction to his interrogators. About the Peak he assumed an
+air of great mystery, and said none but birds could get on it; thunder
+was sometimes heard coming out of its cliffs, but man could not get up
+to see what the place contained. This account was received with marked
+interest, and to Bigelow's surprise, it did not appear to awaken the
+distrust he had secretly apprehended it might. On the contrary, he was
+asked to repeat his account, and all who heard it, though a good deal
+embellished this time, appeared disposed to believe what he said.
+Encouraged by this success, the poor fellow undertook to mystify a
+little concerning the Reef; but here he soon found himself met with
+plump denials. In order to convince him that deception would be of no
+use, he was now taken a short distance and confronted with Waally!
+
+Bigelow no sooner saw the dark countenance of the chief than he knew he
+was in bad hands. From that moment, he abandoned all attempts at
+concealment, the condition of the Peak excepted, and had recourse to an
+opposite policy. He now exaggerated everything; the number and force of
+the vessels, giving a long list of names that were accurate enough,
+though the fact was concealed that they mostly belonged to boats; and
+swelling the force of the colony to something more than two thousand
+fighting men. The piratical commander, who went by the name of 'the
+admiral' among his followers, was a good deal startled by this
+information, appealing to Waally to know whether it might be relied on
+for truth. Waally could not say yes or no to this question. He had heard
+that the colonists were much more numerous than they were formerly; but
+how many fighting men they could now muster was more than he could say.
+He knew that they were enormously rich, and among other articles of
+value, possessed materials sufficient for fitting out as many ships as
+they pleased. It was this last information that had brought the
+strangers to the group; for they were greatly in want of naval stores of
+almost all sorts.
+
+The admiral did not deem it necessary to push his inquiries any further
+at that moment; apparently, he did not expect to find much at Rancocus
+Island, Waally having, most probably, let him into the secret of its
+uses. The houses and mills were visited and plundered; a few hogs and
+one steer were shot; but luckily, most of the animals had been driven
+into a retired valley. The saw-mill was set on fire in pure wantonness,
+and it was burned to the ground. A new grist-mill escaped, merely
+because its position was not known. A great deal of injury was inflicted
+on the settlement merely for the love of mischief, and a brick-kiln was
+actually blown up in order to enjoy the fun of seeing the bricks
+scattered in the air. In short, the place was almost destroyed in one
+sense, though no attempt was made to injure Bigelow. On the contrary,
+he was scarcely watched, and it was no sooner dark than he collected a
+crew, got into his own whale-boat, and came to windward to report what
+was going on to the governor.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XXVII.
+
+
+
+    "All gone! 'tis ours the goodly land--
+    Look round--the heritage behold;
+    Go forth--upon the mountains stand;
+    Then, if ye can, be cold."
+
+    Sprague.
+
+
+Little doubt remained in the mind of the governor, after he had heard
+and weighed the whole of Bigelow's story, that he had to deal with one
+of those piratical squadrons that formerly infested the eastern seas, a
+sort of successor of the old buccaneers. The men engaged in such
+pursuits, were usually of different nations, and they were always of the
+most desperate and ruthless characters. The fact that Waally was with
+this party, indicated pretty plainly the manner in which they had heard
+of the colony, and, out of all question, that truculent chief had made
+his own bargain to come in for a share of the profits.
+
+It was highly probable that the original object of these freebooters had
+been to plunder the pearl-fishing vessels, and, hearing at their haunts,
+of Betto's group, they had found their way across to it, where, meeting
+with Waally, they had been incited to their present enterprise.
+
+Little apprehension was felt for the Peak. A vessel might hover about it
+a month, and never find the cove; and should the pirates even make the
+discovery, such were the natural advantages of the islanders, that the
+chances were as twenty to one, they would drive off their assailants.
+Under all the circumstances, therefore, and on the most mature
+reflection, the governor determined to cross over to the Reef, and
+assume the charge of the defence of that most important position. Should
+the Reef fall into the hands of the enemy, it might require years to
+repair the loss; or, what would be still more afflicting, the
+freebooters might hold the place, and use it as a general rendezvous, in
+their nefarious pursuits. Accordingly, after taking a most tender leave
+of his wife and children, Governor Woolston left the cove, in the course
+of the forenoon, crossing in a whale-boat rigged with a sail. Bridget
+wished greatly to accompany her husband, but to this the latter would,
+on no account, consent; for he expected serious service, and thought it
+highly probable that most of the females would have to be sent over to
+the Peak, for security. Finding that her request could not be granted,
+and feeling fully the propriety of her husband's decision, Mrs. Woolston
+so far commanded her feelings as to set a good example to other wives,
+as became her station.
+
+When about mid-channel, the whale-boat made a sail coming down before
+the wind, and apparently steering for South Cape, as well as herself.
+This turned out to be the Anne, which had gone to windward to give the
+alarm to the fishermen, and was now on her return. She had warned so
+many boats as to be certain they would spread the notice, and she had
+spoken the Dragon, which had gone in quest of the Jonas and the Abraham,
+both of which were a few leagues to windward. Capt. Betts, however, had
+come on board the Anne, and now joined his old friend, the governor,
+when about four leagues from the cape. Glad enough was Mark Woolston to
+meet with the Anne, and to find so good an assistant on board her. That
+schooner, which was regularly pilot-boat built, was the fastest craft
+about the islands, and it was a great matter to put head-quarters on
+board her. The Martha came next, and the whale-boat was sent in to find
+that sloop, which was up at the Reef, and to order her out immediately
+to join the governor. Pennock was the highest in authority, in the
+group, after the governor, and a letter was sent to him, apprising him
+of all that was known, and exhorting him to vigilance and activity;
+pointing out, somewhat in detail, the different steps he was to take, in
+order that no time might be lost. This done, the governor stood in
+towards Whaling Bight, in order to ascertain the state of things at that
+point.
+
+The alarm had been given all over the group, and when the Anne reached
+her place of destination, it was ascertained that the men had been
+assembled under arms, and every precaution taken. But Whaling Bight was
+the great place of resort of the Kannakas, and there were no less than
+forty of those men there at that moment, engaged in trying out oil, or
+in fitting craft for the fisheries. No one could say which side these
+fellows would take, should it appear that their proper chiefs were
+engaged with the strangers; though, otherwise, the colonists counted on
+their assistance with a good deal of confidence. On all ordinary
+occasions, a reasonably fair understanding existed between the colonists
+and the Kannakas. It is true, that the former were a little too fond of
+getting as much work as possible, for rather small compensations, out of
+these semi-savages; but, as articles of small intrinsic value still went
+a great way in these bargains, no serious difficulty had yet arisen out
+of the different transactions. Some persons thought that the Kannakas
+had risen in their demands, and put less value on a scrap of old iron,
+than had been their original way of thinking, now that so many of their
+countrymen had been back and forth a few times, between the group and
+other parts of the world; a circumstance that was very naturally to be
+expected. But the governor knew mankind too well not to understand that
+all unequal associations lead to discontent. Men may get to be so far
+accustomed to inferior stations, and to their duties and feelings, as to
+consider their condition the result of natural laws; but the least taste
+of liberty begets a jealousy and distrust that commonly raises a barrier
+between the master and servant, that has a never-dying tendency to keep
+them more or less alienated in feeling. When the colonists began to cast
+about them, and to reflect on the chances of their being sustained by
+these hirelings in the coming strife, very few of them could be
+sufficiently assured that the very men who had now eaten of their bread
+and salt, in some instances, for years, were to be relied on in a
+crisis. Indeed, the number of these Kannakas was a cause of serious
+embarrassment with the governor, when he came to reflect on his
+strength, and on the means, of employing it.
+
+Fully two hundred of the savages, or semi-savages, were at that moment
+either scattered about among the farm-houses; or working in the
+different places where shipping lay, or were out whaling to windward.
+Now, the whole force of the colony, confining it to fighting-men, and
+including those who were absent, was just three hundred and sixty-three.
+Of these, three hundred might, possibly, on an emergency, be brought to
+act on any given point, leaving the remainder in garrisons. But a
+straggling body of a hundred and fifty of these Kannakas, left in the
+settlements, or on the Reef, or about the crater, while the troops were
+gone to meet the enemy, presented no very pleasing picture to the mind
+of the governor. He saw the necessity of collecting these men together,
+and of employing them actively in the service of the colony, as the most
+effectual mode of preventing their getting within the control of Waally.
+This duty was confided to Bigelow, who was sent to the Reef without
+delay, taking with him all the Kannakas at Whaling Bight, with orders to
+put them on board the shipping at the Reef--schooners, sloops, lighters,
+&c., of which there were now, ordinarily, some eight or ten to be found
+there--and to carry them all to windward; using the inner channels of
+the group. Here was a twenty-four hours' job, and one that would not
+only keep everybody quite busy, but which might have the effect to save
+all the property in the event of a visit to the Reef by the pirates.
+Bigelow was to call every Kannaka he saw to his assistance, in the hope
+of thus getting most of them out of harm's way.
+
+Notwithstanding this procedure, which denoted a wise distrust of these
+Indian allies, the governor manifested a certain degree of confidence
+towards a portion of them, that was probably just as discreet in another
+way. A part of the crew of every vessel, with the exception of those
+that went to the Peak, was composed of Kannakas; and no less than ten of
+them were habitually employed in the Anne, which carried two whale-boats
+for emergencies. None of these men were sent away, or were in any manner
+taken from their customary employments. So much confidence had the
+governor in his own authority, and in his power to influence these
+particular individuals, that he did not hesitate about keeping them
+near himself, and, in a measure, of entrusting the safety of his person
+to their care. It is true, that the Kannakas of both the Anne and the
+Martha were a sort of confidential seamen, having now been employed in
+the colony several years, and got a taste for the habits of the
+settlers.
+
+When all his arrangements were made, the governor came out of Whaling
+Bight in the Anne, meeting Betts in the Martha off South Cape. Both
+vessels then stood down along the shores of the group, keeping a bright
+look-out in the direction of Rancocus Island, or towards the southward
+and westward. Two or three smaller crafts were in company, each under
+the direction of some one on whom reliance could be placed. The old
+Neshamony had the honour of being thus employed, among others. The
+south-western angle of the group formed a long, low point, or cape of
+rock, making a very tolerable roadstead on its north-western side, or to
+leeward. This cape was known among the colonists by the name of Rancocus
+_Needle_, from the circumstance that it pointed with mathematical
+precision to the island in question. Thus, it was a practice with the
+coasters to run for the extremity of this cape, and then to stand away
+on a due south-west course, certain of seeing the mountains for which
+they were steering in the next few hours. Among those who plied to and
+fro in this manner, were many who had no very accurate notions of
+navigation; and, to them, this simple process was found to be quite
+useful.
+
+Off Rancocus Needle, the governor had appointed a rendezvous for the
+whole of his little fleet. In collecting these vessels, six in all,
+including four boats, his object had not been resistance--for the
+armaments of the whole amounted to but six swivels, together with a few
+muskets--but vigilance. He was confident that Waally would lead his new
+friends up towards the Western Roads, the point where he had made all
+his own attacks, and where he was most acquainted; and the position
+under the Needle was the best station for observing the approach of the
+strangers, coming as they must, if they came at all, from the
+south-west.
+
+The Anne was the first craft to arrive off the point of the Needle, and
+she found the coast clear. As yet, no signs of invaders were to be seen;
+and the Martha being within a very convenient distance to the eastward,
+a signal was made to Captain Betts to stand over towards the Peak, and
+have a search in that quarter. Should the strangers take it into their
+heads to beat up under the cliffs again, and thence stretch across to
+the group, it would bring them in with the land to windward of the
+observing squadron, and give them an advantage the governor was very far
+from wishing them to obtain. The rest of the craft came down to the
+place of rendezvous, and kept standing off and on, under short sail,
+close in with the rocks, so as to keep in the smoothest of the water.
+Such was the state of things when the sun went down in the ocean.
+
+All night the little fleet of the colonists remained in the same
+uncertainty as to the movements of their suspicious visitors. About
+twelve the Martha came round the Needle, and reported the coast clear to
+the southward. She had been quite to the cove, and had communicated with
+the shore. Nothing had been seen of the ship and her consorts since the
+governor left, nor had any further tidings been brought up from to
+leeward, since the arrival of Bigelow. On receiving this information,
+the governor ordered his command to run off, in diverging lines, for
+seven leagues each, and then to wait for day. This was accordingly done;
+the Anne and Martha, as a matter of course, outstripping the others. At
+the usual hour day re-appeared, when the look-out aloft, on board the
+Anne, reported the Martha about two leagues to the northward, the
+Neshamony about as far to the southward, though a league farther to
+windward. The other craft were known to be to the northward of the
+Martha, but could not be seen. As for the Neshamony, she was coming down
+with a flowing sheet, to speak the governor.
+
+The sun had fairly risen, when the Neshamony came down on the Anne's
+weather-quarter, both craft then standing to the northward. The
+Neshamony had seen nothing. The governor now directed her commander to
+stand directly down towards Rancocus Island. If she saw nothing, she was
+to go in and land, in order to get the news from the people ashore.
+Unless the information obtained in this way was of a nature that
+demanded a different course, she was to beat up to the volcano,
+reconnoitre there, then stand across to the cove, and go in; whence she
+was to sail for the Reef, unless she could hear of the governor at some
+other point, when she was to make the best of her way to _him_.
+
+The Anne now made sail towards the Martha, which sloop was standing to
+the northward, rather edging from the group, under short canvass. No
+land was in sight, though its haze could be discovered all along the
+eastern board, where the group was known to lie; but neither the Peak,
+nor the Volcano, nor Rancocus heights could now be seen from the
+vessels. About ten the governor spoke Captain Betts, to ask the news.
+The Martha had seen nothing; and, shortly after, the three boats to the
+northward joined, and made the same report. Nothing had been seen of the
+strangers, who seemed, most unaccountably, to be suddenly lost!
+
+This uncertainty rendered all the more reflecting portion of the
+colonists exceedingly uneasy. Should the pirates get into the group by
+either of its weather channels, they would not only find all the
+property and vessels that had been taken in that direction, at their
+mercy, but they would assail the settlements in their weakest parts,
+render succour more difficult, and put themselves in a position whence
+it would be easiest to approach or to avoid their foes. Any one
+understanding the place, its facilities for attacking, or its defences,
+would naturally endeavour to enter the group as well to windward as
+possible; but Waally had never attempted anything of the sort; and, as
+he knew little of the inner passages, it was not probable he had thought
+of suggesting a course different from his own to his new friends. The
+very circumstance that he had always approached by the same route, was
+against it; for, if his sagacity had not pointed out a preferable course
+for himself, it was not to be expected it would do it for others. Still,
+it was not unreasonable to suppose that practised seamen might see the
+advantages which the savage had overlooked, and a very serious
+apprehension arose in the minds of the governor and Betts, in
+particular, touching this point. All that could be done, however, was
+to despatch two of the boats, with orders to enter the group by the
+northern road, and proceed as far as the Reef. The third boat was left
+to cruise off the Needle, in order to communicate with anything that,
+should go to that place of rendezvous with a report, and, at the same
+time, to keep a look-out for the pirates. With the person in charge of
+this boat, was left the course to be steered by those who were to search
+for the governor, as they arrived off the Needle, from time to time.
+
+The Anne and Martha bore up, in company, as soon as these arrangements
+were completed, it being the plan now to go and look for the strangers.
+Once in view, the governor determined not to lose sight of the pirates,
+again, but to remain so near them, as to make sure of knowing what they
+were about, In such cases, a close look-out should always be kept on the
+enemy, since an advantage in time is gained by so doing, as well as a
+great deal of uncertainty and indecision avoided.
+
+For seven hours the Anne and Martha stood towards Rancocus Island,
+running off about two leagues from each other, thereby 'spreading a
+clew,' as sailors call it, that would command the view of a good bit of
+water. The tops of the mountains were soon seen, and by the end of the
+time mentioned, most of the lower land became visible. Nevertheless, the
+strangers did not come in sight. Greatly at a loss how to proceed, the
+governor now sent the Martha down for information, with orders for her
+to beat up to the Needle, as soon as she could, the Anne intending to
+rendezvous there, next morning, agreeably to previous arrangements. As
+the Martha went off before the wind, the Anne hauled up sharp towards
+the Peak, under the impression that something might have been seen of
+the strangers from the high land there. About four in the morning the
+Anne went into the cove, and the governor ascended to the plain to have
+an interview with Heaton. He found everything tranquil in that quarter.
+Nothing had been seen of the strange squadron, since it went out of
+sight, under the volcano; nor had even the Neshamony come in. The
+governor's arrival was soon known, early as it was, and he had visits
+from half the women on the island, to inquire after their absent
+husbands. Each wife was told all the governor knew, and this short
+intercourse relieved the minds of a great many.
+
+At eight, the Anne sailed again, and at ten she had the Needle in sight,
+with three boats off it, on the look-out. Here, then, were tidings at
+last; but, the impatience of the governor was restrained, in order to
+make out the character of a sail that had been seen coming down through
+the straits, under a cloud of canvas. In a short time, this vessel was
+made out to be the Abraham, and the Anne hauled up to get her news. The
+two schooners spoke each other about twelve o'clock, but the Abraham had
+no intelligence to impart. She had been sent, or rather carried by
+Bigelow, out by the eastern passage, and had stood along the whole of
+the weather-side of the group, to give notice to the whalers where to
+go; and she had notified the two brigs to go in to-windward, and to
+remain in Weather Bay, where all the rest of the dull crafts had been
+taken for safety; and then had come to-leeward to look for the governor.
+As the Abraham was barely a respectable sailer, it was not deemed
+prudent to take her too near the strangers; but, she might see how
+matters were situated to the eastward. By keeping on the weather-coast,
+and so near the land as not to be cut off from it, she would be of
+particular service; since no enemy could approach in that quarter,
+without being seen; and Bigelow's familiarity with the channels would
+enable him, not only to save his schooner by running in, but would put
+it in his power to give notice throughout the whole group, of the
+position and apparent intentions of the strangers. The Abraham,
+accordingly, hauled by the wind, to beat back to her station, while the
+Anne kept off for the Needle.
+
+At the rendezvous, the governor found most of his craft waiting for him.
+The Neshamony was still behind; but all the rest had executed their
+orders, and were standing off and on, near the cape, ready to report.
+Nothing had been seen of the strangers! It was certain they had not
+approached the group, for two of the boats had just come out of it,
+having left the colonists busy with the preparations for defence, but
+totally undisturbed in other respects. This information gave the
+governor increased uneasiness. His hope of hearing from the pirates, in
+time to be ready to meet them, now depended on his reports from to
+leeward. The Neshamony ought soon to be in; nor could it be long before
+the Martha would return. The great source of apprehension now came from
+a suspicion that some of the Kannakas might be acting as pirates, along
+with Waally. For Waally himself no great distrust was felt, since he had
+never been allowed to see much of the channels of the group; but it was
+very different with the sea-going Kannakas, who had been employed by the
+colonists. Some of these men were familiar with all the windings and
+turnings of the channels, knew how much water could be taken through a
+passage, and, though not absolutely safe pilots, perhaps, were men who
+might enable skilful seamen to handle their vessels with tolerable
+security within the islands. Should it turn out that one or two of these
+fellows had undertaken to carry the strangers up to windward, and to
+take them into one of the passages in that quarter of the group, they
+might be down upon the different fortified points before they were
+expected, and sweep all before them. It is true, this danger had been in
+a measure foreseen, and persons had been sent to look out for it; but it
+never had appeared so formidable to the governor, as now that he found
+himself completely at fault where to look for his enemy. At length, a
+prospect of fresh reports appeared. The Neshamony was seen in the
+southern board, standing across from the Peak; and about the same time,
+the Martha was made out in the south-western, beating up from Rancocus
+Island direct. As the first had been ordered to land, and had also been
+round by the volcano, the Anne hauled up for her, the governor being
+impatient to get her tidings first. In half an hour, the two vessels
+were alongside of each other. But the Neshamony had very little that was
+new to tell! The pirates had remained on the island but a short time
+after Bigelow and his companions got away, doing all the damage they
+could, however, in that brief space. When they left, it was night, and
+nothing very certain could be told of their movements. When last seen,
+however, they were on a wind, and heading to the southward a little
+westerly; which looked like beating up towards the volcano, the trades
+now blowing due south-east. But the Neshamony had been quite round the
+volcano, without obtaining a sight of the strangers. Thence she
+proceeded to the Peak, where she arrived only a few hours after the
+governor had sailed, going into the cove and finding all quiet. Of
+course, the Martha could have no more to say than this, if as much; and
+the governor was once more left to the pain of deep suspense. As was
+expected, when Betts joined, he had nothing at all to tell. He had been
+ashore at Rancocus Point, heard the complaints of the people touching
+their losses, but had obtained no other tidings of the wrong-doers.
+Unwilling to lose time, he staid but an hour, and had been beating back
+to the rendezvous the rest of the period of his absence. Was it possible
+that the strangers had gone back to Betto's group, satisfied with the
+trifling injuries they had inflicted? This could hardly be; yet it was
+not easy to say where else they had been. After a consultation, it was
+decided that the Martha should stand over in that direction, in the hope
+that she might pick up some intelligence, by meeting with fishing canoes
+that often came out to a large cluster of rocks, that lay several
+leagues to windward of the territories of Ooroony and Waally. Captain
+Betts had taken his leave of the governor, and had actually got on board
+his own vessel, in order to make sail, when, a signal was seen flying on
+board one of the boats that was kept cruising well out in the straits,
+intimating that strange vessels were seen to windward. This induced the
+governor to recall the Martha, and the whole of the look-out vessels
+stood off into the straits.
+
+In less than an hour, all doubts were removed. There were the strangers,
+sure enough, and what was more, there was the Abraham ahead of them,
+pushing for Cape South passage, might and main; for the strangers were
+on her heels, going four feet to her three. It appeared, afterwards,
+that the pirates, on quitting Rancocus Island, had stood off to the
+southward, until they reached to windward of the volcano, passing
+however a good bit to leeward of the island, on their first stretch,
+when, finding the Peak just dipping, they tacked to the northward and
+westward, and stood off towards the ordinary whaling-ground of the
+colony, ever which they swept in the expectation of capturing the
+brigs. The pirates had no occasion for oil, which they probably would
+have destroyed in pure wantonness, but they were much in want of naval
+stores, cordage in particular, and the whaling gear of the two brigs
+would have been very acceptable to them. While running in for the group,
+after an unsuccessful search, they made the Abraham, and gave chase.
+That schooner steered for the straits, in the hope of finding the
+governor; but was so hard pressed by her pursuers, as to be glad to edge
+in for Cape South roads, intending to enter the group, and run for the
+Reef, if she could do no better.
+
+Luckily, the discovery of the look-out boat prevented the execution of
+the Abraham's project, which would have led the pirates directly up to
+the capital. But, no sooner did the governor see how things were
+situated, than he boldly luffed up towards the strangers, intending to
+divert them from the chase of the Abraham; or, at least, to separate
+them, in chase of himself. In this design he was handsomely seconded by
+Betts, in the Martha, who hauled his wind in the wake of the Anne, and
+carried everything that would draw, in order to keep his station. This
+decision and show of spirit had its effect. The two brigs, which were
+most to the southward, altered their course, and edged away for the Anne
+and Martha, leaving the ship to follow the Abraham alone. The governor
+was greatly rejoiced at this, for he had a notion a vessel as large as
+the strange ship would hesitate about entering the narrow waters, on
+account of her draught; she being much larger than any craft that had
+ever been in before, as the Kannakas must know, and would not fail to
+report to the pirates. The governor supposed this ship to be a vessel of
+between six and seven hundred tons measurement. Her armament appeared to
+be twelve guns of a side, below, and some eight or ten guns on her
+quarter-deck and forecastle. This was a formidable craft in those days,
+making what was called in the English service, an eight-and-twenty gun
+frigate, a class of cruisers that were then found to be very useful. It
+is true, that the first class modern sloop-of-war would blow one of
+those little frigates out of water, being several hundred tons larger,
+with armaments, crews and spars in proportion; but an eight-and-twenty
+gun frigate offered a very formidable force to a community like that of
+the crater, and no one knew it better than the governor.
+
+The three strangers all sailed like witches. It was well for the Abraham
+that she had a port so close under her lee, or the ship would have had
+her, beyond the smallest doubt. As it was she caught it, as she rounded
+the cape, as close in as she could go, the frigate letting slip at her
+the whole of her starboard broadside, which cut away the schooner's
+gaff, jib-stay, and main-topmast, besides killing, a Kannaka, who was in
+the main-cross-trees at the time. This last occurrence turned out to be
+fortunate, in the main, however, since it induced all the Kannakas to
+believe that the strangers were their enemies, in particular; else why
+kill one of their number, when there were just as many colonists as
+Kannakas to shoot at!
+
+As the governor expected, the ship did not venture to follow the Abraham
+in. That particular passage, in fact, was utterly unknown to Waally, and
+those with him, and he could not give such an account of it as would
+encourage the admiral to stand on. Determined not to lose time
+unnecessarily, the latter hauled short off shore, and made sail in chase
+of the Anne and Martha, which, by this time, were about mid-channel,
+heading across to the Peak. It was not the wish of the governor,
+however, to lead the strangers any nearer to the cove than was
+necessary, and, no sooner did he see the Abraham well within the
+islands, her sails concealed by the trees, of which there was now a
+little forest on this part of the coast, and the ship drawing well off
+the land in hot pursuit of himself, than he kept away in the direction
+of Rancocus Island, bringing the wind on his larboard quarter. The
+strangers followed, and in half an hour they were all so far to leeward
+of Cape South, as to remove any apprehension of their going in there
+very soon.
+
+Thus far, the plan of the governor had succeeded to admiration. He had
+his enemies in plain sight, within a league of him, and in chase of his
+two fastest craft. The best sailing of the Anne and Martha was on a
+wind, and, as a matter of course, they could do better, comparatively,
+in smooth water, than larger craft. No sooner, therefore, had he got his
+pursuers far enough off the land, and far enough to leeward, than the
+governor wore, or jibed would be the better word, running off northwest,
+with the wind on his starboard quarter. This gave the strangers a little
+the advantage, in one sense, though they lost it in another. It brought
+them on his weather-beam; pretty well forward of it, too; but the Needle
+was directly ahead of the schooner and sloop, and the governor foresaw
+that his pursuers would have to keep off to double that, which he was
+reasonably certain of reaching first.
+
+Everything turned out as the governor anticipated. The pirates had near
+a league of water more to pass over, before they could double the
+Needle, than the Anne and the Martha had; and, though those two crafts
+were obliged to haul up close to the rocks, under a distant fire from
+all three of their pursuers, no harm was done, and they were soon
+covered by the land, and were close-hauled in smooth water, to leeward
+of the group. Twenty minutes later, the strangers came round the cape,
+also, bearing up sharp, and following their chase. This was placing the
+enemy just where the colonists could have wished. They were now
+to-leeward of every point in the settlements, looking up towards the
+roads, which opened on the western passage, or that best known to
+Waally, and which he would be most likely to enter, should he attempt to
+pilot the strangers in. This was getting the invaders precisely where
+the governor wished them to be, if they were to attack him at all. They
+could not reach the Reef in less than twenty-four hours, with their
+knowledge of the channel; would have to approach it in face of the
+heaviest and strongest batteries, those provided for Waally; and, if
+successful in reaching the inner harbour, would enter it under the fire
+of the long twelves mounted on the crater, which was, rightly enough,
+deemed to be the citadel of the entire colony--unless, indeed, the Peak
+might better deserve that name.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XXVIII.
+
+
+
+    "It scares the sea-birds from their nests;
+      They dart and wheel with deafening screams;
+    Now dark--and now their wings and breasts
+      Flash back amid disastrous gleams.
+    O, sin! what hast thou done on this fair earth?
+    The world, O man! is wailing o'er thy birth."
+
+    Dana.
+
+
+It was the policy of the colonists to lead their pursuers directly up to
+the Western Roads. On the small island, under which vessels were
+accustomed to anchor, was a dwelling or two, and a battery of two
+guns--nine-pounders. These guns were to command the anchorage. The
+island lay directly in front of the mouth of the passage, making a very
+beautiful harbour within it; though the water was so smooth in the
+roads, and the last were so much the most convenient for getting
+under-way in, that this more sheltered haven was very little used. On
+the present occasion, however, all the colony craft beat up past the
+island, and anchored inside of it. The crews were then landed, and they
+repaired to the battery, which they found ready for service in
+consequence of orders previously sent.
+
+Here, then, was the point where hostilities would be likely to commence,
+should hostilities commence at all. One of the boats was sent across to
+the nearest island inland, where a messenger was landed, with directions
+to carry a letter to Pennock, at the Reef. This messenger was compelled
+to walk about six miles, the whole distance in a grove of young palms
+and bread-fruit trees; great pains having been taken to cultivate both
+of these plants throughout the group, in spots favourable to their
+growth. After getting through the grove, the path came out on a
+plantation, where a horse was kept for this especial object; and here
+the man mounted and galloped off to the Reef, soon finding himself amid
+a line of some of the most flourishing plantations in the colony.
+Fortunately, however, as things then threatened, these plantations were
+not on the main channel, but stood along the margin of a passage which
+was deep enough to receive any craft that floated, but which was a
+_cul-de-sac_, that could be entered only from the eastward. Along the
+margin of the ship-channel, there was not yet soil of the right quality
+for cultivation, though it was slowly forming, as the sands that lay
+thick on the adjacent rocks received other substances by exposure to the
+atmosphere.
+
+The Anne and her consorts had been anchored about an hour, when the
+strangers hove-to in the roads, distant about half a mile from the
+battery. Here they all hoisted white flags, as if desirous of having a
+parley. The governor did not well know how to act. He could not tell
+whether or not it would do to trust such men; and he as little liked to
+place Betts, or any other confidential friend, in their power, as he did
+to place himself there. Nevertheless, prudence required that some notice
+should be taken of the flag of truce; and he determined to go off a
+short distance from the shore in one of his own boats, and hoist a white
+flag, which would be as much as to say that he was waiting there to
+receive any communication that the strangers might chose to send him.
+
+It was not long after the governor's boat had reached her station, which
+was fairly within the short range of the two guns in the battery, ere a
+boat shoved off from the ship, showing the white flag, too. In a few
+minutes, the two boats were within the lengths of each other's oars,
+riding peacefully side by side.
+
+On board the stranger's boat, in addition to the six men who were at the
+oars, were three persons in the stern-sheets. One of these men, as was
+afterwards ascertained, was the admiral himself; a second was an
+interpreter, who spoke English with a foreign accent, but otherwise
+perfectly well; and the third was no other than Waally! The governor
+thought a fierce satisfaction was gleaming in the countenance of the
+savage when they met, though the latter said nothing. The interpreter
+opened the communications.
+
+"Is any one in that boat," demanded this person, "who is empowered to
+speak for the authorities ashore?"
+
+"There is," answered the governor, who did not deem it wise,
+nevertheless, exactly to proclaim his rank. "I have full powers, being
+directly authorized by the chief-magistrate of this colony."
+
+"To what nation does your colony belong?"
+
+This was an awkward question, and one that had not been at all
+anticipated, and which the governor was not fully prepared to answer.
+
+"Before interrogatories are thus put, it might be as well for me to know
+by what authority I am questioned at all," returned Mr. Woolston. "What
+are the vessels which have anchored in our waters, and under what flag
+do they sail?"
+
+"A man-of-war never answers a hail, unless it comes from another
+man-of-war," answered the interpreter, smiling.
+
+"Do you, then, claim to be vessels of war?"
+
+"If compelled to use our _force_, you will find us so. We have not come
+here to answer questions, however, but to ask them. Does your colony
+claim to belong to any particular nation, or not?"
+
+"We are all natives of the United States of America, and our vessels
+sail under her flag."
+
+"The United States of America!" repeated the interpreter, with an
+ill-concealed expression of contempt. "There is good picking among the
+vessels of that nation, as the great European belligerents well know;
+and while so many are profiting by it, _we_ may as well come in for our
+share."
+
+It may be necessary to remind a portion of our readers, that this
+dialogue occurred more than forty years ago, and long before the
+republic sent out its fleets and armies to conquer adjacent states;
+when, indeed, it had scarce a fleet and army to protect its own coasts
+and frontiers from insults and depredations. It is said that when the
+late Emperor of Austria, the good and kind-hearted Francis II., was
+shown the ruins of the little castle of Habsburg, which is still to be
+seen crowning a low height, in the canton of Aarraw, Switzerland, he
+observed, "I now see that we have not _always_ been a great family." The
+governor cared very little for the fling at his native land, but he did
+not relish the sneer, as it indicated the treatment likely to be
+bestowed on his adopted country. Still, the case was not to be remedied
+except by the use of the means already provided, should his visitors see
+fit to resort to force.
+
+A desultory conversation now ensued, in which the strangers pretty
+plainly let their designs be seen. In the first place they demanded a
+surrender of all the craft belonging to the colony, big and little,
+together with all the naval stores. This condition complied with, the
+strangers intimated that it was possible their conquests would not be
+pushed much further. Of provisions, they stood in need of pork, and they
+understood that the colony had hogs without number. If they would bring
+down to the island a hundred fat hogs, with barrels and salt, within
+twenty-four hours, it was probable, however, no further demand for
+provisions would be made. They had obtained fifty barrels of very
+excellent flour at Rancocus Island, and could not conveniently stow more
+than that number, in addition to the demanded hundred barrels of pork.
+The admiral also required that hostages should be sent on board his
+ship, and that he should be provided with proper pilots, in order that
+he, and a party of suitable size, might take the Anne and the Martha,
+and go up to the town, which he understood lay some twenty or thirty
+miles within the group. Failing of an acquiescence in these terms, war,
+and war of the most ruthless character, was to be immediately
+proclaimed. All attempts to obtain an announcement of any national
+character, on the part of the strangers was evaded; though, from the
+appearance of everything he saw, the governor could not now have the
+smallest doubt that he had to do with pirates.
+
+After getting all out of the strangers that he could, and it was but
+little at the best, the governor quietly, but steadily refused to accede
+to any one of the demands, and put the issue on the appeal to force. The
+strangers were obviously disappointed at this answer, for the
+thoughtful, simple manner of Mark Woolston had misled them, and they had
+actually flattered themselves with obtaining all they wanted without a
+struggle. At first, the anger of the admiral threatened some treacherous
+violence on the spot, but the crews of the two boats were so nearly
+equal, that prudence, if not good faith, admonished him of the necessity
+of respecting the truce. The parties separated, however, with
+denunciations, nay maledictions, on the part of the strangers, the
+colonists remaining quiet in demeanor, but firm.
+
+The time taken for the two boats to return to their respective points of
+departure was but short; and scarcely was that of the stranger arrived
+alongside of its vessel, ere the ship fired a gun. This was the signal
+of war, the shot of that first gun falling directly in the battery,
+where it took off the hand of a Kannaka, besides doing some other
+damage. This was not a very favourable omen, but the governor encouraged
+his people, and to work both sides went, trying who could do the other
+the most harm. The cannonading was lively and well sustained, though it
+was not like one of the present time, when shot are hollow, and a gun is
+chambered and, not unfrequently, has a muzzle almost as large as the
+open end of a flour-barrel, and a breech as big as a hogshead. At the
+commencement-of this century a long twelve-pounder was considered a
+smart piece, and was thought very capable of doing a good deal of
+mischief. The main battery of the ship was composed of guns of that
+description, while one of the brigs carried eight nines, and the other
+fourteen sixes. As the ship mounted altogether thirty, if not
+thirty-two, guns, this left the governor to contend with batteries that
+had in them at least twenty-six pieces, as opposed to his own two. A
+couple of lively guns, nevertheless, well-served and properly mounted,
+behind good earthen banks, are quite equal to several times their number
+on board ship. Notwithstanding the success of the first shot of the
+pirates, this truth soon became sufficiently apparent, and the vessels
+found themselves getting the worst of it. The governor, himself, or
+Captain Betts pointed every gun that was fired in the battery, and they
+seldom failed to make their marks on the hulls of the enemy. On the
+other hand, the shot of the shipping was either buried in the mounds of
+the battery, or passed over its low parapets. Not a man was hurt ashore,
+at the end of an hour's struggle, with the exception of the Kannaka
+first wounded, while seven of the pirates were actually killed, and near
+twenty wounded.
+
+Had the combat continued in the manner in which it was commenced, the
+result would have been a speedy and signal triumph in favour of the
+colony. But, by this time, the pirate admiral became convinced that he
+had gone the wrong way to work, and that he must have recourse to some
+management, in order to prevail against such stubborn foes. Neither of
+the vessels was anchored, but all kept under way, manoeuvring about in
+front of the battery, but one brig hauled out of the line to the
+northward, and making a stretch or two clear of the line of fire, she
+came down on the north end of the battery, in a position to rake it.
+Now, this battery had been constructed for plain, straightforward
+cannonading in front, with no embrasures to command the roads on either
+flank. Curtains of earth had been thrown up on the flanks, to protect
+the men, it is true, but this passive sort of resistance could do very
+little good in a protracted contest. While this particular brig was
+gaining that favourable position, the ship and the other brig fell off
+to leeward, and were soon at so long a shot, as to be out of harm's way.
+This was throwing the battery entirely out of the combat, as to anything
+aggressive, and compelled a prompt decision on the part of the
+colonists. No sooner did the nearest brig open her fire, and that within
+short canister range, than the ship and her consort hauled in again on
+the southern flank of the battery, the smallest vessel leading, and
+feeling her way with the lead. Perceiving the utter uselessness of
+remaining, and the great danger he ran of being cut off, the governor
+now commenced a retreat to his boats. This movement was not without
+danger, one colonist being killed in effecting it, and two more of the
+Kannakas wounded. It succeeded, notwithstanding, and the whole party got
+off to the Anne and Martha.
+
+This retreat, of course, left the island and the battery at the mercy of
+the pirates. The latter landed, set fire to the buildings, blew up the
+magazine, dismounted the guns, and did all the other damage to the place
+that could be accomplished in the course of a short visit. They then
+went on board their vessels, again, and began to beat up into the
+Western Passage, following the colonists who preceded them, keeping just
+out of gun-shot.
+
+The Western Passage was somewhat crooked, and different reaches were of
+very frequent occurrence. This sometimes aided a vessel in ascending, or
+going to windward, and sometimes offered obstacles. As there were many
+other passages, so many false channels, some of which were
+_culs-de-sacs,_ it was quite possible for one ignorant of the true
+direction to miss his way; and this circumstance suggested to the
+governor an expedient which was highly approved of by His friend and
+counsellor, captain Betts, when it was laid before that plain, but
+experienced, seaman. There was one false passage, about a league within
+the group, which led off to the northward, and far from all the
+settlements, that offered several inducements to enter it. In the first
+place, it had more of the appearance of a main channel, at its point of
+junction, than the main channel itself, and might easily be mistaken for
+it; then, it turned right into the wind's eye, after beating up it for a
+league; and at the end of a long reach that ran due-south-east, it
+narrowed so much as to render it questionable whether the Anne and
+Martha could pass between the rocks, into a wide bay beyond. This bay
+was the true _cul-de-sac,_ having no other outlet or inlet than the
+narrow pass just mentioned; though it was very large, was dotted with
+islands, and reached quite to the vicinity of Loam Island, or within a
+mile, or two, of the Reef.
+
+The main question was whether the schooner and the sloop could pass
+through the opening which communicated between the reach and the bay. If
+not, they must inevitably fall into the hands of the pirates, should
+they enter the false channel, and be followed in. Then, even admitting
+that the Anne and Martha got through the narrow passage, should the
+pirates follow them in their boats, there would be very little
+probability of their escaping; though they might elude their pursuers
+for a time among the islands. Captain Betts was of opinion that the two
+vessels _could_ get through, and was strongly in favour of endeavouring
+to lead the enemy off the true course to the Reef, by entangling them in
+this _cul-de-sac._ If nothing but delay was gained, delay would be
+something. It was always an advantage to the assailed to have time to
+recover from their first alarm, and to complete their arrangements. The
+governor listened to his friend's arguments with favour, but he sent the
+Neshamony on direct to the Reef, with a letter to Pennock, acquainting
+that functionary with the state of things, the intended plan, and a
+request that a twelve-pounder, that was mounted on a travelling
+carriage, might be put on board the boat, and sent to a landing, whence
+it might easily be dragged by hand to the narrow passage so often
+mentioned. This done, he took the way into the false channel himself.
+
+The governor, as a matter of course, kept at a safe distance ahead of
+the pirates in the Anne and the Martha. This he was enabled to do quite
+easily, since fore-and-aft vessels make much quicker tacks than those
+that are square-rigged. As respects water, there was enough of that
+almost everywhere; it being rather a peculiarity of the group, that
+nearly every one of its passages had good channels and bold shores.
+There was one shoal, however, and that of some extent, in the long reach
+of the false channel named; and when the governor resolved to venture in
+there, it was not without the hope of leading the pirate ship on it. The
+water on this shoal was about sixteen feet deep, and there was scarce a
+hope of either of the brigs fetching up on it; but, could the ship be
+enticed there, and did she only strike with good way on her, and on a
+falling tide, her berth might be made very uncomfortable. Although this
+hope appeared faintly in the background of the governor's project, his
+principal expectation was that of being able to decoy the strangers into
+a _cul-de-sac_, and to embarrass them with delays and losses. As soon as
+the Neshamony was out of sight, the Anne and Martha, therefore,
+accompanied by the other boats, stood into the false channel, and went
+off to the northward merrily, with a leading wind. When the enemy
+reached the point, they did not hesitate to follow, actually setting
+studding sails in their eagerness not to be left too far behind. It is
+probable, that Waally was of but little service to his allies just then,
+for, after all, the knowledge of that chief was limited to a very
+imperfect acquaintance with such channels as would admit of the passage
+of even canoes. The distances were by no means trifling in these
+crooked passages. By the true channel, it was rather more than seven and
+twenty miles from the western roads to the Reef; but, it was fully ten
+more by this false channel, even deducting the half league where there
+was no passage at all, or the bottom of the _bag_. Now, it required time
+to beat up such a distance, and the sun was setting when the governor
+reached the shoal already mentioned, about which he kept working for
+some time, in the hope of enticing the ship on it in the dark. But the
+pirates were too wary to be misled, in this fashion. The light no sooner
+left them than they took in all their canvas and anchored. It is
+probable, that they believed themselves on their certain way to the
+Reef, and felt indisposed to risk anything by adventuring in the
+obscurity. Both parties, consequently, prepared to pass the night at
+their anchors. The Anne and Martha were now within less than a mile of
+the all-important passage, through which they were to make their escape,
+if they escaped at all. The opportunity of ascertaining the fact was not
+to be neglected, and it was no sooner so dark as to veil his movements
+than the governor went on board the Martha, which was a vessel of more
+beam than the Anne, and beat her up to the rocks, in order to make a
+trial of its capacity. It was just possible to take the sloop through in
+several places; but, in one spot, the rocks came too near together to
+admit of her being hauled between them. The circumstances would not
+allow of delay, and to work everybody went, with such implements as
+offered, to pick away the rock and to open a passage. By midnight, this
+was done; and the Martha was carried through into the bay beyond. Here
+she stood off a short distance and anchored. The governor went back to
+his own craft and moved her about a mile, being apprehensive of a boat
+attack in the darkness, should he remain where he was. This precaution
+was timely, for, in the morning, after day had dawned, no less than
+seven boats were seen pulling down to the pirates, which had, no doubt,
+been looking for the schooner and the sloop in vain. The governor got
+great credit for this piece of management; more even than might have
+been expected, the vulgar usually bestowing their applause on acts of a
+glittering character, rather than on those which denote calculation and
+forethought.
+
+As the day advanced the pirates re-commenced their operations. The
+delay, however, had given the colonists a great advantage. There had
+been time to communicate with the Reef, and to receive the gun sent for.
+It had greatly encouraged the people up at the town, to hear that their
+enemies were in the false channel; and they redoubled their efforts, as
+one multiplies his blows on a retreating enemy. Pennock sent the
+governor most encouraging reports, and gave him to understand that he
+had ordered nearly all the men in from the out-posts, leaving just
+enough to have a look-out, and to keep the Kannakas in order. As it was
+now understood that the attack must be on the capital, there was every
+reason for taking this course.
+
+All the vessels were soon under way again. The pirates missed the
+Martha, which they rightly enough supposed had gone ahead. They were
+evidently a good deal puzzled about the channel, but supposed it must be
+somewhere to windward. In the mean time, the governor kept the Anne
+manoeuvring around the shoal, in the hope of luring the ship on it. Nor
+was he without rational hopes of success, for the brigs separated, one
+going close to each side of the sound, to look for the outlet, while the
+ship kept beating up directly in its centre, making a sinuous course
+towards the schooner, which was always near the shallow water. At length
+the governor was fully rewarded for his temerity; the admiral had made a
+stretch that carried him laterally past the lee side of the shoal, and
+when he went about, he looked directly for the Anne, which was standing
+back and forth near its weather margin. Here the governor held on, until
+he had the satisfaction of seeing the ship just verging on the weather
+side of the shoal, when he up helm, and stood off to leeward, as if
+intending to pass out of the _cul-de-sac_ by the way he had entered,
+giving his pursuers the slip. This bold manoeuvre took the pirate
+admiral by surprise, and being in the vessel that was much the nearest
+to the Anne, he up helm, and was plumped on the shoal with strong way on
+him, in less than five minutes! The instant the governor saw this, he
+hauled his wind and beat back again, passing the broadside of the ship
+with perfect impunity, her people being too much occupied with their own
+situation, to think of their guns, or of molesting him.
+
+The strange ship had run aground within half a mile of the spot where
+the twelve-pounder was planted, and that gun now opened on her with
+great effect. She lay quartering to this new enemy, and the range was no
+sooner obtained, than every shot hulled her. The governor now landed,
+and went to work seriously, first ordering the Anne carried through the
+pass, to place her beyond the reach of the brigs. A forge happened to be
+in the Anne, to make some repairs to her iron work, and this forge, a
+small one it was true, was taken ashore, and an attempt was made to heat
+some shot in it. The shot had been put into the forge an hour or two
+before, but a fair trial was not made until the whole apparatus was
+landed. For the next hour the efforts of both sides were unremitted. One
+of the brigs went to the assistance of the admiral, while the other
+endeavoured to silence the gun, which was too securely placed, however,
+to mind her broadsides. One shot hulling her, soon drove her to leeward;
+after which, all the attention of the pirates was bestowed on their
+ship.
+
+The admiral, beyond all doubt, was very awkwardly placed. He had the
+whole width of the shoal to leeward of him, could only get off by
+working directly in the face of the fire, and had gone on with seven
+knots way on his ship. The bottom was a soft mud; and the colonists knew
+that nothing but anchors laid to windward, with a heavy strain and a
+good deal of lightening, would ever take that vessel out of her soft
+berth. Of this fact the pirates themselves soon began to be convinced,
+for they were seen pumping out their water. As for the brigs, they were
+by no means well handled. Instead of closing with the battery, and
+silencing the gun, as they might have done, they kept aloof, and even
+rendered less assistance to the ship than was in their power. In point
+of fact, they were in confusion, and manifested that want of order and
+submission to authority, as well as self-devotion, that would have been
+shown among men in an honest service: guilt paralysed their efforts,
+rendering them timid and distrustful.
+
+After near two hours of cannonading, during which the colonists had
+done the pirates a good deal of damage, and the pirates literally had
+not injured the colonists at all, the governor was ready with his hot
+shot, which he had brought to something more than a red heat. The gun
+was loaded with great care, and fired, after having been deliberately
+pointed by the governor himself. The ship was hulled, and a trifling
+explosion followed on board. That shot materially added to the confusion
+among the pirates, and it was immediately followed by another, which
+struck, also. It was now so apparent that confusion prevailed among the
+pirates, that the governor would not take the time necessary to put in
+the other hot shot, but he loaded and fired as fast as he could, in the
+ordinary way.
+
+In less than a quarter of an hour after the first hot shot was fired,
+smoke poured out of the admiral's main-deck ports; and, two minutes
+later, it was succeeded by flames.
+
+From that moment the result of the conflict was no longer doubtful. The
+pirates, among whom great confusion prevailed, even previously to this
+disaster, now lost all subordination, and it was soon seen that each man
+worked for himself, striving to save as much as he could of his
+ill-gotten plunder. The governor understood the state of the enemy, and,
+though prudence could scarcely justify his course, he determined to
+press him to the utmost. The Anne and Martha were both brought back
+through the pass, and the twelve-pounder was taken on board the former,
+there being room to fight it between her masts. As soon as this was
+done, the two craft bore down on the brigs, which were, by this time, a
+league to leeward of the burning ship, their commanders having carried
+them there to avoid the effects of the expected explosion. The admiral
+and his crew saved themselves in the boats, abandoning nearly all their
+property, and losing a good many men. Indeed, when the last boat left
+the ship, there were several of her people below, so far overcome by
+liquor, as to be totally helpless. These men were abandoned too, as were
+all the wounded, including Waally, who had lost an arm by the fire of
+the battery.
+
+Neither did the governor like the idea of passing very near the ship,
+which had now been burning fully an hour. In going to leeward, he gave
+her a berth, and it was well he did, for she blew up while the Anne and
+Martha, as it was, were considerably within a quarter of a mile of her.
+The colonists ever afterwards considered an incident connected with this
+explosion, as a sort of Providential manifestation of the favour of
+Heaven. The Martha was nearest to the ship, at the instant of her final
+disaster, and very many fragments were thrown around her; a few even on
+her decks. Among the last was a human body, which was cast a great
+distance in the air, and fell, like a heavy clod, across the gunwale of
+the sloop. This proved to be the body of Waally, one of the arms having
+been cut away by a shot, three hours before! Thus perished a constant
+and most wily enemy of the colony, and who had, more than once, brought
+it to the verge of destruction, by his cupidity and artifices.
+
+From this moment, the pirates thought little of anything but of
+effecting their retreat, and of getting out into open water again. The
+governor saw this, and pressed them hard. The twelve-pounder opened on
+the nearest brig, as soon as her shot would tell; and even the Martha's
+swivel was heard, like the bark of a cur that joins in the clamour when
+a strange dog is set upon by the pack of a village. The colonists on
+shore flew into the settlements, to let it be known that the enemy was
+retreating, when every dwelling poured out its inmates in pursuit. Even
+the females now appeared in arms; there being no such incentive to
+patriotism, on occasions of the kind, as the cry that the battle has
+been won. Those whom it might have been hard to get within the sound of
+a gun, a few hours before, now became valiant, and pressed into the van,
+which bore a very different aspect, before a retreating foe, from that
+which it presented on their advance.
+
+In losing Waally, the strangers lost the only person among them who had
+any pretension to be thought a pilot. He knew very little of the
+channels to the Reef, at the best, though he had been there thrice; but,
+now he was gone, no one left among them knew anything about them at all.
+Under all the circumstances, therefore, it is not surprising that the
+admiral should think more of extricating his two brigs from the narrow
+waters, than of pursuing his original plan of conquest. It was not
+difficult to find his way back by the road he had come; and that road he
+travelled as fast as a leading breeze would carry him along it. But
+retreat, as it now appeared, was not the only difficulty with which this
+freebooter had to contend. It happened that no kind feeling existed
+between the admiral and the officers of the largest of the brigs. So far
+had their animosity extended, that the admiral had deemed it expedient
+to take a large sum of money, which had fallen to the share of the
+vessel in question, out of that brig, and keep it on board the ship, as
+a guaranty that they would not run away with their craft. This
+proceeding had not strengthened the bond between the parties; and
+nothing had kept down the strife but the expectation of the large amount
+of plunder that was to be obtained from the colony. That hope was now
+disappointed; and, the whole time the two vessels were retiring before
+the Anne and the Martha, preparations were making on board one of the
+brigs to reclaim this ill-gotten treasure, and on board the other to
+retain it. By a species of freemasonry peculiar to their pursuits, the
+respective crews were aware of each other's designs; and when they
+issued nearly abreast out of the passage, into the inner bay of the
+Western Roads, one passed to the southward of the island, and the other
+to the northward; the Anne and Martha keeping close in their wakes.
+
+As the two vessels cleared the island and got into open water, the
+struggle commenced in earnest; the disaffected brig firing into the
+admiral. The broadside was returned, and the two vessels gradually
+neared each other, until the canopies of smoke which accompanied their
+respective movements became one. The combat now raged, and with a savage
+warmth, for hours; both brigs running off the land under short canvas.
+At length the firing ceased, and the smoke so far cleared away as to
+enable the governor to take a look at the damages done. In this respect,
+there was little to choose; each vessel having suffered, and seemingly
+each about as much as the other. After consuming an hour or two in
+repairing damages, the combat was renewed; when the two colony craft,
+seeing no prospects of its soon terminating, and being now several
+leagues to leeward of the group, hauled up for the roads again. The
+brigs continued their fight, always running off before the wind, and
+went out of sight, canopied by smoke, long after the reports of their
+guns had become inaudible. This was the last the governor ever saw or
+heard of these dangerous enemies.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XXIX.
+
+
+
+    VOX POPULI, VOX DEI.
+
+    _Venerable Axiom._
+
+
+After this unlooked-for termination of what the colonists called the
+'Pirate-War,' the colony enjoyed a long period of peace and prosperity.
+The whaling business was carried on with great success, and many
+connected with it actually got rich. Among these was the governor, who,
+in addition to his other means, soon found himself in possession of more
+money than he could profitably dispose of in that young colony. By his
+orders, no less than one hundred thousand dollars were invested in his
+name, in the United States six per cents, his friends in America being
+empowered to draw the dividends, and, after using a due proportion in
+the way of commissions, to re-invest the remainder to his credit.
+
+Nature did quite as much as art, in bringing on the colony; the bounty
+of God, as the industry of man. It is our duty, however, to allow that
+the colonists did not so regard the matter. A great change came over
+their feelings, after the success of the 'Pirate-War,' inducing them to
+take a more exalted view of themselves and their condition than had been
+their wont. The ancient humility seemed suddenly to disappear; and in
+its place a vainglorious estimate of themselves and of their prowess
+arose among the people. The word "people," too, was in everybody's
+mouth, as if the colonists themselves had made those lovely islands,
+endowed them with fertility, and rendered them what they were now fast
+becoming--scenes of the most exquisite rural beauty, as well as
+granaries of abundance. By this time, the palm-tree covered more or less
+of every island; and the orange, lime, shaddock and other similar
+plants, filled the air with the fragrance of their flowers, or rendered
+it bright with the golden hues of their fruits. In short, everything
+adapted to the climate was flourishing in the plantations, and plenty
+reigned even in the humblest dwelling.
+
+This was a perilous condition for the healthful humility of human
+beings. Two dangers beset them; both coloured and magnified by a common
+tendency. One was that of dropping into luxurious idleness--the certain
+precursor, in such a climate, of sensual indulgences; and the other was
+that of "waxing fat, and kicking." The tendency common to both, was to
+place self before God, and not only to believe that they merited all
+they received, but that they actually created a good share of it.
+
+Of luxurious idleness, it was perhaps too soon to dread its worst
+fruits. The men and women retained too many of their early habits and
+impressions to drop easily into such a chasm; on the contrary, they
+rather looked forward to producing results greater than any which had
+yet attended their exertions. An exaggerated view of self, however, and
+an almost total forgetfulness of God, took the place of the colonial
+humility with which they had commenced their career in this new region.
+These feelings were greatly heightened by three agents, that men
+ordinarily suppose might have a very different effect--religion, law,
+and the press.
+
+When the Rancocus returned, a few months after the repulse of the
+pirates, she had on board of her some fifty emigrants; the council still
+finding itself obliged to admit the friends of families already settled
+in the colony, on due application. Unhappily, among these emigrants were
+a printer, a lawyer, and no less than four persons who might be named
+divines. Of the last, one was a presbyterian, one a methodist,--the
+third was a baptist, and the fourth a quaker. Not long after the arrival
+of this importation, its consequences became visible. The sectaries
+commenced with a thousand professions of brotherly love, and a great
+parade of Christian charity; indeed they pretended that they had
+emigrated in order to enjoy a higher degree of religious liberty than
+was now to be found in America, where men were divided into sects,
+thinking more of their distinguishing tenets than of the Being whom they
+professed to serve. Forgetting the reasons which brought them from home,
+or quite possibly carrying out the impulses which led them to resist
+their former neighbours, these men set to work, immediately, to collect
+followers, and believers after their own peculiar notions. Parson
+Hornblower, who had hitherto occupied the ground by himself, but who was
+always a good deal inclined to what are termed "distinctive opinions,"
+buckled on his armour, and took the field in earnest. In order that the
+sheep of one flock should not be mistaken for the sheep of another,
+great care was taken to mark each and all with the brand of sect. One
+clipped an ear, another smeared the wool (or drew it over the eyes) and
+a third, as was the case with Friend Stephen Dighton, the quaker, put on
+an entire covering, so that his sheep might be known by their outward
+symbols, far as they could be seen. In a word, on those remote and sweet
+islands, which, basking in the sun and cooled by the trades, seemed
+designed by providence to sing hymns daily and hourly to their maker's
+praise, the subtleties of sectarian faith smothered that humble
+submission to the divine law by trusting solely to the mediation,
+substituting in its place immaterial observances and theories which were
+much more strenuously urged than clearly understood. The devil, in the
+form of a "professor," once again entered Eden; and the Peak, with so
+much to raise the soul above the grosser strife of men, was soon ringing
+with discussions on "free grace," "immersion," "spiritual baptism," and
+the "apostolical succession." The birds sang as sweetly as ever, and
+their morning and evening songs hymned the praises of their creator as
+of old; but, not so was it with the morning and evening devotions of
+men. These last began to pray _at_ each other, and if Mr. Hornblower was
+an exception, it was because his admirable liturgy did not furnish him
+with the means of making these forays into the enemy's camp.
+
+Nor did the accession of law and intelligence help the matter much.
+Shortly after the lawyer made his appearance, men began to discover that
+they were wronged by their neighbours, in a hundred ways which they had
+never before discovered. Law, which had hitherto been used for the
+purpose of justice, and of justice only, now began to be used for those
+of speculation and revenge. A virtue was found in it that had never
+before been suspected of existing in the colony; it being discovered
+that men could make not only very comfortable livings, but, in some
+cases, get rich, by the law; not by its practice, but by its practices.
+Now came into existence an entire new class of philanthropists; men who
+were ever ready to lend their money to such of the needy as possessed
+property, taking judgment bonds, mortgages, and other innocent
+securities, which were received because the lender always _acted on a
+principle_ of not lending without them, or had taken a vow, or made
+their wives promises; the end of all being a transfer of title, by which
+the friendly assistant commonly relieved his dupe of the future care of
+all his property. The governor soon observed that one of these
+philanthropists rarely extended his saving hand, that the borrower did
+not come out as naked as the ear of the corn that has been through the
+sheller, or nothing but cob; and that, too, in a sort of patent-right
+time. Then there were the labourers of the press to add to the influence
+of those of religion and the law. The press took up the cause of human
+rights, endeavouring, to transfer the power of the state from the public
+departments to its own printing-office; and aiming at establishing all
+the equality that can flourish when one man has a monopoly of the means
+of making his facts to suit himself, leaving his neighbours to get along
+under such circumstances as they can. But the private advantage secured
+to himself by this advocate of the rights of all, was the smallest part
+of the injury he did, though his own interests were never lost sight of,
+and coloured all he did; the people were soon convinced that they had
+hitherto been living under an unheard-of tyranny, and were invoked
+weekly to arouse in their might, and be true to themselves and their
+posterity. In the first place, not a tenth of them had ever been
+consulted on the subject of the institutions at all, but had been
+compelled to take them as they found them. Nor had the present
+incumbents of office been placed in power by a vote of a majority, the
+original colonists having saved those who came later to the island all
+trouble in the premises. In these facts was an unceasing theme of
+declamation and complaint to be found. It was surprising how little the
+people really knew of the oppression under which they laboured, until
+this stranger came amongst them to enlighten their understandings. Nor
+was it less wonderful how many sources of wrong he exposed, that no one
+had ever dreamed of having an existence. Although there was not a tax of
+any sort laid in the colony, not a shilling ever collected in the way of
+import duties, he boldly pronounced the citizens of the islands to be
+the most overburthened people in Christendom! The taxation of England
+was nothing to it, and he did not hesitate to proclaim a general
+bankruptcy as the consequence, unless some of his own expedients were
+resorted to, in order to arrest the evil. Our limits will not admit of a
+description of the process by which this person demonstrated that a
+people who literally contributed nothing at all, were overtaxed; but any
+one who has paid attention to the opposing sides of a discussion on such
+a subject, can readily imagine how easily such an apparent contradiction
+can be reconciled, and the proposition demonstrated.
+
+In the age of which we are writing, a majority of man kind fancied that
+a statement made in print was far more likely to be true than one made
+orally. Then he who stood up in his proper person and uttered his facts
+on the responsibility of his personal character, was far less likely to
+gain credit than the anonymous scribbler, who recorded his lie on paper,
+though he made his record behind a screen, and half the time as much
+without personal identity as he would be found to be without personal
+character, were he actually seen and recognised. In our time, the press
+has pretty effectually cured all observant persons at least of giving
+faith to a statement merely because it is in print, and has become so
+far alive to its own great inferiority as publicly to talk of
+conventions to purify itself, and otherwise to do something to regain
+its credit; but such was not the fact, even in America, forty years
+since. The theory of an unrestrained press has fully developed itself
+within the last quarter of a century, so that even the elderly ladies,
+who once said with marvellous unction, "It must be true, for it's in
+print," are now very apt to say, "Oh! it's only a newspaper _account_!"
+The foulest pool has been furnished by a beneficent Providence with the
+means of cleansing its own waters.
+
+But the "Crater Truth-Teller" could utter its lies, as a privileged
+publication, at the period of this narrative. Types still had a
+sanctity; and it is surprising how much they deceived, and how many were
+their dupes. The journal did not even take the ordinary pains to mystify
+its readers, and to conceal its own cupidity, as are practised in
+communities more advanced in civilization. We dare say that journals
+_are_ to be found in London and Paris, that take just as great liberties
+with the fact as the Crater Truth-Teller; but they treat their readers
+with a little more outward respect, however much they may mislead them
+with falsehoods. Your London and Paris publics are not to be dealt with
+as if composed of credulous old women, but require something like a
+plausible mystification to throw dust in their eyes. They have a
+remarkable proneness to believe that which they wish, it is true; but,
+beyond that weakness, some limits are placed to their faith and
+appearances must be a good deal consulted.
+
+But at the crater no such precaution seemed to be necessary. It is true
+that the editor did use the pronoun "we," in speaking of himself; but he
+took all other occasions to assert his individuality, and to use his
+journal diligently in its behalf. Thus, whenever he got into the law,
+his columns were devoted to publicly maintaining his own side of the
+question, although such a course was not only opposed to every man's
+sense of propriety, but was directly flying into the teeth of the laws
+of the land; but little did he care for that. He was a public servant,
+and of course all he did was right. To be sure, other public servants
+were in the same category, all they did being wrong; but he had the
+means of telling his own story, and a large number of gaping dunces were
+ever ready to believe him. His manner of filling his larder is
+particularly worthy of being mentioned. Quite as often as once a week,
+his journal had some such elegant article as this, viz:--"Our esteemed
+friend, Peter Snooks"--perhaps it was Peter Snooks, _Esquire_--"has just
+brought us a fair specimen of his cocoa-nuts, which we do not hesitate
+in recommending to the housekeepers of the crater, as among the choicest
+of the group." Of course, Squire Snooks was grateful for this puff, and
+often brought _more_ cocoa-nuts. The same great supervision was extended
+to the bananas, the bread-fruit, the cucumbers, the melons, and even the
+squashes, and always with the same results to the editorial larder.
+Once, however, this worthy did get himself in a quandary with his use of
+the imperial pronoun. A mate of one of the vessels inflicted personal
+chastisement on him, for some impertinent comments he saw fit to make on
+the honest tar's vessel; and, this being matter of intense interest to
+the public mind, he went into a detail of all the evolutions of the
+combat. Other men may pull each other's noses, and inflict kicks and
+blows, without the world's caring a straw about it; but the editorial
+interest is too intense to be overlooked in this manner. A bulletin of
+the battle was published; the editor speaking of himself always in the
+plural, out of excess of modesty, and to avoid egotism(!) in three
+columns which were all about himself, using such expressions as
+these:--"_We_ now struck _our_ antagonist a blow with _our_ fist, and
+followed this up with a kick of _our_ foot, and otherwise _we_ made an
+assault on him that he will have reason to remember to his dying day."
+Now, these expressions, for a time, set all the old women in the colony
+against the editor, until he went into an elaborate explanation, showing
+that his modesty was so painfully sensitive that he could not say _I_ on
+any account, though he occupied three more columns of his paper in
+explaining the state of _our_ feelings. But, at first, the cry went
+forth that the battle had been of _two_ against _one_; and _that_ even
+the simple-minded colonists set down as somewhat cowardly. So much for
+talking about _we_ in the bulletin of a single combat!
+
+The political, effects produced by this paper, however, were much the
+most material part of its results. Whenever it offended and disgusted
+its readers by its dishonesty, selfishness, vulgarity, and lies--and it
+did this every week, being a hebdomadal--it recovered the ground it had
+lost by beginning to talk of 'the people' and their rights. This the
+colonists could not withstand. All their sympathies were enlisted in
+behalf of him who thought so much of their rights; and, at the very
+moment he was trampling on these rights, to advance his own personal
+views, and even treating them with contempt by uttering the trash he
+did, they imagined that he and his paper in particular, and its
+doctrines in general, were a sort of gift from Heaven to form the
+palladium of their precious liberties!
+
+The great theory advanced by this editorial tyro, was, that a majority
+of any community had a right to do as it pleased. The governor early
+saw, not only the fallacies, but the danger of this doctrine; and he
+wrote several communications himself, in order to prove that it was
+false. If true, he contended it was true altogether; and that it must be
+taken, if taken as an axiom at all, with its largest consequences. Now,
+if a majority has a right to rule, in this arbitrary manner, it has a
+right to set its dogmas above the commandments, and to legalize theft,
+murder, adultery, and all the other sins denounced in the twentieth
+chapter of Exodus. This was a poser to the demagogue, but he made an
+effort to get rid of it, by excepting the laws of God, which he allowed
+that even majorities were bound to respect. Thereupon, the governor
+replied that the laws of God were nothing but the great principles which
+ought to govern human conduct, and that his concession was an avowal
+that there was a power to which majorities should defer. Now, this was
+just as true of minorities as it was of majorities, and the amount of it
+all was that men, in establishing governments, merely set up a standard
+of principles which they pledged themselves to respect; and that, even
+in the most democratical communities, all that majorities could legally
+effect was to decide certain minor questions which, being necessarily
+referred to some tribunal for decision, was of preference referred to
+them. If there was a power superior to the will of the majority, in the
+management of human affairs, then majorities were not supreme; and it
+behooved the citizen to regard the last as only what they really are,
+and what they were probably designed to be--tribunals subject to the
+control of certain just principles.
+
+Constitutions, or the fundamental law, the governor went on to say, were
+meant to be the expression of those just and general principles which
+should control human society, and as such should prevail over
+majorities. Constitutions were expressly intended to defend the rights
+of minorities; since without them, each question, or interest, might be
+settled by the majority, as it arose. It was but a truism to say that
+the oppression of the majority was the worst sort of oppression; since
+the parties injured not only endured the burthen imposed by many, but
+were cut off from the sympathy of their kind, which can alleviate much
+suffering, by the inherent character of the tyranny.
+
+There was a great deal of good sense, and much truth in what the
+governor wrote, on this occasion; but of what avail could it prove with
+the ignorant and short-sighted, who put more trust in one honeyed phrase
+of the journal, that flourished about the 'people' and their 'rights,'
+than in all the arguments that reason, sustained even by revelation,
+could offer to show the fallacies and dangers of this new doctrine, As a
+matter of course, the wiles of the demagogue were not without fruits.
+Although every man in the colony, either in his own person, or in that
+of his parent or guardian, had directly entered into the covenants of
+the fundamental law, as that law then existed, they now began to quarrel
+with its provisions, and to advance doctrines that would subvert
+everything as established, in order to put something new and untried in
+its place. _Progress_ was the great desideratum; and _change_ was the
+hand-maiden of progress. A sort of 'puss in the corner' game was
+started, which was to enable those who had no places to run into the
+seats of those who had. This is a favourite pursuit of man, all over the
+world, in monarchies as well as in democracies; for, after all that
+institutions can effect, there is little change in men by putting on, or
+in taking off ermine and robes, or in wearing 'republican simplicity,'
+in office or out of office; but the demagogue is nothing but the
+courtier, pouring out his homage in the gutters, instead of in an
+ante-chamber.
+
+Nor did the governor run into extremes in his attempts to restrain the
+false reasoning and exaggerations of the demagogue and his deluded, or
+selfish followers. Nothing would be easier than to demonstrate that
+their notions of the rights of numbers was wrong, to demonstrate that
+were their theories carried out in practice, there could be, and would
+be nothing permanent or settled in human affairs; yet not only did each
+lustrum, but each year, each month, each week, each hour, each minute
+demand its reform. Society must be periodically reduced to its elements,
+in order to redress grievances. The governor did not deny that men had
+their natural rights, at the very moment he insisted that these rights
+were just as much a portion of the minority as of the majority. He was
+perfectly willing that equal laws should prevail, as equal laws did
+prevail in the colony, though he was not disposed to throw everything
+into confusion merely to satisfy a theory. For a long time, therefore,
+he opposed the designs of the new-school, and insisted on his vested
+rights, as established in the fundamental law, which had made him ruler
+for life. But "it is hard to kick against the pricks." Although the
+claim of the governor was in every sense connected with justice,
+perfectly sacred, it could not resist the throes of cupidity,
+selfishness, and envy. By this time, the newspaper, that palladium of
+liberty, had worked the minds of the masses to a state in which the
+naked pretension of possessing rights that were not common to everybody
+else was, to the last degree, "tolerable and not to be endured." To such
+a height did the fever of liberty rise, that men assumed a right to
+quarrel with the private habits of the governor and his family, some
+pronouncing him proud because he did not neglect his teeth, as the
+majority did, eat when they ate, and otherwise presumed to be of
+different habits from those around him. Some even objected to him
+because he spat in his pocket-handkerchief, and did not blow his nose
+with his fingers.
+
+All this time, religion was running riot, as well as politics. The
+next-door neighbours hated each other most sincerely, because they took
+different views of regeneration, justification, predestination and all
+the other subtleties of doctrine. What was remarkable, they who had the
+most clouded notions of such subjects were the loudest in their
+denunciations. Unhappily, the Rev. Mr. Hornblower, who had possession of
+the ground, took a course which had a tendency to aggravate instead of
+lessening this strife among the sects. Had he been prudent, he would
+have proclaimed louder than ever "Christ, and him crucified;" but, he
+made the capital mistake of going up and down, crying with the mob, "the
+church, the church!" This kept constantly before the eyes and ears of
+the dissenting part of the population--dissenting from his opinions if
+not from an establishment--the very features that were the most
+offensive to them. By "the church" they did not understand the same
+divine institution as that recognised by Mr. Hornblower himself, but
+surplices, and standing up and sitting down, and gowns, and reading
+prayers out of a book, and a great many other similar observances, which
+were deemed by most of the people relics of the "scarlet woman." It is
+wonderful, about what insignificant matters men can quarrel, when they
+wish to fall out. Perhaps religion, under these influences, had quite as
+much to do with the downfall of the governor, which shortly after
+occurred, as politics, and the newspaper, and the new lawyer, all of
+which and whom did everything that was in their power to destroy him.
+
+At length, the demagogues thought they had made sufficient progress to
+spring their mine. The journal came out with a proposal to call a
+convention, to alter and improve the fundamental law. That law contained
+a clause already pointing out the mode by which amendments were to be
+made in the constitution; but this mode required the consent of the
+governor, of the council, and finally, of the people. It was a slow,
+deliberative process, too, one by which men had time to reflect on what
+they were doing, and so far protected vested rights as to render it
+certain that no very great revolution could be effected under its
+shadow. Now, the disaffected aimed at revolution--at carrying out,
+completely the game of "puss in the corner," and it became necessary to
+set up some new principle by which they could circumvent the old
+fundamental law.
+
+This was very easily accomplished in the actual state of the public
+mind; it was only to carry out the doctrine of the sway of the majority
+to a practical result; and this was so cleverly done as actually to put
+the balance of power in the hands of the minority. There is nothing new
+in this, however, as any cool-headed man may see in this enlightened
+republic of our own, daily examples in which the majority-principle
+works purely for the aggrandizement of a minority clique. It makes very
+little difference how men are ruled; they will be cheated; for, failing
+of rogues at head-quarters to perform that office for them, they are
+quite certain to set to work to devise some means of cheating
+themselves. At the crater this last trouble was spared them, the
+opposition performing that office in the following ingenious manner.
+
+The whole colony was divided into parishes, which exercised in
+themselves a few of the minor functions of government. They had a
+limited legislative power, like the American town meetings. In these
+parishes, laws were passed, to require the people to vote 'yes' or 'no,'
+in order to ascertain whether there should, or should not be, a
+convention to amend the constitution. About one-fourth of the electors
+attended these primary meetings, and of the ten meetings which were
+held, in six "yes" prevailed by average majorities of about two votes in
+each parish. This was held to be demonstration of the wishes of the
+majority of the people to have a convention, though most of those who
+staid away did so because they believed the whole procedure not only
+illegal, but dangerous. Your hungry demagogue, however, is not to be
+defeated by any scruples so delicate. To work these _élites_ of the
+colony went, to organise an election for members of the convention. At
+this election about a third of the electors appeared, the candidates
+succeeding by handsome majorities, the rest staying away because they
+believed the whole proceedings illegal. Thus fortified by the sacred
+principle of the sway of majorities, these representatives of a
+minority, met in convention, and formed an entirely new fundamental law;
+one, indeed, that completely subverted the old one, not only in fact,
+but in theory. In order to get rid of the governor to a perfect
+certainty, for it was known that he could still command more votes for
+the office than any other man in the colony, one article provided that
+no person should hold the office of governor, either prospectively, or
+perspectively, more than five years, consecutively. This placed Mr. Mark
+Woolston on the shelf at the next election. Two legislative bodies were
+formed, the old council was annihilated, and everything was done that
+cunning could devise, to cause power and influence to pass into new
+hands. This was the one great object of the whole procedure, and, of
+course, it was not neglected.
+
+When the new constitution was completed, it was referred back to the
+people for approval. At this third appeal to the popular voice, rather
+less than half of all the electors voted, the constitution being adopted
+by a majority of one-third of those who did. By this simple, and
+exquisite republican process, was the principle of the sway of
+majorities vindicated, a new fundamental law for the colony provided,
+and all the old incumbents turned out of office. 'Silence gives
+consent,' cried the demagogues, who forgot they had no right to put
+their questions!
+
+Religion had a word to say in these changes. The circumstance that the
+governor was an Episcopalian reconciled many devout Christians to the
+palpable wrong that was done him; and it was loudly argued that a church
+government of bishops, was opposed to republicanism, and consequently
+ought not to be entertained by republicans. This charming argument,
+which renders religious faith secondary to human institutions, instead
+of human institutions secondary to religious faith, thus completely
+putting the cart before the horse, has survived that distant revolution,
+and is already flourishing in more eastern climes. It is as near an
+approach to an idolatrous worship of self, as human conceit has recently
+tolerated.
+
+As a matter of course, elections followed the adoption of the new
+constitution. Pennock was chosen governor for two years; the new lawyer
+was made judge, the editor, secretary of state and treasurer; and other
+similar changes were effected. All the Woolston connection were
+completely laid on the shelf. This was not done so much by the electors,
+with whom they were still popular, as by means of the nominating
+committees. These nominating committees were expedients devised to place
+the power in the hands of a few, in a government of the many. The rule
+of the majority is so very sacred a thing that it is found necessary to
+regulate it by legerdemain. No good republican ever disputes the
+principle, while no sagacious one ever submits to it. There are various
+modes, however, of defeating all 'sacred principles,' and this
+particular 'sacred principle' among the rest. The simplest is that of
+caucus nominations. The process is a singular illustration of the theory
+of a majority-government. Primary meetings are called, at which no one
+is ever present, but the wire-pullers and their puppets. Here very
+fierce conflicts occur between the wire-pullers themselves, and these
+are frequently decided by votes as close as majorities of one, or two.
+Making the whole calculation, it follows that nominations are usually
+made by about a tenth, or even a twentieth of the body of the electors;
+and this, too, on the supposition that they who vote actually have
+opinions of their own, as usually they have not, merely wagging their
+tongues as the wires are pulled. Now, these nominations are conclusive,
+when made by the ruling party, since there are no concerted means of
+opposing them. A man must have a flagrantly bad character not to succeed
+under a regular nomination, or he must be too honest for the body of the
+electors; one fault being quite as likely to defeat him as the other.
+
+In this way was a great revolution effected in the colony of the crater.
+At one time, the governor thought of knocking the whole thing in the
+head, by the strong arm; as he might have done, and would have been
+perfectly justified in doing. The Kannakas were now at his command, and,
+in truth, a majority of the electors were with him; but political
+jugglery held them in duress. A majority of the electors of the state of
+New York are, at this moment, opposed to universal suffrage, especially
+as it is exercised in the town and village governments, but moral
+cowardice holds them in subjection. Afraid of their own shadows, each
+politician hesitates to 'bell the cat.' What is more, the select
+aristocrats and monarchists are the least bold in acting frankly, and in
+saying openly what they think; leaving that office to be discharged, as
+it ever will be, by the men who--_true_ democrats, and not canting
+democrats--willing to give the people just as much control as they know
+how to use, or which circumstances will allow them to use beneficially
+to themselves, do not hesitate to speak with the candour and manliness
+of their principles. These men call things by their right names, equally
+eschewing the absurdity of believing that nature intended rulers to
+descend from male to male, according to the order of primogeniture, or
+the still greater nonsense of supposing it necessary to obtain the most
+thrifty plants from the hotbeds of the people, that they may be
+transplanted into the beds of state, reeking with the manure of the
+gutters.
+
+The governor submitted to the changes, through a love of peace, and
+ceased to be anything more than a private citizen, when he had so many
+claims to be first, and when, in fact, he had so long been first. No
+sovereign on his throne, could write _Gratia Dei_ before his titles with
+stricter conformity to truth, than Mark Woolston; but his right did not
+preserve him from the ruthless plunder of the demagogue. To his
+surprise, as well as to his grief, Pennock was seduced by ambition, and
+he assumed the functions of the executive with quite as little visible
+hesitation, as the heir apparent succeeds to his father's crown.
+
+It would be untrue to say that Mark did not feel the change; but it is
+just to add that he felt more concern for the future fate of the colony,
+than he did for himself or his children. Nor, when he came to reflect on
+the matter, was he so much surprised that he could be supplanted in this
+way, under a system in which the sway of the majority was so much
+lauded, when he did not entertain a doubt that considerably more than
+half of the colony preferred the old system to the new, and that the
+same proportion of the people would rather see him in the Colony House,
+than to see John Pennock in his stead. But Mark--we must call him the
+governor no longer--had watched the progress of events closely, and
+began to comprehend them. He had learned the great and all-important
+political truth, THAT THE MORE A PEOPLE ATTEMPT TO EXTEND THEIR POWER
+DIRECTLY OVER STATE AFFAIRS, THE LESS THEY, IN FACT, CONTROL THEM, AFTER
+HAVING ONCE PASSED THE POINT OF NAMING LAWGIVERS AS THEIR
+REPRESENTATIVES; MERELY BESTOWING ON A FEW ARTFUL MANAGERS THE INFLUENCE
+THEY VAINLY IMAGINE TO HAVE SECURED TO THEMSELVES. This truth should be
+written in letters of gold, at every corner of the streets and highways
+in a republic; for truth it is, and truth, those who press the foremost
+on another path will the soonest discover it to be. The mass _may_
+select their representatives, _may_ know them, and _may_ in a good
+measure so far sway them, as to keep them to their duties; but when a
+constituency assumes to enact the part of executive and judiciary, they
+not only get beyond their depth, but into the mire. What _can_, what
+_does_ the best-informed layman, for instance, know of the
+qualifications of this or that candidate to fill a seat on the bench! He
+has to take another's judgment for his guide; and a popular appointment
+of this nature, is merely transferring the nomination from an
+enlightened, and, what is everything, a RESPONSIBLE authority, to one
+that is unavoidably at the mercy of second persons for its means of
+judging, and is as IRRESPONSIBLE AS AIR.
+
+At one time, Mark Woolston regretted that he had not established an
+opposition paper, in order to supply an antidote for the bane; but
+reflection satisfied him it would have been useless. Everything human
+follows its law, until checked by abuses that create resistance. This is
+true of the monarch, who misuses power until it becomes tyranny; of the
+nobles, who combine to restrain the monarch, until the throes of an
+aristocracy-ridden country proclaim that it has merely changed places
+with the prince; of the people, who wax fat and kick! Everything human
+is abused; and it would seem that the only period of tolerable condition
+is the transition state, when the new force is gathering to a head, and
+before the storm has time to break. In the mean time, the earth
+revolves, men are born, live their time, and die; communities are formed
+and are dissolved; dynasties appear and disappear; good contends with
+evil, and evil still has its day; the whole, however, advancing slowly
+but unerringly towards that great consummation, which was designed from
+the beginning, and which is as certain to arrive in the end, as that the
+sun sets at night and rises in the morning. The supreme folly of the
+hour is to imagine that perfection will come before its stated time.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XXX.
+
+
+
+    "This is thy lesson, mighty sea!
+      Man calls the dimpled earth his own,
+    The flowery vale, the golden lea;
+      And on the wild gray mountain-stone
+    Claims nature's temple for his throne!
+      But where thy many voices sing
+    Their endless song, the deep, deep tone
+      Calls back his spirit's airy wing,
+    He shrinks into himself, when God is king!"
+
+    Lunt.
+
+
+For some months after the change of government, Mark Woolston was
+occupied in attending to the arrangement of his affairs, preparatory to
+an absence of some length. Bridget had expressed a strong wish to visit
+America once more, and her two eldest children were now of an age when
+their education had got to be a matter of some solicitude. It was the
+intention of their father to send them to Pennsylvania for that purpose,
+when the proper time arrived, and to place them under the care of his
+friends there, who would gladly take the charge. Recent events probably
+quickened this intention, both as to feeling and time, for Mark was
+naturally much mortified at the turn things had taken.
+
+There was an obvious falling-off in the affairs of the colony from the
+time it became transcendantly free. In religion, the sects ever had
+fair-play, or ever since the arrival of the parsons, and that had been
+running down, from the moment it began to run into excesses and
+exaggerations. As soon as a man begins to _shout_ in religion, he may be
+pretty sure that he is "hallooing before he is out of the woods." It is
+true that all our feelings exhibit themselves, more or less, in
+conformity to habits and manners, but there is something profane in the
+idea that the spirit of God manifests it presence in yells and clamour,
+even when in possession of those who have not been trained to the more
+subdued deportment of reason and propriety. The shouting and declamatory
+parts of religion may be the evil spirits growling and yelling before
+they are expelled, but these must not be mistaken for the voice of the
+Ancient of Days.
+
+The morals decayed as religion obtained its false directions.
+Self-righteousness, the inseparable companion of the quarrels of sects,
+took the place of humility, and thus became prevalent that most
+dangerous condition of the soul of man, when he imagines that _he_
+sanctifies what he does; a frame of mind, by the way, that is by no
+means strange to very many who ought to be conscious of their
+unworthiness. With the morals of the colony, its prosperity, even in
+worldly interests, began to lose ground. The merchants, as usual, had
+behaved badly in the political struggle. The intense selfishness of the
+caste kept them occupied with the pursuit of gain, at the most critical
+moments of the struggle, or when their influence might have been of use;
+and when the mischief was done, and they began to feel its consequences,
+or, what to them was the same thing, to fancy that the low price of oil
+in Europe was owing to the change of constitution at the Crater, they
+started up in convulsed and mercenary efforts to counteract the evil,
+referring all to money, and not manifesting any particular notions of
+principles concerning the manner in which it was used. As the cooler
+heads of the minority--perhaps we ought to say of the majority, for,
+oddly enough, the minority now actually ruled in Craterdom, by carrying
+out fully the principle of the sway of the majority--but, as the cooler
+heads of the colony well understood that nothing material was to follow
+from such spasmodic and ill-directed efforts, the merchants were not
+backed in their rising, and, as commonly happens with the slave, the
+shaking of their chains only bound them so much the tighter.
+
+At length the Rancocus returned from the voyage on which she had sailed
+just previously to the change in the constitution, and her owner
+announced his intention to go in her to America, the next trip, himself.
+His brothers, Heaton, Anne, their children, and, finally, Captain Betts,
+Friend Martha, and their issue, all, sooner or later, joined the party;
+a desire to visit the low shores of the Delaware once more, uniting with
+the mortification of the recent changes, to induce them all to wish to
+see the land of their fathers before they died. All the oil in the
+colony was purchased by Woolston, at rather favourable prices, the last
+quotations from abroad being low: the ex-governor disposed of most of
+his movables, in order to effect so large an operation. He also procured
+a glorious collection of shells, and some other light articles of the
+sort, filling the ship as full as she could be stowed. It was then that
+the necessity of having a second vessel became apparent, and Betts
+determined to withdraw his brig from the fishery, and to go to America
+in her. The whales had been driven off the original fishing-ground, and
+the pursuit was no longer as profitable as it had been, three fish
+having been taken formerly to one now; a circumstance the hierarchy of
+the Crater did not fail to ascribe to the changes in the constitution,
+while the journal attributed it to certain aristocratical tendencies
+which, as that paper averred, had crept into the management of the
+business.
+
+The vessels were loaded, the passengers disposing of as many of their
+movables as they could, and to good advantage, intending to lay in fresh
+supplies in Philadelphia, and using the funds thus obtained to procure a
+freight for the brig. At the end of a month, both vessels were ready;
+the different dwellings were transferred to new occupants, some by lease
+and others by sales, and all those who contemplated a voyage to America
+were assembled at the crater. Previously to taking leave of a place that
+had become endeared to him by so many associations and interests, Mr.
+Woolston determined to take the Anne, hiring her of the government for
+that purpose--Governor Pennock condescendingly deciding that the public
+interests would not suffer by the arrangement--and going in her once
+more through the colony, on a tour of private, if not of official
+inspection. Bridget, Heaton, Anne, and Captain Betts, were of the party;
+the children being left at the crater, in proper custody.
+
+The first visit was paid to Rancocus Island. Here the damage done by the
+pirates had long been repaired; and the mills, kilns and other works,
+were in a state of prosperous industry. The wild hogs and goats were
+now so numerous as to be a little troublesome, particularly the former;
+but, a good many being shot, the inhabitants did not despair of
+successfully contending with them for the possession of the place. There
+were cattle, also, on this island; but they were still tame, the cows
+giving milk, and the oxen being used in the yoke. These were the
+descendants of the single pair Woolston had sent across, less than
+twelve years before, which had increased in an arithmetical proportion,
+care having been taken not to destroy any. They now exceeded a hundred,
+of whom quite half were cows; and the islanders occasionally treated
+themselves to fresh beef. As cows had been brought into the colony in
+every vessel that arrived, they were now in tolerably good numbers, Mark
+Woolston himself disposing of no less than six when he broke up his
+farming establishment for a visit to America. There were horses, too,
+though not in as great numbers as there were cows and oxen. Boats were
+so much used, that roadsters were very little needed; and this so much
+the less, on account of the great steadiness of the trades. By this
+time, everybody understood the last; and the different channels of the
+group were worked through with almost the same facility as would have
+been the case with so many highways. Nevertheless, horses were to be
+found in the colony, and some of the husbandmen preferred them to the
+horned cattle in working their lands.
+
+A week was passed in visiting the group. Something like a consciousness
+of having ill-treated Mark was to be traced among the people; and this
+feeling was manifested under a well-known law of our nature, which
+rendered those the most vindictive and morose, who had acted the worst.
+Those who had little more to accuse themselves of than a compliant
+submission to the wrong-doing of others, in political matters everywhere
+the most numerous class of all, received their visiters well enough, and
+in many instances they treated their guests with delicacy and
+distinction. On the whole, however, the late governor derived but little
+pleasure from the intercourse, so much mouthing imbecility being blended
+with the expressions of regret and sympathy, as to cause him to mourn
+over the compliance of his fellow-creatures, more than to rejoice at
+their testimony in his own favour.
+
+But, notwithstanding all these errors of man, nature and time had done
+their work magnificently since the last "progress" of Woolston among the
+islands. The channels were in nearly every instance lined with trees,
+and the husbandry had assumed the aspect of an advanced civilization.
+Hedges, beautiful in their luxuriance and flowers, divided the fields;
+and the buildings which contribute to the comforts of a population were
+to be found on every side. The broad plains of soft mud, by the aid of
+the sun, the rains, the guano, and the plough, had now been some years
+converted into meadows and arable lands; and those which still lay
+remote from the peopled parts of the group, still nine-tenths of its
+surface, were fast getting the character of rich pastures, where cattle,
+and horses, and hogs were allowed to roam at pleasure. As the cock
+crowed from the midst of his attendant party of hens and chickens, the
+ex-governor in passing would smile sadly, his thoughts reverting to the
+time when its predecessor raised its shrill notes on the naked rocks of
+the Reef!
+
+That Reef itself had undergone more changes than any other spot in the
+colony, as the Peak had undergone fewer. The town by this time contained
+more than two hundred buildings, of one sort and another, and the
+population exceeded five hundred souls. This was a small population for
+so many tenements; but the children, as yet, did not bear a just
+proportion to the adults. The crater was the subject of what to Mark
+Woolston was a most painful law-suit. From the first, he had claimed
+that spot as his private property; though he had conceded its use to the
+public, under a lease, since it was so well adapted, by natural
+formation, to be a place of refuge when invasions were apprehended. But
+the crater he had found barren, and had rendered fertile; the crater had
+even seemed to him to be an especial gift of Providence bestowed on him
+in his misery; and the crater was his by possession, as well as by other
+rights, when he received strangers into his association. None of the
+older inhabitants denied this claim. It is the last comers who are ever
+the most anxious to dispute ancient rights. As they can possess none of
+these established privileges themselves, they dislike that others
+should enjoy them; and association places no restraints on their
+cupidity. Pennock, once in the hands of "the people," was obliged to
+maintain their rights, or what some among them chose to call their
+rights; and he authorized the attorney-general to bring an action of
+ejectment against the party in possession. Some pretty hard-faced
+trickery was attempted in the way of legislation, in order to help along
+the claim of the public; for, if the truth must be said, the public is
+just as wont to resort to such unworthy means to effect its purposes as
+private individuals, when it is deemed necessary. But there was little
+fear of the "people's" failing; they made the law, and they administered
+it, through their agents; the power being now so completely in their
+hands that it required twice the usual stock of human virtue to be able
+to say them nay, as had formerly been the case. God help the man whose
+rights are to be maintained against the masses, when the immediate and
+dependent nominees of those masses are to sit in judgment! If the
+public, by any inadvertency, have had the weakness to select servants
+that are superior to human infirmities, and who prefer to do right
+rather than to do as their masters would have them, it is a weakness
+that experience will be sure to correct, and which will not be often
+repeated.
+
+The trial of this cause kept the Woolstons at the crater a week longer
+than they would have remained. When the cause was submitted to the jury,
+Mr. Attorney-General had a great deal to say about aristocracy and
+privileged orders, as well as about the sacred rights of the people. To
+hear him, one might have imagined that the Woolstons were princes in the
+full possession of their hereditary states, and who were dangerous to
+the liberties or the mass, instead of being what they really were,
+citizens without one right more than the meanest man in the colony, and
+with even fewer chances of maintaining their share of these common
+rights, in consequence of the prejudice, and jealousy, and most of all,
+the _envy_, of the majority. Woolston argued his own cause, making a
+clear, forcible and manly appeal to the justice and good sense of the
+jury, in vindication of his claims; which, on every legal as well as
+equitable principle, was out of all question such as every civilized
+community should have maintained. But the great and most powerful foe of
+justice, in cases of this sort, is SLANG; and SLANG in this instance
+came very near being too much for law. The jury were divided, ten going
+for the 'people,' and two for the right; one of the last being Bigelow,
+who was a fearless, independent fellow, and cared no more for the
+bug-bear called the 'people,' by the slang-whangers of politics, than he
+did for the Emperor of Japan.
+
+The day after this fruitless trial, which left Mark's claim in abeyance
+until the next court, a period of six months, the intended travellers
+repaired on board ship, and the brig, with her party, went to sea, under
+her owner, captain Betts, who had provided himself with a good navigator
+in the person of his mate. The Rancocus, however, crossed over to the
+Peak, and the passengers all ascended to the plain, to take leave of
+that earthly paradise. Nature had done so much for this place, that it
+had been the settled policy of Mark Woolston to suffer its native charms
+to be marred as little as possible. But the Peak had ever been deemed a
+sort of West-End of the Colony; and, though the distribution of it had
+been made very fairly, those who parted with their shares receiving very
+ample compensations for them, a certain distinction became attached to
+the residence on the Peak. Some fancied it was on account of its
+climate; some, because it was a mountain, and was more raised up in the
+world than the low islands near it; some, because it had most edible
+birds, and the best figs; but none of those who now coveted residences
+there for their families, or the name of residences there, would allow
+even to themselves, what was the simple fact, that the place received it
+highest distinction on account of the more distinguished individuals who
+dwelt on it. At first, the _name_ was given to several settlements in
+the group, just as the Manhattanese have their East and West Broadway;
+and, just for the very same reasons that have made them so rich in
+Broadways, they will have ere long, first-fifth, second-fifth, and
+third-fifth avenue, unless common sense begins to resume its almost
+forgotten sway among the aldermen. But this demonstration in the way of
+names, did not satisfy the minor-majority, after they got into the
+ascendant; and a law was passed authorizing a new survey, and a new
+subdivision of the public lands on the Peak, among the citizens of the
+colony. On some pretence of justice, that is not very easily to be
+understood, those who had property there already were not to have shares
+in the new lottery; a lottery, by the way, in which the prizes were
+about twice as large as those which had originally been distributed
+among the colonists.
+
+But, Mark and Bridget endeavoured to forget everything unpleasant in
+this visit to their much-loved home. They regarded the place as a boon
+from Providence, that demanded all their gratitude, in spite of the
+abuses of which it was the subject; and never did it seem to them more
+exquisitely beautiful, perhaps it never had been more perfectly lovely,
+than it appeared the hour they left it. Mark remembered it as he found
+it, a paradise in the midst of the waters, wanting only in man to erect
+the last great altar in his heart, in honour of its divine creator. As
+yet, its beauties had not been much marred; though the new irruption
+menaced them, with serious injuries.
+
+Mr. and Mrs. Woolston took leave of their friends, and tore themselves
+away from the charming scenery of the Peak, with heavy hearts. The
+Rancocus was waiting for them, under the lee of the island, and
+everybody was soon on board her. The sails were filled, and the ship
+passed out from among the islands, by steering south, and hauling up
+between the Peak and the volcano. The latter now seemed to be totally
+extinct. No more smoke arose from it, or had indeed risen from it, for a
+twelvemonth. It was an island, and in time it might become habitable,
+like the others near it.
+
+Off Cape Horn the Rancocus spoke the Dragon; Captain Betts and his
+passengers being all well. The two vessels saw no more of each other
+until the ship was coming out of the Bay of Rio, as the brig was going
+in. Notwithstanding this advantage, and the general superiority of the
+sailing of the Rancocus, such was the nature of the winds that the last
+encountered, that when she passed Cape May lights the brig was actually
+in the bay, and ahead of her; This circumstance, however, afforded
+pleasure rather than anything else, and the two vessels landed their
+passengers on the wharves of Philadelphia within an hour of each other.
+
+Great was the commotion in the little town of Bristol at the return of
+all the Woolstons, who had gone off, no one knew exactly whither; some
+saying to New Holland; others to China; and a few even to Japan. The
+excitement extended across the river to the little city of Burlington,
+and there was danger of the whole history of the colony's getting into
+the newspapers. The colonists, however, were still discreet, and in a
+week something else occurred to draw the attention of the multitude, and
+the unexpected visit was soon regarded like any other visit.
+
+Glad enough, notwithstanding, were the near relatives of Bridget and
+Anne, in particular, to see those two fine young women again. Neither
+appeared much more than a twelvemonth older than when she went away.
+This was owing to the delicious, yet not enervating climate, in which
+both had lived. They were mothers, and a little more matronly in
+appearance, but none the less lovely; their children, like themselves,
+were objects of great interest, in their respective families, and happy
+indeed were the households which received them. It in no degree lessened
+the satisfaction of any of the parties, that the travellers had all
+returned much better off in their circumstances than when they went
+away. Even the two younger Woolstons were now comfortable, and early
+announced an intention not to return to the islands. As for the
+ex-governor, he might be said to be rich; but his heart was still in the
+colony, over the weaknesses of which his spirit yearned, as the
+indulgent parent feels for the failings of a backsliding child.
+Nevertheless, Bridget was persuaded to remain with her father a
+twelvemonth longer than her husband, for the health of the old gentleman
+had become infirm, and he could not bear to part with his only child so
+soon again, after she had once been restored to his arms. It was,
+therefore, decided, that Mr. Mark Woolston should fill the Rancocus with
+such articles as were deemed the most useful to the colony, and go back
+in that vessel, leaving his wife and children at Bristol, with the
+understanding he would return and seek them the succeeding summer. A
+similar arrangement was made for the wife and children of Captain Betts,
+Friend Martha Betts being much in the practice of regulating her
+conduct by that of Friend Bridget Woolston. Betts sold his brig, and
+consented to go in the Rancocus as a passenger, having no scruples, now
+he had become comparatively wealthy, about eating with his old shipmate,
+and otherwise associating with him, though it was always as a sort of
+humble companion.
+
+The Heatons determined to remain in America, for a time at least. Mr.
+Heaton felt the ingratitude of the colonists even more keenly than his
+brother-in-law; for he knew how much had been done for them, and how
+completely they had forgotten it all. Anne regretted the Peak, and its
+delicious climate; but her heart was mainly concentred in her family,
+and she could not be otherwise than happy, while permitted to dwell with
+her husband and children.
+
+When the Rancocus sailed, therefore, she had no one on board her but
+Mark Woolston and Betts, with the exception of her proper crew. Her
+cargo was of no great intrinsic value, though it consisted in articles
+much used, and consequently in great demand, in the colony. As the
+vessel had lain some months at Philadelphia, where she had been
+thoroughly repaired and new-coppered, she sailed well, and made an
+excellent run to Rio, nor was her passage bad as far as the straits of
+La Maire. Here she encountered westerly gales, and the Cape may be said
+to have been doubled in a tempest. After beating about for six weeks in
+that stormy ocean, the ship finally got into the Pacific, and went into
+Valparaiso, Here Mark Woolston received very favourable offers for most
+of his cargo, but, still feeling desirous to serve his colony, he
+refused them all, setting sail for the islands as soon as he had made a
+few repairs, and had a little refreshed his crew.
+
+The passages between Valparaiso and the Crater had usually consumed
+about five weeks, though somewhat dependent on the state of the trades.
+On this occasion the run was rather long, it having been attempted to
+find a new course. Formerly, the vessels had fallen in with the Crater,
+between Betto's group and the Reef, which was bringing them somewhat to
+leeward, and Mr. Woolston now thought he would try a more southern
+route, and see if he could not make the Peak, which would not only bring
+him to windward, but which place was certainly giving him a more
+striking object to fall in with than the lower islands of the group.
+
+It was on the morning of one of the most brilliant days of those seas,
+that Captain Saunders met the ex-governor on the quarter-deck, as the
+latter appeared there for the first time since quitting his berth, and
+announced that he had just sent look-outs aloft to have a search for the
+land. By his reckoning they must be within twelve leagues of the Peak,
+and he was rather surprised that it was not yet visible from the deck.
+Make it they must very shortly; for he was quite certain of his
+latitude, and did not believe that he could be much out of the way, as
+respected his longitude. The cross-trees were next hailed, and the
+inquiry was made if the Peak could not be seen ahead. The answer was,
+that no land was in sight, in any part of the ocean!
+
+For several hours the ship ran down before the wind, and the same
+extraordinary vacancy existed on the waters! At length an island was
+seen, and the news was sent down on deck. Towards that island the ship
+steered, and about two in the afternoon, she came up close under its
+lee, and backed her topsail. This island was a stranger to all on board!
+The navigators were confident they must be within a few leagues of the
+Peak, as well as of the volcano; yet nothing could be seen of either,
+while here was an unknown island in their places! This strange land was
+of very small dimensions, rising out of the sea about three hundred
+feet. Its extent was no great matter, half a mile in diameter perhaps,
+and its form nearly circular. A boat was lowered, and a party pulled
+towards it.
+
+As Mr. Woolston approached this as yet strange spot, something in its
+outlines recurred to his memory. The boat moved a little further north,
+and he beheld a solitary tree. Then a cry escaped him, and the whole of
+the terrible truth flashed on his mind. He beheld the summit of the
+Peak, and the solitary tree was that which he had himself preserved as a
+signal. The remainder of his paradise had sunk beneath the ocean!
+
+On landing, and examining more minutely, this awful catastrophe was
+fully confirmed. No part of Vulcan's Peak remained above water but its
+rocky summit, and its venerable deposit of guano. All the rest was
+submerged; and when soundings were made, the plain, that spot which had
+almost as much of Heaven as of earth about it, according to the
+unenlightened minds of its inhabitants, was found to be nearly a hundred
+fathoms deep in the ocean!
+
+It is scarcely possible to describe the sickening awe which came over
+the party, when they had assured themselves of the fatal facts by
+further observation. Everything, however, went to confirm the existence
+of the dire catastrophe. These internal fires had wrought a new
+convulsion, and the labours and hopes of years had vanished in a moment.
+The crust of the earth had again been broken; and this time it was to
+destroy, instead of to create. The lead gave fearful confirmation of the
+nature of the disaster, the soundings answering accurately to the known
+formation of the land in the neighbourhood of the Peak. But, in the Peak
+itself, it was not possible to be mistaken: there it was in its familiar
+outline, just as it had stood in its more elevated position, when it
+crowned its charming mountain, and overlooked the whole of that
+enchanting plain which had so lately stretched beneath. It might be said
+to resemble, in this respect, that sublime rock, which is recognised as
+a part of the "everlasting hills," in Cole's series of noble landscapes
+that is called "the March of Empire;" ever the same amid the changes of
+time, and civilization, and decay, there it was the apex of the Peak;
+naked, storm-beaten, and familiar to the eye, though surrounded no
+longer by the many delightful objects which had once been seen in its
+neighbourhood.
+
+Saddened, and chastened in spirit, by these proofs of what had befallen
+the colony, the party returned to the ship. That night, they remained
+near the little islet; next day they edged away in the direction of the
+place where the volcano had formerly risen up out of the waves. After
+running the proper distance, the ship was hove to, and her people
+sounded; two hundred fathoms of line were out, but no bottom was found.
+Then the Rancocus bore up for the island which had borne her own name.
+The spot was ascertained, but the mountain had also sunk into the
+ocean. In one place, soundings were had in ten fathoms water, and here
+the vessel was anchored. Next day, when the ship was again got under
+way, the anchor brought up with it, a portion of the skeleton of a goat.
+It had doubtless fallen upon the remains of such an animal, and hooking
+it with its flukes thus unexpectedly brought once more to the light of
+day, the remains of a creature that may have been on the very summit of
+the island, when the earthquake in which it was swallowed, occurred.
+
+The Rancocus next shaped her course in the direction of the group.
+Soundings were struck near the western roads, and it was easy enough to
+carry the vessel towards what had formerly been the centre of those
+pleasant isles. The lead was kept going, and a good look-out was had for
+shoals; for, by this time, Mr. Woolston was satisfied that the greatest
+changes had occurred at the southward, as in the former convulsion, the
+group having sunk but a trifle compared with the Peak; nevertheless,
+every person, as well as thing, would seem to have been engulfed.
+Towards evening, however, as the ship was feeling her way to windward
+with great caution, and when the ex-governor believed himself to be at
+no great distance from the centre of the group, the look-outs proclaimed
+shoal-water, and even small breakers, about half a mile on their
+larboard beam. The vessel was hove-to, and a boat went to examine the
+place, Woolston and his friend Betts going in her.
+
+The shoal was made by the summit of the crater; breakers appearing in
+one or two places where the hill had been highest. The boat met with no
+difficulty, however, in passing over the spot, merely avoiding the white
+water. When the lead was dropped into the centre of the crater, it took
+out just twenty fathoms of line. That distance, then, below the surface
+of the sea, had the crater, and its town, and its people sunk! If any
+object had floated, as many must have done, it had long before drifted
+off in the currents of the ocean, leaving no traces behind to mark a
+place that had so lately been tenanted by human beings. The Rancocus
+anchored in twenty-three fathoms, it being thought she lay nearly over
+the Colony House, and for eight-and-forty hours the exploration was
+continued. The sites of many a familiar spot were ascertained, but
+nothing could be found on which even a spar might be anchored, to buoy
+out a lost community.
+
+At the end of the time mentioned, the ship bore up for Betto's group.
+There young Ooroony was found, peacefully ruling as of old. Nothing was
+known of the fate of the colonists, though surprise had been felt at not
+receiving any visits from their vessels. The intercourse had not been
+great of late, and most of the Kannakas had come away. Soon after the
+Woolstons had left, the especial friends of humanity, and the almost
+exclusive lovers of the "people" having begun to oppress them by
+exacting more work than was usual, and forgetting to pay for it. These
+men could say but little about the condition of the colony beyond this
+fact. Not only they, but all in the group, however, could render some
+account of the awful earthquake of the last season, which, by their
+descriptions, greatly exceeded n violence anything formerly known in
+those regions. It was in that earthquake, doubtless, that the colony of
+the crater perished to a man.
+
+Leaving handsome and useful presents with his friend, young Ooroony, and
+putting ashore two or three Kannakas who were in the vessel, Woolston
+now sailed for Valparaiso. Here he disposed of his cargo to great
+advantage, and purchased copper in pigs at almost as great. With this
+new cargo he reached Philadelphia, after an absence of rather more than
+nine months.
+
+Of the colony of the crater and its fortunes, little was ever said among
+its survivors. It came into existence in a manner that was most
+extraordinary, and went out of it in one that was awful. Mark and
+Bridget, however, pondered deeply on these things; the influence of
+which coloured and chastened their future lives. The husband often went
+over, in his mind, all the events connected with his knowledge of the
+Reef. He would thus recall his shipwreck and desolate condition when
+suffered first to reach the rocks; the manner in which he was the
+instrument in causing vegetation to spring up in the barren places; the
+earthquake, and the upheaving of the islands from out of the waters: the
+arrival of his wife and other friends: the commencement and progress of
+the colony; its blessings, so long as it pursued the right, and its
+curses, when it began to pursue the wrong; his departure, leaving it
+still a settlement surrounded with a sort of earthly paradise, and his
+return, to find all buried beneath the ocean. Of such is the world and
+its much-coveted advantages. For a time our efforts seem to create, and
+to adorn, and to perfect, until we forget our origin and destination,
+substituting self for that divine hand which alone can unite the
+elements of worlds as they float in gasses, equally from His mysterious
+laboratory, and scatter them again into thin air when the works of His
+hand cease to find favour in His view.
+
+Let those who would substitute the voice of the created for that of the
+Creator, who shout "the people, the people," instead of hymning the
+praises of their God, who vainly imagine that the masses are sufficient
+for all things, remember their insignificance and tremble. They are but
+mites amid millions of other mites, that the goodness of providence has
+produced for its own wise ends; their boasted countries, with their
+vaunted climates and productions, have temporary possessions of but
+small portions of a globe that floats, a point, in space, following the
+course pointed out by an invisible finger, and which will one day be
+suddenly struck out of its orbit, as it was originally put there, by the
+hand that made it. Let that dread Being, then, be never made to act a
+second part in human affairs, or the rebellious vanity of our race
+imagine that either numbers, or capacity, or success, or power in arms,
+is aught more than a short-lived gift of His beneficence, to be resumed
+when His purposes are accomplished.
+
+
+
+***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CRATER***
+
+
+******* This file should be named 11573-8.txt or 11573-8.zip *******
+
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